Flooding in Europe: mounting pressure for more funding

Tensions continue to rise in Lebanon and there is growing fear of escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. Over the past decade Lebanon’s economy has shrunk dramatically, the currency has collapsed, and prices have skyrocketed. Many are living under fear and uncertainty. We hear from Lebanon's business community on how they are coping in the current climate.Elsewhere, in Kenya a court has ruled that Facebook's parent company Meta can be sued over the dismissal of content moderators. These workers say they were fired for trying to form a union and that they were blacklisted from new jobs when Meta changed contractors. And Leanna Byrne looks at the strike by Boeing production workers, which has already racked up over half a billion dollars in losses.

The boss of the world's largest sportswear maker, Nike, is to step down as the company's market share falls and rivals produce more innovative footwear.Also in Lebanon, the country's economy minister says the situation is escalating by the hour. Lebanon had already endured one of the worst financial meltdowns in history. Rob Young hears from the minister, a business owner and get a briefing on the state of the country's economy amid a slide towards -- what many fear will be -- an all-out war.And we look at why tensions have resurfaced between China and Japan, Asia's biggest economies.

Under the shadow of conflict is normal life possible in Lebanon? The country has had a major economic crisis for almost a decade, and there is growing fear of escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. We hear from Lebanon's business community on the challenges of working under the shadow of increasing violence.Also, in the programme, Roger Hearing looks at the ongoing legal dispute between Brazil and the social media platform X. The company, which has more than 22 million users in Brazil, has appointed a new lawyer who has told the BBC that the company has decided to comply with all the court orders. Elsewhere, the sportswear brand Nike has just announced its CEO John Donahoe will retire next month and will be replaced by Elliott Hill, a veteran former Nike executive.

“There’s no playground, no place to play football, and no wedding venue anymore. It’s all been washed away,” the words of a hotel owner just south of Wrocław, in Poland, hit by the worst floods in 25 years. You’ll be hearing more about her story…Also, in today’s tech-focused episode Sam Fenwick will be discussing the United Nations’ call for stronger regulation of artificial intelligence.You'll hear a special report on who tech titans might be backing in the US election. And how have global investors reacted to the big interest rate cut in the United States?

The US Federal Reserve has slashed interest rates by half a point, the first reduction in more than four years. We talk to experts and businesses about the impact this will have in the economy.A second wave of blasts have taken place in Lebanon, leaving at least 14 dead and more than 450 injured. We hear more about the exploding devices and their origins.And reports of X being available again for users in Brazil have emerged weeks after the social platform was temporarily banned by a judge in the country. We look into what is happening.

Over the past four years, consumer prices worldwide have been on the rise. In the United States, inflation soared to 9.1% in June 2022, marking its highest rate since November 1981. Similarly, advanced economies have faced significant inflationary pressures. Later today, the US central bank, the Federal Reserve, will announce its latest decision on interest rates and is expected to cut rates for the first time in more than four years. Elsewhere, the UK has announced inflation figures of 2.2%, but are consumers feeling any better off? Presenter Sam Fenwick examines if businesses have also been struggling with higher prices for energy and raw materials along with increased wages.

The US Federal Reserve is likely to cut interests rates tomorrow. We discuss the implications with experts in the United States. And why the Indian Supreme Court is stepping into the row about female doctors' safety at the Kolkata Hospital where a young medic was raped and murdered on her rest break. And on the ground in Sri Lanka ahead of this weekend's election, we hear how the country's slow recovery from economic turmoil will be an important factor in the vote.

Bill Gates has told the BBC that governments need to do more to help those living in extreme poverty. Since the pandemic many have cut their aid budgets. A report from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation warns that 40 million additional children will suffer from hunger in the coming years because of climate change and a drop in aid in Africa from nearly 40% of the global total in 2010 to just 25%.Elsewhere, Thailand’s new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has announced a $13.5 billion cash handout programme for low-income earners and vulnerable groups that will start next week, and will hopefully give the economy a boost. And twenty-four hour party people. How will Montreal's economy benefit from extending their drinking hours?

TikTok takes to the courts to fight the US Government's ultimatum to get rid of its Chinese parent company and more troubles for strike-bound Boeing; the Seattle aviation giant is cutting back on spending and may furlough white-collar staff. Also, in West Bengal, why people celebrating the state's most popular festival may not be able to enjoy their traditional fish treat

Amid many economic challenges, the government in Islamabad wants to ensure it keeps its IMF support, brings down inflation and avoids a debt default.Also, we examine how China can produce electric vehicles for under $20,000 and why Elon Musk's social media company X is moving its headquarters from California to Texas.