Author: OMN AI

Researchers tested VER-01, an experimental cannabis extract, on adults with chronic lower back pain. Patients recorded notable drops in pain levels within months. The extract differs entirely from smoking cannabis, offering controlled dosing and medical oversight. Lower back pain affects more than 619 million people globally, making it the most common cause of disability. Chronic pain recurs persistently, restricting mobility, damaging sleep, and eroding quality of life. Current treatments remain limited. Opioids risk addiction, while nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may cause long-term cardiovascular or gastrointestinal damage. VER-01 provides an alternative without those dangers. Study Details and Patient Results The late-stage…

New Zealand’s fastest bird, the kārearea falcon, has soared to victory in the 2025 Bird of the Year competition – a rare scandal-free edition of the poll known for past controversies. The kārearea, capable of reaching speeds of 200km/h while hunting, is the country’s only native falcon and a vital part of the ecosystem. With only 5,000–8,000 remaining, the species is classed as threatened, facing dangers from predators such as cats and stoats, habitat loss, and collisions with power lines and buildings. “The kārearea is just a stunning bird,” said Emma Blackburn, chair of the Kārearea Falcon Trust. “It’s our…

Insider threats remain one of the most dangerous tools in cyber-crime. Few employees face them, and even fewer share their experiences publicly. I recently became one of those rare cases. A criminal group approached me with a bold offer: betray my employer for millions. Unexpected contact The first message arrived out of the blue. “If you are interested, we can offer you 15% of any ransom payment if you give us access to your PC.” The sender called themselves Syndicate. They reached me in July via Signal, an encrypted messaging app. I did not know them, but I immediately understood…

Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged to make the Bundeswehr the strongest conventional force in Europe. The government must address troop shortages with new military service while modernizing equipment quickly. Politico reported Berlin plans an €83 billion procurement program, with most orders going to European manufacturers. The plan includes 154 major purchases from September 2025 to December 2026. Only eight percent of deals involve the USA. Arms Imports Highlight Shifting Balance Sipri reported European imports of US weapons tripled between 2020 and 2024 compared to the prior five years. Europe received 35 percent of American arms exports, up from 13 percent in…

Functional drinks promising “calm” and “focus” have become a staple of supermarket shelves, their colourful cans packed with trendy ingredients such as ashwagandha, Lion’s Mane mushroom and magnesium. Marketed as quick fixes for stress and fatigue, these beverages are part of a booming industry projected to hit €212bn by 2030, fuelled by a growing shift away from alcohol and a wellness-obsessed culture. Brands like TRIP have built their identity on sleek design and CBD-infused blends, adding compounds such as L-theanine and botanicals to suggest mental health benefits. While some ingredients do have promising evidence — ashwagandha and L-theanine have shown…

Donald Trump has ordered federal troops to Portland, Oregon, authorising the use of full force if needed to control protests at immigration detention centres. The president said the deployment would protect federal facilities from attacks by Antifa and other domestic threats. He described the city as war-ravaged in a Truth Social post. The move increases federal troop presence in US cities as part of his broader immigration crackdown. democratic leaders criticise action Democratic officials condemned the deployment, saying Portland faces no threat that justifies federal intervention. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek described communities as calm and safe. She warned that sending…

Over 50,000 demonstrators filled Berlin’s streets to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Protesters marched from Alexanderplatz to the Victory Column, chanting “free, free Palestine” and calling for an end to war. Police deployed 1,800 officers to supervise the rally and maintain order throughout the German capital. Organisers included Amnesty International, Die Linke, and nearly 50 associations that pushed for international solidarity with Gaza. Crowds demanded Germany stop sending arms to Israel and urged the EU to impose sanctions on the country. Germany, alongside the US and Italy, remains a major supplier of weapons to Israel despite mounting criticism. Counter-Protests…

Jennifer Lawrence received the prestigious Donostia Award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, becoming the youngest performer ever to win the honour. At 35, the Oscar-winning actress was recognised for a career that has spanned blockbusters such as The Hunger Games and Don’t Look Up, as well as socially impactful documentaries produced through her company Excellent Cadaver. Before the ceremony, Lawrence used her platform to voice concerns about the state of culture in the United States. “Our freedom of speech is under attack in America, including in the world of film,” she told reporters, urging empathy and creative independence.…

Jaguar Land Rover has begun a phased restart of operations following a major cyber-attack. Some IT systems are back online, and the company is processing overdue supplier payments with expanded invoicing capacity. Cyber-attack stops production The August attack forced Jaguar Land Rover to shut down IT networks and suspend vehicle production. Factories will remain closed until at least next month. The prime minister said the government is working around the clock on a support package for suppliers. Smaller firms in the supply chain risk collapse if the shutdown continues. Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer called the situation urgent but admitted…

Early trial results suggest that combining a common diabetes drug, metformin, with the antihistamine clemastine may partially repair nerve damage in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The University of Cambridge-led CCMR Two trial involved 70 patients with relapsing MS. Half received the drug combination while half were given a placebo for six months. Tests showed electrical signals between the eyes and brain travelled faster in those taking the drugs, pointing to improved myelin repair – the protective coating around nerves that is attacked in MS. However, the improvement was small – just 1.3 milliseconds – and not enough for patients…