China steps up dangerous air encounters near Taiwan
Latest incidents follow pattern of aggressive behaviour by Beijing towards neighbours
Did India get a good deal?
Also in this newsletter: government-owned power finance companies merge
Letter: Social media platforms’ audience data has to be trustworthy
From Justin Sampson, Chief Executive, Barb, London WC2, UK
Letter: Wall Street’s trawl for talent shows jobs market is failing
From Gautam Ramdurai, CEO, Snowbird Global, Singapore
Letter: Ensure culture is the main beneficiary of a tourism tax
From Elaine Bedell, CEO, Southbank Centre, London SE1, UK
Premature access to Reeves’ fiscal statements more extensive than thought, review says
Report into Office for Budget Responsibility’s errors raises fresh questions about watchdog’s processes
Alphabet lines up 100-year sterling bond sale
Deal comes as Google parent steps up AI borrowing rush with $20bn sale of dollar bonds
A mid-century modern masterclass
The meticulous restoration of a stunning 1950s Craig Ellwood house in steel, wood and glass
UK shoppers held out for January sales, data shows
Retail spending growth rose sharply last month in the latest sign of improved economic momentum
Rising share of UK public in favour of tax and spending cuts
Social attitudes survey highlights widening political divide among British voters
Starmer faces calls to resign
‘Change’
FT Crossword: Number 18,290
Epstein paid Les Wexner $100mn after retail billionaire accused him of theft
Private settlement sought to avoid ‘unnecessary public attention’, prosecutors’ report said
US plans Big Tech carve-out from next wave of chip tariffs
Exemptions would be based on chipmaker TSMC’s US investment commitments, officials say
UK ministers cut funds for community power projects
GB Energy to spend two-thirds less than planned on supporting development of solar panels and heat pumps
Starmer defies call to quit as UK prime minister
Fresh tensions emerge between embattled premier and potential leadership rival Wes Streeting
US lawmakers call on Howard Lutnick to step down over ties to Epstein
Democrats and Republicans say commerce secretary has not been honest about his ties with the late sex offender
FirstFT: Sanae Takaichi targets changes to Japan’s constitution after election landslide
Also in today’s newsletter: Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years, and Thai conservatives’ election win buoys markets
Starmer crisis as it happened: Labour MPs back premier as he asks for more time to deliver on party manifesto
Prime minister tries to revive his fortunes at meeting with backbenchers
Wuthering Heights — Emily Brontë as arthouse Carry On, but that’s not the film’s biggest shock
Where are the much-hyped sparks between Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in Emerald Fennell’s winking bodice-ripper?
Starmer stumbles on as rivals balk at killer blow
Cabinet declares support for prime minister after Scottish Labour leader’s attack. But reprieve may only be temporary
Misconduct in public office: the offence that rarely ensnares politicians
Peter Mandelson faces allegations of misconduct but the charges being investigated have a high bar for conviction
King Charles says he will help police investigate brother’s links to Epstein
Files released by US justice department showed former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor shared information with child sex offender
Cuba runs out of jet fuel as Trump squeezes oil supplies
Air Canada is first major airline to suspend flights to the island over inability to refuel planes