Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC has accelerated dealmaking in the US, and US president Joe Biden’s son has agreed to plead guilty to tax and firearm possession charges. Plus, the FT’s Madhumita Murgia visited an AI voice technology start-up to explain some of its applications and risks. Mentioned in this podcast: Singapore’s GIC accelerates US deals as China cools Hunter Biden hit with federal tax and firearm charges Can AI make me a musical star? The FT News Briefing is produced by ...
Jun 21, 2023•11 min
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has met with China's President Xi Xinping in an attempt to ease US-Sino tensions. Plus, the aerospace industry says that flying taxis could soon be on the horizon in cities around the world. Mentioned in this podcast: Xi Jinping sees ‘progress’ in China-US ties at meeting with Antony Blinken Which flying taxi will take off first? Amazon, Hilton and Starbucks to hire thousands of refugees across Europe The FT News Briefing was produced by Fiona Symon and Josh...
Jun 20, 2023•10 min
AstraZeneca has drawn up plans to break out its China business, and France is challenging a German-led plan to build up Europe’s air defences. Plus, US businesses are cutting back on their investments in diversity and inclusion. Mentioned in this podcast: AstraZeneca drafts plan to spin off China business amid tensions France summons allies in challenge to German-led air defence plan Cuts to investment in diversity threaten gains Hunt tells ministers to quicken adoption of AI to...
Jun 19, 2023•8 min
In this last episode of Martin Wolf’s series, the FT’s chief economics commentator sits down with the FT’s executive opinion editor, Jonathan Derbyshire, to give his concluding thoughts on the state of the world’s democracies. Drawing on arguments in Martin’s latest book, The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism, and his conversations in this series, they discuss what role citizens’ juries could play in rectifying some of what has gone wrong in the past couple of decades. Want more? Martin Wolf: in d...
Jun 18, 2023•20 min
In this fourth episode of Martin Wolf’s series, the FT’s chief economics commentator discusses the rise of populist politics with someone who was hit by its hard edge: Hillary Clinton. Drawing on arguments in Martin’s latest book, The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism, they discuss what the future holds for democracy, why female leaders face such extreme misogyny and threats of violence, whether President Biden can win re-election next year, and why Clinton is pinning her hopes on a younger genera...
Jun 17, 2023•42 min
UK hedge fund firm Odey Asset Management is being dismantled in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against its founder and Saudi Arabia has spent almost $8bn on gaming companies in the past 18 months as part of a turbocharged investment spree. Plus, FT markets editor Katie Martin talks about this week’s asynchronous central bank moves. Mentioned in this podcast: ECB increases interest rates to highest level since 2001 Chinese economic data fuels gloom over recovery Saudi Arabia spen...
Jun 16, 2023•12 min
The US Federal Reserve paused its interest rate rise campaign on Wednesday after 10 straight increases, and former UK prime minister Boris Johnson has been found to have committed “multiple” contempts of parliament. Plus, Russian energy giant Gazprom has been backing militias in the Ukraine war. Mentioned in this podcast: Federal Reserve pauses rate rise campaign but signals more to come Boris Johnson found to have committed ‘multiple’ contempts of parliament ‘Stream’ and ‘Torch’: the Gazprom-ba...
Jun 15, 2023•11 min
EY’s global chief executive Carmine Di Sibio says he is planning to retire next year, and the FT’s Joshua Franklin explains the impact of JPMorgan settling a lawsuit over its 15-year relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Plus, in the fourth and final part of our housing series, we look at what the government can do to bring down prices. Mentioned in this podcast: EY chief Carmine Di Sibio to retire after failure of split plan JPMorgan to pay up to $290mn to settle Epstein accusers’ lawsuit Th...
Jun 14, 2023•10 min
France is drumming up support for a global levy on greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry, and former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has died. Plus, an explosive FT investigation exposed sexual misconduct allegations against prominent financier Crispin Odey. Mentioned in this podcast: France seeks to rally support for emissions levy on shipping Silvio Berlusconi, Italian prime minister, 1936-2023 How Crispin Odey evaded sexual assault allegations for decades The FT N...
Jun 13, 2023•11 min
The former first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, was arrested on Sunday, Boris Johnson’s exit from UK parliament will have consequences for the Conservative Party. Plus, former US president Donald Trump’s most recent indictment could have implications on his 2024 run for president. Mentioned in this podcast: Nicola Sturgeon arrested in probe into SNP finances Johnson quits parliament in protest at MPs’ ‘kangaroo court’ Trump indictment’s sharp details seen as ‘daunting for the defen...
Jun 12, 2023•10 min
In this third episode of Martin Wolf’s series, the renowned FT columnist and economist speaks to the journalist and historian Anne Applebaum, who has written extensively about the history of communism and the development of civil society in central and eastern Europe. Drawing on arguments in Martin’s latest book, The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism, they discuss what lies behind a global rise in autocracy and what can be done to counter it. Want more? Martin Wolf: in defence of democratic capita...
Jun 10, 2023•43 min
Tesla and General Motors have struck a deal to let the Detroit carmaker’s customers plug in at 12,000 of the Texas company’s roadside chargers, and Turkey eased its long-running battle to defend the lira and the currency plunged. Plus, US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday agreed on an “Atlantic declaration” to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. Mentioned in this podcast: Turkish lira slumps as new economic team starts ‘intentional devaluation’ Bid...
Jun 09, 2023•9 min
We want to tell about a new podcast coming soon! On Unhedged, Ethan Wu, Katie Martin and other markets nerds at the Financial Times explain the big ideas behind what’s happening in finance right now. Unhedged launches June 13, you can follow the show here ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 08, 2023•58 sec
The US, Taiwan and Japan will share real-time data from naval reconnaissance drones, India’s deadliest train accident happened despite years of investment, and an architect-developer duo in Baltimore, Maryland, are converting an historic office building into residential housing. But how much can it ease the housing shortage? Mentioned in this podcast: US to link up with Taiwan and Japan drone fleets to share real-time data India’s surging rail investment fails to avert disaster Turning off...
Jun 08, 2023•10 min
The UK Cabinet Office will tell central government departments to remove all surveillance equipment made by Chinese companies from sensitive sites; and the venture capital giant Sequoia Capital is splitting its China business into a separate entity amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing. Plus, the destruction of a dam on the front lines of the war in Ukraine has flooded entire towns and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate. Mentioned in this podcast: UK to strip Chin...
Jun 07, 2023•8 min
US securities regulators yesterday sued the world’s largest crypto exchange and accused Binance of a host of violations, sliding German butter prices are spreading hope of lower food inflation, and global carmakers have been caught off guard by the speed of China’s shift to electric vehicles. Mentioned in this podcast: Crypto exchange Binance sued by SEC in latest blow from US regulators Sliding German butter prices spread hope of lower food inflation China’s car market has become a ...
Jun 06, 2023•8 min
Saudi Arabia is cutting oil production, Turkey has a new finance minister and Apple is unveiling a mixed-reality headset today. Plus, the FT’s Kaye Wiggins explains how Asda has been able to take on enormous debt and whether its luck is about to change. Mentioned in this podcast: Virtual reality start-ups pin hopes on Apple to lure back funding Saudi Arabia seeks to boost oil price with output cut of 1mn barrels a day Asda chair defends £2.3bn deal for UK operations of sister group EG Turk...
Jun 05, 2023•11 min
A special live recording of the FT News Briefing at the FT Weekend Festival in Washington, DC. Our terrific colleagues played a friendly game of news trivia, and the FT’s Ethan Wu gave us a preview of his new podcast Unhedged , which comes out June 13. The 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 ...
Jun 04, 2023•24 min
In this second episode of Martin Wolf’s series, the renowned FT columnist and economist speaks to Larry Diamond, a leading contemporary scholar in the field of democracy studies and a senior fellow in global democracy at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University. Drawing on arguments in Martin’s latest book, The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism, they discuss what’s behind a deepening global ‘democratic recession’. Links Martin Wolf: in defence of democratic cap...
Jun 03, 2023•43 min
Binance has lost a quarter of its market share, the US government is on the verge of passing a deal to raise the debt ceiling, and Eurozone inflation has fallen more than economists expected to hit its lowest level since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Plus, Ukraine’s attacks such as the Moscow drone strikes are seen as ‘magician’s sleight of hand’ that deceives the Kremlin and derails Russia’s plans. Mentioned in this podcast: Binance loses market share after regulatory clampdown Chuck Schu...
Jun 02, 2023•9 min
The US House of Representatives voted to raise the debt ceiling last night. Plus, in part two of our housing series, the FT’s Persis Love explores a niche solution to skyrocketing rents in the UK, called homesharing. Mentioned in this podcast: US closer to avoiding historic default as House advances debt ceiling bill Homesharing offers a cheaper alternative to rental accommodation The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Sm...
Jun 01, 2023•9 min
China has called for “stable and constructive” ties with the US in a meeting with Elon Musk and some Wall Street companies are building their own digital markets trading platforms to compete with crypto companies. Plus, the FT’s Nicholas Megaw explains why investment funds have become a bigger insider trading risk for US lawmakers than buying shares in a single company. Mentioned in this podcast: Wall Street ready to take on established crypto companies US Congress: how investment funds be...
May 31, 2023•9 min
Democrats and Republicans are confident they can pass a deal to avert a US debt default, the lira slides after Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is re-elected, and ageing populations are causing government credit ratings to take a hit. Mentioned in this podcast: Debt ceiling fight shifts to Congress as lawmakers prepare for first votes Turkey’s lira weakens as economists warn of economic challenge Ageing populations ‘already hitting’ governments’ credit ratings The FT News Briefing is...
May 30, 2023•10 min
In the first of this four-part series, the renowned FT columnist and economist Martin Wolf tells the FT’s executive opinion editor Jonathan Derbyshire why he fears the marriage of liberal economics and democracy may be facing its toughest test in decades. Drawing on arguments in his latest book, The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism, Martin explains how his own life story and career have shaped his views. Want more? Martin Wolf: in defence of democratic capitalism For Martin’s FT columns click her...
May 29, 2023•47 min
More large US companies are taking shelter in bankruptcy court, Nvidia is on course to become the first chipmaker to be valued at more than $1tn, and Turkish voters go back to the polls to pick their next president. Mentioned in this podcast: US credit squeeze triggers rise in corporate bankruptcies Nvidia races towards $1tn club as AI frenzy drives chip stocks higher The latest on Turkish elections The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. The show’...
May 26, 2023•9 min
UK gilt yields hit levels not seen since last year’s “mini” Budget crisis, and Australia’s government has referred a PwC tax leak scandal to the country’s federal police. Plus, in part one of our series on housing, the FT’s Sonja Hutson looks at why there are so few homes on the US market. Mentioned in this podcast: Gilt yields soar towards ‘mini’ Budget levels after inflation disappoints Australian government refers PwC tax leaks scandal to police The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona...
May 25, 2023•12 min
A double-digit drop in German exports to China has rattled Europe’s biggest economy and the UK is set to lose a high-profile solar power investment. Plus, the FT’s Harry Dempsey explains why investors and central banks are piling into the gold market. Mentioned in this podcast: Big drop in German exports to China raises fears over EU’s industrial powerhouse UK set to lose solar investment after developer criticises lack of incentives Why investors are going gaga for gold The new gold boom: how l...
May 24, 2023•8 min
China’s semiconductor industry fears Japanese curbs on exports of crucial chipmaking equipment are stricter than US limits, Meta has been hit with a €1.2bn fine by the EU for privacy violations, and the Adani Group is trying to woo investors after a series of allegations from short-seller Hindenburg. Mentioned in this podcast: China fears Japan’s chipmaking curbs go further than US restrictions Facebook owner Meta hit with record €1.2bn fine over EU-US data transfers Adani seeks to woo ban...
May 23, 2023•8 min
Florida governor Ron DeSantis is expected to launch his campaign for US president this week, China has banned operators of key infrastructure from buying chips from US chipmaker Micron Technology, and Morgan Stanley is searching for a new CEO after James Gorman announced that he’s stepping down. Plus, the FT’s Sylvia Pfeifer explains how the war in Ukraine has put a spotlight on tech-led defence companies. Mentioned in this podcast: Ron DeSantis struggles for lift-off as campaign launch ne...
May 22, 2023•11 min
The US Supreme Court rules to protect big tech companies from being liable for users’ posts, and G7 countries are preparing new sanctions against Russia. Plus FT technology reporter Cristina Criddle learned that TikTok spied on her. She talks about her experience. Mentioned in this podcast: Supreme Court sides with tech giants over legal shield for content TikTok spied on me. Why? G7 host Japan seeks unity on threat from China The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Mar...
May 19, 2023•10 min
