Beijing has ordered government offices and public institutions to remove all foreign computer equipment and software within three years as part of its bid for self-reliance in office technology. Malcolm Moore discusses the ramifications for Chinese and US companies and for the global supply chain with the FT’s Yuan Yang in Beijing.

Contributors: Malcolm Moore, technology news editor, and Yuan Yang, Beijing technology correspondent.  Producer: Fiona Symon

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The former boss of Nissan and Renault has performed a stunning vanishing act. Earlier this week, he fled from his house in Tokyo and took a private jet to Lebanon, evading bail conditions, police, prosecutors and private detectives, and avoiding a trial on charges of financial misconduct. How did a man under constant surveillance and with one of the most recognisable faces in the country escape the Japanese authorities? Leo Lewis and Tom Braithwaite discuss the story.

Contributors: Tom Braithwaite, companies editor and Leo Lewis, Tokyo correspondent. Producer: Persis Love. Photo credit: Eric Piermont / AFP

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Two decades ago, international telecoms companies came close to dominating a global market. Nowadays however, the vision of a global telecoms company seems to be dwindling. Patricia Nilsson and Nic Fildes discuss why.

Contributors: Patricia Nilsson, media correspondent and Nic Fildes, telecoms correspondent. Producer: Persis Love

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After years of economic pain, Greece is in an upbeat mood. But can the country’s fresh political leadership overcome deep-seated problems holding back growth? Katie Martin discusses this question with Kerin Hope in Athens and Ben Hall, Europe editor.

Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Kerin Hope, Athens correspondent, and Ben Hall, Europe editor. Producers: Persis Love and Fiona Symon

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Questions about the future of fossil fuels are putting new pressure on companies and financial institutions. How are they responding and should they be doing more? Pilita Clark talks to Huw van Steenis, chair of the sustainable finance committee at UBS and a former adviser to Bank of England governor, Mark Carney, and Billy Nauman, reporter for the FT’s Moral Money. 

Contributors: Huw van Steenis, chair of the sustainable finance committee at UBS, Pilita Clark, business columnist and Billy Nauman, reporter and producer, moral money. Producer: Persis Love. Photo credit: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty

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Russia’s president Vladimir Putin has been in power for two decades and now it looks as though he intends to stay indefinitely. He has launched an overhaul of the country’s power structures that could allow him to extend his control after his official term ends in 2024. Katie Martin discusses the move with Max Seddon in Moscow and Ben Hall, Europe editor.

Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Max Seddon, Moscow correspondent, and Ben Hall, Europe editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Investors have begun to shun companies that make their money from fossil fuels because of concerns about global warming. So what does this mean for the oil and gas companies whose future profits depend on continuing to exploit the hydrocarbon assets they have acquired around the world? Pilita Clark discusses the implications with Lex columnist Alan Livsey and energy editor David Sheppard. Read Alan's analysis here

Contributors: Pilita Clark, business columnist, Alan Livsey, Lex columnist, and David Sheppard, energy editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Antarctica is barely accessible to humans but the ice-covered landmass - and the oceans around it - shelter rich wildlife, including many penguins. It also holds the keys for understanding the future of our planet, which is why scientific research into the isolated continent is stepping up. But as human activity encroaches, do we need to do more to protect Antarctica? Clive Cookson, FT science editor, talks to Leslie Hook, environment correspondent, about her recent trip to the region. Read Leslie's article here

Contributors: Clive Cookson, science editor, and Leslie Hook, environment correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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As the coronavirus continues to spread, what is the risk that this will push the global economy into recession and what can central bankers and policymakers do to help avoid this? Katie Martin discusses the economic shock caused by the virus with the FT's economics editor Chris Giles.

Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, and Chris Giles, economics editor. Producers: Fiona Symon and Andrew Georgiades

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The FT News Briefing is a rundown of the global business stories you need to know for the coming day, from the newsroom of the Financial Times. If you enjoy it, subscribe to the FT News Briefing wherever you get your podcasts, or listen at FT.com/newsbriefing.

Friday, March 20

Republicans in the US Senate have introduced legislation to inject more than $1tn of fiscal stimulus into the economy as it grapples with the coronavirus outbreak. Sir Paul Tucker, the former deputy governor of the Bank of England and current chair of the Systemic Risk Council, says it’s time for policymakers and bankers to prepare for a wartime setting if conditions deteriorate. Plus, the only US drugmaker that makes a potential treatment for the coronavirus raised the price nearly 100 per cent in January as the outbreak wreaked havoc in China. 

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Life in Europe's coronavirus hotspots: Foreign affairs columnist Gideon Rachman discusses how the coronavirus epidemic has been handled in Italy and Spain with the local FT correspondents, Miles Johnson in Rome and Daniel Dombey in Madrid. How are citizens reacting to the lockdown and what will be the long-term political and economic impact?

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Analysts fear government’s timid fiscal response will prolong the pain

Even before Covid-19 struck, the country’s debt trajectory was out of control

Argentina’s Alberto Fernández signals country is in no state to contemplate new deals

Jeanine Añez settles in for long haul as pandemic adds to political uncertainty

Confidence levels plunge as growing political crisis compounds economic damage from coronavirus

Finance minister tells FT that government has rejected counter-offer from BlackRock-led group of creditors

Scientists co-operate on search for Covid-19 origins despite charges Beijing is withholding data

US-run trial of Gilead coronavirus therapy demonstrates ‘significant positive effect’

Gilead’s potential coronavirus treatment stirs investor hopes but evidence on effectiveness is mixed

Partnership that would prioritise UK could produce 100m doses by year-end if treatment is effective

Research paper published in journal Nature identifies number of alternative treatments

Biotech group’s shares have soared this year on hopes drug could be used to treat coronavirus

US-led trial shows positive results in hastening recovery time for coronavirus patients

Sum far exceeds $8bn fundraising target at upcoming EU-led donors’ conference

Pharma and its critics agree government has a big role to play in ensuring fair access to Covid-19 remedies

Federal Trade Commission votes 3-2 to approve tie-up between makers of Botox and Humira

California utility discloses $5bn pre-tax charge tied to claims

State-backed utility under pressure as it plans to invest in new coal mines

Shares in Peabody Energy and Arch Coal fall sharply after regulatory action

American producers are coming under pressure on several fronts

Policy reversal follows Cameron vow to rid UK of ‘unsightly’ structures

Climate campaigners say measures lack ambition to tackle crisis

One of the first large acquisitions to be agreed since coronavirus pandemic rocked global markets

Supplier says sector should be ‘back of the queue’ for additional government support

If lenders maintain support, the company’s balance sheet may not need an urgent fix

British and American consumers are unlikely to ‘spend, spend, spend’ after the lockdowns

Well-capitalised businesses will have an increased advantage for the next few years

The website this week notched up 240m unique visitors

Finding love in a time of corona is tricky, converting activity into paid accounts is harder yet

Investment group that owns US malls pledges to help groups weather coronavirus crisis

Trump ally Tom Barrack’s investment group in talks with lenders over hotel and nursing home debt

The FT analyses the scale of outbreaks and the number of deaths around the world

Eighth consecutive cut could heap fresh pressure on already struggling lira

First-quarter volatility deals $39bn blow to SNB as it steps up fight for Swiss franc

Mike Mackenzie’s daily analysis of what’s moving global markets

Mike Mackenzie’s daily analysis of what’s moving global markets

‘Cat-and-mouse game’ pitches central bank against market forces

Currency softens beyond key level as investors brace themselves for more interest rate cuts

Market Questions is the FT’s guide to the week ahead