A hardware revolution in recording devices and a software revolution in artificial intelligence has convinced some scientists that humans will eventually be able to ‘translate’ animal and even plant sounds into human language. But what would be the consequences of humans learning to ‘speak whale’, chat with bats or converse with elephants? The FT’s innovation editor John Thornhill and producer Persis Love explore the ethics of potential human-to-animal communication. Presented by John Thornhill,...
Sep 30, 2023•25 min
European government bond prices dropped sharply as investors took fright at Italy’s larger than expected budget deficit, optimism for the IPO market seems to be fading, and the FT’s Colby Smith explains the economic impact of US student loan payments restarting. Mentioned in this podcast: European bond market hit by Italy’s plans for higher borrowing Rising headwinds threaten US economy’s resilience Instacart and Arm shares lose steam after IPO pops Millions of US borrowers brace for the return ...
Sep 29, 2023•9 min
Global dealmaking is languishing at a 10-year low, western companies are insulating their China operations, and Chinese battery groups are avoiding or delaying direct investments in the US and Europe because of geopolitics. Mentioned in this podcast: Dealmaking languishes at decade low on private equity drought Chinese battery groups invest in Morocco to serve western markets Western companies take slow steps towards China ‘de-risking’ Vote for FT podcasts in the Lovie Awards ! The FT News Brief...
Sep 28, 2023•10 min
The US Federal Trade Commission has accused Amazon of wielding monopolistic control over online markets, JPMorgan Chase said it settled lawsuits related to its dealings with Jeffrey Epstein’s human trafficking operation, and the FT’s Lauren Fedor explains what’s at stake with a looming US government shutdown. Plus, sterling hit a six-month low against the dollar. Mentioned in this podcast: FTC lawsuit accuses Amazon of wielding monopoly power over online retail JPMorgan settles Jeffrey Epstein l...
Sep 27, 2023•9 min
The writers strike hitting Hollywood looks like it’s nearing a close and the FT’s Brooke Masters explores whether recent CEO departures could be a signal of a second #MeToo wave. Plus, a sexual abuse scandal has shaken up Japan’s entertainment industry. Mentioned in this podcast: Sex, lies and magical thinking about CEO behaviour Japanese boy band abuse scandal rocks entertainment industry The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additi...
Sep 26, 2023•9 min
Russia has succeeded in avoiding G7 sanctions on most of its oil exports, Poland is calling for less support for Ukraine, China’s answer to the World Bank wants to commit more money to climate, and the restaurant group, Big Mamma, is going global thanks to private equity. Mentioned in this podcast: Russia dodges G7 price cap sanctions on most of its oil exports A tug of war in Poland and Slovakia ‘China’s World Bank’ plans to triple climate change lending by 2030 Big Mamma restaurant group sells...
Sep 25, 2023•10 min
A hardware revolution in recording devices and a software revolution in artificial intelligence is enabling researchers to listen in to all kinds of conversations outside the human hearing range, a field known as bioacoustics. Some scientists now believe these developments will also allow us to ‘translate’ animal sounds into human language. In a new season of Tech Tonic, FT innovation editor John Thornhill and series producer Persis Love ask whether we’re moving closer to being able to ‘speak wh...
Sep 23, 2023•29 min
Rupert Murdoch is stepping down as chair of Fox and News Corp, Russia has barred the export of diesel and petrol, and the Bank of England has held interest rates at 5.25 per cent after a knife-edge vote. Plus, India has stopped issuing visas to Canadians and told Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in the country. Mentioned in this podcast: Rupert Murdoch steps down as chair of Fox and News Corp Russia puts squeeze on oil market with diesel export ban Bank of England holds interest rates at...
Sep 22, 2023•8 min
Federal Reserve officials on Wednesday signalled support for another rate rise this year and fewer cuts in 2024, share buybacks on the US stock market have dropped to the slowest pace since the early part of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the FT’s Gideon Rachman talks about his new three-part podcast series on Bidenomics. Mentioned in this podcast: Federal Reserve signals fresh rate rise this year and fewer cuts in 2024 Two-year Treasury yield hits highest point since 2006 after Fed decision Compani...
Sep 21, 2023•9 min
Shares in grocery delivery group Instacart jumped more than 10 per cent on their first day of trading, oil prices climbed above $95 a barrel for the first time in 2023, and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau sparked fury in India when he said authorities were investigating whether “agents” of New Delhi were behind the June killing of a prominent Sikh activist in a Vancouver suburb. Mentioned in this podcast: Instacart shares close up 12% after public market debut India angered by Justin Trud...
Sep 20, 2023•13 min
Instacart’s public listing this week is set to inch Nasdaq further ahead of the New York Stock Exchange in their closest fight for new listings in five years, and a build-up of leveraged bets has the potential to dislocate trading in the $25tn US Treasuries market. Plus, the FT’s Mercedes Ruehl explores whether an influx of Chinese migration and money to Singapore could threaten its status as a neutral safe haven. Mentioned in this podcast: Nasdaq and NYSE fight closest listings battle in five y...
Sep 19, 2023•10 min
US auto workers are striking to protect workers against the move to electric vehicles, and UK prime minister Rishi Sunak won’t attend the climate ambition summit at the UN General Assembly this week. Plus, Instacart has raised the price range for its initial public offering following the success of Arm’s blockbuster debut. Mentioned in this podcast: Strike pits US auto union in existential struggle over shift to electric vehicles Rishi Sunak decides against attending UN General Assembly Instacar...
Sep 18, 2023•10 min
Shares in chip designer Arm jumped by 25 per cent as it began trading on the Nasdaq exchange yesterday, and the European Central Bank has raised interest rates to an all-time high. Plus, the FT’s Siddharth Venkataramakrishnan explains how digital cash got caught up in the culture wars. Mentioned in this podcast: Arm shares jump by 25% on first day of trading ECB raises interest rates to all-time high How digital cash got caught up in the culture wars Tell us: How will the US student loan repayme...
Sep 15, 2023•9 min
Rising energy costs pushed US inflation above forecasts in August, Bernard Looney’s resignation from BP puts the oil company’s green energy transition into doubt, and China is walking back a corruption crackdown in the country’s healthcare sector. Mentioned in this podcast: US inflation rises in August as petrol prices jump BP chief Bernard Looney resigns over past relationships with colleagues Bernard Looney’s exit throws BP’s strategy into doubt China’s corruption crackdown rips through health...
Sep 14, 2023•10 min
BP’s chief executive Bernard Looney is resigning and SoftBank’s Arm is set to hit the public market on Thursday. Plus, we look at why Germany’s economy is stalling and how its economic woes are hurting its neighbours. Mentioned in this podcast: BP chief Bernard Looney resigns over past relationships with colleagues Arm targets valuation of up to $52bn in IPO Olaf Scholz vows to cut bureaucracy as German economic woes mount Polish zloty’s fall highlights tricky balancing act of central banks Tell...
Sep 13, 2023•11 min
Some scientists believe that rapid advances in artificial intelligence may also hold the key to decoding animal sounds, allowing us to ‘translate’ them into human language. In a new season of Tech Tonic, FT innovation editor John Thornhill and series producer Persis Love explore how the same technology that powers ChatGPT is being applied to research in animal communication. Could we one day learn to ‘speak whale’ or even chat with bats? And if so, can we trust ourselves to do so responsibly? Su...
Sep 12, 2023•1 min
Norway’s $1.4tn sovereign wealth fund has become the biggest shareholder in UBS, a landmark antitrust trial between Google and the US government starts today, and the FT’s Mary McDougall explains why the euro is having such a tough time. Mentioned in this podcast: Norway’s $1.4tn oil fund becomes top UBS shareholder Google prepares for biggest US antitrust showdown since Microsoft Euro suffers eight-week losing streak as economy falters Will the ECB deliver one more rate rise? The FT News Briefi...
Sep 12, 2023•9 min
PwC is planning to give up tens of millions of dollars of consulting work for its US audit clients, Australia’s biggest pension fund is going big on digital infrastructure, and Venezuelan government bonds are having a moment. Plus, the FT’s John Reed explains why this year’s G20 summit was a huge win for India. Mentioned in this podcast: G20 backs bigger role for reformed World Bank PwC to curtail consulting work for US audit clients to reduce conflict risk Western nations accept ‘climbdown’ on ...
Sep 11, 2023•11 min
India hosts the G20 summit this weekend, Germany is pushing the European Commission to postpone tariffs on electric vehicle sales between the UK and the EU, Apple shares are taking a beating, and Huawei has seen a resurgence despite sanctions from the United States. Mentioned in this podcast: Joe Biden pushes for bigger World Bank to combat China’s rising influence Germany backs EV tariff delay in boost to Sunak US to check on chips used in Huawei’s ‘Made in China’ smartphone Apple stock hit by ...
Sep 08, 2023•10 min
US and European corporate bond markets have started September with a bang, the EU released a list of digital services that will have to comply with the bloc’s new regulations, and the FT’s Alice Hancock explains how Europe’s drought is hitting the agriculture and energy industries. Mentioned in this podcast: US and European companies rush to issue debt before rate decisions Big Tech faces fresh legal obligations as Brussels lists services bound by new rules Retail investors power into uranium Eu...
Sep 07, 2023•11 min
The EU’s competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager is stepping aside, and the UK has clawed back less than 2 per cent of losses owing to fraud and error on business grants during the Covid-19 pandemic. Plus, Ukraine is doubling down on its counteroffensive. Mentioned in this podcast: Didier Reynders to take over as EU competition chief UK government ‘slow to take action’ on Covid-19 grant losses, say MPs Military briefing: Kyiv ignores calls for reset of its ‘sneak and peek’ tactics Travis Kal...
Sep 06, 2023•10 min
Lloyds Banking Group joins HSBC and US group Citi in ordering employees back into the office, a shortage of accountants is causing problems in the US and Brazil’s former president, Jair Bolsonaro, is caught up in a scandal over expensive jewellery from his time in office. Plus, the FT’s Courtney Weaver on the FT’s latest podcast series, ‘The Russian Banker’, about a controversial Russian financier who fled to the US. Mentioned in this podcast: Shortage of young accountants leads BDO USA to doubl...
Sep 05, 2023•10 min
Global growth is set to slow next year after outperforming economists’ expectations so far in 2023, American mothers are re-entering the workforce at high rates, and the Hollywood strikes are starting to bite into California’s economy. Plus, the FT’s Dan McCrum unpacks his latest investigation into India’s Adani Group. Mentioned in this podcast: Economists grow gloomier on 2024 as central banks delay rate cuts Adani shares slide and politicians demand action after reports on hidden investors Sec...
Sep 04, 2023•10 min
UBS has reported the biggest-ever quarterly profit for a bank, eurozone core inflation has edged down, and Switzerland has proposed sweeping measures to clamp down on money laundering. Mentioned in this podcast: UBS breaks record with $29bn profit after Credit Suisse deal ‘Deal of the century’ — How UBS’s rescue of Credit Suisse proved a boon Eurozone core inflation edges down ahead of crunch ECB decision Switzerland unveils money laundering clampdown FT Weekend festival promo code: FTPodcast Th...
Sep 01, 2023•11 min
Military officers in oil-rich Gabon said they had seized power, US commerce secretary Gina Raimondo wrapped up a visit to China, and the billionaire founder of Apple supplier Foxconn is running for president of Taiwan. Mentioned in this podcast: Fed warned Goldman Sachs over risks and compliance oversight at fintech unit Military leaders seize power in oil-rich Gabon US commerce secretary hails ‘new approach’ to handling China business frictions Foxconn founder Terry Gou launches bid for Taiwan ...
Aug 31, 2023•9 min
The EU is set to import record volumes of liquefied natural gas from Russia this year, asset management firm Grayscale won a US court ruling to launch an exchange traded fund tracking bitcoin, and Goldman Sachs has used a fund set up with Chinese state money to buy a series of US and UK companies. Mentioned in this podcast: EU imports record volumes of liquefied natural gas from Russia Grayscale scores major court win against SEC on bitcoin ETF Goldman Sachs bought UK and US companies using Chin...
Aug 30, 2023•9 min
Goldman Sachs plans to sell one of its personal financial management divisions, Brazil's president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is close to sealing an unlikely alliance, and the European defence industry is struggling to keep up with demand for ammunition for the Ukraine war. Plus, European Council president Charles Michel proposes a target date for adding new members to the EU. Mentioned in this podcast: Goldman Sachs sells financial planning unit as part of consumer retreat El Niño’s storm clou...
Aug 29, 2023•9 min
Chinese corporate earnings reports are forecast to log poor performance and companies are set to downgrade outlooks, and policy makers walked away from Jackson Hole acknowledging they need to adjust to the changing global economy. Plus, the FT’s Jamie Smyth explains why Ireland is still in a good position for the life science industry boom despite a higher corporate tax. Mentioned in this podcast: Chinese companies’ earnings to lay bare impact of economic slowdown ‘No playbook’: policymakers fac...
Aug 28, 2023•10 min
Russia's leader Vladimir Putin on Thursday publicly said warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin was dead, the emerging markets group Brics has invited six more countries to join, and Turkey’s central bank has sharply boosted interest rates. Plus, biomedical companies are under more pressure to stop using horseshoe crabs for testing. Mentioned in this podcast: Putin says Prigozhin is dead in first Kremlin reaction to plane crash Brics leaders invite 6 nations including Saudi Arabia to join bloc Turkey raises ...
Aug 25, 2023•10 min
Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has reportedly died after a plane crash north-west of Moscow, Nvidia’s revenue more than doubled in the latest quarter on soaring demand, and US regulators are imposing tougher disclosure rules on private funds. Plus, the FT’s Eli Meixler unpacks the latest developments in Thailand’s government. Mentioned in this podcast: Yevgeny Prigozhin in fatal plane crash, Russian officials say Nvidia’s AI boom exceeds Wall Street’s lofty hopes US regulators i...
Aug 24, 2023•8 min
