Russia’s biggest internet company has embedded code into apps found on mobile devices that allows information about millions of users to be sent to servers located in the country, the yen dropped to a seven-year low on Monday as the Bank of Japan bucked the global trend for tighter monetary policy, and China’s patchy vaccination campaign has left half of its elderly population exposed to a higher risk of severe Covid-19. Mentioned in this podcast: Russian tech giant’s data harvesting raises secu...
Mar 29, 2022•10 min
A new six-part series of Tech Tonic brings you stories from the frontlines of the battle between the US and China for global technological supremacy. At stake is the future of technologies that will shape all our lives, from the way the internet is used to the way we govern our societies. Join the FT’s Global China Editor James Kynge as he charts China’s dramatic transformation into a global tech superpower, sparking rivalry with the US over who controls our technological future. Hosted on Acast...
Mar 28, 2022•2 min
HSBC has repeatedly edited its analysts’ research publications to remove references to a “war” in Ukraine, the US has denied that it is seeking to overturn Vladimir Putin’s regime, Plus, the FT’s Global China Editor explores how the bitter hi-tech war between the US and China is playing out. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: US denies it is seeking regime change in Moscow HSBC cut mentions of Ukraine ‘war’ from analyst reports Tech Tonic: S...
Mar 28, 2022•9 min
This weekend, guest host Taylor Nicole Rogers talks to Ukrainian filmmaker Iryna Tsylik, director of the documentary The Earth is Blue as an Orange . It won a major directing award at Sundance in 2020 and has now become one of the films being used to explain the current war in Ukraine around the world. The film was shot in 2017 in a disputed area of eastern Ukraine, and focuses on a family making home movies during the conflict. Iryna reflects on the power of art now that she’s had to flee her o...
Mar 26, 2022•30 min
The US is finalising a plan to supply the EU with up to 15bn additional cubic metres of liquefied natural gas by the end of 2022, Russian shares rose as the Moscow exchange partially reopened, hedge funds search for bargains in Russian and Ukrainian bonds, and Toshiba shareholders vote down management’s plan to split the famous industrial conglomerate in two. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: US to boost supplies of liquefied natural gas to...
Mar 25, 2022•11 min
Oil exports from a crucial pipeline on Russia’s Black Sea coast were fully halted on Wednesday, Vladimir Putin said Russia will begin to invoice European gas buyers in roubles, and writer Tim Judah talks about Ukraine’s many volunteer armies, and the FT revealed that Archegos Capital Management quietly amassed a stake in Deutsche Bank after its founder Bill Hwang forged ties with the German lender’s leaders before the family office imploded last year. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple P...
Mar 24, 2022•8 min
Writer Tim Judah talks about life in Kyiv as Russian forces advance on suburbs of Ukraine’s capital, and the FT’s Money Clinic host Claer Barrett talks about gold as a safe haven in times of uncertainty. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Body bags, burning buildings and buzz cuts for soldiers: how Kyiv is surviving Money Clinic with Claer Barrett: Is Gold the Safest Place to Invest? War in Ukraine: free to read The FT News Briefing is produ...
Mar 23, 2022•11 min
Moscow reopens markets , Pakistanis face crippling inflation and their prime minister Imran Khan faces a no confidence vote, Nestlé justifies staying in Russia as criticism mounts. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Russia’s local bonds drop as Moscow takes first steps towards reopening markets US government bond market suffering worst month since Trump elected Nestlé justifies staying in Russia as criticism mounts Pakistan: Imran Khan and t...
Mar 22, 2022•11 min
Germany said it sealed a long-term agreement with Qatar for liquefied natural gas supplies, prices on many products in Russia have shot up as sanctions blow a hole in Russia’s economy, EU lawmakers are set to finalise new rules for leading technology companies despite heavy lobbying by Big Tech, and a key player in the chip industry warns of a two-year shortage of critical equipment. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Germany says its clinch...
Mar 21, 2022•10 min
This weekend, we discuss the power of disinformation, and how Russia has been using it in Ukraine. We are joined by Natalia Antelava, who has reported in Ukraine and Eastern Europe for years. Natalia is editor-in-chief of the popular news website called Coda Story, which focuses on global digital crises, and has been closely covering Putin’s disinformation machine in Ukraine and beyond. We step back and examine the narratives Russia has used since 2014 to confuse, distort, and spread lies. -----...
Mar 19, 2022•33 min
The US secretary of state has poured cold water on hopes of a diplomatic settlement to the war in Ukraine, saying there were no signs Vladimir Putin was “prepared to stop” Russia’s invasion of its neighbour, JPMorgan has processed interest payments sent by the Russian government for two of the country’s bonds, and the London Metal Exchange suspended electronic trading in nickel on Wednesday, just after it reopened for business following a week-long shutdown. Mentioned in this podcast: US pours c...
Mar 18, 2022•9 min
The Federal Reserve has lifted its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point, Europe’s largest energy traders have called on central banks for help to avert a cash crunch, and the FT’s Tom Mitchell discusses the rising cost of Beijing’s loyalty to Moscow. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Fed announces first rate rise since 2018 amid surging inflation China makes rare intervention to bolster confidence after market rout The...
Mar 17, 2022•10 min
Oil prices fell and share indices in Hong Kong and China dropped amid investor jitters over potential lockdowns and their economic impact, German prosecutors have charged a key player in the Wirecard fraud scandal, the UK and EU have levelled new sanctions on Russian oligarchs. Mentioned in this podcast: EU and UK hit Roman Abramovich and other oligarchs with new sanctions Pakistan presses ahead with Russian-built gas pipeline China shares fall sharply on concerns over Covid outbreak and Ukraine...
Mar 16, 2022•9 min
US stocks dip lower on concerns over this week’s Federal Reserve meeting, a star witness in the 1MDB corruption trial has wrapped up testimony in a Brooklyn courthouse, and US president Joe Biden is courting Venezuela and re-engaging with Saudi Arabia to overcome his oil sanctions against Moscow. Mentioned in this podcast: US government bond prices drop ahead of Federal Reserve meeting Tim Leissner’s testimony in 1MDB trial shines light on vast fraud Having frozen out Putin, Biden is warming to ...
Mar 15, 2022•10 min
US officials say Moscow has asked Beijing for military equipment to support its invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine’s army celebrates its Turkish drones but Ankara plays down weapons sales to appease Moscow, Russia has ratcheted up the chances that it will default on its debt with a threat to pay international bondholders in roubles rather than dollars, and sanctions are forcing Russian banks to abandon global ambitions and focus on survival. Mentioned in this podcast: US claims Russia has asked China ...
Mar 14, 2022•10 min
This weekend, we speak with Ukrainian journalist Olga Tokariuk, who is currently in western Ukraine. Olga reflects on how Ukrainians forged the resolve they are showing now in the fight against Russia. She shares how Ukraine’s identity has shifted and strengthened over the past 30 years since its independence, especially in the seven years since the Maidan revolution. Then, FT film critic Danny Leigh joins us to discuss this year's Oscars nominees, from ‘Power of the Dog’ to ‘Don't Look Up’. Wit...
Mar 12, 2022•35 min
US consumer price growth approached 8 per cent last month ahead of a surge in energy prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the war in Ukraine is causing energy bills to skyrocket in the UK. Plus, the FT’s central European correspondent, James Shotter, talks about his reporting on the flood of Ukrainian refugees into Poland and how Poles are responding. Mentioned in this podcast: Tears of relief on Polish border as flow of refugees inches to safety US inflation reaches 7.9% in Februa...
Mar 11, 2022•10 min
EU leaders prepare to meet in Versailles today for a summit aimed at a unified response to the war in Ukraine, and Citigroup is having a hard time selling its retail bank in Russia. Plus, the FT’s Paris bureau chief Victor Mallet explains how the Ukraine war is boosting Emmanuel Macron’s re-election chances. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: EU struggles to deepen unity on defence and energy Citigroup ‘running out of options’ in push to sel...
Mar 10, 2022•9 min
The US and UK banned Russian oil and gas imports on Tuesday to punish Moscow for invading Ukraine, the stalled green revolution, and Russians are fleeing the country. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Biden bans US imports of Russian oil and gas in attempt to punish Putin Curbs on Russian exports raise risk of oil shock and recession in Europe Will the Ukraine war derail the green energy transition? War in Ukraine: free to read The FT News ...
Mar 09, 2022•10 min
Oil and natural gas prices see-sawed as global stocks fell on Monday after a US push to ban Russian crude faced German resistance, the US Treasury warns banks to be on high alert for sanctions evasion, sanctions on Russia could aid Beijing’s efforts to internationalise the renminbi, and Levi Strauss said it is halting its business in Russia. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Markets rattled by push for Russian oil ban How the Ukraine war co...
Mar 08, 2022•11 min
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is fueling the ‘fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since second world war,’ according to the UNHCR; the White House has reversed its position and now is talking with European partners about a ban on Russian oil, and sanctions on Russia have unleashed a renewed wave of disruption for strained global supply chains. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: Ukraine invasion fuels ‘fastest growing refugee crisis in Eu...
Mar 07, 2022•8 min
This week we bring you one of the most popular episodes from our archive: a conversation with Elif Shafak, the most widely read woman novelist in Turkey. She and Lilah discuss national identity, the generational pain of conflict, and writing in countries that don't have freedom of speech. This conversation feels especially poignant today, as the war in Ukraine becomes even more devastating. This episode also features columnist Enuma Okoro on loving our cities, and economist Tim Harford on feelin...
Mar 05, 2022•31 min
Western brands flee Russia, global commodities soar as Putin intensifies his attack on Ukraine, and the US announces new sanctions on Russian oligarchs and their families. Plus, Accenture, McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group are the latest companies to flee or suspend operations in Russia. Subscribe to the FT News Briefing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this podcast: US announces new sanctions on Russian oligarchs and their families Commodity prices soar to highest level since 2008 o...
Mar 04, 2022•10 min
As the brutality of Moscow’s invasion intensifies, the idea of targeting oil and gas exports for sanctions is no longer off the table, and Federal Reserve chair Jay Powell confirmed to US lawmakers that he is backing a quarter point rate rise later this month despite the uncertainties caused by Russia’s invasion. Plus, the FT’s Frankfurt correspondent, Joe Miller, talks about the dramatic change in Germany’s foreign and defence policy as a result of Russia’s war on Ukraine, and how that’s change...
Mar 03, 2022•10 min
The controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline company that was to bring Russian gas to Europe is reportedly insolvent, China has signalled it is ready to play a role in finding a ceasefire, and crypto exchanges are under pressure to block transactions with Russia as western politicians fear that cryptocurrencies will undermine the effectiveness of financial sanctions. Mentioned in this podcast: Nord Stream 2 pipeline becomes insolvent, says Swiss official Beijing shifts public position after call bet...
Mar 02, 2022•10 min
The International Energy Agency will hold an emergency meeting to discuss whether to release oil from strategic stocks to offset rising energy prices caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian financial markets have descended into turmoil after western sanctions over the weekend struck the country’s financial system, and gulf states are staying neutral when it comes to the war in Ukraine. Mentioned in this podcast: IEA to discuss releasing oil stocks on Tuesday to stabilise prices Russia do...
Mar 01, 2022•10 min
BP plans to divest its stake in Russia’s state-oil company Rosneft, Norway’s $1.3tn oil fund plans to sell out of Russia and US and Western allies to impose sanctions on Russia’s central bank and cut some lenders from Swift. Plus, shares in cybersecurity companies rise as companies around the world fear more Russian cyberattacks. Mentioned in this podcast: BP to divest stake in Russian state-oil company Rosneft West to impose sanctions on Russian central bank and cut some lenders from Swift A gl...
Feb 28, 2022•11 min
Russia has invaded Ukraine. We begin this episode with a visit from FT Weekend editor Alec Russell, a week after he joined us to discuss his years covering the fall of communism in eastern Europe. How can we make sense of this? Then, we go searching for the Hum, a mysterious noise that has plagued the residents of Halifax, West Yorkshire. It’s an uncomfortable, low-frequency sound that has also been heard in towns across the world, from New Mexico to Ontario to Scotland. The FT's Imogen West-Kni...
Feb 26, 2022•38 min
Western countries are punishing Russia after Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion from Ukraine, and UK prime minister Boris Johnson wants to punish Russia by removing it from the Swift international payments system. Plus, the FT’s Katie Martin explains how markets reacted on the first day of the war in Ukraine. Mentioned in this podcast: Putin shatters peace in Europe as Russia storms Ukraine World leaders divided on whether to eject Russia from Swift payment system European gas prices soar and oi...
Feb 25, 2022•10 min
The FT’s Max Seddon, reports from Moscow about Vladimir Putin’s order to launch a full-scale invasion into Ukraine, and the FT’s economics editor, Chris Giles, explains what a Russian invasion might do to the global economy. Mentioned in this podcas Vladimir Putin orders start of ‘military operation’ in eastern Ukraine Ukraine crisis: Sanctions and high energy prices pose threat to global economy Russia-Ukraine webinar: What Next? The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippin...
Feb 24, 2022•10 min
