FT News in Focus

Tunisia was the first Arab country to throw off dictatorship during the Arab Spring of 2011 and it is the only one where the democratic revolution has lasted. But a weak economy has left many Tunisians disillusioned. On Sunday, they vote to choose a new parliament and Nahda, an Islamist party, is ahead in the polls, along with Nida Tunis, a secular party. Heba Saleh, who is in Tunis to cover the elections, spoke to Sayed Ferjani, one of Nahda’s leaders, about his party’s political hopes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Swedish military is on high alert and has been conducting a large search operation after reports that a submarine - possibly Russian - surfaced off the coast of Stockholm. Moscow has denied that the submarine is Russian, but it comes amid growing worries in the Baltics about Russia’s potentially hostile intentions. Fiona Symon spoke to Richard Milne, Nordic and Baltic correspondent, about the incident. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, known as Isis, have suffered reverses in their battle to capture the Syrian-Turkish border town of Kobani, but the jihadi organisation has made gains in battles elsewhere in Syria and Iraq. Borzou Daragahi, Middle East correspondent, tells Fiona Symon about the latest developments Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, UK broadcasters announced plans for televised election debates between the leaders of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties, plus Ukip's Nigel Farage - but there was apparently no room for Green party leader Natalie Bennett. In an interview with the FT's Barney Thompson, Ms Bennett explained why the Greens deserve to be heard in the TV debates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Jean Tirole of the Toulouse School of Economics, who won the Nobel economics prize this year for his insights into market dominance, talks to Ferdinando Giugliano about his views on the evolution of regulation and whether economics has become excessively mathematical Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The World Health Organisation has said it expects the Ebola epidemic in west Africa to peak by early December, before international action reverses the upward trend. Fiona Symon asked Clive Cookson, Science correspondent, about the findings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, known as Isis, have been stepping up their attacks on two main fronts, the strategically important Syrian-Turkish border town of Kobani, and in the Iraqi province of Anbar to the west of the capital Baghdad. Fiona Symon spoke to Borzou Daragahi, Middle East correspondent, about efforts to curb their advance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frank Abagnale is a brilliant storyteller. But his story is more interesting than most. As a runaway teenager turned confidence trickster he swindled millions of dollars from banks and travelled free on airlines all round the world before serving time in prisons in France, Sweden and the US. His tale was immortalised in Steven Spielberg's film, Catch me if you Can. But for 38 years, he has been on the straight and narrow - offering his services free to the FBI and helping to combat fraud. Emma Jacobs spoke to him about how he turned his life around. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain's ruling Conservative party is under pressure from a rightwing rival the UK independence party, which wants the UK to leave the European Union and to curb immigration, but Ukip is challenging the leftwing Labour party in an election in Labour's heartland of Greater Manchester. Andrew Bounds has been covering the campaign and spoke to representatives of the two main rival parties Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US-led air strikes in Syria have intensified in bid to prevent forces from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant - known as Isis - from taking over a Syrian-Turkish border town inhabited mainly by Kurds. Turkey has been reluctant to offer military assistance but is under increasing pressure to do so. Fiona Symon asked Daniel Dombey, FT correspondent in Ankara, to explain the Turkish government’s position. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A UK government commission looking into the best way to improve Britain’s airport capacity will report its findings next year. In the run-up to the decision, the UK’s main operators have been lobbying for the commision to back their expansion plans. Charlie Cornish, chief executive of Manchester Airports Group, tells Andy Bounds that the UK does not need a hub airport and that he favours a ‘dispersed’ model to meet the country’s airport needs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With a UK general election only eight months away, the main political parties were keen to come up with a winning formula at their party conferences. James Blitz is joined by Michael Stott and Kiran Stacey to discuss how well they did. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

India’s prime minister has grabbed the headlines with high profile meetings with leaders of the US, Japan and China, and announcing a successful satellite mission to Mars. Many see him as the best hope India has had for years to transform the country into an industrial power. Victor Mallet, South Asia bureau chief, talks to Fiona Symon about Mr Modi's ambitions and the things that stand in his way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Harwood’s job at Acas has given him an insider’s view of the transformation of industrial relations in Britain over the past three decades. He spoke to Sarah O'Connor about how the service has changed since he joined it 28 years ago. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two women are leading this year’s presidential election contest in Brazil – the incumbent Dilma Rousseff and an upstart candidate Marina Silva. Ms Silva shot to the top of the polls after she became Socialist Party candidate last month following the death of its previous presidential hopeful, Eduardo Campos. Joe Leahy, FT correspondent in São Paulo, discusses the two rival candidates with Fiona Symon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US says air strikes launched this week against Islamists in Syria with the backing of Arab allies mark the beginning of a sustained campaign that could last for years. Sam Jones, FT defence and security editor, talks to Fiona Symon about the risks associated with the campaign. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Afghanistan’s two presidential candidates have agreed to share power, drawing a line under a contested election that has dragged on for almost six months. Ashraf Ghani, former finance minister, becomes president and Abdullah Abdullah, ex-foreign minister, takes over the newly created position of chief executive officer. Fiona Symon spoke to May Jeong, FT correspondent in Kabul, about the deal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thousands of Hong Kong students have begun a week-long protest against China’s framework for electoral reform. Fiona Symon discusses their grievances with Demetri Sevastopolou, the FT's Hong Kong Bureau chief. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Researchers at Israel's Weizmann Institute have found that consuming non-calorie sweeteners such as saccharin instead of sugar may paradoxically promote obesity. The research is controversial because it comes as public health campaigners are exerting growing pressure on the food and drinks industry to cut the sugar content of their products. Fiona Symon spoke to Clive Cookson, FT Science correspondent, about the findings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sweden is facing a period of political instability after an inconclusive election toppled the centre right government of Fredrik Reinfeldt, but left his centre left opponent Stefan Löfven significantly short of a majority in parliament. Fiona Symon spoke to Richard Milne, FT Nordics correspondent, about the result Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emilio Lozoya, the turnaround champion charged with transforming Mexico's hulking oil monopoly Pemex into a nimble 21st century competitor speaks to Jude Webber about his plans for the company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While politicians in Islamabad vie for control of Pakistan, they do little to tackle the country's population explosion - a problem that is likely to stunt prosperity for future generations. Victor Mallet, FT Asia Bureau Chief, spoke to Fiona Symon about the looming crisis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The European Union is poised to tighten sanctions on Russia in response to the crisis in Ukraine. Courtney Weaver, FT Moscow Correspondent, spoke to Fiona Symon about how the moves are being viewed in Russia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, regarded by scientists as the biggest driver of global warming, has surged at its fastest rate in 30 years. Pilita Clark, FT Environment Correspondent, spoke to Fiona Symon about the implications. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iraq's squabbling political class has formed a new government under Haider Abadi amid pressure to present a united front against the Islamist militants threatening to break up the country. Borzou Daraghi, the FT's Middle East correspondent, tells Fiona Symon how the deal was done. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nearly a month ago, astronomers announced a remarkable discovery: the strongest evidence so far for the theory of cosmic inflation, the hyper-rapid expansion following the Big Bang. This was joyful news for Andrei Linde, the cosmologist who had played a key role in developing inflation theory in the 1970s and '80s. Clive Cookson, FT science editor, spoke to professor Linde from his home at Stanford University in California. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the political and personal finance consequences of the George Osborne’s UK Budget announcement? Jonathan Eley, FT personal finance editor, and Robert Shrimsley, editor of FT.com, join Matthew Vincent for the reaction to the Budget. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the G20 pledges to crack down on multinational tax avoidance, the Financial Times looks at how and why governments help companies reduce their tax burden. Orla Ryan talks to taxation correspondent Vanessa Houlder, Matt Steinglass in Amsterdam and James Fontanella Khan in Brussels about why tax is rising to the top of the political agenda. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Eswar Prasad of the Brookings Institution talks users through the latest edition of the Brookings Institution-Financial Times economic tracking index, which shows the global economic recovery is at risk of stalling.Visit www.ft.com/tiger to view the index Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Cook is joined by Jonathan Eley, Martin Sandbu and Sarah Neville to discuss the political, economic and personal finance consequences of the UK Budget announcement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FT Alphaville's Joseph Cotterill and David Keohane had a quick chat about Cyprus, its bailout and the depositors being bailed in, the Russian connection and whether there is really a risk of contagion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to hotel owner Abderhamane Alpha Maiga describe the arrival of Islamists in the fabled desert city of Timbuktu Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The coalition government that emerges from Israel's general election will be less right wing than many had predicted, although Benjamin Netanyahu looks set to remain prime minister. Fiona Symon talked to John Reed, FT correspondent in Jerusalem about the results Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Keohane and Izabella Kaminska are joined for FT Alphaville’s Christmas podcast by Dylan Grice, until recently part of Société Générale’s global strategy team, to discuss the economy in 2013, robots, patents, inflation and, perhaps most importantly, the difference between a Star Trek and a Star Wars economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite low volumes, 2012 has been a fascinating year for dealmaking. Controversial deals, such as the long-running battle by Glencore, the commodity trader, to take over Xstrata, have dominated headlines. New frontiers, including Chinese international mergers and acquisitions, have emerged. Anousha Sakoui, the FT's M&A correspondent, is joined by Jan Skarbek, head of investment banking at Citi, Charles Jacobs, a partner at Linklaters and Piers Pritchard Jones, a corporate partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, the law firms, to review the year in dealmaking and to look ahead at trends for 2013. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Companies in this sector have been far from reticent this year with dealmaking despite difficult market conditions. Anousha Sakoui, the FT's M&A correspondent, travels to San Francisco to find out how the fallout from this year's Facebook initial public offering is affecting US dealmaking. She talks to Anthony Armstrong, co-head of Americas M&A at Credit Suisse and is joined in the studio back in London by Jonathan Stankler, head of European technology M&A at KPMG. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite a chaotic year for M&A, fascinating trends have emerged,including growth in international bids by Chinese companies. By theend of September, outbound M&A by Chinese groups was at a record high.But Beijing's record has been controversial, so what is different thistime? To discuss the drivers behind these bids, Anousha Sakoui, theFT's mergers and acquisitions correspondent, is joined by Andy Cox,global head of energy at KPMG, and William Downs, global leader ofcorporate and corporate finance practice at law firm Squire Sanders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Eswar Prasad of the Brookings Institution talks users through the latest edition of the Brookings Institution-Financial Times economic tracking index, which shows the economic recovery in deep trouble. Visit www.ft.com/tiger to view the index Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During turbulent times in the world economy, western dealmakers may be hunting growth in the emerging markets, but nowhere is immune from the global turmoil – and M&A traffic increasingly goes in both directions. To discuss the state of dealmaking in the emerging markets, Anousha Sakoui, the FT's mergers and acquisitions correspondent, is joined by two top advisers: Hernan Cristerna, JP Morgan's head of M&A for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Edward Braham, global head of corporate at Freshfields. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Egypt’s new Islamist president Mohamed Morsi has sacked the country’s top two military leaders in a bid to regain some of the power seized by the military in June’s presidential elections. Fiona Symon asked Heba Saleh, FT correspondent in Cairo, about whether the military has now been dislodged from its leading role in shaping the country's political transition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With 2012 on track to be one of the worst years for dealmaking in a decade, are companies now focusing on 2013, or are there still deals to be done? Anousha Sakoui, the FT’s mergers and acquisitions correspondent, takes the pulse of the industry with Jacques Brand, head of investment banking coverage & advisory at Deutsche Bank and Gilberto Pozzi, global head of retail and consumer advisory business at Goldman Sachs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second of a two-part Deals & Dealmakers series in which big names in M&A explore the fundamental changes in their industry, Anousha Sakoui, the FT’s mergers and acquisitions correspondent, talks to John Studzinski, global head of Blackstone Advisory Partners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first podcast of a two-part series, veteran investment banker and founder of Moelis & Company Ken Moelis talks to Anousha Sakoui, the FT’s mergers and acquisitions correspondent, about the M&A cycle, the challenges of global expansion and why it is a mistake to chase yesterday’s economy. Hear part two, with Blackstone's John Studzinski, on June 13. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lionel Barber, FT editor, interviews James Daunt, managing director of Waterstone's, the big UK book chain, about the destiny of bricks-and-mortar booksellers and the challenges for publishers, agents, and authors at a roundtable to mark the opening for entries of the 2012 FT - Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the UK, the world’s second-biggest market for M&A after the US, the Takeover Panel last year reformed the rules regulating dealmaking. What impact are the changes having eight months on?Anousha Sakoui, the FT’s mergers and acquisitions correspondent, looks at the issues with studio guests James Palmer, global head of law firm Herbert Smith’s corporate business and Jonathan Rowley, co-head of European M&A at investment bank UBS. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eswar Prasad, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, analyses the latest edition of the FT-Brookings TIGER index, which tracks the global economic recovery. To explore the index, go to www.ft.com/tiger. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first podcast in the FT’s Deals & Dealmakers series, mergers and acquisitions correspondent Anousha Sakoui talks to industry analysts about the outlook for the year. With studio guests Jonathan Stubbs, head of European equity strategy at Citigroup in London, and Jon Clark, who heads the UK oil and gas transactions team at Ernst & Young. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Shrimsley, editor of FT.com, is joined by economic leader writer Martin Sandbu, personal finance editor Matthew Vincent and Chris Cook of the public policy team to discuss the political, economic and personal finance consequences of the UK budget announcement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FT science editor Clive Cookson talks neutrinos with Pier Oddone, director of leading US particle physics centre Fermilab Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FT health correspondent Andrew Jack talks to Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, executive director of the United Nations Population Fund, about the arrival of the world’s seven billionth person Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.