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

Can Tinder win back women?

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.

Meta said it would boost its spending on AI this year, and Jay Powell says he will stay on as a Federal Reserve governor once his term as chair ends. Plus, the special relationship between the UK and US held up under intense pressure, and defence stocks are struggling despite the US and Israel's war in Iran.

Oil jumps to almost $120 as Trump signals extended Hormuz stand-off

Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh secures Senate committee approval

Oil surge divides US central bank as Jay Powell’s term at helm draws to a close

America’s special relationship is ‘probably Israel’, says UK ambassador to US

King Charles defends transatlantic relationship in speech to Congress

Defence stocks give back gains as investors buy rumour but sell war

Political Fix podcast

Credit: C-SPAN, Federal Reserve

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, Victoria Craig, and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, 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.

Federal regulators launched a probe into all Disney-owned TV stations after a late-night comedian made a joke about First Lady Melania Trump, and emerging market stocks have recovered all of their losses from the early stages of the Iran war to hit an all-time high, and the United Arab Emirates is leaving Opec after 60 years. Plus, the FT’s Bita Ghaffari in Tehran details life inside Iran’s blackout that’s been in place since the US and Israel attacked at the end of February.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Trump administration launches Disney probe after Jimmy Kimmel’s Melania joke

Emerging market stocks hit record high as Asian chipmakers surge

UAE to leave Opec in blow to oil cartel

Life inside Iran’s internet blackout

Credit: Jimmy Kimmel Live!

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, Saffeya Ahmed, and Fiona Symon. 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.

The number of countries cutting energy taxes in response to the Iran war has doubled over the past month, and China blocked Meta’s $2bn purchase of the AI group Manus. Plus, big private equity backers have raised concerns that some firms may be waving through controversial deals.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Energy tax cuts spread across 39 economies as prices jump

China blocks Meta’s $2bn purchase of AI group Manus

Private equity backers raise new conflict concerns over sweetheart deals

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, 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.

Alleged Trump shooter is set to be charged in federal court Monday, Republican Senator Thom Tillis said he will allow confirmation of Fed nominee Kevin Warsh to proceed, and the world’s leading central banks are widely expected to hold off on inflation-fighting interest rate rises this week. Plus, Anthropic’s cybersecurity AI model could be so effective it actually backfires.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Alleged Trump shooter was targeting US officials, authorities say

US prosecutors drop criminal probe into Federal Reserve chair Jay Powell

Leading central banks play for time on interest rate rises

Anthropic investigating unauthorised access of powerful Mythos AI model

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 Saffeya Ahmed and 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.

Meta will cut 10% of its staff next month, BP suffered a heavy defeat at its annual shareholder meeting, and the Paramount–Warner Brothers Discovery deal is one step closer to being sealed. Plus, the Trump family’s crypto company is in hot water, and a US official is vying to get Italy into the football World Cup.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Meta to cut 10% of jobs to ‘offset’ Mark Zuckerberg’s AI spending

Microsoft to offer 7% of US staff voluntary redundancy for the first time

BP suffers heavy defeat in investor climate vote

Crypto billionaire Justin Sun sues Trump family’s World Liberty Financial

Warner Bros shareholders approve $111bn Paramount deal

Trump envoy seeks to replace Iran with Italy in football World Cup

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 Fiona Symon. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Michela Tindera, 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.

Tesla’s profits rebounded from last year’s lows, Brent crude jumped back above $100 a barrel on Wednesday after Iran’s navy said it seized two commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, and China’s new trade rules have concerned businesses operating in the country. Plus, the FT’s John Burn-Murdoch unpacks a survey that finds the highest-earning workers are adopting AI in their jobs far faster than others and Switzerland hit UBS with a proposed $20bn capital increase.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Tesla shares rally as profits rebound from last year’s lows

Trump’s ‘dirty ceasefire’ tested as Iran hits shipping

US allies in Gulf and Asia have requested swap lines, Scott Bessent says

China links tough new trade rules to Iran war and Panama port dispute

High earners race ahead on AI as workplace divide widens

Switzerland hits UBS with proposed $20bn capital increase

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 Saffeya Ahmed and Fiona Symon. 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.

US President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran until talks conclude, and Federal Reserve chair nominee Kevin Warsh sidestepped accusations that he would succumb to pressure from Trump to cut interest rates. Plus, a sneak peek at a new FT podcast on the lessons to learn in the history of finance.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Can Trump finally make a nuclear deal with Iran?

Kevin Warsh sidesteps questions over Donald Trump’s influence on Fed rate policy

Introducing: The Story of Money

Credit: C-SPAN

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 Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann and Michael. 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.