World Business Report

There've now been more than two-thousand flight delays or cancellations in the US linked to the continuing government shutdown. International routes aren't being affected, but many air traffic controllers who've gone unpaid are calling in sick or taking other jobs. Jamaica is set to receive a $150 million payout from its catastrophe bond after Hurricane Melissa. It's the first time it’s been triggered in full. The World Bank tells the BBC it’s a vital boost to the country’s recovery. Andrew Peach also examines Elon Musk’s trillion-dollar pay award after Tesla shareholders back a record-breaking deal that could make the world’s richest man even richer. We hear from one investor who voted against it.

The World Bank has confirmed that Jamaica will receive a full $150 million payout from its catastrophe bond, which is the maximum possible, after Hurricane Melissa met the pre-agreed trigger conditions. Leanna Byrne hears from Jorge Familiar, the World Bank’s vice-president and treasurer. Also, one of the biggest broadcasters in the UK has confirmed its "preliminary" discussions with Comcast, owner of Sky, to sell its broadcasting business for around $2 billion. And, as the US government shutdown hits 38 days, we look at one government tax lawyer in Washington DC, who is staying busy by running a full-time hot dog stand. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Ahmed Adan Editor: Gideon Long

Tesla shareholders have voted to approve a massive pay package meant to retain the services of its billionaire CEO Elon Musk. The deal requires Musk, who is already the world's richest man, to drastically raise the electric car firm's market value over a period of years. Also, U.S. passengers brace for disruption as airports cut flights amid the government shutdown.And a judge in the US state of Texas has agreed to dismiss a criminal case against aviation giant Boeing in connection with two plane crashes that killed more than three hundred and forty people in 2018 and 2019.

Maersk, a global shipping giant, has raised its full-year operating profit forecast to between $9 and $9.5 billion after better-than-expected third-quarter results. We hear from Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc. India and the European Union are intensifying their efforts to reach a trade deal by the end of the year. EU officials are in Delhi for talks. Leanna Byrne hears from one of the men at the heart of the negotiations.And the US government has warned that air travel capacity will be cut by up to 10% at 40 major airports over the coming days if the government shutdown continues.Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Ahmed Adan Editor: Gideon Long

The Chinese online retailer Shein is opening its first permanent shop, using floor space in the prestigious BHV department store in the French capital Paris. But how is this seen in France? Leanna Byrne hears from a protestor and one of the managers of the building. Also, the Chinese government is using a major trade exhibition to sell the country as an investment partner after last week's meeting between President Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. An independent review looking into how to tackle health-related joblessness has warned the UK is sliding into an "avoidable crisis". And for young Ugandans, Zohran Mamdani, born in the capital Kampala and elected as New York’s mayor, his rise isn’t just political; it’s professional too. We hear from a young Ugandan Mamdani supporter.Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Ahmed Adan Editor: Justin Bones

Ed Butler talks with the owner of a Chicago toy importer who's brought his tariff fight all the way to the Supreme Court. From Wednesday, the Supreme Court will determine whether wide-ranging import taxes imposed by President Trump are legal.Also on the show, one of America's best-known TV economists and authors, Andrew Ross Sorkin, on why he fears the AI investment boom could be a bubble.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

Tesla's China-made electric vehicle sales of Model 3 and Model Y fell nearly 10% in October from a year earlier, reversing a 2.8% increase in September. Leanna Byrne hears from Mark Rainford, founder of Inside China Auto based in Shanghai. Nintendo said it aims to sell 19 million Switch 2 consoles within this financial year, up from its previous target of 15 million for the smash-hit gadget. Starbucks, the world’s biggest coffee chain, is selling the majority stake in its business in China as part of a $4bn deal to the private equity firm Boyu Capital. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Ahmed Adan Editor: Justin Bones

The US government’s been shut down for more than a month now, and if it carries on past this Wednesday it will become the longest shutdown in US history. A group of 500 leading travel-related businesses have signed a letter asking Congress to end the month-long impasse, citing worries about the holiday travel season.Meanwhile, Lithuania's truckers’ association says some 2,000 vehicles are stranded in Belarus after the border was closed in response to last week's airspace disruption, when dozens of balloons loaded with illegal cigarettes in Belarus forced the temporary closure of Lithuania's two main airports. The EU denounced the incidents as a hybrid attack.And India is celebrating victory in the women’s cricket World Cup. The team has made history not just on the pitch but financially too.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

The US government shutdown appears on course to be the longest in history after President Trump made clear he has no plans to negotiate with Democrats over healthcare costs. Leanna Byrne hears from a worker and a food bank in New York. Also, Kimberly-Clark, the company behind Huggies and Kleenex, is buying the maker of Tylenol and Kenvue, in a forty-nine billion dollar deal. Almost ten years after launching its ambitious Vision 2030 plan to diversify away from oil, Saudi Arabia is pouring billions into artificial intelligence and high-tech infrastructure. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Ahmed Adan Editor: Olie D'Albertanson

Hurricane Melissa leaves Jamaican economy with a huge trail of damage and a massive repair bill to sort out. Some reports suggest the country could face losses of over $14 billion. Presenter Will Bain hears from people on the ground in the country.We also examine why there has been a huge surge in the Amazon share price at the end of busy week for Wall Street. And are modern TV’s really any better than plasma ones for watching movies? We find out why some experts believe older models are much better for watching films.

Italian confectionery giant Ferrero, maker of Ferrero Rocher and Nutella, is in a standoff with Turkish hazelnut dealers. Why? Turkey, the world’s largest hazelnut producer, has been hit by poor weather, a bad harvest, and pest infestations, sending prices soaring.In Jamaica, a catastrophe bond will release millions to help the country rebuild after Hurricane Melissa.Meanwhile, who is Nvidia, the world’s most valuable company, selling AI chips now?And with pumpkins, costumes, and candy, billions are spent worldwide each Halloween, boosting economies everywhere.Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer/Editor: Niamh McDermott

The US President Donald Trump believes a trade deal could be signed "pretty soon", after holding talks with President Xi Jinping of China. Presenter Andrew Peach hears from US farmers after China agrees to buy soyabeans from the US. Can Canada really become an energy superpower? We hear how it is pitching energy exports to the South East Asian market. And major record labels like the Universal Music Group are set to work with an artificial intelligence platform Udio, after settling a copyright dispute.

After what President Trump calls an “amazing” meeting in South Korea, the US and China strike a trade truce. But is it really a full deal? We break down what’s behind the tariff talks. In South Africa, millions of dollars are being pumped into tackling its chronic youth unemployment problem. And as the US shutdown continues, airlines are losing millions of dollars a day. We hear from the CEO of Delta Air Lines.Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Niamh Mc Dermott Editor: Stephen Ryan

President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping are meeting in South Korea for the first time since 2019. Presenter Sam Fenwick hears what’s at stake in crucial talks between the two leaders. Also, the owner of a US-based coffee roastery in New York tells us what tariffs and inflation mean for his business. And, what do the latest results from Microsoft, Alphabet and Meta tell us about investment in AI?(FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands while walking at Mar-a-Lago estate after a bilateral meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., April 7, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo)

The world’s most valuable company, Nvidia, has hit a historic $5 trillion valuation after unveiling new contracts to supply AI chips and revealed plans to build seven supercomputers for the U.S. government. Plus, Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen says the company’s parent firm blocked them from launching a Palestine-themed ice cream. In response, Cohen has announced a sorbet expressing solidarity with Palestine.Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Niamh Mc Dermott Editor: Shea Conduct

Hurricane Melissa causes major disruption as the Jamaican economy comes to a standstill. Tourists are also stranded on the island with the closure of all major airports.Business leaders from the US and Japan meet to discuss trade, investment and supply chains.Amazon confirms plans to cut thousands of jobs, saying it needs to be “lean” to seize the opportunity provided by artificial intelligence. Presenter Sam Fenwick examines all these stories and looks at the some of the other big global business stories of the day.

US President Donald Trump and Japan's new prime minister have pledged a stronger alliance and closer economic ties during his visit to Tokyo. The two leaders have signed new investment deals including one covering rare earth minerals. The UN warns the world is falling badly behind in tackling climate change. So, which countries are stepping up, and which are lagging? Plus, will Elon Musk walk away from Tesla if his trillion-dollar pay package gets rejected? Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Niamh Mc Dermott Editor: Shea Conduct

US President Donald Trump has kicked off his trip to Asia by announcing a string of new agreements and a peace accord involving Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. The White House has called it historic but businesses are looking for more detail. We speak to two entrepreneurs in Chicago and Seattle on what this could mean for their companies. Elsewhere, we hear how US tariffs on India's exports has put nearly a million jobs on the south-eastern coast of the Andhra Pradesh state at risk. And as massive rallies cheer Javier Milei, and Argentina's markets soar with the president tightening his grip on power in the South American country, Sam Fenwick discusses whether his La Libertad Avanza party's midterm victory will pave the way for economic reforms. The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC. (Picture: US President Donald Trump talks before boarding Air Force One at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday 27 October 2025. Credit: Reuters / Evelyn Hockstein.)

He's currently in Tokyo where trade and investment are high on the agenda. Japan is already America's biggest investor and promises to pump another 550 billion dollars into the US as part of a trade deal. In Argentina, Javier Milei's far-right party wins Sunday’s midterms. Milei remains committed to pushing forward free-market reforms, despite growing opposition from the public. And in India, shrimp farmers are grappling with the impact of a 50% tariff. How are they coping with the threat to thousands of jobs?Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Niamh McDermott Editor: Olie D'Albertanson

Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have missed their full paycheques for the first time since the beginning of the government shutdown three weeks ago, with Democrats and Republicans still blaming each other for the lapse in federal funding. We hear from a US federal employee at the Department of Defence on the East Coast. And this week the fight moved to the courts over another politically contentious area – the massive charges the Trump administration wishes to impose on H1B visas – the work visas issued to up to 65,000 foreign workers each year, looking for jobs that US employers say they are unable to fill otherwise. Also, Canada's prime minister, Mark Carney, says he's ready to resume trade negotiations with the United States when Washington is ready. This comes after President Trump announced he was abruptly ending talks because of an anti-tariff advertising campaign by the province of Ontario. (Picture: A sign outside the National Gallery of Art alerts visitors the museum is closed in Washington and remains closed due to the government shutdown on 23 October 2025. Credit: photo by JIM LO SCALZO/EPA/Shutterstock).