China’s ‘Are You Dead?’ app checks in on growing cohort of people living alone
Popularity among Chinese Apple users highlights concerns created by rapidly changing demographics
Gold hits record high and dollar weakens on Fed independence worries
Wall Street futures also fall after US prosecutors launch criminal investigation into chair Jay Powell
US prosecutors launch criminal investigation into Fed’s Powell
Chair says probe follows central bank’s refusal to bow to White House push for much lower interest rates
The secretive powerbroker with a tight grip on corporate Spain
Isidro Fainé runs the Caixa Foundation but the 83-year-old’s age and dominance are causing disquiet
Bill Pulte: Agent of Chaos
A closer look at the Trump administration’s energetic Mini-Me
EU has tepid zeal for geoeconomic challenges to Trump
Bloc’s narrow endorsement of Mercosur trade deal shows its inability to rise above everyday protectionism
Europe needs to think the unthinkable on Nato
Conflict over Greenland could destroy the transatlantic alliance, requiring a new European security treaty to replace it
Eric Lu’s controversial Chopin Piano Competition win was deserved
A live recording and a new recital disc reveal the elegance of sound that ultimately won him first prize in Warsaw
Former Polish justice minister granted asylum in Hungary
Zbigniew Ziobro claims charges of abuse of office and misuse of public funds are politically motivated
Shares in US credit card issuers slide after Trump calls for 10% rate cap
White House’s demand for limit on what issuers can charge rattles investors
The gloves are off in Trump’s fight against the Fed
Criminal investigation into Jay Powell suggests White House determination to create a submissive Fed
Trump says US ‘looking’ at military operations in Iran
President weighs potential intervention in Islamic republic amid intensifying crackdown
Nadhim Zahawi defects to Reform UK
Former Conservative chancellor is latest figure to join Nigel Farage’s populist party
The mega-rich are flocking to Washington DC
Its wealthy suburbs are a draw for those seeking proximity to the Trump administration’s decision makers
UK’s Ofcom investigates X over Grok’s sexualised AI images of women and children
Media regulator threatens chatbot with ban or multimillion-pound fine
Ex-Moderna executive to lead UK health data service
Melanie Ivarsson oversaw development of US biotech’s mRNA vaccine during Covid-19 pandemic
FirstFT: US prosecutors open probe into Fed chair
Also in today’s newsletter: Trump considers blocking Exxon from investing in Venezuela, and the US’s changing retail landscape
UK to compensate tortured Guantánamo detainee
Abu Zubaydah has been held without charge in US military prison for nearly two decades
British Land chief to depart for role at GIC-backed developer
Simon Carter to step down from FTSE 100 property group to head P3 Logistics
Labour’s electoral strategy debates are a distraction from governing
More useful discussions right now might be the UK’s defence commitments and what that means for taxes
UBS warns Swiss government to water down bank capital plans
Lender argues that proposals to significantly increase requirements have already cost investors $40bn
Heineken chief van den Brink to step down
Dutch brewer’s head to leave in May after almost six years in the job
Criminalising the Fed
Plus the employment/growth puzzle
Asset Management: Bumper payday for hedge fund titan
Plus, funds brace for AI ‘reckoning’, US jobs and Grayson Perry