FT News Briefing

A key UK government official says Britain’s leaders have shown a “corrosive complacency” towards defence, OpenAI’s $852bn valuation is under increasing scrutiny from its own backers and fixed-income traders at Goldman Sachs suffered an unexpected drop in revenues at the start of 2026. Plus, the FT’s Raya Jalabi explains how Lebanon has become a sticking point in US-Iran negotiations.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Starmer accused of ‘corrosive complacency’ on UK defence by former Nato chief
OpenAI investors question $852bn valuation as strategy shifts
Goldman bond traders take shine off bumper quarter
The 10 minutes that set Lebanon ablaze

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. 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.

Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orbán concedes, US President Donald Trump says America will launch a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after peace talks with Iran failed, and Wall Street banks are set to report trading revenues of more than $40bn for the first quarter. Plus, Meta is building an AI version of its CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Hungary’s Orbán concedes defeat as opposition heads for landslide win
Trump announces naval blockade of Strait of Hormuz as Iran peace talks fail
Fees for seas: a history of taxing waterways
Wall Street banks set to report $40bn trading haul as war rekindles volatility
Meta builds AI version of Mark Zuckerberg to interact with staff
Credit: DWS News

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 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.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains at a standstill, sales of used electric vehicles are surging in the US, and the International Monetary Fund is warning that the war’s shocks will be felt by the global economy for a while. Plus, the FT’s Marton Dunai gives a rundown of the upcoming Hungarian elections.

Mentioned in this podcast:

OECD urges governments to rapidly unwind costly fuel duty cuts
Refineries rush to secure oil cargoes as Iran maintains grip on Hormuz
Sales of used EVs surge in US as petrol prices pass $4 a gallon
Who is Péter Magyar, Viktor Orbán’s nemesis?
Donald Trump and JD Vance back Viktor Orbán ahead of Hungary’s election
Credit: AP Archive, C-SPAN, Reuters

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 Saffeya Ahmed and Sonja Hutson. 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 Middle East ceasefire is strained, the FT’s Jamie Smyth explains how the uncertainty is hitting oil markets and Pakistan has become a mediator between the US and Iran. Plus, the data chief of the NHS has vowed to ignore controversy about Palantir while setting out plans to deeper embed the US company’s technology.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Middle East ceasefire under pressure over Israeli strikes on Lebanon
Saudi Arabia’s key east-west oil pipeline hit as Middle East energy attacks continue
Iran demands crypto fees for ships passing Hormuz during ceasefire
White House pushed Pakistan to broker temporary Iran ceasefire
NHS data chief pushes for deeper rollout of Palantir technology despite outcry

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, 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.

US President Donald Trump said he would “suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks” subject to Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz, hedge funds made record bets against European stocks, Turkey has sold or loaned out $20bn of gold since the outbreak of the Iran war, and a project for a German warship has turned into a defence procurement disaster. Plus, four astronauts made a historic trip around the Moon.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Middle East live blog
Hedge funds make record bets against European stocks
Europe’s rearmament meets reality: the story of a failed frigate project
Turkey’s gold sales deepen bullion slump
Artemis II astronauts head back to Earth after record-breaking Moon trip
Credit: CNN, NBC New York

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. 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.