Here are the top stories and upcoming coverage plans for Reuters text service as of 10:30 P.M. GMT/ 6:00 A.M. SGT. For a full schedule of news and events, go to our editorial calendar on Reuters Connect https://www.reutersconnect.com/planning.

TOP STORIES

GLOBAL

CANADA-POLITICS/GUNS

In fighting gun crime, Canada has an American problem

A Texas man bought dozens of guns from licensed dealers in the state before illegally reselling at least 16, U.S. officials say. Twelve were traced to crimes committed in America. The other four were traced to crimes in Canada.

UKRAINE-CRISIS/RUSSIA-POWER

Russian forces capture Ukraine's second biggest power plant, Ukraine says

Russian forces have taken over Ukraine's second biggest power plant, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday, following an earlier claim by Russian-backed forces to have captured it intact.

U.S.

USA-CHINA/CHIPS

U.S. Senate passes bill to boost chip manufacturing, compete with China

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday passed sweeping legislation to subsidize the domestic semiconductor industry, hoping to boost companies as they compete with China and alleviate a persistent shortage that has affected everything from cars, weapons, washing machines and video games.

USA-JULYFOURTH/SHOOTING

Suspect in July 4 mass shooting near Chicago indicted on 117 counts

An Illinois man accused of shooting into a crowd watching a Chicago-area Independence Day parade was indicted by a grand jury on 117 counts, including 21 counts of first-degree murder, the state's attorney's office said on Wednesday.

BUSINESS

USA-FED

Fed raise rates again, says will not relent in inflation fight

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark overnight interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point on Wednesday in an effort to cool the most intense breakout of inflation since the 1980s, and U.S. central bank chief Jerome Powell said another "unusually large" hike may be appropriate in September if price pressures have not sufficiently abated.

META PLATFORMS-RESULTS/

Meta posts first-ever revenue drop as inflation throttles ad sales

Meta Platforms Inc META.O issued a gloomy forecast after recording its first ever quarterly drop in revenue on Wednesday, with a global recession looming and competitive pressures weighing on its digital ads sales.

ENTERTAINMENT

SPAIN-COURT/SHAKIRA-TAX

Shakira refuses to settle with Spanish prosecutor to end tax fraud case

Latin American superstar Shakira has rejected a settlement offered by the prosecutor in her 14.5 million euro Spanish tax fraud case and is now a step closer to going to trial, her media team said on Wednesday.

FILM-ALONE TOGETHER/

Katie Holmes on writing, directing and acting in new film: 'It feels very satisfying'

Katie Holmes shares one of her pandemic pastimes with the world in her new feature film "Alone Together," as writer, director and star of the movie.

SPORTS

MOTOR-F1-HUNGARY/

Motor racing-Ferrari target a one-two in Hungary to turn the page

Ferrari are targeting a one-two win in Hungary on Sunday to ease the pain of Charles Leclerc's costly crash while leading in France last weekend.

SOCCER-ENGLAND-MUN/MARTINEZ

Martinez completes 57 million euro move from Ajax to Manchester United

Lisandro Martinez has completed his transfer from Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam to Manchester United with the Argentine defender signing a five-year contract, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

UPCOMING

POLITICS / INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

CLIMATE-CHANGE/PAKISTAN-TREES (PIX)

WIDER IMAGE - Pakistanis plant trees seeking relief from searing heat

Mulazim Hussain is proud of the trees he has planted. Surrounded by neem saplings and vegetables sprouting up from scrubland in the Clifton district of Pakistan's largest city Karachi, the 61-year-old recalls a time a few years ago when the area was a giant, informal rubbish tip.

27 Jul 19:00 ET / 23:00 GMT

PHILIPPINES-DIPLOMACY/

Philippines' foreign ministry holds news conference

Philippines' foreign ministry holds hybrid news conference to discuss various topics.

28 Jul 21:30 ET / 01:30 GMT

BENIN-FRANCE/ (TV)

French President Emmanuel Macron visits Benin

Day two of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Benin, part of a tour of West and Central Africa to discuss security concerns.

28 Jul

SAFRICA-POLITICS/ (PIX)

South Africa's ANC party holds national policy conference

South Africa's governing African National Congress begins a four-day national policy conference that will offer the party an opportunity to assess progress on policy implementation and discuss new proposals to address issues including poverty, unemployment, inequality and service delivery.

28 Jul

BRAZIL-ENVIRONMENT/

Scientific study to be released on impacts of mining in Brazilian Amazon

A major scientific journal will release a research study related to the impacts of mining in Brazil's Amazon rainforest.

28 Jul

COLUMN-MILLER/MEDICARE (PIX)

How Medicare reforms could help U.S. retirees facing high inflation

U.S. seniors tell pollsters that high inflation is one of their top worries - and that makes sense. Aside from Social Security, which is adjusted annually to reflect consumer prices, retiree income is fixed. Policymakers have talked over the years about making the Social Security cost-of-living (COLA) formula more generous, but that would just be a tweak.

28 Jul

SWEDEN-ELECTION/GANGS (PIX)

Gang crime looms over election as shootings spread to Swedish heartlands

Gang crime in Sweden has spread from the immigrant-dominated suburbs of Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo, where it put down its first roots in the 1990s, to the smaller towns and cities that make up the Swedish "heartland", and to the majority of voters who will decide the general election in September.

28 Jul

USA-CHINA/BIDEN (PIX) (TV)

U.S. says Biden-Xi call expected to cover Taiwan tension, Ukraine

U.S. President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are expected to talk, source familiar with planning says, with Taiwan and Russia's invasion of Ukraine expected to be key agenda items.

28 Jul

BRAZIL-ELECTION/POLL (TV)

Datafolha poll on Brazilian presidential election

Datafolha, one of Brazil's top pollsters, releases its latest poll on the Oct. 2 presidential race between .front-runner Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro.

28 Jul

BRITAIN-POLITICS/LEADERSHIP (PIX) (TV)

UK leadership contenders take part in first Conservative Party member hustings in Leeds

The two candidates to replace Boris Johnson as prime minister, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, take part in the first hustings event organised by the Conservative Party in which they will take questions from party members in Leeds.

28 Jul

EGYPT-POLITICS/ (TV)

Detentions loom over Egypt's political dialogue

After nine years of sweeping crackdowns on dissent, Egypt is set to launch a carefully choreographed political dialogue, but the main Islamist opposition movement is excluded and critics say a parallel move to release prisoners is proceeding too slowly.

28 Jul

SOUTHKOREA-INDONESIA/ (PIX) (TV)

Indonesian President Jokowi conducts state visit to Seoul

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, better known as ‘Jokowi’, will conduct a state visit to Seoul to meet with his counterpart Yoon Suk-yeol.

28 Jul

SENEGAL-ELECTION/ (PIX)

Senegal opposition parties see legislatives as test ahead of 2024 presidential election

After violent protests over the disqualification of their national list for Sunday's legislative election, Senegal's main opposition coalition party Yewwi Askan Wi has turned its attention to the campaign, hoping to whip up support as they did in January municipal elections, which could enable them to take control of parliament and give them a better chance to challenge any attempt by President Macky Sall to seek a third term in 2024.

28 Jul 03:00 ET / 07:00 GMT

BULGARIA-GOVERNMENT/

Bulgaria's Socialists to return the mandate to form a government to President Radev

Bulgaria's Socialists, who have failed to muster enough support to lead a coalition government, will return the mandate to President Rumen Radev. Radev will have to appoint a carataker government to rule the European Union's country amid surging inflation, uncertaintly on natural gas deliveries and war in Ukraine and set a date for fresh polls, the country's fourth in less than two years, probably in October.

28 Jul 03:30 ET / 07:30 GMT

EGYPT-POLITICS/RIGHTS

FACTBOX-National political dialogue in Egypt follows years of crackdowns

A look at some high-profile human rights cases in Egypt, which is planning to launch a national political dialogue in the coming weeks, a test of whether authorities are prepared to ease a crackdown on dissent.

28 Jul 04:00 ET / 08:00 GMT

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY/ORBAN

Hungarian PM Orban on Vienna visit, to meet Austrian counterpart

Presser with PM Orban and his Austrian counterpart Karl Nehammer scheduled for 12:15 CET.

28 Jul 06:00 ET / 10:00 GMT

UKRAINE-CRISIS/AUSTRIA-HUNGARY (TV)

Hungarian PM Orban holds news conference with Austrian counterpart

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban holds a news conference with his Austrian counterpart Karl Nehammer

28 Jul 06:15 ET / 10:15 GMT

BUSINESS / ECONOMICS

USA-WHEAT/TOUR

Crop tour surveys North Dakota wheat

Wheat Quality Council surveys spring wheat yields in North Dakota at a time of heightened focus on U.S. wheat production due to the war in Ukraine - a major wheat exporter.

27 Jul 19:00 ET / 23:00 GMT

FINTECH-CRYPTO/BANKRUPTCY

FACTBOX-Companies toppled by the crypto meltdown

Cratering crypto prices have toppled a number of big crypto companies. Here's the list:

28 Jul 20:00 ET / 00:00 GMT

THAILAND-KING/ (PIX)

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn's Birthday

Thailand celebrates the 70th birthday of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

28 Jul

USA-AUTOS/LABOR (PIX)

RESCHEDULED-United Auto Workers chief will give state of the union speech

United Auto Workers President Ray Curry will give a state of the union speech at the labor organization's constitutional convention in Detroit. The leader may address the need of the union, which represents most hourly workers at the Detroit automakers, to organize EV battery joint venture plants and EV startups as the industry makes the transition to electric vehicles.

28 Jul

AMAZON.COM-RESULTS/

Amazon.com Inc Reports Second Quarter Results

Amazon.com Inc is expected to post a rise in quarterly revenue as the e-commerce giant will benefit from resilient demand for online shopping by consumers on its platform.

28 Jul

LAZARD-RESULTS/

Lazard to report Q2 earnings

Investment banking giant Lazard Inc will report its second quarter earnings on Thursday. The bank is expected to report a drop in profit, as sluggish dealmaking hits investment banking business.

28 Jul

HERHSEY-RESULTS

Hershey Q2 2022 Results

Hershey Co is expected to beat Wall Street estimates for quarterly revenue, benefiting from price hikes and robust demand for its chocolates and candies. Investors will look for comments on inflationary pressures and price hikes.

28 Jul

MASTERCARD-RESULTS/

Mastercard to report second-quarter results

Mastercard Inc will report its second-quarter earnings on Thursday. The New York-based company is estimated to see a surge in profit as consumers’ financial health holds out against decades-high inflation. Investors will also parse through the company’s results for any signs of a slowdown in travel, which accounts for a huge chunk of spending volumes on Mastercard’s network.

28 Jul

GRAINS-ARGENTINA/EXCHANGE

Buenos Aires Grains Exchange publishes weekly crop forecast report

28 Jul

CLARIANT-RESULTS/

Clariant releases its Q2 2022 results

Second Quarter / First Half Year 2022 Reporting

28 Jul 01:00 ET / 05:00 GMT

NESTLE-RESULTS/

Nestle releases its H1 2022 results

In view of rising costs for agricultural raw materials, packaging, transport and wages, profit is likely to have fallen slightly to CHF 5.8 billion. The company could thus slightly reduce its margin target for the full year, while the forecast for organic sales growth could be raised

28 Jul 01:15 ET / 05:15 GMT

CASINO-RESULTS/

Casino H1 earnings

French food retailer Casino reports first-half earnings

28 Jul 01:30 ET / 05:30 GMT

CONSUMER GOODS-M&A/

ANALYSIS - As inflation soars, M&A in the European consumer goods industry stutters

As a cost-of-living crisis with no end in sight sends shockwaves through Europe, M&A in the region's retail and consumer sector has slowed dramatically this year when compared to deals in other sectors.

28 Jul 02:00 ET / 06:00 GMT

NESTE-RESULTS/

Finnish oil refiner Neste to publish second quarter results

Finnish oil refiner and renewable fuel maker Neste is expected to publish its second quarter results on July 28.

28 Jul 02:00 ET / 06:00 GMT

STELLANTIS-RESULTS/

Stellantis releases H1 results

The world's fourth largest carmaker Stellantis N V releases H1 results

28 Jul 02:00 ET / 06:00 GMT

DIAGEO-RESULTS/

Full Year 2022 Diageo PLC Earnings Release

Diageo will report full-year results.

28 Jul 02:00 ET / 06:00 GMT

USA-WHEAT/TOUR

Crop tour publishes north dakota wheat forecast

Wheat Quality Council publishes forecast for spring wheat yields in North Dakota at a time of heightened focus on U.S. wheat production due to the war in Ukraine - a major wheat exporter.

28 Jul 02:00 ET / 06:00 GMT

BARCLAYS-RESULTS/

Barclays reports first half results

Barclays reports first half results, with its strong investment banking performance in recent quarters overshadowed by a trading blunder that has cost it hundreds of millions of dollars and raised questions about its risk management.

28 Jul 02:00 ET / 06:00 GMT

SOUTHWEST-RESULTS/

Southwest Q2 earnings

Southwest Airlines is expected to report a profit on an adjusted basis in the second-quarter but the focus will be on the cost pressures that is set to hit the airline industry for the rest of the year.

28 Jul 02:30 ET / 06:30 GMT

PFIZER-RESULTS/ (TV)

Pfizer Q2 earnings

Pfizer Inc is expected to report second-quarter earnings on Thursday, with investors focused on performance of its COVID-19 pill Paxlovid and its sales forecast for the year. Focus will also be on expectations for COVID-19 vaccine sales for next year, any updates on its M&A plans, and the impact of foreign exchange as well as sky-high inflation to its business.

28 Jul 06:30 ET / 10:30 GMT

MERCK & CO-RESULTS/

Merck & Co Q2 earnings

Merck is expected to report quarterly earnings on Thursday, with investors looking out for any impact from a stronger dollar to the company and its full-year forecasts. Focus will also be on Merck's expectations for its COVID-19 pill ahead of an expected rise in cases in the fall season.

28 Jul 06:30 ET / 10:30 GMT

COMCAST-RESULTS/

Q2 2022 Comcast Corporation Earnings Release

Comcast is expected to post a rise in quarterly revenue benifiting from the ongoing recovery in theme parks footfall and strong growth in its broadband subscriber base.

28 Jul 07:00 ET / 11:00 GMT

MEXICO-ECONOMY/UNEMPLOYMENT

Mexico-Unemployment

28 Jul 07:00 ET / 11:00 GMT

USA-ECONOMY/GDP

United States-GDP Advance

The United States reports gross domestic product data.

28 Jul 08:30 ET / 12:30 GMT

ROYAL CARIB CRUS-RESULTS/

Royal Caribbean Q2 Earnings

Cruise operator Royal Caribbean Group is expected to post a sequential increase in quarterly revenue on pent-up demand for leisure travel. Investors will look out for comments on current booking and pricing trends as well as the impact of inflation and labor shortages on its business.

28 Jul 08:30 ET / 12:30 GMT

PEMEX-RESULTS/

Q2 2022 Petroleos Mexicanos Earnings Release

Expected before market open.

28 Jul 08:30 ET / 12:30 GMT

BRAZIL-MEAT/

Brazil's ABPA hosts press conference on meat industry outlook

ABPA, which represents pork and poultry processors like JBS SA and BRF SA, will host a press conference on Thursday at 10am to provide fresh guidance and comments on the meat industry outlook for the remainder of the year.

28 Jul 09:00 ET / 13:00 GMT

USA-TREASURY/ANNOUNCEMENT

US Treasury announces sales of 3- and 6-month bills

US Treasury announces sales of 3- and 6-month bills.

28 Jul 11:00 ET / 15:00 GMT

CONFLICTS / WAR / PEACE

UKRAINE-CRISIS/WAR-NUMBERS

EXPLAINER - Blood, treasure and chaos: the cost of Russia's war in Ukraine?

Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine has cost tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions more and sown economic trouble across the world.

28 Jul

RELIGION

POPE-CANADA/CLIMATE CHANGE

In Canada's North, Pope to get climate change close-up

The environment-minded Pope Francis visits Canada's Arctic territory of Nunavut on Friday, arriving at arguably ground zero of global climate change, where sea ice is fast disappearing and permafrost thawing.

28 Jul

CRIME / LAW / JUSTICE

HAITI-GUNS/

Anger grows in Haiti over gun trafficking after rifles shipped as church donations

A string of Haitian scandals in recent weeks involving arms trafficking, including the discovery of weapons in a shipping container labeled as church donations, has reignited anger over a steady flow of U.S. guns fueling the country's gang violence.

28 Jul

SCIENCE / TECHNOLOGY

CLIMATE-CHANGE/HUNGARY-DROUGHT (PIX) (TV)

WIDER IMAGE- 'I want to breed horses, not camels': Hungarian farmers battle 'historic' drought

In southern Hungary some farmers are coming up with their own semi-legal ideas to adapt to the effects of climate change in an area that is drying out so rapidly that it has been declared semi-arid by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.

28 Jul 05:00 ET / 09:00 GMT

HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/AFRICA

Africa CDC, WHO Africa brief reporters on COVID-19 and other health topics

Experts from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization's Africa office hold online media briefings on COVID-19 and other health topics.

28 Jul 05:00 ET / 09:00 GMT

ARTS / CULTURE / ENTERTAINMENT

PEOPLE-BELLA HADID/NFT (PIX) (TV)

Bella Hadid joins metaverse with NFT collection

Bella Hadid joins metaverse with NFT collection

28 Jul 06:00 ET / 10:00 GMT

DISASTERS / ACCIDENTS

NEW MEXICO-WILDFIRE/

After starting New Mexico fire, govt asks victims to pay for damage

The U.S. government started the largest wildfire in New Mexico's recorded history and is now asking victims to share recovery costs on private land, jeopardising a massive reforestation effort, residents and state officials said.

28 Jul 07:00 ET / 11:00 GMT