October 13, 2025

Down to earths

53 minutes

Felicity Hannah hears the latest developments in the trade war between the US and China, reignited after Beijing imposed a new round of controls on those rare earths and minerals essential to the production of everything from mobile phones to weapons.

Also, a new idea to revive the economies of the UK's former industrial heartlands. But will new incentives to save on taxes for companies willing to invest succeed where other initiatives have failed?

And, it's no surprise we're a nation of pasta lovers. But are we really going off the humble spaghetto in favour of pappardelle and tortellini? We talk to a pasta maker about the shape of things to come.

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