FT News Briefing

Italy's potential agreement to join China's Belt and Road Initiative raises eyebrows. JPMorgan Chase's decision to stop banking private prisons sparks a debate on ethics in finance. Meanwhile, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg opts out of the 2020 presidential race. The podcast also dives into Huawei's legal battle against U.S. sanctions, examining the broader implications of tensions between tech firms and government regulations.

Cloud software giant Salesforce issues a disappointing earnings forecast for the current quarter, French President Emmanuel Macron calls for a new European 'renaissance' and the UK’s department for international trade cancels its regular meetings with business leaders after media leaks. Plus, the FT’s Aliya Ram explains new research that shows two-fifths of Europe’s artificial intelligence start-ups don’t actually use any artificial intelligence programs in their products. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US discusses emergency aid for Venezuela if Nicolas Maduro’s regime falls, Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou sues Canadian border officers over her arrest and the head of the US oil refinery trade group attacks the idea of a carbon tax. Plus, the FT’s Mehul Srivastava explains the accusations of bribery against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - and what affect his possible indictment might have on Israel’s upcoming election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk announces a price cut to $35,000 for the Model 3, retailer Gap reveals plans to split itself in two, HBO’s Richard Plepler quits in the wake of the AT&T takeover, and Israel’s attorney general intends to indict prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on corruption charges. Then the FT’s Hannah Kuchler tells us about the US biotech startup that’s raising money for research into ending genetic diseases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world’s largest sovereign wealth fund cuts its €1bn stake in Volkswagen almost in half, the UK Labour party formally comes out in favour of a second Brexit referendum and Russian hackers step up their campaign to disrupt the EU’s next elections. Plus, the FT’s Kadhim Shubber explains the biggest takeaways from the testimony of US President Donald Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The FT uncovers that several Chinese officials committed plagiarism in their university theses, WW - the company formerly known as Weight Watchers - reports a drop in subscribers and profit forecasts and JPMorgan Chase president Daniel Pinto warns of a fall in trading revenue. Plus, the FT’s Sam Fleming explains the big takeaways from Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell’s testimony before the US Congress. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK’s opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn opens the door to a new referendum on Brexit, US vice-president Mike Pence travels to Latin America to support opposition leader Juan Guaidó and Tesla chief Elon Musk lands in legal trouble again after tweeting potentially-market moving information. Plus, the FT’s Anna Nicolaou explains what this year’s Academy Awards signal about broader business trends in the film industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump delays the increase in tariffs on imported Chinese goods, UK Prime Minister Theresa May delays her Brexit deal vote in Parliament and ExxonMobil tries to prevent an investor proposal that would set targets for the company’s greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, the FT’s Gideon Long brings us the latest from the Venezuelan/Colombian border. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eurosceptic MPs warn they’ll try to end the UK government if Prime Minister Theresa May delays Brexit, Kraft Heinz shares dive after the food group reveals an SEC subpoena over its accounting policies and the Big Four accounting firms’ stranglehold over major car companies is under threat. Plus, the FT’s Sam Fleming explains how Federal Reserve policymakers are rethinking their economic strategy.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Food giant Kraft Heinz is looking to gobble up its competitors, Volkswagen chief executive Herbert Diess says US tariffs are the biggest worry for the industry and the Federal Reserve minutes of its latest meeting reassure investors. Plus, the FT’s Nathalie Thomas explains why environmentalists and energy businesses are confused by the UK government’s approach to hydrofracking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.