The daily drama of money and work from the BBC.
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 Paki...
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, L...
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. Produ...
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.uk Produced and presented by ...
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 Gl...
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 th...
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...
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) ...
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 busines...
Attracted by Argentina’s right-wing libertarian president Javier Milei, and fearful of political breakdown and even the prospect of a widescale war in the northern hemisphere, some US citizens say they are planning to move to the South American nation to start afresh. We speak to a few of them, and to an Argentine tech entrepreneur who left his country years ago due to its political and economic instability, but who is now spending more time there – attracted by Milei’s promises to slash the sta...
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 St...
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 Superyach...
It's a familiar feature of our oceans and beaches and yet its environmental impact has largely been overlooked. Now supporters say seaweed can help us address climate change by reducing our reliance on fertilisers, and by reducing the methane emissions produced by cows. On top of that, proponents say a new material produced from the sugars in seaweed could provide a biodegradable alternative to the millions of tonnes of single-use plastic we throw away each year. No wonder the World Bank is pred...
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 20...
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...
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 exhib...
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 Murd...
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 l...
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 ...
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 (Ph...
Theo Leggett reports on the latest trends and concerns preoccupying the automobile industry at this year’s Paris Motor Show. Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers have established that they can manufacture vehicles more cheaply than their European counterparts, and now they are looking to move into that market. Theo hears from Chinese and French car manufacturers about what this will mean for consumers. China is not the only country selling EVs to European consumers, a big American name is revi...
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: A...
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: Gett...
