FT News Briefing

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

As Americans prepare to vote in the November 3 midterm elections, the FT’s chief economics commentator Martin Wolf asks what the result will mean for Donald Trump, the future of US democracy and America's place in the world. In the third of a six-part series, Martin speaks to political scientist and author Barbara F Walter, an expert on civil wars and political violence, about the risk of unrest surrounding the elections. Drawing on her research into countries around the world, Walter explains the warning signs of political violence, and why America's changing demographics and the struggle to hold on to political power are fuelling divisions. How close is the US to a dangerous tipping point? And can American democracy emerge from the midterms stronger rather than more divided?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 producers: Laurence Knight and Edwin LaneExecutive producer: Manuela SaragosaVideo editor: Richard ToppingSenior Audio Engineer: Breen TurnerBroadcast engineers: Andrew GeorgiadesPodcast development: Laura ClarkeFT Global Head of Audio: Flo PhillipsLearn more at www.ft.com/martin-wolf-on-the-worldRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Alphabet’s share price fell just over 12 percent on Thursday, and UK startup Nscale is banking on a troubled US data centre project to underpin its planned $35bn IPO. Plus, we look at what’s next for the ECB now that its president Christine Lagarde announced she’s stepping down.Mentioned in this podcast:Alphabet shares tumble in $500bn routInside the make-or-break AI mega-project behind Nscale’s $35bn IPOChristine Lagarde to step down as ECB president in FebruaryWant 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 Zachary Alfred and Dennis Golin. 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