Author: OMN AI

West Ham United are prepared to sell Lucas Paquetá this month only if a deal includes him being loaned back for the rest of the season, a condition meeting resistance from Flamengo. The Brazilian club saw an opening €35m bid rejected and are willing to increase their offer to around €40m, but are reluctant to agree to a loan-back, believing they could secure Paquetá more cheaply in the summer. West Ham are battling relegation and fear losing one of their most talented players would severely damage their survival hopes. Paquetá, however, has made it clear he wants to return to…

2026 begins under heavy political strainThe year 2026 opened with significant political upheaval. President Donald Trump threatened decisive action against Iran. The warning followed the capture of Venezuela’s leader by US forces. His administration launched a criminal investigation into the Federal Reserve chair. Officials also targeted core profits of banks and major investors. These developments created uncertainty across global markets. Stocks show surprising resilienceMany expected equities to plunge. That reaction never occurred. Traders largely ignored the political turmoil. US stock indexes hit record highs early in the week. Prices then eased only slightly. Despite rising tensions, equity markets remained steady.…

BP has said it expects to write down up to $5bn (£3.7bn) from its green and low-carbon energy businesses as it refocuses on fossil fuels under its new chair, Albert Manifold. The writedowns will mainly affect BP’s gas and transition businesses but are not expected to hit underlying profits when full-year results are reported in February. The move follows BP’s efforts to sell a stake in its solar arm, Lightsource, and its cancellation of hydrogen projects in the UK, Oman and Australia. Shares dipped after the announcement, compounded by weaker oil trading and falling crude prices. Brent crude averaged $63.73…

The US government has approved Nvidia’s sale of advanced artificial intelligence chips to China. The Department of Commerce announced the decision on Tuesday. Officials said they reviewed domestic supply levels before acting. The move loosens previous export restrictions on sensitive technology. Washington had limited the sales over national security concerns. Officials feared the chips could enhance China’s technology sector and military capabilities. The new policy relaxes those limits under strict conditions. Authorities described the change as controlled and measured. H200 processors cleared for export The approval applies to Nvidia’s H200 processors. The chip ranks as the company’s second-most-advanced AI product.…

Economic Confrontation Rises to the TopThe World Economic Forum (WEF) has identified rising economic clashes between major powers — from tariffs to sanctions — as the most serious threat to global stability in 2026. Its latest Global Risks Report, released ahead of the WEF’s annual Davos meeting, surveyed more than 1,300 leaders and experts from business, government, academia, and civil society. Geoeconomic confrontation now ranks above misinformation, societal polarisation, extreme weather, and even armed conflict. Half of respondents expect a turbulent or stormy world over the next two years, up sharply from 36% last year, while just 9% foresee stability.…

AI Fuels Unprecedented ValuationsAlphabet, the parent company of Google, has officially crossed the $4 trillion market value mark, becoming the fourth company ever to do so after Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple. Investor excitement around artificial intelligence has driven tech stocks to unprecedented heights over the past year. Despite warnings about overvaluation—even from Google’s own CEO—Alphabet’s shares have surged roughly 75% in the last 12 months and nearly 7% since the start of January. A major catalyst was Apple’s decision to integrate Google’s Gemini AI into Siri, signaling strong confidence in Alphabet’s AI capabilities. Competition and Innovation IntensifyAfter OpenAI’s ChatGPT made…

Diageo is reportedly considering selling its Chinese assets as part of a portfolio review under its new chief executive, Dave Lewis. According to Bloomberg, the Guinness and Johnnie Walker owner is working with Goldman Sachs and UBS to assess its operations in China, where sales have declined sharply. Diageo’s holdings include a majority stake in Sichuan Swellfun, a Shanghai-listed producer and distributor of baijiu. Shares in the Chengdu-based group have fallen significantly over the past year, prompting interest from Chinese strategic buyers and private equity firms. Lewis, who took over on 1 January, has a reputation for aggressive restructuring from…

The clock is ticking President Trump faces a pivotal decision on Iran. Ten days ago, he warned that the United States would protect Iranian protesters if authorities used violence. He said American forces were locked, loaded, and ready to act. At the time, the crackdown had not fully unfolded. Now, reports reveal its shocking scale. Global attention focuses on how Trump will respond. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said only the president knows his next move. She added the world can continue guessing. That uncertainty now dominates Washington. Observers ask how long patience can hold. Military options on the…

The U.S. Figure Skating Championships became a symbol of inclusion this year as a transgender pride flag gained widespread support from fans and athletes alike. The moment highlighted the sport’s ongoing commitment to diversity and acceptance. Skaters, coaches, and spectators reacted positively when the flag was displayed, with many expressing that it reflected the inclusive spirit of figure skating. The gesture reinforced the idea that the sport welcomes athletes and fans of all identities, fostering a safe and supportive environment. Figure skating has a long history of emphasizing artistry, athleticism, and personal expression. By embracing inclusion, the sport also celebrates…

Same-sex sexual behaviour among non-human primates may help reinforce social bonds and reduce tension when groups face environmental or social pressures, researchers suggest. Writing in Nature Ecology & Evolution, scientists led by Prof Vincent Savolainen of Imperial College London analysed records from 59 primate species, including chimpanzees, Barbary macaques and mountain gorillas. They found the behaviour to be widespread and more common in species living in harsh, dry environments with scarce resources and higher predation risks. The study indicates such behaviour is also linked to longer lifespans, pronounced size differences between sexes and complex social hierarchies, all traits associated with…