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‘Countries are defying gravity’: how much longer can global economy resist chaos?

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US corporate lobbyists mounted ‘blitz’ to dilute landmark EU deforestation law, report finds
Environmental watchdog Mighty Earth reveals two-year effort to postpone and weaken EU Deforestation Regulation US corporate lobbyists launched a two-year “blitz” to postpone and weaken the world’s most progressive legislation to protect forests, according to a new investigation by the environmental watchdog Mighty Earth. Major US firms and trade associations, including Cargill, Bunge, Mondelēz and the US Soybean Export Council, as well as numerous other US firms and organizations, sought to influence the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) in more than 350 meetings, the advocacy group found . Continue reading...
Trump waives broad new Russia sanctions and tariffs under Graham Act, citing national interest
Trump signed the Graham Bill, which targeted Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, into law in September.

The hill I will die on: Cinemas have been getting away with lies. Films should begin on time | Jeffrey Ingold
If cinemas must run 20 minutes of adverts before a feature, they could at least be honest about it. Or, I have a better solution … Do you remember the last time you were lied to? I certainly do. I was tricked by the North Finchley Vue, which sold me and my boyfriend tickets to a 7.15pm showing of The Odyssey. Guess what was playing at 7.15pm? A car advert. Ten minutes later, it was a trailer for the horror film Werwulf. Then there was an advert for Vue – as if I wasn’t already there. The film was half an hour late to its own showing when it finally started at 7.45pm. I am sick and tired of cinemas getting away with such treachery. I don’t want to follow in the footsteps of my friend, who knows that the ads at her local run for 22 minutes so slinks in at just the right time. I shouldn’t have to do mental maths because I am being lied to by cinemas. We are all the victims of their predator

Squash down: smaller pumpkins expected this Halloween after drought in England
Data shows 2026 could be worst harvest on record, as growers suggest painting faces on vegetables instead of carving In the lead-up to Halloween, front porches across the country feature fat, proudly carved pumpkins, lit from within by tea lights. But this year there is likely to be a shortage due to drought, experts have warned, with the squashes much smaller than usual. Continue reading...

Stinky business: south London bike shop hit by ‘unbearable’ stench from Thames Water sewer
Owner and mechanics fear for their health and future of the Herne Hill shop with no date for fixing problem The leafy south London neighbourhood of Herne Hill is a haven for cyclists who can often be seen lapping the local parks and refuelling at the many cafes that line the suburban streets. But there is something foul in the air of this corner of the capital – and for once it’s not the traffic fumes hitting bicycle riders. A toxic stench thought to be caused by untreated sewage stuck in Thames Water drains has been emanating from the subterranean depths for months, most likely caused by the summer’s lack of rain. Continue reading...

Plan to make firms pay more to train older workers than youth apprentices in England
Exclusive: Ministers considering overhaul of apprenticeship funding scheme to tackle youth jobs crisis Employers in England are to be forced to pay more to train an older worker than a youth apprentice under plans being drawn up by the government to tackle the youth jobs crisis. The Guardian understands ministers plan to overhaul Labour’s apprenticeship funding scheme to increase the cost of training by 25% for a worker over the age of 25 in order to encourage businesses to train young people instead. Continue reading...