FT News Briefing - Financial Times

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The EU wants a Putin whisperer May 20, 2026

Show notes

EU governments are discussing whether former leaders could represent the bloc in potential negotiations with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and rising fuel prices have triggered deadly protests across Africa. Plus, we look back at US Federal Reserve chair Jay Powell’s legacy as head of the central bank.

Mentioned in this podcast:

EU mulls Angela Merkel or Mario Draghi as possible Vladimir Putin whisperer

Protests spread in Africa as fuel crisis deepens

Powell, Trump and the battle for the 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

Correction: This show has been modified from its original version. We said the Trump administration opened a lawsuit against Federal Reserve chair Jay Powell. The administration threatened a lawsuit.

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Katya Kumkova, Saffeya Ahmed, and Fiona Symon. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, and David da Silva. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley 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.

Inside a Lebanese village under Israeli occupation May 19, 2026

Show notes

A California court threw out Elon Musk’s case against Sam Altman and OpenAI, the global bond sell-off rages on, and a $420bn power behemoth was born after NextEra Energy struck a deal with its rival Dominion Energy. Plus, the FT’s Raya Jalabi travels to Christian villages in southern Lebanon where residents fear they’re under an indefinite occupation by Israeli forces.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Elon Musk’s case against OpenAI dismissed after just two hours of jury deliberations

Global bonds tumble on fears of inflation shock from Iran war

Bonds extend sell-off on inflation fears

NextEra strikes megadeal with Dominion to create $420bn US utility

Israel seizes 1,000 sq km under Benjamin Netanyahu’s war strategy

The Christian villages under Israeli occupation in Lebanon

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

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

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Katya Kumkova and Saffeya Ahmed. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley 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.

Are we at the tipping point for global energy supplies? May 18, 2026

Show notes

The cost for companies to circumvent shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is reaching record levels, and the world is bracing for an energy cliff edge this summer as the US-Iran war continues. But the war hasn’t deterred investment firms from betting on the Middle East, and we have an update on the UK’s political turmoil.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Sweeping the strait: the companies gearing up to clear the Gulf of mines

Gulf freight rates jump as shipping companies turn to trucks to move cargo

What life is like on the stranded ships of the Gulf

Iran energy crisis enters new phase as peak summer season looms

Investment firms look beyond Iran war to expand in Middle East

Labour reopens Brexit debate

Is being prime minister now an impossible job?

Political Fix podcast

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

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

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, and produced by Katya Kumkova and Saffeya Ahmed. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins. Additional help from Peter Barber. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley 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.

The Bethlehem Project: Democrats battle over their party’s future May 17, 2026

Show notes

Democrats are looking for a bit of a rebrand after losing the White House and both houses of Congress in 2024. They have an opportunity this November to test out some new types of candidates. In a critical swing district in Pennsylvania, the party establishment has coalesced around a progressive, blue-collar candidate named Bob Brooks. The other frontrunner in the race, Ryan Crosswell, represents a very different vision for winning over swing voters. He’s a former Republican and former federal prosecutor who’s more centrist.

Host Sonja Hutson travels to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to interview the candidates and ask party activists where they fall in the electability debate.

Listen to all episodes of The Bethlehem Project here.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Dousing the DC ‘dumpster fire’: Democrats battle over party’s future

The Bethlehem Project is hosted and produced by Sonja Hutson and edited by Marc Filippino. The show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Lauren Fedor contributed reporting. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

What Big Tech wants out of Trump’s China visit May 15, 2026

Show notes

Opponents are lining up to potentially challenge UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chinese President Xi Jinping says his country will ‘open wider’ for American tech, and Saudi Arabia is considering a Middle Eastern non-aggression pact with Iran. Plus, what does one city in Pennsylvania tell us about the intersection of US politics and the economy?

Mentioned in this podcast:

Starmer braces for leadership challenge by Burnham

Xi Jinping tells Nvidia, Tesla and Apple CEOs that China will ‘open wider’

Saudi Arabia floats Middle Eastern non-aggression pact with Iran

AI chipmaker Cerebras surges more than 100% in Wall Street debut

The Bethlehem Project: US politics and economics through the lens of one city

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

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

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Katya Kumkova, Saffeya Ahmed, and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann and Michael Lello. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley 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.

Germany’s far-right boosted by stance against Iran war May 14, 2026

Show notes

The US Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the Federal Reserve yesterday, and the Bank of England is set to water down its rules on stablecoins. Plus, the popularity of Germany’s AfD party is growing after its criticism of the Iran war.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Senate confirms Kevin Warsh to succeed Jay Powell as Fed chair

Bank of England set to water down stablecoin rules after industry pressure

Germany’s far-right AfD sees surge in support after it criticises Donald Trump’s Iran war

How could a Starmer leadership challenge play out?

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

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Sonja Hutson, and produced by Katya Kumkova, Saffeya Ahmed, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley 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.

UK bond vigilantes ride again May 13, 2026

Show notes

UK gilt investors are weighing in on who they would like to see replace Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and the fund raising for Blue Owl is running dry. Plus, the US economy is hurting due to high inflation and eBay says no thanks to GameStop’s takeover bid.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Who do gilt investors want to lead Britain?

UK borrowing costs surge as Starmer leadership crisis rattles bond

Fuel, munitions and food: Trump’s Iran war rips across US economy

US inflation jumps to 3.8% as Trump’s Iran war sends petrol prices soaring

Blue Owl retail fundraising evaporates amid private credit concerns

Ebay rejects $56bn GameStop bid as ‘neither credible nor attractive’

Get in touch with us at podcasts@ft.com

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

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Katya Kumkova, Saffeya Ahmed, and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Michael Lello. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley 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.

Gulf dealmaking machine hits the brakes May 12, 2026

Show notes

US President Donald Trump says the Iran ceasefire is on “life support”, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is fighting to save his premiership after the Labour party's disastrous showing in last week's UK local elections. Plus, we preview this week’s summit between Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping, and examine how business in the Gulf is holding up through the Iran war.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Donald Trump says Iran ceasefire is on ‘life support’

Starmer battles to stay in Number 10 as scores of Labour MPs urge him to quit

How the war hit the Gulf dealmaking machine

A weakened Trump arrives in Xi’s court

The Rachman Review podcast

Credit: Associated Press

We want to hear from you! What do you like about FTNB? What would you like to hear more of? Reach out to us at podcasts@ft.com

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

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Katya Kumkova, Saffeya Ahmed, and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley 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.

Starmer fights for political survival May 11, 2026

Show notes

A gas shipment made it through the Strait of Hormuz as European oil majors cash in billions from the US-Israeli war on Iran, airlines across Europe are cutting prices for summer flights despite a potential jet fuel shortage, and bond giant Pimco says the war could prompt the Federal Reserve to raise rates. Plus, the FT’s Lucy Fisher explains what to expect from a make-or-break speech by UK prime minister Keir Starmer today.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Qatari gas shipment clears Strait of Hormuz after Pakistan-Iran talks

Euro oil majors make billions off war

Coal shipments jump as countries seek alternatives to disrupted gas supplies

Airlines cut prices to entice holiday bookers worried about jet fuel

Iran war could prompt Federal Reserve to raise rates, Pimco says

Starmer faces fight for survival as calls to resign escalate

Britain’s elections in maps and charts

Political Fix podcast

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

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, and produced by Katya Kumkova, Marc Filippino and Saffeya Ahmed. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins. Additional help from Peter Barber. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley 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.

Political Fix Election special: snap analysis May 09, 2026

Show notes

It’s been a dreadful night for Labour as council seats across the country have turned from red to turquoise. The Conservatives have not fared much better with Reform UK the big winner so far. With results still coming in, host Lucy Fisher discusses the fracturing of the vote and the future for beleaguered Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with the FT’s deputy political editor Jim Pickard, Northern England correspondent Jen Williams and political columnist Stephen Bush.

Have a question for the panel? We’re planning a question and answer episode on Monday May 11. Email your questions to politicalfix@ft.com

Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com ; Jim @PickardJE; Stephen @stephenkb & @stephenkb.bsky.social and Jen @JenWilliamsMEN and @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social

Want more?

UK elections: Labour suffers heavy losses as Reform surges

Four things we learnt in the UK elections

Scale of defeat should shake ‘big two’ parties into serious action

Keir Starmer defies calls to quit after heavy Labour council losses

UK local and devolved elections: Hour-by-hour guide to key results

In Labour’s bleak moment, Andy Burnham relishes his own

Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free.

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers were Andrew Giorgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of Audio.

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

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