FT News Briefing

The number of countries cutting energy taxes in response to the Iran war has doubled over the past month, and China blocked Meta’s $2bn purchase of the AI group Manus. Plus, big private equity backers have raised concerns that some firms may be waving through controversial deals.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Energy tax cuts spread across 39 economies as prices jump
China blocks Meta’s $2bn purchase of AI group Manus
Private equity backers raise new conflict concerns over sweetheart deals

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Saffeya Ahmed, Fiona Symon, and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. 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.

Alleged Trump shooter is set to be charged in federal court Monday, Republican Senator Thom Tillis said he will allow confirmation of Fed nominee Kevin Warsh to proceed, and the world’s leading central banks are widely expected to hold off on inflation-fighting interest rate rises this week. Plus, Anthropic’s cybersecurity AI model could be so effective it actually backfires.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Alleged Trump shooter was targeting US officials, authorities say
US prosecutors drop criminal probe into Federal Reserve chair Jay Powell
Leading central banks play for time on interest rate rises
Anthropic investigating unauthorised access of powerful Mythos AI model

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Sonja Hutson and produced by Saffeya Ahmed and Julia Webster. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins. Additional help from Peter Barber. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. 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.

Meta will cut 10% of its staff next month, BP suffered a heavy defeat at its annual shareholder meeting, and the Paramount–Warner Brothers Discovery deal is one step closer to being sealed. Plus, the Trump family’s crypto company is in hot water, and a US official is vying to get Italy into the football World Cup.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Meta to cut 10% of jobs to ‘offset’ Mark Zuckerberg’s AI spending
Microsoft to offer 7% of US staff voluntary redundancy for the first time
BP suffers heavy defeat in investor climate vote
Crypto billionaire Justin Sun sues Trump family’s World Liberty Financial
Warner Bros shareholders approve $111bn Paramount deal
Trump envoy seeks to replace Iran with Italy in football World Cup

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Saffeya Ahmed and Fiona Symon. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Michela Tindera, Gavin Kallmann, and Michael Lello. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. 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.

Tesla’s profits rebounded from last year’s lows, Brent crude jumped back above $100 a barrel on Wednesday after Iran’s navy said it seized two commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, and China’s new trade rules have concerned businesses operating in the country. Plus, the FT’s John Burn-Murdoch unpacks a survey that finds the highest-earning workers are adopting AI in their jobs far faster than others and Switzerland hit UBS with a proposed $20bn capital increase.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Tesla shares rally as profits rebound from last year’s lows
Trump’s ‘dirty ceasefire’ tested as Iran hits shipping
US allies in Gulf and Asia have requested swap lines, Scott Bessent says
China links tough new trade rules to Iran war and Panama port dispute
High earners race ahead on AI as workplace divide widens
Switzerland hits UBS with proposed $20bn capital increase
Credit: Reuters

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Saffeya Ahmed and Fiona Symon. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Michael Lello. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. 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 extended the ceasefire with Iran until talks conclude, and Federal Reserve chair nominee Kevin Warsh sidestepped accusations that he would succumb to pressure from Trump to cut interest rates. Plus, a sneak peek at a new FT podcast on the lessons to learn in the history of finance.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Can Trump finally make a nuclear deal with Iran?
Kevin Warsh sidesteps questions over Donald Trump’s influence on Fed rate policy
Introducing: The Story of Money
Credit: C-SPAN

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Saffeya Ahmed and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann and Michael. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. 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.