Business Daily

Business Daily

BBC World Service

The daily drama of money and work from the BBC.

Philippines: the remittance lifeline

Philippines: the remittance lifeline

The estimated 2.3 million Filipino overseas workers form the economic backbone of their nation. The remittances they send home are vital; sustaining household incomes, driving consumer spending, supporting community development, and ensuring national economic stability - contributing 8.5% to GDP.In the first of our two-part series looking at the Philippine economy, Sam Fenwick meets overseas workers who send money home and those who have returned to set up businesses.If you would like to get in

Feb 24, • 17:31

Where does the Mittelstand stand?

Where does the Mittelstand stand?

Could Germany benefit from drastic Javier Milei-style reforms? One business owner in Berlin thinks so, and many others want a reduction in the amount of bureaucracy bosses are responsible for. As a federal election takes place in Germany, members of the Mittelstand, Germany’s famous small and medium-sized businesses known as the “backbone” of the country's economy, tell Business Daily what a new government could do for them. Theo Leggett travels to a science and research park on the outskirts

Feb 21, • 17:30

Are the brakes on Germany's car industry?

Are the brakes on Germany's car industry?

Germany's once mighty motor industry is losing momentum, as high costs, low demand and competition from Chinese firms take a heavy toll on company profits.With elections in a few days' time, we ask, what do Germany's politicians need to do to put the industry on the road to recovery?If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Theo Leggett(Picture: View of the production plant of the Volkswagen headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Feb 20, • 18:32

How 'cosplay' became big business

How 'cosplay' became big business

Cosplay is the ultimate form of fancy dress – with fans of graphic novels and video games doing everything they can to emulate their favourite fictional characters. And it's a big money-spinner globally.We find out why the hobby has grown so much over the past two decades – and meet those who’ve turned their passion for cosplay into a career.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Will Chalk(Picture: Cosplayers pose as Star

Feb 19, • 17:41

India's $30bn festival

India's $30bn festival

The festival of Kumbh Mela is estimated to attract 400 million Hindus and other visitors from around the world. The 45-day festival is a massive economic engine, injecting billions in the economy of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, which is hosting the event. And this year, it is a Grand Mela, which only happens once every 144 years. From big businesses to street vendors and hotel owners, to major brands and digital entrepreneurs, all are looking to cash in on the influx of visitors.If you w

Feb 18, • 17:48

Are electric planes the future?

Are electric planes the future?

How to make a battery powered plane that can fly long distances, whilst carrying passengers, is a key challenge facing the aviation sector.As the world tries to reduce its consumption of fossil fuels, researchers are looking to make flight more sustainable to deal with ever growing demands. We hear about some pioneering projects in the Netherlands which are trying to do all of this, whilst still being commercially viable.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdail

Feb 17, • 17:28

Business Daily meets: Applied Nutrition's Tom Ryder

Business Daily meets: Applied Nutrition's Tom Ryder

We speak to a boss whose business has bulked up on the global wellness trend.Tom Ryder got into fitness supplements as a side-hustle when he was a scaffolder for Liverpool City Council — now he runs Applied Nutrition, which is valued at more than £350million.He tells Sean Farrington how growing up with his grandparents in public housing shaped his entrepreneurial spirit.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Sean Farrington Producer: Jos

Feb 14, • 17:27

What it takes to become a digital nomad

What it takes to become a digital nomad

The digital nomad lifestyle sounds like a dream - working from a beach in Bali or a café in Barcelona. But how do you actually make it happen? In this episode, we meet the people who’ve taken the plunge and hear about the ups and downs of life on the move. Hear from employers managing a remote global workforce and investigate why the lifestyle isn’t always what you see on social media.Plus - we also look at the tax implications.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: busin

Feb 13, • 17:29

Reusable water bottles: The new fast fashion?

Reusable water bottles: The new fast fashion?

Reusable bottles are everywhere – on your desk at work, at the gym, on a day out, doing a job in the fight against single-use plastic. But if we have multiple versions of refillable water bottles, are they just becoming fast fashion? The global, refillable water bottle industry is worth $10 billion and it is growing at a rate of about 5% a year. Several brands have become household names with international offices across continents. But these types of bottles are energy-intensive. Research sugge

Feb 12, • 17:28

The fight for Guatemala's lakes

The fight for Guatemala's lakes

We’re in the Central American country to hear a tale of two lakes. One, Lake Amatitlan, is badly polluted and there's concerns that the other – Lake Atitlan - once nominated as one of the seven new wonders of the world and - is in danger of going that way too. We hear about the costs needed to clean up these important tourist attractions, and hear about the loss of income for local businesses. Produced and presented by Jane Chambers(Image: A worker picks up rubbish on the shore of Lake Amat

Feb 11, • 17:27

The threat to sabotage undersea cables

The threat to sabotage undersea cables

Countries considered hostile to the West are threatening to cut under sea cables, which carry 95 percent of the world’s data. China, Iran and Russia are suspected of threatening to sabotage cables, carrying 95% of the world’s data, which makes the network vital to the global economy. Russell Padmore examines how the lines laid on ocean floors are the backbone of the internet, so they need to be protected, but international military cooperation is limited. Produced and presented by Russell Padmor

Feb 10, • 17:28

Business Daily Meets: Makiko Ono

Business Daily Meets: Makiko Ono

We speak to one of Japan's very few female CEOs. Makiko Ono leads Suntory Beverage and Food, part of the Suntory coagulometer that makes soft drinks including Orangina, Lucozade and Ribena. She shares her 40-plus years journey at the company; including how she led company's first acquisition to opening doors for the next generation of women in business. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Amber Mehmood(Image:

Feb 7, • 17:28

Rebuilding Africa’s largest second-hand clothes market

Rebuilding Africa’s largest second-hand clothes market

Ed Butler travels to Kantamanto market in Accra, Ghana. 15 million used garments arrive in Ghana every week from all over the world - most ends up at Kantamanto but a lot can't be sold because it's in poor condition. That ends up as landfill. Just weeks after Ed’s visit, a disastrous fire raised it to the ground, so he’s been back in touch with some of the vendors he spoke to as they try and get the market, and their livelihoods, up and running again. Produced and presented by Ed Butler

Feb 6, • 17:29

What now for Canada?

What now for Canada?

After Justin Trudeau resigned as prime minister last month, what does the in-tray look like for Canada’s next leader?The country is facing a major challenge from new US president Donald Trump who introduced 25% tariffs on Canadian exports - now postponed for 30 days - and is even questioning the country's identity. But Canada also has a list of problems to address from within, such as rising property costs and new rules on immigration.We find out how people are feeling – and what happens next.P

Feb 5, • 17:29

Why do Germans take so much time off sick?

Why do Germans take so much time off sick?

The country’s sick leave policy is one of the most generous in the world.Employees get full pay for the first six weeks they’re off, after that their health insurance policy will pay them a large portion of their salary for a further 18 months.This means the culture around taking sick leave is different to other countries, and the average worker takes 20 days off sick each year.We find out why, and look at the impact on business and the German economy.Produced and presented by Hannah Mullane(Ima

Feb 4, • 17:27

California’s insurance crisis

California’s insurance crisis

Thousands of homes burned to the ground in the recent wildfires in Los Angeles which will likely become the most expensive natural disaster in US history.Many victims did not have insurance, because they couldn’t afford California’s increasingly expensive policies or because they were dropped by their insurer. Lexy O’Connor meets some of those affected and finds out what’s fuelling California’s insurance crisis. Presented and produced by Lexy O'Connor(Image: Two people survey the damage during

Feb 3, • 18:35

Business Daily meets: GoFundMe's Tim Cadogan

Business Daily meets: GoFundMe's Tim Cadogan

Whether its for medical expenses, college funds, charity campaigns, chances are you've been asked to donate to a fundraiser online.GoFundMe is one of the biggest of the crowdfunding platforms, generating an estimated $30bn in funds since it launched in 2010.CEO Tim Cadogan tells us about joining as CEO in 2020, and the challenges of running a profit making company in a charity space. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones(Image: Tim Cadogan. Credit: Getty Images)

Jan 31, • 17:26

The gamification of fitness

The gamification of fitness

Advances in technology mean more people have devices which offer incentives and rewards for achieving fitness goals.From hi tech gyms to interactive home works outs, we explore why some companies are embracing this approach.It’s boosting user engagement and transforming workouts, but are trackers and leader boards a positive step? And is this what the future holds for fitness?Produced and presented by Sean Allsop(Image: A fitness class. Credit: Getty Images)

Jan 30, • 17:36

Cashing in on Ghana's cashews

Cashing in on Ghana's cashews

Ed Butler travels to northern Ghana in search of one of the country’s growing exports. Cashew nuts have become a feature of crop production, but there are problems. How does Ghana best add value to cashews in a way that benefits the country and doesn’t just see it exploited overseas?And could solving the cashew issue help Ghana's economy in other ways?Produced and presented by Ed Butler(Image: A worker at a cashew processing company sorting nuts in Ghana)

Jan 29, • 17:39

Is X still good for brands?

Is X still good for brands?

In November 2024, FC St Pauli became the first major football club to stop posting on X (formerly Twitter). In a statement, the leftwing Bundesliga club cited concerns over racism and conspiracy theories on the platform. It has moved to alternative social media site Bluesky instead.So is this part of a wider trend? We hear from companies who are finding alternatives to X, or staying on but reducing advertising spend. Plus we hear from those who say with hundreds of millions users, X still has an

Jan 28, • 17:28

Spain's squatting problem

Spain's squatting problem

Squatting has a long history in Spain, often fuelled by high rates of homelessness. And the country’s ongoing housing crisis means that despite being low in numbers, squatting is now a highly politicised topic. We hear from private companies set up to evict people, from businesses making products to prevent squatters moving in, and from squatters themselves about their experiences.Produced and presented by Stefania Gozzer(Image: A worker takes a mattress off the balcony during the eviction of 62

Jan 27, • 17:28

Business Daily meets: Peter Moore

Business Daily meets: Peter Moore

We hear how his British accent and 'scouse cockiness' led him from physical education teacher in the UK, to a sportswear executive in the US.And how a career change in his 40s led Peter Moore to a job offer he couldn't refuse, as CEO of the football club he'd supported since childhood, Liverpool FC.Produced and presented by Matt Lines(Image: Peter Moore and Virgil van Dijk with the FIFA Club World Cup in Doha, Qatar on 21 December 2019. Credit: Getty Images)

Jan 24, • 17:27

Are social scientists good for boardrooms?

Are social scientists good for boardrooms?

A 2020 Academy of Social Sciences report found that sociologists, economists and philosophers help companies improve productivity, enhance problem-solving and heighten social impact. So it makes sense that businesses would want social scientists involved in strategy and decision making. But how does it work in practice? Are there conflicts between hard commercial realities and ‘softer’ social issues, and how do companies resolve these?We speak to Dr Melissa Cefkin, an anthropologist and former

Jan 23, • 17:36

India's cola wars

India's cola wars

For decades, two multi-national giants Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, have been competing for one of the world’s biggest consumer markets.And now they face a tough competition from Asia’s richest man. Mukesh Ambani’s company - Reliance Retail, has launched its own cola brand - Campa Cola. With its vast retail network and aggressive pricing strategy, we find out how this has intensified the so called 'cola wars' in the country. Produced and presented by Devina Gupta(Image: A group of young people drinki

Jan 22, • 16:50

Saudi Arabia's Hollywood dream

Saudi Arabia's Hollywood dream

Today we’re in Jeddah, looking at how Saudi Arabia went from a Kingdom where cinemas were banned to a rising star in the film industry. We hear from Saudis revelling in new-found freedoms and foreign filmmakers lured in by cash incentives. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Emily Wither(Picture: US actor Johnny Depp poses for a picture with a fan on the red carpet of the awards ceremony of the Red Sea Film Festival in

Jan 21, • 17:49

Guatemala's circular migration

Guatemala's circular migration

We are in the Central American country of Guatemala to hear how temporary work permits to the United States are changing some Guatemalan’s lives. We find out how this circular migration is benefiting both businesses in the US, and the economy back home in Guatemala.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter/producer: Jane Chambers(Photo: Sandra Noemi Bucu Saz in her plot of land that she rents with her family in Guatemala. Credit: Jane Chamb

Jan 20, • 17:43

Business Daily meets: Pascal Lamy

Business Daily meets: Pascal Lamy

The French businessman was Director-General of the WTO from 2005–2013, and European commissioner for trade for five years from 1999 – 2004. Ed Butler speaks to Pascal Lamy about the trading relationships between the US and China, and the US and the EU, what a second Trump presidency might mean for world trade. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukProducer: Amber Mehmood(Picture: Pascal Lamy, photo taken in Paris, November 2022. Credit: Getty Image

Jan 17, • 18:54

What next for US-Africa relations under a second Trump administration?

What next for US-Africa relations under a second Trump administration?

We look at what a second Donald Trump presidency could mean for Africa, hearing from economists and business owners.We explore some of the existing trade pacts between the US and Africa, and consider the significance of remittances - the money sent back home by African migrants living overseas. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Michael Kaloki(Picture: Then President Donald Trump walks with the former Kenyan President

Jan 16, • 17:28

What could tariffs mean for Canada?

What could tariffs mean for Canada?

Donald Trump has said he will impose new tariffs on goods entering the US from Canada on his first day in office. Tariffs are a central part of the President-elect's economic vision - he sees them as a way of growing the US economy, protecting jobs and raising tax revenue. But some warn they could inflate consumer prices. We look at how Canada is preparing, hearing from those in key sectors like farming and car manufacturing, and explore how the resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trud

Jan 15, • 17:28

What could Donald Trump's return mean for Latin America?

What could Donald Trump's return mean for Latin America?

Even before taking office, President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose huge trade tariffs on Mexico, deport millions of undocumented Latino migrants out of the United States and crack down on the flow of drugs like fentanyl from Latin America into the US. And he's threatened to take control of the Panama Canal and re-name the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America”. He has criticised the BRICS group of developing nations – which includes Brazil – for floating the idea of a new currency

Jan 14, • 17:29

How did global trade start?

How did global trade start?

As US president-elect Donald Trump prepares to re-enter the White House, global trade has become a contentious issue. Mr Trump has threatened to impose tariffs – that is taxes at the border – on all goods imported from a host of nations, including neighbours Canada and Mexico as well as economic rival China. That risks igniting another trade war, with companies and consumers around the world affected. Has global commerce always been so contentious? Rob Young looks at some of the key developments

Jan 13, • 23:08

Business Daily meets: Jimmy Choo

Business Daily meets: Jimmy Choo

Sam Fenwick meets the renowned fashion designer and shoemaker, Jimmy Choo. From learning the craft under his father's guidance in Malaysia, we hear about his journey building a fashion empire in London, starting from the basement of a run-down hospital. Today, Jimmy Choo, who now designs for fashion house The Atelier, wants to share his knowledge with a new generation. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Amber Meh

Jan 10, • 17:29

Peru's new Chinese funded 'megaport'

Peru's new Chinese funded 'megaport'

In our second programme looking at the future of the world's ports, we head to the South American country at the centre of a global tug-of-war between China and the US.One key infrastructure project, in the small Peruvian fishing town of Chancay, is caught in the middle. We speak to businesses and locals about what's happening.Produced by Natalie Jiminez Presented by Ritika Gupta(Image: Aerial view of the Chancay "megaport" in the small town of Chancay, 78km north of the Peruvian capital Lima,

Jan 9, • 17:29

How does port automation work?

How does port automation work?

In October 2024, dockworkers in the US went on strike for three days.Members of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) walked out at 14 major ports along the east and Gulf coasts, halting container traffic from Maine to Texas.An tentative agreement was made over wages, and they've just returned to the bargaining table to negotiate "all other outstanding issues".This includes plans to introduce automation to the ports.In the first of two programmes looking at the future of ports, we h

Jan 8, • 17:27

The cost of Valencia’s floods

The cost of Valencia’s floods

At the end of October 2024, deadly flash floods and torrential rain hit the Valencia region of Spain. More than 220 people were killed. As well as claiming lives, the disaster also devastated livelihoods. Valencia's chamber of commerce estimates that 48,000 companies have been affected.Ashish Sharma visited the region shortly after the flooding, to speak to businesses and workers affected. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukProduced and presente

Jan 7, • 17:43

What’s next for the global economy in 2025?

What’s next for the global economy in 2025?

How will countries handle challenges like rising debt, inflation, and political tensions? And what new opportunities might arise as the world adapts? The BBC’s Economics Editor, Faisal Islam, and our Chief Economics Correspondent, Dharshini David, join Ed Butler to discuss the year ahead. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukProducer: Izzy Greenfield(Picture: Numbers 2-0-2-5 printed on blocks of wood, each sitting on top of a stack of coins. Credi

Jan 6, • 17:28

Business Daily meets: Dean Forbes

Business Daily meets: Dean Forbes

We meet the CEO of software firm, Forterro.Dean Forbes twice became homeless as a teenager, then got dropped from a career as a professional footballer. He points to that failure as a key moment in his eventual success, because it made him more determined. Now the business executive has topped a list celebrating influential black Britons.(Picture: Dean Forbes. Credit: Getty Images)Presented by Theo Leggett Produced by Theo Leggett and Sam Clack

Dec 20, 2024 • 17:28

Putting a financial crash on stage

Putting a financial crash on stage

We explore the ongoing fascination of the Lehman Brothers story.A play - The Lehman Trilogy - is currently being shown in London to five-star reviews.It documents the rise and fall of the financial services firm, which filed for bankruptcy in 2008 - the largest insolvency in history, and considered a defining moment in the global financial crisis. The play has been seen by half a million theatregoers globally - and now Business Daily has been to watch it too. We speak to the cast, adapting playw

Dec 19, 2024 • 17:31

Lapland: The world’s biggest Christmas economy?

Lapland: The world’s biggest Christmas economy?

How has Lapland, the northernmost region of Finland, become a global hub for the Christmas economy? Known as the official home of Father Christmas, Lapland attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year - generating significant revenue. We head to the most popular Christmas spot, Rovaneimi, to hear how a resort there benefits from this tourism. And the head of the tourist board, Sanna Kärkkäinen, tells us how records are about to be broken.Presented and produced by Izzy Greenfield Repo

Dec 18, 2024 • 17:29

Why are kids asking for anti-ageing skincare?

Why are kids asking for anti-ageing skincare?

Skincare used to appeal to an older demographic, often with the aim of slowing down visible signs of ageing. But as trends in skincare have evolved, with ever more products on the market, the audience has grown too. Children as young as eight are now saving up their pocket money to buy different creams, serums and moisturizers. But some of these products contain active ingredients, not designed for their young skin - and this can lead to problems. Dermatologists have told the BBC they're seein

Dec 17, 2024 • 17:28

Crisis at Northvolt

Crisis at Northvolt

We’re in snowy Skellefteå in northern Sweden, where hundreds of people are looking for work after losing their jobs at Europe’s largest electric battery factory.Will the crisis at green tech company Northvolt impact future investments in the region — and damage Sweden’s reputation?Produced and presented by Maddy Savage(Image: Northvolt workers at the factory. Credit: Northvolt)

Dec 16, 2024 • 18:49

Business Daily meets: Fintech founder Upasana Taku

Business Daily meets: Fintech founder Upasana Taku

Upasana Taku is the co-founder of an app that changed the way millions of Indians use digital technology to make payments. Mobikwik now has more than a 150 million registered users. When Upasana set up the business in 2009 with her co-founder Bipin Preet Singh, India was still a cash-dependant society, but having worked for big tech companies in the US, Upasana knew there was a gap in the market. Devina Gupta asks her about her decision to leave a high-powered job in the US to move back to India

Dec 13, 2024 • 17:28

Has graphene lived up to the hype?

Has graphene lived up to the hype?

It was hailed as a wonder material that would transform industry – and all our lives.But 20 years on, companies are still racing to commercialise it.We speak to the people working with graphene and find out what sort of products their developing. Produced and presented by James Graham(Image: Graphene slurry, containing graphene and polymer binders, sits in a beaker inside a laboratory at the National Graphene Institute facility, part of the The University of Manchester. Credit: Getty Images)

Dec 12, 2024 • 17:28

Keeping the lights on in South Africa

Keeping the lights on in South Africa

In July, South Africa unveiled a new coalition government, after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party lost its majority in May's elections.The coalition was welcomed by the business community who said it would ensure economic stability.So what's happened since? And will any optimism last?We hear about a reduction in power cuts - also known as loadshedding - and positivity on the stock market, as well as young people who are looking forward to the future.Produced and presented by Rob

Dec 11, 2024 • 20:32

Making money from internet outrage

Making money from internet outrage

How do online platforms profit from our anger? In this episode, we explore the business of 'rage-baiting' – content designed to provoke outrage and drive engagement. We hear from creators who thrive on stirring emotions, critics warning of its societal impact, and academics explaining why anger is such a powerful tool online.From its role in content algorithms, to the dangers it poses offline, we uncover the economics behind the clicks. (Picture: A man dramatically gestures towards his laptop, c

Dec 10, 2024 • 17:28

Is Donald Trump's comeback bad news for green energy?

Is Donald Trump's comeback bad news for green energy?

Donald Trump's return to the White House has raised big questions about what he'll do to the US' growing green energy sector. On the campaign trail he promised to undo Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, the biggest piece of climate legislation in US history. The IRA gives incentives and tax breaks for green industries and has created hundreds of thousands of jobs, many of those in Republican voting states. President-elect Trump also pledged to end offshore wind "on day one" and reverse emissio

Dec 9, 2024 • 19:43

Business Daily meets: Uniqlo's Tadashi Yanai

Business Daily meets: Uniqlo's Tadashi Yanai

The Japanese billionaire is the founder and president of Fast Retailing, parent company of Uniqlo.He's the richest man in Japan, and despite being in his 70's, has big plans to grow the company even further.We speak to Tadashi Yanai about fast fashion, Chinese manufacturing, and global expansion.And we find out how Japan's richest man spends his leisure time.Produced and presented by Mariko Oi(Image: Tadashi Yanai in 2017. Credit: Getty Images)

Dec 6, 2024 • 17:29

Could footballers go on strike?

Could footballers go on strike?

Earlier this year, Manchester City midfielder Rodri issued a warning that players were "close" to taking strike action over their increased workload.Rodri played 63 competitive games for club and country last season. But a recent report found that a player welfare 'red line' was a maximum of between 50 and 60 matches per season, depending on a player's age.Some of the game's biggest names have joined Rodri in threatening to walk out, and the union that represents them is launching legal action a

Dec 5, 2024 • 17:28

Sweden’s #softgirls trend

Sweden’s #softgirls trend

We find out why, in a country famous for championing gender equality, some women are choosing to become stay-at-home wives and girlfriends.The social media #softgirl trend is a small but growing minority, who say they do not want the stress of juggling family and work. They want a 'softer' life - with more balance and not having to focus on a career. It has triggered cultural and political debates across Sweden where feminism has been a part of mainstream politics since the 1950s.Producer/presen

Dec 4, 2024 • 17:43

Ghana’s illegal gold mines

Ghana’s illegal gold mines

Ghana is a global gold mining powerhouse and Africa's biggest producer. The informal mining sector of gold – known locally as “galamsey” - is a big election issue here. There have been recent marches demanding tougher action against illegal miners in Accra. But illegal mining is also a major source of employment. More than a million Ghanaians make their living from galamsey. We hear from local galamsey miners and look at the negative impact this industry is having on both the workers in terms o

Dec 3, 2024 • 17:40

Can Ghana’s economy recover?

Can Ghana’s economy recover?

In the first of a two part series ahead of Ghana’s presidential election, we are in Accra asking how much the economy is influencing how people vote. The country has faced one of Africa’s worst financial crises in recent years, and the recovery seems to be underway, but is this translating to how workers and business owners feel?There are 13 presidential candidates, and we hear from representatives of the two front runners. We find out about their plans for the economy. Produced and presented by

Dec 2, 2024 • 19:28

Business Daily meets: Giuseppe Lavazza

Business Daily meets: Giuseppe Lavazza

We speak to the great-grandson of the Italian coffee legend, about growing a family business into a global brand, balancing tradition with innovation, and even a light-hearted clash with Emily in Paris.(Picture: Giuseppe Lavazza at the company's coffee production and training facility in Turin, Italy. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Leanna Byrne

Nov 29, 2024 • 17:28

Luxury advent calendars unwrapped

Luxury advent calendars unwrapped

Advent calendars have evolved from the simple cardboard doors or chocolate treats to a multimillion-dollar premium industry; with major companies using them as a powerful brand awareness tool.We find out why the design of an advent calendar is more important than ever, with many retailers investing in appearance and reusability; and we hear from environmental groups who are still concerned about the amount of waste.Plus - are the products in these more extravagant calendars actually worth the mo

Nov 28, 2024 • 17:29

Can Trump solve rising prices?

Can Trump solve rising prices?

In the run up to the US election, prices of food, gas and housing were never far from voter’s minds. We head to Pennsylvania where food prices have risen faster than anywhere in the US to find out what it’s like for people day-to-day. And we look at what President-elect Donald Trump has said he could do to help people. Will it work?Presented and produced by Monica Miller

Nov 27, 2024 • 17:28

The cost of smog

The cost of smog

We’re in Delhi, looking at the impact of extreme pollution levels on workers and businesses in recent weeks. Non-essential trucks have been banned from going into the city, and offices have asked 50% of staff to work from home. Local markets, cafes and restaurants, as well as shopping malls, have seen a 20-30% decline in foot traffic.Meanwhile labourers, rickshaw pullers, delivery riders and other workers paid a daily wage, have no choice but to go outside to earn a living. In neighbouring Pakis

Nov 26, 2024 • 17:28

Selling The Hundred

Selling The Hundred

We look at England and Wales' new cricket format - which is now up for sale.The one hundred ball format was designed to attract news fans to the game. Each team is tied to a UK city or region and the first tournament was held in 2021. Now the organisers are selling a 49% stake in each of the teams, and they're hoping to attract Indian investment, liked to the IPL.So will it pay off?Produced and presented by Alex Capstick(Image: Jofra Archer bowling during The Hundred Men's Final at Lord's, Londo

Nov 25, 2024 • 17:45

Business Daily meets: Michael Johnson

Business Daily meets: Michael Johnson

The legendary sprinter revolutionised athletics with his unique running style and record-breaking performances. Michael Johnson is a four-time Olympic gold medallist who earned millions of dollars through prize money and sponsorships.Now he's back with a plan to transform athletics with the Grand Slam Track league — a new competition featuring a $12.6 million prize fund. He's hoping it will elevate financial opportunities for today's athletes and ignite inspiration for future generations. Produc

Nov 22, 2024 • 17:30

The mysterious world of private members’ clubs

The mysterious world of private members’ clubs

It’s a place where people meet to network and make connections - and most people have never set foot in one. These exclusive establishments, in cities around the world, are reportedly more popular than ever. So what goes on behind those hallowed doors? And how can people get in?We look at the history of these exclusive clubs, find out how to join, and ask whether they have a future. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukProduced and presented by E

Nov 21, 2024 • 17:29

Can battery-swapping boost electric car sales?

Can battery-swapping boost electric car sales?

We’re in Madrid to discover a new way to power urban electric vehicles. No longer charging but swapping your batteries, or charging at your desk.We meet the people trying it out, and speak to leading motor journalists to see if this really is a game changer in electric vehicle driving in cities.(Picture: Black Electric SUV swapping battery pack in battery swap station. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Rick Kelsey

Nov 20, 2024 • 17:39

The plan to rescue the Commonwealth Games

The plan to rescue the Commonwealth Games

A year ago, the Commonwealth Games looked dead and buried. The Australian state of Victoria had pulled out of hosting the 2026 edition due to spiralling costs, and in Canada, the province of Alberta had stepped back from bidding for the 2030 edition. But now Scotland’s biggest city, Glasgow, has ridden to the rescue, agreeing to host the 2026 Games. It says its scaled back, lower-budget model for doing so could encourage poorer countries to do the same in the future. How realistic is that? Is Gl

Nov 19, 2024 • 17:29

Egypt's economy under pressure

Egypt's economy under pressure

The Suez Canal was once one of the busiest global shipping routes – a third of the world's shipping containers normally pass through it. Since the Houthis began to attack passing ships last year, the volume of vessels going through has declined rapidly.The canal is run by the Egyptian government, and fewer ships means less foreign currency coming into the economy.And it’s not just revenue from ships that Egypt is losing, it’s also losing tourists, as many people cancel their trips and spend the

Nov 17, 2024 • 17:29

Battling the world's most invasive aquatic plant

Battling the world's most invasive aquatic plant

It was on a university trip that Kenyan entrepreneur Joseph Nguthiru first came across water hyacinth in Lake Naivasha.It is an incredibly harmful and invasive weed that is currently blocking waterways and devastating fish populations all over the world. Joseph, who was an engineering student at the time, tells us how he came up with a solution to use the plant as a material for making packaging - and how he's founded a successful business, HyaPak Ecotech, as a result. Produced and presented by

Nov 15, 2024 • 17:42

How we fell for Fall

How we fell for Fall

From spiced lattes to scented candles, autumn has become a staple in marketing calendars and on social media. We speak to businesses who thrive at this time of year; hear from content creators fuelling fall fever; and look at how the season is embraced in parts of the world without autumnal temperatures. (Picture: Friends Amina, Ayesha and Noor in front of some pumpkins at Downey’s Farm, near Toronto, Canada. Every year they go to recreate a photo in the pumpkin patch. Credit: Megan Lawton/BBC)

Nov 14, 2024 • 17:28

What’s holding back France and Germany?

What’s holding back France and Germany?

We look at the issues facing two of Europe’s major economies. Germany’s downturn has deepened with existential fears about its major export industries. And now, political turmoil means industry leaders are calling for a snap election as soon as possible. Meanwhile in France, there is weak growth as consumers feel poorer and politicians can’t agree on spending. (Picture: French and German flags waving next to each other. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Rob Young

Nov 13, 2024 • 17:28

The wine industry's biggest challenge

The wine industry's biggest challenge

Climate change is changing the way winemakers plan, harvest and make their product. On the Greek island of Santorini we find out how new techniques of vine planting are helping to preserve water amid more frequent drought conditions. Investors in England have realised areas in the south of country have similar weather conditions to Champagne in France, 30 years ago. Plus we hear from experts in France and Australia to discover different methods the industry is using, and find out how new busine

Nov 12, 2024 • 17:29

Argentina: Libertarian paradise?

Argentina: Libertarian paradise?

Attracted by Argentina’s right-wing libertarian president Javier Milei, and fearful of political breakdown and even the prospect of a widescale war in the northern hemisphere, some US citizens say they are planning to move to the South American nation to start afresh. We speak to a few of them, and to an Argentine tech entrepreneur who left his country years ago due to its political and economic instability, but who is now spending more time there – attracted by Milei’s promises to slash the sta

Nov 11, 2024 • 18:50

Business Daily meets: Astronaut Chris Hadfield

Business Daily meets: Astronaut Chris Hadfield

Colonel Chris Hadfield is a former fighter pilot who became an astronaut and served as a commander of the International Space Station (ISS). While in orbit he became a social media star, posting breath-taking pictures of earth, as well as videos demonstrating practical science and playing his guitar. These days, the Canadian invests in businesses and has written several best-selling fiction and non-fiction books.In this programme, Chris Hadfield tells Russell Padmore how he was influenced by Sta

Nov 8, 2024 • 17:29

Building the superyachts

Building the superyachts

They’re the kind of mega vessels which only a handful of people on the planet can afford. We go to the Netherlands, where building and maintaining the most expensive yachts in the world is big business. We visit Dutch yacht builder Heesen to look at the intricate design of these vessels, their opulence, and the huge amounts of money involved in building and selling them. Plus we hear from those who actually help put the boats together.And we get an expert view on the importance of the Superyacht

Nov 7, 2024 • 17:27

Rail Baltica: Building a geopolitical railway

Rail Baltica: Building a geopolitical railway

We explore the largest infrastructure project in the history of the Baltic states - a new high-speed line connecting Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with their Western allies.The project is supposed to be an economic boost to the region, and yet getting it on track hasn't been straightforward. We speak to those in charge of the project, and to businesses in the cities en-route.Produced and presented by Lisa Louis.(Image: The partly-built Rail Baltica Riga central hub in Riga, Latvia, in June 2024.

Nov 5, 2024 • 17:28

Spotlight on the swing states

Spotlight on the swing states

In this programme, we look at some of the key issues for voters in the crucial, so-called ‘swing states’ in the 2024 US Presidential Election. From Pennsylvania and the battle for blue-collar workers’ votes in Pittsburgh, to the cost of living in Nevada and the auto industry in Michigan. While for voters in Georgia, housing is proving to be a key issue. We hear from people in each of these states about what matters to them and what could bring in those crucial votes for each candidate. Presente

Nov 4, 2024 • 17:29

Business Daily meets: Hello Kitty

Business Daily meets: Hello Kitty

On the character's 50th birthday, we hear from the boss of the Japanese company which created her. Sanrio CEO Tomokuni Tsuji took over from his grandfather who founded the company in Japan. The company struggled to be profitable for years - we find out how under the leadership of Tomokuni Tsuji, the brand has grown to a trillion yen company, and speak about some of the challenges around counterfeits.Produced and presented by Mariko Oi(Image: A woman poses with Hello Kitty plushies at the exhibit

Nov 1, 2024 • 17:28

Spilling the tea on matcha

Spilling the tea on matcha

Once difficult to find outside of Japan, the green tea has made it onto the menus of major coffee chains. The matcha tea industry is projected to reach US$5bn in revenue by 2031.We look at the role TikTok, celebrity and wellness endorsements have played, and ask whether the matcha we drink in the west is healthy.Plus we hear from producers who say the industry needs regulation.Presented and produced by Megan Lawton(Image: Matcha tea in a cup. Credit: Getty Images)

Oct 31, 2024 • 17:37

Investing in escape rooms

Investing in escape rooms

They’re the interactive games where players race against the clock to solve puzzles and break free. And now major brands are tapping into the trend. Companies are investing in escape rooms to enhance internal communications and team-building, and they’re now being seen as a powerful external communication tool too. And we learn how escape rooms are being used to engage customers and showcase their products, crafting unusual marketing experiences.Presented and produced by Deborah Weitzmann

Oct 31, 2024 • 17:27

The Murdoch succession saga

The Murdoch succession saga

It has already inspired the hit HBO television series Succession, but now Rupert Murdoch’s family drama is playing out in real life in a courtroom in the US state of Nevada. The 93-year-old media mogul is trying to change the terms of a family trust he made years ago that states that after his death, his four eldest children should get equal voting rights in his empire. Murdoch wants to alter it to give his eldest son Lachlan greater control. We hear from outside the courtroom, look back at Murd

Oct 29, 2024 • 17:24

The battle for US Steel

The battle for US Steel

We look at how some leaders in the battleground state of Pennsylvania are fighting for the approval of a deal for a Japanese company to purchase US Steel Corporation. That’s despite strong opposition from the unions and both presidential candidates.(Picture: Edgar Thompson Plant in Braddock, PA. Credit: Getty Images/Washington Post)Presented and produced by Monica Miller

Oct 28, 2024 • 17:26

Business Daily meets: Sandra Uwera

Business Daily meets: Sandra Uwera

From growing up as a refugee to leading the most recognised sustainability label in the world, Sandra Uwera talks about the challenges she's faced, and her drive to improve the lives of around two million farmers and workers around the world, through Fairtrade International. (Picture: Sandra Uwera. Credit: Fairtrade International)Presented and produced by Devina Gupta

Oct 24, 2024 • 17:27

Fixing water

Fixing water

In today’s episode we look at some ingenious solutions to water related problems. We start our aquatic journey by going on a tour of one of Victorian England’s most important feats of engineering. We discover a cheap and easy way to test for water quality, and learn about one of the biggest and most ambitious flood defence and general infrastructure projects in the world. And we hear how a water and sanitation engineer in Nairobi, Kenya, is trying to prevent huge volumes of H2O being wasted in l

Oct 23, 2024 • 17:28

US Election: Cross-border trade

US Election: Cross-border trade

In the second of a two-part series, we travel to the US-Canada border to find out what people, businesses and industries are thinking ahead of the US election. From one of North America’s busiest border crossings, to Canada’s energy capital, we hear from those who might be impacted by November’s result.South of the border, in Mexico, we hear how tension with China is benefitting America’s closest neighbours.Presenter: Sam Gruet Producer: Megan Lawton(Photo:: A road sign in Fort Erie, Ontario poi

Oct 22, 2024 • 17:28

US Election: Meet the neighbours

US Election: Meet the neighbours

The US presidential election on 5 November 2024 will have major consequences for its neighbours, Canada and Mexico. Trade, immigration, and diplomatic relations all hinge on the election's outcome. This episode explores how the two countries are preparing for either a Donald Trump or Kamala Harris presidency. From business owners and farmers to international trade specialists, we learn what is at stake for North America’s economies.Presenter: Sam Gruet Production: Sam Gruet and Megan Lawton(Phot

Oct 21, 2024 • 17:28

What is new in the auto industry?

What is new in the auto industry?

Theo Leggett reports on the latest trends and concerns preoccupying the automobile industry at this year’s Paris Motor Show. Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers have established that they can manufacture vehicles more cheaply than their European counterparts, and now they are looking to move into that market. Theo hears from Chinese and French car manufacturers about what this will mean for consumers. China is not the only country selling EVs to European consumers, a big American name is revi

Oct 20, 2024 • 17:39

Business Daily meets: F1's James Vowles

Business Daily meets: F1's James Vowles

We meet the Team Principal at Williams Racing - who says he's determined to restore one of Formula 1’s most historic teams to its former glory.From facing rejection early in his career to working with Honda, Brawn GP and Mercedes, James Vowles recounts his journey in the sport.He is now focussed on transforming Williams, who have not claimed a championship since the late 1990’s. Presenter: Theo Leggett Producer: Amber Mehmood(Image: James Vowles at Williams Racing HQ in Oxfordshire. Credit: Ambe

Oct 17, 2024 • 17:38

The growth of grief tech

The growth of grief tech

We look at a growing trend using artificial intelligence (AI) to 'connect' people to loved ones who have died.The grief tech sector, also called "death tech", is now valued at more than £100bn globally, according to tech news website TechRound.We hear from the people using technology, from the businesses building it, and we find out about the ethical challenges they face. Is it going too far?Produced and presented by Isabel Woodford(Image: Woman looking at her phone in the dark. Credit: Getty Im

Oct 16, 2024 • 17:29

US Election: Meet the retailers

US Election: Meet the retailers

We get the views of three American retailers - how do they see the economy and what do they want from the next US president?We hear from a department store owner in Indiana, a bookshop owner in Texas and a snack company based in New York City.Produced and presented by Ed Butler Additional production by Matt Lines(Image: A shop owner holding an open sign. Credit: Getty Images)

Oct 15, 2024 • 18:12

Man City v Premier League

Man City v Premier League

We look into the implications of what has been described as sport's 'trial of the century'If Manchester City are found guilty of breaching the English Premier League's financial rules - allegations Manchester City and the club strongly deny - the team could face relegation, while the Premier League risks serious reputational damage.Produced and presented by Alex Capstick(Manchester City celebrate winning the 2023/24 Premier League title. Credit: Getty Images)

Oct 14, 2024 • 18:00

How can night shifts be made safer for women in India?

How can night shifts be made safer for women in India?

People have been participating in mass rallies in India seeking justice for a young medical trainee who was raped and murdered in a hospital. It’s put a spotlight once again on women’s safety at work - particularly for those women doing night shifts. There are laws to protect women from sexual harassment in the workplace, but campaigners say it can be slow to get justice. So what more can be done to improve women's safety and encourage female participation in the workforce? We talk to some nigh

Oct 13, 2024 • 17:27

Business Daily meets Nagi Maehashi, owner of RecipeTin Eats

Business Daily meets Nagi Maehashi, owner of RecipeTin Eats

Ruth Alexander talks to Nagi Maehashi, founder of the hit food site, RecipeTin Eats. Back in 2014, Nagi gave up a high-flying job in corporate finance to start her blog. The gamble paid off and her blog now gets half a billion hits a year. She is also the author of two cookery books.Nagi tells Ruth what those early days were like, how she built the business, and what mistakes she made along the way.Plus - we hear about the crucial role of the blog's co-star Dozer, Nagi's much-loved Golden Retrie

Oct 10, 2024 • 24:13

What’s the future of F1 in Spain?

What’s the future of F1 in Spain?

We look at the impact of a new 10 year deal with Madrid - does it mean one of the longest-serving venues - Barcelona - will lose out?We speak to businesses and hotels in Barcelona who are looking to the future. Is it really sustainable for one country to host two F1 events each year?Produced and presented by Ashish Sharma.(Image: Max Verstappen drives by the crowd during the 2024 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit De Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. Image: Getty Images)

Oct 9, 2024 • 17:27

How IKEA built its brand

How IKEA built its brand

The minimalist, flat-packed furniture company has revolutionised living spaces globally. Originating from a small Swedish farm in the 1940s, it quickly grew and gained household recognition in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, Ikea stands as the world's largest furniture retailer. We speak to CEO Jesper Brodin to explore Ikea's brand evolution and its ability to adapt to consumer trends over the span of eight decades. And how realistic are its sustainability targets?Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer Amb

Oct 8, 2024 • 17:29

Ferry frustration

Ferry frustration

Islands around the world rely on ships as their lifeline service - for everything from their domestic supplies, to making hospital visits, as well as supporting vital industries like tourism. When the services go down, for weather or technical reasons, these remote communities are cut off from the mainland, with no back-up option. We hear from opposite sides of the world - Scotland and New Zealand - where unreliable car ferries disrupt the daily lives of residents and visitors.And we hear from a

Oct 7, 2024 • 17:51

The cities selling homes for one dollar

The cities selling homes for one dollar

Is selling off abandoned homes for a dollar or a pound the answer to invigorating a city? We meet some of the people in the port cities of Baltimore in the US and Liverpool in the UK who have taken part in similar housing revival schemes. Is it an easy win, or is solving a city's problems more complicated?(Picture: Maxine Sharples, who bought a house in Liverpool for a £1, holding a photo showing her undertaking renovation work in her home.)Presented and produced by Rowan Bridge

Oct 6, 2024 • 20:08

Shipwrecks: Business Daily meets a treasure hunter

Shipwrecks: Business Daily meets a treasure hunter

Carl Allen is a multi-millionaire former businessman who ran a trash bag company in the US. He's now the owner of an island in the Bahamas, a philanthropist and deep-sea treasure hunter, scouring the seabed for sunken Spanish galleons, slave ships and long-lost treasure. He tells us about his relentless search for one Spanish galleon that’s fired his imagination for the past 40 years. We discuss the ethics of treasure hunting and his belief that the best way to bring up relics from the botto

Oct 3, 2024 • 17:29

Shipwrecks: Who owns the sunken treasure?

Shipwrecks: Who owns the sunken treasure?

There are more than three million vessels on the world's sea beds, and plenty of explorers looking for them. But if they find something valuable, do they get to keep it? We talk to an arbitration lawyer about the laws governing the sea, and hear from maritime archaeologists about the perils of rummaging around on the ocean floor, disturbing long-sunken wrecks that offer a priceless glimpse into history. Some say we should leave these ships be, especially when they’re graveyards. Others say

Oct 2, 2024 • 17:29

Shipwrecks: The search for the San José

Shipwrecks: The search for the San José

In the first of our three part series looking at the money behind shipwrecks, we start with what's been called "the most valuable shipwreck in the world".The San José is a Spanish galleon sunk by the British off the Colombian coast more than 300 years ago.The treasure onboard is estimated to be worth $18bn, which means plenty of people are looking for it, and trying to lay claim to it. A salvage company, the Colombians, the Spanish and a Bolivian indigenous community all say the shipwreck and tr

Oct 1, 2024 • 17:29

Rebuilding Canada's tourism industry

Rebuilding Canada's tourism industry

It’s the second largest landmass in the world, famous for its lakes and spectacular forests, yet Canada’s travel industry has faced challenges since the Covid pandemic hit in 2020. International visitor numbers still haven't recovered, and extreme weather events like wildfires have destroyed some of its best-known resorts. Plus difficult diplomatic relations have meant a reduction in tourists from a key market - China.But Canada’s government says it has a plan for the sector which is worth $38bn

Sep 30, 2024 • 17:48

Is business ready for 6G?

Is business ready for 6G?

As the world gradually adopts 5G, there’s already talk of the next generation. It’ll be around 2030 before 6G arrives, but network operators in Japan and South Korea are gearing up. Meanwhile, some predict that 6G will render smartphones obsolete within a decade. Devices like sensors, displays, drones and electronics in vehicles will spontaneously create their own networks, sending and receiving at super-fast data rates and low latency. So, why the early excitement over 6G? How should businesses

Sep 29, 2024 • 17:28

Why we can't stop using corporate jargon

Why we can't stop using corporate jargon

Ever been stuck in a meeting drowning in buzzwords? Terms like "synergies", "low-hanging fruit" or "deliverables"? They're just a few examples of corporate jargon. A lexicon of colourful metaphors, buzzwords and acronyms that you’d never use with friends or family but have become common parlance in the world of international business. Workplace lingo might serve as a useful industry short-hand, or a way to gel with colleagues, but it can also irritate, obscure meaning or even hide unpleasant tru

Sep 27, 2024 • 27:20

Has capitalism lost its way?

Has capitalism lost its way?

Former fund manager Ruchir Sharma spent most of his career as a money manager on Wall Street. Lately though, he’s become a fierce critic of modern capitalism – arguing that the economic system is less fair and less efficient than it has ever been. What’s the fix?Produced and presented by Vivienne Nunis(Image: Ruchir Sharma)

Sep 26, 2024 • 17:28

The cost of preserving our heritage

The cost of preserving our heritage

We visit an archaeological dig and meet the heritage consultants who ‘rescue history’ before the developers move in. In wealthy countries, these consultants are paid in advance, and this has led to a growing industry. In lower income countries that’s not the case – so what’s happening there? Plus - we look at how the very definition of heritage is fundamentally shifting.(Picture: Archaeologist excavating part of human skeleton and skull from the ground. Credit: Getty Images.)Presented and produ

Sep 26, 2024 • 17:37

The new space race

The new space race

Billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, as well companies like Boeing, believe a future where more satellites are put in orbit, alongside new space stations, as well as plans for bases on the moon, will prove very profitable.But it is not proving easy for Boeing in particular, following problems with its Starliner space craft on its maiden flight to the International Space Station.We hear from astrophysicists, companies that advise on space investment, and former astronaut Cady Coleman. Pro

Sep 23, 2024 • 17:29

Does Vietnam's economic future still look bright?

Does Vietnam's economic future still look bright?

Vietnam has enjoyed more than 6% annual growth every year for the last thirty years or more, a staggering growth path, transforming one of Asia’s poorest economies into a major global trading hub. It's now one of the world’s top twenty economies. But are there challenges ahead. A high-profile anti-corruption drive, extreme weather events, and the death of its long-term leader have raised questions about the country’s path to prosperity.(Picture: Aerial view of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, at night

Sep 22, 2024 • 17:33

Business Daily meets Booking.com CEO Glenn Fogel

Business Daily meets Booking.com CEO Glenn Fogel

From experiencing a stroke at the age of 17, to various corporate jobs that never quite fit, we hear about Glenn Fogel's journey to becoming CEO of Booking Holdings, the parent company of online travel site Booking.com.We learn why the EU-based company is in the sites of competition authorities having been dubbed a “gatekeeper” in the travel market, and we hear what Glenn thinks about the impacts of mass tourism. (Image: Glenn Fogel. Credit: Getty Images)Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Amber Mehm

Sep 19, 2024 • 17:35

Tech titans and the race for the White House

Tech titans and the race for the White House

Tech titan Elon Musk says he’s backing Donald Trump to win the US election this November. But is he representative of what the wider industry thinks? And what does Silicon Valley, traditionally a Democratic heartland, want from either a Kamala Harris or a Donald Trump presidency? We explore what the two presidential candidates are offering this important sector of the US economy.(Picture: A smartphone screen shows the live broadcast of the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Har

Sep 18, 2024 • 17:28

WNBA: Is success leading to profit?

WNBA: Is success leading to profit?

The 2024 women's basketball season has broken records from attendances at matches, to points scored by rookie Caitlin Clark. As it draws to a close, we look at whether success on the court is leading to profitability off it. Despite some major media deals, the WNBA is still struggling to turn a profit. So is it really a major player in the sports industry?Produced and presented by Izzy Greenfield(Photo: A'ja Wilson, on court for the Las Vegas Aces. Credit: Getty Images)

Sep 17, 2024 • 17:27

Can 24-hour drinking zones transform a city?

Can 24-hour drinking zones transform a city?

From Paraguay to Portugal, Tokyo to Tel Aviv, more than 80 cities and countries around the world have introduced a ‘mayor for the night’. Several more are trying to introduce 24-hour zones to their nightlife – allowing alcohol to be served all day and night. But what are the benefits?We take you to the dancefloors of Montreal, Canada’s largest French-speaking city, where the local government is introducing a 24-hour zone. We travel to Berlin, the club capital of the world, where all-nighters hav

Sep 16, 2024 • 17:29

What is GPS jamming?

What is GPS jamming?

We use global positioning systems (GPS) for our sat navs and our mobile phones, and it's used extensively in aviation and shipping navigation.But what happens when it's disrupted? GPS jamming, when the signal isn't able to get through - and spoofing - which tricks the receiver into calculating a false position, is happening more and more.We look into the impact on the transportation sector - and on our everyday lives.Produced and presented by Gareth Mitchell(Image: An airline cockpit. Credit: Ge

Sep 15, 2024 • 17:27

Business Daily meets: DHL's CEO Tobias Meyer

Business Daily meets: DHL's CEO Tobias Meyer

One of the world's biggest logistics firms sits down with us to talk about freight costs, the German economy and his route to success. DHL employs more than half a million people globally. It was as US-based logistics firm when it started out, but by 2001 was owned by Deutsche Post.So how is the now German-based company navigating global economic challenges, including political tensions and conflicts?Produced and presented by Leanna Byrne(Image: Tobias Meyer. Credit: Getty Images)

Sep 12, 2024 • 17:29

The pressure on prop makers

The pressure on prop makers

What links the lightsabre, Scream mask and Wilson the volleyball? They’re all film props - objects that help bring stories to life on screen. Behind the scenes, they support a whole industry of specialist expertise.We speak to prop masters about the pressures on budgets and safety, following the death of Halyna Hutchins, who was killed on set by a prop gun.Produced and presented by Laura Heighton-Ginns(Image: Harry Potter's glasses on display in June 2021 at Prop Store in California, US. Credit:

Sep 11, 2024 • 17:29

The Titanic: an enduring fascination

The Titanic: an enduring fascination

RMS Titanic sank on 15 April 1912 claiming the lives of more than 1500 people. Just over 700 survived the disaster. The events surrounding the sinking of the luxury ocean liner, the identities of those on board, plus the stories of heroism and heartbreak on the night have generated global fascination in the vessel, which continues to this day. And that interest in Titanic has generated huge commercial appeal and revenue - for writers, film and documentary makers, museums and auction houses.We ex

Sep 10, 2024 • 17:27

Is the ticket industry broken?

Is the ticket industry broken?

2023 was a record year of live music, with an all-time high in worldwide ticket sales. Beyoncé and Taylor Swift’s world tours broke records, however fans trying to get tickets faced big problems.We hear from musicians, fans and global ticket selling giant Live Nation (of which Ticketmaster is a part) to find out what’s happening, and if it is broken, what is being done to fix it?Produced and presented by Sam Gruet(Image: Beyoncé performs onstage during the Renaissance World Tour in October 2023,

Sep 9, 2024 • 17:29

US Election: Spending on TV advertising

US Election: Spending on TV advertising

The campaign teams supporting Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in the race to the White House are expected to spend a total of more than $10 billion.A journalist with the CBS network, Larry Magid, explains why most of the money will be spent on political advertising on television. Professor Natasha Lindstaedt, from the University of Essex explains analyses why spending on American political campaigns continues to escalate. The marketing expert, Allyson Stewart Allen, explains how the creative team

Sep 8, 2024 • 17:37

Business Daily meets: Whoop founder Will Ahmed

Business Daily meets: Whoop founder Will Ahmed

They’re the 300 dollar subscription fitness bands being worn by a host of celebrity-backers in 2024. But who is the business leader behind the billion-dollar Whoop brand?The son of an Egyptian migrant to the US, Will Ahmed was always interested in sports. During his college years he started to notice the dangers of doing too much sports training. He describes this as a ‘rabbit hole’ as he began researching sleep and recovery patterns in professional athletes. This led him to create a fitness tra

Sep 5, 2024 • 17:29

What's next for Bangladesh's economy?

What's next for Bangladesh's economy?

After protests and political turmoil, we look at the challenges facing the new interim government.We'll hear from the biggest suppliers to global fast fashion brands and talk to students about their hopes and anxieties. Plus we have an exclusive interview with the country’s new central bank governor. Presenter: Nikhil Inamdar Producer: Jaltson Akkanath Chummar (Image: A garment worker at a sewing machine in Bangladesh)

Sep 4, 2024 • 17:35

How manifesting became big business

How manifesting became big business

Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande and even Donald Trump have signed up to the manifesting philosophy - the trend in believing that dreams can come true if you envision a positive outcome. But does it hold the secret to financial and professional success or is it a pseudoscientific fad? And what's behind the meteoric rise of this new-age practice?From books and podcasts to thousands of creators and videos on social media, Megan Lawton traces the history, investigates the methods and explores the latest w

Sep 3, 2024 • 17:28

Europe's fastest-growing tourist destination

Europe's fastest-growing tourist destination

As many countries and cities around the world rally against over tourism, we're in Albania which is investing huge sums in growing its infrastructure to welcome visitors in.The UN ranks Albania 4th globally for tourism growth and it places top spot in the European list of countries. Around 14 million visitors are expected in 2024 but with a tourism boom comes huge investment, construction and a changing economy, but at what cost to the environment? We hear about plans to build a luxury resor

Sep 2, 2024 • 17:27

US Election: The view from the fields

US Election: The view from the fields

We hear from farmers in Montana, Iowa and Georgia. What do they want to hear from the presidential candidates ahead of the US election?Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: David Cann(Image: A farmer using a combine in the US. Credit: Getty Images)

Sep 1, 2024 • 17:32

Business Daily meets: Football agent Kees Vos

Business Daily meets: Football agent Kees Vos

It is transfer deadline day for football's most competitive league - the Premier League - when clubs can add players to their squad who were previously under contract with another club.In the cut and thrust of football's transfer market are the agents. Among them, Kees Vos - who has been described as one of the most influential figures in world football. As agent to Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, he is said to control the ins and outs of the club.Matt Lines talks to him about the storie

Aug 29, 2024 • 17:29

Is it getting too hot to work?

Is it getting too hot to work?

As temperatures rise, productivity falls.Extreme global temperatures are draining tens of billions of dollars in economic productivity every year from some of the world’s biggest cities. It’s not just outdoor jobs that are impacted, but office work too. In this episode, we ask work leaders, economists and employees what can be done to work around hot weather. From changing working hours to introducing heatwave insurance.(Picture: Labourer drinking from a water bottle, in the sunshine. Credit: Ge

Aug 28, 2024 • 17:29

The short-term rental clamp down

The short-term rental clamp down

Cities and countries across the world are bringing in measures to restrict the type of lets popularised by companies like Airbnb and Vrbo.The regulations are to address concerns that homes in tourist areas are being used by visitors rather than being available for local people to rent on a long-term basis. We hear from Barcelona where its hoped thousands of flats will now be available for local people, and we're also in Halifax in Canada, where restrictions been in place for nearly a year. Produ

Aug 27, 2024 • 17:31

Have Swiss scientists made a chocolate breakthrough?

Have Swiss scientists made a chocolate breakthrough?

Chocolate is very important to Switzerland’s economy: with more than 200,000 metric tonnes produced each year, sales are worth almost $2 billion. But there are challenges – not just over sustainability, but over exploitation. And the volatile price of cacao.We meet the researchers who are coming up with solutions – including new, and potentially healthier, types of a favourite indulgence.And ask: Is this enough to secure the future of chocolate?Produced and presented by Imogen Foulkes(Image: A s

Aug 26, 2024 • 17:39

Business Daily meets: Brent Wisner

Business Daily meets: Brent Wisner

The US-based lawyer and managing partner at litigation firm Wisner Baum, in Los Angeles, has made his name taking on large pharmaceutical companies in high-stakes legal battles. He is the youngest attorney in US history to win a multi-billion dollar jury verdict. We hear how Brent transitioned from child actor, to successful lawyer, and how one ground-breaking case has now caught the attention of film-makers.(Picture: Brent Wisner delivers opening remarks in the Monsanto trial in San Francisco,

Aug 22, 2024 • 17:29

Why is Chinese EV giant BYD moving into Turkey?

Why is Chinese EV giant BYD moving into Turkey?

We’re in Manisa on Turkey’s west coast. It’s one of the country’s manufacturing centres for home appliances like washers, dryers, and refrigerators. But soon, thanks to a $1bn investment deal, it will also be a local factory hub for China’s BYD - the world’s second biggest maker of electric vehicles. The Turkish government is desperate for international investment to turn around its economy, and the region would benefit from 5,000 jobs. China is keen to get another foothold into the European mar

Aug 22, 2024 • 17:28

Remittances: Sending money back home

Remittances: Sending money back home

Each year millions of Indians go abroad to study and work. A lot of them end up sending money back home, a transfer known as remittances. The money is a crucial source of household income in low and middle-income countries, according to the World Bank. India is the only country to have received more than 100 billion dollars through this route - but it comes at a loss of its human capital. We speak to Indian expats and economists to explore the effect of remittances on the Indian economy.Presente

Aug 21, 2024 • 17:29

Reconstructing Chile’s botanical gardens

Reconstructing Chile’s botanical gardens

In February 2024, huge forest fires destroyed 90% of the land and plant species. Workers were killed and homes destroyed.We travel to the seaside town of Vina del Mar to find out how the country’s oldest and most important botanical garden is recovering. The garden’s described as the green lung of the region, and used to be home to hundreds of different plant species, many of them native to Chile. We’ve follow the gardens as they try to reopen and get visitors and tourists back through the gates

Aug 19, 2024 • 17:42

The cost of the Red Sea crisis

The cost of the Red Sea crisis

We catch up on the ongoing disruption to the shipping industry after Houthi attacks on commercial vessels.The Iran-backed group said it was targeting ships linked to Israel, the US and the UK in support of Hamas.We look at the cost of diverting cargo away from the Red Sea, and hear about the impact of months of disruption. Plus a new remote shipping route is getting more traffic, as ships travel over the top of the world via the Arctic.Produced and presented by Rick Kelsey(Image: A Houthi milita

Aug 18, 2024 • 17:28

Business Daily meets: Ginny Gilder

Business Daily meets: Ginny Gilder

Ginny Gilder won silver as a US Olympic rower in 1984. Today, she's a multimillionaire owner of a women's professional basketball team.How did success in the water inspire Ginny's breakthrough to the board room?We look at a life given to sport and business - and what drives her.(Image: Ginny Gilder. Credit: Getty Images)Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Amber Mehmood

Aug 15, 2024 • 17:28

Brand Jude Bellingham

Brand Jude Bellingham

As Spain's La Liga gets underway, we explore the global advertising appeal and earning potential of one of its newest football stars.Jude Bellingham is a 21-year-old midfielder from England who plays for Real Madrid, and he's hitting the peak of his career. The face of several brands, with major endorsement deals and more courting his attention, we explore his global advertising appeal, and how he might manage these partnerships while still focusing on his game.Presented and produced by Matt Lin

Aug 14, 2024 • 17:29

Pets: The business of dog-walking

Pets: The business of dog-walking

We explore professional dog-walking around the world. We hear from walkers from the United States, Argentina and Europe about how they operate, the growing market, and the challenges of making a career from taking other people's pets on daily walks - sometimes several at a time. And we join a dog walker in Paris, Caroline, to find out why the relationship between walker and dog is the most important when securing clients.Expect plenty of barks.(Image: Caroline, a professional dog-walker in Paris

Aug 13, 2024 • 17:41

Pets: What’s a ‘pet-fluencer’?

Pets: What’s a ‘pet-fluencer’?

From Instagram-famous dogs to viral kittens, pet influencers are revolutionising brand marketing with viral content and endorsements. It's a lucrative market in which companies are leveraging these furry celebrities to drive engagement and sales. We'll uncover why this trend is proving to be so profitable.(Image: Tika, an Italian greyhound, modelling canine fashion. Credit: Thomas Shapiro)Presented and produced by Deborah Weitzmann

Aug 12, 2024 • 17:28

Pets: The growth of pet tech

Pets: The growth of pet tech

With animal adoptions skyrocketing during the pandemic, pet care has evolved dramatically. From self-cleaning cat litter trays to smart feeding bowls, interactive toys, and pet cameras, we'll hear from some of the brands reshaping the way we care for our furry friends. But are we missing out on the meaningful connections our pets need as automation becomes more prevalent? (Picture: Rupert the British Shorthair cat, inside his litter robot. Credit: Deborah Weitzmann/BBC)Presented and produced by

Aug 11, 2024 • 17:29

US Election: The American housing dream

US Election: The American housing dream

As prices for homes and rents continue to rise in many towns and cities, it's one of the key issues for voters.In 2023 the average price of a home in the United States was $495,100, six per cent higher than a year earlier, though the signs are prices may now be starting to fall. That’s partly because mortgage rates have spiralled as high as 7% for many new buyers – making repayments prohibitive. We ask business owners working in housing to tell us why, and what’s the fix? Presenter: Ed Butler Pr

Aug 7, 2024 • 17:32

When should you retire?

When should you retire?

Have you decided when you'd like to retire? Will it be your choice, or is there a set age in your country or profession? More than a million people took part in protests in France last year when the government proposed an increase to the retirement age without a vote. Age has also played a big factor in the replacement of Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate. So is a fixed retirement age a good idea – or workplace outdated? Should it be more fluid – a matter of personal choice? Pr

Aug 6, 2024 • 17:37

When will we see a female billionaire athlete?

When will we see a female billionaire athlete?

Four sportsmen have reached 10 figures according to financial magazine Forbes.However the wealthiest sportswoman, tennis star Serena Williams, could triple her wealth and not get there.We speak to agent Stuart Duguid, who looks after four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, who tells us how elite sportswomen are investing their money and what barriers there are to growing their fortunes.We ask if, and when it might happen, and what that would mean for women’s sport.Presenter: Sam Fenwick Produc

Aug 5, 2024 • 17:39

Panama's troubled copper mine

Panama's troubled copper mine

The sudden closure of the huge open pit copper mine, Cobre Panamá, has created a dramatic economic fallout, with its loss of jobs and damage to the country’s reputation for investors. It was shut down by Panama's Supreme Court after months of protests against it.We look at the impact, and also ask what could happen next?Produced and presented by Jane Chambers Additional sound mixing by Grant Cassidy(Image: The Cobre Panama mine. Credit: Reuters)

Aug 4, 2024 • 17:35

Business Daily meets: Entrepreneur Tina McKenzie

Business Daily meets: Entrepreneur Tina McKenzie

The founder of one of Ireland's largest recruitment agencies, Staffline, shares how her upbringing during one of the most politically tumultuous periods in Northern Ireland's history, known as 'The Troubles', shaped her career path.From working in her parent's taxi firm, to the probation service to recruitment. And even a foray into politics.So what does Tina McKenzie MBE envision for the future of the country? Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Amber Mehmood(Image: Tina McKenzie. Credit: Charles

Aug 1, 2024 • 17:29

FFP: How do the football spending limits work?

FFP: How do the football spending limits work?

Football clubs must work under a strict policy of Financial Fair Play - or FFP - but what does it mean? And how does it work? With the summer transfer window now open, clubs are in business, buying and selling players. But football’s governing bodies are keeping a close eye on how much they spend.We take a look at how top-flight clubs in the Spanish league, La Liga, are managing the financial constraints. (Image: Real Madrid unveils new signing, Kylian Mbappe, at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Spai

Jul 31, 2024 • 17:29

Can Dua Lipa’s family change Kosovo’s image?

Can Dua Lipa’s family change Kosovo’s image?

More than 25 years after the Kosovo war, a music festival in the capital Pristina is hoping to change the image of the country around the world by inviting international artists and fans to learn more about the country’s cultural scene. Sunny Hill Festival is organised by global pop star Dua Lipa and her dad Dugi, who’s from Pristina.They are using their industry contacts to bring acts like Bebe Rexha, Stormzy and Burna Boy to party with tens of thousands of people, as well as inviting top in

Jul 30, 2024 • 17:29

What is 'Womenomics'?

What is 'Womenomics'?

We look at Japan's policy to boost its economy by getting more women into the workforce. It was announced back in 2013 by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and dubbed 'Womenomics'.Mr Abe gave a deadline of 2020 to significantly increase the number of women in leadership roles. But that date quietly came and went without the target even getting close.However could things could be starting to change? Japan Airlines new CEO Mitsuko Tottori is a woman, and that has restarted conversations. We hear

Jul 29, 2024 • 17:37

Business Daily meets: Swimming's power couple

Business Daily meets: Swimming's power couple

We hear from 4-time Olympic gold medallist Libby Trickett and her entrepreneurial husband Liam.Libby Trickett (Lenton) competed for Australia at the highest level, winning gold in the pool in Beijing and London. At the height of her swimming career she married fellow swimmer Luke Trickett, who had left the sport and was using the skills he'd learnt as an athlete to enter the business world.We hear how the Global Financial Crisis inspired Luke’s entrepreneurial spirit. And through it all, how tea

Jul 25, 2024 • 17:29

Paris 2024: Breaking new ground

Paris 2024: Breaking new ground

Paris 2024 will see the debut of the competitive street dance, Breaking.From the streets of the Bronx in the 70s to sport's biggest stage, we hear from the pioneers and the athletes hoping to turn their passion into a lucrative career.Breaking isn’t currently on the list for the next games in LA in 2028, so could it be a one-hit wonder?(Image: Man doing a headstand outside with his crew cheering in the background. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Matt Lines

Jul 24, 2024 • 17:28

Paris 2024: The race for the perfect running shoe

Paris 2024: The race for the perfect running shoe

The running shoe industry is worth around $50bn across the world, with more and more of us taking part in the sport.With more popularity comes more competition, so what are brands doing to keep consumers interested? We ask the chief marketing officer at Swiss sportswear company, ON, and find out how it helps sales when a top athlete wears their shoes.And as the debate around 'super shoes' rumbles on, are they really worth the expensive price tag? US marathon winner Kellyn Taylor tells us about t

Jul 23, 2024 • 17:28

Paris 2024: The fashion Olympics

Paris 2024: The fashion Olympics

We’re used to fashion giants like adidas and Nike designing athlete uniforms for the Olympics and Paralympics. This year however, it’s likely we’ll see smaller labels on the podium. In this programme we hear from the diverse list of designers and learn why the fashion industry is so keen to work with sports stars. Presented and produced by Megan Lawton(Image: Portugal's Gabriel Ribeiro competes during the Skateboarding Men's Street Preliminaries of the Olympic Qualifier Series 2024.Image: Getty

Jul 22, 2024 • 17:33

Paris 2024: The Grand Paris Express

Paris 2024: The Grand Paris Express

People arriving at Paris’s Orly Airport for the 2024 Olympic games will be able to take an underground train straight to Saint-Denis where most of the Olympic action is taking place.It's thanks to a line extension that opened on June 24. And that is just the ‘hors d’oeuvre’. The Grand Paris Express is a metro expansion on a massive scale whose aim is to transform the city from a normal-sized European capital to a metropolis the size of London. What could it do for the Parisian, and French, econo

Jul 21, 2024 • 17:38

Business Daily meets: Bisleri CEO Angelo George

Business Daily meets: Bisleri CEO Angelo George

We go to India to find out what it takes to manage one of the country's most iconic brands – Bisleri. It is so popular that it has become synonymous with the product itself - bottled mineral water. We hear from CEO Angelo George about the ethics of paying for water, plastic pollution and the challenges of shrinking water resources.Produced and presented by Devina GuptaSound mixing by Wayne Parkes(Image: Angelo George. Credit: Angelo George)

Jul 18, 2024 • 17:27

Nigeria’s drive to sell more locally-made cars

Nigeria’s drive to sell more locally-made cars

For decades, Nigeria has struggled to grow its domestic automotive industry while vehicles made by manufacturers from Japan, Korea, Europe and the US have dominated. But critics say many of those cars are not suitable for Nigeria’s roads. Lately, there has been a surge of “made in Nigeria” brands, of vehicles manufactured and assembled locally, which have been designed with the country’s challenging road conditions in mind.But as Nigerians are gearing up to the idea of replacing their trusted fo

Jul 17, 2024 • 17:30

Are shoppers turning against self-checkouts?

Are shoppers turning against self-checkouts?

Love them or loathe them, retailers across the world are installing more automated checkouts, as they aim to reduce staff costs.But the loss of personal service and the unreliable technology has prompted complaints from customers. And supermarkets are also facing a significant increase in theft from self-scan checkouts. We're in Ireland, where shops only installed the technology in recent years. Plus we hear from experts in Australia, China, the UK and United States.(Image: A man scans some brea

Jul 17, 2024 • 17:28

The price of a F1 Grand Prix

The price of a F1 Grand Prix

We head to Montreal, host city of the Canadian F1 Grand Prix. It's the country's largest tourist event, with an estimated 345,000 fans attending in 2023.And the sport is growing in popularity, thanks in part to the Netflix series, Drive to Survive. So how valuable is a Grand Prix to a country's economy? And which other cities are trying to get in on the action?Produced and presented by Megan Lawton (Image: The start of the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec on 9

Jul 16, 2024 • 17:27

Should public transport be free?

Should public transport be free?

Some cities around the world have decided to make public transport free. Services can range from local bus routes to shopping malls to city-wide transit. We're in the rich nation of Luxembourg which became the first country to introduce free public transport nationally, as well as in Delhi where women can travel for free in an effort to boost the numbers of women in the workforce. We're also hearing from Kansas City where the funding model is running out for a scheme introduced four years ag

Jul 14, 2024 • 17:27

President Biden: What power do the donors have?

President Biden: What power do the donors have?

We hear from Democrat fundraisers who are divided over whether he should pull out of the campaign for re-election.In the past week, since Joe Biden's disastrous debate performance, a number of donors have publicly warned they will withhold funds unless Mr Biden is replaced as the Democratic party candidate.Pressure on Mr Biden, 81, to step aside has grown, including from Hollywood celebrities George Clooney and Michael Douglas. However he has vowed to stay on, taking on Donald Trump, 78, in th

Jul 11, 2024 • 17:29

Why is everyone wearing retro football shirts?

Why is everyone wearing retro football shirts?

Two football mad continents, Europe and South America, are competing in international tournaments at the moment. Fans are all decked out in their teams shirts - but they’re not all wearing the latest versions. In fact, sales of retro or vintage shirts are booming. Be it the iconic Italian kits of the 90s, the classic sky blue of Argentina or Nigeria’s viral world cup kit - we look into this trend and speak to the fans who are buying, and the companies cashing in.Produced and presented by Imran R

Jul 10, 2024 • 17:27

Louisiana’s billion-dollar coastal restoration project

Louisiana’s billion-dollar coastal restoration project

It's the biggest operation of its kind in US history, as the state tries to save its coastline which is vanishing at an alarming rate.We travel to the Mississippi River and the city of New Orleans to see how billions of dollars are being spent to fix the rapid land loss.The project to revert the Mississippi to its land-making pathways could restore ecosystems destroyed by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and create buffers to protect against sea level rise and hurricanes. The Louisiana coastline

Jul 9, 2024 • 17:27

The rise of celebrity-backed drinks

The rise of celebrity-backed drinks

The global alcohol industry is worth just over one and a half trillion US dollars, and celebrities want a part of it. Famous faces and their drinks brands are filling up the shelves, from model Kendall Jenner’s tequila to actor Ryan Reynolds’s gin. And it’s not just alcohol: the energy drink market is in the sights of celebrities, too. How much more are customers willing to pay for these products?In today’s episode of Business Daily, we'll ask those who stock the drinks, and those who serve them

Jul 8, 2024 • 17:28

Could Africa’s anti-LGBT laws have financial implications?

Could Africa’s anti-LGBT laws have financial implications?

Ghana’s parliament has recently passed a tough new anti-LGBT bill. President Nana Akufo-Addo hasn't yet signed it in to law, after warnings that it could threaten Ghana’s much needed donor funding from places like the World Bank and IMF. Ghana is suffering a major economic crisis and last year had a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).Other African countries have also brought in similar laws. But is it fair for international financial institutions to get involved in politics in t

Jul 7, 2024 • 17:29

How is AI being used in the travel industry?

How is AI being used in the travel industry?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being applied in multiple industries all around the world, and in travel, the technology has made big strides.We travel to Spain to find out how the airline Iberia and the hotel chain Iberostar are using AI to change the way they operate.At Iberostar, AI applications can analyse and predict the amount of food that restaurants will need, and hopefully reduce food waste as a result.Meanwhile, Iberia is using the tool as a personal assistant to help high-end travelle

Jul 3, 2024 • 17:29

What could France's election mean for its economy?

What could France's election mean for its economy?

In the midst of a snap general election, we take the opportunity to look at the state of the country’s economy. France has a huge debt burden and some business leaders are worried that the economy could worsen if Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party get into power. The French stock market has been falling since the parliamentary election was announced - although it has recovered slightly after Sunday's result. Meanwhile the parties on the left have formed a new alliance, The New Popul

Jul 2, 2024 • 17:28

The Tour de France: A global money spinner

The Tour de France: A global money spinner

It is the biggest sporting event on the planet based on the millions of spectators who line roads for a fleeting view, but this year a shake up will mean the loss of the iconic Champs Elysees finish.We look at how a cycling race became a global money spinner - particularly for its owners, the Amaurys, one of the richest families in sport.We also visit the Maurienne valley, a regular stop off for the Tour, to find out what’s in it for sponsors and hosts. And with a new final stage ending in Nice

Jul 1, 2024 • 17:27

Fixing El Salvador's economy

Fixing El Salvador's economy

After tackling its security problem, can the smallest country in Central America get its finances under control too?We hear from street sellers, economists and locals about the issues they're still facing, and visit a surf town where tourism is having a big economic impact.Produced and presented by Jane Chambers (Image: A street market in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Credit: Getty Images)

Jun 30, 2024 • 17:29

Business Daily meets: Cinema boss Tim Richards

Business Daily meets: Cinema boss Tim Richards

The CEO of Vue International started out as a high school drop out as he wanted to concentrate on a snowsports career.We hear how, when that didn't work out, Tim Richards ended up entering the film industry and eventually starting his own cinema chain in his garage.Vue is now Europe's largest privately owned cinema chain but it hasn't been an easy ride - Tim tells us how the company has weathered both the Covid pandemic and the Hollywood writer's strikes. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Ambe

Jun 27, 2024 • 17:28

Seaweed: the super weed?

Seaweed: the super weed?

It's a familiar feature of our oceans and beaches and yet its environmental impact has largely been overlooked. Now supporters say seaweed can help us address climate change by reducing our reliance on fertilisers, and by reducing the methane emissions produced by cows. On top of that, proponents say a new material produced from the sugars in seaweed could provide a biodegradable alternative to the millions of tonnes of single-use plastic we throw away each year. No wonder the World Bank is pred

Jun 26, 2024 • 17:29

UK Election 2024: How are young people feeling?

UK Election 2024: How are young people feeling?

With just over a week to go until the UK General Election, we head to the seaside town of Southport in the north west of England.We speak to students and young entrepreneurs who live in the area to find out how they are feeling. We ask about the impact of inflation and a rising cost of living, and see which issues they'd like to hear the politicians talking about.It's far from a British problem - Southport could really be a microcosm of the changes and challenges facing young people in a commun

Jun 25, 2024 • 17:29

Self-storage and the Gen Z boom

Self-storage and the Gen Z boom

Ever needed to put your stuff in a storage unit? Recent research predicts the global self-storage market will be worth around $70bn by 2031 and the UK’s self-storage industry made more than £1bn last year for the first time ever.But what’s behind this rapid growth? What are people putting into these units? And what does it have to do with Gen Z and internet shoppers?We also hear from critics on what the growing industry says about housing around the world. Presented and produced by Sam Gruet(Ima

Jun 24, 2024 • 17:27

Ghost ships

Ghost ships

A shadow fleet of old and poorly maintained ships is cruising the high seas, often hiding their true identities through a series of shell companies.Their numbers have grown massively since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Lloyd’s List estimates as many as 12% of tankers are part of the dark fleet.There’s increasing concern about the danger to the environment, and to ship’s crews. But how effective at tackling the problem is the regulator, the International Maritime Organisation?Presenter

Jun 23, 2024 • 17:28

Business Daily meets: Edouard Mendy

Business Daily meets: Edouard Mendy

Senegalese international and former Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy is considered a legend of football. Becoming the first African to be awarded both the UEFA and FIFA goalkeeper of the year in 2021, followed by a big money transfer deal to Saudi Arabia, Mendy has reached the very heights of the game. But football careers don't last forever, so he is diversifying, and can now add a new line on his CV - as an investor in Francophone Africa. We hear about his work on the pitch to date, what’s mot

Jun 20, 2024 • 17:28

Social shopping: The battle for Gen Z

Social shopping: The battle for Gen Z

The social shopping industry is estimated to reach around $8.5 trillion in global sales by 2030. So what are the big tech giants doing to win over a generation of teenagers hooked onto shopping on social media?We find out what makes shopping social and find out what happens when a country bans social shopping on the world’s fastest growing platform.We speak to Gen Z shoppers, social media experts and an Indonesian business owner who almost had to let his staff go after the government changed the

Jun 19, 2024 • 17:29

What's behind golf's gender pay gap?

What's behind golf's gender pay gap?

As prize money gaps between men and women begin to close in many sports, in golf, the pay disparity is still very large. Nelly Korda, winner of five consecutive tournaments, earned less than Scottie Scheffler, who won four. And although current and former players like Korda and Mel Reid have made strides in the game, there's a significant difference in the prize money they receive.A lot of the disparity has been linked to the level of investment in the game. The men’s game has seen major cash in

Jun 18, 2024 • 17:30

Rhodes: A ‘beacon’ for sustainable tourism?

Rhodes: A ‘beacon’ for sustainable tourism?

Summer tourism in the Mediterranean is not only already in full swing but set for another bumper season.In Rhodes, "the more the merrier” is the mantra on this famed Greek isle, which is economically reliant on tourism. But the growing influx of arrivals each year alongside increasing frequency and ferocity of the annual wildfire season is posing some hard questions for locals about the need for more environmentally-friendly forms of tourism. Now, an ambitious five-year programme is underway, ai

Jun 17, 2024 • 17:28

Is there too much tourism?

Is there too much tourism?

When is tourism good tourism, and when is it just too much?Current projections suggest global travel is going to carry on rising for the foreseeable future, as low-cost air travel and budget rentals make package holidays ever more affordable for ever more people. But from Tenerife to Venice, more and more tourist destinations are feeling the pressure of these rising visitor numbers. In holiday hotspots, local people are complaining of congested streets, rising housing costs, and environmental de

Jun 17, 2024 • 17:29

Business Daily meets: Jane Poynter

Business Daily meets: Jane Poynter

23 years ago, the US multi-millionaire Dennis Tito became the world’s first-ever space tourist, funding his own trip into orbit. There was clearly money to be made, and now the lure of making space tourism more accessible to the masses is even greater - with several private companies jockeying for position. Jane Poynter’s firm is among them.It’s an industry experiencing dramatic growth – but the price of any of these trips is out of reach of most of us. We explore whether this firm could achieve

Jun 13, 2024 • 17:29

Why does everyone work late in Spain?

Why does everyone work late in Spain?

The European country is known for its late night eating culture, the average time for an evening meal is past 9PM.One of the reasons for that is the working day across Spain which has a history of going on way into the evening.But recently the second deputy minister of Spain called this ‘madness’, saying eating so late and working late isn’t good for work-life balance. We speak to a restaurant owner and the CEO of digital agency that offers flexible working to talk about working culture and disc

Jun 12, 2024 • 17:29

Is there a penalty for being single?

Is there a penalty for being single?

Why does being on your own seem so expensive? The number of unmarried, divorced, widowed or unattached people is growing worldwide. But figures suggest it is more financial costly to be single, while couples and families benefit from paying less per person. Whether it is the packaging supermarkets use, streaming service tariffs, hotel rooms - you often get a much better deal being coupled-up than not. Governments are in on the act too: offering tax breaks to couples.In this programme, we take ap

Jun 11, 2024 • 17:29

Economic life in Palau

Economic life in Palau

We look at how soaring food and fuel prices are affecting the tiny island nation in the western Pacific Ocean.Like much of the world, the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have led to supply chain issues, and rising costs.And with limited opportunities, young people are facing the question, should they stay or leave and chase careers elsewhere?Produced and presented by Frey Lindsay(Image: People gathered under the Japan-Palau Friendship bridge in Koror, Palau. Credit: Frey Lindsay/BBC)

Jun 10, 2024 • 17:28

The fight over Palau's oceans

The fight over Palau's oceans

We travel to the tiny pacific nation which wants to shrink its marine sanctuary, and open it up once more to commercial fishing.The President says it’s costing too much in lost revenue, when Palauans are already struggling.But opponents say this goes against Palau's conservationist ethos.So today we're asking - can conservation and commerce, co-exist?Produced and presented by Frey Lindsay(Image: The National Geographic Pristine Seas research vessel the Argo, in the Pacific Ocean East of Palau. C

Jun 9, 2024 • 17:37

The weight-loss drug revolution

The weight-loss drug revolution

Diabetes and obesity drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro have become famous for helping users shed big amounts of weight. It's a market that could soon be worth more than $100 billion. Two companies dominate this space, Novo Nordisk which makes Ozempic and Eli Lilly, maker of Mounjaro. But with competitors desperate for a piece of the action, how long can these two giants stay in front?Leanna Byrne hears from some of the companies involved, including those at the centre of the action and tho

Jun 6, 2024 • 17:28

Denmark and the Novo Nordisk effect

Denmark and the Novo Nordisk effect

In the first of a two-part series, in collaboration with The Food Chain, we look at the impact of the success of weight-loss drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk on the small country of Denmark. The Scandinavian nation is where the company is based, and with a population of less than six million people, Novo is having an outsized impact on the economy there. Denmark is now publishing separate economic statistics, minus the pharmaceutical industry. One town in particular, Kalundborg, has seen huge chan

Jun 5, 2024 • 17:29

What’s really going on in the US jobs market?

What’s really going on in the US jobs market?

President Biden has claimed the US economy is the ‘envy of the world’ and that his administration has added record job numbers, with around one million people hired since the turn of this year.With inflation falling and the possibility of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates, we find out if the rosy economic picture is being felt by those who are hiring or trying to get hired.(Image: A sign on a wall recruiting for staff at a hotel in California in 2024 as a man walks by. Credit: Getty Ima

Jun 4, 2024 • 17:28

Why are so many young Indians struggling to get jobs?

Why are so many young Indians struggling to get jobs?

India has just finished its marathon elections and as the new government takes charge we take a look at one of its biggest challenges - rising youth unemployment.With an average age of 29 years, India’s population is one of the youngest globally, but job creation for them hasn’t been easy in this fast growing economy. The BBC’s Devina Gupta travels to Delhi to talks to students and first time job seekers about this growing job crisis and what can be done to solve it.Presenter and producer: Devin

Jun 4, 2024 • 17:28

A special interview with World Bank boss Ajay Banga

A special interview with World Bank boss Ajay Banga

Exactly one year into his new job, we meet Ajay Banga, the President of the World Bank. He previously ran Mastercard, but following President Biden's nomination, Ajay Banga took on one of the most important roles in finance in June 2023. He tells us what steps he is putting in place to reform the organisation, how western governments are struggling to fund it to the same levels that it used to, and he warns inflation might not come down much further.Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Olie D'Al

Jun 3, 2024 • 17:27

Business Daily meets: Paul Carrick Brunson

Business Daily meets: Paul Carrick Brunson

We found out why the dating guru swapped a career in investment banking to become a matchmaker. Now famous for his role in the hit TV show ‘Married at First Sight’, Paul Carrick Brunson explains how his current career path wasn’t always written in the stars. But a combination of business acumen, the backing of his partner and a touch of luck led to a lucrative trade in matchmaking.He explains his core business principles and gives his top tips for discussing money in a relationship.(Image: Paul

May 30, 2024 • 23:11

The Baltimore bridge collapse – what happens next?

The Baltimore bridge collapse – what happens next?

It's been two months since the collapse of the key bridge in Baltimore, and the deadline to unblock the port's shipping channel is imminent. The US government has given a loose promise to make it happen by the end of May - but there are doubts that deadline will be met, causing more disruption to the local and global economy. How will businesses on sea and land find a way through more uncertainty?Izzy Greenfield speaks to small businesses who are feeling the impact; from fewer customers to disru

May 29, 2024 • 17:29

Why is olive oil so expensive?

Why is olive oil so expensive?

Most of us have noticed the prices of our weekly food shopping going up over the last few years, but some items have risen by astronomical amounts.Extra virgin olive oil - a premium, unprocessed oil from the olive, has seen many customers' prices rise by 50% in the past year alone. We explain why, as we hear from oil sommeliers and the people who buy and sell the product.(Image: Olive oil being poured into a bowl. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Rick Kelsey

May 29, 2024 • 17:30

Do women-only co-working spaces have a future?

Do women-only co-working spaces have a future?

Female-only co-working spaces started to grow during the #metoo movement. But some have struggled. We speak to entrepreneurs who are running these spaces - and the women working in them. Are they a viable alternative to going to the office? (Picture: Oi Leng Lui, who founded the co-working space, The Hearth, in north London.)Presented and produced by Dougal Shaw

May 27, 2024 • 17:27

Business Daily meets: Laura Chinchilla

Business Daily meets: Laura Chinchilla

Laura Chinchilla was the first woman to serve as president of Costa Rica and one of the first in Latin America.We talk to her about what that journey to the top job in her country was like, and the challenges facing Latin America - from corruption to crime, the drugs trade, migration, the brain drain, poor governance and low economic productivity. And we consider some of the potential solutions to those problems - solutions that could help Latin America bring prosperity to its people.(Picture: L

May 23, 2024 • 17:29

Latin America’s success stories

Latin America’s success stories

Across the region, there are examples of economic success stories: countries, companies and people that are getting things right, transforming their local economies and bringing prosperity to the region.We go to Peru, where fruit producers are enjoying a blueberry boom. We hear from Uruguay, which generates almost all its electricity from renewable energy, and we visit a factory Mexico that’s benefiting from “nearshoring” and the country’s proximity to the United States.We talk to two female ent

May 22, 2024 • 17:28

Brazil’s agricultural boom

Brazil’s agricultural boom

From soybean production to coffee exports to sugar cane, grains and tropical fruit - agriculture is powering the Brazilian economy.We travel to a farm outside the capital Brasilia, and look at how the country could play a major role in providing the world with food security in the years ahead.And we consider a major threat to agriculture – climate change, which is forcing Brazilian farmers to adapt to survive.We talk to the Brazilian head of the International Coffee Organisation – on what her h

May 21, 2024 • 17:27

Latin America and the Asian tiger economies

Latin America and the Asian tiger economies

Go back 50 years and Latin America was generally wealthier than East Asia. But that has been reversed. While the economies of East and South East Asia have taken off, enjoying a so-called "economic miracle", Latin America’s have experienced only tepid growth, despite the region’s enormous potential. Gideon Long asks why.We go to Singapore, one of the most open and business friendly nations on earth, to visit a factory making credit cards using the latest computer chips. And we ask economists wha

May 20, 2024 • 17:30

What’s holding Latin America back?

What’s holding Latin America back?

It's a region blessed with incredible natural resources, from copper to lithium to rich agricultural lands. It’s home to vibrant cultures, amazing music and creative and talented people.And yet it has never fulfilled its enormous economic potential. All too often it’s lurched from boom to bust, from hyperinflation to debt crises.We ask why that is. We consider corruption, crime, inequality, excessive bureaucracy and weak governance. We look at Argentina’s long decline and Venezuela’s economic im

May 19, 2024 • 20:45

Business Daily meets: Robot inventor Sandy Enoch

Business Daily meets: Robot inventor Sandy Enoch

We head to the robot workshop home of Marty the robotical.Sandy Enoch founded the Scottish tech firm Robotical which creates educational robots.Produced and presented by Dougal Shaw.(Image: Marty the robot)

May 16, 2024 • 17:29

Crypto and football: Uneasy team mates

Crypto and football: Uneasy team mates

Where next for the sometimes tricky relationship between football and crypto companies? We look at how some of the biggest clubs, and players, have embraced crypto products, and what that means for supporters. From fan engagement tokens to NFTs, advertised by the world’s biggest stars, to deals with Premier League clubs which turned out to be fraudulent. Is it putting fans in a potentially difficult financial position? Or just giving them another way to support the team they love?Produced and pr

May 16, 2024 • 17:29

Does the guitar have an image problem?

Does the guitar have an image problem?

Picture a rock 'n' roll icon like Jimmy Page, or Jimi Hendrix, and they've probably got an electric guitar in their hands.But, as classic rock - and classic rockers - continue to age, is the guitar industry struggling to attract younger customers?In six years, electric guitar company Gibson has gone from filing for bankruptcy to opening its first flagship store outside the US. We hear from Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, Grammy nominated singer James Bay, and one of the world's foremost female luthie

May 14, 2024 • 17:29

Is the US bet on sports gambling paying off?

Is the US bet on sports gambling paying off?

Sports betting is a relatively new industry in the US. Until 2018 you could only legally bet on sports in the state on Nevada, the home to Las Vegas. New Jersey was the first state to legalise sports betting six years ago and since then, a total of 38 states across America have done the same.Hannah Mullane looks at how the industry has grown so rapidly and discusses the consequences of the industry which has been allowed to evolve with very little regulation.(Produced and presented by Hannah Mul

May 13, 2024 • 17:29

Uganda's refugee women turned entrepreneurs

Uganda's refugee women turned entrepreneurs

Stella, Dawa and Salome arrived at the Bidi Bidi refugee camp in north-western Uganda with little more than the clothes they were wearing. Now, all three are entrepreneurs and businesswomen, running thriving businesses and earning enough money to clothe, feed and send their children to school. Can their stories help development agencies and governments deliver support to those most in need?(Picture: Salome, picking crops in a field in Uganda. Copyright: Village Enterprise)Presented and produced

May 12, 2024 • 17:30

Business Daily meets: Property tycoon Sanmi Adegoke

Business Daily meets: Property tycoon Sanmi Adegoke

The Nigerian-born businessman tells us about his journey from working in a fast food restaurant and facing racism from some customers, to being inspired to start his own business in London.He also talks about the influence of his Christian faith on his business decisions - and how it opened up a network of business connections which allowed his property portfolio to grow.Sanmi Adegoke's Rehoboth group has now undertaken more than 20 major renovation projects and has £35m worth of property assets

May 9, 2024 • 17:28

Eurovision: Making money out of something I love

Eurovision: Making money out of something I love

The Eurovision Song Contest has transformed itself from a TV show experiment to the world's largest live music event. 160 million people are expected to watch this year's competition in Sweden, as 37 countries take part. The acts participating will be hoping to become global superstars following the likes of ABBA, Celine Dion and Måneskin.And outside of the competition many fans around have turned their love of Eurovision into a business: from side-hustles to songwriters. We hear their stories a

May 8, 2024 • 17:28

Resurrecting ‘ghost’ whisky distilleries

Resurrecting ‘ghost’ whisky distilleries

In Scotland in the 1980s, a slump in the whisky market brought about the closure of some of the country's most iconic distilleries. These sites become known as 'ghost' distilleries - where spirit production has stopped, but where some stock is still available. In this programme, Elizabeth Hotson will be discovering why some of these distilleries are now being brought back to life. She visits the legendary Port Ellen on the Isle of Islay for its much-anticipated re-opening and hears from the mast

May 7, 2024 • 17:28

The trouble with live music

The trouble with live music

Elton John, Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran - all artists who've had sell-out world tours in recent years. And new markets, such as India, are being added to the global tour map. But the same can’t be said for smaller venues. In the UK and Australia, the lights are off, and thousands are closing their doors. We hear from musicians, promoters and the people who run venues; asking why there’s such a contrast between sell out stadium tours and struggling grassroots venues. And we see what

May 6, 2024 • 17:40

What hope for Kosovo's economy?

What hope for Kosovo's economy?

Ed Butler travels to Kosovo to find out what the prospects are for this young, ethnically divided population. After Ukraine, it's Europe's poorest region, where a brutal past still casts a shadow. But it's also a territory full of economic promise – with precious minerals buried underground, and vast vineyards. If only the politics would stop getting in the way.(Image: A wine maker in Kosovo, Milan Lakicevic, standing in front of stainless steel tanks, while holding a bottle of his wine.)Present

May 5, 2024 • 17:28

Meet the trailblazers: The female bike mechanics

Meet the trailblazers: The female bike mechanics

Meet Sharvari, Belinda and Brenna, three female bike mechanics from different corners of the world. From setting up a female run workshop in India, teaching skills to other women, or working within elite sport: these three are all making a living in the male dominated world of bike mechanics. Hear their stories and find out what happened when we got them all talking to each other.Presenter/producer: Lexy O'Connor(Photo: Bicycle mechanic Belinda Everett, Credit: Ryan Goff, #rygoff)

May 1, 2024 • 17:29

Can the Tour de France Femmes deliver?

Can the Tour de France Femmes deliver?

Over its long history women have been mostly excluded from the Tour de France. Until recently.In 2022, after a long campaign by some of female cycling's biggest names, the Tour de France Femmes was introduced. So how is it doing? And will it ever be on a level footing with the much older and long-established men's race?We hear from competitors, sponsors, broadcasters and race director Marion Rousse.Produced and presented by Lexy O'Connor(Team Jumbo Visma rider Marianne Vos wears the yellow jerse

Apr 30, 2024 • 17:28

Tourism cashing in on the ‘pink dollar’

Tourism cashing in on the ‘pink dollar’

The 'pink pound' or 'pink dollar' is believed to be worth billions of dollars, and tourism is one sector looking to benefit. We find out how the industry is trying to attract LGBT travellers, with countries like Nepal taking steps to be a more appealing destination. Plus, we head to the coastal town of Sitges in Spain, where gay people have been holidaying for more than 100 years.Producer/presenter: Daniel Rosney(Photo: The Nomadic Boys in New Zealand. Credit: The Nomadic Boys)

Apr 29, 2024 • 17:29

How can recycling be profitable?

How can recycling be profitable?

Ireland has just launched a scheme to charge a deposit on bottles and cans which is refunded when consumers return them to recycling machines in supermarkets. The Irish have set up a non profit making company to manage the scheme, funded by the drinks making firms, which should avoid the financial problems that have dogged the industry in the United States. Many privately owned American recycling companies are in danger of going out of business because the fee they get from state governments, un

Apr 28, 2024 • 21:36

Business Daily meets: Picsart CEO Hovhannes Avoyan

Business Daily meets: Picsart CEO Hovhannes Avoyan

We speak to the Armenian entrepreneur behind the popular photo editing app used by millions on Instagram, and by businesses too. Mr Avoyan tells us about his childhood, growing up in a country which only gained independence when he was in his 20s. He tells us how this liberation set free his entrepreneurial spirit, and why he relocated his company from Armenia to the US.Produced and presented by Dougal Shaw(Image: Hovhannes Avoyan)

Apr 25, 2024 • 17:35

Modest fashion: Inside a $300bn industry

Modest fashion: Inside a $300bn industry

As modest fashion week starts in Istanbul, we look at the growth of this area of the fashion industry.Long considered a faith-based choice, it is gaining in popularity, proven by the modest-friendly options that many leading brands now offer. We hear the thoughts of retailers and designers on why more women are choosing to dress modestly. And content creator Maha Gondal explains how she's bringing her take on modest fashion to her thousands of followers. Plus we look at what can go wrong when b

Apr 25, 2024 • 17:29

When films disappear

When films disappear

What happens when your favourite movies and TV shows fall off streaming sites? We find out why, speaking to industry insiders, and those preserving our film and TV titles. Plus, we speak to a US-based writer whose programme has disappeared to find out what the impact is on creators when their work no longer exists online.(Image: Man watching TV next to a dog. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Matt Lines

Apr 23, 2024 • 17:40

Where is 'a woman's place' in Ireland today?

Where is 'a woman's place' in Ireland today?

Earlier this year, on International Women's Day, the Irish electorate was asked to vote in two referendums on changing Ireland's constitution regarding family and care. One of those questions was whether they wished to remove a reference to the role of women in the home, which some view as being out-of-step with modern Irish society. A lot has changed since the constitution was written in 1937. Ireland is now among the highest-ranking countries in Europe for gender equality. However, in both ref

Apr 22, 2024 • 17:29

Should I put a wind turbine on my roof?

Should I put a wind turbine on my roof?

More of us are searching for cheaper and efficient ways to power and heat our homes. As energy prices remain high, what about taking matters into your own hands and putting solar panels on your roof, or putting a small wind turbine in your garden? Produced and presented by Rick Kelsey(Image: A wind turbine on a roof of a house in Amsterdam. Credit: Getty Images)

Apr 21, 2024 • 17:29

Corruption at port

Corruption at port

It’s estimated that 90% of traded goods travel over the oceans. But for the seafarers who make that happen, it’s not always an easy process. Thousands of incidents of corruption within the industry have been reported to the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network, who in this episode, tell Ruth Alexander what they’re doing to help the problem. Seafarers can often be put in an impossible position, and one former captain tells us how he was arrested at gunpoint after refusing to hand over a carton

Apr 17, 2024 • 17:28

The rise of women voters in India

The rise of women voters in India

As India enters election season, we look at the crucial female vote. For decades, the number of women turning out to vote in India has been low, but that’s changed in the last decade. Now, political parties are deliberately targeting policies at women, to try and win over this key group. We hear from a group of women about their priorities in the 2024 general election - for the workplace, in business, and their day-to-day lives.(Picture: A group of women in India lining up to vote. Credit: AFP)P

Apr 16, 2024 • 17:28

Can you be sued for writing a bad review online?

Can you be sued for writing a bad review online?

We depend on online reviews for everything from hotel and restaurant bookings, to what products to buy, and as we hear in this programme, medical and cosmetic procedures. If a customer feels unhappy with a service they've paid for, they might want to leave a bad review. But what happens if the company they're complaining about doesn't like it?In the UK, a cosmetic surgery company, Signature Clinic, is taking some of its former patients to court after they posted negative reviews or comments on s

Apr 14, 2024 • 17:28

Business Daily meets: game designer Brenda Romero

Business Daily meets: game designer Brenda Romero

Brenda Romero's breakthrough game Wizardry is legendary, and she’s made and contributed to more than 50 titles since.Now, with her own company in Ireland, what does she think is the key to a great game? And in a vulnerable time for the industry, what does she think its future holds?(Picture: Brenda Romero. Credit: John Press photos)Presenter: Steffan Powell Producer: Izzy Greenfield

Apr 11, 2024 • 17:29

Africa's video gaming boom

Africa's video gaming boom

There are an estimated 200 million gamers on the African continent.The industry is growing fast, and generating millions of dollars for gaming companies. However, there's a problem - many gamers in Africa don't have access to the credit and debit cards needed for in app purchases. We meet the fintech companies who think they've got a solution. Produced and presented by Mo Allie(Image: A woman gaming on her phone. Credit: Getty Images)

Apr 10, 2024 • 17:28

Video games in concert

Video games in concert

The music composed for video games has come a long way. Once limited to simple tunes generated by early synthesizer chips, it now encompasses complex musical works composed for full orchestra. Video game music is now also considered a key access point to orchestral music among young people, and concert venues around the world are seeing new and diverse audiences attend live performances of gaming soundtracks. This could a development the classical music world is looking to embrace - although it

Apr 8, 2024 • 17:28

What’s happening to the gaming business?

What’s happening to the gaming business?

Tens of thousands of people in the video game industry have lost their jobs in the past year. The industry itself is valued around 200 billion dollars - one of the biggest in the world. And last year saw some of the biggest releases so far. So with so much success, why are there so many struggles? We speak to two workers who recently lost their jobs in the industry, and hear about the effect it’s had on their lives. Tech expert Matthew Ball tells us why there’s a simultaneous battle between

Apr 7, 2024 • 17:29

Business Daily meets: Maarten van der Weijden

Business Daily meets: Maarten van der Weijden

The Dutch swimmer won gold in Beijing, having been diagnosed with cancer seven years earlier.We hear why he decided to stop competing, and instead turn his attention to charity fundraising - setting up his own foundation and raising millions for cancer research through long-distance swimming endurance events.And how he ensures that the money raised is correctly managed.Produced and presented by Matthew Kenyon.(Image: Maarten van der Weijden setting a new world record in 2021, by swimming continu

Apr 4, 2024 • 17:27

Nigeria’s graduates vulnerable to kidnapping

Nigeria’s graduates vulnerable to kidnapping

Kidnapping is endemic in nearly all parts of Nigeria, as shown by the recent high profile mass abduction and release of nearly 300 schoolchildren. And for young Nigerians who are taking part in the national youth service programme - NYSC - they are particularly vulnerable as they travel to their postings along the country's long rural roads. Service is mandatory if you want to use your degree - but are the risks just too great now? And what impact does it have on young people’s futures?Produced

Apr 3, 2024 • 17:28

The business of scent

The business of scent

Smell is a powerful sense that can evoke memories and spark emotional connections. And it's increasingly big business.In this programme, we lift the lid on the multi-billion dollar fragrance industry; finding out how scent can influence customer behaviour, build teams, and even help to sell houses.We hear from a perfume-maker who crowdsources some of the world's most expensive fragrance ingredients, and visit a 15 million dollar house on the market in London, to find out how the right aroma in a

Apr 2, 2024 • 17:28

Capturing CO2 from the air

Capturing CO2 from the air

We're in Iceland, where, in attempt to fight climate change, huge machines are being used to pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.And then locking it away deep underground, turning it into stone.The business behind the technology believes this is a crucial step in reducing the amount of CO2 in the air.But how economical, and impactful, is this carbon capture?Presented and produced by Adrienne Murray(Image: A carbon injection site run by Carbfix in Hellisheidi, Iceland. Credit: Getty Images)

Apr 1, 2024 • 17:29

The growth of 'quiet luxury'

The growth of 'quiet luxury'

We explore the fashion trend that involves minimal labels and logos.Loved by celebrities and social media influencers, what is it about the quiet luxury trend that is so appealing – particularly in countries like China?And can you follow the 'stealth wealth' trend on a low budget?(Picture: Woman standing in luxury hotel suite looking at view with curtains blowing in wind. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Gabriele Shaw

Mar 31, 2024 • 17:28

Business Daily meets: ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo

Business Daily meets: ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo

Founded in 1901, the International Labour Organisation works with governments of over 180 countries, to help promote internationally recognised labour rights. In all of its 105 year-history, Gilbert F. Houngbo is the first African to be in charge of the UN agency. In this programme, the ILO leader talks to Rahul Tandon about what he's doing to try to tackle some of the biggest global challenges the world currently faces - from unemployment, to migration, to artificial intelligence.And we hear ab

Mar 29, 2024 • 18:13

Is tidal power a viable energy source?

Is tidal power a viable energy source?

The Pentland Firth is the strait that lies between the far north of mainland Scotland and the Orkney Islands. It's a wild area with some of the fastest tides in the world, where the power of the sea is being harnessed by tidal turbines sitting on the sea bed.But this type of green energy is still very expensive to generate - so what is the future of tidal and wave power? We explore some of the ground breaking projects being developed in the region and speak to companies who are trying to reduce

Mar 28, 2024 • 18:26

The billion-dollar rise of Padel

The billion-dollar rise of Padel

Padel is a fast-growing sport, attracting investment from celebrities and major brands. What is it about the game that makes it so attractive?We hear from professional players of the sport, and head to Sweden, where the Padel boom, and subsequent bust, might hold some lessons for other countries.(Image: Portuguese football player Cristiano Ronaldo plays Padel during an event in Singapore, 2023. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Daniel Rosney

Mar 27, 2024 • 18:25

How do you keep food cold?

How do you keep food cold?

Up to 40% of food in Africa and India is wasted because of a lack of what's called "the cold chain" - the infrastructure keeping food chilled and fresh, from farm to fork. Many small-scale farmers have no access to any kind of refrigeration, meaning they're losing income and wasting food that could otherwise be sold.Devina Gupta meets the entrepreneur who is building pay-as-you-go solar powered cold rooms in India, and hears from farmers, traders and experts on how we can keep food cold as the p

Mar 26, 2024 • 18:26

Will high interest rates be cut soon?

Will high interest rates be cut soon?

The past few years have been marked by two economic trends that have affected pretty much everyone on the planet. The first is the cost of living crisis that followed the Covid pandemic and was made worse by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That saw prices in the shops soar - in many countries they rose by their fastest pace for four decades. The attempt to stamp out this inflation is the second of those big economic trends, as central banks aggressively increased the cost of borrowing. Millions of

Mar 25, 2024 • 18:25

Business Daily meets: Leigh Steinberg

Business Daily meets: Leigh Steinberg

Lawyer Leigh Steinberg had no big dream to become a sports agent. He was a huge sports fan, but the job was not something he was aspiring to – more something that he stumbled across. Today, he's built up a career representing more than 300 professional athletes across a range of disciplines: from big money-making sports like football and basketball, to Olympic gymnastics; building sporting careers worth billions of dollars. His influence in sport is so influential that he's often credited as the

Mar 22, 2024 • 18:18

Is Saudi Arabia softening its alcohol ban?

Is Saudi Arabia softening its alcohol ban?

An alcohol shop for diplomats has opened in Saudi Arabia. It’s a significant move in a country that has banned alcohol for over 70 years. Some believe in order to transform the tourism economy it is a sign of things to come. In the meantime, Riyadh has become known for making some of the best non-alcohol cocktails in the world. Is this a small policy change, or does it signal a wider relaxation of the rules? We hear from young Saudis about the generational divide in a country trying to change it

Mar 20, 2024 • 18:19

Why is Temu so cheap?

Why is Temu so cheap?

The Chinese-owned online store has exploded in popularity in the past year, shipping to customers in 49 countries around the world. And its advertising has taken centre stage at one of the world’s most watched events: the Super Bowl. So why is Temu so cheap? And how can it afford to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on advertising to take on its rivals?We hear from experts, politicians and shoppers in China, the US, and the UK about how the company operates, as it seeks to out-pace the compe

Mar 19, 2024 • 18:20

Would green hydrogen be a drain on Uruguay's water sources?

Would green hydrogen be a drain on Uruguay's water sources?

The government of Uruguay has launched ambitious plans to make hydrogen and green fuels.The country generates far more of its electricity from renewables than most countries - Uruguay produces more than 90% of its electricity from sustainable resources, like wind. And that, the government says, puts it in a good position to start producing green hydrogen.Proponents of green hydrogen production in Uruguay say it will be good for the planet and the country's economy, but could it use too much wate

Mar 18, 2024 • 18:19

Business Daily meets: CEO of Proton Andy Yen

Business Daily meets: CEO of Proton Andy Yen

Andy Yen is founder and CEO of tech company Proton, best known for its encrypted email service Proton Mail.He was born in Taiwan, studied in California, then moved to Switzerland to work at CERN as a particle physicist. He then set up Proton from Geneva.Dougal Shaw talks to the entrepreneur about growing up in the shadow of China, personal privacy in an age when we live our lives online, and his company’s “cat and mouse” games with Russia over VPN software, which allows people to access the inte

Mar 15, 2024 • 18:15

Stockholm: The capital of music tech?

Stockholm: The capital of music tech?

Spotify and Soundcloud started out as small, music tech startups in Stockholm, and now, several other companies that blend music production and innovation are choosing to set up shop in the Swedish capital. In this edition of Business Daily, we meet some of these new businesses, to see why Stockholm holds such appeal. And we try to find out whether music tech is a profitable sector with a long-term future.(Image: Emelie Olsson, the co- founder of Corite, a music tech startup. Credit: Maddy Savag

Mar 14, 2024 • 18:07

Nato: Who’s spending what?

Nato: Who’s spending what?

Wary of the perceived threat from Russia, the countries that make up the Nato Western military alliance are upping their spending on the military. But not fast enough, according to former US president Donald Trump, who has made the issue part of his election campaign.So should governments in Europe be spending more on their collective defence? Do Europeans want them to, or would they rather that money go to things like education and healthcare instead? As Sweden joins the alliance, we look at wh

Mar 13, 2024 • 18:21

The sugar price surge

The sugar price surge

We trace the commodity’s journey from sugar cane farm, to mill, to candy shop, all in a quest to find out why the cost of sugar has gone up. The US is the world's fifth largest sugar producer, with sugarcane grown in the south and sugar beets in the north. Even though the cost of sugar is rising worldwide, Americans pay twice as much as the global average for sugar because of a government policy. Brought about to protect domestic producers, a protectionist policy taxing imports of sugar is

Mar 12, 2024 • 18:12

European farming’s existential crisis?

European farming’s existential crisis?

There's been a wave of farmers' protests across Europe in recent weeks. France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Eastern European countries have all seen farmers airing their grievances by driving their tractors into towns and cities and blocking roads. There have also been similar demonstrations far beyond Europe, in India. Guy Hedgecoe has been looking at the protests and how some grievances are uniting farmers from different countries while others are dividing them. Because farming is so i

Mar 11, 2024 • 18:10

Business Daily meets: Ben Ainslie

Business Daily meets: Ben Ainslie

Sir Ben Ainslie is the most decorated Olympic sailor of all time, winning medals at five consecutive Olympic Games. Since then, he's been sailing in the America’s Cup and more recently in the new SailGP league.Now, he's stepping back from some of his sailing responsibilities to concentrate on being a CEO. For this episode of Business Daily, Sam Fenwick talks to Sir Ben about what it takes to run a sailing team, how to monetise the sport, and where he sees its future. (Picture: Sir Ben Ainsley. C

Mar 8, 2024 • 18:18

The repercussions of the Hollywood strikes

The repercussions of the Hollywood strikes

Last summer marked the first time in six decades that Hollywood’s actors and writers went on strike simultaneously. They hit pause on production over pay and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the film industry.The strikes brought the industry to boiling point, but wider issues were simmering for some time.They caused a multi-billion economic toll on those who work in film and television - from crew members to caterers. Businesses burned through savings and piled up debt.This edition of

Mar 7, 2024 • 18:20

Disruption and drought in the Panama Canal

Disruption and drought in the Panama Canal

The important shipping route runs for 82 km through Central America, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.But a long period of dry weather means the water in the canal is very low, reducing the number of boats that can travel though.We travel to Panama to look at the impact this is having on shipping companies, manufacturers and consumers, and find out what the Panama Shipping Company is trying to do about it. Presenter: Michelle Fleury Producer: Nathalie Jimenez(Image: A ship going throu

Mar 6, 2024 • 18:18

Tourism’s sustainability ambitions

Tourism’s sustainability ambitions

We travel to FITUR - International Tourism Trade Fair.Taking place in Madrid, this year's event was the biggest ever.As the sector is still recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we speak to representatives from countries around the world who are aiming to attract visitors.Plus we focus on responsible tourism, and look at how much emphasis is being placed on sustainability by the travel industry.Produced and presented by Ashish Sharma(Image: Tourists at a beach club in Seminyak, B

Mar 5, 2024 • 18:19

How are farmers adapting to climate change?

How are farmers adapting to climate change?

Up to 10% of areas for major crops and livestock could be rendered unsuitable by climate change by 2050, so what can farmers do to adapt to rising temperatures and extreme weather events?Stefania Gozzer meets a farmer in Spain to see how severe droughts ruined his cereal harvest, and she pays a visit to his neighbour, who has managed to grow tomatoes without watering his fields.Global warming poses huge challenges for agriculture around the world - and various ways of managing its effects are no

Mar 4, 2024 • 18:19

Bonus: Good Bad Billionaire

Bonus: Good Bad Billionaire

In this special episode, Ed Butler brings you a podcast from our friends at Good Bad Billionaire. In the series, presenters Simon Jack and Zing Tseng find out how the richest people on the planet made their billions, and then they judge them. Are they good, bad, or just another billionaire? This episode focuses on Warren Buffett - how did he became the richest investor in history?Listen to every episode of Good Bad Billionaire wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

Mar 2, 2024 • 58:19

Business Daily meets: Mariana Mazzucato

Business Daily meets: Mariana Mazzucato

The world's major consulting firms make an estimated trillion dollars a year, directing governments and businesses on how best to govern.But the economist Mariana Mazzucato argues that outsourcing the brain power of governments to private firms is a dangerous trend. Ed Butler asks her why she thinks it isn't money well spent.(Picture: Mariana Mazzucato. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Ed Butler

Mar 1, 2024 • 18:28

Is it okay to be mediocre at work?

Is it okay to be mediocre at work?

The idea of settling for ‘good enough’ and being mediocre at work is not new… but the case for prioritising other things apart from work has grown rapidly since the pandemic – and hashtags like #lazygirljob have been getting millions of views on TikTok. We find out what mediocrity means for staff and employers, and speak to workers who are embracing this new attitude.We hear from Jaime Ducharme, Time Magazine journalist who wrote an article about mediocrity in the workplace, Gabrielle Judge who

Feb 29, 2024 • 18:27

Would you like to work 'near' home?

Would you like to work 'near' home?

Work from home, or go into the office? For many businesses and workers it's an ongoing conversation at the moment.But could there be a third way - working 'near' home?New co-working spaces are providing a place for people to do their job close to where they live, but not at home which can be unsuitable and isolating.We also look at the WeWork model - the billion-dollar business filed for bankruptcy protection in the US last year - does that mean the concept isn't viable long term? Produced and p

Feb 28, 2024 • 18:29

Chile's move to a 40 hour work week

Chile's move to a 40 hour work week

We look at the implications as the Latin American country gradually reduces from 45 hours.In April 2023 politicians approved a law in congress saying that businesses need to move towards cutting their hours to help get a better work life balance for employees.This reduction is happening gradually, and the working week is getting shorter by at least one hour per year, over a maximum of five years. We speak to workers and businesses in Chile about the impact - good and bad - that this is having.Pr

Feb 27, 2024 • 18:26

How Sweden led the way on parental leave

How Sweden led the way on parental leave

It's been 50 years since Sweden introduced state-funded parental leave, designed for couples to share. We hear how the pioneering policy has impacted families and businesses - and ask whether Sweden really deserves its reputation for gender equality.And we meet one of the first dads to take paid parental leave, back in the 1970s. Produced and presented by Maddy Savage(Image: A man holding a small child. Credit: Getty Images)

Feb 26, 2024 • 18:27

Business Daily meets: Ingrid Robeyns

Business Daily meets: Ingrid Robeyns

Today, the richest 10 per cent of the world’s population own more than three quarters of its wealth, while the bottom half have 2%.To halt the growing wealth gap, one economic philosopher, Ingrid Robeyns, has come up with a striking proposal - to impose legally enforced limits on people’s personal wealth. No one individual, Professor Robeyns suggests, should be allowed to have more than 10 million dollars.It's a provocative idea. And would it work in practice?(Picture: Ingrid Robeyns. Credit: Ke

Feb 23, 2024 • 18:21

Ukraine's economic rollercoaster

Ukraine's economic rollercoaster

The Russian invasion sparked the worst recession in the country’s recent history. Yet 2023 saw growth which is projected to continue. So how are businesses actually faring? The economy is heavily reliant on foreign aid and there is uncertainty whether that will continue, notably from the US.We hear from businesses and workers who give us a mixed picture of Ukraine's economic health: Chef Zhenya Mykhailenko the CEO of FVSM which runs a group of Ramen restaurants in Kyiv and a military kitchen in

Feb 22, 2024 • 18:18

Peak profits

Peak profits

The Olympics in Tokyo, some jaw dropping films, and a hardwired desire to be in the great outdoors. These are just some of the reasons credited with boosting the popularity of climbing. Hundreds of indoor bouldering gyms have cropped up in the US since the 1990s, and the sport is spreading across the world. Although still concentrated in North America and Europe, more and more countries are joining the International Federation of Sport Climbing, and the millions of people taking part are attract

Feb 21, 2024 • 18:18

What happens when you run out of coins?

What happens when you run out of coins?

The Philippines is experiencing an artificial coin shortage.It’s artificial because there are plenty of coins - it’s just that people are using them less so they fall out of circulation and end up collecting in jars at home. Hannah Mullane investigates why this is happening and what impact it’s having on consumer behaviour. And reporter Camille Elemia speaks to businesses and shoppers in Quezon city to find out how Filipino’s are changing the way they spend. (Picture: A jeepney driver, counting

Feb 20, 2024 • 18:23

Global trade’s new normal?

Global trade’s new normal?

Three months ago, Houthi fighters from Yemen hijacked a cargo ship in the Red Sea and took the crew captive. It was the group’s first attack on commercial shipping in response to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. Around 30 similar assaults have followed and the US and UK have retaliated with air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.The Houthi attacks have wreaked havoc with shipping in the Red Sea, forcing hundreds of ships to re-route and make the much longer journey around the bottom of

Feb 19, 2024 • 18:20

Business Daily meets: Tony Fernandes

Business Daily meets: Tony Fernandes

Tony Fernandes has worked in the music industry, owned a formula one team and co-owned a professional London football club, but these days he’s concentrating on his core business as the CEO of the parent company of AirAsia, a Malaysia-based budget airline he co-founded that has transformed travel in South East Asia.We speak to him about his varied career, the airline industry’s recovery from the Covid pandemic, and the recent safety issues at Boeing.(Picture: Tony Fernandes. Credit: EPA-EFE/REX/

Feb 16, 2024 • 18:05

The making of a billionaire athlete

The making of a billionaire athlete

Only four sportspeople have turned success on the field to success in business, making it to the 10 figure club.Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Lebron James and Magic Johnson, the last to join in October 2023, according to the wealth-tracking business magazine, Forbes.Matt Lines finds out the secrets behind the fortunes of these four athletes and who could be joining the list in future.(Picture: L-R: Tiger Woods. Credit: Reinhold Matay/USA Today Sports. Magic Johnson. Credit: Allison Dinner/EPA-EFE

Feb 15, 2024 • 18:22

A scary business

A scary business

Scaring people has become big business. There’s even a catch-all term for the trend: dark tourism, where thrill seekers visit the scenes or replicate the experiences of horrendous moments in history. Elizabeth Hotson goes to investigate.(Picture: Someone wearing a skeleton mask, pointing at the camera. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Elizabeth Hotson

Feb 13, 2024 • 18:21

The content moderators taking Big Tech to court

The content moderators taking Big Tech to court

We hear from former moderator Daniel Motaung, who has taken Meta and their outsourcing partner, Sama, to an employment tribunal in Nairobi.US lawyer Cori Crider, from tech justice NGO Foxglove - which supports Daniel and others who have taken legal action - believes that content moderation is one of the most important tech jobs, particularly when there is a conflict in the region. The recent war in Ethiopia and some of the posts made on Facebook were the catalyst for another lawsuit challenging

Feb 12, 2024 • 18:18

Business Daily meets: Jagan Chapagain

Business Daily meets: Jagan Chapagain

The secretary general of the world’s biggest humanitarian network – the International Federation of the Red Cross - rose from humble beginnings in Nepal. We hear how Jagan Chapagain became involved in humanitarian work, and how he deals with all of the current global crises, whilst remaining politically neutral. (Picture: Jagan Chapagain. Credit: Getty Images)Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Olie D'Albertanson

Feb 9, 2024 • 18:09

The global quest to boost productivity

The global quest to boost productivity

From tackling the long commute to sleeping on the job - we head to Lagos, New York, Tokyo, Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) and Dublin to look at the diverse ways businesses are attempting to boost productivity and therefore also boost profits. We hear from businesses installing sleep pods in the office and others using technology to boost production on their farms and in their factories but are these techniques really working? Producer: Hannah Mullane Presenter: Leanne Byrne(Image: Buildings wor

Feb 8, 2024 • 18:25

Is it worth being a B Corp?

Is it worth being a B Corp?

It's an exclusive business club with over 8,000 companies, which put environmental and social values at the heart of their work. But the B Corp badge has come under some criticism for taking on some multinational companies - some smaller businesses say that has diluted its values. We hear from Anjli Raval, who reports on what goes on inside the world's biggest companies for the Financial Times.One of the biggest growth areas for B Corps is expected to be Africa. Tahira Nizari is the co-foun

Feb 7, 2024 • 18:14

Denmark: Cashing in on Sweden's Eurovision

Denmark: Cashing in on Sweden's Eurovision

As Malmö receives the keys to this year's event, we look at how Copenhagen in Denmark could be the real economic winners - without having to pay for it. When the Swedish city last hosted the competition in 2013, officials estimated around a third of overnight stays were in the Danish capital. We speak to officials in both cities - just 30km apart and connected by the Øresund Bridge - to examine what fans can expect, and explore how other nations around the world get in on the action when a neigh

Feb 6, 2024 • 18:27

Business Daily meets: Dizzee Rascal

Business Daily meets: Dizzee Rascal

From its emergence in London’s underground scene and pirate radios in the early 2000s, to becoming a major music genre, Grime has come a long way – contributing more than £2bn to the UK economy and creating opportunities to members of some of Britain’s most deprived communities.Dylan Kwabela Mills - professionally known as Dizzee Rascal - is someone who has been at the centre of this genre from its inception, and who many credit for Grime’s exposure to pop culture.Twenty years on, the electronic

Feb 5, 2024 • 18:27

What's holding back Africa's fashion industry?

What's holding back Africa's fashion industry?

The continent's fashion industry holds all the cards to becoming one of the world’s fashion leaders. It has the natural resources, the workforce and a growing middle class who want to wear African brands.However, there are challenges including poor infrastructure, lack of investment and limited training opportunities in fashion - highlighted in a recent Unesco report. We hear from designers on the continent and overseas to get their opinion on what’s needed to help the industry grow and learn wh

Feb 5, 2024 • 18:23

Business Daily meets: Mahen Kumar Seeruttun

Business Daily meets: Mahen Kumar Seeruttun

The island of Mauritius is well established as a luxury holiday destination with five star hotels, beautiful beaches and clear blue waters.But in the last couple of years it has also become Africa’s financial hub, attracting billions of dollars of investment by leveraging on decades of political and economic stability, a strategic location on the Indian Oean plus a multiple taxation system that incentivise investors.Critics say it’s a tax haven - an allegation the island is keen to put at bay.Ca

Feb 2, 2024 • 18:21

How to shut down a nuclear power station

How to shut down a nuclear power station

We’re going behind the scenes at two former nuclear power stations – one that’s recently closed, and another that’s been out of action for 25 years. Both are at Hinkley Point in Somerset, in the south of England.What happens when the generators stop? We look into the unique challenges of cleaning up radioactive sites safely.Produced and presented by Theo Leggett(Image: Steam escapes from Hinkley Point B in 2022. Credit: Getty Images)

Feb 1, 2024 • 18:24

Should dynamic pricing be regulated?

Should dynamic pricing be regulated?

In the second part of the series, in the second part of the series, we look at supermarkets and restaurants.Dynamic pricing it could help cut down on food waste, but would it favour people who can choose when they shop? And we ask why restaurant-goers have yet to develop a taste for it.We also find out how artists like Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift have experimented with dynamic pricing to set the prices for their concerts.Finally, we ask if dynamic pricing needs to be regulated more strict

Jan 31, 2024 • 18:30

The rise of dynamic pricing

The rise of dynamic pricing

The retail strategy allows companies to constantly tweak their prices in response to changes in the market.In the first of two programmes, we look at how dynamic pricing works in the airline industry, at ride-hailing companies like Uber and on India’s sprawling rail network.And we speak to a director of e-commerce at US electronics firm Harman International, who tells us how dynamic pricing has enhanced its business, increasing revenue, margins and making the company more efficient.Archive of In

Jan 30, 2024 • 18:37

How can tourism become more accessible?

How can tourism become more accessible?

The tourism sector could be missing out on billions by not adapting to the disabled market. However, some businesses and individuals are trying to change that. Speaking to people in North America, Greece and Spain who are making a difference, we find out the challenges in accessible tourism and the potential revenue if things change. We also travel to Amsterdam to meet a woman helping businesses become more accessible.Presented and produced by Sean Allsop(Picture: Man using a wheelchair takes

Jan 29, 2024 • 18:23

Business Daily meets: Masaba Gupta

Business Daily meets: Masaba Gupta

Not many fashion designers can say they've starred in their own TV series alongside their mother.For this edition of Business Daily, Devina Gupta talks to Indian entrepreneur and social media influencer Masaba Gupta. The daughter of Indian actor Neena Gupta and West Indian cricketer Sir Viv Richards, Masaba discusses how her mixed heritage has inspired the vibrant prints she's become famous for.(Picture: Masaba Gupta)Presenter: Devina Gupta Producer: Lexy O'Connor

Jan 26, 2024 • 14:15

Can the Olympics change an area’s reputation?

Can the Olympics change an area’s reputation?

We’re in the Paris suburb of Seine -Saint-Denis which will host most of the games this summer. It’s an area with some of the highest levels of poverty in the whole of France, and a bad reputation. In the minds of most French people, the area conjures up images of drugs, crime and riots. Locals say that reputation is unfair – and they’re hoping the investment of the games, and a place on the world stage, goes some way to changing that. But can it?Presented and produced by John Laurenson(Image: In

Jan 25, 2024 • 18:30

Why are we ageist?

Why are we ageist?

We look at how many employers still base decisions on a persons age, despite the strong pressures in higher income countries to retain and encourage older staff. What are the underlying reasons for this prejudice? And Ed meets a cosmetic doctor at a central London clinic to discuss the increase in demand for anti-ageing procedures, for people who want to look younger at work.Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Amber Mehmood(Picture: A man and a woman sit at a table at work, with a woman standing up t

Jan 23, 2024 • 18:16

Tackling ageism at work

Tackling ageism at work

One in two people are ageist, according to the World Health Organization. Ed Butler looks at the scale of the perceived problem, hearing from workers and experts. In the UK and US, for instance, more than a quarter of over-50s report experiences of ageism in the last 12 months. One recent global survey found that it’s the most socially accepted prejudice, more widespread than either racism or sexism. And how much is ageism a factor in this year’s US presidential race?(Picture: Timothy Tan workin

Jan 22, 2024 • 18:28

The business of bed bugs

The business of bed bugs

Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to deal with - and they're a nightmare for any town or city that relies on a thriving hospitality industry. In October 2023, French government officials had to act rapidly following news headlines claiming there'd been a rise in infestations in Paris, in the run-up to the 2024 Olympic Games. Infestations can damage reputations, and lead to financial losses due to compensation claims and costly pest control treatments. But scientists are developing solutions to

Jan 18, 2024 • 18:22

Goodbye blue tick?

Goodbye blue tick?

Once a much desired badge of authority and quality, on some social media platforms the blue tick (or check) is now available to anyone who chooses to buy one. But has this been a popular move? And has the monetising of verification meant that the blue tick has lost its credibility? We hear from industry experts who can shed some light on verification, which has dramatically changed since Elon Musk bought Twitter, now X, in October 2022. Presenter: David Harper Producer: Victoria Hastings(Image:

Jan 17, 2024 • 18:16

Can cars and tourism boost Spain's economy?

Can cars and tourism boost Spain's economy?

We look at how the country can grow its economy in 2024.In November 2023, Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez won a second term as Spain's prime minister, and said his focus would be reducing public debt and helping key sectors such as tourism and the automotive industry.Plus the government wants to become a leader in renewables.Presenter: Ashish Sharma(Image: Woman takes a selfie in Madrid. Credit: Getty Images)

Jan 16, 2024 • 18:18

The race for the perfect running shoe

The race for the perfect running shoe

The running shoe industry is worth around 50 billion dollars across the world, with more and more of us taking part in the sport. With more popularity comes more competition, so what are brands doing to keep consumers interested? We ask the chief marketing officer at Swiss sportswear company, ON, and find out how it helps sales when a top athlete wears their shoes. And as the debate around 'super shoes' rumbles on, are they really worth the expensive price tag? US marathon winner Kellyn Tayl

Jan 15, 2024 • 18:34

Business Daily meets: Michele Arnese

Business Daily meets: Michele Arnese

It's widely recognised that we are bombarded with fast-paced imagery in the modern world, whether it's social media videos, or digital billboards in city spaces.But there has been a similar explosion in sound, says advertising entrepreneur Michele Arnese. He thinks brands can only compete with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).Dougal Shaw speaks to the Italian tech entrepreneur who trained as a classical musician, but founded an advertising company that helps companies stand out with dist

Jan 12, 2024 • 18:21

The race to secure semiconductor supply chains

The race to secure semiconductor supply chains

Semiconductors hit the news during the Covid-19 pandemic, as issues with supply chains led to shortages of cars and soaring prices. Since then, geopolitical tensions have impacted the industry. 90% of the world's most advanced chips are made by TSMC in Taiwan. Now, countries all over the world are investing billions of dollars into the industry, so that manufacturing of these chips can happen in more places and alleviate some of the problems supply chains have faced in the last few years. In

Jan 11, 2024 • 18:21

Food security in Puerto Rico

Food security in Puerto Rico

The Caribbean island imports around 90% of its food and by law only US ships can be used to transport it – which pushes up the price. We speak to islanders who think that needs to change, and are pushing for Puerto Rico to become more self sufficient. Weather events like Hurricane Maria, which left many without power and water for months, have brought the issue to the forefront once again.We meet a new generation who are leading the way, using new technology to try and make it easier, and cheape

Jan 10, 2024 • 18:16

What is a digital twin city?

What is a digital twin city?

Almost 60% of the world’s population live in cities. And this trend is expected to continue - by 2050 nearly 7 of 10 people will live in urban environments.  Although more than 80% of global GDP is generated in cities, there are challenges: increasing carbon emissions and environmental pollution, traffic congestion and urban vulnerability, exposed by natural disasters such as floods and storms.The creation of a digital twin - a digital representation of a real city, infrastructure or even a whol

Jan 9, 2024 • 18:17

How to fix the US budget

How to fix the US budget

Twice in 2023, the American government faced the prospect of having to shut down because politicians in congress couldn’t agree on a budget to fund it. Each time, a shutdown was narrowly averted – by last minute, short-term deals.Now, a third deadline is looming in mid-January. It leaves politicians – with fierce disagreements over what services the government should pay for, and how – little time to reach an agreement.We look at the impact of this uncertainty on businesses, and ask, in an elec

Jan 8, 2024 • 0:52

Business Daily meets: Kathryn Jacob

Business Daily meets: Kathryn Jacob

For 70 years, Pearl & Dean has been at the forefront of cinema advertising in the UK. Its CEO, Kathryn Jacob has been leading the company for 18 of them.But it's been a rocky few years for the movie industry, as it battles the economic effects of the Covid pandemic. In this edition of Business Daily meets, Kathryn discusses how cinemas are recovering, and how the advertising industry is slowly embracing diversity.(Picture: Kathryn Jacob)Presented and produced by Dougal Shaw

Jan 5, 2024 • 18:19

Being unbanked

Being unbanked

How easy is it to open a bank account in your country? Around the world, 1.4 billion people can’t get a bank account, and two-thirds of them are in low and middle income countries. People from migrant communities also struggle to access formal banking services. We hear from 19 year-old Josue Calderon. Originally from El Salvador, he arrived in the United States when he was 16. He tells Sam Fenwick about the challenges of only being able to use cash when he first arrived in the US. Sam also speak

Jan 4, 2024 • 18:24

Tricking the brain – are holograms the future?

Tricking the brain – are holograms the future?

The use of these endlessly flexible 3D images is increasing rapidly. Not just in entertainment, but in medicine, education, design, defence and more.Holograms trick the brain into seeing something in 3D when it’s really just a projection, allowing us to feel immersed in something – whether it’s an atom, or a cityscape. We talk to companies developing this fast advancing technology and ask – will we be living in a holographic future?Produced and presented by Matthew Kenyon(Image: A citizen watch

Jan 3, 2024 • 18:21

Living off-grid: Scaling up

Living off-grid: Scaling up

Alastair Leithead and his wife Ana moved to Portugal during the Covid pandemic. They live off-grid, meaning they have no access to mains electricity or water supplies. They also have to manage their own waste water and sewage.Now the former BBC correspondent is embarking on an ambitious project to build and run a hotel, meaning their solar powered utilities will not only have to work for them, but also paying guests. Produced and presented by Alastair Leithead.(Image: Alastair and Ana at their p

Jan 2, 2024 • 21:01

Living off-grid in Portugal

Living off-grid in Portugal

In the first of a two part series, we're in the Alentejo region where people are buying land and empty properties in an area without power or water supply.Former BBC correspondent Alastair Leithead is one of them - he has moved there with his wife, and is trying to build and run a hotel. He travels around the region and speaks to his neighbours about their experiences.Plus - what do local people think of this influx of foreigners coming to live off-grid? Presented and produced by Alastair Leithe

Jan 1, 2024 • 11:32

Business Daily Meets: Dr Yasmeen Lari

Business Daily Meets: Dr Yasmeen Lari

Pakistan's first female architect came out of retirement to help rebuild her country after the 2005 earthquake.Now she's helping communities devastated by the 2022 floods.Dr Lari talks about her experience starting out in a male-dominated field, the changing focus of her career, and her mission to build a million flood-resilient homes in Pakistan by 2024.Produced and presented by Emb Hashmi.(Image: Dr Yasmeen Lari. Credit: Getty Images)

Dec 22, 2023 • 18:19

Turkey adjusts to ‘bitter medicine’ of high rates

Turkey adjusts to ‘bitter medicine’ of high rates

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heard Turkish voters back in May when they said they wanted change in the economy. So, he appointed a new finance minister and central bank governor to lead the charge. Despite the president’s strong opposition to using higher interest rates to cool rising prices, he’s allowed rates to rise in each of the last six months. While that’s helped bring about an economic turnaround, it’s put added pressure on households who have for years been reliant on low borrowing co

Dec 21, 2023 • 18:15

Battling snakes to gather Brazil nuts

Battling snakes to gather Brazil nuts

Despite the name, Bolivia is actually the world's biggest exporter of Brazil nuts.We travel to the hot and humid north of the country to look at the production process which can be extremely dangerous.Plus we hear how the business of Brazil nuts is helping stop deforestation in the Amazon.Presenter: Jane Chambers Producers: Jane Chambers and Helen Thomas(Image: A worker unloading Brazil nuts from the Pando region at a nut processing plant in Riberalta, Bolivia. Credit: Bob Howard)

Dec 20, 2023 • 18:19

Was 2023 a bad year for IPOs?

Was 2023 a bad year for IPOs?

When private companies around the world want to raise cash, they can do so by starting a process to list on a stock exchange. This is known as an IPO, or initial public offering. Analysts watch such public listings to gauge the health of an economy. In 2021, IPOs were booming, but in 2023 there's been a big drop in activity - with a record low number of companies choosing to offer their shares publicly on stock exchanges in the US, UK and Europe. What's going on, and why does it matter when IPO

Dec 19, 2023 • 18:22

Has shoplifting become a global problem?

Has shoplifting become a global problem?

Shoplifting has long been a concern for small and large retailers worldwide, but many believe the issue has recently increased - including incidents of retail violence. Sam Gruet speaks to some of these retailers in New Zealand, India, Pakistan and the UK, to explore the possible reasons behind the rise in retail crime and what measures they’re introducing to respond to the escalating issue. These include covert security, body cameras and stab-proof vests. He also asks if advances in technology

Dec 18, 2023 • 18:31

Business Daily meets: Niccolo Ricci

Business Daily meets: Niccolo Ricci

Niccolo Ricci is the CEO of Stefano Ricci, a luxury clothing brand whose suits are worn by the rich and powerful. The firm was established more than 50 years ago by his parents, and now, Niccolo, and his brother Filippo, run the family business; supplying high-end luxury attire to clients all around the world. It's a brand that counts heads of state and business magnates among its patrons.In an era of casual fashion, this is a rarefied world where discretion is the name of the game. Presenter: L

Dec 15, 2023 • 17:28

Putting the 'F' word into climate talks

Putting the 'F' word into climate talks

The COP 28 climate talks in Dubai have closed with a deal to "transition away" from fossil fuels.So what does this mean for the future of oil, gas and coal companies? Sam Fenwick talks to two companies who sent representatives to COP 28; the Norwegian energy giant Equinor and the Middle East's oldest private energy company, Cresent Petroleum. Do they plan to ever abandon fossil fuels entirely?And she finds out what the leader of COP28’s Greenpeace delegation makes of the agreement.Presenter: Sam

Dec 14, 2023 • 17:29

Taiwan: Prepping for war

Taiwan: Prepping for war

One month before pivotal elections in Taiwan, Ed Butler meets ordinary citizens getting ready just in case growing threats of a Chinese invasion do come to pass. First-aid and weapons training are top of the list. But why isn’t the government doing more to get people ready?Presented and produced by Ed Butler(Image: A first aid training exercise)

Dec 13, 2023 • 18:17

Taiwan: The political mood

Taiwan: The political mood

The military threat from China, which claims Taiwan as its own, has dominated global headlines of late. But ahead of elections, most voters here say it’s low wages and property prices that are preying on their minds. Are politicians listening?We also explore Taiwan's low birth rate - is it a financial decision for young couples not to have children and get a pet instead?Produced and presented by Ed Butler.(Image: A young couple take a selfie on the city MRT train. Credit: Getty Images)

Dec 12, 2023 • 18:18

Kinmen: The Taiwanese islands next to China

Kinmen: The Taiwanese islands next to China

Sitting just a few kilometres away from mainland China, the tiny Kinmen islands are in an unusual situation.Beijing says they and Taiwan are a part of China, they're a breakaway province, and it wants them back, by force if necessary. As tensions rise, Ed Butler visits Kinmen to discover how this most exposed population feels about Beijing's claim - and hear about plans to build a bridge to connect the islands with the Chinese mainland.Produced and presented by Ed Butler.(Image: A beach on Kinme

Dec 11, 2023 • 18:19

Business Daily meets: Joyce and Raissa de Haas

Business Daily meets: Joyce and Raissa de Haas

Joyce and Raissa de Hass used to make tonic waters and mixers for their friends. That passion became a university project, which then turned into a successful start-up. In the early days, the twin co-founders from the Netherlands were releasing batches of products they weren't really keen on, but now they think they've found a winning formula for premium mixers. They've won awards for their drinks, and now stock several premium bars and supermarkets.In this edition of Business Daily, we hear how

Dec 8, 2023 • 18:29

Star Wars: The empire strikes cash

Star Wars: The empire strikes cash

When Star Wars launched, it helped usher in the era of the blockbuster. In the wake of the film, came the figures. Forty years on from their launch, the original toys have now become highly sought after - some fetching a few hundred thousand dollars. We head to the largest toy fair in Europe dedicated to buying and selling Star Wars figures. We look at how much the toys are now worth and speak to some of the super fans now buying them - and explore how big the market for the vintage figures is.P

Dec 7, 2023 • 18:01

Women, sport and business: Merchandise

Women, sport and business: Merchandise

In this episode of Business Daily, the latest in our series on women, sport and business, it's all about the merch.We'll explore how important replica tops and kits actually are for women’s sport in terms of fandom, participation and of course money. We ask what female sports fans and participants actually want to wear and whether they're being adequately catered for.Dr Katie Lebel is Professor at the University of Guelph in Canada and researches gender equity in sports branding and consumer beh

Dec 6, 2023 • 17:29

The K-rice belt: Seeds for self-sufficiency?

The K-rice belt: Seeds for self-sufficiency?

Could Africa reduce its dependency on imported rice with the help of South Korea?The continent's appetite for rice is growing fast at over 6% per year. And even though rice is grown in about 40 out of 54 countries in Africa, the production only covers about 60% of the demand. This results in 14 to 15 million tonnes of rice being imported each year costing over $6bn.To remedy this, a new rice variety was developed in co-operation with South Korea: ISRIZ-7 and ISRIZ-8. These high yield rice variet

Dec 6, 2023 • 18:31

What’s holding women back from work in Sri Lanka?

What’s holding women back from work in Sri Lanka?

After the catastrophic financial crisis, early signs of stability are returning to Sri Lanka. But there’s arguably a more entrenched economic dilemma in the country that had the world’s first female prime minister - the lack of women in work.With first-hand testimony of harassment and social exclusion, this programme examines the barriers holding women back.Presenter Laura Heighton-Ginns also visits a women-only employer, successful restaurant chain Hela Bojun, and speaks to presidential advisor

Dec 5, 2023 • 18:26

How to solve fashion’s waste problem

How to solve fashion’s waste problem

More than a quarter of all clothes made are never actually sold - where do they go?We look into new legislation being finalised by the EU, to try and make fashion more sustainable. There will be a ban on the incineration of unsold goods and each product will need a digital passport so it can be tracked and its lifetime monitored. Hannah Mullane speaks to businesses across Europe about whether they think the industry is ready for these kind of changes.We also head to Ghana, to the Kantamanto mark

Dec 4, 2023 • 18:21

Business Daily meets: Konrad Bergstrom

Business Daily meets: Konrad Bergstrom

Konrad Bergstrom comes from a family of seafarers. And as a business leader, he wants to make navigating the seas environmentally friendly. His business, X Shore, has been dubbed "the Tesla of the seas". Konrad is now considered one of Sweden's leading entrepreneurs, having also founded Zound industries - the tech company that produces electronics for Marshall Amplification and Adidas.But it's not all been plain sailing for the businessman. In this edition of Business Daily, Leanna Byrne finds o

Dec 1, 2023 • 18:30

Is the corporate world too close to COP?

Is the corporate world too close to COP?

Greenhouse gas levels have never been higher. If we're to limit global warming, businesses have a crucial role to play because they operate in sectors that need to radically change, like energy, transport and finance.Thousands of company bosses are touching down in Dubai for this year's COP28 climate change talks. But environmentalists claim many businesses are not acting fast enough. They're increasingly concerned about the growing number of fossil fuel companies attending these summits. Are th

Nov 30, 2023 • 18:32

Can China stop its love affair with coal?

Can China stop its love affair with coal?

It’s the world’s largest user of coal fired energy, and the biggest polluter. However, China is also the world’s biggest producer of green energy. How can it reconcile the two and keep its next zero promises?Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: Lexy O'Connor(Image: Thermal power and solar power in Shanghai. Two power generation methods in one photo. Credit: Getty Images)

Nov 29, 2023 • 17:52

Asia's air pollution problem

Asia's air pollution problem

It’s the week of the Climate Change Conference or COP28, and as leaders from around the world meet in the UAE to talk about how to tackle global warming, we take a look at one urgent issue: air pollution. According to World Health Organisation data, nearly seven million lives are lost prematurely each year due to harmful air. In this edition. Devina Gupta explores the air problem affecting major cities in Asia - to the cities of Delhi, Lahore, Taipei and Jakarta - to find out how lives and live

Nov 28, 2023 • 18:10

Why is Spain betting on green hydrogen?

Why is Spain betting on green hydrogen?

Spain is trying to position itself as the centre of renewable energy production in Europe, particularly in green hydrogen. The country already boasts one of the first centres worldwide where green hydrogen is produced. But while it rushes headlong with several projects in the pipeline, we examine the economic viability and the impact of producing green hydrogen.(Image: A green hydrogen manufacturing facility. Credit: Iberdrola)Presented and produced by Ashish Sharma

Nov 27, 2023 • 18:27

Who is Sultan Al-Jaber?

Who is Sultan Al-Jaber?

We find out why he's a controversial appointment for the COP28 presidency.Sultan Al Jaber’s appointment has been widely questioned because he’s also the boss of Abu Dhabi’s state oil company Adnoc. But supporters point to his work as founder of the green energy giant Masdar.Is he compromised or uniquely qualified?We speak to people who’ve interviewed him, worked with him, and can give us the inside track.Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Lexy O'Connor(Image: Sultan Al-Jaber. Credit: Getty Images)

Nov 24, 2023 • 18:19

The world's longest subsea power cable

The world's longest subsea power cable

They are the cables that run along the sea bed to move power where it’s needed for a cheaper price. Business Daily’s Rick Kelsey goes to the site of The Viking Link - the longest one ever built - just before it goes live between the UK and Demark. We’ll be hearing what these cables may do for our electricity costs and how safe they are from sabotage. Rebecca Sedler Managing Director for NG Interconnectors tells us how it will save people money, and engineer Oliver Kitching spent four weeks on

Nov 23, 2023 • 18:20

Kimchi: Korean food goes global

Kimchi: Korean food goes global

Kimchi, the tangy fermented vegetable dish, is now being made and sold around the world.South Korea’s kimchi export value has risen dramatically in the past few years, going far beyond Asia. And it's consumed by not only overseas Koreans but by the locals too.While kimchi remains a distinctly Korean dish, in recent years, those with little to no connection to the country have been producing and selling kimchi.What is behind the rise?In this edition, David Cann looks into the growing popularity o

Nov 22, 2023 • 18:16

How to spot a diamond

How to spot a diamond

When is a diamond really a diamond? When it’s been formed miles underground a billion years ago, or when has it been created in a laboratory, under temperatures close to the heat of the sun? The answer is – both are true. They look and behave exactly the same, but they are very different in price. The lab-grown diamonds are marketed as kinder to the environment, and they are far cheaper - and that’s led to concern about whether the two kinds have been mixed together, with man-made stones passed

Nov 21, 2023 • 18:16

Disruption in the diamond sector

Disruption in the diamond sector

A few years ago you could have assumed all diamonds had been dug out of the ground – but now it’s true that some of them have been created, at unbelievably high temperatures, in just a matter of weeks. In the first of two Business Daily programmes about the evolving diamond market, Lesley Curwen heads to the glamorous jewellery district of Hatton Garden in London – to see how the jewellery world is being re-shaped by the mass production of laboratory-made stones.We hear from India how they’re cr

Nov 20, 2023 • 18:01

Business Daily meets: Cycling boss Doug Ryder

Business Daily meets: Cycling boss Doug Ryder

The South African former pro rider set up his cycling team in 2007. As MTN Qhubeka they became the first-ever African registered team to ride the Tour de France.He talks about the challenges of putting together a team from scratch - and the steep learning curve he faced moving from cycling to managing.After a successful stint on the world stage, a combination of financial and sponsorship problems lead to the team, which by then had gone through multiple name changes, being disbanded in 2021.Doug

Nov 17, 2023 • 18:19

Argentina goes to the polls

Argentina goes to the polls

There are two candidates: one is the current economy minister who has a wealth of experience in power; the other is a maverick libertarian economist who wants to ditch the country’s currency, the peso, and strip the central bank of its ability to print money.We speak to his senior economic advisor, and also to a wine producer from the western province of Mendoza, who tells us about the challenges of doing business in a country with two exchange rates, severe restrictions on imports, a heavy tax

Nov 16, 2023 • 18:06

Biden and Xi to meet in San Francisco

Biden and Xi to meet in San Francisco

We’re looking ahead to the meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping in San Francisco – the first time the two leaders will have met in 12 months. Diplomatic ties between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated this year, with tensions rising over Taiwan and the South China Sea. Meanwhile, there’s been a tit-for-tat trade spat over semiconductors and raw materials. As the presidents meet on the side lines of the APEC summit, Vivienne Nunis takes stock of the relationship between the w

Nov 15, 2023 • 18:18

The classic cars going electric

The classic cars going electric

Some owners are converting their vehicles into EVs. The idea is to boost the performance of these cars and make them ready for a green future. The process is not cheap - it requires specialists who can retain the vintage value of these cars while fitting them with a modern electric engine. Critics feel that such a transition takes away the emotional and engineering legacy of these vehicles. So we travel across the UK to find out about the challenges and the future of this niche business that is

Nov 14, 2023 • 18:11

How has war changed the lives of Ukraine’s working women?

How has war changed the lives of Ukraine’s working women?

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 saw millions of Ukrainian women and children flee to safety; causing massive upheaval and hitting the economy hard.For the women who have stayed, their lives have been transformed; many have taken on new roles, like Tetiana, who is now working underground in a coal mine, and Evgeniya, who is now a sniper on the frontline.Others, like Alina Kacharovska, have managed to grow their businesses; in this case, shoes and accessories, or are stepping into

Nov 13, 2023 • 18:21

Business Daily meets: Silvina Moschini

Business Daily meets: Silvina Moschini

The Argentinian-American tech entrepreneur moved to the US in 1997 and carved out a career in the corporate world before breaking free and setting out on her own. In late 2020, the remote working company TransparentBusiness, which she co-founded 12 years earlier, achieved a $1bn valuation. Now she continues to push for gender and racial equality in the workplace, is an investor on the TV show Unicorn Hunters, and has also established a new asset-backed cryptocurrency. She explains her journey

Nov 10, 2023 • 18:41

Last orders for the Irish pub?

Last orders for the Irish pub?

Fears are growing for the future of the country's bars - especially in rural areas.In less than 20 years almost a quarter of Irish pubs have closed, many of them businesses which have been run by the same family for generations. RRussell Padmore travels across the Emerald Isle to hear how the closure of pubs is a setback for rural communities, but also a worry for the country’s tourism industry. We hear from owners of pubs in County Donegal, a beer brewing company and a hospitality sector expert

Nov 9, 2023 • 21:43

Caste bias in corporate America

Caste bias in corporate America

There is a growing debate in the US about the caste system - an ancient social ranking system where the community you are born into determines what kind of job you do, who you marry, and much more. The caste system in India dates back over 3,000 years and divides Hindu society into different social strata. In many South Asian countries, it is outlawed. But members of the South Asian diaspora in the US say this type of caste bias persists, and there is often very little protection at workplaces a

Nov 8, 2023 • 18:44

The Chinese migrants trying to get into the US

The Chinese migrants trying to get into the US

We travel to South America to meet the Chinese migrants who are making their way to the United States using an unexpected route - the established migrant trail through South and Central America to the southern border with Mexico. Citing economic challenges at home - and using inspiration from social media - a growing number are making this perilous trek. Reporter Shawn Yuan travels along the route speaking to migrants about their journey and their aspirations for the future. Presenter: Shawn Y

Nov 7, 2023 • 18:14

Saudi Arabia's multi-billion dollar football powerhouse bet

Saudi Arabia's multi-billion dollar football powerhouse bet

The Saudi Pro League has attracted some of the top players from around the world - with transfer fees and salaries amounting to millions of dollars.We travel to Saudi Arabia to look at the country's ambitious plan to become a global football powerhouse - is it an economic move or simply sportswashing?With Saudi Arabia now it's looking set to be confirmed as the host of the World Cup in 2034, we look at its relationship with football.Presenter: Sameer Hashmi(Image: Saudi football club Al Hilal we

Nov 6, 2023 • 18:14

Business Daily meets: Babbel CEO Arne Schepker

Business Daily meets: Babbel CEO Arne Schepker

Have you tried learning a language online? We explore the growth of language learning platforms with Babbel CEO Arne Schepker, and how the Covid pandemic lead to an increase in learning digitally.Mr Schepker explains how more international working and personal relationships has led to an increase in demand. And how smartphones and the internet have changed that age-old aspiration of gaining fluency in another language.Presenter: Dougal Shaw(Image: Arne Schepker. Credit: BBC)

Nov 2, 2023 • 18:42

Why is the French wine industry struggling?

Why is the French wine industry struggling?

The region of Bordeaux in the south-west of France is perhaps the most famous wine-producing area in the world. But it’s struggling. While the prestigious, most expensive wines – Saint-Émilions, Pomerols and Margaux are selling well, others are not.For the producers of the 850 million bottles of the region's famous red wine, it’s a difficult time due to a major decline in consumption.We look at the reasons for this, the impact it’s having, and what winemakers are doing to help protect their live

Nov 2, 2023 • 18:42

The Crypto King and the journalist

The Crypto King and the journalist

Sam Bankman-Fried, the American crypto entrepreneur who went from billionaire to bankrupt, is on trial in New York for fraud. The 31-year-old who founded the cryptocurrency exchange FTX is accused of lying to investors and lenders. He has denied those charges, and instead says he was acting in good faith but made mistakes. He says he never set out to defraud anyone. In the coming days, 12 jurors will decide his fate - he could face a life sentence in prison if convicted. Vivienne Nunis speaks t

Nov 1, 2023 • 18:15

Spook-onomics: the global boost of Halloween

Spook-onomics: the global boost of Halloween

Trick or treat and other traditions are now at the centre of a global multi-billion business. The ancient Celtic and Pagan festival, which started thousands of years ago in Ireland, was taken by emigrants to North America, where it was turned into a major annual event. The National Retail Federation in the US tells Russell Padmore how spending by consumers is forecast to be a record of more than $12bn. Jadrain Wooten, an economist at Virginia Tech, says the sales promotions for Halloween are get

Oct 31, 2023 • 18:16

The electric car race

The electric car race

Countries around the world are racing to achieve targets on the ban of new petrol and diesel cars - but they are hitting stumbling blocks, meaning some are pulling back on their commitments. Although global sales of electric cars are rising, some countries are struggling to persuade drivers to make the switch. Reasons given include insufficient or unsuitable charging points, and the price tag: criticism is often put to governments that the shift to electric cars is hardest for the least well off

Oct 30, 2023 • 18:15

Elon Musk's X: The Twitter takeover a year on

Elon Musk's X: The Twitter takeover a year on

After many months of news headlines about whether Elon Musk was going to buy Twitter, he eventually completed the purchase on 27 October 2022. Since then, the company’s been through some big changes; laying off most of its 8000 employees, a rebrand to ‘X’, and reinstating some previously banned accounts on the platform. Mr Musk describes himself a free speech absolutist and says he bought Twitter – now called X - to create a space where “a wide range of beliefs can be debated in a healthy manner

Oct 26, 2023 • 18:24

Business Daily meets: Akinwumi Adesina

Business Daily meets: Akinwumi Adesina

In 2015, Akinwumi Adesina was elected President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), and since then he's become a symbol of optimism across the continent. How did he become known as Africa's "optimist-in-chief"?In this edition of Business Daily, Dr Adesina tells Peter MacJob what has shaped him as an economist, his outlook for the continent and how Africa could determine the future of renewable energy and green minerals.He says the international financial architecture should be more inclusive

Oct 25, 2023 • 18:23

Short Stories: The amateur trader

Short Stories: The amateur trader

Short selling has gone mainstream. Inspired by the noisy success of activist short sellers, amateur investors are now trying this highly risky strategy themselves.They’re aided by a slew of new trading apps making it possible to short a stock or currency in seconds.Peter Roscoe is a YouTube investing vlogger who’s experienced the highs and lows of short selling.We also hear from the UK boss of trading app E-Toro – who says shorting has exploded on the platform.Producer: Ciaran Tracey Presenter:

Oct 23, 2023 • 18:17

Short Stories: The CEO

Short Stories: The CEO

What’s it like to be on the wrong side of a big short? Former CEO Paul Pittman's company was shorted by an anonymous short seller who made false allegations in order to drive its share price down - way down.This is the story of how Paul and his firm overcame the short attack that cost them millions: and why it’s not just big companies that stand to lose money from rogue shorters on the markets.Producer: Ciaran Tracey Presenter: Leanna Byrne

Oct 23, 2023 • 18:18

Short Stories: The activist short seller

Short Stories: The activist short seller

Short selling – the trade where you hope a stock’s value will fall rather than rise. If it does, the trader can win. Big.That’s led to the growth of what’s called the activist short seller. A trader who comes out to tell the world why a company’s stock should be lower than it is. They’re betting on its failure.Carson Block from the firm Muddy Waters is one of the most prominent new short sellers – vocal on the news and social media, he explains why the companies he shorts are usually the ones wi

Oct 22, 2023 • 18:17

Business Daily meets: Andre Schwammlein

Business Daily meets: Andre Schwammlein

Andre Schwammlein once wanted to be a pilot – but ended up behind the wheel of a bus and train company instead.The chief executive and co-founder of Flix – the driving force behind Flixbus and Flixtrain - says he was never much of a traveller, but now leads a company that has changed the way millions of people cross countries and continents.In just 10 years, Flixbus has gone from German startup to global brand - even taking a piece of American heritage: Greyhound.In this edition of Business Dail

Oct 19, 2023 • 18:15

What makes a stadium special?

What makes a stadium special?

The development of new sports stadiums and facilities can bring regeneration to deprived areas. They hold a special place in the hearts of sports and live music fans. But have some of the new ones lost their spark? In this edition of Business Daily, Sam Fenwick asks, what gives a stadium its atmosphere and can it be designed in? Sam speaks to Christopher Lee, whose architecture practice, Populous, has designed 3000 arenas all over the world. He shares his experience of designing iconic grounds l

Oct 18, 2023 • 18:19

Why is the US building electric car battery factories?

Why is the US building electric car battery factories?

We’re in Kentucky, where an area which had long ago been abandoned as an industrial site is once again coming to life.US manufacturer Ascend Elements has chosen the site to build a factory for electric car batteries made from recycled ones - an industry previously almost entirely based in China.We explore the government incentives that have drawn the company to build here with US Climate Envoy John Kerry.And we hear from the local mining community which is hoping the new green manufacturing faci

Oct 17, 2023 • 18:14

Bottles or balsa: What should wind turbine blades be made from?

Bottles or balsa: What should wind turbine blades be made from?

For years, balsa wood has been a key component in the giant rotor blades on the top of wind turbines. Most of it comes from the rain forests of South America and, in particular, from Ecuador. As the world transitions to green energy, lots of countries – particularly China – have been looking for more balsa to make blades. That pushed up prices, raised questions over sustainability and prompted some companies to look for alternatives to balsa wood. One alternative is PET, a foam made from recycle

Oct 17, 2023 • 18:19

The impact of India's rice export ban

The impact of India's rice export ban

In an effort to insulate domestic prices, India has banned exports of non basmati white rice - its largest rice category.We ask what the impact of this is on large importing countries.A rice mill owner in Northern Nigeria tells us how the country is expanding its domestic rice production as a result of India’s curb, and we hear from a retailer in the UAE about the purchasing restriction it placed on customers as soon as the announcement was made. We look at whether other countries can meet the s

Oct 16, 2023 • 18:19

Business Daily meets: Durreen Shahnaz

Business Daily meets: Durreen Shahnaz

From Bangladesh to Wall Street and back again, the founder and CEO of Impact Investment Exchange talks to Devina Gupta.Durreen Shahnaz explains how her childhood in socialist Bangladesh and then move to a job on Wall Street in the 1980s shaped the person and businesswoman she is today. From trading stamps with her friends and buying pickles with the profit, she moved on to bigger trades at the heart of capitalism. What she learnt there set her up for a life dedicated to trying to make the financ

Oct 13, 2023 • 18:15

Dumb Money: Unpicking the GameStop saga

Dumb Money: Unpicking the GameStop saga

Shares in GameStop, the video game store, experienced a dramatic rise in early in 2021. The stock had captured the imagination of many individual investors who heard about it on social media platforms such as TikTok and Reddit. Some investors made a lot of money, while some hedge funds, who had bet against the stock, lost billions. Eventually, though, GameStop shares crashed back to earth and many investors lost the lot. The story has been dramatised by Hollywood in ‘Dumb Money’, currently scree

Oct 12, 2023 • 18:15

The rising price of fuel in Nigeria

The rising price of fuel in Nigeria

In May this year, Nigerian president Bola Tinubu took office – and announced an end to fuel subsidies. He said the move would free up money for investment in public services and infrastructure projects, but it caused a spike in prices and, in some cases, triggered street protests. We explore the impact of removing the subsidy on residents and businesses, and the knock on-effect for neighbouring countries like Cameroon. Presenter/producer: Bisi Adebayo(Image: Members of the Nigerian Labour Congre

Oct 11, 2023 • 10:22

Fire-proofing California’s wine industry

Fire-proofing California’s wine industry

In 2020, Napa Valley experienced its most destructive wildfire ever. Vineyards burned, leaving not only direct damage, but more long lasting impact with wine affected by smoke taint. We hear how the perennial presence of wildfires means local businesses face a harsh reality of living with the risk of fire. Sophie Long visits wine makers who are using inflammable materials to build new wineries, changing growing techniques and using technology to deal with tainted wine. And she meets local resid

Oct 10, 2023 • 18:15

The Commonwealth Games in crisis?

The Commonwealth Games in crisis?

The event is facing its biggest financing challenge in its 93-year history.There is no host city for the next edition in 2026, and the Commonwealth Games Federation is struggling to persuade other cities to host after that. We speak to academics who say the model of structuring and paying for the Games is broken. Some observers go further – saying the Games and the Commonwealth itself are relics of the British Empire and should be wound up.We also hear from athletes who have competed at the Game

Oct 9, 2023 • 18:14

Fashion: Becoming a designer

Fashion: Becoming a designer

We speak to Greek designer Dimitra Petsa - founder of Di Petsa - a brand which has been worn by celebrities around the world.She graduated from fashion school five years ago and since then has launched her own fashion brand.Very few make it in the fashion world - Dimitra explains how she did it from mentors and getting exposure to creating business plans and coming up with business strategies. Producer/presenter: Hannah Mullane (Picture: Models wearing Di Petsa clothing. Credit Di Petsa)

Oct 6, 2023 • 16:03

Fashion: Paying less for the wedding dress?

Fashion: Paying less for the wedding dress?

In the UK, brides spend an average of £1,400 on a dress for the big day.But inflation and the rising cost of living means that's starting to change. We look at the trend of spending less on wedding dresses - buying them ready-to-wear from a boutique in London, or even from a supermarket.And we're in India where some brides are starting to spend less - not always easy when spending lavishly on weddings is often the expectation. Produced and presented by Deborah Weitzmann with additional presentin

Oct 5, 2023 • 18:18

Fashion: Doing business in Paris

Fashion: Doing business in Paris

Paris is the most visited city in the world and one of the things it’s known for, is fashion. But what is it about the City of Light that makes it a popular destination for businesses?In this programme, Hannah Mullane speaks to a personal shopper, who relies on fashion tourists for her business, as well as fashion start-ups choosing to base themselves in Paris.Hannah also meets a stylist and fashion agent, who moved from Italy to Paris, to make the most of the opportunities that the fashion indu

Oct 4, 2023 • 18:16

Fashion: Dupe culture

Fashion: Dupe culture

Duplicate products, or dupes, are flooding social media. Dupes are clothes, beauty products, homeware that are cheaper than the recognisable brand, but still look similar. We hear from shoppers and fashion experts about this growing trend and its impact on the market.And we speak to athleisure wear company Lululemon, who are trying to work out how to respond to the number of dupes of their products that are now on the market.Producer/presenter: Deborah Weitzmann(Image: Leggings on mannequins. Cr

Oct 3, 2023 • 18:20

Fashion: The rise of sports brands

Fashion: The rise of sports brands

Twenty-five years ago Puma became the first big sports brand to collaborate with a fashion house. Since then all of the big players have been collaborating with celebrities, sports stars and high fashion brands. Hannah Mullane speaks to Heiko Desens, the creative director at Puma about how these big collaborations work behind the scenes and what they mean for business, and fashion designer Alejandro Gómez Palomo explains how collaborating with a sports brand has elevated his business. Presenter/

Oct 2, 2023 • 18:18

Is green methanol the future of shipping?

Is green methanol the future of shipping?

The shipping industry is looking for solutions to it's emissions problem.Shipping giant Maersk has just unveiled the world’s first container ship to run on green methanol - is this the answer? We hear from Maersk’s CEO about why they’ think this is the best bet. And we find out more about some of the different options in development, such as hydrogen and green ammonia, all vying to become the future fuel for the world's ships.Presenter/producer: Adrienne Murray(Image: Maersk's first green metha

Sep 29, 2023 • 18:15

Where next for China’s Belt and Road?

Where next for China’s Belt and Road?

Xi Jinping announced a massive building project along the ‘New Silk Road’ to very little fanfare in Kazakhstan 10 years ago this month. Infrastructure including railways, roads and ports have been built in 165 countries to date, as part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Billions of dollars has been lent to countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. Some are now struggling to afford the payments and China is reducing the amount being loaned. We look at what this means for Beijing’s

Sep 28, 2023 • 18:18

The industry that saved an animal from extinction

The industry that saved an animal from extinction

You may not be familiar with the vicuna, but in Peru, where it's the national animal, the smallest relative of the llama is revered - particularly for its fine and insulating coat.In this programme, Stefania Gozzer travels to the Peruvian Andes, to meet the animals that produce one of the most expensive wools in the world. Demand for their coveted fleece once led them near extinction, but now it has become the best tool to preserve them. Stefania visits Pampa Galeras, to talk to the scientists t

Sep 27, 2023 • 18:15

The growth of tattoo removal

The growth of tattoo removal

What used to be a fairly niche industry is now on the increase, with companies setting up removal clinics around the world. And no surprise – as more people get tattoos, more people night change their minds and want them removing. We meet the regretful clients and the companies cashing in, and also explore the world of cosmetic and medical tattooing.Presenter and producer: Elizabeth Hotson(Image: A laser tattoo removal. Credit: Getty Images)

Sep 26, 2023 • 18:14

Meet the 'Finfluencers'

Meet the 'Finfluencers'

Where do you go to get financial advice? More and more people are turning to Instagram, YouTube and TikTok for money matters. David Harper meets the ‘Finfluencers’ – financial influencers entertaining and educating young people around the world, and bringing in big numbers in the process. Caleb Hammer is a YouTuber with over 600,000 subscribers who conducts financial audits on the forensic financial details of individuals in the hope of helping them to budget better. He also speaks to Hannah

Sep 25, 2023 • 17:28

Business Daily meets the Queen of Biscuits

Business Daily meets the Queen of Biscuits

How do you make an artisan product at scale? We head to the UK factory of Biscuiteers, where millions of biscuits are hand-iced every year, from treats shaped like designer bags to edible versions of favourite cartoon characters. Harriet Hastings is the co-founder of the company - in this episode, she shares her business advice, explains why marketing is key and talks about running a business with her husband. Producer / presenter: Sam Everett(Image: A ballerina biscuit being iced. Credit: BBC)

Sep 22, 2023 • 18:10

Is India ready for Tesla?

Is India ready for Tesla?

It’s been a long wait for tech billionaire Elon Musk to push into India’s EV market. High import duties have kept Tesla out of India so far. Mr Musk has repeatedly sought to lower those duties, but the government wants the company to manufacture cars locally before considering tax breaks. Now there seems to be an agreement on the horizon. But is India’s EV ecosystem ready for it?Presenter/producer: Devina Gupta

Sep 21, 2023 • 18:13

The cost of migration: Europe's response

The cost of migration: Europe's response

In the third and final programme of this series on the economics of irregular migration across the Mediterranean, the BBC’s Frey Lindsay sits down with two spokespeople from the European Commission to discuss how irregular crossings across the Mediterranean affect European States, and how the bloc is using its resources to attempt to stop them.Presenter: Frey Lindsay(Image: Italian coast guard vessels patrol alongside the SOS Méditerranée rescue ship The Ocean Viking, near the Italian port of Ra

Sep 20, 2023 • 18:15

The cost of migration: The rescue boats

The cost of migration: The rescue boats

In the second of three programmes, we’ll hear about the increasing running costs facing charities involved in running search-and-rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea.Inflated fuel prices, cost of living crises and political interference are all driving the costs of the operation up. So can the boats continue to operate?Presenter: Frey Lindsay(Photo: Search and rescue crew onboard the SOS Méditerranée rescue ship The Ocean Viking)

Sep 19, 2023 • 18:14

The cost of migration: The journey

The cost of migration: The journey

In the first of three programmes, the BBC’s Frey Lindsay accompanies the charity rescue vessel the Ocean Viking to explore the myriad costs involved in irregular migration across the Mediterranean.Each year hundreds of thousands of people attempt the extremely dangerous crossing from Libya to Italy, paying smugglers thousands of dollars. We meet some of those people and find out how and why they're making the journey.Presenter/producer: Frey Lindsay(Picture: Rescuees huddle onboard the SOS Médit

Sep 18, 2023 • 18:14

Business Daily meets: Mohit Lad

Business Daily meets: Mohit Lad

From losing his job in the 2008 financial crash, to a billion dollar idea.We speak to Mohit Lad, who teamed up with his old college friend Ricardo to trawl through the trash cans of shuttered businesses in Silicon Valley to get the first server for their tech start-up, ThousandEyes. A combination of grit, determination and a shortage of ready cash saw them think outside the box for solutions to grow the business and get customers. Twelve years later, the company described as the 'Google Maps'

Sep 15, 2023 • 18:19

Syria's broken economy

Syria's broken economy

We hear from people protesting in the government-controlled city of Sweida.Criticism of President Bashar al-Assad has been growing in Sweida since demonstrations began in mid-August over the removal of fuel subsidies. It's the latest measure that has put a strain on people suffering from an economic meltdown.A resident and activist tells us what life is like for him living in the city, plus we hear from a Syrian economist, and a form adviser to President al_Assad now based in the US.Presenter: E

Sep 14, 2023 • 17:28

K-Pop: Going green?

K-Pop: Going green?

K-Pop, short for Korean Popular music, has become a global phenomenon with millions of fans worldwide.It’s a multi-billion dollar industry with 80 million units of physical albums sold in 2022. But a huge chunk of it goes straight to landfill.Why are the fans buying so many albums just to throw them away?We hear from fans, artists and tech companies who are trying to make the industry greener.Presenter: David Cann(Picture: Victon; Credit: IST Entertainment)

Sep 13, 2023 • 18:19

Business Daily meets: Desmond Shum

Business Daily meets: Desmond Shum

We meet the Chinese property tycoon and multi-millionaire who, along with his then-wife, once moved in the highest echelons of power in Beijing.But the couple fell foul of the Chinese government during Xi Jinping’s inexorable rise to power and in 2017 Desmond’s ex-wife was abducted – he says by the Chinese state. She vanished for two years and even now is restricted in her movements, although she’s never been charged with any crime. Mr Shum now lives in the UK, from where he gave us his ex

Sep 12, 2023 • 18:19

Guyana: The world’s fastest-growing economy

Guyana: The world’s fastest-growing economy

The former British colony in South America boasts the world’s fastest-growing economy at the moment – it expanded by 62 per cent last year, according to the International Monetary Fund.The reason is oil. Since 2015, US oil major Exxon and its partners have made a series of massive discoveries in Guyanese waters, catapulting the country into the world’s top 20 in terms of reserves.That’s bringing billions of dollars into the economy but also challenges: how can Guyana avoid the ‘resource curse’ -

Sep 10, 2023 • 17:28

Business and Science: Communicating science

Business and Science: Communicating science

Science is all around us but a lot of it can be difficult to understand.Gareth Mitchell speaks to people building careers around helping make science understandable to the general public.We speak to a YouTuber making music about science, a science festival organiser and a science communication consultant who works with different businesses to make science more engaging and easy to access. Producer: Hannah Mullane Presenter: Gareth Mitchell(Image: Ellie Mackay at work. Credit: Ellie Mackay)

Sep 8, 2023 • 18:22

Business and science: Quantum computing around the world

Business and science: Quantum computing around the world

It's a rapidly emerging technology that has the potential to solve problems at an incredible pace. At the moment its uses are limited but that hasn’t stopped investment rolling into the sector and businesses from making money as the technology develops around the world. Gareth Mitchell speaks to three different quantum businesses to discuss its viability and its risk. Presenter: Gareth Mitchell Producer: Hannah Mullane(Image: Quantum entanglement. Credit: Getty Images)

Sep 7, 2023 • 18:23

Business and science: What is quantum computing?

Business and science: What is quantum computing?

We travel to a facility in the south of England to see one of the super-fast computers in action.We’ll find out what quantum computing has the potential to do, what its going to take to make that a reality and importantly whether quantum businesses are making any money...Presenter: Gareth Mitchell Producer: Hannah Mullane (Image: A quantum computer. Credit: Oxford Quantum Circuits)

Sep 6, 2023 • 18:23

Business and science: How risky is SynBio?

Business and science: How risky is SynBio?

For all the exciting developments in the synthetic biology industry, there are also concerns. People can edit genes in their garages these days, so who’s regulating this space?Plus - we’ll hear about the exciting new business models with biology at their core, including one of the first synbio businesses to trade as a public stock - Ginkgo Bioworks.Presenter: Gareth Mitchell Producer: Izzy Greenfield(Image: A petri dish in a lab. Credit: Getty Images)

Sep 5, 2023 • 17:26

Business and science: What you need to know about SynBio

Business and science: What you need to know about SynBio

In this week’s series focusing on business and science, we start things off by looking at the world of synthetic biology.The industry is estimated to be worth around $30bn in the next few years, but how is that money actually made?We speak to businesses across the world to find out how they’ve taken the building blocks of synthetic biology and engineered them into products that we use on a daily basis.Presenter: Gareth Mitchell Producer: Izzy Greenfield(Image: A scientist working with lab grown

Sep 4, 2023 • 17:28

Cutting waste in the beauty industry

Cutting waste in the beauty industry

Many of us have drawers and boxes full of beauty products that we never end up finishing. We meet the Nordic start-ups who are trying to cut some of that waste by changing the way we shop. We find out about tech which personalises products, and then makes it 'on demand' rather than in bulk. And will the use of AI actually end up encouraging people to buy more, rather than less?Presented and produced by Maddy Savage(Image: A scientist at Swedish tech start-up Ellure. Credit: BBC)

Sep 1, 2023 • 18:15

The row over Uruguay's pulp mills

The row over Uruguay's pulp mills

Does the paper industry use too much water? As concern about plastic waste grows, many companies have switched from plastic packaging to paper, but how environmentally friendly is paper production? Uruguay, in South America, has been suffering from drought and its forestry and pulp milling industries are coming under increasing scrutiny for the amount of water used. We’ve been to an enormous new pulp mill in central Uruguay, capable of producing more than two million tonnes of pulp every year,

Aug 31, 2023 • 18:16

The importance of sleep

The importance of sleep

How does sleep relate to your job, your income, or your socio-economic status? We look at the impact of a good, and bad night’s rest. We discuss the factors affecting sleep, including access to health care, where and how you live, and how that might influence other aspects of your life.Plus we look at the growing market in devices to ‘cure’ sleep problems.Producer and presenter: Elizabeth Hotson (Image: A man in bed in a deep sleep. Credit: Getty Images)

Aug 30, 2023 • 17:29

The UNESCO effect

The UNESCO effect

Delegates will soon descend on Saudi Arabia for perhaps the most consequential meeting in UNESCO’s history. With an extended agenda after last year’s cancellation, it’s the first World Heritage Committee meeting to be held in-person for four years.In this episode we examine the so-called ‘UNESCO effect’ - and hear from entrepreneurs around Angkor Wat, in Cambodia, about the mixed consequences of its listing. We also hear from officials in Liverpool, in England, about UNESCO's decision to remove

Aug 29, 2023 • 18:20

Ireland's data centre boom

Ireland's data centre boom

These tech powerhouses bring in money and jobs but can be environmentally problematic and in Ireland data centres account for almost a fifth of the electricity consumption.We explore how Ireland can keep hold of this valuable industry and make sure it's energy supply isn't affected.Producer / presenter: Leanna Byrne (Image: Data centre; Credit: Getty Images)

Aug 28, 2023 • 18:22

Swiftonomics

Swiftonomics

Taylor Swift's Eras tour is predicted to make a record $1 billion - but how?As countries around the world grapple with high inflation, how has Taylor Swift been able to persuade fans to spend money?Olivia Wilson speaks to Brittany Hodak, author of Creating Superfans, to understand the role Swiftomania has played in her commercial and financial success.Tyler Morse is the CEO of MCR, the third largest hotel owner-operator in the United States. He explains how Taylor Swift’s concerts have had a sig

Aug 25, 2023 • 18:24

The end of the office?

The end of the office?

Many of us started working from home in the coronavirus pandemic - and never went back. Now, office space in many cities around the world is standing empty. We visit Mumbai, New York and London, where an increase in home working means buildings in business districts standing empty. And Singapore, which seems to be bucking the trend, with demand as high as ever.We also hear from the CEO of US-based commercial real estate company Remax - are we witnessing the end of the traditional office? Produce

Aug 24, 2023 • 18:18

The return of the wine cork

The return of the wine cork

The humble wine cork, once the main way to stop a bottle of wine, had its market share decimated in the 1990’s when screw caps were favoured. However, the problem of 'corked' wine has been almost completely solved and cork is recognised as a more sustainable, if slightly less convenient material for wine makers to use.In this episode we visit the world’s largest cork producing region in Portugal to find out more about how the cork industry has hit the good times once again. We explore which wine

Aug 23, 2023 • 18:20

What should I eat on a night shift?

What should I eat on a night shift?

Working irregular hours, including overnight, means meal times can be disrupted. So what impact does this have on the body and overall health?We hear from workers in Mumbai and Lagos about their experiences, plus get advice from a dietician about what and when you should be eating. Produced and presented by Marie Keyworth.(Image: Workers in a construction camp cutting metal at night. Credit: Getty Images)

Aug 22, 2023 • 18:22

Is Bangladesh ready for digital only banks?

Is Bangladesh ready for digital only banks?

The government in Bangladesh is trying to modernise its economy and has announced a policy to create digital only banks. The idea is to move away from traditional bricks and mortar banks and provide more financial services to people in remote areas. For fintech companies that operate digital wallets – this is a gamechanger. However, many people in the country don’t have access to smartphones or the internet, so how will these banks work for them and for Bangladesh’s economy?Presenter / producer:

Aug 21, 2023 • 18:23

Picture perfect cakes and cafes

Picture perfect cakes and cafes

Dive into a world of amazing cakes and cafes, where look and taste combine in the hope of tempting customers to part with their cash for sweet treats.Explore how our tastes and habits are changing when it comes to buying and eating cakes and puddings – and find out why social media is now crucial to the baking and dessert café industry. Presenter / producer: Emb Hashmi Image: Forever Rose cafe; Credit: Ebraheem Al Samadi

Aug 18, 2023 • 17:30

Giving cash directly - the future of aid?

Giving cash directly - the future of aid?

What’s the best way to help people in need? In the past, humanitarian aid has focused on providing shelter and food, but there’s a growing move towards direct cash payments. We'll take you to Syria, Egypt and Kenya to find out how it works and why it's being embraced.We speak to Rory Stewart, president of the US charity Give Directly, which is based entirely on direct cash payments. And hear from two women who’ve used some of that money to develop their own small businesses in Kenya.Elias Abu A

Aug 17, 2023 • 18:22

Business daily meets: Ida Tin

Business daily meets: Ida Tin

Ida Tin coined the term Femtech after she founded the period tracking app, Clue, which has since been downloaded more than 100 million times. We hear how she managed to turn her idea into a business, how she went about funding it over her 10 year stint as CEO and how she sees it evolving as technology becomes more advanced.Producer/Presenter: Hannah Mullane Photo: Ida Tin Credit: Ida Tin

Aug 16, 2023 • 17:29

China's rising youth unemployment: Part 2

China's rising youth unemployment: Part 2

The country is not just facing record-high levels of youth unemployment - more than 20% of 16-24 year olds in urban areas at the latest count. It is also facing growing discontent among many young people about the type of work they can find, often involving long hours, no overtime pay, and insecure contracts. It is prompting some to opt out of the rat race altogether. And many experts think the current problems aren't just prompted by the global slowdown. They're structural. Even the government'

Aug 15, 2023 • 18:20

China's rising youth unemployment: Part 1

China's rising youth unemployment: Part 1

Is trouble brewing for the world’s second largest economy? China’s exports are down, the property market’s creaking, and millions of young people - more than one in five - are officially classed as unemployed. It's not just the lack of jobs, it's the quality of employment that's now on offer - much of it informal in sectors like hospitality or food delivery. In the first of two programmes assessing the economic challenges, Ed Butler asks, what's gone wrong?Produced and presented by Ed Butler.(Im

Aug 14, 2023 • 18:20

Business Daily meets: The rum distillers

Business Daily meets: The rum distillers

Paul and Jacine Rutasikwa tell us how they turned a side hustle into a full-time business.In 2017 they moved their family from London to Scotland to set up their distillery, creating an African-Scottish business.Presenter/producer Dougal Shaw. (Image: Paul and Jacine Rutasikwa. Credit: BBC)

Aug 11, 2023 • 18:17

Business Daily meets: Mattel's CEO

Business Daily meets: Mattel's CEO

Ynon Kreiz explains how they transformed Barbie, the well-loved and sometimes controversial doll, into a movie.The boss of one of the world's biggest toy companies also talks about the need to bring more diversity into the Barbie brand, and expand products beyond the toy aisles. Presenter/producer: Dougal Shaw(Image: Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken in a still from the movie. Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Aug 10, 2023 • 18:19

Business Daily meets: Sir Robin Millar

Business Daily meets: Sir Robin Millar

We meet one of the UKs most successful record producers, who was behind hits such as Smooth Operator.He talks to Dougal Shaw about his career so far, his record label, and the future of music. Sir Robin Millar is blind - his sight had totally gone by his mid-thirties - and he talks about the impact that has had on him.And he talks about AI in music.Producer/presenter: Dougal Shaw

Aug 9, 2023 • 18:07

Business Daily meets: Kelly Hoppen

Business Daily meets: Kelly Hoppen

We meet one of the world's leading interior designers.Kelly Hoppen finds design solutions for celebrities including the Beckhams, but also works with luxury brands and businesses too.And she is enthusiastic about people achieving good design on a budget. She talks about growing up in South Africa, and explains how music inspires her work. Producer/presenter Dougal Shaw.(Image: Kelly Hoppen. Credit: BBC)

Aug 8, 2023 • 18:23

Business Daily meets: The founders of Seatfrog

Business Daily meets: The founders of Seatfrog

Iain Griffin and Dirk Stewart formed their company after a mutual need for more leg room inspired a brainwave.They created the Seatfrog app for train travel, which is disrupting the industry.Dougal Shaw meets them (on a train), and finds out why their business changed from air travel to trains, and moved from Sydney to London.Presenter/producer: Dougal Shaw(Image: Iain Griffin and Dirk Stewart. Credit: BBC)

Aug 7, 2023 • 18:22

The price for Mexican heritage

The price for Mexican heritage

We look into Mexico’s drive to get historical artefacts returned. Find out more about a famous quetzal feather crown believed to have been worn by the great Aztec emperor Moctezuma, it is currently in Austria and we hear from those who want to keep it there, and those campaigning for its return.Presenter / producer: Beth Timmins Image: Moctezuma's headdress; Getty Images

Aug 4, 2023 • 18:15

Rebuilding Turkey after the earthquake

Rebuilding Turkey after the earthquake

On Sunday 6 August 2023 it will be six months since the devastating event which killed more than 50,000 people, injured tens of thousands more, and left hundreds of thousands of people homeless. For Business Daily, Victoria Craig travels to the worst affected region of Hatay. When President Erdoğan visited the disaster area back in February, he vowed to rebuild within a year, so can he keep that promise? Victoria speaks to residents who are still waiting to hear about permanent homes.And we ask

Aug 3, 2023 • 18:14

Is it possible to grow food on the Moon?

Is it possible to grow food on the Moon?

Space agencies and billionaire investors plan to have people living on the Moon or Mars. But those lunar and martian residents will have to grow their own food to survive.Find out how biologists from Florida, Norway and the Netherlands are experimenting to grow crops in regolith, the kind of soil found on the Moon and Mars. It could be very profitable enterprise. Presenter / producer: Russell Padmore Image: Moon and crops; Credit: Getty Images

Aug 2, 2023 • 18:20

Working at altitude

Working at altitude

From Tibet to the Andes to the highlands of Ethiopia, around 150 million people around the world work at high altitude. Many were born there, but in a globalized world of mass migration, many weren’t, and are toiling in environments that their bodies maybe aren’t accustomed to.What does that mean for their health and for the companies that employ them? We go to a high altitude copper mine in the Chilean Andes and talk to doctors about the potential risks of working on top of the world. Producer

Aug 1, 2023 • 18:21

Is France leading the way on nuclear?

Is France leading the way on nuclear?

The country produces 70% of it's electricity this way - and is the global leader.It's aiming to prolong the lifespan of its 56 existing nuclear reactors – and construct additional ones.President Macron is calling it "the nuclear renaissance" of France.However some people still have concerns over the safety measures in place.So how much sense does France's nuclear strategy make, economically speaking?Produced and presented by Lisa Louis. Image:

Jul 31, 2023 • 18:21

European Para Championships: A new sporting event

European Para Championships: A new sporting event

What does it take to host a brand new multi-sport competition? We're in Rotterdam which is hosting the inaugural European Para Championships 2023. It's hoped that holding events at the same time will raise the profile of para sports - and be more cost effective.What does it take to get a fresh idea like this off the ground? Producer/Presenter: Matthew Kenyon(Image: Archer Roy Klaassen aiming his bow. Credit: European Para Championships / Rutger Pauw)

Jul 28, 2023 • 18:05

Business daily meets: Janelle Jones

Business daily meets: Janelle Jones

Janelle Jones is currently the chief economist of one of the biggest union movements in America and before that she worked in White House. Janelle was the first black woman to serve as chief economist in the Labor department. She tells us about her time there, how she got into economics and what keeps her grounded. Presenter: Devina Gupta Production: Sam Clack and Carmel O'Grady Image:

Jul 27, 2023 • 18:21

The chocolate village

The chocolate village

Peter MacJob visits Eti-Oni village in south-west Nigeria, home to the oldest cocoa plantation in the country. It's king, HRH Oba Dokun Thompson, is on a mission to transform the economy of the community by manufacturing chocolates and selling in some of the finest shops across Europe.Over 90% of Eti-Oni's inhabitants are cocoa farmers and although the cocoa industry is worth almost $130bn a year the money does not flow back to cocoa farmers. To try and change this King Thompson has partnered wi

Jul 26, 2023 • 18:08

The new Panama Canal?

The new Panama Canal?

The Bioceanic Highway, aims to link Chile's Pacific coast with Brazil's Atlantic coastline. We’re in landlocked Paraguay to find out how one of the world’s biggest infrastructure projects, could change how people there do business, especially the Mennonites, a powerful, religious farming community who live directly in the new highways' path. Presenter / producer: Jane Chambers Image: Bioceanic highway in Paraguay; Credit: Bob Howard

Jul 25, 2023 • 18:21

Is Georgia benefitting from Russian money?

Is Georgia benefitting from Russian money?

Georgia has seen huge economic growth but is there a cost to doing business with Russia?Tens of thousands of Russians moved to the small South Caucasus nation since the war began and they brought along their money and their ideas. In this programme we hear from some of those who have made the move and set up homes and businesses in Georgia. We'll also hear what Georgians, who fought their own war with Russia in 2008, make of the huge growth in trade and economic relations between the two countri

Jul 24, 2023 • 17:28

Women's football: Life after retirement

Women's football: Life after retirement

Remember Brandi Chastain? She scored the winning goal in the 1999 Women's World Cup final. She celebrated the goal by whipping off her shirt and swinging it round her head. The image of Brandi in a sports bra was on the cover of newspapers around the world.Now she’s joined forces with former team mates Leslie Osborne, Aly Wagner and Danielle Slaton to create a team, Bay FC, which will play in the US National Women’s Soccer League in 2024. They’re part of a growing trend in women’s football of

Jul 21, 2023 • 18:17

Women’s football boots: A bad fit?

Women’s football boots: A bad fit?

Questions are being asked about the footwear that is currently on offer to women and girls. Men and women's feet are very different, so why have large sports companies only just started to do research into women’s football boots?And is this why more high-profile players are succumbing to injury?Olivia Wilson speaks to Laura Youngson, the co-Founder of Ida Sports, one of the only companies that designs and produces female-specific football boots.And Hyde United Women’s football club in the North

Jul 20, 2023 • 18:16

Women's football in South America

Women's football in South America

South America is football crazy, but its women’s teams have never enjoyed the same success as the men’s. Brazil have never won the Women’s World Cup. Argentina have never even won a match at the tournament.Why is that? A lack of investment, TV revenue and sponsors, or deep-seated cultural issues and prejudices? We look at the poor state of finances in the South American women’s game, and hear from women who are trying to change attitudes. They say that if broadcasters and potential sponsors don

Jul 19, 2023 • 18:37

Australia and New Zealand: The perfect sporting hosts?

Australia and New Zealand: The perfect sporting hosts?

As the countries prepare to host the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup for the first time, we find out why they were chosen, and what the legacy of the games will be for them.We take a look at the hospitality sector, including a café owner in New Zealand, who are hoping for a big boost from overseas visitors. How will they make the most of the opportunity, and cope with the influx of people coming into the town.And we hear from an architect about the new training ground that the Australian women's foo

Jul 18, 2023 • 18:39

Is women’s football a good investment?

Is women’s football a good investment?

Ahead of the 2023 Women's World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, we look at the business case for growing the sport.Investment in women's football is increasing, in line with greater confidence in its popularity, and higher expectations from players and fans.We ask where the commercial opportunities lie, how much money is coming into the game, and what does the future hold at such a pivotal moment?Presenter and producer: Sam Fenwick(Image: The USA team celebrating winning the 2019 Women's World

Jul 17, 2023 • 18:37

Business Daily Meets: Gary Neville

Business Daily Meets: Gary Neville

The eight-time Premier League winner on his successes and failures in business. Gary Neville tells us why building companies in his home city of Manchester matters to him and explains what level of investment he'd like to see at his former club Manchester United. Presenter: Sean Farrington Producer: Carmel O'Grady Image: Gary Neville; Credit: BBC

Jul 14, 2023 • 18:21

Spanish election: How will young people vote?

Spanish election: How will young people vote?

Youth unemployment in Spain is still very high, with 29.3% of working people under 25 out of work.Ahead of the snap General Election which will take place on Sunday 23 July, we speak to new voters and voters in their twenties who are just starting out in their careers. What policies appeal to them, how do they feel about an increasing right-wing presence, and what do they think of politicians using social media and podcasts to try and win their support?We’ll also hear from a young entrepreneur w

Jul 13, 2023 • 18:22

The celebrities investing in alcohol brands

The celebrities investing in alcohol brands

We're in Hollywood, where a rising number of stars are putting their names on wine and liquor products. Is it a sensible investment? Or is the market reaching saturation point? Reporter KJ Matthews speaks to Bethenny Frankel, businesswoman, philanthropist and star of The Real Housewives of New York. She launched a pre-packaged margarita line, named Skinnygirl Margarita, in 2009.Plus we explore the potential of the growing non-alcoholic market for celebrities.Presenter: KJ Matthews Producers: K

Jul 12, 2023 • 18:12

Turkey: Fixing a broken economy

Turkey: Fixing a broken economy

A month on from the election in Turkey President Erdogan has promised to fix the economy. In this programme we find out more about Mehmet Simsek, the new finance minister, who says he'll return Turkey to rational economics and reduce inflation. We also hear from those running businesses in Turkey about what they need to stay afloat. Presenter / producer: Victoria Craig Image: Lira in a cash register; Credit: BBC

Jul 11, 2023 • 18:21

AI: Looking to the future

AI: Looking to the future

It’s been claimed artificial intelligence will be as revolutionary as mobile phones or the internet, but there are fears that developments in AI could come at the cost of jobs. We assess the pros and cons of this rapidly-evolving technology, with insight from Marc Raibert, Executive Director of the Boston Dynamics AI Institute. We also consider the impact of generative AI on the arts, with Matt Bellamy from British rock band Muse teasing a potential future collaboration with a humanoid robot.Pre

Jul 10, 2023 • 18:11

Investing in Africa: Who benefits?

Investing in Africa: Who benefits?

How are loans and grants distributed? And how high are the returns?According to the IMF, Africa’s growth prospect will be amongst the highest in the world and sectors such as fintech and telecoms are the drivers of the current economic growth, offering huge investment opportunities for foreign businesses.Peter MacJob speaks to Faith Adesemowo, CEO of Social Lender, a company which helps individuals build credit ratings through their social status. Presenter: Peter MacJob Productions: Peter MacJo

Jul 7, 2023 • 18:10

Investing in Africa: US and AGOA

Investing in Africa: US and AGOA

The African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, gives duty-free access for exports to the American market, and has done for 23 years.South Africa is one of the countries that has benefitted – but now its inclusion in doubt due to allegations from the US that it has violated its neutrality and supplied weapons to Russia - something South Africa denies. So what would being pushed out of AGOA mean for the country?Plus we hear from Ethiopia – it has been suspended from AGOA due to the the war in Ti

Jul 6, 2023 • 18:22

Investing in Africa: Media

Investing in Africa: Media

We look into the growth of foreign investment in Africa’s media space. Africa is generating a huge amount of localized content as international streaming platforms and global media organisations battle to gain a foothold in the market. We find out what’s driving the interest and whether it’s working. Producer / presenter: Bisi Adebayo Image: Reporters in Nairobi; Credit: Getty Images

Jul 5, 2023 • 18:21

Investing in Africa: Russia and the CAR

Investing in Africa: Russia and the CAR

For almost a decade, the Central African Republic has seen growing investment and influence from the Russian mercenary group Wagner. It stretches from education and religion to business and military. The recent mutiny has led to speculation about what the future of Russia's status in the CAR will be. We explore Russia’s role in the CAR, and ask what it means for that country, the continent of Africa and the wider world?Produced and presented by Peter MacJob, additional production from Zigoto Tch

Jul 4, 2023 • 18:12

Investing in Africa: What needs to change?

Investing in Africa: What needs to change?

Large parts of sub-Saharan Africa are facing dire economic circumstances. The World Bank says more than one in three countries are either in severe financial distress, or are close to default. What’s gone wrong? In the first of a week of programmes, Ed Butler taking the pulse of investment in Africa and looking at ways the situation needs to change. Presenter / producer: Ed Butler Image: Mine in Guinea; Credit: BBC

Jul 3, 2023 • 18:21

Uorfi Javed: India's most controversial influencer

Uorfi Javed: India's most controversial influencer

Uorfi Javed is one of the most searched for social media stars in Asia, but despite huge fame and popularity she says she struggles to get work as big brands refuse to sign her.Uorfi Javed started out as a TV actress and became famous after wearing a dress made out of bin bags while in the Big Brother house. In this interview she tells us why she continues to dress however she likes despite criticism, how she works with paparazzi photographers to boost her profile and how much money she makes fr

Jun 30, 2023 • 18:10

Do you like a noisy or quiet workplace?

Do you like a noisy or quiet workplace?

Many companies are urging staff to return to the office instead of working remotely, but noise levels are rising in workplaces, which can cause stress and undermine productivity. This means offices are now being built or redesigned to control noise, Russell Padmore visits one in Ireland. Producer / presenter: Russell Padmore Image: Office space; Credit: Getty images

Jun 29, 2023 • 18:34

Why big projects go wrong

Why big projects go wrong

From the Sydney Opera House to a basic kitchen renovation there are thousands of examples of construction projects large and small which go horribly over budget.Professor Bent Flyvbjerg has compiled a database of 16,000 projects, and by his reckoning only 8.5% them meet their initial estimates of cost and time. He talks to Sam Fenwick about his new book, “How Big Things Get Done”.Presenter / producer: Sam Fenwick Image: Sydney opera house; Credit: Getty Images

Jun 28, 2023 • 18:11

La Palma: Rebuilding after a volcano

La Palma: Rebuilding after a volcano

In September 2021, a volcano erupted on the Spanish Canary Island. It lasted nearly three months. Red hot lava spilled out and destroyed homes, businesses and everything in its path before reaching the sea 10 days later. It split the island in half.Eighteen months on, we travel back to La Palma to see how the islanders are rebuilding their livelihoods and infrastructure.Presented and produced by Ashish Sharma.(Image:Karin Bansberg watering plants outside her temporary wooden home. Credit: BBC)

Jun 27, 2023 • 18:12

Deep sea mining

Deep sea mining

The rush to extract battery metals from the bottom of the ocean and what that could cost financially and environmentally. Michelle Fleury sees a specialist mining robot in action and hears the arguments for and against deep sea mining. Presenter / producer: Michelle Fleury Image

Jun 26, 2023 • 18:13

Paris Air Show: The future of aviation

Paris Air Show: The future of aviation

We’re at the Paris Air Show - a huge gathering of the biggest names in the global aerospace industry.We will hear about the latest innovations in hypersonic passenger planes and how the sector can address environmental concerns.Plus we speak to the defence sector about the latest developments in AI.Presenter: Theo Leggett Producer: Hannah Mullane(Image: People queuing to see an aircraft at the Paris Air Show. Credit: Reuters)

Jun 23, 2023 • 18:37

Business Daily meets: Iñaki Ereño

Business Daily meets: Iñaki Ereño

The CEO of the international private healthcare firm Bupa started the role in January 2021, right in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.He speaks to Dougal Shaw about the challenges the company faced, and about lessons learnt for the future. Plus we find out how routine helps to keep Mr Ereño grounded.Produced and presented by Dougal Shaw.,Image: Iñaki Ereño. Credit: BBC)

Jun 22, 2023 • 18:39

Tackling India's heatwaves

Tackling India's heatwaves

Every year, India faces blistering heatwaves. In many parts of the country the temperatures are soaring, making it difficult for people to go about their daily lives. It’s the poor who are the most affected. They live in congested slums and have to step out in the heat to earn money. We explore what is being done, and what more could be done, to help them.Presenter / producer: Davina Gupta Image: Woman in Chennai; Credit: EPA/Idrees Mohammed

Jun 21, 2023 • 18:40

Portugal’s digital nomads

Portugal’s digital nomads

Portugal has welcomed thousands of high value, short stay workers with an attractive new visa. They’re the so called Digital Nomads, who can live and work where they please - but the locals say they’re skewing the economy, we find out why. Producer / presenter: Ciaran Tracey Image: Flexible working: Credit: PA

Jun 20, 2023 • 18:37

The rising popularity of surrogacy in Georgia

The rising popularity of surrogacy in Georgia

The small Caucasian country, which borders Russia, has experienced increased demand for surrogates after the war in Ukraine meant that Russia and Ukraine were no longer options for couples wanting a baby. Those countries used to be international hubs for surrogacy - when a woman carries a pregnancy for another couple or individual. In Georgia, commercial surrogacy is legal, and regulations are extremely liberal. Affordable prices make Georgia an even more attractive alternative. We hear from cli

Jun 19, 2023 • 18:43

Tourism: Emily in Paris

Tourism: Emily in Paris

How TV series, films and social media can impact the travel industry.We are in Paris to explore how the Netflix show Emily in Paris has changed tourism in the city. We also hear from a tour guide in New Zealand who changed his business when the Lord of the Rings film series became more popular. Presenter / producer: Nina Pasquini Image: Paris; Credit: BBC

Jun 16, 2023 • 18:44

Tourism: Speciality cruises

Tourism: Speciality cruises

How special interest cruises for fans of music, yoga and sci-fi are revamping the industry. Deborah Weitzmann goes on a blues cruise to find out how the speciality cruise industry works and why it's growing in popularity. She also heads off the ship to find out what happens to on-shore businesses when all the entertainment is on the ship. Presenter / producer: Deborah Weitzmann Image: Legendary Rhythm and blues cruise; Credit: BBC

Jun 15, 2023 • 18:44

Tourism: The economics of the all inclusive

Tourism: The economics of the all inclusive

The number of all inclusive resorts is growing but do they help local businesses? All-inclusive holidays now make up more than half of all package holiday sales in the UK for the first time, and across Europe and North America the amount of resorts available is growing. Rick Kelsey explores whether these resorts are good for local economies and communities.Presenter / producer: Rick Kelsey Images: Sun loungers; Credit: BBC

Jun 14, 2023 • 18:45

Tourism: Africa bouncing back

Tourism: Africa bouncing back

Why African tourists are key to helping the travel sector recover post-pandemic.We hear from businesses in Gambia, Tanzania and Zambia to explore how well these countries recovered after Covid-19 lockdowns. We also explore why promoting tourism within Africa could be key to keeping global visitor numbers going up. Presenter / producer: Bisi Adebayo Image: Gambia; Credit: Getty Images

Jun 13, 2023 • 17:29

Tourism: Halal holidays

Tourism: Halal holidays

Find out about the destinations that are top of the list for Muslims travellers wanting to go on holiday without compromising their religious beliefs and practices. Explore what resorts and tour operators have to put in place to be certified halal friendly and examine why this is such a growth area for the global travel industry. Presenter / producer: Emb Hashmi Image: Zahra Rose and friends on holiday; Credit: Zahra Rose

Jun 12, 2023 • 17:26

Business Daily Meets: Iyinoluwa Aboyeji

Business Daily Meets: Iyinoluwa Aboyeji

The Nigerian tech entrepreneur on how he built two billion dollar businesses. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji co-founded talent marketplace Andela and payments company Flutterwave, both of which have been valued at more than a billion dollars.He tells Rob Young he wants to use his wealth to help Africa achieve its economic potential. Presenter / producer: Rob Young Image: Iyinoluwa Aboyeji; Credit: Getty Images

Jun 9, 2023 • 17:29

The tech supporting women's health

The tech supporting women's health

Femtech, or businesses building technology to support women’s health are growing fast but how much of that growth is supporting women in the parts of the world where access to healthcare can sometimes be difficult?Hannah Mullane speaks to businesses who are providing technology to support women’s health in low income countries. We hear how apps are adapted to work in places where internet is intermittent and access to electricity can be limited and we discuss how a business operates when the con

Jun 8, 2023 • 18:28

Money and love: Your questions

Money and love: Your questions

When high inflation has hit all our budgets has the way we date changed? Are we approaching finding a potential partner differently? When is the right time to ask about money and their approach to their finances? Are you asking the right questions? Our experts answer your questions on money and love and offer their advice on how to marry the two. Presenter / producer: Devina Gupta Image: Heart and cash; Credit: Getty Images

Jun 7, 2023 • 18:31

Inside Europe's biggest LNG terminal

Inside Europe's biggest LNG terminal

This is the story of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and how in the last year it has played an enormous role in keeping the lights on in EuropeThis special edition of Business Daily comes from inside the biggest LNG terminal in Europe. Rick Kelsey looks into the role the fuel is playing as sanctions mean gas pipelines from Russia into Europe are restricted. LNG terminals which were half empty are now full, but should the cutting usage of Russian gas automatically mean importing more gas from elsewh

Jun 6, 2023 • 17:30

The US banking system on life support

The US banking system on life support

In March 2023 Silicon Valley Bank collapsed. It was the second largest banking failure in US history. The regulator, the FDIC, fired the management team and brought in a new person to run the institution while a buyer was found.As the former CEO of Fannie Mae, Tim Mayopoulus has experience of steering a bank through financial turmoil. He speaks to Sam Fenwick about how he steadied the nerves of SVB employees, customers and the global banking sector.Producer/presenter: Sam Fenwick(Photo: Man walk

Jun 5, 2023 • 18:29

The 'right to repair' movement

The 'right to repair' movement

With the cost of living crisis forcing many of us to try and limit what we spend, more and more people are looking to repair the things they own. It’s giving momentum to an international network of ‘repair cafes’ and a global campaign for manufacturers to make products fixable.In this episode, we hear from World Service listeners about their do-it-yourself repairs - some more successful than others.Laura Heighton-Ginns visits a bustling repair cafe, where all sorts of household and sentimental i

Jun 2, 2023 • 18:43

The economics of cocaine

The economics of cocaine

The cocaine trade generates billions of dollars for criminal gangs right around the world but most of the supply of the drug comes from Colombia. Some the money made in this illegal economy does filter into the legal one and by some estimates the cocaine business now accounts for 4% of Colombian gross domestic product.How does the cocaine business generate so much money and for who? We also ask what would happen in places like Colombia if the world legalised the cocaine trade, if it could be tax

Jun 1, 2023 • 18:29

Business Daily Meets: Tony Elumelu

Business Daily Meets: Tony Elumelu

Nigeria's most well-known economist Tony Elumelu tells us why Africa needs to rethink it's relationship with business. He explains "Africapitalism", the idea that the private sector can transform Africa's economy and society for the better. He also discusses a number problems slowing economic growth in Africa, including young, well-educated people leaving for better opportunities elsewhere and a lack of investment in the tech sector. Presenter / producer: Peter MacJob (Image: Tony Elumelu: Credi

May 31, 2023 • 18:48

Microfinance in Sri Lanka: part 2

Microfinance in Sri Lanka: part 2

We hear about one Sri Lankan woman’s struggle with debt after taking out a small loan - what does her story tell us about how to lend to people unable to access finance through banks all over the world?In a special two-part Business Daily report, Ed Butler investigates what's gone wrong with microfinance. It was once seen as a progressive way to help people like Renuka Ratnayake improve their lives, but has it led to a new wave of predatory lending? If you are affected by any of the issues cover

May 30, 2023 • 17:28

Microfinance in Sri Lanka part 1

Microfinance in Sri Lanka part 1

Offering small unsecured loans to the world’s poorest was meant to transform the lives of millions but in Sri Lanka microfinance has left many women with debts they simply can't repay.In a special two-part Business Daily report, Ed Butler visits the villages in Sri Lanka where many of those otherwise excluded from organised finance have taken small loans only for their finances to spiral into debt. What's gone wrong with mircofinance? Has it led to a new wave of predatory lending? Presenter / p

May 29, 2023 • 18:46

Music and business: Gigging

Music and business: Gigging

Musicians, promoters and comedians take us inside the grass roots gigging industry.David Reid speaks to guitar band Vernons Future about their experience gigging at small venues in the UK and getting their music out to international audiences via streaming platforms. We also hear from gig promotions company Bugbear about organising gigs and comedians trying their luck at an open mic night, hoping to make it onto the comedy circuit. Presenter / producer: David Reid Image: Vernons Future; Credit:

May 26, 2023 • 18:46

Music and business: Gospel

Music and business: Gospel

Gospel: Is the spiritual message of the music getting lost in the world of commercialism?It's the two billion dollar music industry with faith at the forefront. We investigate whether mainstream music artists are diluting an industry that dedicates itself to the word of god. Hear from one of gospel's best selling artists, Marvin Sapp, and a gospel choir leader in Rwanda.Presenter / producer: Izzy Greenfield Image: Marvin Sapp; Credit: Marvin Sapp

May 24, 2023 • 18:21

Music and business: Breaking in

Music and business: Breaking in

The music industry is worth billions of dollars and creates thousands of jobs across the world, but how do you become part of such a lucrative but exclusive industry? The global head of music operations at Tik Tok tells us how the app has become a game-changer in the industry. Kenyan DJ Coco Em talks about about the barriers African artists have to overcome and British rapper Aitch’s manager explains how he came to work with one of the biggest rap artists in Europe.Presenter / producer: Izzy Gre

May 23, 2023 • 18:45

Jason Derulo: Music and business

Jason Derulo: Music and business

All this week on Business Daily, we’re focusing on the music industry, which is worth $26 billion a year globally. Today, we’re joined by the hugely successful musician, content creator and businessman Jason Derulo. He tells us what it takes to build a brand as successful as his, and about the unlikely investment that's made him millions of dollars.Presenter/producer: Izzy GreenfieldImage: Jason Derulo (Credit: Joe Scarnici/LIV Golf via Getty Images)

May 22, 2023 • 18:25

The game that shocked the world

The game that shocked the world

Grand Theft Auto changed gaming forever. In this programme we find out how. Chris Warburton meets the creative team from Dundee in Scotland who came up with the concept for Grand Theft Auto 25 years ago. We look into how it was picked up, marketed and ultimately sold to millions and millions of us. Grand Theft Auto was revolutionary, but it was also controversial with its depictions of shocking, graphic violence. This is the story of how the game and its makers overcame moral panic, political op

May 19, 2023 • 18:38

The world's fastest EV

The world's fastest EV

Mate Rimac tells us how he designed and now produces the world's fastest electric car. He started out converting petrol racing cars to run on electricity and proving those vehicles could achieve top speeds. Mate Rimac then built a business to produce the car from scratch, with little money and no experience.His company is now valued at more than 2 billion dollars after securing investment last year from Porsche. He's also managed to build a new car manufacturing industry in Croatia. Presenter/pr

May 18, 2023 • 18:54

Is a four-day working week the future?

Is a four-day working week the future?

Would you like to work fewer days, but get paid the same? The biggest global trial of the four day week has just come to an end in the UK.We hear from some of the companies who took part, including employees making the most of their extra day off, and employers looking closely at productivity figures. It’s an idea that other countries are looking at closely, so we’ll be looking at the global implications of moving away from the traditional five days on, two days off model.Presenter: Emma Simpson

May 17, 2023 • 18:51

Leaving Sri Lanka

Leaving Sri Lanka

In the past year, Sri Lanka has endured political pandemonium and the worst economic crisis in its modern history. The situation has led to the highest number of people leaving the country on record.The Sri Lankan government has secured an IMF bailout - but will that help stop the exodus?In this episode we’ll hear from entrepreneur Brindha Selvadurai Gnanam, who has stayed put – as well as from students Meshith Ariyawansa and Ravishan Nethsara, who feel they need to leave for a good standard of

May 16, 2023 • 18:37

A new coal mine for the UK

A new coal mine for the UK

A new coal mine in the north west of England could bring much-needed jobs and investment to the area. However there are concerns from environmentalists about the impact on the climate. The mine, in the Whitehaven area of Cumbria, is the first deep mine approved by the UK government for 30 years, and will provide fuel for steel-making.Rowan Bridge travels to Whitehaven, the town next to the site of the mine, to hear the arguments for and against.Presenter and producer: Rowan Bridge(Image: The for

May 15, 2023 • 18:54

Eurovision 2023 heads to Liverpool

Eurovision 2023 heads to Liverpool

As 150,000 extra visitors are poised to descend on Liverpool in the north-west of England for the Eurovision Song Contest, Olivia Wilson heads to the city to see how businesses are preparing.Plus, we speak to fans travelling from across the world about how much it costs them to go to the event. Producer/presenter: Hannah Mullane Reporter: Olivia Wilson (Image: Eurovision 2023 logo. Credit: Eurovision)

May 12, 2023 • 18:21

Turkey election: Young people and the economy

Turkey election: Young people and the economy

Turkey election: 5 million young people are expected to vote for the first time this weekend. We explore how the state of the economy will affect their decisions.Victoria Craig heads to Antalya a swing city with a young population to hear how they are managing to make a living in difficult economic circumstances and how they plan to use their vote.Presenter / Producer: Victoria Craig Image: Antalya; Credit: BBC

May 11, 2023 • 18:53

Northern Ireland and American investment

Northern Ireland and American investment

Joe Biden says American firms are ready to triple investment in Northern Ireland, we look into whether that's really likely to happen. Leanna Byrne is in Northern Ireland to take a look at the current levels of investment and speak to those businesses already benefitting from their relationship with the US. She also explores how Brexit and domestic politics could impact what happens next. Presenter / producer: Leanna Byrne Image: Joe Biden in Belfast; Credit: Getty Images

May 10, 2023 • 18:25

The dominance of the US dollar

The dominance of the US dollar

For over 80 years the US dollar has been king when it comes to global trade, is that beginning to change?We look at how the US dollar came to dominate global trade, ask what happens when a country runs out of dollars and explore why countries like China, India and Russia are starting to increase trade in their local currencies. Presenter / producer: Devina Gupta Image: US dollars; Credit: Getty Images

May 9, 2023 • 18:53

Bridging the gap between creative and tech

Bridging the gap between creative and tech

Some see them as polar opposites, but more people than you might think are moving between the creative and technology industries; using the skills from one to further success in the other. But how easy is it to cross between art and engineering? David Harper meets Jan Harlan, who started his career in the embryonic IT industry of the 1960s. The precision and planning skills he developed would help him in a 30-year career as a producer for one of the world’s greatest film directors: Stanley Kubri

May 8, 2023 • 18:20

Business Daily meets: Sir John Hegarty

Business Daily meets: Sir John Hegarty

What's the future of the advertising industry? The industry veteran who was behind some of the most memorable ads of the 80s and 90s speaks to Dougal Shaw about the rise of digital platforms and social media.Hegarty is a revered figure in advertising because of the famous brands he helped to build. He was a founding partner of Saatchi & Saatchi and co-founder of Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH). These days he is creative director of The Garage Soho, which invests in start-ups and helps to build br

May 5, 2023 • 18:22

Making money and doing good

Making money and doing good

Social entrepreneurship is often borne out of the need to address social issues, but it is fast becoming a major contributor to economic growth – contributing billions of dollars to global economies and providing millions of jobs whilst maintaining its core altruistic values of making the world a better place.We meet Zimbabwean born Max Zimani – who runs an African/Middle-Eastern restaurant in Slovenia, created out of the need for inclusion of the migrant communities in an homogenous society lik

May 4, 2023 • 18:21

Female electrical line workers

Female electrical line workers

Electrical line workers work all kinds of hours in very challenging conditions to keep electricity flowing to our homes and businesses. It's traditionally been a very male occupation but that's changing as more women break into the industry. We speak to Colombia’s first ever intake of female apprentice line workers about their intensive training experience, and Rosa Vasquez – one of the first women to do the job in Texas in 1978. Over in Kansas, Amy Fischbach, the Field Editor for T&D World

May 3, 2023 • 18:51

Recycling heat from kitchens to keep restaurants warm

Recycling heat from kitchens to keep restaurants warm

The Swedish start-up that's worked out how to use hot fumes from kitchens to heat restaurants.Hear from the entrepreneurs who've developed this new technology. They tell us how it works and how it can help restaurants lower bills and carbon emissions. However this technology is expensive for restaurant owners, especially at a time when hiring workers and buying ingredients has got a lot more costly. One small business tells us about the benefits and challenges of investing in new equipment. Prod

May 2, 2023 • 18:20

The homes only locals can buy

The homes only locals can buy

We meet the Londoners moving into their first flats thanks to a ownership scheme which started in the US in the 1960s.Community land trust properties can only be bought by local people, and the price is set by average local income levels, not the open market. Dougal Shaw goes to a block of flats in Lewisham where buyers are just settling in. He speaks to a lawyer and community activist in the US – the idea started as part of the civil rights movement. And a property expert explains some of the p

May 1, 2023 • 18:52

Business Daily meets: Tim O'Reilly

Business Daily meets: Tim O'Reilly

The Silicon Valley veteran created the first commercial website to support advertising in 1993.He is a publisher and author and now runs an online learning platform. He talks to Ed Butler about the recent dips in tech stocks, and the future of AI.Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Olivia Wilson(Image: Tim O'Reilly. Credit: Getty Images)

Apr 28, 2023 • 18:27

GM mustard in India

GM mustard in India

Could growing genetically modified mustard be the answer to oil shortages in India? Each year India spends billions of dollars importing 70 percent of its cooking oil from other countries like Argentina, Malaysia and Brazil. We speak to a farmer struggling to make a profit growing un-modified mustard crops. We also explore the debate in India around genetically modified food crops and speak to one farmer already growing genetically modified cotton. Presenter / producer: Devina Gupta Image: Cotto

Apr 27, 2023 • 18:42

Peru’s blueberry boom

Peru’s blueberry boom

How Peru went from having virtually no blueberry plantations to being the world's top exporter in just ten years.In this episode Stefania Gozzer visits a plantation in the region of Ica and hears from experts, firms and farmers about the key developments that made blueberries growing such a success, despite Peru’s ongoing political crises.Presenter / producer: Stefania Gozzer Image: Blueberry farmer; Credit: BBC

Apr 26, 2023 • 18:26

Quiet quitting in France

Quiet quitting in France

Why are so many young French people feeling demotivated and quitting their jobs?Sabrina Teresi had a high-paying job as an engineer. She’d studied for years to qualify. She enjoyed the job at first but soon felt demotivated and after 3 years decided to quit.Polls show more and more young workers are struggling to find the energy to do their job, suffering from boredom and quitting their jobs. Is France facing an epidemic of laziness? Or are companies simply not adapting fast enough to new ways o

Apr 25, 2023 • 18:27

Is Mexico benefiting from the US-China trade war?

Is Mexico benefiting from the US-China trade war?

Increasingly, US companies are 'nearshoring' - moving their operations closer to home.Cities in the north of Mexico, like Monterrey, are seeing a manufacturing boom. We speak to some of the companies who are cashing in, and ask, is this a renaissance that will last?Plus we look at other countries who are trying to get a share of the market.Presenter/producer: Samira Hussain(Image: Truck at the Mexico/US border. Credit: Getty Images)

Apr 24, 2023 • 17:29

Business Daily meets: Athletic Brewing CEO Bill Shufelt

Business Daily meets: Athletic Brewing CEO Bill Shufelt

Non-alcoholic and low alcohol beer is a rapidly growing market, as consumers search for healthy alternatives.Bill Shufelt started Athletic Brewing with his partner, brewmaster John Walker in 2018.Speaking to Dougal Shaw, Bill Shufelt explains how he sees the alcohol free beer market, and describes his 'career change moment'.Presenter/producer Dougal Shaw. (Image: Bill Shufelt at his brewery. Credit: Getty Images)

Apr 21, 2023 • 18:09

Counting the cost of Iftar

Counting the cost of Iftar

As the price of food increases, we speak to Muslims to find out how it has affected their Iftar - the fast-breaking evening meal during the holy month of Ramadan. It is often a lavish family meal, but price rises mean that people are having to make changes. We hear from women in Somalia, Canada, Pakistan and the UK who are all facing a slightly different Ramadan, and Eid, this year. Presented by Emb Hashmi with reporting from Ahmed Adan Editors: Carmel O'Grady and Helen Thomas(Photo: Fatuma and

Apr 20, 2023 • 18:12

Argentina: Still a nation of beef lovers?

Argentina: Still a nation of beef lovers?

The South American country is famous for its steaks, ribs, and milanesa. It is the second largest home market for beef in the world, and the fifth biggest exporter. But with soaring inflation, this much loved staple is becoming unaffordable for ordinary people.We look at the country’s love affair with beef and what measures the government is taking to protect it.Producer/presenter: Natalio Cosoy(Image: Porfirio Dávalos at his Friday barbecue. Credit: BBC)

Apr 19, 2023 • 18:11

Why are African flights so expensive?

Why are African flights so expensive?

Prices are around 45% more expensive than equivalent trips elsewhere, and it's often cheaper to fly out of the continent and back in. We look at the reasons Africans are paying higher fares for both internal and international flights, the impact this is having on business and tourism, plus the wider impact on the African economy.Producer/ presenter: Rebecca Kesby (Image: A plane on a runway in Nothern Africa. Credit: Getty Images)

Apr 18, 2023 • 18:13

How Covid shifted US tipping

How Covid shifted US tipping

Has people using less cash and higher tip suggestions on pay terminals increased expectation on customers? Tipping has a long history in the United States, but there is evidence that the coronavirus pandemic has changed the culture and percentages involved. Presenter Rick Kelsey speaks to waiting staff in New York, travel experts and explores the legal rules around tipping.Presented and produced by Rick Kelsey(Image: Someone placing dollars into a tip jar. Credit: Getty Images)

Apr 17, 2023 • 17:29

Bringing the Tasmanian Tiger back from extinction

Bringing the Tasmanian Tiger back from extinction

It sounds like a movie script, like Jurassic Park, but Australian scientists are actually aiming to 'de-extinct' an animal.The Tasmanian Tiger, or Thylacine, became extinct in 1936, nearly 90 years ago. It's native to Australia, and thanks to millions of dollars of funding via a US-based biotech company, Colossal Biosciences, research is underway which could bring it back to life.Sam Clack finds out why the project has attracted funding from a host of celebrity backers and asks whether science f

Apr 14, 2023 • 18:43

The Phantom of the Opera: Goodbye Broadway

The Phantom of the Opera: Goodbye Broadway

How did the musical manage to run for a record breaking 35 years? And why is it closing? As the curtain comes down on the Phantom in New York's famous Broadway theatre district, we look at what this means for the theatre industry.The Phantom of the Opera has played to more than 140 million people around the world, it’s sold 20 million tickets, and been performed in 33 countries. But whilst the global tours will keep going, this weekend the show is closing in New York.Actor Jonathan Roxmouth play

Apr 13, 2023 • 18:47

Inside the semiconductor factory

Inside the semiconductor factory

Almost everything electronic is powered by chips. But the global semiconductor industry has been beset by the Covid pandemic, conflict, and economic slowdown. Despite the challenges, it's set to become a trillion-dollar industry by 2030.Alex Bell takes an exclusive look inside one of Europe's biggest chip manufacturing factories - GlobalFoundries' plant in Dresden, Germany - to find out how chipmakers are preparing for the future.Presenter / producer: Alex Bell(Picture: The GlobalFoundries plant

Apr 12, 2023 • 17:45

The Good Friday Agreement: 25 years on

The Good Friday Agreement: 25 years on

How has stability in Northern Ireland helped businesses? We look at the impact of the peace deal from the perspective of people within Northern Ireland, and outside, and find out how it has helped the development of manufacturing, foreign investment, tourism, and farming.We also hear from the former Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, one of the architects of The Good Friday Agreement.Presented and produced by Russell Padmore.(Image: Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair (left) and then Taoiseach Bertie

Apr 7, 2023 • 17:45

Business Daily meets: World Chess CEO Ilya Merenzon

Business Daily meets: World Chess CEO Ilya Merenzon

How do you make a game with a conservative image more marketable, and more profitable?Chess has been played for centuries, two people facing off over chessboard, but now it’s big business online too. Business Daily’s Dougal Shaw meets the head of World Chess, Ilya Merenzon, to talk about expanding the sport, the opportunities of the digital format, and the challenge of the recent cheating scandals.Produced and presented by Dougal Shaw.(Image: Magnus Carlsen at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament in

Apr 6, 2023 • 17:45

Coffee: Time for a new bean?

Coffee: Time for a new bean?

The Liberica bean is a species of coffee that growers are hoping will make their crops sustainable in the future as the climate changes. We speak to farmers struggling to grow the most popular coffee plants and taste test a Liberica brew. Presenter / producer: Laura Heighton-Ginns(Image: Martin Kinyua; Credit: Martin Kinyua)

Apr 5, 2023 • 18:39

Fair pay for rooibos tea

Fair pay for rooibos tea

The Khoi and San people, who discovered rooibos tea, have only recently started receiving a share of the industry's multimillion-pound profits. They tell us about their fight to get the money they're owed and we hear from the rooibos farmers who are now having to pay out. We also find out what this deal could mean for other indigenous groups in a similar situation. Presenter: Mohammed Allie Producer: Jo Critcher Image: Princess Chantal Revell from the National Khoi and San Council, drinking rooi

Apr 4, 2023 • 18:40

Happy Birthday barcode

Happy Birthday barcode

The barcode has become an essential part of the modern world. There are 10 billion barcode scans every day and they are used on products in every country.It started as a few lines drawn in the Florida sand and today it turns 50. It changed the way we shop and trade, without them global supply chains could not function.Presenter / producer: Sam Fenwick Image: Barcode; Credit: Getty Images

Apr 3, 2023 • 18:39

Population: Your questions answered

Population: Your questions answered

As India is poised to overtake China as the world's most populous country, we put questions from World Service listeners to the author of 8 Billion and Counting. Dr Jennifer Sciubba explains how the number of humans is growing in some countries, declining in others, how people are moving around the world and why that matters when it comes to money and work. She also discusses the issue of fertility and birth-rate, and it's close links to factors such as government support and childcare.Presenter

Mar 31, 2023 • 18:55

Japan's aging population

Japan's aging population

Japan is the world’s fastest ageing country, nearly 30% of Japan’s population is already over 65. Devina Gupta looks into what the ever decreasing workforce means for businesses in Japan. Many companies are pouring resources into developing advanced robots and artificial intelligence to do human work. Mikio Okumura- president of one of Japan’s largest insurance companies - Sompo Holdings, tells us his company has recently started using AI to analyse complex data to predict the health risks of in

Mar 30, 2023 • 18:56

Nigeria's brain drain

Nigeria's brain drain

Bisi Adebayo investigates why so many young, highly skilled people leave Nigeria, known in the country as Japa.Bisi hears from journalist Victoria Idowu who re-located to Canada with her family and a teacher in Lagos who is about to pack her bags and move to the UK. We also hear from an expert in employment data Babajide Ogunsanwo who tells us how much this costs Nigeria and Wale Smart an employer who explains how tricky it is to find and retain staff. Presenter / producer: Bisi Adebayo Image: G

Mar 29, 2023 • 18:56

Italy's low birth rate

Italy's low birth rate

Italy’s population has decreased by approximately one million residents in the space of one year and forecasts predict that this is likely to worsen. Hannah Mullane speaks to a mother in Rome about what it’s like to start a family in Italy and a business that’s implementing its own policies to support staff who choose to have children. We take a look at what the government is planning to do to encourage more people to have children and head to the north of Italy to the Bolzano region, the only p

Mar 28, 2023 • 18:55

India's growing population

India's growing population

Devina Gupta reports on India's growing population and what that means for people living, working and running businesses there. 66 year old Radha Gupta and her daughter Aashima Gupta live in India’s capital city, Delhi. They tell us how population dynamics have changed their lifestyle over the years, and business woman Vineeta Singh tells us how she has capitalised on a growing number of consumers in India and how this is attracting global finance. Presenter / producer: Devina Gupta Image: Kolka

Mar 27, 2023 • 18:12

The business of returning treasures

The business of returning treasures

David Reid delves into the debate around the repatriation of problematic art and treasures. He visits one museum in the north-west of England attempting to decolonise its collection by returning thousands of items to the countries and communities they were taken from. In this episode we meet curators like Dr Njabulo Chipangura, from Manchester Museum, who says the best way to guarantee the future of collections is to give parts of them away. Also, Professor Kim A. Wagner from the University of L

Mar 24, 2023 • 17:55

Venezuela: 10 years on

Venezuela: 10 years on

Ten years ago this month, in March 2013, Venezuela’s charismatic socialist leader Hugo Chavez died and current president Nicolas Maduro took over.In the decade since, the South American nation suffered an extraordinary economic collapse – the economy shrunk by two thirds, inflation hit six digits, the government chopped 11 zeros off the bank notes, oil production slumped and millions of people fled abroad to escape economic hardship.We talk to Venezuelans who lived through that collapse, from a

Mar 23, 2023 • 18:20

Chatbots and business

Chatbots and business

AI chatbots are everywhere at the moment - but how are they being used by business? Business Daily presenter Rick Kelsey heads to one of the world's financial hubs, Canary Wharf in London, to find out how this technology is changing jobs.Sarah Kunst, the managing director of Cleo Capital, which invests in tech companies in San Francisco, tells us how some start-ups are using AI bots to deep search the internet, but also about her concerns with misinformation.Chante Venter is from Wise Move, a re

Mar 22, 2023 • 18:22

Afrobeats: A multi-million dollar industry

Afrobeats: A multi-million dollar industry

Arguably the fastest growing music genre in the world, Afrobeats artists are playing to sold out crowds in the most coveted venues across the globe.What started as an umbrella term in London, UK, to encapsulate pop music of African extraction has become a major force in pop culture.But is Afrobeats able to emerge as a major economic force within the continent and can it leverage on its global appeal to boost other sectors including fashion and the arts?We hear from the pioneers like Abass Tijani

Mar 21, 2023 • 18:22

Antibiotics: How to fix a broken market

Antibiotics: How to fix a broken market

Antibiotics stopped providing big gains for pharmaceutical companies decades ago, but as bacteria become more resistant to drugs, the world needs new classes of antibiotics to be discovered if we want to prevent the next global health crisis.Dr Tina Joshi, Associate Professor of Molecular Microbiology at the University of Plymouth explains that it’s more likely antimicrobial resistance will kill large numbers of human beings before climate change does. Kasim Kutay, CEO of the investment fund Nov

Mar 20, 2023 • 18:23

Business Daily Meets: Sarah Willingham

Business Daily Meets: Sarah Willingham

The hospitality entrepreneur Sarah Willingham has worked extensively across the UK restaurant and bar industry. She also featured as a Dragon on the BBC TV show, Dragon's Den (the UK equivalent of Shark Tank).Sarah took a bet at the height of the coronavirus pandemic that cocktail bars would thrive again - and is now CEO of UK-based hospitality group Nightcap, a rapidly expanding drinks-led investment firm which she started with her husband in 2020. The company has acquired around 20 cocktail an

Mar 17, 2023 • 18:39

What is Rumble? The streaming platform building an alternative internet

What is Rumble? The streaming platform building an alternative internet

If you don’t like the way online speech is regulated, can you build your own internet where you make the rules? This is the story of Rumble, the new king of alt-tech. Rumble started as a small video streaming platform, hoping to rival YouTube. Recently, it has become the site of choice for Americans frustrated with YouTube moderation, and moved its headquarters to Florida - hailed by some as the new Silicon Valley. Rumble had been eligible for an economic development incentive grant as part of t

Mar 15, 2023 • 18:58

Syria's child labour problem: Abdullah's story

Syria's child labour problem: Abdullah's story

Abdullah lives in northern Syria. He is 14, he lost his mother and brothers to the Syrian civil war. For years now Abdullah has been working to feed the rest of his family, and he's just survived one of the world’s most devastating earthquakes. In this episode of Business Daily Ed Butler hears Abdullah's story. Abdullah works at the Harakat Tarhin oil refinery outside Al Bab in north-west Syria. It's a makeshift oil refinery and they make fuel to feed the cars, trucks and heaters on which the re

Mar 14, 2023 • 18:40

Syria: Life after the earthquake

Syria: Life after the earthquake

Last month’s devastating earthquake didn’t just claim thousands of Turkish lives, it ravaged northern Syria as well. International help for that region has struggled to get through. In this episode of Business Daily Ed Butler looks at how the region is battling to pick up the pieces, and whether local business-people are helping or simply profiting from the crisis.Amnat Soueif, a mother of two, tells Ed how she's providing for her children. Elizabeth Tsurkov, a senior fellow at the New Lines Ins

Mar 13, 2023 • 18:58

How wearing glasses can improve the economy

How wearing glasses can improve the economy

Without being able to see clearly, people in low and middle income countries can find it difficult to secure a job or support their family. Globally around one billion people need to wear glasses but do not have access to them. We look at what’s being done to help. Producer / presenter: Sam Fenwick(Image: Ankit Sharma; Credit: Ankit Sharma)

Mar 11, 2023 • 17:30

The modern pilgrimage boom

The modern pilgrimage boom

We follow in the footsteps of a Viking Saint who's legacy is bringing visitors and their cash to remote areas from Sweden and Norway.More and more people are choosing to go on modern day pilgrimages, we walk part of the world's most northern pilgrimage trail to find out how businesses on the route are benefitting. Producer / presenter: Robert Walker (Image: People walking on grassland. Credit: Getty Images)

Mar 10, 2023 • 17:31

Oscars: Celebrity gifting suites

Oscars: Celebrity gifting suites

Ahead of the Oscars, Business Daily goes behind the scenes of a celebrity gifting suite. Before the ceremony and the parties, celebrities are often invited to hotel suites, usually close to where the awards ceremony will happen. The rooms are filled with skincare products, makeup, jewellery, clothes, shoes, bags, you name it. Celebrities can take the gifts away for free - all companies want in return is a superstar endorsement.In this episode entertainment reporter KJ Matthews finds out how th

Mar 10, 2023 • 17:29

The unbanked

The unbanked

Oscar Bilayin Kudor runs a business in Ghana producing cassava flour. He wants to grow his business but traditional banks are reluctant to lend him the money to buy expensive machinery. 1.4 billion people around the world people can't get access to formal banking. Two thirds of them live in low and middle income countries. One of Ghana’s largest banks, Absa Bank thinks it has a solution. It’s giving small businesses grants to help them access formal banking facilities. Having a bank account make

Mar 9, 2023 • 17:57

Health apps: Are we sharing too much?

Health apps: Are we sharing too much?

The digital health market is growing rapidly - in 2021 the sector was valued at 195 billion US dollars.Companies offer apps and devices to monitor our vital statistics, our activity, our nutrition, our hormones. And those apps collect a lot of data about us.Presenter Marie Keyworth visits Web Summit, a large tech conference in Lisbon, to find out what is happening to this information.And asks how consumers can get the most out of health apps whilst feeling comfortable about data privacy...Plus

Mar 9, 2023 • 17:54

Do attractive people earn more?

Do attractive people earn more?

How much better off are the better looking? A growing body of research seems to confirm that life is simply easier and more lucrative for attractive people. Labour economist Daniel Hamermesh has been studying this for years and says beautiful people do get paid more, have less difficulty securing bank loans and are typically offered more jobs, opportunities and perks.South African fashion model Marike tells us very candidly how her looks means she often gets things for free - meals, experiences,

Mar 8, 2023 • 18:41

Opening up Uzbekistan: Part 2

Opening up Uzbekistan: Part 2

BBC journalist Rayhan Demytrie is from Uzbekistan and was recently invited back to her country to explore how after almost 30 years the government is opening up the country and it's economy. In part two of this two part Business Daily special Rayhan hears how young entrepreneurs are pushing to grow their businesses and increase exports. Rayhan also finds out how digital only banking companies are transforming access to financial services for many Uzbek people. In the capital city of Uzbekistan,

Mar 7, 2023 • 17:55

Opening up Uzbekistan: Part 1

Opening up Uzbekistan: Part 1

BBC journalist Rayhan Demytrie is from Uzbekistan and was recently invited back to her country to explore how after almost 30 years the government is opening up the country and it's economy. In part one of this two part Business Daily special Rayhan hears how tourists are encouraging business growth in the famous Silk Road city of Samarkand. In an interview with the Uzbek deputy finance minister, Odilbek Isakov, Rayhan asks about selling and privatising state owed assets like a Coca-Cola bottli

Mar 6, 2023 • 18:42

Trains in the USA: Your take

Trains in the USA: Your take

A few months ago we covered the story about the renovation of Penn Street railway station in New York. So many World Service listeners got in touch with us about their experiences of using the railway network in America we decided to make a programme based on their views.Omar Deen, who lives in Toledo, Ohio tells us he feels disadvantaged by the dominance of car travel in the United States and says he would like to have an alternative to driving or flying to get around. Another listener, Bill Po

Mar 3, 2023 • 17:56

A story of modern slavery in the UK

A story of modern slavery in the UK

Ayo is a victim of trafficking and modern slavery and tells us his story of being taken from Nigeria to the UK and forced to work. We also hear from Emily Kenway, a former policy adviser to the UK’s first anti-slavery commissioner and author of The Truth About Modern Slavery, who explains what modern slavery actually is. Sara Thornton, who was the UK’s independent anti-slavery commissioner until April 2022, explains some of the reasons behind an increase in the number of people being recognised

Mar 2, 2023 • 18:48

How Portugal is cycling to success

How Portugal is cycling to success

The global bicycle market is set to grow by 5% every year over the next decade. Demand has been rising, particularly since the start of the coronavirus pandemic as people look for an alternative to crowded public transport. Concern for climate change and rising fuel prices have also helped to push people onto bikes. Portugal is the biggest bicycle manufacturer in Europe. According to Eurostat, it produced 2.9 million bicycles in 2021, with exports generating around 594 million euros - almost 6

Mar 1, 2023 • 18:48

Unionising the US workforce

Unionising the US workforce

There has been a surge in the number of workplaces in the United States voting to join a labour union. Amid this wave of unionisation, companies are pushing back hard. We find out what is happening in the US and how businesses and politicians are reacting.We hear from a worker at outdoor clothing co-operative REI where staff have voted to unionise, plus Michelle Miller, who runs Co-worker, an organisation that supports employees who want union representation. Michael Strain, an economist at the

Feb 28, 2023 • 18:45

Syria: Starting a business in a warzone

Syria: Starting a business in a warzone

How do you launch a successful start-up in a country where there’s been more than a decade of civil war? In this episode of Business Daily Maddy Savage hears how an entrepreneur from Syria was inspired by Scandinavia’s tech scene. Khaled Moustafa founded Syria’s first ride-sharing app, Yalla Go, in 2019. The platform now has hundreds of thousands of users who can book taxis on their smartphones to get around Syria's biggest cities. Khaled shares his story with Maddy and talks about some of th

Feb 27, 2023 • 18:47

The importance of handmade products

The importance of handmade products

The market for real handmade products is reported to have surged in recent years. Initiatives such as Australia's Seasons of New England Expo and Makers Markets in the UK have led to a revival in small artisanal businesses. Online platforms also give skilful craftspeople a vast market to sell to. Business Daily's David Reid hears from sellers in Manchester making things as diverse as balloon animals and mushroom growing kits. We also hear about the benefits of working with your hands. The philos

Feb 24, 2023 • 18:46

Ukraine war: Preserving culture

Ukraine war: Preserving culture

In this epsiode of Business Daily Ashish Sharma looks at how the art world has tried to preserve Ukraine´s cultural and artistic heritage from the ongoing war.Hear the story of how valuable Ukrainian paintings were put on trucks and sneaked out of Ukraine as Russia began heavily bombing the country. Thanks to the idea of one art collector they are now on display in a museum in Madrid. Ashish also managed to link up with Kyiv to speak to the Director of the National Art Museum of Ukraine, Yulia

Feb 23, 2023 • 18:02

Ukraine war: Refugees and resilience

Ukraine war: Refugees and resilience

It is estimated almost eight million people have left Ukraine in the past 12 months. They have all had to start again - finding housing, schools and a way to earn a living. In this episode we hear from Ukrainians who are staying resilient through huge changes to their lives. They tell us about making sure they can provide for their families, run businesses and help their employees. Konstantin Klyagin is an IT and software entrepreneur from Kyiv. When the war started he was on a flight and unable

Feb 22, 2023 • 18:44

Ukraine war: Refugees starting again

Ukraine war: Refugees starting again

It is estimated almost eight million people have left Ukraine in the past 12 months. They have all had to start again, finding housing, schools and a way to earn a living. Some have managed to carry on running their businesses and others have set up new companies in the countries they now call home. Business Daily has been hearing some of their stories of remarkable resilience. Volodymyr and Regina Razumovskaya, now living in Perth, Western Australia, tell us about first leaving Donetsk in 2014

Feb 21, 2023 • 18:45

Ukraine war: Economic fallout

Ukraine war: Economic fallout

Nearly a year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ed Butler examines the real state of the Russian economy. Ami Daniel, chief executive of Windward, a maritime data company, tells Ed about the Russian oil tankers transferring millions of tonnes of crude oil between ships to bypass sanctions. As the war continues, millions of euros worth of Russian assets remain frozen as a result of sanctions. Urmas Reinsalu, the Estonian foreign minister, tells us about an initiative Estonia is leading to ac

Feb 20, 2023 • 18:01

Turkey earthquake: What is the future for young people?

Turkey earthquake: What is the future for young people?

As the rescue and recovery effort from the devastating earthquake continues, young people who survived are making tough decisions about the future. With Turkey already struggling economically even before the disaster, do they leave and start again in a new region, or a new country? Or stay and help rebuild? Victoria Craig travels to Ankara where she meets Berkay, a second year design student from Gaziantep, one of the most badly affected cities. He drove for 12 hours with his family to reac

Feb 16, 2023 • 18:45

Nigeria's election and the economy

Nigeria's election and the economy

Nigerians head to the polls very soon, in what's expected to be a very closely-contested election. In this episode of Business Daily Rob Young explores how the economy could impact the vote. Africa’s largest economy, is struggling with soaring prices, fuel shortages and insecurity. We hear from Maty Ukhuegbe Osaro who runs a restaurant in Lagos called The Fish Lady, she tells us how the pandemic and rising prices have affected her business and about her hopes for the outcome of this election. Ec

Feb 15, 2023 • 18:41

Sweden leads green steel race

Sweden leads green steel race

Boden is a remote town in northern Sweden surrounded by pine forests, it's at the forefront of an initiative to try and clean up one of the world’s dirtiest industries - steel production. Business Daily presenter Maddy Savage visits the site of a new plant in Boden which aims to cut carbon emissions from the steel making process by 95 percent and bring more jobs and people to a shrinking community.Andy Turner is the head of construction for H2Green Steel, the start-up behind the plant in Boden,

Feb 15, 2023 • 17:53

What does studying in the UK cost Africans?

What does studying in the UK cost Africans?

Frey Lindsay investigates what some African students are required to do to get a place to study in the UK – and what that costs. We examine the cost and relevancy of English language tests and explore the visa pathways that exclude some Africans. Young African academics tell us about their frustrations and the enormous expense involved. Nigerian policy specialist Ebenezar Wikina tells us about his campaign trying increase inclusion for those Africans who speak English and education scholar Samia

Feb 14, 2023 • 18:41

Big sporting event, very small town

Big sporting event, very small town

Business Daily’s Matthew Kenyon visits the Dutch town of Hoogerheide as it hosts the 2023 World Cyclocross Championships. Tens of thousands of fans will flock into the town, and spend their money on hotels, food and drink. But where does that money go? And what about the costs and disruption of putting on a major sporting event in a small place? We hear from the head of the local organising committee, Jan Prop, on how he raises and spends his budget; from cycling’s world governing body, the UCI;

Feb 13, 2023 • 17:53

Getting into business: Founding a billion dollar firm

Getting into business: Founding a billion dollar firm

Twenty-year-old Aadit Palicha is the man behind India's hottest start up. He was just 18 when he co-founded his quick commerce company Zepto. The firm delivers groceries to its customers in under 10 minutes and is currently valued at over a billion dollars. Aadit tells the BBC's Nikhil Inamdar where the idea for Zepto came from, how they achieve such fast delivery times and what it has been like building such enormous success so quickly.Presenter/producer: Nikhil Inamdar(Photo: Aadit Palicha)

Feb 10, 2023 • 17:53

Getting into business: Start-up capital in Africa

Getting into business: Start-up capital in Africa

The amount of accessible funding for start-ups in Africa is growing fast, but lots of it goes to the more developed economies of South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Kenya. We speak to business owners in Nigeria and Uganda and compare their experiences of getting into business. Nnamdi Okoh is the co-founder of Terminal Africa, based in Lagos. He explains the process of getting onto an accelerator programme and how the advice and financial support has allowed him and his brother to turn the business

Feb 9, 2023 • 18:43

Getting into business: Starting out

Getting into business: Starting out

Starting a business is never easy, but in the last few years there’s been more than usual to deal with. Many would assume it's not been a great time to start trading but we speak to three business owners who did just that. Tina Kayoma is the co-founder of Project of Japan in Kyoto. A business that sells products made by Japanese crafts people across the world. She opened her first shop last year. Maria Jose Hernadez is in Switzerland where she runs a confectionary business called El Caramelo and

Feb 8, 2023 • 17:53

Getting into business: Selling on social media

Getting into business: Selling on social media

Some businesses in South East Asia are growing at remarkable rates by using social media to sell. Live streaming on TikTok and live chatting on apps like Whatsapp, Line and Zalo are all being used to increase sales. We find out how. Nina Dizon-Cabrera is the CEO of make-up brand, Colourette Cosmetics in the Philippines. She explains how her business began on social media and how she can sell thousands of products in just a few hours by live streaming on TikTok. Joan Aurelia heads to Jakarta in

Feb 7, 2023 • 18:42

Getting into business: Mentoring

Getting into business: Mentoring

A mentor can take many different forms but ultimately they’re there to give you advice, put you in touch with contacts they have and support you, whether you’re setting up a new business or looking to make the next step in your career. We head to Sweden to speak to Caxton Njuki, a professional sports and health coach who is a mentor to Jessika Sillanpää. He supported her for a year as she set up her business Jessikastory. They give us an insight into their mentoring relationship and how the pr

Feb 6, 2023 • 17:53

What is the cost of lower inflation?

What is the cost of lower inflation?

With food and heating prices going up, and wages not rising at the same rate, there is pressure on central bankers across the world to tackle inflation. But is this the right approach? And can it be done without crashing the economy?Ed Butler hears from parents at a cheerleading class in Castleford in northern England, who are concerned about rising prices. They say it is the food shopping where they have noticed the price rises – with one parent shopping online to stop children asking for more

Feb 3, 2023 • 18:17

ASML: Inside Europe’s most valuable tech company

ASML: Inside Europe’s most valuable tech company

Presenter Matthew Kenyon visits Dutch tech giant ASML, the company which makes the most advanced machines used in the manufacturing of microchips. It is Europe’s most valuable tech company and business is booming – ASML expanded its headcount by nearly a third in 2022 – but political pressure from the US to restrict exports to China threatens to disrupt the semiconductor landscape. We hear from ASML chief executive Peter Wennink, find out more about the process of creating ASML’s remarkable prod

Feb 2, 2023 • 18:49

My hijab, my way

My hijab, my way

On World Hijab Day, Business Daily's Emb Hashmi explores the enormous market in modest fashion and in particular the hijab. We meet four women who wear the hijab in their own way and also make a living out of modelling, making and selling hijabs. Dr Sana Askary, founder of Yumin Hijab tells Emb that when she decided to wear the hijab a few years ago she couldn’t find one she could wear comfortably so she designed her own and now runs a hijab business which she’s hoping to expand this year.Shazr

Feb 1, 2023 • 18:47

The market for military memorabilia

The market for military memorabilia

Presenter David Reid explores the huge market in military memorabilia. Enthusiasts recreating historical battles has surged in recent years and driven a boom in the market for military uniforms and artefacts. We speak to dealers and buyers and explore the ethics of what some say is a blood soaked trade.David reports from a re-enactment event and speaks to John Ruffhead, the co-ordinator for the Royal Navy Beachhead Commando re-enactors, to find out more about those who take part. Charlotte Huxle

Jan 31, 2023 • 18:18

The boss of Africa's biggest bank

The boss of Africa's biggest bank

Ade Ayeyemi, the CEO of Ecobank - Africa’s biggest bank - speaks to presenter Peter MacJob about the economic woes facing much of Africa and explores the leadership and policy adjustments needed to turn the continents fortunes around.In a candid and wide ranging interview Mr Ayeyemi says that African governments need to stop introducing subsidies and start collecting more taxes in order to manage their economies better.Presenter/producer: Peter MacJob(Photo: Ade Ayeyemi, CEO Ecobank. Credit: Ge

Jan 30, 2023 • 18:16

Cost of living: Dresden, Germany

Cost of living: Dresden, Germany

For the final episode of our cost of living series, the Business Daily team are in Dresden, a manufacturing powerhouse in the east of Germany. Leanna Byrne speaks to small business owners, students considering taking on extra paid work and a big manufacturing boss about how the rising cost of living is affecting them and their livelihoods.Detlef Neuhaus, the chief executive of one of Germany's biggest renewables companies - Solarwatt - tells us how the war in Ukraine has changed the mindset of s

Jan 27, 2023 • 18:49

Cost of living: Hospitality

Cost of living: Hospitality

We all know a coffee shop, a restaurant, a greasy spoon, a pub or a fine dining eatery that has closed in the last few months. But why, after two years of forced closures because of the coronavirus pandemic, are hospitality businesses closing now? Leanna Byrne speaks to hospitality business owners from three different countries to find out how they’re covering their overheads. Alessandro Borghese is a chef who owns restaurants in Milan and in Venice. He says he’s paying more for everything from

Jan 26, 2023 • 18:53

Cost of living: Housing

Cost of living: Housing

Whether renting or buying, housing costs are going up. Presenter Leanna Byrne takes you back home with her to Dublin, Ireland to discuss what all Dubliners love to moan about: the rising cost of renting. According to a report by Daft.ie, which lists places to rent or buy in Ireland, at the end of 2022 rent in Dublin had risen to an average $2,446 per month.And the rising price of renting has seeped into some of Ireland’s other cities, like Cork and Galway, where rents rose by 12% and 16%. Limeri

Jan 25, 2023 • 18:53

Cost of living: Childcare

Cost of living: Childcare

Children aren’t cheap. The cost of living crisis is pushing parents to the edge of their finances, worrying about paying for essentials like food, clothing and, for many, childcare. We’ll take a look at Chile, which according to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), is one of the lowest ranking when it comes to public spending on early childhood education.Natalia Aránguiz lives in Chile and has two children- she speaks to Leanna Byrne about her rising costs

Jan 24, 2023 • 18:53

Cost of living: Transport

Cost of living: Transport

In this first episode of our second series on the cost of living, Business Daily's Leanna Byrne looks into the areas of our lives that are costing us the most. Today we focus on our public transport systems. Figures from Statista, a market and consumer data platform, puts Auckland, New Zeland as the third most expensive city for public transport, we hear from Jon Reeves who is National Co-Ordinator and Co-Founder of the Public Transport Users Association there.When the cost of living rises, it r

Jan 23, 2023 • 18:53

The resurgence of vinyl records

The resurgence of vinyl records

In 2022, the sale of vinyl records in the UK made more money than CDs. You might think of it as an old fashioned way to listen to music, especially with the dominance of streaming services, but in the last 12 months, artists like Beyonce, Harry Styles and Taylor Swift have all put out major releases on vinyl. So how is the record industry coping with the increased demand?David Harper visits one of the biggest pressing plants in the world, GZ Media, which is based in the Czech Republic. Company C

Jan 20, 2023 • 18:32

Long Covid and work

Long Covid and work

Over a million people in Spain are thought to have long Covid. In this episode of Business Daily Ashish Sharma finds out how the condition is affecting working lives and the wider economy. He also examines the long Covid research projects being undertaken in Spain and how they're funded.Long Covid patients Blanca Helga and Maria Angeles discuss their symptoms and the work they're lost since having the condition. Beatriz Fernandez, who herself has long Covid, tells Ashish about a long Covid platf

Jan 19, 2023 • 18:15

The nappy problem

The nappy problem

Billions of disposable nappies, or diapers, are produced every year and sales are booming. Most go to landfill, some pollute rivers and oceans and a baby can get through 4,000-6,000 nappies by the time they are potty trained.New dad and Business Daily presenter Rick Kelsey looks into whether the available alternatives to disposable nappies are as cheap or convenient for parents. We hear from with nappy innovators Jason and Kim Graham-Nye in Indonesia, who’ve been in the market for 20 years, abou

Jan 18, 2023 • 18:33

Why does India have so many female pilots?

Why does India have so many female pilots?

At 12.4%, India has the highest percentage of female pilots in the world. In this episode, Olivia Wilson speaks to female pilots and industry experts to find out why India is leading the way and why other countries are so far behind. We hear about the achievements of Indian commercial airline pilots, Captain Hana Mohsin Khan and Captain Zoya Agarwal, who became the youngest female pilot to fly a Boeing 777 in 2013 and landed a record-breaking flight over the North Pole on the world's longest ai

Jan 16, 2023 • 18:29

Tackling the global food crisis in 2023

Tackling the global food crisis in 2023

The new president of the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development, Alvaro Lario tells us why the pandemic, war in Ukraine and climate change have created a perfect storm for global food security and what can be done about that. The BBC’s Frey Lindsay hears from people around the world who are dealing with the food crisis. Alvaro Lario explains how food shortages often begin with smallholder farmers. The failure of their crops and livestock means farmers are often left stru

Jan 16, 2023 • 18:32

Why is Nashville a magnet for entrepreneurs?

Why is Nashville a magnet for entrepreneurs?

Small businesses create nearly two-thirds of new jobs in the workforce and account for 44% of US economic activity. So what's the secret to their success? What challenges do they face and which are the best cities and regions for them to thrive? Samira Hussain visits the city of Nashville in Tennessee, which is a hotbed of new businesses and start ups - there are reportedly four out of every 1000 Nashville residents are CEOs.Samira meets James Davenport and Mike Hinds, co-founders of the Nashvi

Jan 13, 2023 • 19:07

China's Covid nightmare: Can Beijing bounce back?

China's Covid nightmare: Can Beijing bounce back?

China has this week reopened its borders for the first time in nearly three years. There have been scenes of joy and relief for many Chinese citizens after years of isolation. Ed Butler asks whether this is a turning point, as some are describing. What are the longer term economic threats for the so-called engine of global growth? And how does that impact the rest of the world? Ed speaks to two young Chinese professionals - one in Beijing and one in Shanghai, who are feeling a mixture of relief

Jan 12, 2023 • 19:07

The return to burning wood

The return to burning wood

Wood sales for heating have been growing across Europe, but as demand increases people are facing rising prices and reports of firewood theft. Business Daily's Rick Kelsey looks at how people are buying wood burners to heat their homes, so that they don't need to use as much gas this winter. We speak with Nic Snell, managing director of UK based company Certainly Wood. It sells around 20,000 tonnes of wood every year and Nic tells us who is buying it. Erika Malkin, from the Stove Industry Allian

Jan 11, 2023 • 18:52

Who is Jack Ma?

Who is Jack Ma?

Jack Ma is China's best-known entrepreneur, an English teacher who became a billionaire, after he founded the e-commerce giant Alibaba. However in June 2021, Chinese regulators halted the dual stock market debut of his digital payments company Ant Group - an affiliate of Alibaba - in Hong Kong and Shanghai, citing "major issues" over regulating the company. Mr Ma has been laying low ever since. In January 2023, it was announced that Mr Ma would give up control of the Chinese fintech giant. So

Jan 10, 2023 • 18:15

Business and conscription in Russia

Business and conscription in Russia

Victoriya Holland investigates how businesses in Russia are surviving, as tens of thousands of men of working age are called up by the government to fight in the illegal war against Ukraine.On the 21st September 2022, the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, announced a partial mobilisation of 300 thousand reservists to fight in Ukraine. After this announcement thousands of young men fled abroad. We hear from business owners that have stayed in Russia and now face real difficulties in terms of sta

Jan 9, 2023 • 18:29

Women, sport and business: Making NBA history

Women, sport and business: Making NBA history

As part of our mini-series on women, sport and business we meet Cynt Marshall. She's the chief executive officer of the Dallas Mavericks and the first black female CEO in the history of the National Basketball Association, a professional basketball league in the United States. Cynt tells us about her background, where she found the drive to forge an enormously successful career and how she’s changed a toxic workplace culture when she arrived at the Mavericks. Presenter: Rahul Tandon Production:

Jan 6, 2023 • 18:21

Women, sport and business: Betting

Women, sport and business: Betting

Gambling has a long and complex relationship with sport. But betting is no longer a man's game. As women's sport grows, many companies are putting big money on its success. In the next programme in our series looking at women, sport and business, we find out how one football side came back from the brink via a deal with Sweden's main gambling operator, Svenska Spel. And we hear how England's victory in the Women's Euros could be a big win for the British betting sector. But as other sports look

Jan 5, 2023 • 18:21

Women, sport and business: Media deals

Women, sport and business: Media deals

In the second programme of our series on women, sport and business, we’re looking at the media. With women’s sport accounting for only around 5% of total sports coverage globally, we find out how some clubs and organisations are moving away from traditional media, and looking at digital and streaming to reach fans instead. Reporter Sam Fenwick visits Burnley FC Women in the north of England. In 2021 they signed a ground breaking deal with TikTok to show every home game. And we hear from TikTok

Jan 3, 2023 • 17:27

Women, sport and business: Haley Rosen

Women, sport and business: Haley Rosen

This year sees one of the biggest global events in women’s sport – the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. It follows a very successful 2022 for the sector with record crowds watching England win the Women’s European Championship on home soil, Australia claiming the Women’s Rugby League World Cup and in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa beat hosts Morrocco to take the title.In Business Daily’s series on women, sport and business, we speak to Haley Rosen, a former pro so

Jan 2, 2023 • 17:27

Review of 2022

Review of 2022

Business Daily reviews one of the most important 12 months for the world of money and work on record. Big economic news has dominated in 2022. We saw war break out in Europe, record high energy, fuel and food prices, increasing interest rates and in parts of the world total financial meltdown. We look at how Business Daily reported 2022 and spoke to the people at the very sharp end of how the economy has changed lives over the past 12 months. We hear from businesses right across the world in sec

Dec 23, 2022 • 49:04

Money jobs: Inside the auction house

Money jobs: Inside the auction house

It’s the last episode in our five-part Business Daily series all about high-value, high-transaction jobs you might read about, see on the TV or glamorised in films. In episode five, Leanna Byrne interviews some of the oldest and most well-known auction houses in the world. Bruno Vinciguerra, chief executive of Bonhams, tells us how auctioneers determine what’s worth auctioning off and what’s not. Jenny Lok, head of business development and operations at Poly Auction Hong Kong, tells us what the

Dec 16, 2022 • 19:15

Money jobs: The reality for realtors

Money jobs: The reality for realtors

This is episode four of our Business Daily series all about high value, high transaction jobs you might read about, see on the TV or glamorised in films. And in this episode Leanna Byrne looks at the reality for those people who's job is to sell or rent some of the most expensive homes in the world. If you’re a fan of Selling Sunset or Million Dollar Listing, with the estate agents as slick as the homes they're selling, then you’re going to love this episode because it lifts the lid on what it’

Dec 15, 2022 • 18:15

Money jobs: The truth about trading

Money jobs: The truth about trading

We all love a good financial film, we might not all fully understand what’s going on the whole time, but they’re always really intense with a make or break ending, but is working as a markets trader really like that? This is the latest episode from our Business Daily’s series on high value, high transaction jobs you might read about, see on the TV or glamorised in films. In episode three Leanna Byrne looks at how some of the most famous financial films depict working as a commodities trader an

Dec 14, 2022 • 19:16

Money jobs: Cashing or crashing with crypto

Money jobs: Cashing or crashing with crypto

Crypto is a tricky business. Chances are, you know someone or know of someone who's made a bit of money with crypto, and that you’re not too far removed from someone who’s lost money too. This is episode two in the latest series from Business Daily, all about high value, high transaction jobs you might read about, see on the TV or glamorised in films. In this episode, Leanna Byrne asks author, speaker and content creator Layah Heilpern what it's really like investing in Bitcoin. Abhishek Sachd

Dec 13, 2022 • 18:15

Money jobs: Making money on the tables

Money jobs: Making money on the tables

Ever thought about quitting your job and playing poker for a living? Well, today we find out what it’s really like making your living on the tables. This is the latest series from Business Daily, all about high value, high transaction jobs you might read about, see on the TV or glamorised in films. In episode one, Leanna Byrne interviews professional poker player Dara O’Kearney. Dara explains what a day in the life of a professional poker player is really like and warns, if you’re playing poker

Dec 12, 2022 • 19:15

The rising stars of football and their money

The rising stars of football and their money

The World Cup is a catwalk of footballing talent. Lesser known players are thrust into the spot light and launched onto the global soccer scene often with an enormous increase in wages. But how much do those young, impressionable players know about personal finance? We've all seen the stories of high profile players blowing their fortunes and ending up bankrupt, and players in the English Premier League can expect wages of around $10million a year. In this episode we hear from two former footb

Dec 9, 2022 • 18:28

Toy trends: Are people still spending?

Toy trends: Are people still spending?

Christmas and the holiday season is a crucial time for toy retailers, and hopes will be high for sales to return to pre-pandemic levels. But with the rising cost of living, we find out if families will be cutting back on toy spending this year - and look at the toys topping the popularity charts. We'll also find out how much does TV and film influence the types of toys in demand.Frederique Tutt from market research company NPD group explains the trends in toy sales, and how the type of toys that

Dec 8, 2022 • 18:56

What's happened to the titans of big tech?

What's happened to the titans of big tech?

Big tech is facing a big moment. With plummeting stock prices, and mass lay-offs, the likes of Google, Twitter and Meta are all - for different reasons - facing some tough questions over how they're being run. Some see this as primarily a result of post-pandemic blues, the rise in interest rates, and a general cost-of-living crisis affecting the business environment. However, Twitter and Meta especially have seen wholesale desertions by a number of major advertisers, worried about the regulatio

Dec 7, 2022 • 18:27

Nollywood: Nigeria's billion dollar film industry

Nollywood: Nigeria's billion dollar film industry

Nigeria’s film industry, known as Nollywood is the second largest film industry in the world and has overtaken Hollywood in terms of the quantity of films produced – with an annual output of over 2,500 films. In the early 1990s, the industry was infamous for its low budget, low production films – all of which went straight to VHS cassettes and DVDs, with actors and filmmakers often running at a loss. However the past decade we've seen Nollywood grow exponentially and the industry now dominates s

Dec 6, 2022 • 18:55

Regulating online gambling

Regulating online gambling

Online gambling’s success has pushed global valuations of the industry to around half a trillion dollars for 2022 - but the accessibility of its digital platforms is forcing regulators around the world into a rethink. In this programme, Laura Heighton-Ginns visits Fanduel - the market leader in New York - and gets a tour of its vast Meadowlands Sportsbook complex, where punters blend betting with socialising.Laura also hears from Indian Poker champion Nikita Luther on the distinctions between pl

Dec 5, 2022 • 18:56

Beauty Costs: Girls, beauty and advertising

Beauty Costs: Girls, beauty and advertising

More than ever girls are bombarded by images that have been curated, filtered and touched up. How can we help girls decode those images and understand that ideals of beauty are constructed by society and change across time and place?Shelina Janmohamed is an author and advertising executive. Her latest book is designed to help girls aged eight and above build confidence in how they look and show them why what appears to be beautiful isn't as straight forward as it seems.Shelina tells presenter Ra

Dec 2, 2022 • 17:29

Beauty Costs: Why is Korean skincare so popular?

Beauty Costs: Why is Korean skincare so popular?

In today’s episode of our Beauty Costs series, we’re looking at a part of the beauty world that’s worth over ten billion dollars. K-beauty is one of South Korea’s biggest exports, and in the last couple of years it’s overtaken the United States in becoming the world’s second biggest exporter of beauty products. So we head to Seoul, where reporter Nina Pasquini finds out why consumers there think it’s infiltrated the mainstream market. We speak to the founder of one of the biggest K-beauty disrup

Dec 1, 2022 • 17:29

Beauty costs: Beauty disruptor brands

Beauty costs: Beauty disruptor brands

The beauty industry was once a world dominated by a handful of names, but quickly and quietly, hundreds of smaller brands have managed to make a name for themselves in an incredibly competitive sector. We speak to beauty business founders who have built their brands from scratch, and now sell to millions of people across the world; Chaymae Samir is the founder of MadeBySunday.com and Bianca Ingrosso is the founder of CAIA cosmetics. In a recent report on the cosmetics industry, Deloitte found th

Nov 30, 2022 • 17:29

Beauty costs: A spotlight on skin lightening

Beauty costs: A spotlight on skin lightening

Products that claim to lighten skin are often physically harmful, often containing toxic chemicals and dangerous ingredients. We look at why skin lightening products still exist, speak to people affected by their messaging, and find out why stopping sales is not as simple as it might seem.We hear from Professor Mire, associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Carleton in Ottawa, Canada. She suggests that terms like "glow" and "brightening," which are

Nov 29, 2022 • 17:30

Beauty costs: How do you create a beauty empire? With Marcia Kilgore

Beauty costs: How do you create a beauty empire? With Marcia Kilgore

Perhaps you have heard of Marcia Kilgore, or maybe not, but if you’re a woman, a beauty junkie, or just love shoes, you are likely to have heard of one of the five multi-million dollar companies that she has launched over the last two decades. Marcia is the brains behind the beauty brand BlissSpa, the spa brand Soap&Glory, shoe phenomenon FitFlop, bath and body range Soaper Duper and most recently, Beauty Pie - an affordable luxury make-up and skincare range. She tells us why she became a serial

Nov 28, 2022 • 17:29

Business Daily Meets: Krept

Business Daily Meets: Krept

UK-based rapper Krept grew up in a culture of gang violence, but has carved out a career for himself as a successful musician and entrepreneur. As one half of rap duo Krept & Konan, his songs, like Waste My Time, G-Love and Freak of the Week, have been streamed millions of times. Recently Krept – real name Casyo Johnson - has opened a restaurant in south London where he grew up, and the new father has even developed a skincare range for babies. He tells Dougal Shaw how he juggles the worlds of

Nov 25, 2022 • 18:01

Growing opposition to mining in Panama

Growing opposition to mining in Panama

We look at growing opposition to mining in Latin America. The region is a leading producer of copper, silver, iron and lithium. But the environmental and social impact of mining have sparked protests in many countries and several governments have taken action. Costa Rica outlawed open pit mining in 2002 and in 2017 El Salvador became the first country in the world to ban all metal mining. Earlier this year, Honduras banned open pit mining and there are also calls for a mining moratorium in Pa

Nov 24, 2022 • 18:54

Napping on the job

Napping on the job

Deborah Weitzmann explores whether a quick nap break at work could make us all more productive. We head to Beijing where an employee tells us about her lunchtime ritual of napping beside her colleagues, and we’ll discover how the pandemic may have helped squash the stigma of sleeping in Western workplaces. Kate Mulligan, the boss of RestSpace, a company that designs innovative spaces to help people nod off at work, shows us their sleep pods. Also, Dr Guy Meadows, co-founder and clinical director

Nov 23, 2022 • 18:54

Floriade: Was it worth it?

Floriade: Was it worth it?

Floriade is one of the world's biggest gardening and horticulture expos - and it has cost taxpayers in the Dutch city of Almere nine times as much as originally budgeted. So why did organisers go ahead with the project, and was it still worth it – despite hugely disappointing visitor numbers?Matthew Kenyon talks to advocates and critics of an event which may be the last of its kind in the Netherlands. Presented and produced by Matthew Kenyon.(Image: Floriade. Image credit: BBC)

Nov 22, 2022 • 18:03

Business Daily Meets: Mathieu Flamini

Business Daily Meets: Mathieu Flamini

International footballer Mathieu Flamini started a biotech company when he was still a professional player. Speaking to Sam Fenwick, Flamini reveals what he learnt from top football managers and how that knowledge has helped him perform in the boardroom. The former Arsenal, AC Milan and Olympique de Marseille player tells us he grew up by the sea and constantly seeing plastic washed up on the shore made him aware of sustainability and climate change. He says as a youngster he had two ambitions i

Nov 21, 2022 • 18:52

Business Daily Meets: Patrice Evra

Business Daily Meets: Patrice Evra

On the eve of the 2022 World Cup Final Sam Fenwick speaks to former professional footballer, Patrice Evra. He made more than 80 appearances for the French national side including captaining his team in the 2010 World Cup which took place in South Africa. Evra became a multimillionaire playing for teams like Monaco, Manchester United, Juventus and Marseille. He grew up in a poor part of Paris and talks about how this helped motivate him to succeed. He reflects on player salaries and tells us abou

Nov 18, 2022 • 18:52

Reinventing recycling in Louisiana

Reinventing recycling in Louisiana

Franziska Trautmann and Max Steitz decided to start a recycling project in New Orleans after realising the city sent all its glass to landfill. Now their social enterprise Glass Half Full diverts hundreds of tonnes from landfill and is using the material to help shore up Louisiana’s eroding coastline.Franziska tells us how they are expanding the project and we hear from one of their first business customers. We also find out why gaps in the recycling system mean the city’s waste glass can’t easi

Nov 17, 2022 • 17:28

The cost of rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean

The cost of rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean

In this episode of Business Daily we get on board The Ocean Viking, a migrant rescue boat operated by the non-governmental organisations SOS Méditerranée and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. The boat has recently been at the centre of a diplomatic row having been denied permission to dock by the Italian authorities and instead having to travel to France so those onboard could disembark. The BBC's Frey Lindsay spoke to some of the migrants and crew on the boat over

Nov 16, 2022 • 18:52

Africa Super League – new dawn for football?

Africa Super League – new dawn for football?

Confederation of African Football, CAF, with the backing of FIFA, has launched a new Super League aimed at injecting much-needed funds to clubs on the continent. CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe promised that the tournament, due to start in 2023, would financially transform African football with $100 million on offer in prize money alone. But, as Ivana Davidovic finds out, there are more questions than answers for many involved in the game on the continent.The owner of Cape Town City, John Comit

Nov 15, 2022 • 18:51

Business Daily Meets: Nico Rosberg

Business Daily Meets: Nico Rosberg

Theo Leggett meets Nico Rosberg, who found fame and fortune in the fossil-fuelled world of F1, but is now reinventing himself as a champion of green technology. As a driver he reached the pinnacle of world motorsport, taking the F1 title in the final race of 2016, and then retired just days afterwards. Nico tells Theo just what it takes to become a world champion in the white heat of motorsport and how those skills are now being used on a new mission, to protect the planet. Presenter/producer: T

Nov 14, 2022 • 18:59

Business Daily Meets: Boyan Slat

Business Daily Meets: Boyan Slat

How do you clean the world's oceans of plastic? 10 years ago, when he was just 18, Dutchman Boyan Slat thought he knew how to do it, and set out his vision at TED talk.The journey from theory to reality has proved difficult, but he is now extracting plastic from the Pacific and a number of rivers around the world. We speak to Boyan about the scale of the task at hand. Is it even an achievable goal? How is he raising enough money? What does he make of the accusation he’s helping multi-nationals ‘

Nov 11, 2022 • 18:51

Rebuilding lives after flooding in Pakistan

Rebuilding lives after flooding in Pakistan

Many communities in Pakistan were completely destroyed when vast areas of the country were hit by catastrophic flooding this summer. 33 million people were affected and in this episode of Business Daily we hear from three of them. Bilawal, Sassi and Abdul Majeed all lost everything in the floods and are now trying to rebuild their lives. We also hear from the charities and business leaders attempting to help rebuild communities, including Jemima Goldsmith, former wife of the former Prime Ministe

Nov 10, 2022 • 18:49

The Morality of Machines

The Morality of Machines

From search engines to chatbots to driverless taxis – artificial intelligence is increasingly a part of our daily lives. But is it always ethical? In this episode, Katie Barnfield explores some of the moral questions raised by new developments in smart technology. Leading researcher Dr Kate Crawford tells us about the powerful AI art software that reinforces gender stereotypes. We’ll hear from Bloomberg technology columnist Parmy Olson about the eyebrow raising conversation she had with

Nov 8, 2022 • 18:50

Africa’s Middlemen: Rent-seekers or cultural brokers?

Africa’s Middlemen: Rent-seekers or cultural brokers?

Middlemen are intermediaries who facilitate business interactions for a commission, but in Africa their role is more complex. Africa's middlemen divide opinion on whether they are predatory rent-seekers or invisible but ever present cultural brokers who are actually crucial to the economy.We hear from local businessman Bola Omololu - based in Abeokuta, southwest Nigeria, and Tony Alabi an architect also based in Nigeria, in the commercial capital of Lagos. They share their experiences of interac

Nov 7, 2022 • 18:18

How much is it costing fans to go to Qatar?

How much is it costing fans to go to Qatar?

About 1.5 million fans, a little more than half the population of Qatar, are expected to arrive in the tiny Gulf state for the 2022 World Cup. Two weeks before the start of tournament, Sam Fenwick speaks to fans about how much they are willing to spend to support their team and hopefully watch them lift the iconic trophy. There are concerns that fans have been priced out of attending this year’s tournament. The Ghanaian government is subsidising some ticket prices. It will be the first time ma

Nov 4, 2022 • 18:50

Women in business in Qatar

Women in business in Qatar

How easy is it for a woman to start and run a business in Qatar? In the past few years, there have been changes to the constitution and laws which have made it easier for women to work and run businesses. We ask whether that’s filtered down to 'street level' or whether cultural constraints still restrict women. We visit a project in Doha where Qatari women have set up a business in a cultural centre, and Sheikha Mayes bint Hamad bin Mohamed bin Jabr al-Thani explains the important role women can

Nov 3, 2022 • 18:19

The footballers transforming their home towns

The footballers transforming their home towns

Sadio Mané and Mo Salah have had a huge impact on the small towns and villages in Senegal and Egypt where they grew up. We find out how local people have benefited from the money donated and hear about how this type of 'direct giving' is part of a wider trend making a big difference in the aid community.Presenter: Isaac Fanin Producer: Hannah Bewley(Image: Mane and Salah celebrating whilst playing for Liverpool. Credit: Getty)

Nov 2, 2022 • 18:19

Qatar’s World Cup tourism gamble

Qatar’s World Cup tourism gamble

Will a boost in visitors for the Qatar World Cup lead to more visitors in the long run? Qatar has spent over $220bn on preparations for the football World Cup, and there are hopes the tournament will draw visitors for years to come. We take a tour of Doha, looking at the dow boats and some of the common tourist sites that fans will experience, and hear from Berthold Trenkel, COO of Visit Qatar. We also hear from economists who think the strategy of hosting a “mega-event” such as this can be a g

Nov 1, 2022 • 18:19

Qatar: The migrant workers behind the World Cup

Qatar: The migrant workers behind the World Cup

Workers from countries such as Nepal have done the bulk of the work to build the stadiums and infrastructure for the Qatar World Cup. But there are difficult questions still to be answered about the treatment of these people, and how compensation for those workers who have been badly treated, or even died in Qatar, is being paid. In this episode, Ed Butler speaks to a man from Nepal who worked on a bus depot project in Doha and an investigative journalist in Nepal who says he is speaking to work

Oct 31, 2022 • 18:17

Business Daily Meets: Jason Bell

Business Daily Meets: Jason Bell

Samira Hussain visits the New York studio of one of the most in demand photographers in the world, Jason Bell. Jason has photographed some of the world’s most famous people - including Angelina Jolie, Leonardo DiCaprio and the British Royal Family. His work has been featured in Vanity Fair and Vogue and he’s shot campaigns for The Crown, Billy Elliot and The Revenant. Jason takes us behind the lens on some very famous photo shoots, explaining how his career progressed. Plus he gives his top ti

Oct 28, 2022 • 19:31

Sri Lanka: Life after an economic crisis

Sri Lanka: Life after an economic crisis

In April 2022, Sri Lanka was gripped by a major economic crisis. Prices were rising sharply, protests started in the capital, Colombo,and spread across the country. Daily power cuts and shortages of basics such as fuel, food and medicines were commonplace. Inflation was running at more than 50%. In July, after months of unrest, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country. Three months on, Rahul Tandon asks whether Sri Lanka's economic situation has improved, and explores how the country coul

Oct 27, 2022 • 19:30

A special interview with the boss of the World Bank

A special interview with the boss of the World Bank

In a wide ranging interview, David Malpass, president of the World Bank, speaks to presenter Sam Fenwick about the global economic situation.He talks about the consequences of rising global debt and high inflation, and how poorer countries are bearing the brunt of the economic crisis. Mr Malpass says the debt caused by the coronavirus pandemic will take decades to pay off, and says many of the subsidies were not targeted. He says a similar situation is being created again with the energy crisis.

Oct 26, 2022 • 19:16

The rise and fall of the hot tub

The rise and fall of the hot tub

In mid-2021 hot tub companies were king. Unprecedented demand through covid pushed up sales as people stayed at home. Some of Europe's well known suppliers boasted up to a 400% increase in sales compared to 2019. Companies simply could not get a hold on enough stock. In China on/off lockdowns caused a part shortage. Waiting lists across Europe went as far as six months. Some of the world's biggest tub producers made record profits. Then in early 2022 an industry went from its heyday to doomsday

Oct 25, 2022 • 19:16

Business Daily Meets: Dr Natalie Kenny

Business Daily Meets: Dr Natalie Kenny

When you’re conducting a scientific experiment, you must prepare for it to fail. Lab researchers work by this motto. But for Dr Natalie Kenny, founder of international lab testing and medical training firm BioGrad, it’s proved true in every aspect of life. It’s been a whirlwind ride: from growing up in a working-class family in Liverpool, England, to battling tropical diseases in the Amazonian rainforest, and losing almost everything before going on to found a multi-million dollar business. In t

Oct 21, 2022 • 17:29

How social media is changing farming in Kenya

How social media is changing farming in Kenya

We hear from some of the many small-scale farmers in Kenya who are using apps like What’sApp, Facebook and Instagram to share information about the best way to grow fruit and veg and sell direct to consumers. From the vibrant markets of Nairobi to the lush green slopes of Mount Kenya Sam Fenwick investigates how farming entrepreneurs are using smartphones to grow profits as well as peas. But running a business online can be challenging in Kenya where internet connections can be patchy and dat

Oct 20, 2022 • 19:18

How students' right to earn shook up US sport

How students' right to earn shook up US sport

University sport in the US has become huge business. For decades, students' share of those earnings only came in the form of scholarships. As television contracts got bigger, so did the calls for change - and last year students were granted the right to earn off their name, image and likeness. A year on, Will Bain explores how it’s shaken up college sports, providing opportunities and unforeseen challenges. Hear from former SMU college football player and professional artist Ra’Sun Kazadi, Tex

Oct 18, 2022 • 19:17

Why men don’t want to work any more

Why men don’t want to work any more

As many as 7 million Americans who could work, aren’t. These are people who have dropped out of the workforce - they have given up on finding a job or are simply not looking.And similar trends can be seen in other wealthy countries. So what is going on? Ed Butler speaks to Nicholas Eberstadt, a researcher at the American Enterprise Institute. He’s recently updated a book which examines the extraordinary increase in men – and it is mainly men in the US - who’ve decided they don’t just want to

Oct 17, 2022 • 17:28

Greensill: What went wrong?

Greensill: What went wrong?

Greensill Capital was a UK based finance firm and a darling of investors which made its money by lending to businesses. It went into administration in March 2021, leaving investors facing billions in losses. What went wrong with Greensill? Why did leading politicians like former British Prime Minister David Cameron get involved? And what does it teach us about the way modern entrepreneurs, like Australian-born Lex Greensill, try and promote themselves? Ed Butler speaks to Duncan Mavin, a financ

Oct 14, 2022 • 18:24

Will a multibillion dollar project get Americans back on trains?

Will a multibillion dollar project get Americans back on trains?

New York’s Penn Station is the busiest transport hub in the United States - as many as 650,000 people pass through it in a day. But this intercity hub is widely agreed to be outdated and unloved. Now there are plans to pour billions of dollars into a station facelift - in the hope it will attract Americans back to trains. In this episode, Laura Heighton-Ginns hears from key stakeholders Amtrak and the Regional Plan Association on why they believe a major overhaul is needed. Laura also takes a to

Oct 13, 2022 • 18:36

Mahira Khan on Pakistan's mental health emergency

Mahira Khan on Pakistan's mental health emergency

In this episode we explore mental health provision in Pakistan. Pakistan has a population of more than 200 million people but only around 500 working psychiatrists. This means around ninety percent of those with common mental health issues go untreated. We hear from Mahira Kahn, a multi award winning Pakistani actress, in April this year Mahira was appointed as an Ambassador for the British Asian Trust. Mahira works with the trust to promote and support it’s current Peace of Mind campaign. The c

Oct 12, 2022 • 18:36

Can a giant seaweed farm help curb climate change?

Can a giant seaweed farm help curb climate change?

A British businessman has come up with a bold plan to turn the floating seaweed sargassum into cash, and tackle global warming at the same time. In this episode, Justin Rowlatt meets John Auckland. He is the man behind Seafields, which aims to create a floating farm 'the size of Croatia' far out in the South Atlantic ocean. The plan is to harvest the seaweed, sink it to the seabed and earn cash from carbon credits. Justin also speaks to Professor Victor Smetacek, an expert in marine biolog

Oct 11, 2022 • 18:37

Rent-a-Robot

Rent-a-Robot

The use of robots in North American workplaces has increased by 40% since the start of the pandemic and the small to medium sized businesses, which never automated before, are getting in on the act. The robotics industry has responded to the global increased demand by creating more and more customisable robots, which can be leased or hired. Ivana Davidovic explores what effect this has had - and could have in the future - on the labour markets, innovation, but also on social inequality. Ivana

Oct 10, 2022 • 18:49

Space: The final food frontier

Space: The final food frontier

Is space the final frontier for meat grown from animal stem cells? Elizabeth Hotson asks whether growing steaks under micro gravity conditions could help in the quest for food security and whether, back on earth, consumers could be persuaded to stomach meat reared in labs. We hear from Didier Toubia, the CEO of Aleph Farms who defends his space meat mission from accusations of gimmickry. Seren Kel, the science and technology manager for the Europe region of the Good Food Institute, gives her vie

Oct 7, 2022 • 18:49

How to quit

How to quit

When women's tennis world number one Ash Barty suddenly announced in March 2022 that she was retiring from tennis, it was huge shock.Barty, a three time grand slam champion, was only 25.At the time she said she was leaving professional tennis to pursue other life goals. Quitting is often seen as a negative thing to do, but in this episode we explore the positive side.PwC’s Global Workforce Hopes and Fears survey of more than 52,000 people in 44 countries showed that one in five workers planned t

Oct 6, 2022 • 18:48

Getting backpackers to return to Australia

Getting backpackers to return to Australia

Now that borders have opened up post pandemic, backpackers have been slow to return to Australia. Despite a number of initiatives, the number of travellers is low. And that’s having an impact on businesses who need staff. David Reid explores the Australian working holiday visa scheme, which was set up fifty years ago to encourage young people to travel and work. It's not been without problems, and recently there have been allegations of exploitation and even abuse. So is the visa scheme the righ

Oct 5, 2022 • 18:50

Why food could be the future of fashion

Why food could be the future of fashion

Fashion is one of the world’s most polluting industries – more than half of everything we wear is still made from plastic. In the search for more sustainable ingredients – designers are now turning to those you would normally find on your plate. Katie Barnfield travels to Sherwood Forest in England to meet Ashley Granter and Aurélie Fontan from Mykko – a company making leather from mycelium, the root system of mushrooms. Fancy a food based swimsuit? We talk to Dr Kate Riley from Textile Exchan

Oct 4, 2022 • 17:50

Are home solar panels the solution?

Are home solar panels the solution?

Home solar – putting panels on your roof or side of your house, used be something fairly unusual. However, rising energy costs means that people are increasingly looking for alternatives. Presenter Rick Kelsey explores why the trend for solar panels is happening across Europe – and asks whether the industry has the infrastructure to cope with increasing demand. Rick travels to south east England where panels are being put on the roof, and speaks to installer Scott Burrows. And he meets Linda wh

Oct 3, 2022 • 18:51

Business Daily meets: Will Butler-Adams

Business Daily meets: Will Butler-Adams

Brompton makes 100,000 foldable bikes in London every year and exports about 75% of them. Chief executive Will Butler-Adams tells us how he grew the business around the world. He also explains how he's navigating inflation, and the prospect of recession. Plus, why he believes his mission is not simply to sell more bikes, but to change how people live in cities around the globe. Producer/presenter: James Graham Photo: Will Butler-Adams on a Brompton bike at his London factory. Credit: Brompton.

Sep 30, 2022 • 18:47

Comic Con economics

Comic Con economics

Comics are a multi-billion dollar industry and comic conventions - or cons - attract thousands of fans, desperate to meet their heroes and splash some cash. Elizabeth Hotson visits the MCM event in London to find out what’s hot and what people are spending their hard-earned money on. We hear from Joëlle Jones, a comic book writer and illustrator, Jenny Martin, Event Director at MCM Comic Con and Michael Loizou from Brotherhood Games. Plus tattooist Matt Difa shows off his Star Wars inkings and V

Sep 29, 2022 • 17:29

Business Daily Meets: Margrethe Vestager

Business Daily Meets: Margrethe Vestager

Margrethe Vestager is the European commissioner for competition. Ms Vestager has been spearheading the landmark Digital Markets and Digital Services Acts aimed at regulating the global technology industry. The new rules passed the European Parliament in July and will start to be implemented in the spring. Victoria Craig sits down with Ms Vestager to ask about the commission’s win against Google in one of Europe’s biggest courts (which resulted in a record fine). She also explains the importanc

Sep 28, 2022 • 18:46

Why Finland is building with wood again

Why Finland is building with wood again

Could building more homes and offices out of wood instead of concrete help tackle climate change? We travel to Finland, where growing numbers of homes and offices are being built using wood, and the industry is booming.We’ll hear how it can help improve sustainability in cities and take a look at the challenges and benefits of using more wood inside our offices and homes. And we'll also hear concerns about the impact on the country’s famous forests. Presenter Maddy Savage speaks to Miimu Airak

Sep 27, 2022 • 18:47

The fight for domestic workers’ rights

The fight for domestic workers’ rights

Millions of people, mainly women, sign up for jobs as domestic workers overseas. Yet much of this work is informal, with households enforcing their own terms behind closed doors - leaving the workers vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. In this episode, Laura Heighton-Ginns meets domestic workers who escaped modern slavery. Jackie was forced to work extreme hours, sleep on a hard floor, and given only leftovers to eat for two years. Grace felt she had no choice but to take a domestic job overs

Sep 26, 2022 • 17:51

Can festivals bounce back?

Can festivals bounce back?

The global events industry was valued at more than $1.1 billion in 2019, before the start of the covid-19 pandemic. Live music and concert events alone lost $30 billion in 2020 and most outdoor festivals were cancelled. This year, in 2022, with more people vaccinated around the world, many festivals have managed to return but are having to cope with rising prices and staff shortages, as well as people with less cash to spend. Monica Newton, the CEO of the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, S

Sep 23, 2022 • 17:29

Why everyone wants a ‘blue tick’ on social media

Why everyone wants a ‘blue tick’ on social media

For online influencers getting verification - a blue tick next to their social media account name - is the ultimate prize. It brings credibility and elevates their status online. Presenter David Harper investigates how accounts can become 'verified', what it means, and if you make your money through online platform, how much is it actually worth? David speaks to Matt Navarra, a social media consultant and industry analyst. Matt has worked for Meta and Google amongst others and says he asked how

Sep 22, 2022 • 18:49

Business Daily meets: Paul and Mike Rabil

Business Daily meets: Paul and Mike Rabil

The sport of lacrosse has a long history, being one of the oldest sports in North America. But, for a long time, many players couldn't earn a living in the same way athletes could who were playing in established leagues like Major League Soccer or the National Football League. After a time as one of the best lacrosse players in the world, Paul Rabil, along with his brother Mike, an established businessman and investor, decided to start their own league that could give players a livelihood.We spe

Sep 21, 2022 • 17:51

Who benefits most from remote working?

Who benefits most from remote working?

The coronavirus pandemic allowed many people worldwide to work in new and radical ways. It brought some of the biggest changes for computer-based office workers, many finding themselves working from home for the first time. Research from McKinsey Global Institute, the international management consultancy firm, suggests remote work in some form, is likely to remain for this group of employees. We discuss what the continued shift towards remote work means for both businesses and employees around

Sep 20, 2022 • 18:51

The condiments (and sauces) that never change

The condiments (and sauces) that never change

Tabasco sauce has been around since 1868, Lea and Perrins’ Worcestershire Sauce since 1837. So how have these brands managed to survive for so long? David Reid explores why some brands outlive their founders by more than a century. David speaks to Harold Osborn, CEO of McIlhenny Company which makes Tabasco. Patrick Barwise, emeritus professor of management and marketing at London Business School explains what happened when Coca Cola tried to 'tweak' their recipe. Samir Nanji, spokesperson at

Sep 16, 2022 • 18:30

The women kicking off their high heels at work

The women kicking off their high heels at work

For years women working in certain jobs, such as banking or retail, have had to wear high heels as part of the company’s dress code. But now women around the world are fighting for the right to choose their own shoes at work. Elizabeth Semmelhack, the director and senior curator of the Bata Shoe Museum in the Canadian city of Toronto tells us the history of the high heel and its journey from the battlefield to the boardroom. Ally Murphy, a former flight attendant, describes the pain caused to c

Sep 15, 2022 • 18:30

The real state of the Russian economy

The real state of the Russian economy

As Ukraine seemingly makes dramatic advances on the battlefield, we look at what this may say about the situation inside Russia itself. Military analysts are describing what seems to be a depleted Russian military machine, lacking in morale, but also possibly lacking in the kinds of military equipment it needs to sustain its war effort. One estimate in August put the loss of hardware (not including missiles) at $16 billion. That's hard to replace, given the supply problems and falling growth bro

Sep 14, 2022 • 17:27

Nigeria's push to grow its own coconuts

Nigeria's push to grow its own coconuts

Most of Nigeria has the perfect climate for growing coconuts and yet it imports 70% of the fruit, which is widely used to make snacks, drinks and to make everything from oil to cosmetics. With demand for coconuts increasing both domestically and around the world, plans are now afoot to make Nigeria self-sufficient in coconut production.Ijeoma Ndukwe travels to a farm two-hours from the Nigerian capital Abuja to see how Ray Davies and her husband, retired army Major General John Davies, have bran

Sep 13, 2022 • 18:55

Should we be more open about salaries?

Should we be more open about salaries?

Salaries are often kept secret in most workplaces - but times are changing.The BBC’s Deborah Weitzmann discusses implications for pay transparency policies and the gender wage gap.Deborah visits Flash Pack, a travel firm in London where staff members are open about their salaries. She travels to New York City where employers are preparing for a new law requiring them to post clear salary bands in job listings later this year - following the US state of Colorado. She speaks to Scott Goldshine, ge

Sep 12, 2022 • 18:55

Business Daily meets: Russ Glass

Business Daily meets: Russ Glass

Can an app, founded by a former monk, become one of the biggest tech companies in the world?Russ Glass, the chief executive of Headspace Health, takes Leanna Byrne behind the scenes in one of the biggest mergers in mental health technology.We get an insight into Headspace Health’s global expansion plans both online and offline; how people turned to mental health technology with the uncertainty of Covid; and how employers could soon be using its staff’s mental health data to make company wide pol

Sep 8, 2022 • 17:45

Why Europe’s inland shipping network is drying up

Why Europe’s inland shipping network is drying up

As Europe’s historically dry summer continues, Matthew Kenyon takes a trip on the barge Mezzoforte, and talks to skipper Dirk Pols about the challenges of navigating as river depths fall. We hear from Cornelis van Dorsser of the Dutch Inland Shipping Association about how the industry is preparing for the continued impacts of climate change. Economist Saskia Meuchelböck tells us about the economic effects of the last major dry period, just four years ago, when a month of low water on the Rhine k

Sep 7, 2022 • 18:48

Venice’s tourist problem: Are day trippers welcome?

Venice’s tourist problem: Are day trippers welcome?

Italy’s famous floating city has a problem - too many tourists are visiting Venice during the high season. The city authorities recently announced a plan to charge day-visitors a €10 tax during the busiest periods. But many are sceptical about the plan, saying it doesn’t go far enough to address over-tourism. The BBC’s Vivienne Nunis joins the crowds in St Mark’s Square to assess what can be done when a holiday destination becomes a victim of its own success. And she explores how other popular

Sep 5, 2022 • 18:42

Business Daily meets: Bruce Daisley

Business Daily meets: Bruce Daisley

Do people who use social media need to be more resilient? Thats the question Sam Fenwick asks former Twitter executive, Bruce Daisley. For eight years he ran Twitter's business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He then became a writer and consultant on better working practices. In his latest book, Fortitude: Unlocking the Secrets of Inner Strength, he examines what makes people resilient. i Bruce Daisley was staying with relatives in Beirut the day of the chemical explosion in 2020. In t

Sep 2, 2022 • 18:44

Using less gas in our homes

Using less gas in our homes

The Netherlands has long been almost totally reliant on gas to heat people's homes. But as Europe tries to wean itself off domestic gas, something made more urgent by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and by soaring energy prices, the country is trying to lead the way in tackling the necessary energy transition. Matthew Kenyon hears from Michaela Holl of think-tank Agora Energiewende on the Netherlands’ political strategy and from Energiesprong’s Sanne de Wit about their innovative approach to ren

Sep 1, 2022 • 18:42

Getting ready for Paris 2024

Getting ready for Paris 2024

Ashish Sharma reports from Paris as the city prepares to host the Olympic games in the summer of 2024. President of the Paris Organising Committee of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tony Estanguet, tells Ashish how they hope to make the games the most sustainable ever held. We also hear from Sodexo, the company charged with catering the games. Local business owners tell us how they feel about the Olympics coming to their city so soon after the pandemic and in the midst of an energy crisis

Aug 31, 2022 • 18:51

The unusual world of dark tourism

The unusual world of dark tourism

Instead of choosing a traditional sunny holiday, some tourists choose to visit places that many consider sites of tragedy, death or disaster. On Business Daily we explore the benefits, and controversies, around this unusual type of tourism. We speak to tour guides in two different areas to find out why tourists visit, and what benefits they bring. We hear from Dominik Orfanus and Lara Graldina from ChernobylX, which provides specialist tours, and also from Mee Tsuyama, from the Hiroshima Inter

Aug 30, 2022 • 18:41

How to dispose of nuclear waste

How to dispose of nuclear waste

One of the biggest challenges facing the nuclear industry today is how to deal with the lethal radioactive waste which has accumulated over decades. Governments across the world are trying to find a permanent solution to keep the waste safe and secure. Presenter Theo Leggett visits Sweden, where progress is being made with deep geological storage. Maria Fornander from Sweden’s nuclear operator SKB, explains how the waste is initially placed under water, and will then be buried in cast iron 500m

Aug 29, 2022 • 18:42

The refugee entrepreneurs starting again

The refugee entrepreneurs starting again

It's been six months since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR, the war in Ukraine has pushed the number of refugees across the world to more than 100 million. In this programme we hear from refugees about starting a new life - and a new business. Yuliia is from Ukraine but is now living in England. On the day she fled her home country, she threw some belongings in a bag, took her two children and drove across Europe. She was a wedding dress designer in U

Aug 26, 2022 • 17:43

War in Ukraine: Farmers and workers struggle on

War in Ukraine: Farmers and workers struggle on

Six months into the war in Ukraine, the impact continues to be felt around the world. Frey Lindsay explores how disruptive the war has been for agriculture across Europe. Researcher Roxana Barbalescu explains just how vital Ukrainian workers are to the farmers and producers of Western Europe, and the problems their absence is creating this season. We hear from farmers in Poland and the UK on the economic, and emotional, impact of their former colleagues taking up arms to defend their country. A

Aug 25, 2022 • 17:42

Fighting Ukraine fundraising fatigue

Fighting Ukraine fundraising fatigue

It's been six months since Russia invaded its neighbour Ukraine. In the early days, in late February, March and April, charities were overwhelmed by donations and offers from people who wanted to help. But they're now having to work much harder to get much needed donations. Ukrainian chef and author Olia Hercules is finding new ways to fundraise for families left behind in her home town. When war broke out Olia told the BBC's Victoria Craig about getting money and vital equipment to her brother

Aug 24, 2022 • 17:27

Tunnelling under the Atlantic

Tunnelling under the Atlantic

With a population of just over 50,000 people the Faroe Islands are spending vast sums of money digging sub-sea tunnels to keep remote communities alive. Combined with a government subsidised helicopter service, it allows islands with a handful of permanent inhabitants to thrive and has helped reverse the trend for young Faroe Islanders to emigrate in search of a more modern lifestyle. Join Tim Ecott, author of The Land of Maybe: a Faroe Islands Year, as he flies over this remote North Atlantic a

Aug 23, 2022 • 18:39

Can Japan become Asia's Silicon Valley?

Can Japan become Asia's Silicon Valley?

We look at Japan’s bid to compete with Silicon Valley. Japan is well known for innovations such as the walkman, bullet trains and Nintendo games, but the country hasn’t produced a killer product to really wow the world for decades. The government wants to change that by increasing the number of start-ups by ten-fold over the next five years. In this episode Mariko Oi travels across her home country to meet with the next generation of entrepreneurs hoping to make Japan Asia’s Silicon Valley. S

Aug 22, 2022 • 18:38

Business Daily meets: La June Montgomery Tabron

Business Daily meets: La June Montgomery Tabron

Vivienne Nunis sits down with La June Montgomery Tabron, President and CEO of one of the world's biggest charities, the Kellogg Foundation. Last year the foundation distributed nearly half a billion dollars in grants. La June is the first woman and the first African American to lead the foundation in it's 90 year history. In this episode she tells about growing up in a large family in Detroit and how she has transformed the Kellogg Foundation from a very male, very white organisation to one wher

Aug 19, 2022 • 19:05

Rainbow washing

Rainbow washing

It might seem like a step forward when advertisers want to appeal to a historically marginalised community, but the use of the LGBT rainbow flag by companies and organisations has become a bone of contention. If an investment company changes its logo to a rainbow background is that a genuine attempt to support LGBT rights, or a cynical marketing ploy? In short, is it rainbow washing? Jamie Love, marketing director of Edinburgh Pride tells us how potential event sponsors are vetted, plus Leticia

Aug 18, 2022 • 19:05

Tackling over-tourism in Greece

Tackling over-tourism in Greece

Victoria Craig whisks us off to the Greek island of Tinos to find out about a Greek government strategy to prevent over-tourism. On this virtual vacation, you'll meet an artisan cheesemaker, some travellers, and a restaurant owner to find out whether the government strategy to promote travel to less well known destinations is working, or even welcomed. There are concerns the strategy could erode traditional ways of life on the Greek islands and in the Greek villages tourists don't often reach.

Aug 17, 2022 • 17:28

The electric transport revolution

The electric transport revolution

New forms of electric transport are revolutionising the way we travel for both work and leisure. Soaring gas prices around the world are encouraging people to look for alternatives such as electric bikes, kick scooters and mopeds. Tara Holmes visits a new bike shop in the Peak District in England, and speaks to husband and wife team, Richard and Madeline Bowker, owners of Criterium Cycles, and gets the chance to try out one of their best-selling e-bikes. The global market for e-bikes today is w

Aug 16, 2022 • 19:05

Subscribe and fly: the travel industry’s latest trend

Subscribe and fly: the travel industry’s latest trend

Travel isn't easy anymore. Between the cancelled flights, lost baggage and just the cost of it all, it's almost enough to turn people off altogether. But we'll hear how travel companies are using subscription services to keep those travellers travelling. Leanna Byrne speaks to airline bosses Neil Thwaites, regional vice-president for California at Alaska Airlines and Kirby Gordon from FlySafair about how their subscription services are boosting business. We also hear from Iñaki Uriz, the chief

Aug 15, 2022 • 17:29

Business Daily Meets: Pernilla Nyresten

Business Daily Meets: Pernilla Nyresten

Pernilla Nyrensten made history when she became the first female founding CEO to float a company on the Stockholm stock exchange since the its inception 160 years ago. She started her retail business, RevolutionRace in 2013 just less than $30,000 today the firm was recently valued at around 1 billion dollars. Pernilla's journey has not been without challenges - she's been told, by men, that women should only run hobby businesses and that running a public company is too hard and stressful for wo

Aug 12, 2022 • 18:04

Sweden’s light time economy

Sweden’s light time economy

What’s it like to live in permanent daylight for part of the year? Elizabeth Hotson travels around Swedish Lapland to see how one of the most modern economies in the world takes advantage of the twenty four hour summer sun. Elizabeth finds out how a hotel made of ice is kept frozen with solar power, and why the midnight sun is vital to the ancient tradition of reindeer herding in northern Sweden. We also hear how Sweden’s mountain and nature tourism industry developed and why modern businesses l

Aug 11, 2022 • 18:04

The fight for digital privacy

The fight for digital privacy

A new breed of tech firms is aiming to revolutionise consumer rights online – making us invisible to advertisers unless they pay us for our data.Presenter Ed Butler visits London-based start up Gener8 and speaks to founder Sam Jones. Sam explains how digital marketing works – and what individuals can do to prevent information being collected – or make money from it.We also hear from Brendan Eich, co-founder and CEO of US firm Brave, it’s promoting a similar “earn while you browse” model. And it

Aug 10, 2022 • 18:03

Managing our National Parks

Managing our National Parks

Approximately 6% of the Earth’s land surface is covered in National Parks – but what does it take to look after these rare and special landscapes? We go beyond the tourist trails to hear about the challenges and opportunities facing the people managing the parks. Presenter Laura Heighton-Ginns meets the president of Gorongosa in Mozambique, a park that’s powering the local economy. Gorongosa has become the region’s largest employer and operates a number of side businesses to help with its fundi

Aug 9, 2022 • 18:04

War in Ukraine: Venezuela's oil opportunity?

War in Ukraine: Venezuela's oil opportunity?

Russian aggression in Ukraine and the world's quest to end the dependence on Russian oil and gas has created an opportunity for Venezuela to negotiate an easing of the US-imposed oil sanctions. But, as Ivana Davidovic discovers, there are also many pitfalls on that journey.Venezuela may have the world's largest oil reserves, but years of underinvestment have severely impacted output, as professor Terry Karl explains.Former chairwoman of the refiner Citgo, Luisa Palacios, outlines where Venezuela

Aug 8, 2022 • 18:04

The power of fungi

The power of fungi

Tim Hayward takes a journey into the world of fungi. There’s a global wave of interest in the potential uses of fungi right now - and businesses are catching on and playing their part.Tim starts at the Fungarium in Kew Gardens, the world’s biggest collection of dried fungal specimens, guided by collections curator Lee Davies. He then heads to a forest in Finland, where chief executive Eric Puro and lab manager Joette Crosier walk him through the setup at Kääpä Biotech - one of a new breed of fun

Aug 5, 2022 • 19:15

China's economic challenge

China's economic challenge

China, the so-called engine of global growth, seems to be stalling badly right now. The country is facing rising unemployment, falling factory output and a collapsing property market. Plus, a growing number of regular Chinese citizens are complaining that the country's tough anti-Covid strategy isn't working. China has faced choppy economic waters before. But with record high-levels of domestic debt, does it now have the resources to shore up the holes when firms, banks and even local governme

Aug 4, 2022 • 18:03

Women, sport and business: Betting

Women, sport and business: Betting

Gambling has a long and complex relationship with sport. But betting is no longer a man's game. As women's sport grows, many companies are putting big money on its success.In the last edition of our series looking at women, sport and business, we find out how one football side came back from the brink via a deal with Sweden's main gambling operator, Svenska Spel. We hear how England's victory in the Women's Euros could be a big win for the British betting sector. But as other sports eye up spons

Aug 3, 2022 • 18:04

The Hongkongers leaving for the UK

The Hongkongers leaving for the UK

In 2020, after months of civil unrest, China introduced a new security law in Hong Kong. The UK authorities said it 'violated' the one country, two systems principle established after the former colony was handed back to China in 1997. In response the UK has expanded the British National Overseas visa scheme which now offers the right to live and work in the UK for five years, as well as a path to citizenship. In the first 15 months about 125,000 people applied. We catch up with those starting n

Aug 2, 2022 • 17:29

A crisis in US rural healthcare

A crisis in US rural healthcare

America’s rural hospitals face an uncertain future. One in three are now at risk of closure as doctors and nurses quit, patients struggle to pay their medical bills and government covid subsidies stop. We hear from the front line of one rural hospital in Luray, Virginia. Travis Clark, the hospital's president, and Dr David Lee explain the everyday challenges facing patients and staff. Alan Morgan from the National Rural Health Association tells us why rural hospitals are struggling. Michael Ca

Aug 1, 2022 • 17:28

G'day and g'bye: it's the end for Neighbours

G'day and g'bye: it's the end for Neighbours

After 37 years, the longest-running drama in Australian TV history is coming to an end. We ask why the Neighbours funding model ultimately failed. We speak to Rob Mills, who played the notorious villain Finn Kelly, about his efforts for the show to be rescued. We also look at how the series launched so many careers both on and off the screen. And we go behind the scenes of the Neighbours set and speak to super-fans taking one last trip down their favourite fictional street. Presenter: Vivienne

Jul 29, 2022 • 17:29

The women breaking into skateboarding in South Africa

The women breaking into skateboarding in South Africa

Skateboarding is one of the fastest growing sports in the world; it was included for the first time in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in Japan. It's becoming increasingly popular among women and girls, but it does come with a price tag. Hannah Mullane speaks to Boipelo Awuah, one of only two female African athletes to qualify to compete in skateboarding at the Tokyo Olympics. Wendy Gila, the head of the South African Roller Sports Association, gives us her insight into how much it costs to make

Jul 28, 2022 • 18:38

Women, sport and business: Making NBA history

Women, sport and business: Making NBA history

As part of our mini-series on women, sport and business we meet Cynt Marshall. She's the chief executive officer of the Dallas Mavericks and the first black female CEO in the history of the National Basketball Association, a professional basketball league in North America. Cynt tells us about her background, where she found the drive to forge an enormously successful career and how she’s changed the toxic and very male workplace culture she found when she arrived at the Mavericks. Presenter: Ra

Jul 27, 2022 • 18:33

Commonwealth Games 2022: the most sustainable ever?

Commonwealth Games 2022: the most sustainable ever?

The Commonwealth Games 2022 is coming to England's second biggest city, Birmingham, which is home to almost six million people and more than 450,000 businesses. It's expected to create 35,000 new jobs and skills opportunities and generate an extra £1.2bn ($1.4bn) for the city's economy. Organisers are promising that it will be the most sustainable Commonwealth Games ever and will leave a carbon neutral legacy. That means any CO2 released into the atmosphere from the event will be balanced by an

Jul 26, 2022 • 17:28

How Kenyan farmers are adapting to climate change

How Kenyan farmers are adapting to climate change

Climate change - which the United Nations defines as long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns - is a growing global problem, particularly for farmers. A recent UN report found agricultural productivity growth in Africa has decreased by 34 percent since 1961. That's more than any other region in the world. Michael Kaloki takes a road trip around Kenya, speaking to farmers about their struggles to grow crops with the increasingly unpredictable weather. He asks Rachel Bezner Kerr, a p

Jul 25, 2022 • 17:29

Business Daily meets: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

Business Daily meets: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw trained as a master brewer, but in late-1970s India she was rejected by the beer industry – it wasn’t seen as a job for a woman. Undeterred, she put her scientific mind and entrepreneurial prowess to setting up what would become one of India’s largest pharmaceutical companies, Biocon. She tells Rahul Tandon about her humble beginnings in business, overcoming challenges and inspiring other female entrepreneurs. Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producers: Rahul Tandon, Sam Clack, Rory

Jul 22, 2022 • 18:36

Fertility problems and pesticides in Panama

Fertility problems and pesticides in Panama

Grace Livingstone investigates the ongoing case a group of men in Panama have brought against banana firms. We hear from two of the men who claim they were made sterile after handling a pesticide in their jobs on banana plantations. United States companies used a pesticide called DBCP on banana plantations in Latin America in the late 1970s, even though the United States restricted and then banned its use in mainland America because of the health risks. We ask why – even today - pesticides that

Jul 21, 2022 • 18:46

Women, sport and business: Media deals

Women, sport and business: Media deals

In this episode of Business Daily, the latest in our series on women, sport and business, we’re looking at the media. With women’s sport accounting for only around 5% of the total sports coverage globally, we’ll be finding out how some clubs and organisations are moving away from traditional media, and looking at digital and streaming to reach fans instead. Reporter Sam Fenwick visits Burnley FC Women in the north of England. Last year they signed a ground breaking deal with TikTok to show

Jul 20, 2022 • 18:37

How virtual reality is changing healthcare

How virtual reality is changing healthcare

By 2024, virtual reality is expected to reach a value of $1.2bn in the healthcare sector alone – and it’s already seeing adoption in major public healthcare bodies like the UK’s National Health Service. But many private businesses are the ones leading the change and working closely with hospitals, universities and pharmaceutical giants.We speak three businesses in three different parts of the world to find out what they’re doing to change healthcare. We hear from Matthew Wordley, CEO of the Wal

Jul 19, 2022 • 18:36

Military contracts in India

Military contracts in India

Lots of people want to work in the military in India – the jobs offered security, prospects and a gold-plated pension. But a new Government plan to change military employment contracts has drawn criticism and led to protests. The Government say the changes will tackle the increasing cost of military pensions and stubbornly high unemployment across India. Rahul Tandon and reporter Archana Shukla will explain why so many young people feel cheated by the plan to shorten military contracts and remo

Jul 18, 2022 • 18:46

Lollywood or Bollywood?

Lollywood or Bollywood?

We take a look at the fortunes of Bollywood and Lollywood post pandemic. We’ll ask what the future holds for the film industries of India and Pakistan and explore whose creative ideas and business innovations in cinema are proving to be a hit with audiences. Emb Hashmi speaks to the stars of the new Lollywood film 'London Nahi Jaunga' and Nikhil Inamdar visits a Bollywood film set. We also hear from critics, directors and analysts who tell us what they think both film industries need to do to in

Jul 15, 2022 • 18:29

What's going on with weightlifting?

What's going on with weightlifting?

Ashish Sharma explores the problems facing one of the world’s oldest sports. A governance crisis has engulfed the sport of weightlifting and it faces an uncertain future, and as it stands weightlifting won´t feature in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. We explore the financial implications for this iconic Olympic sport if it loses the funding it gets for being on the Olympic agenda. We speak to young weightlifters about their future in the sport, attend a weightlifting contest in Mexico and rep

Jul 14, 2022 • 17:47

Women, sport and business: Merchandise

Women, sport and business: Merchandise

In this episode of Business Daily, the latest in our series on women, sport and business, it's all about the merch.We'll explore how important replica tops and kits actually are for women’s sport in terms of fandom, participation and of course money. We ask what female sports fans and participants actually want to wear and whether they're being adequately catered for. Dr Katie Lebel is Professor at the University of Guelph in Canada and researches gender equity in sports branding and consumer

Jul 13, 2022 • 18:30

Making money out of 'kid-fluencers'

Making money out of 'kid-fluencers'

Are you a proud sharent? That is a parent who loves to post about your child online. Some have even turned it into a lucrative business, with incomes boosted by advertising deals and merchandise sales. Deborah Weitzmann meets Gemma Alster and her daughter Gigi. They tell us about working with brands to make advertising content for social media. We also find out why brands around the world are cashing in on the kid-fluencer craze with global brand expert Eddie Hammerman. In many countries, a lac

Jul 12, 2022 • 17:47

Pension dipping in Peru and Chile

Pension dipping in Peru and Chile

Millions of people in Peru and Chile have been allowed to empty their retirement pots to cope with Covid-19 and rising prices, putting the pension system and the economy at risk.Chilean Senator Alejandra Sepulveda explains why she supported early pension withdrawals as a one-time emergency measure to reactivate the economy while the OECD’s expert on pensions Pablo Antolin explains the relevance of restricting this kind of initiatives to only those in need. We also hear from pension-dippers Ana A

Jul 11, 2022 • 18:30

The business of streaming games

The business of streaming games

We explore the world of video game streaming - where players connect their screens to platforms such as Twitch or YouTube so that fans can watch them play. Elizabeth Hotson talks to Aoife Wilson, head of video at video game website Eurogamer who’s an enthusiastic streamer and industry watcher; she explains why watching people play games has turned into a multi-billion dollar industry. The BBC’s Faarea Masud gives a fan’s perspective, whilst Sam Matthews, CEO of e-sports brand, Fnatic gives us

Jul 8, 2022 • 18:40

Brazil's election and the economy

Brazil's election and the economy

Brazilians will go to the polls to elect their next president in October. With Jair Bolsonaro trailing in polls behind former leader Lula da Silva, many voters say the economy is their main worry.We speak to small business owners in Vitoria, Espirito Santo, to get their thoughts on how financial concerns may influence voters’ choices. Mauricio Moura, founder of polling company IDEIA, tells us that the economy has never been as crucial going into a Brazilian election in modern history as it is th

Jul 7, 2022 • 17:47

Women, sport and business: Haley Rosen

Women, sport and business: Haley Rosen

To coincide with the start of the Women's Euros and the Africa Women Cup of Nations, Business Daily launches a new series on women, sport and business. Haley Rosen is a former pro soccer player who now runs the digital sports media company Just Women’s Sports. When she stopped playing, Haley realised she couldn't access even basic information about women's sports, including fixtures, scores and all the other statistics available to those following male sports. Haley tells Sam Fenwick how she se

Jul 6, 2022 • 18:41

Are they listening?

Are they listening?

Are they really listening to us via our mobile phones and other smart devices? Eavesdropping to find out more about our most personal tastes and habits? Ed Butler investigates whether regular firms are trying to mine our data for commercial advantage. We ask experts what is technically possible in this field and find out whether the data gathered would actually be worth the effort. Presenter / Producer: Ed Butler Image: Smart speaker; Credit Getty

Jul 5, 2022 • 18:40

Peat and the environment

Peat and the environment

Sam Fenwick explores why peat is such an important carbon store and whether it’s use in compost should be banned. Sam visits a peat bog in the UK and speaks to garden centres in Japan and India, where like many parts of the world gardening boomed during the pandemic. She also heads to Estonia, one of the biggest exporters of peat in the world. Producer / Presenter: Sam Fenwick Image: Little Woolden Moss peat bog; Credit: Sam Fenwick

Jul 4, 2022 • 18:40

Business Daily meets: iPod and iPhone co-creator Tony Fadell

Business Daily meets: iPod and iPhone co-creator Tony Fadell

Apple technology has revolutionised the world. The US company says there are now more than 1.5 billion Apple devices in active use globally - a billion of those are iPhones. It was 15 years ago this week that the co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, first unveiled the iPhone.So how do you come up with such a world-changing idea? We find out from Tony Fadell - the co-inventor of the iPod and iPhone. He tells Jo Critcher how it took years of set-backs to find success and how it's important to never gi

Jul 1, 2022 • 17:29

Cost of living: Mechanics

Cost of living: Mechanics

In this Business Daily mini series we're exploring how businesses we all use regularly are being affected by the cost of living crisis.Leanna Byrne and Olivia Wilson look at the impact of inflation on those who supply car parts and fix our cars. Kelly Bysouth chief supply chain officer of the International Automotive Components group tell us manufacturing disruption and supply chains are key problems for this industry. We also hear from mechanics in Lagos, Nigeria, who tell us how their business

Jun 30, 2022 • 18:42

Cost of living: Farmers and food producers

Cost of living: Farmers and food producers

In this Business Daily mini series we're exploring how businesses we all use regularly are being affected by the cost of living crisis. Leanna Byrne goes from farm to fork, first speaking to farmers in Malawi and Canada about the rising costs of growing crops and rearing dairy cows, then getting the macro picture from Food Drink Europe, which represents food and drink giants like Nestle, Unilever and Danone. We also hear from Chris Hegadorn, Secretary of the UN’s Committee on World Food Securi

Jun 29, 2022 • 18:42

Cost of living: Bakeries

Cost of living: Bakeries

In this Business Daily mini series we're exploring how businesses we all use regularly are being affected by the cost of living crisis. This episode looks at how bakers are coping as the price of grain, dairy and the power needed to heat their ovens, all continue to increase. Leanna Byrne speaks to bakers in Egypt, France and Uganda – one baker tells us that the price increases she's seeing for ingredients means she should really have doubled her prices. Our French baker tells us the price of bu

Jun 28, 2022 • 17:48

Cost of living: Hairdressers

Cost of living: Hairdressers

In this Business Daily mini series we're exploring how businesses we all use regularly are being affected by the cost of living crisis. This episode looks at how hairdressers are coping as the price of power and hair products continues to increase.Leanna Byrne speaks to hairdressers in South Africa, the USA and Germany – all report difficulties with rising overheads and the need to start passing those costs on to customers. We also look at how one haircare brand, selling direct to consumers, is

Jun 25, 2022 • 18:42

Business Daily meets: Tech entrepreneur Frederic Kerrest

Business Daily meets: Tech entrepreneur Frederic Kerrest

Tech entrepreneur Frederic Kerrest tells Sam Clack how he helped to build the multi-billion dollar tech company, Okta, from scratch. He goes through the life and business lessons he’s learned along the way – and explains the importance of listening to great advice at every stage of your career. In his new book ‘Zero to IPO’, Frederic shares valuable insights from top CEOs that he hopes will help to motivate the next generation of entrepreneurs. Presenter / Producer: Sam Clack Image: Frederic Ke

Jun 24, 2022 • 18:43

Love in virtual reality

Love in virtual reality

We take a look at the companies moving the business of love to the metaverse. Hannah Mullane meets Aurora Townsend, co-founder of the world’s first virtual reality dating app, who tells us about what customers can expect and Hannah heads into the metaverse herself to meet Marc Charlton, founder of Dates VR, a virtual reality speed dating event. Hannah also hears from a couple who got married on a virtual reality platform called Decentraland. That company's creative producer also explains what i

Jun 23, 2022 • 17:47

Race and DNA ancestry tests

Race and DNA ancestry tests

Find out more about the DNA ancestry company aiming to increase its appeal across a wider range of ethnic groups. They're attempting to correct the racial bias in DNA databases, so customers get a fuller story of who they are. Genetic studies have primarily been done nearly exclusively in European populations to date and DNA databases are four to one skewed in favour of European DNA. But diversity drives are unearthing genetic treasure. Slavery scrubbed the family histories of generations. Gene

Jun 22, 2022 • 18:44

The club teaching women to say 'no' at work

The club teaching women to say 'no' at work

Ever heard of the term non-promotable task? Well, if you’re a woman, the chances are you’ve been doing a lot of them at work. Leanna Byrne speaks to the authors of The No Club, a book tracking the problems that arise when women are tasked with doing mindless jobs. We are talking about the kind of jobs that make managers happy, but won’t help you get on in your career. Linda Babcock, Brenda Peyser, Lise Vesterlund, and Laurie Weingart—the original “No Club”— join us to talk through why women are

Jun 21, 2022 • 18:43

Floriade: A green global exhibition

Floriade: A green global exhibition

Floriade is a huge horticulture exhibition taking place every 10 years. It's in the Dutch city of Almere this year. For 6 months, visitors will see displays of plants and flowers, horticultural innovation – and proposed solutions to global environmental problems, especially in the area of urban housing. Matthew Kenyon has been to visit and hear about the challenges of putting it together during the pandemic and the costs and benefits to the local area of hosting it. Plus a look at some of the di

Jun 20, 2022 • 17:47

The race to stop a Red Sea oil catastrophe

The race to stop a Red Sea oil catastrophe

One of the many casualties of the war in Yemen is the FSO Safer, a floating storage facility which holds one million barrels of crude oil. No maintenance has been carried out on the vessel for years, and experts believe it’s in danger or exploding or leaking oil in to the Red Sea at any moment. The UN has previously unsuccessfully tried to resolve the issue, but David Gressly, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, thinks the next few weeks could be vital, and is calling on the private sector

Jun 17, 2022 • 17:47

El Salvador’s Bitcoin gamble

El Salvador’s Bitcoin gamble

Joe Tidy travels to El Salvador where almost everything can be paid for using the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. After President Bukele invested heavily in Bitcoin some people are questioning the long-term impact of such a move. For some money has flowed in from mysterious investors, but others like local economist Tatiana Maraquin think the country’s economy cannot handle the fluctuations in the value of the cryptocurrency. Joe visits a veterinary surgery, which offers huge discounts on treatment if

Jun 16, 2022 • 18:48

The adaptive fashion revolution

The adaptive fashion revolution

Adaptive fashion, or stylish clothes for people who have a disability have not always been widely available, especially for those who use a wheelchair. Recently though, a fashion revolution has begun. We hear from the women pushing the industry to change. British Somali Faduma Farah launched a fellowship for designers to come up with an inclusive collection that would be modelled at London Fashion Week. We speak to Faduma and the winning designer Harriet Eccleston, as well as stylist and influen

Jun 15, 2022 • 18:46

Communities bringing down energy bills

Communities bringing down energy bills

Meet the community groups trying to make energy more accessible and affordable. Laura Heighton-Ginns visits a fuel poverty workshop in the UK and hears about the devastating effects of not being able to afford food and why it’s so important to have a secure energy supply. Laura hears from Soren Hermansen - the Director of the Energy Academy on the island of Samso in Denmark. Samso controls its own energy supply and advises other communities on how they can do the same. And we find out about a

Jun 14, 2022 • 18:46

Egg freezing: the ultimate workplace perk?

Egg freezing: the ultimate workplace perk?

Singapore has become the latest country to allow egg freezing for non-medical reasons. That is a method of preserving a woman’s fertility so she can try and have children at a later date. With an increasing number of companies offering this and other fertility benefits as a workplace perk, Ivana Davidovic asks if this always good news for women?Carol Chen, a businesswoman based in Singapore, explains why she would have loved to have had a chance to freeze her eggs closer to home, rather than hav

Jun 13, 2022 • 18:43

Million by 30: Elwinder Singh

Million by 30: Elwinder Singh

As part of the Business Daily series Million by 30, Sam Fenwick meets Elwinder Singh and hears the story behind his private healthcare company Connect and Heal. The business coordinates healthcare appointments, tests, treatment and medication for six million paying customers. He explains where the idea came from and why he moved thousands of miles to set up, finance and grow his company. Find out how he manages such a big business and what his plans are to grow the enterprise further. Presenter:

Jun 10, 2022 • 18:46

The emerging market for energy storage

The emerging market for energy storage

Oil and gas prices have risen sharply after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and as a result many countries have signalled a move towards more renewable energy. One of the challenges for the future will be how to store energy produced by wind and solar power so it can be used at the right times. Professor Seamus Garvey and a team at the University of Nottingham tell us about their prototype machine which uses compressed air and heated gravel to tackle this problem. We also hear from Professor Mara

Jun 9, 2022 • 17:29

Is a rare carbon sink under threat in the DRC?

Is a rare carbon sink under threat in the DRC?

Dense tropical rainforest in central Africa's Congo Basin is humid and rainy for much of the year. Underfoot lies one of the world’s biggest carbon sinks – muddy soil built up from layers of partly decomposed plant matter. Remote and uncultivated, the peatlands have survived for thousands of years, stretching over an area the size of England. Incredibly, the area contains 30 billion tonnes of carbon trapped underground, but this rare carbon store is now under threat as local authorities turn the

Jun 8, 2022 • 17:28

Working in India's heatwave

Working in India's heatwave

For the last couple of months India has been experiencing an absolutely blistering heatwave. The capital Delhi has seen temperatures hit record highs and it's estimated the heat is costing the Indian economy more than a hundred billion dollars a year. Rahul Tandon explores what can be done for the millions of people in India who have to work outside. The BBC's Nikhil Inamdar reports from Aurangabad, a city in Maharashtra state, where some crops are being harvested overnight to avoid the heat.

Jun 7, 2022 • 18:47

Business Daily meets: Bank of England economists

Business Daily meets: Bank of England economists

As part of the Business Daily Meets strand we speak to Rupal Patel and Jack Meaning, senior economists at the Bank of England. They have written a book to help people of all ages get a better understanding of the economy. They answer questions like ‘Why am I richer than my great-great-grandma?’ and ‘What actually is money?’. Sam Fenwick talks to them about what The Simpsons can teach us about getting a pay rise, and why you might want to think twice when filling your bag with gobstoppers a

Jun 6, 2022 • 18:47

Million by 30: Amarachi Nwosu

Million by 30: Amarachi Nwosu

As part of the Business Daily series Million by 30 we speak to Amarachi Nwosu, a filmmaker who wanted to look at race in Japan from a different angle. She spoke to black people in Toyko about their experiences in the country and uncovers a world of custom, curiosity and respect. Sam Fenwick hears more about what the film means to her, and what she hopes her next ‘million’ will be. Picture: Amarachi Nwosu; Credit: Serah AlabiPresenter: Sam Fenwick Producers: Helen Thomas and Hannah Bewley

Jun 3, 2022 • 17:29

Excluded from digital banking

Excluded from digital banking

With more and more of our financial lives moving online, we ask whether some people are getting left behind. Claire Williamson investigates whether some older people, who struggle with rapidly changing technology or fear losing their money through scams, are being forgotten about, as banks close branches and move online? Claire hears from people attending a digital skills training session organised by Age UK in East London and Carlos San Juan from Valencia in Spain tells her why he started a ca

Jun 2, 2022 • 18:45

Business Daily meets: Kevin Rudd

Business Daily meets: Kevin Rudd

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd tells Rahul Tandon about running a two trillion dollar economy, and how he responded to the 2007-2008 financial crisis. Hear how his interest in China began, and why he thinks engagement with the economic superpower is the only way forward. He also gives us his opinion on new Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and the recent return of the Labor Party to power. Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: Carmel O'Grady Image: Kevin Rudd (Credit: Getty Im

Jun 1, 2022 • 18:46

Online advertising fraud

Online advertising fraud

The global online ad racket; Ed Butler investigates how criminals are ripping off advertising firms to the tune of billions every year. Andrew Lissimore the CEO of a Canadian company that sells high-end headphones tells us what happened when he hired an ad-tech firm to organise targeted advertising for his website. Ad fraud expert, Augustine Fou explains that the problems with digital advertising really began about a decade ago, when advertisers stopped selling their ads directly to publishing w

May 31, 2022 • 18:45

Inside Gazprom

Inside Gazprom

In 2002, Lesley Curwen arrived in Siberia to see the inner workings of Gazprom. Hear how she found a business that felt more like an empire of its own, with 300 thousand workers and the largest gas reserves on the planet. Back then Gazprom was eager to be taken seriously abroad, and to sell more of its gas to Europe. Which it did. This year, war in Ukraine changed everything when Gazprom’s political master Vladimir Putin turned off the gas taps to Poland, Bulgaria and Finland. Lesley investi

May 30, 2022 • 18:46

Million by 30: Sharon Tseung

Million by 30: Sharon Tseung

In latest episode of our series Million by 30 – Sam Fenwick is joined by Sharon Tsueng. Sharon is a former high school chess teacher, a marketing specialist, she was also a digital nomad and now invests in property. Sharon made a million dollars before her 30th birthday building passive income streams and then saving and investing that cash. Sharon tells Sam how she did it, what drives her and why a sensible attitude to money right from the start helped her build her nest egg and achieve finan

May 27, 2022 • 18:45

Insolvency and the pandemic

Insolvency and the pandemic

During the coronavirus pandemic governments around the world pumped billions into their economies. Propping up businesses and trying to make sure people stayed in work. Sam Fenwick looks into what actually happened to all that money and whether it really did help keep businesses afloat during repeated lockdowns and restrictions.Nick Hood is an business insolvency expert with a company called Opus Restructuring – he helped us interrogate data held by all the major world economies on insolvencies.

May 26, 2022 • 18:46

Girls, beauty and advertising

Girls, beauty and advertising

More than ever girls are bombarded by images that have been curated, filtered and touched up. How can we help girls decode those images and understand that ideals of beauty are constructed by society and change across time and place? Shelina Janmohamed is an author and advertising executive. Her latest book is designed to help girls aged eight and above build confidence in how they look and show them why what appears to be beautiful isn't as straight forward as it seems. Shelina tells presente

May 25, 2022 • 18:46

The women leading Africa’s FinTech boom

The women leading Africa’s FinTech boom

Finance has traditionally been dominated by men. But now that’s starting to change. We talk to the female entrepreneurs in Africa who are using financial technology to give more people access to money and services - through apps, payment platforms and chatbots. Odunayo Eweniyi is the co-founder of Piggyvest in Nigeria, the first ever online app for personal savings and investment in West Africa. She tells us how she came up with the idea and how she’s using FirstCheck Africa, an angel fund for w

May 24, 2022 • 17:26

La Liga's record deal

La Liga's record deal

Spain's top division La Liga has signed a record investment deal with CVC Capital Partners. Ashish Sharma looks at the terms of the deal - which means CVC invests into a new company that will hold LaLiga’s commercial rights. CVC will hold an 8% stake in the business for the next 50 years. Ashish Sharma speaks some of the leading figures in the top tier of Spanish football´s La Liga, including Ramon Rubiales the CEO of Real Betis. With the money that his club will receive, Rubiales explains how

May 23, 2022 • 18:45

Million by 30: Ally Salama

Million by 30: Ally Salama

Ally Salama’s company makes content that aims to improve mental health awareness in the Middle East – he’s experienced clinical depression himself. The podcast Ally presents – Empathy always wins - has had millions of downloads and EMPWR is valued at more than a million dollars. In this episode of Million by 30, Felicity Hannah asks Ally how his own experiences helped him develop his business model, how he operates as an employer and for his advice to anyone else looking to get into podcastin

May 20, 2022 • 18:46

Spending on defence

Spending on defence

Rahul Tandon looks at changing attitudes to defence spending following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. There have been new funding commitments from countries like Germany, while Sweden and Finland now want to join NATO, but what's the true cost? We speak to Estonia's defence minister Kalle Laanet about his country's growing military budget, and German member of the European Parliament Viola Von Cramon Taubadel on her country's decision to spend more. Dr Diego Lopes Da Silva, a researcher with the

May 19, 2022 • 18:46

Generation Z and crypto trading

Generation Z and crypto trading

The lure of making a quick buck means young people have always invested in risky assets. For Generation Z, it is the volatility and the decentralised nature of digital assets such as cryptocurrency and NFTs which is so attractive. They are unregulated, meaning there is no investor protection. Some experts warn that trading them should be categorised as gambling. Mariko Oi hears from young people who have lost vast sums of money trading in digital assets, Resh Chandran who describes himself as a

May 18, 2022 • 18:46

Rebuilding Puerto Rico's electricity supply

Rebuilding Puerto Rico's electricity supply

Samira Hussain takes you to Puerto Rico. Back to back hurricanes 5 years ago shattered the island's electricity grid, leading to the longest blackout in American history. Residents are still trying to claw their way out of the darkness. But one Puerto Rican town, in the island's mountainous region, may have found a solution. Arturo Massol Deya is the associate director of Casa Pueblo, he tells us how he's using solar panels to ensure a reliable supply of electricity to his local community. We a

May 17, 2022 • 18:43

Business Daily Meets: Estonia’s first billionaire

Business Daily Meets: Estonia’s first billionaire

In the first episode of our new strand - Business Daily Meets - we hear from Estonia’s first billionaire, Kristo Käärmann. In this in-depth interview the TransferWise (now Wise) co-founder and CEO explains how a €500 loss led to the creation of a multi-billion dollar business. He tells us about creating something from nothing, keeping his ego in check, and insists saving customers $1 billion a year is only the start of the journey.Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: Sam ClackImage: Kristo Käärman

May 16, 2022 • 18:45

Million by 30: Iseult Ward

Million by 30: Iseult Ward

In this series you will hear from six people from all over the world who’ve hit that million milestone before their 30th birthday. Our second guest is Iseult Ward from Ireland, who tells Sam Fenwick how she started building her social enterprise FoodCloud while still at university in Dublin. Iseult and her team make more than a million meals every month from food that would otherwise end up in the bin. Hear how she started out working with small market traders, scaled up to work with h

May 13, 2022 • 18:47

Eurovision: The price of performing

Eurovision: The price of performing

In today’s episode of Business Daily we’ll see how Eurovision goes so much further than the stage. We head to this year’s host city, Turin in Italy, to see whether there’s a been boost in local business there. We hear from Ochman who's representing Poland, on how his career has changed since becoming an act, and from Emmelie De Forest who represented Denmark in 2013, who says the competition was both a "blessing, and a curse". Dr Filippos Filippidis, from Imperial College London, tells us about

May 12, 2022 • 17:29

Cash in a conflict

Cash in a conflict

How does day-to-day survival work in a war when cash and food are in short supply? Rahul Tandon speaks to a woman in Russian-occupied Kherson where the rouble has just been introduced as an official currency. He also hears from Zaporizhzhia entrepreneur Vitali Ivakhov about how he's keeping his businesses going, and paying wages. A survivor of Mariupol explains how day-to-day life continued during the siege, and Bosnian journalist Aida Cerkez talks about her personal experience of the siege of

May 11, 2022 • 17:28

The Royal Family: How strong is its brand?

The Royal Family: How strong is its brand?

Samira Hussain investigates the brand of the British Royal Family. It's estimated to be one of the biggest brands in the world, steeped in history, tradition and of course scandal... In the Queen's Platinum Jubilee year we look at how recent events have changed things for the royal brand and what coming changes and challenges could mean going forward. Pauline McLaran, professor of marketing and consumer research at Royal Holloway University and co-author of Royal Fever: The British Monarchy in

May 10, 2022 • 18:45

Turning waste into money

Turning waste into money

How does plastic get from your bin to the recycling plant? According to The Pew Charitable Trust, 60% of plastic recycling globally comes from individual waste pickers, an informal economy of millions of people who go out picking up plastic every day. As the world starts to look at ways to reduce our plastic waste, how might this impact the livelihoods of the waste pickers who rely on it? We hear from Gladys Mwamba at Plastic for Change in Zambia, who spotted an opportunity to use her Chinese la

May 9, 2022 • 18:45

Million by 30: Hertzy Kabeya

Million by 30: Hertzy Kabeya

Hertzy Kabeya – the first in our million by 30 series - tells us how he developed and launched what’s become an enormously successful education tech company. Hertzy overcame huge setbacks as founder and CEO of Student Hub. The company almost went bust but Hertzy's drive and leadership ensured the business survived and went on to secure multi million dollar investment. Find out how he did it, what he thinks his business superpower is and what he learned on the way to hitting that million benchmar

May 6, 2022 • 18:46

How the war in Ukraine has affected global tourism

How the war in Ukraine has affected global tourism

Exclusive flight data from ForwardKeys shows a huge reduction in the number of Russian tourists going to Turkey and other popular resorts. We hear from businesses in Antalya about the impact it has had so far, and about what might happen over the coming holiday season. Experts Olivier Ponti from ForwardKeys, which analyses tourism trends, and Ana Nichols from EIU, which produces economic insight, explain the economic causes and effects of this reduction in travellers and the knock-on effects of

May 5, 2022 • 17:28

The DNA sequencing revolution

The DNA sequencing revolution

Fast and portable genome testing is unlocking the secrets to ourselves and the environment we live in. It's impact could lead us to fundamentally remake our approach to medicine, agriculture, the environment, conservation and our selves. In this episode we hear from Dr Lara Urban, a geneticist studying the kakapo in New Zealand, Dr Gordon Sanghera, CEO of Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Professor Anna Schuh, professor of molecular diagnostics at the Department of Oncology at Oxford University a

May 4, 2022 • 18:48

Female digital entrepreneurs in Africa

Female digital entrepreneurs in Africa

During the pandemic businesses shut down and traditional jobs were lost forcing people to rethink how they earn a living. Since then one of the biggest shifts in the economy has been the rise of digital platforms – online market places which sell everything from fruit and veg to TVs and kitchen appliances. In Africa women have found new careers using Facebook and WhatsApp as well as ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt. Sam Fenwick meets three women who have found financial independence by start

May 3, 2022 • 18:47

Living face-to-face with climate change

Living face-to-face with climate change

What’s it like to live in a country on the sharp end of climate change? Today Tamasin Ford takes you to Sâo Tomé and Príncipe, the twin island nation in the gulf of Guinea. With the smallest economy in Africa, it has few means to fight what the UN calls the biggest threat modern humans have ever faced. We hear from coastal communities whose homes have been washed away because of rising sea levels. President Carlos Vila Nova, who spoke at the United Nation’s climate conference in Glasgow last yea

May 2, 2022 • 18:46

Disney's Florida fallout

Disney's Florida fallout

We look into the decision by Florida's governor Ron DeSantis to dissolve Disney's special status in the state. It follows Disney's criticism of a new law restricting discussion of LGBTQ issues in schools. What will the row mean for the company, and what questions does it raise for other companies navigating the so-called 'culture wars'? We hear from Disney historian Richard Foglesong, and a former vice president of operations at Disney World, Lee Cockerell. The New York Post columnist Karol Mark

Apr 29, 2022 • 18:37

The power of the brooch

The power of the brooch

We look into why sales of brooches have soared, and why they can be such a powerful accessory. Governor of the bank of Russia Elvia Nabiullina says the brooches she wears contain clues to understanding policy decisions, and the late Madeleine Albright, former USA Secretary of State, used to wear them as a diplomatic tool.Brooches are currently gaining popularity among consumers and fashion brands are taking note, as Dolce & Gabbana’s Carlos Palacios and British Vogue’s Carol Woolton tell us.

Apr 28, 2022 • 17:29

False banana: A new superfood?

False banana: A new superfood?

As the spectre of food insecurity grows and climate change threatens lives and livelihoods, could enset play a part in assuaging hunger? Elizabeth Hotson delves into the many and varied properties of a crop consumed mainly in parts of Ethiopia and she asks how it might be possible to widen the appeal of a plant which takes months to turn into an something edible. Dr Wendewek Abebe from Hawassa university in southern Ethiopia is a leading researcher of enset and he explains why it’s known as the

Apr 27, 2022 • 18:36

The cost of China’s zero-Covid policy

The cost of China’s zero-Covid policy

Millions of people have been locked down in China for weeks, as the country battles a surge in Omicron cases, with a zero-Covid policy. We follow one young woman’s journey across the country as she tries to reach her home in central China amid layers of bureaucracy and travel restrictions. We hear how the lockdown is causing some major disruptions to the Chinese economy from Julian Evans-Pritchard, a China Analyst at Capital Economics. Businessman Kent Kedl, who works at a Shanghai based risk co

Apr 26, 2022 • 17:28

Wealth from waste: can urban mining save the planet?

Wealth from waste: can urban mining save the planet?

Ivana Davidovic investigates urban mining - the process of reclaiming raw materials from spent products, buildings and waste. She looks at what new technologies are helping us to recycle waste and the benefits that could bring. In Antwerp, Belgium, she visits Umicore, once a traditional smelting company, which now specialises in extracting precious metals from electronics - and then puts them into new products, like catalysts or car battery components. On the other side of the world - in Sydn

Apr 25, 2022 • 17:29

Sporting Sanctions

Sporting Sanctions

How has the world of sport reacted to the invasion of Ukraine - and what does the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes or teams mean for them and for the finances of world sport? Ashish Sharma speaks to Michael Payne, who was for many years head of the marketing division of the International Olympic Committee. He also hears from Cheri Bradish, an expert in sports marketing and the Director of the Future of Sport Lab at Ryerson University in Toronto, and Rob Koehler, the Director General

Apr 22, 2022 • 17:29

Fleeing danger

Fleeing danger

What do you do when your staff are stuck in a conflict zone or dangerous situation? How do you get them out? Who pays for it? How do you persuade them to go back later? Rahul Tandon speaks to Alex Nichiporchik whose gaming business tinyBuild has evacuated staff from Ukraine and Russia. He hears from Priscilla Dickey who was part of the US government evacuation from Wuhan in 2020. Dale Buckner from Global Guardian explains the business of evacuation while Ian Umney discusses the rescue of his fam

Apr 21, 2022 • 17:29

Will satellite internet technology connect the world?

Will satellite internet technology connect the world?

After a volcanic eruption severed Tonga’s communication cable Elon Musk donated 50 Starlink terminals, allowing the government and residents to connect to the network of satellites orbiting above earth. The company have also sent the technology to Ukraine after Russia’s invasion, and we hear from Stepan Veselovskyi of Lviv IT Cluster using it to keep vital services online and Kyiv resident Oleg Kutkov, who bought a dish online before the war and now hopes to use it as a back-up in case conventio

Apr 20, 2022 • 17:30

Why whales matter

Why whales matter

Baleen whales were almost hunted to extinction. Now they face a new threat – global shipping. But despite humans blighting their lives, can they now recover and help revive ocean life?Justin Rowlatt speaks to two researchers who observe these intelligent, sociable giants up close. Matt Savoca at Stanford University explains the scale of the slaughter inflicted by whalers in the twentieth century, while Ryan Reisinger of Southampton University describes how modern ships continue to harm whales.By

Apr 19, 2022 • 17:28

The future of job interviews

The future of job interviews

We’re looking at the future of the job interview in a world forever changed by the pandemic. Elizabeth Hotson asks whether video conferencing software will hasten the demise of the traditional face to face grilling. And we also find out how virtual reality and artificial intelligence can help level the playing field for candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds. Over a long and distinguished career in business, Heather McGregor, Executive Dean of Edinburgh Business School, has been on both sides

Apr 18, 2022 • 17:28

The chocolate islands

The chocolate islands

The mountainous archipelago of SãoTomé and Príncipe was once the world’s biggest exporter of cocoa. The twin island nation in the Gulf of Guinea was uninhabited until their discovery by Portuguese explorers in the fifteenth century. They brought slaves to work the land producing cash crops like sugar and coffee. In the 1890s these crops were replaced by cocoa and the islands became known as the biggest cocoa exporter in the world. The plantations were farmed first by slaves and then by forced,

Apr 15, 2022 • 17:29

Nike’s most controversial ad campaign

Nike’s most controversial ad campaign

Remember the Colin Kaepernick advert for Nike? It’s one of the most controversial and successful advertising campaigns of the past decade. Former US President Donald Trump said the advert sent a terrible message but Nike saw a 30% boost in sales. In this episode of Business Daily former Nike Chief Marketing Officer, Greg Hoffman, the creative force behind the campaign, tells us how it came about and why diversity in advertising really matters. Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: Carmel O’Grady

Apr 14, 2022 • 17:29

Sri Lanka's debt crisis

Sri Lanka's debt crisis

Why is Sri Lanka facing its biggest economic crisis for decades? It's left the population enduring months of power cuts, while essentials are in short supply. How has the country's debt spiralled out of control and what will a debt default mean for ordinary people? We hear from protestors on the street who are demanding a change of government, and how an IT entrepreneur is grappling with power cuts. Plus, Shanta Devarajan, a former chief economist at the World Bank who will be negotiating with t

Apr 13, 2022 • 17:28

Russian and Ukrainian seafarers: working together during a war

Russian and Ukrainian seafarers: working together during a war

Thousands of Russian and Ukrainian sailors crew cargo ships that carry goods around the world, so how are they coping living in such close quarters while their countries are at war? We hear from those anxiously watching events back home, and we get an update on the hundreds of ships stranded in the Black Sea, unable to sail in case they are caught in the crossfire. Vivienne Nunis speaks to Guy Platten of the International Chamber of Shipping and chaplains belonging to the seafarers' charity Stel

Apr 12, 2022 • 17:29

Lebanon's wheat crisis

Lebanon's wheat crisis

The price of bread is soaring in Lebanon. More than half of the country's wheat imports came from Ukraine - they've now stopped because of the conflict.Inflation also continues to rise to record levels. We speak to ordinary people who are struggling to buy food. Brant Stewart, the founder of Mavia Bakery in Beirut, explains how he's found a solution in growing and milling his own wheat - as well as helping local women.Rami Zurayk, the Director of the Food Security programme at the American Unive

Apr 11, 2022 • 18:19

Europe's gas crisis: How did we get here?

Europe's gas crisis: How did we get here?

We're taking the long view on Europe's energy headache. For decades, Russia has been using its vast natural gas reserves as a powerful political tool. So what can the past teach us about the current crisis? Vivienne Nunis speaks to the author and journalist Oliver Bullough who's been following the gas trail from the USSR to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Also in the programme, Ajit Niranjan reports from the German coastal resort of Lubmin, where the Nord Stream pipelines transporting Russian gas

Apr 8, 2022 • 17:28

Youth unemployment in France

Youth unemployment in France

The BBC’s International Business Correspondent Theo Leggett is in France ahead of the Presidential elections to explore an issue important to many voters – youth unemployment. In the northeast of the country a quarter of young people aren’t in work, education, or training. We explore what the issues are, the problems with inequality and recruitment. We hear from Sebastien Bento Soares, CEO of Darquer, a lace manufacturer based in Calais that is struggling to recruit younger workers, André Du

Apr 7, 2022 • 17:28

How tech is being used to help Ukraine

How tech is being used to help Ukraine

Technology is being used in creative ways to help Ukrainian people stay safe. From offering refugees spare rooms to targeting humanitarian aid to specific shelters, tech entrepreneurs are developing software solutions to try and help in the war effort. Ukraine is an innovation hub. Before the Russian invasion it was home to hundreds of tech start-up firms. Now many of those young entrepreneurs have had to leave the cities where they worked. Eugene Gusarvo and Andrii Tagansky tell Sam Fenwick the

Apr 6, 2022 • 17:29

Australia's tourism industry breathes a sigh of relief

Australia's tourism industry breathes a sigh of relief

We’re in Queensland, home to a tourism industry that – usually – contributes billions of dollars to the Australian economy. The coronavirus pandemic saw the country's borders close for the best part of two years, so how did business owners cope without their usual customer base? Vivienne Nunis speaks to the owner of a mini golf course, a scuba diving company and a restaurant on the Queensland coast. We also hear the tale of José Paronella, a Spanish migrant who built a pleasure garden and ballro

Apr 5, 2022 • 18:40

The aid trail to Ukraine

The aid trail to Ukraine

Millions of Ukrainians have fled the country since the Russian invasion began, some leaving with little more than the clothes on their backs. It's prompted an outpouring of support from around the world - with ordinary people loading lorries with donations and shipping them thousands of miles to help refugees. We follow the aid trail from a small business in north west England to the Ukrainian border and explore whether it's better to give goods or money.We'll hear from Bob Kitchen, the Internat

Apr 4, 2022 • 17:29

The Russians leaving their country

The Russians leaving their country

Rahul Tandon reports on the thousands of young Russians who have decided to leave the country since it invaded Ukraine. Economist Konstantin Sonin tells us as many as 300,000 may have travelled to countries like Armenia, Georgia and Turkey. Sanctions have made it harder to do business and the weaker rouble has devalued assets. Two businessmen, now living in exile, tell their stories, and we also hear from those who’ve chosen to stay, like Moscow journalist Tatyana Felgenhauer. Plus, former Russ

Apr 1, 2022 • 17:29

What are Russia's mercenaries doing in Africa?

What are Russia's mercenaries doing in Africa?

The secretive Wagner Group has a history of violence in Africa. In this episode, we ask why leaders are outsourcing security to an unaccountable army accused of murders, rapes and torture. We look into the crimes they're accused of committing, the governments they're keeping in power and the business deals making it all possible. Aanu Adeoye, an Africa expert at London's Royal Institute of International Affairs, tells us about the propaganda machine behind Wagner. Keir Giles, a Russia specialist

Mar 31, 2022 • 17:30

Will a new gas pipeline be built in a 'pristine' Australian sea?

Will a new gas pipeline be built in a 'pristine' Australian sea?

Aboriginal people from Australia's Tiwi Islands have joined forces with marine scientists and other environmentalists in the fight against a new gas field planned for the Timor Sea. Vivienne Nunis reports on the multi-billion dollar Barossa gas development, which has already been partially approved by Australian regulators. The oil and gas giant Santos plans to build a 300km gas pipeline from the gas field to Darwin, through a marine park that is home to turtles, sponges and other sea creatures.

Mar 30, 2022 • 18:40

How drones are helping to save lives

How drones are helping to save lives

Drones, which were originally developed by the military, are now being used all over the world for humanitarian purposes. Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa, the founder of CHIL-AI, tells Jo Critcher how she was inspired by her own experience of cancer to use drones to give more women in Uganda access to screening.In Sweden, the CEO of Everdrone, Mats Sällström, describes how drones are being used to quickly transport life-saving equipment to emergency situations. There are more challenges to using drones i

Mar 29, 2022 • 17:29

Rise of the high-tech border industry

Rise of the high-tech border industry

AI, data analytics and automated surveillance are ever more shaping refugees' futures around the world. From the external borders of the EU to the US-Mexico border, "smart border" solutions, developed by private companies for states, are being used to surveil and control people on the move. Lawyer and anthropologist Petra Molnar tells the BBC's Frey Lindsay how she's seen these technologies creep into borders and camps around the world, and Dr Emre Eren Korkmaz of Oxford University describes how

Mar 28, 2022 • 17:28

The cost of growing food

The cost of growing food

Global fertiliser prices are reaching record highs, as supplies from Russia, one of the world’s largest exporters dry up. As the war in Ukraine intensifies there are warnings of food shortages as farmers struggle to get hold of fertilisers and starting to rationing its use. Soybean farmer Karl Milla tells Sam Fenwick he is rationing how much fertiliser he uses. He says he is worried what effect that will have on crop sizes later in the year. Laura Cross from the International Fertiliser Associa

Mar 28, 2022 • 17:29

Pacific Islanders working for their futures

Pacific Islanders working for their futures

Climate change and disasters continue to threaten peoples’ livelihoods and wellbeing in the Pacific Islands. Jon Naupa, a Kava farmer in Vanuatu, tells the BBC’s Frey Lindsay how difficult it’s getting to break even at the moment. In response to the challenges, young Pacific Islanders are taking advantage of regional labour mobility schemes to make money and help their families. Australia's Pacific labour mobility schemes have seen tens of thousands of Pacific Islanders filling job shortages in

Mar 24, 2022 • 17:28

Is sustainable finance just greenwash?

Is sustainable finance just greenwash?

ESG funds - which claim to promote environmental, social and corporate governance best practice - are all the rage. But are investors being taken for an expensive ride? Ed Butler speaks to one man with his doubts - Tariq Fancy, who used to be in charge of sustainability investing at BlackRock, the gigantic fund management firm, whose boss Larry Fink is an advocate for the role that big finance can play in accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels. Today investors are faced with a confus

Mar 23, 2022 • 17:27

The women fleeing Ukraine

The women fleeing Ukraine

Two young women recall how they fled the Russian invasion of their homeland, and discuss their hopes and dreams for the future. Alexandra from Kyiv tells Tamasin Ford how she had to say goodbye to her parents at the packed Polish border, and now suffers survivor's guilt, living in the safety of Berlin. Meanwhile Elena recalls the first explosions of the war, and describes how she now finds herself the sole breadwinner for her family, living in exile in Warsaw. Producers: Sarah Treanor and Tom Ka

Mar 22, 2022 • 17:29

Brazil at work: Black and held back

Brazil at work: Black and held back

Despite the quotas and positive discrimination, many black Brazilian professionals still struggle to feel accepted and get promoted. Ivana Davidovic hears from Luiza Trajano - Brazil’s richest woman and the owner of the country’s largest retailer, Magazine Luiza - who explains why she decided to launch a coveted management trainee scheme for black people only. Former model and director of the Identities of Brazil Institute NGO, Luana Genot, talks about her own experiences of being held back beca

Mar 21, 2022 • 17:28

How European businesses are helping Ukrainian refugees

How European businesses are helping Ukrainian refugees

People across Europe are opening up their homes and businesses to Ukrainians as the refugee crisis tops 3 million. Ivanka, a Ukrainian social worker who has fled to Poland, tells us about the generosity of hotelier Dorota Baranska, who is now housing her and hundreds of other refugees in her hotels. And Eugen Comandent, COO of Purcari Wineries in Moldova, explains why his company has transformed its estate into a refugee centre. Matthew Saltmarsh from the UN’s refugee agency says this is Europe’

Mar 18, 2022 • 17:28

Pacific Islanders building climate resilience

Pacific Islanders building climate resilience

Climate change and disasters continue to imperil the livelihoods and well-being of people in the Pacific Islands. This is the most pressing issue facing the Pacific today, Ofa Ma'asi-Kaisamy, manager at the Pacific Climate Change Centre, tells the BBC’s Frey Lindsay. And Dr Salanieta Saketa, senior epidemiologist at the Pacific Community's Public Health Division, explains how such events seriously impact people’s health. We also hear how people are fighting to build resilience and forge new fu

Mar 17, 2022 • 17:28

Penalties for Chelsea?

Penalties for Chelsea?

What now for Chelsea FC? After the UK government imposed sanctions on Russian owner Roman Abramovich, the club has been denied access to the funds that enabled investment in some of the world's best players and helped it become one of the biggest clubs in European football. No income, either, from ticket or merchandise sales can be made by the club, throwing its short term future into doubt. It's unclear whether Chelsea can even pay its squad and staff next month, such is the punishing nature of

Mar 16, 2022 • 17:28

War in the time of crypto

War in the time of crypto

Financial sanctions are being used against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine so we’re exploring the role of cryptocurrency in the war. Is crypto being used to evade sanctions as assets are sezied and bank transactions blocked? Or is it simply a means of survival for millions of people in the region who can’t access any other forms of money? We find out by talking to Gaby Hui from Merkle Science, former US government advisor Ari Redbord head of legal and government affairs at TRM labs, Artem Af

Mar 15, 2022 • 17:29

Emotional and financial complications of fundraising during war

Emotional and financial complications of fundraising during war

As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, people across the country prepare for the possibility of a long, drawn out conflict.. Some, are determined to help their loved ones survive. But sending aid to a war zone isn't easy. Not just because access to cash locally is often hard to come by, but rules around fundraising are complicated. Olia Hercules, cookbook author and chef, explains how, over the past two weeks, she’s rushed to fundraise and send protective gear to her brother fighting on the front

Mar 14, 2022 • 17:28

How much is the Ukraine war costing Russia?

How much is the Ukraine war costing Russia?

Munitions, equipment losses, sanctions, isolation - Vladimir Putin's decision to invade has come with a rapidly increasing price tag. Just the cost of prosecuting the war is proving astronomical, as Edward Arnold of military think tank RUSI tells Ed Butler. Then there's the economic blowback - the freezing of the central bank's reserves, the exclusion from international finance, the boycotting by key international companies. Over the coming months, Russian industry could grind to a halt, while c

Mar 11, 2022 • 18:04

Australian floods and the billion-dollar clean-up

Australian floods and the billion-dollar clean-up

Recent floods in eastern Australia have caused devastating losses of life and livelihoods. The BBC's Vivienne Nunis visits southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales where the damage bill from torrential rain is said to be in the billions of dollars. Climate change means natural disasters are becoming more frequent but that means insurance premiums are now too costly for many. So what can be done to prevent future disasters causing so much damage to businesses and homes? Picture: flood-da

Mar 10, 2022 • 18:04

Superyachts and sanctions

Superyachts and sanctions

A race is on to spot and catch some of the world's biggest and most dazzling yachts owned by Russian oligarchs with ties to President Vladimir Putin in retaliation for the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine. Several of these multi-million dollar floating assets have been seized by US and European governments. But it's proving difficult to track the vessels, and then there is the issue of what to do with them, often with crew of up to 60 personnel on board. Ed Butler talks to sanctions lawyer Nigel Ku

Mar 9, 2022 • 17:28

Women in the Ukraine war

Women in the Ukraine war

Today to mark International Women’s Day we are hearing the story of one woman in Ukraine, as her professional and personal life is turned upside down by the Russian invasion. We hear how women are adapting their day-jobs to help with Ukraine’s war effort and as men are banned from leaving the country, we look at the choice facing the women: to leave and survive, or stay to live, fight, and possibly die, alongside the men. Marie Keyworth talks to Tetiana Gaiduk. Produced by Sarah Treanor. (Image:

Mar 8, 2022 • 17:27

How the war in Ukraine is affecting food prices

How the war in Ukraine is affecting food prices

Food price inflation was already a problem. Could the conflict make things even worse? Ukraine and Russia are both major food exporters. Tamasin Ford looks at how the war in Ukraine is affecting global prices. Food price inflation was already a major problem in many parts of the world, and there are fears that the conflict will make matters even worse. David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, says millions of people in Ukraine will now be at risk of food insecurity as a re

Mar 7, 2022 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On Business Weekly this week, as the fighting in parts of Ukraine intensified, a suite of sanctions has been levied on Russia, cutting off the country from the inter-bank messaging system Swift and restricting access to the foreign reserves Russia holds in the West’s central banks. Many large international companies are scaling down their businesses in Russia, including the oil giants BP and Shell. The global shipping giant Maersk is stopping its ships from docking at Russian ports. Chris Weafer

Mar 5, 2022 • 50:43

Could Europe turn off Russian gas?

Could Europe turn off Russian gas?

The Ukraine invasion is forcing the European Union to completely rethink its energy policy. Tamasin Ford asks how easily the continent could wean itself off Russian fossil fuels. After all, Europe's oil and gas purchases from Russia helped to fund this war in the first place, according to Kristine Berzina of the German Marshall Fund in Washington DC. The immediate task is to slash dependence on Russian gas before winter returns in nine months, and Simone Tagliapietra of Brussels-based think tank

Mar 4, 2022 • 18:04

War in Ukraine: the cyber frontier

War in Ukraine: the cyber frontier

How the conflict in Ukraine is playing out in cyberspace. With the conflict in Ukraine still raging following Russia’s invasion Ed Butler speaks to hackers from Ukraine including Vlad Styran of Berezha Security Group, one of the people tasked with fending off digital attacks on Ukraine. Dyma Budorin, CEO of cybersecurity firm Hacken.IO, tells Ed he left the country before the current conflict broke out, to carry out a programme of “offensive operations” against Russian targets. Chester Wisniewsk

Mar 3, 2022 • 18:04

Russian money in London

Russian money in London

What will new legislation to crack down on “dirty money” in the UK be worth? Western governments have applied unprecedented sanctions on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. But is it time they did more to address the corrupt money invested in their own countries? Ed Butler speaks to investigative journalist Tom Burgis, author of Kleptopia: How Dirty Money is Conquering the World. (Picture: Money laundromat: Credit: Getty Images)

Mar 2, 2022 • 17:26

Women and NFTs

Women and NFTs

Non-fungible tokens - or NFTs as they’re known - are already big business, whether you’ve heard about them or not. But when it comes to those creating them, there’s a huge gender disparity.We hear from two female artists - Michele Pred in Oakland and Yiying Lu from San Francisco - plus Liana Zavo who runs her own PR and marketing company. Women make up just 16% of all NFT artists - according to ArtTactic, a London-based company that focuses on research and data in the world of art. Anders Petter

Mar 1, 2022 • 17:28

Sanctions against Russia take bite

Sanctions against Russia take bite

How the latest penalties for invading Ukraine will hit Russia, and may also spill over into the world economy.Ed Butler explores what the democratic world hopes to achieve with their targeting of the Russian Central Bank's currency reserves, as well as the exclusion of major Russian banks from the global communications network Swift. Elina Ribakova, deputy chief economist at the Institute of International Finance, says it will put a huge strain on Russia's economy and finances, although the auth

Feb 28, 2022 • 17:29

Streaming wars: Survival of the smallest?

Streaming wars: Survival of the smallest?

The multibillion dollar streaming industry is thriving, but too much choice makes it a fragmented landscape. In order to survive, the smallest companies might have the edge. Entertainment reporter Katie Ceck says the current model of streaming is unsustainable, and that the trend towards big companies gobbling up smaller ones is the future. Despite being a cluttered market, film lecturer in Vancouver, Michael Baser says there has never been a better time to make diverse programming that was form

Feb 25, 2022 • 17:28

How will sanctions impact Russia?

How will sanctions impact Russia?

A series of governments on both sides of the Atlantic have announced punitive measures in response to Russia ordering troops into rebel-held regions of eastern Ukraine. But how much of an impact will these sanctions actually have on Russia?In addition to restrictions on banks and access to capital markets, a number of individuals have had assets frozen. We speak to veteran anti-corruption campaigner Bill Browder, who has written a book "Freezing Order" about Russian money-laundering. Also Maria

Feb 23, 2022 • 17:26

The business of seed banks

The business of seed banks

Increasingly scientists are using genetic material from wild plants to make agricultural crops more resilient to climate change. To find out how, Rebecca Kesby heads to the Millennium Seed Bank for the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, in the south of England. There she meets Dr Chris Cockel, one of their project coordinators. We also hear from Asmund Asdal of the Global Seed Vault, which is located in a mountain on the archipelago of Svalbaard, between mainland Norway and the North Pole. We speak to D

Feb 22, 2022 • 18:03

Fighting homelessness in Sacramento

Fighting homelessness in Sacramento

California's state capital suffers from a serious shortage of housing, like much of the Golden State. Small informal encampments along riverbanks or the side of the road are a common sight.We hear from Laura Nussbaum, a woman living in one of these camps in Sacramento. She's trying to get back into permanent housing but doesn't think she'll get any help from the city. Meanwhile, the mayor of Sacramento thinks his city should pass a law which gives everyone the legal right to housing. Darrell Ste

Feb 21, 2022 • 18:25

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

In Business Weekly, we look at the implications of the European Court of Justice clearing the way for the European Union to cut billions of euros in funding to Poland and Hungary. Judges dismissed a challenge by the two nations, with the court ruling that the EU can suspend funding to member states that violate the bloc’s democratic values. Sophie Pornschlegel at the Brussels-based European Policy Centre explains how the cut in funding will hit both countries’ economies. Also, we hear why India

Feb 19, 2022 • 50:22

Debt relief: Who should foot the bill?

Debt relief: Who should foot the bill?

There’s a credit crunch facing dozens of the world's poorest countries: billions of dollars are now owed and some countries simply won't manage the repayments. So who should foot the bill? We speak with Sri Lankan businessman, Indika Merenchige, who imports vehicles in to Sri Lanka – but it’s not business as usual when your government has defaulted with one of the world’s most influential creditors: China. Meanwhile, the percentage some African countries are now paying just to service loan repa

Feb 18, 2022 • 17:28

Japan’s closed borders

Japan’s closed borders

Two years on from the start of the pandemic and most visitors are still banned from Japan. We take a look at why the world’s third largest economy has one of the strictest border controls in the world. How is it affecting people? And how is it affecting the economy? Tamasin Ford goes on a virtual tour of Tokyo’s foodie hotspots with Yukari Sakamoto, writer, chef and the author of a book called Food Sake Tokyo. Yukari explains how a lack of tourists has impacted her business, and how travel bans

Feb 17, 2022 • 18:25

Sickening in America

Sickening in America

Have US pharmaceutical companies created a web of disinformation to boost their profits?That's the accusation of John Abramson, an academic at Harvard Medical School. In an extended interview with the BBC's Ed Butler, he discusses the thesis of his new book, Sickening: How Big Pharma Broke American Health Care and How We Can Repair It.According to Abramson, scandals such as the opioid addiction epidemic caused by drugs like Oxycontin, or the shockingly high cost of insulin in America, have a com

Feb 16, 2022 • 17:29

Romance scamming: A global industry

Romance scamming: A global industry

Many of us will have noticed 'friend' or 'follow' requests on our social media from strangers with profiles which don’t quite ring true. They mainly use cloned pictures, often taken from accounts of those in the US military. Zoe Kleinman investigates the global industry of romance scamming, which can have tragic consequences. Zoe hears from Lisa Forte, a cyber security expert from Red Goat Security, Professor Alan Woodward from Surrey University, and she goes into the tragic story of Renee Holla

Feb 15, 2022 • 18:25

Ending disability exclusion

Ending disability exclusion

The UN describes people living with disabilities as the world’s largest minority group. A billion of us live with some sort of disability and are up to twice as likely to be unemployed than non-disabled people. For Caroline Casey, the founder and creator of the Valuable 500, this was a challenge. She calls herself a troublemaker and as such she has persuaded the CEO's of more than 500 of the world's biggest companies to personally sign a declaration to end disability exclusion in the workplace.

Feb 14, 2022 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On this edition of Business Weekly, we’re looking at BP’s latest results. The energy giant made a profit of $12.8bn last year - thanks mainly to surging oil and gas prices. This comes after a loss in 2020. We hear why some are calling for a ‘windfall tax’ - a one-off charge that would then be channelled to help struggling consumers battling price rises. We hear the response from BP, and comments from Connor Schwartz at Friends of the Earth and Tom Wilson from the Financial Times. Staying with ri

Feb 12, 2022 • 50:36

Argentina’s latest IMF crisis

Argentina’s latest IMF crisis

Argentina’s government and the International Monetary Fund have been renegotiating the terms of a 2018 loan issued to the country – the largest in IMF history. The Fund’s own internal analysis of that deal was scathing. The 2018 package had been vaunted for its commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in society. Yet people in Argentina, and particularly those on the lowest incomes, are currently enduring a cost of living crisis, with inflation running at above 50% in 2021, and wages struggl

Feb 11, 2022 • 17:54

Rent-a-Robot

Rent-a-Robot

The use of robots in North American workplaces has increased by 40% since the start of the pandemic and the small to medium sized businesses, which never automated before, are getting in on the act. The robotics industry has responded to the global increased demand by creating more and more customisable robots, which can be leased or hired. Ivana Davidovic explores what effect this has had - and could have in the future - on the labour markets, innovation, but also on social inequality. Ivana

Feb 10, 2022 • 18:39

Is greed good?

Is greed good?

Greed is considered one of the seven deadly sins; but is the accumulation - and retention - of wealth always a bad thing? With economic inequality growing, Elizabeth Hotson asks John Paul Rollert, from the Chicago Booth school of management, why greed has historically invited criticism. We also hear from Paul Piff, Associate Professor of Psychological Science at the University of California, Irvine, who tells us about an experiment in acquisitiveness, played out during a game of Monopoly. Plus

Feb 9, 2022 • 17:28

Making second-hand sexy

Making second-hand sexy

Can apps like Depop and By Rotation, which are giving new life to old clothes, help reduce the fashion industry's enormous environmental footprint?Justin Rowlatt heads to the London offices of both these online platforms. Depop's Justine Porterie explains how their clothing resale app helped Gen Z take back control of their wardrobes and fall in love with second-hand clothes. Meanwhile Eshita Kabra-Davies, founder of By Rotation, retells how she came up with the concept of a high fashion rental

Feb 8, 2022 • 18:13

Cost of living crisis

Cost of living crisis

Prices around the world are rising at their fastest level for years. Rising energy prices and a surge in demand after the pandemic lockdown have pushed up the prices of many of the goods that we rely on and our wages are not keeping pace. Tamasin Ford looks at the factors behind the rises and hears why it is often the poorest in our society who are impacted the most. Tamasin talks to Davide Angeletti who owns Ovenbird Coffee in Glasgow; he's looking at how he can cut his costs whilst he struggle

Feb 7, 2022 • 18:12

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On this edition of Business Weekly, we’re looking at Spotify’s latest results, and hearing how it has had to react to controversy surrounding its star podcaster, Joe Rogan. We hear from music industry writer Eamonn Ford, who tells us how the service is expanding more into the spoken word, and how it will now have to editorially manage the content it acquires. The Winter Olympics has now officially started, and we hear how some people would like sponsors to be more politically active, when choosi

Feb 5, 2022 • 50:07

Why gin is still fizzing

Why gin is still fizzing

From its early reputation as mothers’ ruin to its prime spot in upscale cocktail bars, we tell the story of the juniper-infused spirit. And as the gin craze in the US and the UK shows no sign of slowing, we ask where the next global hotspots will be. Dr Angela McShane of Warwick University tells Elizabeth Hotson how and why gin drinking became popular in the UK and Sandie Van Doorne, from Lucas Bols - which claims to be the oldest distillery brand in the world - explains how the Dutch spirit, g

Feb 4, 2022 • 18:08

Can tourists help boost Turkey's economy?

Can tourists help boost Turkey's economy?

Drawn by the favourable exchange rate, tourists are flocking to Turkey, but can they compensate for the country's wider economic woes? In 2020, Turkey was hit hard by the pandemic lockdown, soaring inflation, a weakening currency and a current account deficit. Last year, the number of visitors jumped 85.5%. Victoria Craig talks to tourists in Istanbul about how they're getting more value for money and visits traders in the Grand Bazaar. Tour guide Sebnem Altin at tour company Grand Circle Travel

Feb 3, 2022 • 17:27

The economic cost of conflict in Ukraine

The economic cost of conflict in Ukraine

Sanctions, energy supplies, cyber-attacks - how bad could the economic fallout be if the situation in Ukraine spirals out of control?How likely would Russia be to simply cut the gas supply off to Europe in the middle of winter for example? Ed Butler asks Jane Collin, editor of the UK-based publication, Energy Intelligence. Meanwhile Matthew Olney, director of threat intelligence at Cisco, discusses another possibility - the disabling of key energy and other infrastructure in America by Russian h

Feb 2, 2022 • 17:28

Pressure mounts on Olympic sponsors

Pressure mounts on Olympic sponsors

Allegations of human rights' abuses have led to an official boycott by a number of Western governments of the Winter Olympics in Beijing this month. China has responded angrily, accusing them of politicising a sporting bonanza. The International Olympic Committee insists that sport should be above politics. So where does this leave the sponsors on whom the Olympics depend for funding? International marketing expert Allyson Stewart Allen tells us that sponsors are stuck between a rock and hard s

Feb 1, 2022 • 14:55

African music goes global

African music goes global

This is a big moment for African music on the global stage. African artists are winning international awards and embarking on tours to the US and Europe. And major record companies want a piece of the action. They’ve been busy doing deals to sign African stars with Warner Music buying a controlling stake in a Johannesburg business which bills itself as “the home of African music”. So what’s going on, and what does it all mean for a new generation of African artists? Mike Johnson talks to singers

Jan 31, 2022 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On Business Weekly this week, we look at the efforts being made to reduce the carbon footprints of mining companies. One of the largest iron ore producers, Fortescue Metals, is looking to reduce its carbon emissions and has snapped up the technology research arm of the Williams Formula One team to help them do it. Plus, we examine the continuing war on drugs and how the Mexican cartels have been taking advantage of the pandemic restrictions in the United States. Also, we ask if having one or two

Jan 29, 2022 • 50:19

The cooling conundrum

The cooling conundrum

Global warming means the world will need a lot more air conditioning - but will the AC just make global warming even worse?The Middle East already experiences peak temperatures over 50C, as the Kuwaiti social media influencer Ascia Alshammiri testifies. And things are only set to get worse. Ed Butler speaks to climatologist George Zittis, who says urban temperatures could hit 60C later this century, which combined with rising humidity could render some places uninhabitable.In any case, it means

Jan 28, 2022 • 18:18

Funding public service broadcasting

Funding public service broadcasting

The British Government says the BBC license fee, paid by millions of households, to finance its global broadcasting service, will be frozen for two years and wants a debate about future funding. So what are the options for the Corporation? Rob Young explores the way public service broadcasters are funded around the world and talks to Ismo Silvo, the Deputy Chief Executive of the Finnish public broadcaster YLE and Chris Turpin, NPR's Chief of Staff. We get some analysis of the advantages and limi

Jan 27, 2022 • 17:28

Who should own a football club?

Who should own a football club?

It’s no surprise to anyone that money talks in English football but lately it seems louder than ever. Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney recently bought a club in the English lower leagues, while the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund completed a controversial takeover of Newcastle United. Meanwhile, a founding club of the Premier League, Oldham Athletic, faces relegation into the non-league game after years of mismanagement. Vivienne Nunis asks, is private ownership the best way

Jan 26, 2022 • 17:28

Who's winning the war on drugs?

Who's winning the war on drugs?

Mexico's cartels are thriving, and finding innovative ways to smuggle drugs across the border into the US, despite law enforcement and the pandemic.Ed Butler speaks to Dr Irene Mia of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, who says the closing of borders due to Covid has provided the cartels with a surprising shot in the arm, as they have proved far more adept at keeping their product flowing than many other legitimate international export businesses. Speedboats, tunnels, even catapu

Jan 25, 2022 • 18:20

The beauty tweakments industry

The beauty tweakments industry

Demand for beauty tweakments - small changes to your appearance – as opposed to full on face changing plastic surgery, is soaring. Hours spent on video conferencing has forced people to constantly scrutinise their appearance, so what exactly are people having done and how much does it all cost? Elizabeth Hotson speaks to tweakments fan, Eddie Wunderlich, a personal trainer and stylist at the Dop Dop salon in New York and we hear about the importance of appearance at work from Dr Stefanie K. John

Jan 24, 2022 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On this edition of Business Weekly, we look at the gaming industry’s biggest deal so far, as Microsoft stumps up nearly $69bn to buy Activision Blizzard, the company behind mega-games including Call of Duty and World of Warcraft. We hear how Microsoft wants to increase its slice of the gaming sector. Mobile stock trading apps have been booming in popularity during the pandemic, opening the door to millions of new, often young, or first-time investors. For many in the finance sector it is great n

Jan 22, 2022 • 50:16

Why hair matters

Why hair matters

To some it may sound absurd to consider hairstyles a workplace issue, but for millions of men and women with African and Afro-Caribbean hair, it is just that. For decades, some hairstyles have been discouraged at work. But things are finally starting to change. In 2021 the US Airforce changed its hair code to be more inclusive. We explore the historic racism behind hair-based discrimination and hear from the women who have united to change attitudes and laws. We speak to businesswomen, historian

Jan 21, 2022 • 18:18

The fight for pocket parity

The fight for pocket parity

How deep are your pockets? Are they big enough to carry all the things you need? Your money, keys and mobile phone? If you’re a woman, the answer is most likely a no. This little pouch has a lot to say about gender roles and a woman’s right to financial independence. We hear about the great divide in pocket designs that has existed for hundreds of years with Ariane Fennetaux, author of The Pocket: A Hidden History of Women's Lives, 1660–1900. We take a trip to London’s V&A Museum to see how

Jan 20, 2022 • 17:28

Why are some Chinese embracing 'lying flat'?

Why are some Chinese embracing 'lying flat'?

“Lying flat” - or tang ping - is a trend among mainly young Chinese to opt out of the rat race and it represents the antithesis of a development model that has delivered extraordinary growth for the country over four decades. The sentiment has been widespread enough to warrant a public condemnation from the President. Xi Jinping.Ed Butler hears from "Jeff," a computer developer from Hangzhou, but working in Beijing, who explains why he decided to give up on the Chinese dream in pursuit of a bett

Jan 19, 2022 • 18:18

Has stock trading become 'gamified'?

Has stock trading become 'gamified'?

Mobile trading apps have been booming in popularity, opening the door to millions of new, often young or first time investors. For many in the finance sector it is great news, but questions remain about whether people always know the amount of financial risk they are taking on. One criticism in particular is that some of these new platforms look, act and react more like a video game than an investment platform. Is that the essential appeal that attracts new users, or does it just obscure the ris

Jan 18, 2022 • 17:28

The future of flying

The future of flying

The pandemic has been very hard on commercial aviation, but most experts believe the sector will soon be growing again – fast. The BBC's Theo Leggett takes a look at what new technologies are out there. Sandra Bour Schaeffer, Chief Executive of Airbus Upnext, tells him what the aviation giant is planning for the future. Neil Cloughley, from the much smaller Faradair Aerospace, makes the case for why their hybrid-electric technology is the way forward for flying. On the other hand, Blake Scholl o

Jan 17, 2022 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On this edition of Business Weekly, we’re looking at the US inflation rate. It has hit 7% year on year, the largest rise since 1982. Used car prices and food costs are shooting up. We hear from Wells Fargo Economist Sarah Watt House and Gerald Daniels, an Associate Professor of Economics at Howard University who specialises in the economics of inequality. The BBC’s Ed Butler looks at the recent protests in Kazakhstan and we have a look inside the UK trials into psychedelic drugs for patients suf

Jan 15, 2022 • 49:44

Brexit and my small business

Brexit and my small business

It’s just over a year since the UK’s trading relationship with the EU fundamentally changed. So how are small businesses in Britain finding life outside the single market and customs union? The BBC's Vivienne Nunis speaks with chocolate-maker Jacques Cop of Coco Caravan and Kathleen May from the London-based independent publisher, Hurst, as well as Sally Jones, trade strategist at EY. Image: Hand drawing a red line between the UK and the rest of the European Union. Credit: Getty

Jan 14, 2022 • 17:28

Kenya's fries crisis

Kenya's fries crisis

Why can't multinationals like KFC source their ingredients locally? A shortage of fries at KFC restaurants in Kenya has led many to call for a boycott of the chain after it transpired that the company imported all of its potatoes, despite them being abundantly grown in the country. Potatoes are Kenya's second-most consumed crop after maize, and are cultivated mostly by small-scale farmers. As Covid hits global supply chains and words like sustainability and climate gain greater importance, is i

Jan 13, 2022 • 18:17

What's at stake in Kazakhstan?

What's at stake in Kazakhstan?

How might the protests shake up the economy, trade and business in the Central Asian nation?Ed Butler speaks to Diana Kudaibergenova, a sociology professor at Cambridge University and herself Kazakh, about what motivated the protests, and whether the apparent ouster of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev plus a host of new economic reforms will be enough to appease the protesters.But what does all this mean for foreign business interests in the country? Kate Mallinson of Chatham House says man

Jan 12, 2022 • 18:17

White privilege

White privilege

Does the global economy need to start dismantling 'global white privilege'? The Black Lives matter protest movement has focussed lots of attention on racial attitudes in rich western countries. How easy is it for instance, for people of black or Asian heritage to get on the ladder to business success in those countries? But is the economics of what's now called 'white privilege' a global problem too? Ed Butler speaks to Chandran Nair, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Global Institu

Jan 11, 2022 • 18:00

Healing the mind

Healing the mind

Psychedelic therapy could provide a major breakthrough in the treatment of mental health disorders like depression, and now it's caught the attention of start-ups and venture capitalists.Laurence Knight hears from one man whose life was transformed by a single dose of the drug psilocybin - the psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms - after he volunteered for a research project exploring whether it could cure depression. He also visits the research team at King's College London, who have just

Jan 10, 2022 • 18:18

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On this edition of Business Weekly, we’re looking at the tech giant Apple. Its value tipped over the $3 trillion mark on the New York stock Exchange at the start of the year. We hear from Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities on possible further avenues of growth for the company. We’ll take you to the United States to hear from different communities all hoping to benefit from President Biden’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan. We focus on projects designed to improve the quality of drinking water, and

Jan 8, 2022 • 50:06

Starting a company to fight rare disease

Starting a company to fight rare disease

Mapping the human genome led to big advances in diagnosing rare disease. But diagnosis is only the first step in dealing with an illness. So what do you do if your child is found to have a condition that has no treatment? We hear from Michelle Teng, a mother who co-founded a biotech firm called SynaptixBio, that is looking to find the world’s first treatment for a rare neurodegenerative disease. Also in the programme, the Chief Medical Officer at Genomics England, Dr Richard Scott, tells us his

Jan 7, 2022 • 17:28

The death of the petrol station

The death of the petrol station

The rise of electric vehicles could see traditional service stations closing across the planet over the next two decades, and replacing pumps with fast chargers is unlikely to save them. Justin Rowlatt speaks to one entrepreneur hoping to profit from the rollout of EV chargers in every home and parking space, Erik Fairbairn of Pod Point. Meanwhile Isabelle Haigh, head of national control at the UK's National Grid, explains why she is confident they can meet the electricity demand from all these

Jan 6, 2022 • 18:24

The many careers of Richard Leakey

The many careers of Richard Leakey

Richard Leakey died at his home outside Nairobi, Kenya, earlier this week. World-famous for his fossil discoveries, the 77-year-old had many careers - paleoanthropologist, wildlife defender, politician and anti-corruption campaigner. Business Daily's Vivienne Nunis met Richard Leakey late last year and recorded this interview with him. He looks back on his life and shares his as yet unrealised plans for a 'cathedral of life with no God', a museum dedicated to evolution on the edge of Rift Valle

Jan 5, 2022 • 17:28

Lessons from the forest for climate change

Lessons from the forest for climate change

Jane Goodall, the famous primatologist, has set us a challenge: Is it possible to tackle climate change whilst also lifting people out of extreme poverty?Her question - posed to the BBC's Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt - is inspired by her own experience of tackling deforestation in Tanzania. As her colleague Emmanuel Mtiti explains, they convinced local villagers to stop felling trees, and to restore the natural habitat of chimpanzees, by offering them an alternative path to prosperity.So could

Jan 4, 2022 • 18:23

How green is the global flower industry?

How green is the global flower industry?

Most flowers sold in the florists and supermarkets of Europe are grown in East Africa, where the warm climate supports roses and other plants to grow year round. But is it sustainable? Vivienne Nunis follows the international supply chain from a Kenyan flower farm to the hub of the global flower trade near Amsterdam, where every morning stems are sold at auction before being transported in cold storage trucks to buyers across Europe. The Dutch have been trading flowers since medieval times, when

Jan 3, 2022 • 18:24

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On Business Weekly, we look at the problems faced by companies affected by the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19. Are staff shortages just a blip or could they be more long term? Professor Joshua Hausman at the University of Michigan gives us his view. Plus, we look at efforts being made in the textile industry to move away from “fast fashion" using traditional, slow and more sustainable methods. Also, it’s 20 years since the schoolboy wizard Harry Potter first appeared on movie screens;

Jan 1, 2022 • 49:03

Cocktail trends 2022

Cocktail trends 2022

Our love for cocktails has surged during the pandemic. Nisha Patel speaks to mixologists and bar owners from all over the world to find out what's inspiring them and what concoctions we may see across global bar menus. Hanky Panky bar in Mexico says lockdown sent everyone back to their books and emerging are pairings inspired by cook books. Two Schmucks in Barcelona say the diversity of their staff has led to a range of cocktails you'd usually see in your main meal and cocktail aficionado Lynett

Dec 31, 2021 • 17:28

Taking on fast fashion in rural China

Taking on fast fashion in rural China

In the remote mountain villages of Guizhou, China, indigenous people have been handmaking clothes for centuries. But with so many young people leaving rural areas for jobs in China's manufacturing centres, those ancient skills are disappearing. Angel Chang tells us how she quit her job in the designer fashion houses of New York to start her own clothing line, employing indigenous craftspeople to grow organic cotton, use natural dyes and sew her collection by hand. It’s part of a wider shift away

Dec 30, 2021 • 18:24

Men and cosmetic surgery

Men and cosmetic surgery

More men have considered cosmetic treatments during the pandemic. Has spending more time at home staring at ourselves in video conferencing made us more worried about our appearance, and have the pressures of ageism in the workplace also had an impact. Ed Butler speaks to psychologist Helena Lewis Smith, and Past President of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons Dr Alan Matarasso about just what’s motivating men to make more changes. Plus, he tries a treatment for himself. (Picture of ma

Dec 29, 2021 • 18:24

Moon missions and space junk

Moon missions and space junk

2021 was another year of firsts in the ever-expanding industry around space, as we moved towards space tourism as a reality. But what about NASA, and its plans to return to the moon? We hear all about it, and the space agency’s ambitious plans for not just the moon, but mars; from NASA’s Carlos Garcia-Galan. We also hear about the increasingly urgent issue of space junk, which is causing serious safety issues in orbit. University of Texas at Austin professor, and chief scientific officer at Priv

Dec 28, 2021 • 17:28

Harry Potter and the phenomenally profitable franchise

Harry Potter and the phenomenally profitable franchise

It's 20 years since the first Harry Potter film was released and the movies and books have spawned a world of wizard-related retail opportunities. Elizabeth Hotson asks Chris Columbus, director of the first two Harry Potter films, how he dealt with the pressure of bringing the boy wizard to life. And we travel to Edinburgh for The Potter Trail tour which starts with a spell and ends in a graveyard. We step inside the magical Museum Context shop, and hear form owner, Andrew McRae. Plus, Scott Men

Dec 27, 2021 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On this edition of Business Weekly, we’re looking at the rising cost of energy across Europe, and hear from Emma Pinchbeck of Energy UK on how producers and consumers are coping, plus Tom Wilson from The Financial Times analyses the causes behind the price hike. We hear about how some countries are scaling back their road building projects in the face of climate change and ask how best to get people out of their cars? Plus, we go to Ghana, where consumers are unhappy with a new tax the governmen

Dec 25, 2021 • 50:02

The ghost of Christmas yet to come

The ghost of Christmas yet to come

What will be left of human civilisation in the geological record 100 million years hence?Justin Rowlatt speaks to the geologist Jan Zalasiewicz of Leicester University in an extended interview, speculating on the durability of the human legacy. We may take pride in our cathedrals, technologies and feats of engineering. But what strange fragments will survive long enough for aliens visiting our planet in the distant future to discover? And will it be enough for those future geologists to figure o

Dec 24, 2021 • 18:24

China prepares to face down Omicron

China prepares to face down Omicron

The new variant poses a particular threat to China's hitherto successful zero-Covid strategy at a time when the country's economy is looking vulnerable.Ed Butler gets the latest on the fast-moving Omicron variant from Boston University epidemiologist Eleanor Murray. One new development is a recent study in Hong Kong that found that one of the two main Chinese vaccines offers very little resistance against it. Health security expert Nicholas Thomas of Hong Kong's City University says the Chinese

Dec 23, 2021 • 18:25

Lockdown, rebound, lockdown

Lockdown, rebound, lockdown

2021 has seen some extraordinary economic changes. First a global economic rebound, then a global supply chain crisis, then inflation of a kind not seen in western countries for decades. And finally millions of people deciding they didn't even want to go back to work after lockdown. So what could 2022 have in store? Ed Butler discusses all this with Oxford economist Linda Yueh of Oxford University and author of the Great Economists, and Mohamed El-Erian, President of Queens College Cambridge. (P

Dec 22, 2021 • 18:24

Millions still not back at school

Millions still not back at school

The World Bank says this could cost the global economy $17 trillion. Coronavirus brought education systems across the world to a halt. At its height more than ninety percent of the globally enrolled student body were not in school. That’s more than 1.6 billion learners. Nearly two years on from the start of the pandemic, hundreds of millions of children are still not back in the classroom. In Uganda, as the BBC’s Patience Atuhaire tells us, schools were closed in March 2020 before the country re

Dec 21, 2021 • 17:28

End of the roads

End of the roads

Roads? Where we’re going, do we need roads? Some countries think they've already got too many. In the face of a climate catastrophe, the Austrian and Welsh governments are reconsidering plans to expand their road networks, moving away from a car-first model to better include more environmentally modes of transport. In Wales, they’ve all but halted any new roads as Climate Minister Julie James tells us, and are instead looking at improving public transport and active travel measures. In Austria w

Dec 20, 2021 • 17:29

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On this edition of Business Weekly, we’re looking at rising inflation in Turkey, and hear how different communities are trying to live during a period of economic uncertainty. Victoria Craig tours Istanbul to hear from shop workers and families caught up in the currency crisis. Plus we focus on the Netherlands, and Meta’s proposals to build a giant, energy-hungry data-centre there. We hear how the community is divided on the plans from Facebook’s parent company. We’ll look at the diplomatic spat

Dec 18, 2021 • 48:56

High risk investing

High risk investing

Why has it become so popular for millions of young people? Has the failure of conventional nest-eggs, rising student debt and high property prices forced twenty-somethings into an ever riskier outlook - and what's the pandemic got to do with it? Nachiket Tikekar, a 23 year old student of business, tells Ed Butler why he decided to stick all his spare money into stocks and shares and why he's not scared of the markets crashing. This has all been made possible by the rise of low-cost online tradin

Dec 17, 2021 • 18:34

The Turkish lira and red hot inflation

The Turkish lira and red hot inflation

The official inflation rate in Turkey is above 21% and the value of the lira has plunged by nearly half this year. Victoria Craig hears from families, students and workers about what a currency crisis, fueling red-hot inflation, feels like to live through. (Picture Description: Turkish Flag, Picture Credit: Getty Images).

Dec 16, 2021 • 17:27

The Meta data centre dilemma

The Meta data centre dilemma

What is at stake when a big company like Meta comes knocking on your door? The small Dutch town of Zeewolde is grappling with this. Meta - the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp - wants to build a huge data centre in the area which could be the biggest in Europe. It is a proposal which has raised questions about land-use, water consumption, political power and energy. The municipality says it will bring significant benefits – but not everyone agrees. Opponents like local resident

Dec 15, 2021 • 18:21

The pet food gold mine

The pet food gold mine

The pet food industry is a multi billion dollar business but are premium brands - with premium ingredients - worth spending more money on? And could insect protein be the key to a more sustainable way of feeding our animal companions? Elizabeth Hotson gets the facts and figures from Kate Vlietstra, a global food and drink analyst at Mintel. We also hear from Tom Neish, founder of insect-based cat and dog food company, Yora. Plus, Rachel Grant from premium pet food brand, Laughing Dog, tells us w

Dec 14, 2021 • 17:28

The problem of parasites: who pays for neglected tropical diseases?

The problem of parasites: who pays for neglected tropical diseases?

Leishmaniasis may not be a household name in much of the rich world, but the parasitic disease is found in over 90 countries, and can lead to agonising disfigurements, and death. It’s classified as a neglected tropical disease, which means treatment is underfunded and under-researched. We hear from British adventurer and writer Pip Stewart, who contracted Leishmaniasis on an expedition through the jungle of Guyana. She received treatment in the UK, but it was a harrowing experience. Pip explains

Dec 13, 2021 • 18:37

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On this edition of Business Weekly, we look at Germany to see how the change in chancellor from Angela Merkel to Olaf Scholz may impact the direction of the country, both domestically and on the world stage. We also hear how Ukrainians are faring economically as relations with their neighbour Russia sour further, and how there’s further military tension on the border. Plus, we look at the business of private adoptions, and hear how much money can change hands when a child is welcomed into a new

Dec 11, 2021 • 50:31

Blacklisted in China

Blacklisted in China

Lithuania has provoked China's rage by going too far in recognising Taiwan. Beijing is now apparently blocking Lithuanian imports and is even threatening global firms who trade with Lithuania. The spat was started by Lithuania's decision to allow a Taiwanese Representative Office to open in Vilnius in November. China says Taiwan is part of its territory. This has all come days after Brussels proposed a new law allowing it to retaliate against economic sanctions like this. Ed Butler speaks to Fin

Dec 10, 2021 • 18:33

The arms race in cyberspace

The arms race in cyberspace

Will the next war be waged online? Ed Butler talks to Nicole Perlroth, winner of the 2021 Financial Times Business Book of the Year for This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends - an investigation into the how governments, spies, criminals and corporations are dealing with - and exploiting - the risks associated with doing business in the digital era.

Dec 9, 2021 • 17:28

Healthcare workers are burnt out

Healthcare workers are burnt out

What can be done to stem the tide of carers quitting the industry? Before the pandemic the healthcare sector struggled to recruit enough workers. Today they're leaving in droves. Citing physical and mental exhaustion, poor working conditions, a lack of appreciation and miserly pay, carers are leaving their jobs - a trend with all the makings of a future skills crisis. The BBC's Rebecca Kesby speaks to Ged Swinton, a member of the Royal College of Nursing who had to leave his job as a frontline n

Dec 8, 2021 • 17:28

Super-fast grocery delivery apps are booming

Super-fast grocery delivery apps are booming

But are apps that deliver from the shop floor to your front door in minutes just a pandemic-era fad or are they here to stay? Have you ever been in a situation where you needed something delivered right away? A toothbrush you forgot on a trip? Or butter for a recipe you've already started preparing? There are many apps for that – a whole fleet of them – that are now competing for your dwindling time. They promise to get everyday items to you, sometimes in 10 minutes or less. But, is it just a p

Dec 7, 2021 • 18:32

Why private adoption is big business in the US

Why private adoption is big business in the US

At any given time, about a million American families are looking to adopt and most prefer newborns. The industry is regulated on a state-by-state basis and many advocates argue that, not only the existing rules are not enforced properly, but that much greater federal regulation is needed to ensure that the whole process is ethical and safe. Ivana Davidovic hears from Shyanne Klupp, who says she felt pressured by an adoption agency to give her son up for adoption when she wanted to change her mi

Dec 6, 2021 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

The world’s biggest clothing retailer, Inditex, has a new boss, the 37-year old daughter of the company’s founder. Will Marta Ortega manage brands like Zara, Pull & Bear and Massimo Dutti in the same way her father did or will she take a different path? And do consumers still want fast fashion? Plus, we hear why mining the metals and minerals used in green technologies can contribute to the world’s climate change problems and what is needed to ensure that they are mined in a way that doesn’t inf

Dec 4, 2021 • 50:15

The Omicron variant and vaccine inequality

The Omicron variant and vaccine inequality

Could a more equitable global vaccine rollout have stopped the new variant? As the world waits for more information about just how contagious and dangerous the new Covid-19 variant is, we ask if the emergence of a variant like Omicron could have been avoided – or at least slowed - if people all around the world had been vaccinated at the same pace. Instead, richer countries race to give booster vaccines to their own populations as many poorer countries are still waiting to receive their first ja

Dec 3, 2021 • 17:29

The collapse of Enron: Did we learn the lessons?

The collapse of Enron: Did we learn the lessons?

The collapse of the US energy giant Enron remains one of the most dramatic scandals in modern capitalism, but 20 years on did we learn any of the lessons from the fall of a corporate giant? The BBC's Lesley Curwen covered the story every step of the way back in the 2000's right up to the company's collapse, and the jailing of some of its most senior executives. She takes Ed Butler back through Enron's tale of deceit, intimidation and collapse with archive and fresh interviews with some of the s

Dec 2, 2021 • 17:27

Wind of change in Germany

Wind of change in Germany

Can the ambitious renewable energy plans of the incoming government overcome domestic nimbyism and Russian gas politics?Ed Butler hears from one member of the new left-liberal-green coalition, Social Democrat MP Jens Zimmermann, about their plans to phase out coal entirely by 2030, and replace 80% of electricity generation with wind and solar. But building new wind turbines already faces substantial red tape and vociferous opposition from bird conservation groups, as industry man Steffen Lackman

Dec 1, 2021 • 18:30

The kleptocrats club

The kleptocrats club

Authoritarian regimes are working closer than ever to keep each other afloat - with plenty of help from the West's financial system.Ed Butler speaks to Frank Vogl, who helped found the global anti-corruption organisation Transparency International. He claims that the world's kleptocrats are enabled by an army of bankers, lawyers and accountants who are helping them squirrel away their ill-gotten money in Western real estate and investments.And for regimes like those of Belarus, Venezuela or Syri

Nov 30, 2021 • 18:31

The plight of girls under the Taliban

The plight of girls under the Taliban

In Afghanistan, high schools are currently closed to girls, and women have been banned from TV dramas. So how hard is life for the female half of the population, as the Taliban reassert control?Tamasin Ford hears from her colleague Yalda Hakim, who recently returned to the Afghan capital Kabul, the city of her birth, where she quizzed members of the new regime about their intentions for girls' education. Tamasin also speaks to Mahbouba Seraj of the Afghan Women Skills Development Center in Kabul

Nov 29, 2021 • 18:13

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On Business Weekly, we look at inflation in different countries, and in particular, how price rises are hitting the citizens of Turkey and the United States. We hear how two different presidents are trying two very different ways of getting it under control. We also hear how baristas in Starbucks are trying to unionise and how the coffee shop chain has reacted. Plus, we look at green hydrogen and hear from the producers in Denmark hoping the sustainable fuel will help meet climate change targets

Nov 27, 2021 • 50:10

The coming cleantech mining rush

The coming cleantech mining rush

Can the minerals needed to decarbonise the global economy be dug up fast enough? And can it be done without the human rights and environmental abuses of the past?Tamasin Ford speaks to KC Michaels of the International Energy Agency says there will need to be a staggering increase in the amount of nickel, lithium, cobalt and rare earths being mined, in order to build all the batteries, wind turbines and solar panels needed. But mining consultant Dr Patience Mpofu says that the mines required can

Nov 26, 2021 • 18:13

Why is Turkey's currency collapsing?

Why is Turkey's currency collapsing?

Turkey's currency has been in free fall this week, reaching a record low against the US dollar. The Lira's collapse has been sparked, in part, by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan doubling down on his controversial economic policies, such as demanding that the central bank cut interest rates despite rapidly accelerating inflation. Ed Butler explores why President Erdogan is so attached to the policy, at the expense of three central bank governors in the last three years, and asks what impact the cu

Nov 25, 2021 • 17:28

Baristas of the world unite!

Baristas of the world unite!

Starbucks workers in Buffalo, New York, are this month balloting to join a union - part of a surprise post-pandemic trend in union activism across America, as retail and hospitality workers find that the tight post-pandemic labour market is giving them more bargaining power with their employers.Ed Butler speaks to Michelle and Jaz - two baristas in Buffalo, New York, who are encouraging their colleagues to organise - and to Richard Bensinger, who hopes to represent them as part of the Workers Un

Nov 24, 2021 • 18:04

How to live to 150

How to live to 150

Would you want to live to 150? With leaps in technology, science and medicine, it's becoming an increasingly realistic possibility.Elizabeth Hotson talks to Sergey Young, founder of Longevity Vision Fund and author of The Science and Technology of Growing Young. Sergey tells us why he embarked on a mission to help us live longer. Plus, Dr Michael Hufford from biotechnology company, Lygenesis tells us about organ regeneration technology, which enables a patient's lymph nodes to be used as bioreac

Nov 23, 2021 • 17:28

Texas abortion laws

Texas abortion laws

Texas has introduced the most stringent abortion law in America. Tamasin Ford assesses some of the reaction to this law by employers and employees who have traditionally been attracted to the Lone Star State because of its low taxes and lower house prices. Ashley Lopez, NPR journalist in Austin explains the complexities of the law and how it will disproportionately affect women of colour. Curtis Sparrer, co-founder of PR firm Bospar, explains how his company is offering to help relocate employee

Nov 22, 2021 • 17:26

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On Business Weekly, we look at the new wave of Covid-19 that’s hitting several European countries. We hear how the different take-up rates of vaccinations and booster shots are making things difficult for governments and how some are now resorting to lockdowns just for the unvaccinated. We also hear about the growing incidences of mobile phone spyware, and how unwitting victims are having their every movement tracked by modern day stalkers. Plus, we look at period poverty and sanitary sustainabi

Nov 20, 2021 • 50:08

Why toilets matter

Why toilets matter

Happy World Toilet Day! It is that day of the year when we all need to overcome our embarrassment and discuss what is normally a taboo topic. Hundreds of millions of people still have no access to a toilet, putting them at risk of disease, sexual assault and public humiliation.Tamasin Ford speaks to the inventor of World Toilet Day, Jack Sim, about how much has been achieved since he founded his World Toilet Organisation 20 years ago to promote discussion of this topic. We also hear from Catarin

Nov 19, 2021 • 18:12

Hunger crisis in Afghanistan

Hunger crisis in Afghanistan

Is it time to stop the freeze of the country's financial assets and donor aid or will that just legitimise the Taliban? Ed Butler speaks to John Sifton, the Asia advocacy director for the campaign group Human Rights Watch, who says the west should ease up on its sanctions to help alleviate the situation. But Alex Zerden, who worked with the US Treasury department in Kabul from 2018 to 2019 and is now a senior fellow at the Centre for New American Security in Washington DC, defends the current US

Nov 18, 2021 • 18:11

Period pants, poverty and the environment

Period pants, poverty and the environment

Can this multi-million dollar industry help the climate and fight period poverty? Tamasin Ford speaks to Marisa Meltzer, a writer in New York who recently tried them out. Maria Molland is the CEO of period underwear company, Thinx, who says that sales of their underwear, ranging from $17 to $34 a pair, boomed during the pandemic. Rochelle Burn is the Executive Director of the Environmental charity, Greener Future in Toronto, who focus on litter clean-ups. She says one of the main things they fi

Nov 17, 2021 • 18:11

Stalkerware: Tech-enabled domestic abuse skyrocketing

Stalkerware: Tech-enabled domestic abuse skyrocketing

With the number of devices infected with stalkerware rising by over 60% in a year, many are worried about the consequences. Ivana Davidovic speaks with Maria who, even after managing to leave her abusive husband of 25 years, was still not free from his clutches.Eva Galperin, who founded the global Coalition Against Stalkerware, explains how more training of law enforcement agencies is needed because many victims feel they are being gaslighted when they ask for help. She is also fighting for grea

Nov 16, 2021 • 17:29

What did the climate talks achieve?

What did the climate talks achieve?

What was really at stake at the COP26 negotiations in Glasgow, and how much have the politicians done to avert a climate disaster?Justin Rowlatt speaks to two researchers on the frontline of the climate crisis. Carrie Lear, professor of earth sciences at Cardiff University, explains why she fears the Antarctic ice sheet could melt far quicker than people assume, inundating coastal cities around the globe. Meanwhile Professor Daniela Schmidt of Bristol University says the chemistry of the world's

Nov 15, 2021 • 18:11

Diversity at the top

Diversity at the top

Why is the black community still so poorly represented in leadership positions? We speak to the changemakers who are doing something about it. Kike Onawinde used to represent Great Britain in the javelin before setting up the Black Young Professionals Network, which is all about connecting ambitious future leaders. Jean-Marc Laouchez is the President of the Management Consultancy firm Korn Ferry Institute in Paris, who says the main reason why things are not changing is because of the establishe

Nov 12, 2021 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

In Business Weekly, we take a look at the splitting up of a 129-year old behemoth. General Electric announced that it will divide itself into three separate companies. Does this mean the end of conglomerates that span several sectors and make a multitude of diverse products? Also, the former finance minister of Afghanistan tells us that the Taliban takeover was due in no small part to massive corruption within the government. We take a look at the row over the increasing amount of raw sewage th

Nov 12, 2021 • 50:37

Hong Kong, business and the national security law

Hong Kong, business and the national security law

Are Hong Kong's days as a major financial centre now numbered? The end of the pandemic has seen renewed economic growth. But some say tough anti-Covid rules and anti-protest laws are undermining what was once Asia's leading financial hub as thousands of people leave the territory. Ed Butler speaks to Edward Chin, a HK hedge fund manager who's now temporarily moved to Canada following the security crackdown. Tara Joseph, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong tells him recruit

Nov 11, 2021 • 18:30

Corruption in Afghanistan

Corruption in Afghanistan

The former finance minister from the collapsed Afghan government, Khalid Payenda, tells Ed Butler that it was brought down by rampant corruption at a very high level. He served for six months from the beginning of this year and says that by the time US forces left and the Taliban began advancing, most of Afghanistan's supposed 300 thousand troops and police didn’t exist. He says phantom personnel were added to official lists so that generals could pocket their wages. Many Afghans feel enraged by

Nov 10, 2021 • 17:28

EU's green new deal and Africa

EU's green new deal and Africa

Will Africa’s economic development be held back for the world’s net zero climate targets? And could banning investment in their fossil fuels do more harm than good? Tamasin Ford speaks to NJ Ayuk, the executive chair of the energy industry lobby group, Africa Energy Chamber who says the decision is a disaster for countries in Africa and to W.Gyude Moore, a Senior Policy Fellow at the Centre for Global Development and Liberia's former Minister of Public Works who says Africa can’t catch up withou

Nov 9, 2021 • 18:28

Can sewage spewing into UK waters be stopped?

Can sewage spewing into UK waters be stopped?

Sewage entered British waters for around 3 million hours in 2020 in over 400,000 pollution incidents. Hugo Tagholm, chief executive of Surfers Against Sewage tells Tamasin Ford why this is happening. Public pressure for the government and water companies to do something about this is mounting, particularly since it's become known that privately owned water companies in England paid their shareholders almost $80 billion in dividends over the last 30 years. WaterUK represents all of the water and

Nov 8, 2021 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

As global leaders jet out of Glasgow, leaving the hard bargaining to their delegates, Business Weekly looks at what the pledges made so far really mean. Will rich countries be able to support the financial demands made of developing nations to help them transition away from fossil fuels? And what did activists make of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s promise of reaching net-zero by 2070? Also on the programme, we hear why some people enjoy trophy hunting - and whether it can ever be a usef

Nov 6, 2021 • 50:23

Nigeria's eNaira: Africa's first digital currency

Nigeria's eNaira: Africa's first digital currency

Central Banks around the world are introducing digital currencies and last month Nigeria became the first African country to launch one - the eNaira. But what is a digital currency and how are Nigerians reacting to theirs? We hear from people on the streets of Abuja. Tamasin Ford speaks to Rakiya Mohammed, director of information security at the Central Bank of Nigeria. Chinwe Egwim, chief economist at Coronation Merchant Bank in Lagos, explains why the eNaira has been introduced and the benefit

Nov 5, 2021 • 18:29

Is inflation making a comeback?

Is inflation making a comeback?

Inflation has hardly been seen in the developed world economies for the last three decades. But now some economists are warning it could be returning with a vengeance, because of supply chain problems, post-Covid exuberance, and higher wage demands. What is going on, and should we all be worried? We hear opposing views from Claudia Sahm, former economic adviser to the Federal Reserve and the White House, Steve Hanke of Johns Hopkins University, and Andrew Sentance, senior adviser at Cambridge Ec

Nov 4, 2021 • 18:24

Guy Hands on deal making and private equity

Guy Hands on deal making and private equity

Guy Hands, the founder of Terra Firma, opens up on the highs and lows and risks involved in deal making and private equity. From being bullied at school to becoming a household name, buying and selling businesses from cinema chains and pubs to waste management, aircraft leasing and green energy companies. We hear his side of the deal that turned sour, the acquisition of multinational music company EMI in 2007, and how his addiction to doing deals has affected his personal life. Ed Butler is in c

Nov 3, 2021 • 17:28

Buy now, pay later

Buy now, pay later

The future of credit for the young, or just another way of getting into debt? Would you pay for a product now, when you could simply delay payment for free? Ever since the pandemic forced millions of us to stay at home, millions more of us have been buying goods online using a new form of credit. Buy now, pay later offers goods interest free and it's proving very tempting to many younger shoppers. But is it just a new form of debt trap? Ed Butler speaks to Nick Molnar co-founder of Afterpay and

Nov 2, 2021 • 18:25

Silicon Valley and the climate crisis

Silicon Valley and the climate crisis

As the world focuses its attention on climate, we’re looking to the money that could create real change. Venture capital is the type of financing that can take new ideas to the mass market and it’s finally looking to fund clean, green tech. First, to understand how start-ups go about seeking VC funding, Vivienne Nunis hears from founder Diedre McGettrick. Gabriel Kra, of the venture capital firm Prelude Ventures, explains the shift he's seen in low-carbon investing. But Silicon Valley attracts t

Nov 1, 2021 • 18:26

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

As world leaders gather in Glasgow in Scotland for the UN’s global climate conference, COP26, we ask if a new project partnering with the private sector will help save the Amazon rainforest, or whether it’s simply another way for the corporate sector to pay away its guilt. Plus, we hear from a youth delegate to the last big climate conference in Paris – what is she hoping for this time round? And, can electric freight vessels help global shipping to go green? We hear how a Norwegian company is w

Oct 30, 2021 • 50:05

Trophy hunting: Money and morality

Trophy hunting: Money and morality

Trophy hunting – paying to kill large animals, often in African game reserves – promotes strong feelings. Many oppose it, but some conservationists argue it adds value to wildlife and their habitats. We discuss the arguments and hear from a psychologist about the motivations of people who want to kill animals in the wild. With Doctor Sue Snyman from the School of Wildlife Conservation; Dr Mark Jones who represents the charity Born Free; tourism expert Dr Muchazondida Mkono; and Geoff Beattie, th

Oct 29, 2021 • 17:28

The $200,000 starting salary

The $200,000 starting salary

How does a $200,000 starting salary sound? That’s now the industry standard for newly qualified lawyers at big corporate law firms in the US and the UK. But before you sign on the dotted line consider that in exchange for your princely wage packet, 100 hour working weeks and being on-call 24 hours a day could be part of that deal. So is it all worth it? Elizabeth Hotson speaks to "recovering lawyer" Taly Matiteyahu, whilst Christopher Clark, director of legal head hunting firm, Definitum Search,

Oct 28, 2021 • 17:29

Net zero: Do corporate pledges make any difference?

Net zero: Do corporate pledges make any difference?

Around one fifth of the world’s 2000 largest public firms have committed to net zero targets in the coming years. Most are pledging to something called climate neutrality by a given date. But do these pledges actually make any difference in the flight against climate change? We here both sides of the argument with climate futurist Alex Steffen based in California, and Simon Glynn, the co-lead on Climate and Sustainability, at the UK management consultants, Oliver Wyman.(Image: Cooling towers at

Oct 27, 2021 • 17:28

Can global shipping go green?

Can global shipping go green?

Fergus Nicoll travels to the port of Workington in the north west of England, where he hears from port manager Sven Richards about how small regional ports can make global haulage more sustainable. Blue Line Logistics run a fleet of low emission barges in Belgium and the Netherlands and have plans to expand to the UK and the US. Fergus speaks to the company's founder, Antoon van Coillie. The BBC's Adrienne Murray has been looking into the research and development going into producing 'green fuel

Oct 26, 2021 • 17:28

Saving the Amazon with economics

Saving the Amazon with economics

The Amazon is the world's largest rainforest but this crucial carbon sink is facing increased deforestation. Land clearing for mining or agriculture has increased under Brazil's president Jair Bolsanaro. But the world needs the Amazon jungle to keep absorbing carbon if more ambitious climate goals are to be met. Is there a place for the private sector to step in where governments have failed? Vivienne Nunis hears from economist Nat Keohane about a new not-for-profit called Emergent. It acts as a

Oct 25, 2021 • 17:29

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

As the Swiss bank Credit Suisse is fined $475m for participating in Mozambique’s tuna bonds fraud, on Business Weekly we find out how the southern African country was devastated by the scandal. Also, we hear how a decaying oil tanker marooned off the coast of Yemen could trigger a major environmental and humanitarian disaster. The SFO Safer is loaded with hundreds of tons of crude oil - so why is it just being left to rot? Plus, we report from a climate conference in Edinburgh where delegates ar

Oct 23, 2021 • 50:00

Big fat Indian weddings

Big fat Indian weddings

Are the days of the big fat Indian wedding over? Since Covid Indian weddings have got a lot smaller. But will they go back to what they once were? Rahul Tandon speaks to bride to be Yashaswini Singhdeo, mother of the bride Meenal Singhdeo, Sandip Roy author and columnist, Ambika Gupta wedding planner and owner of the A cube project and Parul Bhandari a sociologist from the Indian centre of social sciences and humanities .(Photo: Indian couple hold hands during a wedding ceremony. Credit: Amir M

Oct 22, 2021 • 17:28

'Fixing' Facebook's algorithm

'Fixing' Facebook's algorithm

The social media giant's algorithm has been accused of amplifying divisive content and disinformation. Could regulating it make Facebook a kinder platform? Ed Butler speaks to the BBC's Silicon Valley correspondent James Clayton about the latest revelations from Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, and renewed demands for a crackdown by US lawmakers. Former Facebook data scientist Roddy Lindsay explains how Facebook's alogrithm became the focus of criticism of the platform, and how a change to

Oct 21, 2021 • 18:04

Ticking timebomb in the Red Sea

Ticking timebomb in the Red Sea

Decaying oil tanker could trigger an environmental and humanitarian disaster. The FSO Safer is marooned off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea, close to one of the world's biggest shipping lanes. A massive oil spill or explosion from it could disrupt global trade for months and lead to an environmental and humanitarian catastrophe. It's loaded with hundreds of tons of crude oil, its hull is rusting and it hasn't moved in years. So why isn't anybody doing anything about it? Nominally the Safer is

Oct 20, 2021 • 17:29

Bug burger anyone?

Bug burger anyone?

Is the Western diet ready for farmed insects in food? Although insects are consumed by more than two billion people worldwide, acceptance of them in the Western diet is still low, but could that be changing? With climate change, a growing population and an increased demand for protein all putting pressure on our food system, insects offer an interesting and more planet friendly alternative to meat and fish. Malena Sigurgeirsdottir is the co-founder of Hey Planet which has just launched a meat su

Oct 19, 2021 • 17:29

Rethinking the future: cleaning up big emitters

Rethinking the future: cleaning up big emitters

We report from the Countdown summit in Edinburgh where fresh ideas to fight climate change are taking centre stage ahead of the UN climate talks, starting in Glasgow later this month. Vivienne Nunis hears from the business leaders and scientists coming up with new ways to cut carbon emissions in some of the world’s dirtiest industries. Mahendra Singhi is the boss of Dalmia Cement, one of India's biggest cement manufacturers. He tells us how his company plans to become carbon neutral by 2040. In

Oct 18, 2021 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

Millions of people in Afghanistan are living in extreme poverty as prices rise and salaries go unpaid. There are warnings that hunger will follow the devastating drought, just as the cold weather sets in. How will the world respond to calls for help? Business Weekly hears from development economist and former World Bank expert in Afghanistan Dr William Byrd. Plus, as the supply chain gets clogged across the world- we’ll ask how they can be made more resilient? We also hear from Berlin, where vot

Oct 16, 2021 • 50:33

Eyes on climate: new ideas to fight global warming

Eyes on climate: new ideas to fight global warming

As the world turns its attention to addressing climate change, Business Daily is in Edinburgh. We bring you an inside glimpse of the conversations setting the agenda ahead of the UN climate conference COP 26, which starts in Glasgow in just over two weeks. Here in the Scottish capital, the ideas company TED - famous for Ted Talks - is holding its own climate summit, Countdown. It puts CEOs, government ministers, philanthropists and activists all in the same room. Vivienne Nunis hears from Pacifi

Oct 15, 2021 • 17:28

The supply chain's weak link

The supply chain's weak link

How disruption in a single port, factory or freight centre can cause global chaos. Ed Butler speaks with Stavros Karamperidis, an expert in maritime economics at the University of Plymouth, and Kent Jones, professor of economics at Babson College in the US. Meanwhile, chief economist at Enodo Economics, Diana Choyleva, explains how China's energy crisis will impact exports and the price we pay for goods, and Professor Marc Busch from Georgetown University explains why he thinks governments shoul

Oct 14, 2021 • 17:28

China's gaming crackdown

China's gaming crackdown

Why the government doesn't like video games, and what's next for China's gaming culture. Ed Butler speaks to Josh Ye, who covers gaming for the South China Morning Post, and Professor Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute. German professional League of Legends player Maurice 'Amazing' Stückenschneider describes China's current dominance in the world of eSports, and the damage that restricting playing hours could do, and Chinese games investor Charlie Moseley describes how the increas

Oct 13, 2021 • 18:08

The economics of older mums

The economics of older mums

Why many women are delaying motherhood, how is technology helping, and what does the law say about all things fertility and the workplace. Zoe Kleinman speaks to lawyer Louisa Ghevaert, to Dame Cathy Warwick, chair of the British Pregnancy Advisory service, and others. (Picture credit: Getty Images)

Oct 12, 2021 • 17:28

The economics of donkeys

The economics of donkeys

There are an estimated ten million donkeys in sub Saharan Africa, many providing crucial roles supporting the livelihoods of low income families. We explore why these beasts of burden are so important to the economics of the region, and how demand from China for the skins of donkeys is worrying many across Africa. We visit a donkey sanctuary in Lamu, Kenya, and speak to one campaigner trying to stop the slaughter of donkeys for the export of their skins. We also hear how donkeys support economi

Oct 11, 2021 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On this episode of Business Weekly, with the site down and a whistle-blower’s testimonial, was this Facebook’s worst-ever week? We hear what went wrong with their internal internet and find out why Frances Haughan’s evidence to Congress was important. Plus, we discover how a tech company is helping dispatch ambulances in Kenya where there is no centralised system. And if music be the food of love - swipe on. We hear from the app designer hoping to match-make with music. Business Weekly is presen

Oct 9, 2021 • 50:34

Working in your 80s: The Artist

Working in your 80s: The Artist

Geraldine Robarts is a painter based in Kenya who has been exhibiting since 1958 and who still paints everyday, aged 82. Whether it’s a passion for what they do, the social connection, or the simple need to earn a living, a growing number of octogenarians remain in work. Over the coming weeks, Business Daily will hear from several workers putting in a shift, well into their ninth decade. As retirement ages around the world creep higher, we're asking what can these older professionals teach us ab

Oct 8, 2021 • 17:27

Life at Kenya's Dandora rubbish dump

Life at Kenya's Dandora rubbish dump

We go to Dandora, one of Africa’s largest rubbish tips. A court in Nairobi has ordered the dumpsite to come up with a concrete plan to close by February next year. But what will that mean for the community relying on the waste to survive? We hear about life at Dandora through the eyes of Liz Oteng’o, who grew up relying on airline meals dumped at the site. Vivienne Nunis hears how she and her husband Remco Pronk, are fighting to change the lives of those growing up there today. Image credit:Gett

Oct 7, 2021 • 17:28

Big tech and carbon

Big tech and carbon

Google pledges to be carbon free by 2030. Ahead of next month's UN Climate Summit, the company has come out with new targets to become greener than ever. But what does that mean? Is Google supporting the energy transition away from fossil fuels or just fuelling ever greater consumption? Ed Butler speaks to the company's Chief Sustainability Officer Kate Brandt, about how this is just the latest step in her company's aim to be a world leader in sustainability. Ian Bitterlin, a Consulting Engineer

Oct 6, 2021 • 18:37

Living in the metaverse

Living in the metaverse

Are virtual online worlds the future of the internet? Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg thinks so. He is among the tech leaders who say we'll increasingly live, socialise, play and shop in the metaverse. Is he right, and what is the metaverse anyway? Ed Butler speaks to venture capitalist and metaverse big-thinker Matthew Ball, and to Manuel Bronstein from Roblox - the hugely successful gaming platform where gamers already live out virtual lives through their avatars. Janine Yorio tells us why her 'vir

Oct 5, 2021 • 18:37

Can technology transform emergency services?

Can technology transform emergency services?

Getting to hospital in a medical emergency, in countries without a centralised ambulance service, can be critically slow. In rapidly urbanising Kenya, Vivienne Nunis meets Caitlin Dolkart – cofounder of Flare; a company which created a technology platform to dispatch ambulances anywhere across the country. But how do you direct an ambulance without accurate maps? We hear from Humanitarian Open Street Map’s Ivan Gayton how open source data is improving heathcare outcomes. Image: Ambulance operato

Oct 4, 2021 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

As China suffers its worst blackouts in over a decade, on Business Weekly we ask what’s causing the power shortages and what they mean for the rest of the world. We also hear from Germany, where political wrangling over who will be the next Chancellor continues. The Green Party will play kingmaker - and there are hopes from people in flood-hit areas that environmental policies will take centre stage. Plus, have you ever wondered how valuable influencers can be for a brand? We spend the day in a

Oct 2, 2021 • 50:06

Smart cities and broken dreams

Smart cities and broken dreams

Do smart cities live up to the hype? Urban centres from New York to South Korea’s Busan are rebranding themselves as ‘smart’. From real-time crime mapping to lower energy use, smart cities promise a shortcut to a better future. But what is a smart city? The BBC’s Technology desk editor Jane Wakefield explains. Meanwhile, brand new metropolises are being planned across Africa, often envisioned as shiny tech hubs. Will they ever get off the ground? And why are global consultancy firms often a key

Oct 1, 2021 • 18:10

Evergrande and China's property woes

Evergrande and China's property woes

China's second largest property developer, Evergrande, is at risk of financial collapse, saddled with billions of dollars of debt. It's already defaulted on some bond repayments and has been forced to sell off assets; both Chinese and international investors are worried and Beijing is weighing the risk of spreading contagion. The BBC's Stephen McDonnell tells us about the property boom in China while Sara Hsu, a Visiting Scholar at Fudan University, tells us that the sheer size of the company is

Sep 30, 2021 • 17:28

Inside an influencer house

Inside an influencer house

We’re off to an influencer house, a luxurious mansion where social media personalities are temporarily living together to create content on behalf of a plant-based food brand. It’s a new way of advertising with big budgets and big personalities, but is it money well spent? Elizabeth Hotson hangs out by the ridiculously photogenic lily pond with content creators Jessica Hickey and Ella Blake; Ashley Morton and Oli Paterson explain how and why social media content succeeds - or fails - on Tik Tok

Sep 29, 2021 • 17:28

Decentralised Finance on the rise

Decentralised Finance on the rise

Regulators are taking a close look at new crypto-trading environments, known collectively as Decentralised Finance, or DeFi. advocates say the technologies underlying DeFi offer an inclusive and democratic approach to finance, while critics say it is a potential hotbed for money laundering, terrorist financing and other criminal activity. The BBC's Ed Butler dives into the world of DeFi, speaking with Laura Shin, crypto journalist and host of the Unchained podcast, to hear about DeFi, and the ki

Sep 28, 2021 • 18:09

Climate weighs on German elections

Climate weighs on German elections

The fight to succeed popular German chancellor Angela Merkel could not be tighter. In late July the country’s climate policies shot to the top of the political agenda in the wake of devastating, and deadly, floods across western Germany. The BBC’s Victoria Craig and Stephen Ryan travelled to one of the hardest-hit towns, Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, to see how the locals are trying to recover. Local shop-owner Martina Kleinow says she and many others are still waiting for financial support to rebuild

Sep 27, 2021 • 18:09

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

In just over a month world leaders will meet for a decisive climate change summit - we’ll ask if politicians are willing to accept the end of exponential economic growth in order to protect the planets resources. We’ll hear why gas prices are spiralling and ask why small energy firms weren’t better prepared to withstand rising prices. As a new high speed train line is planned for Egypt we’ll take a close look at this new infrastructure project and ask if it will help deliver new prosperity to a

Sep 25, 2021 • 49:28

Can Ethiopia be brought back from the brink?

Can Ethiopia be brought back from the brink?

The country is embroiled in an internal war which has taken a huge humanitarian toll with thousands killed and millions displaced. But that's not the only damage being done to Africa's second most populous nation. The war has incurred a huge economic cost too. As the US threatens further sanctions, Vivienne Nunis asks if Ethiopia can be brought back from the brink. She speaks to Yemane Nagish from the BBC’s Tigrinya service in Nairobi, Will Davison, aformer correspondent based in the country and

Sep 23, 2021 • 18:35

US war on e-cigarettes

US war on e-cigarettes

The Food and Drugs Administration has withdrawn nearly a million e-cigarettes from the US market. Does this signal a turning point for the vaping industry? Small manufacturers like Amanda Wheeler, owner of Jvapes in Arizona and president of the American Vapor Manufacturers Association, are concerned about heavier regulation, as she tells Joshua Thorpe. Tim Phillips, managing director of ECigIntelligence, explains the impact of heavier regulation on the wider e-cigarette industry. In the UK, Publ

Sep 22, 2021 • 18:34

World gas prices surge

World gas prices surge

Today small energy firms among those struggling to stay afloat as world gas prices spiral. Ed Butler hears from Peter McGirr, who runs Green energy, a UK gas and electricity firm supplying about a quarter of a million households. Higher energy prices could lead to all types of additional business challenges. Sven Holester is the Norwegian President and CEO of Yara, Europe's second largest producer of commercial fertiliser. He says the spike in energy prices has already affected his firm's produc

Sep 21, 2021 • 17:28

Lebanon in dire need

Lebanon in dire need

The new Lebanese government has been in place for a week, but with the economy still spiraling, Lebanese people lack confidence anything will be done in the short term to relieve the extreme economic crisis. Mohamed El Aassar, Middle East journalist with Fortune Magazine, tells the BBC's Rebecca Kesby how the country’s economy got to be in such a dire state. Reporter Houshig Kaymakamian outlines exactly who makes up the new Lebanese government, and why Lebanese people don’t trust them to enact a

Sep 20, 2021 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On Business Weekly, we hear how internal research at Facebook found that social media was harming the mental health of teenage girls. In the UK, the Royal Society of Public Health is calling for social media companies to identify which pictures have been digitally altered. Also, green investing or green washing? We hear from a former Blackrock investment officer who says corporate social responsibility policies are not helping to create a carbon-zero economy. Plus, our correspondent in Kenya goe

Sep 18, 2021 • 50:56

The business of seed banks

The business of seed banks

Increasingly scientists are using genetic material from wild plants to make agricultural crops more resilient to climate change. To find out how, Rebecca Kesby heads to the Millennium Seed Bank for the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, in the south of England. There she meets Dr Chris Cockel, one of their project coordinators. We also hear from Asmund Asdal of the Global Seed Vault, which is located in a mountain on the archipelago of Svalbaard, between mainland Norway and the North Pole. We speak to D

Sep 17, 2021 • 17:28

The US and its trillion dollar infrastructure bill

The US and its trillion dollar infrastructure bill

The physical infrastructure of the United States is crumbling and businesses there are feeling the effects. So why is this bill that aims to restore roads, bridges and communications facing such a treacherous political road ahead? Successive Presidents have tried and failed to get something done about it. Now President Biden is having a go. A farmer in Mississippi tells Will Bain about the impact poor roads have on his business. He also hears from Emily Feenstra from the American Society of Civi

Sep 16, 2021 • 18:36

The future of vaccines

The future of vaccines

The founders of German biotechnology company BioNTech were researching how to fight cancers using messenger RNA, "the unloved cousin of DNA", when covid-19 first appeared and they realised mRNA could be used to make a vaccine for the disease. Financial Times journalist Joe Miller has been following the company since just before the pandemic and tells Rebecca Kesby how they created the first covid-19 vaccine. Could mRNA help cure other diseases and improve vaccine access to low income countries?

Sep 15, 2021 • 17:28

Rethinking tourism in Africa

Rethinking tourism in Africa

Tourism in Africa, even before the pandemic, was still not bringing in as many visitor dollars as it might. But, from stargazing trips to plans for a brand-new museum of evolution, we hear from the people changing perceptions around holidays in sub-Saharan Africa. Safari tours aren't going away, but the industry is changing and that's good news for Africa's underperforming tourism sector. Vivienne Nunis hears from Susan Murabana, CEO of The Travelling Telescope under the stars just outside Nairo

Sep 14, 2021 • 17:28

Does sustainable investing make any difference?

Does sustainable investing make any difference?

Is corporate social responsibility, so called "greenwashing", really changing carbon emitting businesses or just making it look that way? Canadian businessman Tariq Fancy used to work as Blackrock's Chief Investment Officer for sustainable investing. He tells Ed Butler why he thinks CSR isn't a good enough tool to achieve a net zero economy.(Picture: Two climate activists from Extinction Rebellion talk to each other outside the Bank of England during a protest. Credit: Getty Images.).

Sep 13, 2021 • 17:29

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

In this edition of Business Weekly, we look at why one of the poorest countries in Latin America, El Salvador, decided to make Bitcoin legal tender. We also find out what happened when the cryptocurrency crashed on the first day it was rolled out. We hear about the devastating economic effect of covid in Kenya as it rolls out further curfew restrictions. Also, in a few weeks’ time, the matriarch of European politics, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, will step down. We hear what issues are pl

Sep 11, 2021 • 50:24

Where have the UK's lorry drivers gone?

Where have the UK's lorry drivers gone?

The UK's suffering a huge shortage of lorry drivers, but where have 100,000 drivers gone? The shortage is now having an impact on everything from chicken in restaurants, to mattresses in furniture shops, fuel at pumps and even beer in pubs. So what's going on? We hear from drivers, driving trainers, retailers and the wholesale industry and what's causing the shortfall and what can be done to solve it. Picture credit: Getty Images

Sep 10, 2021 • 17:28

Reviving Kenya’s ancient trading port

Reviving Kenya’s ancient trading port

Lamu, once a bustling gateway to the Indian Ocean, has seen its fortunes decline in recent decades, not least because of its position near the border with Somalia, and the threat from militants. But earlier this year a new deep sea port was opened, which, the Kenyan government hopes, will make Lamu a commercial superstar once more. Vivienne Nunis takes a tour of the port with Dolly Okanga from Kenya Ports Authority. We also speak to Famao Shukry about a special kind of sea turtle in the area, an

Sep 8, 2021 • 17:28

Where next for AI?

Where next for AI?

AI will be the defining development of the 21st century and in the next two decades it is set to transform our lives. Kai Fu Lee, a former CEO of Google China and AI pioneer tells us that the technology will revolutionise health and education and has the power to create great wealth but it also has a dark side. AI he says, can pose huge risks like when used in autonomous weapons. Kai Fu Lee believes that we are now at a turning point, and is urging society to wake up to the benefits and the exi

Sep 7, 2021 • 17:28

Kenya and coronavirus

Kenya and coronavirus

During coronavirus, while case numbers have seemed relatively low, there’s been a huge economic impact on many Kenyans. We hear from the BBC’s Michael Kaloki about the particular challenges of the Kibera slum, from single mother and Kibera resident Josephine, who Business Daily has heard from several times since the start of the pandemic. We also hear how reverse migration has meant that some Kenyans have returned to rural areas. Chris Macoloo the Africa director for the international developm

Sep 6, 2021 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On Business Weekly, we hear from the World Meteorological Organisation which has been tracking weather-related disasters for the last 50 years. We look at the economic and human cost of extreme weather - and ask if anything, really, can be done to protect ourselves against it. Covid has claimed yet more victims in India as the economic hardship brought by the coronavirus sees a rise in the number of child brides forced into marriage. We hear from a young girl who resisted her family’s attempt to

Sep 4, 2021 • 50:18

Should you trust reviews?

Should you trust reviews?

When are reviews real and when are they fake? We'll be asking a range of guests whether it's ok to be paid to do a review and how online sites can detect fraudulent write ups. We’ll also hear why negative feedback can be good for a business in the long run. Elizabeth Hotson speaks to James Kay, head of corporate communications at Tripadvisor, Carolyn Jameson, chief trust officer at Trustpilot and Michael Hanney, founder of Review Solicitors. We also hear from restaurant pr Hugh Richard Wright a

Sep 3, 2021 • 17:28

OnlyFans flip flops on porn

OnlyFans flip flops on porn

Why did one of the world's best-known porn provider platforms, OnlyFans, decide to ban porn? The controversial site has become a global phenomenon over the last five years, but its decision to outlaw adult content got everyone talking. It appeared to bow to pressure from financial services companies and anti-porn groups. Then it changed its mind. We look at the pressures the company is under and also at the business logic of internet porn. We speak to content creators Jessica Starling and Alana

Sep 2, 2021 • 17:29

Life after Messi: FC Barcelona's financial mess

Life after Messi: FC Barcelona's financial mess

How did one of the world's biggest sporting brands end up in such a financial mess? FC Barcelona's collapse, from European Champions League winning juggernaut, to unable to register its players under salary cap rules took less than a decade. So how did it take so little time for one of football's giants to fall so hard? We explore that with club members and supporters, as well as the Financial Times journalist Simon Kuper, the author of a new book about Barcelona; Barca, the Inside story of the

Sep 1, 2021 • 18:20

Child marriage is getting worse in India

Child marriage is getting worse in India

Closed schools and economic hardship due to Coronavirus are seeing more young girls married off. We’ll hear from a young girl who managed to resist her family’s attempts to marry her to an older man. But many other young girls are not so lucky. Anindit Roy Chowdhury of Save The Children India estimates tens of thousands of such marriages may have already taken place during the pandemic, often with illegal dowries being exchanged for the young girls. Dr. Kriti Bharti, a leading activist for child

Aug 31, 2021 • 18:26

Is office wear dead?

Is office wear dead?

Many of us are preparing go back into the office but after more than a year of working from home for a lot of people, have we forgotten how to dress professionally? Or are we chomping at the bit to put on the armour that is traditional office wear? Or it time to entirely rethink the whole concept of office dress codes? Presenter, Elizabeth Hotson strolls down London's Saville Row to meet tailor Richard Anderson and stylist Lizzie Edwards gives some us tips on how to dress to impress. Deirdre Cl

Aug 30, 2021 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

While the eyes of the world are on Afghanistan and the US withdrawal, the American Vice President is trying to generate some headlines of her own during a charm offensive in South East Asia. We’ll hear what she’s been saying and what she hopes to achieve. Zambia has a new president and he’s made some big promises. Can he afford to keep them? And do you feel like time is just running away from you? Or perhaps it has slowed down to an unrelenting crawl? We’ll hear how our brains interpret time - a

Aug 28, 2021 • 49:59

From 'nudge' to 'sludge'

From 'nudge' to 'sludge'

Nobel laureate Richard Thaler talks about why his and Cass Sunstein's 'nudge' theory needs a re-boot.

Aug 27, 2021 • 17:28

Life under the Taliban

Life under the Taliban

Gaisu fled the Taliban when she was 18. Now she's fleeing again. Speaking to the BBC's Tamasin Ford, Gaisu recounts being engaged to the son of a local warlord at age 6, fleeing to the United States at 18, and then returning as a civil servant after the Taliban were toppled. She recounts her time as the only female journalist at a local radio station as a teenager, how she butted heads with the Taliban and how her mother inspired her to be a feminist from a young age. We'll also hear how in the

Aug 26, 2021 • 17:28

Sexism, tribalism and housing

Sexism, tribalism and housing

Finding a place to live in Nigeria’s big cities. Finding somewhere to live can be stressful wherever you are in the world. But in Lagos, Africa’s fastest growing city, add in sexism, tribalism and stumping up more than a year’s worth of rent in advance. Are these practices making it an impossible place to live and what is being done to try and change the situation? Tamasin Ford speaks to Stephanie Chizoba Odili and Chiamaka Okafor who both, as single women, had problems finding a place to rent.

Aug 25, 2021 • 18:26

The economics of the Taliban

The economics of the Taliban

The economy of Afghanistan is collapsing as remittances and foreign aid dry up. As the militant Taliban consolidate their control over the country, it's unclear whether they will be capable, or even interested, in propping up the economy to prevent further humanitarian crises. Today on Business Daily, we're looking at how the economics of life under the Taliban. Professor Jonathan Goodhand of SOAS University of London, explains how the Taliban managed to generate revenues over the years since th

Aug 24, 2021 • 18:25

'Youngism' in the workplace

'Youngism' in the workplace

Age discrimination doesn't just affect the elderly. The BBC's Tamasin Ford speaks with Priscilla and Nadirah about the discrimination they've experienced as young people in the workplace. We'll also hear from Michael North, an assistant professor of management and organisations at New York University’s Stern School of Business, on the research he and his team have done showing the extent of 'youngism' in business. Also in the programme, consultants Lauren Rikleen and Elizabeth Houghton explain h

Aug 23, 2021 • 18:25

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

As the Taliban takes control of Afghanistan this week, we ask what the future holds for the country. The central bank governor, Ajmal Ahmady, who fled earlier this week, tells us about the days and weeks leading up to the takeover. Dr Weeda Mehran from the University of Exeter outlines how the country arrived at this point, and what the future could hold. She argues that unless the Taliban gains legitimacy internationally it will struggle to govern effectively or grow the economy. Plus, a new Al

Aug 21, 2021 • 49:01

Rethinking time

Rethinking time

All our lives are ruled by time and it's a fundamental part of our daily routines but what if we could make time go more slowly - or quickly? Adrian Bejan, a professor in thermodynamics at Duke University says that this is possible if we just open our minds to how we perceive change. And if we could make time last longer, what would be the most efficient way of using it? We get some tips from Laura Vanderkam a writer and speaker on time management. Plus, research scientist Christian Clot tells

Aug 20, 2021 • 17:27

Controversial new Alzheimer's drug in the spotlight

Controversial new Alzheimer's drug in the spotlight

After decades without progress, this June a new treatment was approved by the US Food and Drugs Administration - Biogen's Aduhelm. Ivana Davidovic looks into why this process has been so controversial that is now under investigation by a federal watchdog.Aaron Kesselheim, a Harvard Medical School professor, served on the FDA’s advisory committee that considered Aduhelm and voted against its approval. He explains why he decided to resign from his post and what consequences there could be for fut

Aug 19, 2021 • 18:21

Should our photos and messages always be private?

Should our photos and messages always be private?

Apple is to scan users' iPhones for images of child abuse. Privacy advocates are dismayed. They say it's a slippery slope to monitoring a wider range of content. Andy Burrows from the UK's NSPCC tells us why Apple's move is an important step in protecting children online, while India McKinney from the Electronic Frontier Foundation explains why privacy activists like her are so worried. Namrata Maheshwari from the campaign group Access Now describes the battle between WhatsApp and the Indian gov

Aug 18, 2021 • 18:20

Killer robots

Killer robots

Are these the future of modern warfare and how concerned should we be? There are efforts to limit the development of these weapons. More than 50 nations met at the UN in Geneva this month to discuss a possible treaty. But neither Russia nor the United States have expressed any willingness to support the treaty. Ed Butler speaks to Professor Noel Sharkey who's been campaigning against the development of these weapons for 14 years and asked him how close any type of agreement was. Evanna Hu, CEO

Aug 17, 2021 • 17:28

Sexism in the alcohol industry

Sexism in the alcohol industry

Women in the drinks industry share their stories to try to change the way women are treated in pubs, clubs and bars. After many shared stories of harassment in craft breweries, the consensus is: enough is enough. Charlotte Cook, an experienced brewer, says the most important thing is to believe the stories, as some are being silenced by UK libel laws. Professor Chris Land from Anglia Ruskin University explains how certain workplaces can create unhealthy cultures, while bartender Nichola Bottomle

Aug 16, 2021 • 17:28

No boss, no problems

No boss, no problems

A young entrepreneur builds the ‘happiest company in the world’, an online shoe retailer so profitable that Amazon snaps it up for over a billion dollars. But what if the company’s profits and happiness could be boosted by a radical reimagining of the workplace? No more bosses, no more job titles, just creativity, equality and pure joy. We hear the story of Tony Hsieh, a visionary entrepreneur who abandoned social hierarchy in his Las Vegas-based shoe company. Could it be that the secret to happ

Aug 13, 2021 • 18:07

Neurodiversity at work

Neurodiversity at work

Neurodiversity is a broad term inclusive of a number of very different things including, but not limited to, autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia. And until relatively recently, it's not something that many workplaces have paid much attention to. But rethinking those spaces and the way neurodiverse staff can be best accommodated, can reap benefits for both the companies involved and their employees. Stand-up comedian Don Biswas, explains how his different way of thinking has shaped his comedy ro

Aug 12, 2021 • 17:28

Electrifying Sierra Leone

Electrifying Sierra Leone

Bringing electricity to his village for the first time, we speak with Jeremiah Thoronka in Sierra Leone about the challenges of energy inequality in the country. As a teenager, using kinetic energy, Jeremiah changed the lives of hundreds of people – we speak to them to talk about the difference between the two worlds – and why having more light often means more hours to earn money, in a country where economic success lags behind its neighbours. As three quarters of people in the world with no ac

Aug 11, 2021 • 17:28

Bitcoin ban has opposite effect in Nigeria

Bitcoin ban has opposite effect in Nigeria

Bitcoin’s popularity in Nigeria has exploded – with one of the youngest populations in the world, coupled with a high unemployment rate, its popularity was almost inevitable. Many young Nigerians are attracted to cryptocurrencies as an alternative and quick way to make money. Jude Umeano tells us that he lives his life using only Bitcoin, and that the government ban on funding crypto-based businesses only made him find loopholes. In fact, the government ban was likely the catalyst that increased

Aug 10, 2021 • 17:28

Doping in eSports: the billion-dollar pill

Doping in eSports: the billion-dollar pill

Doping is a growing problem in the multi-billion dollar industry of competitive online gaming – but remains an open secret. As prize money runs in to the millions, are more young people turning to drugs to stay focused to win? With major league eSport athletes admitting to mass doping, we speak with the founder of the world’s first eSport university programme - Dr Glenn Platt at Miami University, Ohio - who tells us the casual attitude to doping for performance enhancement. Varsity eSport player

Aug 9, 2021 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On this edition of Business Weekly, we look into Lebanon’s economy - a country going through the worst economic crisis since its civil war of the 70s and 80s, with severe disruption to basic services and food shortages. We also hear from Zambia, where the pandemic has meant the usual cash-rich tourists have stayed away, and the economy is dominating the general election campaigns. Plus, we look at another attempt to narrow the gender gap in science and engineering careers, by introducing female

Aug 7, 2021 • 50:11

China's Tech Crackdown

China's Tech Crackdown

Is China's behavior towards its innovators separating the country further from the world? That's the question on everybody's mind, as the Chinese authorities continue to exert their political power over the country's rising tech companies. George Magnus, associate at the China Centre at Oxford University warns that despite increasing western interest in the Chinese market, foreign investors should be wary about political clampdowns on companies. But Angela Zhang at the University of Hong Kong, a

Aug 4, 2021 • 17:28

Why isn't Africa producing vaccines?

Why isn't Africa producing vaccines?

Less than two percent of Africa’s population has been vaccinated against Covid-19. Could homegrown vaccines be the solution? If so, why isn’t it happening? Is it an issue with patents and intellectual property rights? Is big pharma standing in the way? Or is it simply about money and profits?Things are beginning to happen. Last month a consortium was set up with the aim of opening an mRNA technology transfer hub in South Africa. If they succeed it will be the first regional mRNA vaccine manufact

Aug 3, 2021 • 17:28

GMOs - from 'Frankenfoods' to Superfoods?

GMOs - from 'Frankenfoods' to Superfoods?

Since they first appeared in the nineties, GMOs have remained wildly unpopular with consumers, who see them as potentially sinister tools of big agricultural companies. Ivana Davidovic explores if the new scientific developments might make them shed their bad image. She visits Norwich in the east of England where professor Cathie Martin has been developing genetically modified tomatoes for decades. One purple variety - unusually high in antioxidants - has shown high cancer-fighting properties in

Aug 2, 2021 • 17:29

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

This week the major technology companies posted record-breaking quarterly results, as they reaped the benefits of a world in lockdown. However, as politicians seek to curb their power, will they be able to keep making such vast amounts of money forever? Also on Business Weekly, we hear why more of us are quitting our jobs, why the price of coffee is close to a seven-year high and whether rental fashion is really good for the environment. Plus, from near bankruptcy to the Bangles via The Police –

Jul 31, 2021 • 50:11

The rise of digital therapy

The rise of digital therapy

Mental health care apps have boomed during the pandemic. But can receiving therapy through an app ever be as good as face to face? And do they raise concerns over our privacy? Tamasin Ford speaks to Brad Kettridge, founder and CEO of the mental health care app Brightside as well as the co-founder of the Oliva app, Sancir Sahin, which is aimed at businesses. We also hear from writer Julie Peck who suffers from bipolar disorder on why she sought help from one of these apps. John Torous, director o

Jul 30, 2021 • 17:28

Miles Copeland's life in the music business

Miles Copeland's life in the music business

Lessons from nearly fifty years producing and managing bands, with industry veteran Miles Copeland III. From brilliantly promoting his brother's band The Police, to founding a record label for all the misfits in the industry: the Buzzcocks, the Cramps, The Go Go's, R.E.M., The Bangles, and many more; the American-born, Lebanon-raised record executive, and now the author of the memoir 'Two Steps Forward, One Step Back', tells the BBC's Ed Butler how he built his empire with music nobody else want

Jul 29, 2021 • 17:29

The billionaire space race

The billionaire space race

Why Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are battling it out among the stars. Ed Butler speaks to Brad Stone, author of the book Amazon Unbound, about Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's lifelong obsession with space, and to Christian Davenport, space reporter for the Washington Post, about the growing rivalry between the worlds two richest men over government space contracts and the future of the space economy. Former astronaut Janet Kavandi tells us why, like Elon Musk, NASA has Mars colonisation in its sights.(P

Jul 28, 2021 • 18:15

The great resignation wave

The great resignation wave

Has the pandemic encouraged more of us to quit our jobs? Rebecca Kesby speaks to Anthony Klotz, associate professor at Texas A&M University, who says the US is about to face a wave of resignations, as many people re-evaluate what they want from a job after months of lockdowns. Ben Kiziltug from the HR software company Personio tells us why companies who managed their staff poorly during the pandemic risk losing workers now. But Zeynep Ton from the MIT Sloan School of Management explains why ther

Jul 27, 2021 • 18:16

Just how bad is rental fashion?

Just how bad is rental fashion?

Rental fashion is in the spotlight when it comes to climate footprint. A new study suggests it might not be the silver bullet as once thought, but environmental journalist Lucy Siegle cautions the study is too limited to give a blanket judgment on the rental industry overall. Meanwhile, Christina Dean, of the charity Redress, argues that the potential for rental fashion marks a revolutionary step in the way we think about our clothing. Eshita Kabra, founder of By Rotation, the world's first soci

Jul 26, 2021 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

In this episode of Business Weekly, we look at the use of vaccine passports in the tourism and hospitality industries. Owning a 'pass sanitaire' is now compulsory to visit certain sites in France and nightclubs in the UK have been told they can only admit people who’ve been double-jabbed come September. We also have a special report on the Champlain Tower in Miami, where nearly a hundred people died last month when the building collapsed. What lessons should be learned? And Jeff Bezos blasted i

Jul 24, 2021 • 50:15

Will the Tokyo Olympics pay off?

Will the Tokyo Olympics pay off?

Japanese businesses are struggling with the lack of tourists during the Tokyo Olympics. Despite delaying the games by a year, the authorities have still been forced to hold the games without spectators, as Covid cases rise. Seijiro Takeshita at the University of Shizuoka explains why the Japanese were hoping for a successful Olympics, and why it’s now become so controversial. Also in the programme, we’ll hear from a number of businesses affected by the lack of tourists. And Yoko Ishikura, Profe

Jul 23, 2021 • 17:27

The future of the Afghan economy

The future of the Afghan economy

What will the US withdrawal from Afghanistan mean for the economy? The relative security provided by US forces and others over the past 20 years not only helped many grow successful family enterprises but also attracted foreign investors and larger business ventures. Rebecca Kesby speaks to Saad Mohseni, Chief Executive of MOBI, a media company that launched the first private radio station playing pop music in Afghanistan, which had been banned under the Taliban. What does he make of the sudden

Jul 22, 2021 • 18:19

The long shadow of Covid on kids' education

The long shadow of Covid on kids' education

The pandemic has left an indelible mark on the education of children around the world. Today on Business Daily, the BBC's Nisha Patel speaks with young people in the UK and India about how their futures have been affected by missing education. We'll also hear from Maya Sukumaran, Principal of Gitanjali Senior School in Hyderabad, India, for her thoughts on how online learning is changing students' relationships and behaviour. And Hans Sievertsen, an economist at the University of Bristol, lays o

Jul 21, 2021 • 17:26

Vatican reforms see a cardinal on trial

Vatican reforms see a cardinal on trial

Ten people, including an Italian cardinal, will face a Vatican trial for alleged financial crimes. Cardinal Angelo Becciu has become the highest-ranked cleric in the Vatican to be indicted over charges that include embezzlement and abuse of office. The charges relate to a multi-million-dollar property purchase with church funds in London. Ines San Martin, Rome reporter for Crux, outlines the charges and what we know about the trial so far. This will mark the first time such a high-ranking Vatica

Jul 20, 2021 • 17:27

Chefs call time on abusive practices

Chefs call time on abusive practices

Is it time the old trope of the brilliant, angry chef gets retired for good? Michelin-starred chefs are often famous for their skill, precision and passion. But many of them are just as well-known for their tyrannical and belligerent behaviour towards staff. With ever more allegations surfacing of abuse and harassment in Michelin-starred restaurants, leaders in the industry are calling for the culture to change once and for all. Eric Rivera, owner and head chef at Addo in Seattle tells the BBC’s

Jul 19, 2021 • 17:27

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

Global economies are starting to see the return of inflation after a long period of low prices and low interest rates. Central bankers seem pretty calm so far, but some economists are getting jittery. We’ll find out why prices are rising and what can be done to steady the global economic ship. As the EU announces dramatic plans to curb climate change we ask what more financial institutions can do to play their part. We’ll hear how the fight against HIV/AIDS has progressed in the 40 years since i

Jul 17, 2021 • 49:33

Amazon's fake reviews problem

Amazon's fake reviews problem

Online marketplaces are being flooded with bogus reviews. Is the whole model of ecommerce under threat? Rebecca Kesby speaks to Neena Bhati from UK consumer group Which? about the ways unscrupulous sellers are generating fake reviews to boost sales of their products, and Amazon seller Janson Smith tells us the impact fake reviews can have on legitimate small businesses that depend on Amazon for their sales. Saoud Khalifah, CEO of FakeSpot, decribes the scale of the bogus reviews problem, and th

Jul 16, 2021 • 18:15

Carlos Ghosn speaks out

Carlos Ghosn speaks out

Carlos Ghosn was the superstar chairman of the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance, one of the largest automakers in the world. Now, he’s an exile from the Japanese authorities in his home country of Lebanon. Ghosn sat down with the BBC’s Simon Jack to discuss everything that happened between these two points: from his shock arrest in a Tokyo airport charged with financial crimes, to prolonged legal battles and his dramatic escape from Japan. (Picture: Former Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn in B

Jul 14, 2021 • 18:14

Why gin is still fizzing

Why gin is still fizzing

From its early reputation as mothers’ ruin to its prime spot in upscale cocktail bars, we tell the story of the juniper-infused spirit. And as the gin craze in the US and the UK shows no sign of slowing, we ask where the next global hotspots will be. Dr Angela McShane of Warwick University tells Elizabeth Hotson how and why gin drinking became popular in the UK and Sandie Van Doorne, from Lucas Bols - which claims to be the oldest distillery brand in the world - explains how the Dutch spirit, g

Jul 13, 2021 • 17:28

Tokyo Olympics: Battle of the super shoes

Tokyo Olympics: Battle of the super shoes

As we head towards the postponed Tokyo Olympics, the world’s eyes will be on athletics. But huge controversy is brewing over a new type of super shoe which has led to a recent surge in track and field records. Ivana Davidovic asks whether runners' ability is becoming less and less important for success on the track? And what does that do the sport?US Olympian Mason Ferlic is worried that this is creating a division between the haves and the have nots and thinks that World Athletics should pander

Jul 12, 2021 • 18:13

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

Authorities in China ordered Didi to stop taking new ride sharing customers, and banned the sale of the app, because of data sharing issues. Investors in the newly floated company are furious, but this isn’t the first kind of regulatory intervention China has made. So what’s behind this crackdown? As numerous sporting events take place this weekend we’ll be looking at the political power wielded by sports stars and what that means for the brands that sponsor them. We’ll head to a geo-thermal pla

Jul 10, 2021 • 49:24

Climate change: the financial fight

Climate change: the financial fight

When it comes to climate change, what is the world of finance doing? Manuela Saragosa speaks to Jan Erik Saugestad, executive vice president of Norwegian asset managers Storebrand, whose investments must meet certain environmental, social and governance standards. This week also saw finance ministers from the V20 group of countries most vulnerable to climate change meet virtually. We talk climate justice with former president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, currently speaker of the country's p

Jul 9, 2021 • 18:11

Bustling or bust: How is the City of London coping after Brexit?

Bustling or bust: How is the City of London coping after Brexit?

It’s been six months since the UK’s transition period from the EU ended. While the two sides hammered out arrangements for how various goods-producing sectors would continue to trade post-Brexit, financial services was largely left out of negotiations. We hear from the boss of Euronext, the head of securities trading at the London Stock Exchange, the man who authored a government-commissioned report on reforming the city’s listings regime, and a host of others to find out whether Brexit has been

Jul 8, 2021 • 17:26

The tyranny of merit

The tyranny of merit

Can anyone make it in the modern western world with hard work and good education? No, says Harvard philosopher Michael Sandel in conversation with Ed Butler. He says liberal politicians have lied to us, which is why populist politics has taken root. So what's the solution to the failure of globalisation? (Picture: Michael Sandel addresses a theatre audience. Credit: http://justiceharvard.org)

Jul 7, 2021 • 17:28

Player power

Player power

Footballers and other athletes are standing up to the sponsors who subsidise them. Ed Butler speaks to Laurence Halsted, a former British Olympic Fencer who wrote about his concerns about the Games in Rio de Janeiro, in 2016. Sports marketing consultant Tim Crow says the involvement of people's politics in sport makes the usual bonanza for sponsors at events a lot more problematic. Martyn Ziegler, chief sports reporter at The Times, thinks the Olympics may find itself under growing pressure as p

Jul 6, 2021 • 17:28

Tapping the sun beneath our feet

Tapping the sun beneath our feet

Could geothermal energy provide a big missing piece in the puzzle of how to decarbonise the world economy? And do we need the help of oil companies to make use of it?Laurence Knight visits the UK's first ever geothermal power project at United Downs in Cornwall. The project's managing director Dr Ryan Law says it could provide the perfect complement to solar and wind energy, while the resident geologist Hazel Farndale explains how and why they have drilled down more than 5km into Cornwall's gran

Jul 5, 2021 • 17:27

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

Global tourism has lost trillions of dollars during the pandemic, leaving communities who rely on the sector desperate. Now that parts of the world are slowly starting to open up again, Business Weekly asks whether travel can be done safely and sustainably in a pandemic. We hear from an intimacy co-ordinator whose job it is to ensure actors feel comfortable with their sex scenes. She tells us why having someone in their role is vital in the post #metoo era. And menopause has been called the last

Jul 3, 2021 • 49:58

Do oil companies have a future?

Do oil companies have a future?

Shareholders and courts pile pressure on the oil majors. Amid falling demand for oil and targets to cut carbon emissions, what role if any do companies like ExxonMobil and Shell have in a decarbonised world? Manuela Saragosa speaks to Aeisha Mastagni from the California State Teachers' Retirement System - a shareholder in ExxonMobil pushing the company to change its long-term strategy. Lord Browne, former boss of BP, tells us why oil companies need to diversify if they want to survive. And Charl

Jul 2, 2021 • 17:47

The rise and rise of plant milk

The rise and rise of plant milk

There's a bewildering world of milk alternatives. From oats, to tiger nuts, the list of varieties keeps growing but not everyone’s delighted about the march of plant based drinks. Some dairy farmers worry that the rural economy is at risk and just don’t get the hype. Elizabeth Hotson talks to plant-based pioneers, Camilla Barnard, co-founder of Rude Health and Alpro's General Manager Sue Garfitt. We also hear from ex-beef and dairy farmer Jay Wilde who now produces oat milk at his farm in Derby

Jul 1, 2021 • 17:28

How would we trade with aliens?

How would we trade with aliens?

A US government report on UFOs has said there was no clear explanation for the unidentified aircraft, but did not rule out extra-terrestrial origin. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested into searching for signs of alien intelligence. Ed Butler speaks to Lisa Kaltenegger, an astronomer at Cornell University, who has analysed the closest, most likely planets to support alien life. If, or when, we do make contact what could we trade with our new neighbours? David Brin, a science ficti

Jun 30, 2021 • 17:27

Menopause - the last workplace taboo?

Menopause - the last workplace taboo?

Women across the globe are leaving their jobs and sometimes careers because they are unsupported at work when they go through the menopause. But could mandated menopause leave re-dress the balance?Ivana Davidovic speaks with Lauren Chiren, who abandoned her high-flying career in finance because her menopause symptoms were so bad she thought she had early onset dementia. Karen Arthur, who also left her job as a teacher due to menopause and now hosts the Menopause While Black podcast, says that wo

Jun 29, 2021 • 18:00

How to be Idle

How to be Idle

Is crushing office boredom a curse or an opportunity?Manuela Saragosa hears from David Bolchover, a writer who spent years at major insurance firms with almost nothing to do all day, and Tom Hodgkinson, founder of the Idler magazine, on why being idle is so important to the creative process.(Photo: A man relaxing at work, Credit: Thinkstock)

Jun 28, 2021 • 18:00

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On this edition of Business Weekly, we look at Tokyo 2020 and hear how the organisers of the Olympic Games are trying to get spectators into the venues, whilst trying to minimise the risk from coronavirus. We also take a look at legal challenges brought against employers who are insisting workers have a Covid vaccination before they re-enter the office. We hear from both an international legal expert, and the lawyer representing a group in Texas who want to take their case all the way to the Sup

Jun 26, 2021 • 49:56

Co-ordinating intimacy

Co-ordinating intimacy

There is a new job on film sets, a job that has grown out of the #MeToo movement. Manuela Saragosa speaks to Ita O’Brien, the woman who created the guidelines for the role, about why every film set needs an intimacy co-ordinator.Could their inclusion as members of the production team become a legal requirement? We hear from Elizabeth Wagmeister, Variety magazine's senior correspondent in Los Angeles.Producer: Sarah Treanor and Benjie Guy(Photo: Actors Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan in the film

Jun 25, 2021 • 17:59

Can we trust Big Tech with our health data?

Can we trust Big Tech with our health data?

Big Tech companies such as Google, Amazon and Microsoft are moving into AI healthcare services in a big way. But can we trust private, for-profit, companies to use our data properly? Prof Allyson Pollock, director of the Newcastle University Centre for Excellence in Regulatory Science in the UK, tell the BBC's Ed Butler she is alarmed at the rate healthcare services are being privatised in the country. And Nicholson Price, Professor at the University of Michigan School of Law in the US, warns th

Jun 24, 2021 • 17:59

How to communicate

How to communicate

Communicating with people from different cultures is a potential minefield. We’ll discover what can happen when things get lost in translation and we’ll also get some tips on how to avoid major clangers and embarrassing faux pas. We hear from Nazir Ul-Ghani, the Europe, Middle East and Africa director of the software tool Workplace from Facebook and Roger Kreuz, a professor of psychology at the University of Memphis, tells us what can go wrong when companies try to expand into new territories wi

Jun 23, 2021 • 17:27

Healthcare's digital future

Healthcare's digital future

Is medicine about to be transformed by digitisation and artificial intelligence?Ed Butler has his cognitive abilities assessed by a computer app. Thomas Sawyer of the health tech company Cognetivity, which developed the AI-assisted app claims it will help revolutionise the early detection and treatment of Alzheimer's.But pretty soon our wellbeing could be monitored by multiple apps - on our phones, in our bathroom scales, even in our toilets - streaming data back to computerised healthcare syste

Jun 22, 2021 • 17:58

The economic life of Gaza

The economic life of Gaza

Israel's military says it struck a thousand targets in Gaza last month, in response to more than 4,300 missiles it claims were fired into Israel. With the latest bout of violence now over, the reconstruction can begin once again.Manuela Saragosa speaks to Samir Mansour, who saw his famous Gaza bookshop destroyed before his eyes. International donors want to help rebuild businesses like Samir's. Elizabeth Campbell, director at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in t

Jun 21, 2021 • 17:58

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

This week, two Americans went on trial in Japan, accused of smuggling former Nissan chief executive, Carlos Ghosn, out of the country in a music equipment box. On Business Weekly, we ask why they did it and if Mr Ghosn will ever face Japanese justice. We hear from the broadcaster, author and activist, Gretchen Carlson, about the role she played in the #metoo movement. She sued her former boss at Fox News for sexual harassment and says more has to be done to protect women in the workplace. And ho

Jun 19, 2021 • 50:33

China's birth rate problem

China's birth rate problem

After decades of restrictions, China's leaders want women to have more children. But will a 'three-child' policy prevent a decline in China's population? Ed Butler speaks to Professor Stein Emil Vollset from the University of Washington School of Medicine about the dramatic population declines expected in many countries including China. China demographics expert Yong Cai explains why the declining birth rate will be difficult to reverse. And author and journalist Mei Fong tells us why the one-ch

Jun 18, 2021 • 18:36

Game over for test cricket?

Game over for test cricket?

Do audiences, sponsors and broadcasters still have the patience for five-day matches? Or is the future now with the shorter one-day and Twenty20 formats?Rahul Tandon speaks to Geoff Allardice, general manager of cricket for the International Cricket Council, about his hopes that the inaugural World Test Championship final this year will reinvigorate traditional long-form cricket, as well as Lalit Beriwala, director of the major cricket sponsor Shyam Steel, one of the tournament's major sponsors.

Jun 17, 2021 • 18:36

Sexual harassment: Can smart tech help?

Sexual harassment: Can smart tech help?

Can technology help victims of sexual harassment feel more confident in reporting their perpetrators?Ed Butler hears how the #MeToo movement inspired Ariel Weindling to start up a reporting app called #NotMe. Meanwhile, Neta Maidev's own experience of sexual harassment eventually led her to create another app - Vault Platform.But can HR departments sometimes be part of the problem? That's the view of Nuala Walsh, founding director of the Global Association of Applied Behavioural Scientists. But

Jun 16, 2021 • 18:35

Gretchen Carlson: My fight to stop sexual harassment

Gretchen Carlson: My fight to stop sexual harassment

Five years ago she successfully sued her former boss at Fox News, Roger Ailes, for sexual harassment. Now, American broadcaster Gretchen Carlson tells Ed Butler about how she helped kick off the #MeToo movement, why major American companies continue to gag employees and protect workplace predators through non-disclosure agreements, and how she is fighting in Washington DC to make the working environment safer for women.Producer: Nisha Patel(Picture: Gretchen Carlson; Credit: Stephanie Cowen)

Jun 15, 2021 • 17:27

The global youth unemployment crisis

The global youth unemployment crisis

The UN has predicted it could take two years for the world job market to recover from the Coronavirus pandemic. The hardest hit could be young jobseekers, who had almost got a foot in the door before it closed. We’ll hear from young people around the world, who have found their employment prospects shattered by the pandemic. We’ll also hear from Guy Ryder, Director-General of the International Labour Organisation, about how the pandemic could exacerbate inequality around the world. At the same t

Jun 15, 2021 • 17:29

Can bad news be delivered well?

Can bad news be delivered well?

No one wants to be told they’ve lost their job, or that their entire department is disappearing, but the way that message is delivered can have consequences - both in the short term and sometimes years into the future. We hear the best techniques for delivering negative tidings; and some clangers. Elizabeth Hotson gets tips and advice from Heather McGregor, entrepreneur author and Dean of Heriot Watt Business School, hears about a very awkward conversation from former Chairman of the airline Jet

Jun 14, 2021 • 17:29

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

Earlier this week the FBI, in conjunction with the Australian authorities, used an encrypted messaging app to swoop in and arrest more than 800 suspected criminals. On Business Weekly, we look at how they were able to crack global organised crime groups by running their own messaging service, putting it on bespoke phones and handing them out, through undercover officers, to the criminals themselves. We also look at the booming business of ransomware. Hackers are making millions from demanding Bi

Jun 12, 2021 • 49:28

Rich and frugal?

Rich and frugal?

Why do some of the super rich describe themselves as frugal? Is it something about the inner psyche that makes us natural savers or spenders? Elizabeth Hotson speaks to Dolly Parton, who despite earning millions, doesn’t particularly enjoy spending it. We also hear from Karam Hinduja, banker and scion of the billionaire Hinduja family. Tech entrepreneur, Richard Skellett tells us why he sees being wealthy as a responsibility, plus we hear from big savers, Tim Connor and Francesca Armstrong. We'r

Jun 11, 2021 • 18:35

Diversity in the US tech industry

Diversity in the US tech industry

Ibrahim Diallo got his first computer when he was five, which triggered a lifelong passion for programming. He has worked as a software engineer in the US for 12 years. A Guinean citizen, who went to French school in Saudi Arabia, and now lives in California, Ibrahim says he can count on one hand the number of black people he has worked alongside. He shares his experience of being a black programmer in the US with Vivienne Nunis. (Photo: Ibrahim Diallo at his office in LA. Credit: BBC)

Jun 10, 2021 • 18:36

The booming ransomware business

The booming ransomware business

Hackers are making millions from ransomware attacks. What can be done to stop them? Ed Butler speaks to professional ransomware negotiator Kurtis Minder, about the increasing professionalisation of the ransomware business. Kimberly Grauer, head of research at Chainalysis explains why following the bitcoin trail may be the best way of bringing ransomware gangs to justice and Vishaal Hariprasad, boss of cyber insurance company Resilience, tells us why the ransomware threat means there needs to be

Jun 8, 2021 • 18:19

Noisy decision making

Noisy decision making

The Nobel prize-winning economist and professor of psychology Daniel Kahneman focuses his latest research on the high cost of inconsistent decision making. In Noise, co-authored with Oliver Sibony and Cass R Sunstein, he looks at why humans can be so unreliable, and what can be done about it. He tells Andrew Marr that people working in the same job often make wildly different judgements, influenced by factors like their current mood, when they last ate, even the weather. He argues that ‘noise’ i

Jun 7, 2021 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

The Chinese government is pleading for young people to have more babies. On Business Weekly we ask whether this new “three-child” policy will help reverse the ageing population. You can’t send babies out to work, so does the nation face a demographic time bomb? Plus, the growing industry of forensic genealogy is cracking decades old murder cases. Our reporter asks how much privacy do we have to surrender - and is it worth it? And as the US marks 100 years since the Tulsa Race Massacre, we head t

Jun 5, 2021 • 50:09

A Chinese immigrant living the American Dream

A Chinese immigrant living the American Dream

Mei Xu is a Chinese American entrepreneur who made it big in the US by setting up a global candle business. She grew up in Chairman Mao's communist China, but was educated at an elite school, where she learnt English with the aim of becoming a diplomat. That was until the pro-democracy, student protests of Tiananmen Square in 1989. After that she managed to get a passport out of China and went to the USA, where she set up her multi-million dollar business. What does her story tell us about the s

Jun 4, 2021 • 17:29

Lebanon sinks further into crisis

Lebanon sinks further into crisis

The World Bank has declared Lebanon's to be "enduring a severe and prolonged economic depression" and said it is one of the worst economic crises since the mid-19th century. As fuel and food supplies dry up, and cash reserves dwindle, Lebanese economic columnist and former bank executive Dan Azzi warns "Armageddon" could be just around the corner for the country. Meanwhile Diana Menhem, economist and managing director of advocacy group Kulluna Irada, explains how the country's economic got into

Jun 3, 2021 • 17:28

The death of the petrol station

The death of the petrol station

The rise of electric vehicles could see traditional service stations closing across the planet over the next two decades, and replacing pumps with fast chargers is unlikely to save them. Justin Rowlatt speaks to one entrepreneur hoping to profit from the rollout of EV chargers in every home and parking space, Erik Fairbairn of Pod Point. Meanwhile Isabelle Haigh, head of national control at the UK's National Grid, explains why she is confident they can meet the electricity demand from all these

Jun 2, 2021 • 18:12

Family tree DNA data crack cold cases

Family tree DNA data crack cold cases

In the US - but increasingly in other countries too - cold case murder, sexual assaults, and unidentified person cases once thought unsolvable are being cracked thanks to the proliferation of public genetic databases. But with this success come deep worries for our DNA data. Ivana Davidovic talks to Brett Williams, the CEO of Verogen - the owner of GEDMatch consumer DNA database - about their business decision to cooperate with the police, privacy concerns and new opportunities opening up in

May 31, 2021 • 18:11

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

In Africa, malaria is far more widespread than Covid-19 - so what would it mean to African economies if it was eliminated? We speak to the man whose team in Oxford devloped an effective vaccine for the disease. Mice have overrun parts of Australia ruining crops and testing sanity. We learn about the effect this plague of rodents is having on the rural economy. We hear why Amazon has bought the iconic MGM Studios - and what it means for both Amazon customers and cinema lovers. Plus, our reporter

May 29, 2021 • 50:24

How to be mediocre

How to be mediocre

Not everyone can be special, so should we embrace our mediocrity?In a programme first broadcast in August 2016, Manuela Saragosa investigates the appeal of being average. She talks to mediocrity advocates and bloggers Krista O'Reilly-Davi-Digui from Alberta in Canada, and Mark Manson in the US. But what happens when whole societies embrace mediocrity at the expense of excellence? Italian philosopher Gloria Origgi explains the concept of "kakonomics'" - the economics of being bad.(Picture of men

May 28, 2021 • 18:01

Dogecoin or bust

Dogecoin or bust

Will the craze for the cryptocurrency started as a joke end in tears? We delve into the world of Dogecoin and ask why people are investing and what the consequences might be. We hear why amateur investors, Vicki Richards from Philadelphia and Erik van der Zanden in the Netherlands, decided to buy Dogecoin. Plus, Kevin Roose, a tech columnist with the New York Times explains why the last year of financial trials and tribulations have made cryptocurrencies attractive to some seeking to make a fort

May 26, 2021 • 18:01

Sexual harassment in the workplace

Sexual harassment in the workplace

Does it pay for vicitms to complain? Ed Butler speaks to Emi Nietfeld about her experiences at Google who says she suffered this for years and claims it eventually forced her to quit her job. (Picture credit: Getty Images)

May 25, 2021 • 17:28

The fight for San Francisco's Chinatown

The fight for San Francisco's Chinatown

San Francisco is home to the oldest and largest Chinatown in North America. But with boarded up businesses and an upsurge in anti-Chinese attacks, the past 14 months have been some of the toughest this community has faced. Will this historic and bustling quarter of San Francisco recover?Vivienne Nunis meets Yiying Lu, a graphic designer from Shanghai who recently made the city her home. She's working with many local businesses to bring visitors back. We also hear from celebrity TV chef Martin Ya

May 24, 2021 • 17:27

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

The International Energy Agency has added its voice to those calling for the end of fossil fuels. The dramatic intervention from the body which helps keep global oil supplies moving is music to the ears of many scientists and environmentalists. Shareholder activists too are pushing from within companies for an energy transition so we ask what the future looks like for the oil and gas sector. Why are some companies resisting the call to go green faster and harder? We’ll look at what happened to t

May 22, 2021 • 49:06

Lifting the burden of malaria

Lifting the burden of malaria

A new vaccine could help eliminate the disease. What would that mean for African economies?Manuela Saragosa speaks to the man who led the team behind the new vaccine, which has demonstrated a startling 77% effectiveness in recent drug trials. Adrian Hill of Oxford University's Jenner Institute says it is the culmination of 20 years' work - but how was it all funded?Research suggests malaria has been one of the biggest factors that historically held back African economies, according to Obinna Onw

May 21, 2021 • 18:29

The new inflation threat

The new inflation threat

Faster price rises are coming as countries recover from the pandemic. But how painful will it be for consumers and the global economy? Mohamed El-Erian, economic adviser and president of Queens' College, Cambridge, thinks central banks are already behind the curve when it comes to keeping inflation in check. Others believe the pandemic's impact on prices is largely temporary. Dana Peterson of the US Conference Board explains why. We also hear from restaurant owner Luke Garnsworthy. Now that Engl

May 20, 2021 • 18:27

Syria: Failed state or narco-state?

Syria: Failed state or narco-state?

How ten years of conflict have destroyed the country's economy. As Syria prepares for largely symbolic elections to re-elect its President Bashar Al-Assad next week, we look at how ten years of conflict have destroyed the country's economy. Ed Butler looks at the growing evidence that Syria's government is now building its income around a multi-billion dollar trade in narcotics. He speaks to Syrian economist Jihad Yazigi, editor in chief of the online publication The Syria Report, Martin Chulov,

May 19, 2021 • 18:26

Pandemic preparedness

Pandemic preparedness

When it comes to pandemic preparedness the United States was once one of the world’s best prepared countries. Today it has one of the world’s worst Covid mortality rates. So what went wrong? The financial journalist and writer Michael Lewis of The Big Short fame, has investigated and has published a book called The Premonition. It’s a real life, deep-dive account of how American public health officials warned about the impending Covid pandemic but were ignored by US authorities. (Picture credit:

May 18, 2021 • 17:27

What happened to driverless cars?

What happened to driverless cars?

Why hasn't the autonomous car revolution happened yet? A few years ago industry figures were predicting driverless cars would take over our roads by the end of the 2010s, but so far there's no sign of them. Justin Rowlatt speaks to Oliver Cameron from Cruise - a company testing driverless cars on the streets of San Francisco, and to industry analyst Sam Abuelsamid from Guidehouse Insights about the technological and regulatory challenges that still exist. UK transport minister Rachel Maclean exp

May 17, 2021 • 18:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

As the vital Colonial Pipeline in the US comes under cyberattack, Business Weekly hears how vulnerable infrastructure and companies are to being hacked. We take a look at the dirty business of car battery recycling - it’s an increasing health hazard in developing countries, as the lead acid seeps into people, plants and animals. We also hear from religious leaders who explain how the pandemic has affected the spiritual and religious life of their churches. And as the European Super League saga c

May 15, 2021 • 50:26

Who should control the vaccines?

Who should control the vaccines?

Calls are rising for a waiver of patent protections on Covid-19 vaccines - but would it do anything to accelerate their rollout in the developing world?Manuela Saragosa speaks to an advocate of the "People's Vaccine" campaign, which aims to end the control of the major pharmaceutical companies. Els Torreele of University College London says much of the research and development of these vaccines was publicly funded anyway, and the need to negotiate patent agreements prevents other companies from

May 14, 2021 • 18:28

What is the real death toll in India?

What is the real death toll in India?

The chief scientist for the World Health Organisation acknowledges the frailty of the official numbers. Ed Butler speaks to Anthony Masters, the statistics ambassador for the UK's Royal Statistical Society who explains that one way to try to count the number of deaths is through excess deaths figures. But in countries like India there aren't very reliable national mortality statistics to start with, and there's often a long delay in delivering the latest numbers. One man who's done as much as an

May 13, 2021 • 17:28

The dirty business of old car batteries

The dirty business of old car batteries

The recycling of lead acid batteries poses a growing health hazard in many developing countries.Vivienne Nunis looks at the case of Bangladesh, where a cottage industry has sprung up all over the country, with old car and auto-rickshaw batteries being burned in unsafe conditions, poisoning the surrounding land, animals, plants and people. Researcher Bret Ericson says that hundreds of millions of children across the developing world have dangerously high blood lead levels, risking damage to their

May 12, 2021 • 18:28

The battle for football

The battle for football

Why plans for a European Super League won't go away. Ed Butler speaks to James Montague, author of the book The Billionaires Club: The Unstoppable Rise of Football’s Super-rich Owners, about why creating a Europe-wide league of the richest clubs made so much sense to football club owners with backgrounds in US sport. Spanish football journalist Semra Hunter explains why for Spanish clubs, the ESL is seen as the only way to guarantee their financial survival. And Keiran Maguire, accountant and le

May 11, 2021 • 18:29

Can flying go green?

Can flying go green?

Paying extra to offset your carbon emissions may sound like a good idea. But does planting trees or paying to save a rainforest actually reduce your carbon footprint? Travel writer Manchán Magan and climate scientist Thales West explain why they're sceptical. We also hear from one of America's leading airlines, United, which is increasing the number of flights powered by waste products and old cooking fat. United's head of global environmental affairs Lauren Riley tells us more.Photo: A plane ca

May 10, 2021 • 18:23

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On this edition of Business Weekly, we look at the battle between the makers of one of the world’s biggest computer games, Fortnite, and the world’s biggest tech company, Apple. The court case could have implications for how app stores and payment models are run in the future. We also take a look at the jewellery sector and hear two different tales of sustainability - from those selling diamonds made in a laboratory and those digging them out of the ground. Plus, we head to campuses in the Unite

May 8, 2021 • 49:56

Who owns colour?

Who owns colour?

Scientists, artists and some of the world’s biggest companies are carving up the visual spectrum, and claiming certain colours as their own, so who does have a right to use the colours of the rainbow? We explore the ongoing rift over the worlds “blackest black” Vantablack, which was created by engineering firm Surrey Nanosystems, and can only be used by the artist Anish Kapoor. Contemporary British artist Stuart Semple argues that creativity should not be limited by commercial agreements, while

May 7, 2021 • 17:28

Life after Jack Ma

Life after Jack Ma

What next for China's giant tech companies? Ed Butler speaks to China watcher Richard McGregor at the Lowy Institute in Sydney about why China's leaders have clipped the wings of Jack Ma, the country's most famous business leader and founder of the tech giant Alibaba. Chinese tech sector analyst Rui Ma argues that closer regulation of China's giant tech companies will be good for competition, while Rebecca Fannin, author of Tech Titans of China, worries about the impact on innovation. Eswar Pras

May 6, 2021 • 17:58

Electric vehicles hit the big time

Electric vehicles hit the big time

The car industry is preparing to go fully electric sooner than you might imagine - and not just because of the climate crisis.Justin Rowlatt speaks to Bjorn Annwall, head of Volvo Cars in Europe, about why his company is one of a string of major carmakers to rush out plans in recent months to electrify their business. They intend to stop selling internal combustion engine cars as soon as 2030. What's driving it is the rapid improvement and collapsing cost of the batteries at their heart, accordi

May 5, 2021 • 17:58

Will Covid decimate India's middle class?

Will Covid decimate India's middle class?

Millions of Indians risk being knocked back into poverty by the current explosion in coronavirus infections.Rahul Tandon hears from Radhika, who abruptly lost her job in Mumbai when India went into lockdown last year, and has since struggled with thoughts of suicide. Newspaper columnist Sandip Roy discusses how Covid threatens to strip many self-identifying middle class of their sense of comfort and security. Meanwhile, many women who run their own businesses face ruin, according Renu Shah, who

May 4, 2021 • 17:58

Making multinationals pay

Making multinationals pay

It could be the biggest shake-up of corporate taxation in history. But can President Biden's push for a minimum global rate succeed? He wants multinational companies to pay a rate of at least 21%. The proposal is likely to face opposition from smaller economies. Tech consultant Pamela Newenham explains how Ireland's low tax regime has helped to transform the country's capital. Others say the proposal doesn't go far enough. We hear why from Nobel prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz. We also h

May 3, 2021 • 17:57

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

A “once in a generation investment” is what Joe Biden offered the American people this week. He presented his American Jobs plan and American Families Plan to Congress to mark his first 100 days in office. Can he deliver? Also, will business travel resume once the pandemic has ended? Airlines and hotels are dependent on business travel - but now that so many people have adapted to virtual meetings, will frequent fliers ever want to get back to the departure lounges? And why do cities change thei

May 1, 2021 • 50:11

Men and cosmetic surgery

Men and cosmetic surgery

More men have considered cosmetic treatments during the pandemic. Has spending more time at home staring at ourselves in video conferencing made us more worried about our appearance, and have the pressures of ageism in the workplace also had an impact. Ed Butler speaks to psychologist Helena Lewis Smith, and Past President of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons Dr Alan Matarasso about just what’s motivating men to make more changes. Plus, he tries a treatment for himself. (PHOTO: Ed Bu

Apr 30, 2021 • 18:15

Biden's trillions

Biden's trillions

The US president announces a massive spending plan for the US economy, with trillions of dollars earmarked for jobs and infrastructure. But is it too ambitious for Republicans to support? Ed Butler speaks to Ryan Heath, senior editor at Politico, and Gordon Hanson, professor of urban policy at Harvard Kennedy School. Hundreds of billions of dollars are also planned for the US's creaking healthcare system. Carer Sharon Tosten and democrat Debbie Dingell explain why it's needed. (Photo: US Preside

Apr 29, 2021 • 18:15

Changing a city's name

Changing a city's name

What’s in a name? It’s something that Shakespeare’s Juliet pondered. But what’s in the name of a city? And what are the economic and social costs for a city which opts to change it’s name? Lots have done so down the years – New Amsterdam became New York City and Istanbul became Contantinople. Last year, the residents of Asbestos in Canada choose a new name for their city. And back in February, the South African city of Port Elizabeth became Gqeberha. Matthew Davies speaks to Christian Martin an

Apr 28, 2021 • 17:29

Does business travel have a future?

Does business travel have a future?

Why fly when you can videoconference? After a year of Covid lockdowns, that's the question many business executives are asking themselves.Manuela Saragosa speaks to one frequent flyer, Juliette Kayyem, who says that after a year of being grounded, she now thinks more about time with her kids, not to mention the carbon footprint of all her air miles. And she's not the only one - business travel consultant Scott Gillespie says corporate travel managers across the planet are now using the opportuni

Apr 27, 2021 • 18:15

Covid in paradise

Covid in paradise

How are small island tourist destinations like the Caribbean island state of Antigua and Barbuda coping with the shutdown of global travel?Manuela Saragosa speaks to the Antiguan Minister of Tourism Charles Fernandez about the innovative steps his country took to continue welcoming holidaymakers from North America and Europe last year, while keeping them safely contained within their own beachside bubbles. The pandemic has been devastating for the travel industry more generally, according to Hel

Apr 26, 2021 • 18:16

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

As India battles a surge in Covid cases and hospital beds become scarce, Business Weekly hears how social media is helping connect patients with medical help. Several areas of the country have gone back into lockdown. We get reaction from businesses. In Denmark, the authorities have introduced a Corona Pass, which lets the vaccinated attend various events. Our reporter looks at how well it’s working. We look at the online advertising industry as several big companies scale back their digital mar

Apr 24, 2021 • 50:25

Big Data, conspiracy theories and ‘Magical Thinking’

Big Data, conspiracy theories and ‘Magical Thinking’

Filmmaker Adam Curtis questions the value of Big Data in society. In his latest BBC series, 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head', Curtis explores "Love, power, money, ghosts of empire, conspiracies, artificial intelligence – and You." Curtis spoke to Business Daily's Ed Butler about how the rise of artificial intelligence, Big Data and targeted advertising have come to shape the way we see our world and caused us to feel helpless within it. He also explains that the psychological experiments which und

Apr 23, 2021 • 17:28

Is the digital ad market overvalued?

Is the digital ad market overvalued?

Large companies have slashed their digital marketing budget. Airbnb and Procter & Gamble made such a cut in recent years, after coming to believe the cost doesn’t necessarily translate to increased sales. They follow in the footsteps of eBay who, in 2013, announced it would cease paying for ad sponsorship on Google. Economics professor Steve Tadelis, who led eBay’s research into this, explains how they came to conclude advertising wasn’t worth it. Also in the programme, brand safety advocate and

Apr 22, 2021 • 17:28

Can Biden woo the world on climate change?

Can Biden woo the world on climate change?

President Biden hosts a virtual summit this week as the US seeks global climate action. But can he convince the rest of the world to go further and faster on cutting carbon emissions when the country has been out of the game for the past four years? Justin Rowlatt asks former US climate envoy Todd Stern and Isabel Hilton, founder of China dialogue. And, in a world where some countries are rolling back protections, can consensus still be found? We hear from the heart of the Brazilian rainforest,

Apr 21, 2021 • 17:37

Demille and the gig economy

Demille and the gig economy

In 2016 when producer Georgia first met him, Demille was a cycle courier in his early twenties, taking his company to a tribunal over better working conditions. He was fired-up, political, and excited about a case he would go on to win.For the past five years, Georgia and Demille have been meeting and recording.Demille’s story is one of being young and trying to stay afloat in the gig economy; of resilience and hope and trying to find control over his city and life.

Apr 20, 2021 • 18:28

Meeting expectations

Meeting expectations

Every day 55 million meetings take place in the United States. But just how effective are they at actually getting stuff done? British comedian David Mitchell has been investigating how the meeting evolved and the "meeting-isation" of society.(Picture: a man boring colleagues during a meeting. Credit: Getty Images.)

Apr 19, 2021 • 18:27

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

The US is making overtures to China about working together to save the planet. On Business Weekly, we hear what concessions each side would like the other to make as they try to put aside their diplomatic differences for the sake of the environment. We also hear from climate activist Greta Thunberg, who tells us what her vision for the future is and what she’d like to see politicians doing. As the cargo ship Ever Given remains in the Suez Canal - this time impounded by the Egyptian authorities -

Apr 17, 2021 • 49:55

A part-time return to the office?

A part-time return to the office?

A hybrid model mixing home working with office time is being favoured by major companies. But critics worry it will create divisions in the workplace. Small business owner and columnist Gene Marks explains why managing remote workers presents such a challenge, and Darren Murph from GitLab, a tech firm of 1,300 employees and no office, tells us why having a mix of home and office work could be the worst of both worlds. Economist Nicholas Bloom discusses the risk of discriminating between workers

Apr 16, 2021 • 17:58

President Biden and his strategy for China

President Biden and his strategy for China

Will the US President continue with an increasingly hostile attitude towards China? Or does economic common sense demand that Washington should back off from Beijing? Ed Butler asks Diana Choyleva of Enodo Economics, and he chairs a debate between David Sacks of the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington DC and Kishore Mahbubani, a distinguished fellow at the National University of Singapore.(Picture: US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Credit: Getty Images.)

Apr 15, 2021 • 17:56

Boom time for scammers

Boom time for scammers

During the Coronavirus pandemic, people have been spending more time at home, and online, than ever before. This has given online scammers a golden opportunity to find new victims. And it’s worked. We’ll hear from Danielle in Illinois, who was caught up in just such a scam and lost thousands of dollars from her savings. And she’s not the only one. Craig Jones, Director of Cyber Crime at Interpol, describes the rise they’ve seen in all types of online scams during the pandemic. But why does lockd

Apr 14, 2021 • 17:57

A conversation with Greta

A conversation with Greta

The world’s most famous climate activist has just turned 18 and is as uncompromising as ever.In an extended interview, Justin Rowlatt asks Greta Thunberg how she intends to continue campaigning, now that she is back in school and living under lockdown at her family home in Stockholm.Before the pandemic, the Swedish environmentalist had spent several months travelling around America in an electric vehicle lent to her by Arnold Schwarzenegger. A TV documentary crew shadowed her as she visited scie

Apr 13, 2021 • 17:58

Telegram in the spotlight

Telegram in the spotlight

After becoming the most downloaded non-gaming app earlier this year, Telegram messaging app has amassed half a billion users – a quarter of WhatsApp’s and rising. Owned by the elusive Russian exile Pavel Durov, Telegram has been used to coordinate global protest movements - from Belarus to Iran and Hong Kong. It’s also been accused of tolerating the extremist channels behind ISIS and the Capitol Hill riots. But in its home country, Russia, misogyny appears to be permitted on the platform. Ivana

Apr 12, 2021 • 17:56

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

Voters in Greenland have backed a party which opposes a rare earth mining project. On Business Weekly, we ask what this means for the security of the global supply of rare minerals and hear why this project was so controversial. From the ice to the ocean, where the race to extract minerals is on. But environmentalists are concerned that deep sea mining could hurt the world’s oceans, even if they are being mined to help the environment in other ways. You may have heard of the term non-fungible to

Apr 10, 2021 • 49:26

Mega ships

Mega ships

After the Ever Given blocked the Suez Canal last month, we ask: are container ships too big? How much bigger can they get? To answer those questions we speak to Aslak Ross, head of marine standards at the world’s largest container shipping line, Maersk. Jan Hoffman, head of trade and logistics at the UN's Conference on Trade and Development, explains that economies of scale have led to the ships getting bigger and bigger. And Evert Lataire, head of maritime technology at Ghent University, descri

Apr 9, 2021 • 17:58

Mining the ocean

Mining the ocean

How rocks on the ocean floor could be key to the transition to electric cars. Justin Rowlatt speaks to Gerard Barron, boss of DeepGreen, a company that wants to gather rocks from the ocean floors rich in the metals essential for making electric car batteries. He tells us why this kind of mining is crucial to transitioning away from fossil fuels. Louisa Casson, senior campaigner with Greenpeace, warns of the environmental devastation this could cause. And zoologist Adrian Glover tells us how mini

Apr 8, 2021 • 17:59

Tracing cotton’s DNA

Tracing cotton’s DNA

Can technology help eradicate forced labour from global cotton supplies? A confrontation continues to rise between Western powers, global brands, and the Chinese authorities over the use of forced labour and human rights abuse in cotton production in the western region of Xinjiang. Sophie Richardson, China director at Human Rights Watch, explains why transparency from the Chinese authorities over the whole cotton supply chain is unlikely to be forthcoming. With that in mind, some technology comp

Apr 7, 2021 • 17:28

Where art and cryptocurrency meet...

Where art and cryptocurrency meet...

When the world of crypto currencies met with the world of art, they created what's called a non-fungible tokens or NFT. Some say NFTs could redefine what we think of as art while others think it’s just the latest crypto craze that may well end in financial losses and tears. (Picture: Artwork by Jazmine Boykins/ Blacksneakers, courtesy of the artist)

Apr 6, 2021 • 17:28

What happens to whistleblowers

What happens to whistleblowers

How exposing the truth at work can cost you your career. Theo Leggett speaks to whistleblowers Ian Foxley and Bianca Goodson, both of whom found it impossible to get a new job after exposing wrongdoing at their respective employers. Psychotherapist David Morgan describes the emotional toll on those who choose to expose wrongdoing, and why the majority stay silent. And whistleblower lawyer Mary Inman, partner at the law firm Constantine Cannon, argues that companies need to start seeing whistleb

Apr 5, 2021 • 17:52

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

Some of the world’s biggest investment banks have been left exposed as a hedge fund collapsed, leaving multi-billion dollar losses in its wake. Archegos Capital Management was a secretive personal wealth fund - we find out why banks like Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse and Nomura dealt with it. We hear why a European Union ban on palm oil in biofuel has left both Indonesia and Malaysia upset and as Bangladesh celebrates its 50th birthday we ask whether the textile industry will be able to support t

Apr 3, 2021 • 49:26

How to complain

How to complain

In this programme, Elizabeth Hotson looks at the art of demanding good service. From dealing with customer services to having conversations with chatbots, we’ll be giving some practical tips for getting what you want. Whilst some people love making their voices heard, Dr. Robin Kowalski, professor of psychology at Clemson University in South Carolina explains why some people’s personalities make complaining a nightmare. Meanwhile, Sabine Benoit, Professor of Marketing at Surrey Business School l

Apr 2, 2021 • 17:29

Josephine's story: Bouncing back

Josephine's story: Bouncing back

Josephine is a single mother of four in Kibera, the sprawling slum in Nairobi, Kenya. At the beginning of the pandemic she was working as a cook, but soon, like many Kibera residents, lost her job, and when the BBC's Ed Butler spoke to her a year ago her situation was dire. In this final episode in the series, Josephine looks to the future, and how she might retrain herself to find new ways to put food on the table. We’ll also hear from Kibera community organiser Kennedy Odede, how Josephine’s i

Apr 1, 2021 • 17:28

Feminist cities

Feminist cities

Why do so many women still feel unsafe walking the streets of our cities? We take a look at the idea of a feminist city. What is it and what could it look like? And where in the world are they getting it right? Since the murder of Sarah Everard in South London in March, women all over the UK took to social media to discuss their experiences of walking the streets. And the lengths they go to stay safe. The 33 year old was walking home from a friend’s house in the evening she was murdered. The kil

Mar 31, 2021 • 17:28

Hydroelectric power in focus after disaster in India

Hydroelectric power in focus after disaster in India

In February a devastating flash flood in India's northern state of Uttarakhand killed at least 70 people and trapped workers in underground tunnels. We'll hear from locals who witnessed the horrific events, as well as Uttarakhand journalist Kavita Upadhyay about how the news spread among the community. Indian geologist Dr Kalachand Sain explains exactly what happened that caused the flood, and Dave Petley, professor of geography at the University of Sheffield explains how climate change played a

Mar 30, 2021 • 17:28

Palm oil politics

Palm oil politics

An EU ban on the vegetable oil's use in biofuel has upset Indonesia and Malaysia. Meanwhile critics say it will only worsen the problem of tropical deforestation by palm oil farmers.Manuela Saragosa looks at this most divisive of commodities, and moves to ban it impact the smallholder farmers behind almost half of global production. Sustainability researcher Gernot Klepper of the Kiel Institute explains why he thinks the European position is irrational, while Indonesian palm trade journalist Bhi

Mar 29, 2021 • 18:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

As a giant container ship gets stuck in the Suez canal, we examine at the vital role the waterway plays in global shipping. We also hear from Chicago, where reparations are being made to black residents after years of segregation. African Americans have lost thousands in personal wealth due to the policy of redlining. Our chief environment correspondent investigates a leaked letter from China - suggesting it's preparing to embark on greener policies. And we’ll be talking space junk with astrophy

Mar 27, 2021 • 49:55

Nigeria's kidnapping industry

Nigeria's kidnapping industry

Since December, more than 600 students have been abducted from schools in north-west Nigeria, highlighting a worrying development in the country's kidnap-for-ransom crisis. We'll hear from the father of a returned schoolgirl, about the agony of not knowing what's happened to them. But it's not just schoolgirls. Nigeria is subject to a full-blown kidnapping industry, as Ikemesit Effiong of SBM Intelligence explains. And as the government denies it is paying ransoms, and calls grow for the crisis

Mar 26, 2021 • 17:28

Josephine’s story: Debt

Josephine’s story: Debt

Josephine is a single mother of four in Kibera, the sprawling slum in Nairobi, Kenya. At the beginning of the pandemic she was working as a cook, but soon lost her job, and when the BBC's Ed Butler spoke to her a year ago her situation was dire.In this episode, the third of a short series about Josephine and Kibera, we'll hear how Josephine's efforts to feed her family during the Coronavirus pandemic were further imperilled by a different virus, malaria. We'll also hear how the cost of her food

Mar 25, 2021 • 17:28

The rise of food delivery apps

The rise of food delivery apps

How the growth in food delivery apps could change the restaurant industry forever. Manuela Saragosa speaks to Moe Tkacik from the American Economic Liberties Project about threat posed to restaurants by the dominance of platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats and Deliveroo. Collin Wallace, former head of innovation at GrubHub, explains why these platforms continue to expand despite never making a profit. Food writer Jonathan Nunn discusses the breakdown of the relationship between customers and resta

Mar 24, 2021 • 18:11

Could China pull the plug on coal?

Could China pull the plug on coal?

A letter sent to the Bangladeshi government suggests that Beijing may be clamping down on the biggest source of carbon emissions.Justin Rowlatt speaks to the journalist who got the scoop - Jagaran Chakma of the Daily Star newspaper in Bangladesh. His nation is one of dozens of developing countries that need to build up their power sector, and had been looking to China to finance new coal-fired power stations under the Belt and Road initiative - something the letter pointedly said that Beijing wo

Mar 23, 2021 • 17:58

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

As rows continue in Europe over the safety and supply of the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid 19 Vaccine, on Business Weekly we ask how much of the argument is over genuine safety concerns and how much is political? We also take a look at the pandemic within a pandemic: obesity. It’s the second highest risk factor for Covid mortality. But, how much of the blame should lie at the door of the food industry? Will a renewed focus on health change what we eat and drink? Plus, governments around the world are

Mar 20, 2021 • 49:26

Why your boss is incompetent

Why your boss is incompetent

Why is it that the boss never seems to know what they’re doing? The famous “Dilbert principle” asserts that companies promote incompetent employees into middle management to get them out of the way. But Professor David Dunning, co-creator of the competing “Dunning–Kruger effect”, says there’s more to it than that, specifically that the more incompetent a person is, the more confident they can be. Meanwhile, Kelly Shue, Professor of Finance at Yale, says an even simpler idea, the “Peter Principle

Mar 19, 2021 • 17:59

Josephine’s story: Starting a business

Josephine’s story: Starting a business

In the sprawling Nairobi slum of Kibera in Kenya, a single mother of four struggles to survive lockdown. At the beginning of the pandemic, Josephine was working as a cook, but soon lost her job, and when the BBC's Ed Butler spoke to her a year ago her situation was dire.In this episode, the second of a short series, the small business Josephine started to help feed her family sees faltering success before life in a pandemic gets more complicated again. Also in the programme, we hear from Kibera

Mar 18, 2021 • 17:28

How the pandemic feeds online trolling

How the pandemic feeds online trolling

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we behave on the internet. Online trolling is on the rise as people turn to social media to take out their lockdown frustrations.Marie Keyworth hears from Lisa Forte, who used to work for the UK police's Cyber Crime Unit and has faced online abuse herself. Virginia Mantouvalou says that a social media platform shouldn’t be viewed as “safe space” to express whatever views we wish. But isn't one of the points of social media to connect with like-minded

Mar 16, 2021 • 17:59

Has the food industry made Covid worse?

Has the food industry made Covid worse?

Obesity is a major factor in which countries have the worst Covid-19 death rates, a new report suggests. So could this be a moment of reckoning for food and beverage businesses?Manuela Saragosa hears from John Wilding, president of the World Obesity Federation, which produced the report. She asks Kate Halliwell, chief scientific officer of the UK’s Food and Drink Federation, what responsibility the industry bears. Sophie Lawrence of fund managers Rathbone Greenbank explains how important obesity

Mar 15, 2021 • 17:58

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On this edition of Business Weekly, we look at an alternative view of the economic future, a year on from the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. We hear from musicians on different continents who have found different ways to pay the bills when the live venues closed. And we head to Nairobi to meet Josephine, a woman living in an informal settlement, who has recorded a pandemic diary for us. We will also hear from the fishing villages around the Indian Ocean where people in the Seychelles and Mal

Mar 13, 2021 • 49:26

Sexual assault in the music industry

Sexual assault in the music industry

As women begin to speak out against sexual violence and harassment, does the music industry face a #metoo reckoning?Manuela Saragosa speaks to her colleague Tamanna Rahman about her investigation for BBC television into numerous claims of abuse, assault and rape, as many women finally break their silence. They discuss the cases of grime artist Solo 45, who was sentenced to prison for multiple counts of rape, and the superstar DJ Erick Morillo, who died last year shortly after being accused of dr

Mar 12, 2021 • 17:56

Josephine’s story: Covid hits Kenya

Josephine’s story: Covid hits Kenya

Josephine is a single mother of four in Kibera, the sprawling slum in Nairobi, Kenya. At the beginning of the pandemic she was working as a cook, but soon lost her job, and when the BBC's Ed Butler spoke to her a year ago her situation was dire.In this episode, the first of a short series about Josephine and Kibera, we hear how she struggled to start a small business to help feed her family. Also in the programme, Kibera community organiser Kennedy Odede explains how those first few months of de

Mar 11, 2021 • 17:58

Lab grown meat: The new food frontier?

Lab grown meat: The new food frontier?

Are chicken nuggets grown from animal cells the ultimate innovation, or a flash in the pan? As Singapore allows the sale of cultivated chicken nuggets, Elizabeth Hotson speaks to Josh Tetrick, whose company Eat Just brought the innovative snack to market. Colin Buchan, executive chef at the exclusive club 1880 in Singapore, tells us what it's like to cook the nuggets, while two vegan friends in London talk about the ethics. Plus, the BBC's Regan Morris tells us why bringing lab grown meat to mar

Mar 10, 2021 • 17:28

The digital currency race

The digital currency race

Central banks and many companies are rushing to develop their own digital currencies. Why are they doing it? What are the risks? And how might it upend our relationship with money? Ed Butler speaks to Jay Joe, who runs a company providing some of the tech behind the Bahamas’ new digital currency, the Sand Dollar. Josh Lipsky of the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center, explains what central banks in the Bahamas and elsewhere hope to gain from digitisation.Samantha Hoffman, senior analyst at th

Mar 9, 2021 • 17:58

Women, work and lockdowns

Women, work and lockdowns

On International Women's Day, we ask what Covid-19 lockdowns have done to gender equality at work - and at home.Mum Leslie Chiaramonte was forced to quit her nursing job amid the demands of juggling childcare and work. British politician Stella Creasy fears the pandemic will lead to a "tsunami" of unemployed mothers. But Holly Birkett, co-director of the Equal Parenting Project at the University of Birmingham, says it has helped to remove the stigma attached to flexible working.Producer: Szu Pin

Mar 8, 2021 • 17:57

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

Next week marks the first anniversary of the World Health Organisation officially labelling Covid-19 a pandemic. In the year since that announcement was made over two and a half million people have died from the disease. Global unemployment rose by 33 million, social gatherings have been largely forbidden and millions of children have had their education disrupted. On this episode of Business Weekly we’ll be looking at the cost of the coronavirus on our jobs, lives and wellbeing. We’ll hear from

Mar 6, 2021 • 49:08

The joy of work

The joy of work

New York rat-catcher James Molluso has been dealing with vermin since he was a teenager. The pay isn't brilliant, the hours are long and the chemicals are toxic. So why does he love his job so much? We hear from John Bowe, who recounts surprising tales of happiness from his years interviewing crime scene cleaners, lawyers and taxidermists in the book Gig: Americans Talk About Their Jobs. And with Covid-19 blurring the lines between work and home life, Laurie Santos, professor of Psychology at Ya

Mar 5, 2021 • 17:28

Covid: Healthcare worker burnout

Covid: Healthcare worker burnout

A year of crisis has taken a toll on those tasked with caring for the sick and elderly. It’s almost a year since the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic. Manuela Saragosa revisits three frontline health care workers who she spoke to last year, about how they have coped. Dr Ma, a geriatrician in Hong Kong plus a care home worker in Spain and Dr. Laura Hawryluck, Associate Professor of Critical Care Medicine at the University of Toronto and an ICU doctor herself.

Mar 4, 2021 • 17:28

Guyana and the pandemic

Guyana and the pandemic

How has mental health in the South American country been affected during lockdown? According to the World Health Organisation Guyana has for years had one of the highest suicide rates anywhere in the world. So how has the country fared during the pandemic? Ed Butler speaks to Supriya Singh-Bodden, founder of a non-profit organisation The Guyana Foundation, set up to foster development in the country, to Meena Upeachehan who works as a councillor for The Guyana Foundation, and to women in the cou

Mar 3, 2021 • 17:29

Growing up in lockdown

Growing up in lockdown

The Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the lives of billions of people around the world, and with many countries still in lockdown the impact will continue to be felt for many years. Not least for teenagers, whose education, family and social lives have been profoundly disrupted. Today we meet such teenagers: Ayushmaan in New Delhi, Emma in Hamburg, Pelumi in Lagos and Gracie in Auckland talk to host Tamasin Ford and each other about the challenges of nearing adulthood in a world under lockdown,

Mar 2, 2021 • 17:28

Lockdown breakdowns

Lockdown breakdowns

It’s almost a year since the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic. Many embraced working from home to start off with. But has it lost its lustre? We look at the toll it’s taking on people’s mental health. We hear from Matthew Cooper, the co-founder of a start-up called Earn Up, a San Francisco-based financial technology platform that helps people automate their loan payments. He explains why the pandemic contributed to a breakdown at the end of 2020. We also spe

Mar 1, 2021 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

As the global Covid-19 vaccination drive slowly gathers pace - on Business Weekly we’ll be looking at whether vaccine passports will help us return to life as we once knew it. While the travel industry is keen to use them, scientists warn that not only will they not work properly but they could pose serious ethical dilemmas. We’ll also hear from the people scooping facemasks out of the ocean - who are warning that Covid-19 has caused a pandemic of plastic waste. In the effort to save the planet

Feb 27, 2021 • 50:28

Why does Bitcoin consume so much energy?

Why does Bitcoin consume so much energy?

As Bitcoin's price hits a new all-time high, it's now estimated to use as much electricity as the whole of Argentina But is this remotely sustainable?Justin Rowlatt speaks to cryptocurrency expert and University of Chicago economics professor Gina Pieters about why such heavy energy consumption is an intrinsic feature of Bitcoin, and why the higher it's value rises, the more its energy footprint expands.But what about it's carbon footprint? That's a debate we get to hear both sides of, with cryp

Feb 26, 2021 • 18:26

China's vaccine diplomacy

China's vaccine diplomacy

Poorer countries in search of Covid-19 vaccines are looking east. Agathe Demarais, global forecasting director at the Economist Intelligence Unit, describes how China and Russia are stepping in to provide vaccines where Europe and the US aren't. Yanzhong Huang, senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations, explains how this feeds into China's soft power aspirations. Yuan Ding, dean of the China Europe International Business School, and David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance, di

Feb 25, 2021 • 18:32

Love in the time of coronavirus

Love in the time of coronavirus

Covid-19 has ruined millions of wedding plans. Will 2021 spark a race to the altar for those unable to tie the knot? California couple Lauren and Patrick Delgado tell their story. We also hear from Jordie Shepherd, host of the Corona Brides podcast, and the bride tear-gassed on her wedding day. Also, has Covid-19 put an end to the Big Fat Indian Wedding? We ask Lalita Raghav at the wedding planners Ferns N Petals.Picture: Bride and groom figurines are pictured wearing face masks (Credit: Getty)

Feb 24, 2021 • 17:28

The plastic pandemic

The plastic pandemic

The pandemic has brought with it a massive rise in plastic waste. Tamasin Ford looks at how the demand for hygiene along with plummeting oil prices boosted our use of single use plastics. In some countries, it has increased by 50 percent. In other countries, the increase has been even six or seven fold. She speaks to Gary Stokes, the Founder of Oceans Asia in Hong Kong, a marine conservation organisation. And to Amy Slack, head of campaigns and policy at Surfers Against Sewage, an ocean conserva

Feb 23, 2021 • 17:29

Will hydrogen prove a life saver?

Will hydrogen prove a life saver?

The "hydrogen economy" has received a lot of hype, but could this explosive gas fill some critical gaps in a future zero-carbon energy system?Justin Rowlatt looks at Australia's plans to use its huge solar and wind resources to generate hydrogen from seawater. Miranda Taylor of the government-sponsored agency National Energy Resources Australia lists some of the many potential applications for the gas that the country is taking a punt on. But how many of them will actual prove commercially viabl

Feb 22, 2021 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

They’re the technical bits of genius businesses cannot do without. On this edition of Business Weekly, we look at the world of semiconductors and why a shortage of them is holding up industries the world over. From consumer electronics to cars, the squeeze on semiconductors affects the supply of everything with a computer chip. Also, Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela becomes the first African and first female director general of the World Trade Organisation. We hear from the woman herself about the task ahead.

Feb 20, 2021 • 49:26

Why hair matters

Why hair matters

To some it may sound absurd to consider hairstyles a workplace issue, but for millions of men and women with African and Afro-Caribbean hair, it is just that. For decades, some hairstyles have been discouraged at work. But things are finally starting to change. This month, the US Airforce is changing its hair code to be more inclusive. We explore the historic racism behind hair-based discrimination and hear from the women who have united to change attitudes and laws. We speak to businesswomen, h

Feb 19, 2021 • 17:27

The Paystack effect

The Paystack effect

How the biggest start-up acquisition out of Nigeria is resonating across Africa. Last year Nigeria saw its biggest ever start-up acquisition - a multi million dollar deal for digital payments company Paystack. The result was a massive shift in the minds of entrepreneurs and investors in Africa’s Fintech scene. The company which processes more than half of all online payments in Nigeria, was started by two graduates in their 20s five years ago. It ended in a $200 hundred million dollar deal with

Feb 18, 2021 • 18:26

The great semiconductor shortage

The great semiconductor shortage

Why Taiwan isn't making enough computer chips. Ed Butler speaks to Jan-Peter Kleinhans, head of technology and geopolitics at SNV, a German think tank, about the central role of Taiwan in the complex global supply chain of semiconductors. The BBC's Theo Leggett explains why the car industry has been particularly hit by the shortage of chips. And Shelley Rigger, professor of East Asian politics at Davidson University in the US, discusses the growing significance of Taiwan in the technology war be

Feb 17, 2021 • 18:27

Teaching children about money

Teaching children about money

Though children will usually learn how to add, subtract or multiply in school, very often they are not taught the skills they need to manage their money in older life. We’ll hear from children around the world about their understanding of, and relationship with, money. Then, Lily Lapenna MBE, of MyBnk, describes her decades long campaign to improve financial education in UK schools, and how a gap still remains between boys and girls in financial literacy. Eddie Behringer, CEO of the fintech firm

Feb 16, 2021 • 18:25

Bill Gates versus climate change

Bill Gates versus climate change

Eliminating carbon emissions in the next 30 years would be "the most amazing thing humanity has ever done".In an exclusive interview, Bill Gates tells Justin Rowlatt why he has set his sights on tackling global warming, and how the challenge compares to efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic - which he is also taking a leading role in, with the funding of vaccine rollouts. The Microsoft founder and world's most influential philanthropist is particularly focused on the parts of the economy t

Feb 15, 2021 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On this episode of Business Weekly, we examine the world of amateur traders. One in five Americans now play the stock market, but there are warnings that inexperienced traders could be caught out. Also, we take a look at the new space race. Commercial enterprises are vying to see who can get the most satellites into orbit in order to provide internet connectivity to some of the world’s poorest and most rural regions. In the week when Bumble made its market debut, we hear how dating apps are fari

Feb 13, 2021 • 49:26

African Free trade: What’s in it for women?

African Free trade: What’s in it for women?

After years of planning and delays, Africa’s new trade bloc, the African Continental Free Trade Area, opened in January with the promise of transforming the continent’s economies. Amandla Ooko-Ombaka of McKinsey and Company in Nairobi explains the enormous poverty-reducing potential the bloc represents. But some are calling for the agreement’s terms to more directly benefit women, by helping facilitate trade in their wares across borders. Caroline Gethi of the Organisation of Women in Internati

Feb 12, 2021 • 17:28

Brexit and the City

Brexit and the City

Is one of the world's mighty financial centres under threat from the damage done by the UK's departure from the EU? Six weeks after the final Brexit divorce, Katie Martin of the Financial Times explains the short-term impact, and long-term implications. One winner is Amsterdam. Michael Kent, co-founder of Azimo, a digital payments firm, tells us why he's opened an office there. And if the City of London is losing its allure, why are bankers so optimistic? We hear from the boss of Barclays.Photo:

Feb 11, 2021 • 18:23

The rise of amateur day traders

The rise of amateur day traders

When shares in the apparently declining games company Gamestop soared almost 2000% in less than a month, the world’s attention was drawn to an army of amateur investors on new mobile trading platforms such as Robinhood. Investment author Ann Logue breaks down what makes these amateur traders different from regular day traders, and we’ll hear from one such amateur on the ups and downs of playing the market. Professional investor Bill Brewster speaks about what responsibilities the new investing a

Feb 10, 2021 • 18:24

Satellites to breach the digital divide

Satellites to breach the digital divide

Bridging the global digital divide, using satellites in space, is the dream of the world's richest men like Elon Musk of SpaceX and Jeff Bezos of Amazon. They're joined in a new space race to carpet the earth in satellite constellations with national governments, private companies and the recently rescued OneWeb, under the new ownership of the British government and Bharti Enterprises. Sunil Bharti Mittal, the executive Chair of OneWeb tells us why firing hundreds rockets skywards makes busines

Feb 9, 2021 • 17:29

Stormy seas for global shipping

Stormy seas for global shipping

We explore the twin crises affecting the shipping industry. First, thousands of seafarers are stranded far from home, unable to travel because of the coronavirus. Add to that congestion at ports across the globe and sky-high freight rates. The result? Unprecedented pressures on an industry that’s usually far from the public eye. We hear from stranded ship-workers and those trying to help them return home. And we speak to the importers and exporters struggling to stay afloat as shipping rates go

Feb 8, 2021 • 18:25

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

As protests continue against the military coup in Myanmar, Business Weekly hears how the army controls the country’s economy. Jeff Bezos has announced that he’s stepping down as Amazon chief executive so he can concentrate on other projects. We think about the good he could he do if he really put his mind - and his money - to it. And it’s a dog’s life - we hear how the trade in lockdown pets is booming. Business Weekly is presented by Lucy Burton and produced by Matthew Davies.

Feb 6, 2021 • 49:26

Moon landings and economic priorities

Moon landings and economic priorities

Manuela Saragosa speaks with economist Mariana Mazzucato, who argues that America’s Apollo programme, which landed people on the moon in the 1960s, has a lot to teach us about tackling some of the biggest economic challenges on earth today. Mazzucato is calling for a bolder, more visionary and interventionist state which would take on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, among others. But would that work at a time of declining trust in government institutions and competence? And don't the UN'

Feb 5, 2021 • 18:34

What's a song worth?

What's a song worth?

Music streaming services have changed the game. We hear about their impact on artists' income from Tom Gray of the 90s British band Gomez. Plus, Merck Mercuriadis, whose music investment company Hipgnosis is spending billions of dollars buying the copyright to some the biggest music hits of the past 50 years.(Picture: dollar bills rain down on US pop star Miley Cyrus. Credit: Getty Images.)

Feb 4, 2021 • 18:34

Will the Olympics be postponed (again)?

Will the Olympics be postponed (again)?

Uncertainty continues to mount over this summer's delayed Tokyo Olympic Games, as Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announces he is extending a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and nine other areas through March. Last year's unprecedented postponement was arguably the biggest peacetime decision ever taken in sport. But that would be completely overshadowed by an actual cancellation. Seijiro Takeshita of the University of Shizuoka gives the view from the Japanese business community. Sp

Feb 3, 2021 • 18:35

How the military controls Myanmar's economy

How the military controls Myanmar's economy

Myanmar's military has announced it has taken control of the country, a decade after agreeing to hand power to a civilian government. Tin Htar Swe OBE, Myanmar analyst and former editor of the BBC Burmese Service, recounts the history leading up to this emergent coup, and where it might lead. Meanwhile, Vasuki Shastry, Associate Fellow at Chatham House's Asia-Pacific Programme, explains how the military have shaped Myanmar's economy and what effect international sanctions might have on their con

Feb 2, 2021 • 18:34

Gamestop: Is it really a case of David vs Goliath?

Gamestop: Is it really a case of David vs Goliath?

What is Wall Street's role in the surge in Gamestop's share price? It’s been billed as a populist revolt against the financial behemoths of Wall Street: a global gang of small investors driving up the price of Gamestop shares, forcing losses on hedge funds. But is there more to this David versus Goliath story than at first meets the eye? Manuela Saragosa speaks to Alex Patton who trades in his spare time when he’s not at his day job in cybersecurity. She also speaks to former Wall Street profess

Feb 1, 2021 • 17:31

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

The UK has said it will impose strict restrictions on people travelling to the country in order to help stop the spread of Covid-19. Travellers from a list of countries deemed 'high risk’ will be put into hotels to quarantine. It’s a scheme used in Australia, where cases are now low. On Business Weekly, we hear how the economy there was able to open up after the first wave of infections. We get the latest on the farmers’ protest in India after this week’s rally turned violent. The end of the Goo

Jan 30, 2021 • 49:26

The pandemic pet boom

The pandemic pet boom

Homeworking has led to booming pet sales. What happens when people head back to the office? Sales of dogs, cats and all sorts of other pets have soared in the developed world over the past year amid lockdowns. It’s great news for pet care businesses. But animal rescue centres are braced for the worst when and if people start heading back into work again. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Jan 29, 2021 • 17:29

The economic cost of closing schools

The economic cost of closing schools

The economic costs of school closures amidst the pandemic could be huge. 2 billion school days have been missed so far around the world, and millions more are to come. Experts are warning of a lost generation with many children losing key skills to earn their way out of poverty. Even in the rich world, this cohort could see their future incomes fall considerably. So are governments paying enough attention? Does education have to be the trade off for public health and the economy in the pandemic?

Jan 28, 2021 • 17:28

Kidnap in the Gulf of Guinea

Kidnap in the Gulf of Guinea

Is there a new piracy crisis afflicting Africa's shipping lanes? And should the merchant ships in the region now be armed? Four men boarded a Turkish-crewed container ship out at sea in the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa on Saturday - they killed a crew member and took 15 hostages. Robert Peters, a senior analyst for west Africa at Ambrey, a company which boasts the largest number of maritime security personnel in ports across the globe, tells Ed Butler what happened. Ed also speaks to Munro Ande

Jan 27, 2021 • 18:17

Gorillas, guns and oil

Gorillas, guns and oil

Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa’s oldest and largest wildlife park. Since 1925, it’s been home to some of the last mountain gorillas on earth. But it’s also home to armed militia groups and an ongoing battle for natural resources. The park’s rangers regularly put their lives on the line protecting the precious wildlife and the Congolese communities who live within the park’s boundaries. Two weeks ago, six rangers were killed. Emmanuel De Merode, the park’s

Jan 26, 2021 • 17:28

Covid: Rethinking wealth and fairness

Covid: Rethinking wealth and fairness

How the Covid pandemic is changing the way we see wealth and economic fairness. The Covid pandemic has not only changed the way we work. It’s also exposed how little we value the kind of work that’s kept economies afloat amid lockdowns. We hear from a panel of guests about how that’s altered our view of the relationship between wealth and fairness - and ask whether it will lead to fundamental change. (Pic of carer with patient via Getty Images).

Jan 25, 2021 • 18:17

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

As Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th US president, business owners wondered what the new administration would do for them. We hear from some of them who tell us what they need from the President. We also look back at Donald Trump's economic legacy - will history look kindly upon his jobs and immigration policies? The director of hit Netflix series Lupin tells us why non-English language dramas are in vogue at the moment. Plus, why does honey taste different now compared to 60 years ago? Busines

Jan 23, 2021 • 49:26

Biden's $15 minimum wage

Biden's $15 minimum wage

The new US president's plan to introduce a $15 minimum wage has sparked debate. Manuela Saragosa speaks to Allynn Umel, campaign director at the Fight for $15 campaign, about why a federal rise in wages is overdue. Jacob Vigdor, professor of public policy and governance at the University of Washington in Seattle, discusses the pros and cons of a wage hike during a pandemic with Jack Kelly, founder of recruitment firm WeCruitr.(Photo: Demonstrators participate in a protest calling for a $15 minim

Jan 22, 2021 • 18:39

The practicalities of Brexit

The practicalities of Brexit

The UK is three weeks out of the European single market and there have already been some teething problems. We hear from wine importer, Daniel Lambert and David Lindars of the British Meat Processors Association. Victoria Prentiss gives the government's view and we cross over to Belgium to hear from flower importer Kaat Baertsoen. Meanwhile, Sally Jones, Brexit lead with the consultants Ernst and Young picks through the fine details of the EU/UK trade deal. (Picture of Scottish seafood lorry by

Jan 21, 2021 • 17:28

Joe Biden vs climate change

Joe Biden vs climate change

How the US is set to return to the fight against global warming. Justin Rowlatt speaks to Todd Stern, the US special envoy for climate change under Barack Obama, and to Rache Kyte, dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts University in the US, about plans to reverse the environmental policies of the Trump era. Christiana Figueres, who negotiated the Paris Agreement on climate change for the UN, tells us why she's excited by the return of the US to the global stage.(Photo: Wind turbines near Palm Spr

Jan 20, 2021 • 17:28

Is Covid causing a shortage of medical oxygen?

Is Covid causing a shortage of medical oxygen?

Amidst rising Covid infection levels, we're looking at one alarming threat to health services from Brazil to Egypt - a lack of medical oxygen. Hospitals have been reporting running out altogether, with some critical care patients dying as a result. Where does medical oxygen come from and what is the problem with its supply? Ed Butler hears from Mike Grocott, professor of anaesthesia and critical care at the University of Southampton, as well as gas industry consultant John Raquet. Also in the pr

Jan 19, 2021 • 17:28

When will a Covid-19 vaccine be available to you?

When will a Covid-19 vaccine be available to you?

Covid-19 vaccine rollouts across the world demonstrate huge global health inequalities. Many countries in the global south are struggling to access one of the vaccines currently available around the world. That's despite a global facility called COVAX, set up under the auspices of the world health organisation, tasked with helping low and middle income countries access vaccines. While rich countries have accumulated extensive supply deals some countries may have to wait until 2022 or later befor

Jan 18, 2021 • 18:38

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

It’s been a week in which the US president, Donald Trump, was suspended from his social media accounts and the social network Parler was taken offline. On Business Weekly, we explore the role these companies have in society and whether they facilitate free speech and cohesion, as they claim. Plus, the BBC’s Justin Rowlatt speaks to Tesla founder Elon Musk about money, electric cars and populating other planets. And it probably feels like a lifetime ago that any of us went to a cinema to watch a

Jan 16, 2021 • 49:26

Who owns colour?

Who owns colour?

Scientists, artists and some of the world’s biggest companies are carving up the visual spectrum, and claiming certain colours as their own, so who does have a right to use the colours of the rainbow? We explore the ongoing rift over the worlds “blackest black” Vantablack, which was created by engineering firm Surrey Nanosystems, and can only be used by the artist Anish Kapoor. Contemporary British artist Stuart Semple argues that creativity should not be limited by commercial agreements, while

Jan 15, 2021 • 17:27

Trump: The corporate backlash

Trump: The corporate backlash

Will it last and why have stock markets been shrugging off political developments? A slew of companies have cut off all funding to political parties in the wake of Trump-supporting mobs storming Capitol Hill after the President and other Republican politicians claimed the US election had been stolen. The list of firms who’ve halted funding through their political action committees - or PACs as they’re known - is long. JP Morgan Chase, Citigorup, Facebook, Microsoft, American Express, Morgan Stan

Jan 14, 2021 • 17:28

Should Trump be banned from social media?

Should Trump be banned from social media?

President Trump's ban from various social media raises the question of their regulation. Are they right to ban him, and what are the implications? We ask Nancy Mace, a newly elected Republican representative of South Carolina. Cory Doctorow, blogger, author and activist in favour of liberalising copyright laws, says that Apple and Google can't blame inadequate moderation for their banning of social network Parler on their platforms. And we hear from Professor Shoshana Zuboff, author of a book Th

Jan 13, 2021 • 17:28

Forced labour in supply chains

Forced labour in supply chains

China is forcing hundreds of thousands of Uighurs and other minorities into hard, manual labour in the vast cotton fields of its western region of Xinjiang, according to BBC reports. As a result, apparel companies are facing mounting pressure to withdraw from economic ties with the region, and certainly to stop buying cotton from there. Chloe Cranston of UK-based Anti-Slavery International lays out the case for why companies need to avoid Xinjiang. But as we’ll hear from Andrew Morgan of veteran

Jan 12, 2021 • 18:19

Choosing a career: Don't follow your passion?

Choosing a career: Don't follow your passion?

When it comes to choosing a career, should you do what you love or learn to love whatever you do? A clip of Professor Scott Galloway of NYU Stern Business School saying "don't follow your passion" recently went viral. He tells us why you're better off finding something you're good at - and getting very good at it. Someone who did just that is Farid Gasanov. Instead of becoming a professional pianist and composer, he chose accountancy. But he now has his own firm and has time to compose pieces, a

Jan 11, 2021 • 17:27

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

In the week when a mob stormed the US Congress, Business Weekly examines the enormous task now facing President-elect Joe Biden. How will he unite the country and how will the new balance of power in Congress affect his economic agenda? Mr Biden’s campaign slogan was “Build Back Better” - we’ll ask whether the world will rise to the task of creating more equal societies once the pandemic is over. Nobel Prize winner Sir Angus Deaton says it’s possible. We’ll also get the secret to a good night’s

Jan 9, 2021 • 49:26

What makes Elon Musk tick?

What makes Elon Musk tick?

Elon Musk, the space pioneer and electric car guru, now ranks as one of the world's richest men, thanks to a surge in the value of shares in his company Tesla. In an interview from 2014, he tells the BBC's chief environment correspondent Justin Rowlatt what drives him to take on some of the world's most technologically challenging projects, and how he feels about the wealth he's accumulated over the years.

Jan 8, 2021 • 17:28

Can the Democrats make economic change?

Can the Democrats make economic change?

The Democrats and President-elect Biden have won control of the US Congress after results came in from two elections in Georgia. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff defeated Republican incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue respectively. Mr Biden will have a much better chance now of pushing through his legislative agenda. We'll hear from former President Obama's top economic adviser Jason Furman, about how this might shape the country's economic future, while Chris Low of FHN Financial in New Yo

Jan 7, 2021 • 17:28

Predicting the future of retail

Predicting the future of retail

With much of the world going back into stringent lockdowns and people warned away, or even outright banned, from physical stores and malls, some observers are suggesting this might be the moment online retail takes the dominant position. Others, however, say this is just the last of a long line of challenges for high street retail, and they’re not giving up without a fight. We’ll hear from branding consultant and futurist Karinna Nobbs as well as the self-styled “Retail Prophet” Doug Stephens.(I

Jan 6, 2021 • 17:27

“Remote working” in the Indian Ocean

“Remote working” in the Indian Ocean

Pip Hare is currently sailing solo round the world in the Vendee Globe race, one of only a handful of women to attempt it. She speaks to the BBC’s Zoe Kleinman from the middle of the Indian Ocean, while preparing for a storm. We’ll hear about coping with isolation, the challenges of sleeping in 30 minute bursts, and why Pip was so committed to her teenage dream of becoming a professional sailor. (Picture credit: Pip Hare)

Jan 5, 2021 • 18:08

Thinking global, acting local

Thinking global, acting local

Lessons in rethinking the climate emergency from Sierra Leone and the US. We hear from mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr on her plans to plant a million trees, and make climate change relevant to the citizens of the rapidly urbanising capital city. Harvard’s Rebecca Henderson argues that capitalism can provide at least part of the solution, and companies need to price in climate damage, making them financially accountable.(Image credit: Getty Images)

Jan 4, 2021 • 18:20

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

The UK has given the green light to the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid19 vaccine. It’s cheaper and easier to store than some of the alternatives - and the hope is that will make it easier to distribute globally. However, there are worries that production capacity and an unwillingness to share intellectual data might mean the poorest in the world won’t get the immunisation. We speak to Anna Marriott of Oxfam. Also on the show we’ll be mulling over the Brexit deal. We get the view from businesses both s

Jan 2, 2021 • 49:13

UK completes separation from European Union

UK completes separation from European Union

A new era has begun for the United Kingdom after it completed its formal separation from the European Union. The UK stopped following EU rules, as replacement arrangements for travel, trade, immigration and security co-operation came into force. On today's programme, we'll hear how we got to this point with Marie Keyworth, and then Vivienne Nunis will tell us what's happening today. Then, Dr Anna Jerzewska, Director of the trade consultancy Trade and Borders and Allie Renison with the Institute

Jan 1, 2021 • 17:27

Millennial money management

Millennial money management

What are the realities and responsibilities of young people when it comes to financial planning in a pandemic? Elizabeth Hotson talks to millennials who are trying to manage their money in one of the toughest economic periods since the financial crisis. We hear from Gaby Dunn, host of the Bad with Money podcast; journalist Ebony-Renee Baker who’s planning for herself and her family and Nick Hatter, a life coach who says younger people are far more fiscally responsible than they’re given credit f

Dec 31, 2020 • 18:35

Casual dining in a pandemic

Casual dining in a pandemic

Necessity is the mother of invention and Elizabeth Hotson finds out how restaurants and other food outlets - some of the most obvious casualties of the pandemic - have adapted to survive in 2020. We hear from Michael Ward, managing director of Harrods department store on how it’s looking to a domestic clientele to make up for the lack of overseas tourists, whilst JP Then, co-founder of Crosstown Doughnuts tells us how companies are incentivising their workers with his sweet treats. Briony Raven

Dec 30, 2020 • 18:35

Lockdown lunches

Lockdown lunches

How have our eating habits changed during a year when lockdowns have seen more of us cooking from home and fewer of us sharing meals out with colleagues? And can Zoom calls replace the networking coffee or dinner? Elizabeth Hotson speaks to one-time office workers for whom eating out was just part and parcel of life. Justin Urqhuart-Stuart, co-founder of Regionally casts doubt on the ability of remote working to replicate a true deal-making environment and Dominic Allport, an insight director at

Dec 29, 2020 • 18:33

What’s next for China?

What’s next for China?

China is bucking a global trend and its economy is growing again. We hear from Wuhan and Shanghai, where restrictions have been lifted and companies are back in business. But the scars left by Covid-19 are still evident. We’ll also ask how ready China is for the challenges of 2021. The world’s second biggest economy is spending huge amounts on green technologies and clean power. Presenter Fergus Nicoll talks to Dr Sha Yu, Co-Director of the China Programme at the University of Maryland’s Centre

Dec 28, 2020 • 18:35

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

This week the roads running to the ports in the South East of England turned into a lorry park when continental Europe blocked arrivals from the UK– so Business Weekly takes look at trade and the travails of the global shipping industry. How has this vital sector fared during the pandemic? As France bans discrimination against regional accents we’ll ask whether the way you talk really affects your job pospects. The Chief Executive of the Royal Albert Hall tells us how this historical London venu

Dec 26, 2020 • 49:05

Will cities ever be the same?

Will cities ever be the same?

This year has seen our cities coming under pressure as they struggled to withstand the impact of the coronavirus. City centres were deserted as shops shut and people stayed away. But in some city streets there was a new community spirit as people faced the pandemic together and supported neighbours they'd never met before. In this programme, Tamasin Ford investigates what the future could be for our cities, and asks how they need to change if they are to survive, and even flourish. We hear from

Dec 25, 2020 • 18:49

Brexit talks continue ahead of likely deal

Brexit talks continue ahead of likely deal

Talks between the UK and the EU on a post-Brexit trade agreement continued during the night, but a deal is expected to be unveiled on Thursday. Negotiators in Brussels are said to be trying to finalise details on fishing quotas, which have proved an obstacle to an agreement during months of talks. On the programme we'll hear from Sally Jones, Brexit lead at Ernst and Young, Charles Grant at the Centre for European Reform, as well as the BBC's Political Correspondent Rob Watson.(Picture credit: R

Dec 24, 2020 • 17:28

Cargo shipping in the pandemic

Cargo shipping in the pandemic

How the shipping industry has fared in 2020. Ed Butler speaks to Lars Jensen from SeaIntelligence Consulting about the ups and downs of the shipping industry during the pandemic, in a year that has seen a collapse in economic activity, but a boom in online shopping. And Bridget Rosewell, commissioner for the independent National Infrastructure Commission in the UK, explains why disruption to supply chains could cause businesses to rethink the way they ship goods around the world. (Photo: A cargo

Dec 23, 2020 • 18:48

Has the time come for a 4-day working week?

Has the time come for a 4-day working week?

Unilever in New Zealand is the latest firm to trial a 4-day week without cutting pay. Manuela Saragosa speaks to Paddy Gamble, the CEO of Perpetual Guardian which manages trusts, wills and estate planning. A couple of years ago they put their 240 staff on a four-day week but paid them for five. He says productivity has gone up since they introduced it. Charlotte Lockhart runs a global campaign for a 4-day week and she says its easy to do and its doesn't cost very much. But Marc Effron, presiden

Dec 22, 2020 • 18:47

Selling Christmas in 2020

Selling Christmas in 2020

How do brands strike the right tone in their Christmas adverts when many consumers have taken a financial hit? Elizabeth Hotson goes on an advertising odyssey and talks to Sarah Traverso, Group Director of Integrated Marketing and Content for Coca-Cola in the US, a company so central to Christmas advertising that some think Coca Cola invented Santa Claus. A myth quickly debunked by Ann Christine Diaz, the creativity editor at Advertising Age. What is the secret behind a successful Christmas camp

Dec 21, 2020 • 17:29

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On Business Weekly this week, we examine the potential big trouble for Big Tech. Regulatory bodies around the world are looking to tighten the rules that govern the digital world. Concerned by issues relating to both the web content and the business conduct of some of the big technology companies, legislators from the US to the EU are trying to re-write the digital laws. We look at what this could mean in practice for Silicon Valley. We also look at dry ice – how it works and the important role

Dec 19, 2020 • 49:50

Cannabis in the USA: An illegal tax-paying business

Cannabis in the USA: An illegal tax-paying business

America’s cannabis industry is worth tens of billions of dollar and it generates tax revenues and jobs. But it is barred from accessing most financial services. This is because, while legal in an increasing number US states, cannabis remains illegal at a federal level. We hear what it’s like running a cannabis business from Ken Churchill of the West Coast Cannabis Club in California. Emily Dufton, author of Grass Roots: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Marijuana in America, explains how the US went

Dec 18, 2020 • 17:28

The monopoly case against Facebook

The monopoly case against Facebook

Why US regulators want to break up the social media giant. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and dozens of US states are arguing that Facebook is a monopoly that harms consumers. Ed Butler speaks to tech and anti-trust researcher Dina Srinivasan about why data privacy is at the centre of the arguments over Facebook's monopoly power. Former FTC chairman Bill Kovacic explains why breaking up the social media giant is still a distant possibility. And the BBC's technology correspondent Rory Cell

Dec 17, 2020 • 18:09

Meeting in the virtual world

Meeting in the virtual world

Could virtual offices provide an alternative to endless Zoom calls? Ed Bulter speaks to Jeremy Bailenson, director of Stanford University's Virtual Human Interaction Lab, about the phenomenon of 'Zoom fatigue', and why virtual reality could provide a solution. Phillip Wang, CEO of the startup Gather, shows us round his virtual office platform that combines video conferencing with old-school video game graphics. Ed tries out a meeting in virtual reality with Anand Agarawala, CEO of the VR platfor

Dec 16, 2020 • 18:09

Trusting the algorithm

Trusting the algorithm

Artificial intelligence is increasingly part of our daily lives - in health, in transport, entertainment and much more - but how many of us actually trust the algorithms that drive it? Rolls-Royce says it’s now developed a system, called the Aletheia framework, that gives IT engineers in any sector a way of testing whether their AI systems are making decisions that are safe and trustworthy. The aerospace company says it's making the framework available for free to all. Manuela Saragosa speaks to

Dec 15, 2020 • 18:24

Still no Brexit trade deal

Still no Brexit trade deal

Negotiators from the UK and EU are to begin a new push to reach agreement on post-Brexit trade after both sides agreed "to go the extra mile". A UK source said the "process still has some legs" but Boris Johnson has warned a no-deal is the "most likely" outcome. Sophie Pornschlegel, a senior policy analyst at the European Policy Centre, explains how much room there may be in Brussels' position, while the BBC's Rob Watson talks through what will be needed to get any deal over the line in the UK p

Dec 14, 2020 • 18:25

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On this edition of Business Weekly, we ask whether Covid vaccines are the shot in the arm the pharmaceutical industry needs to rescue its reputation? Plus, as the world looks ahead to life after the pandemic will our transportation systems be there to help us get around? There’s a financial crisis in New York’s mass transit system. What does that mean for the city it supports? Airbnb finally packs it bags and heads to the stock market. The holiday accommodation company’s shares boomed on its fir

Dec 12, 2020 • 49:49

Can post-Brexit Britain ban live animal exports?

Can post-Brexit Britain ban live animal exports?

Britain is looking to ban the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening after its existing trade arrangement with the European Union lapse at the end of this year. Natasha Smith of Compassion in World Farming, who have campaigned on this for decades, explains why they’re against the practice. Meanwhile UK minister Craig Mackinlay says leaving the EU’s trade rules after Brexit is key to getting the ban implemented. But will the ban run afoul of WTO free trade rules? Emily Rees of consul

Dec 11, 2020 • 18:28

Brexit: 'Large gaps' remain after trade talks

Brexit: 'Large gaps' remain after trade talks

Boris Johnson's dinner with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen - aimed at breaking the Brexit trade deadlock - has ended without agreement. The BBC's Laura Kuenssberg said the evening had "plainly gone badly" and the chances of the UK leaving the post-Brexit transition period at the end of the year without a firm arrangement was a "big step closer". What would that mean for the UK, and the rest of the world? Joining the programme live will be BBC World Service political correspondent Rob Watson, and

Dec 10, 2020 • 18:28

Big Pharma: Vaccine Heroes or Profiteers?

Big Pharma: Vaccine Heroes or Profiteers?

A UK grandmother became the world’s first recipient of the Pfizer Covid vaccine this week. What does this mean for the pharmaceutical industry? This could be seen as a moment of victory for the industry, which has received a lot of bad press in the last few years. But the prices set by the vaccine makers could also provoke accusations of profiteering. We’ll hear from former Pfizer executive John Lamattina, Thomas Cueni of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, Tahir Amin o

Dec 9, 2020 • 18:28

Is Boeing's 737 Max fit to fly?

Is Boeing's 737 Max fit to fly?

It was grounded worldwide after two tragic accidents. Now, regulators in the US have given it permission to fly again – but will it really be safe? Theo Leggett speaks to Mark Pegram whose son Sam was killed aboard the flight which crashed after take-off from the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa in March last year. He also spoke to Ed Pierson, a former senior manager on the 737 production line at Boeing’s Renton factory, just outside Seattle, who gave testimony to the House of Representatives sayin

Dec 8, 2020 • 17:29

The end of the line for commuters?

The end of the line for commuters?

How passenger fears and remote working are prompting a crisis in public transport. Manuela Saragosa speaks to Pat Foye, chairman of New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which is facing a multi-billion-dollar hole in its finances. Mohamed Mezghani, secretary general of the International Association of Public Transport, describes the challenge of getting commuters back onto trains and subways. Nicole Gelinas, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, explains why transport systems lik

Dec 7, 2020 • 18:29

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On this edition of Business Weekly, we analyse the court battle between Shell and the environmental groups which claim the oil giant remains too focused on fossil fuels. We look at a different approach to tackle deforestation, and hear how an economic argument could help the Amazon rainforest. We also get an expert view on floundering UK clothing stores, doubly hit by the pandemic and our changing shopping habits. Could in-store cafes and leisure concessions be just the therapy the retail indust

Dec 5, 2020 • 49:50

The rise and rise of Instagram

The rise and rise of Instagram

Sarah Frier, author of No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram, talks about the corporate drama behind the app. The photo sharing app Instagram has transformed business, culture and even our everyday lives. Manuela Saragosa finds out why Instagram sold out to Facebook, and how Kevin Systrom (one of the founders of Instagram) found his values soon collided with those of Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg.(Picture credit: Getty Creative)

Dec 4, 2020 • 18:22

Is the Hyperloop coming of age?

Is the Hyperloop coming of age?

In November Virgin Hyperloop trialled its first ever journey with passengers, in the desert of Nevada. The futuristic transport concept involves pods inside vacuum tubes carrying passengers at high speeds. So with this proof of concept, are certified Hyperloop transport systems on the horizon? On today’s programme, we’ll hear from Mars Geuze, Chief Commercial Officer of Hardt Hyperloop, who have raised $10m to develop the technology in Europe, as well as Bibop Gresta, founder of Hyperloop Italia

Dec 3, 2020 • 18:22

Are we giving suits the boot?

Are we giving suits the boot?

Is the era of the suited office worker at an end? Is the era of the suited office worker at an end?With so many people working from home because of the pandemic, there is far less demand for formal work attire. This is impacting those that make it all over the world, as we learn from Richard Anderson, a tailor on Savile Row - the street in London synonymous with suits - and Raja Fashions in Hong Kong, whose tailors usually travel the globe fitting their clients. We hear that while some office wo

Dec 2, 2020 • 17:29

The EU's latest row

The EU's latest row

A showdown looms between Hungary and Poland and the rest of the EU over the bloc's latest budget, which includes a Covid economic recovery fund worth nearly $900bn. Hungary and Poland blocked approval of the budget earlier in the month over a clause that ties funding with adherence to the rule of law in the bloc, something both countries have been accused of undermining. With the fate of businesses and livelihoods hanging in the balance, the two sides will meet in mid-December at a summit to dis

Dec 1, 2020 • 18:20

Saving the Amazon rainforest with economics

Saving the Amazon rainforest with economics

Economics has a solution to halt rapid deforestation but can it be implemented? This year has seen some of the worst-ever fires destroy vast tracts of the Amazon rainforest as land there is cleared for farming. We hear how the field of economics may have come up with a solution to halt the Amazon’s rate of deforestation - and what’s needed to set that in motion. Manuela Saragosa speaks to Michael Greenstone, Professor of economics at the University of Chicago and to Professor Luciana Gatti, a re

Nov 30, 2020 • 17:29

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

On this edition of Business Weekly, we look at the third Covid vaccine and ask whether the jabs will be the shot in the arm the global economy needs. We hear the story of a 30-year old man evicted by his parents from the family home after he didn’t pay towards his upkeep. But we also ask what happens when parents rely on their children for money. Plus, we hear from the musicians who want more money when we stream their songs. Business Weekly is presented by Lucy Burton and produced by Matthew Da

Nov 28, 2020 • 49:50

Preppers: Apocalypse, now

Preppers: Apocalypse, now

How prepping or survivalism has gone mainstream, with Silicon Valley leading the way. Tech entrepreneur Julie Fredrickson tells Manuela Saragosa how she became a prepper after the electricity went out for days in New York after hurricane Sandy hit back in 2012. She also speaks to serial entrepreneur John Ramey, founder of an online community called The Prepared who told her it's the failure of our institutions that has led so many more people to become preppers. And to Bradley Garratt, a social

Nov 27, 2020 • 18:16

The fight for compensation

The fight for compensation

Are NFL players being denied compensation because of racial-norming? Thousands of former American footballers claim they suffered brain injury as players, but are being denied compensation on racial grounds. Ed Butler speaks to Roxanne Gordon, the wife of Amon Gordon, once of the Cleveland Browns, who is one of hundreds of ex-players now claiming compensation from the NFL for brain injury sustained on the field of play. She says that race-norming was used in the testing of his concussion settlem

Nov 26, 2020 • 18:20

What it takes to vaccinate the world

What it takes to vaccinate the world

With Covid-19 vaccinations preparing to roll out, how do we make sure everyone gets it? John Johnson, a vaccine programme co-ordinator for Doctors without Borders, outlines just how much is involved in getting vaccines, by truck, motorbike and even foot, to every town and village in the developing world. The Covid-19 vaccine, like others, needs to be transported below a certain temperature, adding an extra layer of complexity, as Toby Peters from the University of Birmingham explains. But David

Nov 25, 2020 • 18:19

Rich countries line up for Covid-19 vaccine

Rich countries line up for Covid-19 vaccine

After Pfizer and Moderna vaccines earlier in the month, a third arrives from the University of Oxford. The question now becomes when the vaccines will be distributed and to whom. We’ll hear from Bruce Y Lee, professor at CUNY Graduate School of Public Health, about just how daunting a task a global inoculation programme will be. Meanwhile, Alex de Jonquieres, the head of the Vaccine Alliance Gavi, explains how they’re trying to make sure every country can afford enough of the vaccine to protect

Nov 24, 2020 • 18:20

What children owe their parents

What children owe their parents

Is it up to children to support their parents financially? Manuela Saragosa hears from Lamees Wajahat in Canada, who has been supporting her parents to pay the bills since she had her first part-time job. But is it the duty of the family, or the state to provide? Manuela speaks to Professor Sarah Harper of Oxford University, who argues that opportunities for younger generations are better than ever before, and that family obligations have always been a part of life. (Pic of piggy bank via Getty

Nov 23, 2020 • 17:28

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

In this edition of Business Weekly, we look at Britain’s drive to go green, and how effective the proposed ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars might be. The Chief Operating Officer of the electric vehicle maker Polestar tells us what help the automotive industry needs from the government to persuade people to buy electric. Plus, we meet the first British Royal Air Force officer to openly transition from male to female and chat to her about transgender rights in the workplace. We also look

Nov 21, 2020 • 49:50

How Africa's economies are withstanding Coronavirus

How Africa's economies are withstanding Coronavirus

Many African countries have been praised for waging effective campaigns against coronavirus, and the region has a relatively low case count compared to Europe and the US. African economies have likewise been hit less hard, and Amandla Ooko-Ombaka of McKinsey and Company explains how a mix of a youthful population, hot climate and swift government response helped many of these economies stay resilient. But Lisa Owino, of the Kenyan human rights organisation KELIN, says in some cases government in

Nov 20, 2020 • 18:34

Can Fintech fuel Africa’s Covid recovery?

Can Fintech fuel Africa’s Covid recovery?

2019 was a landmark year for investment into digital financial services, or Fintech, across Africa. Despite the pandemic, the Fintech scene is not only still thriving; it’s poised to play a key role in Africa’s economic recovery. Uzoma Dozie, the head of Nigerian startup Sparkle, says with Covid limiting our ability to handle cash, the cashless revolution in Africa is moving along rapidly. But Viola Llewellyn, president of Ovamba Solutions, which helps finance small businesses across Africa, say

Nov 19, 2020 • 18:34

Your digital legacy

Your digital legacy

The companies managing your online life after death. Ed Butler speaks to Tom Ainsworth, CEO of Memories, an online memorial service that provides messages from beyond the grave, and to Rikard Steiber, founder of startup GoodTrust, which aims to help people take control of their digital legacies. Pyschologist Dr Elaine Kasket discusses the phenomenon of online death in the age of the pandemic, and why online legacies may be less permanent than we think. (Photo: A funeral is livestreamed in Austri

Nov 18, 2020 • 18:55

Varoufakis: My alternative to capitalism

Varoufakis: My alternative to capitalism

With Covid rampaging and many economies on life-support, some say we need to look beyond capitalism. A blue-sky thinker, the outspoken former Greek finance minister, Yanis Varoufakis, gives his thoughts on a radical alternative to standard market economics, including making all employees shareholders in corporations. And Miatta Fahnbulleh, chief executive of the New Economics Foundation, imagines how this might ever be seriously attempted in practice.

Nov 17, 2020 • 17:28

The Pink Frontline

The Pink Frontline

A lack of legal protection in many parts of the world leaves many transgender employees vulnerable. Few countries offer legal protection against discrimination of transgender people. This week is transgender awareness week - what role do companies play in the rights of transgender people? Manuela Saragosa speaks to Caroline Paige, joint chief executive of a UK pressure group called Fighting with Pride. In 1999 she became the first transgender officer to transition openly while serving in the UK

Nov 16, 2020 • 18:33

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

Excitement and hope this week as the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer said it believed that its Covid-19 vaccine is 90% effective. On this edition of Business Weekly we’ll look at the logistical challenges of rolling it out. How will it be transported? Who will get access to it - and how much will it cost? Also at a high level climate change conference in London our correspondent chats to chief executives who say capitalism can help the planet - but will they put their money where their mouth is? Plu

Nov 14, 2020 • 49:51

The problem with polling

The problem with polling

Is the polling industry the real loser in the American presidential elections? Pollsters have come in for criticism that they misjudged President-elect Biden’s support, and did even worse in the state senate elections. Andrew Gelman, professor of statistics and political science at Columbia University explains why some of the errors were made. Zeynep Tufekci, associate professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, argues that polling can have a distorting effect on democracy itself

Nov 13, 2020 • 18:29

Does 'Green Finance' offer a solution to climate change?

Does 'Green Finance' offer a solution to climate change?

Ahead of the 2021 Climate Change Conference, big names in the world of finance are banding together to create ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With new improved carbon offset markets, monitoring and standardisation of emissions goals and an emphasis on channelling capital to projects based on renewable energy, evangelists of so-called 'Green Finance' believe capitalism can reinvent itself to the benefit of the planet. Rhian-Mari Thomas, chief executive of the Green Finance Institute and

Nov 12, 2020 • 17:28

Ukraine’s fight against corruption

Ukraine’s fight against corruption

Ukraine is in the midst of a constitutional crisis. The President Volodymyr Zelensky says the judiciary are blocking anti-corruption reform. The top judges won't budge and can't be sacked. So what do we know about the President's reform credentials? In this episode, we hear from the former central bank governor Valeria Gontareva who says she’s been a victim of a campaign of harassment that has left her fearing for her life, ever since she introduced anti-corruption reforms. Former economy minis

Nov 11, 2020 • 18:28

The 'milestone' vaccine is already having an effect

The 'milestone' vaccine is already having an effect

Stock markets have rocketed on hopes of a Covid-19 vaccine breakthrough. The BBC's Business Editor Simon Jack explains who the winners and losers have been on the markets so far, and what this could mean for future stimulus packages and inflation. The drugmakers responsible for the vaccine claim it can prevent more than 90% of people from getting Covid-19. We'll hear from Mikael Dolsten, Global Research Chief for one of the drugmakers Pfizer. And epidemiologist Peter Horby of the University of O

Nov 10, 2020 • 18:28

US Elections: How will Biden approach the economy?

US Elections: How will Biden approach the economy?

US President-elect Joe Biden is to make tackling the coronavirus pandemic his top priority following his win over Donald Trump, his team says. Larry Summers, former director of the National Economic Council under President Obama says the country can’t have a healthy economy without a healthy population. But before the President-elect can get to work, he and his team have a slew of legal challenges from President Trump to fend off. Barry Richard, veteran Florida lawyer who represented then candi

Nov 9, 2020 • 18:27

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

After a nail-biting week, the Oval Office is within Joe Biden’s grasp - on this edition of business weekly we’ll ask what this means for US economic policy. We’ll find out why the markets rallied and ask a former climate negotiator what a Biden presidency could mean for the environment. We’ll also hear from the sailors stuck at sea thanks to covid restrictions. There are concerns that that the plight of the 400,000 sailors unable to go ashore and home could become a humanitarian catastrophe. Plu

Nov 7, 2020 • 49:30

Uber and Lyft's big win

Uber and Lyft's big win

When they cast their votes for US president, Californians also approved a change to the law allowing gig economy companies like Uber and Lyft to keep treating their drivers as contractors, not employees. The move could have major consequences for the gig economy. Manuela Saragosa speaks to Geoff Vetter from the Yes to 22 campaign, which fought for the law change, and to Veena Dubal, law professor at the University of California, who argues the vote is a disaster for workers' rights. Dave Lee, Si

Nov 6, 2020 • 17:29

What does this all mean for the US economy?

What does this all mean for the US economy?

Vote counting continues in a handful of key battleground states which will determine the outcome of the US presidential election. Democratic candidate Joe Biden has been projected to win Michigan and Wisconsin. He also holds narrow leads in Nevada and Arizona. If he's able to hang on in all these states as final votes are counted, Mr Biden will be almost certain to win. We take a look at what this means for the US economy. International economics policy analyst Pippa Malmgren joins the show to

Nov 5, 2020 • 18:28

The billionaires' pandemic

The billionaires' pandemic

The world's richest people have become even richer this year, despite an economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Manuela Saragosa speaks to John Matthews, chairman of private jet company AirX, about the surprising resiliance of the private aviation industry despite global travel restrictions. Chuck Collins from the Institute for Policy Studies - a think tank in Washington DC - explains how the richest people in the world have added to their wealth in the pandemic, and what it rev

Nov 3, 2020 • 18:31

Lessons from the homeless

Lessons from the homeless

Manuela Saragosa finds out what happened when fifty homeless people were gifted thousands of dollars each. The gifts were part of a social project in Canada and the results were unveiled this month. The results were described as ‘beautifully surprising’ by the project’s leaders. (Pic of pregnant homeless woman on the corner of a busy street in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd via Getty Images).

Nov 2, 2020 • 17:29

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

The new Japanese prime minister has pledged to make his country carbon neutral by 2050. On this edition of Business Weekly we ask how he’s planning to do it. We also take a closer look at nuclear energy to find out whether mass production of smaller reactors could be the way forward for the industry. And what can be done to get more medical grade oxygen to the countries that desperately need it? Plus, as the coronavirus pandemic forces Hollywood to delay the release of big budget movies, how are

Oct 31, 2020 • 49:50

What do parents owe adult children?

What do parents owe adult children?

We speak to those who argue parents should give their children money long into adulthood - and others who say the whole of society should be responsible, not just parents. Raphael Samuel is a 28 year old businessman in India who tried to sue his parents for giving birth to him - without his consent. An Indian court threw out the case on grounds of absurdity, but Raphael isn’t giving up. He’s now filed a case demanding that all parents prove - before they give birth - that they have the ability t

Oct 30, 2020 • 17:28

How Dharavi coped with coronavirus

How Dharavi coped with coronavirus

Has one the biggest slums in India escaped the worst of Covid-19? Dharavi is one of the biggest slums in India, if not the whole of Asia. Ed Butler hears from Dharavi residents about life in the slums back in April, and now. Radhika Kapoor, a Delhi economist who's been focussed on the Government response to the crisis, says efforts to protect ordinary workers have been very limited. But the Government rejects that argument. Sanjeev Sanyal, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's chief economic adviso

Oct 29, 2020 • 18:53

The nuclear industry dreams small

The nuclear industry dreams small

Could the future of nuclear power be the mass production of cheap small modular reactors?Justin Rowlatt visits a UK-based consortium led by Rolls Royce that is trying to develop these factory-produced miniature power stations. But how much funding does their chief executive Tom Samson think they need from the UK government to get started, and how long will it take them to deliver their first reactor?Nuclear power has long had its sceptics. Greenpeace chief scientist Doug Parr explains why they c

Oct 28, 2020 • 19:28

Cinemas: Open, but nothing to show

Cinemas: Open, but nothing to show

Delays to Hollywood blockbusters are prompting a crisis in the cinema industry. Movie studios are putting their biggest releases on hold while the pandemic is still affecting audience numbers.Mooky Greidinger, boss of cinema giant Cineworld, tells us why this has forced him to close all his screens in the UK and US. Shawn Robbins, senior analyst at BoxOffice Pro, explains why the global success of Christopher Nolan's Tenet wasn't enough to convince the studios to take the risk. And Penn Ketchum,

Oct 27, 2020 • 18:48

How to spot fake news

How to spot fake news

A former CIA analyst shares her tips on separating what’s true from what’s false. There’s been a lot of nervousness about the role of social media in the run up to next week’s US presidential elections with concerns over voting interference and disinformation campaigns from foreign actors. Cindy Otis was an analyst at the CIA for ten years and her job was to filter through information and weed out fake and misleading news. She has now written a book aimed at young adults called True or False: A

Oct 26, 2020 • 19:08

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

How successful has President Trump's America First policy been? On Business Weekly we assess the legacy of his first term and ask what the world wants from the next resident of the White House. We take a look at how effective Covid-19 tracing apps are in tracking and stopping the spread of the disease. Could technology like this be the silver bullet the world is waiting for? As the Hindu festival of Durga Puja begins, we consider how those businesses that rely on the celebrations for the income

Oct 24, 2020 • 49:50

Why BP is betting against oil

Why BP is betting against oil

Is the fossil fuel industry being too complacent about the speed at which renewable energy will disrupt their business in the next three decades?That's the contention of Spencer Dale, chief economist at BP. In an extended interview with Justin Rowlatt, he explains the thinking behind his company's plan to cut its own oil and gas production by 40% before the end of this decade.And it's not just about heading off the threat of catastrophic climate change. As Spencer explains, even in their busines

Oct 23, 2020 • 19:04

Contact tracing apps: Worth the hype?

Contact tracing apps: Worth the hype?

Why contact tracing technology has been slow to make an impact. Ed Butler speaks to Jenny Wanger from the Linux Foundation Public Health in the US where many states are only now rolling out contact tracing apps, months after many countries around the world. We hear from Colm Harte, technical director at NearForm, the company behind Ireland's app, which has been downloaded by about a quarter of the population. Chan Cheow Hoe, the chief digital technology officer for the Singapore government, talk

Oct 22, 2020 • 18:52

Google hit by competition lawsuit

Google hit by competition lawsuit

The US government has filed charges against Google, accusing the company of violating competition law to preserve its monopoly over internet searches and online advertising. As the Department of Justice sues the search engine google for being a monopoly, could all tech giants be under threat? We hear from Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google and Jack Poulsen, a software engineer and former Google employee. We also get the view of Sally Hubbard, a former New York anti-trust attorney and current

Oct 21, 2020 • 19:07

Trading with the USA

Trading with the USA

When President Trump came to power in 2016 he vowed he would scrap the international trade agreements he believed had cost a huge number of US jobs, and declared his intent to tip the trade balance back in America's favour. He wanted to take on China and what he saw as its dominance in the global marketplace. How has this 'America First' policy worked out in the ensuing four years, and what has it meant for the US's trading partners? As part of our look at the US elections 2020: and What the Wo

Oct 20, 2020 • 18:51

Biotech: Guilt-free palm oil?

Biotech: Guilt-free palm oil?

A commodity associated with the destruction of tropical rainforest in South East Asia may soon have a synthetic replacement.But can it match palm oil's magic properties? Will consumers accept it in their food? And what will it mean for the farmers whose livelihoods depend on palm oil plantations?Manuela Saragosa speaks to Shara Ticku, co-founder of the biotech firm C16 Biosciences, which is pioneering the new plantation-free product, as well as Anita Neville of Indonesia's largest privately owne

Oct 19, 2020 • 19:22

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

Golden passports and cash for citizenship - a legitimate way to for countries to get investment or a scheme open to abuse and corruption? That’s the big question we’ll be looking at on this episode of Business Weekly. We look at why the wealthy want to acquire them. We also hear from Cyprus where a passport corruption scandal has rocked the nation. Meanwhile, the winner of this year’s Nobel Prize for Economics tells us about the unusual way in which he discovered he'd won, and of course, about t

Oct 17, 2020 • 49:50

Brexit - ready or not

Brexit - ready or not

As talks between the EU and the UK enter their final stretch, what sort of Brexit are businesses preparing for? Manuela Saragosa speaks to Chayenne Wiskerke of the Dutch onion growing company Wiskerke Onions which exports to the UK. She also speaks to Martin Bysh the founder of Huboo, a UK fulfilment company which works mostly with the e-commerce industry and exports all over the world. They tell her how they've been coping with the years of uncertainty around the Brexit negotiations. (Picture c

Oct 16, 2020 • 19:27

Africa's animation scene: Ready for takeoff

Africa's animation scene: Ready for takeoff

It’s been a tough year for much of the entertainment industry, with the pandemic causing production to be halted on all but a few projects. Filming bubbles and closed sets have been costly and time consuming. But one sector is booming – animation – especially in Africa. We hear from animators and producers across the continent about why demand for their work has never been higher. Vivienne Nunis speaks to Chris Morgan of Fundi Films, which recently produced the animation series My Better World.

Oct 15, 2020 • 18:58

Over 50 and out of work

Over 50 and out of work

What's it like for older people losing their job during the Covid pandemic?Tamasin Ford speaks to 59 year old lighting crew chief Michael Heggett. He's worked on events like Princess Diana’s funeral, the London’s Olympic games and Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday concert. He had a fantastic career until Covid hit and he lost all his work. He fears he might never be employed again. Patrick Button, an assistant economics professor at Tulane University in the USA says his research shows that older wo

Oct 14, 2020 • 19:14

Sexism in African investment

Sexism in African investment

Why do female entrepreneurs in Africa not get the investment capital they need? When women are navigating the male dominated finance and start-up scene in Africa, sexism can be a daily occurence. Efe Ukala is the founder of Impact Her - an organisation to help female entrepreneurs in Africa get access to finance. She says at one meeting she went to she was the only woman in the room and when one man joined them he went round the table to introduce himself to everyone except her. Mélanie Keita is

Oct 13, 2020 • 19:13

The future of Hong Kong

The future of Hong Kong

Can Hong Kong retain its position as Asia's financial capital? The National Security Law passed in Hong Kong saw violent protests in the middle of 2020. The BBC’s Karishma Vaswani takes us through how businesses have changed the way they work to avoid getting in to trouble with Beijing. Edward Yau, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Commerce says the new law won’t change the basic pillars of Hong Kong’s society, and that it will continue to attract big corporate names to hold on to its place as a key fin

Oct 12, 2020 • 17:29

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

Are big technology companies the modern versions of monopolistic oil barons or simply innovative companies that provide a service to enthusiastic consumers? That's the question we'll be looking at on this edition of Business Weekly as Democratic lawmakers in the US release a report detailing uncompetitive behaviour. We also look at the allegations made by a former Facebook employee who says she feels she has blood on her hands because the company failed to adequately act on political misinformat

Oct 10, 2020 • 49:38

The end of the oil era

The end of the oil era

How will the energy transition transform geopolitics? Which countries will be the winners and losers?The answers may not be as obvious as you might think - not at least according to Jason Bordoff, a former energy advisor to President Obama, and director of Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy. In a long interview with Manuela Saragosa, he explains why the future may not be so bleak for oil producers, how the transition could be bumpy and last decades, and why even once the world

Oct 9, 2020 • 18:39

The end of the line for cruise ships?

The end of the line for cruise ships?

Can the cruise ship industry survive? Once a lucrative market, with giant vessels boasting 100% occupancy, cruises have been all but wiped out since the coronavirus.Manuela Saragosa hears from reporter Vivienne Nunis in Venice. Pre-covid, Venice was the poster city for over-tourism. Cruise ships towered over the city’s fragile, historic buildings, filling the air with their exhaust fumes. Many campaigners wished to see the back of them. The pandemic has granted those campaigners their wish. But

Oct 8, 2020 • 17:27

Does big tech need a reboot?

Does big tech need a reboot?

A leading Silicon Valley boss says big tech companies need more empathy and diversity. Maelle Gavet, is a French-born tech entrepreneur with experience in building firms in her native France, India, Russia, South Africa, and now as chief operating officer of online real-estate broker, Compass.Inc. She's been listed as one of the most influential women in US tech. In her new book 'Trampled by Unicorns' she critiques what she sees as the cultural deficits of Silicon Valley and says that these comp

Oct 7, 2020 • 18:40

Is Facebook bad for democracy?

Is Facebook bad for democracy?

How the social media platform is poisoning politics around the world. A former Facebook employee says she has "blood on my hands" after struggling to contain the misinformation and manipulation conducted through the platform. Azerbaijani journalist Arzu Geybulla describes the coordinated Facebook campaigns against activists and politicians in her country. Berhan Taye, Africa policy manager at digital rights group Access Now, tells us why Facebook isn't doing enough to prevent the spread of hate

Oct 6, 2020 • 17:28

Is it time to rethink the electricity grid?

Is it time to rethink the electricity grid?

Are our century-old grids fit for the era of solar and wind power, or is a completely new kind of electricity transmission needed?Justin Rowlatt looks at the mess in California, where President Trump has blamed rolling blackouts on the state's rush to embrace renewable energy. But former regulator Cheryl LaFleur says one big reason is California's poor integration with neighbouring electricity grids. A US government report recommended linking all the nation's grids together, but then the report

Oct 5, 2020 • 18:40

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

This week saw the rather unedifying spectacle of the first 2020 US presidential debate. Did either of the candidates offer solid policies on the economy or the environment?As further investigations shed more light on Donald Trump’s financial affairs we’ll ask why he has been so reluctant to make them public.We’ll also find out why Facebook is threatening to ban all news on its Australian sites and ask whether clubbing can survive during a pandemic.Business Weekly is presented by Lucy Burton and

Oct 3, 2020 • 50:23

Final countdown for a Brexit trade deal

Final countdown for a Brexit trade deal

Why state aid may be the sticking point for a Brexit trade deal(Image: Two boxing gloves punching each other, one with the UK flag, one with the EU flag. Credit: Getty Images Stock)

Oct 2, 2020 • 18:00

Trump's taxes

Trump's taxes

What can the New York Times' revelations can tell us about the President's financial affairs?President Trump paid only $750 in tax federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017, and paid none in 10 of the past 15 years. That's according to an investigation by The New York Times earlier this week. The President says its all fake news. He's for years refused to publish his income tax returns. David Cay Johnstone, an investigative journalist and editor with DCReport.org, says the Times revelations show why

Oct 1, 2020 • 17:28

Facebook's face-off in Australia

Facebook's face-off in Australia

Should Facebook and Google pay for news that appears on their platforms? The Australian government thinks so. It’s drafted a law that would force them to pay - and Facebook is now threatening to ban all news from its Australian site. It’s a high stakes stand-off with potential global repercussions.Veteran local newspaper publisher Bruce Ellen tells Manuela Saragosa how his business has suffered the past decade as articles are shared online for free. Journalist Zoe Samios of the Sydney Morning He

Sep 29, 2020 • 18:00

China to the rescue?

China to the rescue?

President Xi Jinping made a big surprise announcement on Tuesday - that China is committing to cut its net carbon emissions to zero by 2060.But why has President Xi decided to take such a bold unilateral step? Will China's actions match his words? And how will other countries respond, not least the US?To answer these questions, Justin Rowlatt speaks to two people who have been at the top table of international climate diplomacy. Todd Stern was US President Barack Obama's representative in the Pa

Sep 28, 2020 • 18:01

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

What will get the swing states swinging? That’s the question we ask on this edition of Business Weekly as we take an in-depth look at Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas and Ohio. We find out what business leaders, activists and environmentalists in these places want from their new leader and ask whether Donald Trump or Joe Biden can deliver. We hear from Puerto Ricans and Cubans in Florida, young people in Texas and a farmer in Ohio. Business Weekly is presented by Lucy Burton and produced by Matthew

Sep 26, 2020 • 49:48

London's dirty financial secrets

London's dirty financial secrets

How some of the world's biggest banks are helping criminals launder money through the UK capital. The BBC's Andy Verity describes what a major new leak of documents tells us about the flows of dirty money through financial centres. Dr Susan Hawley from the charity Spotlight on Corruption tells us why banks and regulators aren't doing enough to stop it, and Tom Burgis, author of a new book Kleptopia: How Dirty Money is Conquering the World, explains why money laundering is a threat to democracy a

Sep 25, 2020 • 17:29

Venture capital in Africa

Venture capital in Africa

Funding for African tech start-ups is booming. But only if you’re not African. Odunayo Eweniyi, is the co-founder of the first online savings and investment app in West Africa, Piggyvest. She tells Tamasin Ford about how hard it was to convince Western based Venture Capitalists to invest in them. Jesse Ghansah, the Ghanaian Founder of the Fintech company, Swipe says as an African founder he’s still judged differently. Iyinolowa Aboyeji, who’s from Nigeria, set up a financing initiative called th

Sep 24, 2020 • 17:28

Why is fashion still not sustainable?

Why is fashion still not sustainable?

Making designer fashion more sustainable has been a cause célèbre for decades, so why hasn’t it happened yet? At the close of London Fashion Week, and just before the beginning of Paris, Tamasin Ford has been looking into why the industry hasn’t made the changes it needs. Kevin Bailey of the VF Corporation, one of the largest apparel and footwear retailers, says the industry has made great strides, while Roger Lee, of TAL apparel in Hong Kong, says a vague standards system for what counts as “su

Sep 23, 2020 • 18:05

Craft beer in a pandemic

Craft beer in a pandemic

Brewing, like many industries, has had to adapt during the coronavirus pandemic. And whilst this can be a logistical nightmare, the current crisis might also present some new opportunities. Elizabeth Hotson talks to beer writer, Pete Brown about the impact so far of coronavirus on craft beer. We take a socially distanced trip to East London to hear from Jon Swain, co-founder of Hackney Brewery and then cross over to Maryland in the US where Julie Verratti from Denizens Brewing explains how an al

Sep 22, 2020 • 18:06

Has Coronavirus killed the nightclub?

Has Coronavirus killed the nightclub?

Nightclubs around the world are struggling to survive with social distancing guidelines. The social effect is palpable, especially for the younger generation who have grown up with club culture. BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Jamz Supernova tells Ed Butler about everything she's missing from the club scene. Meanwhile, the Night-time Industries Association's Michael Kill says they and club owners are working to convince the government to help them open up. But how would that work? Lutz Leichsenring, an advoc

Sep 21, 2020 • 18:04

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

There are less than two months to go until the presidential election in the United States. Both candidates and parties have framed it as something of an existential fight. So, on Business Weekly we look at the big issues framing the debate. We examine the economy, immigration and healthcare and find out what a Biden Presidency or a second-term of office for President Trump could mean for these key policy areas. Plus, as the Zimbabwean government hands back some land to some evicted farmers, our

Sep 19, 2020 • 49:50

US Elections: California burning

US Elections: California burning

The West Coast wildfires have lifted climate change to the top of the campaign agenda, but will it actually shift any votes? It highlights one of sharpest policy contrasts between the two presidential candidates - with Donald Trump questioning whether global warming is even a threat, while Joe Biden has a detailed $2.5 trillion plan to decarbonise the economy. Justin Rowlatt speaks to David Banks, a former energy advisor to both President Trump and George W Bush, as well as Cheryl LaFleur, who s

Sep 18, 2020 • 18:39

US Elections: The end of Reaganomics?

US Elections: The end of Reaganomics?

Will the elections usher in a sea-change in economic thinking, after 40 years dominated by small government conservatism?Manuela Saragosa speaks to one small government conservative - Ramesh Ponnuru of the American Enterprise Institute - who says people like him no longer have a home in either of the main political parties. Economist James Galbraith says the scale of the economic challenge posed by the pandemic could compel a much greater role for the Federal government in reviving and restructu

Sep 17, 2020 • 18:38

US Elections: Immigrants welcome?

US Elections: Immigrants welcome?

President Trump's crackdown on immigrants is popular with his core voters, but less so with corporate America.Manuela Saragosa asks whether this nation of immigrants is about to vote to close the door to the American Dream for millions of foreigners. Among them are Indian IT workers who have been left in limbo by the sudden suspension of H-1B visas, as relayed by immigration lawyer Poorvi Chotani of LawQuest. Theresa Cardinal Brown of the Bipartisan Policy Center says there is widespread agreeme

Sep 16, 2020 • 18:38

US Elections: What it means for healthcare

US Elections: What it means for healthcare

Voters will soon decide who will be the next President of the United States, with healthcare – both the Coronavirus response and health coverage in general - being one of the most important issues. We'll hear from one American cancer survivor who lost their coverage during the crisis, and the director of a Missouri hospital on the challenges they've faced during the pandemic. Then, Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News explains the current state of US healthcare and the differences between candidat

Sep 15, 2020 • 18:38

US Elections: The view from Beijing

US Elections: The view from Beijing

Tensions with China have simmered for the past three years ever since President Trump initiated the so-called trade war.As Ed Butler hears from tech analyst Dan Wang, the trade war could prove a death sentence for Huawei, one of China's highest-profile firms. So what is likely to change after the US election, depending on who wins? Not much, says China analyst Rui Zhong, as Beijing's priorities under President Xi appear far more domestic. And Daniel Russel, former adviser on Asia to President Ob

Sep 14, 2020 • 18:37

Biotech: The future of food

Biotech: The future of food

Would you feel better tucking into a juicy steak knowing that the cow it comes from is still happily living out its life in a field somewhere? Biotechnology could make that possible.Manuela Saragosa hears from Shannon Falconer at pet food maker Because Animals, who grows real meat in a lab. Jon McIntyre at Motif FoodWorks explains how new technology has made his plant-based products tastier. We also hear from Tony Seba at the think tank, Rethink X. He believes we'll be designing food like softwa

Sep 14, 2020 • 17:29

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

Business Weekly hears from the industry that brings viruses back from the dead. The world of biotechnology is rapidly evolving - it recreates the stuff we can’t necessarily touch and feel, like smells and bacteria. Can it help contain future pandemics? Manuela Saragosa explores the risks and opportunities. We also head backstage at the theatre - many shows are having to come up with novel ways to perform productions, but are they able to sustain a business under social distancing rules? Rob Youn

Sep 12, 2020 • 49:49

Biotech: The future of materials

Biotech: The future of materials

Can spider silk and grasshopper rubber, brewed by vats of genetically modified microbes, wean us off our addiction to oil-based plastics?Manuela Saragosa explores what sounds like an environmentalist sci-fi utopia. She speaks to Daniel Meyer, head of corporate planning at Spiber, a Japanese company that is already trying to commercialise clothes and car parts made of synthetic spider silk. Meanwhile Christophe Schilling, chief executive of California-based Genomatica, is using a similar biotechn

Sep 11, 2020 • 17:28

Biotech: How can it stay safe?

Biotech: How can it stay safe?

Genetically modified microbes could herald a new industrial revolution - but the technology also poses new dangers.Manuela Saragosa speaks to someone who used it to recreate the horsepox virus - a close cousin of smallpox - from scratch three years ago. Virologist David Evans explains why he did it, and what aspects of this rapidly evolving technology worry him most.One of the companies on the cutting edge is Boston-based Ginkgo Bioworks. It redesigns the DNA of bacteria and yeast in order to cr

Sep 10, 2020 • 18:23

The economics of banning alcohol

The economics of banning alcohol

After several countries banned alcohol as part of their lockdown measures, we ask if prohibition ever works?Ed Butler reports from South Africa, where a recent ban on alcohol was welcomed by some healthcare professionals and those fighting violence in the country. Harvard economist Jeffrey Miron and University of California criminologist Emily Owens discuss whether limits on alcohol are ever really effective.(Photo: A man takes beers from a fridge inside a liquor shop in Soweto, Johannesburg, on

Sep 9, 2020 • 17:29

Democracy for sale?

Democracy for sale?

Journalist Peter Geoghegan describes the many ways in which private money is corrupting democratic politics, encouraging chaos and fuelling public cynicism.In an extended interview with the BBC's Ed Butler, the Irish author and broadcaster explains a Brexit campaign advert that he happened to come across in a local newspaper while visiting the city of Sunderland in the north of England led him to investigate where the money funding the Leave campaign was coming from. It led him to explore how bu

Sep 8, 2020 • 18:23

Why doesn’t the economy care about older women?

Why doesn’t the economy care about older women?

Many women feel they are ignored by the larger economy after they reach a certain age, and some of them aren't willing to accept that. Tamasin Ford speaks to Bonnie Marcus, host of the Badass Women at Any Age podcast, who explains how women over 60 can deal with the double-whammy of sexism and ageism in business. Meanwhile, Tricia Cusden tells us about how she started up the cosmetics retailer Look Fabulous Forever - a business run by and for women in their older years. And Ruth Saunders, author

Sep 7, 2020 • 18:23

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

As evidence mounts that Chinese authorities are continuing to incarcerate Uighur Muslims in work camps in the North West of the country we discuss the steps foreign companies should be taking to ensure their businesses don’t benefit from enforced labour. We also have a report on what could be the most severe housing crisis in the recent history of the US. In yet another consequence of the coronavirus pandemic; tenants are struggling to keep up rental payments and risk eviction. As lessons resume

Sep 5, 2020 • 49:28

Africa's malware problem

Africa's malware problem

Many Africans are buying Chinese-made smartphones that steal their information. Investigations have shown that the cheap devices are pre-installed with a kind of malware that drains the data allowance and in some cases signs the user up to subscription services without their knowledge. Nathan Collier, from security firm Malwarebytes explains how it works. But David Li of Shenzhen Open Innovation Lab says he's not convinced Chinese manufacturers are to blame for the problem. Meanwhile, with data

Sep 4, 2020 • 17:28

Can Western universities survive without China?

Can Western universities survive without China?

Some universities fear they have become too financially dependent on fee-paying Chinese students - and thanks to Covid-19, many of them are staying away this year.Salvatore Babones, an associate professor at the University of Sydney, says Australia is particularly vulnerable to this, while Vivienne Stern of Universities UK says it’s just one of a number of serious concerns for UK and US universities. We also hear from Chinese students already in the UK about whether they think it’s worth continu

Sep 3, 2020 • 17:28

Would you buy a T-shirt made with slave labour?

Would you buy a T-shirt made with slave labour?

China is accused of detaining millions of people from the Uighur ethnic minority and forcing them to work in factories. Pressure is mounting on foreign businesses to ensure material they source from China does not benefit from that forced labour. Alison Killing, an architect and investigator has found that 268 detention facilities have been built in the Xinjiang province in North-West China in just the last few years. Supply chain expert Kate Larsen says companies are often more at risk of expos

Sep 3, 2020 • 17:28

Restaurants adapting to survive

Restaurants adapting to survive

Catering and hospitality are among the sectors worst hit by the global coronavirus pandemic, with many governments banning in-house dining. Manuela Saragosa speaks to New York Chef Anna Klinger, who owns and manages Al Di La, a Trattoria in Brooklyn. Ka Yi Ong who runs Mini Star, a Singapore eatery that specialises in stinky tofu tells us about its new and very successful delivery service. Michelin-starred chef Kevin Meehan of Kali restaurant in Hollywood explains how a creative make-over for hi

Sep 1, 2020 • 17:28

Boredom: The secret to creativity?

Boredom: The secret to creativity?

Why being bored might be good for us. Ed Butler speaks to Kate Greene, a science writer who experienced months of isolation as part of a project to test how astronauts might cope with the boredom of a long trip to Mars. John Eastwood from the Boredom Lab at York University in Toronto and Erin Westgate from the University of Florida discuss the impact boredom can have on our ability to work. Dr Sandi Mann, author of The Upside of Downtime argues that boredom can be the secret to creative thought.

Aug 31, 2020 • 18:19

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

Two ancient and archeologically priceless rock shelters in Western Australia were destroyed earlier this year by the mining company Rio Tinto. On this episode of Business Weekly we ask whether the punitive measures imposed on senior executives this week are tough enough. Could biotechnology transform the way we eat and the way we treat animals? We investigate the future of food and find out how a cat food made from mouse meat could be made without harming any mice. As workers in the UK are seemi

Aug 29, 2020 • 49:50

Biotech: The future of farming

Biotech: The future of farming

Does farming as we know it have a future? We hear from those who argue biotechnology is about to disrupt agriculture for good.Shifting diets and food sources will put one million US farming jobs at risk, according to futurist Tony Seba of the think-tank Rethink X.But cattle farmers are not about to give up their livelihoods so easily. We hear from British farmer Andrew Loftus and Danielle Beck of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in the US.Manuela Saragosa also speaks to Henning Steinfel

Aug 28, 2020 • 18:25

Romance scamming: A global industry

Romance scamming: A global industry

Many of us will have noticed 'friend' or 'follow' requests on our social media from strangers with profiles which don’t quite ring true. They mainly use cloned pictures, often taken from accounts of those in the US military. Zoe Kleinman investigates the global industry of romance scamming, which can have tragic consequences. Zoe hears from Lisa Forte, a cyber security expert from Red Goat Security, Professor Alan Woodward from Surrey University, and she goes into the tragic story of Renee Holla

Aug 26, 2020 • 17:28

Education in Africa

Education in Africa

Is the continent looking at a lost generation of students as Covid-19 forces the majority of education ministries to scrap the entire 2020 Academic year?Tamasin Forde speaks to Folawe Omikunle the CEO of Teach for Nigeria, a charity that places leaders into under-served primary schools as teachers. She says Covid has shone a light on their already crumbling education sector. Professor Lilian Salami is the Vice Chancellor of Nigeria’s University of Benin in Benin City. They closed in February lik

Aug 25, 2020 • 18:25

A nudge in the right direction

A nudge in the right direction

Can a simple nudge change behaviour for the common good - even in potentially life and death situations? Elizabeth Hotson talks to Helena Rubenstein, Head of Behavioural Science of Innovia Technology, about a successful experiment to stop drink driving and Martine Visser, economics professor at the university of Cape Town, explains how nudging the inhabitants of South Africa’s most populous city to use less water, averted Day Zero. Plus Erez Yoeli, a research associate in altruism at MIT tells u

Aug 24, 2020 • 17:29

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

Protests have continued in the former Soviet country of Belarus this week and workers have started to strike. How will that affect the struggle for reform and what does it mean for the future of the economy? We hear from businesses there trying to plan for the future. We also hear how women have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Some analysts say the fight for gender equality has been put back 50 years. In Beirut, business owners are trying to pick up the pieces of th

Aug 22, 2020 • 49:50

Will TikTok find a US buyer?

Will TikTok find a US buyer?

President Trump has given the Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok a deadline to sell off its US operations, or else he will have it shut down in the country. Microsoft and Oracle have been rumoured to be interested.Russell Brandom of tech site The Verge tells Ed Butler that the extent of what's on offer is over-hyped. But Jason Davis, associate professor of entrepreneurship at Insead says a US-only version of the app would still have considerable merit. In any case, Sandra Wachter, associate

Aug 21, 2020 • 17:47

Sudan: Dealing with Covid and Sanctions

Sudan: Dealing with Covid and Sanctions

Efforts to get healthcare and support materials into Sudan to assist their battle against Coroniavirus are being impeded by sanctions on the country. Although many sanctions have been lifted, Sudan is still listed as a state sponsor of terrorism by the United States, meaning many companies are barred from dealing with the country. Dr Husain Abuakar, head of the emergency department at Omdurman Teaching Hospital in Khartoum, tells us how they've had to make do without vital medical equipment, and

Aug 20, 2020 • 17:46

Breaking the silence in Belarus

Breaking the silence in Belarus

President Lukashenko has remained defiant in the face of growing protests at his disputed re-election, threatening striking workers with being fired, in a stand-off that could last a long time.Even state broadcasters are raising their voices, as former state TV presenter Dmitry Kohno explains. Ed Butler hears from two leaders in Belarus’ burgeoning tech sector, who worry both for the sector’s continued growth, and their own safety. And economists Anders Aslund and Sergei Guriev question whether

Aug 19, 2020 • 17:46

African women and Covid

African women and Covid

Coronavirus has impacted economies in every corner of the globe but there’s a fear it’s hitting women’s economic opportunities hardest. Tamasin Ford explores how women in Africa are affected. Lisa Kolovich is an economist at the IMF which is warning the pandemic threatens to roll back gains in women’s economic opportunities despite decades of progress. South African feminist and activist Shamillah Wilson says women’s voices are not being heard at policy level. And Tennen B Dalieh, a government w

Aug 18, 2020 • 17:29

Coronavirus: A disaster for feminism?

Coronavirus: A disaster for feminism?

The impact of the pandemic on gender inequality. Tamasin Ford speaks to Lauren Currie, CEO of Stride and founder of Upfront - organisations focused on getting women’s voices heard - and Gill Whitty Collins, author of Why Men Win at Work, about how the strains of the pandemic have disproportionately affected women. Saunoamaali’i Dr Karanina Sumeo, New Zealand’s equal opportunities commissioner, explains why having more women at the table when policy decisions are made is part of the solution.(Pho

Aug 17, 2020 • 18:45

Business Weekly

Business Weekly

In this week’s programme we’ll be looking at the family rift in Syria which threatens yet more turmoil for the war-torn country. Just why is the country’s richest man defying his cousin - the President? Is there still a free press in Hong Kong - and if not, what does that mean for its status as a financial centre? That’s one of the questions we’ll be trying to answer after the media tycoon and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai was arrested. We’ll also be examining the UK’s latest GDP figures, whi

Aug 15, 2020 • 49:50

Destruction and corruption in Beirut

Destruction and corruption in Beirut

The businesses hoping to rebuild after Beirut's port explosion. Tamasin Ford speaks to Aline Kamakian, whose restaurant and office were both destroyed in the disaster, and to Joumana Saddi Chaya, managing partner at PSLab, a design company, who was also caught in the blast. Julien Courson, head of the Lebanese Transparency Association, explains why corruption remains such a persistent problem in Lebanese life and business, before and after the disaster. The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Paul Ad

Aug 14, 2020 • 17:28

Does online networking work?

Does online networking work?

Conferences during Covid-19: Jane Wakefield explores the challenges that big international events have faced this year in moving events online.She speaks to Paddy Cosgrave, chief executive of the giant technology event Web Summit, and Chris Anderson from TED. Plus social scientist Elizabeth Dunn explains why there is true “magic” in meeting face-to-face.Producer: Sarah Treanor(Picture: Woman on a laptop with a headache; Credit: Getty Images)

Aug 13, 2020 • 18:54

US evictions crisis?

US evictions crisis?

Millions of Americans face loss of benefits and eviction, threatening to push the US into a deepening recession, after Congress failed to extend the Cares Act.Ed Butler speaks to Maryland resident Sifu about her eviction by an aggressive landlord, while Alieza Durana of the Eviction Lab at Princeton University explains the broader impact of the lapsing legislation on tenants throughout the country.Michael Strain of the American Enterprise Institute think tank gives his free-market take on the ef

Aug 12, 2020 • 18:34

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