Financial Times

The Financial Times reports that SpaceX is shifting its focus away from its core space activities, in a piece subtitled 'Starbase, we have a problem'. The article suggests problems at the company's Starbase, Texas site, where its Starship rocket programme is based. Readers are debating what the reported pivot means for the company's ambitions and for Elon Musk's wider business empire.

Saudi Arabia has withdrawn from a China-led cross-border currency platform, according to the Financial Times. The move is seen as a setback for Beijing's efforts to build alternatives to the dollar-based global payments system, and observers are weighing what it signals about the Gulf kingdom's financial alignment with Washington versus its deepening economic ties with China.

Manchester City's verdicts in its legal dispute with the Premier League are being scrutinised well beyond England, with clubs, pundits and fans worldwide weighing in on what the outcome means for competitive balance and financial rules. The New York Times has gathered reactions from across the football world, reflecting how the case is being read as a test of how top-flight regulation is enforced internationally.

Oracle is reportedly contractually obliged to pay investors in a data centre site even if the location has no electricity supply. The Financial Times reports the arrangement shifts power-delivery risk onto the company, underscoring how aggressively Oracle is financing AI-era data centre capacity and the financial exposure that comes with projects racing ahead of grid availability.

The Financial Times argues that, for once, the US Federal Reserve has prioritised ordinary American households and small businesses over financial markets. The comment reflects debate over the Fed's policy direction and who its decisions ultimately serve. It is prompting discussion among economists and investors about a possible shift in how the central bank weighs Wall Street against the broader economy.

The Financial Times reports that large US companies are increasingly adopting cheaper 'open' AI models instead of costly proprietary systems. The shift reflects growing pressure to cut technology spending while still deploying generative AI across business operations. Open-weight models from providers like Meta and Mistral are gaining ground as firms weigh cost savings against performance and security concerns.

Gold prices declined as markets absorbed signals that the US Federal Reserve may keep interest rates elevated for longer than previously expected. Higher rates raise the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, weighing on demand. Investors are watching upcoming Fed commentary and inflation data for clues on the timing of any policy easing.

The Reserve Bank of Australia meets on Tuesday for the sixth time this year, with economists and financial markets near-certain it will lift interest rates again. The debate now centres on how many further increases could follow as the bank works to curb inflation, with households watching borrowing costs climb.

English top-flight football clubs are increasingly renting out their stadiums for major music tours, with acts such as Oasis and Beyonce playing club venues during the off-season. The New York Times examines how much revenue clubs earn from hosting concerts, a growing income stream that helps offset wage bills and comply with financial rules.

The European Central Bank's digital euro has been used for the first time in wholesale financial market transactions, marking a milestone in the currency's development. The move signals the eurozone's push toward central bank digital currency infrastructure, with bankers and policymakers watching how wholesale settlement in digital euros could reshape payments and market operations.

Financial analysts and forecasters are projecting that insurance costs will continue rising into 2026, building on recent premium increases across the market. The Financial Times has gathered analysts' views on the outlook, with the consensus pointing to further price hikes for policyholders. Rising claims costs, inflation and reinsurance pressures are the usual drivers cited for such sustained increases, affecting both households and businesses.

The world's worst-performing stock market has slashed the minimum price for listed stocks, according to the Financial Times. The move is aimed at encouraging trading activity and improving liquidity in a market that has badly lagged global peers this year. Details on which exchange is involved and the size of the price reduction were not provided.

Financial media outlets report that Bitcoin holders are selling their coins, but argue the current sell-off differs from previous ones. The coverage, appearing on Yahoo Finance and 24/7 Wall St., suggests investors should pay attention to what makes this wave of selling distinct, though the articles do not detail the underlying mechanics beyond the headline claim.

A Financial Times commentary examines the fallout from the Manchester City case, arguing that the affair carries broader lessons for football governance and financial regulation. The piece weighs what the club's dispute with football authorities reveals about the sport's financial fair play rules and the credibility of those policing them.