Financial Times

Saudi Arabia has withdrawn from a China-led cross-border currency platform, according to the Financial Times.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.

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.

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.

Europe is preparing for intensified competition with Asia over liquefied natural gas supplies, according to a Financial Times report. As both regions vie for limited cargoes, buyers could be forced to bid up prices, with implications for Europe's energy security and household and industrial costs. The competition centres on securing winter supply and attracting flexible US and Qatari cargoes away from Asian buyers.

A new analysis argues that the Iran crisis is being felt as strongly through the banking system as through oil shipping routes. It points to sanctions, restricted financial channels and payment difficulties as central to how pressure on Tehran is playing out, alongside concerns about oil transit security.

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.

Poland's central bank is described as trapped in a political contest, according to the Financial Times. The report highlights growing tensions around the institution, suggesting its independence is under pressure amid a broader struggle over political influence in Poland. The row adds to scrutiny of the bank's leadership and policy decisions at a sensitive moment for the country's economy and institutions.

The Financial Times has published an opinion piece examining India's role as a major exporter of labour to the global economy. The argument frames the movement of Indian workers abroad as a "shock" with significant implications for labour markets, migration policy and India's economic standing. Details of the author's full argument are not available beyond the headline.

Minutes from the Bank of Japan's latest policy meeting show members agreed that financial conditions in Japan remain accommodative. The release of the minutes gives markets a closer look at the board's internal debate as investors watch for signals on when the central bank may adjust its monetary stance. Traders and analysts are weighing the comments against expectations for future policy moves.

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.

Former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney told the New York Times that the world's heavy reliance on the U.S. dollar is unsustainable, arguing that the international financial system is at risk. Carney, now Canada's prime minister, has long advocated alternatives including multipolar currency arrangements and has criticized U.S. trade and monetary policy under President Trump for accelerating calls to reduce dollar dependence.

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.

Barclays analysts say labor-market pressures are set to persist as immigration slows and populations age, tightening the supply of workers in many economies. The bank's analysis points to structural worker shortages rather than a temporary squeeze. The report has been picked up by financial outlets including Investing.com and Yahoo Finance UK, feeding into ongoing debate about immigration policy and demographic decline.

Richard Kahn, Jeffrey Epstein's longtime financial manager who appears more than 50,000 times in the Justice Department's Epstein files, was questioned by Congress. Under questioning he confirmed that a woman who accused Donald Trump of sexual abuse received a settlement payment. The testimony has drawn attention to the financial trail behind Epstein's operations and its potential connections to Trump.

Inflows of foreign capital into US equities have reached a record high, even as overseas investors pull back from US debt, according to Financial Times reporting. The shift suggests international money is chasing American stocks while showing declining appetite for Treasuries and other fixed-income assets, a rebalancing with potential implications for both equity valuations and US borrowing costs.

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.

Major technology companies are using guarantee structures to keep roughly $300 billion in AI-related financial commitments off their balance sheets, according to a Financial Times report. The arrangements, often backing data centre and infrastructure deals, raise questions about how much risk the sector is actually carrying as AI spending accelerates.

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.

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.

Manchester City's chairman has said the club's confidence in proving its innocence remains unchanged, according to The New York Times. The statement comes as the English champions continue to face scrutiny over alleged breaches of financial regulations, with the club repeatedly denying any wrongdoing and insisting it expects to be vindicated.

A New York Times opinion piece argues that the surge of investment in artificial intelligence resembles a financial bubble, and examines what could follow if it collapses. The author warns that AI-related borrowing and bank exposure could grow large enough that a crash would trigger calls for bailouts, echoing the dynamics of past banking crises.

South Korea is pursuing a broad national strategy to make artificial intelligence widely accessible across its economy and society. The Financial Times reports on the country's push to scale AI adoption beyond big companies, positioning it as a key driver of future growth. The plan reflects Seoul's ambition to remain competitive as AI reshapes global industries.

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.

Real estate investor Grant Cardone says commercial real estate is heading toward a historic crash and is presenting Bitcoin as a complementary asset for investors looking to diversify. His comments have been picked up by financial outlets including Yahoo Finance and TradingView, adding a prominent property investor's voice to ongoing debate about the sector's troubles and crypto's role in portfolios.

Japanese companies are reportedly introducing 'grandchild leave', letting employees take time off to care for grandchildren. Rising retirement ages and financial pressures mean more grandparents must stay in work, leaving them less available for the informal childcare families have long relied on. Commenters note the development reflects a broader squeeze on working families and an ageing workforce.

The European Union intends to raise the number of its satellite launches sixfold by 2034, according to the Financial Times. The plan points to a major push to expand Europe's space capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign launch providers. Details on funding and implementation have not yet been outlined, and officials have not publicly commented beyond the reported plans.

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.

Walmart's chief executive has ruled out using personalised pricing, saying the retail giant will not charge different customers different prices for the same products even as artificial intelligence reshapes how retailers set and manage prices. The statement, reported by the Financial Times, comes as AI tools raise questions across the retail industry about data-driven pricing practices and consumer fairness.

A new research paper dubbed 'Shielded Bitcoin' proposes bringing private payments to BTC by adapting Zcash's shielded transaction technology. The proposal suggests applying zero-knowledge proof techniques so Bitcoin payments could be made confidential while remaining verifiable. CoinDesk examined the paper, which is drawing attention in crypto circles to the long-running debate over privacy and compliance on public blockchains.

The Financial Times argues the European Union lacks a clear strategy for key partners such as Canada, and needs a more coherent approach to relations with like-minded countries outside its borders. The call comes amid broader debate about how the EU positions itself with traditional allies, particularly on trade, security and economic cooperation with Western partners.

A new report says the real estate market is adjusting to higher construction costs and elevated interest rates. Rising borrowing costs are affecting affordability and transaction activity, pushing developers and buyers to adapt to tighter financial conditions. The findings reflect broader pressure on the property sector as financing remains expensive and materials stay costly.