FT News Briefing

Nvidia shares tumbled after the company’s board said it would investigate reports that chief executive Jensen Huang was the target of a foreign espionage operation, investors are buying up stocks they believe can protect them in a market downturn, and BT will not launch its partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink. Plus, the FT sat down with Britain’s defence secretary Wes Streeting to discuss UK-Russia relations.Mentioned in this podcast:Nvidia shares fall as it probes alleged Chinese spy scandalUS stocks rebound after AI routInvestors pile into defensive stocks amid fears AI bull market may be overRussian strikes aim to cut Ukraine in half, Zelenskyy warnsUS-Russia-Ukraine talks resume in Abu DhabiUK and Russia must seek communication channels to avoid escalation, says StreetingBT cools on Starlink satellite tie-up after Elon Musk Ukraine controversyRepublican lawmaker moves to impeach US defence secretary Pete HegsethWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcastsThe FT News Briefing is produced by Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our video producers are Dennis Golin and Zachary Alfred. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Vanessa Brown and David da Silva. Our acting executive producer is Charles Bell. Flo Phillips 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

Nvidia is investigating whether chief executive Jensen Huang was “the target of a foreign intelligence effort,” Israel’s president has formally given Gadi Eisenkot the first chance at forming a new government, and the FT’s Chris Giles sat down with Klaas Knot, who is vying for the top job at the European Central Bank. Plus, foreign buyers are snapping up British companies, and a Dutch start-up founded by former Palantir alumni has a plan to awaken Europe’s defence industry.Mentioned in this podcast:Nvidia’s Jensen Huang admits to affair after allegations of relationship with Chinese spyUS believes Nvidia’s Huang had romantic relationship with alleged Chinese spyIsrael’s president gives Gadi Eisenkot first chance at forming a governmentECB contender Klaas Knot ‘won’t hesitate’ to act in a debt crisisThe great British corporate sell-offPalantir alumni launch plan to ‘wake sleeping giants’ of European defenceWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcastsThe FT News Briefing is produced by Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our video producers are Dennis Golin and Zachary Alfred. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Vanessa Brown and David da Silva. Our acting executive producer is Charles Bell. Flo Phillips 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

Americans roundly rejected the Republican Party under President Donald Trump at the ballot box, giving the Democratic Party control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. That means Democrats have a raft of new tools with which to oppose Trump, including control of investigative committees the party may use to look into alleged corruption. How should the Democrats use that power? Does the scale of their victory mean they have the country’s backing, or just that Republicans were unpopular? And will Trump’s brand of politics return? Martin speaks to Nobel prize-winning economist Paul Krugman to discuss what happens next.To enjoy future episodes, be sure to subscribe to ‘Martin Wolf on the World’ wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch Martin’s podcast series on the FT’s YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinancialTimesHost: Martin WolfProducer: Mischa Frankl-DuvalSenior producer: Laurence KnightExecutive producer: Manuela SaragosaVideo editor: Richard ToppingSenior Audio Engineer: Breen TurnerBroadcast engineers: Andrew GeorgiadisPodcast development: Laura ClarkeFT Global Head of Audio: Flo PhillipsRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com

US tech stocks plunged over worries that the blue wave could slow down the AI boom, and the FT’s Joe Miller explains what stance a Democratic Congress may take towards AI. Plus, the UK government is preparing to extend Palantir’s controversial £330mn health contract, Paraguay’s president Santiago Peña has resigned after the collapse of a big digital bank, and the Bank of England raised interest rates to try to tackle surging inflation.Mentioned in this podcast:Nasdaq plunges in chaotic trading as Democratic ‘blue wave’ upends AI betsTrump’s tech cheerleaders brace for bipartisan backlash‘The money didn’t work’: Big Tech’s $600mn midterm campaign falls flatParaguay’s pro-Trump president resigns over bank collapseBank of England raises interest rates to 4% in bid to tame inflationUK planning to not trigger Palantir break clause but make it fight for NHS contractCredit: Times NowWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcastsThe FT News Briefing is produced by Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our video producers are Dennis Golin and Zachary Alfred. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Vanessa Brown and David da Silva. Our executive producers are Charles Bell and Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips 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

Washington will have trouble getting things done with a gridlocked government after this week’s midterm elections, but it’s hard to tell whether US President Donald Trump will use the defeat as a chance to soften his foreign policy stance. Plus, investors are feeling optimistic about a return to normalcy following Democrats’ massive victory, and Russia agreed to supply Iran with 90 launchers for advanced guided missiles.Mentioned in this podcast:The Democrats who will run WashingtonBlue wave sweeps markets back towards normalityStocks surge after Democrats’ midterms sweepRussia deepened Iran support with missile launcher dealCredit: C-SPAN, MS NOW, Fox News, NBC NewsWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcastsThe FT News Briefing is produced by Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our video producers are Dennis Golin and Zachary Alfred. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Vanessa Brown and David da Silva. Our executive producers are Charles Bell and Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips 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

The Democrats score massive wins in the US midterm elections, bond investors are feeling optimistic about the make-up of the next Congress, and Qatar’s state-owned energy company is on track to become the world’s biggest buyer of US liquefied natural gas by early next decade. Plus, a massive fraud scandal in Turkey is starting to weigh on the country’s economy.Mentioned in this podcast:Live US midterm elections results tracker 2026Bond investors sit out ‘most consequential’ US midterm elections in yearsChart of the Week: Bond investors may cheer gridlockQatar set to become world’s biggest buyer of US LNGFrom Ponzi to Fonzi: the $20bn fraud scandal rocking TurkeyItaly’s ‘exit tax’ plan spooks rich expatsCredit: Abigail Hausloner, Steff Chavez, Joe Miller, Stephanie Findlay, CSPANWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcastsThe FT News Briefing is produced by Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our video producers are Dennis Golin and Zachary Alfred. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Vanessa Brown and David da Silva. Our executive producers are Charles Bell and Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips 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

US voters head to the polls Tuesday to decide which party controls Congress and the FT’s James Politi breaks down the key Senate races to watch. Plus, oil investors and executives clash over future of Iran war.Mentioned in this podcast:US midterm elections 2026: The FT’s guideBig majority of US voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of inflation: FT pollDonald Trump’s imperial presidency faces a popular uprisingOil tumbles on hopes for US-Iran talksGulf braced for escalation of war between US-Israel alliance and IranCredit: CNN, Haley Stevens, Associated Press, CSPAN, White HouseWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcastsThe FT News Briefing is produced by Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our video producers are Dennis Golin and Zachary Alfred. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Vanessa Brown, and David da Silva. Our executive producers are Charles Bell and Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips 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

A Democratic-controlled Congress may struggle to ease cost of living pressures and Middle East diplomats warn that renewed conflict between the US and Iran would be even more damaging than previous rounds of fighting. Serbia shuts down a bank favoured by Russians as it enters a new political era. Plus, Binance has started letting customers withdraw funds after the world's biggest crypto exchange experienced a record $6.3bn hack.Mentioned in this podcast:Petrol prices set to hit record high under Trump on eve of US electionsGulf braced for escalation of war between US-Israel alliance and IranSerbia shuts down bank favoured by RussiansInside the leaderless movement set to govern SerbiaBinance users pull $3.6bn as crypto exchange restarts services after heistCheck to see if your university is subscribed to the FT: ft.com/checkaccess.Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcastsThe FT News Briefing is produced by Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our video producers are Dennis Golin and Zachary Alfred. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Vanessa Brown, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our executive producers are Charles Bell and Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips 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