At least three large banks have submitted bids to buy all or parts of First Republic, the US is urging South Korea not to fill China’s semiconductor shortfalls if Beijing bans Micron chips, and Iran’s statistics authorities have kept inflation data under wraps for the last two months. Plus, mining companies are willing to go to the bottom of the ocean for rare and precious resources.  Mentioned in this podcast:JPMorgan, Citizens and PNC submit bids for First RepublicUS urges South Korea not to fill China shortfalls if Beijing bans Micron chipsIran keeps inflation data under wraps‘Playing with fire’: the countdown to mining the deep seas for critical mineralsThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Katie McMurran, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.