political uncertainty

Kevin McCarthy has been ousted as Speaker of the House of Representatives, the yield on 30-year US Treasuries hit a 16-year peak on Tuesday, India has told Canada to withdraw dozens of diplomats from the country and the Financial Times’ Tom Hale discusses the murky future of China’s Evergrande property group. 

Mentioned in this podcast:

Kevin McCarthy ousted as House Speaker by Republican rebels

‘Crimes’ probe into Evergrande founder adds to pressure over $300bn debt woes

India tells Canada to withdraw dozens of diplomatic staff

Bond sell-off intensifies as long-term US yields hit 16-year peak

The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Monique Mulima, Monica Lopez, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. 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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Developing stories you need to know just in time for your drive home. Get the facts first on Morning Wire. 

Cynch: Download the Cynch app and get your first tank exchange for just $10 with promo code WIRE. Visit http://cynch.com/offer for details.

The House of Representatives tries (and so far fails) to elect a Speaker.

The US House of Representatives has been in deadlock for days after the new Republican majority failed to elect their leading contender Kevin McCarthy as the new Speaker. Americast chats to one of the Republicans voting against him, Representative Ralph Norman, about why they think McCarthy isn’t the man for the job.

And the team goes over the key findings from the conclusion of the Jan 6 committee’s inquiry with one of the panel members, Democrat Representative Jamie Raskin.

Americast is presented by North America editor Sarah Smith, Today host Justin Webb, the BBC's Ssocial media and disinformation correspondent Marianna Spring, and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments and send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to 03301239480.

Find out more about our "undercover voters" here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-63530374.

This episode was made by Phil Marzouk and Alix Pickles. The studio director was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor was Simon Watts. The senior news editor was Sam Bonham.

This week on Ask Rob & Rob, the guys are answering two questions that are affected by current and ongoing situations from property booms to increasing tax bands.

This week’s first question is from Lee -  he has a clear strategy and wants to use property to increase his regular cash flow so that eventually he can be financially free. He’s roughly 60% through this process but his next property might allow this to happen a lot faster. 

He has a 3-bedroom property in South London and the property price has grown 50% since he bought it back in 2010 - happy days!

Lee thinks he’s got about £120,000 worth of equity in the property and has considered selling up and purchasing two properties to double his income - but this is where he gets a bit stuck. 

Should he sell up now, or hang on and wait for a property boom and hopefully get more money than what the property is currently valued at? Tune in to find out what The Robs think he should do. 

Our second question comes in from Chaz who’s wanting to know if a change in tax bands, dependant on who our next Prime Minister is, could result in him needing to change strategy? 

It’s a bit of a tricky one because how many politicians actually follow through with what they say they’re going to do?

But nevertheless, Rob & Rob give their opinion to help Chaz and his future strategy.

Do you have a buy to let or property investment related question for Rob & Rob? You could feature on the next episode by giving us a call on 013 808 00035 and leaving a message with your name and question (normal UK call rates apply). 

Or if you prefer, click here to leave a recording via your computer instead.

The next question on Ask Rob & Rob could be yours. 

Have you joined us over on the Property Hub Forum yet? Our online community is friendly, informative, and the members are waiting to welcome you with open arms. So get yourself over and introduce yourself.

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Nobody can escape the Brexit bedlam that has been playing out before our eyes, especially in the last week.

In between backstops, trade deals, Norway, contempt of parliament, no-confidence, withdrawing withdrawal votes… what is really going on? 

Editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost discuss Brexit in the latest This is Money podcast.

Are we going to leave? Should we really have a second referendum and can you do anything to Brexit-proof your cash? We talk it all through in our Brexit special.

Outside the Brexit bubble, we look into those DNA self-testing kits being plugged by a number of firms as the perfect Christmas gift – could you get more than you bargained for? 

Simon reveals the best and worst performing funds of 2018 so far, in Top of the Pops fashion and Lee runs down the clever apps from challengers looking to encourage the savings habit.