FirstFT: Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen and US Speaker to meet in California, not Taipei

Simon Case is considering of quitting his job as UK cupboard secretary, sources instructed the Monetary Occasions, after his leaked WhatsApp messages angered Conservative MPs.

In Taiwan, President Tsai Ing-wen has satisfied US Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy to fulfill in California as a substitute of Taipei to keep away from scary China.

Scroll down for extra on each tales. In the meantime, I’ll be conserving tabs on:

• US Federal Reserve: Chair Jay Powell testifies at the moment earlier than the Senate Banking Committee as fellow Fed officers trace at conserving interest rates higher for longer.

• Outcomes: Ashtead, Financial institution of Eire, Foxtons, Fresnillo, Greggs, Henkel, IWG and Attain report.

• French strikes: Widespread protests are anticipated towards President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to lift the authorized retirement age from 62 to 64.

Glad to listen to any suggestions on FirstFT at firstft@ft.com. Thanks for studying.

As we speak’s prime information

1. EXCLUSIVE: US Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy will meet Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen in California and never Taipei to keep away from an aggressive Chinese language navy response, as tensions run excessive between Beijing and Washington. More on why the venue was changed.

2. The US defence secretary stated Iran is doing the “unthinkable” in Ukraine by gaining expertise by deploying drones for Russia. Here’s why Lloyd Austin thinks this “doesn’t bode well” for the Middle East.

3. EXCLUSIVE: Simon Case is considering of quitting after leaked WhatsApp messages angered Conservative MPs. The UK’s most senior civil servant is “fed up”, his friends told the FT.

4. Chinese language corporations are selecting Switzerland to lift cash, shunning the US as a consequence of geopolitical tensions and Britain over more durable audit requirements. Find out how Chinese companies raised nearly seven times the capital in Zurich as in New York last year.

5. EXCLUSIVE: Personal credit score teams are set to jot down the most important direct mortgage on document, with Apollo, Ares and Blackstone assured they will land a deal to assist Carlyle purchase 50 per cent of healthcare analytics firm Cotiviti, sources stated. Read the full story.

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The Massive Learn

Digital cigarettes have cemented their standing as a much less dangerous method of consuming nicotine — however at a giant price to the surroundings. Tonnes of electronic waste are being produced, with essential metals contained in the disposable “vapes” extra prone to be dumped than recycled.

We’re additionally studying and watching . . . 

Chart of the day

China’s political management introduced an unambitious 5 per cent progress goal this weekend, regardless of optimism following three years of closures. Why has Beijing set its lowest objective in many years? Read our analysis to find out.

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Take a break from the information

Whereas the Academy of Movement Image Arts and Sciences hems, haws and nervously assembles a disaster workforce forward of awards night time on March 12, FT readers can have their say now via our new Oscars voting tool. Forged your ballots under. (Ball robes and black tie non-compulsory.)

Extra contributions by Emily Goldberg and David Hindley