Americans Flocked to RedNote as the TikTok Ban Loomed. Will the Party Last?
The US ban on TikTok saw millions of users – predominantly Americans – flock to another Chinese social media platform: Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote. So far, the vibe between Chinese and American users has been convivial. But can the good times last? On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha is joined by a TikTok user from Mississippi who recently joined RedNote and by Bloomberg reporter Gao Yuan to discuss what this sudden influx means for the app, its users and China’s censorship machine. Read more: TikTok Refugees in US Test Xi’s Firewall While Embracing ChineseFurther listening: Inside Microsoft’s Censorship of Bing in ChinaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
21 Jan 17min
The Second Trump Era Begins
On Monday at the US Capitol, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th American President. He then took to the podium to make his inaugural address and, shortly after, gave a rally-style speech for his supporters. Today on the show, Washington, DC bureau chief Peggy Collins joins host Sarah Holder to discuss what Trump’s first remarks say about his priorities for the next four years. Read more: Trump Inaugural Speech Vows ‘Golden Age’ to Reverse US DeclineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
21 Jan 18min
Antony Blinken: The Exit Interview
In his final month as the United States’ chief diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken raced around the globe, responding to conflicts in the Middle East and the latest developments in the war in Ukraine. During a stop in New York, he sat down with host David Gura to talk about how he is preparing to hand over the country’s sprawling foreign policy portfolio to the incoming Trump administration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
18 Jan 18min
Janet Yellen: The Exit Interview
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has been a fixture in the economic policy world for decades. She was President Clinton’s chief economic adviser, a Federal Reserve governor and served as Fed Chair under President Obama. As her tenure at Treasury comes to an end, Yellen sits down with host David Gura to discuss the possibility of additional sanctions on Russian oil and communication between the US and China, and she reflects on her long career as a pioneering economic policymaker.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
18 Jan 17min
Gary Gensler: The Exit Interview
Gary Gensler’s tenure as Wall Street’s top regulator is coming to an end, and the US Securities and Exchange Commission chair is reflecting on his time at the agency. In an interview with host David Gura, Gensler responds to his critics, discusses his concerns about AI, China and crypto — and shares the advice he gave President-elect Trump’s pick to replace him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
18 Jan 16min
What Higher Bond Yields Mean for Markets and Everyday Borrowers
The relentless rise in government bond yields has Wall Street worried. Higher treasury yields can impact borrowing costs on everything from mortgage rates to auto loans. Today on the show, host David Gura talks to Bloomberg’s Liz McCormick about why bond yields have been climbing, and what the consequences could be for consumers, markets and the economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
17 Jan 18min
The Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal and What Comes Next
After 15 months of a grueling war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives, Israel and Hamas agreed to phase one of a ceasefire deal on Wednesday. The agreement will create a pause in fighting that will allow critical aid to reach Gaza, and begin an exchange of hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. But the next phases of negotiations are expected to be more complicated — and it’s unclear if this pause in fighting will hold. On today’s Big Take podcast, Israel bureau chief Ethan Bronner and Fares Alghoul, who covers Gaza, join host Sarah Holder to discuss the details of the ceasefire deal, how it finally came together, and what lies ahead for Israel, Gaza and the region. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
16 Jan 18min
South Korea Has Plenty of Botox But Not Enough Doctors
A record 600,000 people traveled to South Korea for medical procedures in 2023, with roughly half of those visiting dermatology and plastic surgery clinics. On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host Rebecca Choong Wilkins talks to Bloomberg's Oanh Ha about the rise of the medical tourism industry, and how it’s colliding with a shrinking supply of doctors and a struggling medical system. Further listening: Netflix’s Big Bet On ‘Squid Game’See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
14 Jan 15min
