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Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US conducted a ninth straight day of airstrikes on Iran, targeting military targets and communications networks. Iran continued to attack US bases in several countries, and the standoff shows no sign of easing, with Iran refusing to relent over the Strait of Hormuz. The US-Iran interim peace deal has all but collapsed, and talks over Tehran's nuclear program and a permanent cessation of hostilities have stalled.2) Andy Burnham is set to become the UK's prime minister with numerous outstanding questions about his cabinet and policy direction. Burnham will pledge to deliver improvements in people's lives and set out his domestic priorities, concluding with a "message of optimism" about Britain's future. The incoming leader will inherit a range of challenging issues, including immigration, welfare, productivity, and social care, as well as navigating global relationships, including with US President Donald Trump.3) Spain won its second World Cup title, defeating Lionel Messi’s Argentina 1-0 in extra time. The World Cup has been a commercial success, with FIFA increasing its four-year revenue expectations by about $2 billion and more than 15 million people attending stadiums and fan festival areas. The tournament was marred by controversy, including President Donald Trump's intervention on behalf of a suspended American player, which led to criticism of FIFA's obsession with money and power. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to new home sales data with a focus on three stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to the UK preparing to usher in its 7th Prime Minister in 10 years. In Asia – a look ahead to Japan Marine Day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Donald Trump accused China of interfering with US elections in 2020, threatening to upend ties with the world’s second-biggest economy as he focuses on securing a victory in the midterms in November.2) Concerns are growing that the US and Iran will intensify hostilities, with the sides clashing for a sixth straight day and Tehran refusing to back down over the Strait of Hormuz. The US hit southern Iran overnight, widening the scope of its targets by striking six road bridges, according to Iranian state media. There were separate reports of attacks on the southern town of Bushehr, which houses the country’s only nuclear power plant, and the western province of Lorestan.3) SpaceX said it will aim to launch its Starship rocket again in a few days after aborting Thursday’s mission when some of its engines didn’t fire up, sending shares lower.Starship was slated to take off on its 13th major mission from SpaceX’s South Texas launch facility, called Starbase, at 5:45 p.m. local time. But right at the planned liftoff time, plumes of smoke erupted from the launch tower, and the rocket remained in place. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US struck Iran for a fifth straight day and hit a sanctioned oil tanker near the country's main export terminal. Iran responded to the US's barrage by firing upon American bases in Kuwait and Jordan, with the Jordanian government intercepting eight missiles. The US and Iran accuse each other of breaching the terms of a memorandum of understanding, which was meant to reopen the Strait of Hormuz but worded ambiguously as to how fast that would happen. It comes as Fatih Birol, the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, says the global economy faces a renewed challenge if the conflict that's choked the Strait of Hormuz isn't resolved in a matter of weeks. 2) Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told senators he would support legislation to foreclose the creation of a $1.8 billion government weaponization fund. Blanche committed to helping craft the legislation during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on his nomination to be attorney general. Senators questioned whether Blanche can operate independently from President Trump, who he previously represented in criminal cases while in private practice.3) Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh said that President Trump hasn’t tried to interfere with the central bank. Warsh stated that he would continue to do his job independently, even if Trump tried to influence the conduct of monetary policy. Trump reiterated his view that he would like to see interest rates go down, saying he would like the country to have the lowest rate anywhere in the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump said he would intensify the US's bombardment against Iran until it stops attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz and agrees to open the waterway. A US-Iran interim peace deal signed around a month ago has all but collapsed over the past week as the two sides feud over control of the vital strait. Trump pledged to bomb Iran again and continue until Iran relents, saying energy targets in Iran will be left "for last".2) The Department of Homeland Security has ordered immigration agents to temporarily halt most vehicle stops during deportation operations after a fatal shooting in Maine. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will suspend vehicle stops except for those targeting serious criminal cases until ICE officers receive new training on vehicle stops. The policy change comes after the second fatal shooting by immigration agents in a week, with the first being the fatal shooting of a Mexican construction worker during a traffic stop in Houston.3) Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is set to appear before the US Senate in support of his nomination to lead the Justice Department. A federal judge in Miami issued harsh criticism of Blanche's actions in settling President Donald Trump's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, suggesting his involvement raised conflict of interest concerns. The Justice Department's settlement with the president has faced rare GOP pushback, and Blanche is expected to be grilled about the settlement and other politically explosive matters during his nomination hearing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump reinstated the US blockade of Iranian ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and demanded a 20% reimbursement for all other cargo shipped through the waterway. US military forces will resume blockading traffic to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas, and the president said the strait "will remain OPEN, with or without Iran." Iran sees any challenge to its authority in the strait as a breach of the interim peace agreement, and the renewed blockade may prompt further attacks on commercial vessels.2) South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster picked Darline Graham Nordone to complete the remainder of the late Senator Lindsey Graham’s term, which expires in January. Nordone will serve out the remainder of the term and is seen by many analysts as a placeholder until voters elect a more seasoned candidate. Nordone said she promises to work hard to support the president and carry forward the efforts of her brother, and will be sworn in on Tuesday afternoon.3) A US immigration officer shot and killed a person in Maine on Monday morning, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The incident occurred in Biddeford, where ICE agents attempted to stop a vehicle that departed from the last known residence of an individual who had received a deportation order. The officer has been placed on leave and the Maine Attorney General's office is investigating the shooting with assistance from state, local and federal authorities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US and Iran exchanged fresh strikes overnight into Monday as they continued their tit-for-tat attacks while issuing conflicting declarations over whether the Strait of Hormuz was open to shipping. US Central Command said American forces carried out a new round of attacks to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten shipping in the narrow waterway, hitting dozens of targets including Iranian air-defense systems and missile capabilities. Tehran retaliated with attacks on US allies in the Persian Gulf and beyond, targeting US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, and oil prices rose on fears that renewed clashes could further disrupt flows through Hormuz.2) The death of Senator Lindsey Graham leaves key US allies like Ukraine without one of their most effective conduits to the White House. Graham had spent much of President Trump’s second term trying to sustain US support for Ukraine’s defense against a Russian invasion, despite the US president’s testy relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraine and other US allies will have to find other advocates, which won’t be easy, as Graham had honed a unique skill set, combining a close relationship to Trump, the ability to work with Senate Democrats and deep ties with foreign leaders.3) South Korea’s AI-fueled stock rally came under renewed pressure Monday as SK Hynix Inc. tumbled by a record 15%, underscoring growing investor concerns that the boom had become overstretched. The selloff sent the benchmark Kospi index down 9% and triggered a market-wide trading suspension, with peer Samsung Electronics Co. dropping nearly 11% and foreign investors offloading 1.7 trillion won worth of Kospi shares. SK Hynix’s market cap closed the day at $875 billion, with the company’s shares down at least 30% from peaks last month, as the excitement that powered the rally gives way to a much harsher reset in expectations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host John Tucker take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to U.S CPI and PPI data, along with a focus on three stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to what lays ahead for the European Central Bank as it grapples with a uncertain inflation landscape. In Asia – a look ahead to South Korea’s Constitution Day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Talks between the US and Iran over a permanent peace deal are continuing, according to an American official, despite clashes that threatened to shatter an already fragile ceasefire. The US is still committed to finding a diplomatic solution with Iran, with ongoing discussions described as technical talks, aiming to agree a permanent peace by around mid-August. The US and Iran are trying to resolve issues including the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, with the US seeking a moratorium on Iran enriching uranium and the relinquishment of existing stocks of near-bomb grade uranium.2) President Trump fired two Democratic members of the US Election Assistance Commission, and the Republican member resigned, according to a White House official. The commission's bipartisan mission is to help election officials improve the administration of elections and help Americans participate in the voting process, as stated on its website. The terminations were called "deeply concerning" by Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice, who said they leave the agency without leadership and unable to carry out its major responsibilities.3) SK Hynix's US debut is paving the way for a fresh wave of leveraged products tied to the South Korean memory giant's shares. At least half a dozen products will launch next week, delivering two times the daily return of SK Hynix's American depositary receipts, with some preparing inverse wagers. The emergence of leveraged ETFs is not viewed as a healthy sign as it may be indicative of late-cycle retail behavior and could fuel already heightened volatility. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US military struck Iran for a second day, hitting about 90 targets to further degrade the Islamic Republic’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by targeting US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, according to the semi-official Iranian Students’ News Agency. The attacks raise fears that the tit-for-tat attacks may derail talks on a permanent peace deal, with the US and Iran having accused each other of violating a memorandum of understanding that established a short-term truce.2) Graham Platner suspended his US Senate campaign in Maine following a sexual assault allegation that caused his support from fellow Democrats to collapse. The Maine Democratic Party will hold a nominating convention to choose a new nominee if there is a vacancy to fill, with the process to replace Platner needing to play out before a July 27 deadline. The race to replace Senator Susan Collins is considered essential to the Democratic party's chances of taking control of the Senate, with several potential candidates taking steps to prepare for a run.3) SK Hynix's US listing is more than seven times oversubscribed, according to people familiar with the matter, underscoring strong investor appetite despite recent volatility in the Korean memory chipmaker's shares. The sale of 177.9 million American depositary receipts has attracted demand from institutional investors including global long-only funds and sovereign wealth funds, some of the people said. The offering would raise about $24.5 billion, according to Bloomberg calculations, and would rank among the largest ever debuts in the US by a foreign company, second only to Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s $25 billion debut. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump said his tentative ceasefire with Iran is done, raising the prospect of a renewed military conflict between the two countries. Trump's remarks came after the US launched a new wave of strikes against Iran and revoked a waiver that allowed the sale of Iranian oil, in response to recent attacks on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The developments marked the most serious threat to the interim peace deal, with the US blaming Iran for the attacks on shipping, and Tehran saying the military strikes and waiver revocation violated the agreement between the two countries.2) New York City officials were racing to stabilize a high-rise building in Manhattan after cracks developed in multiple columns and floors began to sag. The building remains unstable, according to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who said this is an extremely serious situation. A team entered the structure and determined that contractors can move forward with the installation of temporary shoring to stabilize the building, according to city officials.3) Nvidia's stock is the cheapest it's been since before the AI boom, after losing roughly $1 trillion in market value in less than two months. The chipmaker's stock has tumbled 16% since hitting an all-time high on May 14, as investors favor competing semiconductor manufacturers, particularly those in the memory market. Nvidia is expected to deliver the fourth-fastest revenue growth in the S&P 500 this year, but its shares are still cheaper than about half of the stocks in the index, including Hershey and Dominion Energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) NATO allies unveiled billions in defense industry deals to buy next-generation drones and surveillance planes as allies attempt to convince President Trump that Europe is heeding his spending demands ahead of the NATO Summit. Eleven countries will buy airborne radar-detection systems from Swedish aerospace firm Saab AB, replacing a US-made Boeing Co model, in a deal worth $5 billion. Allies will invest more than $40 billion in counter-drone capabilities over the next five years, according to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.2) Maine Democrat Graham Platner is under pressure to end his bid for a US Senate seat following a sexual assault allegation he has denied. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called on Platner to step aside and vowed to cut off the party's funding for him if he stays on the ballot. Several Democrats, including Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Ro Khanna, have withdrawn their endorsements of Platner and urged him to leave the race, citing the "troubling and deeply serious" allegations against him.3) Team USA’s run in the World Cup came to an end as it failed to make the quarterfinals, losing 4-1 to Belgium. Outrage over FIFA’s decision to allow striker Folarin Balogun to play continued to simmer after the organization reversed his one-game ban. The reversal sparked outrage across the world, with UEFA calling it “incomprehensible and unjustifiable” and accusing FIFA of crossing “a red line." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a NATO summit in Turkey on Wednesday that will be charged with tension over the US leader’s views on Greenland, European defense spending and the Iran war. Trump arrives in Turkey on Tuesday, when he will meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before a summit with the full defense alliance the next day, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said. Meantime, Ukraine failed to intercept a single Russian ballistic missile in a deadly overnight attack on the eve of the NATO summit, highlighting Kyiv’s growing vulnerability as shortages of US-made Patriot air defenses become acute and peace talks remain stalled. Eleven people were killed and 60 injured in the overnight strikes on Kyiv that caused destruction in several districts of the city, damaging multiple residential buildings, Zelenskyy said Monday on X.2) Oil fluctuated in a narrow range, as flows through the Strait of Hormuz persisted and OPEC+ signaled higher supplies. Brent traded above $72 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate was near $69. Oil and gas shipping along a US-protected corridor in the waterway showed signs of recovering Sunday, a day after several vessels had performed unexplained U-turns and detours in the energy chokepoint. Separately, OPEC+ members backed another modest rise in quotas for next month, with seven nations led by Saudi Arabia and Russia agreeing to add 188,000 barrels a day in a further roll-back of curbs made several years ago.3) US futures signaled a mild rebound in technology stocks at the start of a week in which South Korea’s memory giants will put the artificial-intelligence trade to yet another test. Nasdaq 100 contracts climbed 1% after the US holiday break. The Stoxx 600 hovered near a record high. Asian stocks fluctuated, with Samsung Electronics Co.’s 164% year-to-date rally set to face the spotlight when the chipmaker releases earnings for the June quarter on Tuesday. The report will be followed days later by peer SK Hynix Inc.’s massive ADR listing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – we look at the potential impact of AI on the labor market In the UK – we preview the upcoming NATO summit in Turkey In Asia – we discuss inflation in China ahead of new economic data See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg’s Nathan Hager looks at 2026's biggest tech stories...so far...and what we can expect for the rest of the year. He speaks with Gene Munster of Deepwater Asset Management and former Wedbush head of Global Tech, Dan Ives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Oil fell for a third day as flows through the Strait of Hormuz climbed and there were signs of progress in indirect talks between the US and Iran. Brent for September traded below $71 a barrel, after sliding more than 3% in the previous two sessions, while West Texas Intermediate was around $68. Oil supply through the critical waterway has reached more than 10 million barrels a day, underscoring Tehran’s now-limited ability to halt shipping, a US official said, while President Donald Trump hailed progress in negotiations.2) The latest bout of volatility in technology stocks entered a second day, with chipmakers in South Korea bearing the brunt of the selling. The dollar fell and Treasuries wavered ahead of the June US payrolls report.Nasdaq 100 futures dipped 0.4% after semiconductors led Wall Street lower in the previous session. S&P 500 contracts were flat. Memory makers SK Hynix Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. lost a combined $290 billion in value to drive a 7.9% slump in South Korea’s Kospi index. In Europe, the Stoxx 600 rose 0.5%, with technology among only three of the 20 index sectors to lose ground.3) The SEC is looking into Susquehanna International Group’s allegations that unknown insider traders made $100 million on options bets ahead of a recent Chinese regulatory crackdown on cross-border brokerages, according to a person familiar with the matter.Susquehanna went public with its claims in a lawsuit filed Monday in Manhattan federal court. The US Securities and Exchange Commission is examining the trades described in the market-making firm’s complaint, said the person, who asked not to be identified discussing the confidential probe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast: 1) US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff had positive discussions with regional leaders in Qatar and technical talks with Iran are moving ahead. The US and Iran are seeking to ease tensions and forge a longer-term peace deal after recent attacks imperiled an already fragile ceasefire. Progress is being made in separate technical talks, but major issues such as the release of Iranian assets and the future management of the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved. 2) Progressive insurgents took down establishment incumbents in Colorado midterm primary elections last night. In the 1st District, 29-year-old democratic-socialist Melat Kiros unseated nearly 30-year Congresswoman Diana DeGette. In the closely-watched 8th District, the more progressive Democrat in that race, Manny Rutinel, beat Shannon Bird in a landslide. In the state's Democratic governor's race, state Attorney General Phil Weiser defeated Senator Michael Bennet. However, in Colorado's Senate primary, incumbent John Hickenlooper held off a challenge from self-described insurgent progressive Julie Gonzales. 3) The US government removed foreign access restrictions on Anthropic PBC's Fable 5 artificial intelligence model, clearing it for wider distribution. Anthropic had disabled its models and been in discussions with officials to satisfy safety concerns after the Commerce Department imposed an export control rule. The company will enable Fable 5 access to users globally and allow usage on cloud services run by Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, and will work with Washington to expand access to Mythos 5. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Iran reiterated its determination to control maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, raising the stakes ahead of fresh talks in Qatar on formally ending its war with the US. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran wants to work out an agreement with Oman to oversee ships passing through Hormuz, but will move forward with its own plans if Oman is not interested. The US, Europe, and Gulf Arab nations are concerned about charges being imposed for the use of Hormuz, which would likely add to energy costs and risk creating a precedent for other countries.2) President Trump refused to commit to signing a major bipartisan housing bill, saying it was “so unimportant” compared to a voting bill. Trump would make a decision on whether to sign the housing bill once he receives it, which has been formally transmitted to the White House. The bill would curb large institutional investors’ ownership of single-family homes, streamline rules around factory-built housing and encourage localities to remove barriers to construction.3) The US Supreme Court has four big outstanding cases that will be decided today. They include one which challenges the President's executive order ending birthright citizenship for children born in the US to undocumented parents. Yesterday, the High Court expanded the president’s power to fire top government officials in a 6-3 decision that overturns a 1935 precedent. The ruling lets the president fire Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Kelly Slaughter despite a law that says commissioners can be removed only for specified reasons. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US and Iran have agreed to stop attacking each other before peace talks resume over the Strait of Hormuz and other issues. Technical talks are scheduled to continue on all aspects of a memorandum of understanding reached this month, with both sides standing down for now and vessels able to move freely. The exchange of attacks began over the waterway, with the Islamic Republic striking a container ship, prompting Washington to hit Iran, and both sides blaming the other for breaching the ceasefire.2) Russian President Vladimir Putin said he’s ready to continue talks with US envoys on ending the war in Ukraine. Putin rejected a proposal to halt long-range strikes that have proven damaging for both sides, saying his retaliatory strikes deep into Ukrainian territory are much more powerful. The Kremlin expects US negotiators to travel to Moscow to continue talks on ending the war in Ukraine once Washington is less focused on the conflict with Iran.3) The US Supreme Court is scheduled to rule on President Trump's bids to oust a Federal Reserve governor and roll back automatic birthright citizenship this week. The court will decide whether Trump can remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook temporarily while she fights mortgage fraud allegations, and whether he can restrict birthright citizenship to babies with at least one parent who is a US citizen or green-card holder. The justices will also rule on other cases, including Trump's effort to fire top officials at executive-branch agencies for any reason, and cases related to election laws and transgender athletes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to the U.S June jobs report with a focus on three stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to this year’s Wimbledon tournament. In Asia – a look ahead to key readings on growth and inflation for Vietnam's economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) An attack on a container vessel sailing through the Strait of Hormuz has prompted some shipowners to review exit plans, but traffic continued to flow in both directions through the vital thoroughfare on Friday. Two fully laden tankers are heading out of the Persian Gulf, while four empty, inbound, very large crude carriers are among the vessels sailing along the Omani coast, ship-tracking data show. This southern route is managed by Oman and coordinated by the US.2) The death toll from twin earthquakes that rocked Venezuela rose to 235 with thousands more injured, as rescue teams desperately cleared away rubble to reach trapped victims. The powerful 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck within a minute of each other on Wednesday evening, toppling buildings and severely damaging the country’s main international airport. People across the country were frantically searching for missing relatives, with social media filling with photographs and appeals for information.3) Technology stocks once again pulled global indexes lower as renewed selling in semiconductor manufacturers and a possible delay to OpenAI’s public debut hit sentiment. Oil resumed its slide. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Hours after President Trump excoriated Republicans at a private lunch for backing a war powers resolution to end the Iran conflict, the Senate voted down a separate resolution as two Republicans flipped their votes. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana told reporters he changed his vote after he was reassured by a private briefing he received after engaging in a shouting match with the president at the lunch. And Senator Rand Paul flipped his vote to present, posting on X that he wanted to give the peace talks a chance. The moves are mostly symbolic, but Trump had complained to senators that the passage of the resolution on Tuesday had undermined his negotiating position with the Iranians at a sensitive time, senators said.2) Micron Technology surged in premarket trading after its quarterly sales forecast exceeded Wall Street estimates, signaling that an AI-fueled growth run remains strong. The company has secured strategic customer agreements that average three years in length, which suggests it can mitigate boom-and-bust cycles in the memory chip industry. Micron's revenue will be approximately $50 billion in the fiscal fourth quarter, with profit of about $31 a share, compared with analyst projections of $43.2 billion and $25.31, respectively.3) The European Union's US trade deal is set to go into effect after the bloc gave its final sign-off. The EU will erase levies on US industrial goods and some agriculture products in exchange for a 15% tariff ceiling on its US exports. The transatlantic trade relationship remains strained due to unresolved disagreements over issues like metals tariffs and tech regulations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast: 1) Three candidates endorsed by Zohran Mamdani swept to victory in Democratic congressional primaries on Tuesday, showing that the coalition which powered the New York City mayor to a surprising victory last year is gaining strength. Former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, New York state lawmaker Claire Valdez, and community organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier won in their respective congressional districts, toppling some of the city's most established political figures. The victories were viewed as a test of Mamdani's political strength and appear to have paid off, with the mayor's allies winning in key races and the Democratic Socialists of America expanding its political power at the local and national level. 2) President Trump said Iran will be able to use funds released from frozen accounts only to purchase food and medical supplies from the US. Iran disputed Trump's comments, saying the funds would be used "freely, in whatever manner it deems appropriate," rather than being restricted to purchases from the US. The US and Iran are making progress in peace negotiations, but outstanding issues, including Israel's conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, stand in the way of a firm deal. 3) Elon Musk's SpaceX sold $25 billion of investment-grade bonds, replacing costly debt that had helped finance Musk's acquisition of X and expensive loans and bonds issued by xAI. The bond sale will result in SpaceX paying $1.5 billion of interest annually, compared to the $1.8 billion that X and xAI would have spent to service their debt if they hadn't been folded into SpaceX. The bond offering was supported by investors, with $89 billion of orders received at its peak, and will be used to refinance a $20 billion bridge facility and for general corporate purposes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Iran said $12 billion of its frozen funds were set to be released as part of ongoing talks with the US, with the two sides broadly signaling progress in negotiations to formally end their war. The unfreezing of funds — as well as the US waiving sanctions on Iranian oil exports and pledging to help set up a $300 billion rehabilitation fund for Iran — has provoked criticism of President Trump. The US and Iran have agreed to set up technical working groups to deal with issues such as unwinding sanctions on the Islamic Republic and curbing its enrichment of uranium.2) Keir Starmer resigned as UK prime minister after two years in office, and the UK could be set for a quick transition to a new premiership as rivals t o frontrunner Andy Burnham stand aside. Burnham was sworn in as an MP, with the former mayor of Manchester positioned to become Labour’s next leader. The coming switch means the UK will soon have its seventh prime minister in the 10 years since the Brexit vote. Burnham could potentially become prime minister by July 17 if he faces no challengers3) Tributes to former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan poured in after the news of his death early Monday, with many describing him as a driving force for change at the Fed and a guiding light for investors. Greenspan's former colleagues credit him for ensuring the central bank remained focused on inflation, spotting the impact of a productivity boom in the 1990s and shaking up how the Fed communicates. Greenspan's legacy is clouded by the 2008-09 global financial crisis, with critics saying he missed the build-up of a housing bubble that ultimately caused the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Keir Starmer said he would step down as Britain’s prime minister, marking a precipitous fall from favor two years after leading the Labour Party back to power with a landslide majority. Starmer’s departure paves the way for Andy Burnham to attempt to take over as successor, after the long-time mayor of Manchester won a parliamentary seat last week in order to mount a challenge. Starmer’s exit opens the door to Britain’s fifth premier since 2022: a jarring milestone for a political system which once prized itself on its stability. 2) Iran said there had been “major progress” in all-night discussions with the US as the warring sides try to reach a peace deal within two months. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the mediators, Qatar and Pakistan, had managed to ease some of the tensions over Lebanon, and Iran was beginning to see financial benefits from last week’s memorandum of understanding. Negotiations are set to continue throughout this week, with lower-level delegates discussing technical matters, and a resolution to the fighting in Lebanon will be decisive for the success of the US-Iran talks.3) Colombia elected conservative lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella president, heralding a swing back to business-friendly and pro-US policies after four years of leftist rule. De la Espriella had 49.7% of the vote to Senator Iván Cepeda’s 48.7%, with 99.9% of polling stations reporting, in one of the closest results in the nation’s history. The final, confirmed result is expected toward the end of the week, after a review process that begins at the municipal level and moves to regional commissions and the national stage.4) Alan Greenspan, the Federal Reserve chairman proclaimed a wizard for guiding a then-record US economic expansion, only to see his luster dimmed by the financial crisis that erupted less than two years after he stepped down, has died. He was 100.He died on Monday at his home, NBC News reported, citing his wife, Andrea Mitchell, its chief Washington correspondent and chief foreign affairs correspondent. The cause was complications of Parkinson’s disease. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to the next U.S PCE and GDP data, along with a focus on 3 stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to London Climate Action Week. In Asia – a look ahead to Australia CPI data. - Stuart Paul, US Economist with Bloomberg Economics, previews U.S PCE and GDP data.- Avalon Pernell, Bloomberg Equities Reporter, focuses on 3 stocks for the week ahead.- Joe Wertz, Bloomberg Weather and Climate Reporter, to preview London Climate Action Week.- Olivia Rudgard, Bloomberg Green reporter, to preview London Climate Action Week.- James McIntyre- Bloomberg Economist Covering Australia and New Zealand, previews Australia CPI data. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this special Juneteenth Holiday edition of Bloomberg Daybreak - hosted by Nathan Hager: - We survey the big tech landscape ahead of Micron Earnings with Mandeep Singh, Bloomberg Intelligence Global Technology Lead and Anurag Rana, Senior Technology Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence -We look at state of anti-trust cases in America with Jenn Rie of Bloomberg Intelligence. - Plus, We are just days away from the official start of summer..So we thought it would be a good time to look at travel as many get to embark on vacations..We do that with Nikki Ekstein and Chris Rovzar of Bloomberg Pursuits. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump signed an interim deal to end the war with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, despite criticism from Republicans. The memorandum of understanding is now in effect, and it envisions the rapid reopening of the strait and immediate sanctions waivers for Iranian oil. The deal has prompted criticism from some of Trump's allies, who say it amounts to a victory for Tehran and that the US is conceding too much, with talks on nuclear issues and potential further financial gains for Iran to follow.2) Traders dumped short-term Treasuries and bet on interest rate hikes after Federal Reserve chairman Kevin Warsh made clear the central bank won’t tolerate high inflation. The hawkish message was driven home by the projections of individual Fed members, half of whom expect to raise rates by the end of the year. The Fed’s message triggered repositioning in markets, with futures traders expecting a quarter-point rate hike by October and 30-year Treasury yields slipping to the lowest since late April.3) A ticker-tape parade celebrating the NBA Champion New York Knicks will step off at 10 a.m. from Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan, traveling north along Broadway, and concludes at City Hall Plaza with a ticketed ceremony. The city is preparing for enormous crowds, with spectators expected to number in the millions, and the NYPD will have 10,000 officers at the event. Viewing areas along the route open at 6 a.m., and police will close access points once viewing areas reach capacity, while the mayor’s office gave away 600 tickets to the City Hall ceremony in a public lottery. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast: 1) Iran would be allowed to start oil exports immediately under an interim deal with the US and gain access to a $300 billion economic development program. The US Treasury Department will issue waivers for exports of Iranian crude oil and petrochemical products immediately after the memorandum is signed, and the US will end its naval blockade of Iranian ports. The US and its regional partners would create a plan to rehabilitate Iran and allow for its economic development, with financing of at least $300 billion, according to the draft document. 2) Voters headed to the polls in four states and the District of Columbia. The biggest races to watch were two runoff elections in Georgia, where President Trump's endorsement led to mixed results. In the Republican Senate race, Trump-backed Congressman Mike Collins defeated former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley by an 11 point margin - 55.5% to 44.5%. Meanwhile, in the governor's race, President Trump's favored candidate, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, lost to billionaire Rick Jackson, 52.7% to 47.4%. It was also a historic primary night in Washington DC. For the first time in 36 years, Democrats have picked a nominee for delegate to Congress who is not Eleanor Holmes Norton. Councilmember Robert White ran away with the nomination with 63.2% of the vote. 3) Federal Reserve policymakers are expected to hold interest rates steady, posing a test for new chairman Kevin Warsh as inflation erodes households' purchasing power. Several officials have outlined scenarios that could warrant rate hikes and want to eliminate language suggesting their next move is likely to be a cut. Investors will be listening for how strongly Warsh expresses support for the central bank's commitment to returning inflation to the Fed's 2% goal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) US President Donald Trump keeps repeating that the Strait of Hormuz — through which one fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies normally flow — will reopen by Friday.But on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit, where Iran likely dominated Monday’s dinner conversation, it’s clear that his European allies don’t share his optimism. They disagree that trade can resume by week’s end, like Trump promised, and have practical questions about what exactly was agreed before they can commit to de-mining missions and patrols.2) The UK announced new sanctions on what it said was a Russian intelligence network that has been acquiring Western technology for its military to use in Ukraine, as well as a further clampdown on its shadow fleet and illicit finance programs. Britain’s Foreign Office said it was exposing a front company called LLC Neptune Co Ltd, which it said was controlled by Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU, and was involved in covertly procuring Western technology for the country’s military.3) SpaceX shares surged in premarket trading, putting the stock on track to extend a rally following its blockbuster debut last week. The shares rose 11% in New York, poised to build on the more than 40% gain across SpaceX’s first two sessions as a public company. The gains have lifted the market value of the rocket and AI company founded by Elon Musk above $2.5 trillion as of Monday’s close, bringing it within striking distance of Amazon.com Inc.’s nearly $2.7 trillion valuation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast: 1) The US and Iran reached an interim agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, halting a war that killed thousands of people and setting the stage for negotiations on the fate of Tehran’s nuclear program. Officials from the two countries will meet in Switzerland to formally sign the agreement, with key sticking points left for the next stage of talks, including the removal of sanctions and financial incentives for Iran. The agreement could bring peace and security to the region, but its details remain unresolved, and both sides are casting the deal in different lights, underscoring the difficulties that may lie ahead in resolving outstanding issues. 2) Inflation is roaring back at the fastest pace in three years, and investors have been dumping US Treasury bonds and piling into bets the Fed will need to start raising rates by December. Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh is facing an unusually high-stakes test in his first FOMC meeting as Fed chair, with his maiden press conference and the Fed's post-meeting statement and forecasts to be scoured for clues on what's next. Warsh's commitment to maintaining the bank's political independence will be reassured if he sends a convincing message that the Fed is willing to shift back into inflation-fighting mode, but falling short will rattle markets already worried he could jeopardize the Fed's credibility. 3) SpaceX shares jumped in premarket trading Monday, after its blockbuster debut Friday vaulted it into the ranks of the world’s most valuable public companies. The performance helped bolster confidence in the artificial intelligence rally, following SpaceX’s embrace of AI earlier this year with the acquisition of Musk’s xAI. It also boosted the IPO prospects of Anthropic PBC and OpenAI, both of which plan go public themselves. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to the next FOMC decision, along with a focus on 3 stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to a high stakes UK election and Bank of England decision. In Asia – a look ahead to a monetary policy decision from the Bank of Japan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Shares of SpaceX climbed in their first day of trading on Friday following a $75 billion IPO that smashed records and instantly turned the crown jewel of Elon Musk’s empire into one of the most valuable public companies in the world. The stock climbed as high as $176.52, or 31% above its offering price, less than two hours after the shares started trading shortly before noon in New York. The jump in price turned Musk into the world’s first trillionaire and sent the company’s market capitalization above $2 trillion. For instant reaction and analysis, Bloomberg's Kailey Leinz speaks with: Yahaira Anand, Bloomberg Television Reporter Craig Trudell, Bloomberg News Managing Editor of Global Business Coverage Ed Ludlow, Bloomberg Tech co-host See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US and Iran are edging closer to signing an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to senior officials. A deal is likely to take the form of a memorandum of understanding, and Geneva is being considered as a potential location for the signing. An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said "we have not yet reached a conclusion on this matter", despite reports of progress toward ending the war.2) SpaceX made history with a $75 billion IPO and now needs the market's validation of its ambition to dominate AI and carry humans to the moon and Mars. The company's IPO was more than four times oversubscribed, and indications are that SpaceX shares could open with a pop of at least 35% on its first day of trading. The trading will determine whether Elon Musk becomes the world's first trillionaire and will also affect the prospects for initial public offerings from SpaceX's AI rivals Anthropic PBC and OpenAI.3) The New York Knicks are on the cusp of winning the NBA finals, and SpaceX is poised to go public in the biggest IPO in history. The NBA finals have had a significant economic impact, with high ticket prices and increased merchandise sales, and ratings are higher than they've been in decades. The SpaceX IPO could have a significant market impact, with investors having mixed views on the company's valuation and potential for growth in the AI sector. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The New York Knicks came from 29 points down to beat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, taking a 3-1 lead in the series. The Knicks' win was capped off by OG Anunoby's tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining, which followed a long 3-point shot by Jalen Brunson that bounced off the front of the rim. The Spurs had led 81-52 in the third quarter, but the Knicks outscored them 58-30 in the second half to complete the record-breaking comeback.2) President Trump said he will continue bombing Iran if it refuses to agree to an interim peace deal, following a second night of clashes between the countries’ forces. Iran retaliated by firing on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, and said the Strait of Hormuz would be closed to all types of vessels. Trump ordered multiple strikes, including around 50 Tomahawk missiles, which Central Command described as “self-defense strikes,” in a signal that Trump wants to avoid restarting a full-on war.3) US inflation accelerated in May to the fastest pace in more than three years as the Iran war pushed up energy prices, outstripping Americans’ pay gains. Still, President Trump sought to downplay the CPI data, calling the figures “great” and suggesting fuel costs would be even higher if not for US efforts to get oil shipments out of the Strait of Hormuz. “You know what I really love? I love the inflation,” Trump said Wednesday. That’s because once the war is over “it’s going to come down like a rock.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US and Iran exchanged strikes overnight after President Trump retaliated against Tehran for shooting down an American Apache helicopter. The US military said it had completed an operation that saw fighter jets strike Iranian air defenses, ground control stations, and radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran launched missiles on four American targets and fired drones at the US's main naval base in the Middle East, with no immediate reports of casualties in any of the attacks.2) Progressive Democrat Graham Platner won the party's Senate primary in Maine with about 72% support. Platner's campaign was marked by accusations of past misbehavior, including a Nazi symbol tattoo and disturbing behavior towards ex-girlfriends, which he has denied or acknowledged as mistakes. Platner will face Republican incumbent Susan Collins in the November Senate race, which Democrats consider crucial to reclaiming the chamber. Incumbent Lindsey Graham, who was endorsed by President Trump, is projected to win the Republican Senate primary in South Carolina, according to DDHQ. Representative Nancy Mace, once a close Trump ally, finished in last place in the state's gubernatorial race, saying her support for releasing the Epstein files is why she lost. Trump-backed Pamela Evette, South Carolina's lieutenant governor, and state attorney general Alan Wilson advanced to a runoff.3) Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is set to appear*behind closed doors before the House panelinvestigating Jeffrey Epstein. Gates has reportedly been getting some help from Jake Greenberg, who, according to the New York Times, was spearheading the oversight panel's Epstein inquiry until December. The Gates Foundation, which has launched an external review of Gates' ties with Epstein, told the Financial Times that it regretted "having any employees interact with Epstein in any way." Gates has not been charged with anything and has called his relationship with Epstein a "huge mistake" and denied any wrongdoing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump renewed his claims of momentum toward ending the conflict with Iran after a halt to hostilities between Israel and Iran. Iran and Israel agreed to halt strikes on each other following a flare-up that saw both countries launch waves of ballistic missiles, with a ceasefire in place for about two months. Trump told reporters that "we're in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal" and that they "could have at least an idea one or two days from now" about the deal.2) The race for California governor is on track for a two-person runoff in November between Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton. Becerra took first place in the primary with more than 27% of the vote, while Hilton was in second at 25%, according to a tally by Decision Desk HQ. The runoff sets up a showdown along party lines for the governorship of the nation’s most populous state, with Becerra vowing to tackle California’s affordability crisis and Hilton campaigning on criticizing Democratic power in California.3) The New York Knicks lost their first home NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden since 1999, with a 115-111 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Tickets for the game were priced as high as six figures, with demand so high that secondary market tickets reached well into the thousands. The game was attended by notable figures including President Donald Trump, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and celebrities such as Spike Lee, Jay-Z, and Jon Stewart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Israel and Iran exchanged missile strikes on Monday despite President Trump’s calls for both sides to stop fighting and give peace talks a chance. Iran launched a fresh wave of attacks just hours after firing ballistic missiles at Israel on Sunday. Israel responded with strikes on military targets in western and central Iran, while Iranian state media reported multiple explosions in the capital, Tehran. 2) The Houthis, an Iran-backed militant group that controls much of Yemen, declared a ban on Israeli ships in the Red Sea, threatening a key bypass route to the Strait of Hormuz. “We declare a complete and total ban on Israeli maritime navigation,” the group said Monday in a statement. “We consider all enemy movements to be legitimate military targets for our armed forces.” The move comes as the Iran war drags into a fourth month and hostilities flare across the region, threatening to derail a fragile truce and complicate negotiations toward a peace deal. The conflict has led to the near-closure of Hormuz, forcing key Middle Eastern exporters to find alternative routes to global markets.3) The Secret Service and the New York Police Department barred outdoor watch parties planned near Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday night, citing security requirements tied to President Donald Trump’s planned attendance. The ban applies only to Game 3, with officials expecting the New York City watch parties to resume for Game 4. Matt McCool, special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s New York field office, said the two agencies jointly determined that outdoor gatherings near the arena could not be safely accommodated. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to U.S CPI and PPI data, along with a focus on 3 stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to London tech week. In Asia – a look ahead to China PPI and CPI data. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) There was no sign of progress in ceasefire talks between the US and Iran after the worst burst of violence in weeks. President Trump said ceasefire talks are in the “final” stages, while Iran’s foreign minister said the negotiations had stalled. Hezbollah militants rejected a US-brokered truce in Lebanon, with its chief calling the deal “absurd” and refusing to link its presence in Lebanon with stopping the war.2) The Senate passed a $69.5 billion bill to fund two immigration enforcement agencies over three years, resolving a months-long dispute. The bill includes $26 billion for Customs and Border Protection, $38.5 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and $5 billion for additional border support. The bill now heads to the House for a vote before being sent to President Donald Trump's desk for his signature.3) Russian President Vladimir Putin pushed back at prospects for European leaders to help negotiate an end to his war in Ukraine, dismissing them as mediators. Putin reiterated that he’d reached an agreement with President Trump on what he said was a compromise peace deal at their summit in Anchorage, and that EU states could play a role in ending the war by convincing Kyiv to agree to compromises. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued an open letter to Putin calling on him to meet directly to settle the war, and said that both Europe and the US should be part of the process of ending the war. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Iran said there had been no recent progress in talks with the US over an interim peace deal, while fighting persisted in Lebanon despite Washington’s declaration of a ceasefire between Israel and the country.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said late Wednesday that “no tangible progress has been achieved in the negotiation process” with the US, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.2) US forces intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles and drones aimed at neighboring Middle East countries and struck a command center in Iran in response. The exchange followed days of Israeli military escalation against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, prompting a phone call between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Tensions remain high after the US attacked Iranian radar and command-and-control sites, with Iran trying to target an air base in retaliation and the US and Israel having different ideas about what an end to the war should look like.3) The New York Knicks' winning streak lives on, and they struck first in the NBA Finals.Jalen Brunson scored 30 points, Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, and the Knicks erased a 14-point second-half deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the finals on Wednesday night. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) We wrap a number of major primary elections across the country. Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra surged to the top of California’s crowded gubernatorial primary, with billionaire Tom Steyer trailing in the contest. In Los Angeles mayor's race, incumbent Karen Bass has been forced into a runoff and could face Republican Spencer Pratt, who is leading second place. In a New Jersey House district which could prove key for Republicans holding their majority in November, former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett is projected to win the Democratic primary. 2) US forces intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles and drones aimed at neighboring Middle East countries and struck a command center in Iran in response. The exchange followed days of Israeli military escalation against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, prompting a phone call between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Tensions remain high after the US attacked Iranian radar and command-and-control sites, with Iran trying to target an air base in retaliation and the US and Israel having different ideas about what an end to the war should look like.3) The US is proposing a new tariff of at least 10% on imports from 60 trading partners, following an investigation into how trade partners handle goods allegedly produced by forced labor. A 10% tariff rate would apply to imports from Canada, Mexico, the European Union, Taiwan and the UK, among other places, while products from other major economies, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and Switzerland, would be subject to a 12.5% levy. The levies won't go into effect immediately and are subject to a public comment and review period before implementation, which could result in changes before any duties are codified, with written comments due by July 6 and public hearings beginning on July 7.4) CBS News fired 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley after he confronted his new boss at an internal meeting on Monday. Pelley had questioned the qualifications of Nick Bilton, who was appointed to lead the CBS newsmagazine, and accused CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss of “murdering” the program. Pelley said the leadership of 60 Minutes is "no longer recognizable" and that the principles he holds dear are gone, which is why he must leave. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump says he thinks the US can reach an interim peace deal with Iran soon, with discussions continuing "at a rapid pace." Iran's negotiators are discussing their "final text" to send to the US, but are wary of the US due to previous breached pledges. A ceasefire in Lebanon is a key part of the potential memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran, with Iran insisting on a stop to fighting as part of the deal.2) The White House will reduce tariffs on agricultural equipment, such as combines and harvesters, to reduce costs for US farmers and manufacturers. The tariffs would drop to 15% from 25%, with a lower 10% duty rate possible if capital equipment contains at least 85% US steel or aluminum. The concession takes effect June 8 and would run through the end of 2027, according to a White House fact sheet.3) The Trump administration's plans to scrap a $1.8 billion legal fund for victims of alleged government "weaponization" have been met with skepticism from Republican senators. The fund was created as part of a settlement resolving the president's lawsuit against the IRS over the 2019 leak of his tax information, and was intended to compensate those alleging they were victims of politically motivated investigations or legal action. Several Republican senators have demanded public assurances that the fund is dead, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune saying "that would be the ideal outcome" and that the administration should make clear the fund won't be established. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast:1) The US and Iran traded messages over the weekend seeking changes to a draft agreement that would extend a ceasefire and open the Strait of Hormuz, but it was unclear whether the sides were making much progress. As the diplomatic exchanges continued, Israel expanded its ground assault in Lebanon, shattering a brittle truce with its northern neighbor. President Trump said his proposed deal states clearly “that Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon,” according to a post on Truth Social. Trump hadn’t spoken on the subject of Iran since a White House Situation Room meeting Friday in which he said he expected to announce an agreement. In a social media post earlier that day, he reiterated his demands, including that Iran suspend its nuclear program and fully restore the strait to its earlier status as a free, international waterway. The semi-official Tasnim news agency, which has close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said Sunday that both sides continued to propose amendments, but noted that the US and Iran could ultimately reject the changes, causing the deal to collapse.2) Oil rose from a six-week low amid uncertainty over the outlook for a peace deal to end the war in Iran. Brent advanced to around $93 a barrel after closing at its lowest since mid-April on Friday, while West Texas Intermediate rose to near $90. The US and Iran traded messages over the weekend seeking changes to a draft agreement that would extend a ceasefire and open the Strait of Hormuz, but it was unclear if the sides were making much progress. The standoff follows a bout of optimism that some form of peace agreement would be reached — and that energy flows would resume through the Strait of Hormuz — that had caused the first monthly drop in crude prices this year. Brent is still up more than a quarter since the war started at the end of February, as the near-total closure of the vital waterway causes unprecedented turmoil in oil markets.3) Nvidia is entering the personal computer market with a new chip aimed at loosening Intel’s long-standing stranglehold on the sector and modernizing machines for the artificial intelligence era. Starting this fall, the new RTX Spark Superchip will debut in premium laptop and desktop computers from leading brands, including Dell and Lenovo, Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang announced during a keynote speech at the Computex trade show in Taiwan. Huang also announced that next-generation Vera central processing units will enter full production in the third quarter of this year, marking the company's first standalone data center microprocessor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to the May jobs report, along with a focus on three stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to what comes next in the Ukraine war following fresh EU funds to Ukraine. In Asia – a look ahead to Australia GDP data. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US and Iran have reached a preliminary deal to extend a ceasefire by 60 days and discuss the future of Tehran’s nuclear program, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. Vice President JD Vance said the US and Iran are “going back and forth on a couple of language points,” including over issues relating to Tehran’s nuclear capabilities, and that Iran appears to be negotiating in good faith. The US Treasury Secretary reiterated President Trump’s three “red lines” — reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Iran surrendering highly enriched uranium and ending its nuclear program — remain in place.2) Dell shares soared in extended trading after the company gave an outlook for annual sales that far surpassed analysts’ estimates. Revenue in the fiscal year ending in January 2027 will be about $167 billion, including $60 billion from the sale of AI servers, according to the company. Dell’s server business has been viewed as an AI winner this year, sparking the stock more than 150% higher through Thursday’s close.3) Anthropic PBC raised $65 billion in a funding round that valued the artificial intelligence company at $965 billion including the new investment. The funding was led by Altimeter Capital, Dragoneer, Greenoaks and Sequoia Capital, with each of the lead investors putting in more than $2 billion. Alphabet Inc.'s Google and Amazon.com Inc. also invested in the round, with Google contributing several billion dollars and Amazon investing $5 billion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US struck Iranian military targets for the second time this week and Kuwait said it responded to missile and drone threats, highlighting the fragility of the ceasefire. US forces shot down Iranian drones fired at a commercial ship and hit a launch unit near the Strait of Hormuz, according to a US official, who said the attacks were defensive and the ceasefire remains intact. President Trump asserted that no one nation would control Hormuz, which has emerged as one of the key obstacles in resolving the conflict, and said the strait's going to be open to everybody.2) Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson said he expects inflation to cool later this year as the effects of tariffs and higher energy costs wear off, though he warned inflationary risks remain tilted to the upside. In the text of a speech he’s scheduled to deliver Thursday morning in Tokyo at a conference hosted by the Bank of Japan, Jefferson said he is watching for signs that higher energy costs stemming from the Iran war are dragging on consumer spending. He also cautioned that he continues to see signs of labor market weakness. Jefferson repeated his view that the central bank’s current policy setting is well positioned to respond to any developments.3) Salesforce gave a revenue outlook for the current period that just fell short of analysts' estimates, with revenue expected to be about $11.3 billion in the fiscal second quarter. The company reported fiscal first-quarter remaining performance obligations of $67.9 billion, compared with analysts' average estimate of $68.9 billion, and its stock has declined about 33% this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won the state's Republican Senate runoff, defeating incumbent John Cornyn with approximately 63% of the vote. Paxton will face Democrat James Talarico in the November election, and Talarico has released a video focusing on Paxton's 2023 impeachment by the Texas House of Representatives. Republican leaders in Washington will have to decide how much to spend to back Paxton, who has significant baggage, including a history of scandal, to ensure the Texas seat stays in GOP hands.2) There is some optimism that the US and Iran will reach a peace deal despite fresh hostilities and uncertainty over the vital Strait of Hormuz. The strait remains essentially shut, subject to blockades by the US and Iran, but at least two non-Iranian supertankers exited the chokepoint on Tuesday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has cautioned that any peace pact would likely take a few days to finalize. Meanwhile, US forces hit targets near the strait, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it fired at multiple US aircraft after they entered Iranian airspace.3) Strategists at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. joined peers at Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank AG in seeing a 17% return for the S&P 500 Index this year. Earnings growth powered by the AI boom will drive further gains in stocks, the Goldman team led by Ben Snider said as they increased their year-end target for the US benchmark to 8,000 points, ditching a previous forecast of 7,600. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) US and Israeli jets struck Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and other targets, hours after President Donald Trump had suggested negotiations with Tehran over an interim deal were progressing.The attack took place south of Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, with several Iranian personnel killed, Iran’s state-run Nour News reported, without providing further details. Trump earlier said negotiations between the US and Iran over an agreement to extend their ceasefire and reopen the strait were “proceeding nicely.”2) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called US State Secretary Marco Rubio to advise him to evacuate US citizens and diplomats from Kyiv, as the Kremlin plans to continue heavy strikes on the Ukrainian capital, according to a statement published by the Russian Foreign Ministry Monday.3) Ferrari NV shares fell almost 8% in Milan after the Italian super-car maker unveiled the Luce, its first fully electric vehicle, marking a sharp setback for one of the industry’s most closely watched EV debuts.The drop shows the challenge Ferrari is facing as it tries to extend one of the world’s most profitable luxury-car brands into battery-powered models. Early negative reactions across analysts as well as social media zoomed in on the four-door, five seater’s design, judged too similar to other electric models such as by Tesla Inc. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this special Memorial Day edition of Bloomberg Daybreak - hosted by Nathan Hager. We look at the challenges ahead for new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh with Bloomberg News International Economics & Policy correspondent Michael McKee and Anna Wong, Chief US Economist with Bloomberg Economics We preview Costco and Best Buy earnings with Bloomberg Intelligence Analysts Jenn Bartashus and Lindsay Dutch And as we we kick off the unofficial start of summer, we will tell why this could be one of the most expensive Memorial Days on record. We break it all down with Bloomberg's Julia Fanzeres and Mark Niquette See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to U.S PCE and personal spending data, along with a focus on three stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to the Reykjavík Economic Conference in Iceland. In Asia – a look ahead to Australia CPI data. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast: 1) Iran said the latest US proposal partly bridged the gap between the warring sides, but comments from the Islamic Republic's supreme leader clouded the outlook for a breakthrough. The US has demanded Tehran hand over its enriched uranium and commit to ending enrichment, while Iranian leaders have balked at those terms in public. The conflicting statements on key issues left it unclear if the two sides were any closer to a deal after renewed threats of escalation in recent days. 2) NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed President Donald Trump's announcement to send additional troops to Poland. The announcement increased a sense of confusion within the alliance, with officials saying they would prefer US moves to be coordinated. The US is expected to announce adjustments to national forces set to be made available in case of crisis or war, which may include cuts to troops in NATO's force model. 3) Stephen Colbert hosted the last episode of his namesake show on CBS, mostly steering clear of political jokes and criticism of President Trump. The show featured a parade of actors and comedians, including Bryan Cranston and Paul McCartney, who closed the program with a performance of the Beatles hit Hello, Goodbye. Colbert's show is being replaced by Comics Unleashed, a program hosted by Byron Allen, who said the show steers clear of politics and intends to make money selling ads. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Nvidia reported another blowout earnings report and beat analyst estimates, but faced skepticism from some investors. The tech giant aims to rely less on giant data center operators and predicts other businesses and governments will become a bigger source of revenue for its chips and computing products to support artificial intelligence ambitions. The company faces growing competition from chipmakers trying to carve out a piece of the AI computing business, and major buyers of Nvidia's technology are developing their own in-house components. Nvidia's sales gained 85% to $81.6 billion in the three months ended April 26, and the company boosted its quarterly dividend and announced $80 billion in stock repurchases, but investors were not swayed and shares slipped about 1% in late trading.2) SpaceX filed for an initial public offering, revealing billions in losses and a super-voting share plan allowing Elon Musk to keep the company under his control. The company's goals include a human settlement on Mars with at least 1 million inhabitants and making data centers in space a reality, part of a $28.5 trillion total addressable market. The IPO is targeted to raise as much as $75 billion, with Musk standing to benefit significantly, including potentially receiving as many as 1 billion shares if he meets certain goals.3) Iran is assessing the latest peace proposal from the US, as the countries seek to avoid a resumption of hostilities. The exchange of messages is based on Iran’s 14-point text, which suggests a short-term deal that would see Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the US lift a blockade of Iranian ports. Iran gave no indication of when it would respond to the US and reiterated it wants a commitment that fighting will end “on all fronts, including Lebanon.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Ed Gallrein, President Trump's hand-picked candidate, defeated Thomas Massie in a congressional primary in Northern Kentucky. Gallrein's victory is seen as a sign of Trump's grip over his base in solid Republican states, despite national surveys showing the broader electorate souring on the president's handling of issues. The primary was one of the most expensive on record, with nearly $33 million spent.2) President Trump threatened to resume strikes on Iran in the coming days as part of the push for a deal to end the war. The Republican-led US Senate signaled opposition to continuing the war with a procedural vote on Tuesday evening that reflected deepening unease over a foreign conflict. Vice President JD Vance projected a slightly more positive tone on the negotiations, saying "we think that we've made a lot of progress, we think the Iranians want to make a deal," but also threatened a resumption of strikes.3) Talks between Samsung and its largest labor union broke down, raising the prospect of a strike that may disrupt global chip supply and hamper Korean economic growth. A general work stoppage will go ahead after Samsung’s management rejected a proposal from government mediators that had been accepted by the union, according to labor leader Choi Seung-ho. The collapse in negotiations puts the global technology supply chain at risk because Samsung is the world’s biggest supplier of chips that go into devices from data center servers to smartphones and electric vehicles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump said he called off a new bombardment of Iran planned for Tuesday after Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf allies wanted more time to pursue diplomacy. Trump said the US delayed the strikes "for a little while, hopefully maybe forever," because "we've had very big discussions with Iran, and we'll see what they amount to." There was no immediate confirmation from Tehran of renewed talks, and Tehran's leaders have taken a hard line, insisting the US ends a blockade of Iranian ports and provides assurances they won't be attacked again.2) A jury rejected Elon Musk's claims that OpenAI betrayed its mission to benefit the public by morphing into a for-profit business, finding that he waited too long to sue the company. The verdict is a major relief for OpenAI as it eyes a potential initial public offering, and Musk and his lawyers have vowed an appeal. The jury concluded that Musk had enough knowledge about his claims years ago that he should have sued sooner, and did not address his central claim that OpenAI abandoned its responsibilities to develop AI for the benefit of humanity.3) New York City’s transit system and Long Island Rail Road workers reached a potential labor agreement, ending a historic strike that suspended service on the largest commuter line in the US. The agreement doesn’t rely on higher-than-budgeted fare hikes or raising taxes to pay for higher wages, according to Governor Kathy Hochul. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Iran and told it the “clock is ticking,” hours after drones targeted a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates.Tehran “better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them,” Trump said on Truth Social on Sunday. These were his most belligerent comments regarding the Iran war, which remains in a fragile ceasefire, since he returned to the US from China on Friday.2) Aaron Rai was just another name among a dozen others who had reason to believe the PGA Championship was theirs for the taking Sunday at tough Aronimink.There was Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, with 10 majors among them, all ready to seize the moment on a stage that was unfamiliar to Rai.Justin Thomas was the clubhouse leader for nearly four hours after a 65 before the course turned hard under a hot sun.3) Long Island commuters are poised to battle congested roads and packed buses as a workers’ strike threatens to disrupt travel in and out of New York City unless negotiators can strike a deal.Monday would be the first weekday since the Long Island Rail Road, the nation’s busiest commuter railroad, stopped service on Saturday after roughly 3,500 engineers, signalmen and electrical workers walked off the job following a stalemate between the state-run Metropolitan Transportation Authority and union leaders on a labor deal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host John Tucker take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to earnings from Nvidia and a focus on three stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to earnings from Europe’s largest low-cost airlines. In Asia – a look ahead to Japan GDP data. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump said the US and China share common goals for ending the Iran war, including that the Islamic Republic shouldn’t possess a nuclear weapon and that the Strait of Hormuz should reopen. The US administration wants China’s help pressuring Tehran into negotiations to end the conflict, but Beijing has remained cautious, urging further diplomacy and saying disputes over Tehran’s nuclear program should be resolved through dialog. Xi Jinping hailed the results of his meetings with US President Donald Trump and touted an agreement on a new relationship for their countries. The two countries reached an "important consensus" on maintaining stable economic and trade relations while expanding cooperation in various fields.2) Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran said he will resign from the central bank effective once incoming Chair Kevin Warsh is sworn into office, or shortly before. The move by Miran was expected given his seat on the Fed’s Board of Governors will be taken by Warsh. The Senate on Wednesday narrowly confirmed Kevin Warsh as chair of the Fed, clearing the way for his swearing soon after outgoing Chair Jerome Powell’s term ends on Friday.3) Apple's partnership with OpenAI has become strained, with OpenAI preparing possible legal action due to the AI startup not seeing the expected benefits from the deal. OpenAI lawyers are working on a range of options, including sending Apple a notice alleging breach of contract, as the company feels Apple's use of OpenAI technology remains limited and features can be hard to find. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Chinese President Xi Jinping warned President Trump of a potential conflict if the Taiwan issue is mismanaged, saying it is the most important issue in China-US relations. Xi said that if the Taiwan issue is mishandled, the two nations will experience collision or even clashes, pushing the entire China-US relationship into a highly dangerous situation. The US and China discussed various issues, including expanding market access for US businesses, purchasing US energy and agriculture, and addressing the flow of fentanyl precursors, but the Taiwan issue remains a point of tension.2) The Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as chair of the Federal Reserve with a 54-45 vote, the slimmest confirmation margin ever for a head of the central bank. The confirmation sets up a test of the Fed's political independence, with Democrats fearing Warsh will bend to President Donald Trump's demands to rapidly lower interest rates. Warsh vowed to maintain the Fed's tradition of making interest-rate decisions free from political pressure, but Trump has made it clear he expects Warsh to lower borrowing costs immediately.3) Cisco gained in late trading after delivering a better-than-anticipated sales forecast and announcing plans to cut thousands of jobs to focus on the fast-growing AI market. The company said revenue will be $16.7 billion to $16.9 billion in the fiscal fourth quarter, and its restructuring plan is designed to further improve its position in the AI economy. The layoffs will affect fewer than 4,000 jobs, and the company will make strategic investments in areas such as silicon chips, fiber optics, security, and the use of AI by its own employees. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump repeated his military threats against Iran ahead of a visit to China, saying Iran will either “make a good deal” with the US or face devastation. A ceasefire between the US and Iran has lasted over a month but is fragile, with Trump describing it as being on “massive life support” and Tehran continuing to resist US demands. The President is expecting economic deals and a welcome in China, where he will discuss trade, tariffs, and Taiwan with Xi Jinping. The US has targeted Chinese oil refiners and firms providing satellite imagery to Iran, as Trump ramps up his campaign to pressure Tehran into a deal.2) Oil shipments from Iran's main export terminal appear to have come to a standstill over the past several days, according to satellite images. If Kharg Island were to remain idle, it would increase the pressure on the country's remaining storage facilities, which satellite images show are filling up. The terminal hasn't been shown empty for more than a single day since the start of the war, with satellite images of the Kharg Island jetties on 33 out of the 73 days since the US and Israel launched their attacks.3) Anthropic is in early talks with investors to raise at least $30 billion in fresh financing at a valuation of more than $900 billion. The round is expected to close as soon as the end of this month, but the deal is not finalized and no term sheet has been signed. Anthropic needs to make deals to pay for enough computing infrastructure to meet growing demand for its products, amid the breakout success of its AI software. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remained at a standstill on Tuesday, with oil rising after President Trump rejected Iran’s latest offer. Trump called Iran’s response to his proposal a “piece of garbage” and said the ceasefire was on “life support” as he prepares to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The US sanctioned a dozen entities and individuals over the sale of Iranian oil to China, stepping up economic pressure ahead of Trump's visit to meet Xi.2) President Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will meet Thursday morning in Beijing for a high-stakes summit dominated by discussions on trade and the war in Iran. Trump is expected to press Xi on China's approach to Iran, including revenue for Tehran and potential weapons exports, and will also discuss US arms sales to Taiwan.3) A defiant Keir Starmer pushed back against widespread calls for him to quit as Britain’s prime minister, telling his Cabinet that he plans to stay on. More than 80 of Labour’s 403 MPs have called on the prime minister to step aside in the wake of last week’s local elections, in which the party lost control of the Welsh parliament and almost three of every five English council seats it was defending. Starmer said the past 48 hours had been “destabilizing” for the UK. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump and Iran rejected each other’s latest peace proposals to end the 10-week conflict as the two sides struggle to maintain a fragile ceasefire. “I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘Representatives,’” Trump said in a social media post. “I don’t like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!” Iran offered to transfer some of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to a third country, but rejected the idea of dismantling its nuclear facilities, the Wall Street Journal reported earlier. Iran disputed the report, according to the country’s semi-official news agency Tasnim. It was unclear whether the exchange of proposals would offer a path to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Under its latest proposal, Iran would dilute some of its highly enriched uranium and have the rest sent to a third country, the WSJ said, citing people familiar with the response, but it also called for guarantees the transferred uranium would be returned if talks fail and ruled out dismantling its facilities.2) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would like to end US financial support for Israel’s military over the next decade. “I want to draw down the American support for Israel to zero,” he said in an interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes that aired Sunday. “We’ve come of age.” He added, “I think that it’s time that we weaned ourselves from the remaining military support and go from aid to partnership.” The US currently provides Israel with $3.8 billion a year in military assistance under a 10-year agreement originally negotiated by the Obama administration that lasts through 2028. The US military aid to Israel has at times been a contentious political issue, particularly during Israel’s assault on Gaza in response to the attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.3) President Trump is expected to press President Xi Jinping over China’s approach to Iran and hammer out details on a new board of trade when they meet this week in Beijing, senior US officials said Sunday, hours before China confirmed the state visit. Trump and Xi are scheduled for talks on Thursday and Friday in Beijing as they wrestle with strong disagreements over trade and the US-Israeli war with Iran, which counts China as its biggest oil buyer and a key diplomatic backer. In final preparations for the first US presidential trip to China in nearly a decade, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet his Chinese counterpart He Lifeng for last-minute talks in Seoul on Wednesday, both sides confirmed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to U.S CPI, PPI, and Retail sales data, along with a focus on 3 stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to the annual Cannes film festival. In Asia – a look ahead to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's Trip to Japan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US and Iran clashed near the Strait of Hormuz, with US forces targeting missile and drone launch sites and other military assets in Iran. The clashes risk undermining talks over a US-proposed deal to end the war, with Iran expected to send a response via Pakistan in the next two days.2) A federal trade court declared President Trump's 10% global tariffs unlawful, granting a request by small businesses and mostly Democrat-led states to invalidate the tariffs. The court blocked the administration from enforcing the tariffs against two companies that sued and Washington State, but did not issue a "universal injunction" as other states lacked standing.3) SoftBank has downsized plans for a $10 billion margin loan backed by its OpenAI stake after facing hesitation from some creditors. The Japanese conglomerate and bankers have mentioned targeting an amount as low as $6 billion in separate discussions with potential lenders in recent weeks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The Trump administration is waiting on Iran to respond to its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end a war that’s killed thousands of people and triggered a surge in energy prices. Iran is expected to give an answer in the coming days, though its leaders have previously shown little sign of yielding on their nuclear program and accepting a moratorium on enriching uranium.2) The European Union failed to finalize a US trade deal during overnight talks, despite warnings from President Donald Trump that he would soon impose fresh tariffs. Negotiators will continue talks in the coming weeks, with officials committed to moving swiftly, according to Cypriot Energy Minister Michael Damianos. The EU is under pressure from the US to ratify the trade pact, with Trump threatening to increase duties on EU cars and trucks to 25% if the EU doesn't make substantial progress.3) Secretary of State Marco Rubio leaves for Rome today, reprising his role as a more Euro-friendly voice of the administration. He’ll visit with the pope and Italian leader Giorgia Meloni, who have clashed with President Donald Trump, but the stakes go beyond that. Rubio will land amid wider tension with Europe as the president chose to 5,000 troops out of Germany and threatens to do similar in Italy and Spain, while reupping his attacks on Pope Leo XIV for good measure. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast: 1) The US believes it’s close to an agreement with Iran to end the near 10-week war, Axios reported, as China added its voice to global diplomatic pressure to wrap up the conflict. Washington and Tehran are working on a one-page memorandum of understanding that would set a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations, Axios said Wednesday, citing two US officials and two other sources it didn’t identify. Nothing has been agreed yet, the news agency added, and the US expects Iranian responses on several key points in the next 48 hours. Iran hasn’t commented on any progress toward a deal. 2) US President Donald Trump said he would discuss the Iran war with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during their summit next week and sought to downplay tensions over the conflict. “That’ll be one subject, but he’s been very nice about this,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday in response to a question about what he hoped to achieve with Xi on Iran when they meet. “He’s been very respectful. We haven’t been challenged by China,” the president added, even as he acknowledged that Beijing is a significant importer of Iranian oil — supplies of which have been disrupted by the war. “They don’t challenge us. He wouldn’t do that. I don’t think he’d do that because of me, but I think he’s been very respectful.” The leaders are slated to meet in Beijing on May 14-15, a high-stakes summit that comes as the Iran war brings fresh tumult to the relationship between the world’s two largest economies. The war has already delayed the meeting once, sparking anxiety in financial markets. 3) US Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder said Washington will implement 25% tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union “relatively soon” if the bloc doesn’t swiftly ratify a long-delayed trade deal. “Unless we see some substantial progress, I think you probably should expect those relatively soon,” Puzder told Bloomberg Television. US President Donald Trump recently vowed to slap 25% tariffs on European vehicles, accusing the bloc taking too long to ratify the agreement, which was initially reached last July. The EU, meanwhile, is frustrated over several Trump moves it argues undermine Washington’s commitments under the pact. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The fragile US-Iran ceasefire held Tuesday morning after a day of clashes involving shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and missile attacks against the United Arab Emirates. The violence erupted after US President Donald Trump announced “Project Freedom,” which he described as a humanitarian effort to guide neutral ships stranded in the Gulf through Hormuz. Iran warned all ships against trying to get through Hormuz without its permission and hit a South Korean bulk carrier and attacked an empty tanker belonging to the UAE’s state oil firm.2) A man was shot by Secret Service officers near the White House Monday afternoon after agents spotted him carrying a concealed firearm and he opened fire, according to the agency’s deputy director. The suspect ran, drew a weapon and shot at the officers, who returned fire, striking him. He was taken to an area hospital.3) Apple held exploratory discussions with Intel and Samsung about producing main processors for its devices in the US, as a secondary option beyond Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. The discussions with Intel and Samsung are preliminary and have not resulted in any orders, with Apple having concerns about using non-TSMC technology. Apple is considering additional suppliers due to supply-chain disruptions, including recent shortages driven by the build-out of AI data centers and higher demand for Macs, with CEO Tim Cook saying the company has less flexibility in the supply chain than normal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast: 1) President Trump said the US will help ships stranded in the Persian Gulf transit the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as a “humanitarian gesture” and testing his ability to restore traffic through the strategic waterway for the first time since the war with Iran began. The operation, dubbed Project Freedom, was set to begin on Monday with the US military pledging to provide support, including the use of guided-missile destroyers, aircraft and drones. “The Ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong — They are victims of circumstance,” Trump wrote late Sunday in a social media post. “If, in any way, this Humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.” The plan has left shipping executives perplexed, with few details provided by the president. Iran’s military, after Trump’s announcement, said US forces would be attacked if they entered the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement carried by Iranian broadcaster Press TV. 2) Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he doesn’t think the US government needs to provide financial lifelines for now to other low-cost carriers, following the collapse of Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. “At this point, I don’t think it’s necessary,” he said during a press conference Saturday at Newark Liberty International Airport. “They do have access to cash.” Duffy spoke hours after Spirit ceased operations, leaving passengers and employees stranded across the US. Earlier in the day, he announced measures to support those passengers, saying several carriers including United Airlines Holdings Inc., Delta Air Lines Inc., Southwest Airlines Co., American Airlines Group Inc. and JetBlue Airways Corp. agreed to cap prices or reduce fares for customers impacted by the shutdown. 3) GameStop Corp. is proposing to buy eBay Inc. for about $56 billion in cash and stock, a bold attempt by Ryan Cohen to take over a storied e-commerce name several times larger. The gaming retail chain offered $125 per share in cash and stock for the online marketplace, or about a 20% premium to its Friday close. GameStop, which built a roughly 5% stake in eBay, said it’s secured an initial, non-binding “highly confident letter” from TD Bank to provide about $20 billion of debt financing. In a memo to investors Sunday, Cohen’s company pledged to find some $2 billion of annual savings within 12 months of closing. The takeover bid follows the surprising ascent of GameStop, a chain of video game outlets that shrank its brick-and-mortar footprint after gamers increasingly bought software in digital stores. In 2021, it became the center of a retail-investor frenzy. Michael Burry, the Scion Asset Management head who rose to prominence after a winning wager against mortgages ahead of the 2008 financial crisis, helped fuel GameStop’s rally by taking a bullish stance on the firm around 2019. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to the April jobs report in the U.S and a focus on 3 stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to the UK’s Midterm local elections. In Asia – a look ahead to the next RBA Decision. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump vowed to maintain a naval blockade on Iran and was briefed by commanders on further military options. Iran's speaker of parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the blockade will further push up oil prices and that it must be lifted for new talks to occur. Trump and Iranian leaders are waiting for the other to yield first, with Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, casting doubt on the likelihood of a deal and vowing not to give up the country's nuclear or missile technologies.2) Apple delivered a strong revenue forecast for the third quarter, with sales expected to rise 14% to 17% in the period. The company warned that memory-chip costs will increase and that shortages of Mac computers will persist for “several months.” Apple's total sales gained 17% to $111.2 billion during the fiscal second quarter, with the $599 MacBook Neo being particularly popular and remaining sold out at several retailers.3) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before Congress, with Democrats criticizing the Trump administration over the Iran war, calling it illegal, unpopular, and ill-defined. Hegseth defended the war as crucial to keeping Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, but declined to provide new details on operational metrics or the Pentagon's $25 billion price tag. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Brent oil rallied to a four-year high after Axios reported that US President Trump will receive a briefing on new military options for action in Iran. The US and Iran have maintained their blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with the conflict in the Middle East called the biggest supply shock in history by the International Energy Agency.2) Alphabet's Google is seeing a clear payoff from its AI spending, with solid growth at its cloud computing unit and a "meaningful acceleration in growth" driven by demand for its AI software and infrastructure. Meta Platforms is lagging behind, with its shares tumbling more than 6% after the company boosted full-year capital expenditures, and its consumer AI app being slower to take off. The four companies, including Amazon and Microsoft, are expected to spend as much as $725 billion in 2026, with a key question being whether that massive spending is providing tangible results.3) Shares of Bill Ackman's Pershing Square USA Ltd. plunged 18% in its debut after the combined initial public offering raised $5 billion. The $5 billion haul was the bare minimum to keep early investors locked into the deal, and fell short of the $25 billion that Pershing Square sought to bring in. Pershing Square USA deserves to trade at a premium to its net assets over time if the newly listed closed-end fund delivers the same outperformance as the hedge fund firm has in the past, Ackman said. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg's Tom Keene and Jonathan Ferro and Lisa Abramowicz discuss remarks from Fed Chair Jay Powell following the Federal Reserve's latest policy decision on a special edition of Bloomberg Surveillance. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said he’ll remain at the central bank as a governor after his term as chair ends. “After my term as chair ends on May 15, I will continue to serve as a governor for a period of time to be determined,” Powell said Wednesday at a press conference.While Powell’s term as Fed chair ends on May 15, his seat on the Board of Governors doesn’t expire until 2028. “I plan to keep a low profile as a governor,” he said. “There is only ever one chair of the Federal Reserve Board. When Kevin Warsh is confirmed and sworn in, he will be that chair.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg's Tom Keene, Jonathan Ferro and Lisa Abramowicz break down the Federal Reserve's latest policy decision on a special edition of Bloomberg Surveillance. Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged, but revealed a deepening division over the outlook for policy amid increased uncertainty caused by the conflict in the Middle East.Four officials voted against the decision, including three who objected to language in their post-meeting statement that suggested the central bank would eventually resume cutting rates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US signaled it would stick with a naval blockade of Iranian ports, as it tries to choke-off Tehran’s oil exports and force it back to the negotiating table. US President Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that Iran was in a “state of collapse.” His treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, later said Washington’s “maximum pressure campaign” had caused Iran’s inflation to accelerate and that the country was running out of oil storage. It would soon have to start cutting production, Bessent said.2) King Charles III called on the US to maintain its leadership role in the world, and to support Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, in a remarkably pointed speech for a monarch that urged Americans to resist the pull of isolationism.Charles used his remarks to a joint session of Congress — the first such address by a British monarch in more than three decades — to argue for preserving the alliance between the UK and US. The king appealed to the shared heritage between the two nations, sprinkling his remarks with references to culture, religion and principles behind America’s decision to declare independence 250 years ago 3) With the Fed widely expected to keep rates on hold at the April 28-29 FOMC meeting, the more interesting revelation will concern Jerome Powell’s future: Will he stay on or leave the Fed when his term as chair expires May 15? Regardless of his plans, we think Powell will offer only limited forward guidance on policy at his final news conference as chair, with Kevin Walsh on track to be confirmed as his successor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump convened his national security team to discuss Iran’s proposal to end a war now in its third month. Iran has signaled it may be willing to accept an interim deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for Washington ending its blockade of Iranian ports. The president has told his advisers he’s not satisfied with Iran’s latest suggestions, and his administration has previously said any deal must include agreements to curb Iran’s nuclear activities.2) Jimmy Kimmel defended comments he made during a broadcast that prompted President Trump to call for him to be fired, citing the First Amendment right to free speech. Kimmel's comments, which included a parody of the White House Correspondents' Dinner, were called "hateful and violent" by Melania Trump, who urged ABC to "take a stand." Kimmel apologized for what Trump and others went through, but questioned whether his joke had any effect on the events that unfolded, and suggested the First Lady should have a conversation with her husband about hateful and violent rhetoric.3) Technology stocks led global equity markets lower as concerns over investment in artificial intelligence resurfaced. Oil kept rising as the Strait of Hormuz remained shut, with Brent advancing for a seventh day to top $110 a barrel. The dollar gained against major peers apart from the yen after the Bank of Japan held interest rates in a split vote. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The man accused of storming the White House Correspondents’ Dinner spent years quietly acquiring his arsenal, purchasing a shotgun from a Torrance, California, firearms dealer eight months before the attack and a semi-automatic pistol two years earlier, according to a law enforcement intelligence profile reviewed by Bloomberg. Cole Tomas Allen, 31, bought a Maverick 12-gauge pump-action shotgun from Turner’s Outdoorsman in Torrance in August 2025 and an Armscor semi-automatic pistol from CAP Tactical Firearms in Lawndale in October 2023, the profile shows.2) Oil rose after efforts to resume peace talks over the Iran war stalled, leaving the Strait of Hormuz almost impassable and prolonging the supply disruption that has roiled global markets. Brent climbed as much as 3% to $108.50 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate advanced toward $97, before giving up some gains after Axios reported Tehran offered the US a fresh proposal to open the strait. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump canceled a planned trip by his top envoys to Pakistan, which is mediating talks, while Iran said it won’t negotiate if it’s being threatened.3) To say the special relationship is going through a rough patch ahead of King Charles III’s visit would be an exercise in British understatement. The 77-year-old monarch will arrive in Washington on Monday with ties between the UK and the US at their lowest point since the Suez Crisis in the 1950s. While President Donald Trump often praises Charles as a “fantastic man,” he’s been heaping scorn on the country’s elected prime minister, mocking Keir Starmer as weak and unreliable for refusing to join America’s initial strikes on Iran See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – we preview the Federal Reserve's rate decision and big tech earnings In the UK – we look ahead to the Bank of England's upcoming rate decision In Asia – we discuss the Golden Week holiday in Japan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast: 1) The US increased pressure on Iran with its naval blockade, as it seeks to get Tehran to agree to talks. The US naval operation has caused many Iran-linked vessels to turn around rather than go through the Hormuz strait, potentially affecting Iran's oil exports. Israel and Lebanon are set to extend a ceasefire for three weeks, according to President Donald Trump, who announced the deal in a social-media post after meeting Israeli and Lebanese envoys at the White House. 2) Intel delivered a sales forecast of $13.8 billion to $14.8 billion in the June quarter, exceeding Wall Street expectations of $13 billion. The company's upbeat outlook suggests that Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan is making progress on a challenging comeback plan, with Intel shares soaring 20% in extended trading. Intel's strong demand for processors used in AI systems is lifting demand for its flagship Xeon server processors, with Tan saying the company is "laser-focused" on increasing output from its factories to meet demand. 3) Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he’ll maintain cooperation with NATO allies and brushed off a report that US officials are considering suspending his country from the alliance for its stance on the Iran war. Sanchez told reporters that Spain "meets our obligations, we are a loyal partner" and that the country's position is "full cooperation with allies, but always within the framework of international law." The US is considering measures within the alliance in response to the stance of NATO allies, including Spain, on the Iran war, according to people familiar with the matter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US and Iran are locked in a battle for control of the Strait of Hormuz after failing to meet for a fresh round of peace talks, with both sides blocking the waterway to gain leverage during an extended ceasefire. The US is maintaining a naval blockade on ships going to and from Iran’s ports, which Iran calls a violation of the ceasefire, while Iran is keeping Hormuz closed to almost all other international traffic. The blockade and closure of the Strait of Hormuz have led to increased oil prices and concerns about supply shortages and a global inflation crisis2) Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired after clashing with top leaders at the Pentagon, including over administration efforts to revive US shipbuilding. Phelan was pushed out after butting heads with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg over President Trump’s focus on a new US “Golden Fleet." Undersecretary Hung Cao will replace Phelan, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, who said Phelan was stepping down “effective immediately."3) Tesla anticipates billions of dollars in additional spending this year to support Elon Musk’s ambitions to transform the company into an AI and robotics company. Capital expenditures this year will exceed $25 billion, roughly three times last year’s outlay, to be put toward a dramatic expansion of factory operations and initiatives such as production of its Optimus humanoid robot. The investments will support production of key products including Cybercab, Semi and an updated version of its Megapack battery storage system, with Tesla remaining on track to start making these products. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump indefinitely extended a ceasefire with Iran as peace talks remain on hold, walking back threats to resume fighting. The US-Israel alliance and Iran won’t immediately return to fighting, but there’s still no sign the vital Hormuz waterway will be reopened to oil and gas shipments soon. Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz or restart peace talks until the US naval operation ends, and the US president blamed divisions among the Islamic Republic’s leaders for the need to extend the truce.2) Virginia voters backed a Democratic plan to redraw the state's congressional districts, with the Yes vote leading 51.5% to 48.6%. The vote could net Democrats as many as four more US House seats in November's midterm elections, according to multiple projections. The outcome shifts Virginia's congressional delegation from being one of the most balanced to packing Republican voters together, favoring Democrats in most districts.3) Kevin Warsh pledged to act independently if confirmed as the next Federal Reserve chair, rejecting concerns he would be a "sock puppet" for President Trump. Warsh called for changes to the way the US central bank makes its decisions, including a new framework for dealing with persistent inflation and a new way of communicating with the public. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
President Donald Trump announced he was extending a ceasefire with Iran indefinitely a day before it was set to expire, even as plans for a fresh round of talks between the two countries fell apart. In a Truth Social post, Trump said Tuesday he would maintain a blockade over ships coming to and from Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. He said Pakistan, which had mediated between the two sides, asked for the US to hold off on fresh strikes and he was extending the ceasefire until Iran submits a new proposal “and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.” For instant reaction and analysis, Bloomberg Businessweek Daily hosts Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec speak with: Wendy Benjaminson, Bloomberg News Senior Editor Terry Haines, Pangaea Policy Founder Adam Farrar, Bloomberg Economics Senior Geoeconomics Analyst Ambassador James F. Jeffrey, Philip Solondz Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump signaled he is unlikely to extend a two-week ceasefire with Iran that’s set to expire in two days. The president said the Strait of Hormuz would stay blockaded for now, and “I’m not opening it until a deal is signed.” Iranian officials have stopped short of explicitly ruling out participation in the talks in Pakistan, reinforcing expectations that both sides are continuing to explore a deal to end the war.2) Apple announced longtime CEO Tim Cook will be replaced by John Ternus, with Ternus taking the job in September, and the company implying that he will bring continuity and help preserve Cook's legacy. Ternus is expected to bring a more decisive leadership style, moving faster and sharpening Apple's competitiveness in AI, and will oversee the launch of new products, including Apple's first foldable iPhone and a fresh start for Siri.3) Amazon is investing an additional $5 billion in Anthropic and may inject $20 billion more over time. The deal was struck at a valuation of $350 billion, and Anthropic plans to spend more than $100 billion over the next 10 years on Amazon’s cloud technologies and chips. Amazon will provide Anthropic with chips to reach about 5 gigawatts of power, and the companies said more than 100,000 customers run Claude models on Amazon Web Services. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump and Iranian officials offered disparate views on the next stage of the war, casting uncertainty over whether the two sides would meet for peace talks with a ceasefire set to expire in the coming days. Tensions in the war ratcheted up over the weekend as the US Navy fired upon and boarded an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, the first seizure in the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. That critical waterway for energy shipments remained closed early Monday after confusion over the weekend about whether tankers could transit the strait. Iran had initially said ships could pass before abruptly stopping traffic through the waterway less than 24 hours later. At a weekly press conference Monday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said there are "no plans for the next round of negotiations, and no decision has been made in this regard.”2) Oil jumped, pushing US stocks and Treasuries lower after a turbulent weekend in the Middle East cast doubt on the prospects for peace talks ahead of a looming ceasefire deadline. Brent rose 5.4% above $95 a barrel as the US Navy carried out its first seizure of an Iranian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Futures for the S&P 500 fell 0.5%, with the benchmark poised to snap a five-day winning streak during which it notched a succession of highs. European stocks declined 1%, while the technology sector drove gains in Asia. The dollar was little changed. Bond yields rose sharply in Europe, whereas moves in Treasuries were more modest. Gold dropped below $4,800 an ounce.3) A man in Louisiana killed eight children, including seven of his own, in a domestic shooting that unfolded across two homes in Shreveport early Sunday, leaving a community in shock and prompting a large police response. The gunman, identified as Shamar Elkins, 31, also critically wounded two women before being killed by officers after a pursuit. Police said the victims, ages 3 to 11, were found in a single residence, with at least one child attempting to escape from the roof. Authorities said the case appears to stem from a domestic dispute and remains under investigation. It is the deadliest U.S. mass shooting in more than two years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – we preview Tesla earnings and Kevin Warsh's trip to Capitol Hill In the UK – we look ahead to first quarter European earnings amidst broader headwinds In Asia – how the war in Iran is impacting Japanese inflation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast: 1) President Donald Trump claimed Iran has made key concessions in an ongoing negotiation to end the seven-week war, while a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon increased the prospect of a broader peace.Trump said it may not be necessary to renew an April 7 truce with the Islamic Republic before it expires next week, defying expectations that an extension will be needed to allow more time for diplomacy. 2) Some leaders in Arab states in the Persian Gulf and Europe expect it will take about six months to agree to a peace accord and that the ceasefire should be extended to cover that period, according to officials familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing private talks. That’s in part to allow for a reopening of the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway, they said. 3) Netflix Inc. gave a forecast for the second quarter that fell short of analysts’ expectations, sending the shares tumbling in extended trading.The streaming pioneer also announced that Chairman and co-founder Reed Hastings is stepping down from the board at the company’s annual meeting after 29 years to pursue philanthropy and personal interests. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US and Iran are considering a two-week ceasefire extension to allow more time to negotiate a peace deal, according to a person familiar with the matter, reducing the risk of renewed fighting despite an intensifying standoff over the Strait of Hormuz. With the initial truce due to expire next week, mediators are seeking technical talks to overcome the most contentious issues preventing a longer-term agreement, said the person, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters. Those include reopening Hormuz and the future of Iran’s nuclear program. Tensions remain high over the strait, a critical waterway for oil and gas that’s been effectively shuttered since the start of the war almost seven weeks ago. The US has set up a naval blockade to cut off Iranian shipments, and said Wednesday that 10 vessels have been forced to turn around. Tehran is keeping the strait closed to most other traffic. The US hasn’t “formally requested an extension of the ceasefire,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Wednesday. But she acknowledged “we remain very much engaged in these negotiations.”2) Stocks set new highs as an upbeat forecast from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. added fuel to technology shares amid rising optimism that the US and Iran are seeking more time to negotiate a peace deal. Futures for the S&P 500 rose 0.2% after the benchmark closed above the 7,000 mark for the first time. Nasdaq 100 contracts rose 0.4% as TSMC’s raised revenue outlook highlighted the resilience of AI chip demand. Adding to the upbeat mood in tech, Elon Musk’s lieutenants have sought quotes and delivery times for chipmaking equipment for his envisioned Terafab. Meanwhile, Brent fluctuated around $95 a barrel as the US and Iran considered a two-week ceasefire extension. Global bonds rose, led by gains in Europe where central bank policymakers signaled they’re in no rush to raise interest rates. The dollar was little changed while gold rose toward $4,825 an ounce. Wall Street veteran Ed Yardeni says investors are looking past the war in the Middle East and focusing on market fundamentals.3) Live Nation Entertainment Inc.’s loss in a landmark antitrust trial follows years of regulatory scrutiny of its dominance in the live events business and sets the stage for a possible breakup of the largest US concert promoter and ticket seller. After a six-week trial in Manhattan, which featured testimony from high-profile figures in the music industry and Live Nation Chief Executive Officer Michael Rapino, a federal jury on Wednesday ruled the company illegally monopolized the live events industry and overcharged fans for tickets to music performances. The verdict marked a major win for a coalition of 33 states and Washington DC that pursued the case despite the US Justice Department’s decision to pull out after the first week of the trial, with a surprise settlement allowing Live Nation to keep its Ticketmaster unit. But jurors concluded the company illegally monopolized ticketing and tied Live Nation venues to its promotion business, leading concert goers to overpay by $1.72 per ticket. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump indicated he may be preparing to wind down the war with Iran, boosting market optimism and restoring some stability to global energy prices. Peace talks with the Islamic Republic might restart “over the next two days,” the New York Post cited the president as saying. In a separate interview with ABC News, he said extending a two-week ceasefire that was clinched last week after nearly six weeks of fighting may not be necessary, hinting at significant near-term progress without elaborating. There are signs Tehran is also trying to avoid escalation, with authorities considering a pause in shipments through the strategic Strait of Hormuz to avoid testing a US blockade and jeopardizing fresh negotiations. The shift in the narrative from Washington — from announcing a total blockade of Hormuz to expectations of a possible breakthrough — has left many questions unanswered, including the fate of Iran’s enriched uranium.2) Former Treasury Secretary and ex-Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said she still sees prospects for a US interest-rate cut later this year, though the unfolding oil shock caused by the war in Iran clouds the outlook. “This is really a broad supply shock,” spreading from pump prices to LNG, fertilizers, food, shipping costs, and semiconductors, Yellen said at the HSBC Global Investment Summit in Hong Kong on Wednesday. While the need to raise rates can’t be ruled out, stable long-run inflation expectations suggest that scenario remains unlikely for now, Yellen said. Minutes of the Fed’s March 17-18 meeting, released last Wednesday in Washington, showed a growing number of officials worried the Iran war could further stoke inflation and wanted to make clear that the central bank may have to consider raising interest rates. In projections released after that meeting, policymakers had signaled an expectation for one interest-rate cut in 2026, unchanged from their December forecasts.3) President Trump’s tariffs may be restored by July to the levels in place before the Supreme Court struck down many of his levies, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. The Treasury secretary said because the Section 301 tariff authority has already been tested in the courts, business leaders are able to start planning and making decisions around capital expenditures. Trump is seeking to restore his tariff wall using different authorities after the high court ruled that his use of emergency powers to impose those earlier duties was unconstitutional. After the Supreme Court struck down many of his global tariffs, Trump imposed a temporary 10% tariff that covers many imports. That levy is set to expire on July 24. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US and Iran are weighing further negotiations to extend a two-week ceasefire as President Trump presses ahead with a naval blockade to curb the Islamic Republic’s oil exports, a step aimed at extracting concessions in peace talks. The objective is to hold fresh discussions before the truce announced April 7 expires next week, according to people familiar with the matter. “We’ve been called this morning by the right people, the appropriate people, and they want to work a deal,” Trump said at the White House on Monday, hours after the US Navy began implementing the blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz to cut off vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas. The latest push shows the two sides haven’t given up on diplomacy after their first round of direct negotiations in Pakistan failed to produce an agreement. The war, which began when the US and Israel launched a bombing campaign against Iran on Feb. 28, has left thousands dead, damaged infrastructure and disrupted energy flows beyond the Persian Gulf, rattling markets and triggering a global price spike. 2) Chinese President Xi Jinping lamented a world in “disarray,” using some of his strongest language yet to describe a collapse of the Western-led international order as he vowed to play a constructive role in the Middle East. “The international order is crumbling into disarray,” Xi told Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Tuesday in Beijing, using a Chinese phrase indicating not only chaos but also moral decay. The comments, part of Xi’s first public statements on the Iran war since the conflict began more than a month ago, followed a flurry of visits by world leaders to Beijing and fresh economic data on Tuesday showing the war took a sharp toll on Chinese exports in March. Xi has framed his country as a stabilizing force in a world thrown into turmoil by President Trump’s erratic approach to trade and foreign policy. In an earlier meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed, Xi reiterated that China would continue to play a “constructive role” in the Middle East.3) Democrat Eric Swalwell and Republican Tony Gonzales said they plan on leaving their congressional seats in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct. “I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell said in a post on X on Monday announcing his intent to resign. He vowed to “fight the serious, false allegations made against me,” but also said he “must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.” Shortly after, Republican Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas said in a separate said in a separate social media statement that he planned on filing his retirement from office “when Congress returns tomorrow.” Gonzales faced calls to resign after allegations that he had an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. A growing number of lawmakers had called for the resignation of both men, arguing the allegations against them tarnished their ability to remain in Congress, with some calling for their expulsion. The resignations leave the Republicans’ slim majority in the US House of Representatives unchanged. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump said the US will begin a full naval blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and threatened to retaliate in the event of Iranian resistance, escalating a standoff that has already brought the waterway to a near standstill and disrupted global energy supplies. The president’s announcement came hours after the US and Iran failed to reach a deal in direct talks in Pakistan, jeopardizing hopes of turning a fragile ceasefire into a lasting end to a war that has claimed thousands of lives. The negotiations collapsed because of differences over the nuclear issue, Trump said in a Truth Social posting on Sunday. The US military said Sunday that it would begin the blockade at 10 am New York time on Monday.2) Peter Magyar, Hungary’s next prime minister, outlined sweeping changes after ending Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule in a landslide election victory that will redefine the country’s ties with the European Union, Russia and the US administration of President Trump. Magyar, a 45-year-old former insider of Orban’s nationalists, said the overwhelming victory for his Tisza party — translating into a two-thirds parliamentary majority — gave him a mandate to dismantle Orban’s increasingly authoritarian system and bring Hungary back into the European fold. Orban conceded the defeat, telling supporters that the result was “painful” for him. Magyar, whose conservative-leaning party has sought to unite disgruntled voters, called on the country’s president, top justices and chief prosecutor to all hand in their resignations during his victory speech in front of a cheering crowd in Budapest on Sunday. Magyar said they had put their political allegiance to Orban’s authoritarian system above their office’s responsibilities.3) US Representative Eric Swalwell suspended his bid for governor of California after a series of sexual assault allegations threw his campaign into turmoil and prompted backers to flee. “I am suspending my campaign for governor,” Swalwell said in a post on social media on Sunday evening. He apologized to his supporters, adding “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.” Swalwell’s exit upends a competitive and crowded race to lead the most populous US state. The 45-year-old, seven-term congressman from the San Fransisco Bay area, had been polling among the top Democrats to succeed Gavin Newsom, who is barred from seeking re-election because of term limits. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to earnings from Netflix and a focus on three bank stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to the next election in Hungary. In Asia – a look ahead to Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's trip to China. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump demanded Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, raising pressure on Tehran before talks to turn a fragile ceasefire into lasting peace. The truce remains shaky, with Kuwait reporting large-scale drone attacks on “vital” facilities overnight into Friday and accusing Iran and its proxy groups of violating the ceasefire announced by Washington and Tehran two days earlier. The war has already killed thousands of people and damaged energy infrastructure across the oil-rich Persian Gulf. US and Iranian delegations are set to meet in Pakistan on Saturday, with shipping through Hormuz — which handled about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas before the war — a central sticking point.2) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed to hold direct talks with Lebanon about the conflict, with the focus on disarming Hezbollah. Trump called the Israeli leader on Wednesday and asked him to scale back strikes to ensure the success of negotiations with Iran, NBC reported, citing an unidentified senior administration official. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Israel’s strikes in Lebanon are a “clear violation” of the ceasefire and “will render negotiations meaningless.”3) Oil rose a second day after Saudi Arabia said its production capacity has been reduced due to attacks on energy infrastructure, but futures remain on track for their biggest weekly loss since June. Saudi Arabia’s press agency said the nation’s production capacity has been cut by around 600,000 barrels a day due to attacks on energy infrastructure. That figure accounts for roughly 10% of the kingdom’s normal crude exports, according to Bloomberg calculations. Meanwhile, strikes on a pumping station serving the East-West pipeline — which Saudi Arabia has been using to export crude via the Red Sea — crimped daily throughput by 700,000 barrels this week, according to the report. Kuwait also said it was intercepting drone attacks and that some vital facilities were targeted. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump vowed to keep US troops in the Persian Gulf ahead of talks with Iran that are planned to firm up a fragile truce, while Tehran warned there may be mines in a strategic waterway Washington wants reopened. Both sides accused each other of violating the truce that was announced Tuesday after six weeks of fighting, with a disagreement over whether the ceasefire extends to Lebanon emerging as a key flashpoint that could unravel the accord. Despite the escalating rhetoric, there were signs the ceasefire was largely holding, with a notable decline in attacks across Arab states in the Persian Gulf. Vice President JD Vance said Washington never suggested that fighting between Israel and Tehran-aligned Hezbollah in Lebanon would cease. But Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said continued attacks on Hezbollah — along with what Tehran described as an Israeli drone strike on its territory overnight — amounted to clear violations of the agreement.2) President Trump lashed out at NATO after meeting with the military alliance’s secretary general, Mark Rutte, making clear that his anger over the organization’s stance on the Iran war remained acute. “NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN. REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE!!!” the president wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday evening. Rutte, a former Dutch prime minister, was in the US on a mission to temper Trump’s public displeasure after NATO allies refused to help him protect commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz or let the US use some of their bases to attack Iran during the war that began on Feb. 28. Trump has also revived his grievance that NATO countries wouldn’t give him Greenland, a Danish territory.3) A growing number of Federal Reserve officials worried the Iran war could further stoke inflation and wanted to make clear following their March meeting that the central bank may have to consider raising interest rates. Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee’s March 17-18 meeting, released Wednesday in Washington, showed policymakers wrestled with starkly differing scenarios for the US economy following the outbreak of the Iran war, and the policy reactions that might follow. Most officials worried a protracted war could hurt the labor market and warrant lower interest rates. At the same time, many policymakers highlighted the risk to inflation that might ultimately warrant rate increases. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire in exchange for Tehran reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a last-ditch deal that averted President Trump’s threatened escalation of the war. Trump announced the agreement on social media Tuesday, hours after mediator Pakistan implored him to back off his deadline to unleash massive devastation on Iran if it didn’t meet his demands. The deal buys time for the two sides to reach a longer agreement to end the six-week conflict, which has killed thousands of people and sparked a global energy crisis.2) Oil and gas prices both plummeted after the US and Iran's announced ceasefire. Brent fell as much as 16% before trading around $95 a barrel, while European natural gas futures posted their biggest decline in more than two years, shedding as much as 20%. Prices of refined fuels such as diesel and jet fuel — which had been the biggest threats to global inflation — also tumbled. Much will now depend on how quickly transit through Hormuz can resume. It’s the route for about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, and the near-halt of traffic has pushed prices for real-world crude to a record. Faced with an unprecedented disruption to flows, the world is rapidly running down supply buffers to offset the loss. 3) Republican Clay Fuller is projected to win a US House seat in a deeply conservative Georgia district even as Democratic gains serve as an early warning for Republican lawmakers navigating President Trump’s threats of a widening war in Iran and voters’ growing economic unease. With 83% of the votes counted, Fuller had 57% compared to 43% for the Democratic candidate, Shawn Harris, according to Decision Desk HQ. That would keep the seat vacated by conservative firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene in Republican hands, but by a narrower margin than in recent elections. Trump had carried the district by 37 percentage points in 2024. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire that’s expected to halt the American-Israeli military campaign in exchange for Tehran reopening the Strait of Hormuz.President Donald Trump announced the agreement Tuesday on social media hours after Pakistan, a mediator in talks, implored the US leader to back off his deadline to unleash massive devastation on Iran if it did not meet his demands. The deal buys time for the two sides to reach a longer agreement to end the six-week-old war, which has killed thousands of people and sparked a global energy crisis.Trump said he had agreed “to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks” as long as Iran agrees to “the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz.”For instant reaction and analysis, Bloomberg Radio host Doug Krizner speaks with:Bloomberg State Department and Foreign Policy Reporter Eric MartinBloomberg This Weekend co-host Christina RuffiniBloomberg White House and Washington correspondent Jeff MasonTerry Haines, founder of Pangea PolicyDaniel Byman, Director of the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program at the Center See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump’s latest deadline for Iran to agree to a deal is just hours away, and investors are once again finding themselves forced to prepare for a range of possible outcomes. Trump insisted that freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz be part of any deal to end the Middle East war and escalated threats to obliterate key Iranian infrastructure if his terms aren’t met before a Tuesday deadline. Trump said Monday that talks with Iran are “going well” and that reopening the strait is “a very big priority.” The president in recent weeks has said an agreement on the strait wasn’t among his core prerequisites for ending the conflict. Trump laid bare the consequences Iran would face if it doesn’t reach a deal by his Tuesday 8 p.m. Eastern Time cut-off, saying the US military could destroy “every bridge in Iran by 12 o’clock tomorrow night.” Power plants would be rendered “burning, exploding and never to be used again,” he said. Attacking civilian infrastructure is barred by the Geneva Conventions, but Trump said he was “not at all” concerned about committing war crimes.2) NASA’s four Artemis astronauts swung behind the moon and are headed home, in a journey that shattered space travel distance records and brought people the closest they’ve been to the lunar surface in more than 50 years. At their nearest distance to the moon, the Artemis II’s Lockheed Martin Corp.-built Orion capsule came within an estimated 4,067 miles of the lunar surface, according to calculations by NASA. From the crew’s point of view, the moon would have appeared roughly the size of a basketball in someone’s outstretched hand. The spacecraft reached its maximum distance from Earth minutes later, reaching 252,756 miles, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a post on X. The astronauts earlier broke the distance record for space travel. Shortly before 2 p.m. New York time on Monday, they surpassed the distance the Apollo 13 crew traveled in 1970 of 248,655 miles (400,170 kilometers) from Earth, NASA said.3) The University of Michigan Wolverines basketball team its second national title in men's basketball and first since 1989, beating the UConn Huskies by a score of 69-63. Michigan shot just two three-pointers all game, but relied on defense, holding UConn to under 31% shooting. Final Four Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau led with 19 points. UConn’s bid for a third title in four seasons fell short, despite 22 offensive rebounds in the championship match. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast:1) President Trump issued increasingly aggressive threats to destroy Iran’s power plants starting Tuesday and bring “Hell” to the country following the rescue of a US airman more than a day after his fighter jet was shot down. Iran rejected Trump’s latest ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying it would only fully resume operations when war damage is compensated. Tehran continued striking energy targets in Gulf neighbors, including Kuwait’s oil headquarters. Trump, in renewing his threats to target Iran’s civilian infrastructure, used an expletive in a social media post and told Axios he would be “blowing up everything over there” if Iran doesn’t make a deal. He said he plans a news conference at 1 p.m. on Monday and posted about a Tuesday 8 p.m. deadline, without offering details.2) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she is looking to hold talks with Iran’s leader and possibly also a separate call with President Trump, as the clock ticks on the US president’s latest threat to bomb key Iranian infrastructure. “We are currently making preparations for leadership level talks,” Japan’s Takaichi said of talks with Iran during a parliamentary session Monday. “We will continue to do everything in our power to find an off-ramp to this situation and return to peace.” Takaichi’s comments came with Trump warning Tehran that the US will bomb Iranian power plants unless it opens up the Strait of Hormuz, a choke point through which Japan secures over 90% of its oil. Takaichi said that Japan would do what it can ahead of the Tuesday ultimatum set by Trump, suggesting that she was also seeking a phone call with Trump, though nothing has been finalized yet. Whether Japan can help defuse tensions or even play a mediation role remains unclear, but the nation has a key interest in maintaining a working relationship with a country that currently controls passage through the Strait of Hormuz.3) Saudi Arabia has raised the price of its main oil grade to Asia to a record high premium, as a widening conflict in the Persian Gulf and Iran’s near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz convulse energy markets. State oil producer Saudi Aramco will increase flagship Arab Light crude prices for May sales to a premium of $19.50 over regional benchmarks for refiners in Asia, according to a price list seen by Bloomberg. Still, the level is less than the $40 a barrel premium anticipated by traders and refiners in a Bloomberg survey. The gap with market expectations is in part because of a volatile market, and as prices of some Middle Eastern grades dipped in the last week of March, according to traders. Aramco’s oil is also priced for loading in the Persian Gulf port of Ras Tanura, though all of the company’s exports are currently being shipped from the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea coast. Buyers typically incur additional costs to collect those barrels. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to earnings for Delta Airlines and a focus on 3 stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to the new tax year in the UK. In Asia – a look ahead to China CPI and PPI data. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this special Good Friday Holiday edition of Bloomberg Daybreak, host John Tucker discusses: Big bank earnings with Bloomberg Intelligence Senior US Banks Analyst Herman Chan and Bloomberg Intelligence Financials Analyst Neil Sipes A year after Elon Musk set out to slash jobs at the IRS, the agency is struggling to meet demands amid a busy filing season. For more, we hear from Bloomberg Law Reporter Erin Slowey. Well you may be seeing a little less of the candy this Easter.. That's because sales are projected to drop.. For details, we speak with Bloomberg's Diana Rosero-Pena. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump finally tried to sell the American public on his Iran war. But his primetime address five weeks into the messy conflict instead underscored the US president’s growing defensive posture, as pressure mounts on global shipping routes, gas prices and his political party. Trump said the US operation was close to completion, in an attempt to reassure a skeptical public. Still, the speech lacked new announcements — most notably a precise timeline for an exit. He also pledged more aggressive actions in the next two to three weeks, including potential strikes on electrical plants. The president also did not present any new arguments or explanations for the war, instead reiterating his desire to destroy Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities. Likewise, there was no concrete plan for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy thoroughfare. While he said diplomatic discussions continue, he shared no breakthroughs on ending the conflict. Treasury yields climbed and the dollar pushed higher as Trump’s remarks triggered gains in crude oil. US equity futures retreated.2) European allies are skeptical President Trump will actually pull the US out of NATO. But they still fear the president’s renewed threats to do so are eroding the military alliance at a precarious moment. Trump on Wednesday capped mounting US critiques of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization with a suggestion that he was strongly considering leaving the alliance. His comments came after Secretary of State Marco Rubio, typically seen as Washington’s NATO defender, chided the alliance for its “very disappointing” response to the war in Iran. While the rhetoric isn’t particularly novel — Trump and his cohort have long bashed NATO allies as free-loaders who don’t help the US — the president’s latest ire is posing a greater risk to the alliance as his war in Iran deepens and he looks for people to blame, according to officials familiar with discussions among allies.3) NASA’s crew of astronauts launched to space and reached a stable orbit, kicking off a landmark journey that will take them closer to the lunar surface than anyone has been in more than 50 years. The initial phase of the 10-day mission to lap the moon, a multibillion-dollar feat about a decade in the making, clears a major hurdle for NASA and its legacy aerospace contractors as the agency works to establish a base on the lunar surface and ultimately venture to Mars. The crew’s Lockheed Martin Corp.-built Orion capsule, stacked on the shoulders of Boeing Co.’s Space Launch System rocket, thundered off the launchpad at 6:35 p.m. local time at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rocket system, taller than the Statue of Liberty, reached speeds of around 17,500 miles per hour as it hurtled to space. It blazed a trail of fire and smoke as it climbed and eventually shed its spent side boosters, which provided extra thrust. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump said he foresaw ending the war on Iran within two to three weeks, suggesting the US had largely accomplished its military goals and would leave it to other nations to resolve issues with the Strait of Hormuz. Trump indicated that it was possible that Iran could still reach a deal with the US during that timeframe but said an agreement with Tehran was not necessary for the war to end. Trump added the US would leave when Iran was not able to obtain nuclear weapons and claimed the regime now in power was better than the leadership before the war.2) Oil tumbled after President Trump again signaled a potential end to the Iran war. Brent crude fell below $100 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate was around $97. Trump told reporters that the US could leave Iran within two to three weeks, and indicated an agreement with Tehran may be reached but wasn’t necessary for the conflict to end. The president will give an address to the nation at 9 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday to provide an update, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. Trump has regularly vacillated between saying an Iran deal is imminent and warning he’s prepared to ramp up military operations.3) The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on President Trump's assertion that the 14th Amendment's citizenship provision was designed to cover only the children of freed slaves, amid his executive order to block citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and temporary visitors. Trump will attend the oral arguments at 10am ET on Wednesday, according to his official schedule from the White House. Critics say Trump is seeking to rewrite the 14th Amendment, which promises citizenship to "all persons" born in the US and "subject to the jurisdiction thereof", a provision many scholars and public officials say is straightforward in its breadth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Iran hit a fully laden Kuwaiti oil tanker off Dubai in a drone attack, a sign it’s willing to escalate strikes on energy sites and infrastructure as the war drags on. Despite the attack, crude prices were steady in early trading, with US benchmark prices trading at about a $102 a barrel. That was partly because of a report in the Wall Street Journal saying US President Donald Trump is willing to wind down hostilities and pressure Tehran diplomatically to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.2) US gasoline climbed above an average of $4 a gallon for the first time since August 2022, one of the most visible measures of consumer pain in the world’s largest economy resulting from the war in Iran. The nationwide average retail price for regular unleaded gas rose to $4.018 a gallon on Monday, according to the American Automobile Association. Prices have surged by more than $1 since the start of the war, up from $2.98 on the day before the US and Israel launched attacks against Tehran.3) Unilever Plc said talks to sell most of its food business to McCormick & Co. are advanced and a final deal could be announced later on Tuesday in a historic move that will transform both companies. The Anglo-Dutch maker of Hellmann’s mayonnaise will offload most of its food unit, excluding some parts like its operations in India, for $15.7 billion cash upfront and the rest in McCormick equity, according to a statement Tuesday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) US and Israeli forces pressed ahead with attacks on Iran while the Islamic Republic launched missiles across the Persian Gulf, sending oil prices higher once again amid no sign of an imminent peace deal. The Israeli military said on Monday that it’s carrying out airstrikes on Iranian military targets a day after attacks resulted in power outages in the capital, Tehran, and nearby areas. The United Arab Emirates issued multiple alerts overnight and Saudi Arabia and Kuwait reported strikes.2) Treasuries firmed, supporting US stocks, as fears that the war in the Middle East will trigger a sharp economic slowdown prompted traders to dial back bets on higher interest rates. Brent hit $116 a barrel.3) The Trump administration is planning to let a Russian oil tanker dock in Cuba, alleviating an energy crisis triggered when the US prohibited deliveries to the Communist regime.The shipment of crude is expected to be allowed to arrive in coming days, according to two people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified without permission to speak publicly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you want to build a diversified portfolio, you need to assemble assets that respond to different return drivers. Digital assets can play a central role. For starters, cryptocurrencies like bitcoin behave differently than traditional equities or commodities, giving portfolios exposure to unique sources of risk and return. And within the crypto universe, you can find coins, protocols, and equities that all behave differently under different market conditions. By investing in a wide range of digital assets you can potentially both mitigate risk and improve returns. This episode is sponsored by Coinbase. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to the March jobs report in the U.S and a focus on 3 stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to the upcoming South Africa Investment Conference. In Asia – a look ahead to South Korea shareholder meetings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The Senate passed legislation early Friday to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, forging a path to end a lengthy partial government shutdown that snarled airport security and threatened to ripple through an economy already roiled by the Iran war. The bill, which must still pass the House and be signed by President Donald Trump, marks an abrupt reversal for Republicans, who had blocked similar proposals backed by Democrats to partially fund the department for weeks. The legislation passed the Senate by voice vote.2) President Donald Trump again pushed back his deadline for Iran to strike a deal with the US or face more attacks, saying talks with the country were going “very well.” Trump said he would extend by 10 days his pledge to refrain from attacks on Iranian energy sites, his second extension since Saturday’s threat to eviscerate Iran’s power plants in the absence of a deal.3) Anthropic PBC is considering going public as soon as in October, according to people familiar with the matter, as the artificial intelligence company races with rival OpenAI Inc. to hold an initial public offering.The maker of the popular Claude chatbot has had early discussions with Wall Street banks about taking leading roles on a potential listing, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information isn’t public. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The White House has insisted that peace talks with Iran are ongoing, even as Tehran publicly rejected US overtures and issued fresh conditions of its own to end the conflict that’s wreaked havoc across the Middle East and global markets. President Trump claimed Iran was desperate to make a deal to end the nearly month-long hostilities. “They want to make a deal so badly, but they’re afraid to say it,” Trump told congressional Republicans Wednesday night in Washington. The comments ran counter to Iran’s earlier statements through state-run media publicly rejecting Trump’s push for talks. Tehran is also seeking its own guarantees, including that the US and Israel won’t resume their attacks, reparations for war damages and recognition of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz, according to state-owned Press TV.2) Ticket prices on major routes connecting Asia and Europe have surged up to 560% this month and are likely to stay elevated through the summer and into fall as war-related disruptions ripple through the Persian Gulf, the world’s busiest transit corridor, according to Alton Aviation Consultancy. For June travel, fares across seven popular Asia-Pacific to Europe routes are averaging about 70% higher than a year ago, based on Alton’s analysis of data from analytics firm Cirium and online travel agencies. A Sydney-to-London ticket now averages more than $1,500, roughly double last year’s price. Fares include direct and one-stop flights, as well as transits through Gulf airports. Prices are expected to remain about 30% above last year’s levels even as far out as October.3) Officials in Germany have started mapping vulnerabilities in US supply chains to identify points where Germany and its European Union partners could apply pressure, according to people familiar with the effort. Their goal is to create a consensus among EU nations on how they can use their leverage, if and when they get drawn into another dispute with the White House. The initial findings suggest ways to target the massive US tech firms with close ties to the White House, the officials said. Other options could aim for the AI investment boom that has helped to drive US stocks to record highs this year or push up drug prices for American voters, an issue the president has already shown he’s sensitive to. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Iran kept up missiles and drone attacks on Arab Gulf states and Israel overnight, after the US floated a proposal to end a war that’s wreaked havoc across the Middle East and in global markets. Saudi Arabia intercepted a drone in the east of the country, while a strike targeting Kuwait set ablaze a fuel tank at its main airport. Iranian media said more missiles were fired at Israel. There were no reports of casualties in any of the incidents. The US sent Iran a 15-point plan, which Pakistan delivered, according to people familiar with the matter, highlighting the urgency within the Trump administration to resolve the conflict it started as the economic toll mounts. The details remain unclear, though President Trump has publicly signaled that any peace agreement would have to include a prohibition on Iran ever obtaining a nuclear weapon or enriching radioactive material for civilian purposes. Iran has yet to comment on the proposal. Trump, when he first announced talks with the Islamic Republic on Monday, implied he hoped to get an agreement by Friday. That may be difficult given the wide gaps that remain between the sides, with several Iranian officials saying the country isn’t ready to negotiate and that Trump is merely trying to calm markets and push down oil prices.2) A system designed to help air-traffic controllers monitor vehicles and airplanes on the ground failed to alert personnel at LaGuardia Airport before an Air Canada Express jet collided with a fire truck late Sunday evening, killing the two pilots. An analysis found the system, known as ASDE-X, issued no alert to the two controllers in the tower due to “the close proximity of vehicles merging and unmerging near the runway,” US National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said during a press conference on Tuesday. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey fire truck involved in the crash also wasn’t equipped with a transponder that would have helped pinpoint its location, Homendy said. The Federal Aviation Administration last year encouraged airports with ASDE-X to voluntarily equip their vehicles with special transmitters to “improve airfield safety.”3) Senate Democrats have rejected the latest offer from President Trump and Republicans to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security and end a lengthy shutdown that has snarled airport security checkpoints and threatened to ripple through an economy already roiled by the Iran war. The Republican plan does not include any of the policy proposals Democrats have insisted on in their fight to overhaul Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics following the killings of two protesters in Minneapolis by agents earlier this year. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters his party would send a counter-offer to Republicans, which would include changes to immigration enforcement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Fighting between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance continued unabated, even as President Trump claimed talks are under way to end the conflict. Iran launched overnight missile and drone attacks on the Israeli cities of Eilat, Dimona and Tel Aviv, as well as US bases in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a drone in its eastern region, and Kuwait said some power lines were put out of service after an Iranian attack. Sirens sounded in Bahrain. In Iran, the Fars news agency reported US-Israeli attacks that damaged a gas pressure-regulation plant and an administrative building in the central city of Isfahan. There was also a strike on a pipeline supplying gas to the Khorramshahr Combined Cycle Power Plant in southwestern Iran, according to Fars. The attacks continued after Trump postponed strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure, citing “productive conversations” with Tehran. The US president’s claims of behind-the-scenes diplomacy were widely denied by Iranian officials, causing confusion over the participants in the talks and the parameters of a potential deal.2) Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have taken steps toward joining the Iran war, the Wall Street Journal reported, potentially signaling an escalation of the fighting. Saudi Arabia agreed to give the US military access to King Fahd Air Base, the WSJ reported, citing people familiar with the matter, an apparent reversal after saying its bases couldn’t be used to attack its longtime rival. The newspaper also cited people familiar as saying the United Arab Emirates closed an Iranian-owned hospital and club — undercutting a key source of support for Tehran.3) Senators in both parties expressed rising optimism late Monday about reaching an agreement to end the five-week partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which has increasingly snarled air travel across the United States. After Republican senators met at the White House with President Trump on Monday, Senator Katie Britt of Alabama, a key negotiator, said she thought they had a solution to the impasse. On the floor she could be seen talking with members of both parties including Chuck Schumer, the Democrat leader. Schumer said “both sides are working in a serious way” as he left the Capitol after a day that began when Trump soured the talks with demands that Republicans tie passage of the partisan SAVE America Act voting legislation to Homeland Security funding. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stocks and bonds rebounded after President Donald Trump said the US and Iran had “very good” conversations about an end to the conflict in the Middle East. President rump said strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure and power plants would be postponed for five days following the start of talks with Iran to end the war. For details on this development, Tom Keene and Paul Sweeney speak with Bloomberg Middle East Reporter Joumanna Bercetche, Silvercrest Asset Management Head of Investment Policy & Strategy Robert Teeter, and Veda Partners Co-Founder Henrietta Treyz. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast: 1) Iran carried out fresh strikes across the Persian Gulf hours before President Trump’s deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz expires, as the waterway’s closure continues to rattle global energy markets. The United Arab Emirates reported drone and missile attacks by the Islamic Republic overnight into Monday. Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on infrastructure in Tehran and said it’s preparing to expand ground operations in Lebanon, where it’s fighting Iran-aligned Hezbollah. Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum to “fully open” the vital strait — a conduit for about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports — expires at 7:44 p.m. eastern time on Monday, after which he’s threatened strikes on Iran’s power plants. Should such an attack occur, Iran has threatened to hit power and water plants across the region. One senior Iranian official said on social media that the headquarters and assets of financial entities that buy US Treasury bonds are “legitimate targets.” 2) Global bond yields have risen to the highest since May 2024 as a surge in energy costs due to the Middle East conflict leads traders to position for central bank interest-rate hikes. US yields are perched at their highest in months after a third straight week of bond losses on speculation the Federal Reserve may be compelled to raise borrowing costs to combat inflation. Australia’s 10-year yields climbed to the highest level since 2011 on Monday, while those in New Zealand are at the highest since May 2024. India’s 10-year yield rose to a level last seen in January 2025. Japanese and South Korean bond yields also climbed, while European bond futures dropped. 3) Oil gained from the highest close since mid-2022, as investors assessed President Donald Trump’s two-day ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran’s threat of reprisals. Brent rose above $113 a barrel, up for a fifth day, while West Texas Intermediate was near $100. Global benchmark Brent has surged by more than 50% since the strikes by the US and Israel on Iran began in late February. The conflict has shown no signs of abating, with key petroleum-product markets rallying even harder than crude. That’s threatened to unleash a wave of global inflation, bringing turmoil to financial markets from commodities to stocks and bonds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Alexis Christoforous take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look at to what we can expect for mortgage rates in 2026. In the UK – we preview Denmark's upcoming snap elections In Asia – a discussion on what we can expect when EV maker BYD releases earnings See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Iran pressed ahead with attacks on Arab states in the Persian Gulf even after Israel signaled it would refrain from hitting the Islamic Republic’s energy infrastructure, fueling volatility in markets roiled by the war in the oil-rich region.2) Oil headed for another weekly gain as the war in the Middle East dragged on, with the Strait of Hormuz all-but-closed, strikes continuing across the region, and analysts warning the crisis may deepen.3) Sanae Takaichi had warned her first summit with Donald Trump in Washington could be “extremely difficult,” after the US asked her to deploy warships to Iran. Instead, she showcased Japan’s deep ties with the US — and her own agility on the world stage. Takaichi smiled politely during the only obvious moment of tension during their Oval Office meeting on Thursday, when Trump referenced the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Otherwise, the Republican leader praised Takaichi, highlighted new areas of economic cooperation and pledged to speak up for Tokyo when he eventually meets Chinese President Xi Jinping. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump sought to stop attacks on energy facilities in the Middle East after Israel and Iran struck key targets, fueling concern that a prolonged war will cause lasting damage to oil and gas infrastructure. Iran unleashed waves of retaliatory strikes on projects in Arab countries across the Persian Gulf overnight into Thursday after its prized South Pars gas field — part of the world’s largest gas field shared with Qatar — came under Israeli fire, jolting markets.2) A Qatari complex housing the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export plant suffered “extensive damage” amid a sharp escalation of attacks on energy facilities across the Persian Gulf.3) Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell made it clear the US central bank won’t cut interest rates again until inflation resumes cooling. And that’s before it even starts considering the possible impact of the war in the Middle East. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Iranian attacks on Israel and Arab states in the Persian Gulf continued overnight into Wednesday, while President Donald Trump said the US could end the war with the Islamic Republic “in the near future.”Iran launched fresh waves of missile and drone attacks, targeting the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. It also struck Tel Aviv and killed two people.2) President Donald Trump is desperate to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to ease a growing global energy crisis. He won’t achieve that easily without a ceasefire in the war on Iran.Iran’s sporadic attacks on vessels and the threat of mines have cut traffic in the vital waterway to a trickle, effectively putting Tehran, not outside naval forces, in charge of the flow. The strait carries about a fifth of the world’s oil supplies, and the disruption has led to production cuts, fuel shortages and price increases from Asia to Europe and Africa.3) Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton won the Democratic nomination for the state’s US Senate seat on Tuesday, beating a rival who far out-spent her and handing a victory to her boss and potential 2028 presidential candidate, Governor JB Pritzker.With more than 80% of the ballots counted, Stratton garnered 40% while Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi took 33%, according to Decision Desk HQ. Representative Robin Kelly, who some Democrats thought would undercut support for Stratton, trailed with 18%. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Iran set a massive natural gas field in the United Arab Emirates ablaze as it steps up attacks on key energy sites, while US President Donald Trump appealed to allies and the likes of China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.2) President Donald Trump’s request for a delay to his summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping is a likely welcome development for Beijing, even as it threatens to inject new uncertainty into ties between the world’s two largest economies.3) US stocks fell and Treasury yields rose after attacks on key energy infrastructure in the Middle East drove a renewed advance in oil prices.Futures for the S&P 500 dropped 0.3% as optimism from the previous session faded. Brent climbed 3.6% toward $104 a barrel after Iran struck energy facilities around the Persian Gulf. Treasuries declined modestly, with the 10-year yield rising one basis point to 4.23%. The dollar was little changed.The US-Israeli war against Iran continues to reverberate, with traders focused on crude shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Rising oil prices are fueling inflation concerns ahead of the Federal Reserve and other major central bank meetings, with US diesel topping $5 a gallon for the first time since 2022. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Iran denied US President Donald Trump’s assertion that it wants ceasefire talks, launching fresh attacks across the Persian Gulf and forcing a suspension of flights at Dubai’s main airport.The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia reported drone and missile attacks overnight into Monday. Dubai halted flights at its main airport following a fire at a fuel tank that it said was caused by an Iranian drone. It announced a gradual resumption a few hours later, though Emirates said some of its scheduled flights for the day would be canceled.2) As the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its third week, pressure is growing on the person in the best position to end it: Donald Trump. But the US president’s ever-shifting explanations for why he went to war leave friends and adversaries at a loss to forecast when he’ll be ready to stop. And even if he does, Iran has shown little willingness to go along. Trump has gone from declaring the war over soon to calling on European and Gulf allies to help. They’re reluctant, and the likes of Russia are benefiting.3) President Donald Trump predicted Cuba wants to make a deal with the US, but said he wants to finish the war with Iran before turning his attention to the Communist island nation.“I think we will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we have to do,” he told reporters Sunday on Air Force One. “We’re talking to Cuba, but we’re going to do Iran before Cuba.”Under Trump, the US has been tightening the screws on Cuba, imposing an almost total fuel blockade that has exacerbated already hours-long blackouts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to next week’s monetary policy decision from the Federal Reserve and a focus on 3 stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to the Bank of England and European Central Bank decisions. In Asia – a look ahead to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast: 1) US President Donald Trump threatened Iran with further attacks after the Islamic Republic’s new leader signaled defiance and suggested there would be no easing of a war that’s upending energy flows and global markets. “We have unparalleled firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time,” Trump said on Truth Social. “Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags” on Friday, he said, referring to Iran’s leaders. 2) Stocks extended their declines as investors remained wary of risks from the Iran war heading into the weekend, with oil prices holding above $100 a barrel.Europe’s Stoxx 600 index slumped 0.9% putting the benchmark on course for a second week of losses. US futures retreated 0.4% after the S&P 500 Index slid to its lowest since November. Brent crude edged higher, trading around $102, after rallying 9.2% on Thursday. 3) Investigators worked Friday to determine the exact reason a man with a rifle crashed into a large Michigan synagogue in what federal officials are saying was an attack carried out by a 41-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen born in Lebanon. Ayman Mohamad Ghazali was killed by security after ramming into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township near Detroit, Michigan, and driving down a hallway in a vehicle that then caught fire, according to authorities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Brent briefly jumped back above $100 a barrel after the Iran war led to more shipping turmoil in the Middle East and China tightened fuel export curbs to cope with the fallout from the conflict. The global oil benchmark surged as much as 10% to $101.59 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose to near $96, before paring gains. Two tankers were struck in Iraqi waters and Oman temporarily cleared ships from its key export terminal outside of the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the widening threats to energy supply and overshadowing a record reserves release by the IEA to try and cool prices. In further signs of strain, Chinese refiners have begun canceling agreed refined fuel export cargoes, including gasoline and diesel. The country’s top processors were told last week to stop signing new contracts, and the latest directive is a step up from the earlier guidance.2) Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Citigroup Inc. have told staffers in Dubai to stay away from their offices as Iran’s attacks on Gulf cities continue. Goldman has instructed employees to seek permission before going into its offices across the Middle East, according to people familiar with the matter. Standard Chartered Plc also asked staff in the Dubai International Financial Centre and nearby areas to leave their offices on Wednesday, the people said, declining to be identified discussing confidential information. Several Wall Street banks have already been allowing employees in the United Arab Emirates to work remotely since the war began. Some lenders have also offered staff the option to temporarily leave the country, Bloomberg News has reported.3) President Trump’s administration started the first of several sweeping trade investigations that set the stage for new tariffs, the centerpiece of a push to replace levies struck down by the US Supreme Court. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced Wednesday that his office would begin a probe into more than a dozen major economies under Section 301 of the Trade Act focused on alleged excess manufacturing capacity. The investigations, which typically take months to complete, are required for the president to unilaterally place duties on imports from specific countries deemed to employ unfair trading practices. Economies that will be subject to the inquiry include some of the US’s largest trading partners: China, the European Union, Mexico, India, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast: 1) The International Energy Agency is proposing a release of emergency oil reserves, according to a person with knowledge of the matter, as governments seek to contain a spike in energy prices driven by the Middle East war. It was not immediately clear whether the IEA proposal was formal and included specific amounts for member nations. While countries have so far agreed in principle to inject more oil into the market if needed, it is not evident that all believe that the situation is yet urgent enough to make that move. The person, who asked not to be named because discussions are not public, did not provide a figure. The Group of Seven nations said on Wednesday that they supported, in principle, “proactive measures” including the release of strategic reserves, though they did not provide details on the scale of a potential intervention. 2) Energy markets whipsawed for a second consecutive day as investors raced to interpret rapidly shifting comments from the Trump administration over the war in Iran. Oil prices plummeted after Energy Secretary Chris Wright erroneously posted — and then deleted — a message that the US Navy had escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt subsequently conceded no such operation had occurred, while adding the US military was “drawing up additional options” to address any attempt by Iran to constrain trade through the vital artery. Later Tuesday, President Trump posted his own flurry of messages on social media. First, he insisted the US had “no reports” of mines being placed, but then urged Iranian forces to remove any explosives they may have laid. 3) Oracle Corp. shares gained in extended trading after the company posted strong results and gave an outlook that suggested there is little letup in demand for AI computing. Revenue in Oracle’s closely watched infrastructure business increased 84% to $4.9 billion in the period ended Feb. 28, the company said Tuesday in a statement. That marked a faster jump than the 79% anticipated by analysts and a 68% sales rise in the previous quarter. The company is working to deliver on massive cloud infrastructure contracts with customers like OpenAI and Meta Platforms Inc. Known for its namesake database software, Oracle has found success with its cloud business by providing chip-filled data centers and other equipment for training and deploying AI models. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump on Monday said the US and Israel were making significant progress in their war on Iran and could end the conflict “very soon,” curtailing an oil-price surge. Trump said he didn’t believe the fighting would be over this week, but insisted the operation was ahead of schedule. The US Navy will escort tankers out of the Middle East to maintain a steady oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz, he added. The effective closure of the strait, vital to the world’s flow of petroleum and to container shipping, has caused oil and natural gas prices to soar, and stoked fears of inflation. Brent crude, having climbed to almost $120 a barrel early Monday, is back down to $91.50, but is still up more than 50% this year on the US-Iran tensions. There’s as yet little sign Hormuz can be opened quickly, with Iran continuing to retaliate with drone and missile strikes across the region.2) Stocks rose and crude oil fell as President Trump signaled the Iran war may be nearing an end, helping boost sentiment after Monday’s selloff in risk assets. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index climbed 3.1%, with technology shares leading gains. European stocks were also set to advance with contracts indicating a 1.4% jump at the open. However, equity-index futures for the S&P 500 Index slipped 0.2%, indicating the recovery that started on Wall Street on Monday may be running out of steam. The rebound in sentiment for markets came as Trump said the war with Iran would be resolved “very soon.” Even so, from the UAE to Bahrain to Kuwait, several Middle Eastern countries announced missile threats, sounded sirens or intercepted drones on Tuesday. Trump said he didn’t believe the conflict would be over this week.3) Kevin Warsh will meet with senators this week as he seeks their approval to become chairman of the Federal Reserve, according to three people familiar with the plans. The customary meetings with senators before his expected hearing mark the next stage in Warsh’s quest to replace Jerome Powell as the head of the national monetary system. One of the senators on Warsh’s schedule is Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), according to two of the people. Tillis has said he likes Warsh as a potential chairman but opposes moving the nomination until the Justice Department halts its investigation of into the Federal Reserve’s $2.5 billion renovation of its headquarters. Tillis has warned the probe amounts to inappropriate pressure on Powell to lower interest rates. Trump formally nominated Warsh last week in hopes of replacing Powell before the incumbent’s term expires May 15. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said he expects Warsh to get a hearing, notwithstanding Tillis’s blockade. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Iran named the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as its new supreme leader and President Trump called $100 oil a “small price to pay,” with neither side showing any sign of deescalating a war now entering its 10th day. Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, won a “decisive vote” in Iran’s Assembly of Experts, the semi-official Fars news agency reported Sunday. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, one of Iran’s most powerful and feared organizations, pledged full obedience to the new leader in a statement. Trump, meanwhile, said the US and Israeli military campaign against the Islamic Republic was worth any near-term pain because it would bring long-lasting benefits.2) Equities tumbled as deepening turmoil in energy markets sent oil above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022. Bond losses accelerated while the dollar hit the highes level in nearly two months. Futures for the S&P 500 fell 1.5% as the opposing sides in the US-Israeli war against Iran showed little sign of backing down after more than a week of conflict. Brent soared 15% after Middle Eastern producers cut output, stoking fears of an inflation shock that pushed the 10-year Treasury yield five basis points higher to 4.19%. Selling swept across regions and asset classes as the geopolitical flareup added fresh stress to markets that are already under pressure from AI disruptions and worries about the potential for cracks in credit markets.3) Authorities are investigating potential terrorism links to two suspects in custody over what New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said was an improvised explosive thrown near Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence, people familiar with the investigation said. While Tisch did not elaborate on the investigation, people familiar with the investigation said the suspects — identified as Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi by the commissioner — told detectives they believed the leader of an anti-Muslim protest near Mamdani’s residence had insulted their religion and described the devices as retaliation. Investigators also found the men had watched Islamic State propaganda videos before the protests, the people said. Authorities on Saturday arrested a total of six people connected to the broader unrest stemming from the anti-Muslim demonstration outside the residence near East End Avenue and East 87th Street starting at about 11 a.m. local time. Mamdani is the city’s first Muslim mayor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to U.S CPI data, along with a focus on 3 stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to Paris nuclear talks. In Asia – a look ahead to legislative elections in Vietnam. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Iran fired a barrage of missiles and drones targeting countries across the Persian Gulf overnight, while Israel renewed airstrikes on the Islamic Republic in a war that’s entered a seventh day with no end in sight. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain were among those that came under renewed attack from the Islamic Republic, while Israeli airstrikes hit Tehran and Beirut. The war has left at least 1,332 people dead in Iran so far, and dozens of others have been killed elsewhere in the region in retaliatory strikes. The Pentagon said six US troops have been killed, all in the first two days of fighting. President Trump said the US continues to “totally demolish” Iranian forces, telling NBC he wanted to “clean out” Iran’s leadership structure and he had names in mind to take over.2) The US House voted down legislation to force a halt to US strikes on Iran as a handful of Democrats joined a nearly united Republican party in rejecting the measure. The 219-212 vote Thursday against the war powers resolution was largely symbolic, since it would have had to pass both chambers and the Senate’s version of the measure failed a procedural vote on Wednesday. The outcome allows President Trump to proceed in a conflict with uncertain costs, consequences and economic effects that commands far less initial political support than the US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The American public turned against both those wars. 3) President Trump removed Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary after months of controversy and announced he would replace her with Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin. Trump posted on social media Thursday that the move would take effect March 31. He said that Noem would take a role as a special envoy for the Western Hemisphere. The change marks the first time Trump has replaced a Cabinet member during his second term. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a social media post that the administration will work to confirm Mullin “as quickly as possible.” A White House official didn’t respond to a question about whether he would also serve in an acting capacity before a possible Senate confirmation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US-Israeli war on Iran entered a sixth day with no sign of easing, as the Islamic Republic said its retaliation against American strikes would escalate. Arab states across the Persian Gulf reported interceptions of Iranian missiles and drones overnight and into Thursday. Israel is carrying out waves of airstrikes on Tehran, hitting military and intelligence assets, following attacks on Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. President Trump said on Wednesday that the US was “doing very well on the war front.” The White House said American forces had struck more than 2,000 targets and were moving toward “complete and total control of Iranian airspace,” while the Islamic Republic’s regime had been “absolutely crushed.” Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said retaliatory attacks will intensify in coming days, according to the Nour news agency. Tehran will target Israel’s Dimona nuclear facility if the US seeks regime change, Iran’s semi-official ISNA said.2) The Senate voted 53 to 47 against a measure that would have required congressional approval for President Trump’s military operations against Iran, and similar war powers resolutions are expected to fail in the House. Most Republicans have backed Trump’s decision to bypass Congress, arguing he is constitutionally authorized, though several have warned that support is not unlimited -- particularly if the conflict becomes prolonged or involves ground troops. Some GOP lawmakers expressed concern privately about oversight and the lack of hearings, while Democrats have pledged to repeatedly force war powers votes despite slim chances of passage.3) Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran said he thinks it’s still appropriate to continue cutting interest rates given that it’s too early to take a stance on the impact of war in the Middle East on the US economy. Oil prices surged after the US and Israel launched attacks across Iran over the weekend, and investors marked down the odds of Fed rate cuts in 2026. Some Fed officials speaking this week have suggested it raises uncertainty over the outlook — a development Fed watchers have interpreted as possibly keeping the central bank on hold for longer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump said the US will ensure safe passage of oil from the Middle East to head off a potential energy crisis caused by the war with Iran, which continues to reverberate across the region and roil markets. The fighting has showed no signs of abating five days after it erupted, with Israel and Iran continuing to exchange airstrikes and missile fire. Hundreds of people have died in Iran and dozens elsewhere in the region, while the US says six of its servicemen have been killed. In all, about a dozen nations have become embroiled in the conflict, with Tehran striking at US bases and embassies across the Middle East, and Israel launching an air and ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon after it came under attack from the Iran-aligned group.2) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his support for US military action in Iran came “with regret” because the current conflict is another example of the failure of the international order. Israel and the US acted without engaging the United Nations or allies including Canada, he noted. At the same time, Carney said he agrees with the objective of stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons or further threatening international peace and security through its support of terrorism. Meanwhile, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said the UK shouldn’t sacrifice its principles for more favorable trading terms with the US, as she stood by the government’s decision to withhold British backup for the American-Israeli assault on Iran.3) US Senator John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are heading for a runoff in the Republican primary for the US Senate in Texas, while state Representative James Talarico defeated Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in a Democratic race that was marred by legal challenges. In the GOP primary, Cornyn was leading with a little more than 42% support, less than two points over Paxton as of early Wednesday. A third candidate, US Representative Wesley Hunt, won enough votes to deny either a majority, sending Cornyn and Paxton to a two-person race to be decided in May. The runoff sets up more than two months of additional campaigning that will further drain the candidates’ coffers as Republican seek to defend their majority in the Senate in November. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US-Israeli war on Iran reverberated across the Middle East and global markets on Tuesday, as oil and gas prices surged and Tehran vowed to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane. Both the US and Israeli militaries continued to bombard Iran’s capital. The US embassy in Riyadh was attacked by two drones, causing limited damage, and Israel sent soldiers into southern Lebanon, where the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia is based. The escalation came as the US sent conflicting messages about how long the war might last, and an adviser to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander told state TV that forces “will set fire to any ship attempting to pass through” the Strait of Hormuz. China, which buys most of Iran’s oil, urged “all sides” to ensure the safe passage of ships through the waterway, where traffic has effectively halted.2) President Trump escalated his criticism of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a fresh indication of how strained the two allies’ relationship has become over the US president’s efforts to enlist the UK’s help in its strikes against Iran. Starmer — who declined a US request to use British bases for offensive operations against the Islamic republic — has “not been helpful,” Trump said in an interview with The Sun tabloid. “It’s very sad to see that the relationship is obviously not what it was.” It’s the latest in a series of jibes Trump has made toward the Labour Party leader since he pushed back against Trump’s designs on Greenland earlier in the year. The US president has repeatedly criticized Starmer’s deal ceding sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius — something he did again in his Sun interview — and has also dismissed Britain’s role alongside American troops in the Afghanistan war.3) US and Chinese trade negotiators are slated to meet in mid-March, according to people familiar with the matter, signaling a planned summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping is pushing ahead despite American strikes against Iran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng are expected to convene in Paris at the end of next week to discuss business deals that could stem from the leaders’ meeting, said the people who requested anonymity to discuss plans that aren’t yet public. Both the timing and location of the meeting could still shift, the people added. Among the issues that could be addressed are a possible Chinese purchase of Boeing Co. planes, commitments to buy US soybeans and Taiwan, the self-ruled island China views as its own, some of the people said. The future of US fentanyl tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court could also be on the agenda, they added. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump said the bombing campaign against Iran will continue until its objectives are achieved, calling on the nation’s leaders to capitulate as a report indicated at least one top official in Tehran sought to resume nuclear talks with the US. Trump on Sunday re-confirmed the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and said the US and Israel had struck hundreds of targets in Iran including Revolutionary Guard facilities and air defenses. The US military’s Central Command announced Sunday that three US service members were killed and five “seriously wounded” during operations against the Islamic Republic, but gave no further details. Trump, who campaigned for the presidency on a pledge not to endanger American troops in the Middle East, called their deaths part of “the righteous mission” in a video posted on social media. “There will likely be more before it ends. That’s the way it is.”2) Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are stepping up criticism of Iran’s regional attacks, while Gulf states consider coordinating efforts to halt what they’ve called “treacherous” and “heinous” actions by Tehran. Ministers from Gulf Cooperation Council nations held an extraodinary meeting on Sunday to review damages from Iran’s strikes on countries spanning from the UAE to Bahrain, Qatar and Oman, and consider necessary steps to restore stability and peace to the Middle East, according to a statement from state-run Saudi Press Agency. The states affirmed their right to respond to respond to Iran in “self-defense, either individually or collectively” and said GCC members “will take all necessary measures to defend their security and stability and to protect their territories, citizens, and residents, including the option to respond to the aggression.”3) Oil surged the most in four years as traders gauged the impact of the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggered by US and Israeli strikes against Iran, with hostilities escalating across the region. Global benchmark Brent was more than 9% higher near $80 a barrel, after earlier rallying by as much as 13% to the highest since January 2025. Tanker traffic through the strait — the chokepoint off Iran’s coast that handles a fifth of the world’s oil and large volumes of gas — has largely halted, with a self-imposed pause in place by shipowners and traders as the conflict spreads. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
'Bloomberg This Weekend' features unique conversations on business, news, lifestyle and culture. Join David Gura, Christina Ruffini and Lisa Mateo Saturdays and Sundays for discussions with business leaders, lawmakers and cultural icons. Watch the show LIVE on Bloomberg Television from 7AM-10AM Eastern Time. Listen to the show LIVE on Bloomberg Radio from 7AM-10AM Eastern Time. Listen to the Podcast for the best conversations from the show. Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bloomberg-this-weekend/id1878739308Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5DQ8CEg9LeS1xGJSaxt47l See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The US and Israel began striking targets across Iran, with President Donald Trump urging Iranians to overthrow the government in a conflict that threatens to spiral across the oil-rich Middle East. “The hour for your freedom is at hand,” Trump said, addressing Iranians in a video posted on Truth Social on Saturday. “When we’re finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.” The military campaign could be a defining moment for Trump, risking a drawn-out regional war that leads to a surge in energy prices and American casualties ahead of mid-term elections this year. Iran quickly responded by firing missiles on Israel and US bases around the region, and countries in the Persian Gulf closed their airspace. Israel’s military said the campaign would target “dozens of military targets,” and Iran media reported strikes on defensive and civilian sites, including more than 50 people dead in a strike on a school in Hormozgan, in the south of the country. Several large explosions were reported in the capital, Tehran. Bloomberg's David Gura and Christina Ruffini lead our team coverage in this instant reaction podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to the February jobs report, along with a focus on 3 stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to "Made in Europe" the tagline of a new scheme to rejuvenate Europe's defense, energy, and manufacturing sectors. In Asia – a look ahead to China PMI data. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) US and Iranian officials ended the latest round of nuclear talks in Geneva on Thursday by agreeing to reconvene as soon as next week, opening the door to further diplomacy even as President Trump masses military forces in the region. With just days to go before Trump’s deadline to reach an agreement, the two sides agreed to resume discussions at a technical level in Vienna. Oil pared gains given the prospect of more talks, though there was no public reaction from the US side, led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. A person familiar with the US position said the Americans were leaving Geneva disappointed with the progress of the talks.2) Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she denied any association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein during a “repetitive” hours-long deposition before congressional investigators Thursday. Clinton told reporters after the deposition she is confident her husband, former President Bill Clinton, knew nothing about Epstein’s crimes. Bill Clinton, who is set to face questioning on Friday, will be the first ex-president forced to testify before Congress. Thursday’s closed-door interview, which took place in Chappaqua in upstate New York, also touched on topics ranging from UFOs to the so-called PizzaGate conspiracy theory that took hold during the 2016 presidential campaign, she said.3) Netflix Inc. dropped out of the fight to buy Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., clearing the way for rival bidder Paramount Skydance Corp. to clinch its $111 billion deal for the historic Hollywood studio. The streaming industry leader said that while it believed its deal would have passed muster with regulators and created shareholder value, it didn’t want to keep bidding. “We’ve always been disciplined, and at the price required to match Paramount Skydance’s latest offer, the deal is no longer financially attractive,” Netflix said Thursday in a statement. Instead, it will keep investing in its business, including about $20 billion this year on films, TV shows and other entertainment offerings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Cuba says a boat with 10 people near its coast early Wednesday was carrying weapons, and its occupants — Cubans living in the US — were intent on entering the country to fight against the government. Cuban forces killed four people who had opened fire from a speedboat with Florida tags, an incident with the potential to escalate an already tense standoff with the US. The vessel approached within one nautical mile off the coast of Villa Clara early Wednesday, Cuba’s Interior Ministry said in a statement. Six others on the speedboat were wounded and are being provided with medical care. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Wednesday afternoon that the Department of Homeland Security and Coast Guard would be looking into the incident.2) The US and Iran started a third round of nuclear talks on Thursday with days to go until President Trump’s deadline for a deal. The two parties have been locked in a tense, months-long standoff over the Islamic Republic’s atomic activities and are negotiating through mediator Oman at its embassy in Geneva, the semi-official Iranian Students’ News Agency reported. Trump had given Iran a deadline of March 1-6 to strike a deal and has threatened military action if it fails to do so, sparking fears of a new Middle East war that could embroil Israel and Gulf Arab oil producers.3) The US vowed to maintain high tariffs on China hours after Beijing warned against any future hikes, as President Trump’s sweeping levies return to the spotlight before his meeting with Xi Jinping. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Wednesday that Trump wants to keep tariffs on China steady at a range of 35% to 50%, while repeating earlier statements that the Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate broad emergency tariffs wouldn’t affect most levies. Earlier the same day, China threatened to take “all necessary measures” if the US imposed fresh tariffs, after Washington signaled a probe into their 2020 trade deal would continue. Beijing reiterated it wants to use the existing consultation mechanism to build consensus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Addressing one of his biggest audiences at perhaps the lowest moment of his second term, President Trump returned again and again in his State of the Union speech to the same message on the economy: Everything is going great. A resolute Trump was determined to will Americans into a better economic mood, seeking to paint over the affordability concerns at the center of upcoming midterm elections with statistics and self-congratulation. “Inflation is plummeting. Incomes are rising fast. The roaring economy is roaring like never before,” Trump boasted early in the nearly two-hour speech. The US president didn’t even feel compelled to roll out fresh policy ideas to address the cost of living. And where he did allow that voters might have some misgivings about cost of living, he followed his well-worn playbook of pinning blame elsewhere. Ahead of the speech, Trump’s advisers had framed the evening as an opportunity to lay out a forward-looking economic agenda that could serve as a reset ahead of the midterms. But he focused more on touting his signature tax legislation and trade policies than major new cost-of-living proposals — a hint that the issue is still vexing the White House. 2) Four days after deriding the US Supreme Court justices who struck down most of his signature tariffs, President Trump was far milder in his criticism with some of them in the room. Delivering his State of the Union address Tuesday, Trump criticized Friday’s 6-3 ruling against his sweeping global tariffs as “very unfortunate” and “disappointing.” The four justices who attended — Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett — sat stoically in their front-row seats. Even in their relatively mild form, Trump’s comments marked a rare instance of high court criticism during a State of the Union address. In 2010, then-President Barack Obama criticized the just-issued Citizens United campaign-finance ruling, accusing the court of ignoring a century of precedent.3) Nvidia Corp. is facing a high-stakes moment with its latest quarterly results on Wednesday, with the world waiting for fresh evidence that the AI spending boom remains on track. To satisfy investors, Nvidia likely needs to deliver another blockbuster report. That means easily topping the forecasts it gave three months ago and setting new targets that are above current Wall Street estimates. The company has done this repeatedly, but concerns have grown that the AI spending frenzy isn’t sustainable. Nvidia is the dominant supplier of processors used to develop and run AI models, making it the biggest bellwether of the artificial intelligence economy. Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang has assured investors in public appearances that demand remains high and customers such as Meta Platforms Inc. and Alphabet Inc. have rolled out more aggressive spending plans. Investors also will be looking for additional ways for Nvidia to accelerate growth. That may include pushing further into China, where US export curbs — and Chinese pushback — have limited sales. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
President Donald Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address of the television age Tuesday, declaring “a turnaround for the ages” as he tried to sell Americans on his economic program ahead of crucial midterm elections later this year. The speech had all the ceremony, confrontation and chaos that have come to define the event in an era of narrow congressional majorities and partisan polarization. Democratic Representative Al Green was ejected from the chamber for disrupting the speech. Trump invited the gold-medal-winning men’s Olympic hockey team into the gallery amid chants of “USA! USA! USA!” He awarded several medals honoring veterans and active-duty service members. And in more than 1 hour 47 minutes, the longest State of the Union in history, the president delivered a rally-like speech punctuated less by policy proposals than by political attacks. For instant reaction and analysis, Bloomberg Balance of Power hosts Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz speak with: Bloomberg White House correspondent Jeff Mason Rick Davis, Partner at Stonecourt Capital and Bloomberg Politics Contributor & Jeanne Sheehan Zaino, Democracy Visiting Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Center and Bloomberg Politics Contributor US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) A powerful winter storm started to taper off across the Northeast Monday evening after smashing records and dropping more than a foot of snow in eight states. The impact is expected to linger for days. More than 11,000 flights have been grounded through Tuesday, and more than 500,000 homes and businesses were without power as of 5:45 p.m. local time. Drivers in some parts of Massachusetts have been ordered to stay off the roads as snowplow crews struggle to catch up after whiteout conditions engulfed the state’s South Coast. Manhattan’s Central Park recorded about 20 inches (50 centimeters) of snow from Sunday through Monday. Islip on Long Island received more than 22 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Providence, Rhode Island, broke its record for a single snow storm with 32.8 inches, the National Weather Service said. The old record was set from Feb. 6-7 during the Blizzard of 1978 when 28.6 inches fell.2) Affordability and tariffs are expected to be two key domestic themes of President Trump's State of the Union address, posing headline risk for credit-card issuers, homebuilders, single-family REITs and retailers exposed to duties. He will likely address the Supreme Court's tariff ruling, reiterating his pledge to keep them in place, while other proposals requiring congressional approval face long odds in 2026. With President Trump's approval rating at 42% according to RealClearPolitics, consumer affordability of goods and services will be a key focus for the administration ahead of the US midterm elections in November. So far in 2026, Trump has proposed measures such as a 10% cap on credit-card interest, regulatory cuts to lower household energy prices, tax relief and prohibiting corporations from purchasing single-family homes. Yet investors should note that presidential authority to drive affordability goals may be limited, especially if congressional approval is required or if tariff policy risks driving higher inflation. 3) President Trump’s new 10% global tariffs went into effect on Tuesday, kicking off a White House effort to preserve the adminstration’s trade agenda after the Supreme Court struck down his original sweeping duties. The president signed an executive order last Friday authorizing the 10% import tax just hours after the ruling. He subsequently threatened to raise the number to 15%, but Trump did not officially issue a directive to increase the rate by Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. Washington time when the 10% levy went into effect. The White House is working on a formal order that will increase the global tariff rate to 15%, according to an administration official. The timeline for implementing that higher levy has not been finalized, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private matters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) A powerful winter storm has isolated New York City and hobbled transport networks, threatening to be among its worst on record, with 41 million people across the US East Coast facing blizzard conditions. The storm shut down the vast majority of flights out of the region’s largest airports on Monday, including in the New York area and in Boston. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared a state of emergency and closed streets, highways and bridges to most traffic after 9 p.m. Sunday until noon Monday. Major snowfall of as much as 30 inches is expected across the East Coast in some areas, with the heaviest set through Sunday night and into Monday morning, the National Weather Service said, making travel impossible.2) Senior US officials said President Trump’s tariff defeat at the Supreme Court won’t unravel deals negotiated with US partners as they sought to defend the administration’s assertive trade policies. Those deals — which the administration made with partners including China, the European Union, Japan and South Korea — remain in place, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Sunday on CBS’s Face the Nation. He sought to separate those arrangements from the planned 15% global tariff Trump announced Saturday. Friction over the renewed uncertainty spilled out Sunday as the European Parliament’s trade chief said he’ll propose freezing the EU’s ratification of a trade deal with the US until the Trump administration clarifies its policy. In New Delhi, officials cited similar reasons for India postponing talks in the US this week on finalizing an interim trade deal. The US Supreme Court ruling that struck down Trump’s use of emergency authority to wield tariffs preceded his planned trip next month to China. Greer suggested that alternative US trade tools, including those involving investigations of other countries’ trade practices, would give the US leverage.3) The US and Iran are set to resume talks Thursday in Geneva, according to Omani mediators. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he expects to meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff for the talks and reiterated that Iran won’t be pressured by a US military buildup in the region. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on X that the US-Iran negotiations “are now set for Geneva this Thursday, with a positive push to go the extra mile towards finalizing the deal.” After talks last week, a US official said Iran was expected to return with proposals in two weeks to bridge remaining gaps. The US has orchestrated a massive military buildup in the Middle East including two aircraft carriers as President Trump presses Tehran for a new nuclear deal. Trump said on Friday he’s considering limited strikes on Iran, risking another destabilizing conflict. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to earnings from chipmaker Nvidia along with a focus on 3 stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to a special election in the UK. In Asia – a look ahead to India Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Israel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The US Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs, undercutting his signature economic policy and delivering his biggest legal defeat since he returned to the White House.Voting 6-3, the court said Trump exceeded his authority by invoking a federal emergency-powers law to impose his “reciprocal” tariffs across the globe as well as targeted import taxes the administration says address fentanyl trafficking.The justices didn’t address the extent to which importers are entitled to refunds, leaving it to a lower court to sort out those issues. If fully allowed, refunds could total as much as $170 billion - more than half the total revenue Trump’s tariffs have brought in. For instant reaction and analysis, Bloomberg Intelligence co-hosts Paul Sweeney and Scarlet Fu, o speak with:- Bloomberg Washington correspondent Tyler Kendall- Bloomberg Legal Analyst and host of Bloomberg Law June Grasso- Henrietta Treyz, Managing Partner and Director of Economic Policy at Veda Partners- Dave Townsend, Partner with Dorsey & Whitney See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US military is stationing a vast array of forces in the Middle East, including two aircraft carriers, fighter jets and refueling tankers, with President Trump saying that Iran had 10 to 15 days at most to strike a deal over its nuclear program. “We’re either going to get a deal, or it’s going to be unfortunate for them,” Trump told reporters Thursday aboard Air Force One. On a deadline, Trump said he thought 10 to 15 days was “pretty much” the “maximum” he would allow for negotiations to continue. The deployment is unlike anything the US has done since 2003, when it amassed forces before the invasion of Iraq. It dwarfs the military buildup that Trump ordered off the coast of Venezuela in the weeks before he ousted President Nicolas Maduro. While the US isn’t likely to deploy ground troops, the buildup suggests Trump is giving himself discretion to launch a sustained campaign lasting many days, in cooperation with Israel.2) President Trump declared victory in the fight over cost-of-living concerns, signaling a new approach that seeks to deny problems with his economic agenda while touting stock market gains to insist that his tariff plans have been a success. Pocketbook issues have emerged as the central focus of the upcoming November congressional elections with households hit hard by costs for groceries, utilities and housing. Polls show voters have soured on Trump’s economic policies, endangering Republicans’ hold on both chambers of Congress and the future of the president’s legislative agenda. Trump and allies have highlighted slowing inflation and job growth that has come in above expectations, but that has failed to assuage voters, and opened the door for Democrats who have seized on that discontent to boost their midterm prospects.3) Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of the UK’s King Charles, was released under investigation on Thursday after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The Thames Valley Police confirmed it had released a Norfolk man in his sixties, without mentioning the former royal by name. Last week, the police force said it was leading the assessment of allegations tied to the US Department of Justice’s publication of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. King Charles III issued a statement outlining his “deepest concern” about the matter and promising Buckingham Palace’s “full and wholehearted support and co-operation” with the investigating authorities. The arrest of Andrew, who turned 66 on Thursday, heaps further embarrassment on Britain’s royal family following years of lurid allegations about ties with Epstein that the former prince has consistently denied. His arrest appears to be the first of a UK royal since King Charles I in the 17th century following his defeat in the English Civil War. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) While both the US and Iran have sounded cautiously upbeat about the latest round of diplomatic talks between the nations, analysts believe that strikes on Iranian targets remain a likely possibility. The US has amassed military assets in the Middle East and has dispatched a second aircraft carrier to the region. Concerns of a broader conflict held Brent crude above $70 a barrel. The US also announced new visa restrictions, with the State Department saying it is targeting 18 Iranian officials and telecommunications industry leaders and their immediate family members for the crackdown and communications blackout, blaming them for “inhibiting the right of Iranians to free expression and peaceful assembly.”2) Billionaire retail tycoon Leslie Wexner told a US House panel Wednesday that he visited Jeffrey Epstein’s private Caribbean island but said at the time he wasn’t aware of any sex trafficking operation involving the disgraced financier. Wexner said he went to the island once with his wife and children “for a few hours” while the family was in the area on their boat, according to his opening statement in a deposition to congressional investigators that was provided to Bloomberg News by his attorney. The House Oversight Committee has been investigating what role Epstein’s broad network of connections may have played in facilitating his enterprise or delaying criminal prosecution. Wexner was questioned behind closed doors by congressional investigators for six hours on Wednesday, a spokesman for the panel said.3) OpenAI is close to finalizing the first phase of a new funding round that is likely to bring in more than $100 billion, according to people familiar with the matter, a record-breaking financing deal that would give the startup additional capital to build out its artificial intelligence tools. As the ChatGPT maker prepares to spend trillions in infrastructure investment, the overall valuation of the company, including the eventual funding, could exceed $850 billion, according to some of the people. That’s higher than the $830 billion initially expected. The company’s pre-money value will remain $730 billion, said one person, all of whom asked not to be identified discussing private information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US and Iran made progress in nuclear talks in Geneva on Tuesday, with Tehran’s negotiators scheduled to return with a new proposal in two weeks, a US official said on Tuesday, a cautiously upbeat assessment that suggests the chances of an imminent military clash are low. The official, who asked not to be named, said Iran would return with detailed proposals to address the remaining gaps between the two sides, but cautioned that there were still a lot of details to discuss. In an earlier statement, Iran said it had reached a “general agreement” with the US on the terms of a potential nuclear deal that would lift sanctions on Tehran and ease the risk of a broader war in the Middle East. But from the outset, there was also confusion between the US and Iranian sides on the scope of the negotiations, with President Trump bringing Tehran to the talks under the threat of US airstrikes.2) Ukraine and Russia began a second day of US-brokered talks in Geneva after Kyiv’s lead negotiator held separate meetings with American and European allies to coordinate their approach. “Consultations are taking place in groups focusing on specific areas within the political and military blocs,” Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov said Wednesday on Telegram. Russian media also reported that the negotiations had resumed behind closed doors. Umerov on Tuesday said he’d met with representatives of the US, France, the UK, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. “It’s important to maintain a common vision and coordination of actions between Ukraine, the US and Europe,” he said after the meetings in a post on Telegram. “There is an understanding of shared responsibility for the outcome.”3) Japan plans to invest up to $36 billion in US oil, gas and critical mineral projects, the first tranche of its $550 billion commitment under the trade agreement it struck with President Trump. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the projects were designed to build resilient supply chains through cooperation in areas crucial for economic security, including critical minerals, energy and artificial intelligence. The most significant investment is a natural gas facility in Ohio that’s expected to generate 9.2 gigawatts of power, according to a statement from US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a massive project which Trump described as “the largest in History.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The Reverend Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader who marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and later ran for president, has died at 84, according to a statement from his family released early Tuesday. Ordained in 1968, he spent decades fighting for voting rights and economic justice. A longtime advocate for racial and economic justice, Jackson was with King in Memphis in 1968 when King was assassinated. He went on to found the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and became one of the most prominent voices in American civil rights and politics.2) Iran and the US are set to meet for a second round of nuclear talks in Switzerland on Tuesday morning as they seek to avoid renewed conflict in the Middle East following last year’s attacks on the Islamic Republic. Oman will mediate the negotiations in Geneva almost two weeks after the first round was held on February 6th, Iran’s state broadcaster said. Iranian officials have expressed willingness to discuss their nuclear-enrichment activities, but have tied any concessions to the potential easing of American sanctions. Meanwhile, Washington is increasing its military presence in the Middle East, deploying a second aircraft carrier to the region amid warnings of a possible strike on Iran if talks — which could drag on for weeks — fail to produce a compromise. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps held drills around the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Monday that were focused on delivering a “decisive” response to security threats.3) Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Europe’s fate is intertwined with the US while faulting the continent for what he said was a drift away from their shared Western values. “We want Europe to prosper because we’re interconnected in so many different ways, and because our alliance is so critical,” Rubio told Bloomberg News Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait on the sidelines of the conference on Saturday. “But it has to be an alliance of allies that are capable and willing to fight for who they are and what’s important.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this special President's Day Holiday edition of Bloomberg Daybreak, host Nathan Hager discusses: -We get another big earnings report ahead of Nvidia. On Thursday, we hear from Walmart. For more, we hear from Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Analysts Jen Bartashas and Poonam Goyal. - Nvidia reports its latest quarterly numbers next week. So what should we expect from the chip -behemoth? We speak with Mandeep Singh and Kunjan Soubhani of Bloomberg Intelligence. -The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, is suing OpenAI, a company he co-founded. That trial is set to take place in April. We get details from Bloomberg Intelligence Litigation Analyst Matthew Schettenhelm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Europe’s fate is intertwined with the US while faulting the continent for what he said was a drift away from their shared Western values. The double-edged message offered some reassurance to allied leaders gathered at the Munich Security Conference but did little to temper their push for more independence from Washington. “We want Europe to prosper because we’re interconnected in so many different ways, and because our alliance is so critical,” Rubio told Bloomberg News Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait on the sidelines of the conference on Saturday. “But it has to be an alliance of allies that are capable and willing to fight for who they are and what’s important.”“What is it that binds us together? Ultimately, it’s the fact that we are both heirs to the same civilization, and it’s a great civilization,” he said. “It’s one we should be proud of.”Rubio’s comments elaborated on a speech he delivered to the event, Europe’s premier annual security gathering, earlier Saturday morning. The speech was the most anticipated of the three-day conference, with fellow leaders eager to hear if he would double down on the contemptuous tone voiced a year earlier by Vice President JD Vance at the same venue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to what to expect from homebuilders in the months ahead along with a focus on 3 stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to UK jobs data. In Asia – a look ahead to the Lunar New Year Holiday in China. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The Trump administration is working to narrow its broad tariffs on steel and aluminum products that companies find difficult to calculate and the European Union wants reined in as part of its pending trade deal with the US, a person familiar with the matter said. The US Trade Representative’s Office is scrambling to resolve complications spawned last year by the Commerce Department’s efforts to rush out President Trump’s tariff agenda, the person said. The White House has communicated to companies that adjustments are in the works, but details and timing remain unclear. 2) President Trump said his administration has rescinded the “endangerment finding,” a landmark scientific determination that greenhouse gases pose a threat to human health and welfare. The 2009 finding serves as the legal foundation for a variety of environmental rules, including federal climate standards for cars and trucks. Trump said he’s also repealing those vehicle-related standards. The decision to repeal, which has been telegraphed for months, lays the groundwork for unwinding more federal climate regulations, according to environmental and legal experts. Thursday’s announcement, made alongside Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, marks the administration’s most consequential climate rollback, as well as its biggest deregulatory move.3) A Saturday shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security is all but inevitable after the Senate failed to advance a funding bill and headed out on a week-long recess without a deal regarding new limits on immigration enforcement. The Senate vote to begin debate on a year-long DHS bill without enforcement changes failed 52 to 47. A Republican attempt to get unanimous consent to pass a stopgap DHS bill also failed. Many department employees will be expected to work without pay during a shutdown. But a prolonged fight risks roiling workers like Transportation Security Administration employees at airports. Those carrying out immigration enforcement activities at Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection will likely be paid even during a longer shutdown by funds allocated under President Trump’s tax bill. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump’s tariff policies suffered their strongest political blow yet with the Republican-led US House passing legislation aimed at ending the president’s levies on Canadian imports. Wednesday’s vote represents an increase in political pressure to change course on Trump’s signature economic policy just months before the midterm elections, including by forcing swing-district Republicans affected by the tariffs to weigh when or if to cross the president by voting against his agenda. The vote also signals a growing anxiety over the White House’s economic agenda before elections that are expected to focus heavily on affordability. Democrats were quick to attack the Republicans who voted to protect the tariffs, blaming them for shielding policies that increase the cost of living for their voters. While Trump is almost certain to veto any bill calling for a repeal of his tariff agenda, making it unlikely the measure will ever become law, defections from six Republicans alongside opposition from nearly all Democrats underscore his increasingly tenuous hold on the narrow House majority.2) Republicans advanced voter ID legislation over the opposition of most Democrats Wednesday as House GOP leaders seek to convince their Senate counterparts to muscle through the bill. Conservatives are touting the measure, which the House passed by 218-213, as necessary to beef up election security ahead of the November midterms and 2028 presidential race. Most Democrats oppose the legislation, dubbed the SAVE America Act, and argue it would amount to voter suppression, especially for marginalized groups. The bill faces steep obstacles in the Senate, where GOP leaders would need 60 votes to overcome the legislative filibuster. House Republicans are urging Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to change Senate rules to advance the bill, but the measure’s House backers are also looking at opportunities to tack it onto must-pass bills.3) Democratic lawmakers accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of using the US Justice Department to target enemies of President Donald Trump and bungling the release of files on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein during a fiery hearing Wednesday. “You’ve turned the people’s Department of Justice into Trump’s instrument of revenge,” said Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee in Washington. “Trump orders up prosecutions like pizza. And you deliver every time.” Raskin cited Justice Department probes of former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James and six members of Congress who recorded a video urging military service members to refuse unlawful orders. Prosecutors failed to get grand jury indictments of Comey and James, and the New York Times reported Tuesday that the department also failed to secure indictments of the lawmakers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast:1) An individual who the authorities described as a person of interest has been taken into custody regarding the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie in Arizona more than a week ago, a person familiar with the matter said on Tuesday night. The case, which has attracted international attention, took a dramatic turn earlier Tuesday when the Federal Bureau of Investigation released photo and video images of the possible suspect outside Guthrie’s home near Tucson. A video posted on X shows a masked individual wearing gloves approaching the front door with what appears to be a handgun in a holster and carrying a large backpack. Meantime, the AP reports the FBI and Pima County Sheriff's Department were conducting a court-authorized search at a location in Rio Rico, Arizona, in connection with the investigation.2) At least 10 people are dead and 25 injured after a mass shooting in northeastern British Columbia, according to the police. After a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at 1:20 p.m. local time, responders found six people dead in the school, as well as the suspected perpetrator, who appears to have died from a self-inflicted injury, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement. Three victims were airlifted to hospital with serious injuries, but one died in transit. Police said they also identified a residence that they believed to be connected to the incident, where they found another two people dead. Investigators are now searching additional properties to determine the scope of the tragic event, which appears to rank as one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canadian history.3) House lawmakers are set to vote Wednesday on whether to reject some of President Trump’s tariff policies, ahead of a midterm election focused heavily on anxiety over the US cost of living. The votes on the measures — starting with a resolution opposing the president’s tariffs on Canada — are set to come after lawmakers on Tuesday night rejected a last-ditch effort from House Speaker Mike Johnson to prevent them. Johnson, one of Trump’s chief allies in Congress, has led a legislative blockade for months to insulate the tariffs, pushing procedural rules that effectively prevented his chamber from ending the president’s sweeping tariff authority. A fresh Johnson-backed measure would have extended that ban through the end of July. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The relentless surge in memory chip prices over the past few months has driven a vast divide between winners and losers in the stock market, and investors don’t see any end in sight. Companies from game console maker Nintendo Co. to big PC brands and Apple Inc. suppliers are seeing shares slump on profitability concerns. Memory producers, meanwhile, are soaring to unprecedented heights. Money managers and analysts are now assessing which firms can best navigate the squeeze by locking in supplies, raising product prices or redesigning to use less memory. A Bloomberg gauge of global consumer electronics makers is down 10% since the end of September while a basket of memory makers including Samsung Electronics Co. has surged roughly 160%. The question now is how much is priced in.2) Alphabet Inc. is selling sterling and Swiss franc-denominated bonds for the first time, including an ultra-rare issue of a 100-year note, following a bumper $20 billion deal in the US. Google’s parent company is offering five tranches each of sterling and Swiss franc notes, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified. The 100-year sterling bond is the first sale of such long-dated debt by a technology firm since the dot-com era. The sterling issue includes tenors of three to 32 years as well as the 100 year bond. The Swiss franc deal includes maturities of three, six, 10, 15 and 25-year bonds. Both deals are expected to price later today, the people said.3) President Trump said his pick to lead the Federal Reserve can stoke the economy to grow at a rate of 15%, an exceedingly rosy target that nonetheless underscores the pressure that Kevin Warsh will face if confirmed to the role. Trump, speaking in an interview with Fox Business, said Warsh was the “runner up” in his last search and that it was a big mistake to pick Fed chair Jerome Powell. It was not fully clear if Trump was referring to year-over-year growth or some other metric. The US economy, which is seen expanding 2.4% this year, has grown at an average annual rate of 2.8% over the past five decades. Gross domestic product has only risen at a 15%-plus pace a few times since the 1950s, including in the third quarter of 2020 as businesses reopened following pandemic-related closures. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The Seattle Seahawks won their second Super Bowl title on Sunday, beating the New England Patriots by a score of 29-to-13 at Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. The Seahawks' defense came out strong, recording six sacks and forcing two interceptions against Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III was named Super Bowl MVP for his offensive efforts, becoming the first running back to win the award since the Denver Broncos' Terrell Davis in 1998.2) Chinese regulators have advised financial institutions to rein in their holdings of US Treasuries, citing concerns over concentration risks and market volatility, according to people familiar with the matter. Officials urged banks to limit purchases of US government bonds and instructed those with high exposure to pare down their positions, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private deliberations. The directive doesn’t apply to China’s state holdings of US Treasuries. Communicated verbally to some of the nation’s biggest banks in recent weeks, the guidance reflects growing wariness among officials that large holdings of US government debt may expose banks to sharp swings, the people said. The worries echo those made by governments and fund managers elsewhere amid a brewing debate over the safe haven status of US debt and the appeal of the dollar.3) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a historic election triumph, positioning her as the nation’s strongest leader in the postwar era in an outcome that sent stock prices and bond yields soaring. Her ruling Liberal Democratic Party achieved the biggest post-war victory for a single-party in a general election in Japan, an extraordinary transformation of fortunes for a party that was on the ropes last summer before getting behind the nation’s first ever female premier in October. The LDP secured a two-thirds super majority in the 465-seat lower house by itself, according to public broadcaster NHK. A tally of results by NHK early Monday showed that the ruling coalition had won 352 seats in the lower house, expanding its previous razor-thin majority of 233 by a considerable margin. The LDP’s haul of 316 seats gives it a higher proportion of representatives in the lower house than any other party in post-war Japan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to S jobs and CPI data, along with a focus on 3 stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to International Energy Week in London. In Asia – a look ahead to Softbank Earnings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Amazon.com shares tumbled in premarket trading on Friday after the e-commerce and cloud-computing company’s $200 billion annual capex forecast is much higher than expected, underlining concerns about how much big tech companies are spending on AI-related investments and when they will pay off. The company reported spending roughly $130 billion on property and equipment in 2025. Analysts anticipated those expenses would reach about $150 billion this year. Chief Executive Officer Andy Jassy said the money “predominantly” would go toward the company’s Amazon Web Services cloud unit, and most of that spending would be for AI workloads.2) Bitcoin whipsawed in a volatile trading session after a selloff that briefly dragged the token to a more than 50% retreat from its October peak. The original cryptocurrency rose as much as 5.8% on Friday and traded around $64,800 at 9 a.m. in London. Earlier in the session, it came close to falling below $60,000 for the first time since October 2024. Cryptocurrencies have been on shaky ground ever since a brutal series of liquidations in October that sapped market confidence. The selling picked up steam this week in line with the unwinding of leveraged bets and broader market turbulence. 3) President Trump called for the creation of a new nuclear arms treaty with Russia, as the existing New START agreement between the two nations expires and fuels concern about the possibility of a new arms race. The pact — formally known as the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty — built on efforts to reduce the nuclear weapons arsenals amassed during the Cold War. The deal expired on Thursday, raising the possibility that the US and Russia could potentially pursue new nuclear weapons unhindered by any diplomatic agreement while geopolitical tensions between Washington and Moscow rise. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The Department of Homeland Security will immediately pull 700 officers from Minneapolis, a reduction of about a quarter, amid efforts to deescalate tensions after federal agents killed two US citizens. White House border czar Tom Homan, who President Trump sent to Minneapolis as part of an effort to ease pressure amid local outrage, emphasized a shift to more targeted enforcement after a surge of immigration agents sparked widespread protests. Homan also said cooperation with local authorities to detain immigrants with criminal records had improved. About 2,000 federal immigration agents will remain, down from the peak of the operation but still much higher than the roughly 150 officers that would be normal, Homan told reporters Wednesday.2) President Trump sent a fresh warning to Iran’s leaders as US military forces amass in the region, even as diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran were set for later this week. “I would say he should be very worried, yeah. He should be,” Trump said in an interview with NBC News on Wednesday, when asked about Iran’s supreme leader. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a social media post Wednesday that talks with the US were scheduled to be held in Muscat, Oman on Friday morning. The US and Iran still plan to meet in Oman on Friday to discuss a nuclear deal, according to a White House official.3) President Trump said he would have passed on Kevin Warsh as his nominee to lead the Federal Reserve if Warsh had expressed a desire to hike interest rates. The president said there was “not much” doubt the Fed would lower rates because “we’re way high in interest” but now “we’re a rich country again.” Trump’s comments could come up during Warsh’s confirmation process, where the Fed’s independence will likely be a central topic. Trump said he believed “in theory” that the central bank was an independent body, while saying he was a “smart guy” whose economic predictions should be considered. Republican Senator Thom Tillis, a member of the Banking Committee, has pledged to block any of Trump’s nominees to the institution until the Justice Department ends an investigation into the central bank’s renovation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The partial US government shutdown ended late Tuesday after President Trump signed into law a funding deal he negotiated with Senate Democrats, overcoming opposition from both ends of the political spectrum amid a standoff over his administration’s immigration crackdown. Trump applauded the funding package as “a great victory for the American people” and stressed that the legislation continues to fund deportation flights, which have provoked backlash from Democrats. Still, a more limited funding lapse looms within days since the Department of Homeland Security is only funded through Feb. 13 while Trump negotiates with Democrats over their demands for new restraints on immigration enforcement agents. The rest of the government is funded through the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year.2) Iran has asked the US to move diplomatic talks originally planned for Turkey to Oman and to limit the agenda to the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, according to people familiar with the matter. President Trump reiterated that the US and Iran are maintaining talks, even after an earlier skirmish in the Arabian Sea spooked oil markets amid heightened tensions between the two countries. “We are negotiating with them right now” and “they’d like to do something,” Trump told reporters at the White House Tuesday. Earlier Tuesday, a US F-35C warplane shot down a drone in self-defense as the unmanned aircraft “aggressively approached” the USS Abraham Lincoln with “unclear intent,” US Central Command said in a statement. CentCom said no American service members were harmed and no US equipment was damaged.3) Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, will appear before a House committee investigating their ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein on Feb. 26 and 27, the panel confirmed Tuesday. A full House vote had been planned this week to hold the Clintons in criminal contempt if they continued to defy subpoenas in its inquiry into Epstein and his activities. The Clintons “have agreed to appear for transcribed, filmed depositions to face questioning as part of the investigation related to Jeffrey Epstein’s and Ghislaine Maxwell’s crimes,” the committee said in a statement posted on its website. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Republican opposition to President Trump’s deal with Democrats to end the partial US government shutdown began to crumble late Monday despite the ongoing a standoff over the administration’s immigration crackdown. Trump implored House Republicans in a social media post to pass the spending measure immediately and with no changes. Soon after, two conservative holdouts — Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Tim Burchett of Tennessee — said they agreed after a talk with the White House to end their threatened blockade, clearing the way to a Tuesday vote on the bipartisan agreement. House Speaker Mike Johnson had faced a tricky path to clear a Senate-passed spending package — the product of a negotiation between Trump and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. That measure would fund most agencies through Sept. 30, and the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 13, preserving funding for immigration raids while both parties negotiate changes to enforcement policies. 2) President Trump said he’s seeking $1 billion in “damages” from Harvard University after the New York Times reported that his administration had backed off demands for $200 million to satisfy accusations of wrongdoing by the Ivy League institution. Trump didn’t specify under what authority he would seek the $1 billion. Harvard didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. In an article earlier Monday, the Times reported that administration officials had dropped their demands for the $200 million “amid sagging approval ratings for Mr. Trump, and as he faces outrage over immigration enforcement tactics and the shooting deaths of two Americans by federal agents in Minnesota.”3) Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, will appear before a congressional committee investigating the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, their lawyers said Monday. A full House vote had been planned this week to hold the Clintons in criminal contempt if they continued to defy subpoenas in its inquiry into Epstein and his activities. Bill Clinton has previously said that he parted ways with Epstein many years before his death in a New York jail cell in 2019, and that he had no knowledge of his crimes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The US government stumbled into a partial shutdown Saturday while waiting for the House to approve a funding deal President Trump worked out with Democrats following a national uproar over Border Patrol agents’ killing of a US citizen in Minneapolis. The funding lapse is likely to be short, with the House returning from a week-long break on Monday and the Republican president fully supporting the spending package. Many Americans may not even notice since most federal employees working on weekends, such as military personnel and air traffic controllers, are deemed essential and aren’t furloughed in a shutdown.2) The Justice Department’s latest release of material related to its investigations into Jeffrey Epstein offers fresh details about the rich and well-connected people who circulated in the orbit of the late disgraced financier. Officials said Friday they were releasing some 3 million pages of material, including more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images.3) Gold extended losses, after its biggest plunge in more than a decade on Friday, while silver’s year-to-date gains were wiped out as a record-breaking precious-metals rally unwound at breakneck speed. Spot gold fell as much as 10% on Monday and is now down almost a fifth from an all-time high reached in the last-but-one session. Silver slumped as much as 16%, following on from an intraday loss on Friday that was the steepest on record. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to the January jobs report and U.S tech earnings. In the UK – a look ahead to the 2026 winter Olympic games. In Asia – a look ahead to Japan’s snap election and a monetary policy decision from the Reserve Bank of Australia. - Michael McKee, Bloomberg International Economics and Policy Correspondent, to preview the January jobs report in the U.S.- Mandeep Singh, Global Tech Research Head at Bloomberg Intelligence, to preview U.S tech earnings.- Tommaso Ebhart, Bloomberg’s Milan Bureau Chief, to preview 2026 olympic games.- Paul Jackson, Bloomberg EcoGov Editor for Japan/Koreas, to preview snap Japan election.- James McIntyre, Bloomberg Economist for Australia and New Zealand, to preview RBA decision. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Breaking news from the White House. President Donald Trump said he intends to nominate Kevin Warsh to be the next chair of the Federal Reserve, according to a post on his Truth Social platform. “I have known Kevin for a long period of time, and have no doubt that he will go down as one of the GREAT Fed Chairmen, maybe the best,” Trump wrote. “On top of everything else, he is ‘central casting,’ and he will never let you down.” Warsh, who served on the US central bank’s Board of Governors from 2006 to 2011 and has previously advised Trump on economic policy, would succeed Jerome Powell when his term at the helm ends in May. It marks a comeback for Warsh, 55, whom the president passed over for the top job in 2017 when he selected Powell. If confirmed by the Senate, the former Fed governor will take charge of US monetary policy at a time when many economists and investors see its traditional insulation from elected officials as being under threat from the White House. Warsh aligned himself with the president in 2025 by arguing publicly for lower interest rates, going against his longstanding reputation as an inflation hawk. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The Trump administration is preparing for the president to nominate Kevin Warsh to be the next Federal Reserve chair, according to people familiar with the matter. President Trump said Thursday he plans to announce his pick to lead the US central bank on Friday morning. The people, who requested anonymity to discuss matters not yet public, cautioned that the selection is not final until Trump makes a formal announcement. The White House and Warsh did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Warsh, a former Fed governor and one of the four finalists on Trump’s shortlist to be the next central bank leader, visited the White House on Thursday, one person said.2) President Trump and Senate Democrats have reached a tentative deal to avert a disruptive US government shutdown as the White House continues to negotiate with the Democrats on placing new limits on immigration raids that have provoked a national outcry. Trump announced that an agreement had been reached and urged both parties to vote for it. However, lawmakers are almost certain to fail to enact the measure before a Friday night deadline. While a short funding lapse and partial government shutdown is now seen as the most likely scenario, the effect on federal operations would be minimal if it’s swiftly resolved within a couple days.3) The Trump administration is seeking to scale down the number of federal officers in Minneapolis after the killing of two US citizens during immigration raids sparked a nationwide uproar and weeks of protests. Tom Homan, the administration’s “border czar,” said Thursday at a press conference in Minneapolis that officials from Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement are working on a “draw down plan” that hinges on cooperation from local, state and federal officials. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) The world’s largest tech firms show no signs of easing up on AI spending, a record wave that’s propelling hardware providers like Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. That’s even as doubts persist about the staying power of artificial intelligence demand to justify all that capital. Meta Platforms Inc. alone revealed ambitions to spend as much as $135 billion this year — one of the biggest planned outlays of the business sphere. Meta, Microsoft and fellow hyperscalers such as Amazon.com Inc. and Alphabet Inc., are driving a wave of global spending on chips, servers and computers that’s firing up hardware suppliers around the world, particularly in Asia. A procession of industry linchpins’s results this week further underscored how voracious the appetite for AI hardware has grown — and how that’s likely to extend well into 2026.2) Tesla Inc. has planned $20 billion of spending this year to streamline its electric-vehicle lineup and shift resources toward robotics and AI, part of a sweeping set of changes pushing the company further from its roots as an automobile manufacturer. The capital expenditure plans laid out Wednesday – roughly twice as much as Wall Street was expecting – will support production expansion at multiple factories, scaling up the nascent robotaxi business and building out AI infrastructure. Tesla also revealed plans to discontinue the Model S and X vehicles and devote that plant capacity to building Optimus humanoid robots.3) Jerome Powell has two more opportunities to adjust interest rates before his term as Federal Reserve chair ends — and he may not need them. After the Fed kept borrowing costs on hold Wednesday, Powell talked up a “clear improvement” in the US outlook and said the job market shows signs of steadying. It signals a cautious optimism: Fed officials delivered three cuts last fall, and see nothing in the latest data to suggest more are needed to prop up the economy. Futures markets expect no shift in rates before June. By then, Powell’s term as chair will have ended and a new one should be in place — likely opening another phase of President Trump’s campaign for lower rates, which has upended the Fed over the past year. In a potential sign of what’s coming, the only two officials who voted for another cut this week were Governor Stephen Miran — on leave at the Fed from his post as a top Trump aide — and Governor Christopher Waller, one of four names on Trump’s shortlist of potential Powell successors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) President Trump said he was looking to “de-escalate” in Minnesota with a reshuffle of the leadership running his deportation effort in the state following widespread outcry over the killing of two US citizens by federal agents. Still, the president denied he was pulling back his immigration crackdown and said that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem would remain in her post, as he looked to signal a recalibration rather than a retreat in the aftermath of the Jan. 24 fatal shooting of 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent during an enforcement operation. Meantime, US Representative Ilhan Omar was charged at by a man who appeared to squirt an unknown liquid on her during a town hall gathering in Minneapolis, as she called for consequences for the federal officials overseeing President Trump’s aggressive immigration policies.2) President Trump’s relaxed tone about the dollar selloff is fueling speculation the US currency is at the start of a longer-term decline. The dollar suffered its deepest one-day drop since last year’s tariff rollout after Trump said on Tuesday he didn’t think the currency had weakened excessively. Bloomberg’s dollar gauge slid as much as 1.2% as the comments sapped the appeal of the greenback and US Treasuries — boosting what has become known as the debasement trade. The dollar’s recent decline is great for US businesses, Trump told reporters in Iowa. While that’s in line with previous commentary from US officials, his remarks moved currency markets late Tuesday, partly because they appeared to validate the steep decline in the greenback in recent sessions.3) Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell may try to direct attention back to the economy this week, with the US central bank widely expected to hold interest rates steady after three straight reductions. But Powell’s first press conference since the Fed was served grand jury subpoenas — and coming days after the Supreme Court heard arguments regarding the attempted removal of another Fed governor — is bound to include questions about political pressure, central bank independence and what the Fed chief plans to do after his term as chair ends in May. A decision to hold rates steady this month is likely to garner broad support from policymakers following a series of contentious cuts. While the majority of officials agreed in those instances to backstop a weakening labor market, another group of policymakers pushed for the focus to remain on elevated inflation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) President Trump indicated he’ll make changes to his administration’s deportation crackdown in Minnesota after the killing of two US citizens during immigration raids sparked nationwide uproar. The president said he was sending US border czar Tom Homan — who is seen as relatively measured compared to rivals, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — to Minneapolis in a bid to deescalate tensions. Trump also spoke with top Democratic officials in the state. He told Governor Tim Walz, who he has derided as “grossly incompetent,” that he would consider independent investigations into the shootings and reducing the number of federal agents in his state. The president described a subsequent conversation with Jacob Frey as “very good” and said Homan planned to meet with the Minneapolis mayor on Tuesday “in order to continue the discussion.”2) Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK wouldn’t have to choose between the US and China, as he heralded “significant opportunities” for British businesses ahead of his trip to Beijing this week. In an interview with Bloomberg on Monday, Starmer dismissed questions about whether he was seeking stronger ties with China at the expense of the UK’s relationship with its closest allies. Starmer’s trip to China — the first by a British prime minister in eight years — comes on the heels of a similar delegation by Canadian counterpart Mark Carney that drew fresh tariff threats from President Trump. 3) President Trump threatened to hike tariffs on goods imported from South Korea to 25%, citing what he said was the failure of the country’s legislature to codify the trade deal the two nations reached last year. Trump in a social media post on Monday said the new rate would apply to autos, lumber, pharmaceutical products and “all other Reciprocal TARIFFS.” Under the existing agreement, the president set a 15% levy on South Korean exports. If implemented, the move could have wide-ranging effects on major South Korean companies that export to the US, such as Hyundai Motor Co., which sent 1.1 million vehicles to America in 2024. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) US power grids are expected to grapple with unprecedented seasonal demand and the threat of blackouts after a damaging winter storm coated parts of the South and Mid-Atlantic in ice — leaving brutal cold in its wake. More than 800,000 homes and businesses nationwide are currently without electricity as snow and ice wreak havoc on local distribution lines. Grids so far have avoided larger system-level cuts, but frigid wind chills will likely persist all week, testing seasonal power-demand records from New England to Texas. In the New York metropolitan area, commuter lines run by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will be operating with modified schedules on Monday, while at least one private bus operator, Boxcar, used by New Jersey workers, suspended its service because of the inclement weather.2) Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer vowed to block a massive spending package next week unless Republicans strip funding for the Department of Homeland Security, dramatically increasing the risk for a partial US government shutdown. Schumer’s announcement came on the same day that a Border Patrol agent shot and killed an American intensive care unit nurse in Minnesota during protests over the immigration crackdown in that state. The man was identified by state and local officials as Alex Pretti. Democratic opposition to the funding package potentially affects not just Homeland Security but also the departments of Defense, Labor, Education, State, Treasury and Health and Human Services. The effects would be widespread, including possibly delaying the next Bureau of Labor Statistics report.3) President Trump threatened Canada with 100% tariffs against all its exports to the US if it makes a trade deal with China, escalating tensions between the US and its northern neighbor. Trump, referring to Prime Minister Mark Carney as “Governor Carney,” said the Canadian leader was “sorely mistaken” for opening up his country to more business from China, including a recent deal allowing an increase in Chinese electric vehicle exports. Trump and key administration officials have denounced that bilateral agreement and warned of potential consequences, including an additional levy for Canadian goods, portending a difficult renegotiation for the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement scheduled in the summer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to earnings from Tesla and some of the biggest names in tech. In the UK – a look ahead to the UK Prime Minister’s visit to China. In Asia – a look ahead to Apple’s earnings and why business in Asia is a key focal point. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) New York City is poised to get pummeled with more than a foot of snow this weekend, a test for new Mayor Zohran Mamdani, as a massive weather system lands on the region threatening power outages, airline delays and transit system problems. New York’s Central Park may get dumped with as much as 16 inches (41 centimeters) of snow starting Sunday morning, the heaviest of the season. That comes as the storm that will hit Southern states with ice moves into the Northeast, said Brian Hurley, a senior branch forecaster with the US Weather Prediction Center. Washington, Philadelphia and Boston are also expected to see snowfall. If the forecast holds, it would be the biggest snowstorm to hit Manhattan since 2021, based on snowfall records at Central Park.2) The US wants to rewrite its defense agreement with Denmark to remove any limits on its military presence in Greenland, people familiar with the matter said, in what’s become a focal point for negotiators looking to meet President Trump’s demand for control over the territory. The original agreement, signed in 1951 and amended in 2004, says the US must “consult with and inform” Denmark and Greenland before it makes “any significant changes to United States military operations or facilities in Greenland.” The people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations, said American negotiators want to rework that language to make sure the US faces no restrictions at all as it makes its plans.3) The Kremlin said the “territorial issue” remains unresolved after President Vladimir Putin held late-night talks with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on the latest peace plan for ending Russia’s war on Ukraine. There’s “no hope of achieving a long-term settlement” to the war until Russia’s demands for territory in Ukraine are accepted, Putin’s foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, said in an audio recording on Telegram early Friday. That’s even as he characterized the almost four hours of negotiations in the Kremlin as “exceptionally substantive, constructive.” Talks will continue between US, Russian and Ukrainian representatives in the United Arab Emirates on Friday and Saturday. Separately, Witkoff and Putin’s envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, will discuss bilateral Russia-US economic matters in Abu Dhabi. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) President Trump said he would refrain from imposing tariffs on goods from European nations opposing his effort to take possession of Greenland, citing a “framework of a future deal” he said was reached regarding the island. The decision, which Trump announced Wednesday on social media, marks a stark reversal for a president who has repeatedly attempted to coerce Europe over Greenland. It came after a meeting with North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Still, Trump did not detail the parameters of the so-called “framework” and it was unclear what the agreement entails, especially since Denmark earlier Wednesday ruled out negotiations over ceding the semi-autonomous island to the US.2) Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said he is ready to commit Russian assets that remain frozen in the US to rebuild Ukrainian regions damaged during the war after a peace treaty is concluded. Putin also said he could give $1 billion from the US-based assets - frozen to punish Putin for his 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine - to President Trump’s proposed Board of Peace. The offer has been discussed with the US, Putin said, and he plans to talk about it more Thursday during a meeting with Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow.3) US Supreme Court justices suggested they are wary of President Trump’s effort to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over unproven mortgage-fraud allegations, saying the move could upend the Fed’s independence and rattle markets. Hearing arguments in Washington Wednesday, conservative and liberal justices alike sharply questioned US Solicitor General D. John Sauer, who urged the court to let Trump oust Cook for the time being while her lawsuit goes forward. Trump’s own appointees were among the skeptics. Justice Brett Kavanaugh said the president’s position would “weaken if not shatter the independence of the Federal Reserve.” Justice Amy Coney Barrett asked whether the risk to financial markets was reason for “caution on our part,” though she also suggested she wasn’t ready to fully embrace Cook’s position. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) President Trump expressed confidence that the European Union would continue to invest in the US even if he imposed new tariffs related to his quest to take control of Greenland, a proposal that has angered leaders on the continent. The president’s rare appearance in the White House briefing room came ahead of his departure Tuesday night from Washington for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he will confront European leaders who are furious over his bid to take over the territory of a fellow NATO ally, Denmark. Earlier Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Trump’s threats were a “mistake” that would violate the deal he forged last year with the bloc. Officials in Europe have begun drafting plans to retaliate, which could set off a tit-for-tat that may scuttle the accord.2) Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent cautioned European nations against ramping up their military presence on Greenland and assailed France over calls to conduct a NATO exercise as European leaders brace for President Trump’s arrival at Davos. Bessent questioned the message European allies were sending following the recent decision by Denmark and seven other NATO countries to deploy a handful of officers to the island, which Trump has said he wants to make a part of the US.3) Months after President Trump attempted to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over unproven mortgage fraud allegations, the case will get a hearing before the Supreme Court. The justices are scheduled to consider whether Trump can oust Cook while the legal fight over the allegations proceeds. The case is one element in an effort by Trump to exert more control over the Fed and pressure officials to significantly cut interest rates. Trump has repeatedly attacked Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who has resisted the president’s demands to resign. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) President Trump said he will meet with several parties over his ambition to take control of Greenland during the upcoming World Economic Forum. Trump said in a Truth Social post early Tuesday morning that he had a “very good telephone call” with Mark Rutte, the secretary general of NATO, concerning the Danish territory. The remarks came shortly after he restated his desire to take over Greenland, which has spooked NATO allies and prompted stern opposition from EU leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron. Meantime, Trump announced a 10% tariff on goods from European countries rallying to Denmark’s side in his pursuit of Greenland, a dramatic escalation in the standoff that sparked strong pushback from some of the US’s closest allies.2) President Trump’s so-called Board of Peace for Gaza is beginning to take shape, even as Israel voiced rare objections to parts of the US president’s plan to build on the fragile ceasefire in the region. China has been offered to join the proposed Board of Peace, as Trump heads to Davos to advance his plan for the Palestinian enclave. The US president has invited a range of world leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to become founding members of the board. It’s part of his 20-point plan to ensure a lasting peace and reconstruction of Gaza, following two years of devastating war between Israel and militant group Hamas in the Palestinian territory. President Trump also confirmed that he invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to join the proposed board.3) Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said President Trump could announce his pick for the next Federal Reserve chair as soon as next week, amid intense anticipation over the White House’s search for a new central-bank chief. “We have four fantastic candidates — it will be up to the president, and I would imagine that he will have an announcement maybe as early as next week,” Bessent said in remarks at a press conference Tuesday at Davos, where he is attending the World Economic Forum. The process of picking a successor to current Chair Jerome Powell is seen as a four-person race, with BlackRock Inc.’s Rick Rieder, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, Fed Governor Christopher Waller and former governor Kevin Warsh as the final contenders after a long-search that has been led by Bessent. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this special MLK Holiday edition of Bloomberg Daybreak, host Nathan Hager discusses: Stocks are coming off three straight years of double digit gains..What will 2026 hold? We hear from Cameron Dawson, the Chief Investment Officer at NewEdge Wealth and Lori Calvasina, head of US equity strategy, RBC Capital Markets Lost in the recent controversy over the investigation into Jay Powell and the Fed...Is monetary policy. Next week the central bank makes its first rate decision of the year. For more, we speak with Bloomberg International Economics and Policy Correspondent Michael McKee and Anna Wong, Chief US Economist for Bloomberg Economics We also look at the current status of Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives. For that we speak wit Bloomberg's Equality Reporter Jeff Green and Bloomberg reporter Heather Landy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to earnings from Netflix and Intel. In the UK – a look ahead to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In Asia – a look ahead to China GDP data. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) President Trump accepted Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize medal at a White House meeting on Thursday as she tries to get back in his good graces while the future of her country is being shaped by the US. Trump, in a social media post hours later, called it a “great honor” to meet Machado, and described her as a “wonderful woman who has been through so much.” Machado, who has been shut out of Venezuela’s leadership transition since US forces ousted President Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3, said she gave Trump the medal as “a recognition of his unique commitment with our freedom.” 2) Denmark and Greenland are stepping up lobbying of US lawmakers in an effort to head off President Trump’s push to take control of Greenland. A group of US senators is set to meet members of the Danish parliament in Copenhagen on Friday. The trip follows a week of meetings in Washington by Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen with members of Congress on the heels of talks with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Greenland’s foreign minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, also participated. High-level talks between Denmark, Greenland and the US earlier this week ended in a stalemate over the future of the world’s largest island, though officials agreed to set up a working group to manage the diplomatic dispute. Trump has repeatedly insisted the US needs to control the territory, an ambition that remains unresolved and has been rejected time and again by both Copenhagen and Nuuk.3) President Trump threatened to deploy US military forces to Minnesota in order to quell protests in response to violent encounters involving federal immigration agents. The 1807 law allows the president to use regular military troops on US soil for domestic law enforcement. It was last invoked during the 1992 riots in Los Angeles. Trump’s ultimatum could further fray tensions in Minneapolis, where on Wednesday a federal officer shot a man in the leg. The incident occurred one week after the fatal shooting of a local woman who was a US citizen by an ICE agent, which touched off the demonstrations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) Tensions in Minneapolis escalated again Wednesday night after a federal officer shot a man in the leg during an attempted arrest. Homeland Security says the Venezuelan man fled in a vehicle, crashed, and then struck an officer with a shovel as two others joined the struggle. City leaders condemned ICE’s presence, urging the agency to “leave the state immediately,” while Police Chief Brian O’Hara warned of growing unrest. The shooting occurred as tensions between protesters and immigration enforcement officers continued to flare in the city following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good last week.2) Denmark said a “fundamental disagreement” remained after a high-stakes meeting with the US over Greenland as several countries including Germany said they’d send military personnel to the Arctic island. Foreign ministers from Denmark and Greenland met with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, agreeing to establish a working group that’s set to gather within weeks to plot the way forward, while the US refrained from backing down on its demands. On Thursday, Germany’s “exploration mission” will arrive in Nuuk as European nations begin to work out how to ensure security in the region.3) President Trump faulted Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy as the main obstacle to an agreement to end the war Russia launched against his country four years ago. Trump, in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, described Russian President Vladimir Putin as “ready to make a deal,” Reuters reported. When pressed on what was impeding a deal, Trump replied, “Zelenskiy,” Reuters said. Trump has oscillated between blaming Ukraine and Russia for failing to reach an accord, which he had claimed during his 2024 presidential campaign could be easily resolved. The US has prepared further sanctions should Trump decide to act on Russia’s continued rejection of a peace deal. US and Ukrainian officials have said they’ve made significant progress on a 20-point plan to end the fighting, however Kyiv and Moscow remain at an impasse over a number of issues including territorial control of areas Russia claims that remain under Ukrainian control. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) President Trump dismissed Jamie Dimon’s criticism over the Justice Department probe into the Federal Reserve, saying the JPMorgan Chase & Co. chief executive officer was “wrong” to suggest he was undermining the independence of the central bank. Earlier Tuesday, Dimon expressed concern about the investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell over the cost of the central bank’s headquarters renovation and his subsequent congressional testimony about the project. Trump said he would press ahead with plans to announce Powell’s replacement within “the next few weeks” despite the backlash to the probe, which has drawn criticism from Republican lawmakers — including a threat by Senator Thom Tillis, a retiring North Carolina Republican and swing vote on the Senate Banking Committee. Tillis has said he would block new nominations to the Fed until the matter is resolved.2) More than 2,500 people have been killed in Iranian protests that have swept the nation, activist groups said, as Tehran continued its crackdown despite President Trump’s threat of action over mounting fatalities. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported 2,571 deaths as of Wednesday, up from about 500 at the start of the week and amid speculation the actual toll could be dramatically higher. On Tuesday, Trump urged Iranians to continue protests against the regime of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.3) Top diplomats from Greenland and Denmark are gearing up for the test of a lifetime as they work to persuade the Trump administration to back off on its demands for the Arctic territory that threaten to break up the NATO defense alliance. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and his counterpart from Nuuk, Vivian Motzfeldt, will face US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House on Wednesday, just hours after the island’s prime minister said that if made to choose, Greenland would opt for Denmark. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) President Trump faced rare opposition from key Republican lawmakers after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell accused the Department of Justice of launching a grand jury investigation to pressure and intimidate the central bank. Senator Thom Tillis, a key Republican on the Banking Committee who isn’t running for reelection, vowed quickly Sunday night to oppose any Trump nominees to the Fed until the matter is resolved. Other Republican senators, including former Bridgewater Associates CEO Dave McCormick, offered more measured pushback on Monday. Tillis’s threat is a potential roadblock to Trump’s plans to bend the bank to his will. Opposition from Tillis would likely deadlock any Fed nominee on the Senate Banking Committee, which is divided 13-11 between the two parties. And under current Senate rules, it takes 60 votes to successfully discharge a contentious nomination from a committee and Democratic senators are highly unlikely to come to Trump’s aid.2) Minnesota officials are suing over the “unprecedented surge” of US immigration authorities in the state, taking the Trump administration to court days after a federal agent shot and killed a Minneapolis woman. In a lawsuit filed Monday, the state accused the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Kristi Noem of deploying thousands of officers in Minneapolis and Saint Paul out of a “desire to punish political opponents and score partisan points.” The state is arguing that the deployment unconstitutionally violates its sovereignty and is retaliation against its Democratic-elected leadership. Minnesota officials allege the administration’s policies — such as having officers wear masks — violate state laws and that agents are illegally using excessive force and making warrantless arrests of people they suspect aren’t authorized to be in the US.3) President Trump said he is imposing a 25% tariff on goods from countries “doing business” with Iran, ratcheting up pressure on the government in Tehran that has been rocked by widespread protests. Trump posted on social media on Monday that the new duty would be “effective immediately,” without providing details about the scope or implementation of the charges. The action has the potential to disrupt major US trading relationships across the globe. Iran’s partners include not only neighboring states, but large economies including India, Turkey and China. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the US central bank had been served grand jury subpoenas from the Justice Department threatening a criminal indictment, a dramatic escalation of the Trump administration’s attacks on the institution. In a forceful written and video statement released Sunday evening, Powell said the action was related to his June congressional testimony on ongoing renovations of the Fed’s headquarters. But he said the move “should be seen in the broader context of the administration’s threats and ongoing pressure.” In an interview with NBC News on Sunday, President Trump denied having any knowledge of the DOJ’s investigation into the central bank.2) Top diplomats from Denmark and Greenland will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington DC on Wednesday, TV2 reports. Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt are set to attend the meeting, the Danish broadcaster says, citing a calendar from the US Department of State, which also notes that changes to the schedule may occur. Denmark is banking on the meeting in Washington to defuse President Trump’s renewed push on Greenland and to help reset strained ties with the US over the strategic island.3) Iran’s Foreign Minister said security forces have “full control” of the country after two weeks of ongoing upheaval, accusing Israel and the US of fomenting the nationwide protests in which hundreds of people have been killed. Abbas Araghchi repeated claims by the Iranian government that “rioters and terrorists” had killed police and civilians and destroyed public property using “daesh-style violence,” referring to the Arabic acronym for Islamic State. Protests in Iran erupted on December 28th after a sudden collapse in the value of the currency. More than 540 have been killed in the protests and over 10,000 arrested, according to the Human Rights Activist News Agency, which is tracking demonstrations in 186 cities across Iran’s 31 provinces. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to U.S CPI data and bank earnings. In the UK – a look at what to expect from the UK’s property market moving forward. In Asia – a look ahead to China trade figures. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) The investigation into the killing of a US citizen by an ICE agent in Minneapolis this week is being complicated by clashes between federal and local officials, with the FBI taking control over the objections of Governor Tim Walz. State authorities questioned whether a federal probe could be trusted, especially given comments by Trump administration officials that seemed to exonerate the officer. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said that after it was invited to participate in the probe of Wednesday’s shooting, federal officials later decided the state wouldn’t get access to evidence or interviews. As tense protests continued for a second day, Walz said he ordered the state National Guard to be “staged and ready” to assist with protecting infrastructure and aiding local law enforcement if needed. 2) The fate of the majority of President Trump’s tariffs is in the hands of the US Supreme Court, which could rule as soon as today on the legality of the sweeping levies. Lower courts ruled in 2025 that the tariffs were issued illegally, but the import taxes remained in place to allow the Trump administration to make its case before the Supreme Court. At a hearing on November 5th, the justices appeared skeptical that Trump had the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs under a 1977 law that gives the president special powers during emergency situations. The tariffs in question include levies of between 10% and 50% on most imports, imposed by Trump using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.3) A band of House Republicans bucked party leaders to join Democrats in passing a measure to restore expired Obamacare subsidies through the end of President Trump’s term, as rising health care costs drive midterm election anxieties. The House voted 230-196 Thursday to send a three-year extension of the expired tax credits to the Senate. Seventeen Republicans supported the measure. The measure is unlikely to overcome Republican opposition in the Senate, but several of the Republican defectors said they hoped a strong showing in the House would increase pressure on the Senate to reach a bipartisan compromise. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot a woman during a confrontation in Minneapolis, sparking an uproar over the presence of ICE agents in the city and heightening political divisions around the Trump administration’s migrant crackdown. The Wednesday shooting — caught on video and shared widely on social media — happened during what federal officials described as a targeted operation amid a broader immigration effort. President Trump and his allies cast it as an incident of self-defense, a view that the mayor of Minneapolis called a “garbage narrative.” The deadly incident fueled a national debate over Trump’s efforts to send heavily armed federal agents into US cities in his push for mass deportations, with operations ramping up last year from Chicago to Los Angeles.2) US forces seized two more sanctioned oil tankers as part of its energy quarantine of Venezuela, signaling that the Trump administration will ratchet up its pressure campaign days after capturing President Nicolas Maduro. The first ship, the M/V Bella 1, was seized in the Atlantic south of Iceland after a chase that began weeks ago when the vessel evaded capture near Venezuela and registered under a Russian flag in a bid to protect itself. The Pentagon then announced the seizure of the M/T Sophia, another sanctioned vessel that officials said had been conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea.3) US officials are rushing to come up with options for business deals and other ways to step up links to Greenland, taken by surprise by President Trump’s renewed demand to take over the island, people familiar with the matter said. Trump has long wanted the territory for what he says are security reasons. But after a flurry of activity on the issue early last year, including a trip there by his vice president, once-urgent efforts to realize the president’s vision moved to the back burner, according to sources. On Tuesday, the White House said it wouldn’t rule out military action, while European leaders issued an unprecedented warning to dissuade Washington from trying to seize territory from a NATO ally. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) President Trump said Venezuela would relinquish as much as 50 million barrels of oil to the US, worth roughly $2.8 billion at the current market price, announcing the cargoes would be sold with proceeds benefiting both countries. The announcement late on Tuesday, which came with few details, marked a significant step up for the US government as it seeks to extend its economic influence in Venezuela and beyond after the capture of leader Nicolas Maduro over the weekend. It’s also a blow to China, previously the top buyer of the country’s oil and a close partner. The volumes cited by Trump would represent about 30 to 50 days of Venezuelan oil production before the US’s partial blockade of the country — much reduced from historic levels.2) President Trump won’t rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland, the White House said, escalating tension with Denmark, a fellow NATO member, over a dispute that’s surged back into public view following the ouster of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro. Trump is considering many ways of achieving his goal of acquiring the Arctic island, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. Still, Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplayed the notion of military action in a briefing with lawmakers on Monday, instead signaling that an invasion was not imminent and that the goal was to buy the island from Denmark, the Wall Street Journal reported.3) President Trump implored Republicans to turn around their political fortunes ahead of November’s midterm elections, warning that if Democrats retake control of Congress, he would be impeached for a third time. Trump offered a familiar blueprint for majority parties, which historically have lost seats in off-year elections: blaming their troubles on messaging problems and insisting that voters just aren’t seeing their achievements. Trump predicted the GOP would pull off an “epic” victory and defy those trends. Yet polls showing Americans’ dissatisfaction with his leadership and the state of the economy bode poorly for Republicans’ chances of keeping control of Congress. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) Ousted Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty on Monday to US charges in a narco-terrorism case against him, kicking off an extraordinary legal battle with major geopolitical ramifications. The US accused Maduro over the weekend of using his positions in government for a quarter of a century to enrich himself and help transport cocaine into the country. The toppling of Maduro reverberated around the world and signaled President Trump’s willingness to reconfigure the global order. 2) Venezuela’s government is reasserting itself after the capture of Nicolás Maduro, swearing in Delcy Rodríguez as acting president and flashing warning signs that a new wave of repression has begun. As the government continued to churn inside the presidential palace Miraflores, Venezuela’s military counterintelligence officials have been patrolling the streets of Caracas, according to at least two witnesses. At least seven journalists and members of the press were detained on Monday morning and early afternoon, most of them at the National Assembly and its surroundings, according to the national press workers syndicate.3) President Trump suggested the US may subsidize efforts by energy companies to rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry as his administration seeks to convince firms to invest in the country days after ousting strongman Nicolás Maduro. Trump said the project to have US oil industry companies expand their operations in the country could be “up and running” in less than 18 months, in an interview Monday with NBC News — a timeframe starkly at odds with estimates from energy industry experts, while oil companies have been largely silent about their willingness to reinvest in Venezuela. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) President Trump said the US needs “total access” to Venezuela as questions mount about the country’s leadership following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Delcy Rodríguez, the acting president of Venezuela, has asked the US to work with her country, striking a more conciliatory tone toward the Trump administration after her initial outrage at Maduro’s capture. It’s a sharp turnaround from the remarks she made in the hours after US forces snatched Maduro on Saturday and launched a series of targeted strikes in the capital and nearby cities. 2) The future of billions of barrels of Venezuelan oil that foreign companies are entitled to under current agreements has been thrown into doubt following Washington’s capture of President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend. Gold and silver advanced, with investors weighing heightened geopolitical risks following the US capture of Maduro. Gold is fresh from posting its best annual performance since 1979, hitting a series of records throughout last year with support from central-bank buying and inflows to bullion-backed exchange-traded funds. Three successive rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve were also a tailwind for precious metals, which don’t pay interest.3) The US’s shock intervention in Venezuela will likely choke oil flows to China, although the short-term impact will be softened by large volumes of sanctioned crude being stored at sea. China is the major buyer of crude from the South American country, but that trade now looks in jeopardy after the seizure of Maduro over the weekend. President Trump said the US would run the country and American companies would rebuild its oil industry and sell a “large amount” to global buyers, including current customers and new ones, without specifically mentioning China. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
President Donald Trump said the US would run Venezuela until a transition could be organized, hours after a US operation captured leader Nicolás Maduro, ousting the strongman from power after months of mounting military and economic pressure on his regime.“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said Saturday at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. “So we don’t want to be involved with having somebody else get in, and we have the same situation that we had for the last long period of years.”Trump said the US administration of Venezuela would include deploying US oil companies to the country, though indicated that his embargo “on all Venezuelan oil remains in full effect” and that US forces would stay on alert. Bloomberg's Joe Mathieu and Christina Ruffini speak with: Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Illinois) Justin Logan, director of defense and foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute. Jeanne Sheehan Zaino, Democracy Visiting Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Center and Bloomberg Politics Contributor & Lester Munson, Principal of the International Practice at BGR Group and Republican Strategist See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to what’s in store for commodities and housing in 2026. In the UK – a look at the culinary and cultural trends to watch for in Europe next year. In Asia – a look ahead to why the Reserve Bank of Australia may be set to pivot to interest rate increases in the new year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) Zohran Mamdani unapologetically promised to lead New York City as a democratic socialist during a frigid inauguration ceremony on the steps of City Hall, a warning to those who believed he might moderate his positions after taking office. The nearly two-hour long event Thursday featured speeches by two of the US’s most liberal members of Congress, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders. New York Attorney General Letitia James, a frequent target of President Trump, also had a speaking role. The ceremony served as a not-so-subtle statement of resistance to White House policies from the nation’s largest city.2) The Trump administration stepped up a pressure campaign against Venezuela’s oil exports by sanctioning companies based in Hong Kong and mainland China, along with related oil tankers it accused of evading restrictions. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control on Wednesday added four companies with links to Venezuela’s oil industry to its specially designated nationals and blocked persons list, while also sanctioning four vessels connected with those firms. The US already has a list of vessels and companies under sanction for their connections to Venezuela’s oil trade. But targeting Chinese firms doing business there is rare, and could be a signal to Beijing to steer clear of the stand-off between the Trump administration and the regime of Nicolás Maduro. China is Venezuela’s biggest customer for oil exports, which represent about 95% of Venezuela’s revenue.3) President Trump pledged in a late night social media post that the US will come to the rescue of Iranian protesters if they are attacked by Islamic Republic authorities. The post, around 3 a.m. Washington and late morning in Iran on Friday, comes after protests erupted this week in Tehran after the currency slumped to a record low, worsening an economic crisis in a country already wracked by sanctions. Demonstrations have since spread to other parts of the country, setting off clashes between civilians and security forces. Trump didn’t provide any specifics on what actions he would consider taking. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Artificial Intelligence and Big Tech dominated market sentiment in 2025. Now, we look to what may come in the new year. In this episode, Nathan Hager speaks with Wedbush Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst Dan Ives and Deepwater Managing Partner and Co-Founder Gene Munster. Ives and Munster offer their short and long-term outlook for the technology industry heading into 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) Covid-era subsidies that help Americans pay for Obamacare health plans will expire today. It will result in more than 20 million Americans paying higher premiums next month. Democrats have tried to extend the additional support beyond the December deadline, but Republicans have balked, citing the cost of some $350 billion over the next decade. Meantime, a handful of House Republicans have joined Democrats in a maneuver that will put a three-year extension of the subsidies to a vote next month. 2) Russia and Ukraine struck each other’s Black Sea ports overnight, damaging infrastructure including an oil refinery. A drone attack on the Russian coastal city of Tuapse damaged a berth at the port and equipment at the local refinery, according to a statement from the emergency services. Fires at both sites were put out, while several residential buildings were also damaged. Two people were hospitalized. The Tuapse refinery, owned by Rosneft PJSC, has a processing capacity of about 240,000 barrels a day and produces mainly fuel oil, naphtha and diesel for export. In Ukraine, Russian forces struck the port city of Odesa, injuring at least six people and damaging residential properties and infrastructure, according to the local authorities. Some residents are without power, water and heating.3) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran should heed President Trump Warning's about not restarting its nuclear program. Speaking Tuesday to Fox News, he added that Iran is 'trying to' rebuild its missile capacity at new sites, and said he is aligned with Trump on wanting to give the new Syrian government a chance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast: 1) President Trump’s campaign to end the war in Ukraine faced new complications on Monday when Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would revise his country’s negotiating position after the Russian leader claimed Ukrainian drones targeted his residence. Putin told Trump of his decision in a call Monday, according to the Kremlin, even as Kyiv cast the Russian allegations as a fabrication aimed at derailing the peace process. Trump addressed the dispute while speaking to reporters in Florida, saying that Putin had told him about the purported attack during their discussion. The US president, seeming to side with Putin, said he was “very angry.” 2) President Trump expressed concern that Iran is moving to rebuild its nuclear capabilities and bolster its ballistic missile program after strikes by the US and Israel earlier this year, and threatened to target the country again to prevent Tehran from stockpiling weapons. “Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are we are going to have to knock them down,” Trump said Monday at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida as he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The president also said he would support Israel in strikes if Iran continued with its ballistic missile program, which Netanyahu highlighted earlier this year as “existential” threat along with Tehran’s nuclear development. 3) President Trump said the US struck a facility inside Venezuela, in what would be a significant escalation in its campaign against alleged drug trafficking operations there. Trump’s reference to an attack within Venezuela would mark the first time the US has announced a land strike in the country. The administration has raised pressure on the government of Nicolas Maduro by bombing boats in the region and implementing a blockade to disrupt the country’s oil exports. Separately, the US carried out another strike on an alleged drug boat in international waters on Monday, US Southern Command announced on X, sharing a 22-second video showing a vessel being destroyed in a fiery explosion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) President Trump said he made “a lot of progress” in talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy over a possible peace deal, but that it might take a few weeks to get it done and there’s no set timeline. The pair met at the US president’s Mar-a-Lago resort Sunday, where they had lunch and later spoke on the phone with a group of European leaders to brief them on their progress. Among the major sticking points left to be resolved: the future of Ukraine’s Donbas region, which is partially occupied by Russian forces. Trump told reporters the issue was still unresolved, but “getting a lot closer.”2) President Trump has another high profile meeting on the docket at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. He is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this afternoon. The two aim to boost a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, which faces challenges as it looks to move into a more complicated second phase. That phase involves rebuilding Gaza under international supervision, creating an international security force and normalizing relations between Israel and the Arab world.3) China kicked off military maneuvers around Taiwan that will include live-fire drills, a move that comes after the US announced one of its biggest arms packages ever for the self-run democracy. The exercises starting Monday would involve the army, navy, air force and Rocket Force, the Chinese military said in a statement. The exercises named “Justice Mission-2025” would “test the actual combat capability of theater troops in joint operations.” The People’s Liberation Army said in a separate statement that from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday it would hold live-fire exercises in five blocks around Taiwan, saying “any irrelevant vessel or aircraft is advised not to enter” the area. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. John Authers, Bloomberg Opinion Columnist, discusses the five forces that broke Capitalism Tim Craighead, Bloomberg Intelligence Bloomberg Intelligence Global Chief Content Officer, describes the European stocks to watch in 2026 John Lee, Bloomberg Intelligence APAC content manager, looks at what we can expect from Asian stocks in 2026 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he plans to meet his US counterpart Donald Trump “in the coming days,” signaling optimism about reaching a peace deal to end Russia’s almost four-year war.“A lot could be decided before the New Year,” Zelenskiy said Friday in a Telegram and X post after receiving an update from Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s top negotiator with the US and head of the National Defense and Security Council. The Kyiv Post reported earlier that Zelenskiy is expected to travel to Florida, where Trump is spending the Christmas break, as soon as Sunday. It cited a person familiar with the matter who wasn’t identified. Kyiv and Washington are seeking to align on a 20-point peace plan to present to Russian President Vladimir Putin, including the provision of strong security guarantees modeled on NATO’s Article 5, and a global post-war development program for Ukraine.2) The US launched a military strike in Nigeria against Islamic State targets in a security and intelligence collaboration with the African nation’s government, which has been struggling to contain increasing levels of terrorist attacks in parts of the country. President Trump said he directed American forces to carry out “a powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS. Nigeria’s foreign affairs ministry confirmed the “precision hits on terrorist targets” and said it remains engaged with international partners including the US to address the “persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.”3) Gold, silver and platinum jumped to all-time highs to extend a historic end-of-year rally for precious metals, with support from escalating geopolitical tensions and US dollar weakness. Frictions in Venezuela, where the US has blockaded oil tankers and ramped up pressure on the government of Nicolás Maduro, have added to the precious metal’s haven appeal. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index, a key gauge of the US currency’s strength, was down 0.7% for the week, its biggest drop since June. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this special Christmas edition of Bloomberg Daybreak, host Nathan Hager speaks with: Cameron Dawson, Chief Investment Officer at Newedge Wealth and Brian Levitt, Global Market Strategist at Invesco discuss what we should expect from markets in 2026 Amanda Agati, Chief Investment Officer at PNC, breaks down the cost of the 12 days of Christmas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) The US Justice Department released another tranche of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, including some that add fresh pressure on President Trump over his past relationship with the late, disgraced financier. The trove includes thousands of additional pages of material related to investigations of Epstein, including a 2020 email from a prosecutor that contains new detail about Trump’s trips on Epstein’s private jet in the 1990s, which the president has said never took place. There are also fresh details on Epstein’s relationships with financial firms and figures.2) The US Supreme Court has refused to let President Trump start deploying National Guard troops in Chicago, dealing a setback to his drive to use the military in liberal cities across the country. Rejecting a Trump request in a 6-3 decision, the court on Tuesday left in force a judge’s ruling that has blocked the deployment since Oct. 9. The president wanted to use hundreds of troops to aid immigration enforcement in the third-largest US city. The court said the legal provision Trump sought to invoke probably doesn’t permit deployment of the National Guard in situations where the president wouldn’t have authority to send in active-duty military. The court said that under federal law, the president can deploy the armed forces to help execute the laws only in “exceptional” circumstances.3) A federal judge says the Trump administration can move ahead with a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, providing a setback for US technology companies that rely on hiring skilled foreign workers. US District Judge Beryl Howell said in a ruling Tuesday that President Trump’s move to radically increase the cost of the popular visa is lawful. The decision provides a boost to the administration’s campaign to restrict immigration and push demand for US workers. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which sued to block the proposal, can appeal. Howell rejected the Chamber’s argument that the president doesn’t have the power to impose the fee, finding that his proclamation was issued under “an express statutory grant of authority to the President.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast: 1) President Trump warned Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro not to challenge the US, and vowed to keep oil seized from a supertanker but declined to say if he’s seeking to oust the Venezuelan leader. “He can do whatever he wants to do, whatever he wants to do, if he wants to do something, if he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’s ever able to play tough,” Trump told reporters at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Monday evening. Asked if he would try to push Maduro out, he responded, “That’s up to him.” Trump spoke after the US stepped up its blockade of tankers going to and from Venezuela over the weekend, boarding a non-sanctioned ship owned by a Hong Kong-based entity on Saturday and pursuing a third oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. Another very large crude carrier, the Skipper, was intercepted on Dec. 10. 2) During Monday's press conference, Trump also said he believed “people are very angry that pictures are being released” that connect them to notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, days after the Justice Department released a new tranche of files tied to the late financier. Trump said he hated to see former President Bill Clinton, who appeared frequently in the release, being tarnished by the association, describing the situation as “terrible.” The Epstein files, and the fight over their disclosure, have sparked infighting among Trump’s supporters, adding to the political headwinds that the president is facing heading into next year’s midterm elections. 3) President Trump reiterated his desire for US control over Greenland on Monday, after announcing plans to appoint Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to the island. The president said Landry was “a deal-maker-type guy” who could help execute his vision for taking control of the territory. The president also said his desire was not rooted in Greenland’s energy or mineral reserves — saying the US had plenty of resources — but that he did not believe Denmark had devoted enough spending to protect the island. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) The US’s pursuit of a third oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela has intensified a blockade that the Trump administration hopes will cut off a vital economic lifeline for the country and isolate the government of President Nicolás Maduro. The US Coast Guard chased the US-sanctioned Bella 1 on Sunday as it was en route to Venezuela. It boarded Centuries, a ship owned by a Hong Kong-based entity, on Saturday — the first non-sanctioned vessel to be targeted. Another very large crude carrier, the Skipper, was intercepted on Dec. 10. The moves on three separate vessels represent the most concerted attempt to date to sever the financial links sustaining a government that Washington says is led by a drug-trafficking cartel, and one that it has also recently designated as a foreign terrorist organization. Maduro has so far withstood the onslaught, but the blockade is beginning to limit hard currency and to hurt an already battered economy.2) Democratic lawmakers said they plan to explore “all legal options” after the Justice Department announced it will not release all documents about the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein by the Friday deadline, threatening to prolong a high-stakes political fight as the midterm elections come into view. The US Justice Department released thousands of pages of pictures, phone records and notes from investigations into notorious sex offender on Friday, revealing new details about the late financier’s relationships with prominent business leaders and politicians. The department said more files will be released in coming weeks because the volume of material was too much to process by the Friday deadline set by Congress, sparking rebukes from many Democrats. The tranche included heavy redactions, a step intended to comply with the provisions of the law including protections for survivors and other accommodations.3) A Supreme Court ruling that scraps President Trump’s tariffs — and refunds the import fees collected — would create a major “administrative problem,” the president’s top economic adviser said Sunday. “We really expect the Supreme Court is going to find with us,” Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, told CBS’s Face the Nation. Even if the court didn’t find in the Trump administration’s favor, Hassett argued it would be “pretty unlikely that they’re going to call for widespread refunds because it would be an administrative problem to get those refunds out there.” The Supreme Court is weighing a legal challenge to tariffs Trump imposed on dozens of nations under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Administration officials have drawn up options for reimposing import taxes in case of an adverse ruling, while publicly maintaining that a court defeat is unlikely. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to U.S GDP data and a tech outlook for 2026. In the UK – a look at UK politics and what 2026 may hold in store for Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In Asia – a look ahead to the challenges facing China’s economy in 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) Officials have found the dead body of the suspected shooter in a Brown University rampage and the murder of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor in his Boston-area home. The suspected shooter — Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, a 48-year-old Portuguese national who was a former student at Brown — took his own life, Providence Chief of Police Oscar Perez said at a press briefing on Thursday night. Meantime, the Trump administration halted the US green card lottery program, which it said was used by the suspect. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a post on X that she’s asking US Citizenship and Immigration Services to pause the lottery, officially known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program.2) A trove of Justice Department records tied to Jeffrey Epstein is set for release Friday, part of a long-awaited public reckoning over the convicted sex offender’s ties to elites and years of alleged abuse. The documents could shed new light on government investigations dating back nearly two decades. President Trump, who had previously resisted efforts to unseal the files, signed legislation last month mandating their release, while the Justice Department has yet to specify a time for publication.3) European Union leaders have agreed to loan Ukraine €90 billion ($106 billion) for the next two years in a bid to strengthen Kyiv’s hand at the negotiating table and keep the war-torn country afloat. The EU will fund the loan through joint debt raised on the capital markets and backed by the bloc’s budget, a significant pivot from the preferred plan to use Russian assets frozen on European soil. The decision came early Friday morning after marathon talks at a summit in Brussels. Ukraine won’t need to repay the loan until Moscow compensates Kyiv with reparations — and in the meantime, the Russian assets will remain immobilized in the EU. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) President Trump looked to reassure Americans concerned about the rising cost of living by announcing plans to award a special holiday payment to military service members and roll out new housing reforms in the new year. Trump announced the plans Wednesday during a prime-time address from the White House, which he used to extol his accomplishments from his first year back in the White House and convince voters they should still blame his predecessor for persistent economic anxieties. Trump’s biggest announcement was a move to award service members $1,776 payments, a decision that should provide a holiday boost to 1.45 million Americans.2) The US has approved a package of arms sales to Taiwan worth up to $11 billion — one of its biggest ever — a move that drew criticism from Beijing. The approvals announced late Wednesday by the State Department cover a broad range of equipment, including missiles, drones and artillery systems aimed at strengthening the democracy’s defenses. The package includes the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, valued at up to $4.05 billion and howitzer guns worth about $4 billion. The total value of the weaponry is up to $11.154 billion, according to a statement from Taiwan’s Defense Ministry. The State Department said that the final amount would be lower depending on factors such as budget authority and military needs. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun later said his nation “strongly opposes and condemns” the US arms sale. 3) European Union leaders will try to overcome staunch resistance to both a funding plan for Ukraine and a massive trade deal with South America during a summit in Brussels starting Thursday — insisting that the bloc’s reputation is on the line. The gathering has taken on unusually high stakes as the EU is up against deadlines on both fronts. Officials say the EU’s Ukraine funding plans could fall apart if no agreement is found at the summit, forcing everyone back to the drawing board. And the trade pact with the Mercosur bloc — Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay — may enter a prolonged freeze if the EU can’t approve it before a tentative signing ceremony on Saturday See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) President Trump ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers going into and leaving Venezuela, ratcheting up pressure on Caracas as the US builds up its military presence in the region. The move threatens to choke off the economic lifeblood of a country that was already under severe financial pressure. But it will have a less profound impact on global markets due to the diminished status of Venezuela’s oil industry. The OPEC member’s crude output has slumped about 70% through more than 25 years of socialist rule to less than 1 million barrels a day. It could potentially rebound if the governing regime were to change.2) The US is preparing a fresh round of sanctions on Russia’s energy sector to increase the pressure on Moscow should President Vladimir Putin reject a peace agreement with Ukraine, according to people familiar with the matter. The US is considering options, such as targeting vessels in Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to transport Moscow’s oil, as well as traders who facilitate the transactions, said the people who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations. The new measures could be unveiled as early as this week.3) OpenAI is in initial discussions to raise at least $10 billion from Amazon.com Inc. and use its chips, a potential win for the online retailer’s effort to broaden its AI industry presence and compete with Nvidia Corp. The deal under discussion could value OpenAI north of $500 billion and see it adopt Amazon’s Trainium chip, a person with knowledge of the matter said, asking to remain anonymous to describe private negotiations. Talks, however, are at a preliminary stage and terms could change, the person added. A deal would mark a win for Amazon’s fledgling semiconductor division. While Nvidia dominates the market for the powerful chips required to create AI platforms, developers such as Meta Platforms Inc. are starting to explore rival offerings from the likes of Alphabet Inc.’s Google. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's podcast:1) US negotiators offered more significant security guarantees to Kyiv as part of President Trump’s renewed push to end the Russia-Ukraine war, but the effort still appeared part of a bid to pressure President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on territory. The Trump administration offered to provide Ukraine with strong “Article 5-like” security guarantees — a reference to NATO’s mutual defense clause — as part of the current deal to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict, a US official told reporters, without providing any details. Later on Monday, Trump said a negotiated end to the war was “closer than” ever and that the US was working with Europe on security guarantees. But then he appeared to suggest Ukraine ought to give up land as part of the deal. 2) Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested and booked for the murder of his parents, the Hollywood director and actor Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner. The son was being held in jail in Los Angeles on no bail, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement on X. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney for filing consideration on Tuesday. Reiner, who directed 1980s classics like The Princess Bride and This Is Spinal Tap, was found dead Sunday at his home with his wife, both of whom appeared to have died from stab wounds, NBC News and other outlets reported, citing a source close to the family.3) Shock over a shooting rampage at Brown University over the weekend is giving way to frustration over the lack of video footage and suspects. Authorities in Providence, Rhode Island, said Monday they hadn’t identified any new persons of interest in the shooting that killed two people and injured nine on the Ivy League campus Saturday afternoon. A person detained earlier was released late Sunday, and officials have said a lack of clear security-camera footage from inside the Barus & Holley engineering building where the shooting took place has slowed the search. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.