Countries considered hostile to the West are threatening to cut under sea cables, which carry 95 percent of the world’s data.

China, Iran and Russia are suspected of threatening to sabotage cables, carrying 95% of the world’s data, which makes the network vital to the global economy.

Russell Padmore examines how the lines laid on ocean floors are the backbone of the internet, so they need to be protected, but international military cooperation is limited.

Produced and presented by Russell Padmore

(Image: An undersea cable between Helsinki and Rostock which was laid in 2015. Credit: Getty Images)

We speak to one of Japan's very few female CEOs.

Makiko Ono leads Suntory Beverage and Food, part of the Suntory coagulometer that makes soft drinks including Orangina, Lucozade and Ribena.

She shares her 40-plus years journey at the company; including how she led company's first acquisition to opening doors for the next generation of women in business.

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: [email protected]

Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Amber Mehmood

(Image: Makiko Ono, chief executive officer of Suntory Beverage and Food Ltd, at the company's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, on 23 March 2023. Credit Getty Images)

Ed Butler travels to Kantamanto market in Accra, Ghana.

15 million used garments arrive in Ghana every week from all over the world - most ends up at Kantamanto but a lot can't be sold because it's in poor condition. That ends up as landfill.

Just weeks after Ed’s visit, a disastrous fire raised it to the ground, so he’s been back in touch with some of the vendors he spoke to as they try and get the market, and their livelihoods, up and running again.

Produced and presented by Ed Butler

After Justin Trudeau resigned as prime minister last month, what does the in-tray look like for Canada’s next leader?

The country is facing a major challenge from new US president Donald Trump who introduced 25% tariffs on Canadian exports - now postponed for 30 days - and is even questioning the country's identity.

But Canada also has a list of problems to address from within, such as rising property costs and new rules on immigration.

We find out how people are feeling – and what happens next.

Produced by Megan Lawton

Presented by Sam Gruet

(Image: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing his resignation during a news conference in Ottowa, Canada on 6 January 2025. Credit: Getty Images)

The country’s sick leave policy is one of the most generous in the world.

Employees get full pay for the first six weeks they’re off, after that their health insurance policy will pay them a large portion of their salary for a further 18 months.

This means the culture around taking sick leave is different to other countries, and the average worker takes 20 days off sick each year.

We find out why, and look at the impact on business and the German economy.

Produced and presented by Hannah Mullane

(Image: German commuters on bikes at a junction. Credit: Getty Images)

Thousands of homes burned to the ground in the recent wildfires in Los Angeles which will likely become the most expensive natural disaster in US history.

Many victims did not have insurance, because they couldn’t afford California’s increasingly expensive policies or because they were dropped by their insurer.

Lexy O’Connor meets some of those affected and finds out what’s fuelling California’s insurance crisis.

Presented and produced by Lexy O'Connor

(Image: Two people survey the damage during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California on 8 January 2025. Credit: Getty Images)

Whether its for medical expenses, college funds, charity campaigns, chances are you've been asked to donate to a fundraiser online.

GoFundMe is one of the biggest of the crowdfunding platforms, generating an estimated $30bn in funds since it launched in 2010.

CEO Tim Cadogan tells us about joining as CEO in 2020, and the challenges of running a profit making company in a charity space.

Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones

(Image: Tim Cadogan. Credit: Getty Images)

Advances in technology mean more people have devices which offer incentives and rewards for achieving fitness goals.

From hi tech gyms to interactive home works outs, we explore why some companies are embracing this approach.

It’s boosting user engagement and transforming workouts, but are trackers and leader boards a positive step? And is this what the future holds for fitness?

Produced and presented by Sean Allsop

(Image: A fitness class. Credit: Getty Images)

Ed Butler travels to northern Ghana in search of one of the country’s growing exports.

Cashew nuts have become a feature of crop production, but there are problems.

How does Ghana best add value to cashews in a way that benefits the country and doesn’t just see it exploited overseas?

And could solving the cashew issue help Ghana's economy in other ways?

Produced and presented by Ed Butler

(Image: A worker at a cashew processing company sorting nuts in Ghana)

In November 2024, FC St Pauli became the first major football club to stop posting on X (formerly Twitter). In a statement, the leftwing Bundesliga club cited concerns over racism and conspiracy theories on the platform.

It has moved to alternative social media site Bluesky instead.

So is this part of a wider trend? We hear from companies who are finding alternatives to X, or staying on but reducing advertising spend.

Plus we hear from those who say with hundreds of millions users, X still has an important role to play particularly in areas like customer service.

Produced and presented by Daniel Rosney

(Image: Fans of St.Pauli wave a skull and crossbones rainbow flag during the match between FC St. Pauli and 1. FC Magdeburg at Millerntor Stadium in Hamburg, Germany, 14 August 2022. Credit: Getty Images)

Squatting has a long history in Spain, often fuelled by high rates of homelessness.

And the country’s ongoing housing crisis means that despite being low in numbers, squatting is now a highly politicised topic.

We hear from private companies set up to evict people, from businesses making products to prevent squatters moving in, and from squatters themselves about their experiences.

Produced and presented by Stefania Gozzer

(Image: A worker takes a mattress off the balcony during the eviction of 62 families from four apartments in June 2023 in Madrid, Spain. Credit: Getty Images)