Welcome back and good morning! Here are the top stories in today’s newsletter:
-
Russian spacecraft suspected of intercepting Europe’s key satellites
-
Lloyds plans corporate banking push in strategy overhaul
-
Santander agrees $12.2bn deal to acquire US bank Webster Financial
-
Amundi to reduce exposure to US over the next year
Starting with an exclusive story on Russian spy spacecraft believed to have intercepted crucial European satellites:
Key points: European security officials suspect that two Russian space vehicles have intercepted communications from at least twelve important satellites over Europe.
Significance: These interceptions, previously undisclosed, pose a risk of compromising sensitive information transmitted by the satellites and potentially allowing Moscow to manipulate their paths or cause them to crash.
Russian space vehicles have been closely shadowing European satellites over the past three years, amid heightened tensions between the Kremlin and the West following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Read the full article.
Other updates for today include:
-
Ukraine war: US-brokered peace talks resume in Abu Dhabi
-
Economic data: EU inflation data and Services PMIs for various countries
-
Critical minerals: US hosts inaugural ministerial meeting
-
Results: Earnings reports from Alphabet, Crédit Agricole, and more
Five more top stories
1. Lloyds Banking Group: Planning to expand lending to corporate clients and financial institutions with potential international growth.
-
Santander acquisition: $12.2bn deal to acquire Webster Financial
-
Wealth management: Mediobanca’s private bankers move to Deutsche Bank
2. Amundi: Europe’s largest asset manager reducing exposure to US dollar assets in favor of European and emerging markets.
3. Nestlé: CEO planning strategic overhaul to refocus on key product categories for growth.
4. UK police investigation: Lord Peter Mandelson under criminal investigation for potential misconduct in public office.
5. Tether: Facing investor pushback over valuation target amid new funding round.
News in-depth
Details on Rheinmetall’s expansion into various technologies and geographies as it aims to become a multi-domain group in the defense sector.
We’re also reading . . .
-
Appeal case: French prosecutors seek to uphold ban on Marine Le Pen
-
Grok deepfakes: X’s Paris offices raided over spread of inappropriate images
-
Kurdish peace plan: Turkish President’s efforts to end conflict
-
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi: Son of former Libyan dictator reportedly killed
Chart of the day
Analysis on the performance of flats vs. houses in the UK housing market, with a government bill proposing changes to ground rents.
Join FT journalists for a subscriber-only webinar on the evolving transatlantic relationship on February 12. Register here and submit your questions.
Take a break from the news . . .
Exploration of factors contributing to Africa’s development compared to Asia, with case studies and insights on potential growth.