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Brent oil rallied to a four-year high after Axios reported that US President Donald Trump will receive a briefing on new military options for action in Iran, signaling the potential for fresh escalation in the Middle East. The global benchmark surged as much as 7.1% before paring gains to trade near $122. Warren Patterson, Head of Commodities Strategy at ING Joined Stephen Carroll and Caroline Hepker on Bloomberg Radio To discuss. He says the market is losing confidence in a swift resolution and is increasingly pricing in a prolonged disruption to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

Daniel Werfel, former Commissioner of the US Internal Revenue Service, joined Caroline Hepker and Lizzy Burden on Bloomberg Radio as the UK's tax authority undertakes a major digital overhaul. HMRC is aiming to move most customer interactions online by 2030, while updating legacy systems and exploring the use of AI. Werfel, now with Public Digital, which is advising HMRC, discussed the challenges of delivering large-scale government transformation, as well as concerns around AI, data protection and the security of sensitive public sector systems.

The prospect of Iran agreeing to more in-person peace talks with the US is being hindered by President Donald Trump's threats and brash social media posts, according to several officials with knowledge of the diplomatic efforts to end their war. Trump's Truth Social posts as well as his decision to continue with a naval blockade of Iranian ports have been detrimental to ongoing negotiations through mediators such as Pakistan, according to two US officials familiar with the matter. Our EMEA News Director Will Kennedy joins Stephen Carroll and Caroline Hepker to discuss.

Business activity in the euro area unexpectedly shrank for the first time since late 2024 due to a steep drop in the services sector as the Iran war weighs on consumers. The Composite PMI compiled by S&P Global declined to 48.6 in April from 50.7 the previous month, dropping below the 50 threshold separating growth from contraction. In the UK PMI data showed that the private sector quickly bounced back from a slowdown caused by the Iran war as firms rushing to secure supplies and price pressures mounting. Hugh Gimber, Global Market Strategist, JP Morgan joined Stephen Carroll on Bloomberg Radio to discuss. he says business costs are 'rising sharply.'

Laurent Ramsey, Managing Partner of Pictet Group and Chairman of Pictet Asset Management, joins Caroline Hepker and Stephen Carroll on Bloomberg Radio to discuss the market outlook after weeks of geopolitical tension. He explains why long-term investing remains key, how wealthy clients are diversifying across regions, and whether Europe could benefit from shifting capital flows. The conversation also covers risks in private markets, the impact of AI on finance and cybersecurity threats.

Global oil demand will decline this year for the first time since the 2020 pandemic as a price surge caused by the Middle East conflict wipes out growth, the International Energy Agency said. "The Iran war has thoroughly upended the global outlook for oil consumption," the adviser to major economies said in its monthly report. Surging prices for physical crude and products such as jet fuel, diesel and gasoline are squeezing consumers and taking a toll on demand. Bloomberg's EMEA News Director Will Kennedy joins Stephen Carroll and Caroline Hepker to discuss.

Bloomberg Opinion columnist Javier Blas says the war in Iran, and the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, has prompted warnings about another bout of global food inflation similar to the one that followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Despite those fears, the agricultural market isn't at risk today, at least in the short term. Oil prices may be soaring, but the world's plentiful food stocks are helping to keep commodity prices in check. However, if the US doesn't find an off-ramp from the war, rising energy and fertilizer costs could eventually push the farming industry to a breaking point. Speaking to Stephen Carroll on Bloomberg Radio Javier Blas says we're not there yet though.

Oman's key oil export terminal was evacuated and two crude tankers were hit in Iraqi waters, as risks to global energy supply from the Middle East war deepened. Ships were ordered to leave the port of Mina Al Fahal in Oman as a precautionary measure, according to people who directly received a notice from a port agent. The attacks on the vessels off the coast of Iraq also prompted the nation's oil terminals to suspend operations. he latest developments point to an increase in retaliatory attacks from Iran, adding to pessimism that the war will persist for longer. Our EMEA News Director Will Kennedy joined Stephen Carroll and Caroline Hepker on Bloomberg Radio to discuss.

The US-Israeli 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 Donald 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.  Cathy Ashton - who was the EU's first high representative on foreign affairs from 2009-2014, and a key negotiator of the previous Iran nuclear deal known as the JC-POA Stephen Carroll and Lizzy Burden on Bloomberg radio to discuss the conflict and what might come next.

The London Stock Exchange Group has announced plans to buy back £3 billion of its own shares, as it reported full year results less than a month after it emerged that Elliott Investment Management had taken a stake. The company also hiked its final dividend 15.7% to 103 pence a share and set new guidance for the next two years.  LSEG CEO David Schwimmer Spoke to Caroline Hepker and Stephen Carroll on Bloomberg Radio. Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News, competes with LSEG to provide financial news, data and information.