Podcasts about breen turner

Ten years ago, the UK voted in a referendum to leave the EU. Since that Brexit vote, the country has been through six prime ministers, the political landscape has splintered, relations with the EU have cooled, and the economy has spluttered. A decade on, host Lucy Fisher and panellists political editor George Parker, markets columnist Katie Martin, political columnist Stephen Bush and economics correspondent Delphine Strauss consider the impact of Brexit and whether a major shift in the UK's relationship with the bloc is on the horizon. This is a recording of an FT Live subscribers' webinar, recorded on Thursday June 25Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social Katie Martin and Delphine StraussWant more? Lessons from Brexit for the world economyRejoining EU is ‘mirage' but UK must get closer to bloc, says ministerIn charts: How Brexit still divides British votersBritain's hunt for a post-Brexit economic modelAndy Burnham plans devolution blitz ahead of key City of London speech‘Big spending vibes, small spending commitments': Andy Burnham's tricky fiscal danceHow Brexit ghosts will stop the UK from quickly rejoining the EU You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The global head of audio is Flo Phillips. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can any other Labour MP amass sufficient support to challenge Andy Burnham for the top job, or is his ascent to No 10 now all but assured? Just 24 hours after Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as prime minister, host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT colleagues Miranda Green, Robert Shrimsley and Chris Smyth to discuss the merits of a leadership contest over a coronation, who will win big roles in a Burnham cabinet and his early policy priorities. Plus the group considers the political ripples that a Burnham government will have on the other parties.Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Chris: @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.social; Miranda:@greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.socialWant more? Labour MPs consider backing challenger to Andy BurnhamWaiting for Andy: what will a Burnham premiership mean?The 10 headaches Starmer is handing to BurnhamThe revolving door of Downing StreetWhy does Britain keep changing prime ministers?Labour's Burnham sceptics don't have the numbers to stop himJoin the Political Fix panel on Thursday June 25 for an FT Live event, ‘Ten years after Brexit: Can the UK deliver change?' Register to take part at ft.com/anniversary and send us your questions. You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The global head of audio is Flo Phillips. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Andy Burnham sworn in as an MP and on track to become the UK's seventh prime minister in 10 years after Sir Keir Starmer's resignation today, host Lucy Fisher is joined by political editor George Parker and deputy political editor Jim Pickard to assess Starmer's time in office and discuss how Burnham will have to hit the ground running to avoid the fate of his predecessors. Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jim @PickardJE or jim.pickard@ft.com; and George @GeorgeWParker or george.parker@ft.comWant more? How Keir Starmer was undone by caution and no clear plan Keir Starmer's premiership in chartsKeir Starmer steps down as UK prime ministerWaiting for Andy: what will a Burnham premiership mean?Why does Britain keep changing prime ministers?What Andy Burnham's Westminster past reveals about himJoin the Political Fix panel on Thursday June 25 for an FT Live event, ‘Ten years after Brexit: Can the UK deliver change?' Register to take part at ft.com/anniversary and send us your questions.Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The global head of audio is Flo Phillips.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham has stormed the Makerfield by-election, clearing the pathway for him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the top job in Downing Street. Starmer has vowed to defend his position, but will Burnham's team be able to cajole him into resignation? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by Financial Times commentators, Inside Politics columnist Stephen Bush, political editor George Parker and Northern England correspondent Jennifer Williams to discuss what could play out in Westminster over the coming weeks, who a Burnham premiership would have as chancellor, and what Reform's defeat in Makerfield means for Farage. Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jen @JenWilliams_FT or @jenwilliamsft.bskyb.social; Stephen @stephenkb & @stephenkb.bsky.social and George @GeorgeWParker & @georgewparker.bsky.socialWant more? Andy Burnham storms to by-election victory in challenge to Keir StarmerWhat Andy Burnham now needs to do to become prime ministerAndy Burnham's landslide win should worry Nigel Farage‘Abysmal': Nigel Farage's Reform UK suffers another by-election blowWho is Andy Burnham, Labour's charismatic chameleon?Can anyone stop Andy Burnham from becoming Labour leader?Join the Political Fix panel on Thursday June 25 for an FT Live event, ‘Ten years after Brexit: Can the UK deliver change?' Register to take part at ft.com/anniversary and send us your questions. Sign up here to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter, Inside Politics, for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The FT's global head of audio is Flo Phillips.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades, China accelerated its industrial development through a straightforward bargain: foreign firms invested in China, often through joint ventures, gaining access to the enormous Chinese market, while Chinese companies absorbed western tech and knowhow. Today, that dynamic is changing. China's high-tech industries are now world-leading, and western governments are looking on enviously. So should the US and EU now take a page from China's playbook? Host Soumaya Keynes speaks to John Minnich, assistant professor of international relations at LSE, about the history of Chinese tech transfer, how it drove industrial sophistication and whether the west could — or should — attempt something similar.Subscribe to Soumaya's show on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.Further ReadingHow China pulled off a great tech reversalEU to include UK and Japan in ‘Made in Europe' plansJohn Minnich: Divide and Conquer: Industry Market Structure, Inter-Firm Rivalry, and Bargaining over TechnologyPresented by Soumaya Keynes. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Original music and sound design by Breen Turner. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Flo Phillips is the FT's head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much should we care about wars that are not in our neighbourhood? What role can countries not directly involved play in paving the way for a more peaceful world? Gideon discusses these questions with India's foreign minister S Jaishankar, Lana Nusseibeh, minister of state for foreign affairs for the United Arab Emirates, and Finland's foreign minister, Elina Valtonen. The discussion was recorded at the Kultaranta conference in Finland. Clip: CNNJoin Gideon live on Saturday, June 20 at the FT's inaugural NYC Weekend FestivalFree links to read more on this topic:Donald Trump says US will not invest in $300bn fund for IranBrussels approaches Kremlin over potential Ukraine talksA fragile Iran peace follows a war without victorsThe long way back from the Iran energy shockHow the US-Iran deal came togetherSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With a week to go until Makerfield heads to the polls in what may turn out to be the most consequential by-election in British history, host Lucy Fisher, northern England correspondent Jen Williams and deputy political editor Jim Pickard are on the ground hearing from voters in the seat. Polls and bookmakers confidently predict an Andy Burnham victory but they discuss whether that narrative is too neat and what issues are really shaping voters' choices. The result could determine not just who represents Makerfield, but also the future of the country if Burnham wins and successfully challenges Sir Keir Starmer for the premiership. Plus, they weigh up the shock resignation of defence secretary John Healey who has blasted Starmer's government for being “unwilling” to commit sufficient resources to protecting the country.Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jen @JenWilliams_FT or @jenwilliamsft.bskyb.social; Jim on @PickardJE or @pickardje.bskyb.socialWant more? John Healey: the ex-trade unionist who privately battled the TreasuryAndy Burnham rules out cash for Waspi women after Labour backlash‘Pure racism': East Belfast reels from riots led by masked young menKeir Starmer weakened by John Healey's scathing resignation The joke that deepened Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham's toxic riftSign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Nisha Patel. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The FT's global head of audio is Flo Phillips.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With a week to go until Makerfield heads to the polls in what may turn out to be the most consequential by-election in British history, host Lucy Fisher, northern England correspondent Jen Williams and deputy political editor Jim Pickard are on the ground hearing from voters in the seat. Polls and bookmakers confidently predict an Andy Burnham victory but they discuss whether that narrative is too neat and what issues are really shaping voters' choices. The result could determine not just who represents Makerfield, but also the future of the country if Burnham wins and successfully challenges Sir Keir Starmer for the premiership. Plus, they weigh up the shock resignation of defence secretary John Healey who has blasted Starmer's government for being “unwilling” to commit sufficient resources to protecting the country.Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jen @JenWilliams_FT or @jenwilliamsft.bskyb.social; Jim on @PickardJE or @pickardje.bskyb.socialWant more? John Healey: the ex-trade unionist who privately battled the TreasuryAndy Burnham rules out cash for Waspi women after Labour backlash‘Pure racism': East Belfast reels from riots led by masked young menKeir Starmer weakened by John Healey's scathing resignation The joke that deepened Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham's toxic riftSign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Nisha Patel. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The FT's global head of audio is Flo Phillips.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just before the UK voted to leave the EU in June 2016, the Treasury (and others) warned the consequences would be catastrophic. GDP would fall and unemployment would rise, Sterling would dip and government borrowing would climb. The shock of Brexit would plunge the UK into a recession. Ten years later, it's clear some of those predictions were wide of the mark. But Brexit has made the UK's economy smaller. As would-be Labour leaders Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham openly discuss the case for rejoining the EU, Soumaya asks Anand Menon, head of the UK in a Changing Europe think-tank, what the UK's relationship with the EU should look like. They discuss the UK's surprising areas of economic outperformance, why Labour's “red lines” are hampering its trade ambitions and what the EU would demand if the UK moved to rejoin.Further reading:Andy Burnham plays down rejoining EU after Wes Streeting advocates Brexit reversalTen years on, what's next for Brexit? You asked, we answeredBritain re-entering the EU ‘an inevitability', says Treasury ministerSubscribe to Soumaya's show on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.Presented by Soumaya Keynes. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Original music and sound design by Breen Turner. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Flo Phillips is the FT's head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where should Britain stand in the great power struggle between the US and China? Does the special relationship with Washington mean anything anymore or do all roads lead back to Europe? Gideon discusses these questions with Ben Judah, former special adviser to deputy prime minister David Lammy.Clip: Channel 4 NewsFree links to read more on this topic:Donald Trump warns US will soon hit Iran ‘hard' againWill Trump abandon Taiwan?It is time for a European Security Council Britain re-entering the EU ‘an inevitability', says Treasury ministerPutin and Trump don't have the cardsSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What began as a local tragedy in Southampton has quickly become a national flashpoint. Questions about policing and trust in UK institutions are dominating the debate, as party leaders compete to shape the public response, but are politicians missing the point that this is about police treatment of suspects? With the Makerfield by-election looming, the case risks sharpening divides. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT's Stephen Bush, Miranda Green and Chris Smyth to discuss the political fallout, plus the latest in Andy Burnham's campaign. The panel also consider what Sir Keir Starmer is looking to cross off his bucket list as his allies suggest it increasingly appears a fait accompli that he will be forced out of Downing Street. Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Stephen @stephenkb & @stephenkb.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmiranda & @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Chris @Smyth_Chris Join us on Thursday the 25th of June for a special video episode of the Political Fix podcast on Ten Years after Brexit: can the UK deliver change? Register at ft.com/anniversary and send us your questionsWant more? What if Andy Burnham loses? What Henry Nowak's murder does — and does not — tell us about policing Policing minister says ‘wrong calls' made amid anger over Henry Nowak murder Starmer pushes ‘bucket list' policies as fatalistic mood descends on Number 10 Disparities between ethnic groups are not always cause for alarm Nigel Farage gambles on playing to the far rightElectoral reform in the UK? Don't bet on it You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Nisha Patel. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everything looks to be going China's way: Beijing has a stranglehold on the world's critical minerals, and its high-tech manufacturing has rapidly become world-leading. Its massive trade surplus is undermining vital industries in the rest of the world. Is this part of a Chinese masterplan for world domination? The truth is a little more nuanced than that. Soumaya Keynes speaks to Jessica Chen Weiss, director of the Institute for America, China, and the Future of Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. They discuss why decoupling is a “fantasy”, what “middle powers” are doing better than the US and the social and the domestic challenges that still hold China back.Subscribe to Soumaya's show on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.Further readingA cold peace between the US and China is good enoughPete Hegseth says US-China ties are ‘better than in years'America needs to put the renminbi back on the international agendaHosted by Soumaya Keynes. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Original music and sound design by Breen Turner. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is life like in the Iranian capital and is the regime ready to compromise to achieve a lasting peace? Gideon discusses the mood in Tehran and the changing political landscape in the country with the FT's Tehran correspondent, Najmeh Bozorgmehr. Clips: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg.Free links to read more on this topic:Greek shipping tycoon Evangelos Marinakis ready to pay Strait of Hormuz transit feesOne killed and dozens hurt in Iranian strike on Kuwait airportBenjamin Netanyahu faces backlash after Donald Trump callWhy Iran fears a deal today means more war tomorrow Iran is beating Trump at the art of the dealSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Zuckerberg created the world's biggest social media company in Facebook, before deciding the future lay in the metaverse. Now he's spending hundreds of billions of dollars to transform Meta again, this time into an AI company. Will it work? Murad Ahmed speaks to FT tech reporters Cristina Criddle and Hannah Murphy about Zuckerberg's efforts to catch up in the AI race, and whether his vision of ‘personal superintelligence' will win over consumers. FT articles free to read: Inside Mark Zuckerberg's turbulent bet on AIMeta releases first AI model since Zuckerberg's spending spreeMeta to mine AI interactions to help target advertisingTech Tonic is hosted by Murad Ahmed and produced by Edwin Lane. The executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. Tell us what you think of Tech Tonic! Complete this short survey and you'll get the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones.Prize draw winners' surnames and regions may be made available upon request, as required by the Advertising Standards Authority. If you do not want your information to be made available, please email Privacy.Officer@ft.com upon entry. For more information on your rights and how we use your data, please read our Privacy Policy.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony Blair's lengthy – and excoriating – 5,600-word essay on the future of the Labour Party and Britain has set Westminster alight this week. The former prime minister's critique has sparked a lively debate, and triggered robust responses from Labour leadership hopefuls Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting. But is Blair right in some of his criticism? Host Lucy Fisher unpacks the article with FT colleagues Robert Shrimsley, Anna Gross and Stephen Bush. They also examine Rupert Lowe, the personality behind the far-right party Restore Britain, and whether it can harm Reform UK by splitting the rightwing vote.Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.comWant more? Tony Blair criticises Labour's Andy Burnham for leftwing ‘delusion'Tony Blair ‘does not understand' role of inequality in politics, Andy Burnham saysLabour's retreat from intellectual debate traps it in comfort zoneTurning Neets into engineersBritain's expanding ‘lost generation'UK risks ‘lost generation' without more jobs for young people Nigel Farage loses viral touch to Musk-backed Rupert LoweSenior Reform UK figures clash over immigration plans You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a reversal of roles, Nobel prize-winning economist Paul Krugman steps into host Soumaya Keynes shoes to quiz her and co-author Chad Bown about their new book "How to Win a Trade War", and the lessons it contains for surviving a global world order where traditional trade rules are being abandoned. They discuss the fragile domestic politics of a trade war, what the rest of the world can learn from China and reasons to be sort of cheerful about the future of global trade.Further readingNo one wins a trade war. Or do they?Why Europe must embrace tariffsSubscribe to Soumaya's show on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.Presented by Soumaya Keynes. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound design by Breen Turner.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Sebastian Mallaby, author of The Infinity Machine, a book about the career of Demis Hassabis and his AI company, Google DeepMind. They discuss the growing backlash against AI, why people are worried, and what governments can do to mitigate the risks of the coming technological revolution. Clip: WSJFree links to read more on this topic:OpenAI's foundation to spend $250mn on research into AI's impact on economyPope's appeal can't change the AI race's risky logicAI guardrails stripped from Meta and Google models in minutesHow AI threatens the giants of consulting AI companies are just companiesSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elon Musk's xAI is lagging behind the likes of OpenAI and Google DeepMind in the AI race. Will a giant IPO of SpaceX, Musk's rocket company, change all that? Murad Ahmed speaks to FT technology correspondent Hannah Murphy and the FT's bureau chief in San Francisco Stephen Morris. FT articles free to read: Inside SpaceX's audacious IPO planElon Musk pushes out more xAI founders as AI coding effort falters‘The race is on': will Elon Musk be the first to put a data centre in space?Tech Tonic is hosted by Murad Ahmed and produced by Edwin Lane. The executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. Tell us what you think of Tech Tonic! Complete this short survey and you'll get the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones.Prize draw winners' surnames and regions may be made available upon request, as required by the Advertising Standards Authority. If you do not want your information to be made available, please email Privacy.Officer@ft.com upon entry. For more information on your rights and how we use your data, please read our Privacy Policy.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham running for the Makerfield by-election has become far more than a contest for a safe Labour seat. It is being seen as a proxy battle over Sir Keir Starmer's leadership, Labour's direction after its bruising local election results, and even whether Reform UK can break permanently into Labour's northern heartlands. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by George Parker, political editor, Robert Shrimsley, UK chief political commentator, and Jen Williams, northern England correspondent to discuss the latest developments. The team also examines the economic offerings and political positioning of the prospective Labour leadership contenders Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting.Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; George Parker @GeorgeWParker ; Robert Shrimsley @robertshrimsley ; Jennifer Williams @JenWilliams Want more? How will Andy Burnham pay for his plans for the UK?What version of Manchesterism is Andy Burnham offering?Wes Streeting floats ‘wealth tax' in bid to woo Labour leftWes Streeting: the confident performer with a mixed record of reformGreens consider helping Labour's Andy Burnham in Makerfield by-electionReeves cuts food tariffs and children's bus fares in cost of living plan You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Nisha Patel and Persis Love. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Bianca Wakeman. Cheryl Brumley is the FT's global head of audio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Africa is traditionally seen as a continent of immense resources, let down by poor governance and excessive violence. Joe Studwell disagrees. In his book, How Africa Works, Studwell flips those assumptions upside down, and argues that low population density, a brutal disease burden and "low-budget" colonialism have hampered the continent's development. Now, Studwell says, Africa is in a position to follow the blueprint for rapid advancement set by some of Asia's most impressive economies, such as China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Host Soumaya Keynes and Studwell discuss the policy mix African nations should follow, the problems with "leapfrog" development and how "keeping up with the Joneses" could drive continent-wide development.Further ReadingAfrican economies are more resilient than everSubscribe to Soumaya's show on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.Presented by Soumaya Keynes. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound design by Breen Turner.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on Greece as a leading shipping nation. They discuss Greece's recovery from the financial crisis of 2015, how to achieve European strategic autonomy and the best way to bring the war in Ukraine to an end. Clip: France 24Free links to read more on this topic:Three supertankers attempt Strait of Hormuz crossingAmerica owes its European allies a defence roadmapProtests spread in Africa as fuel crisis deepensUAE says drone strike caused fire at nuclear plantTipping point looms for global energy crisisSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OpenAI sparked the generative AI boom with the release of ChatGPT. But along the way its chief executive Sam Altman has ruffled plenty of feathers. Colleagues have left to set up rival labs, co-founders have sued him in court and his own company even tried to sack him. Now OpenAI's early lead in the AI race is evaporating. Can it stay ahead of its rivals, and is Altman the right person to lead the AI revolution?FT articles free to read: Elon Musk loses OpenAI case after 2 hours of jury deliberationsOpenAI investors question $852bn valuation as strategy shiftsOpenAI chief Sam Altman: ‘This is genius-level intelligence'Tech Tonic is hosted by Murad Ahmed and produced by Edwin Lane. The executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. The FT's global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Tell us what you think of Tech Tonic! Complete this short survey and you'll get the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones.Prize draw winners' surnames and regions may be made available upon request, as required by the Advertising Standards Authority. If you do not want your information to be made available, please email Privacy.Officer@ft.com upon entry. For more information on your rights and how we use your data, please read our Privacy Policy.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a dramatic week at Westminster, Wes Streeting has quit as health secretary and ex-deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has said her wrangling with HMRC is finally over – but neither has launched a leadership challenge. Instead, all eyes are now on Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham as he attempts to chart a path back to the Commons, leaving Sir Keir Starmer's premiership under severe pressure. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by political correspondent Anna Gross, deputy opinion editor Miranda Green and deputy political editor Jim Pickard to discuss the latest developments. The team also examines Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's shifting story about his £5mn personal gift from a Thailand-based crypto investor in 2024, and looks ahead to consider what a Reform government would do. Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Anna @annasophiagross; Miranda @greenmiranda & @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Jim @pickardJE Want more? Burnham's return to Westminster will not be so easy Labour set to approve Andy Burnham's by-election runStarmer crisis as it happened: premier appoints new health secretary Angela Rayner says she has been cleared over tax affairsWes Streeting: the confident performer with a mixed record of reform To beat the populist right, Labour must be an insurgent government Zack Polanski admits ‘mistake' over houseboat council taxFT Series: Reform UK up close Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Nisha Patel. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Bianca Wakeman. Cheryl Brumley is the FT's global head of audio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest AI boom Google has been playing catch-up with the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic. But with stacks of cash, its own AI chips and some of the best AI talent in the world, is Google about to make a comeback? Murad Ahmed speaks to the FT's AI editor Madhumita Murgia and Stephen Morris, the FT's bureau chief in San Francisco.FT articles free to read: DeepMind chief Demis Hassabis warns AI investment looks ‘bubble-like'DeepMind slows down research releases to keep competitive edge in AI raceGoogle staff urge chief executive to block US military AI useTech Tonic is hosted by Murad Ahmed and produced by Edwin Lane. The executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. The FT's global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Tell us what you think of Tech Tonic! Complete this short survey and you'll get the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones.Prize draw winners' surnames and regions may be made available upon request, as required by the Advertising Standards Authority. If you do not want your information to be made available, please email Privacy.Officer@ft.com upon entry. For more information on your rights and how we use your data, please read our Privacy Policy.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You sent in your burning questions, now our panel answers them. Will Sir Keir Starmer's ‘relaunch' work? Has Britain become ungovernable? Will the UK's voting system be reformed, is the student loans system punishing youthful ambition, and what about defence? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT's George Parker, Miranda Green and Robert Shrimsley to discuss a range of topics spanning politics and policy.Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher; Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social, George: @GeorgeWParker & @georgewparker.bsky.social and Robert @robertshrimsley, @robertshrimsley.bsky.socialWant more? Starmer vows he will not ‘walk away' as leadership rivals circle There was nothing here to save StarmerKeir Starmer to promise ‘urgent' change as he fights for his political future‘You've got to achieve things quickly': lessons from a decade of leading LondonThe new politics may be more like the old politics than we assume Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek analysis. Get 30 days free.Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers were Andrew Giorgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Cheryl Brumley is the FT's global head of Audio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a dreadful night for Labour as council seats across the country have turned from red to turquoise. The Conservatives have not fared much better with Reform UK the big winner so far. With results still coming in, host Lucy Fisher discusses the fracturing of the vote and the future for beleaguered Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with the FT's deputy political editor Jim Pickard, Northern England correspondent Jen Williams and political columnist Stephen Bush.Have a question for the panel? We're planning a question and answer episode on Monday May 11. Email your questions to politicalfix@ft.comFollow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jim @PickardJE; Stephen @stephenkb & @stephenkb.bsky.social and Jen @JenWilliamsMEN and @jenwilliamsft.bsky.socialWant more? UK elections: Labour suffers heavy losses as Reform surgesFour things we learnt in the UK electionsScale of defeat should shake ‘big two' parties into serious actionKeir Starmer defies calls to quit after heavy Labour council lossesUK local and devolved elections: Hour-by-hour guide to key resultsIn Labour's bleak moment, Andy Burnham relishes his ownSign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free.Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers were Andrew Giorgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Cheryl Brumley is the FT's global head of Audio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a dreadful night for Labour as council seats across the country have turned from red to turquoise. The Conservatives have not fared much better with Reform UK the big winner so far. With results still coming in, host Lucy Fisher discusses the fracturing of the vote and the future for beleaguered Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with the FT's deputy political editor Jim Pickard, Northern England correspondent Jen Williams and political columnist Stephen Bush.Have a question for the panel? We're planning a question and answer episode on Monday May 11. Email your questions to politicalfix@ft.comFollow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jim @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb & @stephenkb.bsky.social and Jen: @JenWilliamsMEN and @jenwilliamsft.bsky.socialWant more? UK elections: Labour suffers heavy losses as Reform surgesFour things we learnt in the UK electionsScale of defeat should shake ‘big two' parties into serious actionKeir Starmer defies calls to quit after heavy Labour council lossesUK local and devolved elections: Hour-by-hour guide to key resultsIn Labour's bleak moment, Andy Burnham relishes his ownSign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free.Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers were Andrew Giorgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Cheryl Brumley is the FT's global head of Audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Between the Iran war, high gas prices, and wobbly jobs numbers, central bankers have plenty to worry about. But some see a light on the horizon: artificial intelligence. AI could lead to abundant production and lower prices, allowing the Fed to lower interest rates, and boost the economy – or so the theory goes. But how will we know if AI is boosting productivity? And what happens if the AI advocates promising an economic transformation are wrong? Soumaya is joined by Austan Goolsbee, head of the Chicago Federal Reserve, to discuss these questions and more. Soumaya and Austan also analyse how Fed chair nominee, Kevin Warsh, might change the central bank; and how Austan feels about Jay Powell's plans to stick around.The inaugural FT Weekend Festival in New York City is fast approaching, with a line-up featuring Paul Krugman, Martin Wolf, Gillian Tett, and plenty more. Join on Saturday, June 20, at Spring Studios or online. Register now and as a podcast listener, save 10% using our code FTPODCAST.Further reading:AI boom poised to be ‘massively disinflationary', Northern Trust saysUS economy grows at 2% pace in first quarter as AI boom fuels investment The real Greenspan lesson for Warsh on inflationProduced by Mischa Frankl-Duval with original music from Breen Turner and sound design by Sam Giovinco. The senior producers are Edwin Lane and Michela Tindera. The FT 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.

Gideon talks to Lloyd Austin, who served as US defence secretary under the Biden administration, about the need to adapt to new forms of warfare, accusations that he presided over a ‘woke military' and how he headed off a nuclear threat from Russia in the early days of the Ukraine conflict. Clip: APFree links to read more on this topic:US pauses ‘Project Freedom' as Trump seeks way out of Hormuz impasseUS warns Europe of delays to arms shipments as Iran war drains stockpilesPentagon to pull 5,000 soldiers out of Germany in dispute over Iran warDonald Trump's Iran war has cost $25bn, Pentagon saysOur inaugural FT Weekend Festival in NYC is quickly approaching! Join John Lithgow, Orna Guralnik, Jancis Robinson and more on Saturday, June 20 at Spring Studios or online — as the FT Weekend comes to life for one unforgettable day. Register now and as a podcast listener save 10% off using our code FTPodcast— this is the Saturday you won't want to miss it.Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei wants his AI lab to be a more safety conscious alternative to OpenAI. But Anthropic's business selling AI to enterprises is booming, and it's rolling out increasingly powerful models - the latest is claimed to be so dangerous it can't be released to the public. So can Anthropic win the battle of the AI labs and still claim to be the good guys of AI?Murad Ahmed speaks to Cristina Criddle, FT reporter in San Francisco covering AI, and John Thornhill, the FT's innovation editor.FT articles free to read: Anthropic's Mythos AI model tests limits of global cyber defencesAnthropic chief Dario Amodei: ‘I don't want AI turned on our own people'Anthropic's breakout moment: how Claude won business and shook marketsTech Tonic is hosted by Murad Ahmed and produced by Edwin Lane. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. The FT's global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Tell us what you think of Tech Tonic! Complete this short survey and you'll get the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones. Read the terms and conditions here.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.comPrize Draw winners' surnames and regions may be made available upon request, as required by the Advertising Standards Authority. If you do not want your information to be made available, please email Privacy.Officer@ft.com upon entry. For more information on your rights and how we use your data, please read our Privacy Policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With just one week to go before voters across the UK deliver their verdict on Sir Keir Starmer's government – our panel discusses another agonising week for the PM, Labour's forecast devastation at the polls, and how No 10 can regroup in the aftermath. Other talking points include the momentum behind Reform UK and the Green party — and the hurdles that threaten to trip them up.Host Lucy Fisher is joined by deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and political columnist Stephen Bush. Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Stephen @stephenkb & @stephenkb.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmiranda & @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Robert @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.socialWant more? What to expect in the May local electionsWhat Labour's likely meltdown means for the UKThe problematic inevitability of Andy BurnhamReform UK and Greens hit controversy on election trail Golders Green stabbing suspect was previously referred to Prevent Plus, send in your questions for a special Political Fix Q&A episode right after the local elections, on Monday May 11. Email: politicalfix@ft.comYou can also sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Mixing and original music by Breen Turner. The FT's 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.

Typically, a society's population remains stable if women have about 2.1 children each. By that metric, the word has a big problem. In developed countries the total fertility rate is well below that figure. So what are the economic consequences of that shortfall? Soumaya Keynes speaks to Melissa Kearney, a professor at the University of Notre Dame and the director of the Aspen Economic Strategy Group, which recently put out a series on the topic: Demographic Headwinds: The Economic Consequences of Lower Birth Rates and Longer Lives.They discuss why the fertility rate won't reverse course any time soon — and what happens when the rest of the baby boomers retire.Further reading: Why are fertility rates collapsing? Gender rolesCould working from home solve the global fertility crisis?Subscribe to Soumaya's show on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.Presented by Soumaya Keynes. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Michela Tindera is the senior producer. Original music and sound design by Breen Turner. The FT 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.

Gideon talks to Dmytro Kuleba, former Ukrainian foreign minister, about the current state of Russia's war against Ukraine. What would it take to break the stalemate and how has the conflict been impacted by the US-Israeli attack on Iran? Clips: DW; ReutersFree links to read more on this topic:Vladimir Putin pares back Victory Day parade over fear of Ukrainian strikes US ambassador to Ukraine to leave over differences with Donald TrumpUkraine's drone pilots hit Russian targets from 500km awayToxic rain falls on Russian city after refinery blazeSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Deepmind, xAI and Meta - all of them are building models to push the frontiers of artificial intelligence, and all of them want to be the world's leading AI company. Who will come out on top?With the help of the FT's expert reporters, technology news editor Murad Ahmed explores the battles going on between Silicon Valley's frontier AI labs, and the personal rivalries driving them. Who will win out in the bitter rivalry between OpenAI and Anthropic? Can Elon Musk's xAI or Mark Zuckerberg's Meta catch up? Or is Google Deepmind destined to control our AI future? FT articles free to read: Anthropic's Mythos AI model tests limits of global cyber defencesOpenAI investors question $852bn valuation as strategy shiftsDeepMind chief Demis Hassabis warns AI investment looks ‘bubble-like'Meta releases first AI model since Zuckerberg's spending spreeHow Elon Musk's Grok spread sexual deepfakes and child exploitation imagesTech Tonic is hosted by Murad Ahmed and produced by Edwin Lane. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. The FT's global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rolling drama over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador is eating the government alive, with more committee hearings coming next week and crucial elections for Labour on May 7. This week's host Miranda Green discusses the cost of the Mandelson saga for Sir Keir Starmer's premiership with deputy political editor Jim Pickard, political correspondent Anna Gross and public policy editor Chris Smyth. Plus, the panel debates Ed Miliband's electricity announcement, Reform's new plan for mass deportations, and a booming but dysfunctional market in business courses. Follow: Miranda:@greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; Jim: @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social, Anna: @AnnaSophieGross and annasophiegross.bsky.social Chris: @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.socialWant more? Cabinet Office head says Olly Robbins refused to give her Mandelson vetting documentsStarmer's political woes deepen as Mandelson scandal saps his authority Sadiq Khan: Labour risks being ‘stonked' in London electionsBusiness degrees are booming in the UK. Who is profiting?How many people would Reform UK deport?Economic pessimism plagues UK youthEd Miliband unveils move to delink UK gas and electricity prices Plus, send in your questions for a special Political Fix Q&A episode right after the local elections on Monday May 11. Email: politicalfix@ft.comSign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix is presented by Miranda Green and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producers are Manuela Saragosa and Edwin Lane. Mixing and original music by Breen Turner. The FT's 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.

A few months ago, the oil market looked pretty serene. But the US-Iran war has upended global supplies and pushed energy security to the top of the policy agenda. Importers have realised they need to diversify their energy sources. What role will renewables have to play? And would a shift towards green energy just mean trading one bottleneck for another? Soumaya Keynes speaks to Daniel Yergin, vice-chair of S&P Global and author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book ‘The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power'. Subscribe to Soumaya's show on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.Further reading: How to survive an energy crunchWill the Iran war derail the energy transition?Middle East war strengthens case for renewables, say clean energy expertsPresented by Soumaya Keynes. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. The senior producer was Michela Tindera. Original music by Breen Turner. Sound design by Samantha Giovinco. The FT head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Join FT journalists and a special guest on Wednesday 20 May at 1200 GMT for a subscriber webinar on The Dollar under Trump: markets, monetary policy and the next Fed chair. Register at ft.com/trump-dollar and send us your questionsRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon discusses why the Iran conflict is proving so difficult to end with Michael Singh and Dana Stroul of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. What are the options on the table for both sides and can America's allies play a useful role? Clip: New York PostFree links to read more on this topic:The Iran crisis has not yet peakedIranian tankers bypass US blockadeMacron and Starmer to hold summit on plan to secure Strait of HormuzLufthansa cuts 20,000 flights to save fuel as prices soarSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's not just the Trump administration attacking the UK's defence capabilities. Now a Labour grandee and former head of Nato, Lord George Robertson, has accused Sir Keir Starmer of ‘corrosive complacency' over delays to defence spending. With the 10-year plan for defence stuck in deadlock, host Lucy Fisher discusses the choices faced by the PM with chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley, deputy political editor Jim Pickard and political columnist and writer of the Inside Politics newsletter, Stephen Bush. Plus, they look ahead to country-wide elections in less than three weeks and hear about the developing story around the vetting of Lord Mandelson.NOTE: This episode was recorded on Thursday April 16.Follow Lucy: @LOS_Fisher and @lucyfisher.ft.com; Stephen: @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social; Jim: @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social and Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.socialWant more? Starmer accused of ‘corrosive complacency' on UK defence by former Nato chiefUK defence ministry left to foot £200mn bill for Ukraine missionRebuke by former Nato chief points to wider government inactionKeir Starmer plans May relaunch with King's Speech The great independence charadeForeign Office top civil servant forced out over Mandelson vetting fiascoNo scenario in latest Mandelson drama makes Keir Starmer look goodSign up here for Stephen's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Plus, send in your questions for a special Political Fix Q&A episode on May 11th. Email: politicalfix@ft.comPolitical Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producers are Manuela Saragosa and Edwin Lane. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT's 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.

China runs an enormous trade surplus, much to the chagrin of some of its trading partners: cheap exports of cars, chemicals and other goods are hampering major economies, especially in Europe. But the Asian nation, the world's largest exporter, is a net importer of oil. Could higher oil prices help redress global trade imbalances? Soumaya Keynes speaks to Brad Setser, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, to discuss how global trade imbalances have changed, why Beijing's surplus may be bigger than it looks, and what European leaders should be doing about it.Subscribe to Soumaya's show on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.Related readingWhat's really shocking about the second China shock?China shock 2.0: should Europe welcome Chinese investment?Presented by Soumaya Keynes. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval and Sonja Hutson. Edwin Lane is the senior producer. Original music and sound design by Breen Turner. The FT's 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.

Sir Keir Starmer had promised 2026 would be the year the UK economy and household finances would finally “turn the corner”. But the Iran war has nixed those hopes. Now the pressure from unions to increase public sector pay is mounting, and resident doctors are continuing their rolling strikes. Student finance remains another open sore despite the announcement of a cap on loan interest rates. To discuss the pressures on the public purse, host Lucy Fisher is joined by political editor George Parker, columnist Stephen Bush and public policy editor Chris Smyth. Plus, with local elections just weeks away, the panel also discusses the prime minister's trip to the Middle East. Follow: Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com; George @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social and Chris @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.socialWant more?Starmer leans into his Iran response to resonate with votersUnions prepare for UK public sector pay push as inflation bites UK health officials discuss banning doctors from going on strikeWhat happens when the Green Party governs?Capping student loan interest rates is a step in the right directionNHS data chief pushes for deeper rollout of Palantir technology despite outcryCan the Iran war save Keir Starmer's premiership?UK exposes covert Russian submarine operationThe political power struggle behind the Bayeux TapestryHave a question for the panel? We're planning a question-and-answer episode. Email your questions to politicalfix@ft.comSign up here for Stephen's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity. Original music by Breen Turner. The FT's head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Donald Trump backed off his threats to wipe out “a whole civilization". Instead, we have a ceasefire – at least for now. But how much damage has the conflict between Iran, the US and Israel already done to the global economy? Where will that damage show up next? And how long will the effects of the Iran shock be felt? Soumaya Keynes speaks to the FT's economics commentator Chris Giles to discuss the economic consequences of the war and what policymakers should be doing to mitigate them.Subscribe to Soumaya's show on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.Subscribe to Chris Giles on Central Banks here.Further readingThe Iran war shock is about half the size of Covid-19The ECB's three-pronged monetary strategyPresented by Soumaya Keynes. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music by Breen Turner. Sound design by Simon Panayi. The FT 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.

Donald Trump has heaped insults on Sir Keir Starmer in recent weeks over his stance on the Iran war. The US president labelled the UK prime minister “no Winston Churchill”, said Britain's aircraft carriers were mere “toys” and told Britain to “go get your own oil” from the Gulf. So perhaps it's unsurprising that the PM appears to be pivoting heavily towards the EU. Host Lucy Fisher unpicks the shift with colleagues Jim Pickard, Anna Gross and Robert Shrimsley. They also discuss how the Middle East conflict will play out in the upcoming local elections.Have a question for the panel? We're planning a question and answer episode. Email your questions to politicalfix@ft.comFollow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com; Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; Jim @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social and Anna @AnnaSophieGross & @annasophiegross.bsky.socialWant more? Keir Starmer signals major UK pivot towards EU after Donald Trump's tauntsLessons from history on how to survive a fuel crisisCracks appear in US-UK security co-operation after Trump-Starmer tensionsStarmer strikes upbeat note amid dismal polling ahead of May 7 local electionsPolitical drama reaches heart of UK's nuclear deterrentHammering Farage-Trump links could suppress Reform's poll leadSign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free.Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music by Breen Turner, mix by Sean McGarrity. The broadcast engineers were Andrew Giorgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Cheryl Brumley is the FT's global head of Audio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warring countries have attacked each other's economies for hundreds of years. But do the tools of economic warfare – sanctions, tariffs, blockades and embargoes – actually work? Soumaya speaks to Mark Harrison, emeritus professor of economics at Warwick university, and co-editor (with Stephen Broadberry) of Economic Warfare and Sanctions since 1688, about what centuries of economic conflict can teach us about Iran (and Russia) today.Subscribe to Soumaya's show on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.Further reading: Which chokepoint wins in a game of geoeconomic Top Trumps?Presented by Soumaya Keynes. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music by Breen Turner and sound design by Sean McGarrity. The FT 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.

Sir Keir Starmer's authority is slipping and Westminster is alive with speculation about potential successors. But chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley joins host Lucy Fisher, alongside deputy opinion editor Miranda Green and public policy editor Chris Smyth, to argue why he believes Labour may be better off sticking with Starmer. The panel also discuss the government's plans to ban political donations in cryptocurrency and cap overseas donations at £100,000 a year. What does it mean for Reform UK, which has been a major beneficiary of overseas donors and crypto donations? Have a question for the panel? We're planning a question and answer episode. Email your questions to politicalfix@ft.comFollow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com; Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social;Miranda @greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; & Chris @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.socialWant more? The case for keeping Keir Starmer a little longerStarmer set to make Sadiq Khan a Lord Overseas donations to UK parties to be capped at £100,000 Companies face having to declare individuals behind UK political donations Net zero is not a zero-sum game Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free.Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Nisha Patel. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineer was Bianca Wakeman and Petros Gioumpasis. Cheryl Brumley is the FT's global head of Audio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran's de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz has already rocked global oil markets and stock market indices, spooking everyone from politicians to central bankers. But if Iran wants to make matters worse, it can. Soumaya speaks to Edward Fishman, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of ‘Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare,' to find out what this conflict means for the future of economic coercion. Soumaya and Edward also discuss how geographical chokepoints differ from economic ones (like rare earths, or the dollar system), and the unintended consequences of the war.Subscribe to Soumaya's show on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.Further reading:Which chokepoint wins in a game of geoeconomic Top Trumps?How to survive an energy crunchPresented by Soumaya Keynes. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music by Breen Turner. Sound design by Sean McGarrity The FT's 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.

Angela Rayner heaped scorn on Sir Keir Starmer's administration this week, fuelling fresh scrutiny of her ambitions. Does she want to return to cabinet or seize the reins? The former deputy prime minister issued a stark warning that the government is running out of time to change direction under Starmer, while also attempting to court the City. At the same time, the Greens continue to beat Labour in the polls with an unabashedly socialist platform.Does all this signal the government will shift left?Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT's political editor George Parker, political correspondent Anna Gross, and Inside Politics columnist Stephen Bush to unpack what it all means. Plus FT US national editor Ed Luce shares insights on how he caught up with Donald Trump on his mobile this week.Follow: Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com George: @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen: @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social and Anna: @AnnaSophieGross and @annasophiegross.bsky.socialWant more? Is the Green Party too radical for Britain?Labour's leftward shift and the bond vigilante threatBritish right must not allow prejudice to be masked as principleStarmer calls on Badenoch to sack shadow minister over Muslim prayer comments Donald Trump warns Nato faces ‘very bad future' if allies fail to help US in Iran Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free.Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT's head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.comClip: BBCRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a trope going around these days: western commentators travel to China, tour its factories and when they return home they say that when it comes to innovation, China has won the global race. But how true is that? Host Soumaya Keynes discusses the successes and shortcomings of China's evolving industrial policy with Kyle Chan, author of the High Capacity newsletter and a fellow in the John L Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution.Subscribe to Soumaya's show on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.Further reading: How China pulled off a great tech reversalWhich chokepoint wins in a game of geoeconomic Top Trumps?China's growth target is a global problem Presented by Soumaya Keynes. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval and Michela Tindera. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music by Breen Turner and sound design by Sam Giovinco. The FT 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.

When Michael Bommer discovered he was dying, he created an AI version of himself to live on after his death. Meanwhile, Dorian Mister realised an update to ChatGPT could spell the end of his AI wife, and he went on a mission to save her. In the final episode of Artificial Intimacy, FT reporter Cristina Criddle speaks to people trying to hold on to their AI relationships amid a rapidly changing landscape. Will their relationships survive, and should AI companies have the power to decide if chatbots live or die?Featuring Anett Bommer, Rob LoCascio, CEO of Uare.AI, Dorian Mister and Linn Vailt, founder of AI in the Room.Check out some of the FT's reporting on this subject on FT.com:The reality of chatbot-induced delusionsChatGPT - the last of the great romanticsArtificial Intimacy is presented by Cristina Criddle and produced by Persis Love and Edwin Lane. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Sound design is by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. Editorial support from Michela Tindera. Translation from Aysun Bora. The FT's global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing Artificial intimacy from Tech Tonic. For the next episodes in this season go to the Tech Tonic feed.Calder Quinn has fallen into a relationship with a chatbot called Sara. She's kind, emotionally intelligent and creatively inspiring. But how can he tell his wife he is having sex with an AI girlfriend? In the first episode of Artificial Intimacy we look at how people are developing romantic bonds with AI companions. What does it feel like to be in love with AI? What impact could it have on human relationships? Could it replace them altogether? Host Cristina Criddle speaks to Giada Pistilli, an AI ethicist who now works at Mistral; Calder Quinn, writer at ‘AI, But Make It Intimate'; Amelia Quinn, Calder's wife; and Alaina Winters, professor emeritus of communication who publishes on meandmyaihusband.com.Presented by Cristina Criddle, produced by Persis Love and Edwin Lane. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. We used ElevenLabs to create Sara's voice. All other voices are real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It has been a week of red faces for party leaders. On Thursday, Keir Starmer apologised and took personal responsibility for the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US – after a first round of document disclosures suggested the prime minister was largely absent from the decision-making process. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch were both busy executing awkward U-turns on their earlier vocal support for a US war on Iran that is proving distinctly unpopular with UK voters. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT's deputy political editor Jim Pickard, columnist and writer of the ‘Inside Politics' newsletter Stephen Bush, and political editor George Parker to debate the twists and turns of the week in Westminster.Clip from: The MirrorFollow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jim: @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social; Stephen: @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social; and George: @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.socialWant more? Mandelson papers: what do they show?Pressure grows on Starmer over Mandelson due diligenceEmbarrassing Iran U-turn for the right, but Keir Starmer's problems are worseThe irrepressible Nigel FarageSign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter ‘Inside Politics' for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek analysis. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOfferPolitical FIx is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Laurence Knight. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix by Breen Turner. The FT's head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.comRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.