Ft News

Rebekah Brooks, the former tabloid newspaper editor who was cleared of all charges in Britain’s phone-hacking scandal, is returning to a new job in Rupert Murdoch's media empire. It is her first step back on to the News Corp ladder after her resignation in 2011. Henry Mance and Matthew Garrahan discuss her new role.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Iraq’s army has launched a major offensive to capture an Isis stronghold north west of the capital Baghdad. It is attempting to clear Islamist fighters from Salahuddin province and the city of Tikrit, hometown of the former dictator Saddam Hussein. Fiona Symon talks to Borzou Daragahi about the risks and rewards of the operation.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The chief executive of luxury carmaker Aston Martin might like pistons and plug-in vehicles, but there's another important 'P' in his life: punk rock. He loves nothing more than firing up some tunes while riding on his BMW motorbike. But he also showed a more sensitive side when he spoke to Andy Sharman about his favourite tracks.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Where have all the kids gone? A generation of young Americans that used to turn to TV for their entertainment is finding its fix elsewhere. Ravi Mattu talks to Matthew Garrahan about how big media companies are responding to the migration of viewers away from traditional TV  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The world’s leading climate change authority has lost its chairman after Rajendra Pachauri resigned amid allegations he had sexually harassed a junior female colleague. This comes at the worst possible time in the run up to important climate change talks later this year. Fiona Symon discusses the news with Pilita Clarke and Amy Kazmin.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

European Union finance ministers have given a clear signal that the Greek government has done enough to secure an extension of its €172bn bailout. But the solvency of Greek banks remains a concern. Daniele Nouy, head of the ECB's supervisory wing, spoke to Patrick Jenkins and colleagues about how capable Greece's banks are of weathering the storm.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

One of the best known faces of Egypt’s 2011 revolution has been sentenced to five years in prison by a Cairo court. Alaa Abdel Fattah, a blogger, democracy activist and outspoken critic of the regime, was imprisoned for breaching a controversial law banning protests without official permission. Fiona Symon talks to Heba Saleh about the case and what it says about the state of human rights in Egypt.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

President Joko Widodo swept to power in October promising widespread reforms - the first Indonesian president not to come from the military or the political elite. But a stand-off between the country’s police and anti-corruption agency sparked a political crisis that threatened to derail his reforms. Fiona Symon spoke to Harry Jacques about how the affair was resolved.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Apple is revving up to join the automotive industry. Last week, the Financial Times reported that Apple is recruiting experts from the car business to work at a new, top-secret research lab. Ravi Mattu, the FT's technology editor talks to Tim Bradshaw, our San Francisco correspondent, to find out how a company known for computers and mobile phones can enter a new sector like this.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Could crowd funding be a solution to the financing struggles of young biotech companies in the early stages of drug development? Clive Cookson talks to Andrew Ward about the benefits and pitfalls of this new model for financing medical science.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ross Ulbricht was convicted last week of running the black market Silk Road website. Prosecutors convinced the jury that he was Dread Pirate Roberts, the administrator and mastermind of the site that was used to sell drugs and traded in bitcoins. Christine Spolar talks to Kara Scannell, about the strength of the evidence that was presented against him and the wider implications of the case.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

US chip maker Qualcomm agreed this week to pay a record $975 million fine to settle a case brought against it by Chinese authorities. Technology editor Ravi Mattu and Beijing correspondent Charles Clover discuss what this means for other US tech companies facing challenges in China.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In a fraught, high-stakes auction, Sky and British Telecom agreed yesterday to pay £5.1bn over three years to air Premier League games. Henry Mance and Dan Thomas discuss the stunning figures and the impact on future pricing strategies for Sky, which will pay for the majority of the rights.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Narendra Modi’s ruling BJP has suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of an anti-corruption party in Delhi’s city election, undermining the Indian prime minister’s image of invincibility and showing the extent of disillusionment with the government after only eight months in office. Fiona Symon talks to Amy Kazmin about the result.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

HSBC has had a torrid few days after details of misdemeanours at its Swiss private bank were exposed. Patrick Jenkins,financial editor, talks to George Dallas, policy director of the International Corporate Governance Network and Martin Arnold, banking editor, about the potential ramifications for current management at the bank.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Around 140m Indian schoolchildren will undergo de-worming treatment this week as New Delhi kicks-off the world’s largest campaign against the damaging intestinal parasites. Fiona Symon talks to Amy Kazmin about the programme.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Some audio recordings posted to the internet and broadcast on pro-Islamist television channels have rattled Egypt’s rulers. The voices, described as those of Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and his two deputies, are discussing the Gulf states, Egypt’s biggest financial backers, in less than flattering terms. Fiona Symon discusses the tapes with Borzou Daragahi.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In a three-bedroomed flat in London’s commuter belt, a team of seven are toiling over the nation’s problems. Overseeing this is Deidre Sanders, AKA The Sun newspaper’s agony aunt of 34 years, Dear Deidre. She tells Emma Jacobs how her role has changed in the age of the internet.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Fracking has provided a boost to the US economy but fears about its impact on the environment have meant that it is not allowed in France, Germany or the state of New York. In the UK, a debate is raging over whether to allow the extraction of shale gas to go ahead. Andy Bounds visited Preston, one of the proposed fracking sites to talk to people on both sides of the argument.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Why do footballers in England get paid so much? Broadcasters pay billions of pounds to air the live matches from the Premier League. Henry Mance and Dan Thomas discuss the possible scenarios for Sky and BT in the upcoming high stakes broadcast rights auction.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.