FT News in Focus

For the world's largest and most influential companies, 2016 brought plenty of megadeals, controversies, crises and some big cross border investments. Matthew Vincent discusses the most notable of these with Brooke Masters, the FT's companies editor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A terror attack on a Christmas market in Berlin has shocked Germany and seems likely to add to pressure on Angela Merkel, the chancellor, over her decision to welcome so many refugees from the Middle East. The FT's Guy Chazan reports from Berlin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LLoyds Bank has struck a £1.9bn deal to buy credit card company MBNA from a subsidiary of Bank of America, in its first acquisition since a taxpayer-funded rescue more than seven years ago. Patrick Jenkins asks Martin Arnold, FT banking editor, what the deal means for the UK bank. Music by Kevin MacLeod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joseph Kabila, president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was credited with helping broker the end of the country's bloody civil war in 2003. But after two terms in office, his refusal to step down is threatening to tip the country back into violence. David Pilling, the FT's Africa editor, talks to John Aglionby, a regional correspondent just back from Kinshasa, about the crisis. Clip courtesy of Reuters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deloitte’s Brazilian arm was fined a record $8m this month for falsifying reports and providing false testimony during an investigation into the audits of a low-cost airline. This case and others like it reflect growing scrutiny of auditing carried out by the Big Four accounting firms in different regions of the world, Brooke Masters, the FT's companies editor, tells Matthew Vincent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boeing has signed a $16.6bn deal with Iran’s national carrier in the first major deal between a US company and Iran since the 1979 revolution. Matthew Vincent asks Peggy Hollinger, FT industry editor, and Geoff Dyer, US diplomatic correspondent, whether the deal could be scuppered by the incoming administration of Donald Trump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest stage of Jean-Pierre Mustier’s plan for Italy's largest bank involves slashing jobs and shedding a vast bad-debt portfolio. Patrick Jenkins, the FT's financial editor discusses the plan with Martin Arnold, banking editor. With clips from Unicredit's chief executive Jean-Pierre Mustier. Music by Kevin MacLeod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oliver Bäte, chief executive of the German insurer Allianz, talks to the FT's Patrick Jenkins and Oliver Ralph about the company's digital growth strategy and contingency planning in light of the uncertainty resulting from the US election and the UK vote to leave the European Union Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How should journalists respond to readers who comment on their articles? Should offensive comments be deleted? Sarah Gordon, the FT's business editor, discusses the merits of engaging with readers with Andrew Hill, management editor, Lilah Raptopoulos, from the FT's audience engagement team, and Sarah O’Connor, employment correspondent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Park Geun-hye, South Korea's president, embroiled in a corruption scandal, is facing an impeachment vote on Friday, while her so-called "shaman adviser" has been indicted on a host of charges. Meanwhile, the country's top businessmen have been hauled before a parliamentary inquiry. Victor Mallet discusses the crisis and possible outcomes with Bryan Harris, FT correspondent in Seoul. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Flashing lights offer hope for a radical new non-drug treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, according to research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It found that flickering at a frequency of 40 times per second induced brain waves that helped clear toxic proteins in a study on mice. John Murray-Brown talks to Clive Cookson, the FT's science editor, about the breakthrough. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matteo Renzi has lost his referendum on constitutional reform, plunging the country into political and financial crisis. Patrick Jenkins, the FT's financial editor, discusses the fallout for the banking sector with Martin Arnold, banking editor, Rachel Sanderson, Milan correspondent, and Davide Serra of investment fund Algebris. Music by Kevin MacLeod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mexico has invited outside investors into its energy sector after a gap of nearly 80 years. It sold several deep water exploration blocs in the Gulf of Mexico, with China being one of the big winners. Jonathan Wheatley talks to David Sheppard, the FT's energy markets editor, about the reforms, with clips from an interview they conducted recently with José Antonio Meade, Mexico's finance minister, and José Antonio González Anaya, chief exec of state oil company Pemex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A fierce Russia-backed aerial assault on Syria’s rebels in Aleppo has helped regime forces capture more than a third of rebel-held districts. Now it appears the rebels are in secret talks with Russia to end the fighting in the city. John Murray-Brown talks to Erika Solomon, FT Middle East correspondent about what's behind this latest development in the conflict Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Italy's prime minister Matteo Renzi has vowed to step down if, as polls suggest, he loses Sunday's referendum on constitutional reform. Some fear this could hit the economy and banking sector hard. John Murray Brown discusses the likely repercussions with Tony Barber, the FT's Europe editor, and James Politi, Rome bureau chief. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this month, Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, declared 86 per cent of the country’s bank notes invalid in a measure aimed at curbing the country’s black market. But the immediate effect was to slam the brakes on the economy. Jonathan Wheatley discusses the longer term consequences with Kiran Stacey, FT correspondent in New Delhi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There have been encouraging signs recently that tech companies are expanding their operations in London, despite Brexit. Chris Nuttall discusses whether the trend can last with Madhumita Murgia, the FT's European technology correspondent, and Judith Evans, property correspondent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In his first Budget statement, Philip Hammond said he wanted to get the economy 'match fit' for Brexit, but admitted that worsening public finances would mean the UK needed to borrow more. Barney Thompson talks to Chris Giles, FT economics editor, and George Parker, political editor, about the chancellor's most striking announcements. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brussels plans to tighten rules for overseas banks operating in the EU in a tit-for-tat step against the US that will raise costs for big foreign lenders. Does this mean the global consensus on bank rules is breaking down? Patrick Jenkins, FT financial editor, discusses the issue with colleagues Martin Arnold and Caroline Binham, and hears the view of Andrea Enria, chairman of the European Banking Authority. Music by Kevin MacLeod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Saudi Arabia is preparing to lift the lid on one of the global energy industry's most closely guarded secrets - how much crude lies beneath the desert kingdom's sands. David Sheppard interviews the FT's oil and gas correspondent Anjli Raval Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UK attempts to encourage business growth have tended to focus on start-ups, but under Theresa May’s government, scale-ups are starting to win favour. Recent research has shown that they account for an outsize share of economic and jobs growth, as the FT's Andy Bounds reports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Companies doing business in Mexico, heavily exposed to global trade, or reliant upon US regulation have been judged the big losers under a Donald Trump presidency by international stock market investors. But how clear cut is the picture? Matthew Vincent puts the question to Brooke Masters, FT companies editor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Asia-focused lender has reported a small after tax loss but delighted shareholders with the news that it was to return more capital to investors. Patrick Jenkins, FT financial editor, discusses the results with Ronit Ghose, head of global banks research at Citigroup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October has been one of the busiest for global deal making on record, with the total value of deals topping $500bn. Matthew Vincent asks Arash Massoudi, FT M&A correspondent, what's behind the trend and whether it's likely to continue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Opposition to Jacob Zuma is growing after an official report found evidence of possible corruption at the top level of his government. David Pilling, the FT's Africa editor, asks Joseph Cotterill, southern Africa correspondent, how bad it now looks for the South African president. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A key race — and the national gun debate in the US — has been shaken up by a Democratic Senate candidate with a striking ad. But it's part of a bigger shift in the 2016 election. Shawn Donnan reports from Missouri. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK government is facing growing criticism over its strategy on negotiations to leave the European Union. The FT's Patrick Jenkins and Martin Arnold discuss a recent warning by influential MP Andrew Tyrie that the lack of transparency on Brexit risks hurting the economy. Music by Kevin MacLeod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Carney, Bank of England governor, has endured a barrage of criticism over his forecasts about the economic cost of Brexit. At a time of uncertainty over the terms of Britain's departure from the EU, many see him as an indispensable source of stability and he is expected to make clear this week that he is willing to stay on until the end of his eight year term. Barney Thompson discusses the controversy with Chris Giles, FT economics editor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rise of Iceland’s Pirates party is a striking example of the anti-establishment mood that has swept western countries since the financial crisis. Founded by a ragtag bunch of internet activists, the party is hoping for victory in Saturday’s parliamentary elections. Orla Ryan asks Richard Milne, the FT's Nordics correspondent, what they stand for. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are fresh doubts about ChemChina's proposed acquisition of Syngenta - amid increasing signs that the west is stiffening its opposition to Chinese takeovers of US and European companies. Andrew Parker discusses what's behind these doubts with the FT's Arash Massoudi and James Kynge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The FT's Robert Wright discusses the UK government's controversial decision to back a new runway at London's overcrowded Heathrow airport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Italy's Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, one of Europe's most troubled lenders, has announced a new restructuring plan. Martin Arnold is joined by the FT's Christopher Thompson and Filippo Alloatti of Hermes Investment Management to discuss whether the turnround plan can work. Music: Kevin MacLeod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a US election dominated by character attacks, coal country stands out as a region where a single policy question — what to do about unemployed miners — still eclipses all else. The FT's Barney Jopson reports from the mountains of Appalachia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The military campaign to recapture Iraq's second city of Mosul from Isis is the biggest test yet for Iraq's armed forces and allied militias. The FT's Erika Soloman reports from northern Iraq on how the campaign is going. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Goldman Sachs has led an impressive performance by US banks in the latest round of quarterly results. Patrick Jenkins, the FT's financial editor, discusses Wall Street's bounce back with Alistair Gray, US financial correspondent.Music by Kevin MacLeod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte heads to China this week for talks that will test whether his anti-US rhetoric will lead to a fundamental security shake-up on Asia’s seas. James Kynge discusses the trip and its implications with the FT's Tony Tassell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm Moore discusses the merits of the decision to award the prestigious literature prize to a singer songwriter, with FT journalists Ed Crooks and Robert Wright.Music credit: All Along the Watchtower by Bob Dylan, Columbia Records Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

South Africa's finance minister Pravin Gordhan has been summoned to a court on fraud charges. The charges relate to his time at the head of the South African Revenue Service, but many observers believe the investigation is politically-motivated. Lionel Barber, FT editor, interviewed Mr Gordhan earlier this month about the allegations, the economy and the state of democracy in South Africa Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump's campaign for the presidency is in trouble after the release of a tape in which he was heard to make lewd comments about women. Four weeks before the US election, Lionel Barber, FT editor, takes stock of the campaign, with columnist Ed Luce and companies editor Brooke Masters. Music by David Sappa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

European regulators gave the German lender special treatment in this summer's stress tests, the FT has discovered. Patrick Jenkins asks Caroline Binham, financial regulation correspondent, and Laura Noonan, investment banking correspondent, to explain what was behind the decision. Music by Kevin MacLeod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The transformation of Joice Mujuru from revolutionary hero and life-long Mugabe comrade to opposition leader encapsulates the political turmoil shaking Zimbabwe. David Pilling, the FT's Africa editor, spoke to her about her political ambitions during a visit to London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UK banks have begun to adopt artificial intelligence to speed up processes and customer interaction, with RBS in the vanguard. Patrick Jenkins, the FT's financial editor, discusses the development with Emma Dunkley, UK retail banking correspondent, and RBS's Jane Howard. Music by Kevin MacLeod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ohio is a pivotal state in any US presidential election. No Republican has ever won without it. As Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton struggle to rally black voters, the FT's Joe Rennison visits a neighbourhood in Cleveland to see how members of the local black community feel about the candidates clamouring for their support. Music by David Sappa Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Colombians will vote on Sunday in a referendum on a peace accord that brings to an end a bloody civil war that lasted for over 50 years. John Paul Rathbone, FT Latin America editor, and Andres Schipani, Andes correspondent, tell Jonathan Wheatley why Colombians still have doubts about the accord. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A battle for the camera drone market has broken out, with action camera maker GoPro taking on the current leader DJI. Both companies have unveiled new products that are small enough to fold into a backpack. Chris Nuttall asks the FT's Tim Bradshaw in San Francisco who's winning the camera drone war. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deutsche Bank is at the centre of an intense market sell-off, reflecting investor concern about a looming fine from the US government. Patrick Jenkins, the FT's financial editor, asks Laura Noonan, investment banking correspondent, and Chris Wheeler, an analyst at Atlantic Equities, if there's any way out for the German lender. Music by Kevin MacLeod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UN estimates 400,000 Central Americans cross illegally into Mexico each year and as many as half of those are fleeing violence. As pressure builds for measures to stem the flow of migrants, the FT's Jude Webber tells one woman's story. Visit FT.com for more on the story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Google’s big bet on computers that can teach themselves is about to face its most significant test. One of its latest products, an intelligent digital assistant, is intended to usher in a more natural and intelligent form of human-computer interaction, based on the use of everyday language. Chris Nuttal discusses the development with Richard Waters, the FT's West Coast editor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain's exit from the European Union is causing headaches for thousands of companies that rely on 'passporting rights' to do business in other European countries. Patrick Jenkins discusses the scale of the problem with Martin Arnold, the FT's banking editor and Laura Noonan, investment banking correspondent. Music: Kevin MacLeod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US authorities arrested Ahmad Khan Rahami on Monday in connection with weekend bombings in New York and New Jersey. The FT's Gregory Meyer reports from Elizabeth, New Jersey. Clips courtesy of Reuters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.