Martin Wolf on democracy’s year of peril: 2024

Shares of electric vehicle start-up Rivian surged in extended trading after Volkswagen announced a plan to invest up to $5bn, global investment in clean energy is set to hit $2tn and the EU charged Microsoft for violating antitrust laws yesterday. Plus, the FT’s Emma Agyemang explains why a deadlock in the US Senate is threatening to upend a global tax treaty.Mentioned in this podcast:Rivian shares soar on Volkswagen plan to invest up to $5bnClean tech investment set to hit $2tn in 2024 EU charges Microsoft with antitrust violations over Teams Global tax truce frays over fears of US Senate deadlock Do you have questions about the US election? Drop us a voice note here and we may play your question on Swamp Notes! The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Our intern is Prakriti Panwar. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chinese executives are trying to avoid US tariffs by relocating manufacturing, a growing number of wealthy foreigners in the UK are planning on leaving the country, and Brazilian financial markets have been performing poorly. Plus, the FT’s Tim Bradshaw explains whether Nvidia is on a crash course similar to some of the dotcom darlings from the 2000s tech bubble. Mentioned in this podcast:Chinese companies seek assurances from Malaysia over US tariffs Can Nvidia stay at the heart of the new AI economy?Wealthy foreigners step up plans to leave UK as taxes increaseBrazilian markets hit by investor worries over Lula’s spending plans The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Our intern is Prakriti Panwar. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The EU has devised a legal workaround to sidestep Hungary’s veto on buying weapons for Ukraine, investment vehicles that scoop up risky loans are being launched at a record rate in Europe this year, and agencies representing TikTok’s biggest advertisers are drawing up contingency plans as the US prepares to ban the popular video app. Plus, Amazon and Microsoft are scaling up infrastructure investments for artificial intelligence in India. Mentioned in this podcast:EU devises legal loophole to bypass Hungary veto on support for UkraineEuropean CLO issuance hits record rate as investors chase yields India pulls in tech giants for its AI ambitionsTikTok advertisers prepare contingency plans as US ban loomsThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Denise Guerra, Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Our intern is Prakriti Panwar. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Across the world, billions of citizens are being asked to cast their vote in elections taking place in more than 50 countries, and in many places, populist, illiberal and far-right parties are either growing in support or consolidating gains they have already made. Fiona Hill, who served as senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council in the Trump White House from 2017 to 2019, tells Martin Wolf about the parallels she sees between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, why she believes the US Congress has failed and how she will not be breathing a sigh of relief if President Joe Biden wins in the November polls. Clips: The Times, The Sunday Times, CSpanLinks: Martin Wolf column: Fascism has changed, but it is not deadFor Martin’s other FT columns click hereThis episode is presented by Martin Wolf. The producer is Sandra Kanthal. Production help from Sonja Hutson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa and the sound engineer is Nigel Appleton. The FT's global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Americans have inflation and foreign policy on their minds this election. That means that President Joe Biden’s ambitious climate achievements aren’t resonating with voters – especially young voters – the way his administration expected. The FT’s US climate reporter, Aime Williams, and Washington bureau chief, James Politi, join this week’s Swamp Notes podcast to explain why. Credit: ESPNMentioned in this podcast:How Joe Biden’s climate push fell flat with Gen Z votersWhy Americans are not buying more EVsSign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter hereSwamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Credit agencies have misrated more than $100bn of commercial real estate debt, new election polls suggest the UK could be in for a seismic political shift, and the Philippines has been secretly reinforcing a dilapidated warship marooned on a South China Sea reef. Plus, drilling for naturally occurring hydrogen gas was deemed unfeasible, but prospectors now think differently.Mentioned in this podcast:Poll predicts Rishi Sunak to lose seat in Tory wipeoutWhy we can’t be sure of the size of the Labour swingHow a cigarette sparked a slow-burn search for buried ‘gold’ hydrogenPhilippines secretly reinforces ship at centre of South China Sea disputeRatings agencies give high marks to bonds financing defaulted propertiesThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Josh Gabert-Doyon, Ethan Plotkin, Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Our intern is Prakriti Panwar. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hamas-backed militants orchestrate bank heists, the ECB raises alarm over Eurozone debt, Malaysia courts Chinese investment, and Softbank debuts “EmotionCancelling” AI.Mentioned in this podcast:Premier Li Qiang’s visit has Malaysia wanting more from China pivot Armed gangs stage bank heists in GazaThis episode of FT News Briefing was produced by Josh Gabert-Doyon, Fiona Symon, Persis Love, Mischa Frankl-Duval. Additional help from Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Our intern is Prakriti Panwar. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nvidia capitalises on investor excitement over artificial intelligence, Japan’s TDK is claiming a breakthrough in materials used in its small solid-state batteries, and Silicon Valley companies are screening their staff for Chinese spying. Plus, the FT’s Saffeya Ahmed unpacks Shein’s tumultuous journey to go public. Mentioned in this podcast:Nvidia vaults past Apple and Microsoft to become world’s most valuable companyApple supplier TDK claims solid-state battery breakthroughBehind the Money: The wrinkle in Shein’s IPO plansShein switches focus to London after New York IPO stallsSilicon Valley steps up employee screening over Chinese espionage threatThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Kyra Assibey-Bonsu, Mischa Frankl-Duval, Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Our intern is Prakriti Panwar. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

French business leaders are warming up to France’s far-right and Dubai is trying to optimise a cluster of unique, abandoned islands. Plus, the FT’s Cristina Criddle explains why OpenAI is expanding its global affairs unit. Mentioned in this podcast:French businesses court Marine Le Pen after taking fright at left’s policiesOpenAI expands lobbying team to influence regulationBill Gross seeks to set record by selling stamp collection for up to $20mnThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Our intern is Prakriti Panwar. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Major defence companies are recruiting workers at the fastest rate since the end of the cold war, global leaders were able to reach a consensus on major issues during the G7 summit, and big Chinese companies are turning to the convertible bond market. Plus, investors are flocking to the local currency bonds of one-time emerging market pariahs. Mentioned in this podcast:Chinese companies rush to tap US convertible bond marketFrontier emerging markets lure investors back with high yieldsG7 threatens China with further sanctions over Russia war supportGlobal defence groups hiring at fastest rate in decades amid record ordersThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Denise Guerra, Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Our intern is Prakriti Panwar. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.