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World Business Report

BBC World Service

The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.

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26:33

Zuckerberg defends Meta in landmark social media...

World Business Report ·

2026/02/18

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared in a California court on Wednesday, defending his leadership in a landmark case over whether social media is addictive for children.Banking giants JPMorganChase is to open more than 160 new branches in over 30 states. So why the move back into launching physical banks when a lot of the industry is moving away from them - and towards online banking?And Researchers say the world's main coffee-growing regions are getting hotter every year because of climate change -

26:33

Mark Zuckerberg defends Meta in landmark social media...

World Business Report ·

2026/02/18

The Meta boss defended his leadership and answered questions about Instagram, with reports from the courtroom saying he was testy under questioning. Also, why is JPMorganChase opening more than 160 new bank branches in the United States in a world of online banking? And a coffee producer in Brazil explains how climate change has seen coffee bean prices almost double. (Picture: Mark Zuckerberg, Chief Executive Officer of Meta Platforms, arrives for a court appearance at the Los Angeles County

8:57

Is it a Tokyo drift for tourism?

World Business Report ·

2026/02/18

We hear from a tour guide in Tokyo as the number of oversees visitors to Japan has fallen for the first time in four years partly because of a big drop in tourists from China after a diplomatic row between the two countriesAlso a farmer tells us about the impact of a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in South Africaand inflation falls in the UKPresenter: Leanna ByrneProducers: Amber Mehmood and Huma Shah Editor: Justin Bones

26:28

Shein under the EU's microscope

World Business Report ·

2026/02/18

With the European Union launching a formal investigation into fast fashion giant Shein over the Chinese business’ possible breaches of digital law, we hear from Thomas Regnier on what the EU Commission’s concerns are. Andrew Peach speaks to Oscar-winning film and TV producer Tom Nunan on the latest in Netflix and Paramount’s tug-of-war over Warner Bros. Elsewhere, German drugs giant Bayer proposes to pay more than US$7.25bn (£5.35bn) to settle claims that its weedkiller Roundup causes cancer. And

8:49

France and India close to landing fighter plane deal

World Business Report ·

2026/02/17

A $35 billion deal would see France delivering over 100 Rafale jet fighters. The talks are taking places as a major conference on AI gets underway in Delhi. Also, Warner Brothers Discovers says it will temporarily re-open negotiations with Paramount Skydance in another takeover twist. And we hear about a mini gold rush near Johannesburg in South Africa.Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Craig Henderson

26:27

India steps into the AI spotlight

World Business Report ·

2026/02/16

Delhi is hosting an artificial intelligence summit with politicians and tech executives from more than 20 different countries convening in India to discuss how AI could reshape economies and regulation. Elsewhere, Sam Fenwick looks at what a major factory closure means for South Africa's sugarcane farmers. And, who will actually buy Warner Brothers Discovery? (Picture: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) after he inaugurates India AI impact Expo 2026 in New Delhi, India. Credit: PRESS

9:11

Disney bites back to protect its characters

World Business Report ·

2026/02/16

The US entertainment giant accuses ByteDance of stealing its intellectual property by training its new AI tool, Seedance, on Disney characters and images of real-life actors. ByteDance says it will address Disney’s concerns. Plus, Cuba cancels a prestigious cigar festival in a worsening fuel crisis caused by the US blocking oil from reaching the island. And Dave Stewart from the British eighties pop duo, The Eurythmics, talks about his new business venture. Presenter: Gideon Long Senior Producer:

26:26

Cuba goes dark

World Business Report ·

2026/02/13

Cuba goes dark as fuel shortages affect power supplies. We hear from the people affected by the outages, and the price the island nation is paying as the darkness spreads. As we approach the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we speak to the man in charge of keeping the power going as Ukraine approaches a humanitarian crisis.In Bangladesh, we get reaction as the Bangladesh National Party and allies win a commanding, two‑thirds‑plus majority in the first general election

8:55

Bangladesh election: can new leadership boost its...

World Business Report ·

2026/02/13

The next government faces the huge task of restoring stability to key sectors, including the vital garment industry. We hear from a denim manufacturer and young voters about what they want next. And the designer behind Japan’s Hello Kitty character for more than four decades is stepping down. Presenter: Andrew Peach Producer: David Cann Editor: Stephen Ryan

26:27

Trump revokes landmark climate ruling

World Business Report ·

2026/02/12

President Trump says greenhouse gas emissions do not endanger public health, rolling back a landmark finding that formed the legal basis for US climate regulation. Andrew Peach gets reactions. Also, South Africa's president sets out his plans to tackle growing water shortages. And a dispute over the future of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.(Photo: US President Donald Trump speaks in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 12 February 2026. Credit: WILL

9:39

Why Russia blocked WhatsApp

World Business Report ·

2026/02/12

Russia has ordered a block on WhatsApp, as the Kremlin continues to tighten restrictions on foreign messaging platforms and digital communications. Also, China is heading into the Lunar New Year holiday after a turbulent period in its trade relationship with the United States. Despite tensions, Beijing says it’s striking deals across Europe, India, Africa and South America. We hear from Rutie Zhang, Chief Strategy Officer at China Minmetal Futures in Shanghai, on what’s really driving the

26:26

What’s behind the US job numbers?

World Business Report ·

2026/02/11

The US jobs market shows signs of steady but subdued growth. Andrew Peach examines what’s driving the numbers, including the impact of tariffs and a tougher immigration crackdown. Also, Dutch brewer Heineken cuts thousands of jobs worldwide as beer consumption falls. And we look at the rise of “biohacking” and whether changing your daily routine could really help you live longer.(Photo: A view of the US Department of Labor in Washington DC, USA, 05 September 2025. Credit: WILL

8:57

Jobs grow in the US – beating expectations

World Business Report ·

2026/02/11

US employers added a greater-than-expected 130,000 jobs in January, helping nudge the unemployment rate lower to 4.3%, according to official government statistics released on Tuesday The figures could help ease fears about the health of the job market, after last year's sharp slowdown as firms wrestled with changes, including major cuts to government spending and a crackdown on immigration. The US added just 181,000 jobs in 2025, according to the latest data, even weaker than previously reported.The

26:26

Tourism on alert as Cuba run out of jet fuel

World Business Report ·

2026/02/10

Cuba has warned international airlines that jet fuel will no longer be available, signalling a deepening energy crunch as the US seeks to squeeze Cuba’s oil supply. We find out what this means for tourism. Transparency International says corruption is worsening worldwide, with the global average score in its Corruption Perceptions Index at its lowest level in more than a decade. Our International Business Correspondent Theo Leggett explains what is driving the deterioration - and why it matters for

9:07

BP steps up cost cutting as profits slide

World Business Report ·

2026/02/10

Oil giant BP is pulling back billions that had been earmarked for shareholders as it looks to steady its finances after a fall in profits. Leanna Byrne asks what it means for BP’s longer-term strategy in energy?Also, how unusual is it for a major artist to walk away from a powerful talent agency? And Spotify wraps its fourth quarter with good numbers.

26:26

Social media on trial in LA

World Business Report ·

2026/02/09

A landmark US trial begins today in Los Angeles, where plaintiffs say Instagram and YouTube were built to addict kids. We hear from our North America Technololgy Correspondent on what the families said today in court.Then to Japan, where Sanae Takaichi’s decisive election win is being read by markets positively - sending the Nikkei to record highs. We’ll hear from Tokyo and the US on what her strengthened mandate could mean for the Japan-US relationship. And there's a major pharma-versus-telehealth

9:02

Nikkei hits record after Takaichi victory

World Business Report ·

2026/02/09

Long:Japanese stocks have surged after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s resounding election win, pushing the Nikkei to a record high. Andrew Peach looks at what it means for Japan’s economy. We’ll also hear about concerns from Indian farmers over the country’s interim trade agreement with the United States. And why a major new international report says businesses often have more financial incentive to damage nature than protect it.

26:27

The EU gets tough with TikTok

World Business Report ·

2026/02/07

With TikTok being told by the EU to change what it believes is an 'addictive design' or face fines, we speak to cyber-psychologist Dr Sarah Hodge, and France's ambassador for digital affairs and AI, Clara Chappaz, on whether the continent is set to follow Australia's lead and ban children below the 16-years-old from using social media. Will Grant reports on the latest as the critical fuel crisis in Cuba worsens and Havana's fuel pumps run dry. Elsewhere, we look to Japan as the nation heads to the

8:57

The key questions on tech sell off

World Business Report ·

2026/02/06

We answer the basic questions you want answering about the AI-Induced sell off of tech stocks this week You'll hear why one of the world's biggest car makers Stellantis has seen its value cut by a fifth And as the Winter Olympics gets under way - we meet the owner of the company making the curling stones on a small Scottish island. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Editor: Justin Bones

26:29

Could the tech bubble burst?

World Business Report ·

2026/02/05

After a week of significant drops across many AI and tech-related stocks, we speak to Nobel Prize winner Daron Acemoglu, and economist Cary Leahey of Columbia University in New York, to examine whether the tech bubble could be set to burst. With Nike under investigation by Donald Trump's administration over claims it has hidden evidence that the company is using its so-called diversity, equity and inclusion policies to discriminate against white workers, Ed Butler speaks to Stefan Padfield of the

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