http://www.bbc.co.uk Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays. Business en Tue, 21 Apr 2015 12:44:24 +0200 Tue, 29 Apr 2025 17:15:00 +0200 30 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss iono.fm 2.6.0.0 2013 no Daily feeds@iono.fm (Feed Manager) https://cdn.iono.fm/files/p4/logo_2357_20250910_203733_1400.jpeg http://www.bbc.co.uk Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. BBC episodic BBC bbc@iono.fm false GB https://iono.fm/e/1736952 https://iono.fm/e/1736952
Garment workers in Bangladesh have returned to work after protests about pay brought factories to a standstill. They'll be given a pay rise, but with the final amount still unclear, they could hit the streets again.

Elon Musk says Tesla will stop making its Cybertrucks at its Texas facility. A series of recalls and quality issues have made for a bumpy ride since its 2023 launch.

Presenter: Vishala Sri-Pathma
Producers: Guy Kilty and Amy Booth

(Image: Ryanair logo on a plane. Gareth Price, BBC) ]]> Business Sat, 07 Nov 2026 01:08:00 +0200 0 0 What's behind the wave of bomb threats in Europe? 0 0 BBC full 26:26 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1736917 https://iono.fm/e/1736917 Also, Paraguay's president faces impeachment proceedings over a banking scandal.
And pollution threatens one of India's busiest shopping seasons, Diwali.

Presenter: Luke Wilson
Producers: Matt Lines and Bisi Adebayo ]]> Business Fri, 06 Nov 2026 18:00:00 +0200 0 0 Is the AI bubble finally bursting? 0 0 BBC full 10:11 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1736541 https://iono.fm/e/1736541
Technology shares suffered the deepest declines, led by Elon Musk's Tesla and SpaceX.

Also, Paraguay's President Santiago Peña has announced his resignation following a political crisis sparked by the collapse of a bank.

And Nintendo says sales of its Switch 2 console are down 37%.

Presenter: Vishala Sri-Pathma
Producers: Guy Kilty and Amy Booth

(PHOTO: US President Donald Trump presents the National Medal of Science to Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk during the "A New Golden Age" summit at the US Institute of Peace, renamed The Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace by the Trump administration, in Washington, DC, US, October 8, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci/File Photo) ]]> Business Fri, 06 Nov 2026 01:14:00 +0200 0 0 Tesla shares plunge after US midterms 0 0 BBC full 31:14 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1736474 https://iono.fm/e/1736474 Also, Democrats take control of the US Congress. We examine what their victory means for the economy and President Trump's tariffs.
And hundreds of thousands of people protest across France over rising living costs and pay.

Presenter: Luke Wilson
Producer: Bisi Adebayo ]]> Business Thu, 05 Nov 2026 18:06:00 +0200 0 0 Bomb threats disrupt European flights 0 0 BBC full 10:11 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1736055 https://iono.fm/e/1736055
One issue that came up in states across the country during the midterms was the building of data centres. Will this slow down as voters back candidates who've pledged to stop building them.

Also, we hear from an oil expert about falling oil prices. Is it a sign that investors think there'll soon be an end to the US war with Iran?

PRESENTER: Luke Wilson
PRODUCER: Neil Morrow & George Baylis

(PHOTO: US President Donald Trump looks on the day the final steel beam goes into the ballroom, at the White House in Washington, DC, US, November 4, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci) ]]> Business Thu, 05 Nov 2026 01:29:00 +0200 0 0 After the blue wave, what happens to the US economy? 0 0 BBC full 31:26 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1736020 https://iono.fm/e/1736020
We get the views of a hotel owner in Texas and a department store owner in Indiana, on this historic Midterm result for the Democratic Party.

And get the latest market reaction to the Midterms.

Presenter: Bisi Adebayo
Producer: Matt Lines ]]> Business Wed, 04 Nov 2026 18:13:00 +0200 0 0 US Midterms: What does it mean for business? 0 0 BBC full 11:11 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1735745 https://iono.fm/e/1735745
Meanwhile, Binance says hackers used a fake job interview to steal billions of dollars in cryptocurrency, raising fresh concerns about security in the digital currency industry.

And what will Kellogg’s Rice Krispies taste like without puffed rice? Consumers outside North America are about to find out. ]]> Business Wed, 04 Nov 2026 01:00:00 +0200 0 0 America votes as control of Congress hangs in the balance 0 0 BBC full 26:26 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1735702 https://iono.fm/e/1735702
We also hear from South Africa, as the US plans to suspend the country and Rwanda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, which allows thousands of African products to enter America duty-free.

And a ban on social media for under-16s in Australia is being challenged in the country's High Court.

Presenter: Bisi Adebayo
Producer: Matt Lines ]]> Business Tue, 03 Nov 2026 18:16:00 +0200 0 0 US Midterms: Americans head to the polls 0 0 BBC full 10:05 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1735298 https://iono.fm/e/1735298
As big tech's AI spending draws mounting scrutiny, one persistent problem is that these tools can present us with false information. AI "hallucinations," as they're known, can have serious consequences for business. So why do we keep falling for them - and what makes them so convincing?

Hackers have hit fridges at dozens of supermarkets across Europe, ruining millions of Euros worth of food. We speak to a security expert.

Presenter: Leanna Byrne

Producers: Neil Morrow and Amy Booth

(Photo by CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (14839509b) A person shows an 'I voted' sticker after she cast her vote at the Palmetto Bay library in the early voting for the 2024 US presidential election in Miami, Florida, USA, 29 October 2024.) ]]> Business Tue, 03 Nov 2026 01:11:00 +0200 0 0 Could the economy decide the US midterms? 0 0 BBC full 31:15 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1735602 https://iono.fm/e/1735602
Also, we hear how a Budget dispute in Belgium has led to the resignation of the Prime Minister.

And an unusual race up one of China's most famous mountains with dozens of robots climbing the thousands of steps up Mount Tai.

Presenter: Bisi Adebayo
Producer: Matt Lines ]]> Business Mon, 02 Nov 2026 18:00:00 +0200 0 0 Bangladeshi garment workers protest cost of living 0 0 BBC full 10:11 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1734695 https://iono.fm/e/1734695
As the United States mid-term elections approach, we speak to representatives from both the Republicans and Democrats about the battle, which could shift the balance of power in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Music streaming giant Spotify is reportedly planning to launch a new service allowing users to remix songs using AI. We'll be hearing from a singer about how she feels about the proposal.

Presenter: Ed Butler
Producers: Barbara George & Amy Booth
(Image: Binance logo and hacker code are seen in this illustration taken October 30, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration) ]]> Business Sat, 31 Oct 2026 01:16:00 +0200 0 0 What happens to the money from the Binance hack? 0 0 BBC full 31:14 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1734642 https://iono.fm/e/1734642 Also, France's economy unexpectedly shrinks as inflation rises, despite stronger growth across the wider Eurozone.
And nearly two years after the fall of Syria's Assad regime, rising living costs spark protests as the country struggles to rebuild its economy.
Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Bisi Adebayo ]]> Business Fri, 30 Oct 2026 18:02:00 +0200 0 0 Binance Hit by Record $6.3 Billion Crypto Heist 0 0 BBC full 11:19 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1734226 https://iono.fm/e/1734226
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has explained what Canada's "associate" EU membership could look like at the two-day EU-Canada summit.

One of Japan's largest providers of internet services is in a battle with hackers. After it refused to pay a million-dollar ransom, the hackers started to publish what they claim are personal details.

Presenter: Ed Butler
Producers: Barbara George & Amy Booth

(Image: Amazon logo is seen in this illustration taken February 11, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration) ]]> Business Fri, 30 Oct 2026 01:21:00 +0200 0 0 What do Amazon's results say about AI spending? 0 0 BBC full 31:17 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1734188 https://iono.fm/e/1734188 Also, Christine Lagarde announces she's stepping down early as president of the European Central Bank, triggering a race to replace her.
And fuel shortages loom in Kenya as independent petrol retailers clash with major oil suppliers over prices.
Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Bisi Adebayo ]]> Business Thu, 29 Oct 2026 18:02:00 +0200 0 0 Why Is Volkswagen Losing Billions? 0 0 BBC full 11:14 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1733801 https://iono.fm/e/1733801
European gas prices spiked, with a key contract hitting €100 for the first time since 2022 - but how is that affecting European manufacturers?

Elsewhere, why the passengers on a cruise ship have been left stranded in Cambodia - and a year after Hurricane Melissa, how Jamaica's tourism sector is recovering.

Presenter: Ed Butler
Producers: Barbara George & Amy Booth

(Photo: Microsoft logo and a keyboard in this illustration. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo) ]]> Business Thu, 29 Oct 2026 01:41:00 +0200 0 0 Big tech, big money 0 0 BBC full 26:24 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1733736 https://iono.fm/e/1733736
The UK's finance minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has revealed the government's budget plans for the next 12 months.

And passengers on a round-the-world cruise ship have been told to disembark in Cambodia, because the company can't afford the current cost of fuel oil. ]]> Business Wed, 28 Oct 2026 18:01:00 +0200 0 0 Record breaking share float of India's biggest mobile phone company 0 0 BBC full 10:09 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1733355 https://iono.fm/e/1733355
The first three ships full of Russian diesel head for the US, but two of them are currently sanctioned by the EU, UK and Canada. We find out if they will be able to land and what could be the legal implications for any US companies handling the product.

China's state television company has reportedly suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches after the Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe appeared to call the late Mao Zedong a "Chinese dictator" on a French TV chat show. We hear about the commercial fall out.

Presenter: Ed Butler
Producer: Barbara George & George Baylis

(PHOTO: Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dangote Group speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of an East African oil refinery in Lamu, Kenya, September 30, 2026. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi) ]]> Business Wed, 28 Oct 2026 01:08:00 +0200 0 0 Africa's biggest ever IPO 0 0 BBC full 31:13 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1733287 https://iono.fm/e/1733287
Also, Microsoft offers voluntary redundancy to thousands of workers as it increases spending on AI. What could it mean for India's IT industry?

And, is the Labubu craze over? Sales slump at Pop Mart, the Chinese company behind the viral dolls.

Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Bisi Adebayo ]]> Business Tue, 27 Oct 2026 18:01:00 +0200 0 0 How much will China's Mbappe boycott cost? 0 0 BBC full 8:57 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1732931 https://iono.fm/e/1732931
Brazil’s President Lula da Silva has won a fourth term in office and is promising unity and democracy. We hear what victory means for Brazil's economy.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested the country should prepare ways to work around potential banking sanctions. We hear about the country's economy and political mood.

And London’s Oxford Street is about to get a lot quieter, as one of the world’s most famous shopping destinations goes traffic-free. We here from shoppers.

Presenter: Vishala Sri-Pathma
Producers: Barbara George & George Baylis

(PHOTO: Anthropic logo in this illustration taken on October 26, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration) ]]> Business Tue, 27 Oct 2026 01:14:00 +0200 0 0 Anthropic share details of its IPO 0 0 BBC full 31:08 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1732908 https://iono.fm/e/1732908
India legalises E100 ethanol fuel for vehicles.

And London's famous Oxford Street shopping district is going traffic ]]> Business Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:53:00 +0200 0 0 Lula's win shocks Brazil's financial markets 0 0 BBC full 10:49 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1732276 https://iono.fm/e/1732276
Brazilians will be voting for a new president on Sunday in a run-off election. The current president - Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva - is being challenged by right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a tight race that will have consequences for the region and the world. We speak to economists in the country.

Presenter: Rahul Tandon
Producers: Neil Morrow & Neggeen Sadid

(Photo: A person pumps gas into their car at the 76 gas station at the corner of Roscoe Boulevard and Woodman Avenue in Los Angeles, California, USA, 04 September 2026. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock / Chris Torres) ]]> Business Sat, 24 Oct 2026 00:03:00 +0200 0 0 Oil hits $117 a barrel 0 0 BBC full 28:41 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1732234 https://iono.fm/e/1732234 Also, Greece becomes the latest country to introduce a social media ban for children.
And Volvo announces 2,000 job cuts after reporting a quarterly loss of more than $560 million.

Producer: Bisi Adebayo
Presenter: Luke Wilson ]]> Business Fri, 23 Oct 2026 17:03:00 +0200 0 0 AI Spending Fears Hit Global Stock Markets 0 0 BBC full 11:01 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1731864 https://iono.fm/e/1731864
Vulnerabilities in the PHP programming language have led to websites being down in several countries, including Japan, Finland and the UK. Around seven in 10 of the world's websites use PHP. Is this a new era of cyber insecurity and instability? ​

And a BBC investigation finds that employees from Google have resigned due to the use of AI for military technologies. We hear from one former employee.

Presenter: Luke Wilson
Producers: Neil Morrow & Neggeen Sadid

(Photo: Meta logo and a keyboard in this illustration taken October 19, 2026. Credit: REUTERS / Dado Ruvic) ]]> Business Fri, 23 Oct 2026 00:30:00 +0200 0 0 Facebook-owner Meta fined $25 billion 0 0 BBC full 29:05 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1731865 https://iono.fm/e/1731865
We go to Virginia to speak to a housing realtor about the housing market. Have interest rates made home ownership unaffordable?

And we ask the co-founder of France's first literary AI prize if it sets a dangerous precedent for authors.

Presenter: Leanne Byrne
Producers: Neil Morrow & Neggeen Sadid

(Photo: "Cyber Attack" phrase and PHP code appears in this illustration taken October 22, 2026. Credit: REUTERS / Dado Ruvic / Illustration) ]]> Business Fri, 23 Oct 2026 00:03:00 +0200 0 0 Cyber crisis continues for second day, with race to secure world's websites 0 0 BBC full 29:05 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1731796 https://iono.fm/e/1731796
Also, Electronic Arts shuts down BioWare after 31 years, cutting 400 jobs.

And Airbnb is banning lengthy checkout chores for guests.

Presenter: Luke Wilson
Producer: Bisi Adebayo ]]> Business Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:01:00 +0200 0 0 Major PHP Security Flaw Triggers Cyberattacks 0 0 BBC full 10:49 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1731766 https://iono.fm/e/1731766
Vulnerabilities in the PHP programming language have led to websites being down in several countries, including Japan, Finland and the UK. Around seven in 10 of the world's websites use PHP. Is this a new era of cyber insecurity and instability? ​

And a BBC investigation finds that employees from Google have resigned due to the use of AI for military technologies. We hear from one former employee.

Presenter: Luke Wilson
Producers: Neil Morrow & Neggeen Sadid

(Photo: Meta logo and a keyboard in this illustration taken October 19, 2026. Credit: REUTERS / Dado Ruvic) ]]> Business Thu, 22 Oct 2026 01:37:00 +0200 0 0 Facebook-owner Meta fined $25 billion 0 0 BBC full 28:42 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1731767 https://iono.fm/e/1731767
Also, protests in Portugal over housing affordability spill on to the streets. And why Starbucks China has run out of patience with customers who take a seat…but not a coffee.

Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Craig Henderson
Editor: Naomi Rainey ]]> Business Wed, 21 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0200 0 0 India’s biggest share sale 0 0 BBC full 10:50 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1730900 https://iono.fm/e/1730900
Also, Netflix reports its latest results after a difficult few months marked by job cuts and executive departures.

And could Africa's economy grow faster than China's for the first time in decades?

Presenter: Luke Wilson
Producers: Neil Morrow and Bisi Adebayo

(Picture:Two women stand beside a golf cart decorated with American flags during a Republican voter turnout event ahead of the midterm elections in The Villages, Florida, US, October 18, 2026. REUTERS/Maria Alejandra Cardona) ]]> Business Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:01:00 +0200 0 0 Cost of Living Dominates US Midterms 0 0 BBC full 29:18 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1730842 https://iono.fm/e/1730842
We hear why the boss of one of the world’s biggest airlines - Ryanair - predicts the cost of flights will increase by up to 20% next year.

And the people of oil rich Alberta have decided whether to stick with Canada.

Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Craig Henderson
Editor: Naomi Rainey ]]> Business Tue, 20 Oct 2026 17:26:00 +0200 0 0 France takes a hard look at its finances 0 0 BBC full 10:48 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1730382 https://iono.fm/e/1730382
Also, can Europe's biggest mobile operators build a rival to Elon Musk's Starlink?

And Saudi Arabia postpones a major investment conference as Houthi attacks disrupt business in the kingdom.

Presenter: Andrew Peach
Producers: Neil Morrow and Bisi Adebayo

(Picture: Masked protesters stand next to burning bicycles amid clashes during a demonstration against the cost of living and rising fuel prices near the Place de la Republique in Paris as part of nationwide protests called by the "Yellow Vests" movement, joined by French high school and university students, teachers and parents demanding better school conditions and government action, as well as labour unions, workers, farmers and retirees, France, October 17, 2026. REUTERS/Jack Taylor/File Photo) ]]> Business Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:04:00 +0200 0 0 French businesses count the cost of riots 0 0 BBC full 28:41 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1730321 https://iono.fm/e/1730321
China’s economy grew by 4.5% in the third quarter of the year, thanks to the AI boom driving investment in Chinese exports. But global trade tensions and continued concerns at the level of consumer spending at home hang over the future of the world’s second largest economy.

Meanwhile in the Eurozone’s second largest economy, France, shares have fallen and borrowing costs have risen after violent protests in the country over the weekend.

Why the World Bank is concerned there won’t be enough jobs to go around in future for today’s youth.

And in England, the Government gets tough on so-called headphone dodgers, who insist on listening to music loudly on public transport - driving other passengers mad.

Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Senior Producer: Craig Henderson
Editor: Naomi Rainey ]]> Business Mon, 19 Oct 2026 17:23:00 +0200 0 0 AI boom fuels China’s exports 0 0 BBC full 10:41 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1729709 https://iono.fm/e/1729709
And voters in the U.S. are worried about housing, polls suggest. But what role will it play in shaping the midterms? One researcher joins us to explain the issues and races.

Elizabeth Holmes allowed a filmmaker into her home before she went to prison. We speak to a critic on the documentary, a result of three years' work, that is out now.

Presenter: Will Bain
Producers: Barbara George and Neggeen Sadid

(Picture: A protester holds a placard reading "Bismillah c'est les tenebres" (Bismillah, it's darkness) during a demonstration by French high school and university students in Nantes as part of a nationwide protest movement led by students, supported by teachers, school parents and labour unions, demanding better school conditions and concrete measures, France, October 13, 2026. Credit: REUTERS / Stephane Mahe) ]]> Business Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:01:00 +0200 0 0 Students protest in France, as fiscal concern mounts 0 0 BBC full 28:34 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1729644 https://iono.fm/e/1729644
EU leaders are meeting in Brussels, with its two biggest members - France and Germany - calling for tougher action against Chinese imports, particularly chemicals and plastics.

And violent clashes between police and protestors are entering their fourth day in the Albanian capital, Tirana, as protests against poor education facilities, rising living costs and alleged government corruption continue.

Presenter: Luke Wilson
Producer: Guy Kilty ]]> Business Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:07:00 +0200 0 0 Tesla shares rise after 'flying' car launch 0 0 BBC full 11:11 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1729059 https://iono.fm/e/1729059
It's another bumpy day for tech stocks as investors question who will pay for the AI spending boom.

And why bold flavours such as Tequila ’Rita, Chilli Mango and Watermelon Smash are proving a hit for an alcohol industry under pressure.

Presenter: Will Bain
Producers: Craig Henderson and Barbara George

(Picture: The silhouette of Elon Musk and Tesla logo are seen in this illustration taken. Credit: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo) ]]> Business Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:05:00 +0200 0 0 The Tesla Roadster is finally here 0 0 BBC full 29:19 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1728985 https://iono.fm/e/1728985 Business Thu, 15 Oct 2026 17:10:00 +0200 0 0 Brazil cuts working week from six days to five 0 0 BBC full 11:13 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1728624 https://iono.fm/e/1728624
In China, many leave home for big cities in search of work and livelihoods. Our China correspondent reports Beijing on the alienation many experience in the city after leaving loved ones behind.

And as today marks the hundredth anniversary of the launch of the first Winnie the Pooh book, we take a look at how it became such a money-spinner.

Presenter: Vishala Sri-Pathma
Producers: Craig Henderson and Neggeen Sadid

(Picture: Plastic letters arranged to read "Inflation" are placed on U.S. dollar banknote in this illustration taken, June 12, 2022. Credit: REUTERS / Dado Ruvic) ]]> Business Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:07:00 +0200 0 0 US inflation is on the rise again 0 0 BBC full 29:21 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1728562 https://iono.fm/e/1728562
China's exports are getting a boost from strong demand for AI-related products and electric vehicles.

And despite tougher US sanctions, American exports to Cuba have reached record levels.

Presenter: Luke Wilson
Producer: Barbara George ]]> Business Wed, 14 Oct 2026 17:16:00 +0200 0 0 US inflation heats up 0 0 BBC full 11:11 World Business Report https://iono.fm/e/1728177 https://iono.fm/e/1728177
Formula One has announced a 10-year deal for Rwanda to host an African Grand Prix from the early 2030s. An expert tells us more.

And the internationally-acclaimed singer Raye questions whether the ticketing industry is fit for purpose. A ticketing consultant joins us to explain. ]]> Business Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:25:00 +0200 0 0 IMF warns of global GDP shock if AI bust happens 0 0 BBC full 29:02 World Business Report