Top Democrats have expressed support for a $908bn stimulus plan offered by a bipartisan group of US senators, the UK has become the first country to approve a Covid-19 vaccine, and Chinese state-backed funds are still scouring the US for investments in critical technologies despite stiffer restrictions on such deals. Plus, the FT’s West Africa correspondent, Neil Munshi, explains why Nigeria’s richest residents are investing heavily in Africa’s biggest economy.  
Top Democrats signal willingness to compromise on stimulus https://www.ft.com/content/8787eb59-642e-4a93-af5b-59f13afa3e6d
UK set for Covid vaccinations ‘next week’ after regulatory approval https://www.ft.com/content/c60f49c1-34c8-4cd0-b295-87f35c70bc04
Chinese state-backed funds invest in US tech despite Washington curbs ft.com/content/745abeca-561d-484d-acd9-ad1caedf9e9e
Nigeria’s richest plough money into Africa’s biggest economy https://www.ft.com/content/c5b98699-a5bb-49b2-8436-4a7edf314b87 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Democrats support US stimulus plan, China invests in US tech, reaction to UK vaccine approval

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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Reddit's first-quarter earnings as a listed company surpass expectations, Israel threatened to expand its military operation in Rafah, and TikTok filed a lawsuit against the US government to block a potential ban of the social media app. Plus, global trade growth is set to more than double this year as inflation eases and a booming US economy helps drive activity.
Mentioned in this podcast:
US revokes licences for supply of chips to China’s Huawei TikTok challenges divest-or-ban bill in US court Israel threatens to expand Rafah operation as US struggles to revive talks Global trade growth set to more than double this year US revokes licences for supply of chips to China’s Huawei Reddit soars 16% after beating Wall Street estimates in first post-IPO quarter
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Mischa Frankl-Duval, 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.

Israel moves into Rafah

SoftBank is leading an investment of more than $1bn into a UK self-driving car start-up, and poppy and marijuana farming money is disappearing from rural areas as traffickers shift to synthetic drugs. Plus, the FT’s Anna Nicolaou explains the rival bids to buy Paramount. 
Mentioned in this podcast: SoftBank leads $1bn funding for UK artificial intelligence group Wayve El Chapo’s opium heartland bereft as Mexico cartels embrace fentanyl Shari Redstone, a media scion weighing the future of her ravaged empire James Cameron and Ari Emanuel back Skydance bid for Paramount Brussels seeks to ban Russian funding of European politicians
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Denise Guerra, 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.

Paramount’s a long way from its peak

Warren Buffett said Greg Abel should have the final decision on investments at Berkshire Hathaway, the US and Europe disagree on how to manage Russia’s frozen assets, and Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Europe. Plus, college students in the US are calling for their universities to divest from Israel, but it’s not that simple. 
Mentioned in this podcast: Bonhomie and hardball: Xi Jinping visits Europe to avert trade war The clash over whether to commandeer Russia’s frozen assets Divestment is not as easy as it may seem Berkshire Hathaway’s cash pile hits record as Buffett cuts stake in Apple Buffett lays out expansive role for successor Greg Abel at poignant Berkshire AGM
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Denise Guerra, 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.

Xi’s balancing act with Europe

Student-led protests against Israel’s war in Gaza have spread across the US in recent weeks, with demonstrators building tent encampments on university grounds, and even storming university buildings. The FT’s Washington bureau chief, James Politi, and FT New York correspondent, Joshua Chaffin, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why the protests could hurt President Joe Biden’s re-election chances.
Mentioned in this podcast: New York police storm Columbia University and arrest pro-Palestinian protesters Police raid UCLA protest camp as clashes over Gaza spread across US Sign up for the FT’s Election Countdown newsletter here Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here
Swamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. Original music by Hannis Brown. 
CREDIT: NBC News New York, X/@JaunMaBenitez, X/@AnthonyCabassa_, PBS NewsHour
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Swamp Notes: The uproar at American universities

Apple’s revenue fell 4 per cent in the first three months of 2024, Japan apparently intervened several times this week to support the yen, and US regulators have accused the former boss of the largest US shale oil producer of trying to collude with the Opec cartel. Plus, Europe solved its Russian gas problems in the short term, but created long-term problems.
Mentioned in this podcast: Apple’s revenue weighed down by falling China sales Japanese government spent $35bn to prop up yen, BoJ figures suggest Japan is haunted by a return to emerging-economy status FTC accuses ex-Pioneer boss of seeking to collude with Opec  How Europe solved its Russian gas problem
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.

Democrats support US stimulus plan, China invests in US tech, reaction to UK vaccine approval

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