Midea's €4.5bn purchase of robot maker Kuka was the largest ever Chinese takeover of a German company, and the latest in a string of deals that have made Germany the top target in Europe as Chinese investors seek innovative engineering and technology, says Guy Chazan. But it has raised concerns in Berlin   for the country's strategic industries Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chinese M&A: Beijing's Berlin spree

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News & Politics

News

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Putin's pivot to Africa

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wells Fargo: repairing a damaged brand

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Data brokers: regulators tackle the 'privacy deathstars'

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Person of the Year 2018: George Soros

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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chinese M&A: Beijing's Berlin spree

Download our free app to listen on your phone