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Simon Case is pondering of quitting his job as UK cupboard secretary, sources advised the Monetary Occasions, after his leaked WhatsApp messages angered Conservative MPs.
In Taiwan, President Tsai Ing-wen has satisfied US Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy to satisfy in California as a substitute of Taipei to keep away from frightening China.
Scroll down for extra on each tales. In the meantime, I’ll be conserving tabs on:
US Federal Reserve: Chair Jay Powell testifies at the moment earlier than the Senate Banking Committee as fellow Fed officers trace at conserving rates of interest increased for longer.
Outcomes: Ashtead, Financial institution of Eire, Foxtons, Fresnillo, Greggs, Henkel, IWG and Attain report.
French strikes: Widespread protests are anticipated towards President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to lift the authorized retirement age from 62 to 64.
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At this time’s prime information
1. EXCLUSIVE: US Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy will meet Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen in California and never Taipei to keep away from an aggressive Chinese language army response, as tensions run excessive between Beijing and Washington. Extra on why the venue was modified.
2. The US defence secretary mentioned Iran is doing the “unthinkable” in Ukraine by gaining expertise by deploying drones for Russia. Right here’s why Lloyd Austin thinks this “doesn’t bode nicely” for the Center East.
3. EXCLUSIVE: Simon Case is pondering of quitting after leaked WhatsApp messages angered Conservative MPs. The UK’s most senior civil servant is “fed up”, his buddies advised the FT.
4. Chinese language firms are selecting Switzerland to lift cash, shunning the US on account of geopolitical tensions and Britain over more durable audit requirements. Learn the way Chinese language firms raised almost seven instances the capital in Zurich as in New York final yr.
5. EXCLUSIVE: Non-public credit score teams are set to jot down the most important direct mortgage on file, with Apollo, Ares and Blackstone assured they will land a deal to assist Carlyle purchase 50 per cent of healthcare analytics firm Cotiviti, sources mentioned. Learn the total story.
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The Huge Learn
Digital cigarettes have cemented their standing as a much less dangerous means of consuming nicotine — however at a giant value to the setting. Tonnes of digital waste are being produced, with important metals contained in the disposable “vapes” extra more likely to be dumped than recycled.
We’re additionally studying and watching . . .
Chart of the day
China’s political management introduced an unambitious 5 per cent development goal this weekend, regardless of optimism following three years of closures. Why has Beijing set its lowest objective in a long time? Learn our evaluation to search out out.
Take a break from the information
Whereas the Academy of Movement Image Arts and Sciences hems, haws and nervously assembles a disaster crew forward of awards night time on March 12, FT readers can have their say now by way of our new Oscars voting instrument. Forged your ballots beneath. (Ball robes and black tie non-obligatory.)
Extra contributions by Emily Goldberg and David Hindley
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