Morning Briefing: Thursday 25 June 2026
- Heatwave: The UK June temperature record was broken yesterday; red warning extended until midnight tonight; 1,200 schools closed today; 40C still possible — for you, today is the most dangerous day; stay indoors midday, avoid travel, check on vulnerable neighbours.
- Politics: Reeves publicly backed Burnham as next PM on BBC Breakfast this morning, deferring on her own role — for you, the Burnham coronation is essentially confirmed; gilt markets should steady on the Chancellor clarity.
- Iran: Trump called Burnham “extremely liberal” and warned he won’t reopen North Sea oil; Hormuz-toll threat continues to cloud framework durability — for you, Brent edged down to $85.30; UK-US relations could chill if Burnham takes No 10.
Zelensky Orders Preemptive Strikes on Russian War Facilities as Drone Campaign Intensifies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered preemptive attacks on facilities Russia is using for its war, the Times of India reports. Kyiv continues expanding its drone campaign following the Sevastopol power-cut, the Moscow refiner…
Trump Hormuz-Toll Threat Compounds Iran Framework Durability Stress
President Donald Trump’s Wednesday warning that talks with Iran would terminate immediately if Tehran imposes Hormuz transit fees continues to compound the framework durability stress through Thursday morning. The disagreement on IAEA insp…
Venezuela Declares State of Emergency After Twin Earthquakes; Rescue Operations Underway
Venezuela declared a state of emergency overnight following twin earthquakes that struck the country, with rescue workers searching through rubble of collapsed buildings, Anadolu reports. The powerful seismic events have triggered internat…
Macron: Europe and US in “Moment of Reconvergence” Ahead of NATO Ankara Summit
French President Emmanuel Macron declared Wednesday that Europe and the United States are experiencing a “moment of reconvergence” ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara. The Macron framing is the structural European-side positioning for the p…
Gaza Death Toll Holds Above 73,000; Framework Pressure Continues to Constrain Netanyahu
The Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas war confirmed at over 73,000 holds through Thursday morning, per Gaza’s Health Ministry. The Hezbollah total-withdrawal demand combined with the Lake Lucerne de-confliction cell operational…
UK June Heat Record Broken; 1,200 Schools Closed Today; Red Warning Extended Until Midnight
The UK June temperature record was broken Wednesday, with the Met Office red warning for extreme heat extended until midnight Thursday. Approximately 1,200 schools and nurseries across England and Wales are closed or partially closed today…
Reeves Publicly Backs Burnham as Next PM on BBC Breakfast; Defers on Own Role
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said Thursday she was backing Andy Burnham to be the next Prime Minister, brushing off speculation she would be replaced. Reeves appeared on BBC Breakfast Thursday morning. The Reuters wire frames the endorsement a…
Trump Calls Burnham “Extremely Liberal”; Says He Won’t Reopen North Sea Oil
President Donald Trump told reporters Thursday that Andy Burnham is “extremely liberal, extremely” and warned that the incoming UK leader “probably won’t open up the North Sea’’ for oil exploration. The Trump comments are the most direct U…
Markets Thursday Open: Reeves-Burnham Backing Steadies FTSE; Gilt Yields Ease Slightly
UK and European markets opened Thursday modestly higher on the Reeves-Burnham backing clarity. The FTSE 100 opened at 10,665, up 0.09% on Wednesday’s close. Brent crude eased to $85.30 on continued Iran framework progress. Sterling firmed…
British Chamber of Commerce Urges Burnham to Exploit Last North Sea Oil or Risk Mass Job Losses
British Chamber of Commerce boss Shevaun Haviland urged Andy Burnham Wednesday to exploit the last North Sea oil and gas reserves or risk mass job losses, the Guardian reports. Haviland said the transition to clean energy could be handled…