Meta faces higher borrowing costs in latest $12bn data centre financing
BlackRock-led deal meets investor anxiety over rising AI exposure
Intel posts fastest growth in 15 years as AI data centres demand fuels sales
Chipmaker’s revenue jumped 25% in the second quarter
Oil hits $100 for first time since May while US stocks slide
Donald Trump says Washington is weighing ‘massive attack’ on Iran as Middle East tensions increase
Sewage discharges flout guidance near 65 beaches in England since May
Overflows at bathing sites come as tourists flock to coastal areas for summer holidays
After the Brat juggernaut, Charli XCX’s Music, Fashion, Film is a skimpy follow-up
The 30-minute album has flashes of wit and brilliance, but feels like it was dispatched in a rush
Sun, football and Burnham push UK consumer confidence higher
Survey was conducted in first half of July before new prime minister took office and ahead of latest escalation in US-Iran conflict
FT Crossword: Number 18,434
US hits 60 countries with new duties as Trump rebuilds tariff wall
Administration pins measures on forced labour probe after Supreme Court struck down blanket levies
FirstFT: China’s Xi Jinping pursues AI diplomacy to woo developing countries
Also in today’s newsletter: US hits 60 countries with new tariffs and Modi vows ‘swift’ justice for India exam leaks
Chinese AI models will slash adoption costs, says Singapore’s GIC
Sovereign wealth fund expects strong growth in Chinese AI companies but is cautious about start-ups
China’s Xi pursues AI diplomacy to woo global south
Beijing makes most ambitious offer yet to build alternative global order
Dangote secures record $2.5bn investment to expand Lagos refinery
Billionaire Nigerian businessman is planning to grow capacity from about 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4mn b/d by 2028
FDA panel supports access to peptides over scientist objections
Vote is first step in broadening public access to so-called Wolverine peptide despite warnings about risks
How JPMorgan won
The astonishing success of the US’s largest bank
How Andy Burnham’s rise to PM was helped by those axed by Starmer
List of people sacked or cast aside includes Louise Haigh, Lucy Powell and Anneliese Midgley, some of new premier’s most powerful allies
EU fines Google €890mn in test of Trump’s threats to protect Big Tech
EU competition chief says it is bloc’s ‘duty to defend rule of law’ while delivering ‘strong message’ to search giant
Trump’s dubious nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia
An accord lacking ‘gold standard’ safeguards on enrichment would carry proliferation risks
US justice department to streamline company merger reviews
Change entails focusing on top competition concerns in a deal rather than expansive probes and fact-finding missions
North Sea oil and gas industry looks for answers from new energy secretary
Miatta Fahnbulleh’s visit to Aberdeen comes as companies hope to sway Burnham’s government on new drilling licences
Jes Staley testifies on Capitol Hill over ties to Epstein
Former Barclays chief took questions from House oversight committee over his links to the late sex offender
The US needs a new Manhattan Project for fusion energy
If we are to outpace China and own the future of this technology, we must fund it properly
UK employers should keep access to skilled trades visas, government advisers say
Migration Advisory Committee says work permits for 28 roles should be granted on a temporary basis
The Nestlé supertanker’s turnaround is in train — under the surface
Consumer goods group has made headway in the task of ditching sleepy brands for more lively ones
US weapons makers’ sales soar as Iran war boosts order backlog
Pentagon is pushing major defence contractors to increase production rates to rebuild depleted stockpiles