The European Union threatens to impose further sanctions on Russia, as a Moscow-linked cargo ship is blamed for severing an underwater cable in the Baltic Sea. Also, we profile Manmohan Singh, the former prime minister credited with transforming India’s economy. Plus, a controversial anti-LGBT bill in Ghana could put western aid to the country at risk. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!
Dec 26, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast But questions have been asked whether the cargo vessel, which was under US sanctions, was heading for the Syrian coast, on a voyage to recover military supplies left by Russian forces in Syria when Bashar al-Assad fell. A maritime security and sanctions expert talks to us about how Russia's commercial fleet operates under swingeing sanctions. Also, World Business Report looks back on a year of strikes by doctors from around the world. We hear from medics in Kenya, India and the UK to find out mo...
Dec 25, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast The decision over the potential $15 billion takeover by Japan's Nippon Steel has been referred to the President over National Security concerns. Joe Biden has 15 days to decide if the deal can go through. Also, American Airlines grounds all US flights after a technical issue. Plus James Wickham reflects on some of the biggest business and economics stories of the past year with Susan Schmidt, portfolio manager at Exchange Capital Resources in Chicago, and Bill Blain, Strategist and Head of Alter...
Dec 24, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Honda and Nissan plan to merge as the two Japanese firms seek to fight back against competition from the Chinese car industry. Joining forces would create one of the world's biggest car producers alongside Toyota, Volkswagen, General Motors and Ford. We look at one of Donald Trump's key economic appointments. And who is France's new finance minister?
Dec 23, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sam Fenwick hears from former chief operating officer & long-time executive at Nissan Andy Palmer, as Honda and Nissan announce a plan to merge. It would mean the new, world's third-biggest carmaker, which could also include Mitsubishi, could be in operation by August 2026. Plus US President-elect Donald Trump has said the fees charged to use the Panama Canal are “ridiculous” and that it should be handed back to the US unless the “rip-off” stops. We ask if those fees have risen and whether M...
Dec 23, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast US in last ditch shut down vote, unless congress can agree on a spending plan The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, could be facing a confidence vote after he reshuffled a third of his cabinet today. And German automaker Volkswagen was on the brink of a major strike, however the company's bosses and union leaders have struck a deal, avoiding site closures.
Dec 20, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast A damning verdict from Swiss MPs on the failure of one of their largest banks. Plus, the latest on the looming US government shutdown. Malaysia resumes the hunt for an airliner that disappeared ten years ago. And 80 million of them are sold in Europe every year, but what goes into growing a Christmas tree?
Dec 20, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast The US senate votes on a new deal for Federal Government funding. The previous bill was abandoned after Donald Trump said he wouldn’t support it Luigi Mangione, The man accused of shooting the head of America's biggest health insurance company has made his first court appearance in New York after being extradited from Pennsylvania . Changes in weather patterns have been causing problems in some ski resorts around the world, including in India where one mountain resort has reported a fall in visi...
Dec 20, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast France's President Macron is in Mayotte seeing the damage from the devastating cyclone. He declares a day of national mourning, but many residents are angry at what they see as neglect of what is legally part of France. El Salvador gets a multibillion-dollar deal with the IMF, but in return for dialling down its use of Bitcoin Plus, a successful play with a ten-year run on the London stage - and it's about financial services!
Dec 19, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Shares fell on Wall Street after Fed Chair Jerome Powell announced a cut to its key interest rate of 0.25%, but indicated this could be the last rate reduction for a while. The US dollar rose in value on the news. Also Lily Jamali explains how TikTok is pursuing a last-ditch effort in the US Supreme Court to avoid a mandated sale or ban of the app in America the day before Donald Trump is due to take office as president. And how Finland has become a global hub thing for all things Christmas....
Dec 18, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast The auto companies Honda and Nissan are currently in the early stages of merger talks. We ask what does it mean for the car industry? The Democratic Republic of Congo’s government has filed criminal complaints in France and Belgium against subsidiaries of the tech giant Apple, accusing it of using conflict minerals. And we hear from the northernmost region of Finland which has become a global hub thing for all things Christmas. How crucial is the festive time of year to the economy?...
Dec 18, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast The UN’s special envoy to Syria, has warned that unless the country gets urgent support it could be plunged back into conflict. Ten days after taking power what resources does the new Syrian government have? Tankers carrying Russian oil through European waters will have to prove they're insured or face sanctions. And why children want skincare products for Christmas.
Dec 17, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Argentina, for a long time one of the world's most troubled economies, has seen its economy grow. Could this be the end of years of economic crisis? We'll take a look at whether that growth is sustainable and delve into how much of it is to do with the radical policies of the country's president Javier Milei. Also today, we consider what the future holds for the ECOWAS trading bloc in West Africa, as three countries formally file to leave. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +...
Dec 17, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Resignation of Canada’s Finance Minister rocks the government. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asks Dominic LeBlanc to replace Chrystia Freeland after her shock resignation. Also on World Business Report, Andrew Peach hears from Germany on the day the government deliberately lost a vote of confidence in the country’s parliament. And we hear from northern Sweden that’s been rocked by the bankruptcy of battery maker Northvolt but sees its future in renewable energy.
Dec 16, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast The president of insurance giant AON tells Will Bain that firms should rethink their executives’ security, calling on political leaders to “set the tone” on making the environment safer for CEOs. Eric Anderson also spoke about offering war risk insurance to businesses in Ukraine. Plus, how are Nigerians coping with inflation? The country’s annual inflation rate climbed to a more than 28-year high in November, on the back of rising food prices.
Dec 16, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast France has a new Prime Minister…but can François Bayrou fix the economy where his predecessor failed? We talk to a biographer who says the jury’s out. Russia’s economy shows surprise growth—but with inflation soaring and sanctions biting, is it all as good as it seems? And Christmas classics still rule the airwaves—and the royalty cheques. Will new Xmas songs ever break through? You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!...
Dec 13, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast In a bid to end political instability, President Emmanuel Macron names centrist political ally as France’s prime minister. François Bayrou now has the task of producing a budget that addresses the country's economic challenges, whilst still achieving a majority approval in an increasingly fractious political backdrop. Also, the US offers a reward of up to $5million for information about an alleged remote working scheme funnelling funds to North Korea’s weapons programmes. And how could the frack...
Dec 13, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast France’s President Emmanuel Macron is fighting to form a new government and pass next year’s budget. But will it calm the country’s economic turmoil? Meanwhile... a British hedge fund trader is jailed for defrauding Denmark out of over $1 billion. How did he pull off one of the biggest tax scams in history? Eighteen years after the Peugeot plant in England closed its doors, we look at the lessons it holds for today’s carmakers battling economic pressures and the race to go electric. And how coun...
Dec 12, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast French President Emmanuel Macron was expected to name the new government chief amid the country’s political breakdown, with a view to tackle the country’s economic outlook. Also, how will Australia’s new plans to introduce a social media company levy encourage tech companies to pay news outlets and publishers for content? And, Donald Trump opened trading at the New York Stock Exchange, as he was named Time’s Person of the Year 2024.
Dec 12, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Will the $6bn trade in the illegal drug captagon that funded the Assad dictatorship be disrupted now he's gone? As US inflation creeps up, we hear from businesses daring to feel more hopeful about their future prospects The Macy's employee who hid $150 million in delivery charges. And why universities in Australia are worried by plans to drastically cut the number of overseas students You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!...
Dec 11, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sebastian Ebel, says Germany needs to break free from over-regulation and focus on attracting foreign investors. Also, food prices in South Africa have risen at their lowest rate in nearly 14 years, keeping the country's inflation below expected levels. And, General Motors has announced that it will stop funding the development of the Cruise self-driving taxi.
Dec 11, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Damascus Chamber of Commerce says the interim government pledges to open up the economy and re-establish international trade links. Also, Luigi Mangione, the man accused of murdering Brian Thompson, the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, has been denied bail. And what impact is South Korea's political instability having on its economy?
Dec 10, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Banks in Syria have re-opened and the interim leadership will look to rebuild infrastructure after 14 years of conflict and sanctions. Also, how have the IMF and Kenya worked together to tackle the country's ballooning debt? And Rupert Murdoch has lost a significant legal battle over his media empire.
Dec 10, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Syrians are calling for sanctions to be lifted so international trade can resume and its economy can be rebuilt. Also, China launches an antitrust investigation into Nvidia, the world’s most valuable maker of computer chips. And, baseball player Juan Soto has agreed a $765m deal with the New York Mets, the biggest contract awarded in the the history of sport.
Dec 09, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast What will life look like in Syria after Bashar al-Assad's regime gone? And who will rebuild the country and help the economy to grow? We hear from Syrian refugee Hadi Nuri and Ruba Jaradat, Regional Director for Arab States at the International Labour Organization (ILO). Also, how will the Chinese government help support its economy next year? And what will a second Donald Trump presidency mean for America's green energy industry? You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 67...
Dec 09, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Suriname's finance minister discusses plans to avoid the "oil curse" and ensure the country’s newfound wealth directly benefits its citizens. TikTok faces a major setback in the US, as a court orders its Chinese owners to sell or leave. We also explore how inflation is reshaping the US clothing industry. And in Ghana, voters prepare to head to the polls this weekend—what issues are driving them?
Dec 06, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast The agreement between the EU and the South American bloc will create a free trade area covering 780 million people, but not everyone is celebrating. We find out why. In Ghana, nearly 19 million voters will take part in a presidential election on Saturday. This comes against the backdrop of a tough economic crisis that has hit millions of households hard. We hear more from our correspondent. And a London court has made a key ruling in a case involving Nigerian communities and the oil giant Shell....
Dec 06, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Exporters from China, Canada, and Mexico are rushing to ship goods to the US following President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to impose new tariffs on the three countries on his first day in office. Syria’s economy, devastated by over 13 years of war, is nearing collapse, with recent fighting, sanctions, and an earthquake worsening the crisis. The Syrian pound has plunged, driving up the cost of essential goods. And in South Korea, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions has launched an indefini...
Dec 05, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bitcoin hits $100,000 for the first time as Donald Trump's victory in the US elections and the appointments he has made fuel the cryptocurrencies market. We hear more. Losses from natural catastrophes are on track to exceed $310 billion in 2024. We get the details. And Japan's traditional alcoholic drink, sake, has been enshrined by UNESCO on its list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Will this boost sales? We find out.
Dec 05, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast France is facing difficult economic challenges after the government collapses. Prime Minister Michel Barnier leadership was called into question after he used special powers to push through the budget without a vote. South Korea has started impeachment proceedings against its President after thwarting a shock move to impose martial law. Presenter Rahul Tandon examines what this might mean for the economy. We are also in Sweden to look at a social media trend that encourages women to quit their j...
Dec 04, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
