Nations race to contain the Omicron variant

Both Donald Trump and Joe Biden made campaign stops last week in Pennsylvania, whose 19 electoral votes could decide the outcome of the 2024 election. But in a state with such a range of demographic groups, how can each find a message that will stick? The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief, Lauren Fedor, and US political editor Derek Brower join to discuss. Mentioned in this podcast:Joe Biden’s speech to steel workers underscores union’s burgeoning influenceJoe Biden calls for tripling of tariffs on Chinese steelJosh Shapiro warns Joe Biden gas stance could hurt election hopesSign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter hereSwamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. CREDIT: The Independent, The Times and the Sunday Times Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Netflix profits surged during the first quarter, global markets had a rocky week due to worries over US inflation, and India’s prime minister is getting a big boost from the business class in his re-election campaign. Mentioned in this podcast:Netflix profits surge on strong subscriber growthThe great bet on rate cuts is offEuropean stocks suffer worst day in nine monthsUS to grow at double the rate of G7 peers this year, says IMFJay Powell says US inflation ‘taking longer than expected’ to hit targetBusinesses bank on Narendra Modi election win to ease India’s bottlenecksLuxury automakers hit by Korea’s new neon green licence plate rule for company carsThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Denise Guerra, Cara Shillenn, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran is exporting more oil than at any time for the past six years, EU leaders are debating whether to unify the bloc’s fragmented capital markets, and the IMF warns that the US’s massive fiscal deficit poses significant risks to global markets. Plus, artificial intelligence needs an abundance of electricity to run, but the world is struggling to generate it.Mentioned in this podcast:Iran oil exports hit 6-year high as west prepares sanctionsMajority of EU states object to capital markets reform pushUS deficit poses ‘significant risks’ to global economy, warns IMFBooming AI demand threatens global electricity supplyThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Cara Shillenn, Denise Guerra, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andreessen Horowitz hauls in one of the largest funds since the downturn in the tech sector, stocks from China’s state-owned enterprises are faring well compared with the wider market, and the IMF says that the US is on track to grow at double the rate of any other G7 country this year. Plus, a full-scale conflict has depleted Ukrainian defences. Israel could face a similar plight despite the weekend’s successful interceptions.Mentioned in this podcast:Andreessen Horowitz raises $7.2bn and sets sights on AI start-upsBeijing reforms unloved state-owned enterprises to win back investorsUS to grow at double the rate of G7 peers this year, says IMFUkraine’s air defence struggle shows risks to IsraelThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Katya Kumkova, Josh Gabert-Doyon, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Goldman Sachs surpasses profit estimates by almost $1bn, CVC’s revived listing plan follows years of internal discord over whether the PE firm should go public, and Tesla is laying off 10% of its global workforce. Plus, the FT’s Michael Stott explains why the Darién Gap has become an important migration route for people heading towards the US.Mentioned in this podcast: Goldman Sachs traders help fuel 28% profit increaseGoldman Sachs knows what fits it best — plenty of dealsCVC’s tortuous path to an IPOTesla to cut 10% of global workforceThe migrant highway that could sway the US electionThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Denise Guerra, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US lawmakers face new pressure to approve military aid for Israel, and Tianqi Lithium’s strategy is at risk as Chilean President Gabriel Boric’s government works to take back control of resources. Plus, depositors put pressure on big US banks.Mentioned in this podcast:Net interest income may have peaked for Wall Street banksChina’s Tianqi Lithium’s $4bn bet on Chile at risk of backfiringIsrael weighs response to unprecedented attack by IranPressure mounts on US lawmakers to approve new aid for IsraelCredit: NBC The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Josh Gabert-Doyon, Denise Guerra, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump championed the reversal of Roe vs Wade. He even called himself the “most pro-life president” in US history. But with voters outraged by abortion restrictions, Trump and other Republicans are staking out a new position on the issue. The FT’s global business columnist, Rana Foroohar, and Washington bureau chief, James Politi, join to explain why.Mentioned in this podcast:Arizona court bans almost all abortions in Trump-Biden swing stateDonald Trump says abortion law should be left to statesSign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter hereTell us what you’re thinking about the US election!  Swamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. CREDIT: Forbes Breaking NewsRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three more US regulators have opened probes into Morgan Stanley, managers are planning to shut or convert US prime money market funds ahead of new regulations, and the European Central Bank held interest rates steady. Plus, sanctioned Russian oligarchs got a big win in a top EU court. Mentioned in this podcast:EU’s sanctions regime in turmoil after oligarchs win legal battleManagers to shut or convert $220bn of US money market funds before rule changeUS allies urge Iran not to retaliate against IsraelEuropean Central Bank holds interest rates at 4% in contested decisionRegister for our FTWeekend Festival in the US! Promo code for 10% off tickets: weekendpodcastThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Ethan Plotkin, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Traders slashed bets on Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, the US audit regulator issued its biggest fine ever against KPMG, and the UK’s Lloyds Banking Group plans to cut jobs in risk management after an internal review found the function was a “blocker to our strategic transformation”.Mentioned in this podcast:Markets slash rate cut bets after US inflation rises to 3.5%Investors lose hope of rapid US interest rate cuts this yearKPMG fined $25mn over exam cheating scandal at firm’s Dutch armLloyds Bank axes risk staff after executives complain they are a ‘blocker’Register for our FTWeekend Festival in the US! Promo code for 10% off tickets: weekendpodcastThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Cara Shillenn, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OpenAI and Meta are on the brink of releasing new artificial intelligence models, police in Ecuador stormed the Mexican embassy to arrest the former vice-president, and big investors are selling US Treasuries and buying European government bonds. Plus, Australia is trying to boost its manufacturing sector to protect against supply chain disruptions. Mentioned in this podcast:OpenAI and Meta ready new AI models capable of ‘reasoning’Ecuador’s president displays strongman credentials with Mexico embassy raidBig investors buy European bonds over US as economies diverge‘Made in Australia’ drive aims to shift economy from ‘world’s quarry’ labelRegister for our FTWeekend Festival in the US! Promo code for 10% off tickets: weekendpodcastThe FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.