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

On today's podcast:

(1) HSBC announced a fresh stock buyback and raised its cost-cutting target as it reported second-quarter earnings that beat estimates despite China’s crackdown on cross-border wealth flows.

(2) The Rhine River’s water levels dropped to the lowest in nearly 150 years as hot, dry weather grips Europe, threatening to disrupt a crucial route for transporting coal, fuel and industrial commodities across a large swath of the continent. 

(3) President Donald Trump said his latest offer of talks is a “last chance” for Iran after he called off what he said was a major attack on the Islamic Republic.

(4) The Iran war's impact is unfolding across Asia and it's visible from space. Bloomberg Economics analysis of NASA satellite imagery found that nearly 60% of the land area in the region experienced abnormal declines in nighttime radiance since the conflict began.

(5) The EU will try to restore unity today at a meeting of home affairs ministers, after Spain's migrant crisis exposed deep divisions within the bloc.

(6) Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s call for the Federal Reserve to boost a facility that Japan can use to support its currency has put renewed attention on the ties between the two institutions, which typically operate at arm’s length.

(7) Apple is yet again challenging the UK government in court over its attempts to access the encrypted data of customers, including iPhone users, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Podcast Conversation: Americans Are Rethinking Their Love Affair With Plant Milks

Your morning briefing. All the news you need to start your day. On today's podcast: (1) HSBC announced a fresh stock buyback and raised its cost-cutting target as it reported second-quarter earnings that beat estimates despite China&rsquo;s crackdown on cross-border wealth flows. (2) The Rhine River&rsquo;s water levels dropped to the lowest in nearly 150 years as hot, dry weather grips Europe, threatening to disrupt a crucial route for transporting coal, fuel and industrial commodities across a large swath of the continent. (3) President Donald Trump said his latest offer of talks is a &ldquo;last chance&rdquo; for Iran after he called off what he said was a major attack on the Islamic Republic. (4) The Iran war's impact is unfolding across Asia and it's visible from space. Bloomberg Economics analysis of NASA satellite imagery found that nearly 60% of the land area in the region experienced abnormal declines in nighttime radiance since the conflict began. (5) The EU will try to restore unity today at a meeting of home affairs ministers, after Spain's migrant crisis exposed deep divisions within the bloc. (6) Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent&rsquo;s call for the Federal Reserve to boost a facility that Japan can use to support its currency has put renewed attention on the ties between the two institutions, which typically operate at arm&rsquo;s length. (7) Apple is yet again challenging the UK government in court over its attempts to access the encrypted data of customers, including iPhone users, according to two people familiar with the matter. Podcast Conversation: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-03/dairy-free-milk-sales-in-decline-as-americans-choose-cow-s-milk">Americans Are Rethinking Their Love Affair With Plant Milks</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

HSBC's $1 Billion Reward, Darkness Falls Across Asia, Big AI Bets Divide Funds

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fa58a98c-cca6-4f1b-9e19-b49c006279e0/transcript