Nato’s secretary-general is warning the west not to underestimate Russia, Cigna is in talks to merge with Humana in a deal that would create a US health insurance giant worth $140bn, and an audio essay by the FT’s Najmeh Bozorgmehr explores Iranians’ complicated feelings about the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Mentioned in this podcast: Russia has stockpiled missiles for winter attack on Ukraine, says Nato Cigna and Humana in deal talks to create US health insurance giant Why Nato’s reassurances to Ukraine are starting to ring hollow Iranians see both sides of the Israel-Gaza conflict American diplomat Henry Kissinger dies aged 100
The 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.

Nato says don’t underestimate Russia

A rundown of the most important global business stories you need to know for the coming day, from the newsroom of the Financial Times. Available every weekday morning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The European Central Bank has cut interest rates for the first time in nearly five years, and the European Commission will recommend the start of EU accession talks with Ukraine this month. Plus, the FT’s Katie Martin explains how optimistic we should be about a revival of the London Stock Exchange. 
Mentioned in this podcast: ECB cuts interest rates for first time in five years A cautious revival of the London IPO market Ukraine ready for EU membership talks, Brussels says
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Jess Smith, Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Our intern is Prakriti Panwar. 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.

The European Central Bank’s cautious first step

Nvidia’s market value briefly rose past $3tn to overtake Apple as the world’s second-most valuable company, South Africa’s African National Congress party is considering the formation of a national unity government with rival parties, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was accused on Wednesday by Sir Keir Starmer of “resorting to lies” over Labour’s tax plans. Plus, a US appeals court has tossed out new rules that would have forced private equity and hedge funds to be more transparent.
Mentioned in this podcast: Nvidia’s market value powers past $3tn in AI-fuelled rally Keir Starmer accuses Rishi Sunak of ‘lying’ over Labour £2,000 tax claim ANC considers national unity government in South Africa New SEC rules on private funds thrown out by US appeals court
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Our intern is Prakriti Panwar. 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.

The split road for South Africa

Gazprom is unlikely to recover gas sales lost as a result of Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine for at least a decade, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to win a historic third term, job openings, vacancies and quits data provided more evidence of a cooling labour market in the US. Plus, Opec+ might be losing ground in its fight to prop up oil prices. 
Mentioned in this podcast: Gazprom badly hurt by Ukraine war, says company-commissioned report Narendra Modi set to lose parliamentary majority in shock Indian election result India election strips Narendra Modi of his ‘aura of invincibility’ Opec+ is running out of road US labour market cools in April, relieving pressure on the Fed 
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Our intern is Prakriti Panwar. 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.

Opec+’s production conundrum

US President Joe Biden is moving to sharply tighten immigration rules at the southern border with Mexico, Indian markets hit record highs after exit polls forecast a landslide election win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, food delivery apps put new focus on profits despite slower growth following the coronavirus pandemic, and a new podcast from the Financial Times explores the fallout since Qatargate. 
Mentioned in this podcast: Food delivery apps rack up $20bn in losses in fierce battle for diners Indian markets hit record highs as exit polls forecast Modi victory Sunak and Starmer set to clash in first UK election leaders’ debate Untold: Power for Sale. Subscribe or listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to podcasts.
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, 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.

Investors to delivery apps: where’s my profit?

Russia and China are deadlocked over a deal to build a gas pipeline connecting the two countries, far-right parties in Europe are gaining ground with younger voters, technical trouble could hamper Tesla’s upcoming shareholder election, and disagreement at OpenAI over safety and leadership has led to top level resignations.
Mentioned in this podcast: Russia-China gas pipeline deal stalls over Beijing’s price demands Internal divisions linger at OpenAI after November’s attempted coup Tesla’s many international retail investors unable to cast AGM vote How the far right is winning over young Europeans
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Jess Smith, Denise Guerra, Breen Turner, 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.

Nato says don’t underestimate Russia

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