This weekend, we’re going behind the scenes of the FT’s legendary Books of the Year roundup. Literary editor Frederick Studemann and deputy books editor Laura Battle take us into a secret room in the basement of the FT, where all the books sent in for review are kept behind lock and key. You’ll leave this episode with a lot on your reading list, including recommendations from editor Roula Khalaf, FT weekend editor Alec Russell, chief economics commentator Martin Wolf and more.--------------If you want a $1 trial or 50% off a digital subscription, go to http://ft.com/weekendpodcast--------------Want to say hi? Email us at ftweekendpodcast@ft.com. We’re on Twitter @ftweekendpod, and Lilah is on Instagram and Twitter @lilahrap.--------------We want your cultural predictions, wishes, or questions for 2022! Share them with Lilah and FT Magazine editor Matt Vella by Sunday, December 12. Open your phone’s voice memo app, get close to the mic and say your name, location and your thoughts, then email it to ftweekendpodcast@ft.com. You can write to us, too. But you’ll sound great on tape, we promise.--------------Links and mentions from the episode: –Roula Khalaf recommends Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe–Pilita Clark recommends The Hydrogen Revolution by Marco Alvira and How to Blow Up a Pipeline by Andreas Malm. Her whole climate list: https://on.ft.com/3DFcYLr –Alec Russell recommends Sentient by Jackie Higgins and Free by Lea Ypi–Edwin Heathcote recommends Public House: A Cultural and Social History of the London Pub. His whole architecture and design list: https://www.ft.com/content/37545da9-7142-408b-a0bb-e458079ebd53  –One of Edwin’s favorite books of the past few years is Sandfuture by Justin Beal. Here’s his review (free to read): https://www.ft.com/content/91a35024-4e41-4325-81ca-2373321ae4ff –Fred Studemann recommends Notes from Deep Time by Helen Gordon, The Passenger by Ulrich Boschwitz and Just the Plague by Lyudmila Ulitskaya–Laura Battle recommends Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen, Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, and the audiobook of Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead. Her whole fiction list: https://www.ft.com/content/7a881a03-2462-459e-930c-f526e4e54449 –Martin Wolf’s economics list: https://www.ft.com/content/25ca2b59-8047-4f9b-bf99-e7f7c15d8d51 –Explore the whole Books of the Year package: https://www.ft.com/booksof2021Original music by Metaphor Music. Mixing and sound design is by Breen Turner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.comhttps://www.ft.com/content/699883ef-69b7-425f-a149-915268ccac82US consumer prices for November are expected to have increased at the fastest pace in nearly 40 years, and workers at a Starbucks in Buffalo, New York, have voted to become the coffee shop chain’s first unionised store in the US. Plus, FT markets editor, Katie Martin, explains why investors are shrugging off the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. US consumer prices expected to log biggest annual gain since 1982 - with Colby Smith https://www.ft.com/content/f355feab-e9f0-4dfc-bcd7-1759983dfb16Markets: variant, what variant? - with Katie Martin https://www.ft.com/content/c9a674a8-a961-4f7b-be1f-7a6922526296Starbucks workers approve first US union at Buffalo store - with Taylor Nicole Rogers https://www.ft.com/content/99653893-e23a-47ef-be04-6076b7a6e5b3Sackler name to be removed from Metropolitan Museum of Art gallerieshttps://www.ft.com/content/2a898811-ddce-40fc-a736-f538ec31d58dThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber, Gavin Kallmann and Michael Bruning. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.comhttps://www.ft.com/content/f448826b-f40b-49be-824d-5795493cee5fThe Big Four accounting firms have recorded their strongest financial performance since the collapse of Enron, and Apple is tolerating a loose interpretation of its new privacy rules allowing app developers to collect data from its 1bn iPhone users for targeted advertising. Plus, the FT’s Beijing Bureau chief, Tom Mitchell, explains how the Chinese government might orchestrate the slow-motion collapse of indebted property developer Evergrande. Big Four post strongest performance since Enron as advisory business booms - with Michael O’Dwyerhttps://www.ft.com/content/95a0c80b-1262-42c3-ac5b-bb693e06d3c4Apple reaches quiet truce over iPhone privacy changes - with Patrick McGeehttps://www.ft.com/content/69396795-f6e1-4624-95d8-121e4e5d7839Beijing seeks to orchestrate slow-motion collapse for Evergrande - with Thomas Hale https://www.ft.com/content/21acda99-ee35-4f6d-8cfa-017d55e1bb10The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber, Gavin Kallmann and Michael Bruning. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.comhttps://www.ft.com/content/4f159e0e-06fa-4610-8768-4807a47b6fbeChina is preparing a blacklist that could tightly restrict the main channel technology start-ups use to attract international capital, and the US is pressuring Germany to block Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas in the event that Vladimir Putin invades Ukraine. Plus, the FT’s hedge fund correspondent, Laurence Fletcher, talks about Elliott Management, one of the most “fearsome” activist hedge funds. China to tighten rules for tech companies seeking foreign moneyhttps://www.ft.com/content/7689489c-cdad-4596-a7c6-0774ed68bf5aUS demands halt to Nord Stream 2 if Russia invades Ukraine -with Max Seddon https://www.ft.com/content/d1ed75b0-338f-42f8-836b-f94cb00670caActivist investor Elliott attacks SSE over renewable energy plans -with Laurence Fletcher https://www.ft.com/content/68faf5d2-ae6a-4391-aa64-3ca8ace45715Chinese marriages fall to 13-year low as demographic crisis brewshttps://www.ft.com/content/f0fe5b5e-6a0f-4b39-b457-db07294c696fThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber, Gavin Kallmann and Michael Bruning. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.comhttps://www.ft.com/content/0c162b9e-4c9a-40bf-ab48-a6d5f9830f6eA sustained rally in the price of carbon allowances could prompt UK government intervention, Germany’s new government is prioritising climate goals, and the FT’s European technology correspondent, Madhumita Murgia, reports on academics’ struggles to access Facebook data that they need in order to find out more about the social effect of the company’s platforms.Carbon price surge triggers UK market mechanismhttps://www.ft.com/content/4b4631ac-92fa-47da-9d81-1c01aa185cd0Olaf Scholz plots a way round Germany’s debt rules - with Guy Chazan https://www.ft.com/content/7f035d83-a85f-4a42-b81c-0d61af37e4faInvestigating Facebook: a fractious relationship with academia - with Madhumita Murgia https://www.ft.com/content/1f409239-9e4a-4988-b6fa-cad4dbe7c344Ghosn brands Nissan ‘visionless’ as electric vehicle plan falls flat https://www.ft.com/content/b7dd2398-a338-4fef-ad54-b1272e916651The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber, Gavin Kallmann and Michael Bruning. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.comhttps://www.ft.com/content/6842cbfd-af06-459d-80cb-e62f68db910cSeveral of Toshiba’s biggest shareholders accuse the conglomerate of failing to fully pursue talks with private equity buyers and plan to vote against a company proposal to split into three separate businesses, European auto suppliers say half a million jobs would be at risk under EU plans to effectively ban combustion-engine cars by 2035, and Tesla’s outsized influence in financial markets may not be due to its market capitalization but what FT global finance correspondent Robin Wigglesworth calls the “Tesla-financial complex.”  Toshiba shareholders accuse conglomerate of overlooking privatisation bidshttps://www.ft.com/content/f284fdaf-a900-4af4-920c-5c42091b19dbEuropean auto suppliers warn shift to electric would put 500,000 jobs at risk - with Joe Miller https://www.ft.com/content/1e0040c9-aab2-4881-828b-e992f23a9f3eThe ‘Tesla-financial complex’: how carmaker gained influence over the markets - with Robin Wigglesworth https://www.ft.com/content/17f0cd1f-e751-4ddb-b13c-ea4e685b55c0Singapore suspends crypto exchange over spat with K-pop group BTShttps://www.ft.com/content/eea3a969-0dbd-4894-a049-1f566ef1660eThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber, Gavin Kallmann and Michael Bruning. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do we need another Princess Diana film? Maybe we do, actually. This weekend, we’re talking about new ways to see old things. Lilah speaks with director Pablo Larraín, who our film critic calls ‘one of the most consistently interesting directors in cinema today’. He explains the creative process behind his new film Spencer, starring Kristen Stewart as Diana. Then, we ask the question: what is up with the House of Lords? The FT’s political editor George Parker explains why one of the world’s most prominent democracies has an entirely unelected house of legislature, with some seats passed down hereditarily to eldest sons.---------------------We want your cultural predictions, wishes, or questions for 2022! Share them with Lilah and FT Magazine editor Matt Vella by December 12. Here’s what to do: Open the voice memo app on your phone. Get close to the mic and say your name, where you’re from and your prediction, then email it to ftweekendpodcast@ft.com. You can write to us, too. But you’re going to sound great on tape, we promise.---------------------Go to http://ft.com/weekendpodcast for a special discount on an FT subscription!---------------------Links from the episode: –Film critic Danny Leigh’s interview with Pablo Larraín: https://www.ft.com/content/87efb3c2-82ee-11ea-b6e9-a94cffd1d9bf–Spencer review: https://www.ft.com/content/e05684d2-9161-4fdd-94cf-7d8f4576ffaa –George Parker on the House of Lords: https://www.ft.com/content/d5aebb99-0316-41a9-b19a-505713e4fb41–Last year’s predictions — forecasting the world in 2021: https://www.ft.com/content/cbfe6821-c70b-4e4d-977b-979bfe929fd3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.comhttps://www.ft.com/content/e596c61d-a93c-48e6-8a16-c3b67d1f3f17Saudi Arabia has agreed to keep increasing monthly crude oil production following a charm offensive by Biden administration officials, the US is delaying a deal to remove Trump-era tariffs on UK steel and aluminium, and Brazil’s economy has entered a technical recession but its finance minister remains bullish about his economy. Plus, FT Weekend deputy editor, Esther Bintliff, talks about the magazine’s 2021 list of the 25 most influential women. Opec+ sticks with oil supply increase after US overture to Saudi Arabiahttps://www.ft.com/content/ef94213b-4b7f-44de-903e-1b48d35213abBrexit fears hold back US-UK trade dealhttps://www.ft.com/content/608e5634-9894-449d-9a09-4f903f0e7169Brazil’s finance minister vows ‘fight to the end’ to save reformshttps://www.ft.com/content/933c9809-4055-4c3b-b14a-00700630e5bbThe FT’s 25 most influential women of 2021https://www.ft.com/womenof2021The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber, Gavin Kallmann and Michael Bruning. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.comhttps://www.ft.com/content/79f693ec-50d9-42d0-94af-b8b5d9d8d931The US-based Women’s Tennis Association says it will suspend its tournaments in China over Beijing’s handling of tennis star Peng Shuai and her sexual assault allegations; the rapid growth of multi-manager hedge funds has unleashed a fierce battle for talent and driven compensation for top traders sky-high; a local dispute in France over an offshore wind farm has spiralled into a polarising national election issue; and Iran’s historic city of Isfahan has been the site of big protests over a shortage of water.  WTA suspends tennis tournaments in China over Peng Shuai casehttps://www.ft.com/content/c827fb41-e5fe-49cf-a31c-aa99b4a56d2eHedge funds wage pandemic battle for talent https://www.ft.com/content/241505c0-daf8-4ea7-b727-b0ba774c00faFrance: the battle over wind power stirs up the electionhttps://www.ft.com/content/29cb5f2b-9b09-49bf-b306-c3a782191f6cIranian water protests a ‘wake-up call’ for regimehttps://www.ft.com/content/1f484ccb-794c-4122-bd29-be15e75fe0bbThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber, Gavin Kallmann and Michael Bruning. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.comhttps://www.ft.com/content/5810c0fd-5325-4b58-93d6-4790d00956adJay Powell signalled his support for a quicker withdrawal of the Federal Reserve’s massive asset purchase programme, and the world’s biggest clothing retailer, Inditex, has named the 37-year-old daughter of its founder as the company’s new chair. Plus, Robin Wigglesworth, the FT’s global finance correspondent, explains why markets might be more fragile than many people think. Powell signals support for quicker ‘taper’ of Fed’s bond buying schemehttps://www.ft.com/content/181021d7-9dc4-4a55-a8e9-d5ae26e8e5c1Markets are more fragile than investors thinkhttps://www.ft.com/content/c25bd7df-0f13-4bb1-94b3-e36ed8fb2b97Inditex shares fall after it appoints founder’s daughter as chairhttps://www.ft.com/content/57283cb1-20d8-43a7-85aa-6ca59a49099cMorrisons ditches soya for insects in chicken feed to hatch carbon neutral eggshttps://www.ft.com/content/ce180ed3-67c5-4e47-91e3-32049866cae1The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber, Gavin Kallmann and Michael Bruning. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.