FirstFT: Germany’s economy contracts for second straight year

• German economy shrinks for second consecutive year

  Europe’s largest economy contracted by 0.2% in 2024
  
  Financial Times - 5h

• FirstFT: Dollar hits 2-year high as interest rate assumptions change

  Also in today’s newsletter, China’s trade surplus reached a new record and the reinvention of El Salvador
  
  Financial Times - 2d

• Ronaldo nets in 24th straight year as Al Nassr win

  Cristiano Ronaldo opened his account for 2025 at the first attempt on Thursday, marking the 24th year in a row that he has scored in professional football.
  
  ESPN - 5d

• FirstFT: The hottest year on record

  Also in today’s newsletter, the resurrection of Andersen Consulting, and hiding savings from a significant other
  
  Financial Times - 5d
• 

  Second Ports Strike Avoided as Dockworkers Reach Contract Deal

  An agreement on automation and job preservation was crucial to the six-year agreement between the union and management at major East and Gulf Coast ports.
  
  Inc. - 5d
• 

  Renewables Supplied Two-Thirds of Germany's Power Last Year

  Yahoo News - Jan. 8

• FirstFT: US corporate bankruptcies hit 14-year high

  Also in today’s newsletter, Trump reiterates ambition to buy Greenland and Wall Street’s top regulator steps down
  
  Financial Times - Jan. 7

• Germany debates menace of ‘firework bombs’ after New Year’s violence

  Deaths and clashes with police mar celebrations, with officials calling for tougher curbs on use of powerful fireworks
  
  Financial Times - Jan. 3
• 

  Five killed in New Year accidents across Germany, hundreds arrested

  Yahoo News - Jan. 1

More from Financial Times

• Inflation and interest rates tracker: see how your country compares

  Inflationary pressures are beginning to wane but not all central banks have taken action yet. See how this affects you
  
  Financial Times - 31m

• New UK pensions minister previously called for ‘triple lock’ to be replaced

  Torsten Bell appointed to Treasury role after resignation of Tulip Siddiq as City minister
  
  Financial Times - 44m

• Germany moves towards armed forces shooting down spy drones

  Government proposal comes amid sharp rise in suspicious activity around military facilities and industrial sites
  
  Financial Times - 53m

• Gods, Guns and Missionaries — exploding the myth of a singular, ‘true’ Hinduism

  Manu S Pillai’s deft exploration of four centuries of the faith reveals its underlying complexities
  
  Financial Times - 2h

• World Bank approves 10-year $20bn Pakistan lending package

  Move aims to support cash-strapped government while protecting against political instability
  
  Financial Times - 2h

More in World

• 

  Israel-Gaza war live: Netanyahu’s office denies reports Hamas has agreed ceasefire and hostage deal

  Officials in Jerusalem tell Israeli media that the deal is expected to be signed tonight but PM’s office says Hamas has not yet responded . In Oslo today, Norway is hosting a meeting of the global ...
  
  The Guardian - 20m
• 

  Poland's leader accuses Russia of planning acts of terror against 'airlines over the world'

  Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has accused Russia of planning acts of sabotage worldwide that included “acts of air terror” against airlines
  
  ABC News - 21m

• Pakistan's premier welcomes World Bank's 10-year funding plan of $20 billion

  Pakistan’s prime minister has welcomed the first-of-its-kind agreement with the World Bank under which his country will receive $20 billion in the next decade to invest in renewable energy, ...
  
  ABC News - 22m

• Pakistan's premier welcomes World Bank's 10-year funding plan of $20 billion

  Pakistan’s prime minister has welcomed the first-of-its-kind agreement with the World Bank under which his country will receive $20 billion in the next decade to invest in renewable energy, ...
  
  ABC News - 22m
• 

  California fires live: 6m people under critical fire threat as dangerous winds expected; governor says conditioning aid ‘un-American’

  Forecasters warn of ‘particularly dangerous weather situation’ in California; Gavin Newsom hits back at House speaker for ‘politicizing’ tragedy. Big oil pushed to kill bill that would have made ...
  
  The Guardian - 23m