Leadership and Energy: OpenAI's leadership instability continues as CTO Mira Marathi leaves, following several key exits. At the same time, major banks like Citibank and Barclays are cautiously supporting nuclear energy, aligning with climate goals but remaining vague about specific financing commitments.
OpenAI is facing significant challenges as its Chief Technology Officer, Mira Marathi, has departed, adding to the growing list of high-profile exits from the company. This comes in a year marked by instability within the organization, raising concerns about its leadership. Meanwhile, major banks have expressed newfound support for nuclear energy, a sector that has traditionally faced resistance in financial circles. Leaders from major banks, including Citibank, Barclays, and Goldman Sachs, met to pledge backing for increasing nuclear energy capacity, aligning with climate goals set at the COP Climate Conference. However, details on specific financial commitments remain vague, indicating that while there is growing support, caution still prevails among these institutions, reflecting the divisive opinions surrounding nuclear power.
Women in Workforce: Saudi Arabia's female workforce participation has risen to 35%, surpassing the 30% target set for 2030. This change is evident in various sectors, including manufacturing, as the country diversifies its economy beyond oil reliance.
Saudi Arabia is making significant strides in diversifying its economy and increasing female workforce participation. In 2016, the government set a target of 30% women in the workforce by 2030. However, by 2024, the participation rate has already reached 35%. This shift is evident in various sectors, including manufacturing, where women are actively involved in roles traditionally dominated by men. Companies like Johnson Controls Arabia are at the forefront of this change, employing women in a variety of positions. Previously, most Saudi women were employed in education or healthcare. Now, they're entering fields like entertainment and tourism, reflecting a positive trend towards gender equality in the workplace and economic growth.
Women in Workforce: Saudi Arabia aims to boost its economy by increasing women's workforce participation but still faces obstacles such as social norms and lack of women in leadership roles.
Saudi Arabia is working to improve its economy by allowing women to participate more in the workforce, acknowledging that many are highly educated but previously faced restrictions. While there has been progress, such as women driving and traveling freely, significant barriers remain. Social norms still restrict many women's work opportunities, and there is a lack of female representation in high-level positions within both government and private sectors. Efforts like quotas are being discussed to boost women's leadership roles, which could contribute to a more productive and diverse economy. Overall, increasing women's access to work is vital for the country's economic growth and modernization.
Banks warm up to nuclear power
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Japanese PM’s uphill battle to win back voters
The French government has proposed a budget for next year with some €60bn worth of spending cuts and tax increases, and Hurricane Milton ploughed across Florida on Wednesday. US inflation fell to 2.4 per cent in September. Plus, we look ahead to Japan’s early elections later this month.
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French PM unveils shock therapy in 2025 budget
US inflation fell to 2.4% in September
Hurricane Milton leaves millions without power after lashing Florida
Japan’s new prime minister pledges to tackle deflation in first policy speech
Spanish star Rafael Nadal calls time on glittering tennis career
CREDIT: BBC
The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.
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US considers breaking up Google
HSBC’s top-paid bankers to bear the brunt of cost-cutting restructuring, and the UK Conservative party leadership race has been whittled down to two rightwingers. Plus, Germany’s economy is expected to shrink, and the US government is considering seeking the break-up of Google to end its monopoly in search.
Mentioned in this podcast:
US weighs Google break-up in landmark antitrust case
Jenrick vs Badenoch: Meet the next Conservative leader
Germany expects economy to shrink in 2024 after cutting forecast
Expensive senior bankers to bear brunt of HSBC restructuring
The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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India’s belated oil rush
The head of KPMG US says the industry urgently needs to make it easier to become an accountant, and the EU is suing Hungary’s government over a new security law it says is in breach of citizens’ fundamental rights. Plus, India races to extract as much oil as possible while there remains a market for crude.
Mentioned in this podcast:
KPMG US head says the industry urgently needs to make it easier to become an accountant
India in rush to boost oil production before energy transition
EU sues Hungary over new security law
The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Michela Tindera, Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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Strikes threaten Boeing’s bottom line
Big bank bosses join a growing list of prominent financiers expected to skip COP29 next month, and Spain proposes a new mechanism to help harmonise the EU’s capital and credit markets. Plus, activist investor Starboard Value has built a $1bn position in struggling drugmaker Pfizer, and tens of thousands of striking machinists are threatening Boeing’s recovery.
Mentioned in this podcast:
“You only go to the party if everyone is going”: finance bosses shun COP29
Spain to propose mini-coalitions to break EU capital markets stalemate
Activist investor Starboard builds $1bn stake in drugmaker Pfizer
‘They’re just mad’: Boeing strikers prepare for long haul
The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.
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Israel marks one year after October 7
A new report forecasts that Donald Trump would raise the US debt by twice as much as Kamala Harris, and Elon Musk’s SpaceX is quietly opening up a new front in a global battle over a scarce and precious resource: radio spectrum. Plus, US partners at accounting firm EY have been told their pay for 2024 will be deferred, and a year after the October 7 attacks, international criticism of the Gaza war has led many Israelis to retreat inwards.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Donald Trump would raise the US debt by twice as much as Kamala Harris, report finds
EY to hold back some pay from US partners after tough year
The satellite spectrum battle that could shape the new space economy
The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.
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Swamp Notes: How the Middle East conflict is shaping the election
The Biden administration has tried and failed to contain fighting in the Middle East over the past year - and now, the conflict is close to spiralling into all-out war. The FT’s US foreign affairs and defence correspondent Felicia Schwartz and US political news editor Derek Brower join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain what Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are telling voters they’ll do to end the conflict. Credit: USA Today
Mentioned in this podcast:
Israel and Iran have just delivered the US election’s ‘October surprise’
Benjamin Netanyahu’s ‘rope-a-dope’ war strategy with White House
Oil surges after Joe Biden’s comments on Israeli retaliation
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Swamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.
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Markets keep calm despite global tensions
A strike that closed US east and Gulf coast ports will be suspended, and market reaction to escalations in the Middle East remains minimal. Plus, Italy’s government will raise more taxes from companies earning windfall profits, and luxury group LVMH will become a top sponsor of car-racing franchise Formula One.
Mentioned in this podcast:
US dockworkers suspend strike that threatened to cripple ports
Italy seeks to raise more windfall taxes from companies
The market reaction to global tensions might not follow the old script
LVMH strikes sponsorship deal with Formula 1
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Credit: CNBC, LVMH
The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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Displacement pushes Lebanon to the brink
UK house sales rise at the fastest rate in three years, mass displacement in Lebanon risks overwhelming a country battered by economic crises, and Brussels intends to postpone a controversial EU anti-deforestation law for a year following a backlash. Plus, two-thirds of all new solar and wind power projects are based in China.
Mentioned in this podcast:
UK house sales rise at fastest pace in three years, data shows
China’s accelerating green transition
EU moves to delay anti-deforestation rules
Lebanon’s broken state struggles with 1mn displaced
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The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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A day of escalation in the Middle East
Iran fires missiles at Israel, hours after the IDF launches a ground offensive in Lebanon. France’s new Prime Minister Michel Barnier announced tax rises on large companies and the wealthy, and US business groups warned of economic ‘paralysis’ after tens of thousands of dockworkers went on strike. Plus, investors are seeking to profit from the uncertainty over the outcome of the US presidential race.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Iran launches missile attack against Israel
French premier Michel Barnier announces tax rises and spending cuts
US economy faces ‘paralysis’ before election as dockworkers go on strike
Investors turn to volatility trades to profit from tight US election
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The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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AI start-ups generate revenue at record pace
SoftBank will invest $500mn into OpenAI as part of a fundraising round that will give the start-up a $150bn valuation, and Chinese equities post their best day since the 2008 global financial crisis. Plus, new data suggests artificial intelligence start-ups are bringing in revenues at an unprecedented rate, and South Korean exporters are struggling to compete with a glut of goods from Chinese rivals.
Mentioned in this podcast:
SoftBank to invest $500mn in OpenAI
AI start-ups generate money faster than past hyped tech companies
Chinese stocks surge 8.5% in best day since 2008
From steel to kimchi, South Korean exporters face flood of Chinese rivals
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The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.