Ft News

Two years ago India was being hailed as the bright spot in a gloomy global economy. But its much touted economic boom is now faltering. The FT’s South Asia bureau chief Amy Kazmin, asked India’s former central bank governor, Raghuram Rajan, for his view on what’s causing the slowdown.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The value of bitcoin fell sharply last week after Jamie Dimon, head of JPMorgan Chase, suggested the digital currency craze would suffer the same fate as the tulip mania of the 17th century. Patrick Jenkins discusses whether he is right with the FT's Laura Noonan and Izabella Kaminska. Music by Kevin MacLeod  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Brenntag, a Germany-based multinational, supplies chemicals to companies all over the world. Andy Bounds asked its British chief executive Steve Holland how he expected Brexit to affect the business.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ivanka Trump is one of the most powerful first children in White House history. With an official role in the West Wing, many suspect her of having an outsized influence on her father's decision making. But what does her job as first daughter and assistant to the president look like in practice? The FT's Courtney Weaver tells Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson. Read the full story at FT.com/Ivanka.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The killing of outspoken journalist Gauri Lankesh has stunned the media industry in India. Jyotsna Singh asks Amy Kazmin, the FT's South Asia bureau chief, why the murder has sparked concerns of deterioration in the country's civil discourse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Stanley Fischer submitted his resignation from the Federal Reserve on Wednesday, months before his term as vice-chairman was due to end. The FT's John Authers and Sam Fleming discuss how the departure of the monetary policy hawk gives President Donald Trump the opportunity to recast the direction of the US central bank.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A popular Indian guru has been sentenced to 20 years for raping two of his followers. The verdict prompted a wave of protests and was embarrassing for Narendra Modi, the prime minister, who had previously expressed praise for Ram Rahim Singh. Jyotsna Singh discusses the case and why it aroused such heated emotions with Amy Kazmin, the FT's South Asia bureau chief.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Wall Street analysts have been urging investors to buy stocks in the big US banks this year, but it seems that top Wall Street executives are doing the opposite. Patrick Jenkins asks the FT's Ben McLannahan and Laura Noonan why top Wall Street executives have been selling their own banks' shares. Music by Kevin MacLeod  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Shares in WPP fell sharply after the world’s largest advertising group issued its second sales warning this year. What does WPP's decline tell us about the state of the industry and the wider global economy? John Murray Brown puts the question to Alan Livsey and Aliya Ram.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The two Asian giants have been engaged in a diplomatic standoff since China started building a road on disputed territory in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan two months ago. The FT's Amy Kazmin and Emily Feng tell Jyotsna Singh how the dispute flared up and what happens next.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is worried that bank traders are turning to encrypted apps to hide illicit communications from internal compliance programmes and regulators. Patrick Jenkins discusses the problem and some potential solutions with Oliver Blower, chief executive of VoxSmart, and Caroline Binham, FT financial regulation correspondent. Music by Kevin MacLeod.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The coming of age of the French startup scene has coincided with the rise of one of its biggest proponents: Emmanuel Macron, who was elected president in May. Zosia Wasik and Harriet Agnew report from Station F, a giant startup campus in Paris that is luring companies and investors from around the world.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

US business leaders have fallen out with Donald Trump, abandoning two high profile industry panels because of his ambivalent response to the far-right marches in Virginia last weekend. Ben Hall discusses what prompted them finally to give up on the president, with the FT's Brooke Masters and Sujeet Indap  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has been declared the winner of last week’s elections in Kenya. But supporters of Raila Odinga, the veteran opposition leader, do not trust the result. Andrew England discusses what happens next with John Aglionby, the FT's Nairobi correspondent.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Companies with business ties to Arab Gulf states have found themselves in an uncomfortable position as a result of a trade boycott of Qatar by four regional Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Now it appears that global banks are feeling the impact. Caroline Binham asks the FT's Gulf correspondent Simeon Kerr what's going on. Music by Kevin MacLeod.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Google has been caught up in a media storm after one of its engineers sent out a memo criticising aspects of the company’s equal opportunities policies. Chris Nuttall discusses the case and its wider implications with Aliya Ram and Richard Waters.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Financial institutions have paid more than $150bn in fines in the US relating to the credit crisis a decade ago. Ben McLannahan discusses the rising settlements bill and where the money has gone with Kara Scannell, the FT's senior US financial correspondent. Music by Kevin MacLeod  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The tiny, but enormously wealthy, Arab gulf state of Qatar has been blockaded by its neighbours for three months over accusations that it backs terrorism. It denies the charges and this week took its complaint to the World Trade Organisation. Jonathan Wheatley discusses what's behind the dispute and the likely repercussions for the region with the FT's Simeon Kerr.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Homs, a city in the centre of Syria, was the first epicentre of armed rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad. It endured a three year siege before falling back into government hands this year. The FT's Erika Solomon talked to two of its Christian residents, one who fled the city and one who stayed. Music credits: Khebez Dawle; Samih Choikeir and Lena Chemamyan  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Brexit will push up costs for Europe's banks by as much as 4 per cent and their capital requirements will rise by up to 30 per cent, according to the most detailed assessment yet of what Britain’s departure from the EU means for the sector. Martin Arnold discusses the findings with Matthew Austen of consultants Oliver Wyman, who compiled the report, and the FT's Emma Dunkley. Music by Kevin MacLeod  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.