In the first of a two part series, we investigate the explosive growth of online gambling since the Covid-19 pandemic.

While betting company revenues have soared, many South African individuals and families are facing the consequences.

We hear from recovering gambling addicts and explore how economic hardship, weak regulation, and the prevalence of mobile betting platforms are fuelling a national crisis.

If you are affected by harmful gambling or are suffering distress or despair you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available for despair in some countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide (www.befrienders.org)

Produced and presented by Frey Lindsay

(Image: South African businessman looking at phone. Credit: Getty Images)

It may be a key plot point in films and video games like Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider, but the real-life looting of ancient artefacts has reportedly reached unprecedented levels – and research suggests that even terror groups could be cashing in on stolen relics. What’s being done to stop it?

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

Presented and produced by Ryan Keane

(Picture: A looted Etruscan urn recovered by the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Italy, now stationed at its HQ in Rome. Credit: BBC)

Mortgages - or home loans - are commonly taken out in countries with high homeownership rates. In some parts of the world, the majority of people own their homes outright, but in the US, parts of western Europe and the UK, most buyers require a mortgage to get on the property ladder.

Home loans are sensitive to interest rates, which have been falling in many major economies. We hear how that’s changing mortgage lengths and styles in different jurisdictions.

We hear how the Dutch mortgage is becoming popular elsewhere, and what we can learn from each country’s approach.

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

Presented and produced by Rick Kelsey

(Picture: Happy woman and man sitting on the floor with coffee cups, next to boxes and cats, in their new home. Credit: Getty Images)

The US has plans for a strategic Bitcoin reserve - effectively a massive stockpile of cryptocurrency.

Countries hold reserves of all sorts of assets and commodities like gold, grain and medicine.

As Bitcoin becomes the latest addition to the US reserves, what does this say about crypto's credibility?

We head to the Web Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to hear from delegates who are excited for the future.

Producer/presenter: Gareth Mitchell

(Image: People walk past an advertisement featuring Donald Trump with Bitcoin in Hong Kong. Credit: Getty Images)

China's automotive companies have accelerated their global expansion in recent years, leaving the competition struggling to keep up.

We explore what's driving Chinese brands' acceleration into international markets. And we look at how established carmakers are having to tighten their belts to compete with low-cost rivals.

Some claim Chinese cars are a security risk because they could, in theory, be hacked - but could they really be used to spy on their owners?

Presented and produced by Theo Leggett

(Picture: BYD Yangwang U9 electric supercar on display during 2025 China Mobility Show at Hangzhou International Expo Center in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of China, June 2025. Credit: Getty Images)

The fintech entrepreneur tells us about co-founding PayPal, and how an embarrassing personal moment when trying to buy a car, led him to start the buy now, pay later company Affirm.

Produced and presented by Leanna Byrne

(Image: PayPal Co-Founder & Affirm CEO Max Levchin in 2019. Credit: Getty Images)

We're in the US state of Georgia, where huge data centres need water to keep cool.

But how is this need for cloud storage and AI capability affecting local residents and the environment?

Presenter: Michelle Fleury Producer: Nathalie Jimenez

(Image: Georgia resident Beverly Morris looks at sediment build up in her toilet, which she says makes it impossible to flush. Instead she has to pour through a bucket of water)

Graduates are facing one of the toughest jobs markets in decades.

We hear from students in India, the US and UK about whether they feel a university or college degree is worth it as we discuss the cost of attending university around the world and what your job prospects might be when you graduate. Ritesh Agarwal, billionaire and founder of Oyo Hotels dropped out of university - he tells us how he thinks the education system needs to change, and we hear from experts about where they see the future for new graduates as AI becomes even more a part of our working lives. Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: Hannah Mullane

(Image: Two women graduating from university with their hands together in a heart shape. Credit: Getty Images)

The UN estimates that nearly seven million Ukrainians have left their home country since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Many have set up businesses in their new country - around 90,000 of those in Poland.

We hear about the challenges they’ve faced, and the sectors which have thrived. And we ask; would they return to Ukraine if the war ended?

Produced and presented by Daniel Rosney

Grab your briefcase, we’re heading into the negotiation room, to find out about the art of the trade deal.

With deals being drawn up around the world, and many more negotiations underway, we speak to experts and negotiators about overcoming stalemates and bargaining chips.

And we ask if US President Donald Trump has upended the way global trade deals are made.

Presenter: Megan Lawton Producer: Sam Gruet

(Picture: US President Donald Trump holds a signed US-UK trade deal next to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as they speak to reporters during the Group of Seven (G7) Summit at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada on June 16, 2025. Credit: Getty Images)

The entrepreneur grew up in a small village in the foothills of the Himalayas with no electricity.

He went on to found a cloud-based cyber-security company with a value of $47 billion, trying to protect digital data for businesses and governments.

Jay Chaudhry tells us about his daily battle to stay ahead of the “bad guys”.

Presenter: Will Bain Producer: Amber Mehmood

(Image: Jay Chaudhry giving the keynote speech at Zenith Live. Credit: Zscaler)

Billionaires, scientists and start-ups are all trying to get in on the action.

And it's not all about sending rockets and satellites into space. Space-enabled technologies are informing climate forecasting and disaster planning, as well as playing a role in logistics, defence and food security.

State funded and private investment has reach an all time high.

We head to the IAC in Milan to meet some of the industry experts leading the charge.

Produced and presented by Ru Abbass

Image: An illustration of Haven 2, the proposed successor to the International Space Station. Image courtesy of Vast)