Business Daily

Beauty Costs: Why is Korean skincare so popular? Dec 01, 2022

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 disruptor brands, Alicia Yoon from Peach & Lily. Sharon Ahn, beauty analyst from global consumer trend forecaster WGSN, tells us why K-beauty is set to become worth twenty billion dollars in the next few years. South Korea has cultivated an era of cultural dominance, in music, acting and now in beauty. A lot of which has been accessible online, mainly through social media. Youtuber SSIN has over one a and a half million subscribers to her channel, she tells us what K-beauty means to her and her thoughts on its success. Producer and presenter: Izzy Greenfield (Image: Beige Chuu South Korean beauty influencer / Credit: Getty Images)

Beauty costs: Beauty disruptor brands Nov 30, 2022

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 that “small is the new big” and that “global brands are losing share as small brands and disruptors are gaining”. So why have we fallen out of love with the beauty behemoths, and what do smaller brands have that the bigger ones don’t? Producer and presenter: Izzy Greenfield (Image: Make-up products / Credit: Getty Images)

Beauty costs: A spotlight on skin lightening Nov 29, 2022

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 increasingly used by cosmetics firms as substitutes, are as steeped in colonial and racial narratives as the words they are replacing. She believes the branding of these products continues to exploit historic and racialised associations between skin tone and status. Chandana from Mumbai tells us what it was like to live in a society where she was pressured to have lighter skin, and Professor Adbi from the Singapore Business Schools explains why he believes that companies are promoting beauty ideals linked to lighter skin, and fuelling demand that could indirectly put people’s health at risk. Producer and presenter: Izzy Greenfield (Image: Skin lightening products. Credit: Getty Images)

Beauty costs: How do you create a beauty empire? With Marcia Kilgore Nov 28, 2022

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 entrepreneur, and how her career started in a one bedroom-apartment in New York City. Producer and presenter: Izzy Greenfield (Image: Marcia Kilgore. Credit: Getty Images)

Business Daily Meets: Krept Nov 25, 2022

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 music and business. Producer and presenter: Dougal Shaw (Image: Krept. Credit: BBC)

Growing opposition to mining in Panama Nov 24, 2022

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 Panama and I start my report by visiting that country’s largest ever mine, which began operations three years ago. In this episode Grace Livingstone visits Cobre Panama, an enormous copper mine built in tropical forest on the Caribbean coast of Panama. We also hear from the people who farm the land close to Panama's mines and get the views of local politicians and experts on whether this kind of mining should continue. Presenter / producer: Grace Livingstone Image: Cobre Panama mine; Credit: BBC

Napping on the job Nov 23, 2022

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 at Sleep School, tells us practice makes perfect when it comes to napping. Presenter / producer: Deborah Weitzmann Image: RestSpace sleep pod; Credit: Kate Mulligan

Floriade: Was it worth it? Nov 22, 2022

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)

Business Daily Meets: Mathieu Flamini Nov 21, 2022

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 in life, to play professional football and become an environmentalist. In 2008, while still playing top flight football, Flamini co-founded, GFBiochemicals. It produces a chemical called levulinic acid which can be used to replace oil in a range of household products. The industry is worth billions of dollars. Producer / presenter: Sam Fenwick Image: Mathieu Flamini playing for Arsenal in 2016; Credit: Getty

Business Daily Meets: Patrice Evra Nov 18, 2022

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 about what’s he’s doing to make a living since retiring from football in the summer of 2019. Presenter / producer: Sam Fenwick Image: Patrice Evra playing for Manchester United in 2014; Credit: Getty

Reinventing recycling in Louisiana Nov 17, 2022

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 easily be turned back into new bottles. Producer/presenter: James Graham (Photo: Franziska Trautman and Max Steitz at their base in New Orleans. Credit: Glass Half Full)

The cost of rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean Nov 16, 2022

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 the last few weeks. We’ll also hear from the former mayor of Lampedusa, Giusi Nicolini, on why she thinks European states should cooperate much more to deal with this kind of migration. Sophie Beau and Xavier Lauth of SOS Méditerranée also explain why politics, diplomatic rows, higher prices and compassion fatigue are all increasing the financial pressures on their operations. Producer / presenter: Frey Lindsay Image: Crew on the Ocean Viking; Credit: Getty

Africa Super League – new dawn for football? Nov 15, 2022

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 Comitis, says that they are in the dark about how the new competition would work in practice and that South African Premier Soccer League, where they were the runners-up last season, would be badly affected by the new Super League. Nigerian football journalist and the former member of the dissolved FIFA Task Force Against Racism, Osasu Obayiuwana is worried that there are no clear plans where the money would come from for the Super League nor how teams could travel regularly across the vast continent. He also warns that a big problem would be the lack of interest in pan-African club tournaments from broadcasters and sponsors, as it is difficult for many Africans to regularly follow on TV what is happening in football leagues across the continent. However, the legendary South African striker, UEFA Champions League winner and the current Manchester United first team coach Benni McCarthy believes that the Super League would boost standards across Africa, helping young players compete with the best from around the world. Produced and presented by Ivana Davidovic (Image: Mohamed el-Shenawy holds the winner's trophy after the CAF Super Cup Final between El Ahly and Raja Casablanca at Al Rayyan Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on December 22, 2021. Photo credit: Mohammed Dabbous/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Business Daily Meets: Nico Rosberg Nov 14, 2022

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: Theo Leggett (Photo: Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP celebrates after securing the F1 World Drivers Championship during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. Credit: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Business Daily Meets: Boyan Slat Nov 11, 2022

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 ‘greenwash’ their reputations by taking sponsorship cash? Presenter/producer: James Graham Image: Boyan Slat on a plastic-strewn beach in Honduras (Credit: The Ocean Cleanup)

Rebuilding lives after flooding in Pakistan Nov 10, 2022

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 Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and current UK ambassador for UNICEF. Presenter / producer: Emb Hashmi Image: Flood-hit families in Sindh province, Pakistan October 2022; Credit: Getty

The Morality of Machines Nov 08, 2022

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 Meta’s new chatbot. As driverless 'robotaxis' become more popular in China and the US, we’ll look at the difficult moral choices involved in their design. And how would you feel about AI that can read your emotions? We’ll hear why some companies have decided it’s a step too far. Presenter/ producer: Katie Barnfield (Image: Robot using AI. Credit: Getty)

Africa’s Middlemen: Rent-seekers or cultural brokers? Nov 07, 2022

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 interacting with middlemen. Cocoa farmer Dimeji Green holds middlemen directly responsible for the dire conditions of farmers in the multi-billion pounds industry whilst Josephine Favre of the African association of vertical farming thinks middlemen are actually necessary for the economy to thrive. Presenter / producer: Peter MacJob Image: Bolarinwa Omololu; Credit: Bolarinwa Omololu

How much is it costing fans to go to Qatar? Nov 04, 2022

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 many Welsh fans have had the opportunity to see their team in a World Cup, they last qualified in 1958. Around 3,000 are expected to travel for the group stages of the competition. Many have spent thousands of dollars on flights, accommodation and tickets. Argentina fans are also spending big to see Lionel Messi line up for his country in a World Cup, possibly for the very last time. Presenter / producer: Sam Fenwick Image: Welsh football fans; Credit: BBC

Women in business in Qatar Nov 03, 2022

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 play in Qatar's economy. Rothna Begum, senior women's rights researcher at Human Rights Watch explains how things have changed for women in Qatar - and what barriers and challenges still remain. Presenter and producer: Sam Fenwick (Image: Women walking through Doha. Credit: Getty)

The footballers transforming their home towns Nov 02, 2022

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)

Qatar’s World Cup tourism gamble Nov 01, 2022

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 gamble. Plus Oman Air, which is going to be putting on dozens of extra flights so that fans can commute in for matches, tell us how that matches up with a ‘climate friendly’ World Cup. Producer/presenter: Hannah Bewley (Image: Dow boats in Doha. Credit: Getty)

Qatar: The migrant workers behind the World Cup Oct 31, 2022

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 workers who are being sent home from Qatar because the World Cup is happening. Human Rights Watch explain the issues with compensation payments that they are still hearing about, and James Dorsey, a specialist on the politics of Middle East football, gives his view on the gamble the Qataris are undertaking to host the event, in a hope that they gain ‘soft power’. Producer/Presenter: Ed Butler (Image: A Qatari stadium with workers climbing up. Credit: European Pressphoto Agency)

Business Daily Meets: Jason Bell Oct 28, 2022

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 tips for taking a truly memorable photograph. Presenter: Samira Hussain Producer: Carmel O’Grady (Photo: Photographer Jason Bell Credit: Getty Images)

Sri Lanka: Life after an economic crisis Oct 27, 2022

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 could improve its fortunes - when everyone wants to leave. Rahul hears from people in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, where there are queues for the passport office, a Colombo business owner, and a Sri Lankan academic now living in the UK who says she's not going back. Presented and produced by Rahul Tandon. (Image: Sri Lankan tea seller in the rain. Credit: Getty)

A special interview with the boss of the World Bank Oct 26, 2022

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. Presented and produced by Sam Fenwick. (Image: David Malpass. Credit: Getty)

The rise and fall of the hot tub Oct 25, 2022

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 in a matter of months. The reason: The cost of electricity. Across Europe, some owners are draining their pools as the cost of living crisis bites. One in five hot tub owners say they now never use them, while a further third said they hardly ever use them, according to a new major survey. Business Daily's Rick Kelsey speaks to Chris Hayes from BISHTA, the trade association for hot tub installers in the UK and Ireland, about the type of people who can now afford a tub. We travel to Valencia in Spain to hear how health spas are affording to heat their water. Sophie Clarke, who’s selling her tub on a European forum tells us how upset she is to see it go and we hear from international hot tub supplier Christina Mantoura Clarke on how her business survived when so many competitors went bust. Presented and Produced by Rick Kelsey (Image: A man and child in a hot tub. Credit: Getty)

Business Daily Meets: Dr Natalie Kenny Oct 21, 2022

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 this episode of Business Daily, she sits down with Alex Bell to reflect on a remarkable life in science, discussing the pharmaceutical industry, gender equality in the laboratory, and being on the frontlines of the Covid pandemic. as well as the personal tests she’s had to overcome. (Picture: Dr Natalie Kenny at BioGrad’s headquarters in Liverpool, UK. Credit: BioGrad.)

How social media is changing farming in Kenya Oct 20, 2022

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 data bundles expensive. Safe access to the internet is seen as development goal. At the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly governments, the private sector, philanthropic funds and international organisations agreed that investment in digital infrastructure would help drive growth in emerging economies. US$295 million was committed to advance inclusive digital public infrastructure. Presenter / Producer: Sam Fenwick Image: Cathy Kamanu; Credit: Cathy Kamanu

How students' right to earn shook up US sport Oct 18, 2022

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, Texas A&M University Athletic Director Ross Bjork, CEO of MSP Recovery John H Ruiz and Courtney Altemus of Team Altemus, part of the advance group of NIL advisers. Presenter / producer: Will Bain Image: Quarterback Kellen Mond from Texas A&M; Credit: Getty

Why men don’t want to work any more Oct 17, 2022

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 quit their jobs, they want to leave the workplace for good. And it’s something that’s been going on since the 1960s. Presented and produced by Ed Butler. (Image: Men on a building site. Credit: Getty)

Greensill: What went wrong? Oct 14, 2022

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 financial journalist who followed the downfall of Greensill – he’s written a book about what happened. Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: James Graham (Image: Lex Greensill. Credit: Shutterstock)

Will a multibillion dollar project get Americans back on trains? Oct 13, 2022

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 tour of the station and finds out about its much-admired predecessor - the Pennsylvania Station of the early 20th Century. And she explores the site of the planned demolition work, which controversially includes historical buildings and a busy community church. Presented and produced by Laura Heighton-Ginns. (Image: Penn Station scaffolding. Credit: BBC)

Mahira Khan on Pakistan's mental health emergency Oct 12, 2022

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 campaign aims to raise awareness of mental health issues and needs in Pakistan. Mahria tells us about her work with the trust and how her job has affected her own mental health. We also speak to Sanaa Ahmad who is the British Asian Trust's Mental Health programme manager, and Dr Iffa who works with communities in Pakistan providing mental health treatment. Presenter / production: Emb Hashmi Producer: Carmel O'Grady Photo: Mahira Khan; Credit: Getty

Can a giant seaweed farm help curb climate change? Oct 11, 2022

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 biology - the project is based on his ideas. And Dr Nem Vaughan, associate professor in climate change at the University of East Anglia talks Justin through some of her questions around how or whether the project will work. Presenter: Justin Rowlatt Producer: David Reid (Image: Sargassum being harvested. Credit: BBC)

Rent-a-Robot Oct 10, 2022

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 hears from a small restaurant owner from California who wouldn't be without her server robot Rosie any more, after months of being unable to fill vacancies. Joe Campbell from the Danish company Universal Robots and Tim Warrington from the British company Bots explain how they are taking advantage of the post-pandemic "great resignation" and which industries are next in line for a robotics boom. Karen Eggleston from Stanford University explains her research into the consequences of the use of robots in over 800 nursing homes in Japan and Daron Acemoglu from MIT discusses whether robots in workplaces will liberate their human colleagues or simply entrench inequality. Presented and produced by Ivana Davidovic (Photo: Robot waitress serving dessert and coffee on a tray in a cafe. Credit: Getty Images) *This episode was originally broadcast on 10 February 2022.

Space: The final food frontier Oct 07, 2022

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 view on the environmental impact of cell-gown meat and Dr Jason Michael Thomas, senior lecturer in psychology at Aston University explains how reluctant consumers might be persuaded to try new and strange-sounding foods. Presenter: Elizabeth Hotson Producer: Elizabeth Hotson (Photo description: The Solar system. Credit: Getty Images)

How to quit Oct 06, 2022

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 to quit their jobs in 2022. Marie Keyworth speaks to Moya Dodd, former vice-captain of Australia’s women’s football team - The Matildas. She now works as a lawyer in Sydney and says Barty's decision to 'quit at the top' could be a lesson to us all. Career coach Sarah Weiler has quit several roles herself, and has now made it her job to help others – how do you know when it’s time to move on? And Dina Denham Smith is an executive coach based in the San Francisco Bay area. She helps what she calls ‘high performing, high achieving’ people make decisions. She tells Marie how you can improve your situation if quitting isn’t an option. Presented and produced by Marie Keyworth. (Image: Ash Barty. Credit: Getty)

Getting backpackers to return to Australia Oct 05, 2022

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 right solution for the Australian labour crunch? Or should government step in and rethink the whole set up? David speaks to Lee Thurston who runs Miss Moneypenny’s restaurant in Noosa, on the east coast of Queensland. Lee is from the UK but has settled in Australia. Lee said when they came to open up after the pandemic, all the backpackers had gone home. So he’s had to train up local teenagers instead. Hamish Hill runs Nomad’s hostel in Noosa. He tells David it’s noticeable how many vacancies there are and the impact that’s happening. He’d like fewer regulations on backpackers. Professor Stephen Howes, director of the development policy centre at the Australian National University, explains how the visa scheme works, and how it’s changed from its original intention. And David visits a small farm run by Joe Lyons, who has 50 hectares growing avocados and macadamias in Bundaburg near Queensland. He and other farmers are rethinking their reliance on backpackers. They’re currently staffed by 100% Australian labour. Presenter/producer: David Reid (Photo: Fruit picking. Credit: Getty Images)

Why food could be the future of fashion Oct 04, 2022

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 Exchange about new developments in so-called bio synthetics. And in the race to adopt these new materials, could some brands be accused of greenwashing? Rachel Cernansky from Vogue Business takes us through the controversy. Produced and presented by Katie Barnfield. (Image: Mushrooms growing on a tree branch. Credit: Getty)

Are home solar panels the solution? Oct 03, 2022

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 who rents her home – her landlord has just had solar panels fitted. Linda says she has noticed the reduction in her bills, however her central heating is gas so there might not be as big a reduction over the winter. Just over 3,000 solar installations are being carried out every week according to the trade association Solar Energy UK. That’s up from 1,000 a week in July 2020. Michael Schmela and Naomi Chevillard are from Solar Power Europe. They say they are seeing an unprecedented demand in countries across Europe, especially those that rely on gas. We also hear from a solar project in the Morogoro region of Tanzania, where farmers are using solar to run a farm and a training centre. And David Shukman, the BBCs former climate editor, talks about the affordability of solar panels and how that’s changed over recent years. How much is the demand and payback time for home solar changing? Presented and produced by Rick Kelsey. (Image: Solar panels being fitted on a roof. Credit: Getty)

Business Daily meets: Will Butler-Adams Sep 30, 2022

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.

Comic Con economics Sep 29, 2022

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 Vincent Zurzolo, the Chief Operating Officer of Metropolis Collectibles in New York looks back on one of his most memorable comic book sales. Producer: Elizabeth Hotson Presenter: Elizabeth Hotson Picture Description: Comics at Wellcome Trust Superhero exhibition, Picture Credit: Getty Images

Business Daily Meets: Margrethe Vestager Sep 28, 2022

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 importance of her hallmark legislative endeavours on global competition and fairness in the big tech space. And she talks about how the EC’s Important Projects of Common European Interest programme – which allows joint investments in riskier technologies – could help alleviate Europe’s energy crisis. Producer: Stephen Ryan Presenter: Victoria Craig (Image: Margrethe Vestager. Credit: Google)

Why Finland is building with wood again Sep 27, 2022

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 Airaksinen - vice president of development at Finnish building company SRV, about the construction process and the technology being used. Mai Suominen, a senior forest expert for the World Wildlife fund explains the benefits of using wood to make buildings, because they can store carbon that’s already been removed from the atmosphere by trees for decades. Ali Amiri from Aalto University has been exploring the costs and benefits of using wood for building - and the impact of the war in Ukraine which has increased interest in wood as a building material. And Maddy gets a tour from Linda Helen of an eight story wooden office block in Helsinki that’s home to one of Finland’s biggest gaming companies Supercell. Produced and presented by Maddy Savage. (Image - wooden building in Helskini. Credit: BBC)

The fight for domestic workers’ rights Sep 26, 2022

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 overseas, but discovered many women who do this work are victimised. As well hearing their stories, Laura speaks to the newly appointed Philippines Secretary of State for Migrants and UN International Labor Organisation and asks why domestic workers still lack basic protections. Presented and produced by Laura Heighton-Ginns. (Image: Grace Nine. Credit: BBC)

Can festivals bounce back? Sep 23, 2022

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, South Africa, tells us about the challenges she's faced in holding this year's event. The director of the Great British Food Festival in the UK, Daniel Maycock, says they've managed to avoid putting up ticket prices so far and are trying to support smaller businesses. Lisa Louis travels to the Rock en Seine festival, to the west of the French capital Paris to speak to the director, Matthieu Ducos, about how he's had to adapt. She speaks to food and drinks vendors about how they're coping with rising prices and festival goers about how they're dealing with having less money in their pockets. Presenter: Emb Hashmi Reporter: Lisa Louis Producer: Jo Critcher (Image: Matthieu Ducos, director of the Rock en Seine festival, Parc de Saint-Cloud; Credit: BBC)

Why everyone wants a ‘blue tick’ on social media Sep 22, 2022

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 to get a blue tick dozens of times each week. He explains why verification is useful to brands and users. Entrepreneur Jacques Bastien lives in New York, he works with different brands and companies, and explains why verification is so important for his clients, making them seem more trustworthy. He says the blue tick has a financial benefit which is hard to quantify, but is there. And the BBC’s China media analyst Kerry Allen explains the different approach by Sina Weibo, where accounts are checked and ‘verified’ to a certain degree when an account is created. She explains the different ‘V’ system that accounts have depending on who owns the account. Presented and produced by David Harper. (Image: Social media influencer. Credit: Getty)

Business Daily meets: Paul and Mike Rabil Sep 21, 2022

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 speak to the brothers to find out the challenges of starting a league from the ground up, and how they had to convince players to join them, and from there, we also find out how it could be going global, and why the story has been turned into a major documentary that has aired on ESPN. Presenter: Rahul Tandon, Producer: Ed Butler (Image: Paul and Mike Rabil at an event; Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Premier Lacrosse League)

Who benefits most from remote working? Sep 20, 2022

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 the world. We hear from Roseleen Kagiri, a remote worker in Nairobi, Kenya, and Hailey Walker who works from home in Chicago in the US. Matt Wilson, co-founder and co-chief executive of Omnipresent, a tech start-up, reveals why his business employs all of its workers remotely. Nick Bloom, professor of economics at Stanford University in California tells us about studies he’s done on working from home and how remote work affects productivity, and Harriet Molyneaux, managing director at HSM Advisory, a global advisory group focussed on the future of work based in London, explains why employers are now looking more closely at remote hybrid work to attract and retain the best talent. Presenter/producer: Tara Holmes (Image: Woman sitting at desk with cup of coffee; Credit: Getty)

The condiments (and sauces) that never change Sep 16, 2022

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 KraftHeinz who now own Lea and Perrins, explains the history of the sauce - and how an early batch didn't go too well. And Jake Burger, cocktail expert from Portabello Road Gin and The Ginstitute explains how Angostura Bitters outlasted prohibition to become a bar staple. (Image: Tabasco sauce bottle. Credit: Getty)

The women kicking off their high heels at work Sep 15, 2022

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 cabin crew who are made to wear high heels at work. Nicola Thorp, who led a campaign in the UK to make it illegal for companies to force workers to wear high heels, says many companies are now changing their shoe policies because they don’t want the bad publicity. Change is slower in Japan, however, where supporters of the #KuToo movement continue to campaign against mandatory high heels at work. The BBC’s Singapore correspondent, Mariko Oi, who is from Japan, tells us how corporate dress and expectations are still firmly embedded into Japanese culture. Then we travel to the Indian capital, Delhi, to find out if the pandemic has changed companies’ attitudes to workwear there. Presenter/producer: Jo Critcher Music courtesy of Dorian Electra: "The Dark History of High Heels" (Image: woman suffering from foot pain; Credit: Getty Images)

The real state of the Russian economy Sep 14, 2022

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 brought about by wide-ranging western economic sanctions. We look inside the country at the way the economy is progressing, with the thoughts of one Russian business-owner, Dmitry Nechaev, and from western-based economists, Sergei Guriev at Sciences Po University in Paris, and Elina Ribakova, deputy chief economist at the International Institute of Finance. The US-based political scientist Stephen Crowley, of Oberlin College, then considers how much a weakened economy is likely to create the type of political pressure to make President Putin reassess his war strategy. Presenter/producer: Ed Butler (Image: Russian President Vladimir Putin at the desk in his office; Credit: BBC)

Nigeria's push to grow its own coconuts Sep 13, 2022

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 branched out into coconut farming. We also hear from Nma Okoroji, president of the National Coconut Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (Nacoppman) - they support farmers and are encouraging more people to go into coconut production. Farmers are struggling to access the best seeds for production - Abiodun Oyelekan, who runs a two-and-a-half-hectare farm in Badagry, explains the importance of 'hybrid' seeds. Lagos state government's Coconut Development Authority (Lascoda) general manager Dapo Olakulehin talks about the challenge of helping the coconut sector to boost productivity and to become more commercial. And Ebun Feludu - the founder of JAM The Coconut Food Company, which makes premium products from the fruit explains why she believes basic infrastructure must be improved. Presenter/producer: Ijeoma Ndukwe (Image: Ebun Feludu. Credit: BBC)

Should we be more open about salaries? Sep 12, 2022

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, general manager of Manhattan-based deli Zabars. Deborah also hears from salary expert David Turetsky about why some people find conversations around pay difficult, and Dr Grace Lordan from the London School of Economics explains how openness about pay might benefit women and address the gender pay gap. Presented and produced by Deborah Weitzmann. (Image: An office meeting. Credit: Getty)

Business Daily meets: Russ Glass Sep 08, 2022

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 policies. Presenter/producer: Leanna Byrne (Image: woman listening to headphones whilst meditating. Credit: Getty)

Why Europe’s inland shipping network is drying up Sep 07, 2022

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 knocked 0.4% off Germany’s GDP, and hydrologist Saskia Werners explains how barge captains, industry, importers and the public have to expect more of the same. Presenter / producer: Matthew Kenyon Image: The Mezzoforte; Credit; Matthew Kenyon / BBC

Venice’s tourist problem: Are day trippers welcome? Sep 05, 2022

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 destinations such as Hawaii and the Isle of Skye in Scotland are addressing the problem. Producer: Vera Mantengoli (Image: A gondola in Venice. Credit: BBC)

Business Daily meets: Bruce Daisley Sep 02, 2022

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 the aftermath he heard much talk of the ‘resilience’ of the Lebanese people. But when he heard someone say, ‘We don’t want to be resilient. We just want to live!’, it got him thinking about what resilience really is and how individuals can achieve it. Presenter: Sam Fenwick (Photo: Bruce Daisley with kind permission)

Using less gas in our homes Sep 01, 2022

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 renovation. The Hague City Council’s Astrid Kennis talks about what we can all do in our homes to improve insulation and pay for the work that’s necessary. And Ruben Buna Heslinga, of Dutch housing corporation Mitros, talks about a current renovation project in Utrecht. We also hear from Lesley, a tenant in one of the newly refashioned buildings, on what she expects of her energy bills now. Presenter / producer: Matthew Kenyon Image: an apartment block in Utrecht being renovated to meet new environmental standards; Credit: Matthew Kenyon

Getting ready for Paris 2024 Aug 31, 2022

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. Presenter / producer: Ashish Sharma Image: Tony Estanguet; Credit: Getty

The unusual world of dark tourism Aug 30, 2022

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 Interpreters and Guides Association, on how the travel industry has helped the city recover from the devastation of the atomic bomb. Presenter/Producer: Rory Claydon (Picture: Radiation sign in Chernobyl Credit: BBC)

How to dispose of nuclear waste Aug 29, 2022

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 underground. Theo visits the Äspö Hard Rock laboratory, where SKB project director Ylva Stenqvist is testing the techniques and equipment. Rolf Persson of the Oskarshamn Municipality, says other countries planning similar ventures could learn from Sweden’s approach. Neil Hiatt, the chief scientific adviser to the UK’s waste management group Nuclear Waste Services, speaks to Theo in Sweden - how might it work in practice? In the UK, similar proposals have faced local opposition, Marianne Birkby runs a pressure group, Radiation Free Lakeland, opposing a possible waste facility in the North of England. And Dr Paul Dorfman, from the University of Sussex, explains why he believes plans for geological disposal are at best premature – and potentially impossible to deliver safely. Producer and presenter: Theo Leggett (Image: Radioactive containers. Copyright: Getty)

The refugee entrepreneurs starting again Aug 26, 2022

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 Ukraine and is now hoping to restart her business in the UK. Razia works for Silai Wali - a social enterprise led by Afghan-women refugees in New Delhi. It up-cycles waste fabric to create handcrafted decorations. Plus, Bish Wadeep Mortia who set up the company, tells us more about how it works. And Waseem is from Jumpstart Refugee Talent in Canada - it is a refugee-led non-profit organisation whose sole purpose is to help people find work or start new businesses. Presented and produced by Jess Quayle (Photograph courtesy of Yuliia)

War in Ukraine: Farmers and workers struggle on Aug 25, 2022

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. At the same time, the war has had a major impact on Ukraine’s own agricultural production and exports. Markiyan Dmytrasevych, Ukraine’s deputy agriculture minister, tells Frey what the government are doing to try and keep Ukrainian farmers afloat. And we hear from Lubomyr, a former seasonal worker who is back in Ukraine and has his own unique plan for helping to sustain agriculture in his country. Presenter & producer Frey Lindsay Additional production by Magdalena Jaroszewicz in Poland (Picture: A grain harvester in the Kyiv region of Ukraine. Picture credit: Getty images)

Fighting Ukraine fundraising fatigue Aug 24, 2022

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 on the front line. We catch up with Olia in her London home. Ronny Krieger, general manager of Patreon Europe, explains how people looking to raise money are using the fundraising platform. We also hear from Ukraine-based charity Aid Legion. Its co-founder Anna Goncharova tells us how she and her colleagues worked to come up with a campaign to rally people to the cause in an uplifting, impassioned way. Presenter: Victoria Craig Producer: Stephen Ryan Photo: Olia Hercules; Credit: Victoria Craig/BBC

Tunnelling under the Atlantic Aug 23, 2022

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 archipelago and ventures deep beneath the ocean to investigate why big spending on infrastructure brings huge social benefits to the islands. Presenter / producer: Tim Ecott Image: Faroe Islands; Credit: Tim Ecott / BBC

Can Japan become Asia's Silicon Valley? Aug 22, 2022

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. She hears from Chikahiro Terada, the boss of Tokyo-based start-up Sansan, which specialises in the digitalisation of business cards. Chikahiro is opening a special new school for tech-savvy young entrepreneurs in Tokushima on the southern island of Shikoku. Mariko also meets the founder of a mobile supermarket business and speaks to the country's former digital minister, Karen Makishima, who says there will be fewer rules for digital start up companies and that the government will be encouraging more diverse entrepreneurs to set up businesses in rural as well as urban areas. Presenter: Mariko Oi Producer: Jagdip Cheema Image: Mariko Oi in Tokushima; Credit: BBC

Business Daily meets: La June Montgomery Tabron Aug 19, 2022

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 where half the staff are now people of colour. Presenter: Vivienne Nunis Production: Vivienne Nunis and Jo Critcher Image: La June Tabron; Credit: Kellogg Foundation

Rainbow washing Aug 18, 2022

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 King James who’s the vice president of diversity inclusion and belonging at logistics giant GXO explains why her company is sponsoring small, regional Pride events. We also hear from Kathy Caton, founder of Brighton Gin who explains why a 365 day commitment to diversity is vital for companies marketing to the LGBT community. Julia Smith-Eppsteiner, a senior strategist at branding company Future Brand explains how accusations of rainbow washing can be avoided and Paul Thompson, co-owner of LGBT Capital explains just how lucrative the LGBT market is. Presenter: Elizabeth Hotson Producer: Elizabeth Hotson Picture Description: Pride in London 2022, Picture Credit: Getty Images

Tackling over-tourism in Greece Aug 17, 2022

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. Presenter: Victoria Craig Production: Stephen Ryan and Dimitris Zivopoulos Image: Cheese making in Tinos; Credit: BBC

The electric transport revolution Aug 16, 2022

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 worth $35billion. From there, Tara travels to Nottingham to try out an electric kick scooter for the first time on a public road. She also speaks to Kfir Ben Shooshan, founder of Inokim, an e-scooter company based in Tel Aviv in Israel. We also hear from people who believe the shift to electrification is happening too fast with safety concerns being ignored. Nikhil Inamdar reports from Delhi in India where two people from the same family died following a scooter battery explosion. Professor David Greenwood, an electrification expert at Warwick University in the UK, offers some tips on how to avoid buying unsafe vehicles. And, Augustin Friedel, an independent analyst and mobility expert from Germany reveals which countries are most encouraging new forms of electric transport and how this is being done safely. Presenter/producer: Tara Holmes (Image: A person riding an electric bike; Credit: Getty)

Subscribe and fly: the travel industry’s latest trend Aug 15, 2022

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 executive of Caravelo, a subscription platform for the airline industry on travel trends. And finally, as some the biggest users of subscriptions services are millennials and gen Z, we speak to someone who calls themselves a "digital nomad". Presenter / producer: Leanna Byrne. Image: travellers at an airport in Thailand; Credit: Getty images

Business Daily Meets: Pernilla Nyresten Aug 12, 2022

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 women. Pernilla tells Sam Fenwick that the sexist comments motivated her to pursue her dream of running a successful retail business, and how she hopes to be a role model for other aspiring female entrepreneurs. Presenter / producer: Sam Fenwick Image: Pernilla and Niclas; Credit: Pernilla Nyrensten

Sweden’s light time economy Aug 11, 2022

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 like bars and restaurants can capitalise on the never-ending daylight. Plus, we hear from visitors experiencing the midnight sun for the first time. Producer: Elizabeth Hotson Presenter: Elizabeth Hotson Picture Credit: the midnight sun in Sweden via Getty Images

The fight for digital privacy Aug 10, 2022

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 has 25 million active monthly users. And, Ed asks, if everyone increases their privacy, what will that do to the modern digital economy? Presenter/producer: Ed Butler Image: Women in Tokyo looking at phone. Credit: Getty

Managing our National Parks Aug 09, 2022

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 funding. Laura also visits Dartmoor in the South West of England, which has seen government financial support cut by nearly half over the last 10 years. And she finds out about the oldest protected area in the world – and why its future is uncertain. Presenter/producer Laura Heighton-Ginns. Image: Gorongosa National Park. Credit: Gabriela Curtiz / Gorongosa National Park

War in Ukraine: Venezuela's oil opportunity? Aug 08, 2022

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 still manages to sell its oil and the role played by Iran in that trade. She also thinks that a sanctions deal could be made if the Maduro administration is willing to relinquish some control over production. But Venezuela expert David Smilde is worried that political, rather than practical, considerations - in the US and Venezuela - might muddy the waters. Caracas-based journalist Francis Pena goes on a lengthy journey to buy petrol in her home city, illustrating how economic mismanagement and sanctions are affecting day-to-day lives. Presenter/producer: Ivana Davidovic Image: A motorcycle passes in front of an oil-themed mural in Caracas, Venezuela. Credit: Javier Campos/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

The power of fungi Aug 05, 2022

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 fungally-focussed companies with big ambitions rooted in a passion for mushrooms and mycelium. Then he talks with Albert Garcia-Romeu, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Albert is part of a research team looking at the fungally-derived compound psilocybin - about which there’s a huge amount of interest relating to its therapeutic potential. Presenter: Tim Hayward Producer : Richard Ward. Image: Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) mushrooms being cultivated at Kääpä Mushrooms, Karjalohja, Finland. Used with permission. Tim’s three-part series about fungi, ‘Fungi: The New Frontier’, is available now on BBC Sounds.

China's economic challenge Aug 04, 2022

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 governments start to run out of money? And what are the implications for the rest of us? Presenter/producer: Ed Butler Image: Children play basketball in front of a housing complex built by debt-laden Chinese property developer Evergrande in Beijing. Credit: Noel Celis/Getty Images.

Women, sport and business: Betting Aug 03, 2022

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 sponsorship deals, some are calling for tighter controls on how - and to whom - bookmakers can advertise. Presenter/Producer: Alex Bell (Image: Kristianstads DFF face their rivals Djurgardens IF DFF in Stockholm, Sweden. Credit: Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images.)

The Hongkongers leaving for the UK Aug 02, 2022

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 new lives in the UK and find out how they're establishing careers. We hear from a journalist who's now working as a traffic warden, and a politician who has found a new role working for a High Street bank. Others explain how they organise regular litter picks to show their gratitude to the UK. Former Chinese diplomat Victor Gao gives the view from Beijing. Producer/presenter: James Graham Additional production: Danny Vincent Image: A woman in Hong Kong at night. Credit: Getty Images

A crisis in US rural healthcare Aug 01, 2022

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 Cannon of the Cato Institute in Washington DC argues that rural hospitals should stop relying on subsidies and close their doors if they can’t become more efficient. Presenter and producer: Szu Ping Chan. Image: Dr David Lee in the emergency room of Page Memorial Hospital in Luray, Virginia; Credit: BBC

G'day and g'bye: it's the end for Neighbours Jul 29, 2022

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 Nunis Producer: Izzy Greenfield (Photo: Ramsey St, the fictional street where the progarmme is set. Credit: Fairfax Media/Getty Images)

The women breaking into skateboarding in South Africa Jul 28, 2022

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 a sport like skateboarding accessible to everyone. Mark Sedgwick meets Thato Moet, Founder of IslandGals, a girls only skate group in Johannesburg. She gives her perspective on what it’s like to be a female skater in South Africa. We’ll also hear from Pieter Retief, who helps to build skateparks all over the world and explains how they help to bring together communities. Presenter and producer: Hannah Mullane Reporter and producer: Mark Sedgwick Image: Girls skating in Soweto; Credit: BBC

Women, sport and business: Making NBA history Jul 27, 2022

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: Rahul Tandon Production: Helen Thomas and Carmel O’Grady Image: Cynt Marshall; Credit: Getty

Commonwealth Games 2022: the most sustainable ever? Jul 26, 2022

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 equivalent amount being removed. Nisha Patel travels to Birmingham to speak to some of the people behind the games to get an insight into how they plan to achieve this and to find out how important the event is to the city. Produced and presented by Nisha Patel. Image: Alexander Stadium, Birmingham, Credit: Birmingham City Council

How Kenyan farmers are adapting to climate change Jul 25, 2022

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 professor at the Department of Global Development at Cornell University in the United States why climate change is happening and what the future holds. He visits the organisations that are trying to help farmers adapt to climate change. Dr Ivan Rwomushana, from the non-profit inter-governmental organisation CABI, and Oliver Furechi from the charity Practical Action tell him what strategies and solutions they're teaching farmers. Presenter: Michael Kaloki Producer: Jo Critcher Image: Nancy, a farmer in the county of Nakuru in Kenya; Credit: BBC

Business Daily meets: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Jul 22, 2022

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 Claydon Image: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw; Credit: Biocon

Fertility problems and pesticides in Panama Jul 21, 2022

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 are outlawed in one country can still be exported and used abroad. Presenter / producer: Grace Livingstone Image: Mr Coba at the banana plantation where he used to work; Credit: Grace Livingstone

Women, sport and business: Media deals Jul 20, 2022

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 every home game. And we hear from TikTok themselves – Rich Waterworth, General Manager for the UK and Europe explains what’s in it for them. Sue Anstiss is the author of Game On: The unstoppable rise of women’s sport. She tells us fans of all sports are consuming content differently now, and if women’s sport gets it right, there could be a big opportunity in the digital market. And Haley Rosen, founder and CEO of digital media company Just Women’s Sports explains her frustration at trying to set up a business in a growing marketplace which is lacking in investment and infrastructure. Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Helen Thomas Image: (Burnley FC Women in December 2021. Credit: George Wood/Getty Images)

How virtual reality is changing healthcare Jul 19, 2022

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 Wales-based company Rescape Innovation, Vini Gusmao, who leads the Brazillian company Medroom, and also speak to Kensuke Joji, CEO of Jolly Good VR, based in Japan. Producer / presenter: Rory Claydon Image: A woman wearing a VR headset and face mask; Credit: BBC

Military contracts in India Jul 18, 2022

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 remove the right for many recruits to a pension. We hear from those attempting to get into the military, former officers, the Government and economists on the new contracts and ask what impact they could have on India's long standing youth unemployment problem. Presenter: Rahul Tandon Reporter: Archana Shukla Producer: Carmel O'Grady Image

Lollywood or Bollywood? Jul 15, 2022

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 increase profits and box office numbers. Presenter: Emb Hashmi Reporting: Nikhil Inamdar Producer: Carmel O'Grady Image:Humayun Saeed and Kubra Khan; Credit: BBC

What's going on with weightlifting? Jul 14, 2022

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 report from the election for the new head of the International Weightlifting Federation. Producer / presenter: Ashish Sharma Image: Turkey's Daniyar Ismayilov competes at Rio 2016; Credit: Salih Zeki Fazlolu / Anadolu Agency / Getty Images

Women, sport and business: Merchandise Jul 13, 2022

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 behaviour. She tells us there is a distinct lack of data in this area and as a result sports wear firms are definitely missing out on revenue. Dana Brookman is founder of the Canadian girl's baseball league and tells us her biggest challenge has been sourcing suitable uniform for her teams, and Sam Fenwick visits sport wear manufacturer Kukri to see what they have available for women and how they're working to improve their offer. Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Carmel O'Grady Image: Canadian girls baseball; Credit: Dana Brookman We’re going to explore what’s available and whether half the population is being properly catered for in terms of sports gear...

Making money out of 'kid-fluencers' Jul 12, 2022

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 lack of financial and psychological protection for child influencers is a cause for concern. Policy makers tell us how child labour regulations should be brought up to date to reflect the growth in this space. Presenter/producer: Deborah Weitzmann Image: Gigi; Credit: Gemma Alster

Pension dipping in Peru and Chile Jul 11, 2022

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 Alvarez, Antonio Aliaga, and Antonio Valladares on why they don’t trust the pension system in their countries and Peruvian business reporter Karina Montoya reflects on how free pension-dipping during the pandemic has completely changed the way people see retirement funds in her country. All this money leaving retirement funds at the same time is having consequences in the economy, as the former finance minister of Peru, David Tuesta, and the current finance minister of Chile, Mario Marcel, tell us. Presenter / producer: Stefania Gozzer Image: Pension jar; Credit: Getty

The business of streaming games Jul 08, 2022

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 an insight into the money-making potential of competitive gaming. Thomas Slattery from gaming venue, Platform, in London, tells us why he thinks streaming is so important right now. Presenter / producer: Elizabeth Hotson Image: A gamer; Credit: Getty Images

Brazil's election and the economy Jul 07, 2022

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 this year. Former Central Bank governor Gustavo Franco says he’s concerned that some people have forgotten the country’s struggles with high levels of inflation in recent decades. Solange Srour, Chief Economist of Credit Suisse Brasil, says the reduction in government benefit payments introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic have dented the president’s popularity. And Wilson Ferrarezi from TS Lombard tells us that the most pressing structural challenge for whoever wins the vote in October is reforming Brazil’s tax system. With additional reporting by Sarita Reed in Vitoria, Espirito Santo. Presenter / producer: Tom Kavanagh Image: Homeless people in Sao Paulo; Credit: NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP via Getty Images

Women, sport and business: Haley Rosen Jul 06, 2022

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 set up her digital media platform and secured more than $3.5 million in investment. They also discuss what needs to change to make sure female sporting stars are treated on a par with their male counterparts. Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Helen Thomas Image: Haley Rosen; Credit: Getty

Are they listening? Jul 05, 2022

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

Peat and the environment Jul 04, 2022

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

Business Daily meets: iPod and iPhone co-creator Tony Fadell Jul 01, 2022

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 give up. Having invented the Nest smart thermostat, Tony explains why he's now focused on green technology. He's tells us how he's investing in tech start-ups with his company, Future Shape, that are helping to find solutions to the climate change crisis. Presenter and producer: Jo Critcher (Image; Tony Fadell: Credit; BBC)

Cost of living: Mechanics Jun 30, 2022

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 businesses are coping. Presenters; Leanna Byrne and Olivia Wilson Production; Leanna Byrne and Olivia Wilson Image; Mechanics: Credit; Getty

Cost of living: Farmers and food producers Jun 29, 2022

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 Security, who says that rising food prices in a developing country could be completely destablising. Presenter / Producer: Leanna Byrne Additional production: Olivia Wilson Image: Farming; Credit: Getty

Cost of living: Bakeries Jun 28, 2022

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 butter is a huge issue there and in Egypt we investigate the expense of wheat imports and difficulty sourcing local wheat. Presenter / Producer: Leanna Byrne Additional production: Olivia Wilson Image: Baker; Credit: Getty

Cost of living: Hairdressers Jun 25, 2022

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 seeing increased sales but also increased manufacturing costs and longer turn-around times. Presenter / Producer: Leanna Byrne Additional production: Olivia Wilson Image: Hairdressing; Credit: Getty

Business Daily meets: Tech entrepreneur Frederic Kerrest Jun 24, 2022

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 Kerrest; Credit: Okta

Love in virtual reality Jun 23, 2022

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 it’s really like to plan a virtual wedding because just like in the real world, weddings are big business. Presenter / Producer: Hannah Mullane Image: Avatars; Credit: ‘Dates VR’

Race and DNA ancestry tests Jun 22, 2022

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. Genetics is helping African Americans, for one, piece together their stolen stories. In this episode David Reid hears the story of Jamila Zheng who found her ancestral home and relatives she didn't know existed after taking a DNA test. We also hear from Dr Steven Micheletti, Population Geneticist at 23andMe and Dr Anjali Shastri, Senior Research Programme Manager at 23andMe about the diversity drive at their company. Producer / Presenter: David Reid Image: Jamila Zheng; Credit: 23andMe

The club teaching women to say 'no' at work Jun 21, 2022

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 disproportionately asked and expected to take on these tasks, why that leaves women overcommitted and underutilised and how companies are therefore forfeiting revenue, productivity, and top talent. Presenter/producer: Leanna Byrne (Photo: Stressed woman at work. Credit: Getty Images)

Floriade: A green global exhibition Jun 20, 2022

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 displays and questions over whether there is a future for these big, set-piece events. Presenter / Producer: Matthew Kenyon Image: Ariel view of Floriade; Credit: Matthew Kenyon

The race to stop a Red Sea oil catastrophe Jun 17, 2022

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 and individuals to help fund an operation to transfer the oil to a safer vessel. We hear from Tim Lenderking, US Special Envoy for Yemen, Ghiwa Nakat of Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa and Yemen’s Minister for Water and the Environment Tawfeeq Al Sharjabi. Presenter: Hannah Bewley Producers: Hannah Bewley and Sumaya Bakhsh Image: The FSO Safer from above; Credit: Getty Images

El Salvador’s Bitcoin gamble Jun 16, 2022

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 it is bought using the Chivo bitcoin wallet app. Presenter/producer: Joe Tidy (Photo: Bitcoin poster)

The adaptive fashion revolution Jun 15, 2022

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 influencer Heide Herkes who was one of the models featured on the runway during the show – the first ever to include wheelchair users. Plus, Maria O'Sullivan-Abeyratne, CEO and founder of Adaptista, tells us about the inclusive online shopping platform she’s building for the adaptive fashion market. Presenter: Vivienne Nunis Producer: Izzy Greenfield Image: Faduma Farah, founder of the Faduma Fellowship; Credit: BBC

Communities bringing down energy bills Jun 14, 2022

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 project in Tanzania run by Janet Maro. Janet's project powers a centre for training farmers using experimental technology to harness the energy from the sun and collect rain water. Presenter / Producer: Laura Heighton-Ginns Image: Janet Maro and her team; Credit: Janet Maro

Egg freezing: the ultimate workplace perk? Jun 13, 2022

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 have to travel thousands of miles to the US to do the procedure there. She also hopes that other counties in Asia will soon make the process more streamlined Just under 40% of large companies in the US - so those over 500 employees - offer fertility benefits and the numbers are rising fast. Now even Europe, with its much more generous national health services, is starting to follow suit. Co-founder of a fertility benefit company based in Berlin, Jenny Saft, explains why. American entertainment lawyer Nyasha Foy tells her egg freezing story and the role that her employer played, while also considering specific issues faced by black women. Lecturer Lucy van de Wiel warns that employers having influence over their staff's fertility choices may not always mean good news for women. And Californian fertility doctor Aimee Eyvazzadeh, also known as the “egg whisperer”, talks about why she throws egg freezing parties and why we might need to accept that women will increasingly give birth in their 40s and 50s. Presented and produced by Ivana Davidovic Image: A woman injecting hormones in preparation for egg extraction. Credit: Getty Images

Million by 30: Elwinder Singh Jun 10, 2022

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: Sam Fenwick Producer: Rory Claydon/Carmel O’Grady Image: Elwinder Singh. Credit: Connect and Heal

The emerging market for energy storage Jun 09, 2022

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 Prentiss of the University of Harvard on the science behind these new ideas, and Heymi Bahar of the International Energy Agency to give an overview of this sector at the moment. Presenter/Producer: Hannah Bewley Image: Wind turbines and solar panels; Credit: Getty Images

Is a rare carbon sink under threat in the DRC? Jun 08, 2022

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 their attention to oil. Presenter: Vivienne Nunis (Image: Aerial view of the peatland forest at Lokolama/Penzele around Mbandaka, Équateur province, DRC. Credit: Daniel Beltrá/Greenpeace Africa)

Working in India's heatwave Jun 07, 2022

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. We also speak to experts and business leaders about how the country is coping with planned power outages and what the future might hold for the Indian economy if temperatures continue to rise. Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: Carmel O'Grady Image: Indian workers in Delhi; Credit: EPA Harish Tyagi

Business Daily meets: Bank of England economists Jun 06, 2022

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 at the sweet shop. Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Hannah Bewley Image: Rupal Patel and Jack Meaning; Credit: Penguin Random House

Million by 30: Amarachi Nwosu Jun 03, 2022

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 Alabi Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producers: Helen Thomas and Hannah Bewley

Excluded from digital banking Jun 02, 2022

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 campaign for a more humane treatment of older people by Spanish banks. Producer / presenter; Claire Williamson Image: Euronet ATM machine; Credit: Getty

Business Daily meets: Kevin Rudd Jun 01, 2022

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 Images)

Online advertising fraud May 31, 2022

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 websites and used ad exchanges instead. We also hear from a former hacker who now advises companies on how to keep hackers and fraudsters at bay. Presenter / producer: Ed Butler Image: Online business marketing; Credit: Getty

Inside Gazprom May 30, 2022

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 investigates how Gazprom has changed over the past 20 years, what its reputation is as a company, and what its future might look like. Presenter: Lesley Curwen Producer: Carmel O'Grady (Photo: Lesley Curwen in Siberia in 2002; Credit: Lesley Curwen/BBC)

Million by 30: Sharon Tseung May 27, 2022

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 financial freedom. Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Carmel O'Grady Image: Sharon Tseung; Credit: Sharon Tseung

Insolvency and the pandemic May 26, 2022

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. Sam also speaks to a business owner who was forced to close and declare bankruptcy during the pandemic despite financial help and another who was able to restructure and expand thanks to a government scheme. Presenter / Producer: Sam Fenwick Image: Closed sign; Credit: Getty

Girls, beauty and advertising May 25, 2022

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 Rabiya Limbada why her career in advertising led her to write this book and why helping girls become more savvy consumers is good for business. Rabiya also speaks to six girls - Hanaa, Haleemah, Helen, Hana, Sophia and Amatullah - about what they think beautiful is, their experience of filtered images and how confident they feel about how they look. Presenter: Rabiya Limbada Producer: Carmel O'Grady Image: Girl looking at make up; Credit: Getty

The women leading Africa’s FinTech boom May 24, 2022

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 women entrepreneurs, to help others. Jihan Abass, the founder and CEO of Griffin insurance, Kenya’s first digital-only car insurance company, tells us about her ambitious plans to expand. Ethel Cofie, the boss of Edel Technology Consulting, who’s been named as one of the top 5 women influencing technology in Africa, gives her advice to women starting out in tech. She’s set up a support network, Women in Tech Africa. We also visit a coding bootcamp for young women in Ghana, called Developers in Vogue. Its founder, Ivy Barley, tells us why she set it up and we hear from the students about the difference it’s made to their lives. Presenter and producer: Jo Critcher (Picture: Students at Developers in Vogue coding bootcamp in Ghana; Credit: Developers in Vogue)

La Liga's record deal May 23, 2022

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 he plans to rejuvenate the club´s stadium and invest in building restaurants, a hotel and other leisure facilities that will help the club raise more revenues. Presenter / Producer: Ashish Sharma Image: Benito Villamarin Stadium of Real Betis, Real Betis Sevilla v FC Barcelona, May 7, 2022; Credit: Getty Images

Million by 30: Ally Salama May 20, 2022

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 podcasting or start a media company. Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Rory Claydon Image; Ally Salama: Credit; Ally Salama

Spending on defence May 19, 2022

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 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, says global spending reached a record level of $2 trillion in 2021, before the invasion of Ukraine. Steven Zaloga, a military analyst at the Teal Group, explains the role of cutting edge drone technology, and Allison Pytlak from the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom discusses the human cost of conflict. Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: James Graham Photo: Ammunition in a shopping trolley (Credit: Getty Images)

Generation Z and crypto trading May 18, 2022

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 financial educator offering training in conventional stocks, cryptocurrency and NFT trading in Singapore, and Brian Jung. Brian is an investor, entrepreneur, and influencer. He is best known for his personal finance, credit card, and crypto YouTube channel which boasts one million followers, but compared to other influencers, he is known to talk more cautiously about risks and danger. Presenter: Mariko Oi Producer: AnneMarie Parnell (Photo: Brian Jung. Credit: Brian Jung

Rebuilding Puerto Rico's electricity supply May 17, 2022

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 also hear from Wayne Stensby, CEO of Luma Energy. Last year, the transmission and distribution of electricity in Puerto Rico was privatised and handed to Wayne and his team. He tells us the whole system needs a lot of regeneration and investment. Presenter / Producer: Samira Hussain Image: Arturo Massol Deya; Credit; Andrew Herbert BBC

Business Daily Meets: Estonia’s first billionaire May 16, 2022

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 Clack Image: Kristo Käärmann; Credit: Jake Farra/Wise

Million by 30: Iseult Ward May 13, 2022

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 huge multi-nationals in multiple countries and how she deals with imposter syndrome. Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Helen Thomas (Photo: Iseult Ward. Credit: Getty Images)

Eurovision: The price of performing May 12, 2022

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 the positive effect that Eurovision can have on a country's mental health. And Dr Adrian Kavanagh from Maynooth University in Ireland, talks about the economic impact of hosting. We also speak to one of the competition’s most famous former presenters, Danish actor Pilou Asbaek. Presenter/producer: Izzy Greenfield Image: Getty (Description: Eurovision song contest logo 2022)

Cash in a conflict May 11, 2022

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 Sarajevo - the longest in modern times. Former Ukrainian finance minister Natalie Jaresko tells us about the crucial role digital payments have played, and how frozen Russian assets must be used to help pay for the rebuilding of Ukraine. Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: James Graham Photo: Five hryvnia notes (Credit: Getty Images)

The Royal Family: How strong is its brand? May 10, 2022

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 Consumer Culture explains how this multi-faceted brand actually functions and what she thinks are the biggest problems it faces. We'll also explore whether being associated with brand Royal is still good for business. Jason Bell is a photographer based in New York. He took the photographs of Prince George’s christening and tells us about the media interest in him being linked with that job and the global response to his pictures. Chef Darren McGrady, who cooked for the Queen and Princess Diana for many years, also joins us. Darren now runs a business in Dallas, Texas called Eating Royally. He says working for the royals definitely opened doors for him, but has questions about the future of the brand. Presenter: Samira Hussian Producer: Carmel O'Grady (Image: Queen Elizabeth II and members of the royal family; Credit: Victoria Jones / PA Wire)

Turning waste into money May 09, 2022

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 language skills by acting for local waste pickers selling to Chinese recycling firms. On a larger scale, a for profit social enterprise called The Plastic Bank in Canada is working with over 20,000 waste collectors in Brazil, Indonesia, The Philippines and Egypt. They offer above market prices for plastic, alongside subsidised education programmes and other necessities such as food and fuel. Rich Gower, a senior economist at Tearfund, a Christian international development charity, tells us why an international plastics treaty this year is a key moment for waste pickers. In many countries waste pickers are organising into unions or co-operatives. We speak to representatives from SWaCH, a co-operative of waste pickers in Pune, South India, that has been running since 1993. Presented and produced by Beatrice Pickup. Additional reporting by Mutuna Chanda. Image: Gladys Mwamba at Plastic for Change in Kitwe, Zambia; Credit: Mutuna Chanda

Million by 30: Hertzy Kabeya May 06, 2022

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 benchmark by his 30th birthday. Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Helen Thomas Image: Hertzy Kabeya, Credit: Hertzy Kabeya

How the war in Ukraine has affected global tourism May 05, 2022

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 the war. A B&B owner in The Seychelles tells us about a boom in Russian tourists last year, which has now completely vanished due to the invasion of Ukraine. We also hear from a Russian man who had booked a holiday there, but has changed his plans to go somewhere slightly colder instead. Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Hannah Bewley Photo: Getty Images

The DNA sequencing revolution May 04, 2022

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 and visiting professor at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Tanzania. Presenter / Producer: David Reid Photo: Kakapo; Credit: Liu Yang

Female digital entrepreneurs in Africa May 03, 2022

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 starting businesses on these platforms. Josephine Adzogble from Accra in Ghana has a business selling electrical appliances via social media. Ayobami Lawal drives taxis in Lagos, Nigeria. The single mum of four talks about the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated environment. And Sharon Tarit from Eldoret, Kenya sublets properties through AirBnB. She started her business after she was forced to permanently close her shop selling baby clothes during the pandemic. Sam Fenwick is also joined by lead researcher at Caribou Digital, Grace Natabaalo who explains why it’s important for women to have financial independence and the impact female workers can have on a country’s economy. Presenter / Producer : Sam Fenwick Photo : Josephine Adzogble, Ayobami Lawal, Sharon Tarit; Credit: BBC

Living face-to-face with climate change May 02, 2022

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 year, lays out the challenges small island nations face. While Luisa Madruga from the charity, Flora and Fauna International, explains how a new initiative could save fish stocks from disappearing altogether. Presenter: Tamasin Ford Producer: Russell Newlove Photo: Principe, the community of Praia de Burras; Credit: BBC

Disney's Florida fallout Apr 29, 2022

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 Markowicz and Christina Huguet, an analyst at political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, give their perspectives on whether companies should take a stand on the issues of the day. Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: James Graham Photo: A Disney employee protests against the company's initial silence on a controversial new law restricting discussion of LGBTQ issues in schools. (Credit: Getty Images)

The power of the brooch Apr 28, 2022

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. Paul Paradis, an art historian from L’ECOLE School of Jewellery Arts in Paris, takes us through the history of brooches, and jewellery historian Vivienne Becker tells us what it was like to work with Madeleine Albright, and help pen her novel Read My Pins. And we speak to Cindy Chao, one of the world’s most famous brooch makers, who became the first Asian female to get her work inducted into the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Presenter: Vivienne Nunis Producer: Izzy Greenfield (Photo: Lady Gaga at the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. Credit: Getty Images)

False banana: A new superfood? Apr 27, 2022

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 ‘tree against hunger.’ Dr Abebe also takes us on a trip to meet a farmer who cultivates the crop and considers it a superfood. Back in the UK, Dr James Borrell, a research fellow at Kew Gardens in London explains why cultivating - and ultimately consuming enset - takes a lot of time, energy and local knowledge. And Berhanu Tesfaye, owner of Zeret Kitchen, an Ethiopian restaurant in London, shares a rare meal of kocho - bread made from enset. (Photo: Enset crop in Southern Ethiopia. Credit: Getty Images) Presenter/producer: Elizabeth Hotson

The cost of China’s zero-Covid policy Apr 26, 2022

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 consultancy firm, tells us what business – and life – has been like in lockdown. And US-based epidemiologist Eric Feigl-Ding explains the advantages and disadvantages of China's Covid policies. Presenter/Producer: Vivienne Nunis Picture: Reuters (person sits behind barrier)

Wealth from waste: can urban mining save the planet? Apr 25, 2022

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 Sydney, Australia - professor and inventor Veena Sahajwalla explains her innovative way to produce so-called "green steel." Jessika Richter, a researcher from Lundt University in Sweden, tells us why the booming electric vehicles industry will increasingly have to find raw materials for batteries outside of conventional mining. Heather Clancy, the editor of the US-based Green Biz magazine, says US carmakers are now investing in urban mining. Pascal Leroy, the director-general of the WEEE Forum, discusses how re-using waste can help the rest of the world become less dependent on rare earth materials which come from Russia, China and Ukraine. PHOTO: Aerial view waste management facility with cityscape background/Getty Images

Sporting Sanctions Apr 22, 2022

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 of Global Athlete and formerly the World Anti-Doping Agency Director of Education and Deputy Director General. Plus there's the Ukrainian tennis players Elina Svitolina and Alex Dolgopalov, the Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh, and Marius Vizer Jr, General Secretary of the international Teqball federation. Presenter: Ashish Sharma Producer: James Wickham (Image: Ukraine's Yaroslava Mahuchikh in action during the high jump at the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships. Credit: Reuters)

Fleeing danger Apr 21, 2022

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 family from Ukraine. Plus, Ema Boccagni from ECA International, which helps companies manage global workforces, reflects on the incentives required to attract workers back to some places. Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producers: Helen Ledwick and James Graham Photo: An evacuation flight from Wuhan in February 2020. (Credit: Getty Images)

Will satellite internet technology connect the world? Apr 20, 2022

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 conventional communication networks fail. It’s proved extremely useful, but is this the future for bringing internet to remote corners of the globe? We also hear from expert on space law Professor Melissa De Zwart about the race among SpaceX and other companies to put more of these satellites in low earth orbit, and how too many of them could impede dreams of further space exploration. Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Hannah Bewley (Image: Oleg Kutkov with his Starlink dish; Credit: Oleg Kutkov)

Why whales matter Apr 19, 2022

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 virtue of their sheer enormity, these animals also underpinned entire ocean ecosystems that have since collapsed, as veteran oceanic researcher Victor Smetacek explains. So with their numbers finally recovering, what can we humans do to help? Justin asks Guy Platten, secretary general of the International Chamber of Shipping. Presenter: Justin Rowlatt Producer: Laurence Knight Picture: Aerial view of a whale getting up close to a boat in the Sea of Cortez in the Gulf of California; Credit: Mark Carwardine/Future Publishing/Getty Images

The future of job interviews Apr 18, 2022

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 of the desk - as interviewer and interviewee and she gives her take on how we’ll get jobs in the future. RADA alumna and confidence coach and trainer, Imogen Butler-Cole tells us how to put our best foot forward - over video conferencing. Christophe Mallet, founder and CEO of immersive soft skills simulator, Body Swaps, explains how technology can provide invaluable interview training to inexperienced candidates. Plus, Michael Platt, a marketing professor and neuroscientist at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania explains why the interview could soon be redundant in some industries. Presenter/producer: Elizabeth Hotson Image: A man sits at a table with lights pointing in his face; Credit: Getty Images

The chocolate islands Apr 15, 2022

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, exploited islanders. When the horrific working conditions were exposed in the 1920s, chocolate manufacturers switched their source of beans to Ghana and Ivory Coast. SãoTomé’s ignominious reputation as the chocolate nation was over. Presenter Tamasin Ford went to visit the islands to take a look at the cocoa sector now. Produced by Russell Newlove Image: Chocolate making; Credit: Russell Newlove/BBC

Nike’s most controversial ad campaign Apr 14, 2022

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 Image: San Francisco 49ers players Eli Harold, Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid take a knee prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys; Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

Sri Lanka's debt crisis Apr 13, 2022

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 the International Monetary Fund on behalf of Sri Lanka, tells us what the talks will involve. Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: James Graham Photo: Sri Lankan protestors in Colombo, April 2022. Credit: Getty Images

Russian and Ukrainian seafarers: working together during a war Apr 12, 2022

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 Stella Maris. Image: A Russian and a Ukrainian sailor. Credit: Marine Digital

Lebanon's wheat crisis Apr 11, 2022

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 University of Beirut, tells us he believes Lebanese people need to be less reliant on bread in their diet. Presenter: Anna Foster Producer: Jo Critcher (Picture: Women at work in Mavia Bakery; Credit: Maria Klenner, photographer)

Europe's gas crisis: How did we get here? Apr 08, 2022

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 to Europe come to an end. What do people there make of a future without Russian gas? Producer: Carmel O'Grady. Image: Part of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Credit: Getty Images

Youth unemployment in France Apr 07, 2022

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 Dupon, director of Vitamine T, a social enterprise that helps unemployed people reintegrate the world of work. Salomé and Soufiane, young people based in Boulogne-sur-Mer, tell Theo what’s going on in their lives and Florence Jany-Catrice, economist at the University of Lille talks about the political issues underpinning the youth unemployment problems. Presenter: Theo Leggett; Producer: Josh Thorpe (Photo: Lucas, a young unemployed person learning carpentry skills at Vitamine T, a social enterprise outside Lille; Credit: BBC)

How tech is being used to help Ukraine Apr 06, 2022

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 they felt like traitors leaving their home city, Kyiv on February 24th but they have found purpose creating a website which has helped more than 3,000 refugees find temporary shelter. Four million people have left Ukraine for neighbouring countries, according the United Nations. Those arriving in Georgia can find support from a service set up by 37 year old Stanislav Sabanov. Originally from Russia he says he wants to help because he disagrees with the war. But there are concerns this new tech might be exploited by criminal gangs. Human Rights organisations are warning that there are not enough online checks and sex and human traffickers might use them to target vulnerable people. So could this new technology do more harm than good? Presenter / Producer : Sam Fenwick (Image: tech entrepreneurs; Credit: Eugene Gusarvo and Andrii Tagansky)

Australia's tourism industry breathes a sigh of relief Apr 05, 2022

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 ballroom deep in the tropical rainforest. Image: a kangaroo on an Australian beach. Credit: Getty Images.

The aid trail to Ukraine Apr 04, 2022

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 International Rescue Committee's head of emergencies about giving cash directly to refugees and from Joung-ah Ghedini-Williams, Head of Global Communications at UNHCR about sustaining the support going forwards. Presenter: Helen Ledwick Reporter/Producer: Jo Critcher (Image: Aid lorry; Credit: Jason Shinks, Recycling Lives)

The Russians leaving their country Apr 01, 2022

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 Russian prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov explains the economic impact of losing skilled workers. Producer: James Graham Photo: Getty Images

What are Russia's mercenaries doing in Africa? Mar 31, 2022

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 at Chatham House, explains just how intertwined the group is with the Russian state, and Dr Sorcha MacLeod, chair of the UN Working Group on the use of mercenaries, explains why the presence of groups like Wagner in unstable countries often makes things worse. Presenter: David Reid Editor: Carmel O'Grady Audio for this episode was updated on 31 March 2022. (Photo: Protesters in Mali's capital, Bamako, waved Russian flags during an anti-France demonstration in May 2021. Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

Will a new gas pipeline be built in a 'pristine' Australian sea? Mar 30, 2022

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. Experts describe the tropical waters as 'pristine'. So who will win out? The oil and gas industry or those fighting against the wells, rigs and drills? Image: an Olive Ridley sea turtle, the most common species nesting on the Tiwi Islands. Credit: Getty

How drones are helping to save lives Mar 29, 2022

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 in smaller, more densely populated countries like the UK but Elliot Parnham, the CEO of the drone operator Skyfarer, says he believes they can be overcome. His company is starting a pilot scheme to help the NHS transport critical medical supplies. Presenter/Producer: Jo Critcher (Photo: PWOne drone; Credit: Skyfarer Ltd.)

Rise of the high-tech border industry Mar 28, 2022

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 this global "border industrial complex" has become hugely profitable for private companies. We'll also hear from a new high-tech refugee camp on the Greek island of Samos, where refugees feel oppressed and dehumanised by the litany of technology that surrounds them. Sae Bosco, of Samos Volunteers, explains that these technologies don't do much to protect people within the camp, despite the EU's claims. And Sarah Chander of European Digital Rights tells Frey that the EU appear aware of the harms algorithmic surveillance and control can bring to people, and so is moving to protect EU citizens, but not migrants. (Picture: the Samos CCAC refugee camp. Picture credit: Getty Images)

The cost of growing food Mar 28, 2022

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 Association explains why government sanctions on Belarus and countries like China, Turkey and Egypt restricting exports have contributed to soaring fertiliser prices. And German pig farmer, Dirk Andresen tells us he cannot afford to buy enough food to feed his pigs. Presenter/producer : Sam Fenwick (Photo: Karl Milla with kind permission)

Pacific Islanders working for their futures Mar 24, 2022

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 Australia, particularly in the agriculture sector. Telusa Tu'i'onetoa, a PhD candidate at Australian National University, explains how the schemes are supposed to work, and the impact the separation has on families. We’ll also hear from Fiona, a young mother of two working in South Australia. While the schemes offer the chance to earn money at a time when opportunities are limited at home, they are also areas with high risk of exploitation and abuse of vulnerable workers. Tukini Tavui, the CEO of the Pacific Islands Council of South Australia, tells Frey how they work to help protect workers, and what he’d like to see done to help workers break the cycle of wage dependency. (Picture: Samoans picking fruit in Australia; Credit: Getty Images)

Is sustainable finance just greenwash? Mar 23, 2022

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 confusing menagerie of products that purport to be climate-friendly, as described by Dylan Tanner of the lobbying research firm InfluenceMap. In reality, many of them charge high fees for some pretty questionable environmental benefits. But if investors feel misled, could they find legal recourse in the form of a class action lawsuit? Ed asks Fiona Huntriss of the UK law firm Pallas Partners. Producer: Victoria Broadbent (Photo: $100 bill covered in green paint; Credit: Getty Images)

The women fleeing Ukraine Mar 22, 2022

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 Kavanagh (Picture: Refugees from Ukraine at the Medyka border crossing with Poland; Credit: Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP via Getty Images)

Brazil at work: Black and held back Mar 21, 2022

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 because of the colour of her skin and her work helping companies change their culture around black staff. Alabe Nujara recalls being the first in his family to go to university and feeling out of place as a black man, which inspired him to successfully campaign for the introduction of quotas for historically disadvantaged students at federal institutions. Plus Brazilian sociologist Graziella Moraes Silva discusses why Brazil has an image of a racially inclusive society, which many black people would not recognise as their reality. (Picture: Worried young businesswoman in office corridor in Brazil; Credit: Getty Images)

How European businesses are helping Ukrainian refugees Mar 18, 2022

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’s worst refugee crisis since World War Two and that generous countries on Ukraine’s border are starting to run out of resources. But some people based farther west are trying to create virtual ways to help. Ivan Kychatyi, a Ukrainian based in Berlin, has created the job portal UAtalents.com to that helps Ukrainians who are internally displaced or who have fled the country to find a job. And in Amsterdam, Guido Baratta has set up Designers United for Ukraine, specifically to help Ukrainians in the creative industries find work. This programme is presented by Tamasin Ford and produced by Sarah Hawkins and Tom Kavanagh (Photograph: Women distribute food and hot drinks at a Moldovan winery close to the Ukrainian border, Credit: Purcari Wineries)

Pacific Islanders building climate resilience Mar 17, 2022

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 futures. Lusia Latu-Jones, director of Tonga Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship, tells Frey how young Pacific Islanders are creating their own opportunities. And Flora Vano of ActionAid Vanuatu explains how a women-led collective works to help each other prepare for and withstand the challenges they face. (Photo: High-tide flooding on Majuro Atoll in the Marshall Islands, December 2021; Credit: Giff Johnson/AFP/Getty Images)

Penalties for Chelsea? Mar 16, 2022

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 the sanctions put upon Mr Abramovich over his ties to the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. So how will this play out on and off the pitch? We speak to Kieran Maguire who lectures in football finance at the Liverpool University; Justine Walker, an anti-money-laundering compliance specialist based in the UK; Jai McIntosh, a sports writer and Chelsea fan and former Chelsea player Pat Nevin. The programme is presented by Ed Butler and is produced by Elizabeth Hotson and Russell Newlove. Picture: Chelsea FC's crest Credit:PA

War in the time of crypto Mar 15, 2022

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 Afian a Ukrainian lawyer who has compiled a blacklist of crypto wallets connected to Russian politicians, Sir Julian Lee, former EU commissioner for the Security Union and Sandra Ro, CEO of the Global Blockchain Business Council - a non-profit organisation focused on developing the blockchain industry. Presented by Tamasin Ford and produced by Clare Williamson. (Image: Representation of Bitcoin and Russian flag, Credit: Getty Images)

Emotional and financial complications of fundraising during war Mar 14, 2022

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 lines in Kyiv. Like so many others, she ran into problems getting money where it needed to go. James Maloney, a partner at London-based law firm Farrer & Co. tells of the legal parameters charities can operate and fundraise for relief efforts. And, we hear from Mike Noyes, director of humanitarian aid at Action Aid UK who is leading the effort to help women and children fleeing the war at Ukraine’s border with Poland. Photo: Victoria Craig/BBC Olia Hercules sits with her friends, showing them a video message from her brother after he received protective supplies she raised funds to procure and send him.

How much is the Ukraine war costing Russia? Mar 11, 2022

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 citizens could face food shortages, according to economist Maxim Mironov of IE Business School. Take the example of aviation - soon half the planes in Russia could be grounded for lack of spare parts, says consultant Rob Watts of ACC Aviation. But will this be enough to convince Putin and the political elite around him to pull out of Ukraine? The Ukrainian political scientist Olga Chyzh says don't hold your breath. Producer: Laurence Knight (Picture: Troop train carrying Russian tanks; Credit: Russian Defence Ministry\TASS via Getty Images)

Australian floods and the billion-dollar clean-up Mar 10, 2022

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-damaged belongings piled up outside homes in Tumbulgum, NSW, Australia. Credit: BBC

Superyachts and sanctions Mar 09, 2022

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 Kushner of WLegal, Alex Finley, writer, former CIA officer and superyacht watcher, Graham Barrow a veteran money-laundering expert and journalist Jack Hogan of Superyacht News. (Image:Luxury yachts and motor cruisers moored in Port Vell, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain, Credit: Getty Images)

Women in the Ukraine war Mar 08, 2022

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: Woman volunteer preparing material for the defense of Ukraine in Odessa, credit: European Pressphoto Agency)

How the war in Ukraine is affecting food prices Mar 07, 2022

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 result of the conflict, and fears knock-on effects for countries such as Lebanon, Syria and Tunisia, which are major importers of grains from Ukraine. Ivanna Dorichenko, managing director of consultancy firm TRADAIDE and an expert in international arbitration, says the situation in Ukraine is devastating, and that much of the country’s agricultural infrastructure has been destroyed by the Russian invasion. Andrey Sizov, head of research firm SovEcon, is an expert on agriculture in the Black Sea region. He says the war in Ukraine is already paralysing exports , with shipping companies refusing to send vessels into areas potentially disrupted by the conflict Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, says the conflict will have an impact on African countries which buy grains from Ukraine, many of which were already struggling with rising food prices. (Photo: A sign reading 'Danger Mines' in a wheat field in Nizhyn, Ukraine; Credit: Getty Images)

Business Weekly Mar 05, 2022

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, chief executive of Macro Advisory and a 24-year resident of Moscow tells us what life is like for ordinary Russians. Meanwhile, author and journalist Oliver Bullough tell us how badly the oligarchs will be hit by the sanctions. We also look at the impact of the conflict on Russian and Ukrainian grain exports, particularly for countries in Africa and Southeast Asia that already suffer from food insecurity. And we hear about the parallel cyberwar that’s taking place to the one on the ground. Hundreds of thousands of hackers are thought to have signed up to an online army to target Russian banks and institutions. Plus, we analyse Russia’s relationship with Africa. Steven Gruzd from the South African Institute of International Affairs in Johannesburg tells us about the extent of Russian military and economic influence in Africa, and how that influence goes some way to explain why so many countries in the region did not to lend their support to the UN draft resolution condemning Russia’s aggression Ukraine. Business Weekly is presented by Matthew Davies and produced by Philippa Goodrich.

Could Europe turn off Russian gas? Mar 04, 2022

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 Bruegel says that is doable. However, it's a much tougher task to stop Russian oil exports, according to Jason Bordoff of Columbia University, given that oil - unlike gas - is an integrated global market with many buyers. Nonetheless, there is optimism that the invasion mark a turning point in the Western world's transition to carbon-free energy. Although Rosie Rogers of Greenpeace fears that in the short term, the scramble to turn off the gas pipelines could actually see European carbon emissions increase. Producer: Laurence Knight (Picture: Frozen gas pipeline valve; Credit: Getty Images)

War in Ukraine: the cyber frontier Mar 03, 2022

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 Wisniewski of internet security firm Sophos says the Russian intelligence services occasionally work with existing groups of hackers to carry out targeted attacks. And Lennart Maschmeyer of the Center for Security Studies in Zurich explains why he thinks some people are overestimating the Russian state’s cyberwarfare capabilities. (Photo: How the conflict in Ukraine could play out in cyberspace; Credit: Getty Images)

Russian money in London Mar 02, 2022

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)

Women and NFTs Mar 01, 2022

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 Petterson from the group explains why. Plus Maliha Abidi, an artist, author and activist, and the creator of Women Rise NFT, says she’s determined to make a change. Presenter: Tamasin Ford Producer: Sarah Treanor (Picture: A woman looks at a NFT by Larva Labs titled "CryptoPunk 7523"; Credit: Timothy A Clary/AFP via Getty Images)

Sanctions against Russia take bite Feb 28, 2022

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 authorities may be able to fend off the worst effects for months yet. Meanwhile, historian Adam Tooze notes that Russia's biggest export - oil and gas exports - have been carved out of the latest round of sanctions, softening their impact. While lawyer Nigel Kushner explains how hard it may be for the Russian authorities and oligarchs to circumvent the new restrictions. (Picture: A demonstrator holds a poster reading "Ban Russia from SWIFT" during a protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine; Credit: Hans Punz/APA/AFP via Getty Images)

Streaming wars: Survival of the smallest? Feb 25, 2022

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 formerly constricted by advertisers. But the new age of freedom is rife with peril, as investors begin to demand profits from an overly saturated market. Georg Szalai from the Hollywood Reporter tells us how the producers will pull it off. (Image: A minimalist, digital iteration of a battle. Credit: Seamartini/Getty Images)

How will sanctions impact Russia? Feb 23, 2022

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 Shagina, a visiting senior fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, who isn't convinced that the sanctions targeting individuals will work, but says financial institutions may be vulnerable. Vladimir Putin's move has not triggered the full range of sanctions Western nations have prepared though. We hear from Hal Hodgson, technology reporter for The Economist, who says freezing out of the trade in western technology has had a devastating effect against the Chinese technology firm Huawei and could be deployed if tensions escalate. Plus we get the latest market reaction to the international response from Justin Urquhart Stewart of Regionally Investment. Picture: A group of people hold signs at the front of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Credit: Chris McGrath/Getty Images

The business of seed banks Feb 22, 2022

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 Dr Shivali Sharma, who is developing climate resistant varieties of pigeon pea, a staple crop in many parts of rural India. And Mohamed Lassad Ben Saleh, farmer in Tunisia, tells us how breeding crops that combine properties of indigenous wild varieties has improved the quality and yield of his crops. This is a repeat of an episode first broadcast on 17 September 2021. Producers: Clare Williamson and Benjie Guy (Picture: a hand holding seeds. Credit: Getty Images)

Fighting homelessness in Sacramento Feb 21, 2022

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 Steinberg tells presenter Sarah Hawkins how it would work, and why a law is needed to cut through red tape. But not everyone is convinced; Faye Wilson Kennedy of the Sacramento Poor People's Campaign worries that the law could force people to choose from the city's very limited list of housing options without necessarily building new options. And local reporter Chris Nichols gives us the perspective of local builders, NIMBY groups, and even some YIMBY groups who positively want new developments to take shape. (Picture: Woman living in an encampment in Sacramento; Credit: Andrew Nixon)

Business Weekly Feb 19, 2022

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 has banned more than fifty Chinese mobile apps, claiming they pose a threat to national security. Amit Bhandari, a senior fellow for energy investment and connectivity at Gateway House, tells us about the power dynamics between the Asian giants. After years of delays, the green light for what will be the largest heated oil pipeline in the world has been given. Running from Uganda to the cost of Tanzania, the pipeline is being heralded as an economic boon for both countries, but has been fiercely opposed by activists who question its environmental impact. The BBC’s Joshua Thorpe takes a closer look at whether the region will truly benefit. Plus, a new study has revealed that a quarter of the world's rivers contain potentially toxic levels of pharmaceutical drugs. We hear more on the findings with Dr John Wilkinson from the University of York who co-led the project. And did you know that one in seven of us – that’s one billion people - lives with a disability? However, they can be twice as likely to be unemployed than non-disabled people. The BBC’s Tamasin Ford has been speaking to those fighting to end the exclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace. Business Weekly is presented by Ijeoma Ndukwe and produced by Matthew Davies.

Debt relief: Who should foot the bill? Feb 18, 2022

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 repayments has become alarmingly high. Jan Friederich is an African specialist at the Ratings Agency Fitch and speaks with us from Hong Kong. Plus, saying there’s no crisis on the horizon is Sonja Gibbs, the managing director and head of global policy initiatives at the Institute of International Finance, a trade group for the global financial industry. And it is when middle income countries like Turkey default on debt that really worries banks, says Harvard economist Ken Rogoff. Finally, Tim Jones represents the Jubilee Campaign, a non-profit organisation campaigning for global debt relief, thinks there might be a plan for widespread debt relief: (Photo: A man holds banknotes of the Turkish lira. Credit: Berkcan Zengi/Getty Images)

Japan’s closed borders Feb 17, 2022

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 have stopped her from seeing family and friends. We also hear from a student stuck in the UK, and from Seijiro Takeshita. Professor of Management and Information at the University of Shizuoka Japan about the concerns from some big business over continued isolation. (Image: Women cross a street at night, in Tokyo on November 3, 2021. Credit: Charly Triballeaue / AFP/ Getty Images)

Sickening in America Feb 16, 2022

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 common cause - the ability of big pharma companies to gull American doctors into overprescribing their premium products. (Picture: Pills spilling out of a prescription bottle; Credit: Getty Images)

Romance scamming: A global industry Feb 15, 2022

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 Holland, as investigated by Jack Nicas of the New York Times. With thanks to the New York Times for their material. This is a repeat of a programme first broadcast on 26 August 2020 Producer: Sarah Treanor. (Photo: Mobile phone display. Credit: Getty Images)

Ending disability exclusion Feb 14, 2022

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. Tamasin Ford meets Caroline and hears her story and what motivates her. We also hear from disabled Ugandan worker Naome Akwee, Sam Latif from London and executives from some of the Valuable 500 including Santen, a Japanese pharmaceutical company and Ernst and Young. Produced by Tom Kavanagh and Clare Williamson. (Image: Caroline Casey; Credit:The Valuable 500)

Business Weekly Feb 12, 2022

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 rising bills, the BBC’s Tamasin Ford investigates the cost of living in different parts of the world. She hears how it is calculated and how increases in everyday essentials impact people in different ways. Also on the programme, we enter the world of fashion, and hear how some apps are trying to increase the sustainability of the industry by encouraging us to buy or rent second-hand. We get a tour of the technology from the BBC’s Justin Rowlatt and his daughter, Zola. Turkey is a country with soaring inflation. The currency has lost some 50% of its value in a year. Although this means day-to-day life in the country is hard, it does make it an attractive destination for tourists, who will find their money goes further. The BBC’s Victoria Craig talks to visitors in Istanbul about how they’re getting more value for money, and visits traders in the Grand Bazaar. Finally, Sasha Twining meets ‘Buddy’, a robot pet dog designed for those living with dementia. She speaks to the Chief Executive of Ageless Innovation, Ted Fischer, and hears how the interactive dogs and cats can respond to their human owners and could help those who feel lonely or isolated. Business Weekly is presented by Sasha Twining and produced by Matthew Davies.

Argentina’s latest IMF crisis Feb 11, 2022

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 struggling to keep pace with increased housing, food and energy costs. Amy Booth is a journalist in Argentina, and says many people have lost hope in the midst of the country’s seemingly interminable economic crisis. Daniel Munevar, who works on debt justice at the European Network on Debt and Development, says the IMF broke its own rules in order to issue the 2018 loan. Carolina Millán is Bloomberg’s bureau chief in Buenos Aires, and tells us that the Fund’s decades-long association with austerity and misery in Argentina loom large over any potential new deal between the two parties. Former IMF executive director and Argentine diplomat Héctor Torres says he’s sceptical that a prospective 22nd loan from the lender to the country will end differently to previous failures. Argentina isn’t the only country struggling with debt, either. Former IMF chief economist Ken Rogoff says that more than half of the world’s poorest nations are currently in debt distress or default. Presented by Ed Butler, produced by Tom Kavanagh. (Photo: Left-wing protesters in Buenos Aires carry a banner reading, “break with the IMF, don’t pay the debt”; Credit: Getty Images)

Rent-a-Robot Feb 10, 2022

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 hears from a small restaurant owner from California who wouldn't be without her server robot Rosie any more, after months of being unable to fill vacancies. Joe Campbell from the Danish company Universal Robots and Tim Warrington from the British company Bots explain how they are taking advantage of the post-pandemic "great resignation" and which industries are next in line for a robotics boom. Karen Eggleston from Stanford University explains her research into the consequences of the use of robots in over 800 nursing homes in Japan and Daron Acemoglu from MIT discusses whether robots in workplaces will liberate their human colleagues or simply entrench inequality. Presented and produced by Ivana Davidovic (Photo: Robot waitress serving dessert and coffee on a tray in a cafe. Credit: Getty Images)

Is greed good? Feb 09, 2022

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 serial entrepreneur and self-made multi millionaire, Richard Skellett, tells us why he supports a wealth tax. Presented by Elizabeth Hotson Produced by Sarah Treanor (Picture of dollar bills, picture via Getty Images).

Making second-hand sexy Feb 08, 2022

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 app after seeing all the discarded garments piling up in her hometown in Rajasthan. These apps have grown enormously during the last two years of lockdowns, attracting millions of users, particularly teenagers. But Sarah Kent, editor at the Business of Fashion website, questions whether they can really make a dent in the sheer volume of clothes produced and disposed of every year. Producer: Laurence Knight (Picture: Someone photographing a sweater for sale online; Credit: Getty Images)

Cost of living crisis Feb 07, 2022

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 struggles to pay his bills; Tehiya Ben Zur is a mother living in one of the world's most expensive cities, Tel Aviv and Claudia Keller, the CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank in Orange County in California. And to explain how inflation is measured and why price rises are felt differently across society, economist Xavier Jaravel of the London School of Economics breaks down the data. (Image: A shopper at a supermarket in London, Credit: European Pressphoto Agency)

Business Weekly Feb 05, 2022

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 choosing where to place their money. The mining giant Rio Tinto has pledged to take on board all the recommendations from a damning report that said racism, sexual harassment and bullying were rife at its sites. We hear from ABC’s Peter Ryan how this could be the ‘Me Too’ moment for the mining industry. Also on the programme, we hear how Wordle’s creator has decided to sell his five-letter game to the New York Times, and if the puzzle’s fans will be happy to turn to the newspaper’s website instead. The BBC’s Mike Johnson delves into the world of up-and-coming African music and hears how major record labels are opening their wallets and taking notice of the genre. And a billion year old rock is up for sale at a London auction house. Known as the Enigma, the rare black diamond is thought to be the largest cut diamond on earth and could have extra terrestrial origins. We hear from Nikita Benani, a jewellery specialist at Sotheby’s. Business Weekly is presented by Sasha Twining and produced by Matthew Davies.

Why gin is still fizzing Feb 04, 2022

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, genever, fits into the story. Sean Harrison of Plymouth Gin explains how the company is taking on the new contenders in the market and we hear from up-and-coming brands; Toby Whittaker from Whittakers Gin and Temi Shogelola of Black Crowned Gin. Plus, we hear from Emily Neill, Chief Operating Officer at the IWSR which provides data and analysis on the beverage alcohol market. And a programme about gin wouldn’t be complete without a cocktail; William Campbell-Rowntree, bar supervisor at Artesian in London’s Langham Hotel, gives his tips for the perfect tipple. Presenter: Elizabeth Hotson Producer: Sarah Treanor *This programme was originally broadcast on July 13, 2021 (Picture of a gin and tonic with garnish; Picture via Getty Images)

Can tourists help boost Turkey's economy? Feb 03, 2022

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 has mixed feelings about the future and economist Roger Kelly at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development puts the latest tourism figures in context. Produced by Stephen Ryan and Gulsah Karadag. (Image: Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, Credit: Victoria Craig)

The economic cost of conflict in Ukraine Feb 02, 2022

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 hackers. Meanwhile the West has plenty of threats it can make against Moscow, in the form of further economic and financial sanctions - including the option of kicking Russia off the SWIFT international financial payments messaging system. But Maria Shagina, a visiting fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, says the West will need to look beyond sanctions if it wishes to influence President Putin's thinking (Picture: Ukrainian soldier with rifle; Credit: Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Pressure mounts on Olympic sponsors Feb 01, 2022

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 space, whilst former Olympic skiier Noah Hoffman calls on sponsors to do more to protect athletes, and British politician Rob Hayward is calling for a boycott of Coca Cola products for not taking a stand. Ed Butler presents and the programme producer is Clare Williamson. (This podcast is an edited version of the original broadcast programme for reasons of accuracy) (Image: Short Track Speed Skating official training session ahead of the Winter Olympics, Beijing, China, Credit: Getty Images)

African music goes global Jan 31, 2022

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 Nomcebo Zikode from South Africa and Mildred Ashong, aka Eazzy, from Ghana, Phiona Okumu, head of African music at the streaming service Spotify, Yoel Kenan, chief executive of music distribution company Africori and Temi Adeniji, MD of Warner Music South Africa. (Image: Nomcebo Zikode at the Nomcebo Zikode Foundation Launch at the Houghton Hotel on June 09, 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Credit:Getty)

Business Weekly Jan 29, 2022

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 wealthy owners is the best route to a winning strategy for football clubs. We review the deal that the Australian government struck to buy the licence for the Aboriginal flag – now that the image is free to use, is that the end of the matter? And Bob Dylan is, once again, selling off his assets – this time, his back catalogue is going to Sony Music for an estimated $200m. Business Weekly is presented by Matthew Davies and produced by Philippa Goodrich.

The cooling conundrum Jan 28, 2022

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 a boom for the air conditioning industry. But AC itself is a major source of greenhouse gases, as Radhika Lalit of clean energy think tank RMI explains. So are there tech solutions available to break this vicious circle? We hear from two entrepreneurs - Kevin O'Toole of Exergyn, and Aaswath Raman of SkyCool Systems. (Picture: Congested air conditioning units on a building in Mumbai, India; Credit: Kuni Takahashi/Getty Images)

Funding public service broadcasting Jan 27, 2022

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 limitations of each model and discuss the impact on other broadcasters with Steve Barnett, Professor of Communications at the University of Westminster and Gill Hind from Enders Analysis. (Image: BBC Studio, Credit: BBC)

Who should own a football club? Jan 26, 2022

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 to run football clubs or is it time for a rethink? Wrexham fan Gareth Davies, Tom Hocking of When Saturday Comes magazine and Maggie Murphy, CEO of Lewes Football Club, join in the discussion. (Image: Wrexham FC owner, the actor Ryan Reynolds, attends a red carpet premiere in LA. Credit: Getty)

Who's winning the war on drugs? Jan 25, 2022

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 catapults have been deployed to get methamphetamine and fentanyl into the US. And that's not all. The cartels have diversified, into people smuggling, wildcat mining and crude oil theft among other things, according to the Mexico-based author and journalist Ioan Grillo. And they aren't the only ones. In Brazil, a narcotics gang called First Capital Command has become so powerful that they have effectively replaced the government in some parts of the country, according to Marcos Alan Ferreira of the Federal University of Paraiba. (Picture: Mexican Federal Police officers patrol Iguala, Guerrero state, Mexico; Credit: Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty Images)

The beauty tweakments industry Jan 24, 2022

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. Johnson, an associate professor at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business. Dr Hazel Mycroft, a senior lecturer in social psychology at the University of Exeter talks through the thought processes of having tweakments done and Elizabeth visits skincare guru Sarah Chapman, in her Skinesis Clinic in London to see what exactly customers want.. (Photo: LED light treatment,. Credit: Elizabeth Hotson). Presenter: Elizabeth Hotson Producer: Sarah Treanor

Business Weekly Jan 22, 2022

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 news, but there have been questions raised about whether people always know the amount of financial risk they are taking on. Also, we focus on China’s economy, and hear what impact the ‘zero Covid’ policy and approach has made. Plus, we stop and smell the roses of the global flower industry - and follow one supply line from Kenya to Amsterdam to find out how green the sector really is. And as the original Winnie the Pooh book falls out of US copyright, we hear what potential new adventures might be in store for the “bear of very little brain”. Business Weekly is presented by Sasha Twining and produced by Matthew Davies.

Why hair matters Jan 21, 2022

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, historians and those in the arts – from the UK, the US and East Africa – to find out what hair has to do with it all anyway. Presenter: Vivienne Nunis Producer: Sarah Treanor This is a repeat of a programme first broadcast on 19 Feb 2021 (Image credit: Getty)

The fight for pocket parity Jan 20, 2022

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 pockets – or a lack of them – led to the billion-dollar handbag industry, and we hear from Indian fashion designer and founder of the Meri Pocket campaign group, Taarini Saraf on the fight for pocket justice. Presented by Vivienne Nunis. Produced by Sarah Treanor. Music used with the kind permission of: @HebontheWeb Image: A women's small jean pocket. Credit: Getty images.

Why are some Chinese embracing 'lying flat'? Jan 19, 2022

“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 better quality of life. The BBC's China specialist Kerry Allen describes how the trend has developed online and how it has been accelerated by the forced slowdown during the pandemic. And Dr Lauren Johnston, a scholar of Chinese economics with a focus on the demographic shifts, says that both the privileged and the poorer 20 and 30-somethings feel exhausted by the Chinese ultra-competitive world of work and family pressures. Producer: Ivana Davidovic (Photo: Illustration of the lying flat movement. Credit: Sina Weibo)

Has stock trading become 'gamified'? Jan 18, 2022

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 risks? Rob Young speaks to the boss of one of the biggest platforms in this sector, Yoni Assia, the boss of eToro. He hears too from Vicky Bogan, professor at Cornell University’s business school, who studies the "gamification" of finance as well as Professor Erik Gordon, at the University of Michigan's Business School. And Sarah Pritchard from the UK's regulator the Financial Conduct Authority tells Rob about efforts to encourage young users to invest safely, and how protecting them is their priority.

The future of flying Jan 17, 2022

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 of Boom Supersonic says that, two decades after the end of supersonic jet Concorde, it's time for airliners to break the sound barrier once again. But if we want to protect the environment, should we be flying at all? Matt Finch, UK policy director of the Brussels-based lobby group Transport and Environment, says yes - but not quite so often. (Image: the ZEROe blended wing body concept, Credit: Airbus)

Business Weekly Jan 15, 2022

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 suffering with depression. Plus, we browse the shelves of ultra rare whisky, and hear why, and how, some parts of the Scottish industry are booming. The BBC’s Elizabeth Hotson talks to both keen collectors, and dedicated producers. Business Weekly is presented by Sasha Twining and produced by Clare Williamson.

Brexit and my small business Jan 14, 2022

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

Kenya's fries crisis Jan 13, 2022

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 it time for multinationals to start looking closer to home for their goods? Kathambi Kaaria is a climate change and sustainability advisor in Nairobi and comes from Meru, a potato growing region of Kenya. She told Tamasin Ford that when KFC arrived in the country eleven years ago she tried to supply them potatoes. Leonard Mudachi, the CEO of a Kenyan restaurant management company Branded Restaurants Africa Ltd, said he wasn’t surprised to learn that KFC imports its chips but does think that multinational companies should start scrutinizing how and where they get their produce from. John Quelch is the Dean of the Miami University Herbert Business School in the United States. He told Tamasin that the issue for a major international brand is the quality and consistency of locally sourced produce and that one mistake by one supplier can lead to a massive fallout for the companies. (A boy looks at potatoes for sale in a market in the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya; Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

What's at stake in Kazakhstan? Jan 12, 2022

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 many Western oil executives will be having sleepless nights, while Russia's President Vladimir Putin may require an economic dividend for his military help in stabilising the situation. And what of Kazakhstan's other giant neighbour, China? Raffaello Pantucci of the Royal United Services Institute says the upheaval has come at a time when many Kazakhs were questioning the seeming one-sidedness of their increasingly close economic ties. (Picture: Kazakh security officials stand guard in the aftermath of protests in Almaty; Credit: Pavel Pavlov/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

White privilege Jan 11, 2022

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 Institute for Tomorrow, an independent think-tank in Hong Kong and the author of ‘Dismantling Global White Privilege: Equity for a Post-Western World’. And also to Lucinda Platt, from the London School of Economics, who has recently written a report for the IFS on the degree of social and economic mobility being achieved among the UK's minority racial and ethnic groups.

Healing the mind Jan 10, 2022

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 wrapped up the latest trials of the drug. The trials are being sponsored by the healthcare start-up Compass Pathways, and its founder and chief executive George Goldsmith explains why he hopes to use them to bring this therapy to the general public. Plus Amanda Eilian of venture capitalists Able Partners describes how quickly attitudes in the investor community are changing. (Picture credit: Getty Images)

Business Weekly Jan 08, 2022

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 public transport. The BBC’s Will Bain covers examples from Alaska, Michigan and California. Plus, we remember the work of the world renowned Kenyan paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey, who died at the start of the year. We hear from Dr Paula Kahumbu who knew him from childhood, and now runs one of the organisations he founded. Business Weekly is presented by Sasha Twining and produced by Clare Williamson.

Starting a company to fight rare disease Jan 07, 2022

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 hopes for the future of genomics medicine. And Dr Segun Fatumo of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, explains why Africa is so important when it comes to genetic research. Presented by Vivienne Nunis and produced by Sarah Treanor. Image: Scientists look at a DNA model. Credit: Getty Images.

The death of the petrol station Jan 06, 2022

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 new vehicles. Across the Atlantic, another entrepreneur - Sanjiv Patel of National Petroleum - says the writing is clearly on the wall for his chain of 25 gas stations in California - but maybe not for a while yet. But could he turn them into restaurants or use them to hold séances? That's the fate of one petrol station in Leeds that is now an arts centre. We hear from its owner, Jack Simpson. This is a repeat of an episode first broadcast on 2 June 2021. Producer: Laurence Knight (Picture: Abandoned gas station along old Route 66 in the California desert; Credit: Lynne Rostochil/Getty Images)

The many careers of Richard Leakey Jan 05, 2022

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 Valley. Image: Richard Leakey with a pile of elephant ivory, confiscated by the Kenyan government and due to be burnt in 1989. Credit: Getty Images.

Lessons from the forest for climate change Jan 04, 2022

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 an equivalent path be available that avoids increasing carbon emissions? If so then it would break with the pattern seen in Europe, America and China, where economic development was almost entirely fuelled by burning coal, oil and gas, according to Hannah Ritchie, head of research at Oxford University's Our World in Data team. But the micro-finance pioneer Muhamad Yunus says that solar power does now offer a carbon-free way forwards. The programme contains audio from the 1965 National Geographic documentary film Miss Goodall and the Wild Chimpanzees, as well as audio recorded at Gombe National Park and the surrounding area by Ruth Happel and Bernie Krause. Producer: Laurence Knight

How green is the global flower industry? Jan 03, 2022

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 speculators paid enormous prices for tulip bulbs. We pay a visit to Amsterdam's Tulip Museum to find out why. The worldwide flower market is worth $40bn a year, but as growing numbers of consumers start to question the true environmental cost of what they buy, some growers are advocating for a return to seasonal, local blooms. We visit English grower Tess Wardman of Iris and Wilf flowers. Producer: Sarah Treanor. Image: Bouquets of roses for sale. Credit: BBC

Business Weekly Jan 01, 2022

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; which businesses are still feeling the marketing magic? And we shake and stir with some of the world’s top mixologists to find out about the trends in cocktails for 2022. Business Weekly is presented by Matthew Davies and produced by Clare Williamson.

Cocktail trends 2022 Dec 31, 2021

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 Lynette Marrero shares how she's seen her cocktail masterclasses filled with customers who have a thirst for premium alcohol. Phil Tate from CGA strategy analyses cocktail trends worldwide and explains how the pandemic has influenced and changed the global cocktail trend, and how this will continue into 2022. This programme is produced and presented by Nisha Patel (PIC: Vodka with cranberry and grapefruit CREDIT: Getty)

Taking on fast fashion in rural China Dec 30, 2021

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 from the highly-polluting fast fashion industry. We also hear from Nicole Rycroft, founder of the NGO Canopy, which is changing the way popular brands source the world's third most popular fabric: viscose, which is traditionally made from the wood-pulp of trees. Vivienne Nunis asks if this more environmental approach can be adopted by the wider fashion industry. Producer: Sarah Treanor. Image: A woman dressed in handmade clothing typical of the Dong indigenous community in Dimen, Guizhou, China, holds some handwoven cotton fabric that has been dyed with locally-grown indigo. Credit: Angel Chang/Boe Marion/2DM Management

Men and cosmetic surgery Dec 29, 2021

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 man having cosmetic surgery. Picture via Getty Images).

Moon missions and space junk Dec 28, 2021

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 Privateer, Moriba Jah explains. Plus Katie Miller from Skyrora tells us about the company’s space tug; a nifty idea to clean up unwanted objects in space. Presenter Jane Wakefield Producer Sarah Treanor (Picture: Earth from space, Credit: Getty Images).

Harry Potter and the phenomenally profitable franchise Dec 27, 2021

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 Mendelson, a film critic and box office pundit at Forbes, tells us why he thinks the franchise has been so successful. And we end with a look at the most hallowed of magic artefacts, the philosopher's stone itself. Presenter: Elizabeth Hotson Producers: Elizabeth Hotson and Sarah Treanor (Picture of a boy dressed as Harry Potter, Picture by Stephen Chernin for Getty Images)

Business Weekly Dec 25, 2021

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 government wants to add to electronic money transfers made using mobile phones. And the BBC’s Michelle Fluerry is in the US state of Kentucky to meet people who have decided to quit their job, and reevaluate their lives during the pandemic. Business Weekly is presented by Sasha Twining and produced by Clare Williamson. (Image: cooking gas ring with blue gas flame; Credit: BBC)

The ghost of Christmas yet to come Dec 24, 2021

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 out what caused the mass extinction we will leave behind in the fossil record? This is an extended version of an interview recorded for Justin's Geochemical History of Life on Earth, also available on the BBC World Service. Producer: Laurence Knight (Photo: Skull fossil artwork from the Modern Fossils collection by Christopher Locke. Credit: Christopher Locke/Heartless Machine)

China prepares to face down Omicron Dec 23, 2021

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 government is now in a race to deliver booster vaccines to its population, while stopping Omicron from leaching across its porous land borders. It comes at a sensitive time, with the Beijing Winter Olympics to begin in February, and the government seeking to gently deflate a property market bubble ahead of a politically sensitive Communist Party Congress in October. But independent economist Andy Xie says that when push comes to shove, the government would rather lockdown the entire national economy rather than let Covid get out of control. Producer: Laurence Knight (Picture: A large crowd of commuters wearing face masks at a subway station in Hong Kong; Credit: Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Lockdown, rebound, lockdown Dec 22, 2021

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. (Picture of interest rate graph. Picture credit: Getty Images).

Millions still not back at school Dec 21, 2021

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 registered a single coronavirus case. They are yet to reopen. She interviews a father whose twelve children have missed nearly two years of school. Robert Jenkins, the Director of Education and Adolescent Development at UNICEF, says the global economic impact of this lost education amounts to $17 trillion. He says the need for governments around the world to reopen all schools is critical. (picture of Fred Ssegawa's children via BBC).

End of the roads Dec 20, 2021

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 we speak to Leonore Gewessler, Minister for Climate Action in the national government, who says that to build more roads would only attract more traffic and therefore more pollution. Electric vehicles could go some way to lowering carbon emissions, but the take up isn’t fast enough, says transport researcher Giulio Mattioli and so reducing reliance on cars altogether has to be a priority. And that means reimagining how cities are built to accommodate convenience, but without the car – transport planner Susan Claris tells us how that can be done. Today’s programme is presented by Tamasin Ford and produced by Russell Newlove.

Business Weekly Dec 18, 2021

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 between Lithuania and China, that now has implications for trade between the two countries and the wider European Union, and we also delve into the world of premium pet food, to hear how today’s cats and dogs are getting the luxury treatment from their owners. Business Weekly is presented by Sasha Twining and produced by Clare Williamson. (Image: Tourist shop in Istanbul's spice market, credit: Getty Images)

High risk investing Dec 17, 2021

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 trading platforms like The Zerodha, which is India's biggest. Somnath Mukherjee runs its business and legal operations. Ed also speaks to Sarah Pritchard, the executive director of markets at the UK's Financial Conduct Authority who are trying target these risk adverse investors with warnings through new platforms such as TikTok. And Lesley-Ann Morgan has led a global study looking at investment trends, including for younger people, across more than 20 countries for Schroders Wealth management. She says thousands of young people have been saving as a result of forced lockdowns, and are feeling more inclined to ignore traditional investment strategies. (Picture of a young investor. Picture Credit: Getty Images).

The Turkish lira and red hot inflation Dec 16, 2021

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).

The Meta data centre dilemma Dec 15, 2021

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 Sipke Veentra, say the centre will use five times the amount of energy that their local windmills provide. And local farmer Carla Dekker is concerned that prime agricultural land is being given over to development and is worried about the amount of water Meta will use. They both claim Meta is being given preferential treatment over local businesses. But those in favour, like Egge Jan de Jonge the local cabinet member who is steering the deal through, says Meta will have to provide new power supplies to feed the centre and that they have a proven record of having done this in the past. Stijn Grove, from the Dutch Data Centre Association says there is no Dutch national strategy and that more political leadership is needed from the top. And Sebastian Moss, who watches the data centre industry for the website DatacenterDynamics says companies face similar challenges to Meta when trying to site hyper-scale data centres all over the world. (Picture: Data centre; Credit: Getty Images)

The pet food gold mine Dec 14, 2021

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 why she believes her product is worth splashing out on. A trio of dog owners tell us what's on their pets' menu and Sean Wensley, senior vet at the pet charity, PDSA explains how to make sure your animal companion eats a balanced diet. Plus, Natalia Santis, manager at the Java Whiskers cat cafe, describes the eating habits of their eleven fussy felines. (Picture of treat time at Java Whiskers cat cafe. Picture by Elizabeth Hotson).

The problem of parasites: who pays for neglected tropical diseases? Dec 13, 2021

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 how her Guyanese friends have to resort to excruciating home remedies to try and stem the parasite. She’s written a book about her ordeal: Life Lessons from The Amazon. We also get the view from Ethiopia, where Dr Helina Fikre explains the difficulties in treating the same parasitic illness. Dr Laurent Fraisse from the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative tells us about his organisation’s search for better treatments, while Dr Madhukar Pai calls for an overhaul of the way tropical diseases are funded. Image: The Leishmaniasis parasite under a magnification factor of 1000. Photo By BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images Presenter: Vivienne Nunis Producer: Sarah Treanor

Business Weekly Dec 11, 2021

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 home. Business Weekly is presented by Sasha Twining and produced by Matthew Davies.

Blacklisted in China Dec 10, 2021

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 Finbarr Bermingham, the Brussels correspondent of the South China Morning Post, Shelley Rigger from Davidson College in the US and a leading expert on Taiwan's trade relations and Hosuk Lee-Makiyama, the director of the European Centre for International Political Economy who is advising EU member states on the new legislation. (Picture: Made in Lithuania logo; Credit: Picitup/Getty Images)

The arms race in cyberspace Dec 09, 2021

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.

Healthcare workers are burnt out Dec 08, 2021

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 nurse after losing patience with an unappreciative government - and abuse from the public. Will Hunter recently returned to his job as an accident and emergency junior doctor, but could only handle part time work after an intense year of pandemic conditions. In the USA we hear from Vicki Good, former president of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, who tells us people are leaving the care sector almost as soon as they join, despite spending years in training beforehand. We speak to Lori Peters of the National Association of Health Care Assistants, who says that without decent pay and conditions, the sector won't attract enough workers to fill a skills gap that will only get bigger. This episode is produced by Russell Newlove, Sarah Hawkins and Elizabeth Hotson.

Super-fast grocery delivery apps are booming Dec 07, 2021

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 pandemic-era trend, or does it have staying power? The BBC’s Victoria Craig speaks to the boss of eight-year old US-based super-fast delivery company, GoPuff. Yakir Gola started the business while at university and has grown it to become a dominant player in the American market. He talks about why the company has decided to expand in the UK, and how it plans to compete in a red-hot space. Plus, we hear from Adrian Maccelari, the director at London-based bakery Sally Clarke about whether partnering with super-fast delivery start-ups has been helpful to the business, and Elodie Perthuisot, the director of data and e-commerce at grocery chain Carrefour, explains how the model has been a game changer for the supermarket business. There has been blockbuster growth in the super-fast delivery category over the past two years, which leads Bain and Company’s Ruth Lewis to think consolidation is an inevitability. A number of start-ups have entered the space, and already, the industry has seen some high profile mergers and acquisitions.

Why private adoption is big business in the US Dec 06, 2021

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 mind. She is now a reform campaigner and wants the private adoption industry, in its current form, abolished. Maureen Flatley, who has been working in the field of adoption legislation for two decades, is very concerned about the internet blurring the lines of legality and ethics and "trading of children" on social media without proper oversight. She hopes that 2022 will see some federal legislation governing this field finally implemented. And adoptive parents from Ohio explain why, after spending $70,000 on their first adoption through an agency, they have decided to take the matter into their own hands and advertise themselves online as prospective parents. PHOTO: Woman holding little boys hand walking down the street/Getty Images

Business Weekly Dec 04, 2021

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 infringe on human rights or damage local communities. Also, one of the founders of Transparency International tells us the money stolen by corrupt leaders is being ploughed into western assets like property – with the help of an army of financial and legal professionals. Meanwhile, Covid has forced many workers to re-assess and re-evaluate their lives and as a result, they are quitting their jobs in record numbers. It's being called the Great Resignation. And the increasing appeal of the ukulele; how the small guitar-like instrument is making a big noise among the young. Business Weekly is presented by Matthew Davies and produced by Clare Williamson. (Image: Zara shopper with brown bag; Credit: Getty Images)

The Omicron variant and vaccine inequality Dec 03, 2021

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 jabs. Tamasin Ford hears from Dr. Richard Mihigo, who coordinates the WHO’s immunisation and vaccine development progamme in Africa. He says it’s not just about shipping jabs to countries; the international community could also step up to help with planning and logistics for the distribution of vaccines. Dr. Atiya Mosam, a public health specialist in South Africa, was disappointed in the way the world reacted when news the new variant came out of her country. She argues that the travel bans that many countries quickly imposed are both discriminatory and ineffective. She also worries that many South African scientists feel they have been punished for being open and honest with the world about their discovery. Dr Meru Sheel, an epidemiologist at the Australian National University, says the issue of vaccine inequality should have been fixed many months ago. She says the vaccines should evenly distributed because it makes the most sense from a public health perspective, and also because it’s the ethical thing to do. (Image: Passengers at Cape Town airport in South Africa on 29 November 2021. Source: David Silverman/Getty Images)

The collapse of Enron: Did we learn the lessons? Dec 02, 2021

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 scandal's key figures. And Ed hears from Dr Howard Schilit, of Schilit Forensics accountancy firm, a witness at Enron's Senate hearing and a man with a serious warning for the corporate world, two decades on from the Enron scandal. Picture Credit: Getty Images

Wind of change in Germany Dec 01, 2021

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 Lackmann explains. Meanwhile, how will the government tackle a more pressing matter - Russian President Vladimir Putin's alleged restriction of gas supplies to Europe this winter in order to force German approval for the new Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Ed speaks to Gustav Gressel, geopolitical analyst at the ECFR think tank, and to Melissa Eddy at the New York Times' Berlin bureau. Plus Yuri Vitrenko, head of Ukraine's gas pipeline company Naftogaz, explains why he fears approval of the pipeline could mean war in his country. (Picture: Leaders of the incoming German government, including Chancellor-elect Olaf Scholz (centre), inadvertently re-enact the opening scene from Reservoir Dogs; Credit: Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images)

The kleptocrats club Nov 30, 2021

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 Syria, who find their power contested by their own people and their economies in tatters, there is plenty of support to be found these days from other authoritarians - chief among them Russia and China. That's according to the historian, journalist and author Anne Applebaum. The questions is whether the world's democracies will ever get their act together and do something about it? (Picture: Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro (left) embracing Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko; Credit: Sergei Gapon/AFP via Getty Images)

The plight of girls under the Taliban Nov 29, 2021

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 about what life is now like in the city. Meanwhile Marianne O’Grady, who worked in Afghanistan for the charity CARE International until she was evacuated in August, says that with food now running desperately short in the country, there are even more pressing concerns than the treatment of women. (Picture: Afghan girls look out next to a building in Sharan, Afghanistan; Credit: Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

Business Weekly Nov 27, 2021

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. Business Weekly is presented by Sasha Twining and produced by Matthew Davies.

The coming cleantech mining rush Nov 26, 2021

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 take anything up to 15 years to commission. With many of these critical minerals concentrated in the developing world, the fear is that a rapid increase in global demand may outstrip the supply from the formal mining industry, with the gap filled by much less responsible mining operations. Emmanuel Umpula of the Congo-based NGO African Resources Watch fears a worsening of human rights abuses and pollution from such mines. But Mark Cutifani, chief executive of mining giant Anglo American, says the industry is working hard to ensure better standards of behaviour. (Picture: South African miner; Credit: David Turnley/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)

Why is Turkey's currency collapsing? Nov 25, 2021

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 currency crisis is having on Turkey's economy. Ed speaks to Gulcin Ozkan, professor of finance at King's College London, economist and former fund manager Mohamed El-Erian, and to a forlorn wealth manager in Istanbul. Producer: Will Bain (Picture: Turkish Lira notes; Credit: Getty Images)

Baristas of the world unite! Nov 24, 2021

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 United union. He reckons this marks a turning point for unions in the US, which have for decades seen thin membership numbers. We also hear from Stephen Delie at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a Michigan-based think tank and advocacy group for "right-to-work" laws, which discourage union membership. Unions, he says, take workers' hard-earned money for little or no return. (Picture: Starbucks union supporters posing in a group photo with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; Credit: Michael Sanabria)

How to live to 150 Nov 23, 2021

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 bioreactors to regrow functioning ectopic organs. We also go on a voyage of discovery into the world of cryonics with Dennis Kowalski, president of the Cryonics Institute in Michigan, where you can have your body frozen and stored until the technology exists to bring you back to life some time in the future. We also hear from Paul Hagen, who's planning to follow his father's footsteps by undergoing the cryonics procedure. (Picture of an energetic older couple via Getty Images)

Texas abortion laws Nov 22, 2021

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 employees who want to move out of the state. And Vivek Bhaskaran, CEO of Austin-based QuestionPro, explains how his company will offer financial assistance to employees who need to get a termination. We also hear from Valerie Veteto, who moved to Texas, attracted by its job prospects and low house prices, but is now preparing for a move to New York. Producer: Nisha Patel (Picture: Protests outside the Supreme Court in the US Credit: Getty Images)

Business Weekly Nov 20, 2021

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 sustainability, as the market for menstruation products widens. Business Weekly is presented by Sasha Twining and produced by Matthew Davies.

Why toilets matter Nov 19, 2021

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 Catarina de Albuquerque, who served as the first United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to safe drinking water and sanitation, and made it one of the UN's sustainable development goals. Also, consultant Timeyin Uwejamomere talks about the challenge of introducing proper sanitation in the slums of his native Nigeria. Plus Chilufya Chileshe, policy director at the charity WaterAid, explains how the lack of a toilet leaves women and girls vulnerable to sexual harassment, and interferes with their education. (Photo: An eco-friendly mobile toilet in Johannesburg, South Africa. Credit: Deon Raath/Galo Images/Rapport)

Hunger crisis in Afghanistan Nov 18, 2021

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 refusal to open the financial taps, says the Taliban itself is primarily responsible for the mess the country's in. Ed also speaks to health worker Karsten Noko from MSF (doctors without borders), who is desperately trying to keep its operations running without properly functioning bank services. And Masuda Sultan, a US-Afghan aid worker, who campaigns for the non-profit Unfreeze Afghanistan, tells him how bad the situation is there. (Picture: Afghan grandmother and her grandchildren, members of one of the Afghan families that put their children up for sale, pose for a photo at their rental home without water and electricity in Afghanistan; Credit: Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Period pants, poverty and the environment Nov 17, 2021

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 find washing up on the beach is tampon applicators. And Helen Lynn from the Women’s Environmental Network, a charity working on issues that connect gender, health and the environment says that the unaffordability of sanitary products as well as the taboos surrounding periods are still a problem. (Picture: Period pants; Credit: Getty Images)

Stalkerware: Tech-enabled domestic abuse skyrocketing Nov 16, 2021

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 greater inclusion of stalkeware apps among anti-virus software manufacturers. In October this year, Google pulled several stalkerware adverts for apps that encouraged prospective users to spy on their partners’ phone. One of those apps, SpyFone, was banned by the US Federal Trade Commission in September for harvesting and sharing data about people’s movements and activities via a hidden device hack. Despite these positive moves, stalkerware apps and advice on how to use them are still easily accessible online. Xena Olsen tells how she became a cyber-security expert after being a victim of stalkerware by her then fiance - and she offers tips on what to do if you are worried for your own safety. And Rosanna Bellini, from the Clinic to End Tech Abuse, says how sometimes their clients are advised not to immediately remove cyber-stalking apps from their phones as that could increase the risk of physical violence. (Photo: A faceless hooded person looking at a laptop. Credit: Getty Images)

What did the climate talks achieve? Nov 15, 2021

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 oceans is changing so fast that it could take marine ecosystems millions of years to recover. Given how high the stakes are, how significant was the progress made in the latest iteration of climate talks? Justin speaks to sustainability expert and veteran climate diplomat Rachel Kyte, dean of the Fletcher School of international affairs at Tufts University in America. (Picture: Globe balanced on the edge of a shelf; Credit: Getty Images)

Diversity at the top Nov 12, 2021

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 established power structure. Abdul Karim Abdullah, is a clinical trial manager for a pharmaceutical company in New York. He founded the culture festival, Afrochella, to celebrate African culture, food, music, art and fashion. Najah Roberts is the founder and CEO of Crypto Blockchain Plug in Los Angeles. It’s one of the first African American owned over the counter cryptocurrency exchanges in the US. She says a big problem for African Americans is that they have been prevented us from acquiring wealth and that virtual money could change all of that.(Picture of boardroom meeting. Picture credit: Getty Images).

Business Weekly Nov 12, 2021

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 that's being allowed to flow into the UK's rivers. Also in the programme – the sale by Elon Musk of some of his shares in Tesla, after asking his Twitter followers whether or not it was a good move. And as the German media giant, Axel Springer, announces plans to force managers to tell HR departments if they start a sexual relationship with a subordinate, we take a look at the difference between American and European corporate cultures. Business Weekly is presented by Matthew Davies and produced by Philippa Goodrich.

Hong Kong, business and the national security law Nov 11, 2021

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 recruiting foreign workers into the territory is now proving much harder. Vera Yuen, a business lecturer at the University of Hong Kong, says wealth management services for the Chinese are providing big growth for territory. And Mike Bird, the Hong Kong correspondent of the Economist magazine says both the Covid restrictions and the national security law may start to really hurt Hong Kong in the longer term. ( Pic: Sunrise at Victoria Peak,Hong Kong Credit: Jun Chen / Getty)

Corruption in Afghanistan Nov 10, 2021

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 the failures of the US-backed government and they say it abandoned them in their hour of need. ( Pic: Man counting money at a market in Afghanistan Credit: Bloomberg Creative )

EU's green new deal and Africa Nov 09, 2021

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 without fossil fuels. Dr Olumide Abimbola, is the Executive Director of the Africa Policy Research Institute, a Berlin based think tank that works on Africa policy issues. He’s in Glasgow for the climate talks and Tamasin asked him whether there’s a fear the EU Green deal could restrict goods from Africa. And Adenike Oladosu, one of Nigeria’s youth delegates in Glasgow says people in her country do want to go green but it’s just not affordable. Pic: Smoke emerging from chimneys Credit: Alexandros Margos/Getty

Can sewage spewing into UK waters be stopped? Nov 08, 2021

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 sewage providers across the UK. We hear from their director of policy, Stuart Colville. Is tougher legislation the answer? Sweden faced similar problems with their sewage system more than fifty years ago. Peter Sörngård, an environmental expert at the Swedish Water and Waste Water Association explains how they dealt with it. Producer: Benjie Guy (Picture: a sewage outflow pipe discharges sewage into a river. Credit: BBC.) sewage spewing into British waters went viral on social media. The country’s Victorian era sewage systems are struggling to cope. We find out what’s being done about it and look to Sweden where they seem to be getting things right.

Business Weekly Nov 06, 2021

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 useful tool for conservation. And as an inquest names a haul of Anglo-Saxon coins one of the biggest ever found in England, we ask what happens to treasure after it’s discovered. Business Weekly is presented by Lucy Burton and produced by Matthew Davies.

Nigeria's eNaira: Africa's first digital currency Nov 05, 2021

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 benefits it could have. Digital currency expert Josh Lipsky of the Atlantic Council puts the launch of the eNaira in the context of the others that are springing up all over the globe. Producer: Benjie Guy. (Picture: the eNaira mobile phone app. Credit: enaira.gov.ng)

Is inflation making a comeback? Nov 04, 2021

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 Econometrics and a former member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee. Image: Full shopping cart in supermarket aisle (Credit: Getty Images).

Guy Hands on deal making and private equity Nov 03, 2021

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 conversation with Guy Hands about his new book, The Dealmaker. (Image: Guy Hands; image credit: John De Garis)

Buy now, pay later Nov 02, 2021

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 Sebastian Siemiatkowski, the cofounder and CEO of Klarna, the Swedish based firm that's now the world's biggest buy now pay later provider. He also hears from Alice Tapper of personal finance forum Go Fund Yourself who says regulation is desperately needed to protect younger consumers. Plus Amber Foucault from the consumer spending analytics company Cardify who says that until global regulation comes in, we should watch out for many younger customers getting into financial trouble using this system. (Picture: "Payment due!" written on a calendar with a bank card on top. Credit: Getty Images.)

Silicon Valley and the climate crisis Nov 01, 2021

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 the world’s sharpest minds, so why aren’t more tech leaders coming up with the bright ideas needed to fight climate change? We ask founder-turned-investor, Ben Parr. Producer: Sarah Treanor. Image: Smart farming technology. Credit: Getty Images Correction: Prelude Ventures invested approx. $125m in the past 12 months, in deals totalling $1.3bn. It didn’t invest $1.3bn on its own, as was stated in the programme.

Business Weekly Oct 30, 2021

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 working on one. We also look at the fight against plastic waste and how the world’s recycling systems simply aren’t working. And they’re big, glamorous and they involve hundreds of people. But are the days of the big Indian wedding over? Business Weekly is produced by Matthew Davies and presented by Tamasin Ford.

Trophy hunting: Money and morality Oct 29, 2021

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, the author of Trophy Hunting: A Psychological Perspective. Vivienne Nunis also gets the view from Richard Leakey, the famous paleoanthropologist and former head of the Kenyan Wildlife Service. Producer: Sarah Treanor. (Photo:: A rhinoceros. Credit: Getty Images)

The $200,000 starting salary Oct 28, 2021

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, explains why salaries have got so high and Stephen Parkinson, a senior partner at law firm, Kingsley Napley sets out some alternatives to the status quo. Plus, a practising corporate lawyer in New York tells us about his work schedule and Anna Lovett, an Associate Solicitor at law firm Burnetts, tells us about changing attitudes to work. And Charlene Bourliout, an ex-lawyer and burnout consultant offers some strategies for coping with an overwhelming workload. Presented and produced by Elizabeth Hotson Picture description: dollar bills Picture credit: Getty Images

Net zero: Do corporate pledges make any difference? Oct 27, 2021

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 a coal fueled power station. Credit: Getty Images).

Can global shipping go green? Oct 26, 2021

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' in Copenhagen. Fergus also hears from Yon Sletten, who is developing the Yara Birkeland, a zero emission, autonomous, electric freighter, currently undergoing final sea tests off the coast of Norway. Also in the programme, the efforts of Green Marine, a group of ship owners, ports and shipyards in North America, that has come together to raise the bar for environmental standards in their industry, as their executive David Bolduc explains. Producer: Russell Newlove. (Picture: aerial view of a container ship surrounded by green sea. Credit: Getty Images.)

Saving the Amazon with economics Oct 25, 2021

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 kind of middle man, connecting tropical forests with corporations searching for ways to cancel out their emissions. Can it work? Also on the programme, journalist Karla Mendes explains how many Brazilians feel about the Amazon's plight, while Robert Muggah from the Igarapé Institute tells us companies such as Google have stepped up to help with deforestation mapping, when government agencies had their budgets cut. Producer: Sarah Treanor. Image: A toucan in the Amazon rainforest. Credit: Getty Images

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected