FT News Briefing

US stocks almost hit record highs amid possible de-escalation in the Middle East, and Johns Hopkins University professor Vali Nasr analyses Iran’s future. Plus, the US Federal Reserve chair signalled no interest cuts this summer, and US states are sending delegates to the EU for advice on green policy. Mentioned in this podcast:Israel-Iran latest: JD Vance declares era of new Trump foreign policy doctrineThe war that will remake Iran’s Islamic republicIran at the precipiceJay Powell pushes back on calls for Federal Reserve rate cuts as soon as JulyRachman Review podcastUS states send delegates to EU for advice on green policyToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Fiona Symon, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Kelly Garry, and Gavin Kallmann. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

US president Donald Trump has said Israel and Iran have agreed a ceasefire, shifting priorities in the US are putting pressure on Nato members in Europe, and emerging markets defy US President Donald Trump’s trade war. Plus, the US has yet to find Iran’s uranium stockpile. Mentioned in this podcast:Donald Trump claims Israel and Iran have agreed ceasefireWhat happens to Nato if the US steps back?Where is Iran’s uranium? Search continues for 400kg stockpileEmerging markets defy investor gloom to outshine developed worldToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Blake Maples, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

The US is now using force to try to eliminate Iran’s nuclear programme, and new tariffs on US household goods take effect. Plus, the chief executive of a Russian burger chain is petitioning President Vladimir Putin to block western businesses from returning, and the CEO of the fintech Revolut could be due for a major pay out. Mentioned in this podcast:US says it inflicted ‘severe damage’ on Iran’s nuclear programme Tariffs on household goods bring home costs of Trump’s trade warsFake McDonald’s lobbies Vladimir Putin to block return of western companiesRevolut chief in line for Musk-style payday at $150bn valuationToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, Mischa Frankl-Duval and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Alexander Higgins and Peter Barber. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Russia’s war-time economy is slowing down, and the EU is negotiating a trade deal with the US to keep some tariffs in place. Plus, the Bank of England votes to hold interest rates steady, and a UN official describes violence at aid distribution sites in Gaza. Mentioned in this podcast:Russia on brink of recession, says economy ministerEU weighs UK-style trade deal with USBank of England warns of weakening jobs market as it holds ratesHow Gaza’s food queues turned into kill zonesToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Fiona Symon, Josh Gabert-Doyon, and Ethan Plotkin. Additional help from Blake Maples, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

The Federal Reserve cut its outlook for the US economy on Wednesday, and in the UK, inflation remains higher than ideal. Plus, Big Tech companies are lobbying for a decade-long ban on AI regulations, and the Israel-Iran conflict has hit the global supply chain. Mentioned in this podcast:UK inflation was 3.4% in MayFederal Reserve cuts outlook for US economy but holds interest rates steadyBig Tech pushes for 10-year ban on US states regulating AIInsurers lift prices 60% for key Iran route as conflict threatens shippingToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Henry Larson and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Blake Maples, Kelly Garry and Gavin Kallmann. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

US President Donald Trump demands unconditional surrender from Iran on social media, and the Iran-Israel conflict causes Trump to leave the G7 summit early. Plus, the EU relaxes merger rules on defence and Meta will bring advertisements onto its messaging platform WhatsApp. Mentioned in this podcast:Meta introduces advertising to WhatsApp in push for new revenuesDonald Trump leaves G7 early as Iran-Israel conflict intensifiesBrussels to loosen merger rules for defence companiesRegister for the Reindustrializing America webinar hereTrump calls for Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender’ Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Henry Larson, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Kelly Garry, and Michael Lello. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Tensions rise as the EU refuses trade talks with China before next month’s leaders summit, and Airbus announced $10bn of orders at the Paris Air Show. Plus US President Donald Trump’s golden share means heavy influence in the Nippon Steel deal, and energy markets react to the conflict between Iran and Israel. Mentioned in this podcast:US Steel deal embodies golden age of Trump meddlingFuel and fury: energy becomes a Middle East battlefield EU spurns economic dialogue with China over deepening trade riftToday’s FT News Briefing was produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Blake Maples and Gavin Kallmann. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Israel may not have big enough bombs to take down Iran’s most secure nuclear facility, and Nippon Steel’s bid to take over US Steel is finally moving forward. Plus, gold has surpassed the euro as the second most-popular reserve asset, and the UK’s overseas intelligence agency has appointed its first female chief. Mentioned in this podcast:Gold overtakes euro as global reserve asset, ECB saysSilver and platinum prices soar as investors seek ‘gold alternatives’ The nuclear mountain that haunts IsraelDonald Trump approves Nippon Steel’s $15bn takeover of US SteelBritain’s overseas spy agency MI6 promotes ‘Q’ to be first female head Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Ethan Plotkin, Kasia Broussalian, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Alexander Higgins and Peter Barber. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Today, we're bringing you the first episode from the new season of Hot Money. On Hot Money: Agent of Chaos, reporter Sam Jones investigates Wirecard’s chief operating officer — who vanished just as the high flying German fintech collapsed. It turned out he was a Russian spy. From an Ibizan sting operation to an attempted takeover of the Austrian intelligence service, Jones’ reporting spirals into a world of warlords, espionage and disinformation. All in an attempt to answer two questions: who is the real Jan Marsalek? And what does his secret life reveal about the powerful forces he serves?  Get ad-free access to the entire season of Hot Money: Agent of Chaos by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Access ad-free episodes, exclusive binges, full audiobooks, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows with Pushkin+.Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus