The Makerfield by-election could return Andy Burnham to Parliament and open the door to a Labour leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Polls suggest Burnham leads Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon, but the race is close.
News Mash
Janeese Lewis George leads Kenyan McDuffie in Washington, D.C.’s unsettled Democratic mayoral primary as officials count ballots under the city’s first ranked-choice primary system. The race has centered on affordability, public safety and how the next mayor would confront federal pressure over D.C. home rule.
Luigi Mangione’s defense team plans to argue he was suffering from an extreme emotional disturbance when UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed. A judge said records on the psychiatric defense will be unsealed as the state trial approaches.
Brent crude fell to its lowest level since early March as markets anticipated a US-Iran framework agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping groups and analysts warned that restoring normal energy flows could still take weeks or months.
Kevin Warsh chairs his first Federal Reserve rate meeting as inflation rises and energy prices remain elevated after the U.S.-Iran conflict. Investors will watch the policy statement, news conference and dot plot for signs of the new chairman’s approach.






