Big Boss Interview

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)

As markets tumble, users are left unable to withdraw from some exchanges, and a leading hedge fund prepares to enter liquidation. Is crypto in terminal decline? Scott Chipolina, correspondent for the Financial Times, says investors are well used to challenging conditions.

Sri Lanka is among the countries to be worst hit by inflation, and living standards are falling. Joseph Stalin of the Ceylon Teachers' Union, and Steve Hanke from Johns Hopkins University, tell us why a solution may be some way off.

It's a host's worst nightmare: an out-of-control party in your Airbnb. As the platform cracks down on gatherings, we hear the story of a rental gone wrong in the Bahamas.

Also on the programme, a boss at H&M explains why leaving Russia was a tough decision; and it's happy 15th birthday to Apple's iPhone.

We're joined throughout Business Matters by financial consultant Jessica Khine in Malaysia, and economist Tony Nash in Texas.

(Picture: a crypto trader checks his wins and losses. Credit: Getty Images)

An abandoned truck containing dead migrants has sparked horror in North America. The US-Mexico border is among the busiest, and most dangerous, in the world. Two journalists on either side of the fence - Allysa Tellez in San Antonio, and Lillian Perlmutter in Mexico City - look at the factors driving smuggling, violence and death.

Some of the world's wealthiest nations have pledged further support for Ukraine, but China wasn't at the negotiating table. Independent economist Andy Xie provides a view from Singapore.

Back in the US, and companies are now offering an unusual employee benefit - help to end a pregnancy. Disney and Meta are among them. We hear from the boss of NY tech firm Alloy, Laura Spiekerman, about why the package has been touted for staff.

Like in many countries, the rising cost of fuel is causing unrest in Peru. A former minister, Alfonso Segura, tells us the protests are likely to continue into a third week.

Elvis may have left the building, but he's still bringing home the bacon. 45 years on from his demise, the Presley brand is growing in popularity again. Our guests this evening - Maggie McGrath from Forbes in New York, and Smart Investor co-founder David Kuo in Singapore - talk about the King of Pop's continued appeal, as well as all the other issues of the day.

(Picture: The scene of the tragedy in San Antonio, Texas. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images.)

A decision to remove constitutional abortion rights has deepened divisions in the US. Pro-life leaders have welcomed the Supreme Court's decision and a number of states are already changing their laws. Critics say it will be detrimental to women's health, and to the wider American economy. Rachel Fey from the pro-choice group Power To Decide tells us why.

We're also joined throughout the programme by Rhona Vonshay Sharpe, the CEO of the US-based Women's Institute for Science, Equity and Race (WISER); as well as Peter Ryan, Senior Business Correspondent at ABC News in Sydney.

After a deadly earthquake rocked Afghanistan, Europe has pledged financial support. A former minister, Gul Sabit, explains what is needed in the longer term.

Meanwhile, in Europe, leaders are meeting ahead of the next G7 summit in Germany to discuss food security. Sophia Murphy from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy is following the developments.

Rafael Bostic, head of Atlanta's Federal Reserve Bank, has been speaking to Kai Ryssdal from our partner programme Marketplace.

(Picture: Pro-choice demonstrators take a stand in Manhattan's Union Square. Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images).

The Taliban in Afghanistan have appealed for international support, as the country deals with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake which claimed the lives of over 1,000 people leaving another 1,500 injured, according to local officials.

In Sri Lanka, the prime minister - Ranil Wickremesinghe says its troubled economy has collapsed and the country is unable to even pay for oil imports.

Mr Wickremesinghe also said he is trying to put together a conference of donors, which would potentially include China and Japan.

A hospital in South Africa's Cape Town is proving to be a hotbed of innovation with robots now becoming a regular part of surgery.

And how modern genetics is helping African Americans piece together their stolen stories.

(Aid agencies in neighbouring Pakistan are assisting with humanitarian effort. Credit: BBC)

Russia has warned Lithuania of 'serious' consequences after it banned the transport of certain goods to the neighbouring Russian territory of Kaliningrad. Lithuania says it is only following the EU sanctions imposed over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. We speak to Rasa Ščiukinaitė, Lithuania Director of the British Chamber of Commerce in Vilnius.

Elsewhere, a British subsidiary of the mining company Glencore has pleaded guilty in a UK court to corruption offences. We hear from Alexandra Gilles, an advisor at the Natural Resource Governance Institute in the US and author of 'Crude Intentions: How Oil Corruption Contaminates the World'.

Ed Butler is joined by the freelance writer and former senior editor at Hindustan Times, Madhavan Narayanan, and Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute think tank, Alison Schrager.

(Image:High Angle View Of Freight Train On Railroad Track in Kaunas, Lithuania. Credit: Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called Africa "a hostage" of Russia's war, during an address to the African Union. Speaking via video link, he said Russia is trying to exploit African leaders and their people by blocking the export of Ukrainian grain from its ports. In Zimbabwe, hundreds of public sector health workers and teachers have gone on strike with organisers saying they can't afford to feed their families. We hear from the Christine Kayumba, who's Vice President of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union. Elsewhere, Canada has outlined plans to ban single-use plastics. The ban on the manufacture and import of several popular items will begin from December 2022. Ed Butler is joined by Bloomberg reporter James Mayger in Tokyo, as well as CBC tech and business journalist Takara Small, to discuss all these stories and the other big business news of the day.

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