China’s national chip champions expect to make next-generation smartphone processors as early as this year, and Northern Ireland is trying to chart a path forward under a new, historic power-sharing agreement. Plus, a former Pakistan prime minister is barred from this week’s election but is using chatbots and social media to energise his party’s supporters. **Please note that a segment in today’s episode contains audio that was produced by artificial intelligence.** Mentioned in this podca...
Feb 06, 2024•11 min
Plans for a code on how AI models can use copyrighted materials have stalled in the UK, and US forces carried out strikes against Iran-backed militants over the weekend. Plus, the FT’s Owen Walker explains why the tides are turning against European banks. Mentioned in this podcast: Turkey central bank governor quits and points to campaign against her BNP Paribas shares fall after downgrade to profit target Deutsche Bank pledges to boost dividend and cut jobs Santander earnings boosted by s...
Feb 05, 2024•11 min
Business leaders backed away from Donald Trump after his supporters attacked the US Capitol in 2021. Now, political donors are warming to the former president again as he runs for his party’s nomination ahead of elections later this year. The FT’s Alex Rogers and Edward Luce explain why donations are flowing in the way they are. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 03, 2024•12 min
Meta will reward shareholders with its first-ever dividend and an additional $50bn in share buybacks, US President Joe Biden has approved financial sanctions on Israelis in the West Bank, and Tesla chief executive Elon Musk is hitting back after a Delaware court struck down his $56bn pay package. Plus, the EU has agreed a deal on a €50bn financial support package for Ukraine. Mentioned in this podcast: EU agrees €50bn support package for Ukraine US to put sanctions on Israeli settlers resp...
Feb 02, 2024•11 min
The US Federal Reserve held interest rates at a 23-year high, the EU’s battle with Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán could come to a head on Thursday, and Boeing withheld its usual financial guidance for the coming year while vowing to focus on the safety of its operations. Mentioned in this podcast: Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady as market focuses on timing of 2024 cuts Viktor Orbán: what is the end game for Europe’s chief disrupter? Boeing postpones annual guidance amid ...
Feb 01, 2024•11 min
Microsoft reported record quarterly revenues, the IMF projects the Russian economy and the global economy will grow faster than previously expected, and the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees is in crisis after allegations that some of its staff were involved in the October 7 attacks on Israel. Mentioned in this podcast: Cloud strength and AI excitement boost Microsoft revenue Alphabet’s advertising growth falls short of Wall Street expectations IMF raises Russia growth outlook as war boosts e...
Jan 31, 2024•12 min
Binance has bowed to pressure from customers who want to hold their assets with an independent custodian, a Hong Kong court has ordered property giant China Evergrande to be wound up, and Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is returning to an old but controversial playbook to jump-start the country’s economy. Mentioned in this podcast: Binance bows to trader demands to keep their assets elsewhere Chinese developer Evergrande ordered to be wound up by Hong Kong court China Evergrande liq...
Jan 30, 2024•10 min
Brussels threatens to hit Hungary’s economy if Viktor Orbán vetoes Ukraine aid, the UN’s highest court orders Israel to limit harm to Palestinians in Gaza, Germany’s carmakers are struggling amidst the transition to electric vehicles, and EY and Bank of America are monitoring workers’ in-office attendance. Mentioned in this podcast: ICJ orders Israel to limit harm to Palestinians in Gaza German car suppliers struggle to adjust to EV shift Brussels threatens to hit Hungary’s economy if Vikt...
Jan 29, 2024•12 min
So far the Republican primaries have had very few surprises. Former President Donald Trump continues to be the favourite. On the first episode of Swamp Notes, the FT’s Lauren Fedor and Peter Spiegel unpack how Trump is winning these races as if he were an incumbent, what was in it for the other Republican candidates, and why former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is staying in the race. Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump warns Nikki Haley’s billionaire backers to halt support Nikki Hale...
Jan 27, 2024•14 min
The Federal Trade Commission has launched an inquiry into the partnerships between Big Tech cloud providers and generative AI companies, the European Central Bank is keeping rates on hold, and Boeing’s problems are having a ripple effect on the broader airline industry. Plus, take a sneak peek at a new show we’re launching called Swamp Notes! Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump wins New Hampshire primary but Nikki Haley vows to fight on American Airlines chief says Boeing’s quali...
Jan 26, 2024•11 min
The US aviation regulator has blocked Boeing from expanding production of its most popular plane, the fight between Poland’s Donald Tusk and Andrzej Duda heats up, a research group forecasts 56% of total US fund assets will be passively managed by 2027, the French government presses the UK to help fill a multibillion-pound hole in nuclear projects, and Israel is creating a buffer zone within Gaza. Mentioned in this podcast: Regulator blocks expanded production of Boeing’s 737 Max Feud betw...
Jan 25, 2024•10 min
Turkey’s parliament has voted in favour of Sweden joining Nato and Arab nations are about to unveil a peace plan for Israel and Hamas. Plus, the FT’s Kaye Wiggins explains whether a leadership change can help revive the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Mentioned in this podcast: Turkish parliament votes in favour of Sweden’s accession to Nato How China’s slowdown is deepening Hong Kong’s ‘existential crisis’ Arab nations develop plan to end Israel-Hamas war and create Palestinian state The FT New...
Jan 24, 2024•10 min
An inverted yield curve is sending jitters across the US economy, Japanese IT conglomerate Fujitsu is in hot water over its involvement in the UK Post Office scandal, and new details have emerged over how the SEC’s X account was hacked. Mentioned in this podcast: UK Post Office scandal exposes risks of Fujitsu’s hands-off approach Yield curve adds to mystery over US economy SEC says bitcoin X breach came after phone number was swapped The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, S...
Jan 23, 2024•11 min
Poland secures EU concession to limit food exports from Ukraine, Ron DeSantis ends his bid for the White House, investors turn to BlackRock and Fidelity for new crypto products, the US oil and gas industry is struggling to recruit Gen Z workers, and AI dominates Davos. Mentioned in this podcast: US bitcoin ETFs pull in $871mn in first three days of trading The US shale magnate trying to sell oil and gas jobs to Generation Z The top takeaways from this year’s World Economic Forum Poland secures E...
Jan 22, 2024•12 min
UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt has signalled he wants to cut taxes further in the coming months, the conflict in the Red Sea is rekindling fears over oil and inflation, and the FT’s Anjana Ahuja says scientists have developed artificial intelligence models to predict how long people will live. Mentioned in this podcast: UK chancellor signals he wants more tax cuts before election Why US strikes in Middle East are rekindling fears over oil and inflation Could an AI ‘death calculator’ actually be...
Jan 19, 2024•11 min
A top IMF official has warned that central banks need to move cautiously on cutting rates this year, BP has appointed interim boss Murray Auchincloss as its permanent chief executive, and Rishi Sunak quelled a rightwing Conservative revolt over his flagship Rwanda asylum bill. Plus, the FT’s Joe Leahy explains why China’s population decline accelerated in 2023 as its economy grew at one of the lowest rates in decades. Mentioned in this podcast: IMF official warns central banks against fuel...
Jan 18, 2024•10 min
Wage growth is slowing in the world’s largest economies, a federal judge stopped JetBlue’s planned deal to buy Spirit Airlines, and the EU’s tax on ‘dirty’ imports could fragment global trade. Plus, the FT’s Lauren Fedor explains the uphill battle for the Republican presidential nomination that Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis are facing. Mentioned in this podcast: Wage growth slows in world’s major economies How global trade could fragment after the EU’s tax on ‘dirty’ imports JetBlue’s $3.8b...
Jan 17, 2024•11 min
Red Sea shipping route remains dangerous. What's behind Chinese carmaker BYD's success in the electric vehicle market? And new figures show Germany was the world’s weakest-performing major economy last year. Mentioned in this podcast: Germany was worst-performing major economy last year China’s electric vehicle dominance presents a challenge to the west Wang Chuanfu, the driving force behind BYD’s rise The FT News Briefing was produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Persis Love...
Jan 16, 2024•9 min
Taiwan’s presidential election shows that voters are willing to defy China, the 2024 US presidential election kicks off today, and American banks say that American consumers are in good shape. Mentioned in this podcast: What Taiwanese voters’ defiance means for China Banks say US consumers in good shape but poll shows Biden gets no credit Iowa poll shows Trump far ahead of rivals in Republican race Credit: CBS News The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Brouss...
Jan 15, 2024•11 min
The US and the UK have carried out military strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels, US inflation numbers for December cool expectations for interest rate cuts in March. Plus, the FT’s Tom Wilson explains why the world’s biggest mining project took so long to get off the ground and whether it was worth the headache. Mentioned in this podcast: US and UK launch strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen Buckle up — the inflation battle is entering a new phase World’s biggest mining project to ...
Jan 12, 2024•12 min
US President Joe Biden plans to send a high-level delegation to Taipei after the election in Taiwan on Saturday, the US Securities and Exchange Commission has approved the first spot bitcoin exchange traded funds, and the Iran-backed militant group known as the Houthis are stepping up its attacks in the Red Sea. Mentioned in this podcast: Joe Biden to send delegation to Taipei after Taiwan’s election Taiwan’s pivotal vote: China casts shadow over island’s election SEC approves first spot b...
Jan 11, 2024•11 min
Chinese companies are resorting to chips repurposed from standard PC gaming products to develop artificial intelligence tools, and Charles Michel’s run for European parliament is causing a scramble to replace him. Plus, a new TV show is firing Brits up over a decades-old post office scandal. Mentioned in this podcast: Chinese companies resort to repurposing Nvidia gaming chips for AI How Charles Michel’s parliament plan fires up the EU’s top job battle How a Post Office drama galvanised Br...
Jan 10, 2024•11 min
Shares in Boeing and supplier Spirit AeroSystems tumbled after a mid-flight accident, and tens of thousands of Afghan women and girls have been able to join online study programmes despite the Taliban’s ban on female education. Mentioned in this podcast: Boeing and supplier shares fall after mid-flight Alaska Airlines accident Afghan women and girls flock online to evade Taliban curbs on female education Biden says he is pressing Israel to ‘significantly get out’ of Gaza Israel says it has...
Jan 09, 2024•10 min
A pile up of bad debt threatens to sour investors’ growing optimism about the prospects for the US’s largest banks, and European football clubs are pouring money into transforming stadiums. Plus, the FT’s Joe Miller explains why another bad bet by SoftBank could be trouble for the Japanese group. Mentioned in this podcast: SoftBank’s Gen Z social media bust: was IRL the next Facebook or a fraud? The European football clubs turning stadiums into cash cows Largest US banks set to log sharp r...
Jan 08, 2024•12 min
One of the world’s top gold producers fired its chief executive for serious misconduct, Chinese provinces pumped a record $31bn of capital into fragile regional banks last year, and German inflation accelerated to its fastest rate for three months in December. Plus, a study shows widespread untracked fishing is hindering global efforts to protect depleted fish stocks and marine environments. Mentioned in this podcast: Endeavour Mining CEO dismissed for serious misconduct Off-radar fishing ...
Jan 05, 2024•10 min
Minutes from the December Federal Reserve meeting show that officials were committed to higher-for-longer interest rates, convertible bonds have been a rare bright spot for corporate fundraising, and two bombs killed more than a hundred people in southern Iran yesterday. Plus, some Russians convicted of gruesome crimes are returning to their communities after fighting in Ukraine. Mentioned in this podcast: Fed officials said rates could remain high ‘for some time’ US companies dive i...
Jan 04, 2024•11 min
Russia has fired a second massive barrage of the new year on Ukraine’s capital and the country’s second-largest city, Benjamin Netanyahu’s rightwing allies have blasted Israel’s top court for striking down a controversial law aimed at overhauling the country's judiciary, and BlackRock’s lead in the US exchange traded fund market is being eroded by Vanguard and smaller rivals. Mentioned in this podcast: Russia pounds Ukraine in new year’s second massive air strike Benjamin Netanyahu’s allies blas...
Jan 03, 2024•10 min
The FT’s Peter Spiegel, Katie Martin and Elaine Moore preview what could happen in geopolitics, markets and artificial intelligence in 2024. The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. 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 Metapho...
Jan 02, 2024•13 min
FT News Briefing presents a special episode from Slate’s “What Next” podcast , hosted by Mary Harris. Everybody loves pandas—and China knows it. As we say goodbye to the National Zoo’s pandas, this Slate podcast looks back at 50 years of “panda diplomacy” and consider its uncertain future. Join Harris as she speaks with E. Elena Songster, author of Panda Nation: The Construction and Conservation of China’s Modern Icon and professor of environmental history of modern China...
Dec 29, 2023•29 min
Are generative AI systems such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT really intelligent? Large language models such as GPT 4 appear to use human-level cognitive abilities when they engage in legal reasoning, write essays or solve complex problems. Hosts John Thornhill and Madhumita Murgia speak to Emily Bender, professor of computational linguistics at the University of Washington, to find out what’s really happening under the hood, and also hear from Pablo Arredondo of CaseText, which develops AI tools for lawye...
Dec 28, 2023•29 min
