FT News Briefing - Financial Times

Latest Episodes:

China’s next stage of the pandemic Dec 07, 2022

Show notes

US stocks slid and the price of Brent crude touched its lowest level since January, and China’s elderly are causing challenges for president Xi Jinping.

Plus, the FT’s Alexandra Heal explains that more women in the UK are turning to sex work due to the struggling economy.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Brent crude oil falls below $80 for first time since January

China’s elderly vaccine refuseniks pose obstacle for Xi Jinping

The women turning to sex work to make ends meet

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, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. 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 Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Could the 4-day work week…work? Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

US stocks fell after new data showed the US services sector grew last month, PwC plans to take advantage of uncertainty at EY by poaching some of its rival’s most senior executives, and China is catching up to Europe in EV battery production. Plus, the FT’s Working It podcast host, Isabel Berwick, talks about a multi-part series on the four-day work week.

Mentioned in this podcast:

US stocks stumble after hotter than expected services data

PwC targets rival EY in bid to expand partnership

Working It podcast series: Four days work for five days pay

Read: The 4-day week: does it actually work?

Note: This episode incorrectly identifies Bank Benitez as the current chief executive of the company of Uncharted. He is the former chief executive.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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The struggle is real for investors in the high-rate era Dec 05, 2022

Show notes

EU and US officials meet today to discuss the effect Washington’s green subsidies plan is having on Europe and Opec is standing pat as the cartel awaits a price cap on Russian oil to go into effect. Plus, the FT’s Katie Martin explains how fund managers are struggling in the new era of higher interest rates.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Von der Leyen promises EU help for companies lured by US green subsidies

Opec+ says ready to adjust oil output as Russia embargo looms

A year of pain: investors struggle in a new era of higher rates

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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The corporate backlash against net zero Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

Brussels is pushing EU member states to agree to a $60 ceiling on global purchases of Russian oil and emerging market stocks and bonds are staging a strong rebound. Plus, a push by the UN to tighten corporate rules around net-zero pledges is sending shudders through some boardrooms, and the world’s largest active volcano, Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, erupted this week after lying dormant for nearly 40 years.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Brussels seeks deal on $60 global price cap for Russian oil

Emerging market stocks and bonds stage powerful rebound rally

Get ready for a net zero business backlash

Boon for scientists as world’s biggest active volcano roars back to life

USGS: Mauna Loa eruption

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Fed hints at less aggressive rate increase Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

Federal Reserve chair Jay Powell signalled the central bank will start to slow the pace of interest rate increases, French president Emanuel Emmanuel Macron is meeting with US president Joe Biden today, and Eurozone inflation finally slowed down. Plus, we get the latest on the fallout from the FTX crypto collapse.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Jay Powell signals Fed will slow pace of rate rises next month

Emmanuel Macron to use US visit to highlight Ukraine war’s economic toll on EU

Eurozone inflation falls more than expected to 10%

Crypto lender BlockFi files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Private equity’s mystery boxes Nov 30, 2022

Show notes

China is enlisting the help of tech giants to reduce its dependence on foreign semiconductor technology, the Federal Reserve is divided over how much to raise interest rates, and private equity firms are selling an investment product similar to the collateralised debt obligations that fuelled the 2008 financial crisis.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Fed officials in danger of splitting on future rate rises, warn economists

China enlists Alibaba and Tencent in fight against US chip sanctions

Collateralised fund obligations: how private equity securitised itself

Alibaba founder Jack Ma living in Tokyo since China’s tech crackdown

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Why are China’s nationwide protests happening now? Nov 29, 2022

Show notes

Europe is importing a record amount of seaborne Russian gas, and Rolls-Royce has successfully tested hydrogen instead of conventional jet fuel to power a modern aircraft engine. Plus, the FT’s Europe-China correspondent, Yuan Yang, explains why the protests in China are supported by a rare nationwide coalition of interests.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Europe’s imports of Russian seaborne gas jump to record high

Rolls-Royce tests hydrogen-fuelled aircraft engine in aviation world first

China’s zero-Covid protests create a rare nationwide coalition of interests

News Clips: AP

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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China rocked by protests against ‘zero-Covid’ policies Nov 28, 2022

Show notes

Zero-Covid protests in Shanghai escalated on Sunday evening as police struggled to disperse large crowds who gathered in the city, and Iranian protests continue but businesses are reluctant to join. Plus, the FT’s Brussels bureau chief, Sam Fleming, discusses the EU’s latest refugee crisis.

Mentioned in this podcast:

China rocked by protests as zero-Covid anger spreads

China’s zero-Covid protests create a rare nationwide coalition of interests

The system is overwhelmed: Europe’s migrant influx

‘Little readiness for general strikes’: Iranians put jobs before pro-democracy protests

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Martin Wolf: The geopolitical threat to globalisation Nov 24, 2022

Show notes

The FT’s chief economics commentator, Martin Wolf, discusses why geopolitics could be the biggest threat to globalisation.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Geopolitics is the biggest threat to globalisation

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Qatar’s bet on the World Cup Nov 23, 2022

Show notes

Mortgage rates in the UK on five-year fixed deals have dipped below 6 per cent for the first time in nearly two months, and US retailers are facing their first real-terms fall in revenues since the global financial crisis this holiday season. Plus, the FT’s gulf correspondent, Simeon Kerr, explains why there’s so much pressure on Qatar as the country hosts the World Cup.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Mortgage rates on five-year fixes tip below 6 per cent

US retailers face first real-terms fall in sales since financial crisis

Video: Qatar's World Cup legacy

FIFA: Saleh Al-Shehri scores for Saudi Arabia vs Argentina!

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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