Author: OMN AI

Judge Ends Prolonged Legal FightA bankruptcy judge approved a $7.4bn settlement on Friday that obliges Purdue Pharma and its billionaire owners to pay for their role in the US opioid crisis. The ruling ends a long legal battle to hold the OxyContin-maker and the Sackler family accountable. It also unlocks long-delayed funds for people struggling with addiction. Purdue sought bankruptcy protection in 2019 after thousands of lawsuits accused the company of driving the opioid epidemic. Settlement Surpasses Previous ProposalThe new agreement raises the payout by more than $1bn compared with a settlement rejected by the Supreme Court last year. Steve…

Celtic are accelerating negotiations to appoint Wilfried Nancy as their next manager, with the Columbus Crew boss emerging as the leading candidate to replace Brendan Rodgers. The Scottish champions informed the MLS side on Friday of their intention to open formal talks, and compensation is not expected to be an obstacle. Nancy is understood to be keen on the move, and Celtic hope to have him in place before next weekend’s trip to St Mirren, ending Martin O’Neill’s brief caretaker spell. Nancy, who previously managed Montreal, led Columbus to seventh in the MLS Eastern Conference this season before exiting in…

Russian forces launched a massive coordinated attack on Kyiv, killing four people and injuring 27. Fires broke out, and multiple buildings sustained heavy damage. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported rescue teams could not retrieve two bodies from the rubble. Officials continued gathering details about all victims. Emergency crews responded rapidly to multiple strikes, treating at least 27 injured, including two children aged 7 and 10. Nine people required hospitalization, including a pregnant woman. Zelenskyy Condemns Targeted Civilian Assault President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the attack as “deliberately calculated” to harm civilians and destroy infrastructure. He revealed Russian forces used 430 drones and…

Swiss banking giant UBS AG is facing renewed scrutiny after investigative reporting suggested that it may still hold assets tied to Jewish families impacted by the Nazi regime. Journalists Eric Frey (Der Standard, link), Riva Pomerantz (Ami Magazine, link), and Peter Hell (BILD, link) have revealed archival evidence of long-dormant accounts never fully reconciled. The revelations carry immediate implications for Gulf investors who have placed significant wealth under UBS management. Unearthing Dormant Accounts Dr. Gerhard Podovsovnik, Vice President of AEA Justinian Lawyers, explained to the Abu Dhabi Times that newly discovered archives at Credit Suisse—now integrated into UBS—contain thousands of…

Apology Sparks Public OutcryThe national broadcaster apologises to US President Donald Trump after Panorama producers stitched together parts of his 6 January 2021 speech. The edit wrongly implied Trump directly encouraged violent action. The 2024 programme will no longer air. Trump’s lawyers threaten a $1bn lawsuit and demand a retraction, an apology, and compensation. The scandal leads to the resignations of Director General Tim Davie and News Chief Deborah Turness on Sunday. The broadcaster seeks comment from the White House. Second Controversial Clip Comes to LightThe apology follows hours after the Daily Telegraph exposes another edited clip from a 2022…

Patrick Bamford has joined Sheffield United, just months after leading derogatory chants about their manager Chris Wilder during Leeds United’s promotion celebrations. The 32-year-old striker, a free agent since leaving Leeds in August, has signed a short-term deal with the Championship club until January, as Wilder looks to bolster his struggling attack. Bamford, who has battled injuries in recent seasons, was at the centre of controversy in April when a video showed him leading an abusive song about Wilder. However, the pair have since reconciled after Bamford and then-Leeds boss Daniel Farke personally called Wilder to apologise. “I’ve no issue…

President Donald Trump has approved a short-term spending bill that ends the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. He signed the measure just hours after the House of Representatives voted 222 to 209 on Wednesday night. The Senate had narrowly passed the same legislation two days earlier after intense negotiations. In the Oval Office, Trump said the government would “resume normal operations” after “people were hurt so badly” during the 43-day closure. Since October, many federal agencies had halted operations. About 1.4 million government employees were either on unpaid leave or forced to work without pay. Food aid programs stalled,…

SmartFinds Marketing, a Detroit-based digital marketing agency, has launched SmartPress, a new press-release marketing service aimed at boosting B2B brand visibility. The offering reflects continued diversification in media and marketing services and highlights the agency’s growth. SmartPress helps B2B companies distribute press releases effectively, reaching key audiences, industry influencers, and potential clients. By combining traditional press distribution with digital marketing strategies, the service ensures that important announcements gain maximum visibility. The platform emphasizes clear messaging, strategic targeting, and measurable results. Businesses using SmartPress can expect improved brand awareness, enhanced credibility, and stronger engagement across multiple channels. The service also supports…

Barcelona have identified Harry Kane as their top target to replace Robert Lewandowski next summer. The club sees the 32-year-old England captain as the ideal successor to the 37-year-old Pole, whose contract expires in June. According to reports, Barça are willing to activate a £57m clause in Kane’s Bayern Munich deal that would allow him to leave at the end of the season. Since joining Bayern from Tottenham in 2023 for £100m, Kane has been a prolific success, scoring 108 goals in 113 games and helping the club reclaim the Bundesliga title. Although Kane has expressed openness to staying in…

The Audit Office of Cyprus revealed critical flaws in managing water resources amid climate change and worsening scarcity. The report stressed that the Water Development Department (DWD) must act immediately to protect the country’s supplies and prevent long-term shortages. Weak Oversight and Billing Failures Auditors found major gaps in metering, billing, and record-keeping. Inspectors noted two key intake points, covering 64% of Nicosia’s water, lacked regular checks. The DWD could not access Limassol meters or Larnaca’s telemetry system, creating uncertainty over billed quantities. Officials observed unexplained meter discrepancies but failed to investigate. The Water Billing System also lacked proper data…