Author: OMN AI

The European Union has ordered 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 examined how TikTok’s features influence 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, especially 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…

Lawmakers Push for Strong, Consistent Standards Starting January 2027, European importers of oil and gas must meet strict monitoring, reporting, and verification rules for methane emissions from producing countries and companies. A group of 24 US lawmakers has written to the European Union urging it not to exempt American energy producers if domestic standards fall short on accuracy or enforcement. In their letter, the lawmakers called the EU’s methane regulations—a short-lived but highly potent greenhouse gas up to 30 times stronger than CO₂—a “critical tool” to curb wasteful flaring and venting of natural gas. They stressed that uniform rules across…

Alphabet Pulls Stocks Lower Wall Street struggled on Thursday after Alphabet, Google’s parent company, fell more than 4%, pulling down the major indexes. The S&P 500 dropped 1.2%, the Dow Jones lost 606 points, and the Nasdaq slid 1.5%. Despite posting better-than-expected quarterly profits, Alphabet’s announcement that it could double its spending on equipment and investments to around $180 billion (€152bn) unsettled investors, exceeding analysts’ predictions and fueling concerns over rising tech sector costs. Labor Market Weakness Adds Pressure The market turmoil was compounded by signs of trouble in the US job market. Unemployment claims rose more than expected last…

Online sellers promote unlicensed weight-loss drugs through WhatsApp and Telegram competitions.They offer injectable medicines like retatrutide as prizes. The Guardian found posts urging users to enter within 24 hours.Experts warn these promotions pose serious health risks. Retatrutide remains experimental and lacks approval anywhere in the world.Other prizes include unapproved peptides and tanning drugs. UK law restricts weight-loss injections to prescription-only supply.Unlicensed sellers bypass safety checks and medical oversight. Researchers say these giveaways normalise dangerous drug use.

New research shows that semaglutide, a medication commonly used for weight management, can significantly reduce cardiovascular risks. The study found that high-risk U.S. patients taking semaglutide experienced lower rates of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular-related deaths. Researchers said the results demonstrate the drug’s benefits beyond weight control. Semaglutide appears to improve heart health by reducing risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, and inflammation, which are linked to cardiovascular events. The study included patients with existing cardiovascular risk factors. Those treated with semaglutide had a notable reduction in serious heart problems compared to those who did not receive the…

For two months, the US Department of Justice released millions of documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein. The files detail years of alleged sex trafficking by the wealthy financier. President Donald Trump now calls for the nation to move forward. Washington, however, shows little willingness to let the story fade. Justice department ends its review Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the government review has concluded. 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…

Ultra-processed foods should be regulated more like cigarettes than everyday food, researchers argued in a new study.Scientists said UPFs are engineered to drive addiction and overconsumption, mirroring tobacco industry tactics.The report came from researchers at Harvard University, University of Michigan and Duke University.They found similarities in product design, marketing, and health harms.The study appeared in Milbank Quarterly.Authors called for marketing limits, stronger regulation, and industry accountability.Some experts warned against direct comparisons, urging focus on improving diet quality.

SpaceX Surpasses Tesla in Private Valuation Elon Musk’s SpaceX, after merging with his AI venture xAI, is now valued at $1.25 trillion (€1.06tn), narrowing the gap with Tesla, which sits at roughly $1.58 trillion (€1.34tn). On paper, this means Musk now draws more of his wealth from SpaceX than from his electric carmaker. Tesla has struggled in early 2026, with shares down about 6% after a 16% drop in vehicle deliveries in January and a 3% decline in 2025 revenue — its first annual fall on record. Competition in China and Europe, alongside the end of U.S. EV tax credits,…

Netflix faced intense questioning in Washington over its $82bn (£61bn) bid to acquire Warner Bros Discovery. Lawmakers questioned whether the merger would benefit consumers or workers. Senators from both parties voiced concerns during an antitrust hearing. Senators warn merger could weaken competition and raise subscription costs Members of the Senate antitrust subcommittee said the deal could reduce competition across entertainment markets. Several senators warned subscription fees might increase. Others questioned whether cinemas could survive if regulators approve the merger. The Department of Justice is reviewing the proposed transaction. Approval would give Netflix control of Warner Bros film and television studios.…

Toto Wolff dismissed rival claims over engine legality and urged teams to focus on themselves.Mercedes and Red Bull Racing face scrutiny over engine compression ratios.Rivals allege thermal expansion boosts performance beyond intent.Wolff said the engines meet written regulations and testing procedures.FIA reviewed complaints from Audi, Ferrari, and Honda without resolving the dispute.Wolff accused rivals of missing opportunities and seeking excuses.He said Mercedes communicated transparently with the FIA throughout development.Wolff did not rule out protests after the Australian Grand Prix.