Your morning briefing, the business news you need in just 15 minutes.

On today's podcast:

(1) Federal Reserve officials lowered their benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point and penciled in two more reductions this year following months of intense pressure from the White House to slash borrowing costs.

(2) The Bank of England is set to rein in its quantitative tightening program amid concerns that its gilt sales are worsening volatility in the bond market.

(3) King Charles III urged the defense of Ukraine and the environment as he welcomed US President Donald Trump and top tech and finance executives for a lavish state dinner at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

(4) Walt Disney’s ABC network is taking Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air indefinitely amid a backlash to remarks the late-night host made about the killing of Republican activist Charlie Kirk.

(5) European Union member states approved negotiations with Canada and the UK that would give them access to the bloc’s €150 billion ($178 billion) fund aimed at accelerating investment in the defense industry.

 
(6) French unions are leading widespread anti-austerity protests Thursday, raising the pressure on newly appointed Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu as he struggles to find allies to piece together a budget.

 
(7) The world's biggest food company - Nestlé - has been shaken by scandal and management upheaval. After years of strategic drift and rising debt, investors are pressing incoming CEO Philipp Navratil to restore stability.

Podcast Conversation: Apple and Citi CEOs Join Trump and King Charles at State Dinner

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