Share

cover art for The European Central Bank’s cautious first step

FT News Briefing

The European Central Bank’s cautious first step

The European Central Bank has cut interest rates for the first time in nearly five years, and the European Commission will recommend the start of EU accession talks with Ukraine this month.

Plus, the FT’s Katie Martin explains how optimistic we should be about a revival of the London Stock Exchange. 


Mentioned in this podcast:

ECB cuts interest rates for first time in five years

A cautious revival of the London IPO market

Ukraine ready for EU membership talks, Brussels says


The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Jess Smith, Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Our intern is Prakriti Panwar. 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

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Swamp Notes: Corporate America goes Maga

    15:25|
    Not long ago, American corporations were promoting racial justice initiatives and promising to combat climate change. That’s all changed in the months since Donald Trump’s election. The FT’s US financial editor Brooke Masters and tech correspondent Hannah Murphy join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain what’s behind this cultural shift. Mentioned in this podcast:Is corporate America going Maga?The cravenness of Mark ZuckerbergSign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter hereSwamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson and Katya Kumkova. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. CREDIT: Joe Rogan Experience Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
  • Can Hollywood bounce back?

    11:27|
    Donald Trump’s Treasury pick Scott Bessent wants to increase sanctions on Russian oil producers, and the FT’s Stephen Gandel unpacks a bumper earnings season from Wall Street’s banks. British companies are buying back their shares at a faster rate than even US groups, and the LA fires are worsening the challenges facing Hollywood. Mentioned in this podcast:Donald Trump’s Treasury pick stresses need for tougher sanctions on Russian oil Donald Trump’s policy pledges unleashing ‘animal spirits’, Wall Street bankers say UK companies outpace US businesses in share buybacks Fires prompt soul-searching at Hollywood’s dream factories The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. 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
  • Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire

    10:20|
    Israel and Hamas have agreed a deal to halt the war in Gaza and free the remaining hostages. Wall Street banks notched up profits at the end of last year amid a trading boom, and the FT’s economics editor Sam Fleming explains where things stand with inflation around the world. Mentioned in this podcast:Gaza ceasefire announced after 15 months of war US earnings latest: Wall Street profits surge on trading boomWall Street stocks post biggest rally since Donald Trump’s election victory  The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. 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
  • Why China wants Musk to save TikTok

    11:40|
    Saudi Aramco is to expand its investments in lithium production, officials in Beijing are discussing using Elon Musk as a broker in a potential sale of TikTok’s US operations, and KPMG could soon begin offering legal services in the US. Plus, Syria has been flooded with imports in the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad’s ousting.Mentioned in this podcast:Saudi Aramco to expand investments in lithium as it diversifies from oilChina discussing using Elon Musk as broker in TikTok dealKPMG readies challenge to US law firmsSyria flooded with Pepsi and Pringles as rulers open economyThe FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. 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 power shift in Lebanon

    11:16|
    Goldman Sachs is building a new private credit unit, and Nawaf Salam is named as Lebanon’s new prime minister. China’s trade surplus with the rest of the world reached a record of almost $1tn in 2024, and Amazon races to transplant Alexa’s ‘brain’ with generative AI. Mentioned in this podcast:Goldman Sachs to deepen exposure to booming private credit industry Nawaf Salam is Lebanon’s new prime ministerChina’s trade surplus hits annual record of almost $1tnAmazon races to transplant Alexa’s ‘brain’ with generative AIThe FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. 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
  • Venezuela’s leader starts another disputed term

    11:11|
    The US is on the cusp of a gas boom and the west hits Venezuelan officials with fresh sanctions. A £1.5bn class action lawsuit against Apple goes to trial in the UK, and US private equity firms may soon have access to people’s retirement savings. Mentioned in this podcast:Gas construction expected to boom this year in the USVenezuelan officials hit with fresh sanctions as Nicolás Maduro begins third term Apple £1.5bn class action case kicks off in UK courts Mom and pop pension savers could benefit from private markets, at the right price The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Lulu Smyth, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. 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
  • Swamp Notes: Greenland, USA

    14:35|
    Donald Trump has an aggressive negotiating method: he makes big threats in order to extract concessions. But now that he’s floated the idea of invading Danish and Panamanian territories this week, America’s allies are especially nervous. The FT’s Nordic and Baltic bureau chief Richard Milne and US national editor and columnist Ed Luce join Swamp Notes to discuss Trump’s imperial ambitions. Mentioned in this podcast:Why Donald Trump wants GreenlandTrump, Greenland and the rebirth of the Monroe DoctrineDonald Trump’s careless talkSign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter hereSwamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Kasia Broussalian, 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.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
  • Bond vigilantes target government spending

    11:35|
    The EU is preparing for president-elect Donald Trump to roll back his predecessor’s executive orders, bond markets have entered a new era of antagonism with governments, and insurers are bracing for losses of as much as $20bn from wildfires in Los Angeles. Plus, Elon Musk has privately discussed with allies how Sir Keir Starmer could be removed as UK prime minister before the next general election.Mentioned in this podcast:EU fears Trump rolling back Biden-era measures Bond market ‘police’ are back as investors patrol spending plans Insurers brace for losses of up to $20bn from California wildfires Musk examines how to oust Starmer as UK prime minister before next election Resold tickets prices set to be capped under UK tout crackdown The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. 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
  • Crunch time for Citi

    11:53|
    EU leaders warn Donald Trump not to meddle with the continent’s territories, and Wall Street analysts are betting Citigroup will miss a critical long-term target next week. Indonesia is maintaining its ban on iPhone 16 sales despite Apple's $1bn investment proposal, and China is signing growing numbers of Taiwanese people up for local IDs in a drive to incorporate them into its society.Mentioned in this podcast:EU leaders warn Donald Trump not to meddle with Europe’s borders Indonesia says $1bn offer from Apple not enough to lift iPhone 16 ban Wall Street doubts Citi chief Jane Fraser can hit crucial target China’s drive to give Taiwanese visitors local IDs alarms Taipei Mexico’s president calls for parts of US to be renamed ‘Mexican America’  The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. 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