Author: OMN AI

Gigafactory plans put on ice Automotive Cells Company (ACC), a key player in Europe’s push to build its own electric vehicle battery supply chain, has dropped plans to build large battery factories in Italy and Germany. The decision comes after electric vehicle demand across Europe grew far more slowly than expected. Italy’s metalworkers’ union UILM said ACC management confirmed that the proposed gigafactory in Termoli, Italy, will not go ahead. The same fate awaits a planned site in Germany, ending months of uncertainty around both projects, which have been on hold since 2024. EV demand fails to meet expectations ACC,…

Researchers say menstrual blood testing could provide a convenient alternative to cervical cancer screening.A sanitary pad fitted with a blood sample strip can detect human papillomavirus, which causes most cervical cancers.Women could use the test at home instead of attending a clinic. The study, published in BMJ, analysed data from more than 3,000 women in China.Researchers compared menstrual blood samples with clinician-collected cervical samples.The pad-based test showed similar accuracy in detecting serious cervical cell abnormalities. Scientists say the method could help reach women who avoid traditional screening.However, experts stress the approach remains in early research stages. Cancer Research UK welcomed…

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 stressed 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…

A major review finds most statin side-effects are not caused by the drugs. Researchers published the analysis in The Lancet after examining 19 trials with 124,000 participants. Evidence supported muscle pain, diabetes risk, and four minor effects, including liver test changes and swelling. The study found no strong evidence for 62 listed effects, such as memory loss, depression, or sleep problems. Lead author Christina Reith said statins did not increase common complaints compared with non-users. Senior author Rory Collins urged updates to drug labels to reflect the evidence. Experts said the benefits of statins far outweigh the small risks for…

The European Union has warned 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 that began 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 continuous 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…

Pressure to Keep Standards Equal From January 2027, companies importing oil and gas into the European Union will be required to meet strict monitoring, reporting and verification rules tied to methane emissions. Now, a group of US lawmakers is urging the EU not to water those rules down by granting exemptions to American energy producers if US standards fall short. In a letter seen by Euronews, 24 members of Congress argue that the EU’s methane regulation is a vital tool to curb emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that is far more potent than carbon dioxide over the short…

Tech Slide Sends Wall Street Retreating US stocks fell sharply on Thursday after Alphabet shares dropped more than 4%, dragging major indexes lower and unsettling markets well beyond equities. The S&P 500 slid 1.2%, marking its sixth decline in seven sessions since hitting a record high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 606 points, while the Nasdaq composite dropped 1.5%. Alphabet weighed heavily on the market despite reporting stronger-than-expected quarterly profits. Investors reacted negatively after the company said capital spending could surge to around $180 billion this year, far above analyst forecasts. The move sparked broader concerns about costs across…

Hidden-market sellers promote unlicensed weight-loss drugs through WhatsApp and Telegram competitions.They offer injectable medicines like retatrutide as prizes. The Guardian found groups urging users to enter giveaways within 24 hours.Experts warn these tactics create serious health risks. Retatrutide remains experimental and lacks approval anywhere in the world.Other prizes include unapproved peptides and tanning drugs. UK law allows weight-loss injections only with valid prescriptions.Selling or promoting unlicensed medicines is illegal. Some sellers disguise drug sales as fitness or coaching programmes.Researchers say these practices dangerously bypass medical safeguards.

The UK tourism industry is showing optimism after Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent visit to China. Officials and business leaders believe the trip could lead to more Chinese tourists and stronger cultural exchanges between the two countries. Industry experts say renewed engagement with China is likely to boost travel bookings and tourism spending in the UK. Hotels, attractions, and transport services could all benefit from the expected rise in visitors from China. Starmer’s diplomatic visit focused on strengthening people-to-people connections, trade, and cultural cooperation. Tourism stakeholders view this as a positive sign that travel between the UK and China will…

For two months, the US Department of Justice released millions of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein. The files detail years of alleged sex trafficking by the wealthy financier. President Donald Trump now calls on the nation to move forward. Washington shows little interest in ending the scrutiny. Justice department concludes its review Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the government review has finished. Congress mandated the review through legislation passed in November. Blanche said prosecutors found no grounds for new criminal cases. He confirmed the files include emails, photographs, and extensive correspondence. He added that the material alone cannot justify…