World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
US seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker
The United States military has seized two tankers linked to Venezuelan oil. This comes as Venezuela’s state-run oil company is confirming – for the first time – that it is negotiating the sale of crude oil to the United States after the US Energy Secretary said that Washington would control…
China accuses US of bullying over Venezuela’s oil
The US President says the interim authorities in Venezuela will be turning over up to fifty million barrels of what he called sanctioned oil to the United States. Staying in the US where the Department of Health has frozen child care and family assistance in five Democrat- governed states, alleging…
What will happen to Venezuela's economy beyond the oil industry?
As people wonder what happens next, we talk to a student and business owner about their hopes for Venezuela's future, and explore the economy beyond oil production. Also, does sacking football managers make good business sense? And we hear from gym enthusiasts keen on a German fitness trend. You can…
Greenland businesses at the eye of geopolitical storm
Six European leaders today rallied to Greenland's support after the President Donald Trump said the US ‘needed Greenland’. The UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark said in a joint statement, that Greenland ‘belongs to its people...and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations" We…
What’s daily life like in post-Maduro Venezuela?
We get a sense of what prices and the jobs market are like in Venezuela, and also look at the country's oil sector. And we also talk the about the global obsession surrounding Korean skincare and cosmetics - K-beauty. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote:…
US oil stocks jump
Markets give their verdict on America's dramatic military intervention in Venezuela. Shares of US oil giants like Chevron and Exxon Mobil are soaring... after President Trump suggested they can play a lead role in restoring Venezuela’s oil industry But there's been criticism from China and Iran - traditional allies of…
China's BYD overtakes Tesla
The Chinese car company BYD has overtaken Elon Musk's Tesla as the world's biggest seller of electric vehicles. We unpack how it happened. How viable is it to be a content creator? We look at how TikTok became a political flashpoint between the US and China. And good news for…
Anti-government protests over the economy in Iran turn deadly
In Iran, at least seven people have been killed in anti-government protests that were triggered by a sharp fall in the value of the currency, a rising cost of living and an economy that's labouring under Western sanctions. The price of cigarettes looks set to rise in India. What will…
How do economies hit by war rebuild in 2026?
Syria rolls out redesigned banknotes as part of a currency reform aimed at rebuilding after years of war. Russia, meanwhile, is pressing ahead with tax rises to help fund the war in Ukraine as the invasion nears its fourth year. Rahul Tandon asks what realistic economic choices remain for governments…
Bulgaria adopts the Euro
At midnight on 01 January, Bulgaria became the 21st country in the European Union to adopt the Euro currency. Also, Serbia's main oil refinery has been given more time to find a new owner, as it tries to avoid US sanctions against Russian-owned oil companies. And, we visit the Chinese…
How is streaming changing what we listen to and watch?
Netflix is screening its latest hit at the cinema and MTV is closing music-video channels. What can the latest moves in the entertainment business tell us about how streaming is changing our viewing and listening habits?
Global economic predictions for 2026
In our last episode before the end of the year, we ask: what could 2026 hold for the global economy? Will the US keep powering ahead, is China finally turning a corner, and how much further can interest rates really fall? And we speak to an applied futurist who advises…
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett retires
From buying his first shares at just 11 years old to now retiring at 95, we look back at what has made Warren Buffett one of finance’s most successful figures - and hear from someone who knows him about his legacy. China is the world’s second-largest economy and official figures…
Iran's store owners take to the streets in anger
Iranian shopkeepers are taking part in protests as the currency hits a record low against the US dollar, and annual inflation is running at over 40 percent. Denmark’s national postal service is delivering its last letter today, bringing an end to four centuries of letter delivery by the state-owned firm…
Iran traders protest as rial plunges
Traders in Iran have staged a second day of protests in Tehran, with many closing their shops and marching through key commercial areas to protest the collapse of the rial. Videos on social media show crowds chanting slogans against the government of President Masoud Pezeshkian, as officials warn against unrest…
Families seek answers a year after the South Korean plane crash
One year on from South Korea’s worst air crash, families say they’re still waiting for answers. Also, South Korea’s biggest e-commerce firm, Coupang, has agreed to pay over a billion dollars in compensation to its users for a massive data breach. We also look back at the hacking of one…
What is the economic impact of the fighting between Thailand and Cambodia?
We're looking at what's happening inside Cambodia, amidst that border conflict, with incursions going deeper into the territory from the Thai military. What are the economic consequences for Cambodia? Also we're looking at the sliding global oil price, and what Nigerians do for fun at the year's end. You can…
1MDB: Ex-Malaysia PM Najib Razak found guilty in state funds scandal
Ex-Malaysia PM Najib Razak has been jailed for 15 years for abuse of power and money laundering - Bisi Adebayo looks at the details. Japan approves a record-breaking budget with defence spending at a new high. And we head to to Nigeria, where 'Detty December' is proving to be big…
Review of the year 2025 - from Tariffs to Labubus
Frey Lindsay looks back on the stories shaping the world of money and work in 2025. It's been a year where tariffs have grabbed many of the headlines and we hear from our correspondents around the world on the impact they've had. We also hear about the biggest toy and…
Pakistani auctions its state airline live on TV
In Pakistan, the government has sold its national carrier, PIA, in an auction which was televised live. The airline sold for $482 million. Gideon Long speaks to Muhammad Ali, the privatisation adviser to Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. We hear from two countries at the sharp end of Donald Trump’s…