Uncertainty on Iranians’ minds as Trump fluctuates on war and talk
Iranians feeling pressure amid US president's on-again, off-again comments on conflict and negotiations.
AstraZeneca shares fall 8.9% over merger talks with US cancer drug firm
$400bn tie-up with Bristol Myers Squibb would create world’s fourth largest drugmaker but analysts question rationale for deal
More than £17bn was wiped off the value of Britain’s biggest drugmaker, AstraZeneca, on Monday after a report that it was in discussions to take over its US rival Bristol Myers Squibb in a deal that would create a near $400bn (£300bn) pharmaceutical group.
AstraZeneca, run by Pascal Soriot, its longtime chief executive, had been worth nearly £196bn before the news broke. BMS, headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, and known for its cancer treatments, was worth $133bn (£98bn).
Continue reading...Inside the Palestine Action protests
After the UK proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, thousands were arrested or investigated.
Rhine falls to record low levels as drought strains Europe’s rivers
Low water levels in the Rhine, Danube and Po have curtailed the transport of goods and reduced electricity output.
Stronger EU borders needed after Ceuta crisis, von der Leyen says
European Commission president says work needed in five areas of migration control including returning more people
The president of the European Commission has called for action to strengthen Europe’s borders after tens of thousands of people arrived and quickly left the Spanish territory of Ceuta, triggering a furious row between Madrid and other European countries.
In a letter to Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, on Monday, Ursula von der Leyen said: “From this incident, it is clear that we must do more to further strengthen our borders at critical points, including vigilant monitoring and the use of physical barriers where needed.”
Continue reading...Driver jailed for four years after faking brake failure on motorway
Nathan Owen drove his electric Jaguar at up to 86mph and lied to police it was malfunctioning and out of his control
A man who drove his electric Jaguar at up to 86mph on motorways falsely telling police the car was malfunctioning and out of his control has been jailed for four years and three months.
Nathan Owen fabricated not being able to brake in a “frighteningly stupid” ploy to avoid paying car finance, Liverpool crown court heard.
Continue reading...Iraqi Kurdish regional leader meets Syrian president in Damascus
Barzani meets Syria's al-Sharaa in Damascus to discuss SDF integration and Kurdish rights in post-Assad Syria.
Kay Granger, first Texas Republican woman elected to House, dies aged 83
Representative who did not seek re-election in 2024 died of Alzheimer’s disease, her son said
Kay Granger, who served in the US House for almost three decades as the first elected Republican woman from Texas, died on Sunday, her family said. She was 83.
The cause of death, according to her son JD Granger, was Alzheimer’s disease.
Continue reading...Romanian navy blasts riverbed to protect nuclear plant
Romania's military detonated part of the Danube riverbed to redirect water towards the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant.
Early Social Media Use Linked to Lower Grades Years Later, Study Finds – Gizmodo
- Early Social Media Use Linked to Lower Grades Years Later, Study Finds Gizmodo
- Longitudinal effect of early social media use on standardized learning outcomes during school career Nature
- Children using social media at younger age appear to do worse in school tests The Guardian
- Early social media use among children linked to lower grades The Times
- Study reveals that early use of social media leads to poorer academic results theportugalnews.com
Threat to oil tankers in Middle East worst since start of Iran war, analysts say
Fresh attacks on alternative shipping routes have left tankers facing an increasingly complex situation, analysts say.
Indian court acquits ex-wrestling chief in sexual harassment case
Top female wrestlers vow to appeal following the controversial acquittal.
French boy thrown from Tate balcony has ‘smile back’ after hospital release
Family update on GoFundMe page says child, who was six when badly injured in 2019 incident, is now back at school
A boy thrown from the viewing balcony in London’s Tate Modern art gallery has a “smile back on his face” after being discharged from hospital, his family have said.
The French youngster, whose name remains undisclosed for privacy reasons, was six when he was badly hurt in an attack by then teenager Jonty Bravery at the London attraction on 4 August 2019.
Continue reading...Anti-war politician flees Russia amid pre-election crackdown on dissent
Boris Nadezhdin, who gained prominence after standing against Putin in 2024, says he is now in France
The prominent Russian anti-war politician Boris Nadezhdin has fled to Paris as Moscow tightens its grip on dissent before parliamentary elections later this year.
Nadezhdin, a veteran liberal politician, gained international prominence during Russia’s 2024 presidential election when his long-shot campaign against Vladimir Putin unexpectedly gathered momentum before electoral authorities barred him from running.
Continue reading...Inside the Secretive Boards Deciding Trans Troops’ Fate – The New York Times
Inside the Secretive Boards Deciding Trans Troops’ Fate The New York Times
Ukraine energy chief says infrastructure attacks will shape war’s outcome – politico.eu
- Ukraine energy chief says infrastructure attacks will shape war’s outcome politico.eu
- 'Winter is coming': Ukraine fears its toughest test since Russia's full-scale invasion CNBC
- Russia will try to target Ukraine's water system – Ukrainian energy minister Українська правда
- Putin Wants Ukraine to 'Break From Exhaustion' This Winter, Energy Chief Shmyhal Warns— And He's Coming A Benzinga
- Ukraine faces €650 million energy funding gap ahead of winter, government urges partners to act Межа. Новини України.
How Israel and the European far right tried to exploit Ceuta
A potent narrative is emerging linking migration to anti-Semitism in an effort to undermine pro-Palestinian solidarity.
John Oliver on police surveillance: ‘Big Brother on steroids’
The host tore into ‘wildly invasive’ cameras, microphones and license plate readers that police use to track Americans
John Oliver discussed the tools that police are using to keep track of Americans on the latest episode of Last Week Tonight.
In recent years, the use of surveillance technology has exploded among local police forces due to decreasing prices and federal funding, with one local mayor comparing modern systems to “Big Brother on steroids”.
Continue reading...Australia’s under-16 social media ban failing, study shows: What it means
Australia's internet regulator revealed in a recent study that teenagers are continuing to use social media despite ban.
Organizers unveil hymn for Seoul WYD – Vatican News
- Organizers unveil hymn for Seoul WYD Vatican News
- Countdown to World Youth Day Seoul 2027 begins: Here’s what we know so far EWTN News
- (Video) One year to go!: World Youth Day Seoul releases theme song aleteia.org
- Ahead of WYD 2027, Laudato Si' Movement Launches Global Tree-Planting Campaign Radio Veritas Asia
- ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Official hymn for Seoul WYD 2027 unveiled: "Take courage; I have overcome the world" Agenzia Fides