Press Play with Madeleine Brand
L.A.’s Chinese Investment Boom, New Visa Policy, and the Great Mayo War
President Obama is in Beijing this week, where he announced a new visa policy between the U.S. and China. What could it mean for Southern California? Also, what’s fueling a massive influx of Chinese investment in downtown Los Angeles?
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenPresident Obama is in Beijing this week, where he announced a new visa policy between the U.S. and China. What could the deal mean for Southern California? Also, what’s fueling the boom of Chinese investment in downtown Los Angeles? Then, we dig into the fan frenzy surrounding the podcast “Serial.” Next, the director “The Decent One,” a new documentary about Heinrich Himmler, discusses the ordinary life of a war criminal. And finally, a big legal fight is unfolding over mayonnaise. What qualifies the gooey white condiment as mayonnaise, versus a generic spread?
In this episode
5 storiesNew U.S.-China Visa Policy
President Obama is in Beijing at the APEC summit of Pacific Rim leaders this week, where he announced a new visa policy between the U.S. and China. We break down the details of the deal, and what it could mean for Southern California.
Read the story7 minDowntown’s Chinese Investment Boom
With changes to visa rules, we may see more Chinese people living in Southern California in the coming years. But Chinese money has already arrived in a big way -- especially in downtown Los Angeles. Last year, the Chinese invested nearly $1 billion in L.A. real estate. In the last five years, Chinese investment in L.A. has doubled.
Read the story8 minAddicted to Serial
The podcast “Serial” debuted two months ago and has already attracted some 1 million listeners and sits at the top of the iTunes podcast chart. It has also inspired a listener frenzy. There’s a subreddit group devoted to solving the 15-year-old murder at the heart of “Serial,” and a Slate podcast about “Serial;” yes, a podcast about a podcast.
Read the story8 minThe Decent One
The new documentary The Decent One captures the ordinary life of a man who committed unspeakable acts. It’s about Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS and architect of the Holocaust.
Read the story15 minThe Mayonnaise War
A new lawsuit is set to rock the condiment world. It’s all about mayonnaise. But wait -- is mayonnaise the same thing as mayo? And if it doesn’t contain eggs, can you still call it mayo? And does it still taste delicious on fries? Unilever, maker of Hellmann’s Mayonnaise, would say “no” to all but the last question on that list.
Read the story7 min
