REUTERS NEWS SCHEDULE AT 11 a.m. GMT/6 a.m. ET

Here are the top stories and upcoming coverage plans for Reuters text service as of 11 a.m. GMT/6 a.m. ET. For a full schedule of news and events, go to our editorial calendar on Reuters Connect.

TOP STORIES

GLOBAL

ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS/

Hamas vows to press on with Gaza ceasefire talks as humanitarian plight worsens

CAIRO/RAFAH, Gaza Strip, March 6 (Reuters) - Hamas said on Wednesday it was pressing on with efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza with Israel despite the absence of Israeli negotiators from talks in Egypt.

UKRAINE-CRISIS/RUSSIA-KURSK-DRONE

Ukrainian drones strike major Russian iron ore plant

MOSCOW, March 6 (Reuters) - Two Ukrainian drones struck fuel facilities at one of Russia's largest iron ore plants on Wednesday, though no one was injured and the plant was working as normal, Russian officials and the owner of the plant said.

U.S.

USA-ELECTION/BIDEN

Biden's post-Super Tuesday message: It's Trump or me, folks

WASHINGTON, March 6 (Reuters) - Now that Donald Trump has all but sealed the Republican nomination to run for the White House, President Joe Biden will try to sharpen the contrast between the two men and their vision for America.

USA-ELECTION/

Trump, Biden dominate Super Tuesday contests as they march toward rematch

PALM BEACH, Florida/HUNTINGTON BEACH, California, March 6 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump swept to victory in statewide nominating contests across the country on Tuesday, setting up a historic rematch in November's general election despite low approval ratings for both candidates.

BUSINESS

USA-FED/POWELL

Fed's Powell to set election year stage with testimony on rate cuts, inflation

WASHINGTON, March 6 (Reuters) - With asset values from stocks to crypto to homes piling higher, inflation still considered too high, and worries of "exuberance" creeping into the conversation, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday will update U.S. lawmakers on the economy and prospects for interest rate cuts in a politically charged election year.

CHINA-PARLIAMENT/ECONOMY

China's 5% growth target for 2024 is achievable, state planner says

BEIJING, March 6 (Reuters) - The head of China's state planner said on Wednesday that the government's 5% economic growth target this year, which many analysts say is ambitious, is achievable and that he expects the world's second-largest economy to have a good first quarter.

ENTERTAINMENT

PHILIPPINES-IMELDA MARCOS/

Philippines' former first lady Imelda Marcos in good condition in hospital

MANILA, March 6 (Reuters) - Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos, mother of the incumbent president and widow of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, is in better condition in hospital, her daughter, Senator Imee Marcos, said on Wednesday.

SPORTS

MOTOR-MOTOGP-SEASON/

Bagnaia eyes three-peat but Marquez aims to spoil party

March 6 (Reuters) - Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia goes into the 2024 season as the clear MotoGP championship favourite seeking to become the first rider since Marc Marquez to win three titles in a row but the man he looks to emulate may himself be a dark horse this time.

SWIMMING-ENGLAND/

Swim England promises change after report points to 'culture of fear' at clubs

Swimming's governing body in England have issued an apology and said they are committed to change after an independent report identified a "culture of fear" at some clubs.

UPCOMING

POLITICS / INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

SENEGAL-POLITICS/

Senegal parliament to debate and vote on amnesty law

Senegal's parliament will debate and vote on an amnesty law proposed by the government that could see the release of those detained between 2021 and 2024 due to political crisis that has rocked the West African nation.

6 Mar 11:00 ET / 11:00 GMT

AUSTRIA-POLITICS/

Weekly Austrian cabinet meeting

Ministers hold a news conference after Austria's weekly cabinet meeting.

6 Mar 11:15 ET / 11:15 GMT

ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS/SENATE-HUNGER

US Senate committee holds hearing on global food insecurity

Dina Esposito from the U.S. Agency for International Development food security bureau, and Cary Fowler, the US State Department's Special Envoy for Global Food security, testify at a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Global Food Security.

6 Mar 15:00 ET / 15:00 GMT

ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS/SENATE-HUNGER

US Senate committee holds hearing on global food insecurity

Dina Esposito from the U.S. Agency for International Development food security bureau, and Cary Fowler, the US State Department's Special Envoy for Global Food security, testify at a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Global Food Security.

6 Mar 15:00 ET / 15:00 GMT

USA-MUTUALFUNDS/ICI (PIX) (TV)

ICI reports weekly fund flows

The Investment Company Institute reports weekly flows into mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.

6 Mar 17:00 ET / 17:00 GMT

USA-REPRODUCTION/ALABAMA

Republican Alabama governor expected to sign IVF protections into law

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey is expected to sign into law a measure aimed at protecting the IVF industry after the state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos should be considered children.

7 Mar

EU-ELECTION/VONDERLEYEN (TV)

Von der Leyen expected to be appointed EU conservatives' candidate for Commission head

The congress of the EU's main centre-right grouping the European People's Party -- currently leading in the polls for EU elections in June -- meets in Bucharest where they are expected to name current EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as their candidate.

7 Mar

CHINA-PARLIAMENT/POPULATION-SINGLES (PIX) (TV)

As economy sputters, young Chinese women defy Xi's childbearing drive

Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping told the country’s women they needed to “cultivate a new culture of marriage and childbearing”, centered on the nuclear family unit as the foundation of social stability and economic revival.

7 Mar

IRELAND-REFERENDUM/

Ireland to vote on removing 'outmoded' references to women from constitution

Ireland will vote in a referendum on Friday to replace wording in the constitution marking the importance of a woman's "life within the home," the latest attempt to update the country's socially conservative 1937 founding document to reflect a more secular and socially liberal population.

7 Mar

USA-CONGRESS/PRODUCTIVITY (GRAPHIC)

GRAPHIC: Congress is substantially less productive than it used to be

A data-driven look at how congress is less productive on multiple measures, and what that means for the government's ability to function

7 Mar

CHINA-PARLIAMENT/ (PIX) (TV)

China's Foreign Minister news conference

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds a news conference on the sidelines of the 14th National People's Congress and will answer questions from local and foreign journalists.

7 Mar 02:00 ET / 02:00 GMT

ARTS / CULTURE / ENTERTAINMENT

AWARDS-OSCARS/BARBIE (PIX) (TV)

'Barbie' movie message resonated off screen

Barbie" is making an impact off the screen. There are signs the film has helped change attitudes about men and women.

6 Mar 11:00 ET / 11:00 GMT

SPAIN-FILM/COSTUMES (PIX) (TV)

From Spain to Hollywood: Inside one of the world's biggest 'closets' for movie stars

Madrid-based Peris Costumes describes itself as the world's largest company dedicated to selling and renting costumes for cinema and TV, stocking more than 10 million garments. From Hollywood blockbusters such as the Little Mermaid and Cruella to Netflix series Bridgerton and Emily in Paris, Peris Costumes – founded in 1856 - has worked on thousands of productions.

6 Mar 11:00 ET / 11:00 GMT

FILM-RUST/SHOOTING (TV)

Closing arguments in "Rust" set armorer trial over death of cinematographer

Closing arguments are expected on Wednesday morning in trial of Hannah Gutierrez, the armorer on the movie “Rust” charged with involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in connection with the 2021 on-set shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

6 Mar 15:30 ET / 15:30 GMT

BUSINESS / ECONOMICS

RUSSIA-OIL/USA-SHIPPING

INSIGHT-How US based flag registries help Russian oil tankers stay afloat

Russia has relied heavily on oil tankers flying flags registered in the United States to move its crude to international markets since Washington imposed energy sanctions on Moscow as punishment for its invasion of Ukraine, according to shipping data and sources.

6 Mar 11:00 ET / 11:00 GMT

USA-SEMICONDUCTORS/FUNDING

US officials face tough choices in CHIPS Act funding AI chip manufacturing

U.S. officials have earmarked close to $30 billion in CHIPS Act subsidies for advanced semiconductor manufacturing, aiming to bring cutting-edge artificial intelligence chips development and manufacturing to American soil.

6 Mar 11:00 ET / 11:00 GMT

BRAZIL-ECONOMY/INDUSTRIALOUTPUT

Brazil-Industrial output

Brazil's statistics agency IBGE publishes industrial output data relative to January. Economists polled by Reuters forecast a 1% drop on a monthly basis, but a 2.6% year-on-year increase.

6 Mar 12:00 ET / 12:00 GMT

BRITAIN-BUDGET/ (PIX) (TV)

UK's Hunt to unveil pre-election tax cuts to help election hopes

British finance minister Jeremy Hunt will seek a way to cut taxes in his budget to help Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's bleak election prospects but he must tread carefully to avoid upsetting bond markets,18 months after the "mini-budget" crisis of former premier Liz Truss.

6 Mar 12:30 ET / 12:30 GMT

BROWN FORMAN-RESULTS/

Brown-Forman Corp Q3 2024 Earnings

Jack Daniel's maker Brown Forman is expected to post a rise in third-quarter sales on Wednesday, as demand for its spirits and bourbon whiskeys increased with jump in export of U.S. spirits in the United Kingdom and the EU. Investors will look for comments on demand, pricing actions, impact of rising input costs and annual forecasts.

6 Mar 13:00 ET / 13:00 GMT

BRAZIL-ECONOMY/VEHICLEREGISTRATIONS

Brazil-Car sales

Brazil's automakers association Anfavea publishes car production and sales figures relative to February.

6 Mar 13:00 ET / 13:00 GMT

CAMPBELL SOUP-RESULTS/

Campbell Soup Co Earnings Q2 2024

Campbell Soup is expected to post a decline in second-quarter revenue on Wednesday as higher prices of Goldfish crackers and snacks is expected to dent demand. Investors will look out for comments on pricing actions, consumer spending pattern, and private-label popularity.

6 Mar 13:30 ET / 13:30 GMT

USA-SEC/CLIMATE

US SEC votes on landmark climate disclosure regulations

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission votes on whether to adopt proposed new regulations on climate-related risk and emissions disclosures by publicly traded companies, part of President Biden's climate agenda that is sure to face court challenges by industry.

6 Mar 14:30 ET / 14:30 GMT

CANADA-CENBANK/

Canada-BoC rate decision

6 Mar 14:45 ET / 14:45 GMT

USA-FED/POWELL (PIX) (TV)

Fed Chair Powell gives monetary policy update to U.S. House committee

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell gives House Financial Services Committee its biannual monetary policy update.

6 Mar 15:00 ET / 15:00 GMT

USA-TREASURY/AUCTION

Treasury Dept. sells 17-week bills

Treasury Dept. sells 17-week bills

6 Mar 16:30 ET / 16:30 GMT

USA-AAR/LOADINGS

AAR issues weekly traffic of major railroads

Association of American Railroads issues its weekly traffic of major railroads data.

6 Mar 17:00 ET / 17:00 GMT

USA-FED/DALY

San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President Daly speaks to NICR event

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President Mary Daly speaks before the 2024 National Interagency Community Reinvestment Conference, in Portland, Ore.

6 Mar 17:00 ET / 17:00 GMT

ARGENTINA-INDUSTRIALOUTPUT/

January industrial production data due

Argentine government is due to release January industrial production data

6 Mar 18:30 ET / 18:30 GMT

USA-FED/BEIGEBOOK

Federal Reserve issues Beige Book

Federal Reserve issues the Beige Book.

6 Mar 19:00 ET / 19:00 GMT

USA-FED/KASHKARI

Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Kashkari participates speaks participates in moderated Q&A in New York

Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari participates in Q&A session before the Wall Street Journal CFO Network Summit, in New York.

6 Mar 21:15 ET / 21:15 GMT

FINTECH-BITCOIN/ (PIX)

Bitcoin could hit record high above $70,000

Bitcoin could soar to a new record high, topping the $70,000 mark for the first time driven by investor demand for new U.S. spot exchange-traded crypto products and for riskier assets that do well when global interest rates are expected to fall.

7 Mar

EU-TECH/ANTITRUST

New tough EU tech rules kick in for Google, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, ByteDance

Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta and ByteDance are required to be compliant with the Digital Markets Act on March 7 or face fines up to 10% of their global turnover amid mounting complaints from rivals and business users about non-compliance that could trigger EU investigations

7 Mar

GE-INVESTORS/

GE Aerospace investor conference

GE's Aerospace will outline its long-term strategy as an independent company at an investor conference in New York.

7 Mar

AUSTRALIA-VIETNAM/

Vietnam, Australia to upgrade ties, sign deals on minerals, energy

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets his Vietnamese counterpart in Canberra to upgrade relations and sign cooperation deals on minerals and energy.

7 Mar

WOMENS-DAY/JAPAN (TV)

Tokyo trains business women to become future leaders

As part of Japan's goal to have women in at least 30 percent of executive positions at top companies by 2030, the Tokyo government holds regular seminars for women who are motivated to become future business leaders.

7 Mar

RIVIAN-PRODUCT/ (PIX)

Rivian shows off critical new product - the cheaper, smaller R2 SUV

Rivian is scheduled to show off its planned cheaper and smaller SUV, the R2, which is critical to the company's success as it struggles to get ot profitsability amid a slowdown in the growth of EV demand.

7 Mar

EUROPE-GRAINS/CROPS

Update on EU grain crop conditions after wet planting campaign

7 Mar

GRAINS-ARGENTINA/EXCHANGE

Buenos Aires Grains Exchange publishes weekly crop forecast report

7 Mar

GERMANY-STRIKE/LUFTHANSA

Lufthansa ground staff hold latest strike

Lufthansa ground staff hold latest strike.

7 Mar 03:00 ET / 03:00 GMT

SCIENCE / TECHNOLOGY

UNITEDHLTH GRP-CYBER/HEALTHCARE

Patients or payroll? US healthcare hack creates hard choices

Nearly two weeks after the ransomware attack on UnitedHealth's Change Healthcare unit that has disrupted claims processing across the healthcare landscape, doctors have started to contemplate an impossible choice - stop treating patients or stop paying staff.

6 Mar 11:00 ET / 11:00 GMT

ODDLY ENOUGH

BOLIVIA-CHOLITAS/CLIMBERS (PIX) (TV)

Bolivia's cholita climbers look to conquer their highest peak

Julia Quispe Tincuta, 40, a Bolivian Aymara indigenous women, remembers the first time she reached the peak of the Huayna Potosi mountain, where she and other local women had long worked cooking or carrying gear for other climbers to reach base camp.

6 Mar 13:00 ET / 13:00 GMT

CRIME / LAW / JUSTICE

MASSACHUSETTS-CRIME/NORTHEASTERNUNIVERSITY

Former Northeastern University track coach be sentenced for nude photo scheme

A former track and field coach at Northeastern University and other schools is slated to be sentenced after admitting he perpetrated a scheme to trick female student-athletes to send him nude or semi-nude photos through sham social media accounts.

6 Mar 14:30 ET / 14:30 GMT

USA-HONDURAS/DRUGS-HERNANDEZ (PIX) (TV)

Closing arguments expected in Honduras ex-president Hernandez' drug trafficking trial

Former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez's trial on U.S. drug trafficking charges is expected to reach closing arguments on Wednesday, March 6.

6 Mar 14:30 ET / 14:30 GMT