FT News Briefing

Elon Musk’s xAI has secured new backing from three Silicon Valley venture capital giants, women in Ukraine have increasingly stepped into roles men used to perform before Russia’s full-scale invasion, and the FT’s Soumaya Keynes explains why the UK’s Labour party benefits from being boring. Mentioned in this podcast:Elon Musk’s xAI secures new backing from Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia and TribeUkrainian women wanted in factories as men drafted into armyHow large might Labour’s ‘dullness dividend’ be?Introducing The Economics Show with Soumaya KeynesThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Rishi Sunak has taken a huge gamble by announcing a July 4 election, record sales of artificial intelligence chips sent Nvidia’s revenue soaring 262 per cent in the past quarter Adani Group passed off low-quality coal as far more expensive cleaner fuel in transactions with an Indian state power utility, according to evidence seen by the Financial Times, and the first batch of genetically engineered non-biting mosquitoes will be released in Djibouti on Thursday.Mentioned in this podcast:Rishi Sunak calls July 4 UK electionNvidia’s revenue beats high expectations as AI chip demand climbsFederal Reserve officials were open to further US rate rises to quell inflationAdani suspected of fraud by selling low-grade coal as high-value fuelDjibouti looks to genetically engineered mosquitoes to quell urban malaria wave The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

UK deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden went on a secret trip to the UAE, PwC is bracing for penalties over its audit of collapsed Chinese property developer Evergrande, and traders are anticipating huge swings in Nvidia shares after the company reports earnings on Wednesday. Mentioned in this podcast:UK launches charm offensive with UAE after relations sourPwC partners brace for Chinese punishment over Evergrande auditTraders brace for big swings in Nvidia sharesEU trade deficit with China shrinks to lowest level since 2021Follow Untold: Power for Sale on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

The death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has dealt a shocking blow to the Islamic regime, and the public mood in advanced countries remains low as the cost of living crisis keeps households under pressure. Plus, the decision by the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to apply for arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is a huge setback for Israel. Mentioned in this podcast:The Rachman Review podcastA crushing blow for Israel and a massive gamble by the ICCPresident Ebrahim Raisi’s death deals blow to Iranian regimeConsumer confidence still below pre-pandemic levels despite economic reboundThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashed on Sunday, Niger is on the verge of becoming a regional oil major, and western countries are trying to replace a UN body that monitors compliance with international sanctions on North Korea. Mentioned in this podcast:Helicopter carrying Iran’s president crashesBorder dispute hinders Niger’s China-built oil pipelineRussia has stopped UN from monitoring North Korea sanctions. Who is watching Kim?The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Denise Guerra, Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

A special live recording of the FT News Briefing at the FT Weekend Festival in Washington, DC on May 4, 2024. Our wonderful colleagues played a friendly game of news trivia. How does your knowledge stack up? The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Joe Biden once criticised Donald Trump’s trade war with China, but things look a lot different in an election year. The FT’s US climate reporter, Aime Williams, and US financial editor, Brooke Masters, join Swamp Notes to explain why the president announced such sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods this week, and how it could help him win votes. Mentioned in this podcast:Why Washington’s new tariffs on Chinese clean tech goods matterJoe Biden and Donald Trump battle to prove who can be toughest on ChinaSign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter hereSwamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. Original music by Hannis Brown. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com CREDIT: CBS News

The US Supreme Court rejects an existential legal challenge to the country’s top consumer finance watchdog, a $10bn US property fund is running low on liquidity as investors demand their money back, and Russia and China agree to tighten military ties and deepen their economic partnership after talks in Beijing. Plus, central banks around the world are impatiently waiting for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates.   Mentioned in this podcast:US Supreme Court rejects challenge to top consumer finance agencyVladimir Putin and Xi Jinping vow to co-operate against ‘destructive and hostile’ USDangers of dollar nationalism hang over the world economyCan the strong dollar be tamed?Starwood’s $10bn property fund taps credit line as investors pull moneyThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Manuela Saragosa, Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

The US inflation report sent stocks to record highs and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot on Wednesday. Plus, the FT’s John Reed explains why India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is so popular. Mentioned in this podcast:US inflation falls to 3.4% in AprilSlovak premier Robert Fico shot and injuredNarendra Modi launches candidacy in India’s marathon electionHow to understand Modi’s IndiaCREDIT: Sansad TVThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Sam Giovinco, Breen Turner, Jyotsna Singh, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com