FT News Briefing

The US Senate takes the first step to ending the government shutdown, and COP30 climate talks kick off in Brazil. Plus, stricter regulation puts the squeeze on Switzerland’s prized finance sector. And, can Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push to counter US tariffs help Zoho truly rival Whatsapp?Mentioned in this podcast:US senators strike deal in first step to ending government shutdownThe world is struggling to halt climate change. But can it adapt?Swiss finance shrinks as regulators tighten grip on prized sector India boosts homegrown WhatsApp rival in tech nationalism driveThe 900-page book that China watchers count onToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Nisha Patel, Sonja Hutson and Victoria Craig. Our show was mixed by Alexander Higgins. Additional help from Peter Barber. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Tesla investors have overwhelmingly backed Elon Musk’s $1tn pay deal, Hungary’s prime minister travels to Washington to make the case for a Russian oil sanctions exemption, and the Bank of England keeps rates on hold. Plus, why UK bond markets are keeping calm and carrying on despite turmoil ahead of Labour’s Budget announcement. Mentioned in this podcast:Tesla shareholders approve Elon Musk’s $1tn pay dealBank of England keeps rates on hold at 4% in knife-edge decisionOrbán to seek approval from Trump to continue importing Russian oilBond markets are winning the Budget stand-offToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

US Supreme Court justices appeared sceptical of Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs, and Argentine President Javier Milei has rejected investor calls to allow the peso to float freely. Plus, contentious bankruptcy proceedings for First Brands begin today. Mentioned in this podcast:Investors could face a bonfire night surprise on Trump tariffs‘A glorious mess’: First Brands creditors brace for Houston court clashMilei defies calls to float Argentine pesoToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

US voters issued a rebuke of President Donald Trump, US stocks dropped on Tuesday as jitters over highly elevated valuations for many artificial intelligence companies intensified, and some investors are worried there’s an AI bubble in Asian stocks as well. Plus, UniCredit’s ambition to become a European banking powerhouse has hit a series of roadblocks. Mentioned in this podcast:US election results liveListen to the Swamp Notes podcastUS stocks slide as investors fret over high valuations for AI companiesAsian markets’ reliance on AI boom raises ‘bubble’ fearsWhat next for Andrea Orcel’s UniCredit?Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Marc Filippino, Sonja Hutson, Lulu Smyth and Victoria Craig. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from Michael Lello. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Palantir lifted its 2025 revenue guidance and Pfizer has filed a second lawsuit against Novo Nordisk and obesity drug start-up Metsera. Plus, OpenAI inked a $38bn computing deal with Amazon, and the FT’s Claire Jones explains how the Trump administration is considering pushing for wider global dollar adoption. Mentioned in this podcast:Palantir lifts 2025 sales outlook after posting strong quarterly growthPfizer files second lawsuit to block Novo Nordisk’s $9bn Metsera bidOpenAI strikes $38bn computing deal with AmazonUS pushes for wider global dollar adoptionToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Michela Tindera, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

The US Supreme Court begins hearing arguments this week for President Trump’s tariff policy. Plus, voters will head to the polls for state races seen as a referendum on the first year of Trump’s second term, and private equity may be full of zombie firms in the next decade. Then, a look at how China is filling a gap in the solar-energy space.Mentioned in this podcast:Businesses press Supreme Court to strike down Trump’s emergency tariff power Trump and plastic bags: New Jersey is bellwether of US political moodPrivate capital zombie firms will pile up in next decade, says EQT chiefThe global boom in solar – with or without the USToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Marc Filippino, and Victoria Craig. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins. Additional help Peter Barber. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Amazon and Apple delivered solid earnings reports, and the FT’s Gideon Rachman explores whether Donald Trump’s foreign policy wins in Asia will hold. Plus, the European Central Bank has left its benchmark interest rate unchanged and the FT’s Jennifer Hughes says India’s initial public offering boom is not too hot, not too cold – it’s just right. Mentioned in this podcast:Amazon revenues rise 13% on strength in cloud computing unitApple predicts holiday boom in iPhone sales‘Rely on America at your peril’: the vagaries of Trump’s foreign policyEurozone economy expands 0.2% in third quarterECB holds interest rates at 2%India’s IPO boom has a goldilocks feel Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Lucy Baldwin, Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Meta and Microsoft had mixed earnings reports, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates and said it would halt quantitative tightening and South Korea has agreed to invest $350bn in the US in return for lower tariffs on car exports. Plus, John Malone is stepping down as chair of his media and telecoms empire, marking the end of an era in which the “cable cowboy” reshaped both industries.Mentioned in this podcast:Meta hit by huge AI spendingFederal Reserve trims US interest rates by quarter point but casts doubt on December cutFederal Reserve nears end of QT amid signs of stress in money marketsUS and South Korea seal trade deal‘Cable cowboy’ John Malone to step down from media and telecoms empireToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Lucy Baldwin, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann and Michael Lello. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

OpenAI said it had completed a long-awaited restructuring, and Tesla’s chair has stepped up her campaign to win shareholder support for Elon Musk’s $1tn pay package. Plus, South Korea’s Kospi is the world's top-performing major stock index by far this year. Mentioned in this podcast:Microsoft valuation passes $4tn as OpenAI completes restructuringTesla chair warns Musk could quit if shareholders reject $1tn pay dealWhat is driving the world’s best-performing stock market?Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com