Author: OMN AI

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order threatening tariffs on countries that continue trading with Iran. The order does not set a fixed rate but uses 25 percent as an example. It states the tariff could apply to goods imported into the United States from any nation that directly or indirectly purchases goods or services from Iran. Trump did not comment directly on the order but emphasized that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons. He spoke from Air Force One while senior US and Iranian officials held talks in Oman after weeks of escalating threats. Trump had already…

Most side-effects listed for statins are not caused by the drugs, a major review has found. Researchers analysed 19 trials involving 124,000 people and published the results in The Lancet. Apart from muscle pain, diabetes risk, and four minor effects, evidence did not support 62 listed side-effects, including memory loss, depression, and sleep problems. The review showed statins greatly reduce heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths, while proven risks remain small. Lead author Christina Reith said benefits clearly outweigh harms for most patients. Senior researchers called for updated drug labels to reflect the evidence and support informed decisions.

The European Union has told TikTok to change its platform design or face massive financial penalties. The European Commission said the video app violated EU online safety rules. Officials reached this conclusion after an investigation launched in February 2024. Regulators analysed how TikTok’s features shape user behaviour. The Commission said TikTok failed to properly assess risks to mental wellbeing. Investigators focused on autoplay and endless content feeds. They said these features can harm users, particularly children. Regulators also said TikTok did not implement sufficient safeguards to reduce these risks. TikTok rejected the findings through a company spokesperson. The firm called…

Pressure Builds to Enforce Tough Emissions Standards A group of US lawmakers is urging the European Union not to weaken its methane emissions rules, warning against giving special treatment to American oil and gas producers unless US standards meet the EU’s level of accuracy and enforcement. In a letter seen by Euronews, 24 members of Congress argue that the bloc’s methane regulation is vital to curbing pollution and preventing the wasteful flaring or venting of natural gas. Methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that traps far more heat than carbon dioxide over the short term, is a major contributor to climate…

Tech Weighs Heavily on Wall Street Wall Street moved sharply lower on Thursday after Alphabet shares dropped more than 4%, pulling major indexes into the red and unsettling markets beyond equities. The S&P 500 fell 1.2%, marking its sixth loss in seven sessions since reaching a record high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 606 points, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.5%. Alphabet was the biggest drag despite posting quarterly profits that beat expectations. Investors focused instead on the company’s warning that capital spending could nearly double this year to about $180 billion (€152bn), far exceeding analyst forecasts. The surprise…

Hidden-market sellers promote unlicensed weight-loss drugs through WhatsApp and Telegram giveaways.They offer injectable medicines like retatrutide as competition prizes. The Guardian observed groups urging users to enter within 24 hours.Experts warn these promotions pose serious health risks and bypass medical safeguards. UK law restricts weight-loss injections to prescription-only supply.Unapproved drugs like retatrutide cannot be legally sold or advertised. Telegram and Meta say their platforms prohibit illegal drug sales.

The UAE’s winter tourism campaign has sparked a surge in visitors, with unprecedented demand across all seven emirates. Officials reported higher hotel occupancy rates and increased bookings as travelers from around the world explored the country’s attractions. The campaign focused on promoting the UAE as a prime winter destination. With mild weather, luxury experiences, cultural events, and unique leisure activities, the initiative drew both first-time and repeat visitors. Authorities said the campaign contributed to a strong increase in tourism revenue. Hotels, resorts, and popular landmarks reported significant growth in visitors, while local businesses benefited from higher spending on dining, shopping,…

For two months, the US Department of Justice released millions of documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein. The files reveal years of alleged sex trafficking by the wealthy financier. President Donald Trump now urges the country to move forward. Washington, however, shows little sign of letting the story fade. Justice department concludes its review Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the government review has ended. Congress mandated the review through legislation passed in November. Blanche said prosecutors found no grounds for new criminal charges. He confirmed the files contain emails, photographs, and extensive correspondence. He added that material alone cannot justify…

Ultra-processed foods should be regulated like cigarettes because they are engineered to drive addiction and overconsumption, a new study argues.Researchers from Harvard University, the University of Michigan and Duke University said UPFs share key traits with tobacco products.They found both are designed to deliver rapid reward responses and maximise consumption.The report, published in Milbank Quarterly, links UPFs to widespread health harms similar to smoking.Researchers criticised “health washing” claims that delay regulation.They urged governments to shift responsibility from individuals to the food industry.Some experts cautioned against direct comparisons but agreed stronger regulation is needed.

SpaceX and xAI Close the Valuation Gap Elon Musk’s business empire has taken on a new shape after SpaceX merged with artificial intelligence venture xAI, pushing the combined group’s valuation to $1.25 trillion (€1.06tn). The deal sharply narrows the gap with Tesla, now valued at about $1.58 trillion (€1.34tn), and marks a shift in where Musk’s wealth is concentrated. On paper, his stake in the space business now outweighs his holdings in the electric carmaker. The merger values SpaceX at $1 trillion (€847bn) and xAI at $250 billion (€212bn). It follows last year’s move in which xAI acquired social media…