Ft Big Read

South-east Asia is one of Facebook's fastest growing markets, but the social media company is under fire over the spread of false news and incitements to violence in the region. The FT's John Reed and Hannah Kuchler report.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A major centre for the oil industry, the west-African city is on track to become the world's third largest metropolis within decades. The FT's David Pilling reports on what the rest of Nigeria might learn from Lagos' economic success. Produced by Joshua Oliver.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With cyber attacks against businesses on the rise, Oliver Ralph reports on how wary insurance firms are approaching a field that could be a billion dollar growth opportunity or a hundred billion dollar liability. Produced by Joshua Oliver  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Geely's acquisition of close to 10 per cent of one of Germany's best-known firms has provoked a fierce backlash. Berlin bureau chief Guy Chazan and former Beijing bureau chief James Kynge join Big Read's editor Geoff Dyer to discuss the growing anxiety over China's economic influence in Europe. Produced by Joshua Oliver.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Middle East observers say the region's social and economic tensions are creating the conditions for another wave of popular uprisings. Andrew England and Heba Saleh report on governments struggling to retain control in the face of falling oil revenues, rising unemployment, and restive populations.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Black Panther's success has demonstrated the commercial potential for movies with more diverse casts and stories. With Sunday's Oscars putting the focus on Hollywood, Shannon Bond and Matthew Garrahan report on a film that has shattered box office records and long-held assumptions.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The dispute between Europe's media barons Silvio Berlusconi and Vincent Bolloré sees their groups Mediaset and Vivendi battle it out in court next week just days before Italy's crucial election. Rachel Sanderson and Harriet Agnew trace the story of how their business relations soured.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

President Moon Jae-in's move to promote reconciliation with the North has angered young South Koreans and risks creating a rift with the US over how to deal with Pyongyang. Bryan Harris reports from Seoul  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The former premier has returned from political oblivion to recast himself as both an elder statesman and an alternative to the populist Five Star Movement. He is likely to play a crucial role after next month’s elections, but for how long?   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hedge funds who placed big bets on the collapse of the country’s indebted economy have largely failed in their strategy. Did the investors misread the signs or were they just too early?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As Brazil's economy becomes increasingly reliant on food production for export, rural politicians gain outsize influence and illegal Amazon deforestation worsens. Joe Leahy reports  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran rages on in Yemen, a man-made crisis has left millions starving. Famine and uncontrolled outbreaks of disease like cholera due to strangled health services have left surviving residents wondering what their children's future will be. FT reporters Nasser al-Sakkaf and Andrew England report on the origins of the crisis, and the very human cost.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Public admissions of wrongdoing by some of the country's greatest companies reveal deep problems in Japanese corporate culture.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As Chinese efforts to socialize democracies to their authoritarian regime become more apparent, the debate in the west about how to stop China’s soft power takes a harder edge. Jamie Smyth and Jamal Anderlini report.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

FT Paris bureau chief Anne-Sylvaine Chassany and Berlin bureau chief Guy Chazan speak with Big Read editor Geoff Dyer about the rising waves of populism across Europe, and the bulwarks that are being built to try and stop them.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Brussels Bureau chief, Alex Barker, reports on how the history of the British accession to the EU explains the painful Brexit negotiations. As once minister put it, "There, the ghost of failure hung over the talks as it does today."  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Science editor Clive Cookson explores the long and difficult journey of scientists attempting to unlock the causes of dementia, and to find a cure for the only leading cause of death that becomes more prevalent each year. Join the FT in our seasonal appeal to raise funds, awareness and understanding of Alzheimer's disease with Alzheimer's Research UK.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hindu nationalist ruler Narendra Modi's legal protections for cows extend beyond religious law, disrupting Indian dairy markets and threatening agriculture.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A historically tolerant, left-wing town in Tuscany elected a fire brand populist mayor. James Politi reports from Italy on the rapid rise of populism driven by a slowing economy and the arrival of refugees from the Middle East and Africa.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Researchers are now investigating how efficient electric cars are over their entire life cycle. Their surprising results are a wake up call to regulators.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.