Markets Ignore Chaos, Spotify Chart Rigging, Hormuz Sailors Still Trapped

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On today's podcast:

(1) Wall Street is kicking off the second half of 2026 with fresh conviction: shrugging off one shock after another, markets are set to grind even higher.

(2) President Donald Trump and his allies are renewing a push to reshape the Federal Reserve after the Supreme Court this week blocked an effort to fire Governor Lisa Cook.

(3) The top US commander for Europe and Africa stepped down on Thursday, following through on a plan that caught military leaders by surprise and sending another signal that the Trump administration wants to scale back its defense commitment to the continent.

(4) Andy Burnham said he would increase business rates on warehouse-based companies in order to lower costs for high street shops and bars as he set out details of what he would do if he continues on his path to becoming the next prime minister.

(5) Spotify has asked Kalshi and Polymarket to remove its logo and clarify that neither company has a partnership with the streaming service after it identified users manipulating rankings that are tied to prediction market bets.

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