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Ukraine Claims Russian Summer Offensive Falls Short of Strategic Goals

A firefighter works at the site of an apartment building hit during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine in this handout picture released August 30, 2025. Ukraine’s armed forces have declared that Russia’s much-publicized summer offensive failed to secure full control of any major Ukrainian city, despite Moscow’s claims of significant territorial gains. Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov stated that since March, Russian forces had captured over 3,500 square kilometers of territory and taken control of 149 settlements. However, Ukraine’s General Staff dismissed these figures as “grossly exaggerated,” asserting that no major urban centers were fully occupied by Russian troops. Military analysts note that Russia’s campaign, aimed at seizing the Donbas region and forcing Ukraine into concessions, devolved into a slow, attritional struggle rather than the decisive breakthrough Moscow had anticipated. While Russian ...

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UK Manufacturing Faces Turbulent Times Amid Trade Challenges

British manufacturers are grappling with a challenging economic landscape as trade uncertainties and rising costs weigh heavily on the sector. The S&P Global UK Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for manufacturing fell to 44.9 in March, marking its lowest point since October 2023. This decline reflects a contraction in activity, with new export orders dropping at the fastest rate since August 2023.

The downturn has been attributed to multiple factors, including the threat of tariffs from the United States, increased payroll taxes, and a rise in the national minimum wage. Smaller manufacturers have been hit particularly hard, with many reporting a decline in new orders and reduced business optimism. Only 44% of manufacturers expect output to increase over the coming year, a significant drop from 56% in the previous month.

Geopolitical tensions and economic slowdowns in key markets such as the US and Europe have further compounded the challenges. Despite these headwinds, the services sector has shown resilience, offering a glimmer of hope for the broader economy.

The manufacturing sector now faces an uphill battle to regain momentum, with industry leaders calling for government intervention to address the mounting pressures.

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