FT News Briefing - Financial Times

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Federal Reserve holds steady as inflation fears mount Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

The US has relaxed sanctions on Venezuela’s state-owned oil group Petróleos de Venezuela and the Federal Reserve has stuck with plans to cut rates later this year. Plus, Walmart won patents to give algorithms more sway over prices and fears of an immediate escalation in the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan have eased.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Federal Reserve chief Jay Powell says Iran oil crisis will worsen US inflation

Pakistan and Afghanistan pause hostilities after Kabul hospital attack

Walmart wins patents to give algorithms more sway over prices

US relaxes sanctions on Venezuela’s PDVSA amid global energy squeeze

Send us your tariff story: marc.filippino@ft.com

Credit: Federal Reserve

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 Fiona Symon and Victoria Craig. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from 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.

How Saudi Arabia’s bet on Iran backfired Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

The EU wants to make mergers a bit easier, Wall Street banks are offloading $18bn of debt tied to video game maker Electronic Arts, and investors are piling into cash at the fastest rate since the Covid-19 pandemic. Plus, the FT’s Ahmed Al Omran explains why Saudi Arabia’s recent truce with Iran has not paid off.

Mentioned in this podcast:

EU weighs curbs on national powers to block mergers

Banks prepare to offload $18bn in debt tied to EA take-private deal

Investors pile into cash at fastest pace since pandemic on Iran fears

How MBS’s bet on Iran backfired

Send us your tariffs story: marc.filippino@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 Saffeya Ahmed and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from 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.

Iran war tests China’s oil stockpile Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

The FT’s Gideon Rachman explains what the Strait of Hormuz’s closure means strategically for Iran, Italy’s UniCredit has launched a €35bn takeover offer for Commerzbank and China’s oil stockpile is put to the test as the strait remains closed. Plus, scientists have identified a potential new type of planet.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Why Hormuz will haunt us long after this war ends

Biggest Nato allies reject Trump’s Hormuz armada demand

UniCredit launches €35bn Commerzbank takeover offer

Iran war tests Xi Jinping’s plan to build China’s stockpiles

Hellish new planet identified beyond solar system

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 Marc Filippino, Saffeya Ahmed, and Victoria Craig. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. 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.

US shale producers not yet tempted by $100 oil Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Donald Trump warned Nato faces a “very bad” future if US allies fail to assist in opening up the Strait of Hormuz, and though oil prices have breached $100 per barrel, America’s shale producers aren’t celebrating. Plus, wealthy individuals have sought to pull more than $10bn from some of the largest private credit funds in the first quarter. And, what to expect from eight central bank meetings this week.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Donald Trump warns Nato faces ‘very bad future’ if allies fail to help US in Iran

EU ministers to discuss possible naval options for Strait of Hormuz

Why America’s shale patch is not celebrating $100 oil

Rich investors seek to pull billions from private credit funds

Iran war reawakens global inflation fears

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 Julia Webster. 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.

Artificial intimacy: How to fall in love with AI Mar 14, 2026

Show notes

Introducing Artificial intimacy from Tech Tonic. For the next episodes in this season go to the Tech Tonic feed.

Calder Quinn has fallen into a relationship with a chatbot called Sara. She’s kind, emotionally intelligent and creatively inspiring. But how can he tell his wife he is having sex with an AI girlfriend? In the first episode of Artificial Intimacy we look at how people are developing romantic bonds with AI companions. What does it feel like to be in love with AI? What impact could it have on human relationships? Could it replace them altogether?

Host Cristina Criddle speaks to Giada Pistilli, an AI ethicist who now works at Mistral; Calder Quinn, writer at ‘AI, But Make It Intimate’; Amelia Quinn, Calder’s wife; and Alaina Winters, professor emeritus of communication who publishes on meandmyaihusband.com.

Presented by Cristina Criddle, produced by Persis Love and Edwin Lane. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco.

We used ElevenLabs to create Sara’s voice. All other voices are real.

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

US-Iran war boosts Russian oil revenues Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

Gulf oil producers have lost billions of dollars in energy revenues since the start of the US-Iran war, but there is one country benefiting: Russia. It is earning as much as $150mn a day in extra budget revenues from its oil sales. Plus, the FT’s defence and security correspondent Charles Clover explains what may come next in the conflict.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Gulf states lose $15bn in energy revenues since start of war

Iran’s new supreme leader vows to keep Strait of Hormuz closed

‘Sitting ducks’: oil tankers trapped in Gulf as Iran widens attacks on shipping

Russia rakes in $150mn a day in extra revenue from surging oil prices

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 Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, and Saffeya Ahmed. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. 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.

Hold on — tech stocks are a safe haven now? Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

The International Energy Agency has launched the largest release of strategic oil reserves in its history, investors have sought shelter from the turmoil of the war in Iran in US tech stocks and US inflation held steady at 2.4 per cent in February. Plus, the war has threatened the Indian economy’s “Goldilocks” combination of strong growth and low inflation.

Mentioned in this podcast:

IEA releases record oil reserves to counter Iran war energy shock

Investors seek shelter from Iran war in US tech stocks

US inflation holds steady at 2.4% in February

Iran war threatens India’s ‘Goldilocks’ economy

The ‘number station’ sending mystery messages to Iran

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 Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson and Saffeya Ahmed. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from 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.

Corporate America grapples with huge oil price swings Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

Oracle’s shares climbed 9 per cent on Tuesday after the database group posted better than expected earnings, and we discuss how American businesses are navigating soaring energy prices. Plus, the higher costs to insure tankers traversing the Strait of Hormuz, and the FT’s Antoine Gara explains why investors are ditching private credit funds.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Oracle shares rally on strong revenue forecast from AI data centres

Soaring fuel prices expected to cast long shadow across US economy

Lloyd’s of London says it will still insure ‘basically anyone’ in the Gulf

Investors ditch private credit funds on rising worries over bad loans

Retail investors shun private credit funds after Blue Owl gating

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 Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson and Saffeya Ahmed. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from 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.

The US is leaving an Iranian island untouched Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

The price of oil fell sharply, and we’ll take a look at why the US and Israel are avoiding an attack on Iran’s Kharg Island. Plus, the FT’s George Hammond explains what the tenuous relationship between the Pentagon and Anthropic might mean for the AI start-up.

Mentioned in this podcast:

G7 ‘stands ready’ to release emergency oil reserves

Anthropic sues the Pentagon over being declared a ‘supply chain risk’

Gilt market slump deepens as traders bet on Bank of England rate rise

Kharg Island: Iran’s oil lifeline that Donald Trump has left untouched

Webinar: War in the Middle East: What’s the End game?

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 Saffeya Ahmed and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Michela Tindera, 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.

Oil price surge risks upending global economy Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

Iran names Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the new supreme leader. Plus, global central bankers are eying the jump in crude prices and the impact on inflation, and Gulf businesses seek more insurance coverage as the war in Iran continues. And, fears of food price spikes are growing.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Mojtaba Khamenei becomes Iran’s supreme leader

Oil surges past $100 a barrel for the first time in four years

Qatar warns war will force Gulf to stop energy exports ‘within days’

Iran war muddles expectations of likely Federal Reserve interest rate cuts

Fertiliser disruption from Iran conflict prompts global food shortage warnings

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

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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