Announces

Lipfendra can be taken in conjunction with or an alternative to statins, the most prescribed medication in the USSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email The drug giant Merck on Thursday announced it had received FDA approval for a daily pill that can be an alternative to statins for treating high LDL levels, or so-called bad cholesterol. The new pill, Lipfendra, is a version of a drug called a PCSK9 inhibitor.For decades the go-to therapy to treat high cholesterol levels has been statins, the most prescribed medication in the US. But statins come occasionally with side effects like muscle aches and they sometimes don’t drop cholesterol levels enough to meet recommended levels. Continue reading...

The legendary composer warned theaters could soon meet the same fate as Hollywood’s ‘empty soundstages’Andrew Lloyd Webber has spoken out about the precarious state of Broadway in the wake of the early closing of his revival Cats: The Jellicle Ball.“Broadway is more than a street or a collection of buildings. It is an idea—and one of the greatest cultural ideas America has given us,” the composer wrote in a lengthy X thread on Tuesday morning. Continue reading...

American president says ships will be charged for safe passage through strait in apparent policy reversalMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesThe US has launched its third consecutive night of strikes on Iran hours after president Donald Trump said Washington would reinstate a maritime blockade on the country and, in an apparently policy reversal, charge ships for safe passage.“These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the strait of Hormuz,” the US military’s Central Command said. Continue reading...

More than 90 residents have expressed interest in contamination claim against AGC Chemicals EuropeA Pfas factory in Lancashire has announced plans to close down, just days after the Guardian revealed that more than 90 residents have signed up to be involved in a potential legal claim over contamination of the local area.AGC Chemicals Europe Ltd is consulting with employees and their union representatives about plans to cease operations at its manufacturing plant in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire. The consultation is expected to last for at least 45 days. Continue reading...

US defense secretary says taskforce will ‘combat dangers’ of leaks in latest escalation of White House press crackdownThe US defense secretary, ⁠Pete Hegseth, ​announced on Monday that the Pentagon and the US Department of Justice have created a “joint taskforce ​to identify and ​prosecute” what he called the “unauthorized disclosure ​of sensitive” information to the press, marking the latest escalation in the Trump administration’s effort to crackdown on leaks.In a ⁠video ​posted on X, Hegseth said that “to combat the dangers that leaks pose, effectively immediately, I have ​delegated tasking authority ​to the war department’s ‌office ⁠of general counsel, empowering OGC to request and receive ​all ​information, ⁠records and support across the ​department concerning ​media ⁠leak investigations”. Continue reading...

• AIA Group Limited announced the winners of the fourth annual AIA Healthiest Schools Competition on July 13, 2026, in Hong Kong. • This flagship initiative aims to promote healthy lifestyles and wellness habits among students and educational institutions. • The competition matters as it encourages schools to implement sustainable health programs, fostering a culture of wellbeing for the next generation.

• AIA Group Limited announced the winners of the fourth annual AIA Healthiest Schools Competition on July 13, 2026, in Hong Kong. • The competition is a key part of the AIA Healthiest Schools (AHS) programme, designed to empower students aged five to 16 to adopt healthy habits. • This initiative matters as it encourages young students to translate health education into tangible, everyday actions to improve long-term wellness.

• The Hollywood Reporter has announced the launch of its first-ever A-List Aesthetics event and accompanying digital issue. • The initiative aims to create a premier gathering for top doctors, practitioners, and innovators specializing in beauty, aesthetics, and longevity. • This expansion highlights the growing intersection of celebrity culture and medical advancements in the wellness and anti-aging sectors.

• The Locarno Film Festival has unveiled an "adventurous" official lineup featuring a diverse selection of new films and high-profile talent. • The program includes works by acclaimed directors such as Hong Sang-soo and Nelson Yeo, with starring roles for actors Monica Bellucci, Isabelle Huppert, and Caleb Landry Jones. • Artistic Director Giona A. Nazzaro stated that the selection aims to address contemporary challenges while maintaining a strong focus on storytelling and entertainment.

• Donald Trump announced plans to petition the Supreme Court to rehear a case regarding his executive order aimed at restricting birthright citizenship. • The Supreme Court previously ruled on June 30 that individuals born in the U.S. are automatically citizens under the Fourteenth Amendment's Citizenship Clause. • This legal move follows Trump's other recent attempts to have the high court reconsider a verdict holding him liable for the sexual abuse and defamation of E. Jean Carroll.

• AIA Group Limited announced the winners of the fourth annual AIA Healthiest Schools Competition on July 9, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand. • The competition is a key part of the AIA Healthiest Schools (AHS) programme, which targets students aged five to 16. • The initiative aims to empower young students to integrate healthy living habits into their daily routines through active participation.

• Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen announced on Monday that he will soon retire from his full-time role with the Canadian Space Agency. • The decision follows his participation in the historic Artemis II mission, which aimed to return humans to the vicinity of the moon. • Hansen's retirement marks a transition for Canada's space program after his high-profile contribution to this international lunar exploration effort.

Desks offering gift wrapping and bureau de change stations will be closed at dozens of stores nationwideJohn Lewis has put 200 jobs at risk as it plans to shut down desks operating gift wrapping and foreign exchange services.The 36-strong department store chain said it had begun a consultation on redundancies for the workers as it plans to close the desks which operate bureau de change services in 30 stores, and specialist gift wrapping in 25 stores. The closures will take place this autumn. Continue reading...

• Certain stockholders of Sun Life Financial (SLF) filed a notice on July 6, 2026, regarding the potential sale of approximately 3.28 million common shares. • The filing indicates a significant divestment by specific shareholders, though the exact identities of the sellers were not detailed in the announcement. • This move matters as a large-scale sale of shares can influence the company's stock price and signal a shift in investor confidence or portfolio rebalancing.

US telecom giant Comcast to snap up free-to-air TV channels and streaming platform to create UK’s biggest commercial broadcasterSky has announced a long awaited £1.6bn deal to buy ITV’s broadcasting and streaming arm to create the UK’s biggest commercial broadcaster.Sky, which is owned by the US telecoms company Comcast, will pay £1.2bn in cash initially for ITV’s media and entertainment business, which include its free-to-air TV channels in the UK and ITVX streaming platform. It has agreed to pay a further up to £200m in the second half of 2028, depending on 2027 advertising revenues. Continue reading...

• The CDU/CSU-SPD coalition has agreed to a comprehensive package of tax, labor, and pension reforms following seven hours of intensive negotiations. • Led by Friedrich Merz, the reforms include significant tax cuts, a pension system overhaul, and updated regulations regarding sick leave. • These measures are designed to revitalize Germany's struggling economy and strategically counter the political rise of far-right parties.

• The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced its 2026 programme, which will run from August 13-19. • The lineup features 38 new feature film presentations, including 21 world premieres, with 10 of those competing for the Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence. • The event will introduce the inaugural EIFF Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Award, which will be presented to Kenneth Branagh.

• Disney will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States with a 24-hour broadcast event airing on ABC and Hulu. • The celebration will be hosted by high-profile personalities including David Muir and Ryan Seacrest, featuring coverage of patriotic fireworks displays at the Disneyland Resort. • The event is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of attendees and will showcase one of the largest fireworks and drone shows in the U.S., accompanied by a live score from the Nashville Symphony.

• L.K. Technology released its 2025/2026 annual results, reporting that financial performance continues to be pressured by ongoing cyclical volatility within the industry. • To hedge against these headwinds, the company expanded its portfolio beyond new energy vehicles into energy storage, AI computing power, humanoid robots, and specialized casting. • The group successfully implemented a "going global" strategy, focusing on high-end breakthroughs in the US and Europe while deepening its presence in emerging markets.

• The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has announced the creation and activation of a special communication channel aimed at preventing the escalation of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. • MFA spokesperson Al-Ansari confirmed during a press briefing that the mechanism is currently operational to facilitate conflict resolution. • This initiative is critical because the Strait of Hormuz is a vital global maritime chokepoint for oil shipments, where instability can trigger international economic shocks.

• AbbVie announced positive topline results from the Phase 3 EPCORE DLBCL-4 trial testing the combination of epcoritamab and lenalidomide. • The study focused on adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who had failed two or more previous treatments. • This development is significant as it evaluates a new combination therapy for high-grade B-cell lymphomas that are typically difficult to treat.

President unveils plans for Dallas summit, in break with tradition of conventions only in presidential election yearsDonald Trump has announced that Republicans will stage their first ever national convention ahead of the midterm elections, a move aimed at energizing voters as the party fights to hold its narrow congressional majorities in November.The two-day gathering will take place in Dallas on 9 and 10 September, marking a break from the longstanding tradition of holding national conventions only during presidential election years. Trump confirmed the plans on Tuesday in a Truth Social post, describing Dallas as “One of my favorite places in the World”. Continue reading...

• HCA Healthcare has announced a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) highlighting advancements in CRISPR-based therapies for children. • The research builds upon pioneering work at TriStar Centennial Medical Center and the Sarah Cannon Transplant and Cellular Therapy Network, which performs over 1,600 cellular therapies and transplants annually. • Dr. Frangoul, a key investigator, previously contributed to the first U.S. clinical trial for gene-editing in sickle cell disease, leading to the first FDA-approved CRISPR therapy.

• South Korea has announced a massive investment plan for semiconductor and AI "megaprojects" totaling $1 trillion to bolster its technological infrastructure. • The initiative aims to keep the nation competitive as regional rivals, including Taiwan, China, and Japan, aggressively increase their own spending on chip manufacturing and AI data centers. • Despite the announcement, Samsung stocks experienced a four per cent decline, suggesting investor skepticism or a reaction to broader market pressures.

• South Korea has announced a massive $576 billion investment plan focused on the development and production of AI chips. • The initiative aims to secure global leadership in the semiconductor industry and stimulate regional economic growth. • This strategic move is critical as nations compete for dominance in AI hardware to power the next generation of computing and intelligence.

• South Korea has announced a massive investment drive exceeding $1 trillion to bolster its artificial intelligence and semiconductor industries. • President Yoon Suk Yeol framed the initiative as a critical "race against time" to ensure the nation maintains a dominant position during the global AI boom. • The strategy focuses on securing technological leadership in chip production and AI integration to safeguard South Korea's economic competitiveness.

• On June 22, the FDA announced several initiatives to accelerate both early- and late-stage drug development as part of the Department of Health and Human Services' "Operation TrailBlazer." • A key component is a new drug pilot program designed to shorten the timeline between initial drug identification and first-in-human clinical studies. • The program aims to establish a network of qualified research institutions, including academic medical centers and contract research organizations, to collaborate with sponsors on protocol development.

• NASA has announced the winning student-developed solutions for environmental control and life support systems designed for future crewed lunar landers. • Finalist teams presented their research to a panel of NASA and aerospace industry experts during a collaborative poster session on June 22 at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. • This challenge is critical as it leverages student innovation to solve complex engineering problems, making long-duration lunar exploration more achievable.