Author: OMN AI

Emergency reserves sit untouched while millions await clarity on assistance. The Trump administration has told a federal judge that it lacks the authority to spend billions of dollars in reserve funds to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program operating through the ongoing government shutdown. According to officials, roughly $5 billion remains available in a USDA contingency account, but legal restrictions prevent its use for routine SNAP payments, which would require about $9 billion to cover the next cycle. The decision has sparked concern that tens of millions could lose access to food support within days. Legal Clash Over Emergency Spending…

Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, reported its first-ever quarter with revenue exceeding $100 billion. The company also posted a roughly 33% profit increase compared with the same period last year. The milestone reflects strong demand for digital advertising, cloud services, and AI technologies. Analysts say Alphabet’s results highlight the growing role of tech in the U.S. economy. Revenue growth was driven by Google’s search and advertising platforms, as well as expansion in cloud computing and AI-based services. The company’s diverse portfolio has helped it achieve steady growth despite broader economic uncertainty. Alphabet’s strong profit performance shows operational efficiency…

A massive Microsoft outage on Wednesday caused major disruption across the internet. Websites for Heathrow Airport, NatWest, and Minecraft went offline for hours before engineers restored access later in the evening. Millions of users experienced interruptions to banking, work, and entertainment services. Thousands report online failures globally Outage tracker Downdetector logged thousands of reports from users who could not access websites, send emails, or log into accounts. Many faced frozen pages, stalled transactions, and unresponsive platforms. Microsoft confirmed that users of Microsoft 365 experienced significant delays, particularly with Outlook. By 21:00 GMT, most affected websites were back online after engineers…

Los Angeles FC star Son Heung-min ranks second only to Lionel Messi among Major League Soccer’s top earners, with an annual salary of $10.4 million and total compensation of $11.2 million, according to new figures. Son joined LAFC in August after 11 years at Tottenham Hotspur and quickly impressed, scoring nine goals in 10 league matches. Messi remains MLS’s top earner, making $12 million in base salary and $20.4 million in total compensation from Inter Miami — not including outside deals or performance bonuses. Other high-profile newcomers include Hirving “Chucky” Lozano of San Diego ($6m/$7.6m), Jonathan Bamba of Chicago ($5m/$5.6m),…

Generative AI is rapidly moving from hype to mainstream business use, according to a recent survey of large companies. The report shows that 82 % of executives in major firms use generative AI on a weekly basis. The survey also highlights strong returns from AI adoption. About 72 % of respondents said their companies are seeing positive returns on investment from AI technologies. This suggests that generative AI is becoming a practical tool for improving efficiency and creating new business opportunities. Experts note that this trend marks a shift for the technology sector. Companies are no longer experimenting with AI in isolated…

Senators from both parties emphasized the need to revive the U.S. shipyard sector during a recent hearing. Lawmakers highlighted the connection between economic revitalization, skilled job creation, and national security. The hearing focused on modernizing commercial shipyards, improving infrastructure, and enhancing competitiveness in the global maritime industry. Experts said strengthening domestic shipbuilding can reduce reliance on foreign shipyards and secure supply chains. Lawmakers stressed that investing in shipyards could create thousands of skilled jobs in engineering, construction, and maintenance. Coastal regions, home to many shipyards, would see significant economic benefits from such initiatives. Bipartisan support for the sector is notable,…

OpenAI has completed its transition into a for-profit company. The move is designed to attract billions in investment and could pave the way for a future stock market debut. Microsoft strengthens its stake in OpenAI As part of the restructuring, OpenAI and Microsoft have renewed their partnership. Microsoft now holds a 27% stake in the ChatGPT developer. This marks a new stage in a collaboration that began in 2019, when OpenAI still operated as a non-profit AI research organization. Under the revised agreement, Microsoft can pursue artificial general intelligence (AGI) independently or with other partners. AGI is often defined as…

Tragic End to Domestic Violence ResponseA San Bernardino County deputy lost his life Monday after being shot while responding to a domestic disturbance in Rancho Cucamonga. Authorities identified the victim as 28-year-old Deputy Andrew Nunez, who was struck by gunfire shortly after arriving at a residence on Hollyhock Drive. The suspect fled on a motorcycle moments after the shooting, prompting an urgent manhunt across the region. Nunez was rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Suspect Sparks Dangerous Pursuit Across Inland EmpireThe gunman’s escape triggered a high-speed chase that stretched for miles along the 210 Freeway. Police…

New climate plans from more than 60 countries would cut global emissions by only 10% by 2035, about one-sixth of what’s needed to limit heating to 1.5C, a UN analysis shows. UN climate chief Simon Stiell said progress was being made but warned of an urgent “need for more speed.” Major emitters including China and the EU have yet to finalise updated targets, while the US plan submitted under Joe Biden may not be upheld if Donald Trump withdraws from the Paris deal again. The findings come ahead of Cop30 in Brazil, where leaders must address the growing gap between…

President Donald Trump met Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, in Tokyo to sign a new U.S.-Japan trade agreement. The deal focuses on rare earth minerals and nuclear energy cooperation. Analysts say this move strengthens economic ties between the two nations amid global supply chain concerns. The agreement highlights the growing importance of rare earth minerals. These elements are critical for high-tech industries, including electronics, electric vehicles, and defense systems. Japan relies heavily on imports for these minerals, while the United States has advanced mining and processing capabilities. Trump said the deal would create new opportunities for American businesses…