American government debt, traditionally viewed as the ultimate safe asset, has entered a risky regime due to the impact of inflation and rising interest rates during the pandemic. Bondholders have faced significant losses, as inflation has eroded the real value of their investments while increasing interest rates have further decreased the market value of these bonds. A reported 26% decline in the real terms value of a portfolio of treasury bonds highlights this shift in perception regarding safety, with serious implications for investors and central bankers alike.
As Pavel Durov sits in a French cell waiting to find out if he will be charged, our correspondent probes the links between Telegram and Russia. What central bankers and monetary policy specialists have been talking about at their annual jamboree at Jackson Hole (9:16). And we answer another listener question: how might Artificial Intelligence help people with disabilities (16:19)?
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