SpaceX surpassed analysts’ expectations in its debut earnings report, China is hunting for hundreds of billions of dollars in unpaid taxes and power cuts in Tunisia have provoked protests against President Kais Saied. Plus, the rise in US diesel prices is the latest blow to inflation-weary Americans ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Mentioned in this podcast:

SpaceX posts 92% rise in revenue in debut earnings report

China launches global tax hunt going back decades

Tunisia power cuts provoke protests against president

US diesel prices overtake Biden-era average in blow to Trump

Credit: Reuters

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

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, and Katya Kumkova. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. 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

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Novo Nordisk’s CEO checks in on his first year at the helm, and Russia is quietly assembling a "shadow fleet" of ships to circumvent EU sanctions. Plus, we take a deep dive into a historic joint intervention in Japan’s currency.

Mentioned in this podcast:

‘Arrogance kills’: Novo chief injects risk-taking into Ozempic-maker

AstraZeneca investors raise concerns over mega-merger talks

Russia expands shadow LNG fleet ahead of EU ban

Team America: Yen police

Japan vows further yen intervention with US if needed

Listen to Unhedged on Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts or Spotify.

Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]

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

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed and Katya Kumkova. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Special thanks to Nisha Patel. 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.

UK drugmaker AstraZeneca is in talks to combine with US rival Bristol Myers Squibb, and European governments will hold an online meeting to discuss Spain’s migrant crisis. Plus, wildfires and heatwaves in Europe have already cost more than €3bn this year. 

Mentioned in this podcast:

AstraZeneca holds talks with Bristol Myers Squibb over $400bn tie-up

EU ministers to discuss Spain’s migrant crisis after Sánchez hits out over criticism

Europe’s fire costs mount to beyond €3bn, FT analysis shows

Hungary braced for power cuts amid extreme drought

Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]

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

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. 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.

Amazon reported accelerated cloud growth in the quarter to the end of June, and JPMorgan has walked into another football firestorm as it works on a plan with Fifa. Plus, Citadel bought Situational Awareness equity holdings after the hedge fund suffered steep AI losses, and DR Congo’s cobalt boom carries an unwanted cargo: uranium. 

Mentioned in this podcast:

Amazon shares surge higher after cloud business grows 37%

How JPMorgan walked into another football firestorm

European nations to boycott World Cup in protest at Fifa’s plans

Citadel buys Situational Awareness equity holdings after steep AI losses

DR Congo’s cobalt boom carries an unwanted cargo: uranium

Save 10% on tickets with the code FTPodcast. Visit ft.com/festival to find out more.

Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]

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

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. 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.

Meta and Microsoft reported quarterly earnings as investors raised concerns about AI spending, and the US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady. The Bank of Japan is also expected to leave rates unchanged at its meeting on Friday, and UK oil and gas companies are looking away from the North Sea in favour of foreign investment opportunities.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Microsoft’s cloud business boosts sales as AI investment climbs to $41bn

Meta shares drop on falling profits and weak sales forecast

US central bank holds rates steady even as Iran war threatens fresh jolt of inflation

UK North Sea oil companies look overseas for growth

Investors warn Bank of Japan faces test to inflation-fighting credibility

Listen to Unhedged on Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts or Spotify.

Credit: Federal Reserve

Save 10% on tickets with the code FTPodcast. Visit ft.com/festival to find out more.

Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]

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

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. 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.

Ukraine is shifting its long-range drone campaign to focus on critical Russian infrastructure, and Big Tech companies are facing an AI dilemma as they report quarterly earnings. Plus, Google DeepMind is leaving behind its Nobel-winning AlphaFold project for new ventures, and PwC published “thought leadership” reports containing AI-generated hallucinations.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Ukraine adapts strikes on Russian energy industry to hit critical components

Chip stocks tumble as AI sell-off deepens

Google DeepMind dismantles Nobel-winning AlphaFold team in strategy shift

PwC published ‘thought leadership’ reports marred by AI hallucinations 

Listen to Unhedged on Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts or Spotify.

Save 10% on tickets to the FT Weekend Festival with the code FTPodcast. Visit ft.com/festival to find out more.

Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]

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

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. 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.

A crucial gauge of risk in holding the debt of companies at the centre of the AI boom has hit a record high, private capital group Ares Management has held talks to acquire Leonard Green & Partners, and French company TotalEnergies will be able to continue selling gas from its flagship Siberian project to Asia. Plus, institutional investors are snapping up bundles of UK homes at large discounts and sales at LVMH’s key fashion and handbags division returned to growth for the first time in two years.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Big Tech credit risks hit record highs as AI spending soars

Ares Management has held talks to buy Leonard Green Partners

Investors snap up bundles of UK properties as housebuilders offer discounts

TotalEnergies benefits from EU sanctions reprieve on Russian gas

Dior rebound helps LVMH’s fashion business return to growth

Save 10% on tickets with the code FTPodcast. Visit ft.com/festival to find out more.

Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]

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

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. 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.

Investors raised their bets the Federal Reserve will raise rates on Wednesday after this month’s jump in oil prices. And, firefighting efforts were boosted in France and Spain as “violent” wildfires raged. Plus, developing nations make plans for the next energy shock, and US artificial intelligence companies spend record amounts on lobbying. 

Mentioned in this podcast:

Investors crank up bets on Federal Reserve rate rise after oil surge

‘Violent’ wildfires rage close to French and Spanish cities

India and South Africa lead push to amass emergency fuel stockpiles

AI companies spend record sums on Washington lobbying

The new premium product: books written by people

FT Weekend Festival

ft.com/festival 

Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]

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

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. 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.

The US unveiled new tariffs to replace old ones, oil’s jump above $100 deepened a global bond sell-off, and thousands of supporters of the youth-led “Cockroach” movement in India continued protesting over problems in the education system. Plus, the European Central Bank held interest rates, but other central banks may not follow suit. 

Mentioned in this podcast:

US hits 60 countries with new duties as Donald Trump rebuilds tariff wall Oil hits $100 for first time since May while US stocks slide 

Oil price surge drives global bond sell-off

India’s Gen Z takes on Modi

Indian police battle ‘Cockroach’ protesters with batons and tear gas

European Central Bank holds interest rates at 2.25% after debating rise

Credits: ANI / Reuters

Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]

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

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. 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.

Tesla reported its first cash burn in more than two years in the second quarter, and US oil refineries are running at full tilt as wars in the Middle East and Ukraine choke global supplies of fuels such as diesel. Plus, the UK consumer price index dropped in June, and Deutsche Bank’s headquarters was raided for the third time this year.  

Mentioned in this podcast:

Tesla profits plunge as discounts on EV models weigh on results  

US oil refineries run at breakneck speeds as wars choke fuel supplies

Trump threatens to destroy Iranian bridges and power plants

UK inflation falls more than expected to 2.6% in June

Deutsche Bank headquarters raided for third time this year

Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]

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

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. 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.

Ukraine has a new commander-in-chief after days of protests, and FT calculations show the US has collected more than $13bn in revenues from Venezuelan oil sales this year, but it's unclear what has happened to the money, and US President Donald Trump may unleash fresh tariffs on dozens of countries as soon as this week. Plus, Samsung is in talks to invest in French AI start-up Mistral, and investors are worried about betting big on Japanese bonds.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Zelenskyy replaces top Ukraine general in biggest military shake-up since 2024 

The US has collected about $13bn of Venezuela’s oil money. Where is it?

Donald Trump prepares fresh tariff barrage with 10% levies set to expire

Samsung in talks to invest in Mistral at €20bn valuation

Investors fear Japanese bond bets risk becoming new ‘widow-maker trade’

Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]

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

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. 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.