The US and Iran rejected each other’s peace proposals, EU officials are urging governments to avoid excessive support to offset surging energy prices, and the value of buyouts by private equity groups fell by more than a third in the first quarter of the year. Plus, Cuba is offsetting power blackouts and shortages with the help of soaring imports of solar technology from China.

Mentioned in this podcast:

US and Iran reject each other’s proposals to end war

EU warns capitals against turning energy crunch into fiscal crisis

Private equity buyouts slump as AI fears and war dent dealmaking

Power-starved Cuba deepens reliance on Chinese solar tech

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 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

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