Author: OMN AI

Seven firms under scrutiny Seven technology firms face a US investigation into how their artificial intelligence chatbots interact with children. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) demands details about safety measures and how the companies make money from these tools. The debate on children and AI grows louder. Many experts warn that young people remain highly vulnerable. Chatbots can mimic emotions and act like friends, blurring the line between real and artificial companionship. The inquiry targets Alphabet, OpenAI, Character.ai, Snap, XAI, Meta and Instagram. Each company has been asked to respond. FTC wants answers FTC chairman Andrew Ferguson said the probe…

AstraZeneca has halted its £200m expansion in Cambridge, putting its full £650m UK investment plan on hold.The project, expected to create 1,000 jobs, joins a scrapped £450m vaccine facility in Merseyside.An AstraZeneca spokesperson confirmed the pause, citing ongoing reassessment of investment needs.Meanwhile, the company pledged $50bn in US investments by 2030, funding new facilities and lab expansions across several states.The announcement follows a challenging week for UK pharma, with Merck canceling a £1bn London research centre and laying off staff.Sir John Bell warned that other major pharmaceutical companies may halt further investment in the UK.Sanofi called for a clear Treasury…

Healthcare expenses in the United States are reaching new heights, placing significant financial strain on workers and families. For 2026, employer-sponsored insurance premiums are projected to increase by around 10%, marking the sharpest rise in more than a decade. At the same time, individuals enrolled in Affordable Care Act plans may see their premiums jump by more than 75% as temporary subsidies from the pandemic expire. How Insurers Drive Costs Major insurance providers, including UnitedHealth Group, Cigna, and CVS Health, are a key factor behind rising healthcare bills. By controlling pharmacy benefits and negotiating drug prices, insurers influence the overall…

US President Donald Trump confirmed Friday that officials apprehended the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Trump said on Fox News he learned of the arrest minutes before his appearance and expressed strong confidence in custody. Reports indicated someone close to the alleged shooter revealed their location, which guided law enforcement to the suspect. Investigators Release Footage and Evidence The FBI and Utah police released video Thursday showing a suspect fleeing after Kirk’s assassination on campus. Footage captured a person in sunglasses, Converse shoes, and a black shirt with an American flag and eagle. The suspect ran across…

A massive immigration raid at a Hyundai facility in Georgia will postpone its opening by at least two months. The company confirmed the delay after hundreds of foreign workers were detained. raid escalates diplomatic tensions The raid has increased friction between Washington and Seoul. Many of the detained workers were South Korean nationals. President Yoon warned the crackdown could discourage foreign investment in the United States. South Korean officials said the workers were sent temporarily to help launch the new plant. Hyundai chief executive José Muñoz told American media the raid will delay operations by two to three months because…

Brazil’s Supreme Court convicted Jair Bolsonaro of plotting a coup to stay in power after losing the 2022 election. Three of five justices found him guilty on five counts, with one justice yet to vote. Justice Cármen Lúcia ruled for conviction Thursday, after Justice Luiz Fux voted to acquit the ex-president. The panel will decide Bolsonaro’s sentence after all votes, potentially imposing decades in prison. The 70-year-old former leader remains under house arrest for violating a ban on political messaging. Political Tensions Rise Domestically and Abroad The ruling deepens Brazil’s political divide and may trigger a backlash from the United…

The European Central Bank held its key deposit rate at 2% during Thursday’s policy meeting.Other rates remained unchanged: main refinancing at 2.15% and marginal lending at 2.40%.The deposit rate has stayed at its lowest level in over two years since June 2024.ECB has cut its key rate eight times since June 2024, down from a 4% peak.President Christine Lagarde said inflation is stabilizing at 2% in the medium term, meeting the ECB’s target.Flash estimates showed eurozone prices rose 2.1% in August, following 2% in June and July.The bloc faces challenges, including political turmoil in France and weak global demand affecting…

US pharmaceutical giant Merck has cancelled its planned £1bn UK expansion. The company said the government is failing to provide adequate support for the life sciences industry. The multinational, known in Europe as MSD, will move research to the US and cut jobs in Britain. Executives accused successive governments of undervaluing vaccines and innovative medicines. Industry experts warned the decision could discourage other global firms from investing in the UK. Government defends investment but admits gaps A government spokesperson defended current spending on science and research but acknowledged more work is required. Officials highlighted recent programmes while recognising the UK…

Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, has briefly overtaken Elon Musk as the world’s richest person. His net worth reached $393 billion, surpassing Musk’s $384 billion, according to Forbes. Oracle’s stock surged on the news, boosting Ellison’s fortune, though the value fluctuated throughout the day. While less known than Musk, Ellison has huge influence in Silicon Valley and politics. He is known for his lavish lifestyle, including mega-yachts, private jets, multiple marriages, and ownership of the Hawaiian island of Lanai. Ellison, 81, built his fortune in software development starting in the 1970s. He co-founded Oracle after winning a two-year contract to…

Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot while speaking at an outdoor event during his nationwide “American Comeback Tour.” The tour, organized by the conservative group he co-founded, Turning Point USA, includes at least 15 stops across the United States. The first event drew about 3,000 people and began just after noon local time (18:10 GMT). A petition had called for the university hosting the talk to block Kirk from speaking, but the university allowed the event under its free speech policies. Moments after the shooting, video from a nearby building captured an individual running across the roof of the Losee Center,…