Poised

• NASA is preparing to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to explore hidden facets of the universe. • The mission aims to discover up to 200,000 new planets and provide critical data on the elusive nature of dark matter and dark energy. • This telescope matters because it will provide cosmologists with new images and data to refine theories on galaxy formation and the origins of the universe.

Weather service warns of flooding and mudslides, particularly in areas strongly affected by previous stormTropical Storm Moke is poised to slam into the south of Hawaii’s islands with forecasters predicting heavy rains and strong winds on Saturday evening, just days after the region was devastated by Hurricane Lala.The tropical storm is gathering strength as it advances west, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Continue reading...

• Finansia has identified "value play" stocks as a primary growth theme for the Thai benchmark market, driven by anticipated fund inflows and the current AI investment cycle. • Energy stocks are receiving support from Brent crude oil prices, which are currently hovering around $93.8 per barrel. • The commercial banking sector is expected to benefit from Thailand's improving economic outlook, making it a key target for foreign capital.

Ex-Maine senate president is frontrunner to replace Platner, who ended his campaign after sexual assault allegationsTroy Jackson – a logger, longtime legislator and former president of the Maine senate – is now poised to become the Democratic nominee in Maine’s US Senate race. His rise comes after the party’s previous nominee, Graham Platner, abruptly ended his campaign earlier this month following allegations of sexual assault from a former partner.Platner’s withdrawal set off a frantic scramble inside the Maine Democratic party. Several contenders filed paperwork to be considered at a 25 July special convention of 601 delegates tasked with selecting a new nominee. But over the weekend, Jackson’s serious challengers dropped out one after another, clearing a swift and unobstructed path for him. Jackson, who lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary earlier this year, is now the presumptive choice. Continue reading...

• Major Japanese companies are projected to achieve record net profits for the sixth consecutive year in the current fiscal year. • This growth is primarily driven by a robust technology sector fueled by the global boom in artificial intelligence demand. • The AI-led surge is expected to outweigh the negative impact of rising input costs resulting from conflicts in the Middle East.

• The Supreme Court is preparing to release several key rulings by early July regarding presidential authority, birthright citizenship, and election rules. • These decisions will address critical disputes involving immigration policy and the legal status of independent federal agencies. • The rulings are significant as they could fundamentally redefine executive power and shift the legal landscape for future administrations.

• The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is currently leading polls in Saxony-Anhalt, signaling a potential shift toward far-right power in the region. • The party is described as a hybrid of Giorgia Meloni’s moderate ultra-right approach and a more extreme far-right wing, with the latter currently gaining more influence. • This rise is occurring alongside a broader trend where even mainstream Christian-Democrat and Social-Democrat politicians in eastern Germany are seeking warmer relations with Moscow.

• Two high-profile AI researchers at Alphabet Inc.’s Google are planning to depart the company to join rival AI firm Anthropic PBC. • This talent drain follows a series of departures that threaten to weaken Google's competitive edge in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence sector. • Anthropic is aggressively expanding into healthcare and life sciences, supported by a recent funding round that brought its valuation to $965 billion.

Keir Starmer ready to overrule Ed Miliband after warnings that manufacturers would be penalised and jobs put at riskThe UK government is poised to water down its 2030 targets for electric vehicle sales after intense lobbying by the car industry and unions.The government is preparing to consult on less ambitious targets for the transition to fully battery-powered electric cars over the rest of the decade after carmakers and unions warned that they would penalise manufacturers and put jobs at risk. Continue reading...

Exemptions being considered after March announcement of measures to support domestic steel productionBusiness live – latest updatesMinisters are expected to drop some planned tariffs on foreign steel after UK manufacturers warned the measures would significantly increase their costs.Representatives of the Department of Business and Trade are meeting leaders of steel trading business groups on Wednesday and Thursday with a view to finalising details of a reprieve for certain industries. Continue reading...

Measure expected to pass next week represents major rebuke to big tech as local disquiet over AI boom growsSeattle’s city government is on the verge of passing a year-long ban on the construction of new datacenters, the largest city yet in the US to consider such a moratorium as nationwide backlash grows.Four companies sought to build five large datacenters in areas serviced by Seattle’s public utility; if approved, they would have consumed approximately a third of the city’s current daily demand for electricity. Continue reading...

Chancellor has been under pressure to extend 5p temporary cut at an estimated cost to government of £2.4bn a yearUK politics live – latest updatesRachel Reeves is planning to cancel a rise in fuel duty this week when she unveils a package of measures to reduce the cost of living.The chancellor will announce she will not put up the tax by 1p as was due to happen in September, government sources said, and she could cancel all of a 5p rise that is due to happen in stages over the subsequent six months. Continue reading...

Such a move could reshape the electoral map ahead of the midterms by carving up a majority-Black congressional districtSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.Republican lawmakers in Tennessee are poised to push through a plan later today that would carve up a majority-Black congressional district.Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged suicide note was released Wednesday. A federal judge has unsealed an alleged suicide note by Jeffrey Epstein, the first time the document has been made public.The Trump administration has claimed that migration has made Europe an “incubator” for terrorism, according to a recently published report on counter-terrorism strategies. The administration will focus counter-terrorism efforts on drug cartels.Republican politicians in Tennessee released a new congressional voting map that could go into effect before the midterm elections this November. The proposed map would eliminate the state’s only Democratic-controlled district by carving up a majority-Black voting bloc based in Memphis.More information was released on the suspect charged in connection to Monday’s shooting near JD Vance’s motorcade. The Texas man accused of firing a gun at law enforcement officers near the Washington monument this week was walking along the path of JD Vance’s motorcade before the shooting and made a vulgar remark about the White House after the confrontation, according to a court filing on Wednesday.The FBI’s director, Kash Patel, has allegedly given out customized bottles of bourbon at events, including ones where he is working in a official capacity, according to a report from the Atlantic.Donald Trump will be hosting the Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, for a visit, a White House source confirmed to the Guardian. Trump and Lula, who was elected in 2023, will discuss “economic and security matters of shared importance”, the source said. The meeting is expected to take place this Thursday. Continue reading...

Former president looks likely to take power following eighth election in five yearsBulgarian ex-president Rumen Radev – an EU critic who has called for renewing ties with Russia – on Sunday hailed a “victory of hope” after his formation topped the eighth parliamentary elections in five years.Projections from polling agencies put his Progressive Bulgaria (PB) grouping at 44%, which would give him an absolute majority of at least 129 seats in the 240-seat parliament. Continue reading...

Retail analysts say breaking up food and fashion group would make sense in challenging business environmentPrimark may break free from Kingsmill, Twinings and the sugar business this week when Associated British Foods announces plans on a mooted demerger.The potential split comes at a tricky time for the group controlled by the billionaire Weston family, with its fashion and food arms facing tough competition and rising costs. Continue reading...

Iran has targeted Israel and Gulf states while denying Donald Trump’s claims that any negotiations are taking place. Plus, Democrats flip seat in district home to Trump’s Mar-a-LagoGood morning.The US appeared poised to deploy airborne troops to the Middle East, according to reports, as strikes intensified across the region.What is the 15-point framework? Diplomats with knowledge of the talks believe it is likely to be a rehashed version of a proposal put forward by Trump’s negotiating team during nuclear talks in May 2025.What is happening with the strait of Hormuz? Iran has announced it is permitting “non-hostile” ships to pass safely through the strait.This is a developing story. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates. Continue reading...

Authorities warn of strong winds, heavy rain, flooding and coastal storm surgeHow did global heating fuel Tropical Cyclone Narelle?Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSevere Tropical Cyclone Narelle was poised to make landfall in far north Queensland on Friday morning, likely as a “high-end” category four system but still posing a severe threat to several remote communities.Locals took shelter early in the morning as the winds began to pick up ahead of forecast winds over 250km/h. Continue reading...

Warner Bros' films *One Battle After Another* and *Sinners* are favored for major wins at the 2026 Oscars this weekend, positioning the studio for success despite looming takeover plans. The proposed $110 billion Paramount-Skydance merger, subject to regulatory reviews, threatens Hollywood stability by consolidating two legacy studios and risking job losses. Teamsters president Sean M. O'Brien warned, 'This merger threatens the livelihoods of workers who built these studios.' Industry figures like JJ Abrams describe the atmosphere as 'shaky and unsettled,' with attention now turning post-ceremony.