US House backs ‘culture war’ amendments in threat to must-pass defense bill

By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives added restrictions on abortion and transgender health services to its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Thursday, threatening the defense policy bill’s chances of becoming law. Voting largely along party lines, the House backed several measures pushed by the Republican party’s…

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Euro zone ministers agree on gradual wind-down of spending

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Euro zone finance ministers agreed on Thursday that the single currency area needed a “determined, gradual and realistic” reduction of government spending to boost economic growth and prepare for future challenges. In a statement agreed at the Eurogroup meeting in Brussels, the ministers said economic growth in 2024 was expected to improve…

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Nissan to invest some $725 million in Renault’s EV unit, Yomiuri says

TOKYO (Reuters) -Nissan Motor is likely to invest around 100 billion yen ($725 million) in Renault’s new electric vehicle unit, the Yomiuri Shimbun said on Friday, potentially clearing a hurdle in drawn-out talks to reshape their automaking alliance. The Japanese automaker on Thursday settled on the terms for a contract to overhaul its partnership with…

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UN scrambles to save Black Sea grain deal, with EU help, ahead of Monday deadline

By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The European Commission is helping the United Nations and Turkey try to extend a deal allowing the Black Sea export of Ukraine grain and is open to “explore all solutions,” a European Union spokesperson said on Thursday, ahead of the deal’s possible expiration on Monday. The U.N. and Turkey…

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Lisa Marie Presley died of small bowel obstruction – coroner

(Reuters) – Lisa Marie Presley, the only daughter of Elvis Presley, died of a small bowel obstruction as a delayed consequence of bariatric weight loss surgery, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reported on Friday, six months after she died. Presley, a singer and songwriter in her own right, had been taken to hospital after…

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Mexico govt no longer interested in buying Citigroup’s local retail unit

By Valentine Hilaire MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -The Mexican government is no longer interested in purchasing Citigroup’s local retail arm, known as Banamex, a government spokesperson said on Thursday, adding that the U.S. bank “chose a different path” for its unit. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador floated the idea of purchasing the bank in May,…

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Ukraine receives cluster munitions, pledges limited use

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine has received cluster bombs from the United States, munitions banned in more than 100 countries, but has pledged to only use them to dislodge concentrations of enemy soldiers. Valeryi Shershen, a spokesman for the Tavria, or southern, military district on Thursday confirmed an announcement by his commander that the weapons had arrived…

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