World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
US farmers hit by shutdown amid trade wars
US farmers are under pressure with trade wars, crop prices and now a government shutdown. Andrew Peach speaks to two of them about how their livelihoods are being affected. We also look at Taylor Swift's lastest album and speak to businesses which rely on her continued success. And in Thailand…
Japan is running out of Asahi beer
Japan is facing a shortage of Asahi products, including beer, tea, and soft drinks after a major cyber-attack. We hear from businesses affected. In China, the Government has proposed new standards for fast food deliveries. TikTok has had its licence temporarily suspended in Indonesia. Plus, the Women's Cricket World Cup…
Is cybercrime the biggest threat to global business in 2025?
Sam Fenwick takes a look at the soaring cost of cybercrime, as attacks sweep across industries and threaten global business stability, spotlighting Japan’s Asahi Breweries, one of the latest victims. A liquefied natural gas platform meant to bring economic prosperity in the West African nation of Senegal is at the…
Is cybercrime the biggest threat to global business in 2025?
Sam Fenwick takes a look at the soaring cost of cybercrime, as attacks sweep across industries and threaten global business stability, spotlighting Japan’s Asahi Breweries, one of the latest victims. A liquefied natural gas platform meant to bring economic prosperity in the West African nation of Senegal is at the…
Elon Musk: The world's first half-trillionaire
Elon Musk has become the first person ever to reach a net worth of more than $500billion. But how did he get to this point? French authorities have charged the captain of an oil tanker travelling from Russia with refusing to follow instructions. In Japan, who will be the next…
US shutdown costs $400M daily as furloughs begin for federal workers
The US government shutdown is less than a day old, and federal workers are already receiving furlough notices. It’s the first closure in almost seven years. Also, how money can be used as a tool of control and manipulation within relationships. We explore what economic abuse is, and how it…
The US government has shutdown over a spending row
The US government has shutdown after senators failed to agree on a funding bill. We look at the main reason behind the shutdown - healthcare. Plus, what do investors think of Spotify's founder stepping down as CEO. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Niamh Mc Dermott Editor: Justin Bones
US government shutdown
Funding for the US government will be cut off at the end of Tuesday unless President Donald Trump's Republican Party can agree with opposition Democrats on a way forward with a spending bill. Gideon Long hears from Democrats and Republicans, as well as US workers. And, in Africa, a trade…
What will a US shutdown mean for its workers?
The US government is hours away from shutting down unless a funding deal is struck. Who will feel the impact first? We hear from the people whose jobs and livelihoods are on the line. In Africa, thousands of jobs are at risk as the US decides whether to renew the…
Would US drug prices drop?
U.S. pharmaceutical lobby group PhRMA has said that it would launch a new website in January to help patients buy prescription drugs directly from manufacturers, bypassing pharmacies. This comes after a deadline set by President Trump, asking the big pharmaceutical companies to voluntarily lower their prices. Gideon Long will hear…
Criminals offer reporter money to hack BBC
What would it take for you to sell out your boss? Cyber criminals offer a BBC Correspondent a cut of the action in return for passcodes. And Zimbabwe's government is ordered to cut back on spending as it grapples with its budget. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send…
Businesses assess Trump tariffs on drugs, trucks and furniture
US President Donald Trump has announced a new wave of tariffs, including a 100% levy on branded or patented drug imports, 25% tariffs on heavy-duty trucks, 50% on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities and 30% on upholstered furniture. Andrew Peach looks at how people in these sectors have reacted to…
Donald Trump announces new wave of tariffs on branded pharmaceutical products
US President Donald Trump has announced a new wave of tariffs, including a 100% levy on branded or patented drug imports from 1 October - unless a company is building a factory in the US. We hear from Germany's VFA association of pharmaceutical companies. And, the price of love -…
Trump signs TikTok deal
US President Trump has signed an executive order that will hand TikTok to a group of investors who include Larry Ellison, one of the richest men in the world and the founder of the tech company Oracle. Also, US house prices are climbing, supply can’t keep up with demand, and…
China commits to its first ever emissions targets
The world’s biggest polluter, China, is promising to cut carbon emissions for the first time - but what does that mean for businesses trying to keep up? And Ticketmaster agrees clearer pricing after an investigation in the UK. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44…
US set to support Argentina's economy
The US has said that it's currently in negotiation for $20 billion to support Argentina’s economy. President Javier Milei thanks the US government for the “support and confidence”. Canada has assembled an AI task force in Ottawa .It wants to prepare a strategy and has promised millions of dollars to…
What will Germany’s new budget mean for the economy?
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz introduces the 2026 budget with €126.7 billion in new investments for infrastructure, transport, schools, and other major projects. Leanna Byrne talks to the head of the investment bank ING and we get reaction from business industries in Berlin. New Zealand's central bank has appointed its first…
Nvidia investing $100 billion in OpenAI
The world’s most valuable company, Nvidia, is investing $100 billion into OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, to build what it calls the next generation of artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Jaguar Land Rover, owned by India’s Tata Group, is still struggling to get cars off the production line after last month’s cyberattack…
Could Argentina expect a financial lifeline from the US?
As presidents Javier Milei and Donald Trump meet the White House is hinting it could step in to support Argentina's economy. We look at how Argentina got here, and a local wine maker tells how the US tariffs are hitting her industry. Also, Nigeria has cut its central bank interest…
Could doctors be exempt from Trumps $100,000 visa fee?
The White House said doctors could be exempt from the Trump administration's new $100,000 fee for high-skilled H-1B visa applications. We hear from the President of the American Medical Association. In India, everyday essentials are getting cheaper after its Prime Minister cut tax rates. We then go to Uzbekistan where…