FT News Briefing

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Washington is aiming to halve Russia’s oil and gas revenues by the end of this decade, and markets turned things round and had a great November. Plus, the FT’s Nicholas Megaw explains how investors use AI to decode what executives say on earnings calls. Mentioned in this podcast:US aims to halve Russia’s energy revenues by 2030, says officialInvestors use AI to glean signals behind executives’ soothing wordsMarkets in 2024: Investors bet on déjà vu all over againThe 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

Nato’s secretary-general is warning the west not to underestimate Russia, Cigna is in talks to merge with Humana in a deal that would create a US health insurance giant worth $140bn, and an audio essay by the FT’s Najmeh Bozorgmehr explores Iranians’ complicated feelings about the Israel-Gaza conflict.Mentioned in this podcast:Russia has stockpiled missiles for winter attack on Ukraine, says NatoCigna and Humana in deal talks to create US health insurance giantWhy Nato’s reassurances to Ukraine are starting to ring hollowIranians see both sides of the Israel-Gaza conflictAmerican diplomat Henry Kissinger dies aged 100The 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

A record number of Chinese people have defaulted since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, a court ruling in Germany has opened up a huge €60bn hole in the country’s budget, and the FT’s Christine Murray explains why Mexico is benefitting from companies rethinking their foreign investments.Mentioned in this podcast:Chinese people default in record numbers as economic crisis deepens‘A house of cards’: court ruling leaves Olaf Scholz’s legacy in tattersThe city where Mexico’s nearshoring hype is becoming realityBerkshire Hathaway’s Charlie Munger dies aged 99The 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

Qatar said mediators had secured a deal to prolong the temporary truce between Israel and Hamas by two days, Chinese fast-fashion group, Shein, has filed confidential paperwork for an initial public offering with the US securities regulator, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk is experiencing a bit of culture shock as he fights against union action in Sweden. Plus, the value of rare whiskies sold at auction has recorded the steepest fall in a decade other than during the pandemic.Mentioned in this podcast:Israel-Hamas truce extended by 2 days, says QatarChinese fast-fashion retailer Shein makes confidential filing for US IPOTesla wins interim decision against Swedish state over car number plates Premium whisky prices slump as weak global economy hurts taste for luxury 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

Turkey’s exports to Russia of goods vital for Moscow’s war machine have soared in 2023, and nations at this year’s COP28 summit will revisit a proposal to phase out fossil fuels. Plus, the FT’s Madhumita Murgia explains how one patient in need of a new liver exposed major flaws in the UK’s organ transplant system. Mentioned in this podcast:Future of fossil fuels leaves nations at odds ahead of UN climate summitTurkey’s exports of military-linked goods to Russia surgeAlgorithms are deciding who gets organ transplants. Are their decisions fair?Tech Tonic podcast: Superintelligent AIThe 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, Gavin Kallmann, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. 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

Voters in the Netherlands elect Geert Wilders; UK immigration numbers reach new high; Plus, senior Carlsberg executives are detained in Russia.Mentioned in this podcast:Net migration to the UK hit record 745,000 in 2022Far-right Dutch victory puts European liberal democracy on defensiveEx-Carlsberg executives detained in Russia over fraud claimsThe FT News Briefing this week was produced by Kasia Broussalian, Sonja Hutson, Fiona Symon, Marc Filippino, Josh Gabert-Doyon and me, Persis Love. Our engineers were Monica Lopez and Odinn Ingibergsson. We had help this week from Saffeya Ahmed, Joanna Kao, Sam Giovinco, David da Silva, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and Gavin Kallmann. Our executive producers this week were Manuela Saragosa and Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of audio and our theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Sam Altman returns and OpenAI board members are given the boot; US authorities foil a plot to kill Sikh separatist leader on US soil; plus, the UK’s Autumn Statement increases the tax burden.Mentioned in this podcast:US thwarted plot to kill Sikh separatist on American soilHunt cuts national insurance but taxes head to postwar highOpenAI says Sam Altman to return as chief executive under new board The FT News Briefing is produced by Persis Love, Josh Gabert-Doyon and Edwin Lane. Additional help by Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Manuela Saragosa 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

Israel and Hamas have agreed a deal to release hostages, Dutch voters head to the polls today, and Binance chief executive Changpeng Zhao has resigned after pleading guilty to a US criminal charge. Plus, the FT’s George Hammond explains why Sam Altman has so many people rallying behind him after he was ousted from OpenAI. Mentioned in this podcast:Israel approves hostage deal with HamasDutch election shapes up as tight race to replace Mark RutteBinance chief Changpeng Zhao pleads guilty in US criminal caseOpenAI directors in talks with Sam Altman on rejoining boardThe 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