FT News Briefing

Kristalina Georgieva backs reforms to the IMF that could eventually give more power to China, regulators are calling for more transparency for ESG rating agencies, and record numbers at this year’s Oktoberfest are a bright spot for the German economy. Mentioned in this podcast:AN ESG DATAGermans shrug off economic gloom at booming OktoberfestBrussels to unfreeze Hungary funds as it seeks help for UkraineIMF head backs reforms that could give China more voting powerCLIPS: The IndependentThe 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 lawmakers were able to avert a shutdown over the weekend, Slovakia’s election results are adding pressure to the EU’s unity around the war in Ukraine, and Brazil says its oil exploration and green ambitions aren’t contradictory. Clips: CNN, APMentioned in this podcast:Brazil minister says oil and green ambitions are not contradictoryCooling UK labour market claims jobs in construction and retailUS lawmakers pass short-term deal to avoid government shutdownRobert Fico wins Slovakia election with anti-Ukraine stanceThe 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 has convinced some scientists that humans will eventually be able to ‘translate’ animal and even plant sounds into human language. But what would be the consequences of humans learning to ‘speak whale’, chat with bats or converse with elephants? The FT’s innovation editor John Thornhill and producer Persis Love explore the ethics of potential human-to-animal communication.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: Elephant bee rumble from Lucy King; plant sounds from Lilach Hadany

European government bond prices dropped sharply as investors took fright at Italy’s larger than expected budget deficit, optimism for the IPO market seems to be fading, and the FT’s Colby Smith explains the economic impact of US student loan payments restarting. Mentioned in this podcast:European bond market hit by Italy’s plans for higher borrowingRising headwinds threaten US economy’s resilienceInstacart and Arm shares lose steam after IPO popsMillions of US borrowers brace for the return of student debt paymentsThe 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

Global dealmaking is languishing at a 10-year low, western companies are insulating their China operations, and Chinese battery groups are avoiding or delaying direct investments in the US and Europe because of geopolitics. Mentioned in this podcast:Dealmaking languishes at decade low on private equity droughtChinese battery groups invest in Morocco to serve western marketsWestern companies take slow steps towards China ‘de-risking’Vote for FT podcasts in the Lovie Awards! The 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 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