大象传媒

Severe heatwaves and droughts are shrinking the Yangtze river, China's most important waterway for trade, and also a big source of hydroelectric power. Heat and very little rain have caused a sharp drop in river and reservoir levels, leading to restrictions on energy use. We hear more from Howard Zhang, editor of 大象传媒 Chinese Service.

The world's second largest cinema chain, Cineworld, has confirmed reports that it is considering filing for bankruptcy in the United States, as it continues to struggle with high levels of debt and falling numbers of customers since the start of the pandemic. We talk to Naman Ramachandran, international correspondent at Variety magazine in London.

Canada and Germany will sign a deal to develop hydrogen and ammonia, two forms of renewable energy sources. The agreement will boost plans to build a pioneering zero-emission plant in Newfoundland and Labrador, an area of great potential due its strong winds. We discuss the project with Franziska Holz, analyst at the German Institute for Economic Research, and Nick Mercer, post-doctoral researcher at Dalhousie University, in Canada.

Japan has the oldest population in the world, and getting them to join the online revolution can prove to be a challenge. The 大象传媒's Mariko Oi reports on a mobile supermarket's efforts to provide a crucial service for the less tech savvy older generation.

China isn't the only place where the lack of rain is causing devastating effects. The Rhine River is drying up at a fast rate this summer to the point where cargo ships can't navigate through certain areas. We hear from Lukas Kuemmerle, an independent commodity researcher and founder of Koomarlay research.

Wrexham FC, a Welsh non-league football club, is about to star in a new Disney Plus documentary series after being purchased by Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, who tells us about his new love for football.

We review the latest developments in the markets with Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG.

(Picture: Yangtze river. Picture credit: EPA.)