Author: OMN AI

Riot police fired tear gas at thousands of students marching toward Parliament in Jakarta on Monday.Protesters threw rocks and bottles at officers and set fires under a flyover near the compound.Authorities blocked access roads, including several toll routes, creating severe gridlock throughout the city.More than 1,200 security personnel secured the Parliament area as tensions escalated.Officials reported no injuries from the unrest. Demonstrators Condemn Lawmakers’ Benefits Students protested after revelations that 580 lawmakers receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah (€2,637).They called the allowance unjust, especially during economic hardship faced by many citizens.Protesters demanded the government abolish lawmakers’ extra…

A long-term study published in Nature Medicine suggests that following a Mediterranean-style diet can significantly reduce the risk of dementia, even for people with a genetic predisposition. Researchers found that individuals with diets rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and low in red and processed meats were less likely to develop dementia and showed slower cognitive decline over three decades. Impact on Genetic Risk Factors The protective effects were strongest in participants carrying two copies of the APOE4 gene variant, which greatly increases Alzheimer’s risk. About 25% of people carry one copy of APOE4, while 2–3% carry two. Although…

Once a remote wilderness visited by fewer than 8,000 people a year in the 1990s, Antarctica is now facing record numbers of visitors. In the 2023–24 season, over 124,000 tourists travelled south, and projections suggest that figure could rise to 450,000 within a decade. Researchers warn that this surge, along with expanding scientific bases, is leaving a damaging mark. Concentrations of toxic metals in human-active areas are now 10 times higher than 40 years ago, while soot from ships and aircraft darkens the snow, accelerating melting. A single tourist can indirectly contribute to the melting of 100 tons of snow.…

Scientists found that hot weather affects our moods more than we realize. They analysed over one billion posts from 150 countries. When temperatures passed 35°C, negativity increased, especially in less wealthy regions. Heat made people less positive, less patient, and more irritable. Researchers from MIT and global partners rated 1.2 billion posts by sentiment and tied them to local weather. The hotter the day, the more negative words appeared. In poorer countries, negative reactions were three times stronger than in richer ones. Heat and Human Behaviour Evidence linking hot weather and aggression is long-standing. Drivers honk more in traffic during…

The cryptocurrency market thrives in Asia and gains speed in the United States under Trump’s renewed leadership. Europe, meanwhile, prioritizes regulation over rapid expansion. Bitcoin, existing since 2009, has soared in value and transformed from an experiment into a mainstream asset for investors and institutions. Regulation has now become the central issue facing the industry. The European Union introduced MiCA, requiring customer wallet segregation, mandatory audits, company registrations, and detailed transaction verification. Supporters claim these measures safeguard customers and align the industry with banking standards. Critics argue that compliance adds costs and discourages smaller startups from entering the market. While…

A global team led by Prof. David Salt studied cocoa beans from Colombia and found microbes shape the final chocolate taste. Distinct Microbial Communities Beans from Santander and Huila developed sweet, fruity flavors during fermentation. Antioquia beans lacked these flavors due to different microbes. Nine Microbes Drive Flavor Genetic tests revealed nine key microbes responsible for citrus, fruit, and floral notes in chocolate. Sterile beans fermented with these microbes produced richer, smoother chocolate. Revolutionizing Cocoa Production Prof. Salt suggests farmers can use this knowledge to grow premium cocoa consistently. This method could lower costs and open doors for unique chocolate…

Extreme temperatures escalate fire risk Southern Europe is facing a severe heatwave, intensifying ongoing wildfires. In Spain, one-quarter of weather stations reported temperatures above 40°C, with Cádiz reaching 45.8°C on Sunday. The national weather agency, Aemet, warned that although the heatwave is slowly easing, very high temperatures will persist in eastern and southern regions. Fires ravage land and threaten lives Preliminary data from Copernicus shows that wildfires have burned 348,000 hectares in Spain this year, exceeding the previous record from 2022. In Portugal, 216,000 hectares have been destroyed. Fatalities include four in Spain, including a firefighter, and two in Portugal.…

Leaked report sparks outrage A US senator launched an investigation after a leaked internal report suggested Meta’s AI engaged in “sensual” and “romantic” conversations with children. Reuters reported the document, titled “GenAI: Content Risk Standards.” Republican Senator Josh Hawley called the contents “reprehensible and outrageous.” He demanded full access to the report and explanations of the products involved. Meta denied the allegations, saying the examples and notes were “erroneous and inconsistent with our policies.” The company highlighted strict rules for chatbot responses that ban content sexualizing children or sexualized role play between adults and minors. Meta added the document contained…

Google and NASA collaborate on an artificial intelligence tool to address astronaut health issues during space missions. The “Crew Medical Officer Digital Assistant” allows astronauts and medical crews on Earth to diagnose and treat symptoms in real time. The tool also equips flight surgeons with predictive analytics and data to make precise medical decisions. Early proof-of-concept results showed reliable diagnoses, and Google now works with doctors to refine the model further. The system provides detailed treatment options when astronauts face limited communication with Earth, a situation that grows more critical as NASA ventures deeper into space. NASA prepares Artemis II…