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Sean Farrington speaks with three Manchester business leaders - Laurence Newman of Beauty Tech Group, Shaun Morton of On The Beach, and Emma Thackray of Hip Pop - to discuss why the region is growing faster than the rest of the country.

Sean Farrington weighs up prime minister Keir Starmer’s record on the economy - after a nerve-wracking start to the week for the PM. Elsewhere, three Manchester entrepreneurs tell us why they think business is booming in the city. And as Britain chases its first medal, we hear from the Scottish business that manufactures curling stones for the Winter Olympics.

Leanna Byrne finds out how the Japanese economy will fare under PM Sanae Takaichi after her resounding victory in the weekend's snap election. And we get the latest snapshot of the UK's employment figures. Also, what does it take to fill the half-time advertising slot during the US's biggest sporting event? We touchdown with the creative mind behind one of this year's Superbowl ads.

What does success in the Winter Olympics mean for the popularity of the sports in the UK? Will Bain talks to the director of British curling and the managing director of some the country's biggest winter sports venues. We'll also be hearing from the creative director of the opening ceremony in Milan. And it's a hold on UK interest rates and jitters in the US stock markets over AI. Will Bain discusses what it all means on both sides of the Atlantic with our regular Friday panel.

Sean Farrington hears about why some pharmacies are reducing their opening hours. Elsewhere, nearly half of zoos have reported financial struggles since 2022, and we look ahead to the Bank of England's latest rates decision.

As Disney chooses its next CEO, Sean learns what the appointment suggests about the company's focus. Plus, there's more on Elon Musk's mega-merger, and Sean asks what's behind Gen Z's craving for cottage cheese.

Sean Farrington reacts to Elon Musk's merger of Space-X and xAI - making it the most valuable private company ever. And, as the government tackles forever chemicals linked to harm to the environment and human health - Sean Farrington speaks to an outdoor clothing brand that's already developing alternatives. And we discuss the future of Disney as its veteran CEO prepares to leave the entertainment giant. Three coins in the fountain? Why you may need four or five coins in your pocket the next time you visit Rome's world-famous landmark.

Felicity Hannah hears how rising energy prices are affecting the cost of growing fruit and vegetables. And what President Trump's pick for chair of the Federal Reserve could mean for the global economy. Over in Los Angeles, we'll be getting reaction to this year's Grammy Awards. Is the annual music business bash as important to the industry as it once was?

Felicity Hannah rounds up a week in business news that saw the PM travel to China and most of the world's biggest companies revealed their first quarter performance. She also hears from a shoemaker in Leicester who's family business is on the brink, despite their products being worn by the Royals. And she gets some advice for those about to submit their self-assessment tax return ahead of Saturday's deadline. Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

Felicity Hannah discusses rising water bills, and the FCA's new fraud-checker. Further from home, Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets President Xi Jinping in China.

Will Bain looks at a long-awaited support package for English pubs. Elsewhere, Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits China, and we hear about financial issues in the world of rugby.

Will Bain takes a look at poverty rates in the UK. Elsewhere, a pub landlord discusses the cost of screening live sports, and we speak to a business helping schools to manage phone use in the classroom.

With demand for rare earths at an unprecedented high, Will Bain speaks to the boss of a UK company which is recycling magnets for the elements contained inside. Also, we hear from a pub boss waiting to learn from the government what help with business rates looks like. And the Sundance film festival, the US's biggest independent movie get-together, is currently happening in Utah. We speak to British producers and cinema bosses about the enduring appeal of the festival.

What does the lifting of the latest threat of tariffs on US imports mean to one our most lucrative exports to the States. Leanne Byrne speaks to a whisky producer. And, we'll be going over the extraordinary turn of events at the World Economic Forum with our regular Friday panel of business and economic experts. What now for trade relations between the EU and the US? And we'll be delving into the runaway success of The Traitors and finding out why some venues are so excited by the final, they're throwing a party.

As Trump backs down on imposing tariffs, we look into the 'framework of a future deal'. Will Bain also looks into why more electricity was generated by wind and solar farms last year than fossil fuels. And we take a look at a new football report, which says commercial revenue - including official merchandise -remains the biggest source of income overall for the top 20 clubs.