Big Take

The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo may have been spreading for months, according to the World Health Organization. On this week’s episode of the Next Africa Podcast, Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by healthcare reporter Janice Kew and Congo Country Director for the Danish Refugee Council, Caitlin Brady. They discuss the impact of aid cuts on the outbreak and how serious the crisis could get. For more stories from the region, sign up for the Next Africa newsletter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beyond this month's talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, there’s an epic tale that has been unfolding for decades. It’s a battle to be the world’s number one power and a much bigger story than the latest meeting of these two men. Kishore Mahbubani is a former Singaporean diplomat who served as president of the United Nations Security Council. For two decades, he has argued that the West fundamentally misunderstands the rise of China and its challenge to American supremacy. Mahbubani, who eventually turned to academia, now specializes in governance and public policy. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, he traces the story behind the Xi-Trump talks, the handshakes and the social media posts–and what may lie ahead. Mahbubani also reveals how his own successes were made possible by Singapore’s remarkable growth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The global bond market buckled over the past week. Yields on 30-year US Treasuries hit their highest level in almost 20 years, while long-term debt yields in the UK and Japan reached multi-decade highs. It’s a signaling effect, Bloomberg’s Enda Curran says, that investors around the world are increasingly convinced higher inflation is here to stay. On today’s Big Take podcast, Curran and host David Gura discuss how supply shocks from the Iran war feed into longer-term inflation concerns, how AI might provide a way out for the global economy — and what this rout in the bond market means for the Federal Reserve, its new chair and the rest of us. Listen more: The Great Bond Car Wreck — in Slow Motion Read more: $50 Trillion Safe-Haven Debt Market Upended by Iran War Inflation We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Enda Curran, Mark Schroers, Ye Xie and Jorgelina Do Rosario; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Graduation is here — but the jobs aren’t. On today’s Big Take podcast, we check in with recent graduates facing a brutal hiring landscape where 42% are underemployed. We look at what’s driving today’s low-hire, low-quit market, how the AI boom could hamper the job search and what happens when top-tier students finish school without a clear path forward. Read more: A Dozen Young Job Hunters on What It Takes to Get HiredWhy More College Graduates Are Stuck in Jobs That Don’t Require Degrees Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Marin Cogan; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For months, Democrats and Republicans have been locked in a fierce battle over the way districts are drawn across the US. As both parties try to gain an edge ahead of midterms in November, efforts to redistrict could reshape Congress in the final two years of Trump’s second term — and regional economies for decades to come. On today’s Big Take podcast, guest host Stacey Vanek Smith hears from Virginia Democratic Representative Don Beyer, economist Julianne Malveaux and Bloomberg’s Greg Giroux about how the race to redistrict America could affect everything from representation to economics. Read more: What the Virginia Court Ruling Means for Democrats We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Stacey Vanek Smith; Produced by David Fox with help from Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Greg Giroux; Edited by Aaron Edwards and Tracey Samuelson. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son has made a $60 billion bet on OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman – a commitment that has some insiders worried. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg’s Min-Jeong Lee about how Son became captivated by Altman and what’s at stake for his reputation – and the company – as the AI race intensifies. We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Watch, from Originals: The Troubled Saga of Masa Son's $100 Billion Fund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trade was one of the most contentious issues heading into the Beijing summit between Presidents Trump and Xi. But while the summit generated “good vibes” between the two, it ended with few clear directives, especially regarding trade and tariffs. On today’s Big Take podcast, Brendan Murray, who leads Bloomberg’s trade coverage, sits down with host Sarah Holder to discuss the trade takeaways from last week’s Beijing summit. Can China’s constructive strategic stability plan, or a proposed US-China trade council, calm the waters? And where does the relationship stand with the prospect of more deals—and new tariffs—on the horizon? Read more: Trump-Xi ‘Placeholder’ Summit Leaves Room for Tensions to Reignite Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Brendan Murray; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky and Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazon is everywhere, from your doorstep to outer space. So, what is the current state of the Everything Store? This week on Everybody's Business, hosts Max Chafkin and Stacey Vanek Smith look at the company that is more utility than retailer with Bloomberg Businessweek editor-in-chief Brad Stone. Plus, have you wondered why the stock market has been doing so well even though lots of things don't seem to be going great at home or abroad? Author and economic commentator Kyla Scanlon explains why the record highs keep coming even as oil prices double and the job market is at a standstill. And: a special guest gives us an underrated story that makes the case for booing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tensions between the US and China have deepened since the last time a US president traveled to Beijing for a summit, in 2017. President Trump’s return to China, in a swirl of dinners and festivities, generated positive optics for host and guest alike, but brought less apparent progress on some of the biggest bilateral sticking points, from tariffs and trade to US arms sales to Taiwan. On today’s Big Take podcast, Big Take Asia host K. Oanh Ha talks to China Executive Editor John Liu and White House Correspondent Jeff Mason, who were both on the ground in Beijing, about the summit’s deals, sticking points and unfinished business. Read more: Bloomberg’s Trump-Xi Summit PageWinners and Losers From Trump and Xi’s Beijing Summit Talks We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Yang Yang and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Jeff Mason and John Liu; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The oldest Gen Alphas are still in high school, but some of the early reviews have been scathing. Unruly. Nihilistic. Bad at reading. Yet when Bloomberg Businessweek’s Stacey Vanek Smith dug into the research, she emerged with a more optimistic view on the most online generation yet. Tech savvy. Globally minded. Also, preternaturally good at skincare. On today’s Big Take podcast, Smith tells host David Gura about the cohort that accounts for $100 billion a year in direct spending power in the US alone – and what it might look like when it begins to enter the workforce. Read more: Gen Alpha Can’t Be Ignored We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Stacey Vanek Smith; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year has seen an uptick in falsified videos and other online disinformation with a common theme: advancing Kremlin interests. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg investigative reporter Stephanie Baker tells Sarah Holder how she identified nearly 200 social media posts and videos that bear the hallmarks of a Russian influence operation that researchers call Storm-1516. Baker, who has written extensively about Russia and is the author of Punishing Putin, explains why so few of these posts are factchecked in real time — and what that lack of oversight means for the US as it prepares for this year’s midterms. Read more: The Most Potent Weapon in Russia’s Disinformation War We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Stephanie Baker and Priyanjana Bengani ; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite India facing economic headwinds, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party defied expectations with a stunning state election sweep — capped by a historic win in opposition stronghold West Bengal. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks to Bloomberg’s Menaka Doshi about how the BJP secured a shock victory and what an emboldened Modi might mean for India and the world. We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Read more: Resurgent Modi Paves Way to Keep Power in India Well Beyond 2030 Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Naomi Ng, Yang Yang; Reported by Menaka Doshi; Edited by Paddy Hirsch. Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky, Yang Yang; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After eight years as chair of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell’s term concludes this week. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura sits down with Bloomberg Fed correspondents Catarina Saraiva and Amara Omeokwe to look back at Powell’s successes, missteps and legacy — and what shape the central bank could take in the future. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Amara Omeokwe and Catarina Saraiva; Edited by Paddy Hirsch. Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Alex Suguira. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a high-stakes Trump–Xi summit looms, tensions over the Iran war and defiance of US sanctions threaten to derail what could be one of the year’s most consequential meetings. On Trumponomics, Bloomberg's Stephanie Flanders is joined by Jennifer Welch, chief geoeconomics analyst for Bloomberg Economics and Bloomberg News executive editor Dan Ten Kate to unpack whether the talks will happen—and what’s really at stake for the global economy if they do. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supporters of the Make America Healthy Again movement helped put President Trump in office for a second term. But just months ahead of the US midterm elections, key voices in the coalition say they feel betrayed. On today’s Big Take podcast, guest host Tim Stenovec and Bloomberg Businessweek’s Deena Shanker track MAHA’s growing frustrations with the White House, from the fallout over Trump’s decision to pull Casey Means as nominee for surgeon general to a contentious battle over weed killer — and what it could mean for Trump’s record-low approval ratings. Read more: Outrage Over Pesticides Is Alienating Some Trump Voters Further listening: Welch’s Fruit Snacks Get a MAHA-Friendly Makeover We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Tim Stenovec; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Deena Shanker; Edited by Aaron Edwards and Nicole Beemsterboer. Fact-checking by Naomi Ng and Yang Yang; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Federal Reserve in the United States has struggled to return inflation to its 2% target while navigating criticism from President Trump and scrutiny from the Department of Justice. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura and Bloomberg’s Maria Eloisa Capurro discuss her interview with Boston Fed President Susan Collins. They explore inflation, the economic fallout of the conflict in Iran, and how the US central bank might evolve under Kevin Warsh’s leadership. Read more: Fed’s Collins Agreed With FOMC Dissenters Over Statement We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Maria Eloisa Capurro; Edited by Julia Weaver. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can NASA put astronauts on the moon in 2028? Why does the US need a lunar base? NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman joins guest host Tim Stenovec on today’s Big Take podcast episode to discuss the new space race with China, how NASA can compete for talent with SpaceX and Blue Origin – and why he doesn’t think we’re alone in the universe. Read more: www.bloomberg.com/space We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Tim Stenovec; Produced by Julia Press; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky Lewis-Krisky and Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s decision to block Meta’s $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus stunned the global AI industry. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg’s Newley Purnell and Lulu Chen about how the deal crumbled and what it signals for Chinese startups trying to go global. Read more: China’s Meta Backlash Renders Manus Model ‘Officially Dead’ Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Yang Yang and Naomi Ng; Reported by Newley Purnell and Lulu Chen; Edited by Paddy Hirsch. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For global airlines, this year was supposed to be a big one. The industry projected record profits — backed by more than 5 billion passengers — and a busy summer travel season ahead. But then came the war in Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and major disruptions to global jet fuel supplies. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Global Aviation Editorial Leader Benedikt Kammel joins Sarah Holder to discuss the growing jet fuel crunch: how airlines are scrambling to absorb billions in unexpected expenses, which markets and routes are most affected by the squeeze and how disruptions stemming from the war could reshape the industry (and your summer travel plans). We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Benedikt Kammel; Edited by Tracey Samuelson. Fact-checking by Editorial team; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more than 30 years, the Indian-born writer Amitav Ghosh has built a global following with novels that draw on deep historical research. But his latest offering, Ghost-Eye, is more esoteric. The plot moves back and forth between India and the US, using past lives to explore the ties between the personal and the political. The plot centers on a psychiatrist treating a 3-year-old who shocks her family by insisting she remembers a past life in a fishing community. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Ghosh explains why he’s finding it harder to write nowadays, how the memories of his childhood came flooding back during the Covid pandemic, why he sees capitalism as an obstacle to protecting the environment and thinks India has lost its way diplomatically. Read this interview with Mishal’s notes on Bloomberg Weekend: www.bloomberg.com/latest/weekend-interview We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.