FirstFT: Traders bet against sterling ahead of UK Budget
Also in today’s newsletter, Europe rushes to protect its security interests, and Ireland’s defence
Federal Reserve to cut again in December
Read the November forecast from the FT’s Monetary Policy Radar team
How BHP blew its mega-deal again
Plus, Bill Ackman prepares an IPO and The Telegraph lands on a buyer
Europeans scramble to protect their own security after jolt of Ukraine plan
Elements of US peace proposal would give Russia sway over continent’s defence arrangements
A shrinking world will turn our problems upside down
The political and economic priorities of a depopulating society could be very different from today’s
Financial regulator digs into WHSmith’s overstated profits
UK’s FCA engages with retailer but is yet to decide on formal probe into accounting errors at retailer’s US business
The minimum wage is not a cure all — we’re asking too much of business
Politicians spend too much time uttering cheap rhetoric about cheap labour
Transcript: How Ireland became the weak spot in Europe’s defences
Marc Filippino talks to Aanu Adeoye and Jude Webber
Currency traders bet against sterling ahead of Budget
Investors buy option protection on fears Rachel Reeves’ tax-raising measures could hurt growth
‘Scraping for crumbs’: Americans squeezed by affordability crisis
Rising food, shelter and healthcare costs are hitting hard in Bethlehem and the surrounding Lehigh valley
The ring is a sideshow for the London Metal Exchange
Open outcry is not the biggest obstacle to the growth of the historic trading venue
Argentina dabbles with spoiler status at international negotiations
South American country dissents at COP30 and G20 in nod to Donald Trump
ECB scrutinising claims Deutsche underplayed financial risks
Top banking supervisor examining claims by ex-employee about German lender’s use of netting
Britain’s Budget woes illustrate the threat to Europe’s social contract
Many governments have not come clean with voters about the growing fiscal strains on the welfare state
UK retailers ‘exasperated’ as Budget disrupts Christmas shopping season
Timing of this week’s Budget may force retailers to extend Black Friday discounts into December
Tech trumps tariffs: why US exceptionalism will last
The view that the stock market is in a massive bubble and bound to crash is incorrect over the medium term
Far-right Alternative for Germany faces splits over Russia policy
Spying accusations haunt AfD party aiming for dominance in 2029 election
Top Advent private equity executive quits UK for Luxembourg
Co-chair James Brocklebank tells colleagues of move two days before Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget
Do our brightest minds really get trapped in the City? FT readers respond
Money or meaningful work? Prestige or giving something back? These varied experiences show it is not that simple
How Ireland became the weak spot in Europe’s defences
With few ships and limited intelligence-sharing, some say the country cannot hope to protect itself or its infrastructure
South Kensington property: down but not out in the Paris of London
In the wake of Brexit, house prices fell more in the Gallic enclave of SW7 than in prime central London overall — but canny buyers are now seeing that as a positive
Bella Freud on the meaning of clothes
Her wildly successful podcast Fashion Neurosis addresses other people’s issues. It’s also helped her rethink her own
The sustainable fabrics market collapse
After hefty investment and hyped deals with luxury brands, many material innovation start-ups are winding down. What comes next?
Indonesia probes exports of radioactive shrimp and shoes
US and Netherlands raise alarm about contaminated samples in shipping containers