The European Central Bank will meet today and make a decision that depends heavily on events happening thousands of kilometers away.
That’s because the war in Iran has pushed up energy prices and inflation. ECB President Christine Lagarde and her fellow rate-setters will be in a tricky spot when deciding whether to raise borrowing costs. Zoya and Ian expla ... Show More
Apr 28
The €1.8 trillion standoff
Today on the pod, we’re talking money, money, money. An important vote on the EU’s next long-term budget is happening in the European Parliament. Zoya and Nick discuss how lawmakers are pushing for a bigger cash pot ... which will likely cause a stir with some countries. We unpac ... Show More
14m 49s
Apr 2014
The differing responses to the Ukraine crisis
This week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is in Washington for talks with President Barack Obama, and Ukraine will top the agenda. Washington has led the way on sanctions, imposing asset freezes and travel bans on dozens of senior Russians and scores of companies, in an attempt ... Show More
9m 48s
Aug 2025
Trump tries for a Ukraine peace deal
UK employers cut back hiring over labour and tax cost fears, and Ukraine and its European allies worry about US President Donald Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Plus, HSBC is weighed down by woes in the Hong Kong commercial property market, and India’s huge ... Show More
10m 45s
Mar 2022
Oligarchs, Putin and Russian power
Russia’s elite class of billionaire oligarchs have become major targets for Western sanctions over the war on Ukraine. Last week, Canada announced it was freezing assets and banning business from Russian figures including Roman Abramovich, who has been ordered to sell his Chelsea ... Show More
23m 27s
Sep 2025
Putin's Nuclear Ambitions, Ukraine Tensions, and Russia's Future
Vladimir Putin BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.Vladimir Putin has been at the center of several high-profile events this past week, both on the world stage and domestically. Just days ago, he officially opened the World Atomic Week 2025 in Moscow, hosting dignitaries and indus ... Show More
3m 51s