Author: OMN AI

The US company behind the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner has filed for bankruptcy protection and agreed to be taken over by one of its Chinese suppliers after years of financial pressure. iRobot said it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware as part of a restructuring deal with Picea Robotics, a subsidiary of its main supplier. The US-listed company, founded in 1990 by three MIT roboticists, rose to prominence in the early 2000s with the launch of the Roomba. Profits have declined since the pandemic, hit by supply chain disruption and growing competition from cheaper rivals. Earlier this month,…

A new review suggests psychedelic treatments, particularly psilocybin, may help people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), while cannabis shows little evidence of lasting benefit. The review, published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research and led by Dr Michael Van Ameringen of McMaster University, examined studies on alternative treatments for OCD, a condition where 40–60% of patients see limited improvement with standard therapies such as SSRIs and behavioural treatment. After analysing published and preliminary data, researchers found stronger evidence supporting psychedelics than cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Van Ameringen said the difference may lie in how the substances affect the brain.…

A shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach killed ten people, including one gunman, and injured more than a dozen others. A Hanukkah event was underway at the beach when the attack occurred. Authorities continue investigating the motive behind the violence. New South Wales Police confirmed ten fatalities from the shooting on Sunday at the popular beach. Police said officers also critically injured another suspected gunman during the incident. Witnesses described chaotic scenes across the beachfront. They reported seeing more than a dozen people lying wounded on the ground. Eyewitnesses also said blood covered large sections of the area. Many others suffered…

School mental health funding is set to increase after the U.S. Department of Education announced a $208 million funding shift. The move aims to strengthen mental health support systems in schools across the country. Officials say the focus will be on long-term programs that improve student well-being on campus. The funding will support evidence-based approaches that help students manage stress, improve focus, and feel safe at school. Education leaders believe strong mental health support is essential for learning and healthy development. Schools with better support systems often see improved attendance and academic outcomes. The department said the redirected funds will…

EU fisheries ministers concluded two days of negotiations with a final agreement on 2026 fishing quotas. The Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers approved catch limits and fishing effort rules for next year. Some measures will remain in force until 2028. The agreement covers major commercial stocks in the Atlantic, the North Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea, offering clearer planning conditions for the industry. The rules define fishing effort through vessel size, engine power, and days spent at sea. All 27 Member States reached a compromise after difficult discussions. The deal balances scientific advice with the need to…

Scientists have identified genetic changes in polar bears that could help them adapt to rising temperatures, offering new insight into how the species might respond to climate change. Researchers from the University of East Anglia found that polar bears in south-east Greenland differ genetically from those in colder northern regions. By analysing blood samples, the team discovered increased activity in so-called “jumping genes” – mobile DNA elements that can influence how other genes function – in bears living in warmer conditions. These genetic shifts are linked to processes such as heat stress, metabolism and ageing, and appear to be driven…

The EU’s planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 is expected to be softened, according to a senior European parliamentarian, in a move likely to anger environmental campaigners. Manfred Weber, president of the European People’s party, said the European Commission is preparing to move away from a full ban on combustion engines. Instead of requiring all new cars to have zero CO₂ emissions from 2035, manufacturers would face a 90% fleet-wide emissions reduction target, allowing some hybrid vehicles to remain on sale. The proposed shift follows lobbying from Germany, Italy and much of the…

Scientists have recorded northern resident orcas and Pacific white-sided dolphins cooperating to hunt salmon off British Columbia — a behavior never documented before. Drone footage, underwater video, and acoustic tags showed dolphins racing ahead as “scouts,” locating large Chinook salmon and leading the whales toward them. The orcas then made the kill at the surface, while the dolphins scavenged scraps. Remarkably, the whales showed no aggression, even though they usually guard fresh prey. Recordings captured alternating echolocation clicks from both species, suggesting they may even be listening to each other’s sonar during deep dives to widen their search range. Researchers…

As part of ongoing appropriations talks, a new budget framework includes measures to protect Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace subsidies. The continuing resolution framework guarantees a Senate vote, reinforcing bipartisan attention to maintaining affordable healthcare. The proposal aims to ensure millions of Americans can continue receiving financial assistance for their health insurance premiums. Lawmakers emphasize that extending these subsidies is critical to preventing coverage gaps and rising healthcare costs. Supporters highlight that ACA subsidies help lower-income and middle-class families afford healthcare, including essential medical services, prescriptions, and preventive care. By securing financial assistance, the framework reduces the risk of Americans…

A Cambridge University study has placed humans 7th out of 35 mammal species on a monogamy scale, suggesting we belong among the more monogamous mammals. The ranking was based on genetic data measuring how often siblings share both parents. Humans showed 66% full siblings, compared with 72% in beavers, who ranked higher. Meerkats followed behind at 60%, while mountain gorillas and chimpanzees scored extremely low. Researchers note that monogamy varies widely across human societies, but overall we behave more like pair-bonding animals than our closest relatives. Scientists believe human monogamy may have evolved alongside paternal care, even though social and…