Mark Filipino hosts this Financial Times news briefing covering major developments in finance, politics, and economics. The episode features FT economics correspondent Miles McCormick analyzing surprising U.S. jobs data and South Asia correspondent Andres Shapani reporting from Bangladesh's pivotal election.

Key stories include revelations about former Barclays CEO Jess Staley's deeper ties to Jeffrey Epstein than previously disclosed, a blockbuster U.S. jobs report that exceeded expectations while revealing significant downward revisions to 2024 data, and Bangladesh's first credible election in decades following last year's mass uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina's rule.

Jess Staley's Hidden Epstein Connection Exposed

Newly released DOJ documents show former Barclays CEO Jess Staley was named trustee of Jeffrey Epstein's estate until at least 2015, contradicting his UK tribunal testimony.

Staley's testimony was part of his effort to overturn a lifetime ban from the Financial Conduct Authority, which barred him over his Epstein ties.

Staley has maintained he had a "close professional relationship" with Epstein but "they were not friends" and he was unaware of Epstein's activities.

U.S. Jobs Report Delivers Mixed Signals

January added 130,000 jobs, nearly double economists' expectations and "the biggest increase in jobs numbers for over a year" - Miles McCormick.

Bureau of Labor Statistics revised 2024 job creation down from 49,000 to 28,000 new positions per month in annual data correction.

"The size of those revisions has been increasing big time lately" due to underfunded statistics agencies and declining response rates - Miles.

Markets became "pretty enthused" and traders "dialed back their expectations of any further interest rate cuts in the near term" - Miles.

Bangladesh's Historic Democratic Test

Bangladesh holds its first credible election since 2024's mass uprising toppled Sheikh Hasina after 15 years of rule.

The Awami League "was barred from all political activities" leaving Bangladesh National Party led by Tariq Rahman as main contender - Andres Shapani.

BNP faces coalition of 11 Islamist parties led by Jamaat Islami, whose leader said "women should work no more than five hours a day" - Andres.

Top priorities include restoring democracy, implementing term limits for prime minister, and addressing inflation "stuck at more than 8%" - Andres.

U.S.-Bangladesh trade agreement signed this week provides "a very big win for Bangladesh and may even give it an edge over competitors like India" - Andres.