Bloomberg Daybreak: US Edition

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 IranSee 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 CenterSee 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.