Tby Today

The global toy market is resurgent following a downturn in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, with a variety of players jostling for the attention of parents around the world. This week, we delve into the state of the market and take a closer look at goings on at Lego and Barbie maker Mattel.

From illicit transactions using bitcoin to widespread ransomeware attacks across the globe, cybercrime is a big business. This week, we look at the scale of the problem—with some surprising conclusions.

This week, we look at the politics and economics behind museums, from the newly opened V&A in Dundee to the Ark Encounter creationist theme park in Kentucky.

To celebrate our 50th episode, we kicked back and talked TV this week. Did you know that Turkey is the world's second-largest exporter of TV series after the US? We also looked at the rise and fall of the Venezuelan telenovela, as well as just what makes Israeli TV series so popular.

With Turkey hitting headlines this week with a plunging lira, we start off by looking at the country's biggest achilles heel; its current account deficit. We then examine Russia, the US, and China, looking at their own deficits and surpluses while discussing the pros and cons.

In light of fresh US sanctions imposed on Russia, the re-implementation of sanctions on Iran, and against a backdrop of doubt over the success of the recent US-North Korea summit, we look at just how successful sanctions really are.

Political change is sweeping the world, with votes in Mexico and Colombia shaking up the establishment, former Brazilian president Lula planning to run from behind bars, and former cricketer Imran Khan sweeping to power in Pakistan. We also catch up on the latest from Zimbabwe as post-vote protesters are fired upon.

This week, we examine how tourist destinations suffer following incidents of terrorism. And from Turkey to Egypt, Lebanon, and Paris, we look at why, inevitably, the tourists return.

As emerging economies look to diversify and privatize, state-led IPO initiatives often form a key part of drives to increase dynamism. This week, we look at three examples, including Kazakhstan's People's IPO, a similar scheme in Iran, and Saudi Aramco's preparations for history's biggest flotation.

Cash-for-citizenship schemes date back to the 1980s and often have mixed aims and goals, as well as court controversy. We examine the pros and cons for both countries and aspiring citizens, and look deeper at programs in Malta, Panama, Thailand, and Canada. Find out just how much you'd have to spend for a shiny new passport!

This week, we take a look at the rise and rise of electric cars. We talk about the cost of charging and the dangers of silent engines, then examine how Colombia is adopting electric vehicles to boost public transport, as well as dissect Turkey's ambitions to produce its very own electric cars. We also ask the eternal question; what does China think about all of this?

Both the UAE and Turkey have ambitious nuclear power plans. This week, we take a look at these plans in the context of the Fukushima disaster and discuss the status of the global industry.

From smart watches to medical implants, humans edge ever closer to the singularity. This week, we take a look at some of the most useful, and wacky, wearable tech out there and discuss just how quickly the industry is growing.

In the wake of the devastating volcanic eruption in Guatemala, we look at the effects that such events can have on people, the environment, and economies.

China has made its fair share of controversial forays into foreign markets. This week, we ask why the Nicaragua Canal project never took off, examine the politicization of megaprojects in Southeast Asia, and cast an eye over a handful of Chinese infrastructure projects across Latin America.

Palm oil: what is it, what do we use it for, and why is it so controversial? This week, we explore why it might not be as bad for the world as you may have been told.

The state of the global fast food industry is on the table this week, from the rise of pre-revolutionary Russian offerings and the corruption of the traditional Mediterranean diet to the rise of healthy options and Latin America's turbulent relationship with the Big Mac.

China is no longer accepting many categories of foreign waste, giving rise to a debate about just where the world's garbage will be processed in the future. We also dive into a new report on air pollution in the Middle East and discuss the rising problem of e-waste.

This week, we look at humanity's relationship with animals and the size of the global pet industry. We ask why we are both keeping pets and killing animals on a scale never seen before, and examine why the explosion in pet ownership in China hasn't correlated to a fall in the consumption of dog meat.

From the European chocolate wars to the struggles of African cocoa growers and the dawn of ruby chocolate, we take a look at the biggest trends and developments in the global chocolate industry.