Germany’s far-right boosted by stance against Iran war

Germany’s far-right boosted by stance against Iran war

Author: Financial Times May 14, 2026 Duration: 11:18

The US Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the Federal Reserve yesterday, and the Bank of England is set to water down its rules on stablecoins. Plus, the popularity of Germany’s AfD party is growing after its criticism of the Iran war.


Mentioned in this podcast:

Senate confirms Kevin Warsh to succeed Jay Powell as Fed chair

Bank of England set to water down stablecoin rules after industry pressure

Germany’s far-right AfD sees surge in support after it criticises Donald Trump’s Iran war

How could a Starmer leadership challenge play out?


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


Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Sonja Hutson, and produced by Katya Kumkova, Saffeya Ahmed, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley 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.


Start your morning with the essential context for the day ahead. FT News Briefing, directly from the Financial Times newsroom, cuts through the noise to deliver a concise, authoritative overview of the global business and political developments that truly matter. Each episode is a focused, ten-minute digest designed for the time-pressed, offering clarity on complex market movements, geopolitical shifts, and economic policy decisions. You’ll hear the FT’s expert analysis woven into the reporting, providing not just the headlines but the underlying forces at play. This daily podcast serves as an efficient primer, whether you’re commuting or preparing for your first meeting, ensuring you’re informed on the stories that will define conversations in boardrooms and beyond. Released every weekday morning, it’s a reliable filter for the overwhelming flow of information, built on the FT’s legacy of rigorous journalism. Tune in to transform the way you catch up on world events, turning a few minutes into a strategic advantage for your day.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

FT News Briefing
Podcast Episodes
Untold: Opus Dei, Ep. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:34
Untold host Antonia Cundy uncovers the cultural and political influence of a controversial Catholic organisation in America. Opus Dei exists to help people get closer to God, but some members say they found other agendas…
Hong Kong woos asset managers with potential tax cuts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:09
The United Arab Emirates has told allies that it would participate in a multinational maritime task force intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and Hong Kong is weighing tax cuts for asset managers. Plus, London has e…
Investors try to stay ahead of Trump’s Iran moves [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:58
Iran’s top military leadership dismissed Donald Trump’s claims that the Islamic republic was ready to make a deal, the US president appears to make abrupt policy pivots based on swings in oil prices, and the EU’s trade c…
Gold hasn’t been acting like itself lately [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:57
Meta and OpenAI will be among the first customers of Arm’s long-awaited new AI processor, the haven asset gold hasn’t been looking like its usual self, and Volkswagen is in talks to switch production at one its factories…
Netanyahu’s rivals try to outdo him over Iran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:08
Sources tell the FT that Pakistan is positioning itself as the lead mediator trying to broker an end to the US’s and Israel’s war against Iran, and the US ambassador to the EU says the bloc must implement its trade deal…
Strait of Hormuz crisis poses fresh threat to global food, energy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:11
The World Food Project warns millions more could be pushed into acute hunger if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Plus, energy executives meet in Houston as war in Iran rages, and China pitches itself as a “harbour of…
The ‘Armageddon scenario’ for gas markets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:34
Investors sounded the alarm on Thursday after a major Qatar gas facility took serious damage, and amateur traders are going wild for five-minute bets. Mentioned in this podcast:‘Armageddon scenario’ for gas markets as Qa…
Federal Reserve holds steady as inflation fears mount [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:58
The US has relaxed sanctions on Venezuela’s state-owned oil group Petróleos de Venezuela and the Federal Reserve has stuck with plans to cut rates later this year. Plus, Walmart won patents to give algorithms more sway o…
How Saudi Arabia’s bet on Iran backfired [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:35
The EU wants to make mergers a bit easier, Wall Street banks are offloading $18bn of debt tied to video game maker Electronic Arts, and investors are piling into cash at the fastest rate since the Covid-19 pandemic. Plus…
Iran war tests China’s oil stockpile [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:47
The FT’s Gideon Rachman explains what the Strait of Hormuz’s closure means strategically for Iran, Italy’s UniCredit has launched a €35bn takeover offer for Commerzbank and China’s oil stockpile is put to the test as the…