Wednesday

• The U.S. Senate is scheduled to convene at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, to continue proceedings on judicial nominations. • Senators will resume consideration of Jeffrey Kuntz's nomination to be a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, with a cloture vote set for 12:00 noon. • Additionally, a cloture request was filed on Tuesday regarding the nomination of Kara Westercamp to the U.S. Court of International Trade.

In today’s newsletter: The representation of the people bill has become a test of whether ​Britain can curb the surge in billionaire‑backed ​donations trying to influence how we run the countryGood morning. I’m Hettie O’Brien, and I’ll be arriving in your inbox regularly from today, rounding out the First Edition team alongside Libby and Michael.I’ve spent much of my time at the Guardian writing about who is pulling the strings in Britain: I enjoy illuminating knotty subjects for our readers, exposing how power works, and helping to make sense of the stories defining our world. I’d love to hear what you think – just reply to this email – we want you to play a part in shaping First Edition. But go easy, it’s my first day.UK news | The police investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe is examining whether a leftwing or single-issue cause may lie behind her killing, the Guardian has learned.Middle East | Donald Trump has threatened to expand US strikes on Iran next week to target power plants and bridges if Tehran does not agree to a deal amid a continuing dispute over the strait of Hormuz.UK politics | Boris Johnson’s government wasted £10bn of public money because of the way it went about buying PPE during the coronavirus pandemic, an official inquiry has concluded.Europe news | A spokesperson for the EU has pushed back against the Trump administration’s assertion that the international criminal court poses a threat to US sovereignty.US news | The man killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Maine on Monday has been identified as Joan Sebastian Guerrero, according to local news outlets. Continue reading...

• Indian equities experienced a sharp decline, with the Sensex and Nifty 50 both falling up to 0.7% due to escalating tensions in West Asia. • The downturn was driven by rising crude oil prices and a weakening rupee, which have intensified concerns regarding inflation. • Market analysts note that these geopolitical risks are currently overshadowing positive earnings optimism, despite technical support levels remaining intact.

• National Bank Financial analyst Cameron Doerksen has issued a cautious outlook on Bombardier Inc. (BBD.B-T) ahead of its second-quarter financial results. • While Doerksen acknowledges that market conditions remain strong and a weaker Canadian dollar has likely boosted the stock, he warns that the company's valuation is now "looking elevated." • This assessment matters as it suggests the stock may have become overpriced despite positive end-market trends and strong earnings potential.

• Stock futures are dropping and oil prices are surging following escalated fighting between the U.S. and Iran and President Trump's statement that the ceasefire has ended. • Rising oil and fuel costs driven by the conflict have triggered broader economic inflation, prompting several Federal Reserve officials to signal that interest rate hikes may be necessary this year. • New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh is currently conducting a comprehensive review of policy-making processes with a primary focus on curbing inflation.

• A severe heatwave in June resulted in approximately 200 deaths across Switzerland, highlighting the country's vulnerability to rising temperatures. • SWISS airline has announced the introduction of a new fee specifically targeting passengers on long-haul flights. • City officials are currently investigating whether certain residential dwellings violate local regulations following a series of public complaints.

• Indian equities closed lower on Tuesday, snapping a four-session winning streak due to profit booking and weak global cues. • Market sentiment was negatively impacted by investor caution ahead of the release of the US Federal Reserve's meeting minutes. • While IT stocks showed resilience, analysts indicate that near-term market direction will depend on corporate earnings and foreign inflows.

• South Bohemian Governor Martin Kuba's political movement, "Our Czech Republic," has launched a candidate training program modeled after the British Conservatives to prepare leaders under 35 for the 2028 regional elections. • The selection process requires applicants to submit CVs and complete workshops on crisis communication and media training before a panel chooses finalists for a three-semester development track. • In other national news, reports indicate that Czechia is struggling with anti-corruption corrections and that nearly 20% of the population is battling anxiety or depression.

• Most U.S. stock indexes rose on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, though overall market gains were limited. • The upward trend was tempered by price drops among several influential technology companies, which acted as a drag on the broader indices. • This mixed performance highlights a tension between general market optimism and volatility within the high-growth tech sector.

• Japan's business confidence has increased for the fifth consecutive quarter, signaling sustained economic optimism. • China's private factory activity remained stable with a reading of 51.7 as the new quarter began on July 1, 2026. • Beijing formally implemented new regulations today designed to restrict capital flight and keep investment within the country.

• The Supreme Court's GOP-appointed majority ruled in favor of Republicans in a challenge against restrictions on political party spending for candidate-coordinated advertisements. • Written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the decision removes key limitations on how parties can fund and coordinate ad campaigns with their candidates. • Legal experts suggest this ruling could trigger the most significant shift in campaign finance law since the landmark Citizens United decision.

• Germany's inflation rate showed a slight decrease in June, while severe storms caused significant disruptions across the southern region on July 1st. • The national security service issued a warning regarding heightened threats from extremist groups and foreign powers targeting the country. • The German rail regulator ruled in favor of Italian firm Italo, concluding the company was unfairly excluded from the domestic market.

In today’s newsletter: A country already in crisis since the removal of its leader earlier this year by the US, now has to find a way to rebuild with little state presence in evidenceThe shaking seemed to come from nowhere. In a moment captured by fishers off Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, two earthquakes struck seconds apart. Plumes of dust appear where buildings once stood in the recording as the camera rises and falls with the swell. The men rapidly head for the shore in search of their families. “I’m shaking,” says the cameraman.Since the quakes struck last Wednesday, the search for missing loved ones has not stopped for scores of Venezuelans. Officially, more than 1,700 people have died. But tens of thousands remain missing: desperate relatives are walking up and down streets lined by rubble and collapsed buildings with photos of those they cannot find, asking for help.World news | A child has been rescued from the rubble in Venezuela, six days since the country was hit by devastating twin earthquakes.UK politics | Andy Burnham will have to find an extra £4.7bn for defence in his first budget, after Keir Starmer announced a £298bn defence investment plan (Dip) without having fully identified how it will be funded.US politics | The US supreme court has upheld the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship, affirming that nearly all people born on US soil are American citizens and rejecting a central pillar of Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda.UK news | The European media group Axel Springer has completed its £575m takeover of the Telegraph, ending years of uncertainty over the future ownership of the 171-year-old titles.US news | Nine matches in the World Cup group stage were played amid potentially dangerous heat and humidity, a Guardian analysis shows. Continue reading...

• Indian equity markets declined for a second consecutive session, with the Sensex dropping nearly 250 points and the Nifty falling over 80 points. • Investors remain cautious despite a decrease in geopolitical tensions, though analysts suggest a potential recovery if the Nifty holds above the 23,800 support level. • Market focus is shifting toward the acquisition strategies of industry giants like Reliance and L&T, as well as China's dollar bond sales in Saudi Arabia.

Estimated 5.3m households on standard tariffs without smart meters risk being overcharged for some of June usageMillions of Britons could pay higher energy bills than they need to if they do not submit a meter reading before the price cap rises on Wednesday.The estimated 5.3 million households on standard tariffs who do not have a smart meter have been urged to take action before the new unit rates for gas and electricity take effect. Continue reading...

• A radio failure caused a widespread halt across Germany's national rail network overnight on Wednesday, June 24th. • Germany is preparing for record-breaking heat as a severe heatwave continues to affect the broader European region. • Chancellor Olaf Scholz has officially expressed his support for new pension reform proposals to ensure long-term fiscal stability.

In today’s newsletter: As heatwaves intensify, Britain’s ecosystems are being pushed beyond their evolutionary limitsOur green and pleasant land is sizzling. This week, millions of us across the UK are baking in unprecedented heat. The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning from 9am today in parts of southern Wales, and central and southern England. The temperature record for June of 35.6C is almost certain to be broken; Bristol is forecast to hit an alarming 39C tomorrow.In the heat, the country’s infrastructure is straining: millions of homes are overheating, rail operators have warned against all but essential travel, and hospital admissions are set to surge. The Climate Change Committee concluded last month the UK is built for a climate that no longer exists – and warned today on the country’s policies towards achieving net zero.UK news | Searing heat has swept the UK with schools, hospitals, transport networks and water companies struggling to cope with the extreme temperatures caused by climate breakdown.UK politics | Keir Starmer has met Andy Burnham for the first time since the Makerfield byelection in what sources said was a “frosty” meeting to thrash out a transition of power.US news | Marco Rubio is to meet Gulf allies in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran.Europe news | Forty people have drowned while swimming in unsupervised areas across France in recent days, as people across the country sought respite from a record-breaking heatwave.UK politics | Nigel Farage has said his £5m gift from a crypto billionaire is “not any of your business” as it was given unconditionally to be spent on anything from Ferraris to gambling on horses. Continue reading...

• The Sensex and Nifty plummeted over 1% on Tuesday, driven by global market weakness, significant losses in the IT sector, and a weakening rupee. • Market sentiment was further pressured by fresh outflows from foreign institutional investors (FIIs), leading to a sharp decline in overall indices. • Investors are now monitoring critical technical levels and global cues on Wednesday to determine if the market will stabilize or continue its downward trend.

People in southern Wales and area of England from Kent and Sussex to Somerset and Birmingham urged to protect themselves from extreme heatThe UK’s Met Office forecasters have issued a rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday in the face of extreme heat and humidity.It covers southern Wales as far west as Swansea, and an area of England that includes London and runs from the inland areas of Kent and Sussex, all the way across to Somerset, as far north-west as Birmingham, and as far north-east as southern Cambridgeshire. Continue reading...

• The FDA approved a third over-the-counter version of naloxone nasal spray on Tuesday, June 16, to increase accessibility and reduce costs for overdose reversal. • Separately, a reported disruption in breast biopsy services is expected to impact patient care and may necessitate adjustments to clinical management. • These developments highlight critical shifts in public health accessibility and the operational challenges facing diagnostic medical services.

In today’s newsletter: The far right are using social media to foster division, from Southampton to Belfast, but there are calls for clear and urgent ways to counter digital radicalismGood morning. Ten years after the murder of the MP Jo Cox by a rightwing extremist in the run-up to the Brexit referendum, her sister Kim Leadbeater, now herself a MP, issued a clear and urgent summons.In an interview on our Today in Focus podcast, she proposed that political hatred in Britain is worse now than at the time of her sister’s killing, but insisted “those voices who are sowing the division are in the minority.”UK news | A Russian warship fired warning shots within a few hundred metres of a British pleasure yacht sailing across the Channel amid a period of heightened tensions between London and Moscow.UK politics | The Lib Dems will urge Andy Burnham to end Labour’s “torpor and timidity” towards the EU as they call for the UK to rejoin the single market, in a notable strengthening of their own position.Middle East | Iran’s top diplomat has said a peace deal with the US would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, as concern grows that Israel could undermine diplomatic efforts to finally end the Middle East war.Media | A BBC presenter lauded by the corporation for his appeal to young male audiences has a history of making abusive and misogynistic remarks about women, whom he has variously called “slags”, “sluts”, “psychos” and “bitches”, the Guardian can reveal.US news | Joe Biden’s decision to seek a second term was “a terrible mistake” that cost Democrats the presidency and may have permanently damaged his legacy, Hillary Clinton has declared. Continue reading...

• Indian equities rose for a third consecutive session, with the Sensex and Nifty gaining ground due to lower oil prices and optimism regarding a peace framework between Iran and the US. • The rally was driven by broad-based buying across the IT, realty, FMCG, and oil & gas sectors, which helped sharply reduce market volatility. • Investors are now shifting their focus to the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision scheduled for Wednesday.

• France has secured a 75-billion-euro investment in artificial intelligence as part of a strategic push to lead the continent's AI sector. • Germany is leading a six-nation initiative—including France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Poland—to develop a more competitive European capital market. • The OECD has issued a warning that the ongoing war in the Middle East is negatively impacting economic growth across Europe.

• More than 400 digital nomads have applied for a €10,000 incentive offered by the region of Extremadura to attract remote workers. • In Andalusia, the leader of the PP party is meeting with the far-right Vox party to discuss forming a coalition government following the May 17th regional elections. • The political move follows a result where the PP won the most votes and Vox gained one additional seat, making their cooperation critical for a majority.

• Indian equities closed higher on Tuesday, driven by a sharp decline in the India VIX, softer crude oil prices, and easing geopolitical tensions. • While broader markets outperformed, analysts remain cautious due to ongoing Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) outflows and a weak near-term earnings outlook. • The market recovery is significant as it signals improved investor sentiment, though global uncertainties continue to pose a risk to sustained gains.

• Indian benchmark indices closed higher following a volatile session, with the Sensex gaining 382 points and the Nifty closing above 23,480. • Market sentiment was primarily lifted by late buying in heavyweight IT stocks, though investors remain cautious. • Key factors influencing upcoming stock action include monsoon progress, inflation trends, liquidity conditions, and the RBI's policy outlook.

In today’s newsletter: As heatwaves intensify, ​B​ritain must confront the limits of a society built for cool​er weather, forcing policymakers, communities and households to rethink how ​w​e live, work and stay coolThe UK swelters once again. On Tuesday, temperatures surged to 35C, condemning millions of people to another sticky night in homes ill-prepared for such warm conditions.The heat is record-breaking: we are still in spring, yet temperatures are close to extremes we once never expected even in high summer. Yorkshire experienced its first ever “tropical night” in spring on Monday, when the evening temperature failed to fall below 20C. Health alerts remain in effect across large parts of the country due to the increased likelihood of deaths, particularly among vulnerable and elderly people. Yet, experts warn, this may just be the road to a new normal.UK politics | Tony Blair has accused Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting of putting Labour’s future at risk by abandoning the centre ground, warning that the party’s “almost infinite capacity for self-delusion” means it is likely to lose the next election.UK news | One out of every five people arrested after their participation in the 2024 summer riots has since been reported to the police for domestic abuse, the Guardian can disclose.Middle East | The continuing US-Israel war on Iran has compounded other global disasters to drive record numbers of people into hunger at a time when funding to combat famine has fallen dramatically, the head of the UN World Food Programme has said.UK news | The court of appeal will review the non-custodial sentences given to three teenage boys for the rape of two girls, Keir Starmer has announced.US politics | Alabama cannot use a new Republican-friendly map in this year’s midterm elections because it intentionally discriminates against Black voters, a panel of three federal judges have ruled. Continue reading...

• Indian stock markets are focusing on key companies including Coal India, Zee, IMFA, Tata Elxsi, Saatvik, and GPT Infraprojects for trading on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. • Global sentiment is bolstered by MSCI’s Asian equities gauge, which climbed 1.1% to reach an all-time high. • South Korea's market surged up to 5%, driven by strong AI investment interest and the performance of chipmaker SK Hynix Inc.