Malawi is trying to tackle child labor on its tobacco farms after the US imposed an import ban in November. The country's one of the largest producers of the leaf globally... and according to official figures, it accounts for 60 percent of export revenues. Farmers fear the ban could put off other international buyers. As Adesewa Josh reports, it's forcing the government to take action.

#Malawi #ChildLabour #Tobacco

A debate is currently under way in Hungary over whether to adopt the euro. The head of the central bank says the euro is a strategic mistake. But the finance minister says otherwise. Despite being a member of the European Union, Hungary is yet to join the bloc's exchange mechanism. EU members undergo a two-year transition phase before being eligible to adopt the euro. Our correspondent Ali Mustafa went to Budapest to figure out which currency Hungarians would prefer .

#Forint #Euro #EuropeanUnion

France has been brought to a halt by nationwide protests against proposed pension reform. 90-percent of trains have been cancelled, most public transport in Paris is down and hundreds of flights are grounded. Unions have walked out over plans to create a unified pension regime for all retirees. Currently there are 42 different systems. Elena Casas sent us this report. And for more, we spoke to Remi Piet, a research associate at the University of Miami's European Union center. He joined us from New York.

#PensionReforms #FranceUnions #Macron

In a much-anticipated public offering, shares are available in the world's most profitable company. Saudi Aramco's IPO comes as OPEC members meet in Austria to discuss further oil production cuts. They're trying to keep prices stable -- even raise them. But as Reagan Des Vignes reports, Saudi Arabia may be less interested in cutting production, and more interested in attracting investment. For more, Gaurav Sharma joined the show from Vienna. He’s an oil and commodities analyst at Forbes.

#SaudiAramco #SharePrice #Oil

There's a new culinary trend in Singapore: a one-off, exclusive feast that takes diners on an exotic journey. A burgeoning community of self-proclaimed food geeks, who infuse art, history and music into a unique dining experience, is leading the trend. Sandy Huang reports.

#Foodies #Brunch #Singapore

As global demand grows for natural and organic products … goods containing shea butter have become increasingly popular. It's not only found in food like chocolate, margarine and cooking oil. Shea butter is also used in cosmetics and body treatments because it's a natural moisturizer. As Natasha Hussain reports, Nigeria is cashing in on the billion-dollar industry.

#SheaButter #Cosmetics #SkinCare

Europe's environment is at a tipping point. That's according to the region's Environment Agency. It's released a new report that shows the bloc is experiencing higher temperatures and a loss of biodiversity. The organisation predicts the EU will not achieve the climate and energy targets set for next year and 2030, unless urgent action is taken. Sibel Karkus has more.

#Environment #EU #CarbonEmissions

More than a year after President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government came to power, it's still struggling to bring Zimbabwe back from the brink. And severe droughts have only worsened conditions for the agriculture-based economy. On Wednesday, hundreds of doctors went on strike, demanding higher pay and better facilities. Columbus Mavhunga reports from Harare. For more on this, Wilf Mbanga joined the show from Johannesburg. He's the founder and editor of news outlet, The Zimbabwean.

#ZimEconomy #DoctorStrike #Mnangagwa

US President Donald Trump warned the American trade war with China could go beyond the 2020 US presidential election. His comments threw the Dow and Asian stock markets into a tailspin. Reagan Des Vignes reports on why investors are anxious, as Trump seems to be using levies as a weapon against not just US enemies, but allies too. For more, political analyst and economist Phar Kim Beng joined the show from London.

#TradeWar #Trump #Levies

The gaming console many of us grew up playing is all grown up! On Tuesday, Sony celebrated the 25th anniversary of the PlayStation. It used to be a side project, but now the platform and its games generate most of the company's earnings. And Sony's betting on online gaming to keep the cash flowing.

#PlayStation #PS4 #Sony