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Diesel prices have jumped much more than crude oil since the start of the Iran war, hitting all-time highs in the US and in Europe. A key fuel for industries, diesel powers agricultural harvests and ground transport for goods globally. Our oil strategist Julian Lee joins Stephen Carroll to explain how high prices at the pump are a major political and economic issue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China is building a major manufacturing advantage in higher-value industries, from electric cars and batteries to robotics and renewable energy. This year Chinese exports are on course to be about 80% higher than in 2019, putting manufacturers across the world under growing strain. Governments are responding with tariffs and trade barriers, but pushing back against China isn’t straightforward. Our senior economy and government reporter James Mayger joins Stephen Carroll to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stock markets in the US, Europe and Asia are moving toward nearly round-the-clock trading, responding to growing overseas demand and competition from always-on crypto and prediction markets. But longer trading hours don’t necessarily mean better markets. Thin overnight liquidity could bring wider spreads, sharper price swings and new operational risks. Bloomberg TV Markets Managing Editor Dan Curtis joins Stephen Carroll to discuss the race toward 24-hour trading, and why more time to trade could come at a cost. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As artificial intelligence has evolved from the stuff of sci-fi movies to an app ordinary people have installed on their phones, tech leaders and some AI insiders have talked about the potential for it to escape human control and wreak havoc on society. In recent weeks, those fears have become impossible to ignore. Our Bloomberg Tech Europe Anchor Tom Mackenzie joins Stephen Carroll to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russians will go to the polls on 18-20 September to elect members of the State Duma, the lower chamber of parliament. It's a tightly managed institution under President Putin, and his party's control of it is unlikely to be threatened. The vote will function, however, as a litmus test for a war-fatigued authoritarian system. Tony Halpin, who leads Bloomberg's team covering Russia, joins Stephen Carroll to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mounting anxiety over the US deficit has spurred demand for alternatives to the dollar, such as gold and Bitcoin. A movement away from dollar assets has been driven by fear the greenback will lose its purchasing power, but will those concerns last? Our Markets Live Managing Editor Kristine Aquino joins Stephen Carroll to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first rung of the career ladder is getting harder to reach. Entry-level openings are shrinking, competition is fierce, and AI is taking over junior tasks. At the same time, remote work and AI-powered applications are changing how companies hire and train workers. If entry-level jobs no longer provide an entry point, how are young people supposed to get the experience employers now expect? Our UK economy reporter Irina Anghel joins Stephen Carroll to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

European capitals are on alert for hybrid warfare attacks from Russia. One European intelligence official recently told Bloomberg that such moves could include infrastructure sabotage or false-flag attacks. What sort of threat does this pose to NATO countries, and how is Europe responding? Our Europe Executive Editor Chad Thomas joins Stephen Carroll to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A UN index of food-commodity prices has hit its highest level in more than three years, as extreme weather, wildfires and conflicts disrupt crop growing and transport. Wheat, corn and sugar are among the key foodstuffs that have seen sharp prices rises. So how significant is the damage to supplies, and how long could a recovery take? Our agriculture reporter Eleanor Thornber joins Stephen Carroll to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japan and the United States carried out their first joint currency intervention in 15 years to prop up the yen. It's the latest in a series of moves by Tokyo to boost its currency, which recently hit its weakest level in 40 years against the dollar. So why is the US getting involved, and will more action be necessary? Our Executive Editor for Asia Markets Paul Dobson joins Stephen Carroll to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China's Coast Guard has become one of the world's largest maritime law-enforcement agencies. Its fleet of more than 600 vessels is a key part of Beijing's maritime strategy, routinely patrolling disputed waters and clashing with ships from neighboring countries. So why is China using the Coast Guard, rather than the navy, for these missions? Our China defense reporter Josh Xiao joins Stephen Carroll to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Warsh wants to be a quieter kind of Federal Reserve Chair. His first statement leading the rate-setting committee was half the length of the previous one from his Jerome Powell. He's no longer placing a dot on the chart of interest rate projections, and wants a task force to overhaul the central bank's communication. What does the Fed saying less mean for markets and monetary policy? Our Federal Reserve reporter Enda Curran joins Stephen Carroll to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2025, Australia introduced a world-first ban on under-16s accessing social media. At least a dozen other countries are planning similar measures, backed by parents worried about the harmful effects platforms can have on their children. While the effectiveness of age-related bans is still unclear, policymakers are stepping up pressure on tech companies. Bloomberg Opinion columnist Parmy Olson joins Stephen Carroll to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Around the world, governments are pouring more than two trillion dollars into defense. The money is flowing, but the results are mixed. Bloomberg Economics's Defense Lead Becca Wasser joins Stephen Carroll to explain why. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Countries from New Zealand to Portugal have revamped their golden visa offerings, in an effort to continue to attract wealthy investors to move there. While securing these visas is getting more difficult in some places, governments continue to use them as a tool to boost their economies. Our reporter Charlie Wells joins Stephen Carroll to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.