Big Four maintains stranglehold on UK audits

A terror attack on a Jewish event in Sydney kills more than a dozen people. Plus, investors are increasingly concerned about how much debt is funding the AI boom, world leaders meet to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine, and it’s a big week for US economic data. And: The FT’s ‘Behind the Money’ podcast looks into whistleblowing in the UK. Mentioned in this podcast:Gunmen who killed 15 in Sydney attack on Jewish festival were father and sonInvestors seek protection from risk of AI debt bustUkraine offers to drop Nato membership demandsBehind the Money podcastInvestors will have to wait until new year for clear data on US economyBank of England set to cut rates to 3.75% as economic data eases inflation concernsNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, and produced by Persis Love and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins. Additional help from Peter Barber. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Do Kwon is sentenced to 15 years in prison on two counts of fraud, and the Walt Disney Company will allow OpenAI to use its characters in its flagship products. Plus, football fans are outraged over ticket prices for next year’s World Cup. And, you’ll meet the hardliner who wants to make Chile great again.Mentioned in this podcast:Crypto founder Do Kwon sentenced to 15 years in prisonDisney to invest $1bn in OpenAIFootball fans condemn ‘betrayal’ over ‘extortionate’ World Cup ticket pricesThe hardliner who wants to make Chile great againFriedrich Merz offers to host Ukraine talks so deal not done ‘above Europe’s head’Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Victoria Craig, and produced by Fiona Symon and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter point, and Oracle shares fell on Wednesday after it reported disappointing revenues. Plus, there’s one conglomerate in Abu Dhabi dominating the economy and its ownership is in the hands of the royal family. Mentioned in this podcast:Federal Reserve cuts rates to lowest level in three years in divisive decisionOracle shares slide as data centre spending mountsHow Abu Dhabi’s economy came to be dominated by IHCNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Sonja Hutson, and produced by Fiona Symon and Victoria Craig. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EU countries want to fast-track a decision to indefinitely immobilise up to €210bn in Russian sovereign assets, investors have increased bets that interest rates in major economies could diverge next year, and Berlin stands ready to throw its weight behind a German candidate to be the next president of the European Central Bank. Plus, Australia is now the first country in the world to restrict social media access for kids under the age of 16.Mentioned in this podcast:Trump gives Zelenskyy ‘days’ to respond to peace proposalEU races to bypass Viktor Orbán on Russia assets before summitInvestors increase bets on ECB rate rise in threat to dollarGermany sees high hurdles to winning ECB presidencyThe countdown to the world’s first social media ban for childrenNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paramount has launched a $108bn hostile bid to buy Warner Bros Discovery, US natural gas prices are soaring as the country ships record amounts of the fuel overseas, and US President Donald Trump says Nvidia will be allowed to send its H200 chips to China. Plus, retail investors are helping drive gold and US stocks towards “bubble” territory, the Bank for International Settlements has warned.Mentioned in this podcast:Paramount gatecrashes Warner Bros-Netflix deal with $108bn hostile bidSurging gas prices worsen affordability crisis for AmericansNvidia can sell H200 AI chips to China, Donald Trump saysRetail investors help drive gold and US stocks to bubble territory, BIS warnsCredit: CNBCNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Europe seeks to rally support for Ukraine as US pressure builds, and there’s likely to be plenty of debate ahead of the Federal Reserve’s final rate decision of the year. Plus, how Netflix’s blockbuster Warner Brothers Discovery buy could reshape entertainment. Mentioned in this podcast:European allies to rally support for Ukraine as US pressure mountsFrance shielding €18bn Russian asset pot from EU ‘reparations loan’ pushFed expected to cut rates despite deep divisions over US economic outlookDonald Trump drives historic shift of power from investors to boardroomsHollywood fears job cuts as opposition to Netflix-Warner deal growsNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, and produced by Julia Webster and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins. Additional help from Peter Barber. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Big Four accounting firms maintained their iron grip on auditing the UK’s largest companies last year, the industry watchdog has found. Plus, Japan’s economic normalisation could impact global bond markets. Mentioned in this podcast:Big Four maintain stranglehold on biggest UK auditsUS senators seek to block Nvidia sales of advanced chips to ChinaJapan’s economic normalisation will affect global liquidityJapanese 10-year bond yields rise to highest level since 2007Register for the FT’s Global Boardroom digital conferenceNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bond-market investors worry that the leading candidate for Fed chair is too close to US President Donald Trump, while HSBC finally picks its new chair. Plus, the EU has a last-minute plan to fund Ukraine’s economic revival. Mentioned in this podcast:Bond investors warned US Treasury over picking Kevin Hassett as Fed chairHSBC appoints Brendan Nelson as chair after chaotic searchBrussels floats ‘emergency’ powers to raise €210bn from Russian assetsTell us whether your spending habits have changed this holiday season. Email Marc at [email protected] Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Michael Lello. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage has told donors he expects to do an election deal with the Conservatives, and the race to narrow OpenAI’s dominance in the chatbot race. Plus, Eurozone inflation unexpectedly turns higher and China’s biopharma industry could be a threat to western dominance in the sector. Mentioned in this podcast:Farage tells donors he expects to do an election deal with the ToriesMistral unveils new models in race to gain edge in ‘open’ AIOpenAI’s Sam Altman declares ‘code red’ after rivals make advances Eurozone inflation unexpectedly rises to 2.2% in NovemberWill the next blockbuster drug come from China?Donald Trump says he will nominate Federal Reserve chair in ‘early’ 2026Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UK pension funds are cutting back their exposure to US equities, and Swiss prosecutors have filed charges against Credit Suisse and its owner UBS over alleged organisational “deficiencies”. Plus, the chair of the UK's Office for Budget Responsibility has resigned, and the UK government will increase NHS spending on medicines to secure a carve-out from threatened US tariffs.Mentioned in this podcast:UK pension funds dump US equities on fears of AI bubbleSwiss prosecutors file charges against Credit Suisse and UBSHead of UK fiscal watchdog quits after Budget leakNHS to increase medicines spending to avoid threatened Trump tariffsNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Sonja Hutson, and produced by Fiona Symon. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.