Sam Fenwick looks at the issues that are driving Lebanon’s economy into a downwards spiral. We look at the economic cost of war as new research suggests Lebanon's GDP could shrink by over 20% amid the ongoing conflict. The US election is hotting up. We'll look at the cost of health care and how it might determine how people vote. And find out why a Tasmanian ferry takes an unexpected 'Berth' more than ten thousand miles away in Edinburgh.

The UK’s new Labour government has announced its first budget with big tax rises it says are needed to restore public services. Rahul Tandon examines whether a single budget has the power to transform an economy, and the challenges facing many high-income countries as they wrestle with budget holes and high debt. Elsewhere, embattled car giant Volkswagen reports a drop in profits, coming soon after reported layoffs and plant closures. Also, the Bank of Japan is set to announce interest rates, the

Trouble for Volkswagen as its profits drop and it clashes with unions over possible plant closures, Roger Hearing finds out more.The EU imposes tariffs on electric vehicle imports from China, and there are reports from Beijing that the government is pushing its carmakers not to invest in EU members who backed the tariffs.Britain's new Labour government sets out its first budget with big tax rises it says are needed to restore public services.And we hear from India about the traditional push to buy

The European Commission has given approval for steep tariffs on electric vehicles made in China. It closes an investigation which started a year ago. They will remain in place for five years.We hear about plans by homeware company Ikea to put money into a hardship fund for victims of the former communist regime in East Germany. Some including political prisoners were forced to make products for the company.We hear about Tik Tok's founder Zhang Yiming. He is number one on China's Rich List with an

The UK's lowest-paid workers could get a salary increase of 6% next year according to local media reports. We look into the consequences this could have. Also in the programme, we talk to US voters in Nevada about their concerns regarding the rise in cost of living. And we hear about HSBC's unexpected jump in profits.

Japan’s Prime minister Shigeru Ishiba has insisted he will not step down despite a historic loss by the governing coalition in Sunday's elections. We examine the market’s reaction to the loss and look ahead to what this means for the coalition. Meanwhile, in Germany, Volkswagen plans to close three plants, lay off thousands of workers and cut pay by 10%, according to trade unions in negotiations with the car giant. And with only a week to go in the US election, we look at Pennsylvania, tipped to be

Struggling German car giant Volkswagen is planning to shut 3 factories in Germany according to the IGMetall Trade Union. We examine the problems facing the European car industry.Georgia’s elections were won by the ruling Georgian Dream party but opposition parties claim the election was stolen.Also, Japanese voters have given the ruling LDP a bloody nose in Sunday’s General Election. We speak to a leading Japanese economist about what happens now, now that no party has a parliamentary majority. You

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 the very first online banner ad which went live exactly 30 years ago.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

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 the chip developer Nvidia received a warm welcome in India. We look at how Nvidia might affect the microchip and AI industry there. Also, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is one of the year’s most

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 day of the BRICS summit in Kazan. And find out how the US elections will impacting businesses.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from

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, with that figure expected to rise further. Two big economic summits are ongoing this week. The IMF warns against a global trade war. Meanwhile, in Russia, the BRICS conference is wrapping up and we examine the key takeaways from

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. Tesla’s share price jumps after its 3Q results beat market expectations. And we hear why France is home to both haute cuisine and fast food. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We

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 to create what they believe is a more balanced global economy and reduce reliance on Western financial systems, we look at the impact they have on the global economy. While IMF members are celebrating a

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 be mostly restored by Monday evening. We hear how food and water are proving difficult to come by for some islanders.The High Court in London begins hearing a civil trial over the

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 non-essential public sector services in an effort to conserve supplies. President Miguel Diaz-Canel blamed the decades-long US embargo against his country for the problem.Meanwhile, in China, what do

Beijing has stepped up efforts to boost its economy after reporting the slowest pace of growth in a year and a half.Plus, why are we seeing a spike in tanker crashes in Nigeria?And the Russian parliament has passed the first stage of a law to ban so-called "propaganda of childlessness" including large fines. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send a voicenote to: +44 330 678 30 33. We would love to hear from you!

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.

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 expectshealthy demand for its products.In the closing weeks of the US election, we hear from business-owners...Also, we find out why announced Hong Kong government announced new regulations to phase out subdivided flats smaller than

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 subscriptions and memberships as it is to sign up to them.We’ll also look at Ethiopia’s bold leap into the financial markets with its first-ever IPO, aiming to raise $255 million and lay the foundation for a stock

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 the slow down is sales luxury goods firms have been reporting and the corresponding slump in their share prices.And why Australia plans to ban “dynamic pricing” amid rising anger from fans faced with soaring prices as