'Araghchi warns European hosts of US bases against aiding attacks on Iran'

 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Tuesday that European countries hosting US military bases could bear international responsibility if they assist in preparing or carrying out attacks on Iran.

Araghchi told his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani during a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that rising fuel and commodity prices in global markets were a direct result of the US-Israeli war with Iran, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“The Iranian foreign minister warned of the dangerous consequences that the normalization of law-breaking and aggressive US unilateralism poses to the rule of law,” according to the statement.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202609225059

Iranian flights to be banned in Baghdad shortly - Al Hadath

 

Iraq is set to impose a ban on Iranian flights in Baghdad shortly, Al Hadath reported Tuesday in a post on X.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202609228925

'US source says Iran deal chances limited, blockade relief rejected - Al Arabiya'

 

The chances of reaching an agreement between Iran and the US remain limited, with major differences and obstacles persisting, Al Arabiya reported Tuesday, citing a US source who attended a meeting with the Iranian delegation.

The source also said Washington rejected Tehran’s request to lift the blockade.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202609224556

Eledon gets FDA Fast Track for tegoprubart to prevent rejection in kidney transplantation

 Eledon Pharmaceuticals gets FDA Fast Track for tegoprubart to prevent rejection in kidney transplantation

https://finviz.com/stock?t=ELDN&p=d

SBIO ETF Rallies on Clinical Trial Wins & M&A Demand

 The biotechnology sector continues to ride a massive wave of medical innovation, and ETFs like the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO B-) appear to be capturing the upside.

SBIO posted a solid 5% gain in August, fueled by positive clinical trial data and an accelerating pace of industry mergers and acquisitions.

Key Takeaways

• SBIO gained 5% in August and has returned 24.57% year to date and 75.38% over the past year.
• SBIO’s focus on small- and mid-cap companies with Phase II and Phase III programs gives investors exposure to potentially market-moving clinical, regulatory and commercial catalysts.
• Big Pharma’s need to replenish pipelines ahead of patent expirations is creating acquisition opportunities, with six SBIO portfolio companies receiving takeout bids over the past 12 months.

Capitalizing on Late-Stage Innovation

SBIO posted a 24.57% year-to-date return through August. Even more impressive is its long-term momentum. Over the last year, SBIO has delivered a whopping 75.38% return for its investors, outpacing broader market benchmarks.

SBIO’s underlying strategy focuses on mid- and small-cap biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies valued between $200 million and $5 billion that have at least one drug in Phase II or Phase III FDA clinical trials. This targeted, late-stage approach gives the fund exposure to companies approaching pivotal clinical milestones and potential medical breakthroughs.

See More: Advisors Rethink Equal Weighting Amid Equity Concentration

M&A Adds Another Catalyst

The appeal of late-stage biotech extends beyond potential drug approvals. Big Pharma is increasingly willing to pay substantial premiums for promising clinical-stage assets. Companies confronting looming patent expirations and the need to replenish their pipelines are particularly driven to do so.

Since the start of 2026, several SBIO holdings have attracted major acquisition interest. In total, six SBIO portfolio companies have received takeout bids over the past 12 months, including Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Apellis Pharmaceuticals and Apogee Therapeutics.

Key Holdings Fuel SBIO’s Momentum 

SBIO’s August gains were driven by a range of company-specific developments.

For example, Kura Oncology Inc. (0.58% weight*) gained 40.4% after reporting $9.1 million in net product revenue for Komzifti, its oral treatment for acute myeloid leukemia, in its second full quarter on the market. Revenue rose 57% from the first quarter, supported by approximately 115 new patient starts. The results gave investors early evidence that the drug is gaining traction commercially.

Zai Lab Ltd. (1.42% weight*) rose 39.35% after the FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation to Zocilurtatug pelitecan (Zoci), an antibody-drug conjugate being developed for neuroendocrine carcinomas. Zai Lab also reported sequential revenue growth and continued profitability, while planning three registrational studies for Zoci by year-end.

Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. (1.93% weight) jumped 66.17% after its Phase III LUCIDITY trial of Avexitide met its primary and all secondary endpoints in patients with post-bariatric hypoglycemia. The treatment reduced clinically significant hypoglycemic events by 55% compared with a placebo. Amylyx plans to seek regulatory approval by year-end, with a potential launch in 2027.

Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings Inc. (0.22% weight) surged more than 156% after regaining global rights to its self-amplifying mRNA vaccine portfolio, including the approved COVID-19 vaccine Kostaive. The agreement provided $12 million in cash and released approximately $16 million in liabilities, extending the company’s cash runway. Arcturus also completed enrollment and dosing in a Phase II study of ARCT-810 for a rare inherited metabolic disorder.

From Drug Sales to FDA Milestones 

Together, these companies highlight the range of catalysts that can drive SBIO’s small- and midcap holdings higher. With biotech M&A activity remaining robust and therapeutic innovation continuing to advance, SBIO offers investors targeted exposure to the companies developing the next generation of healthcare treatments.

https://etfdb.com/etf-building-blocks-content-hub/sbio-rallies-clinical-trial-wins-ma-demand/

Mullin: DHS Investigating 1,620 Non-Citizen Voter Fraud Cases

 by AG News Staff via American Greatness,

The Department of Homeland Security is investigating 1,620 cases of alleged voter fraud involving noncitizens and reviewing hundreds of thousands of additional cases, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said.

Mullin told Fox News that DHS has made 151 arrests and is examining another 300,000 cases based on information compiled from state voter rolls.

"We're scrubbing them. We're comparing them to those that are in the country illegally, those that are legal permanent residents and those that are citizens" to determine whether they voted legally, Mullin told Fox News contributor Kayleigh McEnany.

The investigation puts renewed attention on election integrity and the participation of noncitizens in U.S. elections, an issue President Donald Trump has repeatedly raised.

According to Mullin, the cases uncovered by DHS support Trump's longstanding contention that election fraud has occurred.

"We continue to see that. Every single vote, Kayleigh, that we talk about, that was at the hands of an illegal canceled out a citizen that was legally registered and able to vote," Mullin said.

DHS is examining the additional cases to determine whether individuals identified on state voter rolls were citizens, legal permanent residents or in the country illegally, according to Mullin.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/mullin-dhs-investigating-1620-non-citizen-voter-fraud-cases

Soros-Linked Political Groups Pour Millions Into Democratic Efforts Ahead Of Midterms

 Via American Greatness,

Political committees tied to the Soros family have directed tens of millions of dollars to Democratic-aligned organizations during the 2026 election cycle, including a group spending heavily in Michigan's closely watched U.S. Senate race.

Democracy PAC and Democracy PAC II had distributed more than $40 million to Democratic-aligned organizations as of the end of June, according to campaign finance records.

Recipients include Senate Majority PAC, House Majority PAC and J Street Action Fund.

Federal Election Commission records show Democracy PAC II alone reported more than $6 million in total disbursements through June 30.

The spending has drawn attention in Michigan, where Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed is running against Republican Mike Rogers.

Senate Majority PAC, which received $9 million from Democracy PAC this cycle, has committed $30 million to supporting El-Sayed in Michigan, according to recent reports.

The outside support comes as El-Sayed has made reducing the influence of wealthy donors a prominent campaign theme.

"The fundamental corruption of our politics has been the system that allows corporations and would-be oligarchs and billionaires to buy politicians," El-Sayed said in a 2025 interview.

Republicans are highlighting the contrast between that rhetoric and outside spending supporting his candidacy. Alyssa Brouillet, a spokeswoman for Rogers, accused El-Sayed of being inconsistent on political money and criticized his connections to wealthy donors.

The Soros network has also supported organizations involved in congressional races, environmental issues, voting efforts and campaigns for progressive prosecutors.

George Soros transferred control of his philanthropic and political organization to his son, Alex Soros, in recent years. Additional disclosures could provide a more complete picture of the family's political spending during the 2026 election cycle.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/soros-linked-political-groups-pour-millions-democratic-efforts-ahead-midterms