FT Big Read

FT Big Read

Financial Times

An audio version of the best of the Financial Times's Big Reads — in-depth reporting from FT correspondents around the world. Listen to longform stories that explore and explain key themes in world news, science and business. Produced by Anna Dedhar.

12 minutes 32 seconds

Putin's pivot to Africa

As Russia’s relations with the west deteriorate Moscow is seeking fresh alliances across Africa say Henry Foy, Nastassia Astrasheuskaya and David Pilling. With Moscow often sidestepping demands for reform or protection of human rights, this is starting to raise concern in western capitals.
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25 January 2019, 2:09 pm
12 minutes 15 seconds

Wells Fargo: repairing a damaged brand

Wells Fargo has lurched from one scandal to another but customers have stayed loyal, say Robert Armstrong and Laura Noonan. Can the bank once seen as the best managed in America recover its premium valuation? Produced by Caroline Grady
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16 January 2019, 6:54 pm
13 minutes 38 seconds

Data brokers: regulators tackle the 'privacy deathstars'

Data brokers face heightened scrutiny in Europe as public opinion shifts on questions of privacy and businesses face tougher data protection legislation, say Aliya Ram and Madhumita Murgia. Will recent operational changes at data brokers be enough to convince regulators? Produced by Caroline Grady
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10 January 2019, 2:10 pm
21 minutes 45 seconds

Person of the Year 2018: George Soros

The Financial Times has chosen George Soros as its Person of the Year and here editor Lionel Barber and deputy editor Roula Khalaf explain why the billionaire philanthropist and liberal standard bearer merits the title, particularly in 2018. Presented by Robert Shrimsley and produced by Anna Dedhar
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21 December 2018, 12:46 pm
13 minutes 28 seconds

The university challenge

The November sentencing of British academic Matthew Hedges to life in prison for spying caused a rare public spat between the UK and UAE and although he was subsequently pardoned it has led UK and US institutions to reassess their links to oil-rich Gulf states, say Andrew England and Simeon Kerr. Does foreign funding influence research on the region and damage the reputation of institutions or enhance academic ties?
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14 December 2018, 10:31 am
12 minutes 25 seconds

The end of the games console?

Nintendo, Sony’s Playstation, and Microsoft’s Xbox dominate the cut-throat computer game business. But, says Leo Lewis, these console makers look under threat in the era of streaming. Will the cloud win, or can consoles, with higher quality, more complex games, keep their place? Produced by Harry Robertson
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5 December 2018, 6:11 pm
12 minutes 45 seconds

Who will replace Merkel as head of the CDU?

In October, Angela Merkel announced she would be stepping down as leader of the Christian Democratic Union, the party she has headed for nearly two decades. The race to succeed her is now well underway, says Guy Chazan. Three candidates have emerged in a battle that will decide whether the party stays its course or turns to the right. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Harry Robertson
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29 November 2018, 2:48 pm
14 minutes 52 seconds

The battle between Modi and India's central bank

The Reserve Bank of India is embroiled in an intense political battle with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, say Simon Mundy and Henny Sender. The government has long pressured the RBI to do more to boost growth, but a possible economic slowdown has seen Mr Modi ramp up his attacks. Can the RBI’s legally fragile independence hold? Produced by Harry Robertson
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22 November 2018, 5:54 pm
13 minutes 42 seconds

Why sanctions are failing to isolate Russia

After Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, the west imposed sanctions to isolate the country economically. But, says Henry Foy, the reality has not matched the rhetoric. Moscow has pivoted towards China and Saudi Arabia and its energy ties with the EU remain strong. Produced by Harry Robertson

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13 November 2018, 5:27 pm
15 minutes 53 seconds

The threat of Chinese ‘military-civil fusion’

Western governments have a new nightmare coming from China, which has decreed that new private sector technologies, such as robotics and AI, must be shared with the military, say Kathrin Hille and Richard Waters. Washington fears Beijing is gaining an advantage in a new arms race. Produced by Harry Robertson
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8 November 2018, 3:22 pm
17 minutes 55 seconds

The Irish backstop: Brexit's biggest hurdle

Since Britain voted to leave the EU, the Irish “backstop” has become the primary obstacle in the way of a Brexit deal, say Alex Barker and Arthur Beesley. The plan is the result of intense diplomacy by Dublin, but Theresa May faces implacable opposition to it from Brexiters and Arlene Foster’s DUP. Just how did the issue become so important? Produced by Harry Robertson
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31 October 2018, 6:09 pm
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