Podcasts about ifn

TWiV explains studies which reveal that Inhibition of CXCL10 and IFN-γ mitgates myocarditis associated with SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination, and identification of a bacteriophage T7 protein that antagonizes the DNA restriction system of the host by mimicking B form DNA. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Jolene Ramsey Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV ASV 2026 Understanding mRNA vaccine-associated myocarditis (Sci Transl Med) T7 protein overcomes DNA restriction of host (J Mol Biol) Structure of T7 protein that mimics DNA (Mol Cell) Letters read on TWiV 1283 Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Weekly Picks Jolene – Book series Dinosaur Therapy, Dinosaur Philosophy, & Dinosaur Friendship Vincent – One Plus One Equals One: Symbiosis and the evolution of complex life by John Archibald Listener Picks Terry – Arcadia by Tom Stoppard Greg – Charctic Interactive Sea Ice Graph | National Snow and Ice Data Center Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

Sverige har just nu den största marknaden för börsnoteringar i Europa. Under 2025 stod Stockholmsbörsen för mer än hälften av allt europeiskt kapital för börsintroduktioner. I förhållande till vår folkmängd är den Svenska marknaden för riskkapital den största i världen. Vi har också störst andel så kallade ”enhörningar”, bolag värda över en miljard dollar? Vad ligger bakom denna framgångssaga? Vad är egentligen riskkapital Och kan det användas för att driva ett tekniksprång i den gröna omställningen? Joacim Tåg, forskare vid IFN, Institutet för Näringslivsforskning gästar Katalys och Starta pressarna.

In this episode, IFN journalist Radhika Das speaks with Mohamad Safri Hamid, the CEO of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM), about IILM's upsized Sukuk program, rising global demand for Shariah compliant liquidity instruments, the growth of its primary dealer network and its role in addressing cross-border Islamic liquidity gaps.

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the  29th November – 5th December 2025.

Fem år efter EU:s gröna giv står klimatomställningen i ett avgörande skede. 2021 lanserades genom Fit for 55-paketet strategin som ska leda till nettonollutsläpp 2050. För svensk industri har den inneburit både nya krav och möjligheter, men också växande osäkerhet kring regelverk, tillstånd och investeringar. Samtidigt pressas elnäten, efterfrågan på fossilfri energi ökar och trycket på effektiva processer och förutsägbara regelverk blir alltmer påtagligt. Medverkande Kristin Magnusson Bernard, vd Första AP-fonden samt ordförande i projektets referensgrupp Helena Dyrssen (L), statssekreterare hos klimat- och miljöminister Romina Pourmokhtari John Hassler, professor i nationalekonomi vid Stockholms universitet samt ledamot i SNS styrelse Lars Persson, professor i nationalekonomi vid Institutet för Näringslivsforskning, IFN och författare till SNS-rapporten Hur kan entreprenörskap bidra till minskade koldioxidutsläpp? Hannes Sonnsjö, doktorand inom miljö- och energisystem vid Lunds Tekniska Högskola och författare till SNS-rapporten Snabbare effekt – elnätsbolagens förändrade roll i energiomställningen. Åsa Westlund (S), klimatpolitisk talesperson och ledamot i miljö- och jordbruksutskottet Samtalet leds av Charlotte Paulie, forskningsledare SNS.

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the  22nd – 28th November 2025.

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the  15th – 21st November 2025.

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 8th – 14th November 2025.

In this episode, IFN journalist Radhika Das speaks with Jesmond Gatt, the chairman of the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), and Clare Farrugia, the head of strategy, policy and innovation at the MFSA, on Malta's plans to introduce a dedicated Sukuk framework, a first for the jurisdiction. The discussion explores the MFSA's objectives, Shariah governance measures and Malta's vision to position itself as a European gateway for Islamic finance.

Pakistan's US$1.9 trillion real estate market has long operated on cash and opacity. Now, a decade after the nation launched its first Islamic REIT, the sector is entering a new phase of regulation and digital reform that could transform how Pakistanis own property, with Shariah structures leading the way. Naeem Illyas Khanani, CEO of DigiEstate and Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management's audit chairman discusses with IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan how the country's real estate market is at an inflection point.

Moderator:Azhar Aslam, Head Islamic Banking, Pakistan, Standard Chartered SaadiqPanelists:Dr Mufti Irshad Ahmad Aijaz, Member Shariah Board, Standard Chartered Bank PakistanDr Mufti Muhammad Sarfaraz Nihal, Resident Shariah Board Member, Standard Chartered Bank PakistanMufti Muhammad Abdul Mubeen, Group Head Shariah, Standard Chartered Bank, Member Shariah Board, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan & Shariah Committee, Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad Malaysia

We explore the evolving landscape of Islamic investment management in Pakistan—from shifting asset allocation trends to the rise of mutual funds, ETFs, and REITs. What progress has been made in product innovation and investor access, and how effectively has Islamic asset management been positioned? Join us as we assess the next steps needed to scale Islamic investment and wealth management solutions across the country.Moderator:Rukhsana Narejo, Chief Treasury and Alternate Investments, Raqami IslamicPanelists:Imtiaz Gadar, Chief Executive, Al Meezan Investment Management LimitedNadir Rahman, CEO, Faysal FundsTariq Naseem, Head of Islamic Finance Department, Securities and Exchange Commission of PakistanTariq Sultan, Chief Business Development Officer and COO, Mahaana Wealth

Adnan Fasih, Group Head, Islamic Banking, Habib Bank AG ZurichZaid Naveed, Head Business Strategy and Market Intelligence, Habib Bank AG Zurich

With key reforms underway, can Pakistan emerge as a regional hub for Islamic capital markets? We explore the strategic direction set by the Islamic Capital Market Development Committee and what it means for growth, innovation, and resilience. We ask how non-sovereign Sukuk issuance can be accelerated, and how capital markets will play a pivotal role in supporting the broader financial system conversion—unlocking new opportunities for both banking and non-banking sectors.Moderator:Farmida Bi, Chair, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, Norton Rose FulbrightPanelists:Iffat Zehra Mankani, CEO, JS InvestmentsJawad Hashmi, General Manager, Chief Market Operations Officer, Pakistan Stock Exchange LimitedMuhammad Haris Munawar, Group Head - Wholesale Banking, BankIslami PakistanSyed Umair Alam Zaidi, SVP, Head of Debt Capital Markets and Syndications, Faysal Bank Limited

What does Pakistan's shift to a fully Islamic financial system by 2028 mean for financial institutions? We explore the impact of the FSC's ruling and State Bank reforms, offering strategic insights into regulatory transformation, market leadership, and new opportunities in financial inclusion and the Islamic economy. We hear from industry leaders on how to position for success in a changing landscape.Moderator:Dr Irum Saba, Director of the Centre for Excellence in Islamic Finance, Institute of Business AdministrationPanelists:Azeem Pirani, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, EFU Life AssuranceMuhammad Faisal Shaikh, Head, Shariah Compliance and Advisory, Faysal BankShauzab Ali, Principal Project Officer, Asian Development BankSyed Tanveer Hussain, Group Executive and SEVP - Corporate, Commercial and Investment Banking, Meezan Bank

How are Islamic financial institutions leveraging digital tools and fintech partnerships to transform service delivery, drive innovation, and expand financial inclusion? We explore how AI, mobile apps, and tech-enabled platforms are improving efficiency and customer experience, assess the regulatory and infrastructure challenges ahead, and ask how digital innovation can offer sustainable, scalable solutions for the growth of Islamic finance.Moderator:Syed Faraz Anwer, Partner, A.F. Ferguson & Co. (PwC Pakistan)Panelists:Husain Alkhaja, GCC Regional Director, DDCAPNaureen Hyat, Financial Inclusion SpecialistNoshad Minhas, CEO and Co-Founder, Walee Financial ServicesSaleemullah Shaikh, Head of Islamic Banking, HabibMetro

Yousaf Hussain, President and CEO, Faysal Bank

Zeeshan Rehman Khattak, Commissioner – Specialized Companies Division, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan

In this episode, Ihsan Waqf founder and CEO Aminnurllah Mustapah discusses with IFN's Nessreen Tamano how the foundation is transforming Islamic endowments in to productive assets, starting with unconventional projects.

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 17th to the 23rd October 2025.

In this episode with IFN journalist Radhika Das, Nasser Baker Al Kahtani, the executive director at AGFUND, discusses the fund's mission to lift people out of poverty through inclusive financial systems, Islamic finance solutions and technology-driven tools for small farmers.

In this episode with IFN journalist Radhika Das, Dr Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, the chairman of the IsDB Group, highlights Sukuk as a financing instrument for development projects, the Sukuk Summit in London this month and the Arab Coordination Group's efforts to maximize impact. 

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Ismael Nabe, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Government of Guinea, on Guinea's collaboration with the Arab Coordination Group, its infrastructure goals and the Simandou project

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti, Director General, Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD), on the role QFFD sees for the private sector in scaling impact through different financing mechanisms and the organization's Islamic finance involvement

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Dr Imed Limam, Director, Operations Department, Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, on the Arab Fund's central role in regional infrastructure development and its presence in the digital and green economies

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Dr Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, Chairman, IsDB Group, on Sukuk-financed projects, the Sukuk Summit in London this month and the Arab Coordination Group's efforts to maximize development and impact

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Nasser Baker Al Kahtani, Executive Director, Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND), on AGFUND's footprint in inclusive and social development and its use of digital tools to expand access to microfinance initiatives

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Laura Frigenti, CEO, Global Partnership for Education (GPE), on GPE's mandate to tackle the growing learning crisis, finance education initiatives and advance its partnership with the IsDB Group

Aminah Farid, IFN Journalist, interviews Oliver Agha, founder of Agha & Co law firm and IFN columnist on which Islamic finance markets globally have been making significant progress.

What are the latest challenges facing the integration of sustainability into Shariah-compliant investments and projects? What initiatives – regulatory or otherwise – are encouraging the management of long-term climate-related risk and social impact in Shariah-compliant portfolios? How is Islamic sustainable investment leveraging innovative activities such as carbon trading? We ask an expert panel.Moderator:Zainal Izlan Zainal Abidin, Senior Adviser, Sustainable Finance Institute AsiaPanelists:Mohamad Irwan Aman, General Manager, Sustainability, Sarawak EnergyOliver Agha, Managing Partner, Agha & Co and Columnist, IFN (The Islamic Legal Opinion)Ong Soon Chong, Executive Director, Head, ETF and ESG Investment, Eq8 CapitalSedef Gunsur, Senior Investment Officer, Financial Institutions Group, International Finance Corporation

Through a series of short, punchy presentations we examine the merits of various asset classes from an investor's viewpoint. With each asset class presented by a recognized market practitioner, we offer a critical assessment of Islamic investment opportunities, from private capital, to carbon credits, to Sukuk, to equities, to real estate. Which asset class will prevail?Facilitator: Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance newsJessica Tan, Principal, Fixed Income Indices, S&P Dow Jones IndicesMax Freeman, Founder and CEO, Epicenter LabsZahid Siddique, Senior Investment Analyst and Portfolio Manager, Saturna Malaysia

What innovation is being seen in Islamic investment and wealth management to develop new products, grow customer bases and build brands, and how is technology being deployed? What new and exciting opportunities, such as access to index investing and thematic investing are on offer through the growth of products such as Shariah complaint ETFs?Moderator:Elias Moubarak, Partner, Trowers & HamlinsPanelists:Faris Lodin, Wahed Global Advisory Board and Member of Wahed Ventures Investment CommitteeMohammed Parekh, Founder and CEO, MRP Premier GroupRanjit Singh Gill, Director, Head, Product and Market Development, Kenanga InvestorsRebecca Chua, Managing Partner, Premia Partners

Max Freeman, Founder and CEO, Epicenter Labs

What are the value propositions of Islamic investment management, and what is driving the strategic development of the Islamic wealth economy? What trends are influencing the development of Islamic investment products in Southeast Asia? Has Islamic asset management been strategically positioned and promoted effectively, and what more could be done? We ask an experienced panel.Moderator:Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Executive Director and CEO, Kenanga InvestorsPanelists:Mohamad Safri Shahul Hamid, CEO, International Islamic Liquidity Management CorporationMohammad Ashraf Md Radzi, Chief Executive, Lembaga Tabung Angkatan TenteraOliver Agha, Managing Partner, Agha & Co and Columnist, IFN (The Islamic Legal Opinion)Shahariah Shaharudin, President, Saturna MalaysiaSharifatul Hanizah Said Ali, Executive Director, Islamic Capital Market Development, Securities Commission Malaysia

Sharifatul Hanizah Said Ali, Executive Director, Islamic Capital Market Development, Securities Commission Malaysia

29 september. Tankesmedjorna Timbro och Oikos lanserade i förra veckan det gemensamma reformprogrammet "Tidö 2.0". Är det vägen framåt för ett mer marknadsliberalt Sverige, eller ett strategiskt misstag som alienerar andra tänkbara samarbetspartners? Timbros Adam Danieli diskuterar med Andreas Bergh, docent i nationalekonomi, verksam vid IFN. Andreas Ericson leder.

Exploring innovation, Shariah compliance, and responsible AI Adoption.Interviewee: Professor Dr Aznan Hasan, Chairman, Shariah Advisory Council of the SCInterviewer: Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance news

How do we further blend Shariah principles with ethical and equitable financial solutions to provide positive financial, social, and environmental outcomes? How can the impact of these initiatives be effectively measured? What's on offer from Waqf, Zakat, Sadaqah and Qard Hasan and how can we maximise the potential of new products such as social impact Sukuk? We ask an expert panel.Moderator:Elias Moubarak, Partner, Trowers & HamlinsPanelists:Dr Hamim Syahrum Ahmad Mokhtar, Lead Specialist, Capacity Development, Islamic Financial Services BoardDr Jane Chang, Director, Social Value MalaysiaDr Mohamed Damak, Managing Director and Global Head of Islamic Finance, S&P Global RatingsProfessor Dr Nurdianawati Irwani Abdullah, Department of Finance, Kuliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences, International Islamic University MalaysiaDr Rusni Hassan, Professor and Dean, IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance

Sherif Elmansy, Banking Products Director, ITS

How do we assess recent global events, geopolitical shifts, trade dynamics, and investment trends from a macroeconomic perspective? Given Southeast Asia's integration into global supply chains, what are the implications for the region, and what major risks lie ahead? In the face of uncertainty, how should businesses and financial institutions adapt—and what role can the Islamic financial services industry play in supporting growth?Moderator:Abdulkader Thomas, Group President and CEO, SHAPE Knowledge ServicesPanelists:Alan Tan, Chief Economist, Affin BankDr Banjaran Surya Indrastomo, Chief Economist, PT Bank Syariah Indonesia TbkImran Nurginias Ibrahim, Chief Economist, Economic Research, BIMB SecuritiesImran Yusof, Head of Research, MBSB Investment Bank

How have Islamic capital markets performed and what is a realistic assessment of financial institution, corporate and Sovereign Sukuk markets? What can we expect from regulatory AT1 Sukuk issuance, and what does AAOIFI Standard 62 and the potential of underlying asset ownership transfer realistically mean for the Sukuk market?Moderator:Abdulla Al Hammadi, AVP – Analyst, Financial Institutions Group, Moody's RatingsPanelists:Alisher Djumanov, Founder and Managing Partner, AD Wealth Family OfficeJessica Tan, Principal, Fixed Income Indices, S&P Dow Jones IndicesOliver Agha, Managing Partner, Agha & Co and Columnist, IFN (The Islamic Legal Opinion)

Max Freeman, Founder and CEO, Epicenter Labs

How are changing demographics and evolving market trends driving the development and delivery of Islamic banking and Takaful products and services, and what are we learning along the way? In addition to retail, are we fulfilling the need for effective digital corporate and commercial banking products? We ask an expert panelModerator:Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance newsPanelists:Imrish Singh, Business Development Director for ISV Ecosystem Financial Services, Red Hat Asia PacificRafiza Ghazali, CEO, KAF Digital BankWaseem Yusaf, Senior Vice President – ASEAN, Systems LimitedWong Foong Hin, Principal Consultant, Temenos Malaysia

Abdullah Haron, Deputy Secretary-General, Islamic Financial Services Board

Mohamad Ali Iqbal Abdul Khalid, Assistant Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia

Are Islamic financial institutions outperforming their traditional counterparts, and how are asset quality, funding stability, and liquidity shaping the sector's resilience? What role is product innovation — from banking products to funds and fintech platforms, to ESG-aligned offerings — playing in driving growth? And how are regulators, financial institutions, and investors adapting to build a more dynamic and sustainable Islamic finance landscape?Moderator:Oliver Agha, Managing Partner, Agha & Co and Columnist, IFN (The Islamic Legal Opinion)Panelists:Bilal Parvaiz, CEO, Standard Chartered SaadiqDafinah Ahmed Hilmi, CEO, Hong Leong Islamic BankFaris Lodin, Wahed Global Advisory Board and Member of Wahed Ventures Investment CommitteeMohammed Parekh, Founder and CEO, MRP Premier GroupNitish Bhojnagarwala, Associate Managing Director, Financial Institutions Group, Moody's Ratings

How have domestic Islamic financial institutions performed, and what is a realistic assessment of asset quality, funding and liquidity conditions in the banking market? How is digital transformation advancing the development of new Islamic banking and Takaful products in Oman, and can technology be better applied to improving user experience? How can Islamic financial products incorporate important sustainability characteristics and recognise climate risk?Moderator:Aisha Al Kharusi, Deputy Executive Chair, Modern College of Business and SciencePanelists:Ahmed Ibrahim Lamei, Senior Manager, ITS Dr Eskandar Shah, CEO, ISRA International Consulting Firas Al Lawati, Deputy CTO for Digital Transformation, Central Bank of Oman Mohammed Al Hashmi, Chief Compliance Officer, Bank Nizwa Rafiza Ghazali, CEO, KAF Digital Bank

Faiz Azmi, Executive Chairman, Securities Commission Malaysia

Systemic Maternal Inflammation and Neurodevelopment: The Role of IL-6 and IFN-γ in Autism Spectrum Disorder I just returned from Estes Park, Colorado where I presented a lecture on the Growing Brain/Mind - a tour through the underpinnings of childhood neurological changes that we call Autism. The timing is perfect for this article to be written. In an era when chronic disease in children is rising at an unprecedented pace, the search for root causes must include an honest inquiry into the conditions present during fetal development. The review article by Majerczyk and colleagues, Systemic Maternal Inflammation Promotes ASD via IL-6 and IFN-γ, brings forward a critical piece in this puzzle that I began to explore a few years ago when writing a book. It connects the dots between maternal immune dysregulation and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes, specifically autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Through a synthesis of clinical data and animal research, the authors make a compelling case for the centrality of two inflammatory messengers, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), in shaping fetal brain development during gestational stress. The key words here being GESTATIONAL STRESS, the recurring scientific theme for ASD development, not vaccines... and some literature reviews. Dr. M