Ft News

Flashing lights offer hope for a radical new non-drug treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, according to research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It found that flickering at a frequency of 40 times per second induced brain waves that helped clear toxic proteins in a study on mice. John Murray-Brown talks to Clive Cookson, the FT's science editor, about the breakthrough.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matteo Renzi has lost his referendum on constitutional reform, plunging the country into political and financial crisis. Patrick Jenkins, the FT's financial editor, discusses the fallout for the banking sector with Martin Arnold, banking editor, Rachel Sanderson, Milan correspondent, and Davide Serra of investment fund Algebris. Music by Kevin MacLeod  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mexico has invited outside investors into its energy sector after a gap of nearly 80 years. It sold several deep water exploration blocs in the Gulf of Mexico, with China being one of the big winners. Jonathan Wheatley talks to David Sheppard, the FT's energy markets editor, about the reforms, with clips from an interview they conducted recently with José Antonio Meade, Mexico's finance minister, and José Antonio González Anaya, chief exec of state oil company Pemex.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A fierce Russia-backed aerial assault on Syria’s rebels in Aleppo has helped regime forces capture more than a third of rebel-held districts. Now it appears the rebels are in secret talks with Russia to end the fighting in the city. John Murray-Brown talks to Erika Solomon, FT Middle East correspondent about what's behind this latest development in the conflict  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Italy's prime minister Matteo Renzi has vowed to step down if, as polls suggest, he loses Sunday's referendum on constitutional reform. Some fear this could hit the economy and banking sector hard. John Murray Brown discusses the likely repercussions with Tony Barber, the FT's Europe editor, and James Politi, Rome bureau chief.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Earlier this month, Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, declared 86 per cent of the country’s bank notes invalid in a measure aimed at curbing the country’s black market. But the immediate effect was to slam the brakes on the economy. Jonathan Wheatley discusses the longer term consequences with Kiran Stacey, FT correspondent in New Delhi.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There have been encouraging signs recently that tech companies are expanding their operations in London, despite Brexit. Chris Nuttall discusses whether the trend can last with Madhumita Murgia, the FT's European technology correspondent, and Judith Evans, property correspondent.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In his first Budget statement, Philip Hammond said he wanted to get the economy 'match fit' for Brexit, but admitted that worsening public finances would mean the UK needed to borrow more. Barney Thompson talks to Chris Giles, FT economics editor, and George Parker, political editor, about the chancellor's most striking announcements.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Brussels plans to tighten rules for overseas banks operating in the EU in a tit-for-tat step against the US that will raise costs for big foreign lenders. Does this mean the global consensus on bank rules is breaking down? Patrick Jenkins, FT financial editor, discusses the issue with colleagues Martin Arnold and Caroline Binham, and hears the view of Andrea Enria, chairman of the European Banking Authority. Music by Kevin MacLeod  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Saudi Arabia is preparing to lift the lid on one of the global energy industry's most closely guarded secrets - how much crude lies beneath the desert kingdom's sands. David Sheppard interviews the FT's oil and gas correspondent Anjli Raval  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

UK attempts to encourage business growth have tended to focus on start-ups, but under Theresa May’s government, scale-ups are starting to win favour. Recent research has shown that they account for an outsize share of economic and jobs growth, as the FT's Andy Bounds reports.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Companies doing business in Mexico, heavily exposed to global trade, or reliant upon US regulation have been judged the big losers under a Donald Trump presidency by international stock market investors. But how clear cut is the picture? Matthew Vincent puts the question to Brooke Masters, FT companies editor.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Asia-focused lender has reported a small after tax loss but delighted shareholders with the news that it was to return more capital to investors. Patrick Jenkins, FT financial editor, discusses the results with Ronit Ghose, head of global banks research at Citigroup.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

October has been one of the busiest for global deal making on record, with the total value of deals topping $500bn. Matthew Vincent asks Arash Massoudi, FT M&A correspondent, what's behind the trend and whether it's likely to continue.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Opposition to Jacob Zuma is growing after an official report found evidence of possible corruption at the top level of his government. David Pilling, the FT's Africa editor, asks Joseph Cotterill, southern Africa correspondent, how bad it now looks for the South African president.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A key race — and the national gun debate in the US — has been shaken up by a Democratic Senate candidate with a striking ad. But it's part of a bigger shift in the 2016 election. Shawn Donnan reports from Missouri.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The UK government is facing growing criticism over its strategy on negotiations to leave the European Union. The FT's Patrick Jenkins and Martin Arnold discuss a recent warning by influential MP Andrew Tyrie that the lack of transparency on Brexit risks hurting the economy. Music by Kevin MacLeod  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mark Carney, Bank of England governor, has endured a barrage of criticism over his forecasts about the economic cost of Brexit. At a time of uncertainty over the terms of Britain's departure from the EU, many see him as an indispensable source of stability and he is expected to make clear this week that he is willing to stay on until the end of his eight year term. Barney Thompson discusses the controversy with Chris Giles, FT economics editor.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The rise of Iceland’s Pirates party is a striking example of the anti-establishment mood that has swept western countries since the financial crisis. Founded by a ragtag bunch of internet activists, the party is hoping for victory in Saturday’s parliamentary elections. Orla Ryan asks Richard Milne, the FT's Nordics correspondent, what they stand for.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There are fresh doubts about ChemChina's proposed acquisition of Syngenta - amid increasing signs that the west is stiffening its opposition to Chinese takeovers of US and European companies. Andrew Parker discusses what's behind these doubts with the FT's Arash Massoudi and James Kynge.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.