Author: OMN AI

As the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza continues to devastate bird populations around the globe, New Zealand is racing to protect some of its rarest species — including the kākāpō, the world’s fattest and most endangered parrot. With fewer than 250 individuals left, the kākāpō is at extreme risk should the virus reach New Zealand. Conservationists fear that migratory seabirds, arriving with spring, could inadvertently bring the disease into fragile populations on offshore islands such as Codfish Island/Whenua Hou. To get ahead of the threat, the Department of Conservation has conducted a world-first trial, vaccinating ten captive birds…

Gold has surged to a historic record as global tensions drive investors toward secure assets. On Tuesday morning, the spot price climbed to $3,508.50 per ounce. The rally has lifted gold by nearly a third since the start of the year. Trade disputes push prices higher Gold thrives in times of economic stress. Earlier this year, its value jumped after President Donald Trump introduced sweeping tariffs. The measures unsettled global trade and encouraged investors to seek stability. Analysts also expect the US central bank to cut interest rates, adding to gold’s attraction. Adrian Ash, research director at BullionVault, said Trump’s…

Researchers confirmed Yersinia pestis, later responsible for the Black Death, caused the Justinian Plague 1,500 years ago. They traced the bacterium to its epicentre for the first time, uncovering the source of the earliest pandemic. Scientists discovered Yersinia pestis DNA in a mass grave beneath Jerash’s ancient ruins in Jordan. Lead author Rays HY Jiang said the findings provide the first direct genetic evidence of the Justinian Plague. Justinian Plague Devastated Eastern Mediterranean The pandemic began in 541 CE and spread rapidly across the Byzantine Empire and surrounding regions. Historians estimate it killed between 15 and 100 million people over…

A groundbreaking study has found that a quick and painless cheek-swab test can detect a potentially deadly heart condition in children up to five years before traditional methods. The condition, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), is genetic in many cases and accounts for more than 10% of sudden cardiac deaths in children. It develops due to faulty proteins between heart cells, disrupting both structure and electrical activity. Often symptomless until it strikes, ACM can lead to fainting, palpitations, breathlessness, or sudden death. Researchers at Great Ormond Street Hospital and City St George’s, University of London trialled the new test in 51 children…

Shares of Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD dropped by up to 8% on Monday. The decline followed weaker earnings, pressured by fierce price cutting across the industry. Quarterly results reveal decline On Friday, BYD reported net profit of 6.4bn yuan ($900m; £660m) for April to June. The result showed a 30% fall compared with the same quarter last year. The company admitted that stronger price competition has weighed heavily on the EV sector. Rivals push harder in crowded field The Shenzhen-based automaker faces rivals Nio and XPeng, as well as Tesla. All have lowered prices to attract buyers. BYD shares…

Court intervenes after urgent legal action A federal judge in Washington, D.C., issued an emergency order on Sunday halting the Trump administration’s plan to deport Guatemalan minors. The injunction followed urgent filings from attorneys who argued that the removals were being carried out illegally. Ten children named, protections extend to all in federal custody The lawsuit concerns 10 unaccompanied children, ages 10 to 17, who lawyers said were scheduled for flights back to Guatemala late Saturday night. Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan ordered a 14-day suspension of deportations and instructed that the children remain in the care of the Office of…

Russia launched 142 drones overnight in a massive assault, Ukraine’s Air Force reported on Telegram. Explosions struck Kherson, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro as drones targeted multiple regions. Ukrainian forces intercepted 126 drones, but 16 hit 10 different sites. Casualties and Damage from Overnight Assault Local media in Kherson confirmed two deaths and 14 injuries from the strikes. Nine homes, medical centers, schools, an administrative office, a gas station, and several vehicles sustained damage. In Odesa, at least one person suffered injuries, while Chornomorsk faced the heaviest destruction. Governor Oleg Kiper reported major energy infrastructure damage, leaving 29,000 residents without power.…

Oscar Piastri delivered a flawless drive to win the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, tightening his grip on the Formula 1 title race after teammate and closest rival Lando Norris retired late on with an oil leak. Starting from pole, the 24-year-old Australian controlled the race from lights to flag, staying composed through light rain and three safety-car restarts. His victory extends his championship lead to 34 points, a decisive swing with only nine races left. Norris had been running second and keeping Piastri under pressure, but disaster struck with just seven laps to go when smoke poured from his…

Beer consumption in Germany is falling, while alcohol-free varieties are reaching new highs. The federal statistics office reports sales of alcohol-free beer have grown by 109 percent since 2013. In contrast, overall beer sales are now at their lowest level in more than 30 years. For the first time, sales fell below four billion liters in a half-year period. Between January and June 2025, German breweries sold around 3.9 billion liters. That equals a decline of 6.3 percent, or 262 million liters, compared with the same period last year. breweries chase new opportunities Erdinger brewery near Munich has been in…

A major US study has found that children as young as four and five years old are often prescribed ADHD medication immediately after diagnosis, despite medical guidelines recommending six months of behavioural therapy first. The analysis, published in JAMA Network Open, reviewed data from more than 9,700 children and revealed that 42.2% of young patients were given medication within one month of diagnosis, while only 14.1% received drugs more than six months later. Experts say this practice overlooks the proven benefits of starting with behavioural therapy, which can positively affect both children and their families. Although ADHD medication is generally…