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Is Boris Johnson's decision to suspend parliament legal?

UK prime minister Boris Johnson has been accused of constitutional vandalism by curtailing the opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny of his government in the final weeks of the Brexit talks. The courts will now determine whether his decision to shut down parliament was legal or not. Henry Mance discusses what all this means for British democracy with constitutional expert Sionaidh Douglas-Scott and UK assistant news editor John Aglionby.


Contributors: Henry Mance, chief features writer, Professor Sionaidh Douglas-Scott, Anniversary Chair in Law at Queen Mary University in London, and John Aglionby, assistant UK news editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

 

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UK judges overrule PM on suspension of parliament

We have seen a historic day for British politics as the Supreme Court ruled that Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament for five weeks was unlawful. Siona Jenkins discusses what the ruling means for Brexit, for the prime minister, and for British democracy, with Jane Croft, law courts correspondent, and Neil Buckley, leader writer. 

 

Contributors: Siona Jenkins, news editor, Jane Croft, law courts correspondent and Neil Buckley, leader writer. Producer: Fiona Symon and Persis Love

 

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Catalonia ruling fans flames of Spain’s divisions

Catalonia erupted this week after a Spanish Supreme Court decision to jail a group of separatist leaders for their part in organising an illegal independence referendum. The regional government attacked the sentences and thousands took to the streets in protest. Katie Martin discusses what happens next, with Daniel Dombey, FT correspondent in Madrid.


Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, and Daniel Dombey, Madrid correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

 

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Syria's war profiteers

During Syria's eight year civil war, around half a million Syrians have lost their lives and many more have lost their livelihoods. But a few individuals have made millions by helping the Assad regime. Chloe Cornish has been investigating and she tells Josh Noble about some of Syria's war profiteers.


Contributors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, and Chloe Cornish, Middle East correspondent. Producers: Fiona Symon and Persis Love

 

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Fiat Chrysler finds new merger partner in Carlos Tavares

Will PSA’s Carlos Tavares prove to be a better merger partner for Fiat Chrysler than Renault and help create the world's fourth-largest carmaker? Katie Martin discusses the terms of the proposed mega merger and the characters behind the deal with Peter Campbell, motor industry correspondent, and David Keohane in Paris.


Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Peter Campbell, motor industry correspondent, and David Keohane, Paris correspondent. Producers: Fiona Symon and Persis Love

 

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Russia's undaunted voice of dissent

Alexei Navalny has been a thorn in the side of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin for a decade, braving persecution and imprisonment and remaining apparently undaunted. Max Seddon met him for lunch in a food court in southeast Moscow and he tells Alec Russell, editor of FT Weekend about the encounter.


Contributors: Alec Russell, editor of FT Weekend, and Max Seddon, Moscow correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

 

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China steps up bid for tech self-reliance

Beijing has ordered government offices and public institutions to remove all foreign computer equipment and software within three years as part of its bid for self-reliance in office technology. Malcolm Moore discusses the ramifications for Chinese and US companies and for the global supply chain with the FT’s Yuan Yang in Beijing.


Contributors: Malcolm Moore, technology news editor, and Yuan Yang, Beijing technology correspondent.  Producer: Fiona Symon

 

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Are financial institutions waking up to climate change?

Questions about the future of fossil fuels are putting new pressure on companies and financial institutions. How are they responding and should they be doing more? Pilita Clark talks to Huw van Steenis, chair of the sustainable finance committee at UBS and a former adviser to Bank of England governor, Mark Carney, and Billy Nauman, reporter for the FT’s Moral Money. 


Contributors: Huw van Steenis, chair of the sustainable finance committee at UBS, Pilita Clark, business columnist and Billy Nauman, reporter and producer, moral money. Producer: Persis Love. Photo credit: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty

 

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Is Trump abusing his power over the judiciary?

The sentencing of Trump ally and political strategist Roger Stone was mired in controversy after the US president criticised a juror and the original prosecutors in the case. The same week, Donald Trump granted clemency to seven white collar criminals. Does the president have too much power over the judicial system? Brooke Masters discusses with Edward Luce and Kadhim Shubber.


Contributors: Brooke Masters, opinion and analysis editor, Edward Luce, US national editor and columnist and Kadhim Shubber, US Legal and enforcement correspondent. Producers: Fiona Symon and Persis Love.

 

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Is India becoming a Big Brother state?

Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist policies have sparked protests and intercommunity violence across India. Against this backdrop, a proposed data protection bill that will allow his government free rein to spy on its citizens is causing particular concern. Madhumita Murgia discusses the bill with Benjamin Parkin in Mumbai.


Contributors: Madhumita Murgia, European technology correspondent, Benjamin Parkin, Mumbai correspondent. Producers: Persis Love and Fiona Symon

 

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Coronavirus gives Bolivia’s ‘interim’ president chance to extend rule

Jeanine Añez settles in for long haul as pandemic adds to political uncertainty




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Next’s Wolfson shows his workings for a new socially distant world

Boss of clothing retailer deserves a premium; Astra’s eyes on big prize




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Call to overhaul plasma rules to speed up potential virus therapy

Industry highlights bottlenecks in access to materials that are a possible Covid-19 treatment




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Top US official plays down Turkey’s prospects of securing dollar finance

Large foreign financing requirement and small reserves leave Erdogan facing cash crunch




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Iran’s parliament backs move to cut 4 zeros from its currency

Rial to be changed to the toman after five decades of inflation




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Why universities deserve special financial support

Higher education should not be treated as just another business




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Russia’s economic woes will clip Putin’s wings

Pandemic combined with collapsing oil prices spells real hardship




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Even in a pandemic, politicians must decide

Being ‘guided by the science’ does not mean hiding behind it




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Rolls-Royce to cut up to 8,000 jobs as aviation crisis bites

Aero-engine maker prepares for biggest single reduction of staff in more than 30 years




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The Anarchy — East India Company in the dock

This riveting account of how a piratical corporation subjugated India resonates with today’s global capitalism




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A diamond is not forever at a fashion house

LVMH’s $14.5bn bid for Tiffany shows power passing from gem miners to luxury marketers




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Energy group EN+ to buy back stake from Russia’s VTB

Recently sanctioned London-listed company seeks to simplify ownership structure




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Gupta completes acquisition of bankrupt Indian steelmaker

Business tycoon’s GFG Alliance makes first foray into fast-growing market after long court battle




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Tianqi looks to sell stake in world’s largest lithium mine 

Chinese producer moves to offload some of its majority holding in Australia’s Greenbushes project




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BA to cut up to 12,000 jobs as aviation outlook darkens

Parent company IAG warns it will take ‘several years’ to return to 2019 passenger levels




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Norwegian Air: taking a flyer

Lenders and lessors had little alternative but to accept the debt-for equity swap




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Heathrow’s third runway project now ‘impossible’, says IAG chief

Willie Walsh points out that expansion plans face bigger challenges due to coronavirus impact




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Hedge fund rules make financial system fragile

Charging 2 per cent to hold assets when returns are low is wrong, writes Sebastian Mallaby




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Nigerian border closures cut smuggling but drive up prices

Benin crossing has been shut for three months, halting trade on vital frontier




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Nigeria ratifies finance law in boost for small business

Legislation cuts taxes for some enterprises while increasing VAT




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South African miners applaud move to cut reliance on Eskom power

Pretoria has waived rules that prevented mining groups generating electricity for their own use




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Angola’s state diamond group seeks global partners to become a top 3 producer

Endiama chief wants ‘radical change’ in overhaul of country’s scandal-hit gem industry




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African health officials warn of chronic medical shortages

Central African Republic has just three ventilators for its 5m people




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De Beers to cut diamond production by 20 per cent this year

World’s second-largest diamond miner cites disruption along the supply chain




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Philippines shuts financial markets indefinitely

Country becomes first in world to halt all stock, bond and currency trading




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Asia stocks higher after latest US coronavirus stimulus

Shares rally this week on hopes that spread of pandemic may be easing




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Initial finding backs US health official over virus sidelining

Rick Bright’s lawyers say federal investigators recommend he be reinstated during probe




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UK quarantine plan poses fresh setback for aviation sector

Airlines and airports say 14-day isolation period would be a ‘death blow’ to industry




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My First Million: Andy Scott, turnround specialist

‘There are no warranties when you take on an insolvent company’




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Tesco/UK dividends: welcome to the witch trials

Cancelling payouts should not become a loyalty test




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FT ranking: Asia-Pacific High-Growth Companies

Coronavirus means many businesses face an uncertain future but the region’s fundamentals will aid recovery




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FT High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific

Businesses shift their focus from scale to survival as a coronavirus-led downturn takes hold — but the region’s underlying growth prospects bode well for the recovery




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Admiral pulls special dividend but maintains final payout 

Insurers have been urged by regulators to reconsider shareholder payments during lockdown




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Plagues, paranoia and my very Tudor lockdown

Hilary Mantel’s lessons for a pandemic




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How the coronavirus threatens Asia-Pacific’s $7tn pensions market

Sector across region hit by fears of panicked mass withdrawals due to pandemic




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Australia’s biggest pension fund says investors will withdraw billions

Executive points to ‘heaps of liquidity’ as members get access to cash due to coronavirus




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Virginia candidates in a race to the bottom

The campaign has shone an unflattering light on the state of politics in America




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Tony Mendez, CIA agent, 1940-2019

Master of disguise who plotted the ‘Argo’ escape from Iran




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Imperial foxtrot: my brush with Japanese royalty

Jurek Martin recalls unlikely encounters with an ancient dynasty, from dance floor to tennis court




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Gloria Vanderbilt, artist and designer, 1924-2019

Heiress who made her own success as the ‘Queen of Jeans’