Author: OMN AI
Two Russian military planes entered Lithuania’s airspace for 18 seconds on Thursday, according to the Lithuanian military. The aircraft, identified as an Su-30 fighter jet and an Il-78 refuelling tanker, reportedly crossed from Russia’s Kaliningrad region around 1600 CET during a refuelling training mission. Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets from NATO’s Baltic Air Police responded immediately and continue to patrol the area. Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda condemned the intrusion on X, calling it a “blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity.” He strongly denounced the airspace violation by Russian aircraft from Kaliningrad and stressed the need for action. Moscow has…
The weight-loss drug semaglutide—best known as the active ingredient in Wegovy—reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke regardless of how much weight a person loses, according to a major global study published in The Lancet. Researchers from University College London (UCL) analysed data from 17,604 adults aged 45 and over across 41 countries who were either overweight or obese. Half received weekly semaglutide injections, while the others were given a placebo. The study found that semaglutide cut the risk of major cardiovascular events by 20%, even for participants who lost little or no weight. The results suggest that the…
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is cutting 600 jobs in its AI division, US media reported. The company confirmed the layoffs on Wednesday, even as it continues hiring for its superintelligence lab. Axios first revealed the cuts, which will impact Meta’s Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) unit, product-related AI teams, and AI infrastructure groups. Affected Workers Can Reapply Within Meta The newer TBD Lab unit will remain unaffected. Axios, citing a memo from Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang, said Meta is urging affected employees to apply for other internal positions. Most of them are expected to secure new…
TIRANA — Mounting investigations suggest that Albania, a NATO member state once praised for its steadfast alignment with Western sanctions, may have become an unexpected conduit for Russian and Iranian interests seeking to bypass international restrictions. Evidence from multiple sources points to a troubling mix of negligence, smuggling and possible corruption within Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government — conditions that appear to have allowed sanctioned commercial flows to infiltrate the country’s critical infrastructure. A recent investigation by RBC Ukraine uncovered how banned Russian fuel products may be entering Europe through Albanian ports. The report detailed deceptive cargo declarations, including two…
People taking antidepressants can experience significant differences in physical side-effects depending on the medication, according to new UK research. The study found that some antidepressants can lead to up to 2kg of weight gain within two months, while others can cause comparable weight loss. The analysis, conducted by King’s College London and the University of Oxford, examined data from 151 clinical studies involving more than 58,000 participants and 30 different antidepressants. It revealed notable variations in weight change, heart rate, and blood pressure across different drugs. For instance, average weight changes ranged from a 2.5kg loss with agomelatine to a…
Pizza Hut’s UK restaurant operator has entered administration, leading to the closure of 68 dine-in locations and 11 delivery-only sites, putting 1,210 jobs at risk. Franchise holder DC London Pie appointed corporate finance firm FTI Consulting as administrators on Monday. However, a pre-pack deal with US parent company Yum! Brands — which also owns KFC and Taco Bell — will save 64 restaurants and 1,276 jobs, with those sites now to be operated directly by Yum. The closures affect branches nationwide, from Finchley Lido in London to Carlisle and Rhyl in north Wales. FTI’s Matt Callaghan said the sale “provides…
European markets staged a cautious rebound on Tuesday morning after recent volatility and geopolitical tensions. Most major European indexes opened higher as Asian markets extended gains while U.S. futures slipped slightly. By midday, Milan’s stock exchange led with a 0.80% rise, driven by strong performances from UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, energy group Eni, and defence manufacturer Leonardo. German defence stocks also lifted sentiment, though the DAX still dipped 0.13%. Shipbuilder TKMS continued its post-IPO surge, rising 6.28% in Frankfurt after debuting at €60 per share. Rheinmetall AG gained 0.48%, while London’s BAE Systems slipped 0.91%. Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo agreed to…
President Donald Trump has signed an $8.5 billion rare earths deal with Australia to secure essential minerals and strengthen U.S. supply chains. The agreement aims to reduce reliance on Chinese exports and support domestic industries. The deal was finalized after months of negotiations between the two governments. Officials emphasized that it is a strategic move to secure materials critical for technology, defense, and renewable energy sectors. Rare earths are used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, smartphones, and advanced military equipment. “This deal is about America’s security and economic strength,” Trump said. “We are ensuring our industries have the materials they…
Millions of young people could miss out on effective treatments because so few take part in medical research, experts warn. Data shows 18- to 24-year-olds make up 8% of England’s population but only 4.4% of clinical trial participants, raising concerns that future treatments may not suit their needs. “Young people face unique health challenges, from mental health issues to chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes,” said Kirsty Blenkins of the Association for Young People’s Health. “If research excludes them, treatments may be unsafe or ineffective.” Barriers include low awareness, limited recruitment, and privacy concerns. Dr Esther Mukuka of the NIHR…
A new “smart jab” has shown remarkable results in shrinking head and neck cancer tumours within just six weeks, offering fresh hope for patients with few treatment options left. The drug, amivantamab, works through a triple-action mechanism and can be administered as a simple injection rather than lengthy hospital infusions. It was tested in the Orig-AMI 4 trial, involving patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) across 11 countries, including the UK. Results presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology conference in Berlin showed that 76% of patients who had already undergone chemotherapy and…
