What Was That Chinese Balloon Really Up To?

A global selloff in long-dated bonds — including 30-year UK gilts, US Treasuries and Japanese government bonds — has deepened. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura, Bloomberg Economics’ Jamie Rush and FX reporter Mia Glass in Japan discuss what happened this week in UK and Japan bond auctions — and what it all means for the global economy. Read more: Global Bond Selloff Deepens With Longer Debt Leading Losses See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 Syys 18min

Beijing is holding its first military parade since 2019, showcasing the strength of China’s armed forces. Underneath the show of power, a Bloomberg investigation has found President Xi Jinping is orchestrating the biggest purge of military leadership since Mao Zedong. On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg's John Liu about the dramatic restructuring of China’s military and what this sweeping shakeup could mean for the rest of the world. Read more: Xi Unleashes China’s Biggest Purge of Military Leaders Since Mao Further listening: The Shadowy Fleet of Tankers Moving Iranian Oil to China Tensions Are Growing in the South China SeaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Syys 16min

The dismantling of USAID is contributing to a 17% drop in foreign aid this year. That’s put some of the world’s worst conflicts in competition with each other for attention and resources. On today’s episode of the Big Take, Crisis Group CEO Comfort Ero joins host David Gura to discuss what this drop-off in funding has meant on the ground in the places that need it most — and why it’s so hard to sell developed countries on increasing their foreign aid budgets right now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Syys 16min

Nearly half a million people die every year as a result of extreme heat. That’s more than the total from hurricanes, earthquakes and floods combined. And as the planet warms the risk of deadly heat is only increasing. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Zahra Hirji brings Sarah Holder a dispatch from a lab at the forefront of understanding how heat affects the human body. They break down the latest science on deadly heat, why everyone is at more risk than they realize — and what actually works to mitigate those risks. Read more: Scientist Shuts Himself in 104F Chamber in Quest to Study Heat StressSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

29 Elo 13min

Gamblers on prediction sites like Polymarket and Kalshi are already trying to cash in on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement — betting on everything from their wedding timeline to her next single. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder sits down with Bloomberg personal finance reporter Francesca Maglione and wealth reporter Annie Massa to dig into what a high-profile engagement can teach us about the rapidly growing predictions industry, the challenges with regulating it and who’s investing in its future.An earlier version of this episode included an incorrect reference to an investor in prediction markets. Read more: Taylor Swift Engagement Ignites Bets on Super Bowl and a Baby The Taylor Swift Wedding Trade See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 Elo 15min

South Korean shipyards are busier than they’ve been in years. Seoul and Washington are working to finalize a new trade deal that will include a $150 billion commitment to help stimulate the US shipbuilding industry. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Weilun Soon about whether the US-South Korea shipbuilding alliance could help President Trump achieve his US shipbuilding dreams, what South Korea stands to gain from the investment – and if it will be enough to disrupt China’s maritime dominance. Read more: South Korea’s $150 Billion Bet on Trump’s Shipbuilding DreamSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

27 Elo 16min

President Donald Trump shared a letter on social media Monday night, addressed to Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook stating he had made the decision to remove her from her position. It immediately launched a legal fight over the validity of Trump’s move and raised concerns about the future of Fed independence. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg international economics and policy correspondent Michael McKee joins host Sarah Holder to discuss the immediate fallout — and the potential long term ramifications. Read more: Trump Moves to Fire Fed’s Cook, Setting Up Historic FightSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Elo 13min

This Friday, a big change is coming for the more than 4 million inexpensive packages that enter the US daily from abroad: President Donald Trump is ending the de minimis exemption, a loophole that has allowed cheap goods to pass through customs tariff-free for nearly 90 years. It’s a blow to millions of online shoppers, small businesses on platforms like Etsy and postal services worldwide — many of which have already paused small-package shipments to the US. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Laura Curtis joins host Sarah Holder to break down the demise of de minimis: Why ending the carve-out for goods deemed too small to matter is actually a big deal for consumers — and what happens next. Read More: Mail Carriers Pause US Deliveries as Tariff Shift Sows ConfusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 Elo 12min