The US proposed effectively banning Chinese cars, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz came out against a UniCredit takeover of Commerzbank and Israel carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Lebanon. Plus, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will try to turn around the Labour party’s mood during a speech at the party conference. Mentioned in this podcast: US proposes banning Chinese software and components in vehicles Israeli strikes kill more than 490 in Lebanon, says health ministry Olaf Scholz says Germany...
Sep 24, 2024•10 min
Olaf Scholz’s SPD narrowly fends off the AfD in Brandenburg’s state election, and chipmaker Qualcomm approaches Intel about a potential takeover. AI search engine Perplexity mounts an ambitious effort to break Google’s stranglehold over the $300bn digital ads industry. Plus, a strike at three dozen US ports could upend supply chains and raise prices just weeks before Election Day . Mentioned in this podcast: Germany’s SPD leads far right in Brandenburg election Perplexity in talks with top brand...
Sep 23, 2024•10 min
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his running mate senator JD Vance have spent the past few weeks pushing a false claim that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio are eating residents’ pets. The FT’s US national editor, Ed Luce, and New York correspondent, Joshua Chaffin, join this week’s Swamp Notes to discuss why misinformation is a powerful electoral strategy and whether the truth matters to voters. Mentioned in this podcast: ‘It’s ugly’: Donald Trump’s Haitian pet-eating claim...
Sep 21, 2024•15 min
The S&P 500 hit a record high, Europe’s biggest hope for dominance in EV batteries is struggling to hang on and the Bank of England held interest rates steady. Plus, the FT’s Brooke Masters explains why customers are getting fed up with airline loyalty programmes. Mentioned in this podcast: S&P 500 hits new record after Fed makes jumbo cut to US interest rates Europe’s great battery hope Northvolt fights for survival Bank of England holds rates at 5% The fury of the frequent flyer The FT...
Sep 20, 2024•12 min
The Federal Reserve’s interest rate easing began with a half-point cut, and the UK’s financial watchdog has stepped up pressure on banks to offer more attractive interest rates on deposits. The FT’s Mehul Srivastava unravels the supply chain behind the pagers that exploded in Lebanon this week. Mentioned in this podcast: Federal Reserve cuts rates by half a point and signals era of easing has begun UK regulator pushes banks to give savers better value even as rates fall From Taipei to Budapest: ...
Sep 19, 2024•10 min
BlackRock and Microsoft are launching a $30bn data centre fund to meet the growing demands of artificial intelligence, and BP puts its onshore US wind business up for sale. Meta is making teenagers’ Instagram accounts private by default and EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager speaks to the FT about her efforts to regulate in Big Tech. Mentioned in this podcast: BlackRock and Microsoft plan $30bn fund to invest in AI infrastructure BP puts $2bn US onshore wind business up for sale Instagram t...
Sep 18, 2024•10 min
The EU is preparing to provide up to €40bn in new loans for Ukraine by the end of the year, and Boeing is considering temporary furloughs as its machinists continue to strike. The company behind ChatGPT is launching a new product it claims can solve complex mathematical and scientific problems. Plus, former European Central Bank president Mario Draghi launches a master plan to boost EU competitiveness. Mentioned in this podcast: EU plans to raise up to €40bn in loans for Ukraine without US Boein...
Sep 17, 2024•12 min
Both the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England are set to announce interest rate decisions this week. In China, venture capital finance has dried up amid political and economic pressures. Plus, Indonesian palm oil producers warn of global supply chain disruption if the EU bans imported commodities linked to deforestation. Mentioned in this podcast: Jay Powell’s big week How China has ‘throttled’ its private sector Indonesia warns of ‘chaos’ from EU deforestation law The FT News Briefing is pro...
Sep 16, 2024•11 min
On this week’s special episode of Swamp Notes, four FT journalists discuss the historic first debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, and answer all your most-pressing questions about the US presidential race. The FT’s US managing editor, Peter Spiegel, moderates the discussion alongside deputy Washington bureau chief, Lauren Fedor, global business columnist, Rana Foroohar, and chief foreign affairs columnist, Gideon Rachman. Mentioned in this podcast: Kamala Harris has passed a big test ...
Sep 14, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Investors snapped up consumer staples such as Coca-Cola and Colgate-Palmolive amid concerns over a potential slowdown in the US economy. Abu Dhabi’s oil company Adnoc could offer €14.4bn for German chemical group Covestro, and the European Central Bank cut interest rates to 3.5 per cent. Plus, people in Los Angeles are encouraged to park their car obsession ahead of the 2028 Olympics, and amateur astronauts completed the first private spacewalk. Investors pile into Coca-Cola and Colgate as reces...
Sep 13, 2024•13 min
The Italian lender UniCredit has amassed a 9 per cent stake in Commerzbank, and US inflation fell to 2.5 per cent in August. Plus, Argentines are declaring hundreds of millions of dollars of previously hidden savings in a tax amnesty and Mexico’s Senate approved a radical plan to have voters elect all its judges. Mentioned in this podcast: US inflation falls to 2.5% in August UniCredit’s push for European bank consolidation looks on target Javier Milei’s tax amnesty lures Argentines to declare h...
Sep 12, 2024•11 min
The EU’s top court orders Apple to pay €13bn in back taxes, and the Federal Reserve halves its proposed capital requirement increase for the largest US banks. Plus, we talk to the FT’s Benjamin Parkin about the Taliban’s warming relations with a growing number of regional powers. Mentioned in this podcast: Top EU court rules Apple must pay €13bn in back taxes Federal Reserve halves proposed capital requirement rise for largest US banks Taliban’s closer ties with UAE signal global divide over Afg...
Sep 11, 2024•12 min
Apple launches the iPhone 16 with generative AI features, and France’s new PM needs more time to submit the country’s debt plans. Kamala Harris is under pressure to perform in tonight’s debate against Donald Trump. Plus, Intel’s plunging share price and manufacturing troubles shatter its hopes for a turnaround. Mentioned in this podcast: Apple launches iPhone 16 with AI features to roll out in coming months France asks EU for more time to submit debt plan Kamala Harris faces crucial debate as po...
Sep 10, 2024•12 min
Enthusiasm about artificial intelligence masks a recession in the technology sector, and a new exchange traded fund looks specifically for ‘reject’ stocks. Plus, Google heads back to court over fresh antitrust allegations, and Chinese car buyers ditch Tesla for local alternatives. Mentioned in this podcast: AI exuberance masks broad weakness in tech sector, say investors Star manager Rob Arnott launches ETF to buy up index ‘rejects’ Google’s $20bn ad tech business to play for at next antitrust s...
Sep 09, 2024•10 min
Democrats and Republicans have taken a protectionist turn on trade policy over the past few years. They say it’s to protect national security, but that argument doesn’t always hold up. Just look at this week’s announcement from vice-president Kamala Harris that she doesn’t support the purchase of US Steel by Japan’s Nippon Steel. The FT’s economics editor, Sam Fleming, and Washington bureau chief, James Politi, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why both parties are leaning into “Made in Am...
Sep 07, 2024•13 min
President Emmanuel Macron has named the EU’s former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as France’s next prime minister. Plus, Europe’s sustainable investment funds double down on defence stocks, and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy carries out his biggest wartime cabinet reshuffle yet. Mentioned in this podcast: Europe’s ESG funds more than double defence holdings amid Ukraine war Michel Barnier promises respect for ‘all political forces’ as French PM Zelenskyy seeks ‘new energy’ with Ukrain...
Sep 06, 2024•12 min
Volkswagen calls for drastic measures to bolster profits, and President Joe Biden wants to block a Japanese company’s acquisition of US Steel. Plus, damning findings about the Grenfell Tower fire surface, and Egypt’s journey from gas bonanza to power blackouts Mentioned in this podcast: Joe Biden set to block Nippon Steel’s takeover of US Steel Volkswagen warns staff it has ‘a year, maybe two’ to adapt to lower demand ‘Incompetence, dishonesty and greed’: Key findings of Grenfell report Egypt’s ...
Sep 05, 2024•12 min
Big tech groups including Nvidia led a broad US stock market sell-off on Tuesday, and Huawei’s AI chips are dealing with some bugs. Plus, US homebuilders are facing their biggest credit crunch in more than a decade, and foreign investors are backing out of Indian equities. Mentioned in this podcast: US homebuilders face credit crunch as banks cut lending Huawei’s bug-ridden software hampers China’s efforts to replace Nvidia in AI Global stocks slide as investors fret over US slowdown Foreign inv...
Sep 04, 2024•11 min
The UK blocks some arms shipments to Israel, audit firms are fighting against new oversight rules in the US, and the same technology that brought us Covid-19 vaccines could also be used to fight cancer. Plus, the Oasis revival tour is so popular it triggered a UK investigation into Ticketmaster. Mentioned in this podcast: UK to halt exports of some arms to Israel citing possible law breaches External Link The Covid-era tech that could reinvent cancer care Accountancy firms fight back against aud...
Sep 03, 2024•11 min
Germany's far-right makes significant inroads in state elections, and Israel’s largest union calls for a general strike. Plus, so-called ‘greedlation’ becomes a campaign issue for the Democrats, and Hong Kong wants workers to smile more. Mentioned in this podcast: Alternative for Germany wins its first regional election Hostage deaths build pressure on Netanyahu for Hamas deal Greedflation and groceries Hong Kong service workers told to smile more to attract tourists The FT News Briefing is prod...
Sep 02, 2024•14 min
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have different approaches to the media: Trump talks a lot, and Harris talks a little. But the candidates share one thing in common: they’re both sceptical of mainstream outlets. The FT’s US managing editor, Peter Spiegel, and Los Angeles bureau chief, Christopher Grimes, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why. Mentioned in this podcast: Kamala Harris versus the media ‘Way too much news’: US conservatives face a fragmented media map Sign up for the FT’s Swamp N...
Aug 31, 2024•14 min
Turkey’s stock rally hits reverse as juicy interest rates lure savers out of the market, and the FT’s Polina Ivanova explains how Telegram is a lifeline for both Russian and Ukrainian troops and civilians. Plus, Cornell University’s Eswar Prasad says Thailand could open a window into how central bank digital currencies might be used in future. Mentioned in this podcast: Turkey’s blazing stock rally falters with high rates luring savers away War unfiltered: how Telegram straddles the Ukraine fron...
Aug 30, 2024•12 min
Nvidia’s record-breaking earnings still somehow disappointed investors, China’s use of the renminbi in cross-border trading is at a record high, and Berkshire Hathaway becomes the first publicly traded US company outside of tech to be valued at $1tn. Plus, Ford’s big plans to boost profits continue to fall short. Mentioned in this podcast: Nvidia revenue more than doubles as demand for AI chips remains strong China’s international use of renminbi surges to record highs Warren Buffett’s Berkshire...
Aug 29, 2024•10 min
The Japanese operator of 7-Eleven is discussing ways to defend itself against a takeover bid by Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard, Chinese export controls on crucial semiconductor materials are starting to hit supply chains, and the fintech company Klarna plans to axe almost half of its staff in favour of artificial intelligence. Plus, Nasa is turning to Elon Musk’s SpaceX after Boeing’s Starliner, which was meant to bring two US astronauts home, suffered technical problems. Mentioned in this po...
Aug 28, 2024•12 min
French authorities detain Telegram’s chief executive as part of a content moderation investigation, which has reignited the debate about free speech online. Plus, oil prices reached a two-week high as Libya says it is shutting down oil production, and Grenada triggers a first-of-its-kind ‘hurricane clause’ to pause its debt repayments. Mentioned in this podcast: Oil hits 2-week high after Libya says it will shut down crude exports Grenada triggers ‘hurricane clause’ to suspend bond payments Tele...
Aug 27, 2024•12 min
Israel’s military launched a wave of air strikes in southern Lebanon on Sunday, small-dollar donations surged to Kamala Harris’s campaign after she replaced Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket, and the world’s largest aerospace and defence companies are set to rake in record levels of cash over the next three years. Plus, computer programming might be the first job function to be transformed by the latest wave of AI technology. Mentioned in this podcast: Top defence contractors set to rake in rec...
Aug 26, 2024•12 min
Democrats from across the US gathered in Chicago for their presidential convention this week, promising to move past the Donald Trump-era of American politics. But if their newly-minted nominee, vice-president Kamala Harris, wins November’s election, she’ll have her work cut out to keep her party together. The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief, Lauren Fedor, and US political news editor, Derek Brower, join this week’s Swamp Notes from Chicago to explain what the future of the party might look ...
Aug 24, 2024•18 min
Kamala Harris made a bid for national unity at a rapturous Democratic National Convention. Plus, all eyes are on Jackson Hole today, where the Fed will reveal how it will lower US interest rates without triggering a recession. Meanwhile, investors are hedging their bets on these cuts coming soon, sending gold soaring. Mentioned in this podcast: Kamala Harris pitches unity message as she makes her case to American voters Gold goes for it Gold hits record highs as investors bet on rate cuts Coolin...
Aug 23, 2024•12 min
PwC faces a six-month business ban in China, and Mexico’s Supreme Court judges go on strike. Plus, a potential takeover of 7-Eleven may set the tone for a new era of Japanese acquisitions. Mentioned in this podcast: PwC expects six-month ban in China over Evergrande audit Mexico’s judges to strike over López Obrador’s plan to fire them After 7-Eleven, Japan’s M&A scene may never be the same again The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and...
Aug 22, 2024•12 min
China’s flagship fund to buy up unsold housing is off to a limp start, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is to prioritise domestic spending. Plus, a growing number of Americans are suffering from tip fatigue. Mentioned in this podcast: China’s landmark property rescue plan limps off the starting line The US tipping system is teetering Saudi wealth fund brings era of easy money to an end The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc ...
Aug 21, 2024•11 min
