BBC Business Daily 282v2y

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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