Author: OMN AI

Rich and voiceless, Russia’s billionaires reached record numbers during the war against Ukraine. Their wealth increased, but their political influence all but disappeared. Over 25 years, Vladimir Putin stripped the wealthy of independent power. Once-feared oligarchs now avoid public confrontation. This outcome serves the Kremlin perfectly. Western sanctions failed to spark elite resistance. Pressure and privilege instead ensured their loyalty. The Kremlin enforces control through a mix of reward and threat. Loyalty brings protection, access, and profit. Defiance brings swift punishment. Former banking billionaire Oleg Tinkov experienced this system directly. One day after calling the war “crazy” online, officials contacted…

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.Martin Ødegaard opened the scoring before half-time with a precise finish after Arsenal capitalised on a Brighton error. Arsenal dominated the first half, registering 15 shots while Brighton failed to manage one.The lead doubled soon after the break when Georginio Rutter turned a corner into his own net. Brighton rallied unexpectedly and pulled a goal back through Diego Gómez.The visitors then pushed for an equaliser during a tense spell. David Raya preserved the lead with a superb save to deny Yankuba Minteh.A…

Ruben Amorim usually asks his team to dominate matches through control and bravery. His Manchester United vision rests on possession and proactive football. Against Newcastle, he chose a different solution. United claimed a 1-0 Premier League victory built on discipline and sacrifice. The result mattered more than the performance at Old Trafford. A philosophy bent by necessity Amorim has long resisted tactical compromise. Earlier in the season, he joked nobody could force him to change. After 13 months in charge, he finally did. For the first time, United started with a back four under his management. The decision marked a…

We share images and sounds easily, but smells rarely travel beyond their source.Dr Kate McLean-MacKenzie wants to change that. Based at the University of Kent, she is publishing an atlas of urban “smellscapes”.The project captures how cities smell, from food and traffic to fleeting, unexpected odours. McLean-MacKenzie asks volunteers to take guided “smell walks”.Participants record what they smell, how strong it is, and the memories it triggers. She turns this data into visual maps and cultural narratives.The results are subjective, but they reveal how people emotionally experience places. Since 2011, she has mapped more than 40 locations worldwide.These include cities…

The United States has carried out multiple airstrikes targeting Islamic State–linked militants in northwestern Nigeria, marking a sharp escalation in its involvement in the country’s ongoing security crisis. US President Donald Trump confirmed the strikes on Thursday, describing them as “powerful and deadly” attacks against militants he accused of carrying out brutal assaults on civilians. In a social media post, Trump said the fighters had been “viciously targeting and killing, primarily, innocent Christians.” The operations come as Nigeria’s military continues to struggle with widespread insecurity, facing numerous armed groups operating across different parts of the country. Military under strain Nigeria’s…

India’s solar surge earns praise across the world. The transition still conceals a mounting waste problem. Over just more than a decade, India became the world’s third-largest solar power producer. Renewable energy now underpins national climate policy. Solar panels span massive parks and line rooftops across the country. Large utility-scale projects generate most solar electricity. Millions of rooftop systems also supply power to the grid. Government data show nearly 2.4 million households adopted solar through subsidies. Solar expansion reduced dependence on coal-fired generation. Thermal and other non-renewables still exceed half of installed capacity. Solar power now provides more than 20…

Christmas offers plenty of chances to explore science without lab coats or equipment.Simple games and meals can reveal surprising lessons about senses, behaviour, and chemistry. Matthew Cobb suggests testing flavour by eating sweets while holding your nose.Most people taste only sweetness until smell is restored, showing flavour depends largely on scent. Cracker jokes can also become experiments.Sophie Scott explains laughter is social, not just about humour.People are far more likely to laugh when others are present. A roast turkey offers lessons in anatomy.Steve Brusatte recommends examining bones to understand movement and flight mechanics. In the kitchen, chemistry comes alive.Andrea Sella…

Declan Rice was released by Chelsea at 14 and nearly overlooked again at West Ham United.Instead of sulking, Rice embraced what coaches called “clean feedback” and focused on improvement. At West Ham, doubts over his awkward running style and long-term position persisted.Coaches saw reliability and leadership, not a future world-class midfielder. Rice’s willingness to learn accelerated his progress after his senior debut under Slaven Bilic.He adapted tactically, moving from centre-back to defensive midfielder and later to a box-to-box role. His £105m move to Arsenal brought scrutiny and criticism over goals.Under Mikel Arteta, Rice responded by expanding his attacking impact and…

BP has finalized a six billion dollar deal. The company sells a majority stake in its Castrol motor oil business. US investment firm Stonepeak acquires the holding. The buyer operates from New York. BP sells 65 percent of Castrol. The brand produces lubricants for cars, motorcycles, and industrial vehicles. The agreement values Castrol at 10.1 billion dollars. BP receives six billion dollars in cash. Management plans to cut debt and reinforce its core activities. BP retains a 35 percent stake in Castrol. The group first took control of the brand in 2000. Executives described the sale as a strategic milestone.…

Several NFL teams secured important victories in recent games, strengthening their positions in the playoff race. These wins not only improve seeding but also energize players and fans as the season grows more competitive. Teams relied on a mix of strong offense, solid defense, and effective special teams to claim victories. Key plays in crucial moments often determined outcomes, highlighting the importance of strategy and execution late in the season. Fan enthusiasm has surged following these wins. Social media and stadium energy reflected excitement as teams solidified their chances for playoff berths. Analysts noted that momentum gained from critical victories…