World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
Will TikTok go dark in the US after the Supreme Court rejects its appeal?
The US Supreme Court has upheld a law that bans TikTok in the US unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, sells the platform by this Sunday. Argentina has reported a fiscal surplus for the first time in sixteen years, as a result of comprehensive budget cuts implemented by President Javier…
US Supreme Court upholds TikTok ban
Will Bain hears from our North America Business Correspondent Michelle Fleury as the news breaks that the US Supreme Court has ruled against TikTok's appeal over its imminent ban in the United States. The president -elect, Donald Trump, wants the social media site to continue operating.Nigeria's finance minister assures the…
Israel’s military spending increases significantly in 2024
Israel's economy has been hit by the 15-month-long war in Gaza, and its military spending has gone up significantly, according to the economic researchers at Capital Economics. We will be speaking to one of the economic analysts who did the research. The former Bank of Canada governor, Mark Carney, says…
The jobs needed to rebuild Gaza's economy
After 15 months of bitter conflict on the Gaza Strip, a ceasefire deal has been agreed . With the cost of rebuilding estimated as much as 80 billion dollars, Sam Fenwick explores the critical aspect of job creation, essential for providing livelihoods to a population that has faced significant economic…
How much will it cost to rebuild Gaza after 15 months of war?
A deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas to end the fighting in Gaza and secure the release of Israeli hostages. So, if the ceasefire holds, how long will it take to rebuild from the rubble? What would be the priorities? How much will it cost? And who will…
Mozambique's new president sworn in amid opposition boycott
Daniel Chapo is officially sworn in as Mozambique's president after months of unrest that left nearly 300 dead. We explore how businesses are coping with the aftermath of the protests. Also, Sam Fenwick delves into the challenges facing Germany’s major exporters amid slowing sales and rising costs. And on a…
Miners and body bags hauled from South African mine
The men have been underground since police operations targeting illicit mining started last year across the country. We hear the latest from Stilfontein.The US Supreme Court is expected to rule this week on TikTok's challenge to an outright ban in the US. We find out about the platform Red Note,…
Pakistan’s textile industry hit by rising energy costs
We're living hand to mouth and having to borrow money from friends to pay the electric bills." These are the words of a woman who runs a textile firm in Pakistan. The Pakistan Textile Council has written to the government, warning that the country faces an energy crisis that could…
Lebanon’s President appoints new Prime Minister
The new Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, defeated the Hezbollah backed candidate, , the former caretaker prime minister. We find out what this could mean a new dawn for its embattled economy.China has reported its biggest-ever trade surplus, just a week before the inauguration of Donald Trump, who's promised to impose…
China posts record annual trade surplus of nearly $1tn amid looming US tariff threats
Beijing has released strong economic data, reporting its largest-ever trade surplus. Also on the programme, a BBC investigation uncovers 75-hour workweeks endured by workers in Shein's fast-fashion factories in China. Could this affect the company's plans to list on the London Stock Exchange? And Sam Fenwick explores the economic impact…
Rebuilding after LA’s wildfires – who will pay
Los Angeles has been devastated by wildfires, forcing nearly 200,000 residents to flee, destroying homes, and taking lives. We hear firsthand from those caught in the chaos, including Julia Pollak, who narrowly escaped the flames.With climate change fuelling more extreme weather, insurance is increasingly out of reach for many. Benjamin…
Donald Trump sentenced in New York to 'unconditional discharge'
The US president-elect, Donald Trump has been given an unconditional discharge over his conviction last year for business fraud. The sentence -- handed down in New York -- means he avoids prison or a fine, as expected.The popular social media platform, TikTok, is appearing before the US Supreme Court today…
Fierce wildfires continue burning out of control in California
Coming up on the programme, Experts estimate a $50 billion cost as wildfires continue to rage across Los Angeles. We also examine the challenges facing Lebanon’s new president as he tackles the country’s economic crisis. Plus, a look at Peru’s new megaport, poised to become Latin America’s gateway to Asia.
Joe Biden declares an emergency in California as wildfires devastate Los Angeles
At least five different wildfires are still raging around Los Angeles, and the flames are visible from space, squeezing the city in a blazing pincer. We will look at the financial costs to fight such fires and insurance costs for people who live in areas like Southern California where fires…
Los Angeles fires see historic number of buildings destro
On the programme, we take a closer look at the devastation in Los Angeles as wildfires rage out of control and an historic number of buildings are destroyed. Also, could President-elect Trump be serious about re-taking the Panama Canal? We speak with one of his former trade advisors. And, tensions…
Trump warns of new tariffs against EU
President-elect Donald Trump is ramping up economic pressure on Denmark in his bid to acquire Greenland. Are Danish exporters concerned about these threats?Could the sale of new air-fryers and dishwashers reignite the Chinese economy?And we hear from the Chris Brownridge, CEO of Rolls-Royce cars.You can contact us on WhatsApp or…
President Elect Trump launches scathing attack on renewable energy
President elect Donald Trump has announced some of his plans energy policies. He promises to overturn ban on offshore oil development, as well as launching a scathing attack on renewable energy such as wind powerMeta has decided to end its fact-checking programme on Facebook, Instagram and Threads.And retailer Shein has…
Meta announces cutting fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram
In a video posted on Meta platforms, Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg has announced ditching third-party fact-checking and replacing it with a 'community notes' system similar to that of Elon Musk's X.The Pentagon has added Tencent, along with several other Chinese companies, to its blacklist of firms with suspected ties to…
Concerns Trump tariff threat could trigger Canada recession
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business tells the BBC that business fears a recession as a result of Donald Trump’s tariff threats. Also, President Jo Biden announces a ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling in most US coastal waters. And how popular is New York's newly introduced congestion…
Shipping companies place record orders for new container vessels
Shipowners have recently placed orders for a record number of new container vessels, driven by a substantial increase in profits. Nippon Steel of Japan and U.S. Steel have jointly filed a lawsuit challenging President Joe Biden’s decision to block a $15 billion acquisition deal. And the first congestion charge scheme…