*U.S. Dollar Rises To 1.2899 Against Pound After GDP Data

U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Unexpectedly Edge Lower

*U.S. Initial Jobless Claims Slip To 221,000 In Week Ended 7/22

*U.S. Durable Goods Orders Surge 4.7% In June, Ex-Transportation Orders Climb 0.6%

*U.S. GDP Jumps 2.4% In Second Quarter