Brussels is stockpiling drugs and obliging manufacturers to guarantee supplies, and Russian forces are stepping up attacks on the Ukrainian town of Soledar. Plus, the FT’s Peggy Hollinger explains why Virgin Orbit's failed satellite launch is such a big deal for Europe. Mentioned in this podcast:Virgin Orbit scrambles to establish why first UK satellite launch failedRussian forces may have scored rare success in battle near BakhmutMilitary briefing: Ukraine’s hopes lift as western allies assess tank coalitionWar in Ukraine costs Moscow more than its record energy revenuesAccess 50% off a digital subscription FT.com/briefingsale The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by 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.

UK staffers fired by Twitter claim their dismissals were conducted unlawfully, BioNTech has agreed to buy UK artificial intelligence start-up InstaDeep, and Toyota is confronting an “unprecedented” challenge to revive its electric vehicle sales. Plus, the FT’s Tom Wilson chats about the challenges facing Shell’s new chief executive, Wael Sawan.Mentioned in this podcast:Twitter hit with legal challenge from former UK staffToyota leasing unit warns of ‘unprecedented’ challenge to boost EV salesBioNTech buys UK AI start-up InstaDeep in £562mn dealWael Sawan, the Shell lifer taking helm to navigate energy transitionVirgin Orbit shares sink after rocket ‘anomaly’Access 50 per cent off of a digital subscription FT.com/briefingsale The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by 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 White House is facing calls from the US Congress to expel former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro after Sunday’s insurrection, France is set to present a draft law that will raise the country’s retirement age. Plus, the FT’s Sun Yu explains why China is restricting certain domestic companies from going public. Mentioned in this podcast:White House under pressure to expel Jair Bolsonaro after Brazil protestsBeijing blocks listings of ‘red light’ companies to steer funding to strategic sectors‘We must work longer’: Macron prepares for fight over French pensions reformAccess 50 per cent off of a digital subscription FT.com/briefingsale The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by 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.

Thousands of supporters of Brazil’s former rightwing president Jair Bolsonaro stormed the country’s capital, and America’s biggest banks are set to report another quarter of bumper profits. Plus, the FT’s Middle East editor Andrew England explains how Gulf nations’ sovereign wealth funds plan to invest the cash they’ve reaped from the recent boom in oil prices. Mentioned in this podcast:Supporters of Bolsonaro invade Brazil’s CongressThe new Gulf sovereign wealth fund boomThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by 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 pace of US jobs growth is set to have slowed further in December, and clients pulled $8.1bn in deposits from crypto-focused US bank Silvergate late last year. Plus, the FT’s Pilita Clark comments on the slow death of the company phone number. Mentioned in this podcast:Pace of US jobs growth set to have slowed again in DecemberSilvergate shares tumble as crypto bank reveals $8.1bn fall in depositsThe strange death of the company phone numberThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by 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.

IMF deputy managing director says the Federal Reserve shouldn’t declare victory against inflation just yet, inflation in Europe is falling, and the World Health Organization has accused China of undercounting Covid deaths. Mentioned in this podcast:Fed wants ‘more evidence’ of easing inflation and backs fresh rate risesUS inflation has not ‘turned the corner yet’, top IMF official warnsFalling French inflation sparks hope of end to Europe’s price surgeChina has under-represented its number of Covid deaths, says WHOChinese celebrities’ Covid deaths subvert propaganda push to minimise outbreakLondon’s post-lockdown recovery in offices and hotels trailed European rivals  The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by 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.

Downing Street says Britons could struggle to access healthcare this winter, Tesla and Apple shares both fell because of production issues in China, and retail investors are pouring into risky commodities markets. Mentioned in this podcast:Downing Street admits Britons will struggle to access the NHSTesla shares slide after deliveries fall short of Wall St expectationsApple’s market value falls below $2tn as tech rout hits iPhone makerCommodities trading boom raises fear of big losses among retail investorsThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by 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.

Economists say the UK will face one of the worst recessions and weakest recoveries in the G7 in the coming year, and The Netherlands may be the first country to hit the limits of growth. Plus, the FT’s Colby Smith explains how the Federal Reserve and other central banks settled on a 2 per cent inflation rate target. Mentioned in this podcast:UK faces worst and longest recession in G7, say economistsThe Netherlands may be the first country to hit the limits of growthOpinion: It is time to revisit the 2% inflation targetFT editorial board: Inflation targeting and the 2 per cent goalThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by 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.

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s bail is set at $250mn, Wall Street stocks slide after a round of upbeat economic data was released, and the FT’s Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson reflects on the year in corporate news. Mentioned in this podcast:FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried to be released on $250mn bond Big investors warm to bonds after historic 2022 sell-off boosts yieldsUS stocks sink after strong data support further monetary tighteningThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by 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.

Big Tech groups are ditching offices that are part of their European headquarters to cut costs and Tesla has fallen below ExxonMobil in stock market value for the first time since 2020. Plus, the FT’s Claer Barrett explains how British families are coping with the sky-high cost of childcare. Mentioned in this podcast:US tech giants ditch European officesMoney Clinic Podcast: Childcare in crisisTesla share slide sends valuation below ExxonMobilThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by 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.