FT News Briefing

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 companyShipping groups hit by Middle East conflict-induced fuel shortagesInvestors pile into bullish dollar bets as ‘US exceptionalism’ trade returnsOil falls on US-Iran deal but Hormuz backlog may last weeksWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: 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

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 companyhttps://www.banking.senate.gov/newsroom/minority/warren-calls-on-sec-to-delay-spacex-ipoWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: 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

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 rallyHedge funds bet against European carmakers on Chinese competition fearsArson targeting Keir Starmer properties originated in RussiaWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: 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

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 ceasefireEmmanuel Macron and Donald Trump test their bruised bromance at G7 summitWall Street digests record fundraising haul as AI race intensifiesSpaceX’s surge on debut makes Elon Musk world’s first trillionaireNew York Knicks’ winning streak should rub off on its owner tooRegister for FT Weekend Festival hereWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: 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

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.socialWant more?  John Healey: the ex-trade unionist who privately battled the TreasuryAndy Burnham rules out cash for Waspi women after Labour backlash‘Pure racism’: East Belfast reels from riots led by masked young menKeir Starmer weakened by John Healey’s scathing resignation  The joke that deepened Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham’s toxic riftSign 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

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 IPOECB raises interest rates for first time since 2023Fifa faces empty seats as 180,000 World Cup tickets hit resale marketCredit: New York City Mayor’s Office, European Central BankWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: 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

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 serviceUS and Iran exchange strikes after downing of American helicopterDonald Trump suggests he may not renew trade deal with Mexico and CanadaAustralia tries to fix its housing crisis. Will it work?Register for FT Weekend Fest hereWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: 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

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 windfallECB moved to rein in Revolut’s ‘self-guided missiles’ in EuropeSpaceX’s $1.78tn IPO asks investors to buy Musk’s moonshotsWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: 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

OpenAI filed to go public, Wall Street stocks rebounded on Monday, and top BP investors and former executives are concerned the UK oil major may lose momentum in its restructuring plan. Plus, Israel’s strikes on Lebanon are putting the US between a rock and a hard place.Mentioned in this podcast:OpenAI files to go public in blockbuster listingWall Street stocks rebound after AI-led routBP investors push for clarity over ousting of chairIsrael attacks Beirut days after Trump’s showdown with NetanyahuDonald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu replay 1982 Beirut stand-offSam Bankman-Fried seeks Trump pardonUnhedged podcastWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: 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