FT News Briefing

The US Federal Trade Commission has accused Amazon of wielding monopolistic control over online markets, JPMorgan Chase said it settled lawsuits related to its dealings with Jeffrey Epstein’s human trafficking operation, and the FT’s Lauren Fedor explains what’s at stake with a looming US government shutdown. Plus, sterling hit a six-month low against the dollar. Mentioned in this podcast:FTC lawsuit accuses Amazon of wielding monopoly power over online retailJPMorgan settles Jeffrey Epstein lawsuits with US Virgin Islands and Jes StaleyLawmakers warn that US is heading for shutdown as budget talks stallMoody’s warns federal shutdown would be ‘negative’ for US debt ratingSterling heads for worst month since Liz Truss’s ‘mini’-BudgetUnhedged podcastThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian 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

The writers strike hitting Hollywood looks like it’s nearing a close and the FT’s Brooke Masters explores whether recent CEO departures could be a signal of a second #MeToo wave. Plus, a sexual abuse scandal has shaken up Japan’s entertainment industry.Mentioned in this podcast:Sex, lies and magical thinking about CEO behaviourJapanese boy band abuse scandal rocks entertainment industryThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian 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

Russia has succeeded in avoiding G7 sanctions on most of its oil exports, Poland is calling for less support for Ukraine, China’s answer to the World Bank wants to commit more money to climate, and the restaurant group, Big Mamma, is going global thanks to private equity. Mentioned in this podcast:Russia dodges G7 price cap sanctions on most of its oil exportsA tug of war in Poland and Slovakia‘China’s World Bank’ plans to triple climate change lending by 2030Big Mamma restaurant group sells majority stake to private equityCREDIT: DW News - Poland says it will no longer supply weapons to UkraineThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian 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

A hardware revolution in recording devices and a software revolution in artificial intelligence is enabling researchers to listen in to all kinds of conversations outside the human hearing range, a field known as bioacoustics. Some scientists now believe these developments will also allow us to ‘translate’ animal sounds into human language. In a new season of Tech Tonic, FT innovation editor John Thornhill and series producer Persis Love ask whether we’re moving closer to being able to ‘speak whale’ or even to chat with bats.Presented by John Thornhill, produced by Persis Love, sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Free links:Google Translate for the zoo? How humans might talk to animalsKaren Bakker, scientist and author, 1971-2023How generative AI really worksCredits: Sperm whale sounds from Project CETI; honeyhunter calls from Claire Spottiswoode

Rupert Murdoch is stepping down as chair of Fox and News Corp, Russia has barred the export of diesel and petrol, and the Bank of England has held interest rates at 5.25 per cent after a knife-edge vote. Plus, India has stopped issuing visas to Canadians and told Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in the country.Mentioned in this podcast:Rupert Murdoch steps down as chair of Fox and News CorpRussia puts squeeze on oil market with diesel export banBank of England holds interest rates at 5.25%India stops issuing visas to Canadians as row escalatesThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian 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

Federal Reserve officials on Wednesday signalled support for another rate rise this year and fewer cuts in 2024, share buybacks on the US stock market have dropped to the slowest pace since the early part of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the FT’s Gideon Rachman talks about his new three-part podcast series on Bidenomics. Mentioned in this podcast:Federal Reserve signals fresh rate rise this year and fewer cuts in 2024Two-year Treasury yield hits highest point since 2006 after Fed decisionCompanies ease off on share buybacks as rising interest rates push up costsThe Rachman Review podcast: BidenomicsThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian 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

Shares in grocery delivery group Instacart jumped more than 10 per cent on their first day of trading, oil prices climbed above $95 a barrel for the first time in 2023, and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau sparked fury in India when he said authorities were investigating whether “agents” of New Delhi were behind the June killing of a prominent Sikh activist in a Vancouver suburb.Mentioned in this podcast:Instacart shares close up 12% after public market debutIndia angered by Justin Trudeau’s claims linking New Delhi to Sikh activist’s deathOil price exceeds $95 a barrel on fears of supply shortfallTech Tonic podcast: Can AI help us talk to animals? The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Lucy Snell, 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

Instacart’s public listing this week is set to inch Nasdaq further ahead of the New York Stock Exchange in their closest fight for new listings in five years, and a build-up of leveraged bets has the potential to dislocate trading in the $25tn US Treasuries market. Plus, the FT’s Mercedes Ruehl explores whether an influx of Chinese migration and money to Singapore could threaten its status as a neutral safe haven. Mentioned in this podcast:Nasdaq and NYSE fight closest listings battle in five yearsInstacart prices shares at $30 as IPO market warms upHedge fund bets could spark turmoil in US Treasuries, BIS warnsCan Singapore hold on to its reputation as Asia’s ‘safe haven’?Tell us: How will the US student loan repayments restart affect you? https://sayhi.chat/lmhguiAny voice message that's left might be included in an FT podcast as part of our journalism on FT.com and/or on other FT platformsThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian 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

US auto workers are striking to protect workers against the move to electric vehicles, and UK prime minister Rishi Sunak won’t attend the climate ambition summit at the UN General Assembly this week. Plus, Instacart has raised the price range for its initial public offering following the success of Arm’s blockbuster debut. Mentioned in this podcast:Strike pits US auto union in existential struggle over shift to electric vehiclesRishi Sunak decides against attending UN General AssemblyInstacart raises IPO price range after success of Arm listingTell us: How will the US student loan repayments restart affect you? https://sayhi.chat/lmhguiAny voice message that's left might be included in an FT podcast as part of our journalism on FT.com and/or on other FT platformsCredit: CLIP WXYZ-TV Detroit | Channel 7; UAW President Shawn FainCredit: CLIP CBS DetroitCredit: CLIP UAW; Shawn FainThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian 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