World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
TikTok lives to scroll another day
TikTok’s Chinese owner ByteDance has struck a deal with US and global investors to keep the app operating in America. But who really comes out on top? Could Japan’s interest rate hike offer relief to struggling households? Shipping giant Maersk has sent its first vessel through the Red Sea in…
Will Europe use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine?
Volodymyr Zelensky has called on EU leaders at a crunch summit urgently to agree to a multi-billion euro loan in frozen Russian money to fund Ukraine's military and economic needs. Andrew Peach hears from EU leaders and an expert in Brussels. Also, Bolivia ends two decades of fuel subsidies, introducing…
Price increases in America ease unexpectedly
It's a big data day for the US, Europe and the UK. What do interest rates decisions and inflation data mean for the global economy? India's textile businesses say high US tariffs are causing major pain for businesses. We hear from the Treasurer of the Tiruppur Exporters Association. And should…
How is the US blockade affecting Venezuelans?
The US has stepped up its blockade on Venezuela’s sanctioned oil tankers, as humanitarian workers are warning that the situation would get worse if food and medical supplies can’t get into the country. We hear from people living in Caracas and someone who has left the country few days ago…
Why will the world use more coal than ever this year?
The International Energy Agency says we'll burn through a record 8.85 billion tonnes of coal in 2025, the first overall increase in fifteen years. We hear from Ro Dhawan, at the International Council on Mining and Metals about a path towards using more clean energy. Plus, the price of oil…
Why is black unemployment rising in the US?
Why are black women are being hit hardest in today’s jobs market? With African American unemployment at a four-year high, we hear from women searching for work. In Japan, a “human washing machine” could soon be hitting the shops. The European Union waters down its own plan to ban petrol…
US jobs report shows rise in unemployment
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has released its long-awaited data, showing mixed signals for the US jobs market. The unemployment rate is at a four-year high of 4.6%, up from 4.4%. The European Union is set to soften its planned ban on new petrol and diesel cars, giving carmakers more…
Will the EU hit the brakes on its combustion car ban?
The European Union once set an ambitious goal: by 2035, all new cars sold would be fully electric. But now, the BBC understands that Brussels is considering scrapping, or at least watering down, its plan to ban new petrol and diesel vehicles. So what could it mean for carmakers and…
Spain hits Airbnb with a major multimillion fine for illegal listings
The Spanish government has fined property rentals giant Airbnb €64m ($75m) for advertising unlicensed apartments. Andres Barragan, Secretary General for Consumer Affairs in the Spanish Government, tells this programme that the short term rent for tourism is rising the rent price. In India, pollution is grinding the economy to a…
Trade tensions: EU vs China
Trade tensions rise as the EU investigates Chinese firms over possible unfair government subsidies. We hear from the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU who says they are being unfairly targeted. Plus, who will pay the new €3 tax on small parcels from China - businesses or consumers? Why…
Australia's under-16s social media ban faces courtroom test
Gideon Long takes a look as online discussion forum Reddit challenges Australia’s ban on social media for under-16s. Plus, after Ben from Ben & Jerry’s criticises the ice-cream maker’s owners, they hit back — speaking exclusively to the BBC. And why are general strikes spreading across several European countries?
Disney & OpenAI deal: Threat or opportunity?
Disney is investing $1bn in OpenAI, letting fans create AI-generated videos with its characters. But what will the deal mean for the future of entertainment? We hear from people across the creative industry. Tickets for next year’s World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico have gone on sale but…
“Piracy” in the Caribbean?
Gideon Long speaks to a former Venezuelan diplomat about the US seizure of an oil tanker off the country's coastline. Where was it going and what could it mean for global oil supplies? Plus, the typhoon survivors from the Philippines taking oil giant Shell to court. And how does the…
Interest rates: Will the cuts help Americans?
Could Americans finally get some financial relief? The Fed has cut interest rates to a three-year low, and President Trump promises to make ‘America affordable again.’ We speak to a business owner and a former Federal Reserve economist. Why is silver hitting record highs? And in Italy, the nations food…
What’s up with surging silver prices?
Silver is trading at record highs as demand from the tech industry soars — Leanna Byrne finds out why the precious metal has become one of the market’s hottest assets. The boss of Coupang, South Korea’s largest online retailer, resigns after the country’s biggest-ever data breach. And Amazon plans to…
The chip race heats up as the White House eases rules on China
President Donald Trump has opened the door for China to buy Nvidia’s most advanced semiconductors — a U-turn on President Biden’s policy and a move that could reshape the global AI race. We'll also look at what’s behind sweeping raids across Argentine football, with tax officials targeting the football federation…
Does China actually want Nvidia’s AI chips?
President Donald Trump has given Nvidia the green light to sell more advanced AI chips to China, reversing a key Biden-era restriction. Hannah Mullane asks what economic impact could this have? Plus, in Hollywood, the battle to buy Warner Brothers is far from over. And the surge in demand for…
Paramount Skydance has made another offer to buy Warner Bros Discovery
Paramount is back, challenging Netflix in a takeover battle for Warner Brothers Discovery that could reshape the global streaming industry. What could the bidding war mean for Hollywood? We'll get reaction from an Oscar-winning producer. And as Syria marks a year since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, we hear why…
Paramount challenges Netflix
Paramount Skydance is launching a hostile bid worth more than 100 billion dollars in a last ditch effort to stop its sale to Netflix. Leanna Byrne asks, what does Netflix need to do to get the deal done? Also, China is running a massive trade surplus, and other countries aren't…
Netflix to take over Warner Bros film and streaming business
Netflix has agreed to buy the film and streaming businesses of Warner Bros Discovery for $72bn in a major Hollywood deal. Warner Bros owns the streaming service HBO Max, as well as major franchises like Harry Potter and Game of Thrones. Is this the beginning of a radical reshaping of…