Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com https://www.ft.com/content/f39ef841-2756-40c4-9da5-487316beac2e Countries are imposing new lockdowns and travel restrictions to try and contain the new Omicron coronavirus variant, and the UK’s competition regulator is expected to try and reverse Meta’s acquisition of online gif platform Giphy. Plus, the FT’s Tehran correspondent, Najmeh Bozorgmehr, offers a view from Iran as the country prepares to sit down with Western powers in Vienna this week for talks intended at reviving the moribund nuclear accord.  Nations race to contain Omicron variant as more cases detected https://www.ft.com/content/2da44fcf-99f7-43a8-b4b0-c3c1d4782cf3 UK regulator expected to block Meta’s $400m Giphy deal https://www.ft.com/content/662c8e3f-4909-4bec-9131-c0237bb4897d Iran’s Raisi under pressure to deliver as patience frays https://www.ft.com/content/6ea22507-55c2-47d1-95c0-111ef1496163 Ghislaine Maxwell trial set to shed light on Epstein misdeeds https://www.ft.com/content/58d5b0f8-c711-4bc8-b51a-6ce00bbeeeee The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber, Gavin Kallmann and Michael Bruning. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.