FT News Briefing

The leaders of China and India met on Sunday amid trade tensions with the US, and Guyanese voters head to the polls today to chart a future for the world’s newest petrostate. Plus, the UK secures its largest ever warship deal with Norway, and AstraZeneca’s China division has recovered from a major scandal by pledging billions in new investment. Mentioned in this podcast: Xi and Modi say they are ‘partners not rivals’ in bid to repair ties World’s newest petrostate heads for ‘mother of all elections’ UK secures largest ever warship deal from Norway AstraZeneca bounces back from scandal in China Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Ethan Plotkin, Persis Love, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Jean-Marc Eck and Peter Barber. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some World Trade Organization members are preparing to unveil a new grouping to boost “trade openness”, and the FT’s Katie Martin unpacks the lack of market moves after Nvidia’s outlook. Plus, a four-month “ninja stealth rally” has driven Tokyo’s equity market to record highs. Mentioned in this podcast: Singapore, UAE and other small nations to launch trade partnership Nvidia growth outlook hit by China uncertainty Japan’s ‘ninja stealth rally’ draws in global investors Listen to the Swamp Notes podcast on the World Trade Organization Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Josh Gabert-Doyon, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Kelly Garry, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nvidia’s earnings report signalled solid growth, cryptocurrencies are taking a hold of Venezuela’s economy, and more than half of the UK’s biggest listed companies chose external candidates as their new chief executive. Plus, SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son has become an unofficial diplomat between Washington and Tokyo. Mentioned in this podcast: Nvidia revenue jumps 56% on robust AI demand How SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son became Donald Trump’s favoured foreign investor Crypto goes mainstream in Venezuela London’s rush for external CEO candidates shows succession planning weakness Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Blake Maples and Gavin Kallmann. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Investors are worried that Donald Trump’s attempted firing of a Federal Reserve governor could undermine faith in the world’s most important central bank, and FT sources say the US has said it is prepared to provide intelligence assets to any western security plan for postwar Ukraine. Plus, French assets were hit on Tuesday as investors reacted to the prospect of a government collapse as soon as next month. Mentioned in this podcast: US long-term debt sells off after Trump’s attempted firing of Fed governor US offers air and intelligence support to postwar force in Ukraine French assets hit by prospect of government collapse Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Kelly Garry, Gavin Kallmann. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump said he was firing Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, shares in Ørsted plunged after the Trump administration halted one of the Danish wind farm developer’s almost-completed projects, and Elon Musk’s xAI has sued Apple and OpenAI alleging they broke antitrust rules. Plus, Germany’s government is encouraging young people to invest in the stock market rather than rely on the country’s flailing pension programme. Mentioned in this podcast: Trump says he is firing Fed governor Lisa Cook ‘effective immediately’ Musk’s xAI sues Apple and OpenAI over ChatGPT and iPhone integration Germany’s pensions crisis: can €10 a month change how people invest? Ørsted shares plunge to record low after US government halts project Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Blake Maples and Gavin Kallmann. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay Powell signalled a monetary policy shift during a high-profile Jackson Hole speech last week, and European investors are pouring money into new air defence technology. Plus, Spanish bank Santander is seeking to become a big player in Wall Street’s Spac market. Mentioned in this podcast: Jay Powell paves the way for Federal Reserve interest rate cut in September Wall Street’s September Fed rate cut bets still hinge on economic data Venture capital steps up ‘Iron Dome’ air defence investments Santander signals Wall St ambition with Spac mandates Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Josh Gabert-Doyon, Ethan Plotkin, and Sonja Hutson. Additional help from Alex Higgins, Peter Barber. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EU officials are accelerating plans for a digital euro, and the US Department of Justice has called for Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook to be removed from her post. Plus, investors lost billions of dollars in July in what could be pump and dump stock scams. Mentioned in this podcast: EU speeds up plans for digital euro after US passes stablecoin law Justice department calls on Federal Reserve to sack governor Lisa Cook ‘I almost fell off my chair’: Investors lose billions on meme stocks as ‘pump and dump’ scams multiply Sign up for the FT Weekend Festival at ft.com/festival and use the promo code “FTPodcasts” for 10 per cent off. Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Katya Kumkova, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Kelly Garry, and Gavin Kallmann. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chinese regulators are pushing back against US AI chips, Target shares fell more than 6 per cent after the retail group picked an insider to be its new chief executive, and UK inflation accelerated more than expected to 3.8 per cent in July. Plus, China is making a big push for vehicle battery swapping. Mentioned in this podcast: Beijing turns against Nvidia’s AI chip after ‘insulting’ Lutnick remarks Target shares drop as retailer picks insider to lead turnaround drive UK inflation rises more than expected to 3.8% in July Will a 3-minute battery swap beat a 5-minute charge for China’s EV drivers? Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Fiona Symon, Katya Kumkova, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Blake Maples, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US tech stocks sold off on Tuesday, and Federal Reserve chair Jay Powell will be between a rock and a hard place when he delivers his speech at the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium this Friday. Plus, Ozempic-maker Novo Nordisk has fallen behind its rivals. Does it have a plan to catch up? Mentioned in this podcast: Jay Powell to deliver Jackson Hole address under fire on multiple fronts US tech stocks hit by wave of concerns over future of AI boom How Novo Nordisk lost its lead in the weight loss race Labubu frenzy sends Pop Mart profits soaring Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Fiona Symon, Katya Kumkova, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Kelly Garry, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump floated the prospect of US security guarantees for Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is looking for options after India got hit by extremely high US tariffs, Soho House has agreed to a take-private deal, and Softbank is buying $2bn worth of Intel shares. Plus, the FT’s Leila Abboud explains why more Italian bonds are starting to look a little more like French bonds. Mentioned in this podcast: Trump floats US security guarantees for Ukraine in meeting with Zelenskyy French borrowing costs close in on Italy’s as investors fret over debts Donald Trump tariffs threaten Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ drive Soho House agrees $2.7bn take-private deal SoftBank to buy $2bn in Intel shares as it grows US investments Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Ethan Plotkin, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Kelly Garry and Gavin Kallmann. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump will meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy today, just days after meeting Russian President Putin, and the UK’s solar output is reaching record levels. Plus, tech companies are spending trillions to build AI data centers. Mentioned in this podcast: ‘Absolutely immense’: the companies on the hook for the $3tn AI building boom Putin demanded Ukraine cede Donetsk and Luhansk in exchange for freezing rest of front line Volodymyr Zelenskyy to press for ceasefire at Donald Trump meeting British solar power surges past 2024 total Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Ethan Plotkin, Katya Kumkova, Marc Filippino, and Lulu Smyth. Additional help from Alex Higgins and Derek Brower. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump will meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy today, just days after meeting Russian President Putin, and the UK’s solar output is reaching record levels. Plus, tech companies are spending trillions to build AI data centers, and China’s battery giants are deploying thousands of new vehicle swapping stations. Mentioned in this podcast: ‘Absolutely immense’: the companies on the hook for the $3tn AI building boom Putin demanded Ukraine cede Donetsk and Luhansk in exchange for freezing rest of front line Volodymyr Zelenskyy to press for ceasefire at Donald Trump meeting British solar power surges past 2024 total Chinese companies expand battery swapping stations in latest EV advance Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Ethan Plotkin, Katya Kumkova, Marc Filippino, and Lulu Smyth. Additional help from Blake Maples, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet in Alaska today, and Dubai is trying to hold on to its role as the financial centre of the Middle East. Plus, China is sending out a warning to foreign countries stockpiling rare earths metals, and the FT’s Katie Martin explains why she’s worried about the calm in the markets. Mentioned in this podcast: Can Dubai keep its crown as the Middle East’s finance capital? Investors are frogs in a Trumpian pot China warns foreign companies against stockpiling rare earths Putin hails Trump’s ‘energetic and sincere’ efforts to end Ukraine war Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Katya Kumkova, Josh Gabert-Doyon and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Kent Militzer, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fears of a massive non-dom exodus from the UK have been allayed by initial tax data, and UK companies in China are being buoyed by diplomatic law. Plus, the FT’s Jamie Smyth explains why the US shale boom may be over after a decade-long run. Mentioned in this podcast: UK companies in China buoyed by diplomatic thaw US oil producers say Opec ‘price war’ will halt shale boom Initial tax data allays fears of non-dom exodus from UK Sign up for the FT Weekend Festival at ft.com/festival and use the promo code “FTPodcasts” for 10 per cent off. Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Fiona Symon, Katya Kumkova, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Sam Giovinco, Michael Lello, and Gavin Kallmann. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The White House walks back expectations for Friday’s meeting between the US and Russian presidents, and Norway’s oil fund is pulling its money out of Israel. Plus, inflation stayed flat in the US in July, and storm-hit beach towns are struggling to shore up amid sand scarcity. Mentioned in this podcast: White House downplays expectations for Trump-Putin Alaska summit US inflation holds steady at 2.7% in July despite Trump’s tariffs Norway oil fund sells out of a fifth of Israeli firms amid fierce criticism Can the world’s beaches survive a sand shortage? Crypto founder Do Kwon pleads guilty to US fraud charges Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Fiona Symon, Katya Kumkova, Michaela Seah, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Kelly Garry, Michael Lello, and Gavin Kallmann. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EU leaders will hold a call with US President Donald Trump ahead of his meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and the Mexican peso has emerged as an unlikely winner from Trump’s trade war. Plus, Trump has opened the door to Nvidia selling advanced AI chips to China, and the FT’s Kathrin Hille explains what’s next for Taiwan after the country’s failed recall vote. Mentioned in this podcast: EU leaders to hold call with Trump ahead of Putin meeting over Ukraine Peso soars as ‘carry trade’ reignites after tariff delays Trump opens door to Nvidia selling advanced AI chips to China for a fee Why Taiwanese fear China could take over from within Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Blake Maples, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UK employers cut back hiring over labour and tax cost fears, and Ukraine and its European allies worry about US President Donald Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Plus, HSBC is weighed down by woes in the Hong Kong commercial property market, and India’s huge IT sector is scrambling to counter the threat of artificial intelligence. Mentioned in this podcast: UK employers cut back hiring over labour and tax cost fears Donald Trump to meet Putin in Alaska as he signals Ukraine may need to cede land European allies back Ukraine’s borders after Donald Trump floats land swap with Russia HSBC flags 73% of Hong Kong commercial property loans as risky India’s IT services giants race to reinvent themselves for the AI age Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Ethan Plotkin, Jess Smith, Sonja Hutson, Fiona Symon, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Alex Higgins and Peter Barber. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. 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.

Donald Trump has nominated Stephen Miran to fill a soon-to-be vacant seat on the Federal Reserve’s board of governors, and the Bank of England lowered rates by a quarter per cent in a close vote. Plus Europe’s weapons factories are expanding fast and US President Donald Trump threatens a 100 per cent tariff on chips excluding Apple. Mentioned in this podcast: https://www.ft.com/content/298bf95e-49ec-4d9f-8948-b7f72cf4ffdd BoE cuts rates with a hawkish shift in its outlook Europe builds for war as arms factories expand at triple speed Donald Trump threatens 100% tariff on chips but with carve-out for Apple Sign up here for the Chris Giles on Central Banks newsletter. Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Sam Giovinco, Gavin Kallmann and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. 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.

European companies are falling behind US counterparts and CoreWeave’s takeover of Core Scientific is facing some pushback. Plus, Boston Consulting Group helped create plans to relocate Gazans to Somalia, and the FT found that Iranian nuclear scientists made a covert visit to Russia last year. Mentioned in this podcast: European earnings lag behind US as trade war saps market revival CoreWeave’s $9bn takeover of Core Scientific faces revolt from top shareholders BCG consultants modelled relocating Gazans to Somalia The covert trip by Iranian nuclear experts to Russia Email Swamp Notes your questions: marc.filippino@ft.com Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Blake Maples, and Michael Lello. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. 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.

US President Donald Trump plans on imposing new sanctions on Russia unless there is a ceasefire in Ukraine, and Palantir’s skyrocketing stock is raising concerns that it’s overvalued. Plus, OpenAI released a new “open-weight” model, and Russia’s banks are coming under scrutiny over bad loans. Mentioned in this podcast: Trump readies fresh sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet Russia moves to contain concern over banks’ bad loan exposure Palantir’s valuation is a triumph of ‘number go up’ OpenAI releases open models to compete with China’s DeepSeek Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Blake Maples, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. 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.