The coronavirus outbreak has accelerated the decline of America’s favourite shopping institution

Measures to ease lockdown will be costly and difficult in practice, particularly in hospitality trade

Chamonix’s cable car back in business after two months, albeit with strict social-distancing measures

As fixtures resume across the Channel, UK racing is keen to secure a swift return and avoid revenue losses

Consumers have been looking for something to do as well as something to eat

German media group Axel Springer is seeking to go private with the help of US investor KKR. Katie Martin discusses what both sides stand to gain from the move with Arash Massoudi and Tobias Buck.

Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Arash Massoudi, corporate finance and deals editor, and Tobias Buck, Berlin correspondent.

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Facebook has revealed plans for a new global digital currency, claiming it will enable billions of people around the world without a bank account to make money transfers. Patrick Jenkins discusses the initiative and what it means for the banks with Nick Megaw, Caroline Binham and Elaine Moore.

Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, Patrick Jenkins, financial editor, Nick Megaw, retail banking correspondent, Caroline Binham, financial regulation correspondent and Elaine Moore, deputy head of Lex. Producer: Fiona Symon

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The race for the US Democratic presidential nomination is hotting up with a huge field of 23 candidates all hoping run against Donald Trump in 2020.  Courtney Weaver has focused in on one of the candidates, Kamala Harris, and she talks to Neville Hawcock about how the campaign for the Democratic nomination is shaping up. Read Courtney's article here

Contributors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Neville Hawcock, acting deputy editor, FT Weekend Magazine, and Courtney Weaver, Washington correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Dementia is on the rise, with the numbers affected expected to treble to over 150m in the next 30 years. Clive Cookson discusses the latest treatments with London neurologist Nick Fox, and we hear reports from Edward White and Brooke Fox about initiatives in Taiwan and the US to help improve the lives of sufferers.

This podcast is supported by Home Instead Senior Care, and is part of a wider FT Special Report on Dementia Care found at ft.com/reports/dementia-care

Contributors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Clive Cookson, FT science editor, Professor Nick Fox, director of the Dementia Research Centre at University College London, Edward White, Taiwan correspondent, Brooke Fox, New York reporter, Tang Li-yu, secretary-general of the Taiwan Alzheimer’s Association and Kevin Jameson, head of the Dementia Society of America. Producer: Ruth Lewis Coste

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Indigo, a Boston-based agritech start-up, plans to pay farmers to store carbon in soil - part of a growing field of climate-related agricultural practices that seek to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. Lauren Fedor discusses the growing focus on environmentally friendly farming methods with Leslie Hook and Emiko Terazono.

Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Lauren Fedor, technology reporter, Emiko Terazono, commodities correspondent, and Leslie Hook, environment correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Apple’s chief designer Jonathan Ive is leaving after more than two decades in which his iconic designs for the Mac, iPod and iPhone turned one of Silicon Valley’s faded giants into the world’s most valuable company.  Janine Gibson discusses what this means for Apple and what Sir Jonathan will do next with Tim Bradshaw and Matthew Garrahan.

Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Janine Gibson, special projects editor, Matt Garrahan, news editor, and Tim Bradshaw, global technology correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Modern life can be deafening — but for all the shouting, no one’s listening any more. This is the conclusion reached by FT columnist Jo Ellison after an uncomfortably noisy Eurostar journey. She discusses what’s gone wrong with Horatia Harrod. Read Jo's column here 

Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Horatia Harrod, associate editor of FT Life & Arts, and Jo Ellison, fashion editor and columnist. Producer: Fiona Symon

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The murder of a local politician by right wing extremists has shocked Germany and set alarm bells ringing about the rise of neo-Nazi violence in the country. Ben Hall discusses the groups behind the upsurge in political violence and how dangerous they are with Guy Chazan in Berlin

Contrbutors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Ben Hall, Europe editor, and Guy Chazan, Berlin bureau chief. Producer: Fiona Symon

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How can we make corporate life female-friendly? Deborah Hargreaves, former FT journalist and founder of the High Pay Centre think tank, spent a year talking to women to research this topic and she came into the studio to discuss her findings with Isabel Berwick and Josh Noble. Read Deborah's report here

Contributors: Naomi Rovnick, Live News reporter, Isabel Berwick, editor of FT work and careers, Deborah Hargreaves, director of the High Pay Centre, and Josh Noble, weekend news editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Hong Kong protests against a proposed extradition law that would allow criminal suspects to be handed over to China are continuing, despite a concession by the Hong Kong chief executive to suspend the proposed law. Naomi Rovnick discusses discusses what’s at stake for China and what the protesters are seeking to achieve, with Tom Mitchell in Beijing and Sue-Lin Wong in Hong Kong.

Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, Naomi Rovnick FT Live reporter, Sue-Lin Wong, South China correspondent and Tom Mitchell, Beijing bureau chief. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Concerns about maritime security in the Gulf are rising as relations between Iran and the west deteriorate over the slow breakdown of the nuclear deal struck by Tehran and world powers in 2015. Iran’s economy has been badly hit by the re-imposition of US sanctions, and in response, Iran says it is no longer sticking to agreed limits on its enriched uranium stockpile. Tom O’Sullivan discusses whether the deal can be saved with Michael Peel in Brussels, Najmeh Bozorgmehr in Tehran and Middle East editor Andrew England.

Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, Tom O’Sullivan, deputy analysis editor, Michael Peel, European diplomatic correspondent, Najmeh Bozorgmehr, Tehran correspondent, and Andrew England, Middle East editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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How bad is the problem of stress and burnout in corporate life? Lilah Raptopoulos carried out a reader-driven investigation into the topic with James Fontanella-Khan, the FT's corporate deals editor. They reveal their findings in this podcast. Read the story at ft.com/mentalhealth Listen to the Everything Else podcast here

Contributors: Griselda Murray Brown, Commissioning editor, Arts, Lilah Raptopoulos, US head of audience engagement, and James Fontanella-Khan, corporate deals editor. Producer: David Waters

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Ursula von der Leyen was confirmed this week as the new European Commission president. Katie Martin discusses the challenges she faces, not least the Brexit negotiations, with Ben Hall and Mehreen Khan

Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Ben Hall, Europe editor and Mehreen Khan, EU correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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David Pilling takes us on a tour of the African ghetto he visited with Bobi Wine, the rap singer turned politician, who has confirmed he will challenge Yoweri Museveni for the presidency of Uganda in 2021.

Contributors: Alec Russell, editor of FT Weekend, and David Pilling, Africa editor. Producer: Fiona Symon. Music clip: Kyarenga by Bobi Wine

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NSO, an Israeli company whose spyware hacked WhatsApp, has told buyers its technology can now collect a targeted individual’s data stored in the cloud, according to people familiar with its sales pitch. Its tech is said to use industry-wide authentication techniques that have, until now, been thought to be secure. Malcolm Moore discusses the implications with Mehul Srivastava and Tim Bradshaw.

Contributors: Malcolm Moore, technology news editor, Mehul Srivastava, Tel Aviv correspondent, and Tim Bradshaw, global tech correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Britain's new prime minister Boris Johnson has set himself a 100-day deadline to achieve Brexit, with or without a deal with the European Union. Siona Jenkins discusses his chances of achieving this with Miranda Green, deputy opinion editor, and Jim Brunsden, EU correspondent.

Contributors: Siona Jenkins, editor, UK news, Miranda Green, deputy opinion editor, and Jim Brunsden, EU correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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In the past decade, some of India’s largest financial groups have made big investments in luxury property, notably an ambitious Mumbai tower that was supposed to set new standards in urban design. But the economic boom they hoped would spur demand failed to materialise. Jyotsna Singh talks to Benjamin Parkin in Mumbai about what went wrong and the resulting debt crisis that is holding back growth.

Contributors: Jyotsna Singh, Delhi reporter, and Benjamin Parkin, Mumbai correspondent. Proucers: Jyotsna Singh and Fiona Symon

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Many of those who voted to leave the European Union live in deprived towns and cities of the UK and were disillusioned with politics. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation teamed up with a think-tank, UK in a Changing Europe, to find out what policies they would like to see to improve their lives. Andy Bounds discusses the findings with Anand Menon, one of the report's authors. Read Andy's article here

Contributors: Andy Bounds, Enterprise Editor and North of England correspondent, and Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King's College London and director of the UK in a Changing Europe. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Roula Khalaf talks to Alec Russell about her meeting with Hatice Cengiz, fiancee of the murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who is now campaigning for his killers to be brought to justice. 

Contributors: Alec Russell, editor of FT Weekend, and Roula Khalaf, deputy editor.  Producer: Fiona Symon

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The London Stock Exchange group has confirmed that it is in advanced talks to buy Refinitiv in a $27bn deal that would turn it into a global exchanges and data powerhouse. Patrick Jenkins discusses the proposed deal with Arash Massoudi, the FT’s corporate finance and deals editor.

Contributors: Patrick Jenkins, financial editor, Arash Massoudi, corporate finance and deals editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Sterling has taken a beating in the currency markets, falling to a fresh two-year low against the US dollar on Tuesday. Michael Hunter discusses why this has happened and who will be affected with Katie Martin, the FT's capital markets editor.

Contributors: Michael Hunter, markets reporter, and Katie Martin, capital markets editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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With the economy in trouble and relations with western allies strained, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's grip over Turkey’s ruling AK party is showing signs of weakening. Former prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu tells the FT's Laura Pitel why he thinks the country needs a new vision.

Contributor: Laura Pitel, Turkey correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon. Clips from edited interview with Ahmet Davutoglu and Reuters.

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US allegations that China is manipulating its currency burst into the open again this week when the renminbi was allowed to fall below seven to the dollar for the first time since 2008. Josh Noble discusses this latest front in the US-China trade dispute and its implications for investors and the global economy with Don Weinland, Beijing financial correspondent, and Michael MacKenzie, senior investment commentator.

Contributors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Don Weinland, Beijing financial correspondent, and Michael MacKenzie, senior investment correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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The disputed Himalayan state of Jammu and Kashmir is in lockdown after India revoked its special status following a long running insurgency that led to thousands of deaths. Jyotsna Singh discusses what India plans to do next, and how neighbouring Pakistan, which also claims the territory, has reacted, with Amy Kazmin the FT's South Asia bureau chief.

Contributors: Jyotsna Singh, Delhi reporter, and Amy Kazmin, South Asia bureau chief. Producers: Jyotsna Singh and Fiona Symon

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Falling interest rates, weak trading volumes and automation have led to an exceptionally brutal summer for global investment banks, which have shed tens of thousands of jobs, particularly on trading desks. Stephen Morris, European banking correspondent, discusses the bleak outlook for bankers with Robert Armstrong, US financial editor.

Contributors: Stephen Morris, European banking correspondent, and Robert Armstrong, US financial editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Tens of thousands of Russians have taken to the streets this summer to express their disaffection with a government that has failed to deliver economic growth or improve living standards for much of the past five years. Adrienne Klasa discusses this new mood of rebellion and how Russian president Vladimir Putin has responded with Henry Foy, Moscow bureau chief, and Russian sociologist Greg Yudin.

Contributors: Adrienne Klasa, creative producer, world news, Henry Foy, Moscow bureau chief, and Greg Yudin, Professor of Political Philosophy at the Moscow School of Social and Economic Sciences. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Saudi Arabia's state oil company Aramco is making a high stakes investment in India as the world’s largest crude oil exporter seeks to deepen its ties with the fastest growing energy consumer. Tom O’Sullivan discusses the proposed investment, announced by Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, with Benjamin Parkin and Anjli Raval.

Contributors: Tom O’Sullivan, deputy analysis editor, Benjamin Parkin, Mumbai correspondent, and Anjli Raval, senior energy correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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A new book about Koch Industries has shed light on the way this company, led by Charles Koch, shaped modern America. Frederick Studemann, literary editor, discusses Kochland: The Secret History of Koch Industries and Corporate Power in America with Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, US business editor. Read Andrew’s review here.

Contributors: Frederick Studemann, literary editor, and Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, US business editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist, opted to sail to the US from Europe this month, rather than catching a plane.  Her choice reflected a growing recognition that air travel carries a heavy cost to the environment. Sylvia Pfeifer, acting industry editor, discusses how airlines are responding to the challenge with Janina Conboye and Leslie Hook.

Contributors: Sylvia Pfeifer, acting industry editor, Janina Conboye, industry reporter, and Leslie Hook, environment correspondent, Producer: Fiona Symon

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Many of us own a keyboard, which sounds more or less like a piano, but is not quite the same. Thomas Hale, Alphaville reporter, thought he’d like to buy the real thing, so he went looking in London. He tells James Pickford what he found. Read Thomas's article here

Contributors: James Pickford, deputy editor of FT Money, and Thomas Hale, Alphaville reporter. Producer: Fiona Symon.

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Google is allegedly using hidden web pages that feed the personal data of its users to advertisers, circumventing EU privacy regulations that require consent and transparency. Madhumita Murgia, the FT's European technology correspondent, discusses the implications for both privacy and competition with Malcolm Moore.

Conributors: Malcolm Moore, technology news editor, and Madhumita Murgia, European technology correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Saudi Arabia has removed energy minister Khalid al-Falih, one of the most powerful figures in the global oil industry, and replaced him with a member of the royal family, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. Katie Martin discusses the significance of the shake-up and how it relates to the Crown Prince’s ambitious plans for an IPO of state oil company Aramco with David Sheppard, Energy Editor, and Andrew England, Middle East editor.

Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, David Sheppard, energy editor, and Andrew England, Middle East editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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UK prime minister Boris Johnson has been accused of constitutional vandalism by curtailing the opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny of his government in the final weeks of the Brexit talks. The courts will now determine whether his decision to shut down parliament was legal or not. Henry Mance discusses what all this means for British democracy with constitutional expert Sionaidh Douglas-Scott and UK assistant news editor John Aglionby.

Contributors: Henry Mance, chief features writer, Professor Sionaidh Douglas-Scott, Anniversary Chair in Law at Queen Mary University in London, and John Aglionby, assistant UK news editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Donald Trump has dashed hopes for an imminent peace deal with the Taliban that were intended to pave the way for the US to withdraw the last of its troops from Afghanistan. Jyotsna Singh discusses how this leaves the war torn country as it prepares for presidential elections at the end of the month, with Stephanie Findlay and Farhan Bokhari.

Contributors: Jyotsna Singh, Delhi reporter, Stephanie Findlay, South Asia correspondent, and Farhan Bokhari, Producers: Jyotsna Singh and Fiona Symon

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As the world’s largest carbon emitter, China will be in the spotlight at this week’s UN climate summit in New York.  Beijing has taken steps to tackle its pollution problems in recent years, but is it working? Pilita Clark puts this question to Leslie Hook, environment correspondent, and Lucy Hornby, deputy Beijing bureau chief. 

Contributors: Pilita Clark, business columnist, Leslie Hook, environment correspondent, and Lucy Hornby, deputy Beijing bureau chief.  Producer: Fiona Symon

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We have seen a historic day for British politics as the Supreme Court ruled that Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament for five weeks was unlawful. Siona Jenkins discusses what the ruling means for Brexit, for the prime minister, and for British democracy, with Jane Croft, law courts correspondent, and Neil Buckley, leader writer. 

Contributors: Siona Jenkins, news editor, Jane Croft, law courts correspondent and Neil Buckley, leader writer. Producer: Fiona Symon and Persis Love

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A devastating missile and drone attack on Saudi oil installations last week highlighted the vulnerability of global oil supplies to the threat of regional unrest. The attack was claimed by Houthi rebels fighting Saudi-backed forces in neighbouring Yemen, but Saudi and US officials were quick to point the finger of blame at Iran. Geoff Dyer discusses the repercussions of the attack for the region and the oil market with Andrew England, Middle East editor, and Anjli Raval, senior energy correspondent.

Contributors: Geoff Dyer, analysis editor, Andrew England, Middle East editor, and Anjli Raval, senior energy correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Many US Democrats had pushed for an impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump after the Mueller probe into Russian meddling in the last US election released its findings. But it took a July telephone conversation between Mr Trump and Ukraine’s new president to persuade Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the US house of Representatives, that it was time to act. Katie Martin discusses what happens next and what we know so far with Demetri Sevastopulo, Washington bureau chief.

Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, and Demetri Sevastopulo, Washington bureau chief. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Europe’s top court has ruled that individual countries can force Facebook to take down illegal content, including hate speech, both inside the EU and across the world. Malcolm Moore discusses the implications of the ruling for freedom of expression with Mehreen Khan and Madhumita Murgia.

Contributors: Malcolm Moore, technology news editor, Mehreen Khan, Brussels correspondent, and Madhumita Murgia, European Technology correspondent, Producers: Fiona Symon and Persis Love

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Thanks to its links to Shakespeare and his players that were until recently a well kept secret, a deprived suburb of Liverpool is to house a new playhouse. Local investors have high hopes that it will woo some of the tourists that flock to Stratford-upon-Avon and Shakespeare’s Globe in London. Andy Bounds went to Prescot to speak to some of the project's supporters.

Contributors: Andy Bounds, Enterprise editor and North of England correspondent. Producers: Fiona Symon and Persis Love

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A Chicago start-up has found a way of turning microbes into edible protein, part of a growing trend towards a microbial revolution in food. Leslie Hook discusses why investors are increasingly interested in this area with Emiko Terazono, commodities correspondent, and Clive Cookson, science editor.

Contributors: Leslie Hook, environment correspondent, Emiko Terazono, commodities correspondent, and Clive Cookson, science editor. Producers: Fiona Symon and Persis Love

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Catalonia erupted this week after a Spanish Supreme Court decision to jail a group of separatist leaders for their part in organising an illegal independence referendum. The regional government attacked the sentences and thousands took to the streets in protest. Katie Martin discusses what happens next, with Daniel Dombey, FT correspondent in Madrid.

Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, and Daniel Dombey, Madrid correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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The FT's Sue-Lin Wong spent several months with members of Hong Kong's youthful pro-democracy movement and their supporters. She tells Andreas Paleit what she learnt about their hopes and fears for the future.

Read Sue-Lin's magazine story here

Contributors: Andreas Paleit, companies desk editor, and Sue-Lin Wong, South China correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Will PSA’s Carlos Tavares prove to be a better merger partner for Fiat Chrysler than Renault and help create the world's fourth-largest carmaker? Katie Martin discusses the terms of the proposed mega merger and the characters behind the deal with Peter Campbell, motor industry correspondent, and David Keohane in Paris.

Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Peter Campbell, motor industry correspondent, and David Keohane, Paris correspondent. Producers: Fiona Symon and Persis Love

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Hundreds of millions of people turn to the web each day to seek answers to medical concerns. But the information they share is far from secret. Madhumita Murgia, the FT's European technology correspondent, has been looking into what happens to the personal health information we share with these websites, and she tells India Ross what she discovered..

Contributors: India Ross, tech creative producer, and Madhumita Murgia, European technology correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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