World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
What to expect from the Pakistan economy?
Pakistan authorities have been trying to find the best way to achieve the IMF deal, bring down the inflation and safe the country from the default, but could things be about to improve? Also, we find out how China can produce affordable EVs for under $20,000 and why Elon Musk's…
China to raise retirement age as population ages and pension woes mount
China is set to gradually raise its retirement age for the first time in decades, as the nation grapples with an ageing population and a shrinking pension fund. Under the new plan, men will retire at 63 instead of 60, while most women will work until 58, up from 55.Plus,…
Boeing faces potential strike in Seattle
Although Boeing executives and union representatives reached a deal earlier this week that includes a 25% pay rise over four years, the aviation giant facing the potential strike as it has yet to be approved by union members. We hear from the aviation consultant who is going to attend the…
Why are investors pulling back from China?
Chinese stock markets have fallen to a five-year low, with investors concerned about the health of its economy. Elsewhere, the European Central Bank cuts interest rates again. Boeing makes a last ditch appeal to workers ahead of their vote on a new contract which includes a 25% pay rise offer…
Kenya Airport controversy causes passenger disruption
On today's programme, plans to modernise Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport have prompted the aviation workers' union to go on strike. We look at what's behind the decision and how long passenger disruption is expected to last Plus, we look back at the market reaction to the U.S. Presidential debate,…
Ireland takes stock after Apple loses tax appeal
After an eight-year long dispute, Apple was told by the European Union’s top court that it is required to pay €13 billion in back taxes to Ireland. What does this mean for the iPhone maker, and Ireland's future as a destination for big technology companies?Plus, what are the key election…
Europe in need of investment
Former Italian Premier and former ECB chief Mario Draghi has authored a European Commission report calling for €800 billion euros of additional annual investment. The report says the EU needs this alongside more innovation and faster decision-making to avoid seeing living standards decline. A fall in Chinese producer prices has…
Chinese data fuels fears of deflation
A fall in Chinese producer prices has fuelled concerns grow that deflation may be taking hold in the world’s second-largest economy. Industrial producer prices fell 1.8 per cent in August, the most in four months. Steel and agriculture were among the sectors hit. Meanwhile, consumer prices rose 0.6 per cent.In…
Boeing's Starliner is returning without astronauts: what went wrong?
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has begun its journey back to Earth - but the astronauts it was supposed to be carrying are staying behind on the International Space Station. What happened?US job growth was weaker than expected last month, with only 142,000 new jobs added. Is a recession imminent, and how…
Concern over cooling of the US labour market
US job growth was weaker than expected last month, with only 142,000 new jobs added. Is a recession imminent, and how might the Federal Reserve react? Also, Boeing’s Starliner space shuttle will return to Earth soon, but not with its intended passengers. What happened, and what does it mean for…
US job growth slightly slower than predicted
We’ll be looking at the US economy following the release of closely watched jobs data.And, it's over 200 years old but it's on the brink of collapse: South Africa's postal office is looking to the government for a bail out. We speak to the man tasked with saving the institution…
US Secretary of State visits Haiti to discuss democratic transition
The country is under a state of emergency as gangs try to expand their control over the capital, and other regions. We get the latest. As Elon Musk's X is banned in Brazil, rival BlueSky gains ground in the South American nation. We talk to its CEO, Jay Graber.And we…
China offers Africa $51 billion
President Xi has offered $51 billion of Chinese finance for Africa and says it will create a million jobs... there are plenty of warm words about it but we'll examine who's getting the best deal.Andrew Peach to a Swedish government minister about why they're abolishing a tax on air travel…
Nvidia: is the AI boom over?
Shares are down... with the tech giant Nvidia slumping almost 10%... is that because of fears about the US economy... or does it reveal wider concerns about artificial intelligence?And fifty African leaders are in Beijing, looking for investment and tourism in exchange for access to minerals. We speak to DRC’s…
Why's Europe's car industry stuck in neutral?
We start in Germany, where perhaps the biggest warnings yet about the pressure on Europe's car industry have come from one of the continent's biggest firms. Volkswagen - VW - has warned it could close factories for the first time in its history as it comes under increasing financial pressure.Also…
Donors and the US election
Campaign donations have been a key feature of the 2024 US election. Since Kamala Harris entered the presidential race huge donation figures have been widely reported in the media. One Republican donor tells us why he’s hoping for a Trump win. We examine where campaign donations are coming from and…
How are strikes and protests affecting Israel's economy?
Businesses, schools, universities and transport across Israel have been disrupted by a general strike called to put pressure on the government to agree a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas. We find out how firms are operating and from one boss who's encouraging his staff to strike.Also, Thailand's…
X braces for a ban in Brazil
Elon Musk's social platform X expects to be blocked in Brazil after missing a judge's deadline to appoint a new legal representative. We get the latest. As The Maldives see their credit rating downgraded by ratings agency Fitch, investors fear the archipelago could become the first country to default on…
Germany’s DAX Index at record highs
Germany’s DAX Index, which tracks the country's 40 largest companies on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, has hit a record high as investors expect the European Central Bank to cut rates. We get the latest. Certain African countries have seen prices and taxes rise in the last few years, leading people…
Chips giant Nvidia unveils latest bumper earnings
In the last half hour the artificial intelligence giants Nvidia has released earnings for April to June.. The chipmaker has seen huge growth over the last few years, driven by the AI boom. How will it impact world markets?Also, in the programme, Devina Gupta finds out how fin-tech company Klarna…