One of the world’s top gold producers fired its chief executive for serious misconduct, Chinese provinces pumped a record $31bn of capital into fragile regional banks last year, and German inflation accelerated to its fastest rate for three months in December. Plus, a study shows widespread untracked fishing is hindering global efforts to protect depleted fish stocks and marine environments. 
Mentioned in this podcast: Endeavour Mining CEO dismissed for serious misconduct Off-radar fishing threatens efforts to preserve stocks, study warns China steps up aid for regional banks as economic risks mount German inflation rises to 3.8% in blow to rate-cut hopes
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. 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.

Local Chinese banks get a lifeline

A rundown of the most important global business stories you need to know for the coming day, from the newsroom of the Financial Times. Available every weekday morning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News & Politics

News

Daily News

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tries to revive Conservative morale with a speech in London, four Chinese generative artificial intelligence start-ups have been valued at more than $1bn in the past three months, and US shale oil companies are under the spotlight over allegations of manipulating prices. Plus, the frontrunner in Mexico’s presidential election is promising more of the same.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Rishi Sunak to warn Britain ‘at a crossroads’ as he readies Tories for election US shale companies accused of collusion over oil price Four start-ups lead China’s race to match OpenAI’s ChatGPT Mexico’s presidential frontrunner defends sweeping legal reforms
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Denise Guerra, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. 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.

Rishi Sunak tries to rally Conservatives

The US Federal Reserve is fiercely independent, but that doesn’t mean politicians always treat it that way. The FT’s US national editor, Edward Luce, and acting US economics editor, Claire Jones, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain how the central bank’s policy could affect the economy and therefore have an impact on the election result. Plus, why a second term for Donald Trump could put pressure on the Fed to play politics.
Mentioned in this podcast: Trump’s dot plot for the Fed Jay Powell’s dilemma: the US economy is too strong to cut rates Global inflation and interest rates tracker: see how your country compares Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here
Swamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. Original music by Hannis Brown. 
CREDIT: US Federal Reserve
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Swamp Notes: The Fed’s political pressures

Anglo American’s crucial South African shareholders are open to a takeover offer from BHP, Nippon Steel has vowed to push ahead with its $14.9bn acquisition of US Steel, and China’s President Xi Jinping has hailed Hungary as one of Beijing’s most important strategic partners. Plus, most pandemic corporate winners have turned into post-pandemic losers. 
Mentioned in this podcast: Anglo American’s South Africa investors open to improved BHP bid Nippon Steel predicts ‘calmer discussions’ with unions after US presidential election Xi Jinping upgrades China’s ties with Hungary to ‘all-weather’ partnership  Pandemic-era winners suffer $1.5tn fall in market value
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Josh Gabert-Doyon, Mischa Frankl-Duval, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. 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.

Pandemic winners turned losers

Shares in Arm drop after it reports lacklustre revenue projections, Singapore is studying proposals to shake up its struggling stock market, EU countries have agreed to use an estimated €3bn in profits from Russia’s frozen state assets to buy weapons for Ukraine, and a newly expanded pipeline in Canada breathes life into the oil industry. Plus, hedge fund manager Sir Paul Marshall has lost a legal battle with the South African government over shipwrecked treasure. 
Mentioned in this podcast: Arm shares drop as revenue forecast falls short despite AI boom Singapore battles to revive struggling stock market EU agrees to arm Ukraine using profits from Russian state assets Canada’s oil industry cuts reliance on US market as pipeline expands Hedge fund boss Paul Marshall loses case over silver salvaged from shipwreck
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Breen Turner, Mischa Frankl-Duval, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. 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.

Singapore wants to shake up its stock market

Reddit's first-quarter earnings as a listed company surpass expectations, Israel threatened to expand its military operation in Rafah, and TikTok filed a lawsuit against the US government to block a potential ban of the social media app. Plus, global trade growth is set to more than double this year as inflation eases and a booming US economy helps drive activity.
Mentioned in this podcast:
US revokes licences for supply of chips to China’s Huawei TikTok challenges divest-or-ban bill in US court Israel threatens to expand Rafah operation as US struggles to revive talks Global trade growth set to more than double this year US revokes licences for supply of chips to China’s Huawei Reddit soars 16% after beating Wall Street estimates in first post-IPO quarter
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Mischa Frankl-Duval, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. 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.

Local Chinese banks get a lifeline

Download our free app to listen on your phone