The US and the UK have carried out military strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels, US inflation numbers for December cool expectations for interest rate cuts in March. Plus, the FT’s Tom Wilson explains why the world’s biggest mining project took so long to get off the ground and whether it was worth the headache. 
Mentioned in this podcast: US and UK launch strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen Buckle up — the inflation battle is entering a new phase World’s biggest mining project to start after 27 years of setbacks and scandals Newsletter: Chris Giles on Central Banks
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Josh Gabert-Doyon 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.

The world’s biggest mining project finally gets off the ground

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 looks almost certain to be one of the first major central banks to cut rates, a tense dispute over Guyana is casting a shadow over Chevron’s bid to takeover Hess, and Thames Water pumped 14.2bn litres of sewage into the river Thames last year. Plus, the nuclear power industry is seeking to lure back thousands of retired engineers. 
Mentioned in this podcast:
ECB is ready to start cutting interest rates, says chief economist Blow to $53bn Chevron-Hess deal as investors advised to abstain Nuclear industry brings back ‘silver tsunami’ of retirees Thames Water pumped 14bn litres of sewage into Thames in central London in 2023 
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by 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.

The ECB readies for rate cuts

American voters still say the economy is their most important electoral issue, and a growing number are less than pleased with Joe Biden’s economic management. The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief, Lauren Fedor, and the vice-president of North Star Opinion Research, Jon McHenry, join this week’s Swamp Notes to break down the results of the most recent FT-Michigan Ross poll. 
Mentioned in this podcast: Support for Joe Biden’s economic policies wanes amid inflation fears, FT poll finds FT-Michigan Ross poll: Biden’s election hopes fall as prices rise again Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here
Swamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor 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. 
CLIPS: @atrupar on X
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Swamp Notes: Can you trust the polls?

Elon Musk’s xAI has secured new backing from three Silicon Valley venture capital giants, women in Ukraine have increasingly stepped into roles men used to perform before Russia’s full-scale invasion, and the FT’s Soumaya Keynes explains why the UK’s Labour party benefits from being boring. 
Mentioned in this podcast: Elon Musk’s xAI secures new backing from Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia and Tribe Ukrainian women wanted in factories as men drafted into army How large might Labour’s ‘dullness dividend’ be? Introducing The Economics Show with Soumaya Keynes
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by 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.

Ukraine’s ‘Rosie the Riveter’ moment

Rishi Sunak has taken a huge gamble by announcing a July 4 election, record sales of artificial intelligence chips sent Nvidia’s revenue soaring 262 per cent in the past quarter Adani Group passed off low-quality coal as far more expensive cleaner fuel in transactions with an Indian state power utility, according to evidence seen by the Financial Times, and the first batch of genetically engineered non-biting mosquitoes will be released in Djibouti on Thursday.
Mentioned in this podcast: Rishi Sunak calls July 4 UK election Nvidia’s revenue beats high expectations as AI chip demand climbs Federal Reserve officials were open to further US rate rises to quell inflation Adani suspected of fraud by selling low-grade coal as high-value fuel Djibouti looks to genetically engineered mosquitoes to quell urban malaria wave 
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by 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.

Sunak’s early election gamble

UK deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden went on a secret trip to the UAE, PwC is bracing for penalties over its audit of collapsed Chinese property developer Evergrande, and traders are anticipating huge swings in Nvidia shares after the company reports earnings on Wednesday. 
Mentioned in this podcast: UK launches charm offensive with UAE after relations sour PwC partners brace for Chinese punishment over Evergrande audit Traders brace for big swings in Nvidia shares EU trade deficit with China shrinks to lowest level since 2021 Follow Untold: Power for Sale on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by 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.

The world’s biggest mining project finally gets off the ground

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