- 11 minutes 2 secondsUK bond vigilantes ride again
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 [email protected]
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.
13 May 2026, 4:00 am - 10 minutes 20 secondsGulf dealmaking machine hits the brakes
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
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 [email protected]
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.
12 May 2026, 4:00 am - 12 minutesStarmer fights for political survival
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
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.
11 May 2026, 4:00 am - 36 minutes 48 secondsPolitical Fix Election special: snap analysis
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 political[email protected]
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.
9 May 2026, 4:00 am - 12 minutes 38 secondsGameStop’s wild bid for eBay
Big Tech groups are expected to generate the smallest amount of cash in more than a decade this year, and investors are dumping Indian assets. Plus, GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen, has set his sights on his next project: a huge leveraged buyout of eBay.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Big Tech’s $725bn AI spending spree sends cash flows to decade low
Investors dump Indian assets as energy shock sends rupee sliding
Can the meme stock king pull off audacious eBay swoop?
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 Victoria Craig. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. 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.
Credit: CNBC
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
8 May 2026, 4:00 am - 9 minutes 49 secondsLVMH looks to shrink its luxury empire
US fuel exports have surged to a record level, and hedge funds had their best month since 2020. Plus, Samsung Electronics is locked in a feud with its workers over how to share the spoils of the AI-driven semiconductor boom, and LVMH is considering selling some of its iconic brands.
Mentioned in this podcast:
US fuel exports hit record in boon for oil companies and threat to Trump
LVMH goes from buyer to seller as luxury’s winter drags on
Tech rally hands hedge funds biggest gains since 2020
Samsung workers demand bigger slice of surging AI profits
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 Kelly Garry. 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.
7 May 2026, 4:00 am - 9 minutes 57 secondsCould the US scrap quarterly reporting?
Global oil reserves plunged at a record pace in April and the SEC said it was proposing to allow public companies to file earnings reports every six months. Plus, the US will start reviewing some AI models over national security concerns and HSBC’s profits took a major hit from “fraud-related” exposure.
Mentioned in this podcast:
SEC moves to scrap quarterly reporting requirement
Global oil reserves plunge at record pace as Middle East war strains supplies
HSBC profits hit by $400mn ‘fraud-related’ exposure
Google, xAI and Microsoft agree to US national security reviews of new AI models
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, Fiona Symon, and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. 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.
6 May 2026, 4:00 am - 10 minutes 43 secondsDisney’s new CEO faces first challenge
The US and Iran traded fire in the Strait of Hormuz, and Anthropic formed a more than $1.5bn joint venture with Wall Street groups including Blackstone, Hellman & Friedman and Goldman Sachs. Plus, the FT’s Anna Nicolaou explains whether Disney’s chief executive can handle the latest challenge thrown by the Trump administration.
Mentioned in this podcast:
US to ‘guide’ stranded ships out of Strait of Hormuz, says Trump
Blackstone and Goldman among backers for $1.5bn JV with Anthropic
Trump vs Kimmel: inside Disney chief Josh D’Amaro’s baptism of fire
‘Plastic shock’ hits Asia as Iran oil crisis strangles supplies
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 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.
5 May 2026, 4:00 am - 11 minutes 25 secondsGlobal industries squeezed as Iran war enters third month
We tally the impact of war on industries around the globe as the conflict in Iran stretches into its third month. Plus, Britain braces for voters to deliver a potentially seismic change to the political system. And, though many industries are preparing to deal with shortages caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure, the US and Europe have a glut of milk.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Airlines slash flights as fuel shortage fears mount
UAE fertiliser giant resorts to trucks to shift product out of Gulf
Detroit carmakers warn of $5bn commodities shock due to Iran war
Exxon and Chevron defy Trump pressure to boost oil production
Oil market one month from crunch point as global stockpiles dwindle
Trump’s war in Iran leaves US with sharpest fuel shock in G7
Political Fix: Labour braces for ballot box bloodbath
The land of milk and no money: UK farmers are in a fix
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 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.
4 May 2026, 4:00 am - 39 minutes 32 secondsIntroducing The Story of Money: They are history’s geniuses. But were they any good at investing?
Introducing a new video podcast from the FT: Does scientific, artistic or political brilliance translate into investing success? It’s a topical question with hedge funds today accused of sucking talent away from the rest of the economy. So, the FT’s Gillian Tett and Robin Wigglesworth sat down with reporter Toby Nangle, who has dug into the archives to assess the investment portfolios of Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Winston Churchill, John Maynard Keynes and other widely regarded geniuses of the past. What Toby found may surprise you, as will the historical wildcard he’s unearthed.
To enjoy future episodes, be sure to subscribe to The Story of Money wherever you get your podcasts, also on the show's dedicated YouTube channel here.
Learn more at ft.com/tsom
Want more?
Read Toby’s full FT article here.
Toby’s sources:
On Churchill: https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-More-Champagne-Churchill-Money/dp/1784081817
On J.M.W. Turner: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5718586
On John Maynard Keynes: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2023011
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2287262
On Jane Austen: https://jasna.org/publications-2/persuasions-online/vol36no1/toran/
Hosts: Gillian Tett and Robin Wigglesworth
Guest: Toby Nangle
Producer: Lulu Smyth
Senior Producers: Michela Tindera and Laurence Knight
Executive Producers: Flo Phillips and Manuela Saragosa
Original music: Breen Turner
Broadcast engineers: Bianca Wakeman and Petros Giuompasis
Podcast Development: Laura Clarke
FT Global Head of Audio: Cheryl Brumley
Video editor: Josh Divney at Podcast Discovery
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2 May 2026, 4:00 am - 11 minutes 58 secondsWar, inflation and how central banks are handling it all
Apple delivered another quarter of strong sales growth driven by what the tech giant called its “most popular” iPhone model ever, and we explore how some of the world’s biggest central banks are dealing with the energy shock from the Iran war. Plus, can Tinder win women back to its platform, and why the UK’s local elections next week will be a big test for the Labour government.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Apple credits ‘most popular’ ever iPhone for booming sales
ECB and BoE warn of rate rises as they grapple with Middle East shock
What Labour’s likely meltdown means for the UK
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, Fiona Symon, 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.
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