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UK manufacturing growth picks up as Trump tariff chaos eases
UK manufacturing output grew for a fourth consecutive month in July, expanding at its fastest pace in almost two years, according to a closely watched industry survey. The S&P Global purchasing managers’ index (PMI) showed factories in an upbeat mood, buoyed by rising domestic and export orders, even as they remained wary of a prolonged…
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Cornyn reaches deal with Justice Department to allow Blanche nomination to advance
Senator John Cornyn has reached an agreement with the Justice Department to support advancing Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general after the department formally ended a controversial compensation fund. The deal removes a significant obstacle to Blanche’s confirmation and reflects Republican concern over whether the proposed fund could be revived. The Justice Department rescinded the…
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Check out David Byrne’s ‘Biking Playlist’
David Byrne, former Talking Heads frontman, has released a new “Biking Playlist” as part of his ongoing David Byrne Radio series, accompanying it with reflections on how the boundaries of pop music continue to shift. The playlist, featuring artists including Olivia Rodrigo, Mitski, Phoebe Bridgers and Sofia Isella, was compiled while Byrne has been touring…
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First showdown in race for Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat puts GOP hopefuls to the test
South Carolina Republicans will hold their first primary debate on Monday in the contest to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the late Lindsey Graham, giving nearly ten declared candidates their first chance to distinguish themselves before voters. The race has drawn a mix of sitting lawmakers seeking a promotion and lesser-known hopefuls, but…
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What to order instead: Lettuce-free meals at McDonald’s, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell and more
A wave of fast-food chains, including McDonald’s, Burger King, Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell, are being highlighted for menu items that don’t contain shredded lettuce, as the industry deals with fallout from an ongoing cyclospora outbreak in the US. The Food and Drug Administration has traced the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico,…
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FIFA backs off World Cup private equity pitch after global fury: 5 things to know
FIFA has abandoned a proposal to bring private investors into a new commercial company managing revenues from the World Cup and other major tournaments, following strong opposition across football. The retreat matters because the plan had raised concerns about governance, the future ownership of football’s most valuable competitions and FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s leadership. -…
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OMB’s proposed grantmaking rule will destabilize biomedical research, experts warn
Biomedical research groups have warned that a proposed US Office of Management and Budget rule could make federal research funding less predictable by increasing political control over grant decisions and allowing grants to be ended more easily. They argue this could disrupt long-term studies, discourage scientific collaboration and slow the development of treatments, while supporters…
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Hegseth struggles to sell Senate on Iran war funding
The article’s full text was unavailable because access was denied, so its specific claims cannot be independently summarised. Based on the headline, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing difficulty persuading senators to support funding for a potential or ongoing conflict involving Iran. The headline indicates the dispute concerns using the Senate’s budget reconciliation process for…
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Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice under investigation over allegations he failed to declare an interest
Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice is being investigated by parliament’s standards commissioner over allegations that he failed to declare an interest. Daniel Greenberg confirmed the probe was opened last week, and Tice has said it relates to a complaint about whether he should have referenced his register of interests before a Commons debate on…
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Todd Blanche formally withdraws Trump’s ‘anti-weaponisation’ fund plan
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche has formally and in writing withdrawn President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.8bn “anti-weaponisation” fund, a move designed to clear the way for his own confirmation as permanent attorney general. The fund would have compensated Trump allies who claimed to have been politically prosecuted, including some involved in the 6 January…