FT News in Focus

Russia and Germany are pressing ahead with the construction of a controversial pipeline to export Russian gas to Europe, despite strong opposition from the US administration, which has threatened sanctions. Katie Martin asks Henry Foy and Tobias Buck why the project is important for Germany and why it has attracted such strong opposition.Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Henry Foy, Moscow bureau chief, Tobias Buck, Frankfurt correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The European Commission recently rejected Italy’s spending plans for 2019, noting that they are in danger of running an excessive public deficit. So why is the Italian government proposing to expand public spending? John Murray Brown is joined by Valentina Romei and Miles Johnson to discuss the challenges of Italian economic stagnation and structural problems that need to be addressed.Contributors: John Murray Brown, Valentina Romei, and Miles Johnson. Produced by Sam Westran Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ecommerce giant plans to put big new offices in Long Island City, in New York, and Arlington, Virginia, ending the 14-month long search for a second headquarters. So why these two cities? The FT’s Shannon Bond explains Amazon’s decision and what these new headquarters tell us about the future direction of its business.Read Shannon’s latest reporting here.Contributors: Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, US business editor and Shannon Bond, San Francisco correspondent. Producers: Jennifer Sigl and Aimee Keane. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Computer chips have become the latest battleground in the trade war between the US and China. Caught in the middle is China chip maker, Fujian Jinhua, which the US has charged with conspiracy to steal trade secrets from US rival Micron. Malcolm Moore discusses the case and China’s efforts to build its own semiconductor industry with Emily Feng in Beijing and Kathrin Hille in TaipeiContributors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Malcolm Moore, technology news editor, Emily Feng, Beijing correspondent, Kathrin Hille, Greater China correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BlackRock's Munich offices have been caught up in a long running investigation into a tax fraud, thought to have cost the German authorities as much as €7bn. This has embroiled Friedrich Merz, BlackRock's German chief, who is hoping to succeed Angela Merkel as head of the CDU party next month. Katie Martin discusses the fraud and which financial companies have been implicated with Olaf Storbeck, Chris Flood and David Crow.Contributors: Suzanne Blumson, executive editor, Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Olaf Storbeck, Frankfurt correspondent, Chris Flood, FTfm reporter, David Crow, banking editor. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oliver Bullough, author of Moneyland, tells Caroline Binham about his attempts to track down the wealth hidden away by the world's crooks and kleptocrats and why the problem urgently requires a transnational solution.Contributors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Oliver Bullough, journalist and author, Caroline Binham, financial regulation correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeff Fairburn, Britain’s highest paid chief executive last year, has been asked to stand down after the controversy over his bonus proved too much for the company he led, the UK housebuilder Persimmon. So does this mean an end is in sight for excessive executive pay or is this just an isolated case? John Murray Brown puts the question to the FT’s Naomi Rovnick and Attracta Mooney Contributors: Suzanne Blumson, executive editor, John Murray Brown, production journalist, Naomi Rovnick, Live news reporter, Attracta Mooney, investment correspondent. Producers: Sam Westran and Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

India’s prime minister Narendra Modi has become embroiled in a public row with the country’s central bank and its governor Urjit Patel, which critics say puts the independence of the Reserve Bank of India at risk. Victor Mallet, the FT's Asia news editor, tells Katie Martin the story.Contributors: Adam Samson, head of FastFT, Katie Martin, capital markets editor and Victor Mallet, Asia news editor. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is longevity something to be celebrated or feared? Darren Dodd talks to Carol Jagger, professor of the epidemiology of ageing at Newcastle University and Andrew Scott, co-author of The 100-year life, about what society and individuals can do to prepare for a healthy, longer life.Sign up for your weekly health briefing hereContributors: Darren Dodd, editor of FT Health, Carol Jagger, professor of the epidemiology of ageing at Newcastle University and Andrew Scott, co-author of The 100-year life. Producer, Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US voters will head to the polls on Tuesday for the highly-anticipated midterm elections. In one Kansas district, some moderate Republicans plan to cast protest votes for a Democratic newcomer. Their reason for doing so? President Trump. The FT’s Brooke Fox shares her reporting from one suburban district that mirrors a handful of others across the country.Read Brooke’s story here.Contributors: Brooke Fox, data journalist, Ellen Porter and Steve Rose. Producers: Jennifer Sigl and Aimee Keane. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian and former Google employee Sarah Cooper tells Emma Jacobs about the inspiration for her new book on how to be successful without hurting mens feelings.How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men’s Feelings was published on October 30Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Sarah Cooper, author and comedian, Emma Jacobs, FT columnist. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US this week called for peace talks to begin within a month to end hostilities that have pitted a Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Heba Saleh spoke to Lise Grande, UN humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, about how bad the crisis is and what needs to be done to stave off a catastrophic famine.Contributors: Barney Jopson, Middle East news editor, Heba Saleh, Middle East correspondent and Lise Grande, UN humanitarian coordinator in Yemen. Producer: Fiona symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

IBM’s $34bn acquisition of Red Hat is the biggest transaction in the company’s history. Malcolm Moore discusses what chief executive Ginni Rometti is hoping to achieve and whether the gamble will pay off with Richard Waters, the FT's West Coast editor.Read Richards’s analysis hereContributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, Malcolm Moore, technology news editor and Richard Waters, West Coast editor. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The FT’s Patti Waldmeir reports from Missouri - a key battleground in the US mid-term elections. Black voters are a tiny minority in the mid-western state, but African-American leaders are hoping that a high turnout by black voters could give the Democratic Senate candidate an edge. Read Patti's article hereContributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor and Patti Waldmeir, North America correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Environmentalists fear Brazil's incoming president Jair Bolsonaro will relax curbs on deforestation and the result will be an assault on the rainforest that helps regulate the earth's atmosphere. Leslie Hook talks to Joseph Leahy about why the forest may be at risk under Brazil's new president, and at an ambitious plan to map the DNA sequences of species in the Amazon basin that could help preserve the forest.Contributors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Leslie Hook, environment correspondent and Joseph Leahy, Brazil bureau chief. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The former chairman of the Federal Reserve talks to Gillian Tett about his life, legacy and what worries him about the current financial system. Contributors: Gillian Tett, US managing editor. Producers: Aimee Keane, Jennifer Sigl and Eric Krupke. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ellen MacArthur, former round the world sailor turned campaigner, tells Leslie Hook the companies that create packaging for their products are starting to understand the responsibility they hold for helping eliminate the waste.Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Ellen MacArthur and Leslie Hook, FT environment correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The escalating trade dispute between the US and China has clouded the global economic outlook, with no signs of ending soon. This year, the US has slapped tariffs on $250bn worth of Chinese goods, while the Chinese have retaliated with tariffs on $110bn of US goods. The FT's Gillian Tett recently sat down with Kevin Rudd, former prime minister of Australia and current president of the Asia Society Policy Institute, to discuss the state of the trade disagreement and what it might take for the two countries to reach a truce. Contributors: Gillian Tett, US managing editor, Kevin Rudd, president of the Asia Society Policy Institute. Producers: Jennifer Sigl and Aimee Keane. Music by David Sappa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An Indian government minister was forced to stand down last week in the wake of sexual harassment allegations. Jyotsna Singh talks to Amy Kazmin about why so many Indian women are coming forward to complain about harassment in the workplace and whether this will be a catalyst for change.  Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive 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.

SoftBank shares took a hit after agents of Saudi Arabia, its main funder, were accused of carrying out the gruesome murder of a Saudi journalist in Turkey. Malcolm Moore discusses what this means for the Japanese technology company with Kana Inagaki and Arash Massoudi.Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Malcolm Moore, technology news editor, Kana Inagaki, Toyko correspondent and Arash Massoudi, corporate finance editor. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's Brussels summit ended on a conciliatory note for Theresa May after German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for more flexibility on both sides to engineer a breakthrough on Brexit. The FT's Alex Barker and Mehreen Khan report from the Justus Lipsius building, headquarters of the Council of the European Union.Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Alex Barker, Brussels bureau chief and Mehreen Khan, Brussels correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Political uncertainty over Brexit and the threat of global trade wars has overshadowed a remarkable corporate success story in Europe. Martin Arnold discusses how companies on the Continent have bounced back since the financial crisis with Sarah Gordon, FT business editor and regional correspondents Harriet Agnew, Olaf Storbeck and Michael StothardRead more on Europe's corporate comeback hereContributors: Susanne Blumsen, executive editor, Martin Arnold, deputy companies editor, Sarah Gordon, business editor, Olaf Storbeck, Frankfurt correspondent, Harriet Agnew, Paris correspondent and Michael Stothard, Madrid correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is growing evidence that the use of chemicals in agriculture is harmful to both the environment and human health. Maija Palmer discusses potential alternatives with Helen Browning, chief executive of the Soil Association, Adam Speed of the Crop Protection Association and Andrew Diprose, chief exec of Rootwave, a startup that uses electricity to kill weedsRead more on the future of food and agriculture hereContributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Maija Palmer, acting deputy editor of Special Reports, Helen Browning, chief executive of the Soil Association, Adam Speed of the Crop Protection Association and Andrew Diprose, chief exec of Rootwave. Producers: Ruth Lewis-Coste and Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump’s decision to step up sanctions on Iran has set up a clash with European allies who still support the 2015 nuclear accord. Roula Khalaf discusses the repercussions of the clash with Najmeh Bozorgmehr, Katrina Manson and Michael Peel.Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, Roula Khalaf, deputy editor, Katrina Manson, US defence correspondent, Najmeh Bozorgmehr, Tehran correspondent and Michael Peel, Brussels correspondent. Producer: Fiona SymonRead more on this story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some of the world’s biggest retail and technology companies have recently entered the Indian market, enticed by rapid growth in the local telecoms network. Among these is Netflix, which has launched an original show, Sacred Games, targeting Indian audiences. Jyotsna Singh talks to Kiran Stacey about whether the video streaming service can repeat the success it's had in other parts of the world.Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, Kiran Stacey, South Asia correspondent, Jyotsna Singh, Delhi reporter; Producers: Jyotsna Singh and Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The online retailer will give an extra boost in pay to some long-time workers amid concerns over changes to its compensation policies as part of a minimum-wage increase. The FT's Shannon Bond explains the backlash, and what prompted Amazon to raise its minimum wage in the first place. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An electric scooter craze has taken hold in US cities from Washington to San Francisco. Tim Bradshaw talks to Malcolm Moore about what's their appeal and whether the craze will catch on in Europe.Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, Malcolm Moore, technology news editor, and Tim Bradshaw, technology correspondent; Producer: Fiona Symon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What can we do to combat mental health problems in the workplace? Darren Dodd, editor of FT Health, discusses possible solutions and why this matters with Beth Robotham, vice chair of the City Mental Health Alliance and Sean Russel, head of the West Midlands Mental Health Commission.Subscribe to our weekly health briefing here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melinda Gates talks to John Thornhill about her work to promote more inclusive global growth through widening access to the internet and why she thinks doomsday scenarios about robots stealing jobs are misguided.Pathways for Prosperity Commission Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China's Bytedance is poised to have a valuation higher than Uber and Didi if its latest fundraising succeeds. Malcolm Moore talks to Emily Feng about how the news and video sharing app became one of a handful of Chinese tech giants to go global, and asks whether such a high valuation can be justified.Read more on Bytedance here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emmanuel Macron, France's reforming president, has seen his popularity plunge as former political allies jump ship. Josh Noble talks to FT Paris correspondent Harriet Agnew about what has gone wrong for Mr Macron and what impact his reforms are having on the wider society.Read more on this topic here and here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sunday's elections in Brazil could turn out to be the most polarising and unpredictable in the country’s recent history. Andres Schipani, FT Brazil correspondent, talks to Valentina Romei about who the leading candidates are and what issues voters are most concerned about.Read more on the Brazilian election here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this year White House hawks encouraged President Donald Trump to stop issuing student visas to Chinese nationals, but the proposal was shelved over concerns about its economic and diplomatic impact. The FT's Demetri Sevastopulo reports from Washington. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Banks and asset managers are beginning to steer their EU trading operations from London to French capital. Patrick Jenkins discusses which banks are in the vanguard and what this trend means for London with Stephen Morris. He also speaks to Christian Noyer, former governor of the Bank of France, about what France has done to win over the banks. Music by Kevin Macleod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can blockchain solve problems of origin, ownership and price in the art market? Josh Spero put this question to Georgina Adam, author of Dark Side of the Boom, Jess Holgrave from Codex Protocol, and Anne Bracegirdle from Christie's at the FT’s recent Weekend Festival in London. Dark Side of the Boom: The Excesses of the Art Market in the 21st Century is published by Lund Humphreys Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh angrily denied accusations that he had committed sexual assault when he testified at a dramatic Senate hearing on Thursday, after Christine Blasey Ford told the panel she was "100 per cent" certain that Mr Kavanaugh was the man who attacked her at an early 1980s high-school party. Washington bureau chief Demetri Sevastopulo describes how the day unfolded, and how the balance of the US high court will be determined.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What kind of health problems are advances in brain imaging helping to solve and how close we are to being able to read minds? Darren Dodd discusses the latest research with Clare Elwell, a professor of medical physics at University College in London, and FT Science Editor Clive Cookson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former cricketer Imran Khan and his new government in Pakistan have inherited the widest budget deficit in years and an impending foreign currency crisis. Jyotsna Singh talks to the FT’s Kiran Stacey about the measures Mr Khan has taken during his first month in office to try to avert the crisis.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lehman is best known as the bank at the centre of the financial crash, but a book and a play about the brothers who founded the bank tell a different story, of immigration and entrepreneurship. Jan Dalley discusses the book and the play with Peter Chapman and Sarah Hemming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK Biobank, the world’s most comprehensive set of human health data, is providing a vital resource for global scientific and medical research. Darren Dodd talks to Clare Elwell, professor of medical physics at University College London, Cathie Sudlow, chief scientist at the UK Biobank and Clive Cookson, FT science editor, about how it came about. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the Port of Baltimore on the US east coast businesses fear the impact of the US-China tariff battle. The FT's world trade editor James Politi reports.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

IMF managing director Christine Lagarde has issued a stark warning about the 'substantial costs' to the UK of leaving the EU without a deal. Siona Jenkins discusses the warning and how serious the risk of a no-deal exit is with the FT's Chris Giles and James Blitz. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

India's gay community is celebrating a recent supreme court ruling to decriminalise homosexuality. Jyotsna Singh discusses how the ruling came about and what happens next with Amy Kazmin the FT’s South Asia bureau chief.Read Amy's story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two Russian men accused by Britain of carrying out the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the UK town of Salisbury last March have appeared on Russian TV to deny any involvement. Katie Martin discusses the latest twist in the story with Max Seddon and David Bond Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a rocky summer for Tesla and chief executive Elon Musk, the electric car maker’s share and bond prices have dropped. The FT's Elaine Moore explains what triggered the market moves, and whether it matters to the company's day-to-day operations.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, it was Danske Bank. This week the Dutch Bank ING is at the centre of allegations that it failed to spot suspicious cross border money flows. Patrick Jenkins, the FT's financial editor, talks to Martin Arnold, banking editor, and Jim Brunsden, Brussels correspondent, about the latest money laundering scandal and what European regulators are doing about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US is pushing for a deal in Afghanistan amid tentative signs that the Taliban might be ready to end its war in exchange for a role in government. But Isis and others, including the Taliban, still pose a threat. The FT’s Katrina Manson returns to Kabul nearly ten years after her last visit, to report on her trip with Jim Mattis, US defence secretary, and dim prospects for peace  Read Katrina's story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ten years on from the financial crisis, Gillian Tett, the FT's US managing editor, talks to some of the leading figures in banking at the time to find out what lessons have been learnt.Watch the video here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Japanese prime minister's policy of promoting female economic empowerment, known as 'womenomics', has succeeded in increasing the female workforce, but is being held back by a culture of discrimination and long working hours, Kana Inagaki tells Naomi Rovnick.Read Kana's article here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nike has faced a consumer backlash, a sell-off in its shares and an attack from Donald Trump after it decided to use the American footballer Colin Kaepernick in a new ad campaign. Katie Martin talks to Shannon Bond and Andrew Hill about why the decision was so controversial and whether it will pay off in the end.Read Shannon's article here and Andrew's article here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.