Author: omc_admin

If you want a full-fledged home theater, a dedicated surround sound system is a must-have. These systems use rear speakers to free sound effects from the confines of your TV and spread them in all directions. I’ve been using different surround sound systems in my living room for years, and the upgrade they offer over a typical pair of wimpy TV speakers is huge. But finding the best surround sound system for your space and budget is no simple task. There’s a lot to consider regarding size, format support, and general performance. I review home entertainment gear for a living,…

Oil continued to rebound from the year’s lows as US President Donald Trump threatened to ramp up sanctions against Iranian crude if a nuclear deal with the OPEC member isn’t reached. West Texas Intermediate advanced 2.8% to settle near $64 a barrel, bringing its recovery from this year’s lowest closing price to more than 11%. Trump told an audience in Saudi Arabia that the US will exert maximum pressure on Iranian energy exports if an agreement isn’t reached. The US State Department said earlier that it’s sanctioning a network that helps ship Iranian crude oil to China. Trump’s hawkish comments…

The best iPhone cases serve several purposes. Worthwhile cases primarily protect your iPhone from scratches, scuffing, and dirt without sacrificing aesthetics or interfering with the phone’s functionality. Cases can also add helpful features.We’ve tested dozens of cases from various brands to select the top picks for this guide, which focuses on the iPhone 16 series. Whether you’re looking for high-end protection, an attractive wallet case, or a clear case that won’t yellow rapidly, these are the top options we’ve found for varying use cases and budgets.Among the best iPhone cases we’ve tested, our top pick for protection is the Otterbox…

(Bloomberg) – Brazil’s state-controlled oil producer Petrobras approved dividends slightly below expectations amid a trade war that has created economic uncertainty and undermined oil prices. Petrobras will pay $2.1 billion USD (11.72 billion reais) in first-quarter dividends, it said in a filing Monday. Expectations were for a $2.2 billion payout, according to an average of six analyst forecasts reviewed by Bloomberg.  Brazil’s oil giant has been showering shareholders with robust dividends even though the policy has come under political attack and contributed to the downfall of the company’s previous chief executive officer last year. Investors have been concerned…

With BASF’s Licity® 2698 X F binder, and Group14’s advanced silicon battery material, SCC55®, the performance of batteries with silicon-dominant anodes is greatly enhanced. Credits: BASF BASF’s Licity® 2698 X F Bindemittel und Group14’s Silizium-Batteriematerial SCC55® steigern die Leistung von Batterien mit hohem Silizium-Anteil in der Anode erheblich. Foto: BASF BASF, a global leader in chemical innovation, and Group14 Technologies, the world’s largest manufacturer of advanced silicon battery materials, today announced a market-ready, performance-improving silicon battery solution using commercially available materials: BASF’s Licity ® 2698 X F binder, and Group14’s advanced silicon battery material, SCC55 ®.BASF…

German software company Vector has begun series production of its vSECC.MCS controller for the Megawatt Charging System, targeting fast-charging infrastructure for heavy-duty electric vehicles. The solution supports up to 3.75 MW charging and is designed to enable efficient long-haul electrification. Vector Informatik has launched its vSECC.MCS communication controller into series production, marking a key milestone in enabling Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS) for heavy-duty electric transport. First unveiled at Power2Drive 2025, the controller is now available to infrastructure manufacturers developing MCS-based solutions. With battery-electric trucks requiring high charging capacities during limited downtimes, robust vehicle-to-charger communication is essential, the company states. Vector’s…

The German-Canadian lithium producer Rock Tech Lithium is reorganising its top management. The company has appointed Mirco Wojnarowicz as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. Dirk Harbecke, who has served as interim CEO since 2022, will remain Chairman of the Board of Directors and, as Rock Tech’s largest shareholder, will also ensure continuity of leadership and strategic oversight. “We are delighted that Mirco has accepted our offer to become CEO. He is anexceptional individual who has already delivered key milestones as VP Business Development over the past 3 years. He is a very inclusive leader with significant global lithium industry…

Toyota has updated its all-electric SUV for 2026 in the US, dropping the ‘4X’ from its name while introducing faster charging, a longer range of up to 314 miles, and improved performance. The model will reach dealerships across the US in the second half of 2025. The most notable change is the increase in driving range, with the new bZ capable of up to 314 miles (EPA figures pending) in the XLE FWD Plus variant, thanks to a larger 74.7-kWh lithium-ion battery. Other battery options include a 57.7-kWh pack, bringing the entry-level model’s range to around 236 miles. Charging efficiency…

General Motors and battery partner LG Energy Solution are planning to start commercial production of lower-cost cells for future electric vehicles at a U.S. facility starting in 2028, the companies said on Tuesday.The cells will have a lithium manganese-rich (LMR) chemistry, which GM says is lower cost than the nickel-rich cells used today, but will still give customers the range they want in future electric trucks and full-size SUVs. The cells will also be prismatic versus the current pouch structure, reducing the number of parts in the battery pack by more than 50%, according to GM.The…

(World Oil) – Slowing global oil demand amid extreme uncertainty about the future of U.S. trade and a coming supply surplus are expected to hobble U.S. oil production growth later this year and could lead to an annual decline in output in 2026, according to a new analysis by S&P Global Commodity Insights. The latest update to the S&P Global Commodity Insights Global Crude Oil Markets Short-term Outlook—the first since the April 2 announcement of U.S. tariffs—now expects global oil (total liquids) demand growth to average 750,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2025, a downward revision of 500,000 bpd from…