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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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 C...
Sep 21, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Sep 19, 2023•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 In...
Sep 18, 2023•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 r...
Sep 15, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Sep 14, 2023•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 bank...
Sep 13, 2023•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Sep 12, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ‘climbdow...
Sep 11, 2023•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Sep 08, 2023•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 uran...
Sep 07, 2023•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Trav...
Sep 06, 2023•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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 i...
Sep 04, 2023•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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: FTPodc...
Sep 01, 2023•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 T...
Aug 31, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 co...
Aug 30, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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 r...
Aug 25, 2023•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 regula...
Aug 24, 2023•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Markets are looking for signals from Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell during this week’s Jackson Hole symposium, global stock markets have lost about $3tn in value this month and there has been a mixed reaction to China’s approach to monetary policy. Mentioned in this podcast: Central bankers to make ‘higher-for-longer’ rate pitch at Jackson Hole Global stocks head for worst month in nearly a year China’s rate caution shines light on $56tn banking system Credit: Fox News Brian Kilmeade:...
Aug 23, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Description: The sell-off in US government debt continued to hit the world’s largest bond market on Monday, and Silicon Valley start-ups are wondering whether Arm’s listing will reignite the IPO market. Plus, the FT’s foreign editor, Alec Russell, explains why a new geopolitical order is emerging. Mentioned in this podcast: US Treasury yields hit 16-year high on fears over interest rate outlook Silicon Valley start-ups revive listing plans as Arm reignites IPO market The à la carte w...
Aug 22, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Some of private equity’s biggest names are handing over companies they own to the lending arms of rivals, and Iran is dealing with the consequences of ultra-cheap petrol. Plus, the FT’s Christine Murray explains how the shipping industry is dealing with a severe drought that’s slowing down traffic through the Panama Canal. Mentioned in this podcast: Private equity firms hand over assets to creditors as distress rates rise Iran grapples with unintended consequences of ultra-cheap petrol Sev...
Aug 21, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast US mortgage rates have soared to a 21-year high, US retailer earnings reports send mixed messages on consumer spending, and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are buying up thousands of the high-performance Nvidia chips crucial for building artificial intelligence software. Mentioned in this podcast: Walmart sales rise as inflation keeps consumers hunting for bargains Target sales hit by Pride backlash and consumer caution Saudi Arabia and UAE race to buy Nvidia chips to power AI am...
Aug 18, 2023•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Who is Sergei Leontiev? To the US asylum system, he’s an exiled Russian banker who was persecuted by the state and forced to flee. To Russia, he’s said to be responsible for massive fraud. On The Russian Banker, a new series from the Financial Times, reporters Courtney Weaver and Stefania Palma try to uncover the truth, and find a story that tells us about Russia today and how people in the west build stories about who’s good and who’s bad. The Russian Banker is a special series ...
Aug 17, 2023•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lower gas and electricity costs drove a sharp drop in headline UK inflation in July, Fitch Ratings has downgraded WeWork, and there’s increasing anxiety in China over the real estate sector’s stability. Mentioned in this podcast: UK inflation slows to 6.8% in July as energy prices fall WeWork credit rating cut further into junk territory by Fitch Retail investors complain to Chinese regulator about Zhongzhi Country Garden crisis brings new pain to China’s property sector Looking for a fres...
Aug 17, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
