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OpenAI expands to Europe with $2B Norway data center, plans 100K GPUs by 2026

4 Mins Read

OpenAI is taking its AI infrastructure strategy global, with a major investment in Europe’s north.

The firm, known for developing ChatGPT, will become the primary capacity buyer in a new Stargate-branded data centre planned for northern Norway.

In partnership with British tech infrastructure firm Nscale and Norwegian energy giant Aker, the project will deploy 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs by the end of 2026.

This marks OpenAI’s first major data centre deployment in Europe. The Norway build is also part of a broader sovereign AI push across the continent, as governments seek more local control over where and how artificial intelligence workloads are handled.

Norway site to use 230MW of hydropower

The data centre will be based in Kvandal, near Narvik in Norway’s far north. According to the companies, the region has several advantages, including low electricity demand, limited transmission bottlenecks, and access to abundant hydropower.

The facility is expected to start with a capacity of 230 megawatts, placing it among Europe’s largest AI data centre projects.

Both Nscale and Aker have committed approximately $1 billion each to the initial 20-megawatt development phase. The total GPU count is expected to reach 100,000 within two years, with further capacity expansions planned.

Nvidia’s chips have become the go-to solution for handling complex AI tasks in data centres. The project will rely on these GPUs to deliver the computing power required for generative AI applications.

Stargate enters Europe with $2B plan

The Stargate project was first introduced in the US earlier this year, with OpenAI, Oracle, Japan’s SoftBank, and UAE-based MGX as core partners.

Together, the group aims to invest $500 billion over the next four years to create a global AI infrastructure network.

June saw OpenAI and its partners announce plans for a Stargate campus in the UAE. The Norway data centre follows closely on that announcement, indicating an accelerating global rollout.

Unlike the UAE plan, however, this project will specifically target the European sovereign AI initiative, where AI services must operate under local data residency requirements.

The Stargate-Norway collaboration aligns with that push, with OpenAI set to act as an “off-taker”—buying significant computing capacity from the data centre without directly operating it.

Nscale leads OpenAI-backed build

British firm Nscale will design and construct the Norwegian data centre in a 50-50 joint venture with Aker. While OpenAI won’t own or run the facility, the company plans to use the computing power to expand its AI services on the continent.

Nscale CEO Josh Payne stated that the aim is to deliver European “sovereign compute” infrastructure that AI developers across the region can use to build productivity tools and commercial products.

Although he declined to reveal the exact financial structure or expected returns, Payne said Nscale has a separate European expansion roadmap beyond Stargate.

Currently, there are no additional Stargate sites announced for Europe. However, the push for increased capacity across fragmented EU countries may open doors for more large-scale AI infrastructure investments.

Nvidia, for instance, is also working with French AI firm Mistral to deliver new GPU-backed data centres in France.

Europe pushes for sovereign AI growth

The Stargate launch in Norway comes at a time when Europe is stepping up efforts to secure its digital future. Calls for sovereign AI infrastructure have grown louder, especially as American and Asian tech giants extend their footprint into the region.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, during a visit to Europe earlier this year, encouraged EU governments to build their own AI ecosystems. Sovereign AI is increasingly seen as essential for data control, economic independence, and technological leadership.

For OpenAI, this Norway project offers an opportunity to extend its reach while aligning with European policy demands.

By sourcing green energy and keeping workloads on EU soil, the company positions itself as a partner rather than just a service provider in the region’s AI future.

The post OpenAI expands to Europe with $2B Norway data center, plans 100K GPUs by 2026 appeared first on Invezz

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In World news

Psychedelics Market Update: H1 2025 in Review

5 Mins Read

The psychedelic drugs market is emerging as a strategic investment opportunity in healthcare, with forecasts generally placing its value around US$6.4 billion in 2025.

This burgeoning sector is set for robust, double-digit compound annual growth, significantly driven by North America, which is anticipated to account for approximately 45–50 percent of this market.

The first half of 2025 was characterized by clinical advancements and softening policy stances, furthering momentum and contributing to growing market interest.

Clinical progress and policy shifts drive market interest

Interest in the space continued in H1 as drug candidates advanced into pivotal trials, particularly in the treatment of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Cybin (NYSEAMERICAN:CYBN) reported meaningful progress, citing investor and regulatory confidence in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, LSD analogs and DMT derivatives.

Cybin’s 2025 financial results, released on June 30, highlighted significant progress in its lead programs, as well as its strong financial position, with C$135 million in cash reported.

CEO Doug Drysdale emphasized the company’s progress in building a strong foundation for anticipated clinical and regulatory milestones.

Key highlights include strengthened intellectual property with new patents for CYB003 and CYB004, strategic partnerships with Osmind and Thermo Fisher Scientific, and promising Phase 2 efficacy data for CYB003 in MDD, showing 100 percent responder rates and 71 percent remission with two 16 mg doses. The Phase 2 study for CYB004 in GAD is underway and expected to be completed around mid-2025.

Likewise, COMPASS Pathways (NASDAQ:CMPS) announced that its COMP360 psilocybin treatment successfully met its primary goal in a Phase 3 trial for treatment-resistant depression on June 23.

A single 25mg dose of COMP360 significantly reduced depression symptoms compared to a placebo at six weeks, showing a clinically meaningful difference and strong statistical significance. This marks the first Phase 3 efficacy data reported for a classic psychedelic, and Compass Pathways said it plans to discuss these positive results with the FDA.

Policy signals were equally consequential. Notably, the Texas House and Senate passed SB 2308 in May, which will provide up to US$100 million in state funds for ibogaine trials.

The results of the trials will be presented to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for potential approval of ibogaine for opioid use disorder, co-occurring substance use disorder and other neurological or mental health conditions. Governor Abbott signed the bill into law on June 11, representing a notable and progressive shift in the Republicans’ approach to drug policy.

However, the sector continues to face real challenges, such as costly clinical access and inconsistent regulatory frameworks that have resulted in a patchwork of state-level regulations. Despite these challenges, there are ongoing efforts towards federal reform and standardized guidelines.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently told members of Congress that new therapeutics using psychedelic substances could revolutionize treatment for mental health challenges.

‘This line of therapeutics has tremendous advantage if given in a clinical setting and we are working very hard to make sure that happens within 12 months,” he said during a House subcommittee meeting regarding the Trump administration’s proposed budget for the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

FDA head Marty Makary has likewise labeled the assessment of MDMA and other psychedelics as a “top priority,” announcing initiatives aimed at potentially expediting their approval.

One new program in particular aims to accelerate drug approval, potentially cutting review times from six months to one month.

This initiative might relax requirements for some drugs, possibly waiving placebo-controlled studies, which have been a hurdle for psychedelic research because patients often know if they’ve received the drug.

Looking ahead

The National Psychedelic Landscape Assessment (NPLA) identifies 11 states with a high likelihood of future movement based on legislative viability, advocacy strength, public support, legislative momentum and strategic impact: New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Illinois, Missouri, California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Indiana, New York and Arizona.

The report also points to several key trends and persistent challenges in the current psychedelic market.

Decriminalization at the state level has seen an enactment rate of just two percent, despite being a frequently introduced legislative concept, with 67 bills introduced since 2020. Movements have been hampered by public health and safety concerns, although local efforts are gaining momentum.

However, adult-use access has seen no legislative enactments through state legislatures, with existing programs in Oregon and Colorado being implemented predominantly via citizen-led ballot initiatives.

When it comes to medical access programs, New Mexico stands out as the sole state to successfully enact a licensed and regulated psilocybin therapy program through SB 219, battling hurdles such as regulatory complexity, affordability and securing sufficient provider participation.

The report also found that clinical trials have been gaining traction, particularly when state-funded and focused on vulnerable populations like veterans and first responders, with Indiana emerging as a leader in this area.

The state established a therapeutic psilocybin research fund in 2024 that compares psilocybin against existing treatments, and ensures transparent fund administration and research application processing.

A more moderate approach is seen in pilot programs, which offer a controlled environment for access and data collection. The crucial step of implementing legislation, necessary to operationalize enacted policies, shows a 50 percent success rate, according to the report’s findings.

The report also points to corporate influence and the strategic efforts by corporate entities to gain commercial advantage through state trigger laws and compound-specific legislation favoring patented compounds like COMP360.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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In Business

Recall warns some Celsius energy drink cans accidentally contain alcohol

1 Min Read

The canned cocktail maker High Noon is warning customers that some of its vodka seltzers were accidentally labeled as Celsius energy drinks.

In a recall notice posted to the Food and Drug Administration’s website, High Noon said an unspecified number of its Beach Variety packs contain cans are filled with High Noon vodka seltzer alcohol but have been mislabeled as Celsius Astro Vibe energy drink, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition, with a silver top.

Celsius Astro Vibe Energy Drink, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition.Celsius

The products were shipped to retailers in Florida, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin from July 21 to July 23.

The recall was initiated after High Noon discovered that a shared packaging supplier mistakenly shipped empty Celsius cans to High Noon, it said.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

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In Politics

New tech-focused MAHA initiatives will usher in ‘new era of convenience,’ improve health outcomes, Trump says

4 Mins Read

President Donald Trump and several key health advisors in his Cabinet held a formal event Wednesday at the White House unveiling new efforts to improve healthcare technology and partnerships with private-sector technology companies. 

The ‘Make Health Tech Great Again’ event laid out a new voluntary commitment from several major tech and tech-healthcare firms aimed at developing a better process for digital health record sharing, which Trump admin officials said would ultimately improve health outcomes for Americans. In addition to the commitment, the new health tech efforts will also include the development of personalized tools meant to help patients obtain greater control of their health information to make more informed decisions.

‘For decades, America’s healthcare networks have been overdue for a high-tech upgrade, and that’s what we’re doing. The existing systems are often slow, costly, and incompatible with one another,’ Trump said from the White House during the Wednesday afternoon event. ‘But with today’s announcement, we take a major step to bring health care into the digital age, something that, is absolutely vital. We’ve got to do it. Moving from clipboards and fax machines into a new era of convenience, profitability and speed and, frankly, better health for people.’

The event announcing the Trump administration’s plan to advance a ‘next-generation digital health ecosystem,’ was attended by representatives of companies, including Apple, Google, Samsung, Amazon, OpenAI, Anthropic, Epic, Oracle, Athena Health, and Noom, who will be participating in the voluntary pledge aimed at improving health record sharing. As part of the pledge, the companies will ‘voluntarily’ share information with each other, according to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., also present at the Wednesday event. 

‘For decades, bureaucrats and entrenched interests buried health data and blocked patients from taking control of their health,’ Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said in a statement Wednesday ahead of the event. ‘That ends today. We’re tearing down digital walls, returning power to patients, and rebuilding a health system that serves the people. This is how we begin to Make America Healthy Again.’

The Trump administration is partnering with more than 60 companies to bolster how health information is shared electronically, including through the use of apps, and beef up the interoperability of health information networks, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). 

The apps aim to address issues including diabetes and obesity management, and provide beneficiaries with AI assistants to walk through symptoms, provide care options, and assist with scheduling appointments. Other functions that the technology aims to solve are providing digital check-ins to streamline services and cut down on paper intake forms. 

‘It gives [patients] a sense of responsibility and allows them to measure the interventions if they change their diet, if they change their exercise, it can show you how many steps you took today, it can tell you if your glucose is spiking, and all of that information will now be available to American citizens,’ Kennedy said Wednesday. 

The White House event is a follow-up to the request for information notice that the CMS posted in May requesting information from stakeholders on ways to beef up health technology interoperability. 

Other technological advances on the health front include plans for CMS to launch an app library on Medicare.gov to best direct beneficiaries to the right digital health tools, according to CMS. 

‘The average Americans are tired. They’re tired of waiting for a doctor’s appointment. They’re tired of waiting for the surprise of what your hospital bill is going to offer. That’s being addressed,’ CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz added Wednesday. 

‘They’re tired of waiting for access to their medical records. You own your medical records, they’re yours. Why you can’t have access to them is a stunning reality in modern-day America,’ Oz continued. ‘They’re also tired of waiting for Washington to take action. And this president early on emphatically stated that wasn’t going to happen anymore. And today we made that vision into a reality.’

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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In Stocks

Rolls-Royce share price sends mixed signals before earnings: buy or sell?

4 Mins Read

Rolls-Royce share price pumped on Tuesday and was hovering near its all-time high of 1,013p. It has increased by 75% this year, surpassing the FTSE 100 Index, which has risen by 11%. 

RR stock price has jumped by over 1,000% in the last five years, while the Footsie has soared by 55% in the same period. This surge has increased its market capitalization to over $113.26 billion, making it the eighth-largest company in the UK. 

High bar before Rolls Royce earnings

The Rolls-Royce share price will be in the spotlight on Thursday after the company publishes its financial results. These earnings come at a time when its stock is at an all-time high and its valuation multiples are in an uptrend.

Rolls-Royce stock now trades at a substantial premium compared to its peers and its history. The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 42, much higher than the sector median of 23.

Therefore, these multiples mean that the company needs to publish strong half-year results and upgrade its financial estimates. 

Some analysts are still optimistic that the company has more upside to go in the coming months. For example, in a statement, an analyst at Panmure Liberum said more upside will depend on its profit upgrade. 

The analyst believes that the company’s half-year sales and operating profit will account for a similar share as they did for the full-year in 2024. 

Analysts are upbeat about RR growth

The consensus figures published on its website indicate that analysts anticipate continued growth. They expect that the underlying revenue will be £19.2 billion this year, while the underlying EBIT and profit before tax will jump to £2.87 billion and £2.73 billion, respectively.

These numbers will then continue growing, with its revenue hitting £23.7 billion in 2028 and the EBIT and PBT moving to £4.013 billion and £4.015 billion, respectively. 

Rolls-Royce’s free cash flow is expected to be £4.49 billion in 2028, up from the expected £2.8 billion.

There are indications that Rolls-Royce may publish strong results on Thursday. For one, some of its biggest competitors have recently published strong numbers, pushing their shares much higher. 

For example, GE Vernova stock surged to a record high after saying that its revenue jumped by 11% to $9.1 billion in the second quarter. GEV competes with Rolls-Royce in the power segment

Similarly, GE Aerospace, its biggest competitor, soared to $273, up by 71% from its lowest point this year. Its stock jumped after it published strong results and boosted its forward guidance.

GE’s orders jumped by 27% to $14.2 billion, while its adjusted revenue and operating profits jumped to $10.2 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively. Therefore, since these two companies operate in the same industry, there is a likelihood that it too will release good numbers. 

In its recent trading update, the company maintained its forward operating profit and free cash flow of between £2.7 billion and £2.9 billion. 

Rolls-Royce share price technical analysis

RR stock price chart | Source: TradingView

The daily chart shows that the RR stock price has been in a strong bull run in the past few years. It has crossed the important milestone of 1,000p, as we predicted here and here. 

On the positive side, the stock is much higher than the 50-day and 100-day moving averages, a sign that bulls are in control. However, on the other hand, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) has formed a descending channel, a sign of bearish diverge pattern.

Therefore, the stock’s outlook is neutral, with the bearish divergence pointing to a pullback to 950p. The alternative scenario is where the stock continues to rally, with the next target being at 1,100p.

The post Rolls-Royce share price sends mixed signals before earnings: buy or sell? appeared first on Invezz

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5 Best-performing Canadian Pharma Stocks of 2025

4 Mins Read

From established players to up-and-coming firms, Canada’s pharmaceutical company landscape is diverse and dynamic.

Canadian drug companies are working to discover and develop major innovations amidst an increasingly competitive global landscape. Rising technologies such as artificial intelligence are playing a role in the landscape as well.

Read on to learn about what’s been driving the share prices of the best-performing Canadian pharma stocks.

1. Cipher Pharmaceuticals (TSX:CPH,OTC:CPHRF)

Year-over-year gain: 48.2 percent
Market cap: C$330.79 million
Share price: C$12.33

Cipher Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharma company with a diverse portfolio of treatments, including a range of dermatology and acute hospital care products. The company has out-licensed some of its offerings as well. Cipher began trading on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol CPHRF in early 2024.

In addition to its current portfolio, Cipher has acquired Canadian rights to CF-101, a dermatology treatment for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis is currently expected to undergo Phase III clinical trials. The company is also conducting proof-of-concept studies on DTR-001, a topical treatment for removing tattoos.

In 2024, Cipher announced it had signed a definitive asset purchase agreement with ParaPRO for its US-based Natroba operations and global product rights, and the news caused Cipher’s share price to spike significantly.

During its Q1 results reporting in May 2025, the company announced a US$15 million debt repayment.

2. HLS Therapeutics (TSX:HLS)

Year-over-year gain: 42.03 percent
Market cap: C$154.95 million
Share price: C$4.90

HLS Therapeutics focuses on drugs for cardiovascular and central nervous system problems, often through partnerships. The company specializes in acquiring and commercializing pharmaceuticals that address unmet needs. Key commercial products include Vascepa, Clozaril for treatment-resistant schizophrenia and cholesterol-lowering therapies NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET.

Additionally, the company generates revenue from a diversified portfolio of royalty interests on various products marketed by third parties.

3. Medexus Pharmaceuticals (TSX:MDP,OTC:MEDXF)

Year-over-year gain: 23.25 percent
Market cap: C$92.9 million
Share price: C$2.81

Medexus Pharmaceuticals specializes in bringing drugs to treat rare diseases to North America. The company manages the entire process through its fully integrated operations, from acquiring and developing drugs to marketing and selling them. Some of its key products include treatments for hemophilia B and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as a line of drugs for autoimmune diseases like lupus and allergy treatments.

In November 2024, Medexus Pharmaceuticals announced it had successfully negotiated with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance to make treosulfan, which Medexus commercialized in Canada under the name Trecondyv, available to publicly funded drug programs and patients. Trecondyv is indicated as part of conditioning treatment prior to bone marrow transplants in patients with certain types of blood cancers.

In addition to Canada, Medexus has the exclusive commercialization rights to treosulfan in the US, where it received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2025.

4. Satellos Bioscience (TSXV:MSCL,OTC:MSCLF)

Year-over-year gain: 18 percent
Market cap: C$102.26 million
Share price: C$0.59

Satellos Bioscience is a Canadian pharmaceutical company expanding treatment options for muscle disorders. The company has focused specifically on Duchenne muscular dystrophy, developing therapies to regenerate and repair muscle tissue by targeting the specific biological pathways involved. Its lead candidate SAT-3247 targets a protein called AAK1, which regulates the activity of stem cells that activate and differentiate new muscle fibers.

The company began enrolment for a multiple-ascending-dose arm of the Phase 1 study for SAT-3247 last November after no drug-related adverse events were reported in the single-ascending-dose group.

In May of this year, Satellos announced results from its Phase 1b trial, reporting SAT-3247 has shown positive safety and pharmacokinetic data and encouraging early functional results, clearing the path for a planned Phase 2 trial.

5. NurExone Biologic (TSXV:NRX,OTC:NRXBF)

Year-over-year gain: 1.41 percent
Market cap: C$44.18 million
Share price: C$0.72

NurExone Biologic is the biopharmaceutical company behind ExoTherapy, a drug delivery platform that uses exosomes, which are nano-sized extracellular vesicles, to create treatments for central nervous system disorders, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. It is a less invasive alternative to cell transplantation, which requires surgery and carries the risk of rejection.

NurExone’s first nano-drug, ExoPTEN, uses a proprietary sIRNA sequence delivered with the ExoTherapy platform to treat spinal cord injuries. ExoPTEN received orphan drug designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2023, meaning it has been recognized as a potential treatment for rare medical conditions. The designation makes it eligible for incentives such as market exclusivity and regulatory assistance aimed at accelerating its development and approval.

The company released preclinical results from animal testing evaluating the efficacy of its nano-drug ExoPTEN in restoring lost vision at the end of 2024. In July 2025, preclinical studies indicated that ExoPTEN could improve walking quality in patients with spinal cord injuries.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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In Business

Things are getting better at Boeing under CEO Ortberg, but can he keep it going?

6 Mins Read

After spiraling from crisis to crisis over much of the past seven years, Boeing is stabilizing under CEO Kelly Ortberg’s leadership.

Ortberg, a longtime aerospace executive and an engineer whom the manufacturer plucked from retirement to fix the problem-addled company last year, is set this week to outline significant progress since he took the helm a year ago. Boeing reports quarterly results and gives its outlook on Tuesday.

So far, investors are liking what they’ve been seeing. Shares of the company are up more than 30% so far this year.

Wall Street analysts expect the aircraft manufacturer to halve its second-quarter losses from a year ago when it reports. Ortberg told investors in May that the manufacturer expects to generate cash in the second half of the year. Boeing’s aircraft production has increased, and its airplane deliveries just hit the highest level in 18 months.

It’s a shift for Boeing, whose successive leaders missed targets on aircraft delivery schedules, certifications, financial goals and culture changes that frustrated investors and customers alike, while rival Airbus pulled ahead.

“The general agreement is that the culture is changing after decades of self-inflicted knife wounds,” said Richard Aboulafia, managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory, an aerospace consulting firm.

Analysts expect the company to post its first annual profit since 2018 next year.

“When he got the job, I was not anywhere as near as optimistic as today,” said Douglas Harned, senior aerospace and defense analyst at Bernstein.

Ortberg’s work was already cut out for him, but the challenges multiplied when he arrived.

As the company hemorrhaged cash, Ortberg announced massive cost cuts, including laying off 10% of the company. Its machinists who make the majority of its airplanes went on strike for seven weeks until the company and the workers’ union signed a new labor deal. Ortberg also oversaw a more than $20 billion capital raise last fall, replaced the head of the defense unit and sold off its Jeppesen navigation business.

Ortberg bought a house in the Seattle area, where Boeing makes most of its planes, shortly after taking the job last August, and his presence has been positive, aerospace analysts have said.

“He’s showing up,” Aboulafia said. “You show up, you talk to people.”

Boeing declined to make Ortberg available for an interview.

Boeing’s leaders hoped for a turnaround year in 2024. But five days in, a door-plug blew out of a nearly new Boeing 737 Max 9 as it climbed out of Portland. The almost-catastrophe brought Boeing a production slowdown, renewed Federal Aviation Administration scrutiny and billions in cash burn.

Key bolts were left off the plane before it was delivered to Alaska Airlines. It was the latest in a series of quality problems at Boeing, where other defects have required time-consuming reworking.

Boeing had already been reeling from two deadly Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 that sullied the reputation of America’s largest exporter. The company in May reached an agreement with the Justice Department to avoid prosecution stemming from a battle over a previous criminal conspiracy charge tied to the crashes. Victims’ family members slammed the deal when it was announced.

For years, executives at top Boeing airline customers complained publicly about the manufacturer and its leadership as they grappled with delays. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary told investors in May 2022 that management needed a “reboot or boot up the arse.”

Last week, O’Leary had a different tune.

“I continue to believe Kelly Ortberg, [and Boeing Commercial Airplane unit CEO] Stephanie Pope are doing a great job,” he said on an earnings call. “I mean, there is no doubt that the quality of what is being produced, the hulls in Wichita and the aircraft in Seattle has dramatically improved.”

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby cast doubt over the Boeing 737 Max 10 after the January 2024 door-plug accident, as the carrier prepared not to have that aircraft in its fleet plan. The plane is still not certified, but Kirby has said Boeing has been more predictability on airplane deliveries.

Still, delays for the Max 10, the largest of the Max family, and the yet-to-be certified Max 7, the smallest, are a headache for customers, especially since having too few or too many seats on a flight can determine profitability for airlines.

“They’re working the right problems. The consistency of deliveries is much better,” Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan said in an interview last month. “But there’s no update on the Max 7. We’re assuming we are not flying it in 2026.”

Boeing under Ortberg still has much to fix.

The FAA capped Boeing’s production at 38 Maxes a month, a rate that it has reached. To go beyond that, to a target of 42, Boeing will need the FAA’s blessing.

Ortberg said this year that the company is stabilizing to go beyond that rate. Manufacturers get paid when aircraft are delivered, so higher production is key.

“I would suspect they would be having those discussions very soon,” Harned said. “It’s 47 [a month] that I think is the challenging break.”

He added that Boeing has a lot of inventory on hand to help increase production.

Its defense unit has also suffered. The defense unit encompasses programs like the KC-46 tanker program and Air Force One, which has drawn public ire from President Donald Trump. Trump, frustrated with delays on the two new jets meant to serve the president, turned to a used Qatari Boeing 747 to potentially use as a presidential aircraft, though insiders say that used plane could require months of reoutfitting.

Ortberg replaced the head of that unit last fall.

A strike could also be on the horizon at the defense unit after factory workers “overwhelmingly” rejected a new labor deal, according to their union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 837.

“The proposal from Boeing Defense fell short of addressing the priorities and sacrifices of the skilled IAM Union workforce,” the union said Sunday. “Our members are standing together to demand a contract that respects their work and ensures a secure future.”

There is a seven-day cooling off period before a strike would begin, if a new deal isn’t reached.

“They’re not totally out of the woods,” Harned said.

Boeing and Ortberg also need to start thinking about a new jet, some industry members said. Its best-selling 737 first debuted in 1967, and the company was looking at a midsize jetliner before the two crashes sent its attention elsewhere.

“Already there’s been a reversal from ‘read my lips, no new jet.’ I would like to see that accelerate,” Aboulafia said. “He is the guy to make that happen.”

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

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Trump’s CDC pick confirmed—but her pro-vaccine stance may clash with RFK Jr.’s agenda

3 Mins Read

The Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after his first choice struggled to gain support.

Susan Monarez, a longtime fixture in Washington who has taken on leadership positions in a number of government public health roles, was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday, crossing yet another position off the lengthy and growing number of nominees awaiting confirmation.

Monarez was confirmed on a 51to 47party line vote.

Across her roughly two-decade career in D.C., she has served as deputy director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health within the Department of Health and Human Services and in roles at the White House, including at the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Security Council.

She is the first CDC director to undergo the Senate confirmation process after a new law changed the requirement in 2023. Prior to her confirmation, Monarez had served as the acting director of the CDC since the beginning of this year.

But Monarez, who has a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology, was not Trump’s first pick to lead the public health agency, which is tasked with protecting Americans from public health threats.

Trump tapped Monarez in March shortly after withdrawing his nomination of Dr. David Weldon, a former House member, after it was clear that he couldn’t get enough votes from Senate Republicans to make it across the finish line.

He lauded Monarez’s credentials, and charged that Americans had ‘lost confidence’ in the CDC.

‘Dr. Monarez will work closely with our GREAT Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert Kennedy Jr,’ he said on social media at the time. ‘Together, they will prioritize Accountability, High Standards, and Disease Prevention to finally address the Chronic Disease Epidemic and, MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN!’

But questions also linger on how well Monarez and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. might work together.

During her confirmation hearing last month, Senate Democrats grilled Monarez over whether she agreed with Kennedy’s positions on vaccines. Kennedy has long been outspoken about his skepticism regarding vaccines, particularly COVID-19 vaccines.

The CDC has been hit with thousands of staff cuts and resignations and subject to changes in vaccine policy — notably Kennedy’s decision to remove the COVID-19 from the vaccine schedule for pregnant women and healthy children — in the last six months. 

‘I think vaccines save lives. I think that we need to continue to support the promotion of utilization of vaccines,’ Monarez said during her confirmation hearing.

Her confirmation also comes as Kennedy, in his budget request for the HHS, seeks a slash in funding to the CDC of nearly 50%, or from about $9.2 billion to $4.2 billion, for the upcoming fiscal year.

But Kennedy made clear in an X post at the time of her nomination that he supports Monarez to take on the position.

‘I handpicked Susan for this job because she is a longtime champion of MAHA values, and a caring, compassionate and brilliant microbiologist and a tech wizard who will reorient CDC toward public health and gold-standard science,’ he said. ‘I’m so grateful to President Trump for making this appointment.’

And an HHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital, ‘Once Dr. Monarez is confirmed, the Secretary looks forward to working with her to advance common-sense policies that will Make America Healthy Again.’

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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In Stocks

Europe markets open: FTSE, DAX futures up 0.2% on strong Barclays, AstraZeneca earnings

3 Mins Read

European stock markets are poised for a higher open on Tuesday, with major bourses looking to shake off the previous session’s losses.

A wave of strong corporate earnings reports, notably from British bank Barclays and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, is providing a positive catalyst for the market, even as investors continue to seek clarity on the details of the recent US-EU framework trade deal.

Futures data from IG suggests a positive start for European markets, with major bourses like London’s FTSE 100 and Germany’s DAX expected to open around 0.2% higher.

This comes after an initial burst of optimism on Monday over the US-EU trade deal faded by the end of the session, ultimately leaving the pan-European Stoxx 600 index with a 0.23% loss.

Investors will continue to hunt for any new details on the trade outlook today, as uncertainty remains for key sectors including pharmaceuticals and products like spirits, which were not explicitly covered in the initial framework.

Some analysts believe the recent positive trade news has largely run its course for now. “We see the tentative trade deal with the EU as pretty much completing the run of good trade news that has lifted global confidence and equity markets, and weakened the [US dollar],” Standard Chartered macro strategist Steve Englander said in a Monday note.

He added, “The deals are a negative from a global growth perspective but appear to be something that US trading partners can live with.”

Corporate stars shine: AstraZeneca and Barclays beat expectations

Tuesday is a busy day for corporate earnings, with several major companies reporting ahead of the bell, offering a more fundamental focus for investors.

  • AstraZeneca: The Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical firm posted better-than-expected second-quarter earnings, driven by strong demand for its key cancer and biopharmaceutical products.

    AstraZeneca reported revenues of $14.46 billion for the three-month period ending June 30, a figure that came in ahead of the $14.07 billion estimated by analysts in an LSEG poll. Quarterly adjusted core operating profit also beat forecasts, coming in at $4.58 billion versus the $4.48 billion anticipated.

    The FTSE 100 company maintained its full-year forecast for revenues to rise by a high single-digit percentage, despite geopolitical challenges, and reiterated its ambitions to grow its US footprint to deliver $80 billion in revenue by 2030.

    Last week, AstraZeneca had announced plans to invest $50 billion in bolstering its US manufacturing and research capabilities by 2030, becoming the latest pharmaceutical firm to ramp up its stateside spending in the wake of US trade tariffs.

  • Barclays: British bank Barclays also delivered a strong performance, beating profit expectations and announcing a new £1 billion ($1.33 billion) share buyback program.

    The bank reported a pre−tax profit of £2.5 billion ($ 3.34 billion) for the second quarter, comfortably surpassing the mean LSEG forecast of £2.23 billion. Group revenues met analyst projections of £7.2 billion. The bank noted that market volatility had helped to boost its investment banking revenues during the quarter.

A host of other earnings reports are also due today from European giants like L’Oréal and Ferrovial, as well as major US companies including Boeing, Starbucks, Visa, and PayPal, which will be closely watched for their global outlook.

The post Europe markets open: FTSE, DAX futures up 0.2% on strong Barclays, AstraZeneca earnings appeared first on Invezz

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