The Big Take

Three years ago, Bob Lee, a tech executive famous for creating Cash App, was found stabbed in San Francisco. His killing set off a wave of online fury. Reporter Shawn Wen takes us back to the turbulent days before his killer was arrested, when misinformation and rumors ran rampant. Several tech industry leaders decried violent crime in San Francisco, including David Sacks, who “bet dollars to dimes” that Lee was stabbed by “a psychotic homeless person,” and Elon Musk, who called the city “horrific.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strait of Hormuz is now open. In a social media post Friday morning, Iran’s Foreign Minister wrote that Iran will be letting ships through the vital waterway for the duration of a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon. Oil prices fell, and President Trump celebrated. But Iran’s announcement came with a big caveat: Travel must use a “coordinated route,” specified by Iran. On today’s Big Take, host David Gura and Bloomberg’s Middle East breaking news editor, Patrick Sykes, talk through Iran’s dramatic reversal, how open the Strait of Hormuz really is — and how long the latest ceasefire might hold. This is a developing story. We are live blogging at Bloomberg.com with the latest from across the globe. We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky and David Fox; Reported by Patrick Sykes; Edited by Tracey Samuelson. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate 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.

The atmosphere was grim at this week’s IMF and World Bank spring meetings, as global central bankers grappled with economic shocks from the war in Iran, AI and mounting debt. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura sits down with Stephanie Flanders — Bloomberg’s head of Economics and Politics and host of Trumponomics — and senior economic writer Shawn Donnan to discuss the IMF’s revised global growth forecast and whether governments are equipped to contain the next economic crisis. Read more: The World’s Anti-Recession Guardrails Are Weaker Than Ever We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Stephanie Flanders and Shawn Donnan; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act brought about a host of changes to US tax policy, from tax breaks on tips and overtime to an increased cap on state and local tax deductions, also known as SALT. But are Americans feeling the shifts on tax day? On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura and Bloomberg reporter Ben Steverman dig into how the president’s second-term tax provisions are playing out, and what a lower-than-expected increase on the average return could mean for the Republican Party heading into midterms later this year. Read more: The Salary Penalty: Why Trump’s Tax Bill Hits a Banker Harder Than a Plumber Tax Refunds Are Up, But Many Americans Aren’t Feeling It People Are Using Claude to Do Their Taxes (But Maybe They Shouldn’t) Further listening: Taxes Are Due Soon. Should the Rich Pay More? 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 Ben Steverman; Edited by Aaron Edwards. 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 ceasefire between the US and Iran is set to expire next week and the US is trying a different tactic to pressure Iran into a deal: a naval blockade. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Economics defense lead Becca Wasser and Bloomberg Middle East Breaking News editor Patrick Sykes join Sarah Holder to break down how the US’s naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz works, what could happen if it’s tested and how this latest pressure move could influence another round of Iran-US peace talks. Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Becca Wasser and Patrick Sykes; Edited by Paddy Hirsch. 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.

Hungarians handed Prime Minister Viktor Orbán a resounding defeat in Sunday’s parliamentary elections. Peter Magyar and his upstart Tisza won the election by a landslide on the promise of ending years of corruption and the ‘illiberal democracy’ that became synonymous with Orbán’s tenure. On today’s Big Take podcast, former US Ambassador David Pressman sits down with Sarah Holder to discuss what Orbán’s loss means for Hungary’s economy and political institutions, how a new leader could reshape its relationships with the EU and Russia and why President Trump and the MAGA movement are paying close attention. Read more: Hungarian Stocks and Forint Jump as Orban Loss Starts New Era We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Andras Gergely; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by David Fox 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.

A core US demand heading into peace talks with Iran this weekend will be reopening the Strait of Hormuz, where a near-total shipping shutdown has led to rising global oil prices and threatened supplies of food, plastics, packaging and semiconductors. On today’s Big Take podcast, Sarah Holder speaks with Tracy Alloway and Joe Weisenthal, hosts of Bloomberg’s Odd Lots podcast, about how the Hormuz shutdown is reverberating around commodities markets — and the lasting mark it could leave on the global supply chain even after ships start moving again. For more Odd Lots episodes on Iran and commodities, check out: How War in Iran Will Squeeze America's Farmers Even Further - Odd Lots The Petrochemicals Shock That's Already Rippling Through Plastics - Odd Lots Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky. Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and Julia Press; Engineering by Katie McMurran. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Need a little ‘moon joy’? Over the past eight days, four astronauts on NASA's Artemis II mission have been flying through the cosmos, breaking records for human spaceflight and sharing never-before-seen images from the dark side of the moon. On today’s Big Take podcast, guest host Stacey Vanek Smith and Bloomberg global space reporter Loren Grush talk about what the mission means for the future of galactic exploration and the burgeoning “lunar economy.” Read more: NASA’s Breathtaking Photos From Far Side of the Moon Evoke Wonder and Awe NASA Crew Heads Back to Earth After Record Trip Around Moon If you're interested in reading more but aren't yet a Bloomberg subscriber, we have a subscription offer for listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Stacey Vanek Smith; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Loren Grush; Edited by Aaron Edwards. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In just over a decade, Tether has grown from an idea into a global crypto juggernaut, poised to become one of the world’s most highly valued private companies. But where did its dollar-linked stablecoin come from and where is it headed? On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Todd Gillespie and guest host Stacey Vanek Smith unpack one of the most powerful companies you’ve (maybe) never heard of. Read more: With Billions to Spend, Tether Finds New Allies in Washington As Lutnick Sold Cantor to His Children, Tether Gave Them a Loan Hosted by Stacey Vanek Smith; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Todd Gillespie, Ryan Weeks, Annie Massa; Edited by Aaron Edwards, Janet Paskin. Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky, 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.

From London to California, calls to “tax the rich” are growing. But what are they calling for in practice, and how are governments responding? On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg reporters Charlie Wells and Laura Nahmias about the fight over taxes for the world’s wealthiest, and what a political tussle between New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York Governor Kathy Hochul reveals about the hurdles some measures are facing. Read more: ‘Soak the Rich’ Battle Cry Is Rising From London to California We’re also closely watching US President Donald Trump’s threats to Iran today, after he posted on Truth Social that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.” Trump’s deadline for a deal with Iran, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, is 8 p.m. ET.This is a developing story. We are live blogging at Bloomberg.com with the latest from across the globe. You can also listen to the latest at Bloomberg News Now. We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Charlie Wells, Laura Nahmias; Edited by Aaron Edwards. 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.

President Trump intensified his threats on Iran Tuesday morning posting on Truth Social, "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again."This escalation follows a post on Monday saying the US would attack its bridges and power facilities if it failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic by 8pm ET Tuesday night. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder sits down with White House correspondent Courtney Subramanian to unpack the state of negotiations between the US and Iran, Tehran’s rejection of a temporary ceasefire and the mounting pressure from voters and international leaders.This is a developing story. We are live blogging at Bloomberg.com with the latest from across the globe. You can also listen at Bloomberg News Now.We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a month of fighting, President Trump took his case for war with Iran to the American people Wednesday night. In a prime-time address that sent energy markets surging, he promised both an imminent end to the conflict and two to three weeks of further intense military strikes. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder and Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Jeff Mason unpack the president’s brief, often contradictory speech. They discuss how it put investors and key allies on the back foot, what it could mean for the president’s agenda heading into the midterms and where the conflict goes from here.We are live blogging our coverage of the war with Iran at Bloomberg.com with the latest from across the globe. Here’s what else we’re watching today: Trump Ousts Bondi After Chaotic Tenure at Justice Department Blue Owl Limits Redemptions on Private Credit Funds After Massive Exit RequestsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump spoke for nearly 20 minutes from the White House, saying the US would hit Iran “extremely hard” in the next two to three weeks, and that he’d strike key infrastructure like electric plants if no deal is reached.Stocks fell and oil jumped on his comments, with Brent rising 5% as Trump talked about possible escalation and reiterated his call for other nations to step in to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This is a developing story. We are live blogging at Bloomberg.com with the latest from across the globe. You can also listen at Bloomberg Daybreak or Bloomberg News Now.We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fueled by a powerful mix of FOMO and a government drive to accelerate AI adoption, OpenClaw has exploded in popularity across China. But as these agentic systems gain sweeping access to personal data, reports of them “going rogue” are beginning to surface. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s Luz Ding and Bloomberg Opinion’s Catherine Thorbecke to dig into the rapid rise of agentic AI in China, why it has taken hold so quickly and the mounting security concerns pushing users and regulators to reassess the risks. Read more: There’s Method to China’s OpenClaw Madness China’s OpenClaw Obsession Is a Risky Gamble on Experimental AI Hosted by K. Oanh Ha Produced by Naomi Ng, Yang Yang Edited by Paddy Hirsch Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver Executive Producer: Nicole BeemsterboerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A month into the Iran War, the Trump administration continues to send mixed messages about when and how it will end. In addition to threats on electricity plants and oil wells if a deal isn’t reached, the president said he would consider destroying another piece of critical infrastructure: Iran’s water desalination plants. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg defense policy and intelligence reporter Peter Martin about the Middle East’s reliance on desalination, the potential humanitarian crisis that targeting the plants could spark and how that action could fly in the face of international law. Read more: How the Iran War Is Exposing the Risks to Gulf Water Supply US Expands Threats to Iran Energy, Water as It Hails Talks Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Peter Martin; 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.

SpaceX is preparing for liftoff. After months of speculation, the company could file for a historic IPO as early as this week — seeking $75 billion in funding that would push the company’s value to $1.75 trillion. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Tech’s Ed Ludlow joins David Gura to break down the timing of the mega-offering. They discuss the challenges SpaceX could face taking its Mars-focused mission public, how the move could push Elon Musk’s net worth past the $1 trillion mark and what this all means for everyday investors looking to get in on the action. Read more: Is SpaceX Worth $1.75 Trillion? Key Questions for Musk’s Big IPO Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Ed Ludlow; Edited by Tracey Samuelson and Jeffrey Grocott. 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.

BTS is back. After a near four-year hiatus, the K-pop icons returned with a historic Netflix event – the platform’s first concert live streamed from Asia. On today's Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha joins Bloomberg’s Sohee Kim and Lucas Shaw to discuss Netflix’s power move and how global streamers are fighting for dominance in the competitive Asian market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leaders in Washington and Tehran are on the clock, with about a month to wrap up the Iran war before it does greater damage to the global economy and their own political fates, according to retired Admiral James Stavridis. On today’s Big Take podcast with David Gura, Adm. Stavridis, the former head of US Southern Command and Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, outlines how the US troops heading to the region could help bring about a diplomatic resolution – or raise the risk of a longer conflict. Read more: Taking Kharg Island May Be a Big Risk for Little Reward Three Targets for US Boots on the Ground in Iran Iran Can Turn the Persian Gulf Into a Minefield Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate, Tracey Samuelson and Julia Press; Engineering by Katie McMurran. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just when it seemed that Netflix had clinched the deal to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Skydance Corp. swooped in with a $110 billion counter-offer that was ultimately too good for the studio to pass up. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw and Chris Palmeri take host Sarah Holder inside the behind-the-scenes negotiations that secured the deal for Paramount, how Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos explained his company’s decision to walk away – and the twists and turns that could still be coming in this story as two mega-studios become one. Read more: What the Paramount-Warner Merger Means for Hollywood David Ellison Used Political Ties, Deep Pockets to Buy Warner Bros.Netflix’s Co-CEO Explains Why He Quit the Warner Bros. FightSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two decades ago, a federal prosecutor in Florida spent two years investigating Jeffrey Epstein and urged her superiors to charge him. Her frustrations mounted as her boss, US Attorney Alex Acosta, pursued a now-infamous plea deal that allowed Epstein to serve just 13 months, much of it on work release. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg legal reporter David Voreacos joins host Sarah Holder to examine emails and evidence recently released by the Justice Department. They reveal Marie Villafaña’s exhaustive efforts to hold Epstein accountable — and how, despite years of credible evidence, he managed to slip through the cracks. Read more: Sex-Crimes Prosecutor's Repeated Pleas for Epstein's Arrest Were Denied Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by David Voreacos; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and David Fox; Engineering by Katie McMurran. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump says he believes he’ll have the “honor of taking Cuba.” As the island nation suffers from major blackouts and a US squeeze on its oil supply, its regime’s survival — and the country’s future broadly — is in question. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg reporters Eric Martin and Jim Wyss about the dire situation on the ground in Cuba, ongoing talks between the country’s leadership and the US and what could come next. Read more: Cuba Is Struggling to Keep Lights On Amid Trump’s Oil Blockade Can Cuba’s Regime Survive as US Chokes Oil Supplies? Trump’s Plan for Cuba Would Make the US the Island’s Patron Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Eric Martin, Jim Wyss; Edited by Aaron Edwards. 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.

As the war with Iran drags out and oil prices remain turbulent, it raises the question of whether — and how — prolonged conflict in the Middle East might impact global fossil fuel dependence and the future of renewable energy. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Todd Woody and Zero podcast host Akshat Rathi join Sarah Holder to discuss early signs that the high cost of oil is reigniting consumer interest in electronic vehicles and other clean energy technologies, and how companies and countries are beginning to respond. Read more: Surging Gas Prices Reignite EV Interest Listen more: What a $100-Per-Barrel Oil Spike Does to the Global Economy Zero Podcast: War with Iran is a nightmare for oil and gas. What does it mean for clean energy? Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Todd Woody and Akshat Rathi; Edited by Tracey Samuelson. 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.

In Episode 6 of The Sixth Bureau, a series from The Big Take, with spy Xu Yanjun in prison, the US government pursues some of his collaborators. Plus, host Jordan Robertson gets an unexpected call which leads to a big discovery. The Sixth Bureau from Bloomberg News follows an MSS intelligence officer whose mission was to acquire the crown jewels of American aerospace companies. With aliases, blackmail and the occasional break-in, he targeted corporate giants. That is, until his sloppiness — and a cunning FBI sting — led to a stunning reversal: Xu Yanjun became the first Chinese intelligence officer ever convicted on American soil. The Sixth Bureau is the story of superpowers, their secrets and how one Chinese spy got caught. Listen to Episodes 1 - 5 here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Has Iran laid mines across the Strait of Hormuz? With attacks on gas and oil facilities across the Middle East sending energy prices soaring, a key to restoring global oil supplies is ensuring the Strait of Hormuz is safe for tanker traffic. However, even the possibility that the area has been mined suggests that a recovery could be slow. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s global defense editor, Gerry Doyle, tells David Gura about the challenges of clearing mines — especially before the shooting stops. Read more: Mines, Missiles, and the Strait of Hormuz Mine-Sweeping Drones Don’t Eliminate The Risks For Clearing Hormuz Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Gerry Doyle; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Federal Open Market Committee announced this afternoon that it would hold interest rates steady. The decision comes in spite of spiking oil prices and new market uncertainty driven by the Iran War. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura sits down with Bloomberg Federal Reserve reporter Amara Omeokwe and Wharton professor and historian Peter Conti-Brown to discuss how the Fed is thinking about the Iran War and its impacts on the US economy — and what could shift its calculus in the months ahead. Read more: Fed to Hold Interest Rates Steady as Iran War Scrambles the Economic Outlook Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Amara Omeokwe; Edited by Tracey Samuelson. 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.

From soaring fuel prices in Pakistan to a shortage of cooking gas in India, Asia is bearing the brunt of the energy crunch sparked by the Iran War. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast we look at how war in the Middle East has pushed Asia to the forefront of a global crisis. Host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg’s Faseeh Mangi about the impact of soaring fuel prices in Pakistan and Clara Ferreira Marques about how the least economically resilient countries are feeling the most pain. Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Yang Yang, Naomi Ng; Reported by Faseeh Mangi, Clara Ferreira Marques; Edited by Paddy Hirsch. Fact-checking by Naomi Ng, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the war in Iran draws in more countries, it’s had unlikely benefits for one of Iran’s key allies: Russia. President Trump has eased some sanctions on Russian oil in his efforts to alleviate the oil squeeze created by the conflict. Meanwhile, the allyship between Russia and Iran has deepened as both countries have shared battlefield intelligence. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks with US defense and intelligence reporter Natalia Drozdiak about how Russia could benefit from the Iran War — and what it could ultimately mean for Russia’s war in Ukraine. Read more: Putin’s ‘Hidden Hand’ Guides Iran’s Strikes in Widening War Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Natalia Drozdiak; Edited by Naomi Shavin. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By any account, Chen Zhi's ascent was meteoric. At a young age he founded a real estate company in Cambodia, which quickly became the sprawling Prince Group conglomerate. But beneath this legitimate facade, Chen allegedly ran a vast criminal network, building an empire on scams, human trafficking and high-level political protection. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, Host K. Oanh Ha and Bloomberg’s David Ramli look into the rapid rise and sudden downfall of an alleged criminal mastermind. Never miss an episode. Follow The Big Take Asia podcast today Read more: The Tycoon Who Had a Secret Life as an Alleged Scam Kingpin Further listening: Inside Southeast Asia’s Most Notorious Crime HubThis episode was produced by: Yang Yang; Editors: Patrick Hirsch, Serena Ng, Matthew Thomas; Reporting by: David Ramli; Additional Reporting: Low De Wei; Sound Design/Engineer: Taka Yasuzawa; Fact-checker: Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole BeemsterboerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From online banking and social media to digital ads and AI subscriptions, digital services are the fastest-growing segment of global trade. Unlike physical exports, they’ve been subject to little regulation, taxation or tariffs. Until now. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg global trade editor Brendan Murray and David Gura dig into the rising tensions over the almost $5 trillion in digital services sold across borders each year, why a consequential WTO meeting could change everything and what it means for the global tariff war. Read more: Trump Starts Rebuilding Tariff Protections Targeting China, Europe Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Brendan Murray; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. 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.

In the first 24 hours of US attacks on Iran, the scale of firepower more than doubled that of the US’ initial assault on Iraq in 2003 — an expansion made possible by the Pentagon’s embrace of AI. Just hours before the attack, the US parted ways with AI company Anthropic, after the company raised concerns over how the Defense Department might use its tools. The Pentagon says it wants the ability to use the tools for “all lawful purposes.” On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura sits down with Bloomberg national security and tech reporter Katrina Manson — author of the upcoming book Project Maven: A Marine Colonel, His Team, and the Dawn of AI Warfare — and Bloomberg senior editor Mike Shepard to discuss how the US is integrating AI into its warfighting machine and the guardrails in place for the military as it utilizes AI technology to make life-and-death decisions. Read more: ‘God, It’s Terrifying’: How the Pentagon Got Hooked on AI War Machines Katrina Manson’s book is Project Maven: A Marine Colonel, His Team, and the Dawn of AI Warfare. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Katrina Manson and Michael Shepard; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. 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.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Brian Chappatta and Olivia Fishlow unpack the recent tumult in the world of private credit. How cracks formed in this $1.8 trillion market, how companies are trying to tamp down investor anxiety and what it all could mean for the private credit industry’s efforts to get into 401(k)s. Read more: Private Credit’s Gate-Crashers Are Forcing Funds Into a Brutal Spot Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Brian Chappatta and Olivia Fishlow; Edited by Naomi Shavin and Tracey Samuelson. 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.

After oil soared to nearly $120 per barrel on Sunday, President Donald Trump began to signal that the US had already achieved victory in Iran and could wind down the conflict soon. There was an immediate drop in oil prices — and the entire global economy seemed to sigh in relief. On today’s Big Take podcast, Stacey Vanek Smith and Bloomberg Opinion’s Javier Blas discuss why the global economy is so sensitive to oil price spikes and how oil prices are ratcheting up both domestic and international pressure on Trump. Read more: Higher Gas Prices Hit Americans Already Hurting From Inflation This Isn’t an Energy Crisis — at Least Not Yet Hosted by Stacey Vanek Smith; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Stacey Vanek Smith; Edited by Naomi Shavin. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate, Aaron Edwards and Jeff Grocott; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major factor that could limit hostilities in Iran and the Middle East is munitions — what weapons each side is using, and how quickly they might run out. On today’s Big Take podcast, Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg global defense editor Gerry Doyle and Bloomberg Economics defense lead Becca Wasser about how long the US and Iran can carry on missile and drone strikes, what happens next in the region and what opportunity cost the US could pay for picking this battle now. Read more: Iran’s Missile Math: $20,000 Drones Take on $4 Million Patriots Ukraine Offers Help Downing Iran Drones in Exchange for Patriot Missiles Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Gerry Doyle and Becca Wasser (Bloomberg Economics); Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by David Fox and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Katie McMurran. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump fired Kristi Noem from her role as head of the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday. One of the reasons for Noem’s removal involved her oversight of a $240 million DHS ad campaign, starring herself. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg investigative reporters Irene Casado Sanchez and Eric Fan join host Sarah Holder to reveal the inside story of that ad blitz — and the ties between people in Trump’s orbit and the companies that were given millions to spend on it. Read more: Noem Ad Blitz Benefits Media Firms Linked to Trump CampaignsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 5 of The Sixth Bureau, a series from The Big Take, a spy from China’s Ministry of State Security travels to an overseas meeting with a valuable source. He has no idea he is walking into a trap that the FBI has been setting up for months. The Sixth Bureau from Bloomberg News follows an MSS intelligence officer whose mission was to acquire the crown jewels of American aerospace companies. With aliases, blackmail and the occasional break-in, he targeted corporate giants. That is, until his sloppiness — and a cunning FBI sting — led to a stunning reversal: Xu Yanjun became the first Chinese intelligence officer ever convicted on American soil.The Sixth Bureau is the story of superpowers, their secrets and how one Chinese spy got caught. Listen to Episodes 1 - 4 here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The war in the Middle East is rattling global oil markets, raising the risk of supply disruptions and price shocks for energy‑hungry Asian economies. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg’s Daniel Ten Kate and Fereidun Fesharaki, founder and chairman of FGE, about how tensions involving Iran are being watched by energy markets — and which Asian economies are most exposed if the crisis escalates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How long will hostilities in Iran last? Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken says it will likely depend on “markets and munitions.” In an interview with the Big Take podcast, Blinken and host David Gura discuss the Obama and Biden administrations’ efforts to avoid conflict with Iran, the unanticipated ways this war puts the US at risk and how the strikes could reshape the region. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky and Julia Press; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the war with Iran widens in the Middle East, legislators on both sides of the aisle have expressed frustration with a lack of advance notice of the strikes and the inconsistencies in the administration’s justifications and goals for the military action. On today’s Big Take, Bloomberg national political correspondent Nancy Cook and national security reporter Jamie Tarabay join the show to discuss what Trump is trying to accomplish in Iran, what powers Congress has to shape US involvement and whether legislators will support what Trump tries to do next. Read more: US Congress Unlikely to Limit Trump on Iran War for Now Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Nancy Cook and Jamie Tarabay; Edited by Tracey Samuelson. Fact-checking by David Fox, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and Julia Press; 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 US and Israel’s attacks on Iran have entered their third day — and President Donald Trump said Monday that the US military operation could continue for weeks, or more. On today’s Big Take podcast, reporter Golnar Motevalli talks to host Sarah Holder about the widening regional conflict, Iran’s succession plans and what we know about the end game for the US as President Trump vows to do “whatever it takes.” Follow Bloomberg’s live coverage here. Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press and Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Reported by Golnar Motevalli; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by David Fox and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Katie McMurran. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Targets in Iran, Israel and in the Middle East are under attack in an unprecedented escalation in the conflict between the US and Iran. The combat operations come after weeks of negotiations between the US and Iran over what remains of its nuclear program. On today’s Big Take, Bloomberg’s Jeff Mason and Joumanna Bercetche join host David Gura to discuss the timing and goals of this weekend’s strikes — and the risk of a widening, regional conflict. This is a developing story. We are live blogging at Bloomberg.com with the latest from across the globe. Read more: Diplomacy Shifts to War: How Trump’s Team Decided to Attack Iran Oil Market’s ‘Worst Fears’ Are Here as Gulf Conflict Hits Hormuz Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Jeff Mason and Joumanna Bercetche; Edited by Naomi Shavin. Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After steering one of Wall Street’s iconic investment banks through the financial crisis, former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein is investing his own money and, with the publication of a new memoir, reflecting on his time at the firm. On today’s Big Take podcast, Blankfein tells host David Gura how he uses AI, what he sees as a worrying expansion of opaque investment products and what happens when public companies respond to political pressures. And David asks him about the resignation of Goldman’s top lawyer following the release of the latest Epstein files. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. 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.

President Donald Trump says the US has begun major combat operations against Iran. Airstrikes have been carried out by Israel and the US, with multiple provinces hit. Iran in turn has fired back at Israel and targeted US bases and assets in the region, including Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait and Iraq. This comes after weeks of talks failed to produce a fresh agreement on Iran’s nuclear program. OPEC+ will consider the option of a larger supply increase when key members meet on Sunday. This is a developing story. We are live blogging at Bloomberg.com with the latest from across the globe. You can also listen at Bloomberg News Now.We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.