FT News Briefing

Across the world, billions of citizens are being asked to cast their vote in elections taking place in more than 50 countries, and in many places, populist, illiberal and far-right parties are either growing in support or consolidating gains they have already made. Fiona Hill, who served as senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council in the Trump White House f...

Americans have inflation and foreign policy on their minds this election. That means that President Joe Biden’s ambitious climate achievements aren’t resonating with voters – especially young voters – the way his administration expected. The FT’s US climate reporter, Aime Williams, and Washington bureau chief, James Politi, join this week’s Swamp Notes podcast to explain why.  Credit: ESPN Me...

Credit agencies have misrated more than $100bn of commercial real estate debt, new election polls suggest the UK could be in for a seismic political shift, and the Philippines has been secretly reinforcing a dilapidated warship marooned on a South China Sea reef. Plus, drilling for naturally occurring hydrogen gas was deemed unfeasible, but prospectors now think differently. Mentioned in this podc...

Hamas-backed militants orchestrate bank heists, the ECB raises alarm over Eurozone debt, Malaysia courts Chinese investment, and Softbank debuts “EmotionCancelling” AI. Mentioned in this podcast: Premier Li Qiang’s visit has Malaysia wanting more from China pivot   Armed gangs stage bank heists in Gaza This episode of FT News Briefing was produced by Josh Gabert-Doyon, Fiona Symon, Persis Lov...

Nvidia capitalises on investor excitement over artificial intelligence, Japan’s TDK is claiming a breakthrough in materials used in its small solid-state batteries, and Silicon Valley companies are screening their staff for Chinese spying. Plus, the FT’s Saffeya Ahmed unpacks Shein’s tumultuous journey to go public.  Mentioned in this podcast: Nvidia vaults past Apple and Microsoft to become...

French business leaders are warming up to France’s far-right and Dubai is trying to optimise a cluster of unique, abandoned islands. Plus, the FT’s Cristina Criddle explains why OpenAI is expanding its global affairs unit.  Mentioned in this podcast: French businesses court Marine Le Pen after taking fright at left’s policies OpenAI expands lobbying team to influence regulation Bill Gross see...

Major defence companies are recruiting workers at the fastest rate since the end of the cold war, global leaders were able to reach a consensus on major issues during the G7 summit, and big Chinese companies are turning to the convertible bond market. Plus, investors are flocking to the local currency bonds of one-time emerging market pariahs.  Mentioned in this podcast: Chinese companies rus...

Across the world, billions of citizens are being asked to cast their vote in elections taking place in more than 50 countries and in many places, populist, illiberal and far-right parties are either growing in support or consolidating gains they have already made. But India, the world’s biggest democracy, bucked the trend with Narendra Modi’s relatively weak election victory in June. In the third...

Margaret Thatcher’s election in 1979 foreshadowed Ronald Reagan’s a year later, and the Brexit vote in 2016 took place just months before Donald Trump’s stunning presidential victory. The FT’s Whitehall editor, Lucy Fisher, and US politics news editor, Derek Brower, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why British and American politics often rhyme, and what the phenomenon could mean for upcomin...

Chinese electric vehicle makers look like they will survive the latest tariffs the EU announced this week, and UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer laid out his party’s manifesto. Plus, Toyota is caught up in a scandal. Will it matter during next week’s shareholder meeting? Mentioned in this podcast: Japan’s top carmakers caught in widening testing scandal What the EU’s tariffs on electric vehicles m...

The Federal Reserve held borrowing costs at a 23-year high yesterday, and Terraform Labs has agreed to pay $4.47bn in a case brought by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Plus, tech companies launch a fight against a proposed California law to introduce a ‘kill switch’ on AI models.   Mentioned in this podcast: Fed officials signal just one interest rate cut before end of 2024 Si...

Shari Redstone has ended talks with Skydance Media over a deal to control Paramount, the number of central banks seeking to increase their exposure to the US dollar has increased sharply this year, the EU plans to put hefty tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, and the UK Tories' manifesto lays out billions in tax cuts. Plus, the FT’s Christine Murray explains why Mexico's peso slid after presiden...

Apple on Monday said it has partnered with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into its devices, and private equity groups are snapping up US accounting firms. Plus, President Emmanuel Macron stunned France on Sunday when he called snap parliamentary elections. The FT’s Leila Abboud unpacks what happens next for the country.  Mentioned in this podcast: Apple partners with OpenAI as it rolls out new a...

Far right parties make significant gains in the European Union elections, opposition politician Benny Gantz has resigned from Israel’s emergency government, and Iranian authorities have disqualified prominent moderates as candidates in the snap presidential election. Plus, global investors are turning their backs on sustainability-focused stock funds. Mentioned in this podcast: Far-right parties m...

Across the world, billions of citizens are being asked to cast their vote in elections taking place in more than 50 countries, making this a pivotal year for democracy. But these polls come as populist, illiberal and far-right parties are either growing in support or consolidating gains they have already made. In the second of this five-part series, the FT’s renowned economics commentator, Martin...

Few of Silicon Valley’s biggest names supported Donald Trump in 2016 or 2020. Now, some of them are holding multimillion- dollar fundraisers for him. The FT’s US business and politics correspondent, Alex Rogers, and tech correspondent, Hannah Murphy, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why Big Tech is abandoning Joe Biden.  Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump fundraiser latest sign of...

The European Central Bank has cut interest rates for the first time in nearly five years, and the European Commission will recommend the start of EU accession talks with Ukraine this month. Plus, the FT’s Katie Martin explains how optimistic we should be about a revival of the London Stock Exchange.  Mentioned in this podcast: ECB cuts interest rates for first time in five years A cautious re...

Nvidia’s market value briefly rose past $3tn to overtake Apple as the world’s second-most valuable company, South Africa’s African National Congress party is considering the formation of a national unity government with rival parties, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was accused on Wednesday by Sir Keir Starmer of “resorting to lies” over Labour’s tax plans. Plus, a US appeals court has tossed ou...

Gazprom is unlikely to recover gas sales lost as a result of Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine for at least a decade, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to win a historic third term, job openings, vacancies and quits data provided more evidence of a cooling labour market in the US. Plus, Opec+ might be losing ground in its fight to prop up oil prices.  Mentioned in this...

US President Joe Biden is moving to sharply tighten immigration rules at the southern border with Mexico, Indian markets hit record highs after exit polls forecast a landslide election win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, food delivery apps put new focus on profits despite slower growth following the coronavirus pandemic, and a new podcast from the Financial Times explores the fallout since Qatar...

Russia and China are deadlocked over a deal to build a gas pipeline connecting the two countries, far-right parties in Europe are gaining ground with younger voters, technical trouble could hamper Tesla’s upcoming shareholder election, and disagreement at OpenAI over safety and leadership has led to top level resignations. Mentioned in this podcast: Russia-China gas pipeline deal stalls over Beiji...

Across the world, billions of citizens are being asked to cast their vote in elections taking place in more than 50 countries, making this a pivotal year for democracy. But these polls come as populist, illiberal and far-right parties are either growing in support or consolidating gains they have already made. In the first of this five-part series, the FT’s renowned economics commentator Martin Wo...

Former US president Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 felony charges of falsifying business records on Thursday, a first for any current or former American president. However, with the Republican nomination all but secured, the conviction may do little to knock Trump’s reelection campaign off course. The FT’s US managing editor, Peter Spiegel, and US legal correspondent, Joe Miller, join this we...

Donald Trump has been found guilty of conspiring to buy the silence of a porn actor and Saudi Arabia is selling roughly $12bn worth of shares in its national oil company Saudi Aramco. Plus, European oil majors are left at a disadvantage in several areas when it comes to M&A.  Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump found guilty on all counts in ‘hush money’ trial Saudi Arabia to sell $12b...

Europe has only a fraction of the air defence capabilities needed to protect its eastern flank, BHP’s £39bn takeover bid for Anglo American has collapsed, and Israel bonds are a hot commodity in US municipalities. Plus, the FT’s Brooke Masters explains why private equity firms are pivoting towards profit sharing.  Mentioned in this podcast: Nato has just 5% of air defences needed to protect e...