Economics

More than a decade had passed since Ahmed al-Sharaa squeezed into the narrow lift that went up to his parents’ 10th-floor apartment. The Soviet-style block hadn’t changed much since he last saw it. It still overlooked a series of identical concrete buildings and the weed-ridden patches that separated them. The hallways were the same shade…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. Mark Zuckerberg is building up the voice capabilities of Meta’s artificial intelligence this year, as the social media giant pushes forward with plans to generate revenues from the fast-developing technology. Meta is planning to introduce…

Dubai’s property market is racing towards a record bull run, with the Middle Eastern commercial hub’s buoyant economy and swelling population fuelling the longest price rally since the eve of the 2008 financial crash. Properties in Dubai sold for an average of Dh1,750 ($476.50) per square foot last month, according to data provider Reidin, a…

Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for free Your guide to what the 2024 US election means for Washington and the world The recurring question in liberal circles during Donald Trump’s first term as US president was whether to take him seriously or literally. Seven weeks into his second term, it has so far been…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. Parents having fewer children are buying more expensive baby food, according to the head of Nestlé’s nutrition business, as the world’s largest food company shifts its strategy to offset the impact of falling birth rates….

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket exploded shortly after launch for a second consecutive time on Thursday, a setback for Elon Musk’s company as it seeks to build a vessel capable of reaching Mars. Eight minutes after…

Stay informed with free updates Simply sign up to the Capital markets myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox. Investors have poured into low-risk money market funds as they seek a refuge from recent tumult on Wall Street sparked by US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, sending the industry’s assets under management to $7tn. More…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. Walgreens Boots Alliance has struck a $10bn deal with private equity group Sycamore Partners that will bring the struggling pharmacy chain’s century-long run as a public company to an end. Sycamore agreed to pay $11.45…