Germany’s Merz vows to stay despite ‘disaster’

Heute•11:50

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 elections Jon Ossoff’s Georgia race stirs talk of 2028 US presidential audition Volkswagen ejected from European blue-chip index in blow to crisis-hit carmaker Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com Note: 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/briefingsale 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK mega-donors stir controversy

Vor 3 Tagen•12:32

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 York Reform UK’s mega-donor backed a friend’s libel claim. Now he controls her home Glencore suspends senior executive in review of ties to iron ore trader OpenAI’s listing delay raises stakes for SoftBank’s $50bn data centre IPO 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 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fed interest rate rises are back

Vor 4 Tagen•11:10

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 2023 EU asks China to voluntarily limit car exports Von der Leyen to paint EU as the only port in a global geopolitical storm AI is transforming warfare. But not making it easier to win Credit: Federal Reserve 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 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US billionaires bankroll Republican election push

Vor 5 Tagen•10:26

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 push EU rebuffs Mark Carney’s ‘unique alliance’ with Canada The $1.6bn IPO that could draw millions of Nigerians to the stock market 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 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What an AI slowdown could mean for investors

Vor 6 Tagen•11:45

Tech stocks fell yesterday as markets reacted to ongoing talk of an AI apocalypse, industrial America is contending with a fresh wave of supply chain inflation, and foreign investors are now buying more US stocks than government bonds. Plus, China has implemented sweeping new controls on overseas travel for Chinese citizens. Mentioned in this podcast: US manufacturers hit by fresh burst of supply chain cost inflation Ten-year Treasury yield hits 5% for first time since 2023 Foreign investors prefer US stocks to Treasuries as debt worries grow Why delaying an AI doomsday would benefit investors too China tightens control of overseas travel in sweeping new law 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 Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. 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.

Fed and BoJ expect rate hikes as US bond market flails

14.09.2026•11:37

US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent’s interventions in the American bond market haven’t worked so far, but could interest rate decisions from the Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan this week change things? Plus, Russia hit a Ukrainian train line moments after foreign dignitaries transited it, and the FT’s Zehra Munir explains how protesters cancelled a data centre project in Virginia. Mentioned in this podcast: Warsh and Trump on collision course as investors expect Fed to raise rates Scott Bessent fails to break ‘fever’ in US bond market Russia strikes Ukrainian train line moments after foreign dignitaries pass The civil war in Data Centre Alley Subscribe to the FT: ft.com/briefingsale 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 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.