This Financial Times News briefing from Friday, January 23rd covers major developments in technology, geopolitics, and monetary policy. Host Mark Filipino is joined by correspondents Mehul Srivastava, Najme Bazorgmeir, and Victoria Craig to analyze the day's key stories.

The episode examines Intel's disappointing earnings amid supply chain challenges, Trump's controversial Board of Peace initiative that has divided international allies, Iran's ongoing crackdown following recent protests, and the Federal Reserve's expected policy stance with potential leadership changes on the horizon.

Intel's Revenue Decline Amid Supply Shortages

Intel shares fell 12% in after-hours trading following a 4% revenue decline compared to the previous year's same quarter.

CFO cited 'industry-wide supply shortages' while CEO Lip Bhutan said Intel was 'working aggressively to grow supply to meet strong customer demand.'

Intel's stock had previously surged 150% over the past year after Trump administration took a 10% stake and the launch of new Panther Lake PC chips.

Trump's Board of Peace Divides International Community

Trump expanded the Board of Peace mandate from a small scope to addressing 'all kinds of conflicts around the world' with a charter signed at Davos.

Signatories include 'six monarchs, three ex-Soviet Apparachiks, two military-backed regimes' including Viktor Orban and Bulgaria, but exclude major European allies.

Perpetual membership costs $1 billion with Trump as lifetime leader, while three-year memberships are available at lower cost.

European allies view this as 'a way to create an alternate system in the world' that could replace UN peacekeeping functions.

The board faces its first major test with Gaza administration and reconstruction within three to six months.

Iran's Post-Protest Property Seizures

Iranian officials are seizing property and closing businesses of people connected to prominent figures who allegedly 'stoked the unrest.'

Fifteen sports figures and actors face property confiscation threats, with legal cases opened against them for compensation of public and private property damage.

Lawyers complain this is illegal as 'the judiciary has no right to confiscate properties without holding the court,' creating private sector concerns.

The regime offered limited concessions including teacher bonuses, food vouchers, and classifying two-thirds of protest victims as 'martyrs.'

Federal Reserve Policy and Leadership Changes

A Reuters poll shows 100% of economists expect the Fed to hold rates steady, reversing December predictions of March cuts.

GDP was revised upward to 4.4% annualized growth in Q3, supporting the case for steady rates alongside persistent inflation.

Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said the Fed Chair replacement announcement could come 'next week' - Scott Besant.

Trump narrowed candidates to 'really just down to one' with Rick Ryder from BlackRock emerging as frontrunner after Trump called him 'impressive.'

Former Fed governor Kevin Worsh remains in contention while Kevin Hassett fell out of favor due to concerns about 'trading his post.'