Oracle has entered the race to acquire TikTok, EU leaders lined up to urge the Vladimir Putin to help steer Belarus out of its political crisis, and the US postmaster-general has reversed course on a series of controversial cost-cutting measures after Democrats claimed that they would hinder postal voting in the presidential election. Plus, a look at why special purpose acquisition companies are on the increase. 

 Oracle enters race to buy TikTok’s US operations https://www.ft.com/content/272cfc69-b268-45ac-88d6-d55821f27e78
Putin warns western leaders over ‘meddling’ in Belarus https://www.ft.com/content/f96fdf91-6826-4af2-923d-ff14947fcd15
US postal service delays cutbacks over election fears https://www.ft.com/content/2fb59ebf-4e84-4ce6-ab8d-6f1a7dc1a058
Can Spacs shake off their bad reputation? https://www.ft.com/content/6eb655a2-21f5-4313-b287-964a63dd88b3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oracle considers TikTok, Putin and Belarus, and the rise of “blank-cheque companies”

A rundown of the most important global business stories you need to know for the coming day, from the newsroom of the Financial Times. Available every weekday morning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Meta’s revenues jumped by more than a quarter in the first three months of the year, Brussels raided the offices of a Chinese security equipment supplier, and earnings from Boeing reflected a slowdown of 737 Max production and compensation to customers. Plus, weapon shipments are heading to Ukraine after President Joe Biden signed a highly anticipated $95bn foreign aid bill. 
Mentioned in this podcast: Meta shares fall as it predicts higher expenditure on AI EU conducts ‘dawn raid’ on Chinese security equipment supplier Pentagon rushes $1bn in weapons to Kyiv after Biden signs aid bill Joe Biden tells Volodymyr Zelenskyy US weapons will arrive ‘quickly’ Boeing burns through $4bn in first quarter after door plug blowout
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What new US aid means for Ukraine

Tesla reported a 9 per cent decline in first-quarter revenue, Spotify kicked off a more mature era for its business after years of freer spending, and the US Federal Trade Commission banned non-compete clauses for employees. Plus, international investors have rushed into Egypt’s debt after the most populous Arab nation secured a $55bn bailout.
Mentioned in this podcast: Tesla revenue declines in first quarter as vehicle sales slow Spotify hits record quarterly profit as it enters ‘new phase’ US FTC bans non-compete agreements Demand for Egyptian debt surges after $55bn bailout and investment package Latin American cocoa farmers rush to expand planting as prices spike
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Denise Guerra, Katya Kumkova, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spotify grows up

The New York Stock Exchange is polling market participants on the merits of trading stocks around the clock, ByteDance ready to ‘move to the courts’ after the US pushes ahead with a bill demanding the Chinese parent sell its viral app in the country, and traders have built up bets that the Federal Reserve could actually raise interest rates. Plus, Goldman Sachs has relocated its head of financial institutions group for Europe from London to Paris.
Mentioned in this podcast: Goldman Sachs moves senior banker to Paris in post-Brexit revamp TikTok gears up for legal fight in US to prevent ban Investors price in growing chance of further Fed rate rises New York Stock Exchange tests views on round-the-clock trading
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Denise Guerra, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taking the Byte out of TikTok

Tesla shareholders are bracing for the carmaker’s worst earnings performance in seven years, oil markets have remained steady as Middle East tensions rise, and China’s first-quarter GDP shows the effects of President Xi Jinping’s bet on manufacturing. 
Mentioned in this podcast: Tesla shareholders braced for worst results in 7 years Why oil prices remain steady even as Middle East tensions escalate Covid vaccine makers to clash in London over mRNA patent dispute China warns west of ‘survival of the fittest’ as manufacturing boosts economy Parisians struggle to cash in on Olympic Games rentals
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beijing bets on manufacturing

Both Donald Trump and Joe Biden made campaign stops last week in Pennsylvania, whose 19 electoral votes could decide the outcome of the 2024 election. But in a state with such a range of demographic groups, how can each find a message that will stick? The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief, Lauren Fedor, and US political editor Derek Brower join to discuss. Credit: The Independent, The Times and the Sunday Times
Mentioned in this podcast: Joe Biden’s speech to steel workers underscores union’s burgeoning influence Joe Biden calls for tripling of tariffs on Chinese steel Josh Shapiro warns Joe Biden gas stance could hurt election hopes Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here
Swamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. 
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oracle considers TikTok, Putin and Belarus, and the rise of “blank-cheque companies”

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