FT News Briefing - Financial Times

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Markets shrug off investigation into Powell Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

UBS chief executive Sergio Ermotti is planning to step down in April 2027, and Paramount threatened a proxy fight in its latest move to force Warner Bros Discovery back to the negotiating table. Plus, the FT’s Robert Armstrong explains what could come next in US President Donald Trump’s crackdown on the Federal Reserve.

Mentioned in this podcast:

UBS boss Sergio Ermotti plans to step down in April 2027

Paramount threatens proxy fight in battle for Warner Bros Discovery

What is behind the criminal investigation into Jay Powell?

Former Fed chiefs attack DoJ probe into Jay Powell

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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 Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. 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.

US opens criminal investigation into Fed chair Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

US federal prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell, and civil unrest continues to threaten the Islamic regime in Iran. Plus, earnings season kicks off this week with the bank results.

Mentioned in this podcast:

US prosecutors investigate Jay Powell over revamp of Fed headquarters

Iran warns US against intervention

Wall Street headed for best investment banking year since pandemic

FT subscription sale

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 and Marc Filippino and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins. Additional help from Peter Barber. The FT’s executive producer is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Source: Federal Reserve, White House

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Swamp Notes: Why Trump wants to ‘run’ other countries Jan 10, 2026

Show notes

This is a repeat of an episode published on Swamp Notes, a sister podcast of the FT News Briefing on January 9, 2026. Subscribe to Swamp Notes on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.

After a military operation to capture Venezuela's leader, the Trump administration is seeking influence over other regions across the western hemisphere. The FT’s national editor Edward Luce and US-Europe foreign affairs correspondent Amy Mackinnon share their insights on how Trump and his cabinet have come to embrace the idea of foreign intervention.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Trump really wants Greenland

US says using military is among ‘options’ to acquire Greenland

How the US’s audacious operation to capture Nicolás Maduro unfolded

Swamp Notes is hosted by Marc Filippino, and produced by Henry Larson. This week’s show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.

The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts.

CREDIT: Roll Call, CNN, Democracy Now!

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Iranians protest over economic pain Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

Glencore and Rio Tinto resume mining megamerger talks, protests in Iran over economic conditions are the largest in years, and the US trade deficit narrowed to its lowest level since 2009. Plus, is there a right way for chief executives to exit a company?

Mentioned in this podcast:

Glencore and Rio Tinto resume talks on mining megadeal

Iran protests spread to neglected hinterlands

US trade deficit slides to lowest level since 2009 in October

Art of the exit: is there a right way for CEOs to quit?

CREDIT: Reuters

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, and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Michael Lello. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. 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.

Venezuela’s crumbling oil infrastructure Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

The US wants to control Venezuelan oil sales ‘indefinitely’ but the ‘catastrophic’ state of the Latin American nation’s crude facilities presents several hurdles. Plus, President Donald Trump banned institutional investors from buying single-family homes, and the UK and France pledged to deploy troops to Ukraine as part of sweeping US-backed security guarantees.

Mentioned in this podcast:

US seeks to control sales of Venezuelan oil ‘indefinitely’

The ‘catastrophic’ state of Venezuela’s oil facilities

Donald Trump moves to ban institutional investors from buying single-family homes

France and UK commit to deploying troops under proposed Ukraine peace deal

Credit: CNBC Television

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 and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Michael Lello. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. 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.

A wave of repression in Venezuela Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

Leading asset managers are positioning for a sharp sell-off in US technology stocks, Venezuela’s government has launched a crackdown after the US captured Nicolás Maduro, and the Trump administration is meeting with executives from US oil majors to discuss its strategy for Venezuela. Plus, the FT’s Joe Leahy explains how US involvement in Venezuela could affect China.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Fund managers prepare for ‘reckoning’ in US tech sector

Venezuela launches wave of repression after US seizure of Nicolás Maduro

US oil tankers sail towards Venezuela as risk of production ‘collapse’ looms

China’s influence in US backyard tested by Nicolás Maduro’s downfall

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 and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann and Michael Lello.The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. 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 investors eyeing Venezuela’s oil Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to narco trafficking charges, and smaller private investors are eager to invest in Venezuelan oil. Plus, Chinese carmarkers are expected to increase exports this year, and we’ll look at how south-east Asia has been riding out Trump’s tariff storm.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Maduro pleads not guilty to drug-trafficking charges in New York court

What is Trump’s plan for Venezuelan oil?

Ex-Chevron executive seeks $2bn for Venezuelan oil projects

Chinese car exports set to jump as domestic sales cool

How south-east Asia is riding out Trump’s tariff storm

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 and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Kaye Wiggins, Gavin Kallmann, and Michael Lello. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. 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.

Trump plans to ‘run’ Venezuela. What now? Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

US President Donald Trump has warned Venezuela’s defacto leader she must meet America’s demands following Nicolas Maduro’s capture. We explore what Trump hopes to achieve in the Latin American country, and the challenges ahead for its people and resource-rich oil industry.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Trump topples Maduro and vows to ‘run’ Venezuela in stark display of US power

Donald Trump warns Venezuelan rulers as Washington prepares to dictate policy

Washington plans to put oil at the heart of Venezuela’s future

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 and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins. Additional help from Emily Goldberg. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Source: White House, NBC, CNN Espanol

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

Predicting 2026: Will the Magnificent 7 tech stocks continue to diverge? Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

Financial Times columnist Gillian Tett predicted that the Magnificent 7 tech stocks were not going to fall, but they wouldn’t ride a lot higher either in 2025. What actually happened was a bit of a mixed bag, and Gillian says that sets these companies up for diverging paths in 2026. The era of an artificial intelligence tide lifting all boats seems to be drawing to an end.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Forecasting the World in 2025

Forecasting the world in 2026

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 Victoria Craig and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. 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.

Predicting 2026: Will Trump and Musk officially reunite? Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

Europe’s banking industry could shed 10 per cent of its workforce by 2030. Plus, the FT’s US national editor and columnist Edward Luce predicted America’s president would not fall out with one-time “first buddy”, billionaire Elon Musk in 2025. He explains why they could form a new kind of alliance in 2026.

Mentioned in this podcast:

AI forecast to put 200,000 European banking jobs at risk by 2030

Forecasting the World in 2025

Forecasting the world in 2026

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 Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippinio. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Credits: The White House, Fox News, CBS, AP

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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