Author: OMN AI

Landslide Win Boosts LDP Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set for a commanding victory in snap elections, with media estimates suggesting her ruling bloc has captured around 300 of 465 seats in the lower house. If confirmed, this would mark the Liberal Democratic Party’s strongest showing since 2017 under the late Shinzo Abe, Takaichi’s mentor. The results give the LDP a solid majority and could even allow it to govern without its junior partner, the Japan Innovation Party. LDP Secretary General Shunichi Suzuki hailed the result as voter approval for Takaichi’s “responsible, proactive fiscal policies and a strengthening of…

BP faces growing calls to end years of strategic turbulence as it prepares to publish full-year results. Analysts expect weaker profits after oil prices fell for a third straight year in 2025. Forecasts put annual profits near $7.5bn, down from almost $9bn in 2024. Fourth-quarter earnings likely slumped after crude prices dropped below $60 a barrel. Incoming chief executive Meg O’Neill will face pressure to outline a clearer long-term strategy. Activist investors want BP to prepare for declining fossil fuel demand. A shareholder resolution led by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility urges tighter control of oil and gas spending.…

Termoli and German Factories Canceled Automotive Cells Company (ACC) has officially abandoned plans to build new electric vehicle battery gigafactories in Italy and Germany, the Italian metalworkers’ union UILM confirmed. ACC management reportedly told the union that the Termoli project, along with the German site, will not move forward, ending years of anticipation. The factories had been on hold since 2024 as the company reevaluated the market and technology choices. Slower EV Demand Forces Strategic Shift ACC, a joint venture backed by Stellantis, TotalEnergies, and Mercedes-Benz, cited weaker-than-expected electric vehicle demand as the main reason for shelving the projects. The…

Researchers say menstrual blood testing could offer a simple, non-invasive alternative to cervical screening.A sanitary pad fitted with a sample strip can detect human papillomavirus, the main cause of cervical cancer.Women could use the test at home instead of attending a clinic. Researchers in China compared menstrual blood samples with clinician-collected cervical samples.The study involved more than 3,000 women aged 20 to 54 with regular periods.Findings were published in BMJ. The pad-based test detected serious cervical cell changes with 94.7% sensitivity.This matched the accuracy of clinician-collected samples.Specificity was slightly lower, but negative results were equally reliable. Researchers said the test…

A major review finds statins do not cause most side-effects listed on medicine labels. Researchers analysed 19 trials involving 124,000 people and published the results in The Lancet. Evidence supported only muscle pain, diabetes risk, and four minor effects, including liver test changes and tissue swelling. The study found no strong link between statins and memory loss, depression, sleep problems, or nerve damage. Lead author Christina Reith said benefits far outweigh risks for most patients. Experts called for updated labels to counter misinformation and support informed decisions.

Calls for Consistent Standards Across Borders Starting January 2027, European importers of oil and gas must meet strict monitoring, reporting, and verification requirements for methane emissions from their suppliers. In response, 24 US lawmakers have urged the European Union not to grant exemptions to American energy companies if domestic standards fall short in accuracy or enforcement. In a letter obtained by Euronews, the lawmakers described methane—a short-lived gas up to 30 times more potent than CO₂—as a major contributor to climate change and a key target for reducing wasteful flaring and venting of natural gas. They stressed that clear, consistent…

Alphabet Shockwaves Hit Wall Street US markets retreated sharply on Thursday after Alphabet shares dropped more than 4%, dragging major indexes lower and unsettling investors. The S&P 500 fell 1.2%, moving toward its sixth loss in seven sessions since hitting a record high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 606 points, while the Nasdaq slid 1.5%. Despite Alphabet posting better-than-expected quarterly profits, investors focused on the company’s warning that spending on equipment and long-term investments could soar to around $180 billion this year — far exceeding forecasts and raising concerns about mounting costs across the tech sector. Job Market Signals…

Sellers promote unlicensed weight-loss drugs through WhatsApp and Telegram giveaways.They offer injectable medicines as prizes. The Guardian found groups advertising retatrutide, an unapproved experimental drug.Posts pressure users to enter within 24 hours. Experts warn these promotions pose serious health risks.They misuse marketing tactics meant for consumer products. One group offered retatrutide, Glow pens, and melanotan II.None of these injectables have UK approval. UK law allows weight-loss injections only with prescriptions.Unapproved drugs cannot be legally sold or advertised. Another seller hides drug sales behind fitness coaching codes.Platforms say they ban illegal drug sales.

Researchers from Harvard University, University of Michigan, and Duke University argue ultra-processed foods resemble cigarettes more than real food.They say UPFs are engineered to drive addiction and overconsumption, causing widespread health harm.The study, published in Milbank Quarterly, highlights parallels with tobacco marketing and design.Researchers urge stricter controls, including marketing limits and industry accountability.Critics warn comparisons may overreach and say diet quality also matters.

SpaceX Surges in Value Elon Musk’s SpaceX has reached a valuation of $1.25 trillion (€1.06tn) after merging with his artificial intelligence venture xAI, bringing it closer to Tesla’s $1.58 trillion (€1.34tn) market capitalisation. On paper, this makes SpaceX the main driver of Musk’s wealth, surpassing the electric carmaker for the first time. The tie-up reflects Musk’s growing emphasis on AI and space exploration as key pillars of his business empire. Tesla Faces Slowing Growth and Strategic Shift Tesla’s performance has softened at the start of 2026, with shares down roughly 6% after reporting a 16% decline in vehicle deliveries and…