Podcast appearances and mentions of elizabeth hotson

Since large language model chatbots hit the scene a few years ago, there’s been a lot of speculation about which jobs they might disrupt most. A lot of bets were on customer service. And recent data show they are becoming more common in the space. A Salesforce survey found a 42% increase in the share of shoppers who turned to AI-powered chatbots for customer service during the 2024 holiday shopping season compared to the previous year. But as AI becomes more powerful and more human-like, will AI voice agents become the norm, even for those more complicated customer cases now handled by human agents? The BBC's Elizabeth Hotson looked into what a future of synthetic customer service might look like.

Since large language model chatbots hit the scene a few years ago, there’s been a lot of speculation about which jobs they might disrupt most. A lot of bets were on customer service. And recent data show they are becoming more common in the space. A Salesforce survey found a 42% increase in the share of shoppers who turned to AI-powered chatbots for customer service during the 2024 holiday shopping season compared to the previous year. But as AI becomes more powerful and more human-like, will AI voice agents become the norm, even for those more complicated customer cases now handled by human agents? The BBC's Elizabeth Hotson looked into what a future of synthetic customer service might look like.

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 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

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

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

Despite half the world’s population being female, there are still few technologies on the market to help manage the symptoms of menopause. Why is there a reluctance to invest in “menotech,” and is that changing? The BBC’s Elizabeth Hotson looked into the menotech products on the market and how the industry is evolving.

Despite half the world’s population being female, there are still few technologies on the market to help manage the symptoms of menopause. Why is there a reluctance to invest in “menotech,” and is that changing? The BBC’s Elizabeth Hotson looked into the menotech products on the market and how the industry is evolving.

From the BBC World Service: India’s $1.5 billion online gaming industry faces a huge shake-up, as a 28% tax on revenue has come into effect. Meanwhile, Europe’s foreign ministers are gathering in Kyiv to show support for Ukraine after the U.S. cut aid. And the BBC’s Elizabeth Hotson reports on the growth of the tattoo removal market.

From the BBC World Service: India’s $1.5 billion online gaming industry faces a huge shake-up, as a 28% tax on revenue has come into effect. Meanwhile, Europe’s foreign ministers are gathering in Kyiv to show support for Ukraine after the U.S. cut aid. And the BBC’s Elizabeth Hotson reports on the growth of the tattoo removal market.

From the BBC World Service: U.K.-based Arm Holdings is set to launch on the Nasdaq this week. BBC’s Simon Jack explains why they’re probably the biggest company you’ve never heard of. Plus, caterers are facing increasing pressure to host extravagant weddings due to social media, as BBC’s Elizabeth Hotson reports.

From the BBC World Service: U.K.-based Arm Holdings is set to launch on the Nasdaq this week. BBC’s Simon Jack explains why they’re probably the biggest company you’ve never heard of. Plus, caterers are facing increasing pressure to host extravagant weddings due to social media, as BBC’s Elizabeth Hotson reports.

From the BBC World Service: Spain’s muddled election results mean more confusion for businesses as it remains unclear whether a government can be formed; the BBC’s Guy Hedgecoe explains what it means from Madrid. Plus we hear from British tourists caught up in the devastating wildfires that have hit the Greek island of Rhodes. And finally, with Barbie making a huge impact at the box office, Elizabeth Hotson reports on businesses betting big on going pink.

From the BBC World Service: Spain’s muddled election results mean more confusion for businesses as it remains unclear whether a government can be formed; the BBC’s Guy Hedgecoe explains what it means from Madrid. Plus we hear from British tourists caught up in the devastating wildfires that have hit the Greek island of Rhodes. And finally, with Barbie making a huge impact at the box office, Elizabeth Hotson reports on businesses betting big on going pink.

From the BBC World Service: Oil analyst Viktor Katona explains why the EU and G7 sanctions have had the desired impact as the Kremlin increases taxes on domestic oil production. Plus, the BBC’s Catherine Byaruhanga reports from the South Sudan town of Renk as efforts to broker a peace deal in neighboring Sudan get underway. And, who are the business winners and losers of public holidays? The BBC’s Elizabeth Hotson reports from the UK, which has three such holidays this month.

From the BBC World Service: Oil analyst Viktor Katona explains why the EU and G7 sanctions have had the desired impact as the Kremlin increases taxes on domestic oil production. Plus, the BBC’s Catherine Byaruhanga reports from the South Sudan town of Renk as efforts to broker a peace deal in neighboring Sudan get underway. And, who are the business winners and losers of public holidays? The BBC’s Elizabeth Hotson reports from the UK, which has three such holidays this month.

The pressure is now on for the White House and House Republicans to strike a deal to raise the nation’s debt ceiling by the end of the month. Yesterday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced that the U.S. could run out of money to pay its bills as soon as June 1. We look at what the deadline means for negotiators in Washington. Plus, JPMorgan Chase’s deal to acquire the failed First Republic Bank means that the megabank will bring in a bevy of assets and new customers, but also a load of debt and restructuring headaches. And, the BBC’s Elizabeth Hotson reports on how confectioners are dealing with higher prices for producing candy.

The pressure is now on for the White House and House Republicans to strike a deal to raise the nation’s debt ceiling by the end of the month. Yesterday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced that the U.S. could run out of money to pay its bills as soon as June 1. We look at what the deadline means for negotiators in Washington. Plus, JPMorgan Chase’s deal to acquire the failed First Republic Bank means that the megabank will bring in a bevy of assets and new customers, but also a load of debt and restructuring headaches. And, the BBC’s Elizabeth Hotson reports on how confectioners are dealing with higher prices for producing candy.

Christmas and the holiday season is a crucial time for toy retailers, and hopes will be high for sales to return to pre-pandemic levels. But with the rising cost of living, we find out if families will be cutting back on toy spending this year - and look at the toys topping the popularity charts. We'll also find out how much does TV and film influence the types of toys in demand. Frederique Tutt from market research company NPD group explains the trends in toy sales, and how the type of toys that people are buying is changing. Elizabeth Hotson visits the DreamToys event in London, organised by the toy retailers association. She speaks to Paul Reader, the chair of the DreamToys selection committee about what's making the top 10 toys list this year. Hedley Barnes, senior vice president for International from Spin Master, the company behind both the Paw Patrol TV series and toys, explains the valuable link between the show and the merchandise. Also on the list are Rainbow High Dolls – Sarah Taylor is managing director, UK and Ireland, for MGA entertainment, the company behind the dolls. She tells Elizabeth why diversity, which they champion, appeals to families. And Alan Simpson, chair of the toy retailers association, says he expects a lot of the ‘old favourites' like Lego, Barbie, Monopoly and Play Dough to still be really popular. Presented and produced by Elizabeth Hotson (Image: A toy in a Christmas box. Credit: Getty)

Is space the final frontier for meat grown from animal stem cells? Elizabeth Hotson asks whether growing steaks under micro gravity conditions could help in the quest for food security and whether, back on earth, consumers could be persuaded to stomach meat reared in labs. We hear from Didier Toubia, the CEO of Aleph Farms who defends his space meat mission from accusations of gimmickry. Seren Kel, the science and technology manager for the Europe region of the Good Food Institute, gives her view on the environmental impact of cell-gown meat and Dr Jason Michael Thomas, senior lecturer in psychology at Aston University explains how reluctant consumers might be persuaded to try new and strange-sounding foods. Presenter: Elizabeth Hotson Producer: Elizabeth Hotson (Photo description: The Solar system. Credit: Getty Images)

As European Union leaders meet in Prague to discuss concerns over energy supplies and capping prices, we hear from Kathryn Porter energy consultant at Watt-Logic consultancy, who tells us the challenges faced in getting a consensus on the issues. Daniel Zhao, Lead Economist & Senior Manager on Glassdoor's Economic Research team, gives us his reaction to the US unemployment rate rising for the first time in just over 2 years. We hear from the former Finance Minister of Lebanon, Dr Nasser Saidi, on the continuing banking crisis in the country where bank branches are to close indefinitely. Bloomberg reporter in Buenos Aires, Patrick Gillespie, speaks to us about how Argentina's allow tech companies to hold thirty percent of their dollars when they increase exports. Price increases have been banned in Belarus as the government there tries to tackle inflation, warning businesses against shutting down. We ask Jaroslav Romanchuk, president of the Scientific Research Mises Centre, in Belarus about the state of the economy in his country. The BBC's Elizabeth Hotson interviews, Didier Toubia, CEO of Israeli company Aleph Farms who are aiming to grow steaks in space.

Comics are a multi-billion dollar industry and comic conventions - or cons - attract thousands of fans, desperate to meet their heroes and splash some cash. Elizabeth Hotson visits the MCM event in London to find out what's hot and what people are spending their hard-earned money on. We hear from Joëlle Jones, a comic book writer and illustrator, Jenny Martin, Event Director at MCM Comic Con and Michael Loizou from Brotherhood Games. Plus tattooist Matt Difa shows off his Star Wars inkings and Vincent Zurzolo, the Chief Operating Officer of Metropolis Collectibles in New York looks back on one of his most memorable comic book sales. Producer: Elizabeth Hotson Presenter: Elizabeth Hotson Picture Description: Comics at Wellcome Trust Superhero exhibition, Picture Credit: Getty Images

What's it like to live in permanent daylight for part of the year? Elizabeth Hotson travels around Swedish Lapland to see how one of the most modern economies in the world takes advantage of the twenty four hour summer sun. Elizabeth finds out how a hotel made of ice is kept frozen with solar power, and why the midnight sun is vital to the ancient tradition of reindeer herding in northern Sweden. We also hear how Sweden's mountain and nature tourism industry developed and why modern businesses like bars and restaurants can capitalise on the never-ending daylight. Plus, we hear from visitors experiencing the midnight sun for the first time. Producer: Elizabeth Hotson Presenter: Elizabeth Hotson Picture Credit: the midnight sun in Sweden via Getty Images

We explore the world of video game streaming - where players connect their screens to platforms such as Twitch or YouTube so that fans can watch them play. Elizabeth Hotson talks to Aoife Wilson, head of video at video game website Eurogamer who's an enthusiastic streamer and industry watcher; she explains why watching people play games has turned into a multi-billion dollar industry. The BBC's Faarea Masud gives a fan's perspective, whilst Sam Matthews, CEO of e-sports brand, Fnatic gives us an insight into the money-making potential of competitive gaming. Thomas Slattery from gaming venue, Platform, in London, tells us why he thinks streaming is so important right now. Presenter / producer: Elizabeth Hotson Image: A gamer; Credit: Getty Images

As coronavirus eases, Japan is opening up to tourists, but with strict rules in place. They will have to be part of a package tour, and must wear face coverings in all public places. Yukari Sakamoto takes tourists on tours of food markets in Tokyo, and brings us her perspective on the latest move. And we hear about the economic impact a lack of tourists has had on Japan, from the BBC's Mariko Oi. Also in the programme, Saudi Arabia has introduced a lottery system for westerners hoping to undertake their Hajj pilgrimage this year. That has led to complaints from people who had already booked flights and hotels, and now fear they'll be denied permission to visit Mecca. We find out more from Sean McLoughlin, who is Professor of the Anthropology of Islam at the University of Leeds, and specialises in the industry surrounding the Hajj. The UK Competition and Markets Authority is to investigate Google and Apple for a possible duopoly in their Chrome and Safari web browsers on mobile devices. Andrew Griffin is technology editor of the Independent news website, and discusses the implications. Plus, the BBC's Elizabeth Hotson pays a visit to the UK's Electromagnetic Field event, a four-day jamboree of original thinking and all things nerdy. Today's edition is presented by Rob Young, and produced by Nisha Patel, George Thomas and Elizabeth Hotson.

Talks were held between Russia and Turkey on a UN plan to restart Ukrainian grain exports. Western countries have accused Russia of risking global famine by shutting Ukraine's Black Sea ports. Arnaud Petit is executive director of inter-governmental group the International Grains Council, and discusses the challenges involved in getting Ukraine's grain supplies moving again. Also in the programme, the UN's World Food Programme is working with the California ride-hailing app Uber to use its technology to help move emergency supplies of food and water within Ukraine. The BBC's Zoe Kleinman explains how the software might help lower the risk of delivery trucks becoming targets, by enabling supplies to be moved around in much smaller vehicles. Plans for compulsory quotas for women in senior positions have been agreed by the European Parliament and EU member states. A third of all directors in companies employing more than 250 people will need to be women within the next four years. We find out more from Lara Wolters, who is a Dutch socialist member of the European Parliament, and who also led negotiations on the change. Plus, the BBC's Vivienne Nunis reports on concerns around oil development in the Congo basin which may threaten peatland storing 30bn tonnes of Carbon Dioxide. Today's edition is presented by Mike Johnson, and produced by Nisha Patel, Elizabeth Hotson and Gabriele Shaw.

The boss of German asset manager DWS has resigned after a raid over alleged greenwashing. A former employee had suggested the company was selling investment funds as green when they weren't. DWS denies the claims, and we find out more from Steve Arons, who has been following the story for Bloomberg in Frankfurt. And we hear about wider concerns over the recent growth of ESG, or environmental, social and governance considerations in business, from Magdalene Senn of the non-governmental organisation Finance Wende in Berlin. Also in the programme, as tourists begin to return to Nepal, following the lifting of Covid-19 travel restrictions, the BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan reports from the capital Kathmandu on challenges faced by the sector, after most employees left during the pandemic. Motorcycle taxis, or okada, are normally a common sight on the streets of Lagos, Nigeria's commercial hub. But they've been banned from today in large parts of the city, and Abisola Owolawi, who is a business correspondent at the Nigerian TV channel Arise News tells us what's behind the move. Plus the BBC's Elizabeth Hotson reports on the enduring popularity of the British drink, gin and tonic, and asks whether it can maintain its place in the British psyche in the face of the rising trend for vodka and tequila.

The EU says it will block most Russian oil imports by the end of 2022 to punish Russia. The deal blocks delivery of Russian oil by sea, but leaves open a pipeline to countries resisting action, including Hungary. Chris Weafer is chief executive of the business consultancy Macro Advisory in Moscow, and tells us what the likely impact will be in Russia. Also in the programme, Israel has signed a free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates, which is its first major such deal with an Arab country. Dorian Barak is co-founder of the UAE-Israel Business Council, and gives us his reaction to the news. The BBC's Devina Gupta reports on power shortages in India, where a massive heatwave has led to a surge in demand for electricity. We have a special report from the BBC's Ed Butler on how criminals are exploiting the global online advertising market to rip off advertisers. Plus, in a bid to prevent the creeping anglicisation of the French language, officials and businesses in France are being told to stop using words in the gaming world, like eSports, that have been borrowed from English. We get the perspective of Andrew Gallix, a translator and author who teaches English at the Sorbonne in Paris. Today's edition is presented by Mike Johnson, and produced by Sarah Hawkins, Gabriele Shaw and Elizabeth Hotson.

Drugs giant Pfizer will offer its products to low-income countries on a non-profit basis. The move is part of what the firm calls an Accord for a Healthier World, and we ask Tian Johnson, co-chair of the African Vaccine Delivery Alliance in Johannesburg, whether it marks a significant positive step for healthcare in Africa. Also in the programme, the UK government has given a green light to the sale of Chelsea football club to US billionaire Todd Boehly's Clearlake Capital group. The club's former owner, Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich was forced to sell in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. University of Liverpool football finance expert Kieran Maguire tells us where the $5bn proceeds of the sale will be going. The BBC's Nikhil Inamdar reports on an extreme heatwave in India, which has forced some farmers to harvest their crops at night. Plus, there is growing concern about the sort of curated body image promoted by modern-day advertising. The BBC's Rabiya Limbada explores efforts to help girls build confidence in how they look and show them why what appears to be beautiful, isn't necessarily as straightforward as it may seem. Today's edition is presented by Mike Johnson, and produced by Nisha Patel and Elizabeth Hotson. (Picture: Vials of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine. Picture credit: Getty Images.)

The move to exclude ZTE and Huawei brings Canada in line with its intelligence partners in the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand. We ask Canadian technology journalist Takara Small why the country took a long time to impose the ban. Also in the programme, food delivery drivers in the United Arab Emirates have been on strike, concerned at the rising price of petrol. We find out more from the BBC's Sameer Hashmi. With Europe attempting to wean itself off Russian energy following the invasion of Ukraine, coal power stations have increased output in recent months. The BBC's George Thomas reports on how it will impact the continent's ambitious targets to end coal power generation by the middle of the decade. Plus, following the death of the Greek film composer Vangelis, who among other things created the famous theme tune for Chariots of Fire, we examine his legacy with the Athens-based journalist Nikki Kitsantonis. Today's edition is presented by Mike Johnson, and produced by Sarah Hawkins, Faarea Masud, and Elizabeth Hotson.

There's an increased focus on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, and we get reaction from Giles Dickson, chief executive of the group Wind Europe. The BBC's Adrienne Murray reports on a scheme to boost North Sea wind energy production. And we hear from Anna Borg, chief executive of Swedish state owned energy company Vattenfall, which is already investing in North Sea wind projects. Also in the programme, a judge in California has thrown out legislation that required publicly listed companies to ensure a certain level of female representation on their boards. We find out more from Laura Whitcombe, global campaign manager of the 30% Club, which campaigns for more gender diversity in companies. Plus, the BBC's Mariko Oi meets some of the young people choosing to engage in high risk cryptocurrency markets. Today's edition is presented by Sasha Twining, and produced by Faarea Masud, Sarah Hawkins and Elizabeth Hotson.

The UK outlined a plan to change the Brexit deal agreed with the EU on Northern Ireland. Tony Connelly is Brussels correspondent for the Irish TV channel RTE, and explains how the EU is likely to respond to any unilateral measures that might be taken. Also in the programme, amid a worsening economic crisis, Sri Lanka has run out of fuel. We get a sense of what life is like for ordinary Sri Lankans from Saajid Nazmi, who is an e-commerce worker, whose boss has let him work from home because of the rising cost of commuting. Indonesian palm oil farmers have been protesting in Jakarta, after a government ban on the export of palm oil has led to a steep fall in the price of the commodity. We find out more from Djono Albar Burhan of the Indonesian Palm Oil Smallholder Association. Plus, the BBC's Samira Hussain reports on the ongoing power difficulties in Puerto Rico, caused by successive hurricanes five years ago, which heavily damaged the island's electricity grid. Today's edition is presented by Ed Butler, and produced by Faarea Masud, Sarah Hawkins and Elizabeth Hotson.

With global supply chains still reeling in the wake of Covid-19 and the Ukraine war, recent lockdowns in China have compounded the situation. Backlogs have become common place on the USA's west coast, but how has trade there recovered? We get the latest from Josh Brazil of supply chain specialists project44. Plus, the BBC's North America Business Correspondent Samira Hussain reports from Michigan on Ford's iconic F-150 pickup getting a fully electric makeover. After Chinese company DJI, the world's largest drone manufacturer, said it's suspending sales to Russia and Ukraine, we discuss the reasons behind the decision with David Hambling, author of Swarm Troopers: How small drones will conquer the world. We speak to Matteo Pietrobelli from Oceanix, a company working on a project to hopefully create what's been called the world's first floating city. Busan in South Korea has unveiled plans to extend out to sea, using floating, interconnected platforms, in a move that it's hoped could help to mitigate both rising sea levels and human population numbers. And the BBC's Elizabeth Hotson asks whether the false banana, or enset, could help tackle the problem of food insecurity in developing countries. Throughout the programme we're joined live by Rachel Puppazoni, a journalist covering business and the economy for ABC News in Perth, Australia, and by Alison van Diggelen, the host at freshdialogues.com in Silicon Valley. (Photo: Yangshan deepwater port In Shanghai; Credit: Getty Images)

As the spectre of food insecurity grows and climate change threatens lives and livelihoods, could enset play a part in assuaging hunger? Elizabeth Hotson delves into the many and varied properties of a crop consumed mainly in parts of Ethiopia and she asks how it might be possible to widen the appeal of a plant which takes months to turn into an something edible. Dr Wendeweck Abebe from Hawassa university in southern Ethiopia is a leading researcher of enset and he explains why it's known as the ‘tree against hunger.' Dr Abebe also takes us on a trip to meet a farmer who cultivates the crop and considers it a superfood. Back in the UK, Dr James Borrell, a research fellow at Kew Gardens in London explains why cultivating - and ultimately consuming enset - takes a lot of time, energy and local knowledge. And Berhanu Tesfaye, owner of Zeret Kitchen, an Ethiopian restaurant in London, shares a rare meal of kocho - bread made from enset. Picture Description: Enset crop in Southern Ethiopia, Picture Credit: Getty Images Presenter / Producer: Elizabeth Hotson

With global supply chains still reeling in the wake of Covid-19 and the Ukraine war, recent lockdowns in China have compounded the situation. Backlogs have become common place on the USA's west coast, but how has trade there recovered? We get the latest from Josh Brazil of supply chain specialists project44. Plus, as Facebook parent company Meta reports better-than-expected profit figures and an increase in the number of users, we get the latest on the firm's quarterly figures from our North America Business Correspondent Michelle Fleury in New York. After Chinese company DJI, the world's largest drone manufacturer, said it's suspending sales to Russia and Ukraine, we discuss the reasons behind the decision with David Hambling, author of Swarm Troopers: How small drones will conquer the world. The BBC's Elizabeth Hotson asks whether the false banana, or enset, could help tackle the problem of food insecurity in developing countries. And we speak to Matteo Pietrobelli from Oceanix, a company working on a project to hopefully create what's been called the world's first floating city. Busan in South Korea has unveiled plans to extend out to sea, using floating, interconnected platforms, in a move that it's hoped could help to mitigate both rising sea levels and human population numbers.

Chinese drone maker DJI halted sales to Russia and Ukraine to avoid their use in the war. Matt Williams is a former military pilot, and expert on drone operations, and discusses the thinking behind the move from the world's biggest drone firm. Also in the programme, the BBC's Samira Hussain reports from Dearborn, Michigan, on the prospects for the new electric Ford F-150 pickup truck. A Danish robotics company has teamed up with General Electric with the aim of producing towers for wind turbines using a 3D printer. We find out more from Henrik Lund-Nielsen, founder and general manager of Cobod International. Plus, the BBC's Elizabeth Hotson asks whether the false banana, or enset, could help tackle the problem of food insecurity in developing countries. Today's edition is presented by Faarea Masud, and produced by George Thomas and Elizabeth Hotson.

The streaming giant Netflix lost 200,000 subscribers in its first such decline since 2011. We get reaction to the development, which saw the firm's share price decline substantially, from Georg Szalai, who is international business editor at The Hollywood Reporter. Also in the programme, YouTube has terminated the campaign channel of John Lee Ka-chiu, who is expected to become Hong Kong's next chief executive. Tom Grundy, editor in chief of the Hong Kong Free Press, explains how YouTube's parent company Google justified the move. Fake online reviews are to be outlawed under a package of measures proposed by the UK government in a bid to stop people being ripped off. Kate Nicholls is chief executive of UK Hospitality, which represents hotels and restaurants, and gives us the industry's reaction to the news. Plus, the BBC's Adrienne Murray reports from Denmark on how labour shortages following the pandemic have opened the door to greater automation of tasks through the use of robots. Today's edition is presented by Ed Butler, and produced by Joshua Thorpe, Ivana Davidovic, Elizabeth Hotson and Tom Kavanagh.

Workers at Apple's Grand Central Station store in New York have announced a plan to start a union. If their bid is successful it would be the first union at one of the tech giant's US stores. Anna Kramer with the news site Protocol explains the process from here. Also in the programme, China has announced its latest economic growth figures. The NBA's Golden State Warriors team is developing its own entertainment division. And the BBC's Elizabeth Hotson looks into how Covid-19 has changed the way we work - and the rise of the virtual interview. All through the show we'll be joined by Peter Morici in Washington DC and Jessica Khine in Johor, Malaysia.

We're looking at the future of the job interview in a world forever changed by the pandemic. Elizabeth Hotson asks whether video conferencing software will hasten the demise of the traditional face to face grilling. And we also find out how virtual reality and artificial intelligence can help level the playing field for candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds. Over a long and distinguished career in business, Heather McGregor, Executive Dean of Edinburgh Business School, has been on both sides of the desk - as interviewer and interviewee and she gives her take on how we'll get jobs in the future. RADA alumna and confidence coach and trainer, Imogen Butler-Cole tells us how to put our best foot forward - over video conferencing. Christophe Mallet, founder and CEO of immersive soft skills simulator, Body Swaps, explains how technology can provide invaluable interview training to inexperienced candidates. Plus, Michael Platt, a marketing professor and neuroscientist at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania explains why the interview could soon be redundant in some industries. Presenter/producer: Elizabeth Hotson Image: A man sits at a table with lights pointing in his face; Credit: Getty Images

China has announced three deaths from coronavirus, the first in the country since 2020. And there's more bad news; the Financial Times newspaper is reporting that a record numbers of citizens have been enquiring about leaving China for good- the FT's China economics reporter, Sun Yu, gives us the details. And we hear more about China's economy from James Mayger, China Economy Editor for Bloomberg News in Beijing. Chris Low of FHN financial in New York tells us how the markets may react to reports that the IMF is planning to downgrade economic growth forecasts for several countries as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Plus, covid-19 changed many aspects of the way we work, and the traditional face-to-face job interview is one of the pandemic's many casualties. The BBC's Elizabeth Hotson has been looking at how virtual reality and artificial intelligence are already changing the way companies hire people. And one of the UK's biggest video games festivals, Insomnia, finishes today; festival organiser, Craig Fletcher, brings us the highlights.

What now for Chelsea FC? After the UK government imposed sanctions on Russian owner Roman Abramovich, the club has been denied access to the funds that enabled investment in some of the world's best players and helped it become one of the biggest clubs in European football. No income, either, from ticket or merchandise sales can be made by the club, throwing its short term future into doubt. It's unclear whether Chelsea can even pay its squad and staff next month, such is the punishing nature of the sanctions put upon Mr Abramovich over his ties to the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. So how will this play out on and off the pitch? We speak to Kieran Maguire who lectures in football finance at the Liverpool University; Justine Walker, an anti-money-laundering compliance specialist based in the UK; Jai McIntosh, a sports writer and Chelsea fan and former Chelsea player Pat Nevin. The programme is presented by Ed Butler and is produced by Elizabeth Hotson and Russell Newlove. Picture: Chelsea FC's crest Credit:PA

Despite 80 million users in the country, Russia has blocked the social network Instagram. The move came after Instagram's parent company Meta said some users could call for violence against Russian soldiers. Joe Tidy is the BBC's cyber security reporter, and tells us why Instagram has been so popular in Russia. Also in the programme, Russia is supposed to make a regular interest payment on its government bonds later this week. But faced with Western sanctions, authorities have said they may pay in roubles rather than US dollars, which could mean a technical default for the country. Adam Samson is markets news editor at the Financial Times, and explains the implications. Plus, the BBC's Victoria Craig reports on the challenges faced by those seeking to send aid to a war zone, such as Ukraine. Today's edition is presented by Rob Young, and produced by Will Bain, Ivana Davidovic and Elizabeth Hotson.

Amid warnings from the West that time really is running out, the G7 group of nations has reiterated that it is ready to impose sanctions on Russia if it sends troops over the border; we hear from Anders Aslund, senior fellow at the Stockholm Free World Forum and an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University. Greed is considered one of the seven deadly sins, and of all of those sins it is one of the few that people will rarely admit to. But where would western capitalism be without it? The BBC's Elizabeth Hotson has been taking a look at whether it is a good thing. Plus, authorities in New Zealand have been trying to disperse anti-vaccine protesters from outside the country's parliament and hit upon a plan to play Barry Manilow's greatest hits on a loop. The protestors were tougher than they thought, so they upped the anti and started playing Baby Shark (Doo Doo Doo) and when that failed belted out James Blunt's 2005 hit, You're Beautiful. It seems even under this barrage of sound, protesters have not been moved, with hundreds still remaining outside parliament. We discuss which records you just can't stand. Throughout the programme Jamie Robertson is joined by Jasper Kim in Seoul and Takara Small from Toronto. Picture: Ukrainians take part in a military training for residents. Credit: Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Greed is considered one of the seven deadly sins; but is the accumulation - and retention - of wealth always a bad thing? With economic inequality growing, Elizabeth Hotson asks John Paul Rollert, from the Chicago Booth school of management, why greed has historically invited criticism. We also hear from Paul Piff, Associate Professor of Psychological Science at the University of California, Irvine, who tells us about an experiment in acquisitiveness, played out during a game of Monopoly. Plus serial entrepreneur and self-made multi millionaire, Richard Skellett, tells us why he supports a wealth tax. Presented by Elizabeth Hotson Produced by Sarah Treanor (Picture of dollar bills, picture via Getty Images).

From its early reputation as mothers' ruin to its prime spot in upscale cocktail bars, we tell the story of the juniper-infused spirit. And as the gin craze in the US and the UK shows no sign of slowing, we ask where the next global hotspots will be. Dr Angela McShane of Warwick University tells Elizabeth Hotson how and why gin drinking became popular in the UK and Sandie Van Doorne, from Lucas Bols - which claims to be the oldest distillery brand in the world - explains how the Dutch spirit, genever, fits into the story. Sean Harrison of Plymouth Gin explains how the company is taking on the new contenders in the market and we hear from up-and-coming brands; Toby Whittaker from Whittakers Gin and Temi Shogelola of Black Crowned Gin. Plus, we hear from Emily Neill, Chief Operating Officer at the IWSR which provides data and analysis on the beverage alcohol market. And a programme about gin wouldn't be complete without a cocktail; William Campbell-Rowntree, bar supervisor at Artesian in London's Langham Hotel, gives his tips for the perfect tipple. Presenter: Elizabeth Hotson Producer: Sarah Treanor *This programme was originally broadcast on July 13, 2021 (Picture of a gin and tonic with garnish; Picture via Getty Images)

Shares in Facebook's parent company Meta fell 25% on opening after weak earnings data. Investors were particularly concerned by Facebook's first ever decline in user figures, and we find out more from Isobel Hamilton, senior technology reporter at Insider. Also in the programme, the inflation rate in Turkey has hit an eye-watering 48% year-on-year. The BBC's Victoria Craig reports on whether tourism might help offset some of the country's bigger economic problems. Plus, a billion-year-old black diamond is going up for auction. Nikita Benani is jewellery specialist at Sotheby's and tells us about the diamond, named The Enigma, which is believed to be the largest cut diamond on earth, and may have been formed from a meteor impact. Today's edition is presented by Will Bain, and produced by George Thomas, Sara Parry and Elizabeth Hotson.

We start the programme looking into Spotify and The Joe Rogan Experience - it's Spotify's most popular podcast which has come under scrutiny for platforming what critics and artists like Neil Young have called Covid-19 misinformation. Chris Cooke is a music industry expert and the founder of a consultancy called CMU Insights who have been looking into the challenges facing digital media companies like Spotify. Next Our correspondent in Lisbon, Alison Roberts, joined us live to discuss the final stages of counting in Portugal's general election. Our US Market report with Economist Michael Hughes had a look at whether things are as rosy as they once were with the US markets. If you've decided to follow Veganuary and embrace a completely plant-based diet for a month, you now have only a matter of hours left. This year there's been a noticeable boom - not just in people taking part but also in the amount of vegan food that's on sale. Even from fast-food restaurants like McDonalds. But is this just a one-off occasion for people to try to be 'good' for a month, or are tastes gradually shifting away from meat? Tonight's presenter David Harper asked Ramsey Baghdadi, an Associate Analyst at Global Data Plc in London, who studies trends in vegan fast food product. Lastly, Demand for beauty "tweakments" - small changes to your appearance, as opposed to full-on face changing plastic surgery - is soaring. Hours spent on video conferencing has forced people to constantly scrutinise their appearance, so what exactly are people having done and is it worth the price tag? Our colleague Elizabeth Hotson also looked into how being an attractive female affects your work prospects and how much this all costs for some people.

Had a late night? Well here's a programme about insomnia and the businesses trying to solve it.Elizabeth Hotson takes part in what is possibly the world's laziest gym class, and speaks to bed manufacturers, sleep app engineers and the inventor of a sleep robot.But does any of these solutions actually work? Elizabeth asks Dr Michael Farquhar, sleep consultant at Evelina London Children's Hospital. Plus Dr Michael Grandner, director of the sleep and health research programme at the University of Arizona, suggests a cost effective way of curing insomnia. Producer: Elizabeth Hotson(Picture: Man suffering from insomnia; Credit: chameleonseye/Getty Images)

How did whisky become the world's favourite tipple? Elizabeth Hotson discovers the secrets behind the water of life.Rachel McCormack, author of Chasing the Dram, tells us how the giants of scotch attained their legendary status, and we delve into the archives of one of the world's most famous whisky brands with Christine McCafferty of drinks leviathan Diageo. Elizabeth also talks to distillers from across the globe, including Whistlepig from the US state of Vermont, Japan's Chichibu distillery, Spirit of Hven in Sweden and Rampur from India. She also unlocks the secrets of Scotland's silent distilleries during a visit to Edradour, and samples the most popular whisky cocktail at one of the world's best bars. Lucky Elizabeth!(Picture: Glenlivet barrels; Credit: BBC)

Instagram and social media are transforming the food industry, but is the fixation on visual aesthetics destroying the dining experience?Elizabeth Hotson explores the nexus between our stomachs and our smartphone screens, with help from sandwich blogger Xander Fletcher, cake decorator Georgia Green, online food and drink reviewer Rebecca Milford, food writer Natalie Seldon and restaurateur Cokey Sulkin, among others. Producer: Elizabeth Hotson(Picture: Cake decorated by Georgia Green; Credit: Elizabeth Hotson)