Big Take

The Big Take from Bloomberg News brings you inside what’s shaping the world's economies with the smartest and most informed business reporters around the world. The context you need on the stories that can move markets. Every afternoon.

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Weekend Listen: Nobel Laureate Believes US Pressure on Maduro Is the Only Way Sunday, November 2, 2025

Three weeks after being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado finds herself supporting US intervention in her native country. Mishal speaks to Maria Corina on recent US boat strikes, Nicolas Maduro’s fate and the need for strength to secure peace. 03:24 - "I had to go into hiding"03:51 - Impact of the Nobel Peace Prize05:38 - US Military build up10:21 - Prospect of US ground strikes13:10 - Is Machado speaking to the Trump Administration?16:00 - Prospect of regime change18:50 - Venezuela after Maduro23:04 - Machado's economic vision26:04 - What is the Venezuelan opposition planning next?28:23 - "We are ready to take our government"34:22 - Why Machado thinks this time is different Watch this podcast https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe4PRejZgr0Ns_wjGlmjlPz0cded0nTYS You can find the written version of this interview with Mishal’s notes on Bloomberg Weekend: https://www.bloomberg.com/latest/weekend-interview Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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WNBA Players Want More of the League’s Revenue. Can They Get It? Friday, October 31, 2025

The WNBA is bigger than ever. From soaring ticket sales and to record TV viewership, the W is one of the fastest-growing sports leagues in the world. But since last year, the WNBA and its players’ union have been in tense negotiations over the cut that players get from that success. A deadline to reach a deal has been extended another 30 days, but the sticking points remain. On today’s Big Take Podcast, Bloomberg reporter Jennah Haque, Good Game host Sarah Spain and Seattle Storm Guard Lexie Brown break down the state of play, from proposals on the table for revenue sharing to questions about the league’s financial picture. Read more: As Billions of Dollars Pour Into Women’s Sports, Players Seek a Bigger Cut Further listening: Good Game with Sarah Spain Full Circle with Lexie Brown & Mariah Rose—Power to the Players See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Trump Got an ‘Amazing’ Meeting. China Got Much-Needed Time Thursday, October 30, 2025

On Thursday, President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping of China announced a one-year truce in their trade war, capping six contentious months of negotiations and retaliatory tariffs between the world’s two largest economies. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Global Trade Editor Brendan Murray and Executive China Editor John Liu join host David Gura to parse the details of the new US-China trade agreement — and why both countries are moving forward without a permanent deal. Read more: Trump and Xi Put Limits on Their Trade War in a ‘12 Out of 10’ SummitSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Is the Fed Flying Blind? Wednesday, October 29, 2025

On Wednesday, the US Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points, following its 25-basis-point cut in September. But amid a government shutdown limiting key data and questions about who will succeed Chair Jerome Powell, what comes next is anyone’s guess. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporters Amara Omeokwe and Enda Curran join host David Gura to break down the path forward for the central bank: from the shutdown’s impact on its decision-making to the leading contenders for Powell’s position when his term ends in May. Read more: Powell Says December Rate Cut ‘Far From’ Forgone Conclusion Here Are the Five Contenders to Replace Powell as Fed Chair The Economic Data Lost in a ShutdownSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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An American Toymaker Struggles to Break Up With China Tuesday, October 28, 2025

The US-China tariff war has upended global manufacturing, forcing companies like Chicago-based Learning Resources to fundamentally change how and where its products are made. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, K. Oanh Ha heads to Vietnam, where the toymaker has begun shifting the production of its popular children’s toys. We examine how the company is managing its complex shift from China – where its toys have been made for decades – what the factory boom means for communities on the ground in Vietnam and how all of this will impact consumers. Further listening: The American Toymaker Suing Trump Over Destructive TariffsXi’s Top Bargaining Chip Is a Trade War Game ChangerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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New York’s MTA Chief on Trump’s Funding Threats Monday, October 27, 2025

Running North America’s largest transportation network is no easy task. Janno Lieber, the CEO and Chair of New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is in charge of everything from upgrading ancient train infrastructure to advancing long-delayed expansion plans. He’s now also dealing with potential federal funding cuts for two of his agency’s signature projects – expanding the Second Avenue Subway into East Harlem and building a new commuter rail tunnel to connect New York and New Jersey. Today on the show, Lieber sits down with host Sarah Holder to discuss his approach to running the agency in the face of these threats, his thoughts on NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s free bus proposal, and his advice for other cities who want to up their public transit ambitions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Weekend Listen: Nigel Farage Thinks Britain Has Had Too Many Unifiers Sunday, October 26, 2025

After successfully pushing for Brexit, political disruptor Nigel Farage announced his retirement. Last year, he returned to frontline politics as the leader of Reform UK, an insurgent party that’s never held national power but is now polling ahead of Labour and the Conservatives. Mishal speaks with Farage about dismantling consensus politics, Britain’s future relationship with the European Union and what he thinks Donald Trump is getting right. 4:02 - “We’ve not had enough change”7:10 - Working in the City of London in the 1980s11:46 Alignment with the European Union13:33 “Everything in life’s about risk”16:24 “Make Britain Great Again”21:00 The Bank of England25:19 “Putin is a very bad dude”30:15 Immigration and ICE raids35:12 Economic plans46:14 Reading to prepare for government Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe4PRejZgr0Ns_wjGlmjlPz0cded0nTYSYou can find the written version of this interview with Mishal’s notes on Bloomberg Weekend: https://www.bloomberg.com/latest/weekend-interview Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.netSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Shutdown Day 23 Friday, October 24, 2025

On day 23 of the second-longest government shutdown in American history, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sits down with Big Take Host David Gura to talk about the shutdown, the NYC mayoral race and cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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How Did an Alaska Native Corporation Become an ICE Detention Giant? Thursday, October 23, 2025

Over the last decade, Nana Regional Corp. — an Alaska Native corporation based in a small community roughly 30 miles north of the Arctic Circle — has won contracts worth more than $1 billion to run and support ICE detention facilities around the US. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg investigative reporter Polly Mosendz and KOTZ news director Desiree Hagen look into how a company that once focused on local Alaskan industries, like mining and hospitality, became an ICE detention giant — and why some shareholders are starting to push back. This story was reported in collaboration with KOTZ and Alaska Public Media. KOTZ, a partner station of Alaska Public Media, has received donations from local businesses, including Nana, in the past. Read more: Distant ICE Detention Centers Bring Money—and Anger—to an Alaska Native CommunityWhy Small Towns Are Hooked on ICE DetentionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Xi’s Rare Earths Bargaining Chip Is a Trade War Game Changer Wednesday, October 22, 2025

China’s dominance of rare earths has given Xi Jinping powerful leverage over Donald Trump ahead of their expected meeting next week. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha and Bloomberg’s Daniel Ten Kate dig into how China is weaponizing rare earths and what the economic standoff means for a trade deal and the future of US-China relations. Read more: Xi Is Never Giving Up His Newfound Leverage Over TrumpFurther listening: Xi’s Bromance Diplomacy Is Challenging Trump’s World OrderThe Rebel Army Behind One of the World’s Major Rare-Earth SuppliesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The Race to Buy Warner Bros. Discovery Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Some of the biggest names in tech and Hollywood are training their sights on Warner Bros. Discovery, the media and entertainment conglomerate that owns HBO Max, CNN and TNT. The first party to make an offer was Paramount Skydance, the newly-merged company helmed by David Ellison. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw joins host David Gura to share his reporting on why Ellison wants to buy Warner Bros. Discovery — and what more consolidation would mean for Hollywood, the news business and consumers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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A Brazen, 7-Minute Jewelry Heist at the Louvre Monday, October 20, 2025

In just seven minutes, thieves in France made off with a cache of royal necklaces, tiaras and earrings in a robbery at Paris’s famous Louvre — shutting down the world’s busiest museum and setting off an international manhunt. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura and Bloomberg’s Paris Bureau Chief Alan Katz on the brazen theft that evokes a Hollywood caper, the latest in the investigation and what might happen to the priceless jewels. Read more: A 7-Minute Louvre Heist Leaves Behind DNA and Dropped CrownSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Weekend Listen: Mishal Husain Interviews Canadian PM Mark Carney Sunday, October 19, 2025

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney talks to Mishal Husain about trade battles, Vladimir Putin's miscalculations and what he's learned from Donald Trump. You can find the written version of this interview with Mishal’s notes on Bloomberg Weekend: https://www.bloomberg.com/latest/weekend-interview Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.netSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Amex v. Chase: Who Will Win the Battle for America’s Top Shoppers? Friday, October 17, 2025

The competition for America’s wealthiest shoppers is heating up, with credit card companies like American Express and Chase using every perk in the book to enroll new cardholders. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Amanda Mull tracks how the leading credit card companies are using perks, promotions and points to win the business of the 10 percent of Americans responsible for nearly 50 percent of the country’s discretionary spending. Who will win this high-stakes game – and what’s the cost to the rest of us? Read more: Inside the Credit Card Battle to Win America’s Richest Shoppers Take Bloomberg’s Quiz: Which Premium Credit Card Is Right For You? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Why Global Economic Leaders Are Predicting a Slowdown Thursday, October 16, 2025

This week, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are holding their annual meetings in Washington, DC and so is the Institute of International Finance. It’s brought a who’s who of central bankers and finance ministers to the US capital — in the midst of a government shutdown — to discuss the most pressing issues facing the global economy. Bloomberg reporters and editors from all over the world have also made the pilgrimage to Washington, including Brendan Murray, who oversees global trade coverage, along with Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway, the hosts of Odd Lots. On today’s Big Take podcast, they join host David Gura to share what they’re hearing at official events and on the sidelines of these meetings and what it reveals about the health of the economy and global markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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What’s Driving The Rush to Invest in Gold Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Gold always shines during uncertain times, but escalating tensions between the US and China and signals from the Federal Reserve that we could see at least one more rate cut this year have propelled gold – and silver – to record highs. Today on the Big Take, Bloomberg precious metals reporter Jack Ryan and host Sarah Holder talk about what’s pushing up gold’s value — and what history can teach us about how this gold rush could end. Read more: Gold (XAUUSD) Trades Near Record on Fed Rate-Cut Sign, US-China Tensions - BloombergSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Having a Baby? This Company Will Give You $72,000 Tuesday, October 14, 2025

South Korean companies are offering workers tens of thousands of dollars (tax free) to have babies. But are cash incentives enough to address the country’s record-low fertility rates? K. Oanh Ha and Bloomberg’s Hyonhee Shin explore on today’s Big Take Asia podcast. Read more: Korean Companies Pay Employees Huge Sums to Have More KidsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The Front Lines of Trump's Trade War? Look at Kentucky Monday, October 13, 2025

There’s an unexpected place starting to feel the impact of US President Donald Trump’s trade war: Kentucky. Bloomberg’s Josh Wingrove visited Governor Andy Beshear, the Democrat leading the red state, to understand the economic consequences tariffs have had on Kentucky’s manufacturing industry – and its iconic bourbon. Wingrove sits down with host Sarah Holder to talk about their conversation and his time in the bluegrass state. Read more: Kentucky Governor Grapples With Tariffs, Says 2028 Call Can Wait - BloombergSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The Rebel Army Behind One of the World’s Major Rare-Earth Supplies Friday, October 10, 2025

Myanmar is the world’s third-largest producer of rare earths and a critical supplier for neighboring China. But rebels have recently taken control of most of the country’s mines — creating a complicated situation for Beijing and for global supply chains. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha and reporter Timothy McLaughlin discuss the Kachin Independence Organization’s control of a majority of Myanmar’s rare-earth mines, how the change is shifting Myanmar's political dynamics and what the group’s growing influence could mean for the future of rare earths. Read more: A Rebel Army Is Building a Rare-Earth Empire on China’s BorderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The International Pressure That Led to the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Thursday, October 9, 2025

Escalating international and economic pressure led to a new peace deal in Gaza. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder is joined by Bloomberg’s Joumanna Bercetche, Fares Alghoul and Galit Altstein to discuss the factors that brought Israel and Hamas to the negotiating table, what they’ve agreed to so far and the outlook for the region after more than two years of war. Read more: Israel Says Gaza Ceasefire Now in Effect After Hostage DealSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.