Your morning briefing. All the news you need to start your day

On today's podcast:

(1) Federal Reserve officials appeared surprisingly wary of cutting interest rates when they met last month, with several even suggesting the central bank may need to raise rates if inflation remains stubbornly high.

(2) OpenAI is close to finalizing the first phase of a new funding round that is likely to bring in more than $100 billion, according to people familiar with the matter, a record-breaking financing deal that would give the startup additional capital to build out its artificial intelligence tools.

(3) French President Emmanuel Macron said the free speech defense of social media platforms is “pure bullshit,” pushing back against a key foreign policy goal of President Donald Trump.

(4) Oil steadied after its biggest daily gain since October, following a report that American military intervention in Iran could come sooner than expected.

(5) Nestlé is considering further reducing its footprint in the ice cream business, as new Chief Executive Officer Philipp Navratil reviews the company’s sprawling operations, people with knowledge of the matter said.

(6) Denmark's economy looks robust on paper, with employment at a record high and public finances strong, but many Danes are anxious about their professional futures due to layoffs at major companies. 

Podcast Conversation: Travellers Are Dying To Solve A Murder Mystery On Vacation

Your morning briefing. All the news you need to start your day On today's podcast: (1) Federal Reserve officials appeared surprisingly wary of cutting interest rates when they met last month, with several even suggesting the central bank may need to raise rates if inflation remains stubbornly high. (2) OpenAI is close to finalizing the first phase of a new funding round that is likely to bring in more than $100 billion, according to people familiar with the matter, a record-breaking financing deal that would give the startup additional capital to build out its artificial intelligence tools. (3) French President Emmanuel Macron said the free speech defense of social media platforms is &ldquo;pure bullshit,&rdquo; pushing back against a key foreign policy goal of President Donald Trump. (4) Oil steadied after its biggest daily gain since October, following a report that American military intervention in Iran could come sooner than expected. (5) Nestl&eacute; is considering further reducing its footprint in the ice cream business, as new Chief Executive Officer Philipp Navratil reviews the company&rsquo;s sprawling operations, people with knowledge of the matter said. (6) Denmark's economy looks robust on paper, with employment at a record high and public finances strong, but many Danes are anxious about their professional futures due to layoffs at major companies.&nbsp; Podcast Conversation: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-18/vacations-are-for-solving-crimes-with-rise-of-murder-mystery-trips?srnd=phx-pursuits" data-destination="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-18/vacations-are-for-solving-crimes-with-rise-of-murder-mystery-trips?srnd=phx-pursuits">Travellers Are Dying To Solve A Murder Mystery On Vacation</a>

Bloomberg Daybreak Europe is the daily morning podcast that helps you understand the stories shaping Europe and the world before the day gets going.

Produced in the early hours each weekday, the show delivers fresh reporting, sharp analysis and clear context on politics, business and global markets by 7am London time. From decisions made in Brussels and London to developments across the global economy, Daybreak Europe connects the dots between power, policy and money.

Hosted by Stephen Carroll in Brussels and Caroline Hepker in London, and powered by Bloomberg’s global network of more than 3,000 journalists and analysts, the podcast goes beyond headlines to explain what is changing, why it matters and what could come next.

Trusted by professionals, business leaders and investors, but made for anyone curious about how economics and politics shape everyday life, Bloomberg Daybreak Europe is the essential way to start your morning informed and ahead.

Bloomberg Daybreak Europe is the daily morning podcast that helps you understand the stories shaping Europe and the world before the day gets going.
Produced in the early hours each weekday, the show delivers fresh reporting, sharp analysis and clear context on politics, business and global markets by 7am London time. From decisions made in Brussels and London to developments across the global economy, Daybreak Europe connects the dots between power, policy and money.
Hosted by Stephen Carroll in Brussels and Caroline Hepker in London, and powered by Bloomberg&rsquo;s global network of more than 3,000 journalists and analysts, the podcast goes beyond headlines to explain what is changing, why it matters and what could come next.
Trusted by professionals, business leaders and investors, but made for anyone curious about how economics and politics shape everyday life, Bloomberg Daybreak Europe&nbsp;is the essential way to start your morning informed and ahead.

Bloomberg Daybreak: Europe Edition

Fed's Hawkish Turn, Meta Resists Age Limits, Denmark's Diet Economy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c5e12fdc-5e45-4cb1-bc85-b3f6006b2c24/transcript