SoftBank is leading an investment of more than $1bn into a UK self-driving car start-up, and poppy and marijuana farming money is disappearing from rural areas as traffickers shift to synthetic drugs. Plus, the FT’s Anna Nicolaou explains the rival bids to buy Paramount. Mentioned in this podcast:SoftBank leads $1bn funding for UK artificial intelligence group WayveEl Chapo’s opium heartland bereft as Mexico cartels embrace fentanylShari Redstone, a media scion weighing the future of her ravaged empireJames Cameron and Ari Emanuel back Skydance bid for ParamountBrussels seeks to ban Russian funding of European politiciansThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Denise Guerra, 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.