Trump says US housing agencies to launch $200bn mortgage bond-buying spree
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to carry out purchases
Iran hit by ‘internet blackout’ as it struggles to contain protests
Unrest tests Islamic republic at a time when it is grappling with intensifying external and domestic pressures
FirstFT: Glencore and Rio Tinto restart talks on $260bn mining megadeal
Also in today’s newsletter: JD Vance defends fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis, Australia’s dangerous heatwave
Glencore and Rio Tinto resume talks on $260bn mining megadeal
Discussions over a tie-up to create world’s largest mining group come as race to secure copper reshapes sector
Merck in talks to buy cancer drugmaker Revolution Medicines
US company is attempting to acquire the maker of a new treatment for pancreatic cancer
Venezuela says it will release an ‘important number’ of prisoners
Move to free locals and foreigners comes after decade of harsh repression by Maduro regime
GM discloses $7bn hit from EV transition and China restructuring
Detroit-based carmaker says it ‘proactively reduced EV capacity’
UAE cuts funds for citizens keen to study in UK over Muslim Brotherhood tensions
Emirates’ fear of Islamist radicalisation weighs on exclusion of British universities from scholarships
UK to exclude financial services from push for closer EU alignment
City of London firms have been lobbying against a return to Brussels rules
Outlook 2026
How long can the markets ignore world events?
JD Vance defends killing of anti-Ice protester in Minneapolis
US vice-president blasts ‘leftwing radicals’ as death sparks anger at tactics used by Trump anti-immigrant squads
Chancellor under pressure to extend tax relief to rest of hospitality sector
Restaurants and music venues among businesses urging chancellor to rethink rates rise plan after U-turn on pubs
Private equity should polish up its good-neighbour credentials
When even Donald Trump questions institutional investors buying up family homes, a bit of PR is called for
Canada fears conflict in the Arctic after Trump threats to Greenland
US policy of regional domination is being greeted with alarm by its northern neighbour
BBC warns over wait for World Service funding
System of annual settlements from Foreign Office criticised by interim news chief
US Senate votes to block Trump from more military action in Venezuela
Five Republicans join Democrats in advancing legislation that halts further strikes without Congress’s approval
HSBC settles French dividend trade probe for €300mn
Move follows investigation into bank’s handling of trades between 2014 and 2019
Soho House take-private at risk after backer pulls $200mn funding
Shares in the New York-listed members’ club sank more than 20% following announcement by MCR Hotels
US trade deficit slides to lowest level since 2009 in October
Donald Trump’s tariffs continue to lead to fluctuations in imports
Putting the US AI boom(let) in perspective
Smaller than you might’ve thought
Starmer vows action against X over Grok’s AI sexualised images of children
UK prime minister steps in amid growing public anger at ‘disgraceful’ images, saying it is ‘simply not tolerable’
South-east Asia’s surprising resilience to the tariff war
Asean countries should build on their durability with domestic and trade reforms