FT News in Focus

More than a decade after Barclays turned to Middle Eastern investors for rescue funds during the financial crisis, a jury in London has begun hearing the case against the bank’s former chief executive John Varley and three senior colleagues, who stand accused of defrauding the market. Patrick Jenkins discusses what has emerged from the case so far with Caroline Binham and Jane Croft.Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, Patrick Jenkins, financial editor, Caroline Binham, financial regulation correspondent and Jane Croft, law courts correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Technology ravaged malls across America by allowing customers to shop online. But now, some retailers hope it’s also the answer to luring shoppers back to stores. The FT’s Jennifer Sigl visited America’s oldest toy store to find out how it’s implementing in-store technology, and spoke with US consumer correspondent Alistair Gray.Read Alistair’s latest reporting here.Contributors: Alistair Gray, US consumer correspondent. Producer: Jennifer Sigl.Credits: Gracie Films/20th Century Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

British businessman James Dyson has long trumpeted Britain’s economic potential on the global stage once it leaves the EU, so why has he decided to move his business headquarters to Singapore? Ursula Milton discusses this with Michael Pooler, industry reporter, and Peter Campbell, motor industry correspondent.Contributors: Naomi Rovnick, FTLive reporter, Ursula Milton, news editor, Michael Pooler, industry reporter and Peter Campbell, motor industry correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK’s Prevent strategy, which aims to spot potential terrorists before they have committed any dangerous acts, has been operating in relative secrecy for over a decade. But as criticisms of the programme have mounted, the government has started to be more open about its controversial methods. Esther Bintliff discusses this with Helen Warrell, FT public policy correspondent, who has been behind the scenes to see what Prevent does.Read Helen's article hereContributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Esther Bintliff, FT Weekend Magazine deputy editor, and Helen Warrell, public policy correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the past few years, online shoppers in India have been revelling in the huge discounts available at Amazon and its local rival Flipkart. But thanks to tough new regulations designed to protect local retailers, those discounts may soon be a thing of the past. Ursula Milton discusses the background to the new rules and what happens next with Simon Mundy, the FT’s Mumbai correspondent.Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Simon Mundy, Mumbai correspondent, and Ursula Milton, news editor. Producer: Fiona symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brexit has fired up UK politics but left markets trapped and investors unsure what to do. David Riley, chief investment strategist at BlueBay Asset Management tells Katie Martin what the steady pound means, and how it fits into a lively start to the year for global markets.Contributors: Naomi Rovnick, FTLive reporter, Katie Martin, capital markets editor and David Riley, chief investment strategist at BlueBay Asset Management. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shares of the big six US banks fell sharply in the final month of 2018, worrying investors who feared that a long period of expansion was coming to an end. But fourth quarter earnings reports from the banks showed a different outlook for the global economy. The FT’s US banking editor Laura Noonan spoke with with US finance editor Robert Armstrong about the latest round of earnings and what we can expect to see from the banks in 2019.Read more on banking at FT.com.Contributors: Robert Armstrong, US finance editor and Laura Noonan, US banking editor. Producers: Jennifer Sigl and Eric Krupke. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marie Kondo is the Japanese tidying guru with a blunt black fringe and a vast wardrobe of white cardigans. She claims to love mess but has caused a sensation among Netflix subscribers with her new series on decluttering. So what exactly is the KonMari method and does it really spark joy? Horatia Harrod discusses the phenomenon with FT columnist Jo Ellison.Contributors: Joshua Noble, weekend news editor, Jo Ellison, fashion editor and columnist and Horatia Harrod, acting commissioning editor. Producer: Fiona Symon. Clips courtesy of Netflix and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Banco Santander said this week it would no longer hire Andrea Orcel, the outgoing boss of UBS’s investment bank, as its chief executive. The amount that the Spanish bank would have had to pay Mr Orcel to compensate him for deferred stock awards earned during his career at UBS was apparently just too much. Patrick Jenkins discusses what went wrong with David Crow and Stephen Morris.Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, Patrick Jenkins, financial editor, David Crow, banking editor and Stephen Morris, European banking correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theresa May’s Brexit plan has been voted down in the largest ever defeat for a UK government on a major piece of legislation. Less than a third of parliament supported the deal. So what happens next? Siona Jenkins spoke to Henry Mance about the prime minister's options.Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, Siona Jenkins, editor, UK news, and Henry Mance, political correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know that your every online move is being watched and analysed by data brokers and advertising technology companies? What do they do with the data and does it matter? Malcolm Moore discusses the so-called 'privacy deathstars' with FT technology reporters Aliya Ram and Madhumita MurgiaContributors: Joshua Noble, weekend news editor, Malcolm Moore, technology news editor, Aliya Ram, technology correspondent and Madhumita Murgia, European technology correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SoftBank changed course when it scaled back plans for an investment in WeWork from $16bn to $2bn. The FT’s Eric Platt spoke with US business editor Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson about what led to the cut in investment and why an IPO might come sooner than expected.Read Eric’s reporting here and Andrew’s profile on WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann here.Contributors: Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, US business editor and Eric Platt, US mergers & acquisitions correspondent. Producer: Jennifer Sigl. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last year a Chinese scientist shocked the world by claiming that he had created the world’s first gene-edited babies. Anjana Ahuja talks to Robin Lovell-Badge, a developmental biologist and geneticist, about the controversy and about the potential for gene editing tools such as Crispr-Cas9 to revolutionise the treatment of genetic diseases.This podcast is supported by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations. Read more in the FT Health series Future of Research and Development Contributors: Joshua Noble, weekend news editor. Anjana Ahuja, science columnist, and Robin Lovell-Badge, head of the Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics at the Francis Crick Institute. Producers: Ruth Lewis-Coste and Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natalie Whittle discusses how to spot signs of stress at work and what can be done to help from conversations with colleagues to new treatments involving the use of psychedelic drugs, with William Shanahan, consultant psychiatrist, and Matthew Green, a writer with a focus on mental health.Read more hereIf you are affected by any of the issues in this podcast, the following organisations may be able to help: Heads Together, Mind and Samaritans.Contributors: Joshua Noble, weekend news editor, Natalie Whittle, executive editor of Life & Arts, William Shanahan, consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director of the private Nightingale Hospital in London and Matthew Green, former FT journalist and now writer with a focus on mental health. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While politicians in Westminster wrangle over the shape of Britain’s exit deal from the European Union, how are the mainstays of the economy coping with the continuing uncertainty? Katie Martin asks Patrick Jenkins, FT financial editor, and Sarah Gordon, FT business editor, how banks and businesses are preparing.Contributors: John Murray Brown, journalist, Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Patrick Jenkins, financial editor and Sarah Gordon, business editor. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bobi Wine, also known as the 'Ghetto President', has become a leading voice of dissent in Uganda and beyond as ageing presidents seek to crush opponents and cling to power. Orla Ryan discusses his appeal with the FT's Africa editor, David Pilling. Contributors: Naomi Rovnick, FT Live reporter, Orla Ryan, journalist and David Pilling, Africa editor. Producer: Fiona Symon. Music: Ghetto by Bobi Wine and Nubian Li  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US government has been partially closed since December 22 over the border funding issue, leading thousands of federal workers to stay home or work without pay, and shuttering museums and national parks. Katie Martin discusses the reasons for the stand-off with the FT’s James Politi and Kadhim Shubber.Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, Katie Martin, capital markets editor, James Politi, world trade editor and Kadhim Shubber, US legal correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Syria starts to rebuild some of its devastated cities, neighbouring Lebanon is hoping to turn itself into a logistics hub for reconstruction, financed in part by China. Chloe Cornish, the FT’s Middle East correspondent, tells Andrew England about why the port of Tripoli is key to these hopes.Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, Andrew England, Middle East editor and Chloe Cornish, Middle East correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The EU is looking at ways of safeguarding against cyber security risks from the purchase of high tech equipment made in China. Huawei, a leading Chinese manufacturer of 5G technology, has attracted special attention because of its growing dominance in the telecoms sector. Contributors: Suzanne Blumson, executive editor, Madhumita Murgia, European technology correspondent, Michael Peel, Brussels diplomatic editor and Alan Livsey, Lex columnist. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week saw the anniversary of the introduction of Mifid II, a set of EU-wide rules aimed at making markets more transparent. But these rules have had some unintended consequences. Stephen Morris, the FT's European banking correspondent, discusses their impact on the financial analyst profession with Cat Rutter Pooley.Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, Cat Rutter Pooley, FastFT reporter and Stephen Morris, European banking correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

India's ruling BJP and opposition Congress parties have been showering gifts on farmers ahead of parliamentary elections this year. But economists are worried about the long term impact of this competitive populism and suggest it won't do much to improve the lot of India's farmers. Amy Kazmin discusses the pre-election giveaways with Jyotsna Singh.Contributors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Amy Kazmin, South Asia bureau chief, Jyotsna Singh, Delhi reporter. Producers: Jyotsna Singh and Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much sleep do we need and can we have too much of it? Darren Dodd discusses why sleep is now being seen as an acute health issue in developed societies with the FT’s science editor Clive Cookson and neuroscientist Matthew Walker, author of Why we sleepContributors: Naomi Rovnick, FT Live reporter, Darren Dodd editor of FT Health, Clive Cookson, science editor, and Matthew Walker, Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology and the director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Which companies made the biggest headlines in 2018 and what's the outlook for 2019? Tom Braithwaite, FT companies editor, discusses the big corporate themes of this year and next with Katie Martin, capital markets editor.Contributors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Tom Braithwaite, companies editor and Katie Martin, capital markets editor. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gender pay gap reporting became compulsory for UK companies with 250 or more employees last year. But those hoping to see swift action from employers to narrow the gap will be disappointed. Financial Times analysis of the data lodged in April 2018 reveals that the gap has barely shifted from the previous year. Sarah O’Connor discusses the findings with Sarah Gordon and Aleksandra WisniewskaContributors: Naomi Rovnick, FT Live reporter; Sarah O'Connor, investigations correspondent, Sarah Gordon, business editor and Aleksandra Wisniewska, data journalist. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

GlaxoSmithKline is combining its consumer health business with that of US rival Pfizer, paving the way for a separation of its core consumer and pharmaceuticals businesses within three years. Chief executive Emma Walmsley is betting the cash generated by the enlarged consumer unit will fund further investment in the pharmaceutical business ahead of the demerger. Matthew Vincent is joined by Sarah Neville and Arash Massoudi to discuss the merits of the deal and its implications for the health and pharmaceuticals markets.Contributors: Naomi Rovnick, FT Live reporter, Matthew Vincent, Lombard columnist, Sarah Neville, global pharmaceuticals editor and Arash Massoudi, corporate finance and deals editor. Producer: Sam Westran Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Financial Times’s choice of Person of the Year is usually a reflection of their achievements. In the case of George Soros this year, his selection is also about the values he represents. Robert Shrimsley discusses the FT's choice with Lionel Barber and Roula Khalaf. This podcast was first published as a Big Read podcast. Read Roula Khalaf's interview with the billionaire philanthropist hereContributors: Robert Shrimsley, columnist, Lionel Barber, editor, and Roula Khalaf, deputy editor. Producers: Anna Dedhar and Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Congo’s elections on Sunday were set to herald the country’s first transition of power by the ballot box, with President Joseph Kabila stepping down after 17 years in office. But an explosion of violence has caused the polls to be postponed. Orla Ryan discusses what happened with the FT’s Africa editor David PillingContributors: Joshua Noble, weekend news editor, Orla Ryan, journalist, David Pilling, Africa editor. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Investors on Wall Street sent their sharpest response to an interest rate rise since 1994 after the Federal Reserve defied pressure from Donald Trump by boosting rates for the fourth time this year. The FT's senior investment commentator Mike Mackenzie explains the market reaction, as well as what we learned from the Fed's outlook for the US economy.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Big tech companies are under fire again for failing to disclose key information about how Russia used their services to promote a pro-Trump agenda both before and after the 2016 election. Kiran Stacey, FT Washington correspondent, talks to Fiona Symon about the allegations, contained in two reports written for the Senate intelligence committee, and their likely repercussions.Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Kiran Stacey, Washington Correspondent and Fiona Symon, audio editor.  Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malaysian prosecutors are seeking fines of over $3bn from Goldman Sachs and prison terms for two of its bankers for their alleged role in the country’s long running 1MDB scandal. Stefania Palma has been covering the story for the FT and she spoke to Tom Braithwaite about the latest developments.Contributors: Naomi Rovnick, FT Live reporter, Stefania Palma, south-east Asia correspondent and Tom Braithwaite, companies editor. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four years after Isis controlled as much as a third of Iraq and declared a caliphate, it has retrenched, but still has the power to carry out kidnappings, killings and bombings. Chloe Cornish talks to Andrew England about the continuing threat posed by the group to stability in the regionContributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Chloe Cornish, Middle East correspondent and Andrew England, Middle East editor.  Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An EU-wide human rights sanctions regime is in sight after EU foreign ministers agreed to work on a Dutch proposal to end impunity for individual abusers no matter where they come from. This is thanks in no small part to the efforts of one man, Bill Browder, who has made it his personal mission to see such legislation adopted throughout the world. He spoke to Michael Peel recently during a visit to Brussels.Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Michael Peel, Brussels diplomatic editor and Bill Browder, CEO and founder of Hermitage Capital Management. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain’s top accounting firms revealed this week that dozens of partners have been let go following inappropriate behaviour, including bullying and sexual harassment. Madison Marriage talks to Tom Braithwaite about how the story developed, and what the revelations tell us about sexual harassment policies at the Big Four in the Me Too era. Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Madison Marriage, accounting and tax corrrespondent and Tom Braithwaite, companies editor.  Producer: Sam Westran Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Five years after quitting the Nasdaq exchange, Michael Dell's technology company is set to return to the public market after a fierce fight over its valuation. The FT's US editor of the Lex column, Sujeet Indap, explains the backstory.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The case of Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman targeted by Islamist extremists, has focused international attention on the country's draconian blasphemy laws and on its treatment of its Christian minority. Farhan Bokhari tells Jyotsna Singh why the issue is such a difficult one for Imran Khan, the prime minister, to resolve.Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor; Jyotsna Singh, Delhi reporter; Farhan Bokhari, Islamabad correspondent. Producers: Jyotsna Singh and Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Global carbon dioxide emissions are accelerating, despite pledges by nearly 200 countries to limit global warming. So what can be done? Can science provide the answers? Professor Nilay Shah, of London’s Imperial College, tells Clive Cookson about the findings of a recent report on the subjectContributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Clive Cookson, science editor and Nilay Shah, professor of chemical engineering at Imperial College, London. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The arrest in Canada of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, has triggered fears of renewed trade tensions between the US and China, just when markets had detected signs of a truce. Victor Mallet discusses the arrest and its implications with Louise Lucas, Nic Fildes and Adam Samson.Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Victor Mallet, former Asia news editor, Louise Lucas, Asia technology correspondent, Nic Fildes, telecoms correspondent and Adam Samson, editor of FastFT. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The refusal of Hindu mobs to abide by a Supreme Court decision to allow women to worship at the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala has worried many people in India who fear it shows a dangerous tendency for the ruling party to back religious zealots and undermine the rule of law in India. Amy Kazmin discusses the dispute with Jyotsna SinghContributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Amy Kazmin, South Asia bureau chief and Jyotsna Singh, Delhi reporter. Producers: Jyotsna Singh and Fiona Symon. Clips courtesy of Reuters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Countries that signed up to the Paris climate accord are meeting in Poland to discuss how to put their pledges into action. How will the funds for investment be raised and how much has been allocated so far? Leslie Hook puts these questions to Zoe Knight and Alice Ross.Read more on this topic in the FT’s Special Report on Sustainable FinanceContributors: Barney Jopson, Middle East and Africa news editor, Leslie Hook, environment correspondent, Zoe Knight, head of HSBC’s centre of sustainable finance and Alice Ross, wealth correspondent. Producers: Ruth Lewis-Coste and Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life-threatening allergic reactions are on the rise, particularly in western countries like the UK, Canada and the US. So what is causing this and how should the business and medical worlds respond? Maija Palmer puts these questions to Julianne Ponan, founder of creative nature, and to allergy experts Adam Fox and Tari Haahtela  Contributors: Naomi Rovnick, Live news reporter; Maija Palmer, deputy editor, special reports; Julianne Ponan, founder of superfood brand Creative Nature; Adam Fox, consultant in allergy at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital; Prof Tari Haahtela of Helsinki university. Producers: Ruth Lewis-Coste and Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The FT's Judith Evans reports on what some of the world's wealthiest homeowners do to maintain secrecy about the properties they buy and sell, and how the UK government's efforts to combat money laundering are bringing these practices into focus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leaders from the world's most powerful countries are gathering for the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina to discuss matters such as trade and market regulation. But this year's meeting is set to be particularly dramatic. The FT's James Politi explains what to expect.Contributors: James Politi, world trade editor, Jennifer Sigl. Producer: Eric Krupke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russia captured three Ukrainian boats and their crews off the coast of Crimea at the weekend, prompting Ukraine to impose martial law in 10 border regions and to warn of the threat of full-scale war with Russia. Hannah Murphy asks Henry Foy and Roman Olearchyk what’s behind the latest flare-upContributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor; Hannah Murphy, City reporter; Henry Foy, Moscow bureau chief and Roman Olearchyk, Kiev correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of the inauguration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador as president of Mexico, the FT's Jude Webber reports on the state of the migrant crisis along the US-Mexico border, and what we can expect for relations between the new leader and US president Donald Trump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Google's decision to move the health unit of its London-based DeepMind subsidiary from London to California has raised questions about what will happen to the UK patient data it has been given access to. Malcolm Moore discusses what’s behind the move and why it has raised concerns with Madhumita Murgia.Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, Malcolm Moore, technology news editor and Madhumita Murgia, European technology correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The FT's Chloe Cornish visits a family of Syrian refugees in the mountains of Lebanon and hears the story of their struggle to surviveContributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor and Chloe Cornish, Middle East correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A few trophy sales made headlines last week at the New York art auctions, including paintings from Edward Hopper and David Hockney that each sold for more than $90m. In total, Christie’s, Phillips and Sotheby’s sold close to $2bn worth of art during the week. But some marquee works also went unsold. So what do the sales signal about the mood among art collectors and investors? The FT’s Eric Platt reports on the auctions and the state of the art market.Read Eric’s reporting here.Contributors: Eric Platt, U.S. mergers & acquisitions correspondent. Producers: Jennifer Sigl and Aimee Keane. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carlos Ghosn, one of the most powerful figures in the auto industry, was arrested this week after an internal investigation at Nissan that uncovered what the Japanese automaker called numerous “significant acts of misconduct”. Tom Braithwaite talks to Kana Inagaki, Peter Cambell and Vanessa Houlder about what this means for Mr Ghosn and the three way alliance he built between Nissan, Renault and Mitsubishi.Contributors: Tom Braithwaite, companies editor; Kana Inagaki, Tokyo correspondent, Peter Campbell, motor industry correspondent and Vanessa Houlder, Lex writer. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first public testimony of the British man who exposed one of the world’s largest money laundering cases has pointed to the involvement of two US banks and a European bank’s US subsidiary, identified by the FT as Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America. Patrick Jenkins discusses the revelations with Richard Milne.Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor; Patrick Jenkins, financial editor and Richard Milne, Nordics correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Italy’s food chain has been thoroughly infiltrated by the mafia, from field to fork.  Hannah Roberts investigated the problem and told Josh Noble what she foundContributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Hannah Roberts, Rome-based investigative reporter. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.