Author: OMN AI

A long-acting injection to prevent HIV is set to be approved for use in England and Wales, offering a major new alternative to daily pills currently used for protection against the virus. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has recommended cabotegravir (CAB-LA) for adults and young people at risk of HIV who are unable to take oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The injection, administered every two months, is already available on the NHS in Scotland. Health secretary Wes Streeting called the approval “gamechanging.” He said, “For vulnerable people who are unable to take other methods of HIV prevention,…

An international jury, led by Garrick Ohlsson, selected 11 virtuosos to advance to the final stage of the 19th Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition. Poland’s Piotr Alexewicz stands as the country’s sole representative in the upcoming performances. The global classical music community now turns its attention to Warsaw, where the finalists will compete for one of the most coveted honors in piano performance. Established in 1927, the Chopin Competition remains a cornerstone of musical excellence, devoted exclusively to the works of Fryderyk Chopin. Global Pianists Prepare for the Final Performance The finalists include Kevin Chen (Canada), David Khrikuli (Georgia), Shiori Kuwahara…

Luxembourg to Host First Phase of TestingChinese autonomous driving company Pony.ai has entered a memorandum of understanding with Stellantis to jointly develop Level 4 autonomous electric vans for the European market. Initial testing will begin in Luxembourg, with broader deployment targeted from 2026. The collaboration merges Pony.ai’s advanced self-driving systems with Stellantis’ expertise in electric vehicle manufacturing and commercial fleet operations. Focus on Electric Light Commercial VehiclesThe project will use Stellantis’ medium-sized electric vans, including models from Peugeot, Citroën, and Opel, equipped with Pony.ai’s autonomous software, sensors, and perception technology. The vehicles are intended for both passenger and logistics services…

A surprise phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday has disrupted Ukraine’s diplomatic plans. The two agreed to meet soon to discuss the war in Ukraine, a move that caught Kyiv completely off guard. The timing was grim. Within a single day, Russia launched dozens of missiles and more than 300 drones across Ukraine. The attacks struck civilian sites, damaging gas pipelines just as cold weather begins. Power cuts have spread nationwide as strikes cripple the energy grid. Moscow’s attacks hide deep frustration For Ukraine’s government, the new wave of strikes signals Russian…

A court in Oslo convicted a 28-year-old Norwegian man on Wednesday for spying on behalf of Russia and Iran. The man, a former security guard at the U.S. Embassy in Norway, received a three-year and seven-month prison sentence for espionage. Prosecutors said he provided details about embassy diplomats, floor plans, and security routines, according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK. They said he knowingly handed over sensitive information that could expose U.S. operations in Norway. The man admitted to the facts of the indictment but denied criminal guilt. NRK reported that he contacted Russian and Iranian officials after becoming angry about U.S.…

Nestlé has announced plans to cut 16,000 jobs over the next two years as part of a sweeping cost-reduction and growth initiative under its new chief executive, Philipp Navratil. The layoffs—representing nearly 6% of the company’s global workforce—will include about 12,000 white-collar professionals and 4,000 manufacturing and supply chain roles. “The world is changing and Nestlé needs to change faster,” Navratil said. “This will include making hard but necessary decisions to reduce headcount over the next two years. We will do this with respect and transparency.” The cuts are part of an accelerated cost-saving plan aimed at freeing up 3…

Strategic MoU Signed at Sibos to Enhance Cross-Border Trade FinanceSingapore’s DBS Group and Riyadh-based Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen trade finance and payment connectivity between Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The agreement was inked on 16 October 2025 at the Sibos conference in Frankfurt, marking a new phase of collaboration between one of Asia’s largest financial groups and a leading Saudi Arabian bank. The partnership aims to facilitate smoother trade settlements, expand financing options, and explore regional currency-clearing arrangements. BSF is also expected to leverage DBS’s GlobeSend platform, which…

President Donald Trump said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to reduce and eventually end India’s imports of Russian oil. The announcement came as Washington intensified efforts to cut Moscow’s energy revenue and pressure the Kremlin over the war in Ukraine. Trump told reporters that Modi assured him India would stop buying Russian oil “within a short period of time.” He described the move as “a big stop.” Washington tightens economic pressure on India The US president has used India’s reliance on Russian energy as a bargaining tool in wider trade negotiations. So far, New Delhi has resisted, insisting…

Rhizanthella is one of nature’s most remarkable orchids—an elusive plant that spends its entire life underground. Unlike most orchids, it never emerges above the soil surface, produces no leaves, and relies completely on a unique partnership with a fungus for survival. This fungus, in turn, draws nutrients from the soil and connects with the roots of the broom bush (Melaleuca uncinata), forming a delicate underground web of life. First discovered in 1928 by a farmer ploughing a field in Western Australia, Rhizanthella caused a global sensation. Nearly a century later, it remains incredibly difficult to locate. Botanists typically search for…

Strong Tech and Energy Sectors Fuel OutlookAir Liquide predicts that South Korea will overtake Japan to become Asia’s second-largest market for industrial gases by 2035, behind only China. The company’s East Asia Pacific chief, Park Il-Yong, said the country’s expanding semiconductor, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing industries are driving record demand for high-purity gases. The forecast coincides with Air Liquide’s $3.3 billion acquisition of DIG Airgas, a strategic deal aimed at reinforcing its presence in the Korean market. Expansion Projects Strengthen Supply NetworkIn recent years, Air Liquide has ramped up investment across South Korea to meet growing industrial demand. The…