
Iranians protest over economic pain
09.1.2026 | 12 Min.
Glencore and Rio Tinto resume mining megamerger talks, protests in Iran over economic conditions are the largest in years, and the US trade deficit narrowed to its lowest level since 2009. Plus, is there a right way for chief executives to exit a company? Mentioned in this podcast:Glencore and Rio Tinto resume talks on mining megadealIran protests spread to neglected hinterlandsUS trade deficit slides to lowest level since 2009 in OctoberArt of the exit: is there a right way for CEOs to quit?CREDIT: Reuters 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 Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig, and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Michael Lello. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. 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.

Venezuela’s crumbling oil infrastructure
08.1.2026 | 11 Min.
The US wants to control Venezuelan oil sales ‘indefinitely’ but the ‘catastrophic’ state of the Latin American nation’s crude facilities presents several hurdles. Plus, President Donald Trump banned institutional investors from buying single-family homes, and the UK and France pledged to deploy troops to Ukraine as part of sweeping US-backed security guarantees.Mentioned in this podcast:US seeks to control sales of Venezuelan oil ‘indefinitely’The ‘catastrophic’ state of Venezuela’s oil facilitiesDonald Trump moves to ban institutional investors from buying single-family homesFrance and UK commit to deploying troops under proposed Ukraine peace dealCredit: CNBC TelevisionNote: 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 Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Michael Lello. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. 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.

A wave of repression in Venezuela
07.1.2026 | 10 Min.
Leading asset managers are positioning for a sharp sell-off in US technology stocks, Venezuela’s government has launched a crackdown after the US captured Nicolás Maduro, and the Trump administration is meeting with executives from US oil majors to discuss its strategy for Venezuela. Plus, the FT’s Joe Leahy explains how US involvement in Venezuela could affect China. Mentioned in this podcast:Fund managers prepare for ‘reckoning’ in US tech sectorVenezuela launches wave of repression after US seizure of Nicolás MaduroUS oil tankers sail towards Venezuela as risk of production ‘collapse’ loomsChina’s influence in US backyard tested by Nicolás Maduro’s downfallNote: 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 Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann and Michael Lello.The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. 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.

The investors eyeing Venezuela’s oil
06.1.2026 | 11 Min.
Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to narco trafficking charges, and smaller private investors are eager to invest in Venezuelan oil. Plus, Chinese carmarkers are expected to increase exports this year, and we’ll look at how south-east Asia has been riding out Trump’s tariff storm. Mentioned in this podcast:Maduro pleads not guilty to drug-trafficking charges in New York courtWhat is Trump’s plan for Venezuelan oil?Ex-Chevron executive seeks $2bn for Venezuelan oil projectsChinese car exports set to jump as domestic sales coolHow south-east Asia is riding out Trump’s tariff stormNote: 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 Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Kaye Wiggins, Gavin Kallmann, and Michael Lello. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. 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.

Trump plans to ‘run’ Venezuela. What now?
05.1.2026 | 12 Min.
US President Donald Trump has warned Venezuela’s defacto leader she must meet America’s demands following Nicolas Maduro’s capture. We explore what Trump hopes to achieve in the Latin American country, and the challenges ahead for its people and resource-rich oil industry. Mentioned in this podcast:Trump topples Maduro and vows to ‘run’ Venezuela in stark display of US powerDonald Trump warns Venezuelan rulers as Washington prepares to dictate policyWashington plans to put oil at the heart of Venezuela’s futureNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig and produced by Julia Webster and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins. Additional help from Emily Goldberg. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.comSource: White House, NBC, CNN Espanol Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.



FT News Briefing