Author: OMN AI

In supermarkets across 2025, pastel-coloured cans of “functional drinks” promise calm, focus, and energy. With ingredients like ashwagandha, lion’s mane mushroom, L-theanine, magnesium, and CBD, these beverages are marketed as quick fixes for stress and mental wellbeing. Their popularity has soared, with the global market projected to hit €212bn by 2030, driven by a broader shift away from alcohol among young people. “These products fit perfectly into today’s wellness culture,” said Nicolle Cucco, a registered dietitian, pointing to rising stress levels, clever branding, and social media as key drivers. While some studies suggest ashwagandha and L-theanine may reduce stress or…

Germany will build Europe’s strongest conventional army, Chancellor Merz announced in May. The government must address troop shortages with new service programs and quickly supply modern equipment. Berlin plans 154 major defense procurements between September 2025 and December 2026, spending up to €83 billion. Most contracts will go to European firms, with only eight percent sourced from the United States. US arms exports to Europe tripled from 2020 to 2024, with Germany increasing imports by 334 percent. Berlin now prioritizes “Buy European” to reduce dependence on American defense systems. Risks of Relying on US Weapons Josef Braml, US security expert,…

Donald Trump has ordered troops to Portland, Oregon, authorising full force if needed to control protests at immigration detention centres. The president said the deployment would protect federal facilities from Antifa attacks and other domestic threats. He described the city as war-ravaged in a Truth Social post. The move expands federal troop deployments in US cities as part of his broader crackdown on illegal immigration. democratic leaders criticise deployment Democratic officials condemned the decision, saying Portland faces no threat requiring military intervention. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek called communities safe and calm. She said any troop deployment would abuse presidential authority.…

Tens of thousands of people marched through Berlin on Saturday, demanding an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Protesters chanted slogans like “free, free Palestine” and called for urgent action to stop Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. Police deployed 1,800 officers to monitor the 50,000 demonstrators who marched from Alexanderplatz to the Victory Column. Demonstrators urged Germany to halt arms exports to Israel and pressured the European Union to impose sanctions. Fifty organizations, including Amnesty International and Die Linke, coordinated the rally, while some smaller protests faced police intervention. Clashes and Counter-Demonstrations About 100 people rallied in Berlin to support Israel and oppose…

Jennifer Lawrence became the youngest recipient of the Donostia Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival, where she used her platform to warn that “our freedom of speech is under attack in America.” The 35-year-old Oscar winner presented her new film Kill Me Love, which she also produced, and encouraged young filmmakers to persist in their craft: “Learn, go to casting tests, keep trying. But above all, watching films is very important.” Reflecting on women’s roles in Hollywood, she praised creators like Greta Gerwig for broadening perspectives: “When we are given the opportunity, the world benefits, because more stories are…

Petro’s Conduct Sparks Diplomatic Clash The U.S. government has revoked Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visa following his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. In a statement, the State Department accused him of actions that it considered “reckless and incendiary,” pointing to his involvement in demonstrations outside the official summit. Statements at Protest Trigger Backlash During a pro-Palestinian gathering near the UN, Petro told American soldiers to defy their orders and called for the creation of an international army greater in size than that of the United States to intervene in Palestine. His remarks quickly circulated and…

Jaguar Land Rover has started a phased restart of operations following a major cyber-attack. Several IT systems are now functioning, and the company is processing overdue supplier payments with increased invoicing capacity. Cyber-attack stops production The August attack forced Jaguar Land Rover to shut down IT networks and suspend car production. Factories will remain closed until at least next month. The prime minister said the government is working around the clock on a support package for suppliers. Smaller firms in the supply chain risk collapse if the shutdown continues. Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer described the situation as urgent but…

Early clinical results from Cambridge University have raised hopes for a new class of therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS), after researchers found that combining a common diabetes drug with an antihistamine could partially repair nervous system damage. The CCMR Two trial tested metformin, widely used for type 2 diabetes, alongside the antihistamine clemastine in 70 people with relapsing MS. Over six months, patients on the drug combination showed improvements in nerve signal speeds compared with those on a placebo, suggesting some remyelination — repair of the fatty coatings that protect nerve fibres. While the effect was small – just a…

Interpol, coordinating 196 member countries, directed a large-scale crackdown on cybercrime across Africa.Authorities arrested 260 suspects involved in romance scams and sextortion during operations in July and August.Criminals built online romantic connections, extorted money, and threatened victims with intimate images.Investigators reported over 1,400 victims lost nearly $2.8 million (€2.4 million) to these digital fraud schemes. Fraud Schemes Exploit Trust and Technology Interpol officials said scammers used fake identities to trick victims into paying shipment fees and sharing private videos.Ghanaian authorities detained 68 suspects involved in scams and blackmail operations.Senegalese police captured 22 individuals who posed as celebrities to defraud over…

President Donald Trump has unveiled a broad new set of tariffs on imported goods. Starting October 1, branded and patented medicines entering the United States will face a 100 percent duty unless companies operate factories on American soil. The plan also introduces a 25 percent tariff on heavy-duty trucks and a 50 percent levy on kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Trump presented the measures on Thursday, calling them essential to protect US manufacturers. On Truth Social, he said a “flood” of imports has harmed domestic producers. He insisted the tariffs would support local companies and preserve American jobs. The announcement comes…