Taiwanese national security officials want to force Apple supplier Foxconn to unwind an $800mn investment in a Chinese chip company, and corporate America is fuming over president Joe Biden’s economic package. Plus, we have a military update on the war in Ukraine, and how tennis legend Serena Williams plans to spend her retirement. Mentioned in this podcast: Taiwan security officials want Foxconn to drop stake in Chinese chipmaker Corporate America fumes over Biden’s tax and climate package Sere...
Aug 10, 2022•10 min
China’s extended military drills around Taiwan are stoking fears of a drawn-out period of heightened tension and investors are split over whether the recent US tech rally will continue. Plus, the FT’s Jude Webber explains how taxes from the tech sector are helping Ireland’s economy against a recession. Mentioned in this podcast: US pledges further $1bn in military aid for Ukraine China extends military drills around Taiwan Tech sector tax windfall shores up Ireland’s economy against recession In...
Aug 09, 2022•9 min
Investors are selling stakes in private equity and venture capital funds at the fastest pace on record so far this year, and earnings at companies such as Uber and Lyft are surging. Plus, the FT’s Patrick McGee reports that more than a dozen employees, past and present, say Apple’s HR team mishandled claims of harassment and misconduct. The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber, Michael Lello...
Aug 08, 2022•10 min
This week, we talk to the author Elif Batuman about her new novel ‘Either / Or’. The book is set in the 1990s, and follows Elif’s fictionalised alter ego, Selin, as she navigates life as a Harvard student. Elif reflects on looking back at the ’90s from a contemporary perspective and talks about what we’ve learnt since. Then, we hear about feedback from deputy FT Magazine editor Esther Bintliff. We live in a culture obsessed with feedback. But what kind of feedback is actually effective? --------...
Aug 06, 2022•35 min
US new unemployment claims have reached a six-month high as the labour market cools, the Bank of England raised interest rates by 0.5 percentage points, and European banks are adjusting to higher interest rates. Mentioned in this podcast: US jobless claims hit six-month high as labour demand cools Bank of England raises interest rates by 0.5 percentage points Europe’s lenders prepare for life outside negative territory The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filipp...
Aug 05, 2022•9 min
SoftBank has raised as much as $22bn in cash from deals that would sharply reduce its stake in Alibaba over the coming years, Iran and western powers resume talks this week over the floundering 2015 nuclear accords, and as political polarisation reaches into the workplace companies must manage conflicts among employees while striving for sensitivity and diversity. Mentioned in this podcast: Softbank raises $22b in moves to sell down Alibaba stake Iran to resume nuclear talks with discussion over...
Aug 04, 2022•9 min
China has blocked imports from hundreds of Taiwanese food producers in response to the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei, a flurry of executive departures from SoftBank stokes uncertainty over who will take over from Masayoshi Son, and Behind The Money host Michela Tindera joins the Briefing to talk about the latest BTM episode that explores “Generation Moonshot” investors. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: China suspends 2,0...
Aug 03, 2022•10 min
Instagram head Adam Mosseri is moving to London, HSBC has pledged to restore its dividend to pre-pandemic levels, and China is facing its first overseas debt crisis. Mentioned in this podcast: Instagram head Adam Mosseri to temporarily relocate to London HSBC pledges to restore dividend to pre-pandemic levels China reckons with its first overseas debt crisis The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter...
Aug 02, 2022•10 min
The Bank of England is set to consider its biggest rate rise in more than 25 years, the EU and UK are easing up on Russian oil restrictions to keep gas prices from spiking, and some investors are getting back in the crypto market after a crash earlier this year. Plus, China is trying to come up with a $148bn bailout fund to help complete stalled property developments amid concerns about social unrest. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Bank ...
Aug 01, 2022•9 min
This week, we hear about a new 'miracle' weight-loss drug called Wegovy. It has unprecedented clinical results and endorsements from celebrities such as Queen Latifah. But critics say it deals with the symptom but not the cause. Then, we’re joined by Lauren Indvik, the FT's fashion editor. She explains how to efficiently pinpoint your personal style, and build a wardrobe that saves money, time and carbon emissions. Plus, she answers listener questions. -------------- Want to stay in touch? We lo...
Jul 30, 2022•29 min
The US economy has shrunk for two consecutive quarters, many energy companies are posting record profits but French EDF recorded a record loss, and US markets are reacting unpredictably to tech earnings reports. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: US economy shrinks for second consecutive quarter French energy group EDF records €5.3bn loss ahead of renationalisation Facebook parent Meta reports first decline in revenue Spotify adds more subsc...
Jul 29, 2022•9 min
US interest rates are going up by 0.75% for the second month in a row, the drama surrounding Elon Musk’s halted Twitter takeover debacle is hurting the social media company’s advertising business and employee morale, and European gas prices are rising as Russia cuts gas flows to the continent. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Fed raises rates by 0.75 points for second month in a row Twitter ‘rudderless’ as Musk saga hurts advertising busin...
Jul 28, 2022•9 min
Walmart profit warnings shine a light on disparities in US consumer behaviour, the International Monetary Fund slashes its global growth forecast, and Argentines are scrambling to exchange their pesos for dollars on the black market. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Credit Suisse set to name Ulrich Körner as chief executive Walmart issues profit warning as soaring inflation hits customers US consumers are bending but not breaking as prices...
Jul 27, 2022•9 min
US Big Tech companies are set to release quarterly earnings this week, German business confidence hits a two-year low, and French satellite operator Eutelsat has confirmed it is in discussions to acquire smaller British rival OneWeb in an all-share deal. Plus, cities are especially vulnerable to this summer’s record hot temperatures. An early version of this podcast stated the UK left the European Space Agency when actually, the UK remains a full member of ESA which is a non-EU organisation. We ...
Jul 26, 2022•9 min
The dollar’s surge to its highest level in 20 years is taking a toll on the corporate earnings of US companies with overseas operations, European bank earnings reports are expected to benefit from rising interest rates, and Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko spoke to the FT about the challenges of managing his war-torn country’s finances. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Fed to implement second 0.75 point rate rise amid uncertaint...
Jul 25, 2022•11 min
This week, we look at the dark side of professional tennis, where underpaid players are selling matches just to break even. Ranked around 200th in the world, a player named Nicolás Kicker was found guilty of match-fixing in 2018. His story reveals a lot of systemic problems within the sport. Then, we hear about the phenomenon of 'vice signalling' from columnist Stephen Bush. It’s similar to 'virtue signalling,' but instead of publicly gesturing towards altruism the vice signaller panders by prom...
Jul 23, 2022•30 min
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi resigns, the European Central Bank raises interest rates for the first time in more than a decade, Russia and Ukraine reach a deal to end a month-long grain blockade, and the FT’s Katie Martin explains why markets might rally when they see signs of a recession in corporate earnings reports. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Italy president calls snap elections after Draghi quits as PM Deal on table for re...
Jul 22, 2022•10 min
Tesla withstood disruption to China production and the high costs of scaling up new plants in Texas and Germany, Ukraine is getting some debt relief from western creditors, and Sri Lanka is just one of a number of developing economies facing growing pressure from soaring energy costs and a stronger US dollar. Plus Italian prime minister Mario Draghi’s government is on the brink of collapse, and Liz Truss will go head-to-head with Rishi Sunak in the race to become Britain’s next prime minister. M...
Jul 21, 2022•10 min
Netflix loses 1mn subscribers, small and midsize venture capital firms in China are struggling to raise funds as foreign investors flee risk, and former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is running to be the country’s head of state again, in what could be an extraordinary political comeback. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Netflix loses 1mn subscribers but defections are fewer than feared ‘Exponentially’ risky China leaves ven...
Jul 20, 2022•10 min
Japanese tech investor SoftBank has put on hold plans for an initial public offering of Arm because of the political turmoil in the UK, a luxury shoe brand popularised by Sex and the City has won a trademark lawsuit after more than two decades, and the FT’s Martin Wolf breaks down what the battle to become the next British prime minister means for the country’s economy. Mentioned in this podcast: SoftBank halts work on Arm’s London IPO following political turmoil Tory leadership election tracker...
Jul 19, 2022•9 min
The leader of Sri Lanka’s biggest opposition party has urged the IMF to provide support to ease the country’s humanitarian crisis and cushion the blow of reforms, once high-flying financial technology companies are seeing their valuations crash to earth, and the FT’s Swamp Notes columnists Ed Luce and Rana Faroohar join Marc Filippino to talk about the changing economic geography of the US. Mentioned in this podcast: Sri Lanka opposition leader calls on IMF for ‘humane’ treatment, wants fresh el...
Jul 18, 2022•11 min
This week, Lilah talks to Martin Wolf about having the confidence to change your mind. Martin is our chief economics commentator and one of the most influential economics journalists in the world. He reflects on how he forms a worldview, and how his opinions have shifted over the past half-century. Then, we hear about the 'gentle parenting' craze on Instagram from Washington correspondent Courtney Weaver. There are no punishments, no bribes, and it encourages your child to have big feelings. But...
Jul 16, 2022•29 min
Italian prime minister Mario Draghi offered to resign, which caused problems for Italian stocks and for the euro. Plus, two of the biggest US banks had worse earnings reports than analysts expected. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Mario Draghi offers to resign as Italy’s prime minister JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley profit miss casts pall over Wall Street Rising recession fears and broad shift into haven assets have boosted the greenback The...
Jul 15, 2022•9 min
US consumer prices rose more than forecast in June, hitting an annual pace of 9.1 per cent, and investors are shunning 20-year US government bonds. Plus, a clash of cultures and geostrategic interests sank a German-Chinese joint venture competing in the new space race. This episode states Canada raised its interest rates by a 'full basis point' when we mean 'full percentage point'. We regret the error Mentioned in this podcast: US inflation hit 9.1% in June putting further pressure on Fed Ukrain...
Jul 14, 2022•10 min
US president Joe Biden is set to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the biggest US banks report earnings this week and are expected to show bumper profits from lending, and EU officials fear criminal groups are smuggling weapons out of Ukraine and on to Europe’s black markets. Mentioned in this podcast: US banks set for lending earnings boost as Fed lifts rates Joe Biden seeks reset on Saudi Arabia as oil tensions flare Nato and EU sound alarm over risk of Ukraine weapons smugglin...
Jul 13, 2022•9 min
Former UK chancellor Rishi Sunak and foreign secretary Liz Truss have emerged as the favourites to replace prime minister Boris Johnson, and more details have been revealed in the murder of Japan’s former prime minister, Shinzo Abe. Plus, Nikkei Asia’s Marwaan Macan-Markar explains how Sri Lanka’s economic and political crises could foreshadow similar issues in other debt-ridden countries. Mentioned in this podcast: Sunak to stand firm on taxes until he has ‘gripped inflation’ Sri Lanka prime mi...
Jul 12, 2022•10 min
Twitter is mounting legal action against Elon Musk as he tries to terminate the deal to buy the social media company, black Americans’ higher exposure to cryptocurrencies has left them more vulnerable to the financial downturn, Cairo’s storied houseboats have been removed as part of bigger changes that many fear will destroy heritage and green space in the Egyptian capital. Mentioned in this podcast: Experts say Musk faces uphill battle for victory in Twitter legal fight Twitter hires Wachtell l...
Jul 11, 2022•9 min
This week is our summer books and films spectacular, full of recommendations of things to read and watch. First, Lilah is joined by literary editors Fred Studemann and Laura Battle to explore the FT's Summer Books special. They suggest a range of light summer reads, sharp non-fiction, deep dives, thrillers and classics to take on your summer holiday, and talk trends in book publishing. Then, deputy arts editor Raphael Abraham recommends the top films to look out for this summer. After watching 2...
Jul 09, 2022•32 min
The FT’s UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and FT columnist Stephen Bush discuss what’s next for the country after Boris Johnson’s resignation. Plus, as the fears of recession grow, commodity prices are falling. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Boris Johnson bows to pressure and quits after days of turmoil Twitter Space: Boris Johnson has announced his resignation. So what’s next? Commodities slump as recession fears stamp ou...
Jul 08, 2022•11 min
Pressure mounts on UK prime minister Boris Johnson to resign, but the pound holds steady. Plus the Chinese government is pushing for more students to study Marxism. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Cabinet ministers call on Boris Johnson to quit as UK prime minister Pound traders look past UK political turmoil Supreme Court ruling casts doubt on powers of US regulators China’s Marxism majors prosper amid labour market woes The FT News Brie...
Jul 07, 2022•10 min
