How does raising interest rates control inflation? - The Economist

When central banks raise interest rates, the impact is felt far and wide. Mortgages become more expensive, house prices might fall and unemployment can rise. So why do central banks do it? This film tells you why.

U.S. vs. China: A Metaverse Divided Over Design and Rules

The metaverse race is heating up in China. Just like Meta and Microsoft in the U.S., Chinese firms such as Baidu and Tencent are investing in the nascent industry, but strict tech regulations mean China’s virtual worlds are set to offer very different user experiences.

Hot Money: porn meets the internet - FT

Stoya is a porn star who saw first-hand how a firehose of free porn online transformed the adult industry. 

She sends FT hosts Alex Barker and Patricia Nilsson a quest: Find out who is in charge, and get to the bottom of how the business of porn really works. 

"Hot Money" will take you inside who controls the industry, tell you about the rivalries and expose the power battles. You’ll hear from adult directors and performers, tech pioneers and Wall Street billionaires — and you’ll be left surprised by who’s really in control. 

You can listen to the other episodes at https://on.ft.com/3tglc9h

What It Takes for a Bear Market to Turn Around

As markets react to interest-rate hikes and the threat of a recession, stocks are dropping closer to bear-market territory. WSJ’s Gunjan Banerji explains what it takes to push stocks back into a bull market and why it’s hard to predict when they’ll turn around.

 

Returning to Kyiv: The Challenges Ukrainians Face Going Back Home

Despite fuel shortages, damaged roads and the risk of Russian attacks, many displaced Ukrainians are driving back home after fleeing at the start of Russia’s invasion. Here’s what one journey to Kyiv looks like.

China in Africa: should the West be worried?

In the past 20 years, China has built ever closer bonds with African nations. It has spent billions transforming infrastructure across the continent, and extending its influence into politics and society. It even placed its only overseas military base there. How worried should the West be?

HSBC's Stuart Kirk tells FT investors need not worry about climate risk

HSBC's now suspended Asset Management's head of responsible investment Stuart Kirk speaking at the FT Live Moral Money Summit Europe conference, accuses central bankers and policymakers of overstating the financial risks of climate change.

Just consider three comments made during his presentation:

“Who cares if Miami is six metres underwater in 100 years? Amsterdam has been six metres underwater for ages, and that’s a really nice place.” Stuart Kirk Head of Responsible Investments

“The average loan length in a big bank like ours, HSBC, is six years. What happens to the planet in year seven is irrelevant.” Stuart Kirk Head of Responsible Investments

“There’s always some nut job telling me about the end of the world.” Stuart Kirk Head of Responsible Investments