World Business Report
The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
Episodes
Paramount Skydance pauses its $110bn acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery
Paramount agrees to pause its Warner Bros deal after dozen US states seek to block this deal.
We look at the impact of US tariffs of between 10 and 12.5% on imports from many of America’s major trading partners.
And how OpenAI's recent rogue attack on a fellow company may influence other AI firms to look at their cyber security systems.(Picture: GV of American landmark the Hollywood sign, Holl
Trump's favourite word is back
New import taxes have been placed on more than 60 trading partners of the United States. Businesses in Australia and Norway give us their reactionTech stocks continue to struggleand should AI have a 'kill-switch'Presenter: Barbara George
Editor: Justin Bones
Trump targets trade partners with new wave of tariffs
US President Donald Trump has announced 10-12.5% import taxes for 60 countries, including China and the EU. It comes months after the Supreme Court overturned his initial programme of tariffs. So what countries are being targeted now, and why?As Houthis in Yemen resume attacks in the Red Sea, oil hits $100 a barrel once more.And weeks on from Venezuela's devastating earthquakes, the World Bank est
Petrol and gasoline prices set to go higher
The price of oil has gone back above $100 a barrel which could mean higher prices at the pump. It's after attacks on at least one tanker in the Red Sea by Iranian-backed HouthisPlus a shortage of eggs in Myanmar has led to prices soaringand the footballers rewarded for winning the world cup in Tomatoes Presenter: Gideon Long
Senior Producer: Naomi Rainey
Editor: Justin Bones
Why AI technology 'went rogue'
Why OpenAI technology 'went rogue'? According to IT giant, some of its most advanced AI models went rogue and hacked a start-up after it lost control of them during a security test.
Russia is feeling the economic impact of its war with Ukraine after drone attacks destroyed warehouses belonging to the country's biggest online retailer. We hear from the business owner who lost all her money.
And
Brazil hit by US tariffs
New 25% US tariffs on selected Brazilian imports are raising trade tensions. What impact could they have on Brazil's economy?Also in the programme Malaysia's ambition to become Southeast Asia's next data centre powerhouse. And why a campaign encouraging Japanese office workers to wear shorts is causing controversy. Presenter: Gideon Long Producer:
Barbara George
Editor: Naomi Rainey.
More US tariffs on Canada
The US administration is hitting its neighbour Canada with a 50% tariff on imports. Products include wine, cement and even hockey sticks. We speak to Canadian businesses about how they are preparing for the latest round of tariffs.Also, President Trump has promised to help Lebanon "a lot" during a landmark meeting with his Lebanese counterpart in Washington. We hear from a food importer about wha
How will Trump's tariffs affect Canadian businesses?
US President Donald Trump has announced a new 50% tariff on a wide range of goods imported from Canada. We hear from a group representing auto manufacturers.Plus, another blow for Paramount in its bid to take over Warner Brothers
And we look at the challenges facing clothes-makers in BangladeshPresenter: Gideon Long
Producer: Victoriya Holland
Editor: Naomi Rainey
New Prime Minister, familiar challenge
The United Kingdom has its seventh prime minister in just over a decade. Like many leaders the world over, Andy Burnham has vowed to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and revive economic growth. But is it within his gift?And we find out why millions of passengers from outside Europe are finding long queues waiting for them when they land at airports across the continent. Also, as Spain celebrates i
Andy Burnham becomes the UK new prime minister
The UK gets its fourth Prime Minister in just five years - but what can he do for the economy?Russia feels the economic impact of its war with Ukraine after drone attacks hit the country's biggest online retailer. We hear from the business owner who lost all her goods in the fire. And if you're going to Europe on vacation this year - why it might take a little longer to get through the airport.Pre
Who really wins the World Cup?
Adidas sponsor finalists Spain and Argentina while Nike sponsor defeated semi-finalists England and France. How big a deal is this in the battle for sports branding dominance?We also hear what football fever in North America did for a local business that sells football shirts.And, Andy Burnham will become the new British prime minister next week but hasn't said much about his economic policies. Th
Asian shares sink despite AI boom
A sharp sell-off in AI stocks sweeps across Asia. India joins a select group of countries running hydrogen-powered trains. And Netflix shares fall after its latest outlook disappoints investors. Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Victoriya Holland
Editor: Josh Martin
Canadian forest fires choke much of North America
Smoke from wild-fires covers much of North America. Toronto, Chicago and Boston are all under the smoke haze.Indian Government bans its seafarers from going through the Strait of Hormuz.And in Italy, thirty-two people were found guilty in connection with a bridge collapse in Genoa in 2018.
Profits surge at Apple and Nvidia supplier TSMC
The company TSMC is riding the artificial intelligence investment wave all the way to the bank, as profits surge at the Taiwanese advanced chip manufacturer.
Our correspondent in New York City will dig into the latest jobs and spending data - has the city's big summer of events made consumers feel more confident?
And we head to Europe's biggest port - Rotterdam - to hear about a court case locals
New York bans new data centres
New York becomes the first US state to impose a moratorium on building large-scale data centres. The measure, announced by New York's Governor Kathy Horchul, applies to all centres using 50MW or more of power and will remain in force for a year. We hear what the moratorium might mean for business. The announcement comes hours after Australia's prime minister Anthony Albanese announces tougher rule
Chinese EVs save economy from a serious slowdown
Chinese GDP growth slowed to 4.3% but success in electric vehicles and EV batteries boosted export earnings. We also head to Gibraltar where citizens and businesses of "The Rock" and Spain cheer the end of passport checks on the frontier border following the post-Brexit agreement between Spain and the UK.World Business Express - Finance, economy and business news from BBC journalists around the wo
US banks make huge profits
Big banks, big profits...We're looking at the handsome results posted by five big US banks today.We'll also look at threats to wheat exports in both Russia and the United StatesAnd why is American beef so pricey at the moment?(Picture: Close-up of benjamin franklin on scattered one hundred dollar bills. Credit: Getty Images)
Could AI boom bring about a three-day working week?
US banks see supersized profits as dealmaking streak continues, but will US households feel any richer after inflation data showed gasoline prices at the forecourt eased for drivers. Video conferencing app Zoom has predicted a three-day working week as AI boosts worker productivity...but do bosses agree? And what will the fallout be for Paramount and Warner Brothers after their media mega-deal hit
Twelve US states take on Paramount
Twelve US states sue Paramount Skydance over its planned takeover of Warner Brothers. We hear from California's attorney general Rob Bonta who's leading the charge against that proposed 81 billion dollar Hollywood merger. Plus, South Africa's biggest diamond mine pauses production for two years. Find out why?And what would you pay for a bit of trash from Taylor Swift's wedding?(Picture: Califor
Cashing in on Taylor Swift's wedding trash
One man's trash is another man's treasure, but would you pay $25 for a cube of rubbish collected outside Madison Square Garden where Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were married? The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed, with BBC Verify finding that only a handful on vessels crossed the body of water in the last 24 hours after tensions increased between Iran and the US. Also, we head to Delhi were
Still in the game?
Tough times for the gaming industry after news of more lay-offs, this time at Microsoft's Xbox gaming division, Will Bain asks developers and designers if it's all doom and gloom, and what challenges like ahead.
And authorities are carrying out investigations after a Ryanair passenger was partially sucked out of a Boeing 737 when a cabin window shattered mid-flight, thousands of feet in the air.
Passenger survives aeroplane drama
A Ryanair passenger was partially sucked out of a Boeing 737 on a flight from Greece to Germany, after a cabin window shattered. Authorities are investigating the cause.The European low cost carrier Easyjet is set to become part of a bidding war between two US based private equity firms.And a heatwave in central Europe has farmers in Switzerland worried.
Volkswagen makes sweeping production cuts
Volkswagen, whose 10 brands range from Seat to Porsche, is making sweeping production cuts in Germany. We take a look at the impact this is having on the automotive industry in the country.A row over Peking duck is adding to already tense relations between Brussels and Beijing. The European Commission has opened an investigation into whether Chinese duck meat is being sold in Europe at unfairly lo
Chinese factories raise their prices
Energy price rises since US/Israel war with Iran has affected Chinese manufacturers. But retailers in China struggle to raise prices as consumers watch their budgets. Volkswagen's Board is considers move to cut 100,000 jobs in Germany. And we learn about the political philosophy of Manchesterism and how it may soon be seen in No 10 Downing Street.
George Johnson: 'He was extraordinary'
Pioneering entrepreneur George Johnson has died aged 99. We speak to Valerie Jarrett, American businesswoman, former Senior Advisor to the President of the United States, and chief executive officer of the Obama Foundation. She knew George Johnson throughout his life, and was a close friend.Russia has banned exports of diesel in order to avoid domestic shortages, after a flurry of attacks by Ukrai
Ukraine's drone strikes hit Russia's oil industry
Russian motorists queue for miles in the hope of buying petrol, but President Putin describes the problem as manageable.Meanwhile fighting has erupted in the Persian Gulf with both US and Iran firing at targets on land and at sea. Almost no ships are currently passing through the Strait of Hormuz.And the world's biggest professional ESports event gets under way in Paris.
SpaceX's lift-off moment stalls
Twenty five days ago SpaceX debuted on the stock market in the largest initial public offering in history, selling US$75bn worth of shares. Now its joined the Nasdaq 100 index of firms including Microsoft, Apple and Nvidia, so why have its shares fallen? We hear from tech investor Eileen Burbridge and financial advisor Jennifer Snyder on why investors might not be feeling reassured. Canada's launc
Ethanol fuels row in India
Motorists are angry that petrol in India must contain 20% ethanol alchol. Samsung's profits jump on sales of memory chips for AI, but the share price falls. And can China become the global leader in self driving cars?
The future of gaming after Xbox cuts
With Microsoft announcing nearly five thousand job cuts, and XBOX bearing the brunt of the losses, we look at what's changing in the world of gaming and hear from former Xbox executive Peter Moore on how it might affect some of the globe's most popular computer games. Meanwhile, as NATO leaders prepare to haggle in Turkey over defence spending, we get advice from Sweden's former Prime Minister Car
Easyjet accepts $7bn takeover offer
Europe's second biggest low cost airline accepted bid after months of wooing. If the deal goes through, the new owners Clearlake will take the business private.NATO to discuss a proposed Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, aimed at boosting lending to member nations to pay for a ramp up in defence.And US rock band Metallica are funding work apprenticeships as part of their current stadium tour
America at 250: swifties and soccer fans turn up
Swift wedding rumours, FIFA World Cup crowds and extreme heat hit New York on America’s birthday weekend. With electricity demand soaring, we hear what is happening on the ground.We are more than halfway through the 2026 World Cup, but ticket resale platforms have been causing problems for some fans, who say their tickets were cancelled at the last minute or never arrived. We hear from fans and ex
Taylor Swift's wedding and 4th July - big money celebrations take over NYC
A big birthday, a big wedding and big temperatures...it's a big weekend in the United States for citizens and business owners.
Also, Russia takes more steps to tackle its growing fuel shortages.
And why a Japanese mayor is facing criticism for taking maternity leave.
Presenter: Bisi Adebayo
Producer: Victoriya Holland
Editor: Justin Bones
How much could Taylor Swift's wedding cost?
With just 57,000 posts created in June, half the number expected, the US jobs market is showing signs of cooling. We talk to a restaurant owner about why it's getting harder to hire.
And the latest on the computer gremlins causing chaos at European airports. We hear from the family of a businessman delayed by 12 hours and a travel expert: Are glitches in the new EU-wide border control system going
Warnings you could get stuck in queues on EU borders
Is the US jobs market starting to lose momentum? Also, Europe's new border system is leading to long queues at some airports this summer. And India has told Meta to delay a new WhatsApp feature over fraud concerns. Presenter: Bisi Adebayo
Producer: Victoriya Holland
Editor: Justin Bones
Why are central banks still worried about inflation?
As Eurozone inflation lowers to 2.8% in June, heads of the US and European central banks have say inflation isn't beaten yet. We look at why top bankers are still worried about inflation and what's actually driving it. Also on the programme we speak to one of the Gulf's oldest oil companies about why the Gulf oil industry will have to build back better to secure supply chains. And as one of Califo
EU imposed €3 fee on small parcels in hit to Shein, Temu and AliExpres
The European Union has introduced a customs charge of just over $3 on low value items bought outside of the bloc. We hear from the EU commission MP who explained us why these measures are so important. The US president Donald Trump made more than $1 billion last year, from business dealing in cryptocurrency. And the toxic pufferfish with razor sharp teeth that are invading the waters around Greece
The Yen: How low can it go?
The Yen has hit a forty year low, despite the Japanese government spending billions on attempts to prop it up. We look at the impact on domestic business and exporters.Also, as sportswear giant Nike reports its full-year results, we speak to a brand expert to find out why the world's biggest sportswear name appears to have lost its way.
And as the world's favourite safe haven loses its shine, we
Japan's currency hit its weakest level in nearly 40 years
Japan's Yen drops to its weakest level in nearly 40 years. One business owner in Tokyo tells us the company is struggling to hang on.Are further interest rate rises on the way for the Eurozone? We ask a leader at the European Central bank forum.And a new deal for steel as the EU prepares to bring in tighter rules.
Could This Be Britain's Next Prime Minister?
Andy Burnham has unveiled his plan to spread economic growth beyond London as he moves closer to becoming Britain’s next prime minister. We ask whether devolution — giving more power to England’s regions — could boost growth, and what it would mean for businesses. Also on the programme, the US Supreme Court blocks President Donald Trump’s attempt to remove a Federal Reserve governor, in a ruling t
South Korea bets $880bn on chips and AI
South Korea has announced plans to pump in least $880bn to strengthen its semiconductor industry and artificial intelligence capabilities in the coming years.And Comcast prepares to spin off NBCUniversal and Sky in a major media shake-up.
New York rent freeze: What next?
New Yorkers breathed a sigh of relief at the news of a rent-price freeze for a million apartments. In a recent win for Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a housing board approved his pledge to prevent leases from going up and we hear about what this means for both the landlords and tenants. Our market expert also explains the potential pros and cons of this. And, as Europe's heatwave persists with temperatures
Asia leads tech stock sell-off
Asia is bearing the brunt of the latest technology stock sell-off, as concerns that the excitement around artificial intelligence may have pushed prices too high.The late arrival of India's monsoon and below-average rainfall are causing concern for the country's 300 billion dollar agriculture sector.And King Charles’s property management firm, the Crown Estate, has made a profit of more than £1bn
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