Astra

• OpenAI reported that its internal model, Astra, successfully produced 10 new mathematical and science theorems. • The process cost approximately $2,000 in API tokens, providing a rare glimpse into the financial cost of high-level AI reasoning. • This development is significant as it reframes frontier AI research as a budgetable expense, though the results still require verification by human mathematicians.

• European stock markets closed mostly higher on Monday, with the Stoxx Europe gaining 0.4%, Germany's DAX climbing 1.6%, and France's CAC advancing 1.4%. • Market activity was highlighted by reports that pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca is currently in merger talks with Bristol Myers Squibb. • The positive momentum reflects broader optimism in the sector, while the S&P 500 is simultaneously approaching 40% earnings growth, driven largely by Alphabet.

Tie-up would be one of the biggest pharmaceutical deals ever and create the world’s fourth-largest drugmaker Business live – latest updatesBritain’s biggest drugmaker AstraZeneca is 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 longtime chief executive Pascal Soriot, is the second-biggest listed company in the UK, with a market value of nearly £196bn. BMS, headquartered in Princeton and known for its cancer treatments, is worth $133bn. Continue reading...

Europe and US risk being outpaced on innovation, as happened in the car industry, warns Pascal SoriotAstraZeneca must operate at “Chinese speed” to ensure it doesn’t suffer the fate of the western automotive industry by losing out to more innovative rivals, the drug company’s boss has said.The FTSE 100 company is watching the rise of China’s pharmaceutical industry closely and collaborating to take drugs to global markets, but its chief executive, Pascal Soriot, said the US and European pharmaceutical sector must focus on increasing the speed of innovation. Continue reading...

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsYet another company has been picked off London’s stock exchange this morning: DCC Energy has agreed to a £5.75bn takeover by private equity investors KKR and Energy Capital Partners.Shareholders in the FTSE 100 energy distributor will receive £65.25 per share ‌in cash, a proposed ‌final dividend of 147.22p per share, and a potential payment of up ‌to £1.25 per share if DCC can sell its technology unit for at least $800 million.Whilst the DCC Energy Board remains confident in the energy strategy and associated 2030 Ambition announced in 2022, the Board believes the Consortium’s offer represents a compelling opportunity for shareholders to crystallise value in cash at an attractive premium to DCC Energy’s historical trading price.We are confident that the Consortium will be strong stewards of DCC Energy’s 50-year heritage and support the business during its next phase of growth.” Continue reading...

• The FTSE 100 index dropped 1.7% today, driven primarily by a sharp decline in AstraZeneca shares. • Market losses were further exacerbated by rising oil prices and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. • While the blue-chip index fell, the FTSE 250 and FTSE All-Share indices opened with more caution.

• NASA has extended the deadline for submitting abstracts and mission concepts for the Ad ASTRA Workshop. • The new submission deadline is now set for July 1, 2026. • This extension provides researchers and innovators more time to develop proposals for the agency's science-driven initiatives.

• NASA's Astrophysics Division is hosting a special session on June 18, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am PT, to discuss the future of its observatory fleet and the ASTRA Initiative. • The event will present initial findings from the "Innovation for Astrophysics Missions Workshop" held in May 2026, focusing on driving technological innovations and maintaining U.S. leadership in space. • This session serves as a strategic bridge to the upcoming "Ad ASTRA" astrophysics community science workshop scheduled for September 2026.

• NASA has announced updates to the agenda and abstract submission process for the upcoming Ad ASTRA Community Science workshop. • The event will utilize breakout sessions combining formal presentations with flexible discussions to foster collaboration among teams. • The workshop aims to help researchers with concepts at different maturity levels identify commonalities and strengthen specific capability groups.

• NASA Science is hosting a PhysPAG Community Webinar on June 2, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Eastern Time to discuss the ASTRA Initiative. • The initiative focuses on driving science questions and exploring the trade space for various implementation options for new mission concepts. • NASA encourages researchers to collaborate with Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Standing Advisory Groups (SAGs) to synthesize individual ideas into broader, community-supported mission concepts.

• On May 8, 2025, India conducted a successful test of the advanced Agni-5 missile equipped with MIRV technology from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha, visible as far as Bangladesh. • Codenamed Mission Divyastra, the single missile deployed multiple warheads capable of striking different targets simultaneously, placing India among elite nations with this strategic capability. • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the test as a 'massive leap' in defence preparedness against 'growing threat perceptions,' with the full flight tracked by ground and ship systems.

Drugmaker had stalled large-scale UK projects but has now pledged investment at two sites, announced by Keir StarmerBritain’s biggest drugmaker AstraZeneca has said it will invest £300m in the UK in a surprise U-turn after pausing large-scale projects last year.The drugmaker had pulled back projects in Britain after becoming disillusioned with the business environment, including the availability of new medicines on the NHS and drug pricing. Continue reading...