The UK government is pushing back against an attempt by some members of the House of Lords to close loopholes in transparency legislation, US bank stocks fell after Moody’s cut the credit ratings of 10 midsized banks, and the FT’s Jamie Smyth explains the craze behind new weight-loss drugs. Mentioned in this podcast:UK government resists moves to tighten corporate transparency rulesWeak bank stocks weigh on US and European markets Novo Nordisk’s obesity drug cuts risk of strokes and heart attacksOrange juice futures hit record high after storms ravage Florida cropThe 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.

Meta has axed a team that used artificial intelligence to create the first database of more than 600mn protein structures, and PayPal is launching a stablecoin. Plus, the FT’s Henry Foy explains why it’s so difficult for the EU to admit new members, Ukraine in particular.  Mentioned in this podcast:Meta disbands protein-folding team in shift towards commercial AIPayPal pushes deeper into crypto payments with stablecoin launchThe ‘monumental consequences’ of Ukraine joining the EUFT Weekend podcast: David Byrne on Talking Heads and ‘Here Lies Love’The 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.

Private equity firms are increasingly offering sweeteners such as fee discounts to secure backing from deep-pocketed investors, US banks are still relying on hundreds of billions of dollars in government financing, and Latin America’s central banks have started cutting interest rates. Mentioned in this podcast:Private equity firms offer sweeteners in struggle to lure reluctant investorsBritain’s investors shy away from UK defence companiesRegional lenders struggle to get off government life supportLatin America’s central banks declare victory in war on inflationThe 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.

Can we get rid of the bad bits of social media and keep the good? Is it possible to create a more positive social media experience than the one we get from the platforms that dominate the landscape today? In this episode, Elaine Moore asks what the social media platforms of the future should look like, and whether platforms designed for smaller groups of users with shared interests are the way forward.We hear from writer and tech historian Benj Edwards about the BBS era of the early 1990s; University of Massachusetts professor Ethan Zuckerman; Sarah Gilbert, researcher at Cornell University and Reddit moderator; and Jonathan Abrams, partner at 8-Bit Capital and the creator of Friendster.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. Special thanks to Hannah Murphy.Mentioned in this podcast:The Lex Newsletter: Reddit and the API apocalypseDiscord has won over gamers. Now it wants everybody elseReddit stands firm in clash with users as blackout on forums escalates Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stronger than expected online sales helped Amazon beat Wall Street expectations for last quarter, and the Bank of England raised interest rates for the 14th time in a row. Plus, the FT’s Christopher Miller explains the strategy behind a series of drone attacks on Moscow.Mentioned in this podcast:Amazon’s cost-cutting and online sales lift earningsApple profits rise as services arm surpasses 1bn usersBank of England raises interest rates by 0.25 percentage pointsTreasury yields keep climbing after US increases borrowing plansFT Weekend festival promo code: FTPodcastThe 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.

Investors are increasing their bets that Europe will sink into a painful economic downturn, and luxury groups are bracing for the end of the post-pandemic recovery boom. Plus, the FT’s Tokyo bureau chief Kana Inagaki explains why Nissan’s focus on regaining ground in China might be a bit of an uphill battle.  Mentioned in this podcast:Investors turn gloomy over Europe’s economic outlookLuxury sector slows after ‘bonkers’ post-pandemic spending spreeWhy Nissan’s woes in China are not just about electric vehiclesThe 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.

US prosecutors have charged Donald Trump in connection with his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, Uber reported its first operating profit, and Fitch Ratings has cut the US debt rating from triple A to double A plus. Plus, the US Federal Reserve has become a target for Republican presidential candidates. Mentioned in this podcast:Donald Trump indicted over attempt to overturn 2020 electionUber makes first operating profit after racking up $31.5bn of lossesFitch strips US of triple A rating after borrowing stand-offRon DeSantis vows to crack down on Federal Reserve’s ‘social engineering’Uniper’s chief vows to deliver a ‘good return’ for Berlin after state rescueThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. Additional help from 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.

Rising stock prices and falling bond yields in the US have essentially neutralised the impact of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate rises, western oil and gas majors are expected to face renewed scrutiny of their energy transition plans, and China’s metals and mining investments overseas are on track to hit a record this year. Plus, the private equity owners of German sandal maker Birkenstock are considering an initial public offering of the company. Mentioned in this podcast:US stocks notch longest monthly winning streak in two yearsBooming markets neutralise impact of rate rises on US corporate fundraisingChina’s overseas investment in metals and mining set to hit recordOil majors to face energy transition scrutiny as war profit boost fadesBirkenstock owner eyes $8bn valuation in September IPOThe 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.

The Bank of Japan announced that it’s going to allow bonds to rise more freely, and China’s politburo has signalled several target measures meant to boost the country’s economy. Plus, the FT’s Attracta Mooney explains how more frequent heat waves will impact several different industries and the economy as a whole. Mentioned in this podcast:Investment flows poised for historic shift after ‘giant leap’ by Bank of JapanWhat China’s economic measures mean in practiceHow an era of extreme heat is reshaping economiesUnhedged podcastUnhedged newsletter 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.

Social media today is less about making friends and more about following popular content creators. While those creators are starting to hold some power over the platforms themselves, they’re also looking to become less reliant on the platforms that have enabled them to find fame and fortune online. What does it mean for the future of social media platforms? Our producer Josh Gabert-Doyon travels to the VidCon convention in Anaheim, California to speak to the people at the heart of the creator economy.We hear from Kris Collins, a TikTok and YouTube star who goes by the name @KallmeKris and her agent Keith Bielory, as well as Megan Lightcap, a VC investor who specialises in the creator economy, and Lindsey Lugrin, founder of the creator start-up Fuck You Pay Me, which is pushing for pay transparency and higher remuneration in the sector.Mentioned in this podcast:Why social media is hardly social any moreYouTube Shorts takes on TikTok in battle for younger usersWhat de-influencing tells us about the state of the creator economyPresented 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. Special thanks to Hannah Murphy and Cristina Criddle.We're keen to hear more from our listeners about this show and want to know what you'd like to hear more of, so we're running a survey which you can find at ft.com/techtonicsurvey. It takes about 10 minutes to complete and you will be in with a chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort earbuds.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.