Likely next PM Andy Burnham to pledge biggest transfer of power from London in decades · Pollar

Today’s Brief

Hormuz burns, Europe bakes

Iran and America trade strikes as heat, earthquakes and protests test governments

The day’s news had the feel of systems under load. Shipping lanes, hospitals, rescue crews and presidential calendars all strained at once, which is usually when politics stops being theatre and starts becoming triage.

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US strikes Iran for second night
Brent crude rises to $61.31 after a tanker carrying Qatari crude was hit near the Strait of Hormuz, as the US and Iran agree to halt attacks ahead of Doha talks.

In the spotlight

European Union · Updated 20m ago

Brussels vs capitals: EU integration

The ongoing discussions on Ukraine and Moldova's accession files, including debates on phased membership and veto limits, represent a continued but not fundamentally altered progression of the enlargement and institutional reform agenda.

Likely next PM Andy Burnham to pledge biggest transfer of power from London in decades · Pollar