FT News Briefing

Before the 2026 midterms, Timothy Garton Ash, emeritus professor of European studies at the University of Oxford and author of ‘Europe in 7½ Chapters’, described the elections as a crucial test of US democracy. Now, with the Democrats’ sweeping victory, could the tide be turning against rightwing populism on both sides of the Atlantic or will Europe’s nationalist parties continue to gain ground? Garton Ash and Martin Wolf discuss the common factors between European nationalists, what European politicians can learn from a Democrat victory and whether there’s reason to hope for the future of liberal democracy.

To enjoy future episodes, be sure to subscribe to ‘Martin Wolf on the World’ wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch Martin’s podcast series on the FT’s YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinancialTimes

Host: Martin Wolf
Producer: Mischa Frankl-Duval
Senior producers: Edwin Lane, Laurence Knight
Executive producer: Manuela Saragosa
Video editor: Richard Topping
Senior Audio Engineer: Breen Turner
Broadcast engineers: Andrew Georgiades
Podcast development: Laura Clarke
FT Global Head of Audio: Flo Phillips
Learn more at www.ft.com/martin-wolf-on-the-world

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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Jensen Huang has resigned as Nvidia CEO. We look at what it means for the company, AI sector, stock market and the US government’s relationship with China. Plus, European leaders reject Vladimir Putin’s push to overhaul the continent’s security architecture as part of Ukraine peace talks.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Jensen Huang resigns as chief executive after affair allegations
Meet the contenders to succeed Jensen Huang
Jensen Huang is gone. Will the AI industry pay the price?
Nvidia sends a painful message on how to value a CEO
European leaders reject Russian push to overhaul continent’s security
Ukraine says Starlink restrictions are back as US envoys land in Moscow

Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

The FT News Briefing is produced by Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our video producers are Dennis Golin and Zachary Alfred. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Vanessa Brown and David da Silva. Our acting executive producer is Charles Bell. Flo Phillips 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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nvidia’s board is holding urgent talks about the future of its founder Jensen Huang after revelations that he had an affair with a top executive at the company. European leaders meet in Dublin today to reheat an interminable debate over how to speak to Russia. Plus, Spain’s first general strike in 14 years disrupted transport, factories and public services, and US prosecutors allege an attempt to attack a British air base was partly directed by an Iranian-Iraqi national from a New York jail.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Nvidia board set to meet after revelations Jensen Huang had affair with top company executive
Europe dithers over who and how to talk to Putin amid US and Ukraine pressure
Spain roiled by first general strike in 14 years

Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

The FT News Briefing is produced by Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our video producers are Dennis Golin and Zachary Alfred. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Vanessa Brown and David da Silva. Our acting executive producer is Charles Bell. Flo Phillips 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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anthropic is targeting a valuation of $1.4tn in its initial public offering, stronger than expected inflation data sparked fresh bets that the Federal Reserve will increase interest rates next month, and France is pressing Germany to define how it would use long-range missiles in the event of a conflict with Russia. Plus, we take a microscope to Alice Huang, the woman who US officials believe is a Chinese spy and had an affair with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Anthropic targets valuation of up to $1.4tn in IPO
Treasuries slide as ‘hot’ inflation sparks bets on Fed rate rise
Alice Huang’s tangled web of connections
France pressures Germany over nuclear risks of long-range missiles

Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

The FT News Briefing is produced by Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our video producers are Dennis Golin and Zachary Alfred. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Vanessa Brown and David da Silva. Our acting executive producer is Charles Bell. Flo Phillips 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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nvidia shares tumbled after the company’s board said it would investigate reports that chief executive Jensen Huang was the target of a foreign espionage operation, investors are buying up stocks they believe can protect them in a market downturn, and BT will not launch its partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink. Plus, the FT sat down with Britain’s defence secretary Wes Streeting to discuss UK-Russia relations.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Nvidia shares fall as it probes alleged Chinese spy scandal
US stocks rebound after AI rout
Investors pile into defensive stocks amid fears AI bull market may be over
Russian strikes aim to cut Ukraine in half, Zelenskyy warns
US-Russia-Ukraine talks resume in Abu Dhabi
UK and Russia must seek communication channels to avoid escalation, says Streeting
BT cools on Starlink satellite tie-up after Elon Musk Ukraine controversy
Republican lawmaker moves to impeach US defence secretary Pete Hegseth

Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts
The FT News Briefing is produced by Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our video producers are Dennis Golin and Zachary Alfred. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Vanessa Brown and David da Silva. Our acting executive producer is Charles Bell. Flo Phillips 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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.