Read a transcript of this episode on FT.comhttps://www.ft.com/content/b1c4e938-b959-4767-aba9-2aedc1f44005The 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 correspondenthttps://www.ft.com/content/65f61fb1-9462-4e25-990a-702812860b76China and Russia poised to step into the Afghanistan gap - with James Kynge, global China editorhttps://www.ft.com/content/7ceb9e3b-bd6e-43fe-bb86-80353249e6acMost Fed officials reckon stimulus could start winding down this year - with Colby Smith, US economics editorhttps://www.ft.com/content/29be3f70-3f3e-4bfd-b26e-01833337587cUK government intervenes in £2.6bn Ultra Electronics takeover by Cobham https://www.ft.com/content/55b3e146-87cb-469b-a128-5865cb1abe87The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Our intern is Zoe Han. Additional help by Gavin Kallmann, Michael Bruning, and Persis Love. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.