FT News Briefing

In this first-ever episode of the FT Weekend podcast, host Lilah Raptopoulos talks to Eleven Madison Park’s Daniel Humm and Chez Panisse’s legendary Alice Waters to discover how the world’s top chefs are finding purpose beyond their restaurants. Humm created a buzz in May when he announced that his world-famous restaurant would be going entirely plant-based. Has that risk paid off? And what does it mean to do good as a chef? Plus: the FT’s design critic Edwin Heathcote gives us a tour of the world’s most revengeful architecture, and reporter Madison Darbyshire shares tips for how to furnish your home with old things. You can subscribe to FT Weekend podcast by searching for FT Weekend wherever you listen. We’re on Twitter at @FTWeekendpod. Lilah is on Twitter and Instagram @lilahrap.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com https://www.ft.com/content/0b603fa8-7afc-46f3-bae6-46b89a0def8f Bankers and investors are bracing for a bumper month of debt issuance in the US, and Germany’s Dax is welcoming 10 new companies to its index. Plus, the FT’s Lilah Raptopoulos talks about the launch of her new show, the FT Weekend podcast.  Banks and investors gear up for US corporate debt binge https://www.ft.com/content/dff0ebdf-1d64-4e9a-9261-6957455d856d Germany’s Dax undergoes makeover as it expands from 30 to 40 https://www.ft.com/content/297a35a8-df37-4091-a283-1914cdbd3e8a FT Weekend podcast  https://www.ft.com/ftweekendpodcast UK staycations and return to offices boost retail footfall in August https://www.ft.com/content/15d4a2d0-eaa5-4cf8-bd04-fcb7a34c04b7 The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Our intern is Zoe Han. Additional help by Gavin Kallmann, Michael Bruning, and Persis Love. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com https://www.ft.com/content/385a236d-c829-47e8-b3a3-c0c3ef2d5387 YouTube has netted 50m paying subscribers for its music streaming services, and the dearth of truckers has become so severe in the US that some fleet owners are petitioning officials to let more foreign operators into the country. Plus, the FT’s US banking editor Josh Franklin explains that top American banks have avoided cannabis companies so a niche finance sector has sprouted up to service this growing industry.  YouTube’s music services amass 50m paying subscribers   https://www.ft.com/content/ae722400-561c-431a-85eb-e09e1f6b0bb2 US truck driving shortage, with the FT’s Steff Chavez https://www.ft.com/content/a7283077-69de-4bb2-9d0a-1c68090d719f Banking on cannabis: the new network of lenders for a semi-legal industry - with Joshua Franklin, US banking editor https://www.ft.com/content/28d8375a-3bd9-4fba-b1b7-a2e5e8b4fcdb The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Our intern is Zoe Han. Additional help by Gavin Kallmann, Michael Bruning, and Persis Love. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com https://www.ft.com/content/53441ca2-a824-4f2c-8a76-c10ebde4840b Brussels is drafting a proposal for a €600m package to help Afghanistan’s neighbours host refugees fleeing the Taliban, and luxury brands are uncertain about their future in China after President Xi Jinping’s call for wealth distribution. Plus, the FT’s global finance correspondent, Robin Wigglesworth, explains why investors could become more excited about emerging markets.  EU plans €600m package for Afghanistan’s neighbours to avert refugee crisis https://www.ft.com/content/c3688ac7-f7e0-473c-98ea-91735e3278d5 Xi Jinping’s call for wealth redistribution threatens luxury groups’ China boom https://www.ft.com/content/4cf59a34-cd03-48a1-b5d0-0c71922ef9b3 Investors eye emerging market upswing after China shock https://www.ft.com/content/4546f956-c48e-4530-9eaa-e567fa2856e1 Trial of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes begins in California https://www.ft.com/content/3be72070-bc6a-4181-8ae4-a729758511ce The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Our intern is Zoe Han. Additional help by Gavin Kallmann, Michael Bruning, and Persis Love. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com https://www.ft.com/content/86c5ce53-69cb-4bf2-b79e-7e67f1b71cfa QR codes have replaced service staff in the pandemic and experts worry that means many jobs lost during the coronavirus pandemic will not return, and Germany’s inflation has risen to its highest level since 2008. Plus, the FT’s US banking correspondent, Imani Moise, explains how Bank of America is fighting a worker shortage by retraining its own employees.  QR codes replace service staff as pandemic spurs automation in US - with Taylor Nicole Rogers, labour and equality correspondent https://www.ft.com/content/05754eb3-38a5-488d-af96-5f5a1a7955c1 Bank of America fights war for tech talent by retraining own employees - with Imani Moise, US banking correspondent https://www.ft.com/content/1edee6e4-6b67-4866-a0c6-23b15fa56deb German inflation surges to 13-year high of 3.4% https://www.ft.com/content/55cbd2a2-adc9-406f-ad45-daf90d79d221 Inflation puts pressure on America’s fast-expanding dollar stores https://www.ft.com/content/5853dd3a-0c22-4d2b-a263-ec51bf1a0c29 The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Our intern is Zoe Han. Additional help by Gavin Kallmann, Michael Bruning, and Persis Love. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We'd like to introduce you to our new show: FT Weekend. Turn off your email alerts and settle in. Every Saturday, from September 4, join host Lilah Raptopoulos for inspiring conversations, in-depth storytelling, a bit of escapism and a lot of fun. Brought to you by the award-winning Life & Arts journalists at the Financial Times. You can subscribe in your podcast feed of choice by searching for FT Weekend. Sound design and mixing is by Breen Turner, with original music by Metaphor Music.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com https://www.ft.com/content/e03bcc3e-c418-47e6-9037-0f0030529af0 The US tomorrow will withdraw all of its troops from Afghanistan and the country faces a potential economic catastrophe. The International Monetary Fund’s chief economist warns that emerging market economies can’t afford another ‘taper tantrum.’ Plus, FT contributing editor, Brendan Greeley, explains how US community banks played an instrumental role in keeping small businesses alive during the pandemic.  IMF’s Gopinath says emerging economies can’t afford ‘taper tantrum’ redux https://www.ft.com/content/873ca2e8-63d2-40dd-842d-5409169166fa How US community banks became ‘irreplaceable’ in the pandemic https://www.ft.com/content/4face0c6-c1fb-47af-972b-8749e92b4baf Wearables company Whoop valued at $3.6bn after SoftBank investment https://www.ft.com/content/f3dde553-0aa1-4137-bc50-093b1003fa71 The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Our intern is Zoe Han. Additional help by Gavin Kallmann, Michael Bruning, and Persis Love. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com https://www.ft.com/content/3e727154-099c-4af8-b3a0-5aa2742bcdca US military officials are blaming Isis for an attack near Kabul airport yesterday that killed at least 13 service members and an unknown number of civilians, and the Federal Reserve is preparing for today’s virtual Jackson Hole economic symposium under the cloud of the Delta variant, and Brussels has warned that it could sever a data-sharing agreement with the UK. Plus, the FT’s Najmeh Bozorgmehr reports on life in Afghanistan’s third-largest city, Herat, now that the Taliban are in control.  At least 13 US troops among those killed in Kabul bombings, with Aime Williams in Washington https://www.ft.com/content/817bfbaa-e62a-4cc9-b503-54d0a53dfc52 Life under the Taliban: ‘Herat is now like a ghost city’, with Tehran correspondent Najmeh Bozorgmehr https://www.ft.com/content/d30d1991-252e-4060-aa98-b5831e3f470c Fed prepares for virtual Jackson Hole meeting under cloud of Delta, with US economics editor Colby Smith  https://www.ft.com/content/806b507c-3c07-4e93-bc59-763dfeed0e32? EU takes aim at UK plan to rewrite data laws, with EU technology correspondent, Madhumita Murgia  https://www.ft.com/content/f344f7ea-2829-46d2-8943-26b73c5804da The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Our intern is Zoe Han. Additional help by Gavin Kallmann, Michael Bruning, and Persis Love. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com https://www.ft.com/content/a2aabbbe-070f-48f1-92f2-5ed1ec85cf2b Turkey’s military has begun withdrawing its troops from Kabul airport while the country’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country can’t handle more migrants, and global regulators are imposing heavy fines on financial institutions for failing to stop anti-money laundering. Plus, the FT’s consumer industries reporter, Patricia Nilsson, explains OnlyFans’ ban on sexually explicit content, and its sudden reversal.  Turkey begins evacuation of troops from Kabul airport https://www.ft.com/content/22046156-b4de-4b4c-abb5-1ae388f763c9 Erdogan rules out Turkish role as EU ‘warehouse’ for Afghan refugees https://www.ft.com/content/09abc27e-607c-4d83-8e39-84eaa179565e? Anti-money laundering fines surge as watchdogs impose tougher penalties https://www.ft.com/content/7144ff53-5a17-477b-ab75-4f4a88b94fd2 OnlyFans reverses controversial porn ban, with consumer industries reporter Patricia Nilsson  https://www.ft.com/content/5468f11b-cb98-4f72-8fb2-63b9623b7b2b German election wide open as Merkel successor loses poll lead https://www.ft.com/content/a1f73855-8b68-4b7a-b0ec-5b9df6c77578 Germany poll tracker: the race to succeed Angela Merkel https://www.ft.com/content/5885e964-6d54-46ba-be63-8fb7009075f2 The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Our intern is Zoe Han. Additional help by Gavin Kallmann, Michael Bruning, and Persis Love. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com https://www.ft.com/content/03108ae2-9645-4849-a165-52eee0272790 US President Joe Biden is defying international pressure and sticking by his plan to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan by the end of the month, and the UK will roll out new regulations to protect children’s data online. Plus, the FT’s legal correspondent, Kate Beioley, talks about the lawsuit that Lebanese lawyers have filed against a UK-registered chemicals company over the 2020 Beirut port blast.  Biden refuses to extend evacuation as Taliban blocks Afghans from airport, with US trade correspondent Aime Williams https://www.ft.com/content/a42b6570-d037-41c9-9e35-a0e6779a2e87 UK targets social media, gaming and videos with new Children’s Code https://www.ft.com/content/705e0468-bfcf-4f5d-b777-c25785d950cb? Lebanese lawyers sue UK-registered company over Beirut port blast, with legal correspondent, Kate Beioley https://www.ft.com/content/57e43122-04e5-4cc2-8fea-9ba910da5673 BBQ stocks: Wall Street feels the thrill of the grill https://www.ft.com/content/6a2946b6-2124-4185-8cfa-f493a1f1d1a2? The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Our intern is Zoe Han. Additional help by Gavin Kallmann, Michael Bruning, and Persis Love. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com https://www.ft.com/content/f23d324d-b17e-4f6a-bacd-dad8fed54493 At an emergency G7 meeting US president Joe Biden will hear calls from western allies to negotiate with the Taliban for an extension to the US-led evacuation from Afghanistan while facing the humiliating prospect that the Islamist militants may veto the idea, and a US pandemic assistance programme is set to end early next month, leaving millions of gig workers without the support they’ve come to rely on.  Biden squeezed between allies and Taliban on Afghan deadline - with George Parker, political editor https://www.ft.com/content/38838e4f-c55c-4504-9f5b-b7b7f8d904f8 Taliban finances swelled by proceeds of Afghanistan’s shadow economy - with Stephanie Findley, South Asia correspondent https://www.ft.com/content/25b48967-2d8c-4acd-8699-e0cbdf164cb8 US gig workers carry on the fight for rights as jobless aid comes to an end - with Amanda Chu https://www.ft.com/content/09b8b6aa-c545-4499-a615-d256cfa4e62e SHOWNOTES  LIVE FT WEBINAR: Join FT correspondents and guests to discuss The Fall of Afghanistan: What Next? on Wednesday 25 August. Sign up for an FT subscriber webinar at ft.com/afghan-webinar The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Our intern is Zoe Han. Additional help by Gavin Kallmann, Michael Bruning, and Persis Love. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com https://www.ft.com/content/94500fca-aef3-4ab6-82d5-08005ee49c49 UK prime minister Boris Johnson will on Tuesday host crisis talks on Afghanistan with world leaders as Britain presses the US to extend the evacuation timetable amid chaos and deaths at Kabul airport, US cinema owners meeting in Las Vegas this week hope a slate of blockbusters will draw the curtain on Covid slump, and the spread of non-disclosure agreements, or NDA’s, is bad for companies as well as workers.  UK prime minister acknowledges China and Russia as crucial to limiting chaos while US hints at extending pullout deadline https://www.ft.com/content/3073164b-43c5-45ec-bda5-f62f7107a747 Cinemas hope slate of blockbusters draws the curtain on Covid slump - with Christopher Grimes, Los Angeles correspondent https://www.ft.com/content/a44b5c22-0b44-4c34-8f67-5540db152182 FEATURE: The NDA Boom is bad for both workers and employers - with Sarah O’Connor, employment columnist https://www.ft.com/content/463c917d-c8b5-418d-b8f7-d582747091be Female board members at FTSE 100 companies paid 40% less than men https://www.ft.com/content/96b90579-b7cd-44a8-ba7e-cad6be5c6faa The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Our intern is Zoe Han. Additional help by Gavin Kallmann, Michael Bruning, and Persis Love. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com https://www.ft.com/content/243efeb3-032a-4282-b83a-24f566ea1161 The chip shortage hobbling the auto industry has worsened as a wave of coronavirus cases spreads across south-east Asia with three of the world’s largest automakers announcing new disruptions on their assembly lines, Europe remains scarred by the memory of the Syrian refugee crisis and the bloc’s message about Afghan refugees is different, and FT Management Editor Andrew Hill shares highlights from this year’s longlist for the FT & McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award.  Chip shortage deepens supply problems at global carmakers - with  Tokyo Correspondent Kana Inagaki  https://www.ft.com/content/89bd676c-fc10-4a69-9b03-dc50ed3f441d In Europe, Afghan refugees raise spectre of 2015 asylum crisis - with Berlin Bureau Chief Guy Chazan https://www.ft.com/content/15549b1b-81c9-452f-9876-e90dc6c61ce0 FT and McKinsey Business Book of the year Longlist - with Management Editor Andrew Hill  https://www.ft.com/content/2529e4d9-0ca2-4bec-bc14-8d6626651408  The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Our intern is Zoe Han. Additional help by Gavin Kallmann, Michael Bruning, and Persis Love. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com https://www.ft.com/content/b1c4e938-b959-4767-aba9-2aedc1f44005 The former head of Afghanistan’s central bank has warned that the country is facing “dire” financial prospects and an acute shortage of dollars and higher inflation will fuel the flow of migrants out of the country; the Taliban’s takeover hands China and Russia an opportunity to project their power after Washington’s chaotic withdrawal; and a majority of Federal Reserve officials believe the US central bank could start withdrawing a massive pandemic stimulus programme later this year, according to a record of their latest meeting. Afghanistan faces ‘dire’ financial outlook, warns former central bank chief - with Jonathan Wheatley, emerging markets correspondent https://www.ft.com/content/65f61fb1-9462-4e25-990a-702812860b76 China and Russia poised to step into the Afghanistan gap - with James Kynge, global China editor https://www.ft.com/content/7ceb9e3b-bd6e-43fe-bb86-80353249e6ac Most Fed officials reckon stimulus could start winding down this year - with Colby Smith, US economics editor https://www.ft.com/content/29be3f70-3f3e-4bfd-b26e-01833337587c UK government intervenes in £2.6bn Ultra Electronics takeover by Cobham https://www.ft.com/content/55b3e146-87cb-469b-a128-5865cb1abe87 The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Our intern is Zoe Han. Additional help by Gavin Kallmann, Michael Bruning, and Persis Love. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com https://www.ft.com/content/9950c2c0-f75c-4098-aa1f-01e3ffc38644 In the Islamist group’s first official press conference since it took Kabul, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the militants would not seek revenge against government officials or the Afghan soldiers it has fought for the past two decades, and WhatsApp has shut down a complaints helpline set up by the Taliban after the messaging app came under pressure to block the group from using its services, and the British the aerospace and defence group, Ultra Electronics, is set to become the latest UK engineering specialist to fall into foreign ownership.  Islamist group urges citizens to return to daily lives even as government workers report harassment - with Stephanie Findlay, South Asia correspondent  https://www.ft.com/content/7f03429a-8d61-43df-9cd8-c9d9e9ba18c8 WhatsApp shuts down Taliban helpline in Kabul  https://www.ft.com/content/d8e29de8-aebb-4f10-a91e-89d454d4a9f7 Cobham agrees to buy rival UK defence group Ultra Electronics for £2.6bn - with Sylvia Pfeifer, industry correspondent https://www.ft.com/content/87fe2b9f-a551-49ca-9624-c29f3e5fa9c4 BHP to shift main stock market listing from London to Sydney https://www.ft.com/content/47e226aa-315c-48e3-aef3-44f83075dcc3 The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Our intern is Zoe Han. Additional help by Gavin Kallmann, Michael Bruning, and Persis Love. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.