Across America, businesses are closing and jobs are being lost -- because of Covid-19. Now, analysts expect another important US metric to fall -- the birth rate. The Brookings Institution projects a dramatic drop in the number of babies born this year. Kyoko Gasha explores the economic impact of this baby bust and how long it might last.

#USbirthrate #Pandemic #Babies

Italy was one of the most indebted nations in Europe. But it was starting to get a better handle on its finances with painful austerity measures. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced Rome to throw out plans for penny pinching. The government wants to get back on track, and many are optimistic, because a steady new hand will be at the wheel. For more, we spoke to Gianpietro Mazzoleni in Milan. He's a professor of political communication at the University of Milan. And joining us from Rome was Pietro Paganini. He's a business professor at Temple University in Philadelphia.

#Italy #EUdebtcrisis #COVID19

In Myanmar, the military coup is causing global companies to scale down their operations in the country. Many governments are also considering slapping sanctions on the regime. But the big worry is that, any punitive measures against the junta, could end up harming the most vulnerable civilians. Mobin Nasir reports. For more on this, George McLeod joined us from Dakar. He's managing partner at Access Asia.

#Myanmar #MilitaryJunta #Sanctions

Are you wearing more perfume these days? Well, research by fragrance and flavour company Firmenich suggests that 56% of consumers globally appreciate perfumes MORE during lockdown. But businesses in the sector know they need to innovate in order to stay relevant. Natalie Powell reports.

#Fragrance #UKperfume #Covid19

As the US restaurant industry reels from COVID-19 enforced lockdowns, ghost kitchens promise an alternative to the traditional dining experience. Albert Han looks at how they work, and if they can help restaurants survive challenging times during the pandemic.

Bitcoin prices are surging after electric carmaker Tesla announced it's invested 1.5 billion dollars in the cryptocurrency. The company also plans to begin accepting payments in crypto assets. Some analysts say it's only a matter of time until other firms follow suit. That, could push demand for digital currencies even higher. But, as Mobin Nasir reports, nothing is ever certain with bitcoin. For more on this, Jeffrey Tucker joined us from Great Barrington, Massachusetts. He's editorial director at the American Institute for Economic Research.

#Tesla #BitcoinPrice #ElonMusk

For some, social media is a pastime or distraction. But for others, it's become a professional obsession. In Italy, a group of up-and-coming influencers are joining together under one roof, to attract bigger audiences -- and bigger pay days. Miranda Lin explains.

#TikTok #Italy #ContentCreation

The crisis has widened the gap between rich and poor members. In Germany, the manufacturing-based economy has proven more resilient than its neighbours', many of whom depend on tourism. But Germany has NOT been immune to the growing economic fallout. For more, we spoke to Holger Schmi-ding, chief economist at Berenberg Bank in Berlin. Also with us was political analyst Klaus Jurgens, who spoke to us from Innsbruck, Austria.

#GermanyDebt #EUcountries #GermanyGDP

Let's talk social media. Have you heard of Clubhouse? Well, Chinese internet users have been PAYING a lot of cash to join it. The invitation-only audio chat app was developed in Silicon Valley. The platform allows discussions that are censored on other social media by Chinese regulators. It's got millions of users in mainland China. But it's also just provoked a government clampdown. For more on this, Daniel Ives joined us from New York. He's managing director at Wedbush Securities.

#Apps #ChineseRegulators #Clubhouse

The tiny house movement is proof that bigger isn't always better. More people worldwide are downsizing their homes, not only for the minimalist appeal, but also for a smaller carbon footprint. And as Natasha Hussain reports, in Turkey, the COVID-19 pandemic has only boosted demand for tiny homes.

#MinimalistHouses #Turkey #Tourism