FT News Briefing

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham returns to the Labour conference to sell his vision, EU countries are considering a Nato-style joint response to Russia’s hybrid war, and foreign investors have been buying up Panama’s debt despite social unrest and threats from US President Donald Trump.Mentioned in this podcast:‘Hope again’: Burnham returns to Labour conference to sell his visionEU countries consider Nato-style joint responses to Russian hybrid attacksForeign investors bet Panama can shrug off social unrest and Trump threatsWant 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, Katya Kumkova, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our executive producer is 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

Xi Jinping said the US and China should avoid being drawn into a “conflict” in remarks at the White House, and Brussels has warned Britain needs to raise tariffs on Chinese cars if it wants to avoid barriers that would hit crucial exports. Plus, dozens of foreign officials walked out of the UN General Assembly as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address, and the FT’s Kate Duguid explains what the bond market sell-off means for US mortgage rates and the health of the economy.Mentioned in this podcast:Xi Jinping says US and China must ‘coexist in peace’ in historic White House visitUS mortgage rates breach 7% as affordability pressures mount EU urges UK to raise tariffs on Chinese cars to avoid ‘made in Europe’ barriersSubway rival bets hot sandwiches will sell in UK’s ‘cold and rain’Credit: United Nations, 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, Katya Kumkova, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our executive producer is 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 Treasury yields soared on Wednesday, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was prepared to negotiate with the US, and the FT’s Sam Fleming explains why the UK budget is in a tight spot. Plus, billions of dollars of Rosneft’s foreign earnings were funnelled through a Kremlin-backed money-laundering network, and Syria’s search for justice for Assad-era crimes could spark more unrest.Mentioned in this podcast:US Treasury yields soar most since ‘liberation day’ tariffs shook marketsTreasury open to smaller fiscal headroom to reduce tax hikesThe FT’s Budget dashboard: the data confronting Chancellor John HealeyRosneft billions fed Kremlin-backed money laundering networkSyria: a dangerous search for justiceCrime and punishment in the Middle EastCredit: PBSWant 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, Katya Kumkova, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our executive producer is 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

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping will discuss a potential extension of their trade war truce this week, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham met Trump for the first time, and the cost of hiring an oil supertanker has passed $1.2mn a day for the first time on routes between the Middle East and Asia. Plus, billionaire financier Todd Boehly has secured the backing of the US government and Gulf power brokers with ties to the Trump family to bid for the international assets of Lukoil.Mentioned in this podcast:What happened to the US’s China hawks?What Xi Jinping wants from his summit with Donald TrumpDonald Trump rejects ‘globalist scheme’ in blow to Andy Burnham’s plan for AI guidelinesOil tanker costs hit record $1.2mn a day as Iran war disrupts shippingUS government and Gulf billionaires back Todd Boehly bid for Lukoil assetsWant 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, Katya Kumkova, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our executive producer is 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

Standard Chartered, Citigroup and other international banks have handled billions of dollars from a Kremlin-backed fintech company that tricked its way into the global financial system, and Polymarket is lobbying to win over European financial watchdogs. Plus, Germany’s election might impact the EU’s budget.Mentioned in this podcast:Kremlin-backed forgery scheme moved $6.9bn through global banksPolymarket starts European lobbying blitz to win over financial watchdogsMerz’s woes cast doubt over EU’s €2tn budget Philippines’ ube export ban threatens end of purple patchWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts The FT News Briefing is produced by Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our executive producer is 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

German chancellor Friedrich Merz faces a crisis of confidence as exit polls show his party missed the threshold for representation in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The right-wing Alternative for Germany won there instead. Plus, Volkswagen is getting the boot from the Eurostoxx50 index. And Georgia’s Senator Jon Ossoff attempts to revitalise moderate politics in the upcoming US midterms.Mentioned in this podcast:German chancellor Merz vows to stay on despite ‘disaster’ in regional electionsJon Ossoff’s Georgia race stirs talk of 2028 US presidential auditionVolkswagen ejected from European blue-chip index in blow to crisis-hit carmakerWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Until 28th October you can save on a standard annual digital subscription at ft.com/briefingsaleThe FT News Briefing is produced by Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our executive producer is 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 Venezuelan government and the country’s opposition are close to reaching an agreement to transfer the central bank’s gold reserves, critics are scrutinising donations to UK Reform by crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne, and Glencore has suspended one of its senior executives in the wake of an escalating scandal. Plus, OpenAI’s listing delay raises stakes for SoftBank’s $50bn data centre IPO.Mentioned in this podcast:Venezuela nears deal to move $4bn gold reserve to New YorkReform UK’s mega-donor backed a friend’s libel claim. Now he controls her homeGlencore suspends senior executive in review of ties to iron ore traderOpenAI’s listing delay raises stakes for SoftBank’s $50bn data centre IPOWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts The FT News Briefing is produced by Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our executive producer is 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 Federal Reserve has raised rates for the first time since 2023, and the EU has asked China to restrict exports of hybrid cars as part of a deal to prevent a trade war. Plus, AI has revolutionized warfare.Mentioned in this podcast:Federal Reserve defies Donald Trump with first rate rise since 2023EU asks China to voluntarily limit car exportsVon der Leyen to paint EU as the only port in a global geopolitical stormAI is transforming warfare. But not making it easier to winCredit: Federal ReserveWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts The FT News Briefing is produced by Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our executive producer is 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 and Chinese experts meet to discuss mitigating AI risks despite an ongoing tech rivalry, and US megadonors are largely backing Republicans in this midterm election season. Plus, Prime Minister Mark Carney strikes out on his pitch for a “unique alliance” between Canada and the EU, and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is expected to be Africa’s biggest IPO.Mentioned in this podcast:Can the US and China work together on AI risk?US billionaires line up to bankroll Republicans’ election pushEU rebuffs Mark Carney’s ‘unique alliance’ with CanadaThe $1.6bn IPO that could draw millions of Nigerians to the stock marketWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts The FT News Briefing is produced by Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our executive producer is 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