FT News Briefing

Introducing Artificial intimacy from Tech Tonic. For the next episodes in this season go to the Tech Tonic feed.Calder Quinn has fallen into a relationship with a chatbot called Sara. She’s kind, emotionally intelligent and creatively inspiring. But how can he tell his wife he is having sex with an AI girlfriend? In the first episode of Artificial Intimacy we look at how people are developing romantic bonds with AI companions. What does it feel like to be in love with AI? What impact could it have on human relationships? Could it replace them altogether? Host Cristina Criddle speaks to Giada Pistilli, an AI ethicist who now works at Mistral; Calder Quinn, writer at ‘AI, But Make It Intimate’; Amelia Quinn, Calder’s wife; and Alaina Winters, professor emeritus of communication who publishes on meandmyaihusband.com.Presented by Cristina Criddle, produced by Persis Love and Edwin Lane. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. We used ElevenLabs to create Sara’s voice. All other voices are real.

Gulf oil producers have lost billions of dollars in energy revenues since the start of the US-Iran war, but there is one country benefiting: Russia. It is earning as much as $150mn a day in extra budget revenues from its oil sales. Plus, the FT’s defence and security correspondent Charles Clover explains what may come next in the conflict. Mentioned in this podcast:Gulf states lose $15bn in energy revenues since start of warIran’s new supreme leader vows to keep Strait of Hormuz closed‘Sitting ducks’: oil tankers trapped in Gulf as Iran widens attacks on shippingRussia rakes in $150mn a day in extra revenue from surging oil pricesNote: 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 Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, and Saffeya Ahmed. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. 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

The International Energy Agency has launched the largest release of strategic oil reserves in its history, investors have sought shelter from the turmoil of the war in Iran in US tech stocks and US inflation held steady at 2.4 per cent in February. Plus, the war has threatened the Indian economy’s “Goldilocks” combination of strong growth and low inflation. Mentioned in this podcast:IEA releases record oil reserves to counter Iran war energy shockInvestors seek shelter from Iran war in US tech stocksUS inflation holds steady at 2.4% in FebruaryIran war threatens India’s ‘Goldilocks’ economyThe ‘number station’ sending mystery messages to IranNote: 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 Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson and Saffeya Ahmed. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from 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

Oracle’s shares climbed 9 per cent on Tuesday after the database group posted better than expected earnings, and we discuss how American businesses are navigating soaring energy prices. Plus, the higher costs to insure tankers traversing the Strait of Hormuz, and the FT’s Antoine Gara explains why investors are ditching private credit funds.  Mentioned in this podcast:Oracle shares rally on strong revenue forecast from AI data centresSoaring fuel prices expected to cast long shadow across US economyLloyd’s of London says it will still insure ‘basically anyone’ in the GulfInvestors ditch private credit funds on rising worries over bad loansRetail investors shun private credit funds after Blue Owl gatingNote: 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 Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson and Saffeya Ahmed. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from 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

The price of oil fell sharply, and we’ll take a look at why the US and Israel are avoiding an attack on Iran’s Kharg Island. Plus, the FT’s George Hammond explains what the tenuous relationship between the Pentagon and Anthropic might mean for the AI start-up. Mentioned in this podcast:G7 ‘stands ready’ to release emergency oil reservesAnthropic sues the Pentagon over being declared a ‘supply chain risk’Gilt market slump deepens as traders bet on Bank of England rate riseKharg Island: Iran’s oil lifeline that Donald Trump has left untouchedWebinar: War in the Middle East: What’s the End game? 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 Kelly Garry. Additional help from Michela Tindera, 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

Iran names Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the new supreme leader. Plus, global central bankers are eying the jump in crude prices and the impact on inflation, and Gulf businesses seek more insurance coverage as the war in Iran continues. And, fears of food price spikes are growing.Mentioned in this podcast:Mojtaba Khamenei becomes Iran’s supreme leaderOil surges past $100 a barrel for the first time in four yearsQatar warns war will force Gulf to stop energy exports ‘within days’Iran war muddles expectations of likely Federal Reserve interest rate cutsFertiliser disruption from Iran conflict prompts global food shortage warningsNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, and produced by 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

As insurance costs rocket for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Asian countries brace for an energy shock. The rapid expansion of American-owned data centres in the Middle East has opened up a new front for Iran’s retaliation against the US. Plus, Donald Trump fires the head of the US Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, and the FT’s Joshua Franklin explains what JPMorgan wants with an historic New York City hotel. Mentioned in this podcast:Industry casts doubt on Trump plan to insure Gulf oil tankers as Iran war halts transitAsia’s big economies brace for Iran war energy shock Donald Trump fires controversial homeland security secretary Kristi NoemPakistan thwarts JPMorgan’s efforts to buy historic New York hotelNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, and produced by Saffeya Ahmed and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. 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

Israel expects war against Iran to last weeks and Ayatollah Khamenei’s son emerges as a leading candidate for supreme leader. Plus, the Federal Reserve grants crypto exchange Kraken access to its core payments system, inside the collapse of UK property lender Market Financial Solutions, and US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent says the new 15% tariff rate could start this week. Mentioned in this podcast:Ali Khamenei’s son Mojtaba emerges as a leading candidate for supreme leader of IranGulf insurance costs soar 12-fold despite Trump guaranteeFederal Reserve grants Kraken access to payments system in first for crypto groupCollapse of UK property lender sends shockwaves through Wall StreetScott Bessent says 15% global tariff ‘likely’ to be imposed this weekSend your tariffs stories to marc.filippino@ft.comNote: 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 Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig, and Henry Larson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from 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

Gas prices have soared on the back of the war in the Middle East, and US president Donald Trump criticised some European nations for not being helpful in the conflict. Plus, the ongoing crisis is disrupting precious-metals trade, and China will unveil its five-year plan during the National People’s Congress meeting on Thursday. Mentioned in this podcast:Trump threatens to cut trade with ‘terrible’ Spain and calls Starmer ‘no Churchill’China’s cadres advocate end to overtime to encourage people to have familiesBrussels urges calm as Iran crisis sends European gas prices soaringGold and silver flows disrupted as Iran conflict grounds flightsNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Fiona Symon and Saffeya Ahmed. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from 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