The last leader of the Soviet Union has died at the age of 91. He remains a divisive figure praised by those who value the freedoms that millions of Soviet citizens gained after his reforms, but condemned by those in Russia who believe he allowed the fall of an empire. We hear more from his biographer, William Taubman, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies' senior fellow Gerard DiPippo.

The Chinese leader Xi Jinping has started his march to renew his rule for another five years, an unprecedented move since the times of Mao Zedong. But as the economy slows down and Covid lockdowns continue to spring up, could there be any opposition to Xi's plans? We ask Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, in the United States.

California's Senate has passed what is known as the Fast Food Bill, which gives workers at restaurants like Starbucks and McDonald's the right to negotiate with government and their employers. We talk to Mary Kay Henry, international president of Service Employees International Union.

Serena Williams's upcoming retirement is making many of her fans wonder what the future awaits for one of the biggest female stars in tennis. Having built a brand around her persona, it won't be long until we hear from her again, as Nancy Spencer, a Professor at the Sport Management Program in Bowling Green State University, tells us.

Roger Hearing is joined throughout the programme by guests in opposite sides of the world: Diane Brady, assistant managing editor at Forbes, in New York, and David Quo, financial analyst and co-founder of the Smart Investor, in Singapore.

(Picture: Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. Picture credit: Reuters)