FT News Briefing

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

The Biden administration is encouraging Arab states to participate in a multinational force that could deploy in Gaza once the war ends, Anglo American plans to thwart BHP’s £34bn takeover bid by breaking itself up, and the US is sharply raising tariffs on Chinese imports from electric vehicles to solar cells. Plus, Singapore’s new prime minister has his work cut out. Mentioned in this podcast:US encouraging Arab states to join multinational postwar force in GazaAnglo American plans break-up to thwart £34bn BHP bidUS sharply raises tariffs on Chinese EVs and semiconductor importsLawrence Wong, Singapore’s next PM faces an ever trickier balancing actThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Mischa Frankl-Duval, 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 carmaker behind Fiat and Peugeot is in talks to invest in Indonesian nickel, the meme-stock movement came back to life, and Chinese authorities have kicked off plans to sell $140bn of long-dated bonds to stimulate the economy. Plus, what Russia’s new defence minister means for the country’s war effortMentioned in this podcast:GameStop soars in meme stock flashback as ‘Roaring Kitty’ reappearsWho is Andrei Belousov, Russia’s new defence minister? Stellantis in talks with Vale to invest in Indonesian nickel smelterChina fires starting gun on $140bn debt sale to boost economyThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by 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 Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tries to revive Conservative morale with a speech in London, four Chinese generative artificial intelligence start-ups have been valued at more than $1bn in the past three months, and US shale oil companies are under the spotlight over allegations of manipulating prices. Plus, the frontrunner in Mexico’s presidential election is promising more of the same.Mentioned in this podcast:Rishi Sunak to warn Britain ‘at a crossroads’ as he readies Tories for electionUS shale companies accused of collusion over oil priceFour start-ups lead China’s race to match OpenAI’s ChatGPTMexico’s presidential frontrunner defends sweeping legal reformsThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Denise Guerra, 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