Author: OMN AI

The weight-loss drug semaglutide – the active ingredient in Wegovy – significantly reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, regardless of how much weight a person loses, according to the largest study of its kind. Published in The Lancet, the UCL-led trial analysed data from 17,604 adults aged 45 and older who were overweight or obese. Half received weekly semaglutide injections, while the rest were given a placebo. Researchers found that semaglutide users were 20% less likely to suffer a major cardiac event such as a heart attack, stroke, or heart disease death. Importantly, the heart benefits appeared independent…

Meta will eliminate 600 positions in its artificial intelligence division, US media reported. The company confirmed the decision on Wednesday, stating it continues to recruit for its superintelligence lab while cutting other AI roles. Axios revealed the layoffs will hit Meta’s Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) team, along with product and infrastructure AI units. However, the company’s newer TBD Lab will remain unaffected by the reductions. Employees Encouraged to Seek Internal Roles Chief AI officer Alexandr Wang informed staff in a memo that affected employees should apply for other roles within Meta. Axios stated that most displaced workers are expected to…

New Restrictions Broaden Financial and Energy Measures The European Union has endorsed its nineteenth wave of sanctions against Russia, intensifying economic pressure over the war in Ukraine. The latest package expands penalties on Russian financial institutions, maritime operators, and energy-related companies accused of helping Moscow evade earlier embargoes. Officials in Brussels said the measures are intended to further isolate Russia’s economy and curb funding channels that sustain its military activity. LNG Import Ban Accelerates Europe’s Energy Transition For the first time, the bloc has agreed to block the import of Russian liquefied natural gas, setting a deadline for the complete…

Tesla achieved its highest quarterly revenue yet, but profits fell significantly. Rising tariffs, growing research costs, and stiff competition pressured earnings despite strong sales. Revenue climbs while profits decline For the quarter ending September, Tesla reported $28 billion (£21 billion) in revenue, a 12% increase from last year. Profits dropped 37% due to higher tariffs and increased research and development spending. Investors reacted cautiously. Tesla shares fell 3.8% in after-hours trading. Despite the decline, the company’s market value remains around $1.4 trillion, supported by confidence in Elon Musk’s ambitions in AI and robotics. Federal tax credit drives US sales surge…

U.S. stock markets showed modest gains as investors reacted to positive corporate earnings reports and improved guidance from leading firms. Analysts noted that the broader market moved higher on news of stronger-than-expected earnings, signaling renewed investor optimism. The Nasdaq and other major indexes experienced upward momentum after several prominent companies reported results that beat expectations. These earnings announcements suggest that corporate profitability remains robust, even amid economic uncertainties. Investors welcomed the news, which points to continued growth and a supportive business environment. The improved earnings reports come from a range of sectors, including technology, industrials, and consumer services. Many companies…

TIRANA — Mounting evidence suggests that sanctioned Russian interests may be using Albania as a backdoor into European markets, exploiting weak oversight, opaque corporate structures, and apparent complicity among government-connected networks. Investigations indicate that through negligence, smuggling, or outright corruption within Prime Minister Edi Rama’s administration, entities tied to critical infrastructure have facilitated commercial exchanges that appear to breach sanctions imposed on Russia and Iran. A major investigation by RBC Ukraine uncovered how banned Russian fuel products were smuggled into Europe through Albanian ports. The report describes ships arriving at the private port of Porto Romano near Durrës disguised as…

New UK research has found that different antidepressants can have significantly different physical side-effects, including changes in weight, heart rate, and blood pressure. The study — led by King’s College London and the University of Oxford — analysed data from 151 clinical trials involving over 58,000 people taking 30 different antidepressants. It revealed that while some drugs caused substantial weight gain, others led to weight loss or had little effect at all. For example, patients taking maprotiline gained about 2kg on average within two months, while those on agomelatine lost roughly 2.5kg. Nearly half of people prescribed maprotiline or amitriptyline…

Donald Trump said he did not want a “wasted meeting” after cancelling plans for face-to-face talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the war in Ukraine. Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, the US president said Moscow’s refusal to stop fighting along the current front line made any progress impossible. White House scraps Budapest summit plan A White House official confirmed there were “no plans” for a Trump-Putin meeting “in the immediate future.” The statement came only days after Trump had announced both leaders would meet in Budapest within two weeks. This week exposed the deepening divide between Washington…

Arizona’s Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. House of Representatives to compel the swearing-in of Adelita Grijalva. Grijalva was elected to fill the congressional seat of her late father, representing Arizona’s 7th district. The lawsuit seeks to guarantee that the district has proper representation in Congress. Officials said delaying the swearing-in leaves constituents without a voice on critical legislative matters, including funding, healthcare, and local infrastructure projects. Attorney General officials emphasized that the legal action is necessary to protect voters’ rights and ensure democratic processes are respected. “Every district deserves full representation,” the statement read. “The people…

France Launches Environmental Charge on Budget Clothing France has unveiled a new environmental levy designed to curb the environmental toll of fast fashion. The initiative begins with a €5 fee per garment and will rise to €10 by 2030. The final rate will depend on each brand’s sustainability record, with a maximum charge set at 50% of the item’s retail value before tax. Lawmakers also approved a labeling system requiring clothing to display its ecological footprint, aiming to steer consumers toward longer-lasting, responsibly made products. Brussels Seeks to Curb Cheap Imports At the European level, officials are moving to close…