Private equity firms handing over assets to creditors as distress rates rise. Iran dealing with unintended consequences of ultra-cheap petrol. Severe drought in Panama hits global shipping industry, causing disruptions in the transportation of goods through the Panama Canal.

US mortgage rates hit a 21-year high, contrasting earnings reports from Target and Walmart, Saudi Arabia and UAE's investments in AI with Nvidia chips, scarcity of talent in generative AI and ethical concerns with autocracies using AI models.

Sergei Leontiev, an exiled Russian banker persecuted by the state, shares his story of political persecution and financial misconduct. The podcast explores the conflicting narratives surrounding his case and the wider implications for Russia and the West.

UK inflation slows due to lower energy prices, WeWork's credit rating downgraded, growing concerns about China's real estate sector and missed payments by Country Garden. Analysis of the challenges faced by China's real estate market and the government's response.

US stocks hit a five-week low due to potential Fitch downgrades. China tackles local government debts. Investment in clean technology is dominated by Republican districts. Breakthroughs in communication technology for non-speaking individuals.

A surprise election result in Argentina spooked markets, iPhone manufacturer Foxconn is trying to pivot to India, and it looks like there’s a US regulatory crackdown looming for the sustainable investing world. Mentioned in this podcast:Argentina’s markets roil after shock primary election resultsiPhone maker Foxconn’s cautious pivot to India shows limits of ‘China plus one’UBS pays $1.4bn to settle US mortgage bond mis-selling caseSEC lawyers subpoena fund managers over ESG disclosuresLooking for a fresh perspective on the news? Meet FT Edit - the new app from the Financial Times. FT Edit brings you eight hand-picked stories to surprise and inform you, every weekday. Try FT Edit now: https://on.ft.com/446sxYSThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Josh Gabert-Doyon, Monique Mulima, Monica Lopez, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. 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.

The rouble has fallen to a 16-month low against the dollar, airlines have joined forces with farmers to lobby in Washington so that corn helps power their planes, and growing demand for minerals used in green technology is starting to shake up the geopolitics of the energy world. Mentioned in this podcast:Rouble hits 16-month low as military spending rises and exports fallUS airlines ally with farmers to seek subsidies for corn as jet fuelThe new commodity superpowersThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Josh Gabert-Doyon, Monique Mulima, Monica Lopez, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. 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.

In the final episode of this Tech Tonic season, FT correspondents weigh in on the trends that will determine the future of social media. From Meta’s Threads to artificial intelligence, we ask how platforms will look and feel in years to come. The FT’s deputy Lex editor, host Elaine Moore, speaks with social media reporter Cristina Criddle, global technology correspondent Tim Bradshaw and San Francisco-based tech reporter Hannah Murphy. Plus, we hear from Evan Henshaw-Plath, one of the creators of Twitter.Presented by Elaine Moore. Produced by Edwin Lane and Josh Gabert-Doyon, executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Sound design by Breen Turner and Samantha Giovinco. Original music by Metaphor Music. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Further reading (free to read) on FT.com: Cristina Criddle: TikTok reshapes ecommerce unit in bid to crack western markets Cristina Criddle: TikTok prepares ‘Project S’ plan to break into online shoppingTim Bradshaw: Meta’s Threads is a throwback to the giddy early days of Twitter Hannah Murphy: Meta to release commercial AI model in effort to catch rivalsHannah Murphy: Linda Yaccarino’s vision for Twitter 2.0 emergesRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran has transferred five US citizens from prison to house arrest, US headline inflation in July rose slightly from June, and in Mexico the influence of the military has grown dramatically. Mentioned in this podcast:Iran transfers five imprisoned Americans to house arrestUS inflation edges up to 3.2% in JulyThe militarisation of Mexico’s economyFT Weekend festival promo code: FTPodcastLooking for a fresh perspective on the news? Meet FT Edit - the new app from the Financial Times. FT Edit brings you eight hand-picked stories to surprise and inform you, every weekday. Try FT Edit now: https://on.ft.com/446sxYSThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Monica Lopez, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. 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.

Walt Disney reported quarterly results that showed declines at its television and movie businesses, China’s economy has fallen into deflation, and President Joe Biden is banning US tech investment in China. Plus, the FT’s Owen Walker explains why more and more countries in Europe are instituting windfall taxes on banks. Mentioned in this podcast:Disney shares jump after streaming losses narrowChinese economy falls into deflation as recovery stumblesWhite House unveils ban on US investment in Chinese tech sectors Italy joins wave of windfall taxes on banks across EuropeGoogle and Universal Music negotiate deal over AI ‘deepfakes’The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Monica Lopez, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. 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.