Western powers impose sanctions on Russia as Biden says Ukraine ‘invasion’ has begun, and Russian assets are set to bear the brunt of the Ukraine conflict. Plus, the FT’s Berlin bureau chief, Guy Chazan, explains what freezing the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project means for Germany. Mentioned in this podcast: Biden imposes wave of sanctions on Russia for Ukraine ‘invasion’ Russian stocks sell off on mounting sanctions risks Putin backs separatist claims to whole Donbas region of Ukraine The FT News...
Feb 23, 2022•11 min
Russia sends troops into Ukraine after recognizing two separatist regions there. Then, Russia could be facing sanctions for its actions over Ukraine. How could that affect gas companies and consumers? Finally, Peloton discovered rust on some of its exercise bikes, it sent them to consumers anyway without telling them. We have more on its plan to conceal the rust, known as “Project Tinman.” Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Carl Icahn launch...
Feb 22, 2022•9 min
The Olympics wrapped up in Beijing yesterday, capping two weeks of competition and controversy. Banks pledged in the run up to the Glasgow climate summit to fund a UN-backed ETF. But, the money never arrived and the fund is close to failing. Plus, Taylor Nicole Rogers on what steps companies can take to have a more diverse workforce. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Are companies walking their diversity talk? Companies urged to honour raci...
Feb 21, 2022•7 min
This weekend, FT Weekend editor Alec Russell brings us to Albania for Lunch with the FT. He sits down with writer Lea Ypi, whose memoir ‘Free’ documents her childhood there, both under communism and after its fall. Ypi, a political theorist at the London School of Economics asks: does capitalism make us free? Plus: European tech correspondent Madhumita Murgia explores how science fiction shapes our attitudes towards the future, and how that translates across different cultures. -------------- Do...
Feb 19, 2022•33 min
Sequoia Capital plans to move deeper into cryptocurrency markets and has earmarked at least $500mn for investments in cryptocurrency assets, and a global financial regulator says that policymakers must act quickly to craft rules for digital asset markets. Plus, the FT’s Moscow correspondent, Polina Ivanova, reports that Siberia has become home to a cottage industry of DIY cryptomining fuelled by cheap electricity. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this p...
Feb 18, 2022•11 min
The Federal Reserve’s latest meeting minutes show it would be willing to tighten monetary policy quickly if US inflation does not come under control, and the EU’s top court has opened the way for Brussels to withhold funding from member states for violations of the rule of law. Plus, the FT’s Mark Vandevelde explains how Blackstone’s rent-to-buy business is working out. Mentioned in this podcast: Fed prepared to tighten policy more aggressively if inflation persists Blackstone’s new real estate ...
Feb 17, 2022•8 min
US and European shares rallied on Tuesday after Russia said it had begun pulling back some troops, and former Google chief executive, Eric Schmidt, is creating a $125mn fund to address problems with artificial intelligence. Plus, the FT’s US energy editor, Derek Brower, explains that US shale companies are feeling pressured to produce less oil despite rising prices. Mentioned in this podcast: US stocks rise after Russia says some troops returning to base Oil’s climb towards $100 a barrel tempts ...
Feb 16, 2022•8 min
The FT’s Gideon Rachman discusses the messaging wars between the US and Moscow over Ukraine, Central America and Mexico is benefiting from a bumper year in remittances from migrant workers in the US. Plus, the FT’s Jonathan Wheatley explains why investors might be getting more nervous about sinking their money into emerging markets. Mentioned in this podcast: Putin, US intelligence and the global fight for the Ukraine narrative Remittances made to Central America from the US have reached record ...
Feb 15, 2022•10 min
German chancellor Olaf Scholz heads to Kyiv and Moscow to try and deter Putin from attacking Ukraine, and Germans are confronting a major #MeToo moment as German publishing conglomerate Axel Springer comes under scrutiny for sexual misconduct charges against top editor Julian Reichelt. The FT’s Berlin correspondent Erika Solomon discusses her investigation of how the media company handled the accusations. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: S...
Feb 14, 2022•9 min
Miami is hot right now. In the pandemic, more people moved to Florida than to any other state by a long shot. Chief among them were the tech elite, who have made Miami—one of America’s most diverse cities—their next big conquest. But what happens when Silicon Valley falls in love with a place with such a singular culture? Will a new tech migration help Miami, or hurt it? We go to Miami with writer Joel Stein to meet the people investing in 'Miami 2.0', from A-Rod to Mayor Francis Suarez to its n...
Feb 12, 2022•26 min
A court struggle in China is casting a shadow over the company’s hopes for an Arm IPO after its failed $66bn sale to Nvidia, the 10-year Treasury yield on Thursday climbed to 2 per cent for the first time since August 2019, as investors ditched government debt on the latest evidence of stubbornly high inflation, and European scientists have made a big breakthrough in the decades-long effort to generate energy from nuclear fusion. Mentioned in this podcast: SoftBank’s plans for Arm IPO hit by leg...
Feb 11, 2022•9 min
Dozens of biotech companies are running low on cash and face an uphill struggle to raise fresh funds, Fidelity’s little-known passive investment business Geode Capital Management surged to $1tn in assets last year. Plus, the FT’s US business editor, Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, explains why Peloton’s latest turmoil makes it an attractive acquisition target. Mentioned in this podcast: Bursting ‘Biotech bubble’ inflicts pain on tourist investors and innovators Fidelity’s index fund business Geode hi...
Feb 10, 2022•10 min
Credit Suisse investors warn they will try to block any extension of vice-chair Severin Schwan, and SoftBank is looking to list UK chip design company Arm Holdings on the Nasdaq in the US after a sale to Nvidia fell through. Plus, the FT’s Robert Wright and leading researcher Virginie Guiraudon discuss the current state of the UK-EU migrant crisis and why no solutions are forthcoming. Mentioned in this podcast: Credit Suisse shareholders take aim at vice chair following scandals SoftBank looks t...
Feb 09, 2022•11 min
Credit Suisse became the first Swiss bank in the country’s history to answer criminal charges on Monday, and the US is lobbying Brussels to water down the effect of EU regulations targeting Big Tech companies. Plus, we talk to the author Horatio Clare about the UK town of Dover and how people there are approaching the migrant crisis. Mentioned in this podcast: Landmark Credit Suisse money laundering trial opens US officials lobby key European powerbroker on Big Tech regulations Life and death on...
Feb 08, 2022•12 min
A week of dizzying diplomatic meetings seeking to de-escalate tensions with Russia kicks off today in Moscow and Washington, aid agencies call for unblocking of cash flows to Afghanistan as the humanitarian crisis deepens. Plus, the FT’s Anna Gross takes us inside a French refugee camp to hear the stories of the people who are seeking asylum in the UK. Mentioned in this podcast: Ukraine: EU wrestles with how to inflict sanctions ‘pain’ on Russia Aid agencies call for unblocking of cash flows to ...
Feb 07, 2022•10 min
This weekend, we look at the Peloton phenomenon. Is it a failing fitness cult or a lasting way to stay healthy? Lilah and San Francisco correspondent Patrick McGee explore the behavioural science behind why we don’t exercise and the tech that tricks our brains into doing it anyway. Then, management editor Andrew Hill tells us why so many bad business books exist at the airport, and what makes a good one -------------- If you want to explore the FT, use this link for special discounts for listene...
Feb 05, 2022•31 min
Wall Street stocks slumped on Thursday after disappointing earnings reports in the technology sector from Facebook parent Meta, Turkey and Ukraine signed a deal to deepen defence co-operation in defiance of warnings from Moscow, and Olympics sponsors are accused of ignoring the plight of China’s Uyghur Muslims. The FT’s Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson talks about the pressure on companies and how they are responding. Mentioned in this podcast: Amazon shares surge on Prime price rise and boost from clo...
Feb 04, 2022•10 min
Spotify delivered a weak outlook for first-quarter subscriber growth, investors are putting more pressure on the European Central Bank to raise interest rates, and Argentina has been plunged into a fresh crisis after a crucial political figure resigned over the country’s outline debt deal with the International Monetary Fund Mentioned in this podcast: Spotify warns it’s ‘too early’ to calculate impact of Joe Rogan row Eurozone inflation hits record 5.1% in January Resignation of Peronist leader ...
Feb 03, 2022•11 min
Alphabet announced a 20-for-one stock split on Tuesday, and businesses across Myanmar shut up shop yesterday, joining a nationwide “silent strike” to mark the first anniversary since a military coup. The FT’s commodities correspondent, Emiko Terazono, explains that the slowing growth of plant–based meat sales has taken executives by surprise. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Google parent Alphabet posts surge in search advertising revenue ...
Feb 02, 2022•9 min
The US stock market has suffered its worst start to the year since the global financial crisis, US and European allies are preparing what is being described as the most aggressive package of economic and financial sanctions ever assembled to punish Russian president Vladimir Putin, and Italian government bonds rallied as investors welcomed the re-election of Sergio Mattarella as president. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: US stock markets ...
Feb 01, 2022•10 min
The world’s largest sovereign wealth fund has warned that investors face years of low returns due to permanent inflation, and splits are emerging in corporate America’s response to a supply chain crisis. Plus, the FT’s Europe editor, Ben Hall reports from the Ukraine city of Mariupol about how people view a potential Russian invasion. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: World’s largest wealth fund warns ‘permanent’ inflation will hit returns ...
Jan 31, 2022•11 min
This week, we look at two things that connect us to human history. First, How To Spend It editor Jo Ellison takes us mudlarking — sifting through low tide for treasure — to find remnants of ordinary life from hundreds of years ago. Licensed mudlark Lara Maiklem teaches us how. Then we explore the staying power of games: why do we love them? Why have we been playing some for more than 7,000 years? Our gaming critic Tom Faber joins us to discuss. -------------- If you want to explore the FT, use t...
Jan 29, 2022•27 min
Apple posted record revenue of $123.9bn in the holiday quarter, and investors had a tough time gauging the Federal Reserve’s hawkish tone, the UK’s new information watchdog says he wants the country to take the lead on holding Big Tech to account in a post-Brexit Britain free of cumbersome European data rules. Plus, the FT’s European diplomatic correspondent, Henry Foy, reports that western countries are threatening Russia with new sanctions if it invades Ukraine. Subscribe to the FT News Briefi...
Jan 28, 2022•10 min
Tesla reported a record net profit of $2.3bn last quarter but warned of supply chain constraints and the Federal Reserve signalled its intention to raise interest rates in March. Plus, the FT’s China correspondent, Ed White, talks about China’s vaping queen and her company's stock price which went up in smoke this week. Mentioned in this podcast: Tesla reports record profit but warns of constraints on supply chain Fed signals March rate rise as it fights rampant inflation China’s vape queen hit ...
Jan 27, 2022•10 min
Google has overhauled a central piece of technology it is building to replace advertising cookies, and the owner of 7-Eleven is facing investor calls to split up. Plus, the FT’s Rome correspondent, Amy Kazmin, explains why Italy is having such a hard time finding someone who can be prime minister if Mario Draghi is elected president. Mentioned in this podcast: Google changes course on cookies plans following advertising industry backlash 7-Eleven owner faces investor calls to split up The Draghi...
Jan 26, 2022•11 min
Stocks on Wall Street ended higher on Monday after investors took advantage of a severe drop early in the session, Peloton has come under attack from an activist investor, and the United Arab Emirates said it intercepted two missiles launched by the Iran-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen. Mentioned in this podcast: US stocks reverse severe losses as buyers step in UAE intercepts ballistic missiles fired by Houthis over Abu Dhabi Activist investor urges Peloton to fire chief and explore sale How conn...
Jan 25, 2022•11 min
Germany’s largest publishers and advertisers are demanding that the EU intervene over the Google's plan to stop the use of third-party cookies, Sony has plans to enter the electric vehicle market. Plus, the FT’s asset management correspondent, Harriet Agnew, discusses the discord at the global consumer goods conglomerate Unilever. Mentioned in this podcast: German publishers oppose Google plan to phase out third-party cookies Activist hedge fund Trian builds stake in Unilever Sony launches elect...
Jan 24, 2022•9 min
This weekend, we look at our culture through new lenses. First, we go to Mexico. Lilah speaks to James Beard Award-winning chef Pati Jinich about how diplomacy is sometimes better achieved through the language of food. Then, anthropologist and FT columnist Gillian Tett looks at social phenomena through the lens of anthropology – from crypto to how tastemakers decide what is 'cool'. Gillian has a PhD in social anthropology and recently published a book called ‘Anthro-Vision’. -------------- If yo...
Jan 22, 2022•36 min
The Federal Reserve has for the first time launched a period of debate of a central bank digital currency, and Luckin Coffee is planning to relist in the US after being delisted following a $300m fraud scandal. Plus, the FT’s Katie Martin explains why we should pay attention to German Bund yields turning positive this week. Mentioned in this podcast: Fed opens debate on possible digital currency Luckin Coffee plots relisting in US two years after $300m fraud Germany’s 10-year Bund yield turns ...
Jan 21, 2022•9 min
A US Senate committee will begin debating a pair of bills designed to reshape technology regulation, and US banks are gearing up for interest rate rises planned by the Federal Reserve this year. Plus, the FT’s Moscow bureau chief, Max Seddon, explains how Russia has built up its economy to protect itself from sanctions. Mentioned in this podcast: US Senate committee to debate legislation targeting Big Tech’s power Bank of America projects ‘robust’ interest income growth as loans rebound Moscow’s...
Jan 20, 2022•9 min
