World Business Report

<p>The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.</p>

How is the US ship blockade affecting Venezuelans?

The US has stepped up its blockade on Venezuela’s sanctioned oil tankers, as humanitarian workers are warning that the situation would get worse if food and medical supplies can’t get into the country. We hear from people living in Caracas and someone who has left the country few days ago. Also, the board of Warner Brothers Discovery has told shareholders to reject Paramount's $180 billion dollar hostile bid for the entirety of its business. And the Oscars are to be streamed on YouTube from 2029 after the tech firm outbid traditional broadcasters. (Photo: Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gestures, during a march to commemorate the Battle of Santa Ines in Caracas, Venezuela, December 10, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Gaby Oraa)

12-17
28:39

Why will the world use more coal than ever this year?

The International Energy Agency says we'll burn through a record 8.85 billion tonnes of coal in 2025, the first overall increase in fifteen years. We hear from Ro Dhawan, at the International Council on Mining and Metals about a path towards using more clean energy. Plus, the price of oil is up after US threats of a blockade on sanctioned Venezeulan tankers. And could Amazon be getting a big order for its computer chips?You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Victoriya Holland Editor: Justin Bones

12-17
10:13

Why is black unemployment rising in the US?

Why are black women are being hit hardest in today’s jobs market? With African American unemployment at a four-year high, we hear from women searching for work.In Japan, a “human washing machine” could soon be hitting the shops.The European Union waters down its own plan to ban petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035.We hear how the trucking industry is changing in Canada.And Ed Butler speaks to an 11-year-old farmer travelling from Ireland to Brussels by tractor with his dad, ahead of a major protest.PHOTO: A worker walks next to products during Cyber Monday at the Amazon's fulfilment centre in Robbinsville, New Jersey, U.S. December 1, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

12-16
28:14

US jobs report shows rise in unemployment

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has released its long-awaited data, showing mixed signals for the US jobs market. The unemployment rate is at a four-year high of 4.6%, up from 4.4%. The European Union is set to soften its planned ban on new petrol and diesel cars, giving carmakers more time to move away from combustion engines. We hear from Wolfgang Weber, CEO of German electro and digital industry association (ZVEI).And the last vehicle will roll off the assembly line at Volkswagen's plant in Dresden today. First time ever the German carmaker closed a manufacturing plant in its home country.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.Presenter: Leanna Bryne Producer: Victoriya Holland Editor: Justin Bones

12-16
10:08

Will the EU hit the brakes on its combustion car ban?

The European Union once set an ambitious goal: by 2035, all new cars sold would be fully electric. But now, the BBC understands that Brussels is considering scrapping, or at least watering down, its plan to ban new petrol and diesel vehicles. So what could it mean for carmakers and consumers across Europe?South Korea and the UK have signed a new trade deal.In the US, people applying for a skilled worker visa will now have their social media profiles screened.And who's winning the race to build the most sophisticated AI models?(Photo: An exhaust pipe of a car is pictured on a street in Berlin, Germany. Credit: REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch)

12-15
28:26

Spain hits Airbnb with a major multimillion fine for illegal listings

The Spanish government has fined property rentals giant Airbnb €64m ($75m) for advertising unlicensed apartments. Andres Barragan, Secretary General for Consumer Affairs in the Spanish Government, tells this programme that the short term rent for tourism is rising the rent price.In India, pollution is grinding the economy to a halt.And in Paris, workers at the Louvre are on strike in a dispute over demand for extra staff and measures to tackle overcrowding.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

12-15
10:06

Trade tensions: EU vs China

Trade tensions rise as the EU investigates Chinese firms over possible unfair government subsidies. We hear from the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU who says they are being unfairly targeted. Plus, who will pay the new €3 tax on small parcels from China - businesses or consumers?Why are most household things still not being recycled?And sport fans in the US will soon be able to subscribe to a new YouTube TV package.[Photo: An attendant walks past EU and China flags in Beijing, China. Credit: REUTERS/Jason Lee]

12-12
28:33

Australia's under-16s social media ban faces courtroom test

Gideon Long takes a look as online discussion forum Reddit challenges Australia’s ban on social media for under-16s.Plus, after Ben from Ben & Jerry’s criticises the ice-cream maker’s owners, they hit back — speaking exclusively to the BBC.And why are general strikes spreading across several European countries?

12-12
10:03

Disney & OpenAI deal: Threat or opportunity?

Disney is investing $1bn in OpenAI, letting fans create AI-generated videos with its characters. But what will the deal mean for the future of entertainment? We hear from people across the creative industry.Tickets for next year’s World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico have gone on sale but fans say the prices are “extortionate.”In Kenya, a court has frozen a multibillion-dollar US health deal over data-privacy concerns.And Mexico is hitting China with a wave of new tariffs.(Picture: A Walt Disney World entrance sign in Orlando, Florida, USA. Credit: REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez)

12-11
28:28

“Piracy” in the Caribbean?

Gideon Long speaks to a former Venezuelan diplomat about the US seizure of an oil tanker off the country's coastline. Where was it going and what could it mean for global oil supplies? Plus, the typhoon survivors from the Philippines taking oil giant Shell to court. And how does the World Cup ticket ballot actually work?

12-11
10:15

Interest rates: Will the cuts help Americans?

Could Americans finally get some financial relief? The Fed has cut interest rates to a three-year low, and President Trump promises to make ‘America affordable again.’ We speak to a business owner and a former Federal Reserve economist.Why is silver hitting record highs?And in Italy, the nations food has been granted the world’s first-ever heritage status.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.(Photo: US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell attends a press conference at the Federal Reserve, Washington, DC USA, 10 December 2025. Credit: WILL OLIVER/EPA/Shutterstock (16075439n))

12-10
28:18

What’s up with surging silver prices?

Silver is trading at record highs as demand from the tech industry soars — Leanna Byrne finds out why the precious metal has become one of the market’s hottest assets. The boss of Coupang, South Korea’s largest online retailer, resigns after the country’s biggest-ever data breach. And Amazon plans to double its investment in India by 2030.

12-10
10:09

The chip race heats up as the White House eases rules on China

President Donald Trump has opened the door for China to buy Nvidia’s most advanced semiconductors — a U-turn on President Biden’s policy and a move that could reshape the global AI race.We'll also look at what’s behind sweeping raids across Argentine football, with tax officials targeting the football federation and several top clubs.And the US job market rose to a five-month high in October. Why?You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.(Picture: Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, attends the US/Saudi Investment Forum in Washington DC. Credit: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein)

12-09
26:56

Does China actually want Nvidia’s AI chips?

President Donald Trump has given Nvidia the green light to sell more advanced AI chips to China, reversing a key Biden-era restriction. Hannah Mullane asks what economic impact could this have? Plus, in Hollywood, the battle to buy Warner Brothers is far from over. And the surge in demand for luxury fashion at African airports.

12-09
10:15

Paramount Skydance has made another offer to buy Warner Bros Discovery

Paramount is back, challenging Netflix in a takeover battle for Warner Brothers Discovery that could reshape the global streaming industry. What could the bidding war mean for Hollywood? We'll get reaction from an Oscar-winning producer.And as Syria marks a year since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, we hear why its economy remains extremely fragile.And while China’s exports are booming, many US farmers are feeling the strain — hit by low prices and years of disrupted sales to China. Now President Trump has announced a twelve-billion-dollar aid package to support them. We hear the reaction from the soybean farmer.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.(Picture: The Warner Bros. studio water tower stands on the company's lot in Burbank, California, U.S. Credit: REUTERS/Mike Blake)

12-08
27:39

Paramount challenges Netflix

Paramount Skydance is launching a hostile bid worth more than 100 billion dollars in a last ditch effort to stop its sale to Netflix. Leanna Byrne asks, what does Netflix need to do to get the deal done? Also, China is running a massive trade surplus, and other countries aren't happy about it. And Elon Musk escalates his clash with the European Commission after an EU fine over blue tick badges.

12-08
10:12

Netflix to take over Warner Bros film and streaming business

Netflix has agreed to buy the film and streaming businesses of Warner Bros Discovery for $72bn in a major Hollywood deal. Warner Bros owns the streaming service HBO Max, as well as major franchises like Harry Potter and Game of Thrones. Is this the beginning of a radical reshaping of the US media industry? Indian officials say they have arrested one of the world's most wanted traffickers of tiger body parts. We hear from a wildlife crime expert about the size of the trade and the threat to tiger populations. And Curaçao - a tiny southern Caribbean island with around 155,000 inhabitants - will face four time winners Germany at the FIFA World Cup. We hear from one superfan who is figuring out how he will get there. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voice note: +44 330 678 3033.Illustration: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

12-05
27:45

Netflix to buy Warner Bros film and streaming

In Hollywood’s biggest plot twist of the year, Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros' streaming and studio business for $72bn (£54bn) in a deal that can potentially pave the way for a radical reshaping of the US media industry. Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to provide uninterrupted fuel supplies for India as Delhi faces heavy pressure to stop buying oil from Moscow. Also, in India, the civil aviation ministry says it's immediately suspending some rules governing pilots' night working hours after mass flight cancellations by the country's biggest airline, Indigo. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Ahmed Adan Editor: Justin Bones

12-05
11:33

Will Putin's visit to India help Russia to continue to trade oil?

President Putin has arrived in India for talks expected to focus on trade and expanding defence ties. India, like China, has been a big purchaser of Russian oil and has been accused by the West of financing the war. We hear from Russia and oil industry experts.Also, why scam centres in Myanmar have attracted the attention of both government forces and insurgent groups.And what next for Eurovision? Netherlands, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia boycott the song contest after Israel is allowed to compete. We find out this means for the future of the competition.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.(Picture: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sit in a car. Credit: Photo by GRIGORY SYSOEV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN/POOL/EPA/Shutterstock)

12-04
27:58

Putin in India

Russia's president Vladimir Putin is visiting India. Economic cooperation is high on the agenda and, for India, its relationship with Russia is even more important with high US tariffs hurting the country's export market. The maker of the diabetes drug, Ozempic, could be facing a major headache after a court in India told a generic drugs company that they could export Novo Nordisk's key ingredient without patent protection And the EU is looking into the way Meta uses AI in WhatsApp. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Ahmed Adan Editor: Justin Bones

12-04
09:22

Simon Crooke

Won't download!

10-13 Reply

Simon Crooke

Won't download. There is a problem somewhere.

10-13 Reply

Hamid Reza Yazdani

US should have adopted Trade and not Aide policy long ago! US providing help in infrastructure and mining or creating jobs by providing security is the desired recipe for growth in these five aforementioned African countries. The outlook of meeting their leaders in private is another sign that US is taking the issue seriously and stopping China and preventing it from exploiting African countries by giving high interest rate loans is an opportunity which Africa will benefit definitely in future

07-15 Reply

Simon Y

hope to get the script

12-03 Reply

Moshe Wise

Canada has a king, not a president.

10-28 Reply

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