Ft News

The US Federal Reserve may be about to raise rates for the first time in nine years, but the European Central Bank is moving in the opposite direction. The FT's Claire Jones asks the ECB's chief economist Peter Praet to explain why, and how the Fed's move is likely to affect economic conditions in the eurozone.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the Paris climate talks draw to a close, Pilita Clark, FT environment correspondent, assesses the chances that a strong and binding agreement to combat global warming will emerge and looks at the highlights of the past fortnight in Paris.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Oil prices fell again this week to their lowest in almost seven years, with the benchmark Brent Crude dropping below $40 a barrel. What factors will continue to drive prices in the next 12 months? FT energy experts discuss. Music by Gianluca Sgalambro.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Venezuela's opposition has scored a historic victory in this week's parliamentary elections. For the first time in 17 years it will control the national assembly - a result that could further the country's political divide or prompt drastic change. John Paul Rathbone, FT Latin America editor, discusses the result with Andres Schipani, FT correspondent in Caracas.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The rise of Airbnb and other online accommodation start-ups has led analysts to say that the multibillion-dollar hotel industry is being disrupted. The FT's Murad Ahmed and Malcolm Moore discuss whether hotel chains should fear new digital groups.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For years after the 2003 invasion, Americans relied on Iraqis to navigate a country whose terrain and sectarian loyalties were little understood. But many Iraqis who risked their lives to help the Americans now feel abandoned. Siona Jenkins talks to the FT's Christine Spolar and two of her former Iraqi colleagues whose hopes of resettlement in the US have recently been dashed.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mark Zuckerberg pledged this week to give away 99 per cent of his Facebook shares, currently worth about $45bn, during his lifetime. How will this change the shape of the social networking company and Silicon Valley philanthropy? FT correspondents discuss. Music by Kevin McLeod. Clip courtesy of Facebook.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Valeant was once considered a runaway success story, and one that upended the pharmaceutical sector. A series of crises engulfed the company in recent months, slashing nearly two thirds off its market valuation and forcing the company to tear up its forecasts for 2016. Correspondent David Crow explains. Read the full story at ft.com/valeant. Music: "Brand New Record!" by Steve Combs  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Seven of the UK's big banks have passed the Bank of England's latest stress tests, which are designed to assess their ability to withstand a crisis - but only just. Patrick Jenkins discusses the results with Caroline Binham, FT financial regulation correspondent and Stephen Hall from KPMG.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Adele has broken the record for first-week album sales in the US, vindicating her strategy of withholding the release from streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music. Ravi Mattu asks Robert Cookson, the FT's digital media correspondent, how she did it and whether it's a tactic others might follow. Music: "Hello" from Adele's album '25' by XL Recordings  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mauricio Macri has overturned 12 years of Peronist rule in Argentina as the candidate for change. Jonathan Wheatley asks J.P Rathbone, FT Latin America editor, how hard it will be for the new president to turn the economy around without causing too much pain to the electorate.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From science and economics to music and poetry, the FT's correspondents pick their best reads of 2015. Music credit: Quiet Music for Tiny Robots, "You Won't Believe What Happens Next"  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The FT’s Michael Stott, Chris Giles and Janan Ganesh discuss UK chancellor George Osborne’s Autumn Statement, focusing on proposed welfare cuts, tax increases and the policy reversal on tax credits.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

George Osborne, UK chancellor, has backed away from controversial cuts to tax credits for the poor as he sought to soften the blow from the deepest public spending cuts for a generation. Daniel Garrahan spoke to George Parker, the FT's chief political correspondent, about the climbdown.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The rise of encryption technology poses an increasing challenge for counter-terrorism agencies fighting Isis. Ravi Mattu asks Sam Jones, FT defence and security editor, why intelligence chiefs are so worried.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The cost of big high-powered batteries is falling, offering the prospect that large scale storage could transform industry. Matthew Vincent asks Clive Cookson, FT science editor, and Andy Sharman, FT motor industry correspondent, how far off this is.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin met this weekend alongside the G20 summit in Antalya, Turkey to discuss political and military action against Isis in Syria. How might easing tensions between the two leaders affect the US presidential election? The FT's US political correspondent Courtney Weaver explains. Music: "Brand New Record" by Steve Combs.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Paris is reeling from one of the worst terrorist attacks in Europe's history. An all-out assault on the heart of the city by a group of young men armed with Kalashnikovs and suicide vests. Simon Kuper, an FT writer who lives in the city, was witness to the attacks at close hand. He describes how the events unfolded and how the city has reacted.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Microsoft has thrown down a challenge to the rest of the US tech industry unveiling a partnership with Deutsche Telekom that it says will protect the data of its cloud computing customers from US surveillance. Ravi Mattu discusses the development with Murad Ahmed and Richard Waters. Music by David Sappa  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Early poll results put Nobel prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy on course to form Myanmar’s first democratically elected government in fifty years. Fiona Symon talks to Michael Peel in Yangon about what happens next.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.