FT News Briefing

Venezuela demands its gold back from the UK

Leading US AI labs are releasing cheaper models to compete with cut-price alternatives from Chinese rivals. Venezuela’s government and opposition unite to demand $4bn in gold reserves back from the Bank of England. A flood of foreign currency bond issuance by Big Tech groups is shaking up the world’s smaller credit markets. Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema is running for a second term amid growing discontent that citizens aren’t seeing the results of the country’s economic rebound. Mentioned in this podcast:OpenAI and Anthropic in price war as Chinese AI rivals gain groundVenezuela and its opposition want gold back from Bank of EnglandHyperscaler AI borrowing binge shakes up foreign credit marketsZambia’s election becomes battle over copper windfallWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comFT subscription finder: https://find-your-subscription.ft.com/?segmentId=288f5dc5-4a4b-0745-84da-8f07c7202cd4 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 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.

Anthropic’s anticipated $2tn IPO

Anthropic investors expect the AI start-up to be the largest ever initial public offering, Britain is cutting direct aid from states such as South Sudan and Afghanistan, and US inflation edged lower to 3.4 per cent in July as petrol prices declined. Plus, Iranian businesses are increasingly resorting to “buy now, pay later” schemes as the cost of living spirals out of control.Mentioned in this podcast:Anthropic investors bet on $2tn valuation in record IPOUK cut international aid by double its forecast last yearUS inflation falls to 3.4% in JulyIranians opt to ‘buy now, pay later’ as cost of living spiralsWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comFT subscription finder: https://find-your-subscription.ft.com/?segmentId=288f5dc5-4a4b-0745-84da-8f07c7202cd4 Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, and Saffeya Ahmed. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. 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.

US asks Ukraine to stop strikes on tankers using Russian port

Ukraine has halted drone strikes on oil tankers using a critical Black Sea port after a request by the US, suspected Chinese hackers hit Taiwan with an autonomous AI cyber attack, and the head of the Boston Federal Reserve thinks policymakers may be forced to raise rates in September. Plus, measures of volatility in stocks and currencies have tumbled this summer despite the geopolitical uncertainty. Mentioned in this podcast:JD Vance asked Ukraine to halt strikes on tankers using Russian portChina-linked hackers hit Taiwan in unprecedented ‘autonomous’ AI cyber attackAmericans are struggling to make ‘ends meet’, top Fed official saysVolatility tumbles as markets shrug off Middle East risksCredit: White HouseWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comFT subscription finder: https://find-your-subscription.ft.com/?segmentId=288f5dc5-4a4b-0745-84da-8f07c7202cd4 Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, and Saffeya Ahmed. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. 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.

Spain’s migrant crisis exposes serious challenges for young Moroccans

Wall Street giants are partnering with Nvidia on a $500bn AI financing deal, the mega-merger between AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb has been put on ice, and queues at some EU airports have doubled because of border checks. Plus, the FT’s Malaika Kanaaneh Tapper explains why Morocco’s economy isn’t helping its young workers. Mentioned in this podcast:Wall Street giants partner with Nvidia on $500bn AI financing dealHow AstraZeneca’s pursuit of US rival Bristol Myers unravelledEU airport queues double due to border checks Hotel prices in Europe surge ahead of historic eclipseSpain’s migrant amnesty a ‘very bad idea’, says Swedish PMMorocco’s two-speed economy leaves young workers behindWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comFT subscription finder: https://find-your-subscription.ft.com/?segmentId=288f5dc5-4a4b-0745-84da-8f07c7202cd4 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 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.

Deadly protests in Kashmir test Pakistan’s government

China is bypassing shipping chokepoints with an “Ice Silk Road” route through the Arctic, dozens of people have been killed in election clashes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and Germany’s economy minister warned that growing support for a far-right political party could deter foreign investors. Plus, we take a look at the bank behind China’s AI listings bonanza, and how the UAE has won over Washington.Mentioned in this podcast:China bypasses shipping chokepoints with ‘Ice Silk Road’ through ArcticDeadly protests in Kashmir test Pakistan’s military rulersGerman economy minister warns AfD’s rise could deter investorsThe bank behind China’s AI listings bonanzaHow the UAE won over WashingtonFT subscription finder: https://find-your-subscription.ft.com/?segmentId=288f5dc5-4a4b-0745-84da-8f07c7202cd4 Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: 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.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.