Xi’s military purge raises doubts about China’s war readiness
Analysts link removal of top commanders to change in People’s Liberation Army operations near Taiwan
India’s private sector wants government to spend more
Also in this newsletter: the world’s most dangerous roads
Wall Street stocks slide as tech jitters return
Investor concerns over lofty valuations for artificial intelligence companies hit sentiment
UK economy growth stagnates
US military to ‘intensify exercises’ in Trinidad and Tobago
Dual-island nation has supported American operation against alleged drug traffickers in contrast to neighbours in region
Letter: Europe’s courts are asking the right question of oil companies
From Mohammad Reza Allahdadi, PhD Candidate, Sustainable Finance, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
Letter: Little wonder this sort of socialism fell out of favour
From Geoffrey Wheatcroft, Combe Down, Somerset, UK
Letter: EU nation states should be more powerful, not less
From Stefan Auer, Professor in European Studies, The University of Hong Kong (HKU)
Letter: Perhaps we can take a cue from chimps’ behaviour
From Avinashiappan Myilsami, Post Graduate Teacher, Sulur, Tamil Nadu, India
Merck nears deal for flu-prevention biotech Cidara
San Diego company’s lead drug is a potential alternative to vaccines for vulnerable patients
Letter: How Latin America avoids a fossil fuel fiscal cliff edge
From Daniel Titelman, Former Director, Economic Development Division, UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Santiago, Chile
Letter: If cryptocurrency is under attack, I say ‘bring it on’
From Nathan James Montone, Chief Executive, M31 Capital, New York, NY, US
Letter: A charity brings together those bereaved by conflict
From Caroline Elton, Chair, UK Friends of the Bereaved Families Forum, London NW5, UK
Letter: We’ve been warned: every school in China teaches AI
From Peter Hardwick, Hardwicks Manchester Ltd, Manchester, UK
One in four to pay UK higher rate of tax if thresholds stay frozen, research shows
Extending the freezes beyond 2028 would raise £8.3bn in 2029-30, the Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates
FT Crossword: Number 18,213
US announces new trade deals in attempt to cut costs for consumers
Washington agrees frameworks with Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala and El Salvador on a range of products
Brain-dead Labour retreats to its comfort zone: campaigning
Downing Street’s bizarre war on itself is a symptom of a government whose ideas dissolve on contact with reality
BBC apologises to Trump for edit of speech but refuses to pay compensation
Public service broadcaster says there is no basis for a defamation claim by the US president
Starmer and Reeves ditch plan to increase income tax rates in the Budget
Chancellor explores alternative ways to raise revenue to fill fiscal hole estimated at up to £30bn
BBC crisis turns spotlight on role of Sir Robbie Gibb
Row over impartiality has led to calls for veteran Tory to step down from broadcaster’s board
FirstFT: Toyota pledges to invest additional $10bn in US
Also in today’s newsletter, new fees imposed by EU on Shein and Temu packages and fresh interest to buy foreign assets of Lukoil
Bezos’s Blue Origin pulls off first landing of its largest reusable rocket
Launch of New Glenn is a boost for Amazon founder as he challenges Elon Musk’s grip on the space market
Disney shares slump as sales at film and TV units slide
Growth in theme parks and cruise lines business offsets absence of blockbusters and continued television revenue decline