Business Daily

The small country has big ambitions to become a tech and innovation hub. It has a reliable source of renewable energy, thanks to the Itaipu Dam - a huge hydroelectric dam on the Paraguay-Brazil border.We hear from government ministers and business leaders about how they believe they can make it happen - and the benefits it could bring, particularly to young people in Paraguay.Produced and presented by Jane Chambers(Image: The Itaipu Dam - a hydroelectric dam on the Paraguay-Brazi border. Credit: Getty Images)

In the final episode of our series, we've gather together a panel of experts who all have an interest in critical mineral mining.Demand for minerals like cobalt, lithium and copper is growing rapidly, as countries turn to green energy solutions. These minerals are used in EV batteries and wind turbines. So what does the future hold? How do countries approach China's dominance in both mining and processing, and what about the environmental and ethical concerns? Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Lexy O'Connor(Photo: Off-shore wind turbines in Denmark, located on Middelgrunden a few kilometres outside Copenhagen. Credit: Getty Images)

Rising demand for critical minerals to fuel the green energy transition means an expansion of mining around the world. New mines are opening, existing mines are being scaled up. In the fourth programme in our series, we find out about the impact of mineral mining on the planet and for those people both working in the mines and living nearby.We head to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where there are claims that child labour is being used in so called ‘artisanal’ mines and there is little scrutiny of the supply chain. Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Lexy O'Connor(Image: Artisanal miners carry sacks of ore at a mine near Kolwezi in 2022. Credit: Getty Images)

China’s headstart in market dominance is significant, and its grip on critical mineral supply chains remains tight. The question now is whether other governments can move fast enough — and smart enough — to build something more secure, more sustainable, and less dependent. We head to La Rochelle in western France for a rare look inside one of the world’s biggest rare earth processing plants, and find out what it reveals about Europe’s efforts to build a supply chain of its own.Presenter: Jonathan Josephs Producer: Matt Lines(Image: A rare earth processing plant in La Rochelle, France, owned by chemicals giant Solvay)

The country dominates the global processing of critical minerals - materials essential to clean energy, defence, and modern manufacturing. In the second part of our series on the global race to secure these resources, we explore how China built its control over the supply chain, from strategic state investment to partnerships abroad.We also head to Indonesia, where Chinese firms are leading the charge in nickel processing. Has one country gained too much power over the world’s green transition?Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Lexy O’Connor(Image: Labourers work at the site of a rare earth metals mine at Nancheng county, Jiangxi province in 2010. Credit: Getty Images)

They’re essential to the green transition, modern tech, and defence systems—and global demand is soaring. In the first part of our series on critical minerals, we ask what they are, where they're found and why they matter?As countries scramble to secure supplies, we explore the rising geopolitical tensions shaping this fast-growing industry—including the Oval Office standoff between Presidents Trump and Zelensky over a landmark minerals deal.Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Lexy O’Connor(Image: Hands holding rock samples of critical minerals)

It’s been 10 years since Ireland made history by becoming the first country to legalise same-sex marriage through a public vote. While other countries had legalised it, it was the first time a referendum had been held. We hear from wedding planners, photographers and venues about how things have changed for them since the 2015 referendum. As the overall number of marriages in Ireland decreases, the number of same-sex marriages is still increasing. We hear from same-sex couples who are now seen as prospective clients for this sector.Produced and presented by Leanna Byrne(Image: Alan Hatton and Darren Lawlor)

Six months on, we head back to the Spanish city to hear from residents and businesses.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Ashish Sharma(Image: Floodwaters on the streets of Valencia, Spain, in October 2024. Homes, businesses, and public spaces were severely affected. Credit: Getty Images)

We're in Colombia where workers have been been shot at, threatened with violence and seen their work colleagues killed – all because of union membership or association. Why is this happening, what’s being done about it, and what drives people to still sign up for trade union membership? If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Gideon Long (Image: Striking truck drivers in September 2024. Credit: Getty Images)

Nuclear power is back in favour, as more countries across the world consider ways to cut carbon emissions to combat climate change. Countries like China and Japan are planning to build more reactors, but should nations in Africa invest in renewable sources of generating electricity, like solar panels, wind turbines and geo-thermal power, instead of nuclear? We examine how energy generated from nuclear fission has huge advance costs which would mean African governments finding loans from willing investors, but that might cede more economic influence to China or Russia. We also hear how Amazon, Google and Microsoft are investing in nuclear power, using smaller modular reactors to run data storage centres in the United States, as demand for electricity is expected to surge when artificial intelligence is running at full capacity. Could the developing technology of SMRs prove useful in Africa?If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Russell Padmore(Picture: The Koeberg nuclear power station, Cape Town, South Africa. Credit: Getty Images)

Dozens of new nuclear power projects are planned across the world, amid efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels. But why build more reactors when renewable sources of generating electricity, like wind and solar might be cheaper?We explore why countries are turning - or returning - to nuclear fission, notably Japan, which dealt with a meltdown at its Fukushima plant in 2011. And we look at how Germany’s decision to close all of its reactors has caused problems for the country’s economy. We also learn how Amazon, Google and Microsoft are investing in nuclear power, with plans to use smaller modular reactors to run data storage centres in the United States, as demand for electricity is expected to surge when artificial intelligence is running at full capacity.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Russell Padmore(Pictures: A photo taken on November 6, 2024, shows the construction site of Units 7 and 8 of Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant in Lianyungang, China. Credit: Getty Images)

As Portugal heads into its third general election in four years, immigration is proving to be a key issue. The famously welcoming country is facing a backlash from residents who are experiencing rising living costs and a lack of housing. Now the country is tightening its immigration rules – so what could the economic impact be?If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Antonio Fernandes(Image: A Portuguese flag flying over the capital, Lisbon. Credit: Getty Images)

From extra bags to choosing a seat, airline passengers are faced with an array of extras, for a fee. And stricter limits for luggage in particular have turned 'compatible' suitcases and bags into big business. From bag manufacturers, racing to design the next travel bag innovation, to the travel influencers building audiences by sharing money-saving packing hacks. But what do passengers think about it all? Presenter: Sam GruetProducer: Megan Lawton(Image: A woman packing a suitcase. Credit: Getty Images)

The value of the US dollar has fallen in recent months. Currencies rise and fall all the time, but since US President Donald Trump announced a raft of tariffs in early April, the drops have been sharp and dramatic. The greenback, as the US dollar is known, has been the world’s main reserve currency since the end of World War Two. But is this changing? Produced and presented by Ijeoma Ndukwe(Image: A hand holding US dollars. Credit: Getty Images)

The US president is flying in to Saudi Arabia for a high profile visit to the region. It's his first official foreign trip in office - apart from a brief visit to Rome. For Saudi Arabia, Trump's visit is about strengthening ties with their longest-standing Western ally - a relationship that grew strained during the Biden years.For President Trump, it is about landing investment deals that can be framed as a win for his economic agenda. So can both sides get what they want?Produced and presented by Sameer Hashmi(Image: President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pictured in 2019. Credit: Getty Images)

We’re in the French winemaking region of Burgundy which last year sold 400 million dollars of wine to the United States. The US is the region’s biggest export market, but could import tariffs put paid to that? On the other side of the Atlantic, you might think the winemakers of Oregon and California would be cracking open something special to celebrate. How is the prospect of American tariffs on European wine going down with the US competition? Presented and produced by John Laurenson(Picture: Vineyard worker, Élodie Bonet, in Burgundy, France.)

We're in Galicia, in Northern Spain, at the HQ of the global retailer Zara. It's a rare glimpse behind the scenes of how they create the clothes for a brand that's one of the most successful stories in fast fashion.But is Zara starting to lose its shine after posting slower sales growth at the start of this year? Mainstream rivals are trying to catch up and newer, online brands are disrupting the market. Presenter: Emma Simpson Producer: Danielle Codd(Picture: Inside one of the company's stores in South Korea. Credit: Inditex)

Mobile businesses - or businesses on four wheels - are growing in number. Seen as an affordable and flexible way to set up a venture, more of them are popping up all around the world and in all sorts of industries. We head to rural France, pioneer territory for van-trepreneurs where now, food trucks, mobile pet grooming services and even mobile cinemas are thriving. And we hear from guests in India and Kenya about how the trend has become global.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by John Laurenson(Picture: Alisson Zalazar in front of her beauty van in France.)

With tariffs of up to 145% on US imports from China, we take a look at how its playing out in the country. China’s leaders are downplaying the potential impact of the trade war - we speak to Chinese exporters and economists to find out what’s really happening and whether the country’s economy is as resilient as senior officials are saying. The impact is already being felt in factories - so will the US or China blink first?Presenter: Will Bain Producer: Josh Martin(Image: Employees work on a production line of caps that will be exported to the US at a factory in Suqian, in eastern China's Jiangsu province on 7 April 2025. Credit: Getty Images)

Millions of people in the country are struggling to find affordable homes. We’ll be looking at why rental costs have been rising so sharply. We hear from some of those affected, and find out why they have been taking to the streets to air their grievances. Plus – what are the solutions? Produced and presented by Guy Hedgecoe(Image: A woman is holding a placard saying "not for sale" in Spanish, as she takes part in a nationwide demonstration in favour of decent housing. Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Málaga to protest against the housing crisis caused by rising rental prices, job insecurity, and mass tourism. Credit: Getty Images)

Raising a child is expensive - and in the US, families can pay more than their monthly rent to cover childcare and enable them to get back to work.We find out why costs in the US are so high compared to the rest of the world.We hear from parents who are struggling to make ends meet, and speak to providers who say they're operating in a difficult environment. Produced and presented by Monica Miller(Image: Children running through a daycare centre in the US. Credit: Getty Images)

Judy Faulkner started Epic in 1979 from a basement, with $70,000 in start-up money and two part-time assistants. Now, the company has grown to become a global provider of healthcare technology - with more than half of the US population's medical information stored on its platform. Judy shares how she built the company from the ground up, her insights on industry challenges, and the future of electronic medical records. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Ed Butler Producer: Amber Mehmood(Image: Judy Faulkner speaking at the Forbes Health Care Summit in 2023. Credit: Getty Images)

Nearly a decade has passed since the Colombian government signed a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the Farc, the largest left-wing guerrilla group in Latin America. Thousands of Farc fighters came out of their jungle and mountain hideouts, handed in their weapons, and returned to civilian life. The state has helped them reintegrate into the workforce, find jobs, and start businesses, so how has that process gone? We talk to former members of the Farc who spent years in the guerrilla organisation and in jail, who are now doing jobs like beekeeping and selling beer. How have they found the transition? And we hear from a woman whose mother was kidnapped by the Farc, and who questions why the state is spending so much time and money on former members of a group that committed terrible atrocities. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Gideon Long(Picture: View of bottles of craft beer made by former Farc rebels. Credit: Getty Images)

What gift did you open for your birthday this year? Were you gifted any toys? Lots of adults were.In fact, figures suggest that adults buying toys for themselves is keeping the toy market alive, driving nearly a third of global sales. But what’s behind shift? In this episode we meet the makers, the sellers and the buyers. Produced by: Megan Lawton Presented by: Sam Gruet(Image: A man playing with cars. Credit: Getty Images)

For thousands of years people have traded spices across continents, sharing recipes and wealth. But what could happen to the modern spice industry if costly barriers to free trade are imposed? As US President Donald Trump reaches 100 days in office, it is arguably his “reciprocal tariffs” that have caused the most upheaval in the US and global economies. We speak to three people working in the North American spice import and processing sector to see how it's impacting them. Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Hannah Bewley(Image: Imported spices and seasoning at Phuoc Loc Tho Super Oriental Market in Florida. Credit: Getty Images)

We're in Chile, where it’s grape harvesting time and vineyard workers are busy cleaning their barrels to make way for new batches.The South American country has more than a thousand different varieties of grapes, but it’s proving hard to reach a new generation of wine drinkers.It’s not just young people drinking less. Around the world wine production is in decline. This is often due climate change causing extreme droughts which affects harvests.How do wine-producing countries like Chile respond - and keep the industry thriving?Presented and produced by Jane Chambers(Image: Friends having fun and relaxing together drinking red wine during a rooftop party in New York East Village. New York is one of the key markets for new-style Chilean wine. Credit: Getty Images)

Even before there was talk of a trade war between the US and EU, Europe was on the economic backfoot. But it wasn’t always the case. In 2008, the EU was the world’s biggest economy - today, the US economy is $9.5 trillion bigger than the EUs. So what has happened?Presented and produced by Rob Young(Image: An employee fixes the seat to a Volkswagen AG Tiguan on the production line at the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg, Germany. The company said in March 2025 that profits had fallen amid high costs and Chinese competition. Credit: Getty Images)

From filming 'day-in-the-life' videos, to capturing casual conversations in the office, some employees are no longer just working behind the scenes. They're stepping into the spotlight as the creative forces behind their company's social media content. More businesses are moving away from paying for traditional social media influencers to market their brands, to asking their own staff to do it. Meet the 'workfluencers'.This type of in-house marketing might serve as a useful recruitment tool, or help to humanise corporations while boosting engagement, but it carries risks for a business. And how honest can employees be in what they post? Should they be paid extra to do this sort of work? If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Deborah Weitzmann(Picture: Employees filming content for social media. Credit: Joe & the Juice)

Why are egg prices in the US so high? The price of a dozen eggs has risen dramatically this year, and in some stores, consumers face prices approaching the 10 dollar mark – five times the long-term average. Meanwhile, breakfasts are booming for US hospitality but restaurants are also raising their prices.In a country where the average citizen eats 280 eggs annually, is there an end in sight to the high cost of buying this household staple? Or is it time to look for an egg alternative?If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Matt Lines(Picture: Empty egg shelves and a sign limiting purchases to one carton per customer are seen at a grocery store in New York, United States on 16 April, 2025. Credit: Getty Images)

Consumer goods as well as fuel and cocoa are all crossing Ghana’s northern border illegally, and in large volumes. It's costing the government billions of dollars in lost revenues. Ed Butler looks at perhaps the biggest illegal trade - gold - Ghana’s number one cash export. But even as the informal economy, unmonitored and untaxed, continues to grow, some are asking: isn’t there also a specific economic solution to the problem? In the second of two programmes, based at the northern Ghanaian border with Burkina Faso, he finds out what some are suggesting could be done to change the criminals’ incentives. Produced and presented by Ed Butler(Image: Illegal gold mining in northern Ghana)

Consumer goods, fuel, gold and cocoa are all crossing the border illegally - it's costing the government billions of dollars - so can it be stopped? Ed Butler travels to the northern Ghanaian border with Burkina Faso, and hears from cocoa smugglers who are operating in the region. Produced and presented by Ed Butler (Image: A livestock market in northern Ghana. Traders, including those pictured, told the BBC they believe some of the livestock is contraband)

Argentina, a country often associated with economic turbulence, is emerging as a frontrunner in agricultural biotechnology and home to a third of Latin America's start-ups. From shrimp shells to super crops, we explore how a blend of scientific talent, venture capital and cutting-edge research is starting to transform farming - one of the country's most important sectors. While Argentina is becoming a global player in this area, can this boom be sustained amid economic and political challenges in the country?If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Natalio Cosoy(Picture: Engineer Mario Nejamkin, and Claudia Casalongue, cofounder and scientific lead at agri-tech start-up Unibaio, standing in a potato field in Argentina. Credit: BBC)

The small country of Armenia in the South Caucasus has long been positioning itself as an emerging technology hub. Hundreds of tech start-ups with strong ties to the US market through the Armenian diaspora are now based there. From 2020 to 2022, investments in small Armenian tech companies reached $48 million. The industry has been partly fuelled by the arrival of hundreds of Russian IT specialists following the invasion of Ukraine.We hear how the government wants the IT sector to develop the economy, talk to tech start-up founders, and find out how tech education for children is being prioritised.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk(Picture: Staff in the offices of Doctor Yan, a health care assistant app in Armenia. Credit: BBC)Presented and produced by Rayhan Demytrie

In India’s villages, innovation is being born from necessity. From a fridge made of clay, to silk fashioned from lotus stems, to smart devices helping blind farmers manage their land, we meet the country’s grassroots innovators.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Devina Gupta(Picture: A lotus flower, on top of some fabric, next to a small handloom machine. Credit: BBC)

We’re in Helsinki where Europe’s biggest campus for startup companies is being built. What role could it play as Finland strives to create the continent’s most supportive environment for new businesses? We’ll look at some of the challenges the country’s facing as it competes for global investment and tech talent. And hear from Sweden - does it see Finland taking its start-up crown anytime soon?If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Maddy Savage(Picture: Turkish entrepreneur Lalin Keyvan, who's founded a startup in Finland. Credit: BBC)

Thousands of businesses have 'spun-out' from universities - so is this an opportunity for further growth? The model has seen great success in the US, leading to booming commercial ventures such as Dropbox, iRobot, and Boston Dynamics. And now the UK government has plans for further investment in spin-outs from Oxford and Cambridge. But what evidence exists that this approach can be as effective in other parts of the world? And as global economies strive for growth, will there be competition for talent and investment?If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Sam Fenwick(Image: Oxford University in the UK)

From noticing a gap in the market, to launching a start-up with her husband, CEO Julia Hartz tells us how she's built Eventbrite to become one of the biggest event ticketing platforms in the world, distributing 272 million tickets to more than 1.7 million global events in 2024. The online site enables users to buy tickets to all kinds of community gatherings; with almost one-million creators publishing get-togethers like, cooking classes, yoga sessions and cold-water plunging. Julia shares how the company has dealt with challenging economic climates, the scourge of surge pricing, and how it's adapting to new ways of bringing the world together offline. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Ed Butler Producer: Amber Mehmood(Picture: Julia Hartz. Credit: Getty Images)

Colombia has emerged as the world's second-biggest exporter of cut flowers, and the largest supplier to the United States. Local growers suffered a scare this year when US president Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs of 50% on imports from Colombia. The dispute was quickly resolved but, even so, the threat of tariffs remains. And the sector faces other challenges, particularly around sustainability. We visit a flower farm in Colombia and go to Bogota airport to see how the country exports this most delicate and perishable of goods. We also talk to an academic who says the industry is changing rapidly, with an emphasis on growing flowers locally rather than flying them around the world. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Gideon Long(Picture: A female employee handling roses at a flower farm, Flores de los Andes, near Bogotá, Colombia. Credit: BBC)

A shortage of workers is leading some retailers to forgo hiring altogether. The number of unmanned, or staff-less stores in South Korea has grown rapidly in recent years - from ice cream shops to bustling cafes and bars.We explore how these unmanned stores operate and if they can offer a solution to the country’s demographic problems. Is this the answer for business to keep things running when there aren’t enough people to work? Producer/presenter: David Cann(Image: An unmanned bar in Seoul, South Korea)

The country is facing a labour shortage following decades of low birth rate and depopulation.By the year 2032, it’s estimated South Korea will need more than 890,000 additional workers to maintain the country’s long term economic growth goal of 2%.But with 95% of the country’s population identifying as ethnically Korean, the public opinion on immigration is mixed.In the second of our three-part series looking at South Korea’s low birth rate and population decline, we ask if the immigration can fill the gap in labour, and what the challenges are.Produced and presented by David Cann.(Image: A worker from the Philippines holding a baby in South Korea. Credit: Getty Images)

South Korea has grappled with an unprecedented decline in birth rate over the past nine years.However the latest figures show a slight rise in the number of babies born. Although the number remains low, the news is being welcomed with cautious optimism. The increase follows years of pro-parent policies and heavy investment by the government and businesses.In the first of our three-part series looking at South Korea’s low birth rate and population decline, we look into the efforts it took to achieve this turnaround, and find out how the number got so low in the first place.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by David Cann(Image: A mum and child in South Korea. Credit: Getty Images)

In its 50th anniversary year, we chart Microsoft's history and look at where the tech giant is heading into the future. It's one of the world's biggest companies - we get exclusive access to the Seattle HQ.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Zoe Kleinman Producers: Imran Rahman-Jones, Georgina Hayes and Rumella Dasgupta(Picture: A Microsoft sign is seen outside the company headquarters on July 3, 2024 in Redmond, Washington. Credit: Getty Images)

Two years ago, boxing was on the ropes. Fans were fed up, and rival promoters were playing the blame game, as egos, finances and broadcaster commitments got in the way.Now, it's all changed, largely thanks to investment from Saudi Arabia. We head to the boxing ring to look at the revival of this global sport – and find out whether the Kingdom's increasing involvement in sport is being universally welcomed.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Matt Lines(Image: Britain's Tyson Fury (red) and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk (blue) compete during their heavyweight world championship rematch at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on December 22, 2024. Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

More than 30 million pilgrims are expected to visit The Vatican city this year, to pass through the Holy Door at St Peter's Basilica, opened especially for 2025. In the Italian capital Rome, which surrounds The Vatican, officials have been planning for years to accommodate the extra tourists, including major disruption for locals, but three months in business leaders are reporting that figures are down 15% on the previous year.The city's hotel association says accommodation rates are being lowered in the hope it will encourage more non-Jubilee visitors who may have been put off travelling.But other businesses are cashing in - we hear from faith based tourist groups around the world who say they are doubling their bookings to Rome. Produced and presented by Daniel Rosney(Image: Faithful carry a wooden cross on Via della Conciliazione in Rome during the pilgrimage route to the Holy Door of St. Peter's basilica in the Vatican, as part of the Catholic Jubilee Year, on 22/02/25. Credit: Getty Images)

We’re in Helsinki to find out why this small, cold, Nordic capital is spawning growing numbers of technologies designed to help countries protect and defend themselves against war.We meet some of the Finnish defence tech and dual-use start ups attracting global interest, hear why these sorts of businesses have become more attractive for European investors, and dig into the challenges facing the sector.Presented and produced by Maddy Savage(Image: A Kelluu airship flying over snowy fields. Image credit: Kelluu)

Restrictions and government assistance varied, but for small business owners the challenges were similar.Five years on, we hear from three entrepreneurs about their experiences - the manager of a tourism company in Tanzania, a bar owner in England, and a former gym owner in the US. What have they learnt? And has it changed the way the operate and make decisions?If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Josh Martin(Image: A coffee shop owner serves a customer in the US. Credit: Getty Images)

The CEO of the Italian luxury car maker tells Business Daily how his background in physics and electronics is helping him lead the company through unprecedented change, as the furious scream of high-powered petrol engines gradually gives way to the whisper of clean but quiet electric motors. How can Ferrari stay relevant in a rapidly changing world?If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Theo Leggett Producer: Amber Mehmood(Picture: Benedetto Vigna, CEO of Ferrari, sitting in the company's Mayfair dealership in London, in front of a car. Credit: BBC)

We're in Greece to find out what challenges await the new IOC president Kirsty Coventry - the first woman and first African to hold the most powerful role in sport.The IOC faces several challenges, including the issue of paying prize money to athletes, finding a host for the 2036 Summer games and climate change.There are also questions around the future of boxing as an Olympic sport and securing future revenues with NBC's multi-billion dollar deal due to expire after the Brisbane games in 2032 and other sponsorship deals up for renewal.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Alex Capstick(Image: Kirsty Coventry reacts as she delivers a speech after being elected as the new IOC President on Day Two of the 144th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session on March 20, 2025 in Costa Navarino, Greece. Credit: Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)

Despite its growing popularity and its success as a global export, the industry is facing a number of challenges. We found out how the South American country is adapting.Produced and presented by Jane Chambers(Image: Workers processing salmon. Credit: Multi Planta)

'Made in Canada': Words that are now a common sight on Canadian shelves, after Donald Trump's tariffs sparked a trade war with the country.The US president has imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Canada. Trump has also vowed to impose a sweeping range of "reciprocal" tariffs on 2 April.North of the United States' border, the trade dispute has generated a wave of patriotism, with some consumers and businesses boycotting American products. But what impact has it had on business? In this programme, we hear from the Canadian firms choosing to bring operations back to Canada and learn about the hurdles along the way.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Sam Gruet Producer: Megan Lawton(Picture: An employee covers a stack of aluminum billets with plastic. Credit: Getty Images)

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order stopping USAID projects worldwide, saying he wants overseas spending decisions to align with his election policy to "put America first". USAID is the US government's main overseas aid agency and it administers humanitarian aid programmes on behalf of the US government. It has bases in more than 60 countries and works in dozens of others. However, most of the work on the ground is carried out by other organisations that are contracted and funded by USAID.The vast majority of projects have been abruptly halted. But what has this decision meant for the people who relied on them? From Kenya’s Lake Victoria to Nairobi’s slums, we explore the profound impact on lives, businesses, and livelihoods.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presented and produced by Sam Fenwick(Image: Little boy walking on railroad tracks with Kibera slum in the background. Nairobi, Kenya. Credit: Getty Images)

Sim Tshabalala is the CEO of one of Africa's largest banks, Standard Bank. In this edition of Business Daily, he tells Ed Butler about his journey from growing up under apartheid in South Africa, to be becoming a lawyer, then investment banker.He discusses the risks of lending to companies; how the continent is improving its trade relationships; and what he thinks the future of Africa will look like.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Ed Butler Producer: Amber MehmoodAdditional material: Reuters/British Pathé(Picture: Sim Tshabalala, CEO of Standard Bank Group, speaks at Semafor's The Next 3 Billion Summit at The Pierre Hotel on September 24, 2024 in New York City. Credit: Getty Images)

We hear from a Sri Lankan woman who was trafficked and forced to conduct illegal online activity, including cyber fraud against vulnerable victims. Aneka Boram is one of thousands of people who've recently escaped from so-called scam centres. She talks about her captivity and describes the harsh punishments and conditions she was forced to work in. The scam centres are offices inside Myanmar or Cambodia, where people have been forced to work scamming internet users from around the world.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Ed Butler(Image: Aneka Boram)

Many prominent US companies have been pulling back on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.US President Donald Trump and his allies have regularly attacked DEI policies. When he returned to the White House in January, President Trump ordered government agencies to eliminate such initiatives - and it appears some of the country's biggest corporations are following suit.Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Lexy O'Connor(Image: Hands holding "equality for all" cardboard sign". Credit: Getty Images)

Thousands of oil and gas rigs are becoming redundant around the world – and taking them out of service, known as decommissioning, is a multi-billion dollar business. It’s also a complex operation beset by sometimes opposing interests. In this programme, we meet the makers of the world’s biggest ship - a machine at the cutting edge of rig removal, and the visit the port that can recycle over 95% of a rig. As concerns grow over delays to decommissioning in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico, we look into whether enough progress is being made with removing old rigs around the world.Produced and presented by Laura Heighton-Ginns(Image: The Brent Bravo topside oil platform is transported on the barge ‘Iron Lady’ into the mouth of the River Tees on route to the Able UK Seaton Port site for decommissioning on June 20, 2019 in Teesport, England. Credit: Getty Images)

More than a year after a change in government, businesses are closing, unemployment is rising and workers are leaving for neighbouring Australia. As New Zealand's recession continues, uncertainty remains. So what is the government's plan? And could there be brighter times ahead? Produced and presented by Alexander van Wel(Image: Workers repairing the road in Auckland. Credit: Getty Images)

The international gaming giant has more than 80 million daily users, and is hugely popular with children.It was started by Dave Baszucki and Erik Cassel, and Dave Baszucki is now CEO.In his first ever BBC interview, he tells us about developing the game, the struggle to monetize it, and concerns over child safety - Mr Baszucki insists Roblox is vigilant in protecting its users. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Zoe Kleinman Producers: Georgina Hayes and Imran Rahman-Jones

Dr Joachim Nagel isn't just Germany's chief central banker, he's one of the most powerful economic policy-makers in Europe.In this exclusive interview, he tells Business Daily how he thinks Germany, and the European Union as a whole, should be responding to a time of unprecedented economic peril.It's a shaky time for the world's third-largest economy, which has been experiencing stagnant growth for five years. As a trade war between Europe and the US escalates, what does the future look like for Germany?If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Ed Butler Analysis: Faisal Islam, BBC economics editor Producers: Olie D'Albertanson and Elisabeth Mahy(Image: Joachim Nagel, president of Deutsche Bundesbank in Jan 2024. Credit: Getty Images)

The internet is where much of our modern cultural, societal and political history is stored, but as researchers are discovering, the internet has a big memory problem. Without businesses paying to keep servers and archives up, more and more of our history online is disappearing forever. We take a look at what this so called 'link rot' means for our collective understanding.Produced and presented by Frey Lindsay(Image: A man looking confused at his phone. Credit: Getty Images)

The south of France is among thousands of places around the world that now stage ultramarathons: extreme running events covering anything above 26.2 miles to more than 100. They often take place on challenging terrain and require considerable physical and mental resilience. And they've become big business.To find out more, Business Daily went to the Nice Côte d'Azur 100-mile race to speak to runners and organisers about the popularity of these sorts of events, and how they make money. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by John Laurenson(Picture: Woman and man running in a forest in the dark. Credit: Getty Images)

An hour’s drive north of Buenos Aires is Pilar, a municipality that houses the largest industrial park in Argentina, as well as a population of 400,000. Some rich and middle class Argentines live in its many gated communities, but Pilar has a poverty rate of almost 60% - well above the national figure. We speak to residents and businesses about libertarian President Javier Milei's first year in office.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Natalio Cosoy(Picture: Argentina's President Javier Milei looks on during the inauguration of the 143rd ordinary session of Congress at the National Congress in Buenos Aires on March 1, 2025. Credit: Getty Images)

We speak to three businesswomen working in traditionally male-dominated sectors.Anna Mareschi Danieli from the Italian-based global steel company Danieli group. Caroll Masevhe, founder of a women-only construction business - Kapcor construction, in Johannesburg; and Patty Eid from Petrofac, a leader in the Middle East’s oil and gas industry. Producer/presenter: Sam Fenwick(Image: L-R, Caroll Masevhe Patty Eid, Anna Mareschi Danieli)

Unlike 'mega-influencers' with huge audiences on social media, 'micro' and 'nano-influencers' have far fewer followers. But small can be mighty in this business. These lower-profile influencers have anywhere between 250 and 10,000 followers, but businesses are increasingly turning to more niche, content creators in a bid to get more authentic engagement. We hear how they're redefining the way brands are connecting with consumers. Micro-influencers Kadide Francy, in Kenya, and Jerlyn De Silva, in India, reveal what kind of money they make from these collaborations. And East African Brewery marketing manager, Kanye Kiuru, tells us how using these kinds of influencers led to a hugely successful marketing campaign for the company.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Izzy Greenfield(Picture: Kadide Francy, a lifestyle micro-influencer in Kenya. Credit: Kadide Francy)

The fruit is a beloved staple of the African country's cuisine, and a key export.But is there a missed opportunity when it comes to Ugandan matoke, or bananas?We speak to entrepreneurs who are making banana wine, fertilizers and hair extensions - adding value for local and international markets.Produced and presented by Zawadi Mudibo(Image: A man drives a motorcycle carrying matoke in Kampala, Uganda in June 2024. Credit: Getty Images)

For most people travelling abroad by plane, the airport experience can feel fairly nondescript - something to be endured rather than enjoyed. But for those with certain credit cards, a luxury experience awaits. Around the world, card issuers are spending large amounts of money building high-end lounges in airports and prime city centre locations, in a bid to attract and keep customers. And their attempts are getting more and more extravagant. But who’s paying for all of this? If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Rowan Bridge(Picture: Dining area at the American Express Centurion New York restaurant in New York, US, occupying the 55th floor of the One Vanderbilt skyscraper. Credit: Getty Images/Bloomberg)

We hear from businesses in California, Fiji and the UK that have been hit hard by natural disasters like floods, wildfires and extreme storms - followed by rising insurance premiums - or companies refusing to insure them at all. An alternative type of cover, parametric insurance, is being offered as a way of giving people some cover. But does it work for everyone? If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Lexy O'Connor(Image: A view of flash flood in Daddu district southern Sindh province, Pakistan, on September 07, 2022. Credit: Farhan Khan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

We’re in Budapest to find out how Hungary – once a satellite state of the Soviet Union – is now one of the world’s top film destinations, with movie-makers seduced by the central European country's generous tax breaks and incentives. Academy Award nominees this year, The Brutalist and Dune 2, were filmed here – plus 2024 Oscar winner, Poor Things.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Wayne Wright(Picture: Actors perform a scene of the movie "Hunyadi" (Rise of the Raven) during the opening ceremony of Hungary's National Film Institute's new studio complex in Fot, close to the capital Budapest, during the complex's inauguration on January 30, 2025. Credit: Getty Images)this edition was edited on 28 February 2025

Pokémon started as a hugely successful game for Nintendo’s Gameboy nearly 30 years ago. Since then, it's become a billion-dollar global media brand. Despite the firm's huge revenue, the Pokémon Company remains private. The firm doesn’t release its historical earnings figures, but some analysts estimate it has sold up to $150 billion worth of products, making it the world’s highest grossing media franchise. Mariko Oi speaks to Pokémon Company president, Tsunekazu Ishihara, about the firm's successes over the years, and the challenges it faces - like counterfeits and the resale market. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Mariko Oi(Picture: Pokemon CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara welcomes guests during the 2022 Pokémon World Championships at ExCel, London, UK. Credit: Getty Images)

We look at how to rescue brands on the brink. We hear inspired sloganeering and learn about the audacious marketing that have helped companies – even towns and cities – to turn their reputations around.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukProducer/presenter: David Reid(Photo: A businessman covers his eyes and extends his arm to prevent a series of heavy walls from falling on him. Credit: Getty Images)

The outsourcing sector in the Philippines has seen significant growth, positioning itself as a global leader. However, the rise of AI technologies is reshaping the job landscape, potentially displacing traditional roles. In the second part of our series looking at the Philippine economy, Sam Fenwick investigates how the government is adapting to the change by investing in infrastructure and promoting foreign investment.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukProduced/presenter: Sam Fenwick Additional reporting: Camille Elemia(Picture: Customer agents sit behind computers on the AI training in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Credit: Getty Images)

The estimated 2.3 million Filipino overseas workers form the economic backbone of their nation. The remittances they send home are vital; sustaining household incomes, driving consumer spending, supporting community development, and ensuring national economic stability - contributing 8.5% to GDP.In the first of our two-part series looking at the Philippine economy, Sam Fenwick meets overseas workers who send money home and those who have returned to set up businesses.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukProducer/presenter: Sam Fenwick(Picture: Angel Kho, a head chef, in the kitchen of a care home in the UK. Credit: BBC)

Could Germany benefit from drastic Javier Milei-style reforms? One business owner in Berlin thinks so, and many others want a reduction in the amount of bureaucracy bosses are responsible for. As a federal election takes place in Germany, members of the Mittelstand, Germany’s famous small and medium-sized businesses known as the “backbone” of the country's economy, tell Business Daily what a new government could do for them. Theo Leggett travels to a science and research park on the outskirts of Berlin where the boss of an underwater robot company and other tech businesses are based. There's a lot of innovation happening in the buildings, but confidence in politics is low. And Anouk Millet looks at the Hamburg businesses trying to modernise and forge a path towards an uncertain future. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Theo Leggett Producer: Hannah Bewley Reporter: Anouk Millet (Image: Fabian Bannasch, CEO of Evologics,holding a robotic "penguin". Credit: BBC)

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

Cosplay is the ultimate form of fancy dress – with fans of graphic novels and video games doing everything they can to emulate their favourite fictional characters. And it's a big money-spinner globally.We find out why the hobby has grown so much over the past two decades – and meet those who’ve turned their passion for cosplay into a career.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Will Chalk(Picture: Cosplayers pose as Star Wars characters during New York Comic Con 2024, in New York City. Credit: Getty Images)

The festival of Kumbh Mela is estimated to attract 400 million Hindus and other visitors from around the world. The 45-day festival is a massive economic engine, injecting billions in the economy of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, which is hosting the event. And this year, it is a Grand Mela, which only happens once every 144 years. From big businesses to street vendors and hotel owners, to major brands and digital entrepreneurs, all are looking to cash in on the influx of visitors.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Devina Gupta(Image: Shoppers next to a toy stall at Kumbh Mela in 2023. Credit: Getty Images)

How to make a battery powered plane that can fly long distances, whilst carrying passengers, is a key challenge facing the aviation sector.As the world tries to reduce its consumption of fossil fuels, researchers are looking to make flight more sustainable to deal with ever growing demands. We hear about some pioneering projects in the Netherlands which are trying to do all of this, whilst still being commercially viable.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukProduced and presented by Matthew Kenyon(Image: A render of Dutch start up Elysian's fully electric regional aircraft, which it says will have a range of 500 miles. Credit: Elysian)

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

The digital nomad lifestyle sounds like a dream - working from a beach in Bali or a café in Barcelona. But how do you actually make it happen? In this episode, we meet the people who’ve taken the plunge and hear about the ups and downs of life on the move. Hear from employers managing a remote global workforce and investigate why the lifestyle isn’t always what you see on social media.Plus - we also look at the tax implications.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk(Picture: Woman sitting by a beach, looking at her laptop. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Sam Gruet

Reusable bottles are everywhere – on your desk at work, at the gym, on a day out, doing a job in the fight against single-use plastic. But if we have multiple versions of refillable water bottles, are they just becoming fast fashion? The global, refillable water bottle industry is worth $10 billion and it is growing at a rate of about 5% a year. Several brands have become household names with international offices across continents. But these types of bottles are energy-intensive. Research suggests manufacturing a single reusable bottle can produce more emissions than producing a single-use plastic version, but that it works out better for the environment once it has been used multiple times. We look at the enormous growth in refillable bottles, and how celebrities and influencers have driven sales.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukProducer/presenter: Rick Kelsey(Photo: A young woman drinks from a water bottle in Central Park, NYC. Credit: Getty Images)

We’re in the Central American country to hear a tale of two lakes. One, Lake Amatitlan, is badly polluted and there's concerns that the other – Lake Atitlan - once nominated as one of the seven new wonders of the world and - is in danger of going that way too. We hear about the costs needed to clean up these important tourist attractions, and hear about the loss of income for local businesses. Produced and presented by Jane Chambers(Image: A worker picks up rubbish on the shore of Lake Amatilan, Guatemala, during a voluntary clean up day in August 2024. Credit: Getty Images)

Countries considered hostile to the West are threatening to cut under sea cables, which carry 95 percent of the world’s data. China, Iran and Russia are suspected of threatening to sabotage cables, carrying 95% of the world’s data, which makes the network vital to the global economy. Russell Padmore examines how the lines laid on ocean floors are the backbone of the internet, so they need to be protected, but international military cooperation is limited. Produced and presented by Russell Padmore(Image: An undersea cable between Helsinki and Rostock which was laid in 2015. Credit: Getty Images)

We speak to one of Japan's very few female CEOs. Makiko Ono leads Suntory Beverage and Food, part of the Suntory conglomerate that makes soft drinks including Orangina, Lucozade and Ribena. She shares her 40-plus years journey at the company; including how she led company's first acquisition to opening doors for the next generation of women in business. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Amber Mehmood(Image: Makiko Ono, chief executive officer of Suntory Beverage and Food Ltd, at the company's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, on 23 March 2023. Credit Getty Images)

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

After Justin Trudeau resigned as prime minister last month, what does the in-tray look like for Canada’s next leader?The country is facing a major challenge from new US president Donald Trump who introduced 25% tariffs on Canadian exports - now postponed for 30 days - and is even questioning the country's identity. But Canada also has a list of problems to address from within, such as rising property costs and new rules on immigration.We find out how people are feeling – and what happens next.Produced by Megan LawtonPresented by Sam Gruet(Image: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing his resignation during a news conference in Ottowa, Canada on 6 January 2025. Credit: Getty Images)

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

Thousands of homes burned to the ground in the recent wildfires in Los Angeles which will likely become the most expensive natural disaster in US history.Many victims did not have insurance, because they couldn’t afford California’s increasingly expensive policies or because they were dropped by their insurer. Lexy O’Connor meets some of those affected and finds out what’s fuelling California’s insurance crisis. Presented and produced by Lexy O'Connor(Image: Two people survey the damage during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California on 8 January 2025. Credit: Getty Images)

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

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

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

In November 2024, FC St Pauli became the first major football club to stop posting on X (formerly Twitter). In a statement, the leftwing Bundesliga club cited concerns over racism and conspiracy theories on the platform. It has moved to alternative social media site Bluesky instead.So is this part of a wider trend? We hear from companies who are finding alternatives to X, or staying on but reducing advertising spend. Plus we hear from those who say with hundreds of millions users, X still has an important role to play particularly in areas like customer service.Produced and presented by Daniel Rosney(Image: Fans of St.Pauli wave a skull and crossbones rainbow flag during the match between FC St. Pauli and 1. FC Magdeburg at Millerntor Stadium in Hamburg, Germany, 14 August 2022. Credit: Getty Images)

Squatting has a long history in Spain, often fuelled by high rates of homelessness. And the country’s ongoing housing crisis means that despite being low in numbers, squatting is now a highly politicised topic. We hear from private companies set up to evict people, from businesses making products to prevent squatters moving in, and from squatters themselves about their experiences.Produced and presented by Stefania Gozzer(Image: A worker takes a mattress off the balcony during the eviction of 62 families from four apartments in June 2023 in Madrid, Spain. Credit: Getty Images)

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

A 2020 Academy of Social Sciences report found that sociologists, economists and philosophers help companies improve productivity, enhance problem-solving and heighten social impact. So it makes sense that businesses would want social scientists involved in strategy and decision making. But how does it work in practice? Are there conflicts between hard commercial realities and ‘softer’ social issues, and how do companies resolve these?We speak to Dr Melissa Cefkin, an anthropologist and former chief scientist at the Nissan Research Centre in Silicon Valley, about how she combined social science and the corporate world. And we find out if the trend is a uniquely western, or even Californian, phenomenon.Producer: Izzy Greenfield Presenter: Gareth Mitchell(Image: A group of women in a boardroom. Credit: Getty Images)

For decades, two multi-national giants Coca-Cola and Pepsi, have been competing for one of the world’s biggest consumer markets. Now they face tough competition from Asia’s richest man. Mukesh Ambani’s company, Reliance Retail, has launched its own cola brand - Campa Cola. With its vast retail network and aggressive pricing strategy, we find out how this has intensified the so called 'cola wars' in the country. Producer/presenter: Devina Gupta(Image: A group of young people drinking soft drinks at a bowling alley. Credit: Getty Images)

Today we’re in Jeddah, looking at how Saudi Arabia went from a Kingdom where cinemas were banned to a rising star in the film industry. We hear from Saudis revelling in new-found freedoms and foreign filmmakers lured in by cash incentives. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Emily Wither(Picture: US actor Johnny Depp poses for a picture with a fan on the red carpet of the awards ceremony of the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, December 2024. Credit: Getty Images)

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

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

We look at what a second Donald Trump presidency could mean for Africa, hearing from economists and business owners.We explore some of the existing trade pacts between the US and Africa, and consider the significance of remittances - the money sent back home by African migrants living overseas. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Michael Kaloki(Picture: Then President Donald Trump walks with the former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on the White House colonnade as they make their way to the Oval Office, on February 6, 2020 in Washington, DC. Credit: Getty Images)

Donald Trump has said he will impose new tariffs on goods entering the US from Canada on his first day in office. Tariffs are a central part of the President-elect's economic vision - he sees them as a way of growing the US economy, protecting jobs and raising tax revenue. But some warn they could inflate consumer prices. We look at how Canada is preparing, hearing from those in key sectors like farming and car manufacturing, and explore how the resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could affect things.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Sam Gruet Producer: Megan Lawton(Picture: Ben Loewith, a third-generation dairy farmer, who runs summit dairy in Hamilton, Ontario, pictured in the dairy. Credit: Sam Gruet/Megan Lawton/BBC)

Even before taking office, President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose huge trade tariffs on Mexico, deport millions of undocumented Latino migrants out of the United States and crack down on the flow of drugs like fentanyl from Latin America into the US. And he's threatened to take control of the Panama Canal and re-name the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America”. He has criticised the BRICS group of developing nations – which includes Brazil – for floating the idea of a new currency to challenge the dominance of the US dollar in international trade. And he has praised Argentina’s maverick right-wing president Javier Milei for cutting state expenditure. So what will Trump’s second presidency mean for Latin America – a region that used to be known as “America’s back yard”? If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Gideon Long Additional reporting by Vianey Alderete in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico(Picture: The border wall on the US-Mexico border, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico October 23, 2024. Credit: Reuters)

As US president-elect Donald Trump prepares to re-enter the White House, global trade has become a contentious issue. Mr Trump has threatened to impose tariffs – that is taxes at the border – on all goods imported from a host of nations, including neighbours Canada and Mexico as well as economic rival China. That risks igniting another trade war, with companies and consumers around the world affected. Has global commerce always been so contentious? Rob Young looks at some of the key developments in international trade throughout history to work out how we got to the system and practices we have today.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk(Picture: Hands of woman showing seeds in a souk. Seeds are believed to be one of the earliest items to be traded in the world. Credit: Getty Images)

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

In our second programme looking at the future of the world's ports, we head to the South American country at the centre of a global tug-of-war between China and the US.One key infrastructure project, in the small Peruvian fishing town of Chancay, is caught in the middle. We speak to businesses and locals about what's happening.Produced by Natalie Jiminez Presented by Ritika Gupta(Image: Aerial view of the Chancay "megaport" in the small town of Chancay, 78km north of the Peruvian capital Lima, in October 2024.Credit: Getty Images)

In October 2024, dockworkers in the US went on strike for three days.Members of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) walked out at 14 major ports along the east and Gulf coasts, halting container traffic from Maine to Texas.A tentative agreement was made over wages, and they've just returned to the bargaining table to negotiate "all other outstanding issues".This includes plans to introduce automation to the ports.In the first of two programmes looking at the future of ports, we head to the Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where the port has been using automation since the 1990s - and to Cape Town in South Africa which is looking for solutions to its efficiency issues.Presented and produced by Matthew Kenyon, with additional reporting from Mohammed Allie.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk(Picture: Shipping containers are transported by automated guided vehicles (AGV) beside gantry cranes on the dockside at the Delta Terminal at the Port of Rotterdam in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Credit: Getty Images)

At the end of October 2024, deadly flash floods and torrential rain hit the Valencia region of Spain. More than 220 people were killed. As well as claiming lives, the disaster also devastated livelihoods. Valencia's chamber of commerce estimates that 48,000 companies have been affected.Ashish Sharma visited the region shortly after the flooding, to speak to businesses and workers affected. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukProduced and presented by Ashish Sharma(Image: Residents clean up a mud-and-debris-covered street after flooding hit large parts of the country on October 31, 2024 in the Paiporta municipality of Valencia, Spain. Credit: Getty Images)

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

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

We explore the ongoing fascination of the Lehman Brothers story.A play - The Lehman Trilogy - is currently being shown in London to five-star reviews.It documents the rise and fall of the financial services firm, which filed for bankruptcy in 2008 - the largest insolvency in history, and considered a defining moment in the global financial crisis. The play has been seen by half a million theatregoers globally - and now Business Daily has been to watch it too. We speak to the cast, adapting playwright, and the audience about the story's appeal. Produced and presented by Elizabeth Hotson(Image: Howard W. Overshown performs the role of Emanuel Lehman during a media preview of The Lehman Trilogy at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, in February 2024)

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

Skincare used to appeal to an older demographic, often with the aim of slowing down visible signs of ageing. But as trends in skincare have evolved, with ever more products on the market, the audience has grown too. Children as young as eight are now saving up their pocket money to buy different creams, serums and moisturizers. But some of these products contain active ingredients, not designed for their young skin - and this can lead to problems. Dermatologists have told the BBC they're seeing children with dermatitis and other skin conditions who have used certain products. Today, we take a look at why young people are becoming obsessed with skincare, and what could be done to protect these young consumers from buying unsuitable products. (Picture: 11 year-old Tilly, from the UK, sitting at her vanity desk. Credit: BBC)Presented and produced by Hannah Mullane

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

Upasana Taku is the co-founder of an app that changed the way millions of Indians use digital technology to make payments. Mobikwik now has more than a 150 million registered users. When Upasana set up the business in 2009 with her co-founder Bipin Preet Singh, India was still a cash-dependant society, but having worked for big tech companies in the US, Upasana knew there was a gap in the market. Devina Gupta asks her about her decision to leave a high-powered job in the US to move back to India to start a fintech company, and how she convinced both investors and her family that it was a smart business move.Presenter/producer: Devina Gupta(Photo: Upasana Taku. Credit: Mobikwik)

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

In July, South Africa unveiled a new coalition government, after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party lost its majority in May's elections.The coalition was welcomed by the business community who said it would ensure economic stability.So what's happened since? And will any optimism last?We hear about a reduction in power cuts - also known as loadshedding - and positivity on the stock market, as well as young people who are looking forward to the future.Produced and presented by Rob Young(Image: A worker connects a diesel generator to supply power to a sports complex during loadshedding in Frankfort, South Africa, in June 2023)

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

Donald Trump's return to the White House has raised big questions about what he'll do to the US' growing green energy sector. On the campaign trail he promised to undo Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, the biggest piece of climate legislation in US history. The IRA gives incentives and tax breaks for green industries and has created hundreds of thousands of jobs, many of those in Republican voting states. President-elect Trump also pledged to end offshore wind "on day one" and reverse emissions rules aimed at increasing the number of electric cars on America's roads.Will he keep those promises? And what of the influence of Elon Musk, the world's richest man, now in Donald Trump's inner circle? Is he worrying about what a Trump presidency might mean for his car company Tesla and will he be lobbying behind the scenes on behalf of electric vehicles?We hear what people in those sectors think will happen under Trump 2.0. Can the renewables industry survive or even grow over the next four years?Produced and presented by Lexy O'Connor(Image: President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk talk during a UFC event in New York. Credit Chris Unger / Getty Images)

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

Earlier this year, Manchester City midfielder Rodri issued a warning that players were "close" to taking strike action over their increased workload.Rodri played 63 competitive games for club and country last season. But a recent report found that a player welfare 'red line' was a maximum of between 50 and 60 matches per season, depending on a player's age.Some of the game's biggest names have joined Rodri in threatening to walk out, and the union that represents them is launching legal action against the sport's governing body, FIFA.But there's a lot of money invested in football, so what's the likelihood the sport might change to stop players feeling over-stretched? And is strike action likely or even possible?(Picture: Empty stadium with floodlights shining down on a football on the pitch. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Matt Lines

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

Ghana is a global gold mining powerhouse and Africa's biggest producer. The informal mining sector of gold – known locally as “galamsey” - is a big election issue here. There have been recent marches demanding tougher action against illegal miners in Accra. But illegal mining is also a major source of employment. More than a million Ghanaians make their living from galamsey. We hear from local galamsey miners and look at the negative impact this industry is having on both the workers in terms of health, the environment, and the wider community. (Picture: Man holding a bucket in an open-pit gold mine in Ghana.)Presented and produced by Ed Butler

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

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

Advent calendars have evolved from the simple cardboard doors or chocolate treats to a multimillion-dollar premium industry; with major companies using them as a powerful brand awareness tool.We find out why the design of an advent calendar is more important than ever, with many retailers investing in appearance and reusability; and we hear from environmental groups who are still concerned about the amount of waste.Plus - are the products in these more extravagant calendars actually worth the money?(Picture: An apartment window decorated with advent calendar and traditional electric Christmas candlestick. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Deborah Weitzmann

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

We’re in Delhi, looking at the impact of extreme pollution levels on workers and businesses in recent weeks. Non-essential trucks have been banned from going into the city, and offices have asked 50% of staff to work from home. Local markets, cafes and restaurants, as well as shopping malls, have seen a 20-30% decline in foot traffic.Meanwhile labourers, rickshaw pullers, delivery riders and other workers paid a daily wage, have no choice but to go outside to earn a living. In neighbouring Pakistan, air pollution has also far exceeded safe levels. We hear how people in Lahore are coping.Presented and produced by Devina Gupta

We look at England and Wales' new cricket format - which is now up for sale.The one hundred ball format was designed to attract news fans to the game. Each team is tied to a UK city or region and the first tournament was held in 2021. Now the organisers are selling a 49% stake in each of the teams, and they're hoping to attract Indian investment, liked to the IPL.So will it pay off?Produced and presented by Alex Capstick(Image: Jofra Archer bowling during The Hundred Men's Final at Lord's, London in August 2024. Credit: Steven Paston/PA Wire)

The legendary sprinter revolutionised athletics with his unique running style and record-breaking performances. Michael Johnson is a four-time Olympic gold medallist who earned millions of dollars through prize money and sponsorships.Now he's back with a plan to transform athletics with the Grand Slam Track league — a new competition featuring a $12.6 million prize fund. He's hoping it will elevate financial opportunities for today's athletes and ignite inspiration for future generations. Produced and presented by Sam Fenwick. (Image: Michael Johnson carries the American Flag after winning gold in the Men's 200m during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Credit: Mike Hewitt /Allsport/Getty Images)

It’s a place where people meet to network and make connections - and most people have never set foot in one. These exclusive establishments, in cities around the world, are reportedly more popular than ever. So what goes on behind those hallowed doors? And how can people get in?We look at the history of these exclusive clubs, find out how to join, and ask whether they have a future. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukProduced and presented by Elizabeth Hotson(Image: Members of the Harvard Club use the lounge to read and socialise in 2022, in the midtown neighborhood of New York City. Credit: Getty Images)

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

A year ago, the Commonwealth Games looked dead and buried. The Australian state of Victoria had pulled out of hosting the 2026 edition due to spiralling costs, and in Canada, the province of Alberta had stepped back from bidding for the 2030 edition. But now Scotland’s biggest city, Glasgow, has ridden to the rescue, agreeing to host the 2026 Games. It says its scaled back, lower-budget model for doing so could encourage poorer countries to do the same in the future. How realistic is that? Is Glasgow 2026 the last hurrah for an anachronistic sporting event, inextricably tied to the British empire, or does it really represent a fresh start?(Picture: A Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026 delegation in Glasgow, UK. Credit: BBC)Presented and produced by Gideon Long

The Suez Canal was once one of the busiest global shipping routes – a third of the world's shipping containers normally pass through it. Since the Houthis began to attack passing ships last year, the volume of vessels going through has declined rapidly.The canal is run by the Egyptian government, and fewer ships means less foreign currency coming into the economy.And it’s not just revenue from ships that Egypt is losing, it’s also losing tourists, as many people cancel their trips and spend their dollars elsewhere. We speak to businesses in Cairo to see how they’re being impacted by these changes, and ask, as Egypt loses out, are other countries winning? Presented and produced by Hannah Mullane (Image: A ship transits the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea on November 3, 2024 in Egypt. Credit: Getty Images)

It was on a university trip that Kenyan entrepreneur Joseph Nguthiru first came across water hyacinth in Lake Naivasha.It is an incredibly harmful and invasive weed that is currently blocking waterways and devastating fish populations all over the world. Joseph, who was an engineering student at the time, tells us how he came up with a solution to use the plant as a material for making packaging - and how he's founded a successful business, HyaPak Ecotech, as a result. Produced and presented by Zawadi Mudibo(Image: Fishermen removing water hyacinth from the net in Lake Victoria in Kisumu, western Kenya in 2018)

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

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

Climate change is changing the way winemakers plan, harvest and make their product. On the Greek island of Santorini we find out how new techniques of vine planting are helping to preserve water amid more frequent drought conditions. Investors in England have realised areas in the south of country have similar weather conditions to Champagne in France, 30 years ago. Plus we hear from experts in France and Australia to discover different methods the industry is using, and find out how new businesses are advising the global wine industry to ensure its survival in a changing world.Produced and presented by Daniel Rosney(Image: A picker throws the collected grapes from the vine in a tank at the Gusbourne Estate, Appledore near Ashford, England on October 28, 2022. Credit: Getty Images)

Attracted by Argentina’s right-wing libertarian president Javier Milei, and fearful of political breakdown and even the prospect of a widescale war in the northern hemisphere, some US citizens say they are planning to move to the South American nation to start afresh. We speak to a few of them, and to an Argentine tech entrepreneur who left his country years ago due to its political and economic instability, but who is now spending more time there – attracted by Milei’s promises to slash the state.What will these converts to Argentina find there, and will it match their expectations? (Picture: Argentina's president, Javier Milei, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Natalio Cosoy

Colonel Chris Hadfield is a former fighter pilot who became an astronaut and served as a commander of the International Space Station (ISS). While in orbit he became a social media star, posting breath-taking pictures of earth, as well as videos demonstrating practical science and playing his guitar. These days, the Canadian invests in businesses and has written several best-selling fiction and non-fiction books.In this programme, Chris Hadfield tells Russell Padmore how he was influenced by Star Trek, and the Apollo missions to the moon, as a child. He outlines why he welcomes private investment in space and he explains how he has become known for being the musical star in orbit.(Picture: Chris Hadfield with a night sky in the background. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Russell Padmore

They’re the kind of mega vessels which only a handful of people on the planet can afford. We go to the Netherlands, where building and maintaining the most expensive yachts in the world is big business. We visit Dutch yacht builder Heesen to look at the intricate design of these vessels, their opulence, and the huge amounts of money involved in building and selling them. Plus we hear from those who actually help put the boats together.And we get an expert view on the importance of the Superyacht sector to the country's overall maritime industry, and hear how politics, public perceptions, regulation and international sanctions have impacted the industry in recent years.Presented and produced by Matthew Kenyon(Image: Vida superyacht 55m built by Heesen Yachts and owned by Brooks Smith moored in Malaga, Spain in April 2023 (Photo by John Keeble/Getty Images)

It's a familiar feature of our oceans and beaches and yet its environmental impact has largely been overlooked. Now supporters say seaweed can help us address climate change by reducing our reliance on fertilisers, and by reducing the methane emissions produced by cows. On top of that, proponents say a new material produced from the sugars in seaweed could provide a biodegradable alternative to the millions of tonnes of single-use plastic we throw away each year. No wonder the World Bank is predicting a global seaweed boom worth $12bn this decade.We hear from scientists and entrepreneurs from Australia to Zanzibar who say we are only just beginning to understand the exciting possibilities posed by this ubiquitous underwater species. The Irish folk tune Dúlamán, about the island’s traditional seaweed gatherers, is used with the permission of musician Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh. Produced and presented by Vivienne Nunis. (Picture: Seaweed farm. Sumbawa. Indonesia. Credit: Getty Images)

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

In this programme, we look at some of the key issues for voters in the crucial, so-called ‘swing states’ in the 2024 US Presidential Election. From Pennsylvania and the battle for blue-collar workers’ votes in Pittsburgh, to the cost of living in Nevada and the auto industry in Michigan. While for voters in Georgia, housing is proving to be a key issue. We hear from people in each of these states about what matters to them and what could bring in those crucial votes for each candidate. Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Hannah Mullane(Picture: A 'Welcome to Nevada' road sign next to a Nevada State boundary sign. Credit: Getty Images)

On the character's 50th birthday, we hear from the boss of the Japanese company which created her. Sanrio CEO Tomokuni Tsuji took over from his grandfather who founded the company in Japan. The company struggled to be profitable for years - we find out how under the leadership of Tomokuni Tsuji, the brand has grown to a trillion yen company, and speak about some of the challenges around counterfeits.Produced and presented by Mariko Oi(Image: A woman poses with Hello Kitty plushies at the exhibition CUTE in London, United Kingdom on January 24, 2024. Credit: Getty Images)

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

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

It has already inspired the hit HBO television series Succession, but now Rupert Murdoch’s family drama is playing out in real life in a courtroom in the US state of Nevada. The 93-year-old media mogul is trying to change the terms of a family trust he made years ago that states that after his death, his four eldest children should get equal voting rights in his empire. Murdoch wants to alter it to give his eldest son Lachlan greater control. We hear from outside the courtroom, look back at Murdoch’s extraordinary career, and talk to two people who know the Murdoch family story well. And we reflect on what the court case might mean for one of the world’s most powerful media empires. (Picture: Rupert Murdoch arriving at a courthouse in Reno, Nevada. Credit: Reuters)Presented and produced by Gideon Long

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

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

In today’s episode we look at some ingenious solutions to water related problems. We start our aquatic journey by going on a tour of one of Victorian England’s most important feats of engineering. We discover a cheap and easy way to test for water quality, and learn about one of the biggest and most ambitious flood defence and general infrastructure projects in the world. And we hear how a water and sanitation engineer in Nairobi, Kenya, is trying to prevent huge volumes of H2O being wasted in leaks.(Image: The Octagon at Crossness Pumping Station, London. Credit: P. Scrimshaw)Presented and produced by Elizabeth Hotson

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

The US presidential election on 5 November 2024 will have major consequences for its neighbours, Canada and Mexico. Trade, immigration, and diplomatic relations all hinge on the election's outcome. This episode explores how the two countries are preparing for either a Donald Trump or Kamala Harris presidency. From business owners and farmers to international trade specialists, we learn what is at stake for North America’s economies.Presenter: Sam Gruet Production: Sam Gruet and Megan Lawton(Photo: Canadian farmer Dave Braden who produces organic grass-fed beef from his 50-acre Ontario farm. Credit: Megan Lawton)

Theo Leggett reports on the latest trends and concerns preoccupying the automobile industry at this year’s Paris Motor Show. Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers have established that they can manufacture vehicles more cheaply than their European counterparts, and now they are looking to move into that market. Theo hears from Chinese and French car manufacturers about what this will mean for consumers. China is not the only country selling EVs to European consumers, a big American name is reviving a classic brand with a new electric offering. And in a city where driving and parking is always a challenge, Theo checks out the latest solution – a tiny car produced by a toy manufacturer.Producer/presenter: Theo Leggett(Photo: visitors browsing the manufacturer displays at the Paris Motor Show 2024. Credit: Nathan Laine/Getty Images)

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

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

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

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

People have been participating in mass rallies in India seeking justice for a young medical trainee who was raped and murdered in a hospital. It’s put a spotlight once again on women’s safety at work - particularly for those women doing night shifts. There are laws to protect women from sexual harassment in the workplace, but campaigners say it can be slow to get justice. So what more can be done to improve women's safety and encourage female participation in the workforce? We talk to some night shift workers about their experiences.(Picture: Activists and medical professionals shout slogans during a protest march to condemn the rape and murder of a doctor. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Devina Gupta

Ruth Alexander talks to Nagi Maehashi, founder of the hit food site, RecipeTin Eats. Back in 2014, Nagi gave up a high-flying job in corporate finance to start her blog. The gamble paid off and her blog now gets half a billion hits a year. She is also the author of two cookery books.Nagi tells Ruth what those early days were like, how she built the business, and what mistakes she made along the way.Plus - we hear about the crucial role of the blog's co-star Dozer, Nagi's much-loved Golden Retriever. (Picture: Nagi Maehashi with her dog Dozer, surrounded by print-outs of her recipes. Credit: Rob Palmer)Presenter: Ruth Alexander Producer: Lexy O'Connor

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

The minimalist, flat-packed furniture company has revolutionised living spaces globally. Originating from a small Swedish farm in the 1940s, it quickly grew and gained household recognition in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, Ikea stands as the world's largest furniture retailer. We speak to CEO Jesper Brodin to explore Ikea's brand evolution and its ability to adapt to consumer trends over the span of eight decades. And how realistic are its sustainability targets?Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer Amber Mehmood(Image: Jesper Brodin. Credit: Getty Images/ Archive Credit: British Pathé, Homes Limited 1945)

Islands around the world rely on ships as their lifeline service - for everything from their domestic supplies, to making hospital visits, as well as supporting vital industries like tourism. When the services go down, for weather or technical reasons, these remote communities are cut off from the mainland, with no back-up option. We hear from opposite sides of the world - Scotland and New Zealand - where unreliable car ferries disrupt the daily lives of residents and visitors.And we hear from a company running one island ferry service that's working to improve its reliability. (Picture: Caledonian MacBrayne ferry coming into Brodick harbour, Scotland.)Presented and produced by Neil Morrow

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

Carl Allen is a multi-millionaire former businessman who ran a trash bag company in the US. He's now the owner of an island in the Bahamas, a philanthropist and deep-sea treasure hunter, scouring the seabed for sunken Spanish galleons, slave ships and long-lost treasure. He tells us about his relentless search for one Spanish galleon that’s fired his imagination for the past 40 years. We discuss the ethics of treasure hunting and his belief that the best way to bring up relics from the bottom of the ocean is through PPPs - public-private partnerships. Produced and presented by Gideon Long(Image: Carl Allen on a boat with some treasure. Image credit: Brendan Chavez at Allen Exploration)

There are more than three million vessels on the world's sea beds, and plenty of explorers looking for them. But if they find something valuable, do they get to keep it? We talk to an arbitration lawyer about the laws governing the sea, and hear from maritime archaeologists about the perils of rummaging around on the ocean floor, disturbing long-sunken wrecks that offer a priceless glimpse into history. Some say we should leave these ships be, especially when they’re graveyards. Others say we should bring them to the surface, put them in museums to educate people, make money from them and perhaps even sell off some of their treasure.Produced and presented by Gideon Long(Image: A diver looks at a shipwreck. Credit: Getty Images)

In the first of our three part series looking at the money behind shipwrecks, we start with what's been called "the most valuable shipwreck in the world".The San José is a Spanish galleon sunk by the British off the Colombian coast more than 300 years ago.The treasure onboard is estimated to be worth $18bn, which means plenty of people are looking for it, and trying to lay claim to it. A salvage company, the Colombians, the Spanish and a Bolivian indigenous community all say the shipwreck and treasure is theirs. We hear their claims and find out more about this "holy grail of shipwrecks".Presented and produced by Gideon Long.(Image: Wagner's action of Cartagena (depicting the moment the San Jose exploded) by Samuel Scott. Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London)

It’s the second largest landmass in the world, famous for its lakes and spectacular forests, yet Canada’s travel industry has faced challenges since the Covid pandemic hit in 2020. International visitor numbers still haven't recovered, and extreme weather events like wildfires have destroyed some of its best-known resorts. Plus difficult diplomatic relations have meant a reduction in tourists from a key market - China.But Canada’s government says it has a plan for the sector which is worth $38bn CAD to Canada’s GDP.We’ll hear about it from the country’s tourism minister and from business owners and tourists too.Presenter/producer: Megan Lawton(Photo: Jack Rivers is an indigenous cultural guide on Manitoulin Island, he runs tours around the Wiikwemkoong Reserve)

As the world gradually adopts 5G, there’s already talk of the next generation. It’ll be around 2030 before 6G arrives, but network operators in Japan and South Korea are gearing up. Meanwhile, some predict that 6G will render smartphones obsolete within a decade. Devices like sensors, displays, drones and electronics in vehicles will spontaneously create their own networks, sending and receiving at super-fast data rates and low latency. So, why the early excitement over 6G? How should businesses be preparing and what difference will it make to our lives?Presenter: Gareth Mitchell Reporter: Michael Kaloki Producer: Izzy Greenfield(Image: A person holds a mobile phone next to a cell tower. Credit: Getty Images)

Ever been stuck in a meeting drowning in buzzwords? Terms like "synergies", "low-hanging fruit" or "deliverables"? They're just a few examples of corporate jargon. A lexicon of colourful metaphors, buzzwords and acronyms that you’d never use with friends or family but have become common parlance in the world of international business. Workplace lingo might serve as a useful industry short-hand, or a way to gel with colleagues, but it can also irritate, obscure meaning or even hide unpleasant truths. And it's more prevalent than ever. In this episode, we team up with our colleagues at BBC Learning English to explore the origins and purpose of corporate language and why we love to hate it; hearing from workplace culture and linguistics experts, professionals in the City of London, a plain-talking CEO, and some of you - the BBC World Service audience.(Picture: Business people looking at sticky notes on a glass board as part of an upskill workshop. Credit: Getty Images.)Presenters: Ed Butler and Pippa Smith Producer: Elisabeth MahyWant to learn more about this topic? Click on Related links or go to: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/business-jargon/240925

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

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

Billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, as well companies like Boeing, believe a future where more satellites are put in orbit, alongside new space stations, as well as plans for bases on the moon, will prove very profitable.But it is not proving easy for Boeing in particular, following problems with its Starliner space craft on its maiden flight to the International Space Station.We hear from astrophysicists, companies that advise on space investment, and former astronaut Cady Coleman. Produced and presented by Russell Padmore(Image: Artist's concept of the Boeing Starliner craft travelling in Earth orbit. Credit: Boeing)

Vietnam has enjoyed more than 6% annual growth every year for the last thirty years or more, a staggering growth path, transforming one of Asia’s poorest economies into a major global trading hub. It's now one of the world’s top twenty economies. But are there challenges ahead. A high-profile anti-corruption drive, extreme weather events, and the death of its long-term leader have raised questions about the country’s path to prosperity.(Picture: Aerial view of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, at night, showing high-rise buildings, the Landmark 81 supertall skyscraper, and transport networks. Credit: Getty Images.) Presented and produced by Ed Butler

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

Tech titan Elon Musk says he’s backing Donald Trump to win the US election this November. But is he representative of what the wider industry thinks? And what does Silicon Valley, traditionally a Democratic heartland, want from either a Kamala Harris or a Donald Trump presidency? We explore what the two presidential candidates are offering this important sector of the US economy.(Picture: A smartphone screen shows the live broadcast of the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. A hand painted sign above it says ‘Trump or Harris?’ Credit: VCG/VCG via Getty Images.)Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Lexy O'Connor

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

From Paraguay to Portugal, Tokyo to Tel Aviv, more than 80 cities and countries around the world have introduced a ‘mayor for the night’. Several more are trying to introduce 24-hour zones to their nightlife – allowing alcohol to be served all day and night. But what are the benefits?We take you to the dancefloors of Montreal, Canada’s largest French-speaking city, where the local government is introducing a 24-hour zone. We travel to Berlin, the club capital of the world, where all-nighters have been the order of business since 1949.And we stop by Amsterdam to find out how electing a night mayor has boosted tourism and led to a drop in anti-social behaviour. (Image: Montreal at night. Credit: Catrine Daoust)Presented and produced by Sam Gruet

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

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

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

RMS Titanic sank on 15 April 1912 claiming the lives of more than 1500 people. Just over 700 survived the disaster. The events surrounding the sinking of the luxury ocean liner, the identities of those on board, plus the stories of heroism and heartbreak on the night have generated global fascination in the vessel, which continues to this day. And that interest in Titanic has generated huge commercial appeal and revenue - for writers, film and documentary makers, museums and auction houses.We examine how some mysteries surrounding the doomed ship continue to spawn so many, varied business ventures around the world - and the ethical questions that arise from the continued fascination in the Titanic story. (Picture: Woman looking down at some binoculars inside a glass case at a Titanic exhibition in Paris, France. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Russell Padmore

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

The campaign teams supporting Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in the race to the White House are expected to spend a total of more than $10 billion.A journalist with the CBS network, Larry Magid, explains why most of the money will be spent on political advertising on television. Professor Natasha Lindstaedt, from the University of Essex explains analyses why spending on American political campaigns continues to escalate. The marketing expert, Allyson Stewart Allen, explains how the creative teams behind the political messages have learned lessons from advertising products like a new brand of drink. We also hear from Robin Porter, the Head of Political at Loop Me on how the company’s artificial intelligence is helping to target voters, notably in swing states.Produced and presented by Russell Padmore(Image: Voters in Santa Monica. Credit: Getty Images)

They’re the 300 dollar subscription fitness bands being worn by a host of celebrity-backers in 2024. But who is the business leader behind the billion-dollar Whoop brand?The son of an Egyptian migrant to the US, Will Ahmed was always interested in sports. During his college years he started to notice the dangers of doing too much sports training. He describes this as a ‘rabbit hole’ as he began researching sleep and recovery patterns in professional athletes. This led him to create a fitness tracker company that is a 3.4 billion dollar venture today, attracting famous athlete-investors like Michael Phelps and Cristiano Ronaldo and taking on established names in fitness tech like Apple, Google, Garmin and Fitbit. We hear how he did it, and what challenges he’s faced along the way. (Picture: Will Ahmed in his office, wearing a Whoop device. Credit: Whoop)Presented and produced by Devina Gupta

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

Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande and even Donald Trump have signed up to the manifesting philosophy - the trend in believing that dreams can come true if you envision a positive outcome. But does it hold the secret to financial and professional success or is it a pseudoscientific fad? And what's behind the meteoric rise of this new-age practice?From books and podcasts to thousands of creators and videos on social media, Megan Lawton traces the history, investigates the methods and explores the latest wave of this 'positive mindset phenomenon'.Presented and produced by Megan Lawton(Picture: Alicia Tghlian runs manifesting platform, Growth for Girlies, from her condo in Toronto, Canada.)

As many countries and cities around the world rally against over tourism, we're in Albania which is investing huge sums in growing its infrastructure to welcome visitors in.The UN ranks Albania 4th globally for tourism growth and it places top spot in the European list of countries. Around 14 million visitors are expected in 2024 but with a tourism boom comes huge investment, construction and a changing economy, but at what cost to the environment? We hear about plans to build a luxury resort - funded by Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner - and travel to a construction site for a new airport serving the coastal resorts.Produced and presented by Daniel Rosney(Image: Aerial view of a crowded sand beach with umbrellas and lots of people at sunset in Ksamil, southern Albania. Credit: Getty Images)

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

It is transfer deadline day for football's most competitive league - the Premier League - when clubs can add players to their squad who were previously under contract with another club.In the cut and thrust of football's transfer market are the agents. Among them, Kees Vos - who has been described as one of the most influential figures in world football. As agent to Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, he is said to control the ins and outs of the club.Matt Lines talks to him about the stories behind the headline transfer sagas and how the industry has changed during his 20 years in the business.(Photo: Kees Vos. Credit: SEG Entertainment)Presented/produced by Matt Lines

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

Cities and countries across the world are bringing in measures to restrict the type of lets popularised by companies like Airbnb and Vrbo.The regulations are to address concerns that homes in tourist areas are being used by visitors rather than being available for local people to rent on a long-term basis. We hear from Barcelona where its hoped thousands of flats will now be available for local people, and we're also in Halifax in Canada, where restrictions been in place for nearly a year. Produced and presented by Rick Kelsey(Image: A couple pressing a doorbell on a street in Spain. Credit: Getty Images)

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

The US-based lawyer and managing partner at litigation firm Wisner Baum, in Los Angeles, has made his name taking on large pharmaceutical companies in high-stakes legal battles. He is the youngest attorney in US history to win a multi-billion dollar jury verdict. We hear how Brent transitioned from child actor, to successful lawyer, and how one ground-breaking case has now caught the attention of film-makers.(Picture: Brent Wisner delivers opening remarks in the Monsanto trial in San Francisco, California on July, 09, 2018. Credit: Getty Images)Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: Amber Mehmood

We’re in Manisa on Turkey’s west coast. It’s one of the country’s manufacturing centres for home appliances like washers, dryers, and refrigerators. But soon, thanks to a $1bn investment deal, it will also be a local factory hub for China’s BYD - the world’s second biggest maker of electric vehicles. The Turkish government is desperate for international investment to turn around its economy, and the region would benefit from 5,000 jobs. China is keen to get another foothold into the European market. So is it win-win?Produced and presented by: Victoria Craig(Image: BYD vehicles in Istanbul as the Chinese automotive giant announced a huge factory investment. Credit: Getty Images)

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

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

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

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

As Spain's La Liga gets underway, we explore the global advertising appeal and earning potential of one of its newest football stars.Jude Bellingham is a 21-year-old midfielder from England who plays for Real Madrid, and he's hitting the peak of his career. The face of several brands, with major endorsement deals and more courting his attention, we explore his global advertising appeal, and how he might manage these partnerships while still focusing on his game.Presented and produced by Matt Lines(Image: Jude Bellingham holding the UEFA Champion's League trophy on 1 June 2024. Credit: Getty Images)

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

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

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

As prices for homes and rents continue to rise in many towns and cities, it's one of the key issues for voters.In 2023 the average price of a home in the United States was $495,100, six per cent higher than a year earlier, though the signs are prices may now be starting to fall. That’s partly because mortgage rates have spiralled as high as 7% for many new buyers – making repayments prohibitive. We ask business owners working in housing to tell us why, and what’s the fix? Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: David Cann(Image: A "Now Leasing" sign outside the Willows at Valley Run, an affordable housing development, in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Credit: Getty Images)

Have you decided when you'd like to retire? Will it be your choice, or is there a set age in your country or profession? More than a million people took part in protests in France last year when the government proposed an increase to the retirement age without a vote. Age has also played a big factor in the replacement of Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate. So is a fixed retirement age a good idea – or workplace outdated? Should it be more fluid – a matter of personal choice? Presenter: David Harper Producer: Victoria Hastings(Image: Two women holding up placards that read, '64years it's no' march during a nation wide strike called for by French trade unions, in Rennes, northwest France on January 19, 2023. Credit: Damien Meyer/AFP via Getty Images)

Four sportsmen have reached 10 figures according to financial magazine Forbes.However the wealthiest sportswoman, tennis star Serena Williams, could triple her wealth and not get there.We speak to agent Stuart Duguid, who looks after four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, who tells us how elite sportswomen are investing their money and what barriers there are to growing their fortunes.We ask if, and when it might happen, and what that would mean for women’s sport.Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Matt Lines(Serena Williams playing in the 2022 US Open. Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images)

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

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

Football clubs must work under a strict policy of Financial Fair Play - or FFP - but what does it mean? And how does it work? With the summer transfer window now open, clubs are in business, buying and selling players. But football’s governing bodies are keeping a close eye on how much they spend.We take a look at how top-flight clubs in the Spanish league, La Liga, are managing the financial constraints. (Image: Real Madrid unveils new signing, Kylian Mbappe, at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Spain, in July 2024. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Ashish Sharma.

More than 25 years after the Kosovo war, a music festival in the capital Pristina is hoping to change the image of the country around the world by inviting international artists and fans to learn more about the country’s cultural scene. Sunny Hill Festival is organised by global pop star Dua Lipa and her dad Dugi, who’s from Pristina.They are using their industry contacts to bring acts like Bebe Rexha, Stormzy and Burna Boy to party with tens of thousands of people, as well as inviting top industry experts. But more than 15 years after Kosovo declared independence, could politicians be doing more to help boost the country’s music scene rather than relying on the Lipa family? Produced and presented by Daniel Rosney(Dua Lipa performs on stage with her father Dukagjin Lipa during her first concert held in her hometown Pristina in 2016)

We look at Japan's policy to boost its economy by getting more women into the workforce. It was announced back in 2013 by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and dubbed 'Womenomics'.Mr Abe gave a deadline of 2020 to significantly increase the number of women in leadership roles. But that date quietly came and went without the target even getting close.However could things could be starting to change? Japan Airlines new CEO Mitsuko Tottori is a woman, and that has restarted conversations. We hear from her, and from young women in the country about their hopes for the future. Produced and presented by Mariko Oi(Image: Mitsuko Tottori, chief executive officer of Japan Airlines Co. Credit: Getty Images)

We hear from 4-time Olympic gold medallist Libby Trickett and her entrepreneurial husband Liam.Libby Trickett (Lenton) competed for Australia at the highest level, winning gold in the pool in Beijing and London. At the height of her swimming career she married fellow swimmer Luke Trickett, who had left the sport and was using the skills he'd learnt as an athlete to enter the business world.We hear how the Global Financial Crisis inspired Luke’s entrepreneurial spirit. And through it all, how teamwork has been their ultimate key to success in transitioning to new careers after retiring from competitive sports. Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Amber Mehmood Editor: Lis Mahy(Photo: Libby and Luke Trickett. Credit: Getty Images)

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

The running shoe industry is worth around $50bn across the world, with more and more of us taking part in the sport.With more popularity comes more competition, so what are brands doing to keep consumers interested? We ask the chief marketing officer at Swiss sportswear company, ON, and find out how it helps sales when a top athlete wears their shoes.And as the debate around 'super shoes' rumbles on, are they really worth the expensive price tag? US marathon winner Kellyn Taylor tells us about the pros and cons of carbon plated shoes - which played a big role in marathon records being smashed in 2023.Presented and produced by Izzy Greenfield.(This programme was first broadcast in January 2024. Picture: Runners on a race track. Credit: Getty Images)

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

People arriving at Paris’s Orly Airport for the 2024 Olympic games will be able to take an underground train straight to Saint-Denis where most of the Olympic action is taking place.It's thanks to a line extension that opened on June 24. And that is just the ‘hors d’oeuvre’. The Grand Paris Express is a metro expansion on a massive scale whose aim is to transform the city from a normal-sized European capital to a metropolis the size of London. What could it do for the Parisian, and French, economies?(Image: Saint-Denis–Pleyel station in Paris, France. Copyright: Société des grands projets / Kengo Kuma & Associates / Sylvain Cambon)Presented and produced by John Laurenson

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

For decades, Nigeria has struggled to grow its domestic automotive industry while vehicles made by manufacturers from Japan, Korea, Europe and the US have dominated. But critics say many of those cars are not suitable for Nigeria’s roads. Lately, there has been a surge of “made in Nigeria” brands, of vehicles manufactured and assembled locally, which have been designed with the country’s challenging road conditions in mind.But as Nigerians are gearing up to the idea of replacing their trusted foreign brands with local alternatives, China has introduced a range of vehicles tailored to the Nigerian market - but cheaper.(Image: A Nord Tank SUV. Credit: Tobi Ajayi)Presented and produced by Peter Macjob

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

We head to Montreal, host city of the Canadian F1 Grand Prix. It's the country's largest tourist event, with an estimated 345,000 fans attending in 2023.And the sport is growing in popularity, thanks in part to the Netflix series, Drive to Survive. So how valuable is a Grand Prix to a country's economy? And which other cities are trying to get in on the action?Produced and presented by Megan Lawton (Image: The start of the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec on 9 June 2024. Credit: Getty Images)

Some cities around the world have decided to make public transport free. Services can range from local bus routes to shopping malls to city-wide transit. We're in the rich nation of Luxembourg which became the first country to introduce free public transport nationally, as well as in Delhi where women can travel for free in an effort to boost the numbers of women in the workforce. We're also hearing from Kansas City where the funding model is running out for a scheme introduced four years ago. Produced and presented by Daniel RosneyImage:A woman boards a bus in New Delhi in October 2019, following a Delhi goverment travel scheme distributing free bus tickets for women. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images)

We hear from Democrat fundraisers who are divided over whether he should pull out of the campaign for re-election.In the past week, since Joe Biden's disastrous debate performance, a number of donors have publicly warned they will withhold funds unless Mr Biden is replaced as the Democratic party candidate.Pressure on Mr Biden, 81, to step aside has grown, including from Hollywood celebrities George Clooney and Michael Douglas. However he has vowed to stay on, taking on Donald Trump, 78, in the November presidential election.Produced and presented by Ed Butler(Image: President Joe Biden speaks during a 4th of July event on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 2024 in Washington, DC. Credit: Getty Images)

Two football mad continents, Europe and South America, are competing in international tournaments at the moment. Fans are all decked out in their teams shirts - but they’re not all wearing the latest versions. In fact, sales of retro or vintage shirts are booming. Be it the iconic Italian kits of the 90s, the classic sky blue of Argentina or Nigeria’s viral world cup kit - we look into this trend and speak to the fans who are buying, and the companies cashing in.Produced and presented by Imran Rahman-Jones.Image: A fan wears a retro Eric Cantona shirt before a Manchester United match in April 2024. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

It's the biggest operation of its kind in US history, as the state tries to save its coastline which is vanishing at an alarming rate.We travel to the Mississippi River and the city of New Orleans to see how billions of dollars are being spent to fix the rapid land loss.The project to revert the Mississippi to its land-making pathways could restore ecosystems destroyed by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and create buffers to protect against sea level rise and hurricanes. The Louisiana coastline is disappearing due to human-made and natural factors, such as leveeing the Mississippi for oil and gas infrastructure, erosion, and sea-level rises.And this is having an impact on local wetlands which are eroding, leaving communities vulnerable to storm surges and flooding. Produced and presented by Beth Timmins(Image: Oyster shells painted by members of the community as part of the shorelines project )

The global alcohol industry is worth just over one and a half trillion US dollars, and celebrities want a part of it. Famous faces and their drinks brands are filling up the shelves, from model Kendall Jenner’s tequila to actor Ryan Reynolds’s gin. And it’s not just alcohol: the energy drink market is in the sights of celebrities, too. How much more are customers willing to pay for these products?In today’s episode of Business Daily, we'll ask those who stock the drinks, and those who serve them, how much difference - if any - a famous name makes, and we'll hear why celebrities and brands benefit from mutual association. (Picture: David Beckham and Kendall Jenner. Credit: Getty Images/BBC)Presented and produced by Izzy Greenfield

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

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being applied in multiple industries all around the world, and in travel, the technology has made big strides.We travel to Spain to find out how the airline Iberia and the hotel chain Iberostar are using AI to change the way they operate.At Iberostar, AI applications can analyse and predict the amount of food that restaurants will need, and hopefully reduce food waste as a result.Meanwhile, Iberia is using the tool as a personal assistant to help high-end travellers plan their trips.And we hear about some of the limitations of the technology if it's not applied properly.(Picture: Business woman with an open suitcase, preparing for a trip, while looking at her phone. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Ashish Sharma

In the midst of a snap general election, we take the opportunity to look at the state of the country’s economy. France has a huge debt burden and some business leaders are worried that the economy could worsen if Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party get into power. The French stock market has been falling since the parliamentary election was announced - although it has recovered slightly after Sunday's result. Meanwhile the parties on the left have formed a new alliance, The New Popular Front, with radical policies like increasing tax on high earners and reducing the pension age.Although we are fixated on the rise of the far right, the parties of the left formed a united block to fight RN and they have made gains in the first round of voting. We hear from a solar panel manufacturer in Paris, plus a former UK Ambassador to Paris who knows President Emmanuel Macron. And economic experts in Brussels and Frankfurt discuss the EU perspective. Presented and produced by Russell Padmore(Image: Supporters of the far-right National Rally wave French flags at the party headquarters following voting during the first round of legislative elections on 30 June 2024)

It is the biggest sporting event on the planet based on the millions of spectators who line roads for a fleeting view, but this year a shake up will mean the loss of the iconic Champs Elysees finish.We look at how a cycling race became a global money spinner - particularly for its owners, the Amaurys, one of the richest families in sport.We also visit the Maurienne valley, a regular stop off for the Tour, to find out what’s in it for sponsors and hosts. And with a new final stage ending in Nice to steer clear of the Paris Olympics, and a date clash with the French election, could 2024 see a change in fortunes for the Tour de France?Producer/presenter: Laura Heighton-Ginns(Photo: Mark Cavendish, Davide Ballerini, Elmar Reinders, Michael Morkov Dylan Groenewegen and Cees Bol competing during the 111th Tour de France 2024, Stage 2. Credit: Getty Images)

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

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

With just over a week to go until the UK General Election, we head to the seaside town of Southport in the north west of England.We speak to students and young entrepreneurs who live in the area to find out how they are feeling. We ask about the impact of inflation and a rising cost of living, and see which issues they'd like to hear the politicians talking about.It's far from a British problem - Southport could really be a microcosm of the changes and challenges facing young people in a community near you.Presenter: Will Bain Producers: Izzy Greenfield and Lexy O'Connor(Image: Business owner Leanne and manager Alex behind the till at the their shop Cake Corner)

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

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

Senegalese international and former Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy is considered a legend of football. Becoming the first African to be awarded both the UEFA and FIFA goalkeeper of the year in 2021, followed by a big money transfer deal to Saudi Arabia, Mendy has reached the very heights of the game. But football careers don't last forever, so he is diversifying, and can now add a new line on his CV - as an investor in Francophone Africa. We hear about his work on the pitch to date, what’s motivated a move into fintech, and why he thinks footballers need to plan for their future after they give up the professional game.(Image: Edouard Mendy looks on in the paddock during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia, 2024. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Peter Macjob

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

As prize money gaps between men and women begin to close in many sports, in golf, the pay disparity is still very large. Nelly Korda, winner of five consecutive tournaments, earned less than Scottie Scheffler, who won four. And although current and former players like Korda and Mel Reid have made strides in the game, there's a significant difference in the prize money they receive.A lot of the disparity has been linked to the level of investment in the game. The men’s game has seen major cash injections, such as the $2 billion from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund into LIV Golf. Sam Fenwick explores what could boost investment in the women’s game and asks current player Mel Reid and former player, Nancy Lopez, how the game can attract more funding and TV time.(Picture: A montage of Nelly Korda and Scottie Scheffler, swinging their golf clubs, against a background of a green. Credit: PA/USA Today Sports/BBC)Presented and produced by Sam Fenwick

Summer tourism in the Mediterranean is not only already in full swing but set for another bumper season.In Rhodes, "the more the merrier” is the mantra on this famed Greek isle, which is economically reliant on tourism. But the growing influx of arrivals each year alongside increasing frequency and ferocity of the annual wildfire season is posing some hard questions for locals about the need for more environmentally-friendly forms of tourism. Now, an ambitious five-year programme is underway, aimed at transforming the fourth-largest Greek island into “a beacon for sustainable tourism.” We head to Rhodes to take a look at how it is progressing, how businesses are adapting, and the way tourists are responding.Presenter/producer: Victoria Craig(Photo: Anda Karayanni of the Irene Palace Hotel, Rhodes, tending to some plants. Credit: Victoria Craig/BBC)

When is tourism good tourism, and when is it just too much?Current projections suggest global travel is going to carry on rising for the foreseeable future, as low-cost air travel and budget rentals make package holidays ever more affordable for ever more people. But from Tenerife to Venice, more and more tourist destinations are feeling the pressure of these rising visitor numbers. In holiday hotspots, local people are complaining of congested streets, rising housing costs, and environmental degradation. And some have even taken to the streets to protest about the issue. So what’s to be done?(Image: Thousands of people demonstrate against tourism policies on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain in 2024)Presented and produced by Ed Butler

23 years ago, the US multi-millionaire Dennis Tito became the world’s first-ever space tourist, funding his own trip into orbit. There was clearly money to be made, and now the lure of making space tourism more accessible to the masses is even greater - with several private companies jockeying for position. Jane Poynter’s firm is among them.It’s an industry experiencing dramatic growth – but the price of any of these trips is out of reach of most of us. We explore whether this firm could achieve its aim of launching more of us into stratospheric heights.And we hear how Jane went on her own journey: from ecologist working in the famous Biosphere 2 experiment in the early 1990s, to looking skywards and the possibilities of a career in space tourism. Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Amber Mehmood

The European country is known for its late night eating culture, the average time for an evening meal is past 9PM.One of the reasons for that is the working day across Spain which has a history of going on way into the evening.But recently the second deputy minister of Spain called this ‘madness’, saying eating so late and working late isn’t good for work-life balance. We speak to a restaurant owner and the CEO of digital agency that offers flexible working to talk about working culture and discuss how likely it is that Spain will change its habits.(Picture: Mikel López de Viñaspre, the co-founder and chief executive of the Sagardi Group of Basque restaurants. Credit: Sagardi Group)Presented and produced by Hannah Mullane

Why does being on your own seem so expensive? The number of unmarried, divorced, widowed or unattached people is growing worldwide. But figures suggest it is more financial costly to be single, while couples and families benefit from paying less per person. Whether it is the packaging supermarkets use, streaming service tariffs, hotel rooms - you often get a much better deal being coupled-up than not. Governments are in on the act too: offering tax breaks to couples.In this programme, we take apart the personal finances of singles; hearing from World Service listeners and financial analysts. Is it just economies of scale or are we really living in a world that penalises people on their own? And are there any financial advantages to being solo?(Picture: Senior woman looking concerned, paying bills at home on her laptop. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by David Reid

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

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

Diabetes and obesity drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro have become famous for helping users shed big amounts of weight. It's a market that could soon be worth more than $100 billion. Two companies dominate this space, Novo Nordisk which makes Ozempic and Eli Lilly, maker of Mounjaro. But with competitors desperate for a piece of the action, how long can these two giants stay in front?Leanna Byrne hears from some of the companies involved, including those at the centre of the action and those developing the next wave of treatments.Presented by Leanna Byrne and produced by Lexy O'Connor(Image: A box of the anti-obesity drug Wegovy, including injection pens. Credit: Getty Images)

In the first of a two-part series, in collaboration with The Food Chain, we look at the impact of the success of weight-loss drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk on the small country of Denmark. The Scandinavian nation is where the company is based, and with a population of less than six million people, Novo is having an outsized impact on the economy there. Denmark is now publishing separate economic statistics, minus the pharmaceutical industry. One town in particular, Kalundborg, has seen huge change since the company set up its manufacturing facility there. We look at the impact on local business; hearing from the town's residents, who now have quite different economic prospects.Presented/producer: Adrienne Murray(Photo: The headquarters of Novo Nordisk in Denmark, viewed from above. Credit: Getty Images)

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

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

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

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

It's been two months since the collapse of the key bridge in Baltimore, and the deadline to unblock the port's shipping channel is imminent. The US government has given a loose promise to make it happen by the end of May - but there are doubts that deadline will be met, causing more disruption to the local and global economy. How will businesses on sea and land find a way through more uncertainty?Izzy Greenfield speaks to small businesses who are feeling the impact; from fewer customers to disruption to supply chains.Baltimore used to rank first among US ports for autos and light trucks, handling a record 850,000 vehicles last year. Importantly, the port is where vehicles are processed and labelled to be sold domestically. We hear how the industry is seeing an immediate impact. And we learn about the struggles that transportation workers continue to face.(Image: Baltimore bridge after it collapsed in March 2024. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Izzy Greenfield

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

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

Laura Chinchilla was the first woman to serve as president of Costa Rica and one of the first in Latin America.We talk to her about what that journey to the top job in her country was like, and the challenges facing Latin America - from corruption to crime, the drugs trade, migration, the brain drain, poor governance and low economic productivity. And we consider some of the potential solutions to those problems - solutions that could help Latin America bring prosperity to its people.(Picture: Laura Chinchilla Miranda, former President of Costa Rica, speaking at a conference. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Gideon Long

Across the region, there are examples of economic success stories: countries, companies and people that are getting things right, transforming their local economies and bringing prosperity to the region.We go to Peru, where fruit producers are enjoying a blueberry boom. We hear from Uruguay, which generates almost all its electricity from renewable energy, and we visit a factory Mexico that’s benefiting from “nearshoring” and the country’s proximity to the United States.We talk to two female entrepreneurs – one from Chile and one from Colombia – on how the ecosystem for start-ups has evolved in their countries and the exciting possibilities the region has to offer.Produced and presented by Gideon Long(Image: Close-up on a worker loading baskets of blueberries on a truck at a plantation. Credit: Getty Images)

From soybean production to coffee exports to sugar cane, grains and tropical fruit - agriculture is powering the Brazilian economy.We travel to a farm outside the capital Brasilia, and look at how the country could play a major role in providing the world with food security in the years ahead.And we consider a major threat to agriculture – climate change, which is forcing Brazilian farmers to adapt to survive.We talk to the Brazilian head of the International Coffee Organisation – on what her home country can do to deal with extreme weather events.And away from agriculture, we consider Brazil’s heavy industry, and ask why it hasn’t made more of its rich musical heritage.Produced and presented by Gideon Long.(Image: Cultivation of sugarcane in the interior of the State of São Paulo. Huge areas are cultivated and after harvesting will come sugar, alcohol, drink and ethanol. Credit: Getty Images)

Go back 50 years and Latin America was generally wealthier than East Asia. But that has been reversed. While the economies of East and South East Asia have taken off, enjoying a so-called "economic miracle", Latin America’s have experienced only tepid growth, despite the region’s enormous potential. Gideon Long asks why.We go to Singapore, one of the most open and business friendly nations on earth, to visit a factory making credit cards using the latest computer chips. And we ask economists what Latin America can learn from the 'Asian Tigers'.(Image: A photograph of a tourist boat in Singapore next to a drone view shot showing buildings in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Credit: Reuters/EPA)Presented and produced by Gideon Long Reporter: Monica Miller

It's a region blessed with incredible natural resources, from copper to lithium to rich agricultural lands. It’s home to vibrant cultures, amazing music and creative and talented people.And yet it has never fulfilled its enormous economic potential. All too often it’s lurched from boom to bust, from hyperinflation to debt crises.We ask why that is. We consider corruption, crime, inequality, excessive bureaucracy and weak governance. We look at Argentina’s long decline and Venezuela’s economic implosion, and ask what Latin America can do to bring greater prosperity to its people.Produced and presented by Gideon Long(Image: A man waves an Argentine flag during the demonstration. Members of the Argentine Workers' General Confederation and social organizations protested against new Argentine President Javier Milei's economic reforms, outside the Justice Palace in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Credit: Getty Images)

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

Where next for the sometimes tricky relationship between football and crypto companies? We look at how some of the biggest clubs, and players, have embraced crypto products, and what that means for supporters. From fan engagement tokens to NFTs, advertised by the world’s biggest stars, to deals with Premier League clubs which turned out to be fraudulent. Is it putting fans in a potentially difficult financial position? Or just giving them another way to support the team they love?Produced and presented by Imran Rahman-Jones(Referee Arda Kardeşler performs the pregame toss with a coin bearing the Bitcoin logo for a match between Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe on May 8, 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey. Credit: Getty Images)

Picture a rock 'n' roll icon like Jimmy Page, or Jimi Hendrix, and they've probably got an electric guitar in their hands.But, as classic rock - and classic rockers - continue to age, is the guitar industry struggling to attract younger customers?In six years, electric guitar company Gibson has gone from filing for bankruptcy to opening its first flagship store outside the US. We hear from Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, Grammy nominated singer James Bay, and one of the world's foremost female luthiers to find out whether the guitar's association with rock 'n' roll has become bad for business.(Image: Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin performing on stage at Earl's Court, London, May 1975. Jimmy Page is playing a Gibson EDS-1275 double necked guitar. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Will Chalk

Sports betting is a relatively new industry in the US. Until 2018 you could only legally bet on sports in the state on Nevada, the home to Las Vegas. New Jersey was the first state to legalise sports betting six years ago and since then, a total of 38 states across America have done the same.Hannah Mullane looks at how the industry has grown so rapidly and discusses the consequences of the industry which has been allowed to evolve with very little regulation.(Produced and presented by Hannah Mullane)(Image: Detroit Lions fans pose prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game at Levi's Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. Image credit: Getty)

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

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

The Eurovision Song Contest has transformed itself from a TV show experiment to the world's largest live music event. 160 million people are expected to watch this year's competition in Sweden, as 37 countries take part. The acts participating will be hoping to become global superstars following the likes of ABBA, Celine Dion and Måneskin.And outside of the competition many fans around have turned their love of Eurovision into a business: from side-hustles to songwriters. We hear their stories and learn about the economics of having a winning song, and discover the plans for the first ever Eurovision world tour.Produced and presented by Daniel Rosney(Image: Malta entry Sarah Bonnici rehearsing Loop at this year's Eurovison. Credit: Connie Cumming/EBU)

In Scotland in the 1980s, a slump in the whisky market brought about the closure of some of the country's most iconic distilleries. These sites become known as 'ghost' distilleries - where spirit production has stopped, but where some stock is still available. In this programme, Elizabeth Hotson will be discovering why some of these distilleries are now being brought back to life. She visits the legendary Port Ellen on the Isle of Islay for its much-anticipated re-opening and hears from the master blender there, and she takes a tour of London’s fabled Vintage House. A whisky writer explains what makes a truly great dram and we learn why investors need to be careful if they’re planning to jump on the whisky bandwagon.(Picture: A bottle of Port Ellen whisky bottled in 1980. Credit: Elizabeth Hotson/BBC)Presented and produced by Elizabeth Hotson

Elton John, Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran - all artists who've had sell-out world tours in recent years. And new markets, such as India, are being added to the global tour map. But the same can’t be said for smaller venues. In the UK and Australia, the lights are off, and thousands are closing their doors. We hear from musicians, promoters and the people who run venues; asking why there’s such a contrast between sell out stadium tours and struggling grassroots venues. And we see what the future could hold for India's live music scene. Produced and presented by Megan Lawton(Image: Ed Sheeran performing in Mumbai, India in 2017. Credit: Getty Images)

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

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

Over its long history women have been mostly excluded from the Tour de France. Until recently.In 2022, after a long campaign by some of female cycling's biggest names, the Tour de France Femmes was introduced. So how is it doing? And will it ever be on a level footing with the much older and long-established men's race?We hear from competitors, sponsors, broadcasters and race director Marion Rousse.Produced and presented by Lexy O'Connor(Team Jumbo Visma rider Marianne Vos wears the yellow jersey during 3rd stage of the first Tour de France Femmes in 2022: Getty Images)

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

Ireland has just launched a scheme to charge a deposit on bottles and cans which is refunded when consumers return them to recycling machines in supermarkets. The Irish have set up a non profit making company to manage the scheme, funded by the drinks making firms, which should avoid the financial problems that have dogged the industry in the United States. Many privately owned American recycling companies are in danger of going out of business because the fee they get from state governments, under the Bottle Bill, has not been increased for years, even though their costs have soared.Produced and presented by Russell Padmore(Picture: Reverse vending machines for Ireland’s new deposit return recycling scheme)

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

As modest fashion week starts in Istanbul, we look at the growth of this area of the fashion industry.Long considered a faith-based choice, it is gaining in popularity, proven by the modest-friendly options that many leading brands now offer. We hear the thoughts of retailers and designers on why more women are choosing to dress modestly. And content creator Maha Gondal explains how she's bringing her take on modest fashion to her thousands of followers. Plus we look at what can go wrong when brands try to cash in on what they see as a lucrative market. Presented and produced by Megan Lawton(Image: Woman wearing a maxi dress with long sleeves, standing in front of a wall covered with foliage. Credit: Getty Images)

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

Earlier this year, on International Women's Day, the Irish electorate was asked to vote in two referendums on changing Ireland's constitution regarding family and care. One of those questions was whether they wished to remove a reference to the role of women in the home, which some view as being out-of-step with modern Irish society. A lot has changed since the constitution was written in 1937. Ireland is now among the highest-ranking countries in Europe for gender equality. However, in both referendums, voters rejected the bid for constitutional change. In this programme, Leanna Byrne travels back to her home city of Dublin to explore Ireland's story when it comes to women, the family and work; speaking to Irish women about their experiences over the decades to now. (Image: From left to right Niamh O'Reilly, Lorraine Lally and Rena Maycock, who spoke to the BBC World Service in Dublin in March 2024.) Presented and produced by Leanna Byrne

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

It’s estimated that 90% of traded goods travel over the oceans. But for the seafarers who make that happen, it’s not always an easy process. Thousands of incidents of corruption within the industry have been reported to the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network, who in this episode, tell Ruth Alexander what they’re doing to help the problem. Seafarers can often be put in an impossible position, and one former captain tells us how he was arrested at gunpoint after refusing to hand over a carton of cigarettes to officials.(Picture: A bird's eye view of a container ship at sea. Credit: Getty Images)Presenter: Ruth Alexander Producer: Izzy Greenfield

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

We depend on online reviews for everything from hotel and restaurant bookings, to what products to buy, and as we hear in this programme, medical and cosmetic procedures. If a customer feels unhappy with a service they've paid for, they might want to leave a bad review. But what happens if the company they're complaining about doesn't like it?In the UK, a cosmetic surgery company, Signature Clinic, is taking some of its former patients to court after they posted negative reviews or comments on support groups. We hear from some of them. (Image: A surgeon putting on surgical gloves. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Ed Butler

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

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

The music composed for video games has come a long way. Once limited to simple tunes generated by early synthesizer chips, it now encompasses complex musical works composed for full orchestra. Video game music is now also considered a key access point to orchestral music among young people, and concert venues around the world are seeing new and diverse audiences attend live performances of gaming soundtracks. Unsure at first, the classical music world is now embracing the genre - and for good reason. A study by League of of American Orchestras suggests audiences for concerts have dropped by 26% since 2020, with young people being the minority group of attendees.In this episode, we'll hear about the origins of music written for video games; speaking to composers and orchestras who are embracing new audiences and exciting musical works. And we'll go backstage before opening night of a tour showcasing music from a major video game franchise. (Image: Gaming Prom – From 8-Bit to Infinity, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Robert Ames, in the Royal Albert Hall, on 1 August 2022, as part of the BBC Proms.)Presented and produced by Sean Allsop

Tens of thousands of people in the video game industry have lost their jobs in the past year. The industry itself is valued around 200 billion dollars - one of the biggest in the world. And last year saw some of the biggest releases so far. So with so much success, why are there so many struggles? We speak to two workers who recently lost their jobs in the industry, and hear about the effect it’s had on their lives. Tech expert Matthew Ball tells us why there’s a simultaneous battle between success and struggle, and whether it’ll get any worse. But it’s not all bad news. There’s a lot of opportunity out there for smaller gaming companies in some parts of the world. William Sampson of Roro Interactive tells us why he thinks the future is positive.(Picture: A rear-view shot of a young woman sitting at a desk playing a video game, she is using a mouse and keyboard and wearing a headset. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Izzy Greenfield

The Dutch swimmer won gold in Beijing, having been diagnosed with cancer seven years earlier.We hear why he decided to stop competing, and instead turn his attention to charity fundraising - setting up his own foundation and raising millions for cancer research through long-distance swimming endurance events.And how he ensures that the money raised is correctly managed.Produced and presented by Matthew Kenyon.(Image: Maarten van der Weijden setting a new world record in 2021, by swimming continuously against a current for more than 31 hours and 7 minutes. Credit: Getty Images)

Kidnapping is endemic in nearly all parts of Nigeria, as shown by the recent high profile mass abduction and release of nearly 300 schoolchildren. And for young Nigerians who are taking part in the national youth service programme - NYSC - they are particularly vulnerable as they travel to their postings along the country's long rural roads. Service is mandatory if you want to use your degree - but are the risks just too great now? And what impact does it have on young people’s futures?Produced and presented by Frey Lindsay(Image: National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Ogun State, in 2019. Credit: Getty Images)

Smell is a powerful sense that can evoke memories and spark emotional connections. And it's increasingly big business.In this programme, we lift the lid on the multi-billion dollar fragrance industry; finding out how scent can influence customer behaviour, build teams, and even help to sell houses.We hear from a perfume-maker who crowdsources some of the world's most expensive fragrance ingredients, and visit a 15 million dollar house on the market in London, to find out how the right aroma in a property can entice a potential buyer. And we hear why a major drinks brand has created a fragrance for its company headquarters.(Picture: A woman smelling perfume. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Elizabeth Hotson

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

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

Founded in 1901, the International Labour Organisation works with governments of over 180 countries, to help promote internationally recognised labour rights. In all of its 105 year-history, Gilbert F. Houngbo is the first African to be in charge of the UN agency. In this programme, the ILO leader talks to Rahul Tandon about what he's doing to try to tackle some of the biggest global challenges the world currently faces - from unemployment, to migration, to artificial intelligence.And we hear about Mr Houngbo's own journey; from a rural upbringing, to studying in Canada, and how he felt when he was asked to serve as Prime Minister of Togo.(Picture: Gilbert F. Houngbo. Credit: Violaine Martin/ILO)Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: Amber Mehmood and Olie D'Albertanson

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

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

Up to 40% of food in Africa and India is wasted because of a lack of what's called "the cold chain" - the infrastructure keeping food chilled and fresh, from farm to fork. Many small-scale farmers have no access to any kind of refrigeration, meaning they're losing income and wasting food that could otherwise be sold.Devina Gupta meets the entrepreneur who is building pay-as-you-go solar powered cold rooms in India, and hears from farmers, traders and experts on how we can keep food cold as the population grows and the planet warms up.(Picture: A farmer carries a crate of mangoes from an orchard on the outskirts of Bangalore. Credit: Getty Images)Presenter: Devina Gupta Producer: Lexy O'Connor

The past few years have been marked by two economic trends that have affected pretty much everyone on the planet. The first is the cost of living crisis that followed the Covid pandemic and was made worse by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That saw prices in the shops soar - in many countries they rose by their fastest pace for four decades. The attempt to stamp out this inflation is the second of those big economic trends, as central banks aggressively increased the cost of borrowing. Millions of households and businesses saw the cost of home and company loans shoot up.But the action taken by central banks does seem to have worked in curbing inflation, and now financial markets predict that interest rates in the United States and Europe will be cut this year. But will they reduce them soon?(Picture: Federal Reserve Building in Washington, DC, United States. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Rob Young

Lawyer Leigh Steinberg had no big dream to become a sports agent. He was a huge sports fan, but the job was not something he was aspiring to – more something that he stumbled across. Today, he's built up a career representing more than 300 professional athletes across a range of disciplines: from big money-making sports like football and basketball, to Olympic gymnastics; building sporting careers worth billions of dollars. His influence in sport is so influential that he's often credited as the real-life inspiration for the sports agent in the film Jerry Maguire, starring Tom Cruise.We speak to Leigh Steinberg about how he started his career as an agent, how he builds a brand around a sports star, and how he's succeeded in such a competitive environment - overcoming some personal struggles along the way. And - how he responds when members of the public approach him with the famous phrase, "Show me the money".(Picture: Leigh Steinberg. Credit: Getty Images)Presenter: Roger Hearing Producers: Matt Lines and Hannah Mullane

An alcohol shop for diplomats has opened in Saudi Arabia. It’s a significant move in a country that has banned alcohol for over 70 years. Some believe in order to transform the tourism economy it is a sign of things to come. In the meantime, Riyadh has become known for making some of the best non-alcohol cocktails in the world. Is this a small policy change, or does it signal a wider relaxation of the rules? We hear from young Saudis about the generational divide in a country trying to change its image.(Picture: A bartender prepares a non-alcoholic cocktail in a bar in Riyadh. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Rick Kelsey

The Chinese-owned online store has exploded in popularity in the past year, shipping to customers in 49 countries around the world. And its advertising has taken centre stage at one of the world’s most watched events: the Super Bowl. So why is Temu so cheap? And how can it afford to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on advertising to take on its rivals?We hear from experts, politicians and shoppers in China, the US, and the UK about how the company operates, as it seeks to out-pace the competition.(Picture: The Temu logo displayed on the screen of a mobile device. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Sam Gruet

The government of Uruguay has launched ambitious plans to make hydrogen and green fuels.The country generates far more of its electricity from renewables than most countries - Uruguay produces more than 90% of its electricity from sustainable resources, like wind. And that, the government says, puts it in a good position to start producing green hydrogen.Proponents of green hydrogen production in Uruguay say it will be good for the planet and the country's economy, but could it use too much water?(Picture: Mauricio Caro, a farmer in Uruguay. He worries that if water is taken from the local aquifer to make green fuels, farmers will run short. Credit: Grace Livingstone/BBC)Presented and produced by Grace Livingstone

Andy Yen is founder and CEO of tech company Proton, best known for its encrypted email service Proton Mail.He was born in Taiwan, studied in California, then moved to Switzerland to work at CERN as a particle physicist. He then set up Proton from Geneva.Dougal Shaw talks to the entrepreneur about growing up in the shadow of China, personal privacy in an age when we live our lives online, and his company’s “cat and mouse” games with Russia over VPN software, which allows people to access the internet without state control.(Picture: Andy Yen)Presented and produced by Dougal Shaw

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

Wary of the perceived threat from Russia, the countries that make up the Nato Western military alliance are upping their spending on the military. But not fast enough, according to former US president Donald Trump, who has made the issue part of his election campaign.So should governments in Europe be spending more on their collective defence? Do Europeans want them to, or would they rather that money go to things like education and healthcare instead? As Sweden joins the alliance, we look at who is spending what within Nato, who is pulling their weight, and who is not. We speak to people across Europe about what they want, and we talk to one former army chief, who says his country is woefully underprepared to defend itself.Presenter/producer: Gideon Long Additional reporting from Bethany Bell, BBC correspondent in Vienna And additional recording by Maddy Savage in Stockholm and Kostas Kallergis in Brussels(Photo: German Eurofighter Typhoon jets of TLG73 during Nato exercise. Credit: Getty Images)

We trace the commodity’s journey from sugar cane farm, to mill, to candy shop, all in a quest to find out why the cost of sugar has gone up. The US is the world's fifth largest sugar producer, with sugarcane grown in the south and sugar beets in the north. Even though the cost of sugar is rising worldwide, Americans pay twice as much as the global average for sugar because of a government policy. Brought about to protect domestic producers, a protectionist policy taxing imports of sugar is actually creating higher prices, a report by the government accountability office found in October.We travel from a candy story in New York, to a sugarcane farm and mill in Louisiana, to find out what the impact will be.Presented and produced by Erin Delmore Additional sound mixing by Cameron Ward and Helen Thomas(Image: A worker climbs onto a front loader beside a pile of raw cane sugar inside a storehouse at a sugar mill in Louisiana. Credit: Getty Images)

There's been a wave of farmers' protests across Europe in recent weeks. France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Eastern European countries have all seen farmers airing their grievances by driving their tractors into towns and cities and blocking roads. There have also been similar demonstrations far beyond Europe, in India. Guy Hedgecoe has been looking at the protests and how some grievances are uniting farmers from different countries while others are dividing them. Because farming is so important for our day-to-day lives, the outcome could affect us all. (Picture: A farmer pours industrial honey during a protest in Madrid. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Guy Hedgecoe

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

Last summer marked the first time in six decades that Hollywood’s actors and writers went on strike simultaneously. They hit pause on production over pay and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the film industry.The strikes brought the industry to boiling point, but wider issues were simmering for some time.They caused a multi-billion economic toll on those who work in film and television - from crew members to caterers. Businesses burned through savings and piled up debt.This edition of Business Daily unpicks the plot of one of Hollywood's biggest dramas.(Picture: The Hollywood sign is viewed during a clearing storm, January 2024. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Izzy Greenfield

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

We travel to FITUR - International Tourism Trade Fair.Taking place in Madrid, this year's event was the biggest ever.As the sector is still recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we speak to representatives from countries around the world who are aiming to attract visitors.Plus we focus on responsible tourism, and look at how much emphasis is being placed on sustainability by the travel industry.Produced and presented by Ashish Sharma(Image: Tourists at a beach club in Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia, in May 2022, just after the region opened more broadly to fully vaccinated visitors from overseas. Credit: Getty Images).

Up to 10% of areas for major crops and livestock could be rendered unsuitable by climate change by 2050, so what can farmers do to adapt to rising temperatures and extreme weather events?Stefania Gozzer meets a farmer in Spain to see how severe droughts ruined his cereal harvest, and she pays a visit to his neighbour, who has managed to grow tomatoes without watering his fields.Global warming poses huge challenges for agriculture around the world - and various ways of managing its effects are now being practised by farmers. Among them is planting trees next to crops. We hear how this technique changed the life of a Kenyan farmer.(Picture: Farmer in rubber boots walking on dry soil ground. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Stefania Gozzer

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

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

The idea of settling for ‘good enough’ and being mediocre at work is not new… but the case for prioritising other things apart from work has grown rapidly since the pandemic – and hashtags like #lazygirljob have been getting millions of views on TikTok. We find out what mediocrity means for staff and employers, and speak to workers who are embracing this new attitude.We hear from Jaime Ducharme, Time Magazine journalist who wrote an article about mediocrity in the workplace, Gabrielle Judge who started #lazygirljob on TikTok, and Dr Thomas Curran from the London School of Economics.Produced and presented by Clare Williamson(Image: A woman looking bored at work. Credit: Getty Images)

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

We look at the implications as the Latin American country gradually reduces from 45 hours.In April 2023 politicians approved a law in congress saying that businesses need to move towards cutting their hours to help get a better work life balance for employees.This reduction is happening gradually, and the working week is getting shorter by at least one hour per year, over a maximum of five years. We speak to workers and businesses in Chile about the impact - good and bad - that this is having.Presenter: Jane Chambers Technical production: Matthew Dempsey(Image: A group of workers on lunchbreak in Santiago. Credit: Getty Images)

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

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