World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
US inflation hits three-year high
Gideon Long dives into the latest US inflation figures after prices rose at their fastest pace in three years. We hear from American business owners on the front line of rising costs. We also turn to China, where inflation remains far lower than in the United States, and examine what…
US Inflation Hits Three-Year High as Energy Prices Surge
The cost of goods in the United States is rising at its fastest pace in three years, with inflation driven mainly by soaring energy prices since the start of the war in Iran. Economists say the energy shock is feeding through into broader price pressures across the world’s largest economy…
UK watchdog investigates mega takeover with Paramount and Warner Bros
The UK competition watchdog started the investigation into Paramount Skydance's $110bn takeover of Warner Bros Discovery. We ask the former CMA director how will it affect the deal? Also, why is Switzerland going to restrict the number of the population in the country? And we look into one of the…
China and North Korea: Strengthening Ties
Chinese President Xi Jinping has wrapped up a two-day visit to North Korea featuring military honours, public displays of friendship and talks with Kim Jong Un. While few concrete agreements emerged, the trip sends a clear signal that Beijing wants to strengthen its relationship with its isolated neighbour. Plus, Indonesia's…
Another legal setback for Trump
A federal judge has overturned the $100,000 H 1B visa application fee ordered by President Donald Trump saying it's an unlawful tax. IATA, the airline industry's main body says it likely to miss its key emission target. And China's Xi Jinping is in North Korea. What's he after?
Markets Rattled by Tech Sell-Off and Middle East Tensions
Global stock markets have fallen sharply after a sell-off in technology shares combined with growing uncertainty over tensions in the Middle East. South Korea's Kospi index briefly suspended trading after plunging at the open, while Japan's Nikkei also suffered heavy losses. Plus, Chinese President Xi Jinping is in North Korea…
Is the FIFA World Cup boosting the US job market?
US hospitality industry leads on new jobs growth, but is AI still impacting hiring for white-collar roles? Moscow says the Russian economy is proving resilient in the face of international sanctions - we hear how the economy hits the local business from the Russian business owner in St Petersburg. And…
US jobs growth way better than expected
US jobs growth was way better than expected last month. The world’s biggest economy added twice as many jobs as economists had forecast: 172,000 versus predictions of around 88,000. Many of the new jobs were in the hospitality sector as pubs, bars and restaurants ramped up hiring ahead of the…
Why water bottles have been given a red card by FIFA
As Elon Musk's SpaceX seeks a valuation of nearly one-point-eight trillion dollars, which would make it the largest initial public sale in history, we find out what that could look like. Elsewhere Armenia has today secured €50m in aid from European union to offset Russian trade restrictions, we find out…
Can Trump's latest tariff plan on 60 countries stick?
The head of manufacturers association in Switzerland weighs in on what's at stake from President Trump's latest policy on trade. Also, what's gooing on behind the scenes at 60 Minutes, as a major network boss weilds the axe at the highest rating US current affairs programme. And Michelle Obama says…
The US seeks to refloat its tariffs policy
The US proposes new duties of at least 10% on 60 countries in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Donald Trump’s earlier tariffs US trade representative Jamieson Greer argues that the 60 nations, which cover most of the world including the European Union and Canada, have not…
Who gets to regulate AI?
President Trump signed an executive order to vet AI models before they are released. The hope is to prevent AI-enabled cyberattacks, but what will it mean for the investment boom? Also, Spain has the second highest unemployment rate in Europe despite also being one of the fastest-growing economies. We find…
Toy Story is back!
More than 30 years after the original movie, Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are back as Woody and Buzz in the fifth instalment of one of the most lucrative franchises in film history. Plus, with inflation rising above 3%, is a rate hike back on the table for the Eurozone?…
How will Nvidia reinvent your laptop?
Big tech firms race to cash in on the AI boom. Anthropic, the firm behind chatbot Claude went public in the US, filing paperwork for a stock market listing later this year while Nvidia launched a new processor they say could reinvent the PC in the age of artificial intelligence…
Nvidia “re-invents the computer” with new chip
Tech giant Nvidia says it will launch a new “superchip” for personal computers, marking a major new venture for the world’s most valuable company. Plus, Softbank eclipses Toyota to become Japan’s biggest company by market value, and we look at what a rise in fertiliser prices – triggered by war…
Has Blue Origin blown its reputation?
With an uncrewed Blue Origin rocket exploding during a hot fire test at Cape Canaveral, Florida, we speak to former NASA engineer Sinead O’Sullivan about how much of a setback it is for Jeff Bezos business in the space race while Elon Musk's SpaceX firm's IPO gets ever closer. Leanne…
Gulf conflict overshadows defence gathering in Singapore
The Shangri-la forum is Asia's largest annual defence conference. Politicians, military and industry figures are all in attendance. AI giant Anthropic is valued at more than its rival Open AI. And Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket self-combusts spectacularly on the launch pad in Florida.
Why is Patagonia suing a drag queen?
Outdoor apparel company, Patagonia, has sued a drag queen named Pattie Gonia for allegedly causing "irreparable" damage to its brand. Mangoes have become a hot commodity following a steep increase in shipping prices due to the ongoing war in Iran. This follows reports of 90% losses to India's 'king of…
Russia's economy stumbles as war with Ukraine intensifies
The Russian rouble has surged to its strongest level in more than three years on the back of widening trade imbalances and high interest rates. Cofffee prices have jumped around the world in recent years. What's the cause? And a Google engineer has been charged with breaking insider trading law…
'Draft' US- Iran deal lowers oil price
Oil prices have fallen more than 5% after Rubio says that US will give Iran talks 'every chance to succeed', with Iran reporting details of draft peace proposal. Fifa has been ordered to explain World Cup ticket pricing after allegations of 'artificially inflating prices' and 'misleading fans' over the sale…