Josh Spero
@joshspero.ft.com
Wealth editor, Financial Times. I like swimming, classical music and cryptic crosswords. he/him 🏳️🌈 [email protected]
Reposted by Josh Spero
NEW: Myanmar has made a big show of destroying the notorious KK Park scam compound—even publishing a video of a steamroller driving over thousands of phones
But new images show buildings are only destroyed in one area. Hundreds are left untouched and experts say the crackdown is mostly propaganda
But new images show buildings are only destroyed in one area. Hundreds are left untouched and experts say the crackdown is mostly propaganda
The Destruction of a Notorious Myanmar Scam Compound Appears to Have Been ‘Performative’
Myanmar’s military has been blowing up parts of the KK Park scam compound. Experts say the actions are likely for show.
www.wired.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:11 PM
NEW: Myanmar has made a big show of destroying the notorious KK Park scam compound—even publishing a video of a steamroller driving over thousands of phones
But new images show buildings are only destroyed in one area. Hundreds are left untouched and experts say the crackdown is mostly propaganda
But new images show buildings are only destroyed in one area. Hundreds are left untouched and experts say the crackdown is mostly propaganda
Reposted by Josh Spero
*UK 30-YEAR GILTS EXTEND GAIN, YIELD DROPS 10 BPS TO 5.22%
November 26, 2025 at 4:17 PM
*UK 30-YEAR GILTS EXTEND GAIN, YIELD DROPS 10 BPS TO 5.22%
Reposted by Josh Spero
For any interested folks in London tomorrow at 18:15, I so appreciate @govandopp.bsky.social's selection and invitation to give the Leonard Schapiro Memorial lecture this year: www.kcl.ac.uk/events/illib...
Illiberal Times, Inclusive Strategies: What LGBTQ Politics Teach Us About Navigating Crises in Human Rights | King's College London
Government and Opposition’s annual Leonard Schapiro lecture with Professor Phillip Ayoub.
www.kcl.ac.uk
November 26, 2025 at 2:16 PM
For any interested folks in London tomorrow at 18:15, I so appreciate @govandopp.bsky.social's selection and invitation to give the Leonard Schapiro Memorial lecture this year: www.kcl.ac.uk/events/illib...
Post-Budget briefing from economics editor Sam Fleming
November 26, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Post-Budget briefing from economics editor Sam Fleming
Reposted by Josh Spero
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
Reposted by Josh Spero
As expected, and as the IMF recommended, Reeves says the OBR will now only assess the public finances against the fiscal rules once a year, at the Budget - to avoid the kind of mad scramble ahead of the Spring statement that led to the botched welfare reforms.
November 26, 2025 at 12:59 PM
As expected, and as the IMF recommended, Reeves says the OBR will now only assess the public finances against the fiscal rules once a year, at the Budget - to avoid the kind of mad scramble ahead of the Spring statement that led to the botched welfare reforms.
Reposted by Josh Spero
Massive rise in incapacity benefits forecast
25% higher in four years, during a time of recovering economic growth? It is hard to see how this will not be an attack line from the opposition.
25% higher in four years, during a time of recovering economic growth? It is hard to see how this will not be an attack line from the opposition.
November 26, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Massive rise in incapacity benefits forecast
25% higher in four years, during a time of recovering economic growth? It is hard to see how this will not be an attack line from the opposition.
25% higher in four years, during a time of recovering economic growth? It is hard to see how this will not be an attack line from the opposition.
Reposted by Josh Spero
The rise in income tax on dividends, savings and property is a blow to savers and investors on.ft.com/49HskSj
November 26, 2025 at 1:03 PM
The rise in income tax on dividends, savings and property is a blow to savers and investors on.ft.com/49HskSj
Reposted by Josh Spero
💥 Govt says fuel duty to *go up* from next September.
In the past the OBR has assumed that fuel duty would start to rise after a one-year freeze.
This time, the govt has said explicitly that it will only be frozen for five months, and will start increasing it after that.
In the past the OBR has assumed that fuel duty would start to rise after a one-year freeze.
This time, the govt has said explicitly that it will only be frozen for five months, and will start increasing it after that.
November 26, 2025 at 12:46 PM
💥 Govt says fuel duty to *go up* from next September.
In the past the OBR has assumed that fuel duty would start to rise after a one-year freeze.
This time, the govt has said explicitly that it will only be frozen for five months, and will start increasing it after that.
In the past the OBR has assumed that fuel duty would start to rise after a one-year freeze.
This time, the govt has said explicitly that it will only be frozen for five months, and will start increasing it after that.
Reposted by Josh Spero
Two words: heist movie
November 26, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Two words: heist movie
If you want to know what's in the Budget right now, the OBR doc was leaked so all the big measures are out there on.ft.com/3M2QMUm
What to watch for in the Budget
[FREE TO READ] Investors taken by surprise as fiscal watchdog publishes data prematurely
on.ft.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:08 PM
If you want to know what's in the Budget right now, the OBR doc was leaked so all the big measures are out there on.ft.com/3M2QMUm
Interesting: a perfume archive on.ft.com/48huTYN
Inside the largest perfume archive in the world
[FREE TO READ] Lost early formulas of world famous fragrances are painstakingly recreated at the Osmothèque in Versailles
on.ft.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Interesting: a perfume archive on.ft.com/48huTYN
Reposted by Josh Spero
new allegation concerning Farage’s behaviour when he was 18 years old
November 26, 2025 at 7:59 AM
new allegation concerning Farage’s behaviour when he was 18 years old
This is delightful: Magnum has released new colour photographs of the 60s-80s Mediterranean and we have them plus a wonderful essay www.ft.com/content/8118...
Ghosts of the golden age of the Mediterranean
A cache of colourful photos from the Magnum agency reveal a world where the beautiful and the everyday commingled
www.ft.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:11 AM
This is delightful: Magnum has released new colour photographs of the 60s-80s Mediterranean and we have them plus a wonderful essay www.ft.com/content/8118...
Reposted by Josh Spero
“This whole thing is just a no: a book about business [and] privileged white guys making lots of money” - many publishers rejected the novel Drayton and Mackenzie. I talked to author Alexander Starritt about why fiction only sees the bad in business on.ft.com/3KpKjSX #BBYA25
Who says management consultants can’t be literary heroes?
[FREE TO READ] Dickens and Gaskell engaged with the everyday realities of industrial capitalism. Now, workplace dramas rarely make it on to the page — but for novelist Alexander Starritt, business is ...
on.ft.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:48 AM
“This whole thing is just a no: a book about business [and] privileged white guys making lots of money” - many publishers rejected the novel Drayton and Mackenzie. I talked to author Alexander Starritt about why fiction only sees the bad in business on.ft.com/3KpKjSX #BBYA25
Reposted by Josh Spero
Don’t believe Nigel Farage’s denials. He targeted me for being Jewish – and it hurt
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Don’t believe Nigel Farage’s denials. He targeted me for being Jewish – and it hurt | Peter Ettedgui
Now that my former classmate has finally spoken about the allegations of his behaviour at school, I feel compelled to address his points directly, says Peter Ettedgui, a film director and producer
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Don’t believe Nigel Farage’s denials. He targeted me for being Jewish – and it hurt
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Josh Spero
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukraine — and that Vladimir Putin should raise it with Donald Trump.
bloom.bg
November 25, 2025 at 7:52 PM
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
Reposted by Josh Spero
💥Jury trials for all except most serious crimes such as rape, murder and manslaughter set to be scrapped under radical proposals drawn up by David Lammy.
Proposals drew swift backlash from senior lawyers who said they would not reduce court backlogs & could “destroy justice as we know it”.
Proposals drew swift backlash from senior lawyers who said they would not reduce court backlogs & could “destroy justice as we know it”.
November 25, 2025 at 6:58 PM
💥Jury trials for all except most serious crimes such as rape, murder and manslaughter set to be scrapped under radical proposals drawn up by David Lammy.
Proposals drew swift backlash from senior lawyers who said they would not reduce court backlogs & could “destroy justice as we know it”.
Proposals drew swift backlash from senior lawyers who said they would not reduce court backlogs & could “destroy justice as we know it”.
Reposted by Josh Spero
BREAKING MS NOW:
Trump is considering removing Kash Patel as FBI director in the coming months, as he and his top aides have grown increasingly frustrated by the unflattering headlines Patel has recently generated, according to three people with knowledge of the situation.
Trump is considering removing Kash Patel as FBI director in the coming months, as he and his top aides have grown increasingly frustrated by the unflattering headlines Patel has recently generated, according to three people with knowledge of the situation.
President Trump may have had enough of Kash Patel, according to sources
The president is weighing whether to oust the FBI director after scrutiny of Patel's stewardship of bureau resources, including his girlfriend’s security detail and use of a government jet.
www.ms.now
November 25, 2025 at 7:10 PM
BREAKING MS NOW:
Trump is considering removing Kash Patel as FBI director in the coming months, as he and his top aides have grown increasingly frustrated by the unflattering headlines Patel has recently generated, according to three people with knowledge of the situation.
Trump is considering removing Kash Patel as FBI director in the coming months, as he and his top aides have grown increasingly frustrated by the unflattering headlines Patel has recently generated, according to three people with knowledge of the situation.
Reposted by Josh Spero
Rush Hour 4 is reportedly a go at Paramount – after Trump intervened on behalf of the movie.
Brett Ratner, accused of sexual misconduct by several women, will bring the franchise back to the big screen
Brett Ratner, accused of sexual misconduct by several women, will bring the franchise back to the big screen
Rush Hour 4 in the works at Paramount after reports of Trump intervening
Brett Ratner, accused of sexual misconduct by several women, will bring his hit franchise back to the big screen
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Rush Hour 4 is reportedly a go at Paramount – after Trump intervened on behalf of the movie.
Brett Ratner, accused of sexual misconduct by several women, will bring the franchise back to the big screen
Brett Ratner, accused of sexual misconduct by several women, will bring the franchise back to the big screen
Reposted by Josh Spero
Brazil's former president, Jair Bolsonaro, ordered by the country's Supreme Court to begin serving a 27-year sentence for overseeing a failed plot to hold onto power. www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2...
Moraes decide manter Bolsonaro preso na superintendência da PF em Brasília
Ex-presidente foi levado para a sede regional da PF em Brasília no sábado
www1.folha.uol.com.br
November 25, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Brazil's former president, Jair Bolsonaro, ordered by the country's Supreme Court to begin serving a 27-year sentence for overseeing a failed plot to hold onto power. www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2...
Reposted by Josh Spero
I know you come for the spicy takes so here’s one: I think the new Fortnums double-helix staircase makes the space much darker (it occupies a light well) and I don’t like it
November 25, 2025 at 6:02 PM
I know you come for the spicy takes so here’s one: I think the new Fortnums double-helix staircase makes the space much darker (it occupies a light well) and I don’t like it
Reposted by Josh Spero
Are you a PhD student & interested in using museum collections in your teaching or research?
We're running a *free* doctoral training programme for students at any institution to learn about working with collections.
Find out more:
collections.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/
We're running a *free* doctoral training programme for students at any institution to learn about working with collections.
Find out more:
collections.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/
November 25, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Are you a PhD student & interested in using museum collections in your teaching or research?
We're running a *free* doctoral training programme for students at any institution to learn about working with collections.
Find out more:
collections.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/
We're running a *free* doctoral training programme for students at any institution to learn about working with collections.
Find out more:
collections.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/