World Business Report
World Business Report
BBC World Service
The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
SpaceX's lift-off moment stalls
Twenty five days ago SpaceX debuted on the stock market in the largest initial public offering in history, selling US$75bn worth of shares. Now its joined the Nasdaq 100 index of firms including Microsoft, Apple and Nvidia, so why have its shares fallen? We hear from tech investor Eileen Burbridge and financial advisor Jennifer Snyder on why investors might not be feeling reassured. Canada's launching a new national strategy for artificial intelligence called the 'AI for All' plan, setting targets for economic growth, jobs and safeguards as the government looks to strengthen its control over the technology. Leanna Byrne speaks to Jerry McGinn of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on how NATO countries will pay for the biggest rise in defence spending in decades.And China’s robotaxi firms are racing overseas, but will passengers trust cars without drivers? Global business news, with live guests and contributions from Asia, Europe and the USA. (Picture: SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk is shown celebrating the company's debut on the Nasdaq market in New York City, New York, USA, on 12 June 2026. Credit: Sarah Yenesel / EPA / Shutterstock.)
Jul 7
26 min
Ethanol fuels row in India
Motorists are angry that petrol in India must contain 20% ethanol alchol. Samsung's profits jump on sales of memory chips for AI, but the share price falls. And can China become the global leader in self driving cars?
Jul 7
12 min
The future of gaming after XBOX cuts
With Microsoft announcing nearly five thousand job cuts, and XBOX bearing the brunt of the losses, we look at what's changing in the world of gaming and hear from former XBOX executive Peter Moore on how it might affect some of the globe's most popular computer games. Meanwhile, as NATO leaders prepare to haggle in Turkey over defence spending, we get advice from Sweden's former Prime Minister Carl Bindt on how countries balance their budgets against growing security demands. Also on the programme, Andrew Peach discusses the growing concern around political interference in football after FIFA's shock decision to overturn United States forward Folarin Balogun's suspension for a red card offence. And as World Cup games in Mexico come to an end, Mexico City's tourism minister Alejandra Frausto Guerrero talks about the country's hope for a boost in tourism. The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC. (Picture: A teenager holding a controller to play a video game on a Microsoft Xbox One console, in Corfe Mullen, Dorset, UK. Credit: Yui Mok / PA.)
Jul 6
26 min
Easyjet accepts $7bn takeover offer
Europe's second biggest low cost airline accepted bid after months of wooing. If the deal goes through, the new owners Clearlake will take the business private.NATO to discuss a proposed Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, aimed at boosting lending to member nations to pay for a ramp up in defence.And US rock band Metallica are funding work apprenticeships as part of their current stadium tour of Europe.
Jul 6
8 min
America at 250: swifties and soccer fans turn up
Swift wedding rumours, FIFA World Cup crowds and extreme heat hit New York on America’s birthday weekend. With electricity demand soaring, we hear what is happening on the ground.We are more than halfway through the 2026 World Cup, but ticket resale platforms have been causing problems for some fans, who say their tickets were cancelled at the last minute or never arrived. We hear from fans and experts.Spain is the world’s second-most popular international tourist destination, and travel company research suggests this year could be another strong one for the industry. But not everyone in Spain is happy about the country’s tourism success.Presenter: Vishala Sri-Pathma Producers: Josh Martin and Haider Saleem (Picture: A fan of singer Taylor Swift gives an interview ahead of a reported wedding. Credit: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)
Jul 3
26 min
Taylor Swift's wedding and 4th July - big money celebrations take over NYC
A big birthday, a big wedding and big temperatures...it's a big weekend in the United States for citizens and business owners. Also, Russia takes more steps to tackle its growing fuel shortages. And why a Japanese mayor is facing criticism for taking maternity leave. Presenter: Bisi Adebayo Producer: Victoriya Holland Editor: Justin Bones
Jul 3
8 min
How much could Taylor Swift's wedding cost?
With just 57,000 posts created in June, half the number expected, the US jobs market is showing signs of cooling. We talk to a restaurant owner about why it's getting harder to hire. And the latest on the computer gremlins causing chaos at European airports. We hear from the family of a businessman delayed by 12 hours and a travel expert: Are glitches in the new EU-wide border control system going to spell a summer of misery for non-European travellers? Also, if you were to hold your wedding in Madison Square Garden, how much would it set you back?
Jul 2
26 min
Warnings you could get stuck in queues on EU borders
Is the US jobs market starting to lose momentum? Also, Europe's new border system is leading to long queues at some airports this summer. And India has told Meta to delay a new WhatsApp feature over fraud concerns. Presenter: Bisi Adebayo Producer: Victoriya Holland Editor: Justin Bones
Jul 2
8 min
Why are central banks still worried about inflation?
As Eurozone inflation lowers to 2.8% in June, heads of the US and European central banks have say inflation isn't beaten yet. We look at why top bankers are still worried about inflation and what's actually driving it. Also on the programme we speak to one of the Gulf's oldest oil companies about why the Gulf oil industry will have to build back better to secure supply chains. And as one of California's own becomes a trillionaire, the state prepares to vote on taxing exactly that kind of wealth. PHOTO: REUTERS/Pedro Rocha
Jul 1
26 min
EU imposed €3 fee on small parcels in hit to Shein, Temu and AliExpres
The European Union has introduced a customs charge of just over $3 on low value items bought outside of the bloc. We hear from the EU commission MP who explained us why these measures are so important. The US president Donald Trump made more than $1 billion last year, from business dealing in cryptocurrency. And the toxic pufferfish with razor sharp teeth that are invading the waters around Greece, causing a huge problem for the country's fishing industry. Presenter: Sarah Rogers Producer: Victoriya Holland Editor: Naomi Rainey
Jul 1
8 min
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