Logo
    Search

    Podcast Summary

    • Businesses face significant challenges from faulty systems to geopolitical tensionsFormer subpostmasters faced personal ruin from faulty computer systems, while businesses face rising costs from inflation in infrastructure projects. Geopolitical tensions can also impact shipping lanes and businesses.

      Businesses, no matter their size or industry, can face significant challenges. This was highlighted in the discussion about former subpostmasters who were wrongly accused of fraud due to faulty computer systems. Satyanshiju's story illustrates the devastating consequences these allegations can have on individuals and their livelihoods. Meanwhile, the cost of major infrastructure projects like HS2 continues to rise due to inflation in building materials. The defense secretary's statement about the HMS Diamond repelling attacks in the Red Sea serves as a reminder of geopolitical tensions that can impact businesses and shipping lanes. Overall, it's crucial for businesses to have support systems in place to help navigate these challenges and for governments to address the root causes of issues like faulty computer systems or inflation.

    • Child sex abuse: Many underage suspects, complex issueOver half of child sex abuse suspects in England and Wales are under 18, but not all are offenders; Danone lowers baby milk prices, Gregs expands, crocodiles can't stick out tongues, UnitedHealthcare offers flexible short-term health plans, Celebrations Passport offers one-stop shopping for gifts

      The issue of child sex abuse in England and Wales involves a significant number of underage suspects, with over half of those accused being under 18 years old. However, this statistic includes teenagers involved in consensual relationships sharing indecent images, which is a complex and nuanced issue. The police are working to make the right decisions in these cases and emphasize the importance of having dedicated officers in this area. Separately, in business news, Danone is reducing the price it sells baby milk to retailers following a competition watchdog investigation. This price reduction will apply to most of Danone's Aptamil products, and retailers like Iceland have announced they will pass on the savings to customers. Gregs the Baker, on the other hand, is expanding its business with plans to open up to another 160 branches this year after reporting a nearly 10% increase in sales in the final quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, some intriguing facts include that a crocodile cannot stick out its tongue, and UnitedHealthcare offers short-term health insurance plans with flexible and budget-friendly coverage. Finally, for those who love giving gifts, Celebrations Passport from 1800flowers.com offers a one-stop shopping site with amazing gifts for every occasion, free shipping on thousands of gifts, and rewards for frequent gift-giving.

    Recent Episodes from Times news briefing

    Related Episodes

    Arm’s share price goes crazy

    Arm’s share price goes crazy

    Investors scaled back bets that the US Federal Reserve will begin cutting interest rates in May, and Arm shares soared after the UK chip designer reported higher revenues boosted by strong demand for artificial intelligence. Plus the FT’s Felicia Schwartz explains how the relationship between US President Joe Biden and Benjamin Netayahu, prime minister of Israel, is being affected by the war in Gaza. 


    Mentioned in this podcast:

    Investors scale back bets of May rate cut on strong US inflation figures

    Unhedged newsletter: Is Arm really an AI stock?

    Unhedged podcast

    Arm’s an AI stock now. When’s the crash?


    The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. 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.


    Pierre Andurand on How We Might Get $200 a Barrel Oil

    Pierre Andurand on How We Might Get $200 a Barrel Oil

    Russia's invasion of Ukraine has kicked off a giant mess in the world of commodities and sent prices surging. Commodities trader Pierre Andurand has made his name from navigating volatile energy markets, correctly positioning for negative prices oil in April 2020. Now, he sees tightness in the energy market staying for some time. On this episode of Odd Lots, he tells Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway how we might end up getting $200 per barrel crude oil by the end of the year, and what that would mean for the world.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    When Money Dies

    When Money Dies

    Ryan McMaken joins the show to discuss Adam Fergusson's seminal history of Weimar-era hyperinflation in Germany, When Money Dies. Americans accustomed to the dollar's king status have no idea how quickly and brutally a currency can lose value, especially when war finance distorts the entire structure of a nation's economy. 

    What follows is sobering: hunger, violence, crime, and degradation. This fascinating book makes for a great study of how and why inflation rises quickly, and provides a cautionary tale for central banks and fiscal policy makers today.Plus listen to the show for a link to your free copy of the book!

    Read Hans Sennholz on Hyperinflation at Mises.org/HyperInflation

    Find Henry Hazlitt's What You Should Know About Inflation at Mises.org/InflationHazlitt

    Read Lyn Alden's article on inflation at Mises.org/Alden

    Argentina's Upcoming Presidential Elections

    Argentina's Upcoming Presidential Elections

    Argentina's upcoming presidential elections are looking like a volatile and uncertain contest between a number of colorful candidates. Among others: an incumbent with a track record of racist comments overseeing 100%+ inflation, a Harvard Business School grad, and an anarcho-capitalist tantra instructor. 

    Latin America based financial analyst Ian Bezek returns to the show to assess the odds on Smarkets and how you should trade in the run-up to primaries in August and the general election in October. 

    In part 2, Casino.org reporter Steve Bittenbender and Pratik Chougule continue to analyze the CFTC's response to PredictIt, including its subtle suggestion that PredictIt users should sue Aristotle.