A rundown of the most important global business stories you need to know for the coming day, from the newsroom of the Financial Times. Available every weekday morning.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

FT News Briefing

Anthropic investors expect the AI start-up to be the largest ever initial public offering, Britain is cutting direct aid from states such as South Sudan and Afghanistan, and US inflation edged lower to 3.4 per cent in July as petrol prices declined. Plus, Iranian businesses are increasingly resorting to “buy now, pay later” schemes as the cost of living spirals out of control.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Anthropic investors bet on $2tn valuation in record IPO
UK cut international aid by double its forecast last year
US inflation falls to 3.4% in July
Iranians opt to ‘buy now, pay later’ as cost of living spirals

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

FT subscription finder: https://find-your-subscription.ft.com/?segmentId=288f5dc5-4a4b-0745-84da-8f07c7202cd4   

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, and Saffeya Ahmed. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. 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

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anthropic’s anticipated $2tn IPO

Ukraine has halted drone strikes on oil tankers using a critical Black Sea port after a request by the US, suspected Chinese hackers hit Taiwan with an autonomous AI cyber attack, and the head of the Boston Federal Reserve thinks policymakers may be forced to raise rates in September. Plus, measures of volatility in stocks and currencies have tumbled this summer despite the geopolitical uncertainty. 

Mentioned in this podcast:
JD Vance asked Ukraine to halt strikes on tankers using Russian port
China-linked hackers hit Taiwan in unprecedented ‘autonomous’ AI cyber attack
Americans are struggling to make ‘ends meet’, top Fed official says
Volatility tumbles as markets shrug off Middle East risks
Credit: White House

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

FT subscription finder: https://find-your-subscription.ft.com/?segmentId=288f5dc5-4a4b-0745-84da-8f07c7202cd4   

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, and Saffeya Ahmed. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. 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

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US asks Ukraine to stop strikes on tankers using Russian port

Wall Street giants are partnering with Nvidia on a $500bn AI financing deal, the mega-merger between AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb has been put on ice, and queues at some EU airports have doubled because of border checks. Plus, the FT’s Malaika Kanaaneh Tapper explains why Morocco’s economy isn’t helping its young workers. 

Mentioned in this podcast:
Wall Street giants partner with Nvidia on $500bn AI financing deal
How AstraZeneca’s pursuit of US rival Bristol Myers unravelled
EU airport queues double due to border checks 
Hotel prices in Europe surge ahead of historic eclipse
Spain’s migrant amnesty a ‘very bad idea’, says Swedish PM
Morocco’s two-speed economy leaves young workers behind

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

FT subscription finder: https://find-your-subscription.ft.com/?segmentId=288f5dc5-4a4b-0745-84da-8f07c7202cd4   

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, and Katya Kumkova. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. 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

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spain’s migrant crisis exposes serious challenges for young Moroccans

China is bypassing shipping chokepoints with an “Ice Silk Road” route through the Arctic, dozens of people have been killed in election clashes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and Germany’s economy minister warned that growing support for a far-right political party could deter foreign investors. Plus, we take a look at the bank behind China’s AI listings bonanza, and how the UAE has won over Washington.

Mentioned in this podcast:
China bypasses shipping chokepoints with ‘Ice Silk Road’ through Arctic
Deadly protests in Kashmir test Pakistan’s military rulers
German economy minister warns AfD’s rise could deter investors
The bank behind China’s AI listings bonanza
How the UAE won over Washington

FT subscription finder: https://find-your-subscription.ft.com/?segmentId=288f5dc5-4a4b-0745-84da-8f07c7202cd4 

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, and Katya Kumkova. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deadly protests in Kashmir test Pakistan’s government

Weakened refining capacity in Russia and the Gulf is a boon to US refiners. Plus, the Trump administration’s decision to revoke legal protections for migrants could hurt the US economy, and Google is shifting control of its AI effort from London back to Silicon Valley.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Refining crunch keeps fuel prices high as crude retreats
Google shifts AI power back to Brin as DeepMind’s Hassabis steps aside
‘People are going to kill me’: Haitians fear deportation as US revokes protected status

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, and Katya Kumkova. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. 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

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crude retreats but fuel prices stay high

Iran said it reached an agreement with Oman on a route through the Strait of Hormuz, US Democrats hope to win control of Congress in the midterm elections and scammers are taking advantage of the disruption caused by the EU’s new crypto rules. Plus, the FT’s Joe Daniels explains how Ukrainian drone technology is helping cartels and guerillas in Colombia.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Iran says it has reached agreement with Oman on Strait of Hormuz shipping route
Progressive Democrat wins in Michigan in rebuke to party establishment
US midterm elections 2026: The FT’s guide
Scammers pose as watchdogs to prey on EU crypto rule changes
Colombian narcos’ quest for Ukrainian drone expertise
Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis steps down in shake-up of AI lab
Credit: CNN

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, and Katya Kumkova. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. 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

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Ukrainian drone expertise is helping Colombian narcos  

SpaceX surpassed analysts’ expectations in its debut earnings report, China is hunting for hundreds of billions of dollars in unpaid taxes and power cuts in Tunisia have provoked protests against President Kais Saied. Plus, the rise in US diesel prices is the latest blow to inflation-weary Americans ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Mentioned in this podcast:
SpaceX posts 92% rise in revenue in debut earnings report
China launches global tax hunt going back decades
Tunisia power cuts provoke protests against president
US diesel prices overtake Biden-era average in blow to Trump
Credit: Reuters

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, and Katya Kumkova. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. 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

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SpaceX outperforms in debut earnings

Novo Nordisk’s CEO checks in on his first year at the helm, and Russia is quietly assembling a "shadow fleet" of ships to circumvent EU sanctions. Plus, we take a deep dive into a historic joint intervention in Japan’s currency.

Mentioned in this podcast:
‘Arrogance kills’: Novo chief injects risk-taking into Ozempic-maker
AstraZeneca investors raise concerns over mega-merger talks
Russia expands shadow LNG fleet ahead of EU ban
Team America: Yen police
Japan vows further yen intervention with US if needed
Listen to Unhedged on Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts or Spotify.

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed and Katya Kumkova. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Special thanks to Nisha Patel. 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


 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America’s puzzling yen intervention

UK drugmaker AstraZeneca is in talks to combine with US rival Bristol Myers Squibb, and European governments will hold an online meeting to discuss Spain’s migrant crisis. Plus, wildfires and heatwaves in Europe have already cost more than €3bn this year. 

Mentioned in this podcast:
AstraZeneca holds talks with Bristol Myers Squibb over $400bn tie-up
EU ministers to discuss Spain’s migrant crisis after Sánchez hits out over criticism
Europe’s fire costs mount to beyond €3bn, FT analysis shows
Hungary braced for power cuts amid extreme drought

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. 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

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spain’s migrant crisis reopens deep EU rifts

Amazon reported accelerated cloud growth in the quarter to the end of June, and JPMorgan has walked into another football firestorm as it works on a plan with Fifa. Plus, Citadel bought Situational Awareness equity holdings after the hedge fund suffered steep AI losses, and DR Congo’s cobalt boom carries an unwanted cargo: uranium. 

Mentioned in this podcast:
Amazon shares surge higher after cloud business grows 37%
How JPMorgan walked into another football firestorm
European nations to boycott World Cup in protest at Fifa’s plans
Citadel buys Situational Awareness equity holdings after steep AI losses
DR Congo’s cobalt boom carries an unwanted cargo: uranium

Save 10% on tickets with the code FTPodcast. Visit ft.com/festival to find out more.

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. 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

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.