Podcast appearances and mentions of vivienne nunis

NATO leaders meet in Washington, amid a rising deathtoll in Ukraine and a debate around the future of US President Biden. What's expected from the reunion?Elsewhere, Vivienne Nunis looks at why car thefts are soaring in Canada, and why the non-alcholic beer market has investors' attention.

NATO leaders meet in Washington, amid a rising deathtoll in Ukraine and a debate around the future of US President Biden. What will come from the reunion of the alliance?Elsewhere, Vivienne Nunis looks at the successful launch of Europe's newest rocket, and why the non-alcholic beer market has investors' attention.

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)

As the European Central Bank holds interest rates steady at a record high of 4%, Vivienne Nunis asks whether the EU is ahead of the US in the race to reduce interest rates.We examine the economic relationship between Japan and the United States - as the Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida addresses the US Congress.Plus in another Japan-US relationship issue, we talk about Shohei Ohtani, a baseball, a home run, and a woman who feels she's lost out on $100,000 as a result.

Joe Biden has pledged to protect the Philippines from any attack in the South China Sea. He made the comments at a White House summit with Philippine president Marcos and Japan's Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida. We look at the importance of the US economic relationship with Japan.President Biden has also introduced new rules aimed at tightening gun control in America. We discuss the prospect of additional scrutiny on firearms sales in the US.In Australia, demand for so-called granny flats is growing in Australia due to soaring rental costs. Nicole Gurran, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning in Sydney explains the current state of the housing market.Vivienne Nunis is joined by Stefanie Yuen Thio, Joint Managing Partner of TSMP Law in Singapore. And Andy Uhler, Journalism Fellow at the University of Texas Energy Institute and Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy.(Photo: President Biden Holds Trilateral Meeting With Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida And Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos. Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Vivienne Nunis looks at funeral costs, as new data shows they're on the rise. Plus, has the Abu Dhabi-led Telegraph takeover deal effectively been blocked?

Former Boeing employee John Barnett had being giving evidence in a lawsuit against the firm in the days before his death. Transportation Attorney Mary Schiavo is a former Inspector General at the US Department of Transport – she told Vivienne Nunis about Mr Barnett's testimony. Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry has announced he will leave office as soon as his government forms a presidential council, after being blocked from re-entering the country. We get the latest. Chinese smartphone-maker Xiaomi will soon start delivering its first electric vehicle. Will the company woo China's competitive EV market?

The US president will deliver his speech as he tries to convince Americans he should be re-elected. We get the latest.A US congressional panel has approved a bill that would force TikTok's parent company ByteDance to sell the app within six months or face a ban. We look into their reasons.And we explore why a growing number of Americans are choosing to switch to local community banks. Vivienne Nunis discusses these and more business stories with two guests on opposite sides of the world: Alison Van Diggelen, host of "Fresh Dialogues" based in Silicon Valley, and Rachel Cartland, author and commentator based in Hong Kong.(Picture: Joe Biden. Picture credit: REUTERS)

Republican candidate Nikki Haley suspends her presidential campaign after losing against Donald Trump on Super Tuesday. Vivienne Nunis will be looking at what happens now to the billionaire backers funding her campaign. With global cocoa prices soaring, we speak to the CEO of Lindt chocolate about its boost to profitability. And Ireland will be making changes to their constitution on Friday which refers to women's roles as "caregivers in the home".Vivienne will be joined throughout the programme by two guests on opposite side of the world: Karen Percy, senior freelance reporter in Melbourne, Australia and Dante Disparte Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global Policy for Circle in Washington.(Picture: Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley announces the suspension of her campaign, in Charleston. Credit: Reuters)

Republican candidate Nikki Haley suspends her presidential campaign after losing against Donald Trump on Super Tuesday. Vivienne Nunis will be looking at what happens to the billionaire backers funding her campaign. With global cocoa prices soaring, we speak to the CEO of Lindt chocolate about its boost to profitability. And the widely loved late Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez has a new book out.

As airstrikes continue in Gaza, neighbouring Egypt puts forward a proposed framework for ending the violence - with a three-stage plan for a ceasefire.It comes as fears grow of the Middle East conflict spreading, with Israel warning it will take matters into its own hands if cross border attacks by the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon aren't stopped. Vivienne Nunis asks what the economic costs have been for Gaza, Israel and the surrounding region.

Maersk, the Danish shipping firm, says it's preparing to resume operations in the Red Sea area; while the German company, Hapag Lloyd, says it will decide on Wednesday whether or not to continue with its routes. Vivienne Nunis hears from Jakob Larsen, Head of Maritime Safety & Security at Bimco - a members' organisation for ship owners and brokers, on what the companies will be considering. Our reporter Leanna Byrne is in Ireland where she hears from the country's most famous brand, Guinness, how they are trying to boost their productivity levels. Plus we hear from victims of identity fraud - and find out the steps being taken to combat the growing threat.

At a summit in Brussels European leaders announced they will open accession talks with Kiev as well as Moldova, whilst Georgia has been awarded candidate status. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky called the decision "a victory" for his country and the whole of Europe.Vivienne Nunis discusses this and more business news from around the world with journalist Mehmal Sarfraz, Co-founder of the Current PK and Alison Van Diggelen, Host of Fresh Dialogues based in Silicon Valley.(Picture: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) and U.S. Army General Christopher G. Cavoli (2-L), Commander of the US Forces for Europe and Supreme Commander of the NATO Forces in Europe (SACEUR), during Zelensky's visit to the headquarters of the U.S. Army Command in Europe and Africa in Wiesbaden, Germany, 14 December 2023. Credit: UKRAINE PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

At a summit in Brussels European leaders announced they will open accession talks with Kiev as well as Moldova, whilst Georgia has been awarded candidate status. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky called the decision "a victory" for his country and the whole of Europe.Vivienne Nunis gets reaction to this and finds out what it might mean for the future of the Ukraine war.

We're looking ahead to the meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping in San Francisco – the first time the two leaders will have met in 12 months. Diplomatic ties between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated this year, with tensions rising over Taiwan and the South China Sea. Meanwhile, there's been a tit-for-tat trade spat over semiconductors and raw materials. As the presidents meet on the side lines of the APEC summit, Vivienne Nunis takes stock of the relationship between the world's two largest economies. Produced and presented by Vivienne Nunis. (Image: US President Joe Biden and China's President Xi Jinping meet at the G20 Summit in Bali on November 14, 2022. Credit: Getty Images)

Sam Bankman-Fried, the American crypto entrepreneur who went from billionaire to bankrupt, is on trial in New York for fraud. The 31-year-old who founded the cryptocurrency exchange FTX is accused of lying to investors and lenders. He has denied those charges, and instead says he was acting in good faith but made mistakes. He says he never set out to defraud anyone. In the coming days, 12 jurors will decide his fate - he could face a life sentence in prison if convicted. Vivienne Nunis speaks to financial journalist Michael Lewis, who spent hundreds of hours with Sam Bankman-Fried for his new book Going Infinite. Presenter: Vivienne Nunis Image: Sam Bankman-Fried leaving a court hearing in June 2022. Credit: Getty Images)

Microsoft has completed its $69bn takeover of Call of Duty-maker Activision Blizzard in the gaming industry's biggest ever deal. Also we will dear about the US healthcare company Kaiser Permanente and its workers have reached a tentative deal, following the largest medical strike on record. More than 75,000 health workers in five US states and Washington DC went on a 72-hour strike for better wages and improved staffing last week. Vivienne Nunis discusses this and more of the business news from around with Takara Small, Toronto-based technology journalist, and Simon Littlewood, President of ACG Global Growth Delivered based in Singapore. (Picture: Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard. The European Union approved Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Photo credit: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

New Zealanders will be casting their vote on Saturday in the country's general election, 9 months after Jacinda Arden unexpectedly resigned as Prime Minister. They'll be deciding whether to give Labour a third term in office, or flip to a National-led government. We'll hear from the current finance minister and the deputy leader of the opposition. Ford Motor shares fell after the United Auto Workers (UAW) union expanded its strike at the company's biggest and most profitable factory in Kentucky. The UAW said 8,700 workers walked out of the truck plant in Kentucky, in response to Ford refusing to move further in contract negotiations. Vivienne Nunis discusses this and more of the business news from around with Colin Peacock, the host of MediaWatch at Radio New Zealand and Betsey Stevenson, Professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan. (Photo: A voting sign on display outside a polling booth during election day on October 17, 2020 in Wellington, New Zealand. Picture Credit: Getty Images)

Shares in GameStop, the video game store, experienced a dramatic rise in early in 2021. The stock had captured the imagination of many individual investors who heard about it on social media platforms such as TikTok and Reddit. Some investors made a lot of money, while some hedge funds, who had bet against the stock, lost billions. Eventually, though, GameStop shares crashed back to earth and many investors lost the lot. The story has been dramatised by Hollywood in ‘Dumb Money', currently screening in cinemas. Vivienne Nunis sits down with the film's director Craig Gillespie and financial journalist Matt Levine to investigate what the GameStop saga teaches us about the power of social media when it comes to influencing the movements of the stock market. (Picture: Paul Dano as Keith Gill in 'Dumb Money'. Credit: Sony Pictures) Presented and produced by Vivienne Nunis

After nearly five months, Hollywood writers have ended their strike, which brought the American film and TV industry to a halt. The Writers Guild of America said in a statement that union leaders ‘voted unanimously' in favour of a deal - which some writers have called ‘exceptional'. It'll now be voted on by union members.Some of the main sticking points included payments for reruns (known as residuals), and AI. The BBC's Vivienne Nunis talks us through the detail. But the actors' strike continues. The BBC's Regan Morris is at the picket line in Los Angeles where she's been speaking to actors, including stunt performer Max Calder and Frances Fisher from the film Titanic. Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: William Lee Adams and Mora Morrison Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under mounting pressure to clarify if the northern leg of HS2 will be completed. Vivienne Nunis will be looking at the latest reports that say it could be scrapped due to rising costs. The latest EU sanction on Russia will mean several steel companies will have to prove Putin isn't in their supply chain. And Vivienne will look into the latest report predicting the best number of days to work from home.

From the BBC World Service: As the death toll mounts following the earthquake in Morocco, businesses in Marrakesh are asking tourists not to turn their backs on them. The BBC’s Anna Holligan reports from Marrakesh. Also, with President Biden visiting, Vietnam has ordered $8 billion worth of jets from Boeing. Finally, Vivienne Nunis reports from Manchester, England, where the world’s best florists have congregated for the World Cup of Flowers.

From the BBC World Service: As the death toll mounts following the earthquake in Morocco, businesses in Marrakesh are asking tourists not to turn their backs on them. The BBC’s Anna Holligan reports from Marrakesh. Also, with President Biden visiting, Vietnam has ordered $8 billion worth of jets from Boeing. Finally, Vivienne Nunis reports from Manchester, England, where the world’s best florists have congregated for the World Cup of Flowers.

With inflation up, consumer sentiment down and business activity contracting in Germany, we ask if two decades of prosperity in the European powerhouse are at an end. In a special programme, Vivienne Nunis is joined by BBC correspondent Damien McGuiness in Berlin to discuss the core issues. We hear from Thilo Brodtmann, head of Germany's largest industrial association, the VDMA. Thorsten Schmidt, CEO of Heller Machine Tools in Nürtingen gives us his view on the recent slowdown in manufacturing output.

Vivienne Nunis hears about a new report which says that if nothing is done to redress Africa's huge debt burden, the consequences will be felt far outside the continent. New rules come into force today (Friday) in the Netherlands, which could further limit the export of high-end semiconductor technology to China. From today, rented E-scooters will no longer be seen on the streets of Paris - after residents voted overwhelmingly in favour of getting rid of them.

A judge in New York has revoked the bail of Sam Bankman-Fried, the former boss of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange, FTX. He will now remain in jail until his trial in October. Reports from the courtroom say Mr Bankman-Fried handed his blazer, tie and shoelaces to his lawyers and was then handcuffed by U.S. Marshals. Vivienne Nunis is joined by Peter Ryan, ABC Australia's senior business correspondent, from Sydney, and Jennifer Pak, China correspondent for Marketplace in Shanghai. (Picture: NEW YORK, USA - AUGUST 11: FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried arrives in Manhattan Federal Court to appear in court in New York, United States on August 11, 2023. Picture Credit: Getty Images).

The world's average temperature reached a new high this week, topping 17 degrees Celsius for the first time. This broke the previous record of 16.92 degrees from August 2016. Vivienne Nunis speaks to one of the world's top global insurance brokers.

Italy's famous floating city has a problem: too many tourists are visiting Venice during the high season. The city authorities recently announced a plan to charge day-visitors a €10 tax during the busiest periods. But many are sceptical about the plan, saying it doesn't go far enough to address over-tourism. The BBC's Vivienne Nunis joins the crowds in St Mark's Square to assess what can be done when a holiday destination become a victim of its own success. And she explores how other popular destinations such as Hawaii and the Isle of Skye in Scotland are addressing the problem. Producer: Vera Mantengoli (Image: A gondola in Venice. Credit: BBC)

The UK foreign secretary, Liz Truss, will officially become the Prime Minister on Tuesday when she meets the Queen. The former Conservative cabinet minister, David Gauke, shares his view. Russia has announced it will not reopen its main gas pipeline to Europe. Energy analyst from the free market think tank, the Institute for Economic Affairs, Andy Mayer, gives his analysis of the situation. A visitors tax will be introduced in Venice, in a bid to reduce the number of tourists during the city's busy periods. The BBC's Vivienne Nunis has been speaking to Venice's deputy mayor for tourism, welfare and economic development, Simone Venturini. (Picture: TOPSHOT - New Conservative Party leader and incoming prime minister Liz Truss smiles and waves as she arrives at Conservative Party Headquarters in central London having been announced the winner of the Conservative Party leadership contest at an event in central London on September 5, 2022. Picture Credit: Getty Images).

Soaring prices fuel pessimism about the future. In countries like the UK, shoppers' opinion about the outlook for their finances hits four-decade low. We hear more from retail analyst Rachel Barber and FHN Financial's Wall Street markets analyst Chris Low. The second largest cinema chain in the world has seen its shares plummet sharply after fears it might file for bankruptcy in the US spread across the markets. We talk to Wall Street Journal's Alexander Gladstone, who broke the story. The war in Ukraine, drought, poor harvests and lack of labour have pushed up prices of vegetable oil, the second most important source of calories globally. The BBC's Anish Ahluwalia reports about this problem in India, the world's biggest importer. American and European firms are now much more proactive at looking for women or Black or Asian staff when recruiting. The BBC's Vivienne Nunis has been speaking about this with Kellogg Foundation's CEO La June Montgomery Tabron, the first woman and also the first African American to lead the foundation. Chanel no. 5's owner has seen its request to trademark the shape of the famous bottle rejected. A US court has deemed that the rectangular shaped bottle with bevelled sides is not distinctive enough. Tilar Mazzeo, author of "The Secret of Chanel No. 5: The Intimate History of the World's Most Famous Perfume" explains the history of the legendary perfume. Sam Fenwick discusses these and more business stories throughout the programme with guests on opposite sides of the world: Andy Uhler, a reporter for Marketplace in Austin, Texas, and Zyma Islam, a journalist with the Daily Star in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Picture: Shoppers in London. Picture credit: EPA )

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

Vivienne Nunis is joined by Rhonda Vonshay Sharpe, President of the Women's Institute for Science, Equity and Race in Virginia, and Sushma Ramachandran, an independent business journalist and columnist for The Tribune newspaper in New Delhi. Turkey has brokered a deal between Russia and Ukraine to allow grain to leave ports in Ukraine, but not everyone is confident the deal will do enough to help grain stocks reach those who need them the most. Daniil Melnychenko, data analyst at Informall Business Group, analyses cargo in the Black Sea and questions how much difference it will make. One of Australia's biggest music festivals, Splendour in the Grass, has had to cancel its first day of performances due to bad weather. We hear from ABC reporter Tobi Loftus and a couple of festival-goers. With a new wildfires in the USA, what does it mean for businesses and the insurance market? Raj Vojjala, head of exposure and vulnerability at risk analysis business RMS in California, gives his view. (Picture: ZAPORIZHZHIA REGION, UKRAINE - JULY 17, 2022 - A serviceman holds wheat ears during the harvest season, Zaporizhzhia Region, southeastern Ukraine. Credit: Getty Images).

Vivienne Nunis is joined by Shuli Ren, Bloomberg writer based in Hong Kong, and Tony Nash, chief economist at Complete Intelligence in Texas, USA. Riot police in Sri Lanka crack down on protesters after the new president is sworn in, the BBC's Anbarasan Etirajan in Colombo discusses what this might say about the new leadership. Amazon has agreed to buy US healthcare provider One Medical for $3.9bn as the ecommerce giant furthers its push into the medical industry. Professor of Marketing at NYU University Scott Galloway explains how he saw Amazon moving into healthcare as far back as 2019. And China's Zhengzhou city is creating a property developer bailout fund as increasing numbers of homeowners join a nationwide boycott of mortgage payments on unfinished houses. Shuli, who worked at Lehman Brothers in New York during the 2008 crash, sees some eerie comparisons. (Picture caption: SPAIN - 2022/01/24: In this photo illustration medical syringes seen with an Amazon logo in the background. Credit: Getty Images)

Sri Lanka's foreign currency reserves have virtually run dry, and the president has fled the country after months of protests over soaring prices and a lack of food and fuel. Vivienne Nunis gets an update from the BBC's Anbarasan Ethiragan from outside the main protest site, and Shanta Devarajan, advisor liaising between international financial institutions and the Sri Lankan government. Inflation in the United States has increased as its fastest rate since November 1981. Everyday goods are now, on average, 9.1% more expensive than they were a year ago. Business Correspondent Samira Hussain explains the reasons behind this from New York. Iceland has topped the overall rankings as the most gender-equal country in the World Economic Forum's Global "Gender Gap" Report this year- the second year running. The author of the report, Saadia Zahidi explains why the world's two biggest economies are at opposite ends of the rankings. Today Russian and Ukrainian delegations are meeting Turkish and UN officials to find a solution to the grain exportation crisis. Daniil Melnychenko is a data analyst at Informil Business group in Odessa, which analyses cargo in the Black Sea. He shares his view on negotiations. And finally, Australia's biggest hardware chain, Bunnings, and retailer Kmart, are using facial recognition technology in their stores. Kat Power from consumer group Choice Australia, joins us.

Airports in the capital of France have been told to cancel some flights due to four days of strikes. We hear from French journalist Anne-Elizabeth Moutet and the Head of Aviation at the European Transport Workers' Federation Eoin Coates. We talk to Columbia University professor Carey Leahy about the financial markets' recovery after one of the worst days Wall Street has had in decades, and the record inflation figures in the Eurozone. Disney, Facebook's parent Meta, American Express and Goldman Sachs are among the latest in a growing list of companies that say they will cover expenses for employees who travel out of state to access abortion care. But what happens to those who work for smaller employers who can't or won't provide extended health care? Marketplace's Meghan McCarty Carino has more on who the system leaves behind. Only a tiny handful of women have ever attempted to enter Formula 1. But now one team is trying to change that: Alpine. Formerly Renault F1, it has launched a bid to get more women into the sport. We talk to their head of HR Claire Mesnier. The Sky Cruise is a huge aeroplane with thousands of rooms, parks and a pool powered by its own nuclear reactor. But it only exists in a video animation made by Yemeni science communicator and video producer Hashem Al-Ghail... for now. He told us why he thinks his design can soon become a real vacation cruiser. Vivienne Nunis is joined throughout the programme by Karen Percy, a senior freelance reporter in Australia, and Jasper Kim, a professor at Ewha University in South Korea, to discuss this and more relevant business news from around the world.

China celebrates the 25th anniversary of the British handover of Hong Kong. But critics regret loss of liberties during Beijing's rule despite commitments to the 'one country, two systems' policy. We hear from Hong Kong's former Chief Executive, C.Y Leung, the BBC's Martin Yip, and former Chinese diplomat Victor Gao. We also talk to local business owners in Hong Kong about the growing challenges they face since the introduction of the national security law. We hear about the grim day global markets have had as FHN Financial's analyst Chris Low explains what is on investors' minds these days. Vivienne Nunis is joined throughout the programme by Marketplace's senior reporter Andy Uhler, in Texas, and writer Rachel Cartland, who served in the Hong Kong government until 2006. (Picture: Preparations ahead of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Picture credit: EPA)

Organisations are facing financial challenges getting aid to Afghanistan after Wednesday's devastating earthquake. Vivienne Nunis is joined by Dr Erica Moret, a senior researcher at the Graduate Institute in Geneva and the author of a recent report on financial access for NGOs in Afghanistan. European Union leaders are today set to formally designate Ukraine a candidate for future membership. Ukraine applied to join the bloc after Russia invaded in February, and leaders are meeting in Brussels. Marc Pierini, a former career EU diplomat for nearly 40 years, explains the process of joining the EU. Online dating is big business, but some businesses are going one step further when it comes to love in the metaverse. Hannah Mullane has been investigating if putting on a virtual reality headset can help with dating. Nike's Air Force 1 went on sale today. It's a collaboration with Off White, the luxury brand formerly owned by the late fashion designer Virgil Abloh. They sold for $185 but the resale value for such sneakers can be up to 400% higher. Radio and podcast host, Kish Kash explains how he got involved in the sneaker collecting phenomenon. (Picture: Villagers along with rescue workers examine the extent of damage at a village following an earthquake in Bernal district, Paktika province, on June 23, 2022. - Desperate rescuers battled against the clock and heavy rain on June 23 to reach cut-off areas in eastern Afghanistan after a powerful earthquake killed at least 1,000 people and left thousands more homeless. Picture Credit: AHMAD SAHEL ARMAN/AFP via Getty Images).

Vivienne Nunis is joined by journalist and co-founder of the digital news startup,The Current PK, Mehmal Sarfraz in Pakistan, and Professor of Culture at Yorksville University, Ralph Silva, from Canada. We hear from Peter Allegeier the former US Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation and President of Nauset Global LLC, about the deal on banning fishing subsidies and President Putin's reaction to the sanctions imposed on Russia. A BBC survey of more than 4 thousand adults in the UK shows people are cutting back on food and car journeys to save money. Nancy Marshall-Genzer of our US partner programme, Marketplace, has been investigating how American Gen Zs are coping with the economic instability. The song ‘Running Up That Hill' by Kate Bush has reached number one in the UK, 37 years after it was first released. Entertainment commentator Gita Amar joins us from Los Angeles. Colombians go to the polls on Sunday in an election that commentators say will change the direction of the country - no matter who wins. Sergio Guzman, director of Colombia Risk Analysis, and businessman Hernando Barreto give their views. Researchers in the United States and South Korea have come up with a novel way to tackle the growing issue of counterfeit medicines and whisky – an edible QR code. Dr Young Kim is the study's principal researcher, he provides some insight into exactly how it works – and why it is needed. (PICTURE: Fishing bait is unloaded at Bridlington Harbour fishing port in Yorkshire on December 8th 2020. PICTURE CREDIT: Danny Lawson/PA Wire.)

Vivienne Nunis is joined by contributing editor at NPR, Paddy Hirsch, from Los Angeles and Bloomberg reporter, Rebecca Choong-Wilkins, in Hong Kong. The value of bitcoin has fallen about 30% in the last 10 days. We hear from one of the youngest Bitcoin millionaires, Erik Finman, about how he got involved in the cryptocurrency aged twelve. The cosmetics company, Revlon, has filed for bankruptcy protection as it struggles against massive debts and stiff competition. Lauren Thomas from CNBC tells us why such a big brand failed to survive in a pressured economic climate. President Biden has said a recession in the United States is not inevitable and sees a reason for optimism, noting the low employment rate in the US. We hear from Correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, Silvina Frydlewsky, in Buenos Aires. Leaders of Germany, France, Italy and Romania have said they support Ukraine's bid to join the European Union. Deputy Director at the Bruegel economic think tank, Maria Demertzis, tells us what the likelihood is of a union with Ukraine. Picture: A representation of virtual currency Bitcoin is seen in front of a stock graph in this illustration taken November 19, 2020. Picture Credit: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

Dense tropical rainforest in central Africa's Congo Basin is humid and rainy for much of the year. Underfoot lies one of the world's biggest carbon sinks – muddy soil built up from layers of partly decomposed plant matter. Remote and uncultivated, the peatlands have survived for thousands of years, stretching over an area the size of England. Incredibly, the area contains 30 billion tonnes of carbon trapped underground, but this rare carbon store is now under threat as local authorities turn their attention to oil. Presented by Vivienne Nunis. Image: Aerial view of the peatland forest at Lokolama/Penzele around Mbandaka, Équateur province, DRC. Credit: Daniel Beltrá / Greenpeace Africa.

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.

Economic activity in the US contracted unexpectedly in the first three months of 2022. The Harvard economist Professor Ken Rogoff tells us whether it signals a possible recession. Also in the programme, a mass strike in Sri Lanka has forced the closure of many schools, shops and services. The BBC's Ranga Sirilal tells us why people in the country have withdrawn their labour. The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has been visiting Ukraine today. We catch up with Ukrainian businessman Oleg Chernyak, of CHI Software, to hear how he and his staff are doing, now that they have moved from Kharkiv in the east, to the relative safety of Lviv in the west. Plus, the BBC's Vivienne Nunis explores why sales of brooches have been soaring, and why they can be such a powerful accessory. Today's edition is presented by Will Bain, and produced by Faarea Masud, Ivana Davidovic and George Thomas.

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

We're taking the long view on Europe's energy headache. For decades, Russia has been using its vast natural gas reserves as a powerful political tool. So what can the past teach us about the current crisis? Vivienne Nunis speaks to the author and journalist Oliver Bullough who's been following the gas trail from the USSR to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Also in the programme, Ajit Niranjan reports from the German coastal resort of Lubmin, where the Nord Stream pipelines transporting Russian gas to Europe come to an end. What do people there make of a future without Russian gas? Producer: Carmel O'Grady. Image: Part of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Credit: Getty Images

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

The European Union is proposing a new round of sanctions against Russia including a ban on coal imports and a ban on Russian ships entering European ports. German economist Jakob Schlandt tells presenter Faarea Masud that Germany's heavy reliance on Russian energy remains a difficult issue for the EU. Japan has also stepped up sanctions against Russia; Noah Schneider, Tokyo bureau chief for The Economist gives us the details. Also in the programme: a special report from the BBC's Vivienne Nunis looks at Australia's tourism industry, which is breathing a sigh of relief as the country's borders finally reopen and things start to get back to normal. Finally, Italy is trying to encourage so-called digital nomads - people whose can work from anywhere, provided they have a laptop and wifi - to settle in depopulated towns and villages. Mario Mirabile from South Working in Italy tells us how he's been helping his fellow remote workers adjust to the lifestyle.

Aboriginal people from Australia's Tiwi Islands have joined forces with marine scientists and other environmentalists in the fight against a new gas field planned for the Timor Sea. Vivienne Nunis reports on the multi-billion dollar Barossa gas development, which has already been partially approved by Australian regulators. The oil and gas giant Santos plans to build a 300km gas pipeline from the gas field to Darwin, through a marine park that is home to turtles, sponges and other sea creatures. Experts describe the tropical waters as 'pristine'. So who will win out? The oil and gas industry or those fighting against the wells, rigs and drills? Image: an Olive Ridley sea turtle, the most common species nesting on the Tiwi Islands. Credit: Getty

Amid concern about supply from Russia, Germany has invoked its emergency gas plan. Carsten Brzeski is global head of macro research at ING, and tells us what the move actually means. Also in the programme, as part of an ongoing economic crisis, Sri Lanka has introduced enforced 10 hour power cuts. Dimuthu Attanayake is a journalist in the capital Colombo, and discusses the impact the power cuts are having. The Ethiopian government has pledged to bring home around 100,000 citizens currently living in Saudi Arabia, following reports of undocumented migrants being subjected to inhumane treatment there. The first flight landed in Ethiopia on Wednesday, from where the BBC's Kalkidan Yibeltal brings us up to speed. With high inflation causing problems for people all over the world, the BBC's Dan O'Brien reports from Wiltshire in southwest England, on the challenges farmers are facing with rapidly rising prices for energy and fertiliser. Plus, we have an extended report from Vivienne Nunis on a row brewing in Australia over a proposed new gas field in the Timor Sea. Today's edition is presented by Sasha Twining, and produced by George Thomas and Tom Kavanagh.

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

One of Ukraine's top pharmaceutical firms asks the global industry to help keep medicines flowing. Also in the programme, the BBC's Caroline Davies seeks Russian views on the changing high street in Moscow, as Western firms shut their shops in Russia. We get a sense of what impact Western sanctions are having on the country's economy from Liam Peach of Capital Economics. And we hear about new restrictions on exports that Russia's government has imposed. Meanwhile the British government has introduced new sanctions on seven wealthy Russians, including the owner of Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich. Tariq Panja is global sports correspondent with the New York Times, and explains the implications for the club. Plus, recent floods in eastern Australia have caused devastating losses of life and livelihoods. The BBC's Vivienne Nunis asks what can be done to prevent future disasters causing so much damage to businesses and homes. Today's edition is presented by Will Bain, and produced by Faarea Masud, Ivana Davidovic and Gabriele Shaw.