While the eyes of the world are on Afghanistan and the US withdrawal, the American Vice President is trying to generate some headlines of her own during a charm offensive in South East Asia. We’ll hear what she’s been saying and what she hopes to achieve. Zambia has a new president and he’s made some big promises. Can he afford to keep them? And do you feel like time is just running away from you? Or perhaps it has slowed down to an unrelenting crawl? We’ll hear how our brains interpret time - and what we can do to make it work better for us. Business Weekly is produced by Clare Williamson and presented by Lucy Burton.

Finding a place to live in Nigeria’s big cities. Finding somewhere to live can be stressful wherever you are in the world. But in Lagos, Africa’s fastest growing city, add in sexism, tribalism and stumping up more than a year’s worth of rent in advance. Are these practices making it an impossible place to live and what is being done to try and change the situation? Tamasin Ford speaks to Stephanie Chizoba Odili and Chiamaka Okafor who both, as single women, had problems finding a place to rent. She also speaks to Uchenna Idoko, the Executive Director of the Centre for Gender Economics in Lagos. She says Nigeria's patriarchal structure dictates how marriage is viewed as the single most important social custom, awarding women both respect and status - and that it has to change. And Ugo Okoro is the co-founder of Muster, a housing app that allows people to rent out their rooms in Lagos, Abuja and Kalabah. He says they are working hard to change the narrative by eliminating prejudice, sexism and tribalism so there is no more discrimination.

(Picture credit: Adeyinka Yusuf/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Legislation branded the "anti-miniskirt" law is annulled by Uganda's Constitutional Court.

Memory Machaya's death at a church leads to calls for the government to end forced child marriage.

On this edition of Business Weekly, we look into Lebanon’s economy - a country going through the worst economic crisis since its civil war of the 70s and 80s, with severe disruption to basic services and food shortages. We also hear from Zambia, where the pandemic has meant the usual cash-rich tourists have stayed away, and the economy is dominating the general election campaigns. Plus, we look at another attempt to narrow the gender gap in science and engineering careers, by introducing female role models into toy dolls. Business Weekly is presented by Sasha Twining and produced by Matthew Davies.

Marital rape has long been a taboo issue in Egypt, but now victims are beginning to speak out.

Jehan Sadat, whose husband was assassinated in a televised event in 1981, has died at the age of 88.

Two mothers subjected to FGM tell how they will not let their daughters suffer the same.

Sudan has recorded only 32,000 cases of coronavirus infections and just 2,300 Covid-19 related deaths so far. It is also rolling out vaccines. But the numbers are thought to be much higher and host Nuala McGovern hears from three women living in the capital, Khartoum, about how their experiences of family and friends dying differs greatly from the official Covid-19 figures. We also return to intensive care units in the UK, US and South Africa to hear from the specialist doctors who are responsible for patients on ventilators and pain management.

Nawal El Saadawi, who has died at 89, drew outrage and admiration in her conservative home country.

Tanya Muzinda has taken on the male-dominated world of motocross - becoming her country's off-road circuits champion.

Loise Nyagol shares her experience after she suffered miscarriages due to a condition known as a blighted ovum.

A Unicef report shows ten million more underage girls may be forced to marry due to the pandemic.

In 2011 Egyptians took to the streets calling for the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak, whose regime had been in power for nearly 30 years. Their uprising was part of a wave of pro-democracy protests in the Arab world aimed at ending autocratic rule. Women were at the forefront of protests in Cairo's Tahrir Square, many taking part in political demonstrations for the first time in their lives. Student activist Hend Nafea tells Farhana Haider she was campaigning not only for freedom, dignity and social justice, but also for her rights as a woman. Photo: Hend Nafea protesting in Tahrir Square in January 2011. (Copyright Hend Nafea)

These three artists turn complex research into easy to digest information to help fight coronavirus.

Africa Eye investigates the disappearance of a sex worker and uncovers abuse, trafficking and murder

The family she didn’t know. When Marcia was four she left Angola with her mother, losing touch with her father. 16 years later, she received a Facebook message from someone claiming to be her uncle. In the quest to reconnect with her long lost family, Marcia discovers why understanding her past is crucial for her future. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #thecomb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

Women in parts of Nigeria are being left out of their parents' inheritance, despite a law banning discrimination.

A ‘dark secret’ shared by many. Every year, dozens of Kenyan women die from unsafe abortions. Why is it still so difficult to talk about? In Kenya, one woman is trying to challenge the taboo by talking about her abortion. This episode includes frank discussions about abortion, including women candidly discussing their experiences. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #thecomb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

Umm Kulthum’s powerful voice and talent for communicating poetry was spotted early, when she accompanied her family to perform at weddings and special occasions. It wasn’t long before she was performing in the elite salons of early 20th-century Cairo, although her father dressed her as a boy to protect her from any unwelcome interactions with strangers.

In the Egyptian capital she quickly associated herself with the most talented musicians of the day, and from then on she never looked back. She explored the major Arabic song forms of the period, collaborating with composers and poets. She dabbled in film, negotiated record deals, and when public service broadcasting began in the 1930s, she secured herself a monthly slot on national radio. In awe of her talent and mesmerising presence, the Arab world practically came to a standstill whenever she was heard on the airwaves.

Joining Bridget Kendall to explore Umm Kulthum’s life are Virginia Danielson, author of The Voice of Egypt: Umm Kulthum, Arabic Song and Egyptian Society in the 20th Century; Salwa el-Shawan Castelo-Branco, professor of ethnomusicology at the New University of Lisbon and president of the International Council for Traditional Music; and Yara Salahiddeen, whose current research at the University of Oxford focuses on music-making in 19th and early 20th century urban Egyptian society.

[Image: Umm Kulthum performs on Nov 16 1967 at the Olympia concert hall, Paris. Credit: STRINGER, AFP via Getty Images]