Author: OMN AI

How banned goods quietly reach Moscow Russia has been using a logistics setup in Berlin to sidestep European Union sanctions, quietly sending restricted goods to Moscow through international mail channels that face lighter oversight, according to an investigation by German newspaper Bild. Test shipments fitted with GPS trackers and filled with sanctioned items reportedly passed through a logistics warehouse near Berlin Brandenburg Airport without interference. From there, the parcels were forwarded through Poland and Belarus before reaching Russia. The investigation found that the operation relied on shipping labels from Uzbekistan’s state postal service, despite the fact that Germany’s Federal Network…

Economy Shows Strength, Cuts Put on Hold The US Federal Reserve decided on Wednesday to keep interest rates unchanged, pressing pause after cutting rates three times last year. The benchmark rate remains at around 3.6%, a move that reflects growing confidence in the health of the economy. In its statement, the Fed said the labour market appears to have stabilised and described economic growth as “solid,” an upgrade from last month’s more reserved assessment. With hiring holding up and no clear signs of economic strain, officials see little urgency to push borrowing costs lower just yet. Inflation Still the Sticking…

Amazon revealed fresh global job cuts after an internal email reached workers by mistake.Employees at Amazon Web Services received a cancelled meeting invite containing a draft layoff message.The email wrongly said affected staff in the US, Canada, and Costa Rica had already been informed.A senior executive described the layoffs, called Project Dawn, as necessary for future success.Amazon already announced 14,000 corporate cuts in October and continues to trim pandemic-era hiring.Chief executive Andy Jassy has warned AI could replace some white-collar roles.The news followed plans by United Parcel Service to cut up to 30,000 jobs this year.

From Lab Experiments to Real-World Power European lawmakers are calling on the EU to take nuclear fusion seriously as a future source of electricity, arguing that the technology has moved beyond theory and deserves clear political and regulatory backing. In a declaration released this week, members of the European People’s Party said fusion energy could play a key role in strengthening Europe’s competitiveness—if investors are given the certainty they need. The appeal was made during a public hearing in the European Parliament, where MEPs stressed the need for a predictable legal framework. With fusion projects expected to cost billions, lawmakers…

Scientists launched DinoTracker, an AI app that identifies dinosaurs using fossilised footprints.The system compares footprint shapes without relying on possibly incorrect human labels.Researchers trained the AI on 2,000 unlabelled footprint silhouettes.The model analysed eight key shape features, including toe spread and heel position.Tests showed the AI matched expert classifications about 90% of the time.The team published the study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Steve Brusatte from the University of Edinburgh co-authored the research.Gregor Hartmann from Helmholtz-Zentrum led the study.The AI supported earlier findings that some ancient tracks look surprisingly birdlike.Scientists remain cautious and say the tracks likely came…

A closely watched trial over alleged social media addiction begins Tuesday in California. Senior executives from major technology companies are expected to testify. The case could redefine how courts view digital platform responsibility. The plaintiff is a 19-year-old woman identified as KGM. She claims platform algorithms caused addiction and damaged her mental health. She says the designs encouraged compulsive use throughout her teenage years. The defendants include Meta, owner of Instagram and Facebook, TikTok owner ByteDance, and YouTube parent Google. Snapchat reached a settlement with the plaintiff last week. The remaining companies now face trial. The case will proceed at…

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission dropped its lawsuit against the Winklevoss twins’ crypto exchange after investors recovered all assets.Regulators cited full repayment to Gemini Earn users through the Genesis Global Capital bankruptcy in mid-2024.The decision reflects a friendlier crypto stance under Donald Trump, who pledged broad support for digital assets.The SEC charged Genesis and Gemini in 2023 over an alleged illegal crypto lending program.Genesis froze accounts in 2022, when Gemini Earn held $940m in customer assets.A New York settlement later compensated users and barred Gemini from crypto lending in the state.The SEC said the dismissal does not affect other…

Eight Countries Get Green Light Under SAFE Programme The European Commission has approved defence investment plans from eight EU countries under a major new loan scheme designed to strengthen Europe’s military readiness. Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Finland will have access to a combined €74 billion through the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme, part of the EU’s wider Readiness 2030 strategy. Poland alone accounts for €43.7 billion of the total. SAFE is one of the flagship initiatives aimed at dramatically boosting defence spending before the end of the decade, as intelligence agencies warn that Russia could…

Gold prices jumped above $5,000 (£3,659) an ounce for the first time, extending an extraordinary rally. The metal has climbed more than 60% during 2025, delivering a landmark year. Rising geopolitical and financial stress has fueled the move. Tensions between the United States and Nato over Greenland have shaken investor confidence. Markets have grown increasingly sensitive to global instability. US President Donald Trump has intensified concerns through toughġġ trade policies. He recently threatened a 100% tariff on Canada. The warning applies if Canada signs a trade deal with China. Safe-haven buying gathers pace Investors usually buy gold during periods of…

The World Bank Group has opened its first-ever office in Doha, a move that signals a deeper partnership with Qatar and highlights the country’s growing role in global development and finance. The office was officially inaugurated on Sunday and represents a new stage of cooperation between the World Bank Group and Qatari institutions. It will focus on development financing, mobilising private investment and supporting countries affected by fragility and conflict. The office is hosted at the headquarters of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), working closely with the Ministry of Finance. Speaking at the opening ceremony, World Bank Group President…