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.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

John Ruskin was a towering figure in the Victorian era: an art critic, social reformer and all round thinker who had a huge influence on British society. After his death he fell out of favour. Yet much of what he wrote about the nature of work and the importance of protecting the environment is relevant today. James Pickford discusses his legacy with Sandra Kemp, an academic who oversees the Ruskin collection at Lancaster University and Andrew Hill, management editor.

The Ruskin: Museum of the Near Future

Contributors: James Pickford, deputy FT Money editor, Sandra Kemp, director of the Lancaster University’s Ruskin Library, and Andrew Hill, management editor. Producers: Fiona Symon and Persis Love

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Paul Volcker, who died at the weekend, was one of the most influential monetary policy makers of the 20th century. The FT’s Gillian Tett spoke to the former central banker at his home in New York last year about his views on good government, regulating finance and US China relations. In this podcast, she shares some excerpts from the conversation.

Contributors: Katie Martin, markets editor, and Gillian Tett, chair of the FT editorial board (US). Producers: Fiona Symon and Aimee Keane

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The full impact of the deadly Sars-like virus that has spread across China will take time to assess. But it’s clear there will be significant damage to the region’s economies and perhaps also to the reputation of China’s leaders for failing to tackle the coronavirus early enough to prevent its spread. Andreas Paleit discusses the political and economic impact of the outbreak with Tom Hancock, recently back from Wuhan, James Kynge in Hong Kong and Sue-Lin Wong in Shenzhen.

Contributors: Andreas Paleit, companies desk editor, Tom Hancock, China consumer industries correspondent, Sue-Lin Wong, South China correspondent, and James Kynge, global China editor. Producers: Fiona Symon and Persis Love.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The FT News Briefing is a rundown of the global business stories you need to know for the coming day, from the newsroom of the Financial Times. If you enjoy it, subscribe to the FT News Briefing wherever you get your podcasts, or listen at FT.com/newsbriefing.

Friday, March 20

Republicans in the US Senate have introduced legislation to inject more than $1tn of fiscal stimulus into the economy as it grapples with the coronavirus outbreak. Sir Paul Tucker, the former deputy governor of the Bank of England and current chair of the Systemic Risk Council, says it’s time for policymakers and bankers to prepare for a wartime setting if conditions deteriorate. Plus, the only US drugmaker that makes a potential treatment for the coronavirus raised the price nearly 100 per cent in January as the outbreak wreaked havoc in China. 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

EY highlights significance of litigation finance company’s action against Argentine oil group

US regulator cautions against using chloroquine outside of hospitals or clinical trials

Partnership that would prioritise UK could produce 100m doses by year-end if treatment is effective

Sum far exceeds $8bn fundraising target at upcoming EU-led donors’ conference

The world needs to act now to avert the threat from antimicrobial resistance

Eighth consecutive cut could heap fresh pressure on already struggling lira

Eight-and-a-half-hour day is needlessly long, say customers

SEC sets out proposal to provide investors with faster, broader trading figures

Private banks are fighting to advise billionaires who want a lot for their money

The US is in danger of lurching from lax oversight of vaping to banning it unwisely

Energy companies facing climate protests need to limit the wasteful use of their products

Willie Walsh points out that expansion plans face bigger challenges due to coronavirus impact

Fall could be the equivalent of India’s total annual consumption, IEA says

Crash into negative prices jolts producers into cutting back

Charging 2 per cent to hold assets when returns are low is wrong, writes Sebastian Mallaby

Cyril Ramaphosa will be loath to take on the people who helped him to the ANC presidency

Restrictions have hampered miner’s ability to move money out of the country

Central African Republic has just three ventilators for its 5m people

Rising prices and flat tax thresholds since 2015 mean more homes in London and Southeast are in the top band

Mortgage products tracking base rate vanish as ‘the numbers no longer stack up’ 

US central bank accelerates purchases to stabilise market for securities backed by home loans

Households urged to consider options such as reduced payments instead of delaying debt

Regulatory action sought to prevent intervention from having unintended consequences

Non-bank lenders put on downgrade watch as sector braces for wave of borrowers not paying

There is a grim irony in the wealthy seeking bailouts due to bad bets on working people

Experts predict transactions could plunge 50 per cent year-on-year, but what could it mean for house prices? 

Interest rate disparity could add nearly £2,500 per month to the cost of servicing a £5m mortgage 

Dig downs and loft extensions may increase the value of a home, but it’s hard to borrow against this

Calls for safety assurances despite concern over educational impact

Former Navy Seal who trained some of ragtag crew tells FT plan was ‘half-cocked’ and ‘inept’

If the courts rule against the UK-listed insurer, there will be a fresh flood of claims

Hilary Mantel’s lessons for a pandemic

Those in pensions drawdown are at risk of  pound cost ravaging

‘Pastor to presidents’ said he received his calling on 18th green of local golf club

Deft foreign policy and Gulf war victory defined his one term in office

Master of disguise who plotted the ‘Argo’ escape from Iran

Global Witness highlights UK hedge fund’s stake in company accused of environmental violations

Key measure of American business investment fell only marginally last month

Activist investor sought to take control of strategy at French group led by Arnaud Lagardère

Private equity firms in separate discussions to back coronavirus-hit Serie A

Combination of O2 and Virgin Media set to transform British telecoms market

ECB intends to resist court injunction to justify its sovereign bond purchases

A new exchange traded commodity holds several advantages