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How marriage equality changed the wedding industry

How marriage equality changed the wedding industry

It’s been 10 years since Ireland made history by becoming the first country to legalise same-sex marriage through a public vote.

While other countries had legalised it, it was the first time a referendum had been held.

We hear from wedding planners, photographers and venues about how things have changed for them since the 2015 referendum.

As the overall number of marriages in Ireland decreases, the number of same-sex marriages is still increasing. We hear from same-sex couples who are now seen as prospective clients for this sector.

Produced and presented by Leanna Byrne

(Image: Alan Hatton and Darren Lawlor)

Valencia: Recovering from the floods

Valencia: Recovering from the floods

Six months on, we head back to the Spanish city to hear from residents and businesses.

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

Presented and produced by Ashish Sharma

(Image: Floodwaters on the streets of Valencia, Spain, in October 2024. Homes, businesses, and public spaces were severely affected. Credit: Getty Images)

The world’s most dangerous place to be a trade unionist

The world’s most dangerous place to be a trade unionist

We're in Colombia where workers have been been shot at, threatened with violence and seen their work colleagues killed – all because of union membership or association.

Why is this happening, what’s being done about it, and what drives people to still sign up for trade union membership?

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

Presented and produced by Gideon Long

(Image: Striking truck drivers in September 2024. Credit: Getty Images)

A nuclear future for Africa?

A nuclear future for Africa?

Nuclear power is back in favour, as more countries across the world consider ways to cut carbon emissions to combat climate change.

Countries like China and Japan are planning to build more reactors, but should nations in Africa invest in renewable sources of generating electricity, like solar panels, wind turbines and geo-thermal power, instead of nuclear?

We examine how energy generated from nuclear fission has huge advance costs which would mean African governments finding loans from willing investors, but that might cede more economic influence to China or Russia.

We also hear how Amazon, Google and Microsoft are investing in nuclear power, using smaller modular reactors to run data storage centres in the United States, as demand for electricity is expected to surge when artificial intelligence is running at full capacity. Could the developing technology of SMRs prove useful in Africa?

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

Presented and produced by Russell Padmore

(Picture: The Koeberg nuclear power station, Cape Town, South Africa. Credit: Getty Images)

Nuclear power’s global revival

Nuclear power’s global revival

Dozens of new nuclear power projects are planned across the world, amid efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels. But why build more reactors when renewable sources of generating electricity, like wind and solar might be cheaper?

We explore why countries are turning - or returning - to nuclear fission, notably Japan, which dealt with a meltdown at its Fukushima plant in 2011. And we look at how Germany’s decision to close all of its reactors has caused problems for the country’s economy.

We also learn how Amazon, Google and Microsoft are investing in nuclear power, with plans to use smaller modular reactors to run data storage centres in the United States, as demand for electricity is expected to surge when artificial intelligence is running at full capacity.

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

Presented and produced by Russell Padmore

(Pictures: A photo taken on November 6, 2024, shows the construction site of Units 7 and 8 of Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant in Lianyungang, China. Credit: Getty Images)

Portugal's immigration dilemma

Portugal's immigration dilemma

As Portugal heads into its third general election in four years, immigration is proving to be a key issue. The famously welcoming country is facing a backlash from residents who are experiencing rising living costs and a lack of housing. Now the country is tightening its immigration rules – so what could the economic impact be?

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

Presented and produced by Antonio Fernandes

(Image: A Portuguese flag flying over the capital, Lisbon. Credit: Getty Images)

How airline fees turned baggage into billions

How airline fees turned baggage into billions

From extra bags to choosing a seat, airline passengers are faced with an array of extras, for a fee.

And stricter limits for luggage in particular have turned 'compatible' suitcases and bags into big business.

From bag manufacturers, racing to design the next travel bag innovation, to the travel influencers building audiences by sharing money-saving packing hacks.

But what do passengers think about it all?

Presenter: Sam Gruet

Producer: Megan Lawton

(Image: A woman packing a suitcase. Credit: Getty Images)

Is dollar dominance coming to an end?

Is dollar dominance coming to an end?

The value of the US dollar has fallen in recent months.

Currencies rise and fall all the time, but since US President Donald Trump announced a raft of tariffs in early April, the drops have been sharp and dramatic.

The greenback, as the US dollar is known, has been the world’s main reserve currency since the end of World War Two.

But is this changing?

Produced and presented by Ijeoma Ndukwe

(Image: A hand holding US dollars. Credit: Getty Images)

The US-Gulf relationship

The US-Gulf relationship

The US president is flying in to Saudi Arabia for a high profile visit to the region.

It's his first official foreign trip in office - apart from a brief visit to Rome.

For Saudi Arabia, Trump's visit is about strengthening ties with their longest-standing Western ally - a relationship that grew strained during the Biden years.

For President Trump, it is about landing investment deals that can be framed as a win for his economic agenda. So can both sides get what they want?

Produced and presented by Sameer Hashmi

(Image: President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pictured in 2019. Credit: Getty Images)

Tariffs and terroir

Tariffs and terroir

We’re in the French winemaking region of Burgundy which last year sold 400 million dollars of wine to the United States. The US is the region’s biggest export market, but could import tariffs put paid to that?

On the other side of the Atlantic, you might think the winemakers of Oregon and California would be cracking open something special to celebrate. How is the prospect of American tariffs on European wine going down with the US competition?

Presented and produced by John Laurenson

(Picture: Vineyard worker, Élodie Bonet, in Burgundy, France.)

How Zara changed fashion

How Zara changed fashion

We're in Galicia, in Northern Spain, at the HQ of the global retailer Zara.

It's a rare glimpse behind the scenes of how they create the clothes for a brand that's one of the most successful stories in fast fashion.

But is Zara starting to lose its shine after posting slower sales growth at the start of this year? Mainstream rivals are trying to catch up and newer, online brands are disrupting the market.

Presenter: Emma Simpson Producer: Danielle Codd

(Picture: Inside one of the company's stores in South Korea. Credit: Inditex)

Businesses on wheels

Businesses on wheels

Mobile businesses - or businesses on four wheels - are growing in number. Seen as an affordable and flexible way to set up a venture, more of them are popping up all around the world and in all sorts of industries.

We head to rural France, pioneer territory for van-trepreneurs where now, food trucks, mobile pet grooming services and even mobile cinemas are thriving.

And we hear from guests in India and Kenya about how the trend has become global.

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

Presented and produced by John Laurenson

(Picture: Alisson Zalazar in front of her beauty van in France.)

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