UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer could be on his way out of Westminster, and the US and Iran held high-stakes talks in Switzerland to officially end the war. Venture capital funds are rushing into defense tech startups on the back of the world’s wars, and the FT’s Claire Jones explains why Wall Street sees more volatility ahead from changes to Federal Reserve communications.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Keir Starmer on brink of quitting as UK prime minister

What Andy Burnham’s Westminster past reveals about him

US and Iran hold crunch talks in Switzerland

Wars trigger $12bn venture capital rush into defence tech

Kevin Warsh’s push to axe Fed guidance may lift US borrowing costs, investors warn

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

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Kelly Garry and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips is the FT’s global head of audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

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Labour’s Andy Burnham has won the crucial Makerfield by-election in the UK, a resurgence in the dollar is reversing bets on the currencies of big emerging markets and major commodity producers, insurers are trying to define “war” as a type of risk, and the Bank of England held interest rates at 3.75 per cent yesterday. Plus, the FT’s Saffeya Ahmed explains how this World Cup is a complicated one for Iran’s diaspora as its national team competes on American soil.  

Mentioned in this podcast:

Makerfield by-election result: Andy Burnham wins crucial poll

‘Hawkish shift’ in US rates upends global currency bets

Insurers seek to define ‘war’ as risk rises of global power clashes

Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75%

Iranian football team told to return to Mexico after opening World Cup game

For Iran’s diaspora, a tough World Cup call: To support the national team or protest – or both?

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 Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Kelly Garry and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Michela Tindera, Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. 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.

The Federal Reserve has dropped its bias towards lowering rates in the central bank’s first meeting chaired by Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump said the US would release frozen Iranian funds, and UK inflation held unexpectedly steady last month. Plus, Chinese tech giant Huawei is making a huge comeback after being written off seven years ago. 

Mentioned in this podcast:

Federal Reserve drops bias for rate cuts as Kevin Warsh era begins

Donald Trump to release Iran’s frozen funds and ease sanctions when ‘they behave’

Huawei’s big comeback tests limits of US chip controls

UK inflation unexpectedly holds steady at 2.8% in May

Five things to know about the high-stakes Makerfield by-election

CREDIT: C-SPAN

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 Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Kelly Garry and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. 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.

US Senator Elizabeth Warren discusses SpaceX’s initial public offering and what she sees as its potential risk to investors. Plus, traders are betting on AI to underpin the strength of the US dollar, and the FT’s Alice Hancock explains why ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz may take weeks to reach pre-conflict levels.

Mentioned in this podcast:

SpaceX leapfrogs Amazon to become world’s fifth-most valuable company

Shipping groups hit by Middle East conflict-induced fuel shortages

Investors pile into bullish dollar bets as ‘US exceptionalism’ trade returns

Oil falls on US-Iran deal but Hormuz backlog may last weeks

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 Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Kelly Garry and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Michela Tindera, Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. 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.

In our extended interview, US Senator Elizabeth Warren discusses SpaceX’s initial public offering and what she sees as its potential risk to investors.

Mentioned in this podcast:

SpaceX leapfrogs Amazon to become world’s fifth-most valuable company

https://www.banking.senate.gov/newsroom/minority/warren-calls-on-sec-to-delay-spacex-ipo

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 Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Kelly Garry and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. 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.

Global equities rallied and oil prices fell after an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and hedge funds are betting against the debt and equity of some of Europe’s largest carmakers. Plus, a Russian online sabotage network was behind a series of arson attacks on Sir Keir Starmer’s family home and other targets linked to the UK prime minister.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Stocks surge as US-Iran deal ignites global rally

Hedge funds bet against European carmakers on Chinese competition fears

Arson targeting Keir Starmer properties originated in Russia

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 Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Kelly Garry and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Michela Tindera, Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. 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.

The leaders of the US and Iran will sign an agreement on Friday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and the annual G7 summit kicks off today. SpaceX’s blockbuster IPO tells us a lot about Wall Street’s appetite for tech listings, and the New York Knicks won the NBA championship for the first time since 1973. 

Mentioned in this podcast:

Trump says Iran and US agree deal to open Strait of Hormuz and extend ceasefire

Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump test their bruised bromance at G7 summit

Wall Street digests record fundraising haul as AI race intensifies

SpaceX’s surge on debut makes Elon Musk world’s first trillionaire

New York Knicks’ winning streak should rub off on its owner too

Register for FT Weekend Festival here

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 Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins and Kelly Garry. Additional help from Peter Barber, Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. 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.

With a week to go until Makerfield heads to the polls in what may turn out to be the most consequential by-election in British history, host Lucy Fisher, northern England correspondent Jen Williams and deputy political editor Jim Pickard are on the ground hearing from voters in the seat. Polls and bookmakers confidently predict an Andy Burnham victory but they discuss whether that narrative is too neat and what issues are really shaping voters’ choices. The result could determine not just who represents Makerfield, but also the future of the country if Burnham wins and successfully challenges Sir Keir Starmer for the premiership. Plus, they weigh up the shock resignation of defence secretary John Healey who has blasted Starmer’s government for being “unwilling” to commit sufficient resources to protecting the country.

Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jen @JenWilliams_FT or @jenwilliamsft.bskyb.social; Jim on @PickardJE or @pickardje.bskyb.social

Want more?  

John Healey: the ex-trade unionist who privately battled the Treasury

Andy Burnham rules out cash for Waspi women after Labour backlash

‘Pure racism’: East Belfast reels from riots led by masked young men

Keir Starmer weakened by John Healey’s scathing resignation  

The joke that deepened Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham’s toxic rift

Sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.

Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Nisha Patel. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Flo Phillips.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SpaceX has raised $75bn in a record-breaking initial public offering, and the European Central Bank became the first central bank in the G7 to increase borrowing costs in response to the Middle East energy shock. Plus, the World Cup could have a lot of empty seats. 

Mentioned in this podcast:

Elon Musk’s SpaceX raises $75bn in world’s biggest IPO

ECB raises interest rates for first time since 2023

Fifa faces empty seats as 180,000 World Cup tickets hit resale market

Credit: New York City Mayor’s Office, European Central Bank

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 Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. 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.

France and Germany are discussing proposals for a radical overhaul of the EU’s 15-year-old diplomatic service, and the most recent US inflation report is putting pressure on President Donald Trump to extend the ceasefire with Iran. Plus, can Australia fix its housing crisis? 

Mentioned in this podcast:

EU countries weigh ‘tearing apart’ bloc’s diplomatic service

US and Iran exchange strikes after downing of American helicopter

Donald Trump suggests he may not renew trade deal with Mexico and Canada

Australia tries to fix its housing crisis. Will it work?

Register for FT Weekend Fest here

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 Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. 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.

The US has launched new strikes on Iran, Ireland’s burning through its corporate tax bonanza, and the European Central Bank is trying to rein in fintech Revolut’s “self-guided missiles” in the region. Plus, the FT’s George Hammond breaks down whether public market investors believe Elon Musk’s SpaceX can reach its ambitious goals ahead of its initial public offering. 

Mentioned in this podcast:

Ireland told to rein in spending of corporate tax windfall

ECB moved to rein in Revolut’s ‘self-guided missiles’ in Europe

SpaceX’s $1.78tn IPO asks investors to buy Musk’s moonshots

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 Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. 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.