• Reuters

    Morning Bid: Euro strength and horse-trading in France

    European markets are poised for a strong start to the second half of the year after the first round of voting in France put the far-right National Rally (RN) party ahead, but with a smaller share than some polls had projected, lifting the euro to a two-week high. Exit polls, which were in line with the opinion surveys, showed Marine Le Pen's RN party emerging ahead in the first round, winning around 34% of the vote, comfortably ahead of leftist and centrist rivals. The chances of eurosceptic, anti-immigrant RN winning power next week though remain uncertain, and will depend on the political dealmaking by its rivals over the coming days, with horse-trading already under way.

  • Reuters

    Russia says Ukraine launched scores of drones at three regions

    Eighteen drones were downed over the Bryansk region in Russia's west, nine were destroyed in the Kursk region south of Bryansk and nine over the Belgorod region further south, the ministry said on the Telegram messaging app. Governors of the Bryansk and Kursk region said on Telegram that there were no injuries or extensive damage as a result of the attacks.

  • The Guardian

    Country diary: A new perspective on an old haunt

    Pont ar Ddyfi, Machynlleth: The swallows and martins are out in the shimmering heat, and I’m taking in a glorious view of the Afon Dyfi from the safety of a new bridge