FT News in Focus

Las Vegas has become one of the hot spots in the US solar power boom, creating tensions with local utilities. Ed Crooks, US industry and energy editor, reports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final episode of this series, Henry Mance looks at Angus Deaton's views on foreign aid, how US politics is influencing the debate on climate change and the Keystone pipeline. He also talks to FT leader writer James Blitz about UK plans for more internet surveillance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US group Activision Blizzard is paying $5.9bn for the creator of Candy Crush Saga, in the gaming industry’s biggest deal since Microsoft bought Minecraft last year. Robert Cookson talks to Tim Bradshaw, the FT's technology correspondent in San Francisco, about the deal.Music by David Sappa Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The machinations behind a request from TransCanada for the Obama administration to suspend its review of the Keystone XL pipeline permit application are explained by the FT's US industry and energy editor, Ed Crooks.Music: "Acid Jazz" by Kevin MacLeod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has cemented his authority after his AK party won a convincing victory in this week's parliamentary elections. Daniel Dombey asks Mehul Srivastava, FT correspondent in Ankara, what the result means for Turkey's economy and its ties with the west. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neuroscientist David Eagleman argues that the brain is like a field of battle: subject to conflicting drives and impulses that we are only just beginning to understand. He talks to Sally Davies, FT Weekend's digital editor, about the nature of consciousness, why human beings are hardwired for xenophobia, and how technology can extend our cognitive powers.To read an exclusive extract from David's new book, go to ft.com/eaglemanMusic: Another Cultural Landslide, 'Everybody's got a brain' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry Mance reviews the week's events, including the landslide victory of Poland's Law and Justice party, the unexpectedly strong poll performance of Argentina's opposition, and the setback for Britain's George Osborne over tax credits. He is joined by Arash Massoudi, the FT's M&A correspondent, to discuss why mergers matter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this week, US news editor Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson sat down with David Miliband, president and chief executive of the International Rescue Committee. In this excerpt, Mr Miliband discusses how Russia's presence in Syria has intensified the crisis, how weak the international political response to the crisis has been, and how the conflict in Syria has dramatised the need for better humanitarian aid. Watch the rest of the interview at ft.com/irc.Music: "Acid Jazz" by Kevin MacLeod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UK chancellor George Osborne was rebuffed by the House of Lords this week over his policy to cut tax credits. The FT’s Lionel Barber and Janan Ganesh discuss the opposition and the constitutional dilemma created by the move.Music: “Acid Jazz” by Kevin MacLeod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RBS this week became the world's first bank to adopt Facebook at Work, allowing staff to swap information and with the potential aim of providing banking services through the social network in future. Martin Arnold discusses what it means for the UK lender with Emma Dunkley, the FT's retail banking correspondent. Music by David Sappa Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Argentina is heading for a presidential run-off after a turnround in the fortunes of the opposition candidate, Mauricio Macri. Jonathan Wheatley asks Benedict Mander, FT correspondent in Buenos Aires, whether the business friendly mayor of Buenos Aires has credible plans for fixing the economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry Mance presents the best of the FT audio, taking in Xi Jinping's visit to the UK, the first interview with Kweku Adobole and an introduction to Canada's new prime minister. He is joined by Guy Chazan, who recently returned to Moscow after an eight-year absence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kweku Adoboli, recently released from prison for unauthorised trading at the Swiss Bank UBS, tells Lindsay Fortado how he hopes to help others in the banking industry avoid the mistakes he made Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kweku Adoboli, who went to prison for losing the Swiss bank UBS $2.3bn through unauthorised trading, tells his story to Lindsay Fortado, FT legal correspondent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An embarrassing $6bn “fat finger” incident that came to light this week illustrates why Deutsche Bank’s radical management shake-up is overdue, Martin Arnold, FT banking editor, tells Patrick Jenkins Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rocket Internet is Europe’s most valuable technology company by stock market capitalisation, but doubts have begun to be raised about its business model. Ravi Mattu discusses the reason for these doubts with Dan McCrum, FT capital markets editor and Sarah Gordon, FT business editor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a sweeping win by Canada's Liberal party with a fresh political agenda for the nation, FT journalists Anna Nicolaou and Gary Silverman discuss how Justin Trudeau rose to be the leader of choice and why the NDP and Conservative parties fell behind in the election. Music: "Starday" by Podington Bear Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do gay, lesbian, bisexual or transsexual business leaders have an obligation to be out? The FT’s Carola Hoyos discusses the question with entrepreneur Ivan Massow, and executive Jan Gooding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Washington bureau chief Demetri Sevastopulo discusses the winners and losers from the first Democratic debate of the 2016 US election, where candidates touched on issues ranging from Wall Street reform to gun control. Read more about the US election at ft.com/world/us/american-insight.Music: "Brand New Record!" by Steve Combs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Silent Circle, a start-up in Geneva, has created a phone that is impermeable to snooping. How worried are the intelligence agencies? Murad Ahmed, the FT's European technology correspondent puts the question to Sam Jones, the FT’s defence and security editor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The FT's series China's Great Game explores the signature foreign policy of President Xi Jinping. James Kynge, emerging markets editor, asks Tom Mitchell, Beijing correspondent, just how big the initiative is and what its aims are Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK lender has turned to a former JPMorgan investment banker to lead it through a period of hefty restructuring and strategic uncertainty. Patrick Jenkins, FT financial editor, discusses the move with Martin Arnold, FT banking editor, and Ronit Ghose, bank analyst at Citigroup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Jacobs reviews a week when the first global trade deal in years was struck, Air France managers lost their shirts and the chief executive of budget airline Ryanair predicted the advent of pilotless passenger planes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does the European Court of Justice ruling on the transfer of data between Europe and the US mean for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic and for internet surveillance. Murad Ahmed, the FT's European technology correspondent, discusses the decision with Duncan Robinson, FT Brussels correspondent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Turmoil at Air France was laid bare when senior executives had the shirts ripped from their backs by demonstrators after the airline set out plans to cut thousands of jobs. Matthew Vincent talks to Michael Stothard, FT Paris correspondent, about reasons for the unrest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Washington bureau chief Demetri Sevastopulo discusses how Ben Carson, the retired neurosurgeon, has gained traction as a political outsider in the Republican race against Donald Trump for the White House.Music: "Brand New Record" by Steve Combs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryanair has big plans to become the “Amazon for travel” in Europe. Tanya Powley, FT transport correspondent, speaks to Michael O’Leary, chief executive, about his plans for the budget airline now that it has learnt to be “nice” to customers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From General Electric Theater to Bill Nye-hosted Vine clips, the industrial conglomerate has created science-inspired content as an advertising vehicle over the decades. Media and marketing correspondent Shannon Bond explores the company's varied media ventures, including its newest partnership with podcast network Panoply.Music: "Backed Vibes" by Kevin MacLeod. Other clips courtesy of General Electric. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Burgis reviews a week when towering figures of recent years came under pressure, and when scientists from Nasa revealed evidence of briny water on the Red Planet. He is joined by FT science editor Clive Cookson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been called the greatest art feud of modern times - a dispute that pits Russian billionaire and collector Dmitry Rybolovlev against the Swiss art dealer and businessman Yves Bouvier. In a fresh twist, Mr Rybolovlev has handed over two paintings by Pablo Picasso to the police. James Pickford talks to the FT's Cynthia O'Murchu and arts writer Georgina Adam about the feud. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Glencore, the UK trading house that made billionaires of its top executives in a record-breaking flotation four years ago, lost up to a third of its market value earlier this week as investors reacted to fears of a prolonged commodities downturn. Matthew Vincent asks FT commodities editor Neil Hume whether it can recover. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Barclays has been at loggerheads with Britain's Serious Fraud Officeover a 2008 deal with Qatar that helped the bank avoid a governmentbailout. Patrick Jenkins discusses the latest twist in thelong-running probe with Caroline Binham, the FT's financial regulationcorrespondent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeremy Corbyn's surprise election as leader has left the Labour party in disarray. Ahead of the party's annual conference in Brighton, Jim Pickard, the FT's chief political correspondent, asks FT columnists Philip Stephens and Janan Ganesh how long Corbyn can last at the helm. They also discuss what went wrong with Labour's Blairite wing, what difficulties would be faced by those trying to mount any future leadership coup - and how do they think ordinary voters will react to the new leader of the opposition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry Mance discusses what went wrong at Volkswagen with John Gapper, the FT's chief business commentator, dubious pricing behaviour in the pharmaceutical industry, and the apparent waning of the UK Labour party's commitment to the cause of staying in the European Union. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Barber and Jay Osgerby, winners of the London Design Medal 2015, discuss their work and the broader significance of the London design festival with design writer Max Fraser Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hillary Clinton, the Democratic front runner in the race for the White House, pledged this week to crack down on the growing cost of prescription drugs and out of pocket medical expenses in the United States after Turing Pharmaceuticals announced that it was hiking the price of the drug Daraprim from $13.50 to $750 a pill. Aimee Keane asks David Crow about the sharp falls in biotech stocks that followed and whether plans such as Mrs Clinton's will end price-gouging.Music: "Starday" by Podington Bear. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The car industry has been thrown into turmoil after Volkswagen admitted cheating on US emissions tests for its diesel cars. Matthew Vincent discusses the burgeoning scandal with Andy Sharman, FT car industry correspondent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Benjamin Netanyahu is on a lightning visit to Moscow to discuss Russia's military deployments in Syria in a sign of Israel's growing unease over arms transfers in the region. Siona Jenkins talks to John Reed, Financial Times Jerusalem correspondent, about the Israeli prime minister's concerns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A round-up of the best FT coverage this week - featuring the Republican presidential debate, Europe's refugee crisis and the rise of adblockers thanks to Apple's new operating system. Presented by Henry Mance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an excerpt from the latest episode of World Weekly, executive comment editor Mark Vandevelde is joined by Gideon Rachman and Peter Spiegel to discuss how the Eurozone and refugee crises are putting strain on the EU and whether or not the union can weather the storm.Music: "Crystal Echoes" by Sergey Cheremisinov. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Silicon Valley company's plan to spin off its $24bn stake in Alibaba suffered a second major setback this week when the IRS, the US tax authority, said it had serious concerns about deals similar to the one proposed by Yahoo. Aimee Keane speaks with San Francisco correspondent Hannah Kuchler about the authority's statement and what effect it could have on the potential spin-off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry Mance is joined by John Paul Rathbone, Latin America editor, to discuss what went wrong for Brazil's economy, why the chairman of airline group United Continental resigned, and how the City of London has changed during the long reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an excerpt from this week's episode of Alphachat, Cardiff Garcia speaks to US markets editor Robin Wigglesworth and US economics editor Sam Fleming about the potential implications of higher interest rates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry Mance is joined by John Paul Rathbone, Latin America editor, to discuss what went wrong for Brazil's economy, why the chairman of airline group United Continental resigned, and how the City of London has changed during the long reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three of China's most successful businessmen talk to the FT's Patti Waldmeir about their rags-to-riches stories, the difficulties they had to overcome and their recipe for a successful life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

United Continental Holdings announced on Tuesday that the US airline's chief executive Jeff Smisek would resign in connection with a federal investigation linked to a key ally of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who is running for the White House. Aimee Keane speaks with Ed Crooks to find out how the carrier found itself entangled in the probe. Read the full story by Ed Crooks and Gina Chon here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Modern life forces us to do a multitude of things at once - but can we? Should we? Tim Harford, the Undercover Economist who has 150 things on his to-do list, talks to the editor of the FT Weekend Magazine about the myths, science and history of multi-tasking - and how to do it well. Music credit: Jahzzar, "Please listen carefully" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry Mance looks at how Europe woke up to the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean, how we can learn to multitask better, and whether the banking industry is still just as broken as it was before the financial crisis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China appears set to reveal a weapon so formidable it could upset the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region. The missile is likely to be wheeled through Beijing at a parade marking the second world war. James Kynge asks Charles Clover, FT Beijing correspondent, why defence experts see it as a potential game changer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Europe is facing its biggest refugee crisis in decades, with Germany assuming the greatest burden for absorbing the asylum seekers. Gideon Rachman talks to Jeevan Vasagar, FT correspondent in Berlin, and Tony Barber, FT Europe editor, about the political strains caused by the crisis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.