Gout and malnutrition in the UK, the cockroach cure and post-election Turkey

This article is published in collaboration with FirstFT.

The daily briefing “FirstFT” from the Financial Times.

Some of the top decision makers at the European Central Bank met bankers and asset managers days before major policy meetings, and on one occasion just hours before, copies of their diaries reveal. The diaries, which cover meetings between August 2014 and August 2015, were given to the Financial Times under EU freedom of information rules and reveal engagements with the private sector, officials and the media.

The disclosure of the meetings comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of the contacts between central bankers and the financial services industry. (FT)

In the news

Conflicting theories about Russian jet Russian airline Metrojet has suggested an external impact brought down its Airbus that crashed in Egypt on Saturday, killing 224 people. But authorities say this explanation is premature. (FT, NYT)

VW cheating scandal goes upmarket US regulators investigating Volkswagen have uncovered excessive emissions levels in thousands of luxury Porsches and Audis, extending their probe to vehicles the German carmaker had not previously admitted were caught up in the scandal. (FT)

Soros yanks $500m from Bill Gross George Soros has pulled a half billion-dollar investmentfrom Janus Capital after Mr Gross began to record losses. It was originally seen as a powerful endorsement of the famed bond investor when he moved to the fund after his abrupt departure from Pimco. (FT)

China takes to the waves At least 33 radio stations in 14 countries have the state-run Beijing Radio International as a majority shareholder, and they pump out pro-China programming. AReuters investigation takes a look inside the network. (Reuters)

Visa buys back former European arm The US group has agreed to acquire its former European subsidiary for up to EUR21.2bn in a deal that will generate large windfalls for some of the biggest banks on the continent. (FT)

Fight at Forbes? The family behind Forbes magazine has sued the Chinese investors that acquired a majority stake in the US business publisher last year, alleging that they have refused to pay a substantial portion of the promised price, according to a copy of the complaint seen by the FT in which the financial details were redacted. (FT)

It’s a big day for

Tesla The electric-car maker reports earnings: investors will be looking for updates on everything from China to the Gigafactory, the huge battery factory it is constructing in the US. (WSJ).

You can see more upcoming events here. (FT)

Food for thought

Japan Post: Painful delivery On Wednesday, when Japan Post Holdings, Japan Post Bank and Japan Post Insurance are brought to market in the biggest IPO of 2015, the country and a unique institution will be transformed forever. For proponents, the $11.5bn IPO is an overdue triumph of market forces over waste and cronyism. But critics believe it is a capitulation of everything decent in Japan and a portent of a much diminished service. (FT)

Gout and malnutrition in the UK Why are Victorian-era diseases making a comeback in England? Health campaigners in part blame rising food poverty as Britain goes through spending cuts. (The Atlantic)

The cockroach cure Cockroaches are often associated with dirty kitchens and grimy bathrooms, but the insects are also inspiring research into antibiotics, robots and mechanical limbs. (BBC)

No Turkish delight Against all odds, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan secured a thumping victory for his neo-Islamist Justice and Development party in elections on Sunday. But David Gardner argues that he has used and abused state power and purged dissident voices. (FT)

Privatised justice Over the past 10 years, thousands of businesses across the US have used arbitration to create an alternative system of justice. By adding simple arbitration clauses to contracts that most employees and consumers do not even read, tens of millions of Americans have lost a fundamental right: their day in court. (NYT)

Video of the day

Turkish election result Markets loved the clear result from the election held on Sunday but the country still has many problems, warns FT investment editor James Mackintosh.

Publication does not imply endorsement of views by the World Economic Forum.

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Author: FirstFT is the Financial Times’ editors curated free daily email of the top global stories from the FT and the best of the rest of the web.

Image: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by his daughter poses with his supporters. REUTERS/Huseyin Aldemir.