FT News Briefing

Ahmed Al-Omran, Saudi Arabia correspondent covering Gulf politics and regional security, and Claire Jones, U.S. economics editor focused on energy and inflation. They discuss Iran’s strikes pressuring Gulf states and disrupting travel and finance. They also explore oil disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz and how surging prices could reshape U.S. inflation and monetary policy.

The world is reeling after the US and Israel struck Iran over the weekend. The FT’s Najmeh Bozorgmehr details the situation on the ground in Tehran. Then we explore how the renewed conflict affects the United States and the Middle East. Plus, the FT’s Malcolm Moore explains the potential implications for the oil market and the global economy. Mentioned in this podcast:What will war in Iran do to the global economy?Tehran: a city at warOil jumps as Donald Trump vows to continue striking IranInsurers to cancel policies and raise prices for ships in Gulf and Strait of HormuzAyatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, 1939-2026After Khamenei, who rules Iran?Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig and edited by Marc Filippino. It was produced by 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.

Victoria Craig, FT presenter, previews Greg Abel’s first Berkshire Hathaway letter. Michelle Chan, U.S. credit correspondent, outlines chip-backed leasing deals that fund AI infrastructure. George Steer, U.S. markets correspondent, explains Wall Street’s dispersion trades and hedging amid tech volatility. Short, punchy takes on financing, risk and market tactics.

Robert Smith, Financial Times corporate finance editor who reports on banks and governance, recounts how Deutsche Bank actively courted Jeffrey Epstein. He discusses the bank hiring Epstein’s banker, overlooked compliance warnings, and the eventual fallout. Short, sharp scenes of internal incentives clashing with controls and the moment public scrutiny forced account closures.

Hamza Jelani, an FT reporter with on-the-ground experience in Afghanistan, and Simon Foy, an FT banking correspondent expert on trading and markets. They discuss European banks’ decade-beating trading revenues and what drove last year’s boom. They cover risks to banks, outlooks for 2026 trading, Wayve’s $1.2bn raise, and the mass return of Afghans and its economic impact.

Anne-Sylvaine Chasseney, Berlin bureau chief covering German politics and trade with China, and Ben Hall, Europe editor tracking the Ukraine war and negotiations. They discuss Merz’s China visit and strains on German industry. They outline stalled ceasefire talks, territorial disputes and shifting European responses. The conversation blends geopolitics, trade tensions and the war’s broader impact.

Josh Franklin, U.S. Banking Editor covering JPMorgan’s strategy and Dimon’s $2bn-a-week plan. Miles McCormick, U.S. economics correspondent on tariff revenue, refunds and voter-facing affordability. Peter Foster, World Trade Editor on global trade policy and implications for deals. They discuss the Supreme Court ruling’s fallout for tariffs, who pays, refund fights and international ripple effects.

Daniel Chait, CEO and co-founder of Greenhouse and hiring-tech expert, discusses hiring slowdowns, inflated application volumes and why candidates face longer processes. He highlights ways to stand out, differences between entry-level and experienced hiring, and the risks and promises of AI in recruitment. Legal and fraud concerns around deepfakes also come up.

Daniel Chait, CEO and co-founder of Greenhouse, shares hiring-platform insights and practical tips for recruiters. Anjli Raval, FT management editor, outlines worsening graduate labour-market trends backed by interviews and data. They discuss rising application volumes, AI screening and algorithmic hurdles, exploitative services, and what helps candidates get noticed.

Kay Wiggins, FT legal correspondent who covers employment and litigation, and Ian Smith, FT senior markets correspondent focused on gilts and macro, discuss a banker suing over the right to eight hours’ sleep. They also cover UK defence funding and gilt market worries. Multiple short segments explore market reaction, policy tensions and shifting banking culture.