UniCredit, the $68 bln Italian lender, grabbed a 9% stake in Germany’s $16 bln Commerzbank. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists argue that a full merger makes financial sense, but potentially not for unions or the under-fire government in Berlin.

The arrest of Pavel Durov, founder of the controversial messaging app, and the ban of X in Brazil shows state officials are not afraid to intervene in Big Tech. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate what it means and how CEOs should manage the threat.

Couche-Tard’s takeover interest in the 7-Eleven owner is a pivotal moment for the country’s efficiency drive. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain why Tokyo ought to wait to see how the target reacts before opining, and how a deal could easily turn hostile.

After responding to the unexpected success of $720 bln Tesla, older manufacturers now face rising China exports amid slower EV growth. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how GM, VW and others – including governments – are handling the nascent trade war.

The five-yearly Communist Party meeting known as the Third Plenum is historically tied with economic policy shifts. Slowing growth and rising trade tensions make the timing apt. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss what the event means for China’s future.

After an earth-shaking few weeks in US politics, the Republican presidential candidate’s odds of returning to the White House look higher. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss what a second term might look like, and why Trump might be empowered this time.

Carlsberg’s $4 bln deal to buy soft-drinks maker Britvic is just the latest foray by a big brewer into serving the alcohol-averse. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss whether it’s a seismic tobacco-like shift or a frothy attempt to fizz up profit margins.

Polls suggest voters will hand Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party a historic defeat. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how a new government might pick up the pieces amid the legacy of a now-immutable Brexit and political turmoil engulfing global peers.

French voters will go to the polls this weekend for the first round of the parliamentary elections. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss why the country’s rising bond yields and the risks of contagion will be uncomfortably familiar for investors.

The Tesla chief’s $56 bln pay package is particularly vertiginous, but even less-blessed US CEOs do far better than their European peers. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how the pay gap shapes executive habits across the Atlantic.

Centrist and green parties saw big losses in a vote to elect the European Union’s parliament, sparking a shock snap election in France. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain how ensuing instability could slow the continent’s response to urgent global issues.

Narendra Modi will have to rely on a coalition government after a shock upset in the national elections. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain why politicians may dig deeper to support the poor and how power sharing may create challenges for big business.

Britain’s election in July is likely to hand power to the opposition Labour Party. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how constrained finances could mean higher taxes. For business leaders, the promise of more stability may be as good as it gets.

The driving force of the world’s largest economy, US consumers, may be buckling under higher costs on everything from lattes to burgers. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate whether Main Street stalwarts like Starbucks or McDonald’s face a reckoning.

The strong greenback and questions over a Chinese devaluation reflect the contrasting outlooks for the two economies. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate why Beijing is unlikely to push down its currency and why the dollar will remain elevated.

The surprise departure of boss Noel Quinn, who dramatically reshaped the firm, puts the globe-straddling bank on the spot: appoint a steward of its strategy from within, or a new thinker from outside? In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate the $170 bln choice.

Australian giant BHP’s $39 bln swing for Anglo American is a contentious, complex land grab for the metals key to a renewable future. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss the political and financial hurdles, and why this M&A contest has a way to run.

The United States emerged as the world’s growth engine at the IMF summit last week. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate whether this debt-fuelled strength means that interest rates will stay high for longer and how that could raise the risk of a recession.

Patrick Drahi built the ocean-spanning Altice empire on the back of aggressive dealmaking and $60 bln of borrowing. The bill is coming due with interest rates elevated. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss what comes next as bondholders get restless.

Grave problems with the jetmaker’s 737 MAX have sparked a crisis. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain whether rival Airbus offers a template for policymakers, the impact of a US export champion floundering, and why others may struggle to capitalize.

Policymakers and trustbusters are eyeing new restrictions on mergers and acquisitions. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists unpack some imaginative workarounds being used by companies ranging from Big Tech to fast food.

CVC floated beauty retailer Douglas, whose shares fell, while EQT received a warmer welcome for skincare group Galderma. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain how to interpret the mixed message for private equity groups sitting on $3 trln of unsold assets.

It’s 12 months since Silicon Valley Bank failed and Credit Suisse collapsed into the arms of UBS. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain how bigger banks gorged on these lenders’ carcasses – and how the system’s underlying weaknesses have not gone away.

The central bank could end an era of negative borrowing costs as early as next week. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists argue that large companies are ready for the tightening, but many struggling small businesses could hit the wall even if policymakers go slow.

The post-pandemic boom in hybrid work is causing trouble for banks that have lent heavily to office developers. But in this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain how losses may be limited if central banks bring borrowing costs down and bosses call employees back.