Russia sends troops into Ukraine after recognizing two separatist regions there. Then, Russia could be facing sanctions for its actions over Ukraine. How could that affect gas companies and consumers? Finally, Peloton discovered rust on some of its exercise bikes, it sent them to consumers anyway without telling them. We have more on its plan to conceal the rust, known as “Project Tinman.” Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyMentioned in this podcast:Carl Icahn launches board fight at McDonald’s over treatment of pigsPutin recognises two separatist regions in eastern UkraineThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber and Gavin Kallmann. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

FT News Briefing

Putin Moves Into Ukraine

The Olympics wrapped up in Beijing yesterday, capping two weeks of competition and controversy. Banks pledged in the run up to the Glasgow climate summit to fund a UN-backed ETF. But, the money never arrived and the fund is close to failing. Plus, Taylor Nicole Rogers on what steps companies can take to have a more diverse workforce.Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyMentioned in this podcast:Are companies walking their diversity talk?Companies urged to honour racial justice pledgesClimate ETF on brink of failure months after UN summit launchAlpine resorts freeze out British ski instructors after BrexitBeijing Winter Olympics close after fortnight of competition and controversyThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber and Gavin Kallmann. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Is corporate America becoming more inclusive?

This weekend, FT Weekend editor Alec Russell brings us to Albania for Lunch with the FT. He sits down with writer Lea Ypi, whose memoir ‘Free’ documents her childhood there, both under communism and after its fall. Ypi, a political theorist at the London School of Economics asks: does capitalism make us free? Plus: European tech correspondent Madhumita Murgia explores how science fiction shapes our attitudes towards the future, and how that translates across different cultures. --------------Do you want to read the Financial Times? We have special discounts for listeners here: http://ft.com/weekendpodcast--------------Want to say hi? We love hearing from you. Email us at ftweekendpodcast@ft.com. We’re on Twitter @ftweekendpod, and Lilah is on Instagram and Twitter @lilahrap. --------------Exciting news! Lea Ypi will be speaking at the first FT Weekend Festival to be hosted in the US. To attend (virtually or in person) go to http://ft.weekendfestival.com – with 10% off using the discount code FTFriends2022. It’s on Saturday May 7th at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. --------------Links and mentions from the episode: –Alec Russell’s Lunch with Lea Ypi: https://on.ft.com/3GHmi1J –FT review of Lea Ypi’s memoir Free: https://www.ft.com/content/b5455f0f-33a9-480e-9027-6884cc25faa4 –Madhu on how science fiction shapes our attitudes to the future: https://www.ft.com/content/2f35be37-9da8-4cf6-89b2-8488b36c5a63 –Madhu recommends the book Exhalation by Ted Chiang–Chen Qiufan’s latest book is caled AI2041: Ten Visions for ur Future, co-authored with Kai-Fu Lee  – This weekend’s Lunch with the FT, with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas: https://www.ft.com/content/098ba985-1284-46c6-9abe-f626fa9e47f0– Lunch with the Financial Times, edited by Lionel Barber, a selection of classic lunches: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/309/309448/lunch-with-the-ft/9780241400685.html Alec is on Twitter at @AlecuRussell, and Madhu is at @madhumita29."Long Live Enver Hoxha!" copyright Believe Music and UMPG Publishing. "Astroboy" Copyright Tezuka Productions Co. Clip: AP Archive--------------Original music by Metaphor Music. Mixing and sound design is by Breen Turner.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

FT Weekend: Lea Ypi talks capitalism and freedom

Sequoia Capital plans to move deeper into cryptocurrency markets and has earmarked at least $500mn for investments in cryptocurrency assets, and a global financial regulator says that policymakers must act quickly to craft rules for digital asset markets. Plus, the FT’s Moscow correspondent, Polina Ivanova, reports that Siberia has become home to a cottage industry of DIY cryptomining fuelled by cheap electricity. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyMentioned in this podcast:Sequoia earmarks $500mn for push into cryptocurrency marketsGlobal financial watchdog calls for ‘urgent’ action to contain crypto risksIn Siberia, a crypto boom made of ingenuity, defiance and DIYThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber and Gavin Kallmann. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Siberia’s DIY cryptocurrency miners

The Federal Reserve’s latest meeting minutes show it would be willing to tighten monetary policy quickly if US inflation does not come under control, and the EU’s top court has opened the way for Brussels to withhold funding from member states for violations of the rule of law. Plus, the FT’s Mark Vandevelde explains how Blackstone’s rent-to-buy business is working out. Mentioned in this podcast:Fed prepared to tighten policy more aggressively if inflation persistsBlackstone’s new real estate play: the rent-to-buy marketEU court ruling opens way for Brussels to act against Hungary and PolandThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber and Gavin Kallmann. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Blackstone’s dip into the rent-to-buy market

 US and European shares rallied on Tuesday after Russia said it had begun pulling back some troops, and former Google chief executive, Eric Schmidt, is creating a $125mn fund to address problems with artificial intelligence. Plus, the FT’s US energy editor, Derek Brower, explains that US shale companies are feeling pressured to produce less oil despite rising prices. Mentioned in this podcast:US stocks rise after Russia says some troops returning to baseOil’s climb towards $100 a barrel tempts US shale companies to shed restraintEric Schmidt creates $125mn fund for ‘hard problems’ in AI researchThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber and Gavin Kallmann. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Soaring oil prices put US shale in a bind

The FT’s Gideon Rachman discusses the messaging wars between the US and Moscow over Ukraine, Central America and Mexico is benefiting from a bumper year in remittances from migrant workers in the US. Plus, the FT’s Jonathan Wheatley explains why investors might be getting more nervous about sinking their money into emerging markets. Mentioned in this podcast:Putin, US intelligence and the global fight for the Ukraine narrativeRemittances made to Central America from the US have reached record levelEmerging markets: all risk and few rewards?The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber and Gavin Kallmann. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Emerging markets: high risk, no reward?

German chancellor Olaf Scholz heads to Kyiv and Moscow to try and deter Putin from attacking Ukraine, and Germans are confronting a major #MeToo moment as German publishing conglomerate Axel Springer comes under scrutiny for sexual misconduct charges against top editor Julian Reichelt. The FT’s Berlin correspondent Erika Solomon discusses her investigation of how the media company handled the accusations. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyMentioned in this podcast:Scholz plans appeal to Putin in effort to stop attack on UkraineWomen spoke up, men cried conspiracy: inside Axel Springer’s #MeToo momentWaning stockpiles drive widespread global commodity crunchThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber and Gavin Kallmann. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The FT investigates Axel Springer’s #MeToo moment

Miami is hot right now. In the pandemic, more people moved to Florida than to any other state by a long shot. Chief among them were the tech elite, who have made Miami—one of America’s most diverse cities—their next big conquest. But what happens when Silicon Valley falls in love with a place with such a singular culture? Will a new tech migration help Miami, or hurt it? We go to Miami with writer Joel Stein to meet the people investing in 'Miami 2.0', from A-Rod to Mayor Francis Suarez to its newest residents. We also hear from Miamians who have lived there for decades.--------------Do you want to read the Financial Times? We have special discounts for listeners here: http://ft.com/weekendpodcast--------------Want to say hi? We love hearing from you. Email us at ftweekendpodcast@ft.com. We’re on Twitter @ftweekendpod, and Lilah is on Instagram and Twitter @lilahrap. --------------To attend the first US FT Weekend Festival in the US (virtually or in person) go to http://ft.weekendfestival.com – with 10% off using the discount code FTFriends2022. It’s on May 7th at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. --------------Links and mentions from the episode: –Joel Stein on how Miami became the most important city in America: https://on.ft.com/3LsiMfy –Alec Russell’s Lunch with Lea Ypi (ahead of next week’s episode): https://on.ft.com/3GHmi1J –Joel Stein is on Twitter at @thejoelstein--------------Original music by Metaphor Music. Mixing and sound design is by Breen Turner. "Miami" by Will Smith. Copyright Sony Music Entertainment  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

FT Weekend: Will Silicon Valley ruin Miami?

A court struggle in China is casting a shadow over the company’s hopes for an Arm IPO after its failed $66bn sale to Nvidia, the 10-year Treasury yield on Thursday climbed to 2 per cent for the first time since August 2019, as investors ditched government debt on the latest evidence of stubbornly high inflation, and European scientists have made a big breakthrough in the decades-long effort to generate energy from nuclear fusion. Mentioned in this podcast:SoftBank’s plans for Arm IPO hit by legal battle over renegade China unitUS inflation surges to 7.5% in fastest annual rise for 40 yearsEuropean scientists in ‘landmark’ nuclear fusion breakthroughThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber and Gavin Kallmann. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Inflation prompts investors to ditch Treasuries

Dozens of biotech companies are running low on cash and face an uphill struggle to raise fresh funds, Fidelity’s little-known passive investment business Geode Capital Management surged to $1tn in assets last year. Plus, the FT’s US business editor, Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, explains why Peloton’s latest turmoil makes it an attractive acquisition target. Mentioned in this podcast:Bursting ‘Biotech bubble’ inflicts pain on tourist investors and innovatorsFidelity’s index fund business Geode hits $1tn in assets Turmoil at Peloton makes it opportunistic target for Nike and AmazonChipotle: burrito index reflects inflationary guac attackThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber and Gavin Kallmann. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Peloton’s turmoil could be appealing

Credit Suisse investors warn they will try to block any extension of vice-chair Severin Schwan, and SoftBank is looking to list UK chip design company Arm Holdings on the Nasdaq in the US after a sale to Nvidia fell through. Plus, the FT’s Robert Wright and leading researcher Virginie Guiraudon discuss the current state of the UK-EU migrant crisis and why no solutions are forthcoming. Mentioned in this podcast:Credit Suisse shareholders take aim at vice chair following scandalsSoftBank looks to bypass UK in favour of Nasdaq Arm listingCan the UK and France resolve the cross-Channel refugee impasse?Great Britain’s migrant crisisThe UK migrant crisis and DoverThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber and Gavin Kallmann. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

London and Paris at impasse over migrants

Credit Suisse became the first Swiss bank in the country’s history to answer criminal charges on Monday, and the US is lobbying Brussels to water down the effect of EU regulations targeting Big Tech companies. Plus, we talk to the author Horatio Clare about the UK town of Dover and how people there are approaching the migrant crisis. Mentioned in this podcast:Landmark Credit Suisse money laundering trial opensUS officials lobby key European powerbroker on Big Tech regulationsLife and death on Dover’s migrant front lineThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber and Gavin Kallmann. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Horatio Clare on the UK migrant crisis and Dover

A week of dizzying diplomatic meetings seeking to de-escalate tensions with Russia kicks off today in Moscow and Washington, aid agencies call for unblocking of cash flows to Afghanistan as the humanitarian crisis deepens. Plus, the FT’s Anna Gross takes us inside a French refugee camp to hear the stories of the people who are seeking asylum in the UK. Mentioned in this podcast:Ukraine: EU wrestles with how to inflict sanctions ‘pain’ on RussiaAid agencies call for unblocking of cash flows to Afghanistan as humanitarian crisis deepensAfghanistan’s unnecessary plightThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber and Gavin Kallmann. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Great Britain’s migrant crisis

This weekend, we look at the Peloton phenomenon. Is it a failing fitness cult or a lasting way to stay healthy? Lilah and San Francisco correspondent Patrick McGee explore the behavioural science behind why we don’t exercise and the tech that tricks our brains into doing it anyway. Then, management editor Andrew Hill tells us why so many bad business books exist at the airport, and what makes a good one--------------If you want to explore the FT, use this link for special discounts for listeners: http://ft.com/weekendpodcast--------------Want to say hi? We love hearing from you. Email us at ftweekendpodcast@ft.com. We’re on Twitter @ftweekendpod, and Lilah is on Instagram and Twitter @lilahrap. --------------Links and mentions from the episode: –Patrick McGee on how connected fitness became the new obsession: https://on.ft.com/32YplFd–Andrew Hill: ‘Pulp non-fiction: the worst business books of 2022’: https://on.ft.com/34ao7Hz –All the winners and shortlisted books for FT and McKinsey's best business books of the year award https://ig.ft.com/sites/business-book-award/ –If you want to read more about the culture of Peloton, here’s ‘This is your brain on Peloton’, by Amanda Hess (NYT): https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/16/arts/peloton-cody-rigsby-content.html –Anne Helen Peterson is the unofficial internet scholar on Peloton celebrity: https://annehelen.substack.com/p/towards-a-unified-theory-of-peloton --------------Original music by Metaphor Music. Mixing and sound design is by Breen Turner.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

FT Weekend: Does Peloton trick us into working out?

A rundown of the most important global business stories you need to know for the coming day, from the newsroom of the Financial Times. Available every weekday morning.