Trump Escalates Rhetoric, Suggests Iran Strikes on U.S. Cities
President Donald Trump intensified remarks suggesting Iran could threaten U.S. cities like Los Angeles and San Diego, drawing rebukes from California officials and media scrutiny. The comments came amid ongoing debate over Iran's nuclear program and came against a backdrop of previous discussions about intensive military strikes.
UN Security Council convenes amid new attacks on Ukraine
The UN Security Council met on Friday to address recent attacks on Ukraine, where dozens have been killed or injured. The United States condemned Russia's intensifying strikes on energy infrastructure, calling them a mockery of peace, while the council's European members pushed to address the conflict's security implications.
FDA approves Genentech's Tecentriq plus chemotherapy for adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer
The U.S. FDA has approved Genentech's Tecentriq combined with chemotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) tumors, marking the first approved immunotherapy regimen for this indication. The approval is based on Phase III ATOMIC trial data showing a 50% reduction in recurrence or death and improved 36-month disease-free survival rates.
Weston family completes $8.9 billion acquisition of Boots UK
The Weston family, through Wittington Investments, completed a $8.9 billion acquisition of Boots UK from Sycamore Partners and the Pessina family, with backing from Fairfax Financial Holdings. The deal marks the Canadian family's return to British retailing and values the pharmacy and beauty retailer at USD $8.9 billion (CAD $12.7 billion).
Isomorphic Labs raises over $2 billion at $40 billion+ valuation to accelerate AI drug discovery
Isomorphic Labs, the AI drug discovery spin-out from Google DeepMind, secured $2.1 billion in Series B funding at a valuation exceeding $40 billion, led by Thrive Capital with participation from Alphabet, MGX, Temasek, and the UK's Sovereign AI Fund. The capital will scale the company's AI drug design engine and advance pipeline programs, reflecting massive investor confidence in AI-driven pharmaceutical research.
Labour retains Holborn and St Pancras in by-election against Green challenge
Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali won the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, defeating Green Party leader Zack Polanski and retaining a seat the party has held since 1983. The result is framed as an early test of Labour's electoral standing under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, despite the report referencing Andy Burnham as Prime Minister, which appears to be an error. High turnout reflected intense local interest, and Labour's victory prevents a Green MP from entering the Commons.
Anne Carson awarded 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature
The Swedish Academy awarded Anne Carson the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature for her bold and inventive oeuvre that created new forms for contemporary literature through playful dialogue with the classical tradition. She is the 19th woman among 123 literature laureates, recognized for genre-defying works including 'Nox' and 'Red Doc>' that engage with classical mythology and history.