FT News Briefing

Stephen Morris, FT San Francisco Bureau Chief, and Anu Adioye, FT West and Central Africa correspondent, dive into the ambitious plans of Uber to transform into a 'super app,' hinting at a major acquisition of Expedia. They explore the challenges Uber faces in broadening its service offerings beyond ride-hailing. Anu sheds light on the initiatives by African oil-producing nations to secure funding for fossil fuel projects amidst climate change debates. The conversation also touches on Boeing’s labor issues and the implications of investment strategies in Africa.

Eva Xiao, a data journalist at the Financial Times, and Joe Miller, the U.S. legal correspondent, dive into the ongoing specter of election denialism as the 2024 presidential race looms. They unpack how Trump and his allies are casting doubt on future votes, while exploring the surge in litigation from right-wing groups aimed at electoral integrity. The discussion also highlights the challenges of misinformation in a decentralized election system and examines positive changes in voting practices catalyzed by COVID-19.

Israel announces the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, impacting the Gaza conflict. Meanwhile, mixed earnings from chipmakers lead to wild fluctuations in tech stocks. NVIDIA shines amidst optimism, while ASML struggles with a semiconductor recovery warning. The European Central Bank's rate cut raises concerns about eurozone growth. In South Africa, political tensions within a coalition government are highlighted as optimism takes root, showcasing the need for unity to ensure economic stability.

James Schotter, FT's Jerusalem correspondent, discusses the alarming humanitarian crisis in Gaza and accusations against Israel regarding a strategy to force Hamas into submission. Meanwhile, Stephanie Stacey, FT's technology reporter, delves into the challenges faced by 23andMe, including layoffs and a security breach, while the CEO seeks a new path with healthcare subscriptions. Additionally, the podcast touches on Prada's unexpected venture into spacesuit design for NASA, demonstrating their innovation in durable materials.

In this engaging discussion, Amelia Pollard, a due diligence reporter specializing in private credit, teams up with Christian Davies, the FT's bureau chief covering the electric vehicle industry. They explore the troubling trend of deferred payments among cash-strapped companies and delve into the risks associated with private credit loans. The conversation also highlights exciting advancements in EV charging technology, with Asian battery makers racing to create ultra-fast charging solutions that could transform the market for electric vehicles.

In this episode, Joe Leahy, Asia News Editor at the Financial Times, shares his expert insights on the mounting economic pressures facing China. He discusses deflationary trends and the alarming drop in consumer and factory prices. Leahy speculates on potential fiscal stimulus measures from Beijing, including monetary easing and support for the struggling property market. He highlights the cautious consumer behavior and investor uncertainty that complicates growth targets, painting a picture of China's economic landscape.

In this discussion, Josh Franklin, the FT’s U.S. banking editor, reveals how U.S. banks are experiencing a resurgence post-Silicon Valley Bank's collapse, bolstered by better-than-expected earnings. Meanwhile, Michael Stott, FT’s Latin America editor, dives into Argentina's new president Javier Milei's economic policies and the tough choices concerning currency controls that could affect foreign investment. They also touch on global inflation concerns and the ripple effects in both U.S. and Eurozone economies.

James Politi, the Washington Bureau Chief for the Financial Times, and Jessica Taylor, Senate and Governors editor for the Cook Political Report, dive into the competitive landscape of the upcoming Senate elections. They discuss how Republicans are poised to reclaim the Senate with a favorable Congressional map. The duo examines challenges for Democrats, especially in battleground states like Florida and Texas. Insights on campaign strategies, the impact of Vice President Harris, and the nuances of the House's competitive nature further enrich the conversation.

The French government has proposed a budget for next year with some €60bn worth of spending cuts and tax increases, and Hurricane Milton ploughed across Florida on Wednesday. US inflation fell to 2.4 per cent in September. Plus, we look ahead to Japan’s early elections later this month. Mentioned in this podcast:French PM unveils shock therapy in 2025 budgetUS inflation fell to 2.4% in SeptemberHurricane Milton leaves millions without power after lashing FloridaJapan’s new prime minister pledges to tackle deflation in first policy speechSpanish star Rafael Nadal calls time on glittering tennis careerCREDIT: BBCThe FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lucy Fisher, the FT's Whitehall editor and host of the Political Fix podcast, discusses key players in the UK Conservative Party leadership race. Tensions rise as two right-wing candidates emerge, each challenging the status quo on issues like immigration. The conversation shifts to Germany's economy, facing a daunting forecast of recession. Then, the talk turns to the U.S. government's serious consideration of breaking up Google to combat its monopolistic hold, raising questions about the future of search and competition in the tech industry.