Bloomberg This Weekend

The UK will deploy one of its warships to the Middle East as part of planning for a European-led mission to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz once there’s a stable ceasefire. The move comes as Iran weighs a new proposal from the US to end the war, which has been going on for 10 weeks. The ship has just completed weapons system testing off the coast of Crete and was deployed to help defend Cyprus at the start of the conflict. 

Also this morning, a cluster of hantavirus infections linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has left three people dead and several others seriously ill, prompting an alert from the World Health Organization and raising questions about how a rare rodent-borne disease might spread in such an unusual setting.

On today’s show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura, Christina Ruffini, and Lisa Mateo speak with:

- Bloomberg News White House Correspondent Jeff Mason on the status of the Strait of Hormuz and what to expect ahead of a summit between President Trump and China's Presdient Xi Jinping.

- Dr. Ashish Jha, Former White House COVID Response Coordinator, on how the Hantavirus is transmitted and the quarantine process for American passengers on an infected cruise ship.

- Representative Ro Khanna of California (D) on the redistricting efforts in the Virginia Supreme Court, a push to release the remaining files from the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, and this week's Trump-Xi meeting.

- Daniel Dae Kim on his new CNN series "K-Everything" and the popularity of South Korean culture.

Plus, Christina, David, and Lisa discuss the stories you might have missed this week on BTW. 

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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Efforts continued to broker an end to the Iran war, now into its third month, as President Trump suggested the Islamic Republic’s latest peace proposal might not be enough to satisfy him. Iran’s suggestions include setting a one-month deadline on talks for a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end both the US naval blockade and the fighting in Iran and Lebanon, Axios reported, citing two people familiar with the matter. 

Back in the US, Spirit Airlines is winding down operations after the troubled discount carrier buckled under the weight of surging fuel prices and a government bailout dangled by President Trump fell through. 

On today’s show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura, Christina Ruffini, and Lisa Mateo speak with:

- Airlines for America President & CEO Chris Sununu, on Spirit’s closure. 

- Representative Kevin Kiley (I) of California, who says Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon, and Representative Cleo Fields (D), on the Supreme Court limiting the use of the Voting Rights Act. 

- Maria Sharapova on her Pretty Tough podcast and life after tennis. 

Plus, Christina, David, and Lisa discuss the stories you might have missed this week on BTW. 

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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Spirit Airlines is winding down operations after the troubled US discount carrier buckled under the weight of surging fuel prices and a government bailout dangled by President Trump fell through. All Spirit flights have been canceled, and passengers have been advised not to go to the airport, after the airline failed to secure a deal with the Trump administration for funding.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy spoke hours after Spirit ceased operations, leaving passengers and employees stranded across the US. He announced measures to support those passengers, saying several carriers including United, Delta, Southwest and JetBlue agreed to cap prices or reduce fares for customers impacted by the shutdown.

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura, Christina Ruffini, and Lisa Mateo speak with:

- The Points Guy Managing Editor Clint Henderson, GasBuddy's Head of Petroleum Analysis Patrick DeHaan, and Bloomberg White News White House Correspondent Jeff Mason, on what Spirit's closure means for consumers.

- Bloomberg Opinion Energy & Commodities Columnist Javier Blas on the ongoing threat to global energy supplies amid the war in Iran.

- Actor and director Ben McKenzie on his film Everyone is Lying to You for Money, an investigation into cryptocurrency, and his sit-down with Sam Bankman-Fried.

- Bloomberg News Managing Editor David Papadopoulos on betting against the odds in the Kentucky Derby.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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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.”

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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.

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The armed suspect who tried to enter a Washington ballroom where President Donald Trump was speaking was likely targeting administration officials, according to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Blanche said Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press that the man is believed to have acted alone after traveling by train from California and had been staying at the Washington Hilton, which was hosting the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner where Trump was scheduled to speak.

The gunfire disrupted Trump’s first appearance as president at the annual dinner, which his predecessors routinely attended. Secret Service officers rushed into the room to evacuate Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Cabinet officials. Attendees ducked under tables to take shelter. The incident took place just outside the ballroom of the Washington Hilton. 

On today's show:

- Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura, Christina Ruffini, and Lisa Mateo give a firsthand account of the shooting after attending the dinner.

- Texas Representative Michael McCaul (R), who says "we're all to blame" when it comes to the increase in violent political rhetoric online.

- Virginia Representative Don Beyer (D), on his concerns of a divided country following the shooting, and the Virginia redistricting vote that could tilt the balance in the midterm elections.

- Rising Communications Founder and former Republican congressional advisor Leslie Shedd, and Former Senior Advisor for Political Engagement during the Biden Administration, John McCarthy, on what the dinner represents in Washington, as well as Senator Tillis saying he's ready to confirm Kevin Warsh as Fed chair.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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President Donald Trump will send envoys to Pakistan with the intention of meeting with Iranian officials, while Tehran sounded a pessimistic tone on the prospects for talks to end the eight-week war roiling the global economy. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are set to depart Saturday for talks this weekend, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a Fox News interview on Friday.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet only with Pakistani officials to convey Iran’s “observations,” with no talks planned with the US delegation, a spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Saturday. Leavitt claimed the Iranians had reached out to the US to arrange the fresh round of talks. 

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura, Christina Ruffini, and Lisa Mateo are in Washington DC for the White House Correspondents' Dinner. They speak with:

- Bloomberg News Reporter Eric Martin on Rubio and Vance remaining in the US, and Texas Representative Michael McCaul (R), who says the US-Iran talks are unlikely to reach a breakthrough.

- S&P Global Vice Chairman Dan Yergin on the uncertainty over the oil trade as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked.

- Bloomberg CityLabs writer Kriston Capps on how the President is "Trumpifying" DC architecture.

Plus, Christina, David, Jeff Mason, and Lisa Mateo play Pointed: The News Quiz for Risk Takers.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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President Donald Trump said he’ll send representatives to Pakistan for talks to end the Iran war on Monday evening, while again threatening to strike civilian infrastructure if Tehran doesn’t agree to a deal. Axios is reporting that Vice President Vance will lead the delegation to the negotiations in Islamabad. The President told Fox News that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will go to the talks, while the New York Post reported that Jared Kushner will also participate.

The standoff over Hormuz — through which about a fifth of the world’s oil flowed before the US-Israeli war on Iran — threatens to deepen the global energy crisis and undermine expectations of an imminent peace deal. Hormuz is one of several unresolved issues in peace talks, including Iran’s nuclear program and Israel’s ongoing invasion of Lebanon.

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura, Christina Ruffini, and Lisa Mateo speak with:

- Bloomberg News White House Correspondent Courtney Subramanian and Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, on President Trump's comments to various media outlets this morning, declaring he's ready to "knock out" Iran's power plants and bridges.

- Axios White House Reporter Marc Caputo and The Atlantic Staff Writer Nancy Youssef, on US negotiators heading to Pakistan for talks.

- Chef Andrew Zimmern on eating for sustainability, and the role of 'blue foods' in combating global hunger.

Plus, Bloomberg's Ed Ludlow joins David, Christina, and Lisa to play Pointed: The News Quiz for Risk Takers.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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Iran broadcast to ships in the Strait of Hormuz that the vital oil and gas channel is once again closed to maritime traffic, with owners reporting gunfire in the waterway and ships abandoning efforts to transit after a brief spell when it appeared it might reopen. 

The fresh closure was the culmination of hours of chaos and confusion that saw some ships race to get out, only to U-turn. One supertanker issued a radio broadcast that it was coming under gunfire, the two shipowners said, asking not to be identified because of the security situation. A UK naval group also warned that a tanker was approached by two Iranian gun boats and fired upon without warning. It subsequently reported another ship was hit by an unknown projectile. 

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura, Christina Ruffini, and Lisa Mateo speak with:

- International Maritime Organization Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran under President Trump, Andrew Peek, and Former Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs under President Biden, Jennifer Gavito, on an intensified US blockade amid reported gunfire in the Strait.

- Gary Gensler, Former Chair of the US Securities & Exchange Commission, on an investigation into prediction market trades in the oil futures market ahead of recent policy pivots by President Trump.

- Puck Founding Partner Bill Cohan and Bloomberg TV Anchor Dani Burger, on why major banks are shaking off fears around private credit.

- Boston Globe Reporter Emily Sweeney on her viral accent and how journalism is pivoting in the social media age.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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President Donald Trump said the US will blockade the Strait of Hormuz following the failure of peace talks with Iran in Islamabad this weekend, a move that will likely exacerbate oil and fuel shortages globally. 

“Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said in a social media post, essentially blocking Iran’s means of exporting oil.

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts Christina Ruffini, Tim Stenovec, and Lisa Mateo speak with:

- Former National Security Adviser John Bolton, who says a blockade "makes sense" following the failed peace talks with Iran in Islamabad.

- Axios National Security Editor Dave Lawler, Bloomberg News White House Reporter Jeff Mason and Congressional Reporter Alicia Diaz, on what President Trump's blockade could entail.

- Mike McGlone, Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Commodities Strategist, on what an escalation in the Strait will do to oil and energy prices.

- Bloomberg News Senior Editor Derek Wallbank on using ChatGPT to train for the Paris Marathon.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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The US and Iran began negotiations on Saturday to end the conflict in the Middle East. Around 5:45pm in Islamabad, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency said talks had begun, without specifying whether they are being conducted directly or through intermediaries.

US Vice President JD Vance landed in Pakistan’s capital, joined by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner for talks aimed at cementing a lasting resolution to a six-week conflict after a fragile ceasefire took hold several days ago.

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts Christina Ruffini, Tim Stenovec, and Lisa Mateo speak with:

- Bloomberg News Israel Bureau Chief Ethan Bronner, Bloomberg News White House Correspondent Catherine Lucey, and AP International Correspondent Philip Crowther, on the US delegation meeting with  Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

- Going.com Travel Expert Katy Nastro, on how the war in Iran could impact summer travel costs.

- Arthur Brooks, Author of "The Meaning of Your Life," on how to achieve happiness in the digital era.

Plus, Christina, Tim, and Lisa play Pointed: The News Quiz for Risk Takers.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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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 Martin
Bloomberg This Weekend co-host Christina Ruffini
Bloomberg White House and Washington correspondent Jeff Mason
Terry Haines, founder of Pangea Policy
Daniel Byman, Director of the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program at the Center

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US forces rescued an airman from Iran days after his fighter jet was shot down, while the Islamic Republic’s continued attacks sparked fires that damaged Kuwait’s oil headquarters and shut down an Emirati petrochemicals plant.

The US deployed dozens of aircraft to retrieve the injured crew member from a mountainous area, a day after a second person from the same F-15E jet was rescued, President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post Sunday. Earlier, Trump threatened to unleash “all hell” on Iran, saying the time left on the 10-day deadline for it to make a peace deal with the US was running out.

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts Christina Ruffini and Joe Mathieu speak with:

- Bloomberg News White House Correspondent Jeff Mason and Bloomberg News Jerusalem Reporter Dan Williams, on the successful rescue of the second American airman in Iran, and Trump's threat of a Tuesday strike on Iran's power plants and bridges.

- TMZ Founder Harvey Levin, on TMZ's push to cover members of Congress on vacation.

- Longtime Caddy for Phil Mickelson, Jim "Bones" Mackay, and IBM's SVP for Marketing & Communications, Jonathan Adashek, on IBM's collaboration with The Masters.

Plus, Christina, Joe, and Lisa Mateo discuss the stories you might have missed this week on BTW.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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In Iran, the US continued search-and-rescue operations for a crew member from an F-15E fighter jet shot down by Iran on Friday, as Tehran kept up attacks on Gulf Arab states and Israel.

A second US combat plane reportedly crashed in the Persian Gulf the same day. The incidents mark a significant blow for Washington as the war enters its sixth week with energy prices rising and little sign of an end to the conflict.

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts Christina Ruffini and Joe Mathieu speak with:

- Marc Caputo, Senior Politics Reporter at Axios, Ethan Bronner, Bloomberg News Israel Bureau Chief, and Former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, on the search for a missing US airman in Iran.

- DNC Chair Ken Martin, on President Trump seeking a massive increase in defense spending, and how Democrats are approaching their messaging on the campaign trail.

- Diana Rosero-Pena, Equities Research Analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence, on a decline in Easter candy sales.

Plus, Christina, Joe, and Lisa Mateo play Pointed: The News Quiz for Risk Takers.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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President Donald Trump said the war in Iran is “very close” to completion, even as he signaled strikes could escalate in the near term.  

Trump in a rare prime-time address on Wednesday cast the war as a success, saying the operation had nearly achieved its military goals, including destroying Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, air force, navy and industrial base. He said those steps would prevent Tehran’s proxies from destabilizing the region and cut off the country’s path to nuclear weapons.

“Tonight I’m pleased to say that these core strategic objectives are nearing completion,” Trump said from the White House in a roughly 20-minute speech. “We are going to finish the job. and we’re going to finish it very fast, we’re getting very close.”

The speech came as the president is grasping for an off-ramp in a conflict that has quickly slipped out of control. 

For instant reaction and analysis, Bloomberg Radio host Doug Krizner speaks with Bloomberg This Weekend co-host Christina Ruffini and Bloomberg White House and Washington correspondent Jeff Mason.

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'No Kings' marches took place across the US on Saturday, with participants opposing President Trump's policies including federal funding cuts to welfare programs, the war with Iran and aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics. 

As the CPAC Conference concluded, GOP attendees showed cracks of dissension over the war in Iran, with some expressing opposition to the conflict. Trump on Thursday cast doubt about how quickly a deal with Tehran could be reached, as thousands of US Marines headed to the region and oil prices hovered over $100 per barrel. 

Both events could provide a preview of how voters feel about the Trump Administration heading into the midterm elections.

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura and Christina Ruffini speak with:

- Bloomberg News White House Correspondent Jeff Mason on the war in Iran overshadowing the CPAC conference.

- Florida State House Representative Emily Gregory (D) on flipping the district that includes Mar-a-Lago.

- Abby Livingston, Reporter at Puck, Ashley Koning, Director of The Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers, and Ronald Brownstein, Bloomberg Opinion Columnist, on what 'No Kings' rallies and recent polling data reveal about the Midterm elections.

- Ed Ludlow, Co-Host of Bloomberg Tech, on NASA's preparations for the Artemis II moon mission.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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President Donald Trump signed a memo directing Transportation Security Administration personnel to be paid, a bid to alleviate disruptions at US airports as Congress battles over how to end the ongoing partial government shutdown. House Republicans on Friday rejected bipartisan Senate legislation to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security.

Instead, they plan to vote on a spending package that funds the department — including immigration enforcement and Border Patrol — until May 22, setting up a new clash with Senate Democrats who have said such a measure is “dead on arrival” without new policies to rein in Trump’s immigration crackdown. 

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura and Christina Ruffini speak with:

- Bloomberg News Congressional Reporter Erik Wasson, and Jill DeJanovich, a TSA Worker and Nevada Union Representative, on what TSA employees are facing as Congress remains at an impasse over funding.

- Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Republican Senator Todd Young of Indiana, on the latest on a request for supplemental Defense Department funding tied to the war in Iran.

- Bailey Lipschultz, Bloomberg News Senior Reporter, on SpaceX and Anthropic eyeing IPOs as the war in Iran roils markets.

Plus, David, Christina, and Lisa Mateo play Pointed: The News Quiz for Risk Takers.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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President Donald Trump threatened to attack Iran’s power plants if the country didn’t swiftly reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial ship traffic after the passage of oil and gas cargoes was paralyzed.

Trump said in a social media post late Saturday that he would “hit and obliterate” Iran’s power plants, beginning with the biggest one, if it didn’t open the strait within 48 hours.

This comes as President Trump also said he’s ready to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to US airports as soon as Monday if congressional Democrats don’t agree to a plan for funding parts of the Department of Homeland Security. 

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura, Christina Ruffini, and Lisa Mateo speak with:

- Democratic Representative Glenn Ivey of Maryland, on Trump's declaration that ICE will be working in American airports, and whether Congress is considering providing $200 billion in additional funding for the war in Iran.

- Republican Representative Greg Steube of Florida, on the potential of an American ground invasion in Iran and efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

- Bloomberg News White House Reporter Skylar Woodhouse, Jason Beeferman, New York State Politics Reporter at Politico, and Bloomberg News Senior Reporter Myles Miller, on Border Czar Tom Homan saying that ICE agents are coming to airports tomorrow, and Trump's response to the death of Robert Mueller.

- Alex Rodriguez, Co-Host of Bloomberg's "The Deal," on sports investments and what to expect on the MLB's Opening Day.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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The US has allowed the sale of Iranian oil and petrochemical products that have been loaded onto tankers, its latest effort to counter rising oil prices due to the Middle East war.

This comes as the US military said it has been able to degrade Iran’s ability to target ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz as President Donald Trump floated the idea of “winding down” military efforts in the Persian Gulf.

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura and Christina Ruffini speak with:

- Glenfarne Group CEO and Founder Brendan Duval on the state of the oil and natural gas markets, as Iran attacks an LNG complex in Qatar.

- Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, Cuba's Envoy to the United Nations, on President Trump's threats amid a de facto oil blockade that’s left Cuba struggling to provide basic services.

- Andy Weir, author of Project Hail Mary, on his bestselling novel-turned-blockbuster.

Plus, David, Christina, and Lisa Mateo play Pointed: The News Quiz for Risk Takers.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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President Donald Trump said Iran is ready to make a deal to end the war but the US wants better terms, signaling no letup in a conflict that’s brought shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz to a near standstill and upended energy markets.

Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Islamic Republic is open to “any regional initiative that leads to a fair end to the war,” according to an interview published by the UK-based Al-Araby Al-Jadeed news website on Sunday. He added that no specific proposal has yet been presented.

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura and Christina Ruffini speak with:

- Philip Crowther, Associated Press International Correspondent, Joumanna Bercetche, Bloomberg Anchor on "Horizons Middle East and Africa," and Bloomberg News Washington Deputy Bureau Chief Laura Davidson on President Trump's comments that the United States needs better terms to reach a deal to end the war with Iran.

- EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin on the war in Iran and the ever changing energy markets.

- United States Representatives Adam Smith (D-WA) and Michael Lawler (R-NY) to discuss what their opinions are on President Trump's actions in Iran and the Middle East.

- Co-Host of the "Bloomberg Business of Sports" Podcast, Vanessa Perdomo, on the upcoming NCAA Tournament and how the tournament affects the sports gambling market.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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The US struck military sites on Kharg Island, from which Iran exports almost all its oil, for the first time overnight, upping the ante in a Middle East war that’s raged for more than two weeks and shows little sign of easing.

President Donald Trump said military facilities on the Persian Gulf island had been “obliterated,” adding that he chose not to hit oil infrastructure “for reasons of decency.” He threatened to do just that should Iran “do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz.”

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura and Christina Ruffini speak with:

- Philip Crowther, Associated Press International Correspondent, Dan Williams, Bloomberg News Jerusalem Reporter, and Bloomberg White House Reporter Jeff Mason on the war's impact on the economy and oil production.

- Former US Diplomat to Syria, Colonel Joel Rayburn, on the United States' military operation in Iran and how it compared to former administrations.

- Trane Technologies CEO Dave Regnery, on the company's apprenticeship program and skills-based hiring.

Plus, David, Christina, and Lisa Mateo play Pointed: The News Quiz for Risk Takers.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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Iran picked a new supreme leader and kept up attacks on the ninth day of the war in the Middle East, hitting a water plant in Bahrain, while Israel struck fuel depots in Tehran and threatened the Islamic Republic’s power grid. Tehran didn’t disclose the identity of the new leader. 

The chaos that has gripped the oil market looks set to deepen, with more production getting cut as the war in Iran effectively shuts the Strait of Hormuz, and the US considers widening its range of targets in the country.

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura and Christina Ruffini speak with:

- Daniel Yergin, Vice Chairman at S&P Global, on oil prices nearing a $100-a-barrel threshold.

- Former US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides, on the relationship between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Israel's role in the Iran conflict.

- Republican Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota, on why the Trump Administration may have chosen to pursue a war with Iran.

- Team USA Olympic Bobsledders Kaillie Humphries and Elana Meyers Taylor, on what it means to be both a mother and a gold medalist.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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President Donald Trump demanded Iran capitulate in the war’s seventh day, suggesting a longer timeframe for the conflict even amid energy-market tumult and worries about whether the US has the military stockpiles to carry on the fight indefinitely. 

“Today Iran will be hit very hard!” Trump said in a social media post in the early hours of Saturday, as the US and Israel bombarded Tehran and other cities for an eighth day. The attacks will continue “until they surrender or, more likely, completely collapse!”

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura and Christina Ruffini speak with:

- Mike McKee, Bloomberg News International Economics and Policy Correspondent, and Julian Lee, Bloomberg News Oil Strategist, on the war's impact for the oil market.

- Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Defense Analyst and Retired Colonel Wayne Sanders, and Becca Wasser, Bloomberg Economics Defense Lead, on a New York Times report revealing Russia is sharing intelligence with Iran.

- Dan Williams, Bloomberg News Jerusalem Reporter, on the level of disruption for those on the ground in the Middle East.

- Deputy National Security Advisor to President Trump, Victoria Coates, and Senior Advisor at the Cohen Group, Jen Gavito, on what Trump's latest Truth Social post warns for Iran.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran who ruled over the Islamic Republic for more than three decades as it faced off with the West, was killed Saturday after the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran.

Iranian media on Sunday confirmed the death, saying Khamenei was killed in his office compound and that there will be 40 days of national mourning.

This comes as three US service members have been killed in action and five are seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury, CENTCOM says in an X post.

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura and Christina Ruffini speak with:

- Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, who says he was briefed on plans for the attack on Iran and that President Trump had been considering several options.

- Democratic Representative Jason Crow of Colorado, on Democrats in Congress expecting to force a war powers vote this week.

- Republican Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, who says the Iranian people will have a chance to take back their country.

- Hagar Chemali, Former US Mission to the UN, Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Jeff Mason, and Co-Anchor of Bloomberg's "Balance of Power" Joe Mathieu on what might happen next amid protests in Iran.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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Iran’s supreme leader was killed in US–Israeli airstrikes, a seismic development in a conflict that’s spread to half a dozen countries across the Middle East and threatens to disrupt energy flows. For details, and suggestions of what happens next, 'Bloomberg This Weekend' hosts David Gura and Christina Ruffini speak with Bloomberg anchor Joumanna Bercetche in Dubai, Bloomberg Israel bureau chief Ethan Bronner in Tel Aviv and Nancy Youssef, a staff writer at The Atlantic.

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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.

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries joins David Gura and Christina Ruffini to discuss a potential US attack on Iran. They also discuss whether Democrats will seek to impeach President Donald Trump if they gain control of the US House of Representatives in November's midterm elections.   

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

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'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.  

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