Declines

• European stock markets declined from record highs as investor sentiment shifted away from artificial intelligence and technology sectors. • Zalando saw a decline, while Italy's Banca Ifis shares plummeted 35% following a reduction in its 2026 guidance. • Banca Ifis is now initiating the sale of its non-performing loan business while awaiting a report from a Bank of Italy inspection.

Don Berthiaume, Trump nominee for inspector general at justice department, pressed by senators amid confirmationDonald Trump’s nominee to serve as a top independent watchdog at the Department of Justice has refused to call the January 6 insurrection an “attack” during questioning by US senators.Don Berthiaume, a career justice department employee who has been serving as inspector general at the agency, faced senators as part of his confirmation process to take up the role permanently on Wednesday. Continue reading...

• Stock futures declined on Wednesday, led by sharp drops in technology shares, as investors await a critical upcoming inflation report. • Oil prices increased following U.S. "self-defense strikes" against Iran and comments from President Donald Trump stating that Iran has "taken too long to negotiate a deal." • The market volatility reflects growing economic uncertainty regarding inflation and heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

• The Delhi High Court has declined an urgent hearing on a plea seeking to stop a protest organized by the satirical "Cockroach Janta Party" scheduled for June 6. • The demonstration aims to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following allegations of irregularities in national exams, specifically the NEET-UG and CBSE board exams. • The movement has gained significant traction online, using satire to highlight grievances regarding the integrity of India's educational assessment systems.

Environment minister Murray Watt decides against emergency declaration to halt construction but does not rule out ‘longer term protections’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe federal government has decided against an 11th-hour intervention to halt construction of an Olympic stadium and aquatic centre in the heart of Brisbane, in a park that traditional owners call “sacred”.The environment minister, Murray Watt, issued a statement on Sunday afternoon to say he had considered applications made under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act for him to stop construction in Victoria Park. Continue reading...

Firms hit by ‘perfect storm’ of uncertainty about Labour leadership and impact of Iran warBusiness live – latest updatesCompanies in the UK’s dominant services sector have reported one of the sharpest declines in business activity in a decade, according to a closely watched index.Businesses are grappling with a “perfect storm” of domestic political uncertainty around Keir Starmer’s leadership as prime minister and the growing impact of the Iran war, leading to soaring costs, supply shortages and job cuts, the report said. Continue reading...

Chief secretary, Darren Jones, says PM is ‘listening to colleagues’ but will make own decisions on way forwardUK politics live – latest updatesOne of Keir Starmer’s closest aides has declined to say whether he would lead his party into the next election amid mounting calls for him to resign.The prime minister is “listening to colleagues” who are asking him to set out a timetable for departure but would make his own decisions about the way forward, the prime minister’s chief secretary has said. Continue reading...