World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
It’s election weekend in Japan– what can we expect?
Japanese voters are getting ready to take part in the country's General Election on Sunday. How will it affect Japan’s economy? We speak to business owners and find out what do they expect from this election? Also, we look at the US election campaign in Texas, plus we learn about…
Georgia’s path to EU looms over election
Georgia will vote in a crucial parliamentary election this weekend. The country looks to whether their prospects will be better served with closer ties to Russia or Europe. Opposition figures hope a win for them could restart Georgia’s stalled bid to join the EU.Elsewhere, Jensen Huang the chief executive of…
How Canada’s immigration plan will affecting the economy?
Migration is a global political issue but it is also an economic one. Canada has just announced plans to change its policy. The government will reduce permanent residency by 21% in 2025.We will get reaction from the Canadian chamber of commerce Diana Palmerín Velasco.Also, Rahul Tandon looks at a final…
More turbulence for Boeing
Boeing workers have been on strike for the past six weeks. Late yesterday, they rejected a new offer, which included a 35% pay rise over four years. Data suggests this is the most expensive strike in the US this year. Estimates are the strike has cost Boeing over $8 billion,…
Boeing workers prepare to vote on pay offer
Boeing workers vote on pay offer on Wednesday. Workers downed tools six weeks ago after rejecting initial pay offer. They’ve been offered a 35% pay increase, over the next 4 years. Also, we hear from migrants from Latin America who work in the fields of the US state of Pennsylvania…
Putin opens key trade summit
Leaders of the ten key BRICS nations gather in the Russian city of Kazan for the annual summit. It began eighteen years ago with Brazil, Russia, India and China. In 2010, South Africa joined. And most recently, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were welcomed. Aiming…
Cuba’s double whammy
Essential businesses and schools remain closed until Wednesday as Hurricane Oscar makes landfall in Cuba - an island already in the midst of a massive power failure. Millions have been struggling with a near nationwide blackout after a major power station came offline. The government said power is expected to…
Cuba’s energy blackout
The Cuban government has declared an energy emergency after a massive power cut led to the failure of supplies across the entire country. The total blackout came after the Antonio Guiteras power plant in Matanzas - the largest on the island - went offline. The government had already suspended all…
What's going on with China's economy?
Disappointing new data from China - its economy grows 4.6% in the third quarter. It's the lowest figure in year and a half, and comes as Beijing steps up stimulus efforts. Also, why are their so many tanker crashes in Nigeria right now? We'll hear from the trade body representing…
ECB cuts interest rates
The European Central Bank has cut interest rates to 3.25% to prevent a significant slowdown in the Eurozone's economy.Leanna Byrne hears from businesses around the continent to find out how they're responding to their country's economic challenges.
TSMC profits surge driven by strong AI-related demand
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) reports a 54% increase in Q3 net profit. The company estimated its capital spending in the current quarte would more than double to around $11.5 billion and that the budget was likely to increase further next year, as it expects healthy demand for its products.In…
Migrant workers struggle amid Lebanon's conflict
We hear of the plight of vulnerable women in Lebanon—domestic workers who’ve been cast out by their employers as the crisis in the country deepens. The US’ Federal Trade Commission tells Ed Butler how it plans to enforce new rules requiring American businesses to make it as easy to cancel…
Albania receives first asylum seekers from Italy
The first people to be intercepted at sea by the Italian navy under a controversial migration deal with Albania are on their way to the Balkan nation to have their asylum claims processed. If rejected they will be sent back to countries deemed safe.Also, in the programme, we look at…
IMF warns of rising global debt
The IMF says the debt held by countries is likely to exceed $100tn by the end of this year. How concerned should that figure make us?And while Ed Butler finds out why it’s been a bad day for chips (the computer ones), but a good one for (authentic) wine –…
Google aims to achieve limitless energy
Google has signed a deal to use small nuclear reactors to generate the vast amounts of energy needed to power its artificial intelligence (AI) data centres. We find out why IT giant is aims to achieve limitless energy.Also, today the world's biggest car bosses are meeting in Paris - and…
Can China’s New Stimulus Efforts Revive Its Economy?
China says it's introducing a range of bold policies aimed at reviving its economic growth, including measures to strengthen capital markets and stabilise the real estate sector. But detail is thin on the ground - and that's having an effect on global markets. Ed Butler hears from the World Bank…
Paris Motor Show: which EVs will win the market?
The Paris Motor Show is dominated by talk about electric vehicles - how to encourage European brands against Chinese competition?The UK gathers global investors to show Britain is open for business - but is Keir Starmer's administration going to attract what it needs?Also, Roger Hearing is talking to one of…
Anger erupts at petrol price hike in Nigeria
Petrol prices have increased sharply for the third time this year in Nigeria. Rob Young looks at why the oil producing nation continues to hike the cost of fuel and hear what impact it's having on those who drive for a living.We also hear about an innovative project in Kenya…
Hurricane Milton could cost insurers up-to $100 billion
Florida is counting the cost of Hurricane Milton, after the storm tore through the US state. Some estimates suggest it could top $100 billion. Rob Young talks to the state's chief financial officer – one of the most senior figures alongside the Governor - and asks how insurers will cope…
How are businesses preparing for Hurricane Milton?
Several million people in Florida have been told to evacuate ahead of the arrival of latest storm which is expected to make landfall on Wednesday night. We ask residents and business owners how are they coping? And we find out what will happen with the huge search giant Google after…