And we are LIVE in Washington DC for the US Edition of #ftweekendfestival ! If you're there in person, or online, welcome – and stayed tuned for some highlights.

If you'd like to register to watch on demand, you still can usftweekendfestival.live.ft.com

Sadiq Khan, London Mayor Trump Called ‘Loser,’ Heads for a 3rd Term nytimes.com/2024/05/04/wor…

Myanmar-Drones Changed This Civil War, and Linked Rebels to the World nytimes.com/2024/05/04/wor…

The Asian Development Bank reviews the success of India's Unified Payments Index/ India Stack. Offers ways India can nudge its expansion/ replication across the region.

bit.ly/4dkIosy

Indian restaurants in Britain now employ more people than the steel, coal and shipbuilding industries combined.

Today we announced our largest investment in our nearly three decades in Indonesia, as we partner to advance the country’s cloud and AI ambitions, and help Indonesia thrive in this new era. news.microsoft.com/apac/2024/04/3…

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and I met in Riyadh to discuss efforts to achieve lasting peace and security through greater integration in the Middle East. We will continue to work to prevent the further spread of the conflict.

What is the purpose of BRICS? Is its non-western or anti-Western? The UAE’s د. أنور قرقاش says it’s about creating more economic opportunities “we look at it from the geo-economic perspective” #OOTT #UAE World Economic Forum

When U.S. Diplomats Visit China, Meal Choices Are About More Than Taste Buds nytimes.com/2024/04/26/wor…

We dug into this data, including by looking at alternative estimates. We can confirm that in fact Chinese FDI into Mexico is way smaller than from the US. Don't believe the hype. 1/

Now, lobster diplomacy

Vinyl diplomacy

I think it's now ok to worry about Vietnam

NEW: Trump’s economic advisers are considering ways to actively stop nations from shifting away from using the dollar, sources tell me, Nancy Cook
+ Jennifer Jacobs

Penalties being discussed: export controls, currency manipulation charges and tariffs

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

I spoke with the economist Joseph E. Stiglitz about his new book, 'The Road to Freedom,' a timely effort to retake the language of individual liberty from the right. 'Neoliberalism is on the defensive,' he said. 'But it's going to be a battle.'
newyorker.com/news/our-colum…

Head of Indian IT giant TCS tells Financial Times that artificial intelligence will result in “minimal” need for call centres in as soon as a year, with AI’s rapid advances set to upend a vast industry across Asia and beyond | ft.com/content/149681… w/Benjamin Parkin

Young South Africans born after the end of apartheid want answers over what went wrong in a country where every second youth is unemployed, crime is rife and inequality along racial lines remains blatant: on.ft.com/3xKEn06

Top 30 British expressions:

1. Right, what’s all this then?
2. Don’t get your knickers in a twist
3. All gone pear-shaped
4. I’m in a bit of a pickle
5. It’s not my cup of tea
6. I’m chuffed to bits
7. I’m full of beans
8. Happy as Larry
9. What a load of…
10. He’s off…

Pakistan's debt problem is everyone's headache. The IMF wants to be repaid. China wants its debts serviced. The US doesn't want Fund money going to China but worries about instability. Ankur Shukla and I explain this geopolitical web. 1/

Myanmar junta has retaken its base in Myawaddy. Karen forces have withdrawn. A junta reinforcement column is still being resisted by KNLA on road from Kawkareik. Not clear how SAC troops in Myawaddy rearmed to retake the base. KNLA believe they were betrayed by BGF forces in town