Ft News

"Gut feelings" as the key to financial trading success. John Murray Brown discusses new research from Cambridge University with Clive Cookson, science editor, and Roger Blitz, currencies correspondent.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Russian hackers released a second batch of high profile athletes' medical records this week in an attempt to show widespread instances of doping around the world. The FT's John Burn-Murdoch and Murad Ahmed discuss how the international sporting world will deal with doping among Russian athletes now that the Rio Olympics are over.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The approval of the Hinkley Point power station injects new energy into the UK’s nuclear sector. The FT’s Giles Wilkes and Alan Livsey explain what is at stake for French utility EDF. Visit FT.com for more on the story.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With the delay in disclosing her pneumonia diagnosis, Hillary Clinton prompted new questions about her candour with the public and the press. The FT's Courtney Weaver explains how this will affect the candidate in the remaining weeks of the presidential campaign, and why transparency has played a new role in this election cycle. Visit FT.com/polls for the latest election news.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Before the June referendum, economists warned a UK vote to leave the EU would tip the economy into recession. But today, Britons are still spending and the markets are buoyant. So who is right? The gloomy economists or the upbeat markets? Barney Thompson puts the question to Chris Giles, the FT’s economics editor, and Roger Blitz, currencies correspondent.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Using algorithms to monitor performance is associated with companies like Uber and the gig economy, but also harks back to the 'scientific management' of Frederick Winslow Taylor a century ago. More recent management theories suggest making workers responsible for their own performance is the best way to boost productivity. John Gapper discusses these conflicting trends with FT employment correspondent Sarah O'Connor.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For many of the 17m Britons who voted to leave the European Union, immigration was a decisive factor. Theresa May, Britain's prime minister, has ruled out an Australian-style points system for controlling the inflow. So what are her other options? Barney Thompson puts the question to Helen Warrell, the FT's public policy correspondent.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Several young activists opposed to China’s control over Hong Kong have been elected to the territory’s legislature in a sign of growing anger with Beijing. Josh Noble discusses the rise of this group of radical young politicians with Ben Bland, FT correspondent in Hong Kong.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The impeachment of Dilma Rousseff thrusts new president Michel Temer into the spotlight at a time when the country is suffering the worst recession in more than a century. The FT's John Paul Rathbone and Joe Leahy discuss what lies ahead for Mr Temer and the country.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Saudi Arabia is planning its first international sovereign bond issue this year, with a $15bn sale that has generated huge interest from Asian investors. John Murray Brown asks Simeon Kerr, the FT's Gulf correspondent, and Elaine Moore, capital markets correspondent what's behind the Saudi move and why Asian investors are so enthusiastic.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

US political leaders have reacted with anger to an EU decision to hit Apple with a record-breaking €13bn tax penalty, with one politician describing it as a 'cheap money grab' by the European Commission. Chris Nuttall discusses the ruling and its likely repercussions with the FT’s Brussels bureau chief Alex Barker  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

China’s president Xi Jinping has made building a new Silk Road from east Asia to the Middle East and Europe his signature foreign policy. If he succeeds, the Caspian region could once again be at the heart of world trade. The FT’s Jack Farchy reports from the port of Baku in Azerbaijan. Picture credit: Dreamstime  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Doctors in the US are wasting hundreds of millions of dollars a year prescribing expensive branded medicines even when cheaper generic alternatives are available, according to an FT analysis. David Crow and Sujeet Indap discuss the findings.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For decades, astronomers have searched the skies for planets in our galaxy similar to Earth that could harbour life. A team of European scientists has now revealed they are closer to this goal, with the discovery of a new Earth-like body orbiting Proxima Centauri, the nearest star to the Sun. John Murray-Brown talks to Madhumita Murgia, FT technology correspondent, about the discovery.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The FT's Davide Ghiglione reports from Amatrice as rescue teams race to find survivors from the earthquake that devastated mountain towns in central Italy this week. Picture credit: Davide Ghiglione  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Four of the world's biggest banks are collaborating on a new blockchain project to transform the way securities trades are processed, with the aim of making it cheaper and safer. Patrick Jenkins asks Martin Arnold, the FT's banking editor, to explain what's behind the development.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Britain’s stunning medals success in the Rio Olympics was a cause for elation at home — but in parts of Europe it was met with sneers and some incredulity. Joshua Chaffin discusses this reaction and what's behind it with Guy Chazan and Henry Foy, FT correspondents in Berlin and Warsaw.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Record low bond yields have intensified the pressure on pension funds already struggling to provide for retirees who are living longer. This squeeze has widened the pension deficit for hundreds of funds globally, prompting fears of a slow-moving but painful social crisis. The FT's John Authers and Robin Wigglesworth explain.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The future of the Affordable Care Act's open insurance marketplaces is at risk as large providers such as Aetna threaten to pull out of the state exchanges in response to the administration's crackdown on industry mergers. The FT's Barney Jopson explains.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Several towns in France have taken the unusual step of banning the burkini from their beaches, and a number of women in the resort of Cannes have already been fined for wearing the concealing swimwear favoured by some Muslims. Josh Noble discusses what’s behind the move and why Italy has taken a different approach, with the FT’s Paris and Rome bureau chiefs Anne-Sylvaine Chassany and James Politi.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.