European and Asian investors have pumped record sums into global equity funds that exclude the US market, and shares in Chinese battery maker CATL surged 16 per cent on their debut in Hong Kong. The EU plans to levy a flat fee on billions of small packages entering the bloc, mainly from China. Plus, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing calls to scale back his military operation in Gaza and let more aid into the enclave.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Investors flock to equity funds that exclude US after Trump’s return to power

Chinese battery maker CATL surges 16% in biggest listing of 2025

EU to impose €2 tax on low-cost items in blow to Temu and Shein

UK halts trade talks with Israel over Gaza offensive

Israel’s Gaza aid plan could lead to ‘war crime’, UN agency chief says

Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel plans to take over all of Gaza

Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Sam Giovinco, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s acting co-head of audio. 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 US may be stepping back from its role as mediator in the war in Ukraine, and US long-term borrowing costs rose to their highest level since late 2023 on Monday. US drugmaker Regeneron has agreed to buy 23andMe out of bankruptcy, and the EU and the UK have announced a deal to “reset” their relationship at a summit in London.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Trump leaves Russia and Ukraine to settle war in talks

US borrowing costs climb after Moody’s downgrade

23andMe sold out of bankruptcy to Regeneron

UK-EU post-Brexit reset: the key points

Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Sam Giovinco, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s acting co-head of audio. 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 UK is holding its first summit with the European Union since Brexit, and US authorities are preparing to announce one of the biggest cuts in banks’ capital requirements in more than a decade. Plus, European leaders are hoping to influence US President Donald Trump ahead of his call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and China is on its way to becoming the world’s first “electrostate.”

Mentioned in this podcast:

UK and EU reset talks go ‘down to the wire’

Europe races to influence Trump ahead of Putin call

US poised to dial back bank rules imposed in wake of 2008 crisis

How Xi sparked China’s electricity revolution

Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Alexander Higgins and Peter Barber. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s acting co-head of audio. 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.