World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
Facebook-owner Meta fined $25 billion
A New Mexico judge has fined Meta for its handling of user data. It's the latest large legal payout for the tech firm, following an $18 billion settlement reached with California over child safety, and comes as it releases its latest financial results. Vulnerabilities in the PHP programming language have…
Cyber crisis continues for second day, with race to secure world's websites
For the second day, many websites around the world — including those of government agencies and banks — are down. These are due to vulnerabilities in PHP — a programming language that much of the internet relies on. One government cyber security official in Finland tells us how his government…
Major PHP Security Flaw Triggers Cyberattacks
Millions of hacking attempts have been detected after a major security flaw was discovered in PHP. We hear from the cybersecurity firm behind the discovery and a business whose website remains offline. Also, Electronic Arts shuts down BioWare after 31 years, cutting 400 jobs. And Airbnb is banning lengthy checkout…
Facebook-owner Meta fined $25 billion
A New Mexico judge has fined Meta for its handling of user data. It's the latest large legal payout for the tech firm, following an $18 billion settlement reached with California over child safety, and comes as it releases its latest financial results. Vulnerabilities in the PHP programming language have…
India’s biggest share sale
India telecoms company Jio Platforms has launched what is expected to be the country’s biggest ever share sale. The company, which is part of Reliance Industries and backed by India’s second richest man, Mukesh Ambani, aims to raise around $3.2bn in its initial public offering (IPO). Also, protests in Portugal…
Cost of Living Dominates US Midterms
With two weeks until the US midterm elections, Luke Wilson examines how rising living costs could influence voters and what the latest economic figures reveal. Also, Netflix reports its latest results after a difficult few months marked by job cuts and executive departures. And could Africa's economy grow faster than…
France takes a hard look at its finances
French lawmakers are continuing their scrutiny of next year's budget as the country reels from days of violent unrest. What began as protests over the cost of living and conditions in schools has escalated into some of the worst rioting France has seen in years.Thousands of people have been arrested,…
French businesses count the cost of riots
Around 2,000 businesses have been affected by riots and looting across France. We hear from those caught up in the unrest and examine the economic impact. Also, can Europe's biggest mobile operators build a rival to Elon Musk's Starlink? And Saudi Arabia postpones a major investment conference as Houthi attacks…
AI boom fuels China’s exports
The world's second largest economy grew by 4.5% in the third quarter, but worries persist in China over weak spending at home. China’s economy grew by 4.5% in the third quarter of the year, thanks to the AI boom driving investment in Chinese exports. But global trade tensions and continued…
Students protest in France, as fiscal concern mounts
Jean-Claude Trichet , former president of the European Central Bank, joins the programme to discuss economic stability. We hear his thoughts on the student protests in France and that country's fiscal struggles. Should the ECB intervene or can France sort this out on its own? And voters in the U.S…
Tesla shares rise after 'flying' car launch
Shares in Tesla have climbed after Elon Musk's carmaker launched its new 'flying' Roadster car. EU leaders are meeting in Brussels, with its two biggest members - France and Germany - calling for tougher action against Chinese imports, particularly chemicals and plastics. And violent clashes between police and protestors are…
The Tesla Roadster is finally here
Tesla is set to show off its latest EV, the Roadster, nearly nine years after it first unveiled the next-generation version of the electric sports car. We'll be hearing if Tesla's bet on an ultra luxury sportscar will pay off. It's another bumpy day for tech stocks as investors question…
Brazil cuts working week from six days to five
Brazil's Congress has approved a constitutional amendment that will cut the working week from 44 hours to 40 and give employees two days off per week without cutting their salary. The change represents the biggest overhaul to workers' rights since Brazil's return to democracy in 1988. Also on the programme,…
US inflation is on the rise again
US inflation figures are higher than forecast in September. With the price of diesel and food increasing, lower income Americans have been hit the hardest. We hear from a saw manufacturer in Iowa and a computer repair shop in New York on how they’re coping with the higher prices. In…
US inflation heats up
US inflation rose more than expected, climbing to 3.7% from 3.4% in the year to September. We'll look at what's driving the surprise increase in prices. China's exports are getting a boost from strong demand for AI-related products and electric vehicles. And despite tougher US sanctions, American exports to Cuba…
IMF warns of global GDP shock if AI bust happens
IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva warns that if an AI bust occurs it would wipe 1% off global GDP rising to 1.8% in the U.S. The warning came as stocks and shares in global tech and semiconductors fell. In the U.S. data centres are a key battleground in the mid-term…
Formula 1 heads back to Africa
Rwanda will host the F1 African Grand Prix in a 10-year deal starting in the early 2030s. We delve into why F1 wants Africa back on the calendar. Earnings season gets underway with results from some of America's biggest banks. And Netflix has secured the rights in Spain and Andorra…
Counting the fuel costs of two major conflicts
As fuel prices continue to put pressure on the global economy, we ask which has the greatest impact: the conflict in the Middle East or Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Hundreds of supermarkets across France were hit by a cyber-attack that has left supermarkets empty. We're joined by a journalist in…
Missile attacks disrupt Saudi flights
We examine the impact of Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia's aviation industry and wider economy, with thousands of flights cancelled. Also, Ukraine faces fresh power cuts following Russian attacks, as Washington's decision to import Russian diesel draws criticism. And a cyberattack on French supermarkets leaves fridges defrosted, food destroyed…
Trump strikes deal with Putin on diesel
President Trump claims Russia has agreed to supply the United States and other countries with millions of tonnes of diesel. And as Russia continues to attack Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, President Zelensky has condemned the deal which will also ease sanctions so that Russia can supply the diesel. We get the…