Top headlines from across today’s paper
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FINANCIAL TIMES
Thursday, 16 October 2025
 
 
 

Top Headlines from the UK Edition

 
 
 
US warns world will ‘decouple’ from China if it imposes new export controls
 
Scott Bessent says Washington will retaliate if Beijing proceeds with policy on rare earths and critical minerals
 
 
Rachel Reeves needs to fill £22bn hole in UK public finances, IFS says
 
Think-tank’s report raises pressure on chancellor to raise income tax at Budget on November 26
 
 
UK government’s spy case testimony spoke of desire for ‘positive’ ties with China
 
Sir Keir Starmer’s administration has been under pressure over charges being dropped against two British men
 
 
The secretive First Brands founder, his $12bn debt and the future of private credit
 
Patrick James borrowed billions — even after presiding over a string of failed businesses
 
 
No need for a moral panic about the welfare system
 
It’s far from perfect, but the UK’s spending is broadly controlled and employment is high
 
 
 

Top Headlines from the International Editions

 
 
 
Donald Trump says Narendra Modi pledged India would stop buying Russian oil
 
Move could ease trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi, which have been in a stalemate since August
 
 
Donald Trump says he is considering strikes on Venezuelan soil
 
The US president also authorises CIA to conduct covert operations in the country
 
 
Bank of America and BNY sued over financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein
 
Victim claims BofA ‘participated in and financially benefited’ from late financier’s sex-trafficking operation
 
 
Bill Ackman donates $1mn to oppose Zohran Mamdani’s NY mayoral campaign
 
Hedge fund billionaire in last-ditch effort to stop democratic socialist frontrunner in race for city hall
 
 
How the battle over leaf blowers became a front in US culture wars
 
Advances in battery technology could make complaints about noisy devices a thing of the past
 
 
 

Markets

 
 
 
US Treasury arranging fresh $20bn in debt market support for Argentina
 
Facility builds on previously announced $20bn swap line as Washington seeks to boost libertarian ally Javier Milei
 
 
UK proposes compensation scheme for victims of China bitcoin fraud
 
Crypto haul is at the centre of a High Court battle over a seizure of bitcoin now valued at £5bn
 
 
US approves new bank backed by billionaires with ties to Donald Trump
 
Target market for Erebor will be businesses that are part of America’s ‘innovation economy’
 
 
Trump’s gamble on Argentina
 
The US administration is backing an ally’s misguided exchange rate policy
 
 
Morgan Stanley overtakes arch-rival Goldman Sachs in equities trading
 
Revival in core Wall Street businesses powers forecast-beating results across America’s biggest banks
 
 
 

Companies

 
 
 
EY revenue rises as AI consulting offsets slowdown in deal work
 
Big Four firm’s Parthenon business combining executive strategy with due diligence on deals shrank 0.4% globally
 
 
UK energy bosses sound warning over rising household bills
 
Octopus Energy, EDF and E.On executives challenge Labour’s pledge to reduce energy costs
 
 
Austrian property tycoon René Benko sentenced to two years in jail
 
Fraud trial likely to be first in a series of cases related to the collapse of real estate group Signa
 
 
Patrick Drahi rejects €17bn offer for most of Altice France
 
Rivals Orange, Bouygues and Free had proposed buying and carving up SFR in major consolidation of French telco market
 
 
The stage is set for luxury’s long-awaited upswing
 
LVMH’s third-quarter sales provided evidence of a turnaround in the sector’s fortunes
 
 
 

Opinion

 
 
 
COP must take environmental crime seriously