FT News Briefing

FTX founder Sam Bankman Fried gave a preview of his defence against fraud charges, the US is worried that Iran and its proxies will escalate attacks on American forces in the Middle East, and the FT’s Josh Franklin explains what Morgan Stanley’s leadership change means for the company.  Mentioned in this podcast: Sam Bankman-Fried previews ‘advice of counsel’ defence in FTX fraud trial Morgan...

Mike Johnson, a loyal ally of Donald Trump, has been elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. Plus, in the first instalment of our Investing In America series, we travel to the Port of Albany to look at how money outside the US is changing the country.  Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump ally Mike Johnson elected US House Speaker after weeks of gridlock Investing in America ...

Microsoft registered an unexpected rebound in growth in its Azure cloud computing platform during the third quarter, environmental campaigners have attacked a critical part of the EU’s plans to green its energy supply, and the UN's secretary-general is denouncing what he calls “clear violations” of international law” in Gaza. Plus, the FT’s Arjun Neil Alim explains why companies are turning to for...

The EU’s top diplomat called on Monday for a pause in hostilities in order to allow aid deliveries into Gaza, and Argentine bonds tumbled after Sunday’s presidential election. Plus, the FT’s Anjli Raval explains why companies are struggling when it comes to weighing in on the Israel-Hamas war.  Mentioned in this podcast: Argentina’s economy minister Sergio Massa seeks broad coalition after fi...

Toyota says it is close to being able to mass produce next-generation solid-state batteries, and the European Union is trying to juggle support for Ukraine and Israel. Plus, start up companies in Israel are being put to the test due to the war with Hamas.  Mentioned in this podcast: Why the EU needs to join the dots between Israel and Ukraine ‘Start-up Nation’ goes to war Toyota nears mass pr...

The US, Britain and Germany called on their citizens to leave Lebanon, political tensions in the UK are starting to boil over about Israel's response to Hamas's attacks, and the FT’s Michael Stott tells us why a radical outsider is the frontrunner in Argentina’s presidential election.  Mentioned in this podcast: US, UK and Germany tell citizens to leave Lebanon amid fears of wider conflict Ke...

Israel will let basic humanitarian aid into Gaza through Egypt, traders have been increasing their bets against the Israeli shekel, TK Netflix, and Beijing is weighing holding up US chipmaker Broadcom’s $69bn acquisition of cloud software company VMware.  Mentioned in this podcast: Joe Biden warns Israel to avoid 9/11 ‘mistakes’ Bets against shekel heap pressure on Israeli central bank Beijin...

Alarm is mounting in Egypt that Gaza’s deepening humanitarian crisis will be thrust across its borders, Scotland’s first minister said the country would issue its own government bonds for the first time, and big US bank earnings have been better than expected.  Mentioned in this podcast: Fear of Gaza exodus looms over Egypt Scotland to issue bonds for the first time, says SNP’s Humza Yousaf B...

Poland’s rightwing party will likely be out of power after last weekend’s election, a US-led effort to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and provide an exit from the bombarded territory for foreign nationals faltered, and the FT’s Richard Waters explains how Microsoft beat the odds and got a major acquisition approved by regulators. Mentioned in this podcast: Polish exit polls give ex-PM...

Israel is preparing to launch a major ground invasion of Gaza, the UK justice secretary is set to announce a controversial plan to address the chronic shortage of space in jails, and Exxon’s $60bn acquisition of a shale company could set off a wave of industry consolidation.  Mentioned in this podcast: US sends second aircraft carrier as Israel prepares offensive in Gaza Residents flee Gaza C...

US inflation was higher than forecast in September, the EU has opened an investigation into X over the way disinformation is spreading on its platform after the attacks by Hamas against Israel, and FT’s Mehul Srivastava tells us about the Hamas military commander behind the deadly Israel incursion.  Mentioned in this podcast: ​​ US inflation higher than expected in September EU opens probe in...

Analysts forecast that four of the six big US banks will see Q3 profits fall year on year, Israel has been fighting on its northern border with Lebanon in addition to war with Hamas,and the star witness in the Sam Bankman-Fried trial testifies. Plus, shares in Birkenstock dropped more than 12 per cent on their first day of trading. Mentioned in this podcast: Rising interest rates curb lending grow...

Sir Keir Starmer made a pitch for the votes of disillusioned former Conservative supporters, abductions of dozens of civilians present Israel with risky options to get them back, and the EU has put its development funding to the Palestinian territories under review after Hamas’s attack on Israel.  Mentioned in this podcast: Keir Starmer promises ‘national renewal’ in appeal to UK voters Hamas...

Israel imposed a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip, the Bank of Israel said it planned to sell up to $30bn of dollar reserves to support the shekel, and EU regulators will order US biotech Illumina to sell cancer test developer Grail. Mentioned in this podcast: Israel imposes ‘complete siege’ on Gaza as Hamas threatens hostages Israel’s central bank to sell $30bn of foreign reserves to support sh...

The death toll from Hamas’s unprecedented multi-front assault on Israel passed 600 on Sunday, and Germany’s conservative opposition won two decisive victories in regional elections on Sunday. Plus, the FT’s Sarah O’Connor explains how the green transition can actually translate to more jobs.  Mentioned in this podcast: Audacious Hamas attack is a pivotal moment for Israel German voters turn t...

Economists expect that jobs growth in the US slowed again in September, and the recent sell-off in bonds might be starting to cool. Plus, artificial intelligence is cool and all, but can companies use this new tech in a way that isn’t toxic?  Mentioned in this podcast: Tech companies adopt “constitutions” to keep AI systems safe Who feels the pain from the bond sell-off? US jobs growth expect...

Lawyers for the crypto tycoon Sam Bankman-Fried laid out their defence on Wednesday, Rishi Sunak axed the northern leg of the HS2 high-speed rail line to Manchester, and Fifa announced the location of the 2030 World Cup.  Mentioned in this podcast: Spain, Portugal and Morocco to host 2030 football World Cup Sam Bankman-Fried committed ‘fraud on a massive scale’, prosecutors allege Rishi Sunak...

Kevin McCarthy has been ousted as Speaker of the House of Representatives, the yield on 30-year US Treasuries hit a 16-year peak on Tuesday, India has told Canada to withdraw dozens of diplomats from the country and the Financial Times’ Tom Hale discusses the murky future of China’s Evergrande property group.  Mentioned in this podcast: Kevin McCarthy ousted as House Speaker by Republica...

Kristalina Georgieva backs reforms to the IMF that could eventually give more power to China, regulators are calling for more transparency for ESG rating agencies, and record numbers at this year’s Oktoberfest are a bright spot for the German economy.  Mentioned in this podcast: AN ESG DATA Germans shrug off economic gloom at booming Oktoberfest Brussels to unfreeze Hungary funds as it seeks...

US lawmakers were able to avert a shutdown over the weekend, Slovakia’s election results are adding pressure to the EU’s unity around the war in Ukraine, and Brazil says its oil exploration and green ambitions aren’t contradictory.  Clips: CNN, AP Mentioned in this podcast: Brazil minister says oil and green ambitions are not contradictory Cooling UK labour market claims jobs in construction...

A hardware revolution in recording devices and a software revolution in artificial intelligence has convinced some scientists that humans will eventually be able to ‘translate’ animal and even plant sounds into human language. But what would be the consequences of humans learning to ‘speak whale’, chat with bats or converse with elephants? The FT’s innovation editor John Thornhill and producer Per...

European government bond prices dropped sharply as investors took fright at Italy’s larger than expected budget deficit, optimism for the IPO market seems to be fading, and the FT’s Colby Smith explains the economic impact of US student loan payments restarting.  Mentioned in this podcast: European bond market hit by Italy’s plans for higher borrowing Rising headwinds threaten US economy’s re...

Global dealmaking is languishing at a 10-year low, western companies are insulating their China operations, and Chinese battery groups are avoiding or delaying direct investments in the US and Europe because of geopolitics.  Mentioned in this podcast: Dealmaking languishes at decade low on private equity drought Chinese battery groups invest in Morocco to serve western markets Western compani...

The US Federal Trade Commission has accused Amazon of wielding monopolistic control over online markets, JPMorgan Chase said it settled lawsuits related to its dealings with Jeffrey Epstein’s human trafficking operation, and the FT’s Lauren Fedor explains what’s at stake with a looming US government shutdown. Plus, sterling hit a six-month low against the dollar.  Mentioned in this podcast: F...

The writers strike hitting Hollywood looks like it’s nearing a close and the FT’s Brooke Masters explores whether recent CEO departures could be a signal of a second #MeToo wave. Plus, a sexual abuse scandal has shaken up Japan’s entertainment industry. Mentioned in this podcast: Sex, lies and magical thinking about CEO behaviour Japanese boy band abuse scandal rocks entertainment industry The FT...