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Helen Thomas

@helentbiz.ft.com
9.3K followers 666 following 78 posts

Head of Lex @FT. Ex @BBCNewsnight, @WSJ.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Helen Thomas
Robin Wigglesworth @robinwigglesworth.ft.com · 06/07/2025
Not the most important thing here, but a periodic reminder that journalists remember PRs that lie, and tell other journalists about it. on.ft.com/3If9Cpx
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Reposted by Helen Thomas
Giles Wilkes @gilesyb.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
"Morning rush-hour speed from New Jersey through the Holland Tunnel, a main route under the Hudson River into Manhattan, has almost doubled to 28mph compared with a year earlier. Evening speed over the Manhattan Bridge to Brooklyn has increased from 13mph to 23mph" on.ft.com/40kdbjn Extraordinary
on.ft.com
First US congestion pricing scheme brings dramatic drop in NY traffic
Speeds along bridges and tunnels to Manhattan are sharply up and roads are much less clogged
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Reposted by Helen Thomas
Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 22/12/2024
I can’t stop thinking about this brilliant New York Times scoop (gift link) in large part because it’s the first one of these stories where I’ve gone “my god, that worked on me!”: I really thought that ‘It Ends With Us’ had been a commercial failure, & that Reynolds & Lively had failed to boost it.
nytimes.com
Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni and a Smear Campaign After ‘It Ends With Us’ (Gift Article)
Private messages detail an alleged campaign to tarnish Blake Lively after she accused Justin Baldoni of misconduct on the set of “It Ends With Us.”
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Reposted by Helen Thomas
Katie Martin @katie0martin.ft.com · 23/12/2024
A lovely little bit here on the Xmas meat auction
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Reposted by Helen Thomas
Philip Stafford @staffordphilip.bsky.social · 15/12/2024
It's been bad for a few years but this year has been stark. - Biggest net outflow of companies since 09 - 88 companies delisted, 18 coming in -Fewest new listings since 09 www.ft.com/content/aef0...
ft.com
London Stock Exchange suffers biggest exodus since financial crisis
Main market set for fewest listings in 15 years as allure of New York grows despite planned UK reforms
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Reposted by Helen Thomas
Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
Fascinating piece on how South Korea’s collective memory of the 1980s shaped its reaction to last week’s declaration of martial law:
ft.com
The historical traumas driving South Korea’s political turmoil
President Yoon Suk Yeol’s surprise martial law declaration prompted a swift response from protesters schooled in previous fights over democracy
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 28/11/2024
On this day I like to think back to 2010, when I was in New York and KKR announced ~ on Thanksgiving ~ that they were buying Del Monte -- something that I still maintain was incredibly poor form.
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 28/11/2024
Can only assume Pony AI has never encountered rhyming slang.
Pony AI fetches $5.25bn valuation as shares jump 15% in Nasdaq debut
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 27/11/2024
Anyone got an Ark? Trains only using one track in and out of Blackfriars thanks to flooding.
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 24/11/2024
Has the film thread migrated here @stephenkb.bsky.social ? I’ve made my annual trip to the cinema and need to know if my opinions are correct. (Now with right account tagged)
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 23/11/2024
Want to read more about that $6.2mn banana? Thinking about what it means as bitcoin approaches $100k? Lex has you covered. Bitcoin and bananas add a new twist to conspicuous consumption on.ft.com/4eDSgwY
on.ft.com
Bitcoin and bananas add a new twist to conspicuous consumption
[FREE TO READ] Both have joined the elite world of useless objects that get desirable as they get pricier
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Reposted by Helen Thomas
Robert Wright @reporterrwright.ft.com · 23/11/2024
What do you think someone under US sanctions can do in the U.K.? You get a point if you guessed, “field two polo teams and play against Prince William”. My just-published story about Alessandro Bazzoni: on.ft.com/3OnSn50
on.ft.com
Italian trader played polo against Prince William while under US sanctions
Treasury described Alessandro Bazzoni as a ‘core facilitator’ of network involved in buying and selling Venezuelan oil
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Reposted by Helen Thomas
Chris Cook @chriscook.news · 22/11/2024
London Centric continues to smash it: open.substack.com/pub/londonce...
open.substack.com
Ice cream wars and illegal gambling: How Westminster Bridge became lawless
Plus: Have you visited the capital's least used railway station?
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 20/11/2024
The handles on this place — and the inability of my brain to let go of the BSkyB branding that the U.K. broadcaster ditched a decade ago — means I spend my whole time on here thinking “oh I didn’t know they worked for Sky”. IS THIS JUST ME? It’s just me, isn’t it?
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 19/11/2024
Trains delayed this morning because of “slippery rails”. 🌧️ Is there any season or weather where rail transit is safe?
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 18/11/2024
The campaign for trigger warnings on tuna mayo and egg n cress starts here…
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 17/11/2024
Sure, sure but this is the ultimate sandwich read and brooks no rivals. www.theguardian.com/news/2017/no...
theguardian.com
How the sandwich consumed Britain | The long read
The long read: The world-beating British sandwich industry is worth £8bn a year. It transformed the way we eat lunch, then did the same for breakfast – and now it’s coming for dinner
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 17/11/2024
In what can only be described as a total outrage, I have virtually stopped drinking, am eating less meat than ever before and now appear to have gout. Keep at the steaks and red wine, people.
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 16/11/2024
“the UK sex party planner backed by the government”
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Reposted by Helen Thomas
Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
Nissan is poised to warn ministers that the UK car industry has reached a “crisis point”, with jobs and competitiveness at risk unless the government relaxes electric vehicle production rules, according to two people with direct knowledge of internal discussions www.ft.com/content/fe50...
ft.com
Financial TimesFinancial Times
News, analysis and opinion from the Financial Times on the latest in markets, economics and politics
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Reposted by Helen Thomas
Robert Smith @bondhack.ft.com · 13/11/2024
Here’s a starter pack of FT journalists on here you may find useful go.bsky.app/FuqnwdD
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 29/09/2024
SLAY.
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 27/09/2024
Just introduced the children (7 and 5) to Frazzles. Minds were blown.
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Reposted by Helen Thomas
Janine Gibson @janinegibson.ft.com · 27/09/2024
This is a fascinating lunch with Signal's Meredith Whittaker about privacy, surveillance, AI, and the ethics (or not) of Big Tech. I think it will appeal to Blue Sky-ers so here is a free (x300) link on.ft.com/3XLeu9Q
on.ft.com
Signal’s Meredith Whittaker: ‘I see AI as born out of surveillance’
[FREE TO READ] The head of the encrypted messaging service on why she’s a privacy absolutist — and breaking Big Tech’s hold over AI
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Reposted by Helen Thomas
Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 25/09/2024
Can you mastermind a US presidential campaign? www.ft.com/content/2bed4c66-07a8-44…
ft.com
Can you mastermind a US presidential campaign?
Compete for the White House against other readers in the Election Game
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 22/09/2024
If anyone wants to mix it up, I can confirm that I have never been to a drinks party in Stoke Newington.
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Reposted by Helen Thomas
Emily Brand @emilybrand.bsky.social · 20/09/2024
🧀 The Cheese Riot of 1764 🧀 In 1764 the people of Nottingham were so angry about cheese prices that they gatecrashed the city Goose Fair & knocked the mayor over with a massive piece of cheese. The military were drafted in. 🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀
18c news report reading as follows: At the Goose-fair in 1764, there was a tumultuous riot, on account of the high price of cheese, which was selling at from 28s.
to 30s. per cwt.
The violence of the people burst forth like a tor-
rent in the open fair; cheeses were rolled down Wheeler-gate and Peck-lane in abundance, and the mayor, in his attempt to restore the peace, was knocked down with one in the Market-place. The riot act was read, a detachment of the 15th Dragoons was called out, many of the rioters were taken prisoners, and one innocent man was shot by the military.
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 21/09/2024
I need to know more about my nemesis, the rail replacement bus service. How are they used, are they on the rise, and how do we rid the country of this scourge?
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Reposted by Helen Thomas
Tony Tassell @tonytassell.bsky.social · 19/09/2024
Private equity is doing badly — however you measure it: very strong FT Lex note here www.ft.com/content/4906...
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 17/09/2024
Who could have possibly foreseen that Big Tobacco buying an inhaler company was a ragingly terrible idea? Three years on and sold for about a third of the price. www.ft.com/content/b489...
ft.com
Marlboro maker sells asthma inhaler group at discount after health backlash
Philip Morris pivot from tobacco to healthcare with purchase of Vectura sparked opposition from doctors
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 17/09/2024
New favourite video which reduced @katie0martin.bsky.social and me to near hysterics in the office.
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 14/09/2024
The piece I wish I’d written on Basel backsliding and the regulatory pendulum
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Reposted by Helen Thomas
Robert Smith @bondhack.ft.com · 09/09/2024
The Bank of London told potential investors in July it had an “immediate” need to raise £18.5m for regulatory capital, in a further sign of its financial pressures. Follows news of the HMRC winding-up petition against its holdco, first spotted by @danneidle.bsky.social www.ft.com/content/dad3...
ft.com
Bank of London told investors it had ‘immediate’ need for regulatory capital
Start-up bank said in July presentation it had to raise £18.5mn by end of August
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Reposted by Helen Thomas
Tony Tassell @tonytassell.bsky.social · 03/09/2024
very good FT Lex note here on how the EU is approaching AI regulation www.ft.com/content/773e...
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 02/09/2024
Do you know what antimony is? Me neither, before this morning. www.ft.com/content/390a...
ft.com
Global supply chains can’t skirt China rare earths crackdown
Long-term shortage of rare metal antimony, a critical material in the defence supply chain, could pose security risk
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 31/08/2024
Well all I can say is that I wish the DoJ the very best in its suit against Live Nation.
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 31/08/2024
Can confirm that if you get on a flight Ticketmaster decides you’re a bot and suspends your session.
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 31/08/2024
Hold up. We’ve been delayed by an hour. Now I just need the queue to move approximately twice as fast as it has been or Gatwick air traffic control to be about twice as shit as they’ve said.
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 31/08/2024
If, hypothetically speaking, you were in a queue on Ticketmaster and on a plane taking off in 20 minutes, would you phone pick up where it left off on landing?
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 31/08/2024
I join you from a queue in Bologna airport and a queue for Oasis tickets. Who will move faster? EasyJet or Ticketmaster?
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 31/08/2024
Missed a lot of action on here while away. But on the upside, I made this little beauty with my own bare hands.
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 17/08/2024
Just paid £8.40 for two coffees and had to navigate an ordering process worthy of the krypton factor. Good luck Brian Niccol. Starbucks’ $113mn man has a China problem on.ft.com/4cppQpq
on.ft.com
Starbucks’ $113mn man has a China problem
There is a case for the US coffee group to cut back capital spending and slow expansion plans in the country
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Reposted by Helen Thomas
Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 12/08/2024
The uninsurable world: rethinking how to cover for climate damage www.ft.com/content/272fac7a-9d8f-4a…
ft.com
The uninsurable world: rethinking how to cover for climate damage
Start-ups, legacy groups and policymakers are working out how to operate in areas of rising weather risks
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 03/06/2024
FT job alert: come and help me run the FT's flagship investment column as deputy head of Lex in London. You can write, edit, and contribute across the FT more broadly. Get in touch to discuss. DEADLINE: June 17th boards.eu.greenhouse.io/financialtim...
boards.eu.greenhouse.io
Deputy Head of Lex
London
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 15/01/2024
What’s going on at the other place nowadays? An advertiser exodus, negative cash flow, heavy debt burden and a plummeting valuation. But users — well, they seem to be sticking around. From @financialtimes.com Lex column. Musk’s X still has one thing going for it: its users on.ft.com/48wVTCL
on.ft.com
Musk’s X still has one thing going for it: its users
In the US, it remains the third most visited social media site after Instagram and Facebook
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 29/10/2023
So I’ve been up for about three days and it’s only 25 past 8. I forgot that actually this is the longest day.
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 16/10/2023
I appreciate I care an unusual amount about audit reform. But honestly, as an example of where Britain can produce hundreds of pages of reports while accomplishing increasingly little over many years it really does take some beating.
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 16/10/2023
Wrote this on our failure to make progress on audit and corporate governance reform since the Carillion collapse. Then today, the business department backslides on new measures it only announced in July, including an annual resilience statement. on.ft.com/3ZVyzLk
on.ft.com
Six years after Carillion, UK audit reform is still circling the drain
Accounting regulator is no longer toothless but it still needs more powers
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Helen Thomas @helentbiz.ft.com · 14/10/2023
I didn’t post much on the last place. I’m not entirely sure I’ll do better here. But hello. Here is something I wrote this week: uninsurability is the first stage of uninhabitability.
on.ft.com
The insurance world is flirting with its climate doom loop
Persistent extreme weather patterns demand appropriate pricing of risks and more emphasis on prevention
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