Politics: Labour mayor Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield by-election, clearing a path to challenge Keir Starmer and raising fresh questions about UK leadership timing and stability. Public Finance: UK borrowing hit £23.3bn in May, with debt interest costs at a record high for the month, pushing pressure onto public finances and markets. Economy & Retail: Retail sales volumes rose 1.2% in May, helped by hot weather and early World Cup spending, with online and household goods among the standouts. Housing Market: Labour unveiled reforms to speed up buying and selling homes, cut delays and digitalise paperwork, aiming to reduce sales falling through. AI & Regulation: The UK’s information commissioner John Edwards has resigned after a workplace investigation, with the ICO also overseeing AI regulation. Cybersecurity: Investment platforms report rising cyber attacks, with firms pointing to AI-powered phishing and third-party risks. Business & Trade: PD Ports is investing £5.4m in a new crane at Teesport to boost capacity, while the pound faces pressure after Goldman flagged it as the most overvalued G10 currency. Culture & Media: BBC has scrapped an Ashley Cain documentary after sexist social media posts surfaced. Crime: Police are investigating after a toddler was allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a Cambridge zoo; a man has been arrested.