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Jan Dalley notes that Rishi Sunak’s rain-sodden election announcement in Downing Street was interrupted by D:Ream’s “Things Can Only Get Better” — played by “some bright spark in the crowd” (“Could music win it for Kamala Harris?”, Opinion, Life & Arts, August 3). Credit where it’s due please FT. The bright spark was none other

I fear somebody advising the Treasury may have got their sums wrong in your story about modernising works in the chancellor’s private toilet (“Down the pan: Reeves drops plan to scrap historic urinal”, Report, August 10). Applying for listed building consent is free of charge, not £8,000 as Rachel Reeves was advised according to the

Mariano Torras, writing in defence of the universal basic income, says he wants a system of economics “that privileges ideals over maths” (Letters, August 3). I presume the artists he mentions, when following their dreams, still want clean streets, parcels delivered and sewage systems, which all involve an amount of “drudgery”. Donna McBeath SmithEdinburgh, UK

This is an audio transcript of the Political Fix podcast episode: ‘How do you solve a problem like Elon Musk?’ [MUSIC PLAYING] George ParkerWelcome to Political Fix from the Financial Times with me, George Parker, standing in for Lucy Fisher, who’s off on her hols at the moment. Coming up in today’s pod, free speech

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Standard Digital Weekend Print + Standard Digital wasnow 38 € per 3 months The new FT Digital Edition: today’s FT, cover to cover on any device. This subscription does not include access to ft.com or the FT App. What’s included Global news & analysis Expert opinion FT App on Android & iOS FT Edit app

€69 per month Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders. Pay a year upfront and save 20%. What’s included Global news & analysis Expert opinion FT App on Android & iOS FT Edit app FirstFT: the day’s biggest stories 20+ curated newsletters Follow topics & set alerts with myFT

Standard Digital Weekend Print + Standard Digital wasnow 38 € per 3 months The new FT Digital Edition: today’s FT, cover to cover on any device. This subscription does not include access to ft.com or the FT App. What’s included Global news & analysis Expert opinion FT App on Android & iOS FT Edit app

Your browser does not support playing this file but you can still download the MP3 file to play locally. UK chancellor Rachel Reeves begins a three-day visit to New York and Toronto on Monday in an attempt to sell Britain as “a stable place to do business,” asset managers fret as high-yield savings and caution

€69 per month Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders. Pay a year upfront and save 20%. What’s included Global news & analysis Expert opinion FT App on Android & iOS FT Edit app FirstFT: the day’s biggest stories 20+ curated newsletters Follow topics & set alerts with myFT

Standard Digital Weekend Print + Standard Digital wasnow 89 € per month Billed Quarterly at 265 €. Complete digital access plus the FT newspaper delivered Monday-Saturday. What’s included Global news & analysis Expert opinion FT App on Android & iOS FT Edit app FirstFT: the day’s biggest stories 20+ curated newsletters Follow topics & set

Standard Digital Weekend Print + Standard Digital wasnow 89 € per month Billed Quarterly at 265 €. Complete digital access plus the FT newspaper delivered Monday-Saturday. What’s included Global news & analysis Expert opinion FT App on Android & iOS FT Edit app FirstFT: the day’s biggest stories 20+ curated newsletters Follow topics & set

Stay informed with free updates Simply sign up to the US interest rates myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox. Jay Powell is keeping calm about the US economic outlook — perhaps overly so. The Federal Reserve opted to hold interest rates at its midweek meeting, though it adjusted its tone, citing moderating job

Standard Digital Weekend Print + Standard Digital wasnow 89 € per month Billed Quarterly at 265 €. Complete digital access plus the FT newspaper delivered Monday-Saturday. What’s included Global news & analysis Expert opinion FT App on Android & iOS FT Edit app FirstFT: the day’s biggest stories 20+ curated newsletters Follow topics & set

Standard Digital Weekend Print + Standard Digital wasnow $29 per 3 months The new FT Digital Edition: today’s FT, cover to cover on any device. This subscription does not include access to ft.com or the FT App. What’s included Global news & analysis Expert opinion FT App on Android & iOS FT Edit app FirstFT:

Standard Digital Weekend Print + Standard Digital wasnow $29 per 3 months The new FT Digital Edition: today’s FT, cover to cover on any device. This subscription does not include access to ft.com or the FT App. What’s included Global news & analysis Expert opinion FT App on Android & iOS FT Edit app FirstFT:

Standard Digital Weekend Print + Standard Digital wasnow 89 € per month Billed Quarterly at 265 €. Complete digital access plus the FT newspaper delivered Monday-Saturday. What’s included Global news & analysis Expert opinion FT App on Android & iOS FT Edit app FirstFT: the day’s biggest stories 20+ curated newsletters Follow topics & set

Standard Digital Weekend Print + Standard Digital wasnow 38 € per 3 months The new FT Digital Edition: today’s FT, cover to cover on any device. This subscription does not include access to ft.com or the FT App. What’s included Global news & analysis Expert opinion FT App on Android & iOS FT Edit app

Your browser does not support playing this file but you can still download the MP3 file to play locally. Britain’s new finance minister blamed the previous Conservative government for a £22bn fiscal hole, and Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro is facing international pressure to back up his claim of winning re-election. Plus, the FT’s Andy Bounds

Unlock the US Election Countdown newsletter for free The stories that matter on money and politics in the race for the White House It is almost certain that Kamala Harris will become the Democratic party’s presidential nominee for this year’s election. But her path to the nomination has been unconventional, to say the least.  The