Author: OMN AI

Meta, the parent of Facebook and Instagram, is cutting 600 jobs in its artificial intelligence division, US media reported. The company confirmed the layoffs on Wednesday while continuing to recruit for its superintelligence lab. FAIR and Infrastructure Teams Face Major Cuts Axios reported that the layoffs will hit Meta’s Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) unit, product-focused AI teams, and AI infrastructure groups. The newer TBD Lab unit remains unaffected. Chief AI officer Alexandr Wang, in a memo cited by Axios, urged displaced employees to apply for other roles within Meta. The company expects most to find new positions internally. Meta Refines…

Bloc Intensifies Economic Pressure on Moscow The European Union has adopted its nineteenth sanctions package targeting Russia, tightening restrictions across the energy, banking, and transport sectors. The measures expand the list of blacklisted financial institutions and companies linked to the Russian state, while stepping up enforcement against oil tankers that help circumvent earlier embargoes. EU officials said the latest round is designed to curb Moscow’s wartime income and reinforce the bloc’s long-term strategy of economic containment. LNG Ban Signals Major Shift in Europe’s Energy Strategy For the first time, the EU has moved to completely block imports of Russian liquefied…

Tesla achieved its highest quarterly revenue, yet profits dropped sharply. Rising tariffs, higher research costs, and fierce competition weighed on earnings despite strong sales. Revenue climbs while profits slide For the quarter ending September, Tesla reported $28 billion (£21 billion) in revenue, up 12% from last year. Profits fell 37% due to rising tariffs and increased research and development spending. Investors reacted cautiously. Tesla shares dropped 3.8% in after-hours trading. Still, the company’s market value remains around $1.4 trillion, supported by confidence in Elon Musk’s long-term ambitions in AI and robotics. Federal tax credits drive US sales surge Tesla reversed…

IBM has reported strong third-quarter results, showing clear momentum across its main business areas. The company’s revenue rose 9% from the previous year to $16.3 billion, a sign of solid demand for its technology and enterprise solutions. IBM’s artificial intelligence operations led the growth, generating $9.5 billion in revenue during the quarter. The results highlight IBM’s progress in using AI and data-driven solutions to help global companies transform their operations. The firm’s strategy of integrating AI into cloud, data, and automation tools continues to attract large enterprise clients seeking better efficiency and cost savings. With more industries adopting AI-based systems,…

TIRANA — Mounting evidence suggests that sanctioned Russian interests may be exploiting weak oversight in Albania to skirt Western trade restrictions, raising serious concerns among European and NATO allies. Through a mix of negligence, corruption and opaque corporate structures, companies operating within Albania’s critical infrastructure sectors appear to have enabled transactions that violate international sanctions on Russia and Iran. A recent investigation by RBC Ukraine found that banned Russian fuel was being smuggled into Europe through Albanian ports. According to the report, two vessels docking at Porto Romano near Durrës in January falsely declared their cargo as cement but were,…

A major study by researchers at King’s College London and the University of Oxford has revealed that different antidepressants vary widely in their physical side-effects, including weight change, blood pressure, and heart rate. The review analysed data from 151 clinical trials involving over 58,000 patients taking 30 types of antidepressants for about eight weeks. Some medications led to significant weight gain or loss, while others had minimal effects. Patients taking maprotiline or amitriptyline were most likely to gain up to 2kg within two months, while those on agomelatine typically lost around 2.5kg. Differences of up to 21 beats per minute…

Donald Trump said he did not want a “wasted meeting” after cancelling plans for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine. Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, the US president said Moscow’s refusal to stop fighting along the current front line blocked any real progress. White House cancels Budapest summit A White House official confirmed there were “no plans” for a Trump-Putin meeting “in the immediate future.” The statement came just days after Trump had announced both leaders would meet in Budapest within two weeks. The week highlighted widening gaps between Washington and Moscow…

Trump and Albanese Sign $8.5 Billion Minerals Deal In a major move to secure global supply chains, President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed an $8.5 billion minerals deal. The agreement focuses on critical minerals and rare earths, essential for high-tech industries and renewable energy. The deal aims to reduce both nations’ dependence on China, which currently dominates the global market for these resources. By strengthening supply chains, the agreement seeks to protect industries from potential disruptions and price volatility. Prime Minister Albanese described the agreement as a “game changer” for Australia’s economy. He said the deal…

France Launches First Nationwide Levy on Cheap Apparel France has introduced a landmark environmental tax targeting ultra-fast fashion brands, aiming to reduce the environmental cost of mass-produced clothing. The new policy starts with a €5 fee per item sold and will climb to €10 by 2030. The rate will vary according to each company’s sustainability record and is capped at 50% of the garment’s retail price before tax. The legislation also mandates an environmental rating label for clothing, giving shoppers clearer information about production impacts and encouraging longer-lasting purchases. European Union Closes Gaps in Import Rules At the EU level,…

Pizza Hut’s UK franchisee, DC London Pie, has entered administration, leading to the closure of 68 restaurants and 11 delivery-only sites across the country — from Finchley Lido in London to Carlisle and Rhyl in north Wales. The restructuring will put around 1,210 jobs at risk, while a rescue deal by Yum! Brands, Pizza Hut’s US parent company, will preserve 64 restaurants and secure 1,276 jobs. These surviving outlets will now be directly operated by Yum!, which also owns KFC and Taco Bell. FTI Consulting has been appointed as administrator to oversee the transition. Joint administrator Matt Callaghan said the…