Apple has hit a $2tn market capitalisation just two years after it became the world’s first trillion-dollar company, concern is growing in Germany that a rule introduced as part of the country’s emergency response to coronavirus is fuelling the creation of thousands of so-called zombie groups that could end up sapping the economy for years to come. Plus, as Joe Biden prepares to accept the Democratic nomination for president, he’s putting green energy at the centre of his campaign. 
Apple market value hits $2tn https://www.ft.com/content/ef09a97a-fcea-44d7-a5c0-5dc67becf286
Germany haunted by spectre of zombie companies https://www.ft.com/content/5d5d1bc1-61a3-46a9-915c-1a1e6f2e5fd2
Biden gambles on placing climate change at heart of US energy policy https://www.ft.com/content/2ac477e7-34a4-4c0e-b9f4-018cef47d67d
Airbnb files for initial public offering https://www.ft.com/content/a35a84b1-8177-40de-99d5-ca04d375cd3b Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apple hits $2tn, Germany fears zombie companies, Biden goes green

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.

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SoftBank is leading an investment of more than $1bn into a UK self-driving car start-up, and poppy and marijuana farming money is disappearing from rural areas as traffickers shift to synthetic drugs. Plus, the FT’s Anna Nicolaou explains the rival bids to buy Paramount. 
Mentioned in this podcast: SoftBank leads $1bn funding for UK artificial intelligence group Wayve El Chapo’s opium heartland bereft as Mexico cartels embrace fentanyl Shari Redstone, a media scion weighing the future of her ravaged empire James Cameron and Ari Emanuel back Skydance bid for Paramount Brussels seeks to ban Russian funding of European politicians
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.

Paramount’s a long way from its peak

Warren Buffett said Greg Abel should have the final decision on investments at Berkshire Hathaway, the US and Europe disagree on how to manage Russia’s frozen assets, and Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Europe. Plus, college students in the US are calling for their universities to divest from Israel, but it’s not that simple. 
Mentioned in this podcast: Bonhomie and hardball: Xi Jinping visits Europe to avert trade war The clash over whether to commandeer Russia’s frozen assets Divestment is not as easy as it may seem Berkshire Hathaway’s cash pile hits record as Buffett cuts stake in Apple Buffett lays out expansive role for successor Greg Abel at poignant Berkshire AGM
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.

Xi’s balancing act with Europe

Student-led protests against Israel’s war in Gaza have spread across the US in recent weeks, with demonstrators building tent encampments on university grounds, and even storming university buildings. The FT’s Washington bureau chief, James Politi, and FT New York correspondent, Joshua Chaffin, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why the protests could hurt President Joe Biden’s re-election chances.
Mentioned in this podcast: New York police storm Columbia University and arrest pro-Palestinian protesters Police raid UCLA protest camp as clashes over Gaza spread across US Sign up for the FT’s Election Countdown newsletter here Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here
Swamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor, Kasia Broussalian 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: NBC News New York, X/@JaunMaBenitez, X/@AnthonyCabassa_, PBS NewsHour
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Swamp Notes: The uproar at American universities

Apple’s revenue fell 4 per cent in the first three months of 2024, Japan apparently intervened several times this week to support the yen, and US regulators have accused the former boss of the largest US shale oil producer of trying to collude with the Opec cartel. Plus, Europe solved its Russian gas problems in the short term, but created long-term problems.
Mentioned in this podcast: Apple’s revenue weighed down by falling China sales Japanese government spent $35bn to prop up yen, BoJ figures suggest Japan is haunted by a return to emerging-economy status FTC accuses ex-Pioneer boss of seeking to collude with Opec  How Europe solved its Russian gas problem
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.

The murky moves behind the yen

The Federal Reserve has signalled that US borrowing costs are likely to remain higher for longer, and cruise operator Viking Holdings rose on its market debut. Plus the FT’s Owen Walker explains what the exit of HSBC chief executive Noel Quinn means for the bank’s China strategy. 
Mentioned in this podcast: Federal Reserve signals that interest rates will remain higher for longer Cruise line Viking rises after launching year’s second-largest US IPO What triggered Noel Quinn’s shock exit from HSBC
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.

Apple hits $2tn, Germany fears zombie companies, Biden goes green

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