With the us continues to bite. And. Machines with a sense of touch. Well be visiting a university developing an electronic skin which is 1,000 times faster than the human nervous system. And well be talking to one firm working with thousands of Tech Companies to try and boost diversity. Last week we brought you the story of the 120,000 bananas sold as art. Its now been eaten. What is the most expensive thing youve eaten . Let us know, just use the bbcworklife. Hello and welcome to worklife. The art world is literally going bananas and we will get to that story later. We often hear it said that governments around the world should take more of a lead on tackling waste. The french Authorities Say they are doing just that, and are hailing their new anti waste law as a world first. Its still being debated in the French Parliament but are the proposals Ground Breaking . The french government says its promoting a circular economy, by banning the destruction of unsold non food items. This covers cosmetics, clothing, shoes, textiles, electronics and plastics. According to the office of the french government, around 725 million worth of unsold non food items are thrown away every year. The fashion industry, in which france is a world leader, is notoriously wasteful. A 2017 report by the Boston Consulting Group put the level of waste generated by the fashion industry at 92 Million Tonnes worldwide. But there are concerns that the bill which could become law around 2021 may be open to abuse. Critics say that draft legislation to introduce a fine of 3,300 per person and 16,500 for a legal entity for failure to comply, simply isnt tough enough. Some figures there Louise Dudley from hermes Global Equities is with me now. You are very welcome. What about this legislation . Will Something Like this work, trying to get companies do not have as much unsold stock . It has worked within the Food Industry so gradually, previously within france they brought in a law for the supermarkets to reuse or minimise the waste or to find alternative options which has been quite successful and recently weve seen some quite successful and recently weve seen some new companies quite successful and recently weve seen some new companies starting to use vegetables, fruit in alternative products which is definitely driving innovation which is what we expect to see here as well. So there is a real push by Emmanuel Macron and his government to see change. How ready are businesses in france, do you think . I think weve got to the point of accountability so theyve started measuring their environmental impact, including waste, water and carbon as well. We are moving on to the action stayed so are moving on to the action stayed so certainly the larger companies, they have a bigger task ahead of them but they are in process. The Smaller Companies can be more nimble so Smaller Companies can be more nimble so it is easierfor them. Smaller companies can be more nimble so it is easier for them. There is a couple of things. Number one, whether people will wait for the stock to be unsold at a lower rate and whether it is more profitable for a company to go along with this legislation or just pay for a company to go along with this legislation orjust pay the for a company to go along with this legislation or just pay the fine perhaps . That might be a cheaper option than trying to get rid of this stock. We have seen Consumer Sentiment move certainly for the large brand houses they want to be aligned with sustainability, so their Consumers Want that from their products. Weve seen that. There have been articles more recently around fashion week, what can we be doing with their sets, etc. The market is behind them on this. In terms of timing, it is the second week of the Un Climate Change Conference under way in madrid right now and there is a lot of pressure for governments to do more to do you think others might follow frances lead . It is a bit of a wait and see. We havent seen the food legislation come across more broadly, whether the eu will look to more widely adopt something or whether itll be more of a gradual, see how it goes in france. But for these Large Companies acting across the world, if theyre implementing something in one country, its likely itll be applicable across the broader region as well. Louise dudley, thank you. Interesting to see after the shopping season exactly what it looks like. Absolutely tell us what you think about that. Send us your comments. Lets take a look at some of the other stories making the news. Frances finance minister Bruno Le Maire says his country is ready to go to the World Trade Organization to challenge the United States threat to put tariffs on french cheese and other goods, in retaliation to frances proposed digital tax. Le maire added us tech firms currently operating in france were not paying enough tax, for revenues generated within the country. Japans economy grew by 1. 8 between july and september, which is much higher than the 0. 2 initially reported. The revised figures showed that strong domestic demand and increased spending provided a timely boost for asias second biggest economy. Late last week, the japans Prime Minister shinzo abe announced a 121 billion stimulus package to strengthen the countrys economy. The uks biggest retailer, tesco, has confirmed its considering the sale of its stores in thailand and malaysia. Tesco has about 2,000 stores in the two countries under the tesco lotus brand and employs some 60,000 people. If a deal is agreed it would mean an almost complete retreat from International Markets for the supermarket giant. Lets turn to china now, because its released its latest trade numbers, and its exports have fallen for a fourth consecutive month. In particular its exports to the us fell sharply by almost a quarter in the month of november. Lets go to our Asia Business hub where Karishma Vaswani is following the story. Nice to see you. What evidence to show the impact of this trade war . Absolutely. If you are saying the exports in the month of november for china fell to the us in particular, slowing sharply, all of this is happening against the backdrop of that us china trade war which has been going on for the better part of the last 17 months and no real end inside. We saw the data showed that exports fell by about 1. 1 in novemberfrom exports fell by about 1. 1 in november from last year but it was the us data, the figures of chinese shipments to the United States, that we should Pay Attention to because that shows us just how much china is suffering in terms of how much less it is selling to the us and these are the worst figures since february. If you thought we might be getting a christmas respite in this trade war, no such luck. Another round of us tariffs on some 150 billion dollars worth of chinese goods is coming in on sunday and it doesnt look like we are going to get that phase one of the trade deal signed in the next few days but given the fact the two sides have had talks on and off for the better pa rt had talks on and off for the better part of the last year, its hard to say whether or not we will see some concrete action before the tariffs commonplace on sunday. 0k, thank you very much. The news out of china not so very much. The news out of china not so good but the good news in the us about the jobs market, so good but the good news in the us about thejobs market, how so good but the good news in the us about the jobs market, how much people are earning gave wall street a big boost on friday. You can see that number behind me, the dow closing over 1 up but asia is flat. Lets look at european markets. Theres a lot going on in europe this week. In the uk weve a general election on thursday, the pound is bound to be sensitive this week, share market not so much but keep an eye on the pound. Then weve got the European Central bank meeting on thursday, christine lagarde, their new boss, shall be presiding over that meeting. And just to add to a very overflowing plate of news for investors around the world, we have the Us Federal Reserve meeting on wednesday in the us as well so a lot happening. That is how european markets are trading at the moment this monday. Now to the us, where Samira Hussain tells us of a yule log with a difference. Its been the year of the chicken was in america. Fast food restaurants are offering limited time sandwiches that had customers lining up for hours for a taste. Most notably, though, one well known chicken joint was not involved. But kfc has found another marketing gimmick that is on fire. This holiday season, it is once again selling a Fried Chicken scented fire log. Allowing consumers to get warm by an open fire that smells like the compa nys 11 herbs and spices. According to kfc, the scented logs made their first debut in 2018 and the entire supply was sold out in three hours. This year the logs are being sold at walmart although when one intrepid journalist went online to see how many were available, it seems they are already out of stock. Time now for our daily look at some of the newspaper and website stories which have caught our eye. Joining me is stephen gillen, ceo shooting stars events and academy. Good number of stories so lets start in china today. We saw china ordering officials to remove foreign tech from computers, what this all about . Yes, nuala, this is causing an absolute storm. These markets are absolutely massive. Basically, its the first public directive from beijing instructing home grown users just to use domestic products. So, thatis just to use domestic products. So, that is affecting all the big multinationals, dell, hp, microsoft. They will face day phase that out. There is a three year cap on this to get rid of these technologies. And this is a kind of a tit for tat thing, really, with the us, anti Trump Administration who have been instructing them and their allies to do the same, you know, do not use chinese products. Absolutely because we have seen that from washington, where they are basically urging at least federal agencies at the very least not to deal with Companies Like huawei and other Tech Companies like huawei and other Tech Companies from china. This is the tech war going on between the us and china, where you are seeing these countries wanting to be seen as the top dog in the world of tech in the future. It is interesting, sadly, because as the world progresses, this is becoming a lot more relevant in many areas, creating monopolies that integrate into many areas of oui that integrate into many areas of our lives, you know. So it is very key for these powers, especially for them it is about reliant and self sufficient. Them it is about reliant and selfsufficient. So, microsoft, dell, hewlett packard, selfsufficient. So, microsoft, dell, hewlett packa rd, those selfsufficient. So, microsoft, dell, hewlett packard, those big names, it is a big dealfor them. If they are thinking they wont be using their tech and technology in china, you can imagine, it is a big market. We will see of President Trump comes under any pressure over that particular trade war. I want to speak about the bananas. Some of our viewers will have been watching this piece about work that was a banana, basically, that was going to fetch 120,000. Over the weekend may be oui 120,000. Over the weekend may be our viewers saw that, it was eaten by the hungry artist. It was but i can say there is a certificate that the owner can replace this banana. Lets face it. For those who are unaware, it is a piece of art, isnt it, with a banana gaffer taped to, i dont know. A screen . Anyway, this piece of art fetched 120,000 but, as you say, there is a right to eat the banana and replace it. There is. Imean, you the banana and replace it. There is. I mean, you know, it is by wonderful artist, you know, the banana was the idea. It was to symbolise global trade, you know. And it was seen as a comedy piece. It is called the comedian. They are all laughing at us, do you think . Are we the joke . If he is getting 120,000 for it. For branding and marketing, its masterful. What is the most expensive thing youve ever eaten, do you think . It certainly wasnt anywhere near this. I put it on twitter, we will be curious to find out what our viewers have said. Sesame street. A lot of people paying their respects and tributes to carol spinney, the big bird puppeteer on sesame street who has died at the age of 85. A lovely tribute on the bbc as well. You know, this was a puppeteer genius, really, he was there at the inception in 1986 of the show, a central character, very loving, very outward facing. He passed away in connecticut. The interesting thing was he only retired one year ago at 84. Amazing, really, he obviously loved hisjob. He was 84. Amazing, really, he obviously loved his job. He was also 84. Amazing, really, he obviously loved hisjob. He was also behind 0scar the groucho. Two very diverse characters on sesame street, i remember them well. Thank you for being on the programme. Now, lots more to come, we will talk to one firm that works with thousands of Tech Companies in a bid to try to boost diversity. You are with worklife with bbc news. The bbc today are in crewe in cheshire ahead of the election on thursday taking a look at what businesses want from the next government, what are the proms is coming from borisjohnson orjeremy corbyn that are catching the eyes of Business Leaders . 0ver corbyn that are catching the eyes of Business Leaders . Over to ben for more. Good morning to you from crewe, we are here to jam factory talking about what business ones from the election. They make all sorts of this stuff, thousands ofjars they make and sell from here in crewe to right around the world. They began making in1980, right around the world. They began making in 1980, they started exporting in 2000, by 2010, they we re exporting in 2000, by 2010, they were selling as far afield as australia, new zealand and the United States. Wendy is one of the bosses. Good morning. Injusta United States. Wendy is one of the bosses. Good morning. Injust a few days time, the election, so what could the politicians tell you that would make you change your mind . What do you want to hear from them . I want truth and clarity. It is impossible right now with any of the parties to cut through all the noise to work out, really, what is the truth. Amid all of that, what things would make a big difference for you . What are the things you could think day to day would make your life as a business woman easier . day to day would make your life as a business woman easier . I want to have confidence right now. I want to be in have confidence right now. I want to beina have confidence right now. I want to be in a situation where i know what im dealing with. My sister and i are running this business. We can deal with most things i dont mind if it is tough import and export tariffs, i can deal with that, if i know what im dealing with. When you dont know what youre dealing with, that breeds fear, ultimately, our customers internationally particular in europe, going, what are you going to do with prices comejanuary . Im having to save the First Time Ever im going to give you prices for january but by march im sorry there might have changed. Theyre going, we cant handle that, we would rather go to a german buyer ofjams. Lovely product but you can buy good jams from austria. If you cant start to give me confidence, for example, in things like pricing, then im going to switch business. Very interesting, so much uncertainty but perhaps clarity in the next few days. Thank you, wendy. They have it, thoughts from crewe about what happens next in the final three days of campaigning before the vote on thursday, business will be watching particularly closely to work out what it could mean for them. This is worklife and bbc news, lets remind you of our top story. The French Parliament is debating a law today to tackle waste, not just from food waste but moving on to other things such as cosmetics. Its been hailed as a world first and would ban the destruction of non sold non food items including cosmetics, clothing and food. Lets get the inside track on diversity in the tech industry. Under 20 of the uk tech workforce are women, and only around 4 identify as bame, thats black, asian, and minority ethnic. Research suggests that companies with more diverse boards raise more investment and report higher turnovers than those without. And thats what our next guests company techhub is working for. Elizabeth varley, founder and ceo of techhub, is with us now. Welcome to the programme. You the techhub in 2010. What does it do and why did you stop this company . Companies, founders who may have never started a company before, need support in order to take their idea, their small company, to something that can employ people, that can generate significant revenue and perhaps exit to a larger company. And you do that, you provide that help and support . We do. It isnt just. We run 200 pieces of programming a year in london but the most important thing we do is give access to each other because it is great to learn from someone who is 612 great to learn from someone who is 6 12 months further on than you as it is from an expert. Why is it, do you think there is less diversity in entrepreneurial start ups . you think there is less diversity in entrepreneurial startups . I think it is particularly prevalent in the tech industry. We have a lack of diversity generally across the board. It is the same reason you see fewer women ceos, the same reason you see fewer male Primary School teachers. It is about not giving people the opportunity to do what they are passionate about free from judgment. How do you try to change that . We work with all types of Technology Entrepreneurs that are creating technology products, so that as technology ip, and what weve launched as a programme called techhub accelerate specifically for founders from underrepresented backgrounds so our first cohort of 31 with just announced, they are fantastic companies, amazing founders and of that 3121 of them are from bame backgrounds and 19 of them are women. Is it all about getting the funding, the money . 0r is it Something Else that is causing a hurdle . The Biggest Challenges that pretty much any company has is money and talent. And, really, it has been an idea that technology is for white men. That is who is naturally drawn to it, that idea gets perpetuated because we dont see as many role models who are more diverse and that is one of the things we are wanting to change. The techhub Accelerator Programme is there to provide access and free places for a whole year, opportunities to get funding, support and visibility. It is about putting people out there so that others can say that is what i found a looks like. I must admit weve had people who have started Small Businesses over the years and many have told us this problem, especially if they are female or they are black or c0s, so how did you find it starting this in 2010 . |j started working on it myself in 2009, we opened the doors in 2010. And one of the interesting things for me was that being a bit of an anomaly in the industry does actually make you more memorable in some way. You stand out you do but that isnt a reason to keep the situation as it is. It is important to get support from other people, to be able to look at their experience and to have them help to promote what you do and i had some great people support me along the way. What you do and i had some great people support me along the waym seems to be about this team or network you lead. Elizabeth, thank you very much for talking to us. In a moment well run through some viewer responses to our twitter question. In terms of the most expensive thing youve eaten. We can only think of the cheap stuff we have consumed but not expensive but, first, there are many viral online videos which poke fun at robots struggling to open doors or lift coffee cups but that could all change. As sarah toms reports, robots equipped with the artificial skin could be on the market in just a couple of years. Thats because scientists from the National University of singapore have created an electronic skin that can detect touch 1,000 times faster than the human nervous system. Sarah toms took a look. Robots can be amazingly precise but they are still clumsy when it comes to having a light touch. But that could soon change thanks to an ultra sensitive electronic skin developed here at the National University of singapore. Right now, without skin, we have to Programme Every one individually to end up with a set of tools. But, with skin, they can learn how to use different kind of tools. Known as aces, the system of sensors is like a human nervous system. Im going to put aces through its paces and see how sensitive and accurate it really is. So, lets try with this soft toy first. Soft. Now, lets give it another go with this apple. Hard. One of the most promising parts of the research is the potential to restore a sense of touch to people with artificial limbs. Being able to hold someones hand again, feeling that persons grip or even just taking walks along the beach and feeling the sand between the toes. Wires and circuits may never be quite as intricate as human nervous but if the system can give robots the human touch and help people with prosthetics, then that deserves a big thumbs up. Sarah toms, bbc news, singapore. Iam waiting i am waiting for the robot that can make mea i am waiting for the robot that can make me a cup of tea, babysit the children, do some housework but until then im not interested. At the top of the show we asked you about the most expensive thing youve ever eaten. Lets take a look at some of the viewers responses. Dan condon says any chocolate bar from a Motorway Service station. They cost a fortune. Just take one in advance, dan. Coffee and restau ra nts in advance, dan. Coffee and restaurants are costlier in advance, dan. Coffee and restau ra nts a re costlier tha n in advance, dan. Coffee and restaurants are costlier than at home. Most things are, to be honest. Archie says any airport airside burger. It is all the stuff we get out. Yes, well, it is a captive audience, isnt it, at the cinema . If you dont bring in your own snacks in your backpack, which is what some people do, not naming any names, you have to pay for the drinks. What about you . Have to pay for the drinks. What about you . Im going to think about it and about you . Im going to think about itandi about you . Im going to think about it and i will tweet it. We are on twitter later. Ill watch out for that. I dont know if im going to treat minor or not. Great to have your company, that is another worklife. We are back at the same time tomorrow. Bye bye. Good morning. Yesterday and last night, strom atiyah brought us some strong winds across the republic of ireland and the uk, and these are some of the strong wind gusts we have seen as of this morning, so in the needles, 83 miles an hour but quite widely wind gusts have been up to 6575 quite widely wind gusts have been up to 65 75 miles an hour. Strom atiyah is moving out into scandinavia. This northerly wind brings us some showers, some of those wintry around scotla nd showers, some of those wintry around scotland and some fairly strong winds across eastern areas of england before this ridge of High Pressure m oves england before this ridge of High Pressure moves in and brings us something more subtle to this afternoon. Still if you shout across eastern areas into the afternoon. The winds will ease off here as well. Elsewhere, looking at plenty of dry and sunny weather across today, maximum temperature is getting up to 5 9. Later this afternoon, into this evening, we see the cloud increase in western errors but before that a bit of a false developing across eastern parts through tonight but it is to the westie cloud thickens up with that rain moving into Northern Ireland, scotland, gradually into wales and the south west, keeping temperature mainly above freezing. Five and dig mac nine. Chiswick strong winds again crossed the irish sea coast, gail is expected to, rain spreading down towards the south east of england, heavier rain across today across scotland, Northern Ireland and through west wales. Temperatures higher than they would be today, about 10 13. That is milder air all linked into that weather system, gradually moving eastwards as we move into wednesday and you can see by the colour blue taking over, turning chillier throughout the day bringing some wintry showers particularly across scotland, over the high ground, gail is expected in the high ground, gail is expected in the far north of the country, further south a few showers moving in but dry and bright weather compared to tuesday especially. Temperatures will be down so it is getting colder as temperatures go to 68. Getting colder as temperatures go to 6 8. Into thursday, we will see some wet weather moving in again, temperatures on the rise but when strengthening thursday into friday so strengthening thursday into friday so the rest of this week looking quite unsettled. That is it from me, bye bye. Youre watching bbc news at nine with me, carrie gracie. The headlines at least five people have died in a volcanic eruption in new zealand. Several others are missing but police say the situation on white island is too dangerous for rescuers to land. With just three days to go until polling day, the parties make a final attempt to win over voters with their key messages. Senior Health Officials accuse politicians of misleading voters and making election promises that are not enough to improve the nhs. Shortly well be joining bbc radio 5 live for a special your questions answered programme with the leader of the liberal democrats. Jo swinson will be taking questions from members of the public in an hour long live phone in here on the bbc news channel,