Afghanistan’s ‘dire’ financial outlook

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com https://www.ft.com/content/b1c4e938-b959-4767-aba9-2aedc1f44005

The former head of Afghanistan’s central bank has warned that the country is facing “dire” financial prospects and an acute shortage of dollars and higher inflation will fuel the flow of migrants out of the country; the Taliban’s takeover hands China and Russia an opportunity to project their power after Washington’s chaotic withdrawal; and a majority of Federal Reserve officials believe the US central bank could start withdrawing a massive pandemic stimulus programme later this year, according to a record of their latest meeting.

Afghanistan faces ‘dire’ financial outlook, warns former central bank chief - with Jonathan Wheatley, emerging markets correspondent https://www.ft.com/content/65f61fb1-9462-4e25-990a-702812860b76

China and Russia poised to step into the Afghanistan gap - with James Kynge, global China editor https://www.ft.com/content/7ceb9e3b-bd6e-43fe-bb86-80353249e6ac

Most Fed officials reckon stimulus could start winding down this year - with Colby Smith, US economics editor https://www.ft.com/content/29be3f70-3f3e-4bfd-b26e-01833337587c

UK government intervenes in £2.6bn Ultra Electronics takeover by Cobham https://www.ft.com/content/55b3e146-87cb-469b-a128-5865cb1abe87

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