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Kate Allen

@kateallen.ft.com
7.4K followers 164 following 1.4K posts

Weekend News Editor, the Financial Times @financialtimes.com. I did write the headline.

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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 27/09/2026
As night falls on both sides camped out at the Garvaghy Road, Northern Ireland faces a critical moment. www.ft.com/content/c995...
ft.com
Northern Ireland in tense stand-off as protests block Orange Order parade
March unable to proceed as police say they cannot facilitate Protestant route down largely Catholic road
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Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Burnham has just confirmed our scoop
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Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
FT exclusive: Andy Burnham has decided to press ahead with a revived Help to Buy scheme (although it won't be called that) www.ft.com/content/e23b...
ft.com
Burnham set to revive Help to Buy scheme in bid to boost housebuilding
Concern mounts among ministers that low construction activity could hit growth forecasts
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Catherine Fletcher @catherinefletcher.info · 23/09/2026
Someone should do a long read on the politics of migrant boats in Italy because a lot of what we’re seeing in the UK echoes what‘s gone on there for years. This was over twenty years ago (and the successors of this guy are still in government): www.aljazeera.com/news/2003/6/...
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Tobias Wilson-Bates @phdhurtbrain.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I would not like an AI summary, I would not like it on a boat, I would not like the email bloat, I do not like it on a chair, I would not like it anywhere! I do not like them on a phone, I do not like them in my home, I do not want them on a search, I do not like them in a church
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Katie Martin @katie0martin.ft.com · 13/09/2026
"the public needs to have a stake" taxpayer dollars are so clearly the direction of travel here
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Jessica Elgot @jessicaelgot.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
“We’ve got a massive majority by mistake!” “Does anyone know any centre left crypto billionaires?”
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 11/09/2026
There have been many essential pieces written about 9/11 in the past 25 years but this is the one that I keep coming back to since it was first published 5 years ago. It’s hard to explain to younger people what it was like to experience at the time. Worth a read. www.esquire.com/news-politic...
esquire.com
The Falling Man
Do you remember this photograph? In the United States, people have taken pains to banish it from the record of September 11, 2001. The story behind it, though, and the search for the man pictured in i...
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 11/09/2026
There have been many essential pieces written about 9/11 in the past 25 years but this is the one that I keep coming back to since it was first published 5 years ago. It’s hard to explain to younger people what it was like to experience at the time. Worth a read. www.esquire.com/news-politic...
esquire.com
The Falling Man
Do you remember this photograph? In the United States, people have taken pains to banish it from the record of September 11, 2001. The story behind it, though, and the search for the man pictured in i...
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 11/09/2026
On 9/11 I had just moved to London to work at the Press Association & was in their newsroom when it happened. Not something you forget over the course of a career in journalism. I was staying with my mum in west London until I could move in with some friends, and I vividly remember coming in on the>
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Robert Shrimsley @robertshrimsley.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
It's hard to think of anything less British than the morons doing this to the heroic RNLI
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Philip Stafford @staffordphilip.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Terrible idea. As an international financial centre London already is top level. www.ft.com/content/32aa...
ft.com
City of London set to drop century-old rule against logos on buildings
Square Mile’s governing body considers allowing companies to display their logos on the top of offices for the first time
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Stephen Collins @stephencollins.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
Cartoon by Stephen Collins for The Guardian. Script as follows:

[scene is Winston Churchill in a bbc studio, giving his 'finest hour' speech]

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CHURCHILL:
The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. 

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CHURCHILL:
Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war.

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CHURCHILL:
If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free 
and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sun-

BBC PRESENTER:
Thank you prime minister 

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BBC PRESENTER:
Mr hitler, your response?

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HITLER [in the studio]:
Vell zis is hysterical woke nonsense as usual from mr Churchill

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HITLER:
What we are proposing -

CHURCHILL:
Hang on

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HITLER:
Let me finish - what we are proposing eez a simple power-sharing arrangement -

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CHURCHILL:
What's he doing here

BBC PRESENTER:
It's important we hear both sides of the debate

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CHURCHILL:
This isn't a debate 
You don't debate fascists

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HITLER:
Oh here we go with ze Godwins law!

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HITLER:
Why must you people always compare ze things you don't like to 'fascists, Nazis, Hitler'...

CHURCHILL:
Because you are a fascist Nazi Hit-

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HITLER [standing up, saluting]:
RAUSS!

BBC PRESENTER:
*Please* Mr Churchill let him speak

[ends]
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Helene von Bismarck @helenebismarck.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I am sorry, I may have said this before, but there really are moments when British politics are astonishingly naive, and I really think this may have something to do with the fact that the British have not experienced occupation, tyranny, displacemen within living memory.
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Amy Borrett @amyborrett.ft.com · 08/09/2026
Britain’s state-owned electricity system operator has awarded Palantir a £21mn contract without inviting rival bids, arguing critical processes are too reliant on its tech to run a competitive procurement process Latest for @financialtimes.com: as.ft.com/r/7fe6c0b7-2...
as.ft.com
Britain’s grid operator gave Palantir contract without inviting rival bids
Neso cited a legal exemption that removes the requirement to consider other suppliers if dependencies leave no alternative
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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
A suggested statement for Andy Burnham.
‘The British public decided in the 1930s that they would not tolerate black-shirted militias marching through their streets. They would cherish robust political argument; they would not accept thuggery and intimidation. When Oswald Mosley led his Blackshirts to Cable Street, local people turned them back. A new law – introduced by a Liberal, backed by Labour and carried by a Conservative majority – banned private militias, political uniforms and ‘the use or display of physical force in promoting any political object’. The British people are as determined today as in the 1930s that they will not accept the methods of Mussolini and the Munich Beer Hall. This government will uphold the law and defend the traditions of British democracy’.
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 07/09/2026
A thread on the national security implications of this weekend’s far right displays of strength. Much for Westminster to reflect on here, if it wants to.
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 06/09/2026
Tonight: defence and intelligence officials warn that Europe is failing to stop Russia from waging hybrid war. Russian proxies and intelligence agencies have for the past two years been prosecuting a covert war of aggression on European soil. (Gift link, 300 free clicks) as.ft.com/r/077657b5-6...
as.ft.com
Europe failing to deter Russia’s ‘hybrid’ war, warn defence officials
Foiled drone attack at German airport seen as sign of Nato’s weak response and Moscow’s impunity
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 06/09/2026
Tonight: defence and intelligence officials warn that Europe is failing to stop Russia from waging hybrid war. Russian proxies and intelligence agencies have for the past two years been prosecuting a covert war of aggression on European soil. (Gift link, 300 free clicks) as.ft.com/r/077657b5-6...
as.ft.com
Europe failing to deter Russia’s ‘hybrid’ war, warn defence officials
Foiled drone attack at German airport seen as sign of Nato’s weak response and Moscow’s impunity
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 06/09/2026
Police are facing growing questions over how up to 500 masked activists dressed in black brought parts of Dover to a standstill on Saturday. Authorities have been accused of failure to act, intelligence failures and being ‘caught on the hoof’. www.ft.com/content/f244...
ft.com
Police face questions over Dover disruption caused by masked protesters
Up to 500 activists dressed in black with their faces covered brought part of UK port town to a standstill on Saturday
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Alexander Clarkson @aphclarkson.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
A common pattern among European governments with handling these kinds of security threats is to only start taking them seriously after the initial period of relative impunity escalates into direct violence
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Tomas Hirst @tomashirstecon.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Sure, seems totally fine for a bunch of masked men to stop traffic around a port
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 05/09/2026
Masked protesters block Dover port roads. Labour MP for Dover & Deal Mike Tapp: “I bet if you asked any one of those ‘protesters’ they wouldn’t know small boat crossings are down by 40% and we are working hard to fix the mess. Go home, enjoy your weekend/get a job.” www.ft.com/content/5375...
ft.com
Masked protesters block Dover port roads
Port operator says ‘public order incident’ is ‘affecting all routes in and out’
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 04/09/2026
Most Londoners would probably come up with the same default list, if not wishing to let people know where they actually drink … - terrible pub near work that your team goes to because it’s convenient; - your average local; - somewhere a bit edgy that you had a big night in about 20 years ago.
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Rachel Rees @rachel-rees.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
As honoured as I am to see that The Times has picked up my Chagos article practically *word for word*, including my hard-gotten quotes, I’d prefer some credit — or for everyone to read my original FT piece! free link to read the evidently enviable article below (cheaper than a Times sub!) 🌴
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 30/08/2026
Reform goes Robinson Crusoe: Chagos islanders who were helped by key party figures to land on the archipelago six months ago are struggling with limited food, rats, threadbare tents and a small boat. The U.K. government has sent three months’ supplies. (Free to read) as.ft.com/r/ce8396be-5...
as.ft.com
Brexiters’ effort to resettle Chagos Islands hit by lack of proper boat
Nigel Farage-backed expedition is part of attempts to block UK’s contentious deal giving sovereignty over the archipelago to Mauritius
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 30/08/2026
Reform goes Robinson Crusoe: Chagos islanders who were helped by key party figures to land on the archipelago six months ago are struggling with limited food, rats, threadbare tents and a small boat. The U.K. government has sent three months’ supplies. (Free to read) as.ft.com/r/ce8396be-5...
as.ft.com
Brexiters’ effort to resettle Chagos Islands hit by lack of proper boat
Nigel Farage-backed expedition is part of attempts to block UK’s contentious deal giving sovereignty over the archipelago to Mauritius
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 30/08/2026
Just to recap for anyone who hasn’t been on @financialtimes.com today: we got @alphaville.ft.com to come up with a number for how much the rise in yields since the start of the Iran war has cost the world’s biggest economies and then we wrote about it. (Free to read) as.ft.com/r/2c11c97f-2...
as.ft.com
Rising bond yields add tens of billions to G7 countries’ debt costs
World’s biggest developed economies face higher financing costs since start of US-Iran war, weighing on public finances
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 30/08/2026
A tale of two geopolitical narratives, comments section edition (from this article: www.ft.com/content/bbe9...)
FT comment beginning “America is an enemy”FT comment ending “Europe is an economically and technologically failing socialist mess”
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Toby Nangle @tobyn.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
🚨 G7 countries on track to lock in $50bn addl int costs by Q127 due to higher bond yields since Op Epic Fury. www.ft.com/content/6331...
My estimate as to the additional financing costs so far locked in by G7 countries since Operation Epic Fury began, and how much G7 countries will need to complete their bond issuance programs by Q12027.
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 30/08/2026
A tale of two geopolitical narratives, comments section edition (from this article: www.ft.com/content/bbe9...)
FT comment beginning “America is an enemy”FT comment ending “Europe is an economically and technologically failing socialist mess”
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 27/08/2026
Re-upping this for the benefit of the five PR firms I’ve just added to my shit-list.
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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
'Essentially everyone in the book trade knows loads of memoirs are fake and there are near-zero checks' is one of those stories I keep expecting to tank that part of the industry, yet it never does.
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 27/08/2026
From the perspective of (this end of) the news industry, the publishing industry seems both morally and economically wildly unethical and exploitative. Do readers understand that what they’re buying is unfactchecked nonsense? I would argue no.
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 26/08/2026
When you’re a professional pirate …. you don’t have to wear a suit
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Elaine Burke @elaineburke.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Obviously Rocky Horror is an important, formative text, but let me tell you Muppet Treasure Island is a masterpiece.
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 23/08/2026
Super interesting analysis of where the economics and financing of theatre is going, and vertical integration of (the luxury end of) live entertainment. jharbour.substack.com/p/custodians...
jharbour.substack.com
Custodians of the Cap Table
Hello Private Equity, my old friend.
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 23/08/2026
Tonight’s @financialtimes.com story - from Gen X to Gen Z, Yahoo is (trying to be) back! www.ft.com/content/50c6...
ft.com
Yahoo, the internet’s ‘OG’, wants to win over Gen Z
Group’s chief says vintage web name can help draw younger users
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 23/08/2026
Also this made me laugh (H/T literally everyone) ifloz.substack.com/p/king-carne...
ifloz.substack.com
KING CARNEY ACTIVATES KONG MODE WITH ZERO FUCKS
Carney Reads the Clock Like a Pro Wrestler
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 23/08/2026
Found this on #AI very informative. (H/T: @brokenbanker.bsky.social ) www.groundbrkr.com/p/the-teaser...
groundbrkr.com
The Teaser Period: Why the AI Boom Is Built to Break
Trillions in compute commitments come due in 2027–2028. The hidden mechanics reveal how the AI boom breaks, and when.
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 18/08/2026
The Philadelphia Story, which just involved relentlessly shitting on Katherine Hepburn.
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 23/08/2026
Super interesting analysis of where the economics and financing of theatre is going, and vertical integration of (the luxury end of) live entertainment. jharbour.substack.com/p/custodians...
jharbour.substack.com
Custodians of the Cap Table
Hello Private Equity, my old friend.
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 18/08/2026
The Philadelphia Story, which just involved relentlessly shitting on Katherine Hepburn.
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 18/08/2026
Anyone else get up in the middle of the night to enjoy the rain?
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 15/08/2026
On a broader note (with reference to my posts today), given where we are with public trust and disinformation, it’s important that journalists explain the process and how we work. There’s a longstanding thing about being all mysterious and operating in the shadows but it doesn’t do us any favours >>
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 16/08/2026
I’m guessing this came about because Reform were the only party to do a Saturday night policy drop + some poor judgement / lack of thinking it through on the BBC newsdesk. Not a good look though.
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 15/08/2026
On a broader note (with reference to my posts today), given where we are with public trust and disinformation, it’s important that journalists explain the process and how we work. There’s a longstanding thing about being all mysterious and operating in the shadows but it doesn’t do us any favours >>
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 15/08/2026
I’m sure someone far smarter than me has already said this but I’m still quite proud of thinking of it. #economicsbutmakeitjournalism
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 15/08/2026
Something from your field that everyone should know: When someone’s ‘friend’ is quoted, that usually means the person themself said it. (Sorry to any actual friends out there who allowed themselves to be quoted saying sycophantic or exculpatory things on behalf of their buddies.)
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Dan Davies @dsquareddigest.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
tbh "don't have a barbecue there's a good lad" is actually a pretty good message to be sending out to everyone on Friday night before the hottest driest weekend of the August holidays. If we were Australia or something we would be used to this but we're not; this is adaptation
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