The discovery of natural gas in Qatar back in the 1970s was a transformative economic windfall for the country and its long-time rulers, the Al Thani royal family. Since then, the Al Thanis have been spending that money to build Qatar’s global brand – while strengthening diplomatic ties with powerful, and sometimes unlikely, allies. 

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg wealth reporter Devon Pendleton joins host Sarah Holder to trace the meteoric rise of Qatar and its royal family, and discuss how the war in Gaza and escalating conflict in the Middle East has made the country’s mediator role as critical as ever.

The discovery of natural gas in Qatar back in the 1970s was a transformative economic windfall for the country and its long-time rulers, the Al Thani royal family. Since then, the Al Thanis have been spending that money to build Qatar’s global brand – while strengthening diplomatic ties with powerful, and sometimes unlikely, allies. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg wealth reporter Devon Pendleton joins host Sarah Holder to trace the meteoric rise of Qatar and its royal family, and discuss how the war in Gaza and escalating conflict in the Middle East has made the country’s mediator role as critical as ever.

Each weekday, Big Take brings you a story - one big, important story. We talk to Bloomberg journalists around the world, experts and the people at the center of the news to help you understand what's happening, what it means and why it matters. Money, politics, the economy and business, energy, the environment, technology - we cover it all.

Each weekday, Big Take brings you a story - one big, important story. We talk to Bloomberg journalists around the world, experts and the people at the center of the news to help you understand what's happening, what it means and why it matters. Money, politics, the economy and business, energy, the environment, technology - we cover it all.

Big Take

What Makes Resource-Rich Qatar Such a Powerful Mediator

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9575f636-370e-49a7-b000-b15b01531a78/transcript

Since 2020, Salesforce CEO and co-founder Marc Benioff has been on a mission to plant and preserve one trillion trees. The idea behind his initiative, 1t.org, is simple: A tree is good at taking carbon dioxide out of the environment. And more trees mean more greenhouse gas removal.

Four years, millions of dollars, and dozens of pledges from non-profits, NGOs, national governments, and private companies later – how close is Benioff to one trillion trees? Today, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg wealth reporter Sophie Alexander about why a billionaire decided to go all in on reforestation, why the private sector followed, and why the initiative is lagging behind. 

Read more: A Billionaire Wanted to Save 1 Trillion Trees by 2030. It’s Not Going Great.

Since 2020, Salesforce CEO and co-founder Marc Benioff has been on a mission to plant and preserve one trillion trees. The idea behind his initiative, 1t.org, is simple: A tree is good at taking carbon dioxide out of the environment. And more trees mean more greenhouse gas removal.
Four years, millions of dollars, and dozens of pledges from non-profits, NGOs, national governments, and private companies later – how close is Benioff to one trillion trees? Today, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg wealth reporter Sophie Alexander about why a billionaire decided to go all in on reforestation, why the private sector followed, and why the initiative is lagging behind.  Read more: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2024-benioff-save-trillion-trees/">A Billionaire Wanted to Save 1 Trillion Trees by 2030. It’s Not Going Great.</a>

A Billionaire’s Quest to Save a Trillion Trees Is Falling Short

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f7d0d4dc-e2e0-42e4-98c3-b165012c85af/transcript

Omaha, Nebraska, is billionaire Warren Buffett’s hometown. A quirk in the state’s election law also means it could wind up deciding the 2024 presidential election.

On this episode, Big Take DC host Saleha Mohsin talks to Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb and Bloomberg White House reporter Josh Wingrove, who traveled to Nebraska, to understand the fight to secure Omaha’s vote and the possibility of Warren Buffett entering the fray.

Omaha, Nebraska, is billionaire Warren Buffett’s hometown. A quirk in the state’s election law also means it could wind up deciding the 2024 presidential election.
On this episode, Big Take DC host Saleha Mohsin talks to Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb and Bloomberg White House reporter Josh Wingrove, who traveled to Nebraska, to understand the fight to secure Omaha’s vote and the possibility of Warren Buffett entering the fray.

Warren Buffett’s Hometown Could Decide the US Election

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/03fb31dc-d0fd-4346-8eb8-b164010ee607/transcript

Canada has seen rapid immigration-fueled population growth in recent years. That’s boosted its economy, but housing production hasn’t kept up. The limited supply and growing demand has exacerbated an existing affordable housing crisis and inspired calls not only to build more, but to impose stricter limits on immigration. A similar dynamic is playing out across advanced economies like Australia and the UK.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder speaks with Bloomberg’s Randy Thanthong-Knight about the relationship between housing and immigration – and how governments are trying to manage it. 

Canada has seen rapid immigration-fueled population growth in recent years. That’s boosted its economy, but housing production hasn’t kept up. The limited supply and growing demand has exacerbated an existing affordable housing crisis and inspired calls not only to build more, but to impose stricter limits on immigration. A similar dynamic is playing out across advanced economies like Australia and the UK.
On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder speaks with Bloomberg’s Randy Thanthong-Knight about the relationship between housing and immigration – and how governments are trying to manage it.

Immigration Is Up. Housing Supply Isn’t.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2e213223-17ee-4471-967c-b163015f613c/transcript

What Makes Resource-Rich Qatar Such a Powerful Mediator

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