Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated Moscow is unwilling to drop its maximalist demands over any deal to halt the fighting in Ukraine, and Intel’s new chief executive has made investors excited. Plus, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in a tough spot over how he handles tariffs from the US.  Mentioned in this podcast: Putin voices doubts over US proposal for Ukraine ceasefire Intel shares soar after troubled chipmaker appoints Lip-Bu Tan as CEO  ‘Whatever you charge, I’m charging’: Donald Trump forces India’s hand on tariffs The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona ..read more

Elon Musk’s efficiency drive failed to prevent US federal spending rising to a record $603bn in February, European battery maker Northvolt has filed for bankruptcy in Sweden, and US inflation fell to 2.8% last month. Plus, China’s plan to revive Africa’s ‘freedom railway’ showcases Beijing’s leaner approach to overseas aid. Mentioned in this podcast: Elon Musk’s cuts fail to stop US federal spending hitting new record Northvolt files for bankruptcy in Sweden  US inflation fell more than expected to 2.8% in February  The railway that China hopes will take on the US in Africa  &n ..read more

The S&P 500 dipped into correction territory on Tuesday and Nissan has pushed out chief executive Makoto Uchida in the wake of the collapse of merger talks with Honda. Plus, banks are trying to catch up to one of the hottest trends in consumer finance: interest-free buy now, pay later loans.  Mentioned in this podcast: Ukraine says it is willing to accept 30-day US-brokered ceasefire Wall Street sell-off pulls S&P 500 into correction territory Nissan pushes out chief Makoto Uchida after collapse of Honda merger talks Big banks play catch-up with fintech start-ups in deferred paym ..read more

Wall Street stocks fell on Monday, and Pimco has recorded a 17% paper profit on its portion of a £3bn emergency loan that it and others are set to provide to ailing utility Thames Water. Plus, hundreds of people have been killed in Syria after clashes between pro-government and pro-Assad forces escalated into sectarian violence.  Mentioned in this podcast: Wall Street stocks tumble as investors fret over US economic slowdown Is this dotcom bust 2.0? US condemns Syria violence after hundreds killed in sectarian clashes Pimco books 17% instant profit on Thames Water emergency loan The FT ..read more

Canada’s Liberal party selects a new leader, and US President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Justice Department’s antitrust division is turning heads on Wall Street. Plus, US startups are raising more money than at any point since 2021, and why a gold boom in Ghana is driving up global chocolate prices.  Mentioned in this podcast: Mark Carney to replace Justin Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister Trump nominee unites right and left with tough antitrust view The illegal gold miners driving up global chocolate prices AI frenzy leads US venture capital to biggest splurge in three years Br ..read more

European leaders met twice this week to discuss a plan to protect Ukraine — without US leadership. The rift between Brussels and Washington has grown as US president Donald Trump paused military aid to Ukraine and stopped intelligence sharing. As Germany and the EU discuss a new set of defence stimulus plans, special guest Gideon Rachman, the FT’s chief foreign policy commentator, is on to discuss possible outcomes.  Mentioned in this podcast: Rachman Review podcast Trump is sowing the seeds of an anti-American alliance Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here Swamp Notes is pro ..read more

Donald Trump’s crypto project made at least $350mn from the launch of his memecoin, and FT markets columnist Katie Martin unpacks the week in markets. The European Central Bank cut interest rates to 2.5 per cent yesterday, plus EU leaders held an emergency summit to talk about defence spending and support for Ukraine.  Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump’s crypto project netted $350mn from presidential memecoin  ECB cuts interest rate to 2.5%  US stocks struggle as ‘America First’ bets backfire  Global bond sell-off deepens as Germany jolts markets  The FT News B ..read more

US President Donald Trump has handed carmakers a one-month reprieve on tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, and we look at how a few billionaire elites struck a multibillion-dollar port deal within weeks. German borrowing costs surged by the most in 28 years on Wednesday, and the Liberal party in Canada will hold a leadership vote this weekend to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.  Mentioned in this podcast: Donald Trump hands carmakers one-month reprieve from tariffs German borrowing costs soar by most since 1997 on ‘historic’ debt deal Donald Trump revives Canada’s Liberals i ..read more

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was “ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible”, Taiwan is trying to get on US President Donald Trump’s good side, and private equity assets under management fell last year for the first time in decades. Plus, businesses are snapping up the wind and solar farms that governments are no longer backing. Mentioned in this podcast: Big businesses step up to buy energy from new wind and solar farms ‘Chips on the table’: Taiwan pushes for closer US ties as China threat looms Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine ‘ready’ to talk peace in bid to placate Don ..read more

The US is suspending military aid to Ukraine, Chevrolet Silverado’s complex supply chain leaves it particularly vulnerable to a looming trade war, and Eurozone inflation has fallen for the first time in four months to 2.4 per cent. Plus, US defence stocks are being left behind.  Mentioned in this podcast: US suspends military aid to Ukraine How Donald Trump’s tariffs threaten an iconic US pick-up truck Eurozone inflation falls to 2.4% as underlying price pressures ease European defence shares jump as blistering rally gathers pace US defence groups miss out on global stock rally amid Trum ..read more