World Business Report
The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
Why are oil company profits so high?
Oil companies are seeing their profits spike as the Iran war continues, but President Trump says they're making too much money. So why are profits so high? Sarah Rogers takes a look. Plus, how would you feel if the government was allowed to access data from your phone? US tech giant Apple has confirmed it has launched a new legal complaint against the UK government for trying to do just that.
Blues on the Danube
We explore the impact of the Danube river running at its lowest level in decades on freight, car production and nuclear reactors in the area.
Elsewhere in a big few days for the media sector, we explore why superheroes are back, the latest on the sale of Electronic Arts and why Netflix is going into short form content.
Also, why one of Europe's most wanted drugs fugitives is living freely and with government protection in west Africa
And how Japan and the US have carried out a rare joint intervention to prop up...
Ukraine takes aim at Russia's economy
Ukrainian drone strikes hit Wildberries warehouses across Russia, with 16 distribution centres damaged or destroyed in the past fortnight. As the country's biggest online retailer faces disruption and a Lukoil oil refinery is also hit, we examine why Ukraine is targeting Russian business infrastructure.
Also, oil prices rise after Iran stops two vessels attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz. We ask why crude has not surged even higher, and look at how China's hidden oil reserves have helped limit the impact on global markets.
FIFA faces a growing backlash over plans to sell minority stakes...
FIFA fallout: 'What's wrong with wanting to make money?'
Asian markets rebound strongly after a turbulent week for some of the world's biggest chipmakers. We look at what's behind the turnaround and whether investors are still worried about AI spending. Also, opposition grows to FIFA's plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. And another Ukrainian drone attack targets Russia, while China's factory activity unexpectedly contracts.
UEFA Shows FIFA the Red Card
We hear why UEFA is threatening to boycott future World Cups in a major showdown with FIFA over plans to create a new commercial entity to run its tournaments. As the row intensifies, we'll ask what it means for the future of football's biggest business with the New York Times' Tariq Panja.
Also, the BBC's Nawal Al-Maghafi reports from Iran after a new wave of US strikes, looking at the impact on a country already facing deep economic and security pressures.
And we look at Washington's move to restrict Chinese-made robots from entering the US...
Is this the start of the robot wars?
The US has moved to block new foreign-made robots from its market over national security concerns, with Chinese manufacturers expected to be hit hardest. Beijing says it could retaliate. We also examine the health of the US economy, as growth disappoints and inflation remains stubbornly above the Federal Reserve's target. And Australia's internet regulator takes legal action against Telegram over its alleged failure to remove terrorist content.
Have FIFA scored an own goal?
We'll hear reaction from the world of football as Fifa offers federations $40 million each to rubberstamp its plan to sell some of its commercial rights. As FIFA sends a letter to football associations explaining the plan and giving them a deadline of mid-September to agree
Also, we find out the bizarre story of why eBay had to pay one couple $56 million after a campaign of harassment.
And why Cuba has moved to open crisis-ravaged parts of its state-run economy to private firms.
Elsewhere we get the latest from the US Federal Reserve which...
Luxury fashion houses bag a return to sales growth
Jewellery and a strong North American market helped luxury goods giants LVMH and Kering grow sales even as promblems in the Middle East and China hampered the sector overall. We get insight from the former head of LVMH's head of North America. Elsewhere, it's "the same again" for tech investors in Asia, as trading on the Kospi index is holted to stave off a rout after Korean chipmakers SK Hynix and Samsung saw further sharp falls in their share prices. World Business Express - Finance, economy and business news from BBC journalists around the world. The stories that matter...
Is the World Cup up for sale?
FIFA faces a backlash from UEFA over plans to create a new company with private investors to run major tournaments, including the World Cup. So what could this mean for the future of football?
Some of the world's biggest tech companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, have seen sharp falls in their valuations. What's driving the sell-off, and is it likely to continue?
Peru has sworn in its first female president. What challenges lie ahead, and what could her presidency mean for the country's political future?
(Picture: FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrives at the...
AI investors spark Asia shares sell-off
South Korea's Kospi index halts trading after huge falls for tech stocks like Samsung and SK Hynix. Are investors starting to fear the arrival of Chinese AI chipmakers? Also, firefighters in France and Spain are continuing to battle wildfires that have forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes and seen tens of thousands of businesses forced to close. And one of London's most iconic landmarks is looking for an apprentice.
Spains tourism is at tipping point
From Barcelona to Mallorca, anti-tourism protests have spread as residents say booming visitor numbers are driving up costs and putting pressure on local communities.
Wildfires are threatening France's famous Bordeaux wine region, with tourists urged to stay away as the flames spread.
And why Germany is making it harder for workers to call in sick.
(Picture: A demonstrator carries a placard during a protest against mass tourism and gentrification in the Balearic Islands, in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Credit: REUTERS/Francisco Ubilla)
Wildfires hit businesses across France and Spain
Wildfires are disrupting businesses, transport and tourism across France and Spain at the height of the summer holiday season. Also in the programme, China's leading memory chip maker makes a blockbuster stock market debut. And Indonesia faces fresh economic uncertainty after the surprise resignation of its central bank governor.
Paramount Skydance pauses its $110bn acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery
Paramount agrees to pause its Warner Bros deal after dozen US states seek to block this deal. We look at the impact of US tariffs of between 10 and 12.5% on imports from many of America’s major trading partners. And how OpenAI's recent rogue attack on a fellow company may influence other AI firms to look at their cyber security systems.
(Picture: GV of American landmark the Hollywood sign, Hollywood Hills, LA, California. Credit: BBC)
Trump's favourite word is back
New import taxes have been placed on more than 60 trading partners of the United States. Businesses in Australia and Norway give us their reaction
Tech stocks continue to struggle
and should AI have a 'kill-switch'
Presenter: Barbara George Editor: Justin Bones
Trump targets trade partners with new wave of tariffs
US President Donald Trump has announced 10-12.5% import taxes for 60 countries, including China and the EU. It comes months after the Supreme Court overturned his initial programme of tariffs. So what countries are being targeted now, and why?
As Houthis in Yemen resume attacks in the Red Sea, oil hits $100 a barrel once more.
And weeks on from Venezuela's devastating earthquakes, the World Bank estimates the country has seen almost $20 billion of damages.
(US President Donald Trump speaks during a press briefing at the White House, following the Supreme Court's tariff ruling, February 20, 2026...
Petrol and gasoline prices set to go higher
The price of oil has gone back above $100 a barrel which could mean higher prices at the pump. It's after attacks on at least one tanker in the Red Sea by Iranian-backed Houthis
Plus a shortage of eggs in Myanmar has led to prices soaring
and the footballers rewarded for winning the world cup in Tomatoes
Presenter: Gideon Long Senior Producer: Naomi Rainey Editor: Justin Bones
Why AI technology 'went rogue'
Why OpenAI technology 'went rogue'? According to IT giant, some of its most advanced AI models went rogue and hacked a start-up after it lost control of them during a security test. Russia is feeling the economic impact of its war with Ukraine after drone attacks destroyed warehouses belonging to the country's biggest online retailer. We hear from the business owner who lost all her money. And we look at why Japan is urging men to wear shorts to work.
(Picture: OpenAI says AI agent exploits vulnerabilities in security test, Berlin, Germany - 22 Jul 2026. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock)<...
Brazil hit by US tariffs
New 25% US tariffs on selected Brazilian imports are raising trade tensions. What impact could they have on Brazil's economy?
Also in the programme Malaysia's ambition to become Southeast Asia's next data centre powerhouse.
And why a campaign encouraging Japanese office workers to wear shorts is causing controversy.
Presenter: Gideon Long Producer: Barbara George Editor: Naomi Rainey.
More US tariffs on Canada
The US administration is hitting its neighbour Canada with a 50% tariff on imports. Products include wine, cement and even hockey sticks. We speak to Canadian businesses about how they are preparing for the latest round of tariffs.
Also, President Trump has promised to help Lebanon "a lot" during a landmark meeting with his Lebanese counterpart in Washington. We hear from a food importer about what it is like doing business in the country.
Elsewhere, we check in with a football fan from Curaçao to find out how much a trip to the World Cup c...
How will Trump's tariffs affect Canadian businesses?
US President Donald Trump has announced a new 50% tariff on a wide range of goods imported from Canada. We hear from a group representing auto manufacturers.
Plus, another blow for Paramount in its bid to take over Warner Brothers And we look at the challenges facing clothes-makers in Bangladesh
Presenter: Gideon Long Producer: Victoriya Holland Editor: Naomi Rainey
New Prime Minister, familiar challenge
The United Kingdom has its seventh prime minister in just over a decade. Like many leaders the world over, Andy Burnham has vowed to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and revive economic growth. But is it within his gift?
And we find out why millions of passengers from outside Europe are finding long queues waiting for them when they land at airports across the continent.
Also, as Spain celebrates its historic World Cup victory over Argentina, we drop in on the party in Madrid.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jeff Overs/BBC
Andy Burnham becomes the UK new prime minister
The UK gets its fourth Prime Minister in just five years - but what can he do for the economy?
Russia feels the economic impact of its war with Ukraine after drone attacks hit the country's biggest online retailer. We hear from the business owner who lost all her goods in the fire.
And if you're going to Europe on vacation this year - why it might take a little longer to get through the airport.
Presenter: Sarah Rogers Producer: Victoriya Holland Editor: Gideon Long
Who really wins the World Cup?
Adidas sponsor finalists Spain and Argentina while Nike sponsor defeated semi-finalists England and France. How big a deal is this in the battle for sports branding dominance?
We also hear what football fever in North America did for a local business that sells football shirts.
And, Andy Burnham will become the new British prime minister next week but hasn't said much about his economic policies. The BBC's economics editor Faisal Islam goes to Manchester, Burnham's former mayoral constituency to look at his track record there.
Plus, the Bayeux Tapestry returns to England after...
Asian shares sink despite AI boom
A sharp sell-off in AI stocks sweeps across Asia.
India joins a select group of countries running hydrogen-powered trains.
And Netflix shares fall after its latest outlook disappoints investors.
Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Victoriya Holland Editor: Josh Martin
Canadian forest fires choke much of North America
Smoke from wild-fires covers much of North America. Toronto, Chicago and Boston are all under the smoke haze.
Indian Government bans its seafarers from going through the Strait of Hormuz.
And in Italy, thirty-two people were found guilty in connection with a bridge collapse in Genoa in 2018.
Profits surge at Apple and Nvidia supplier TSMC
The company TSMC is riding the artificial intelligence investment wave all the way to the bank, as profits surge at the Taiwanese advanced chip manufacturer. Our correspondent in New York City will dig into the latest jobs and spending data - has the city's big summer of events made consumers feel more confident? And we head to Europe's biggest port - Rotterdam - to hear about a court case locals have taken to force the industrial hub to go greener, faster.
World Business Express - Finance, economy and business news from BBC journalists around the world.
New York bans new data centres
New York becomes the first US state to impose a moratorium on building large-scale data centres.
The measure, announced by New York's Governor Kathy Horchul, applies to all centres using 50MW or more of power and will remain in force for a year. We hear what the moratorium might mean for business.
The announcement comes hours after Australia's prime minister Anthony Albanese announces tougher rules for companies wanting to build data centres there.
Elsewhere, the removal of a border fence separating southern Spain from the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar puts an end...
Chinese EVs save economy from a serious slowdown
Chinese GDP growth slowed to 4.3% but success in electric vehicles and EV batteries boosted export earnings. We also head to Gibraltar where citizens and businesses of "The Rock" and Spain cheer the end of passport checks on the frontier border following the post-Brexit agreement between Spain and the UK.
World Business Express - Finance, economy and business news from BBC journalists around the world. The stories that matter: World Business Express brings you the essentials on the fast-changing global economy. What forces are driving the markets and industry? Hear unique insight from top CEOs, investors, economic thinkers...
US banks make huge profits
Big banks, big profits...We're looking at the handsome results posted by five big US banks today.
We'll also look at threats to wheat exports in both Russia and the United States
And why is American beef so pricey at the moment?
(Picture: Close-up of benjamin franklin on scattered one hundred dollar bills. Credit: Getty Images)
Could AI boom bring about a three-day working week?
US banks see supersized profits as dealmaking streak continues, but will US households feel any richer after inflation data showed gasoline prices at the forecourt eased for drivers. Video conferencing app Zoom has predicted a three-day working week as AI boosts worker productivity...but do bosses agree? And what will the fallout be for Paramount and Warner Brothers after their media mega-deal hit a regulatory roadblock?
Twelve US states take on Paramount
Twelve US states sue Paramount Skydance over its planned takeover of Warner Brothers. We hear from California's attorney general Rob Bonta who's leading the charge against that proposed 81 billion dollar Hollywood merger.
Plus, South Africa's biggest diamond mine pauses production for two years. Find out why?
And what would you pay for a bit of trash from Taylor Swift's wedding?
(Picture: California Attorney General Rob Bonta holds a press conference next to the iconic Hollywood sign, in Los Angeles. Credit: Reuters)
Cashing in on Taylor Swift's wedding trash
One man's trash is another man's treasure, but would you pay $25 for a cube of rubbish collected outside Madison Square Garden where Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were married? The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed, with BBC Verify finding that only a handful on vessels crossed the body of water in the last 24 hours after tensions increased between Iran and the US. Also, we head to Delhi were new electric vehicle policies aimed at cleaning the air have been criticised by rickshaw and moped drivers. World Business Express - Finance, economy and business news from BBC journalists around...
Still in the game?
Tough times for the gaming industry after news of more lay-offs, this time at Microsoft's Xbox gaming division, Will Bain asks developers and designers if it's all doom and gloom, and what challenges like ahead. And authorities are carrying out investigations after a Ryanair passenger was partially sucked out of a Boeing 737 when a cabin window shattered mid-flight, thousands of feet in the air. We speak to an aviation safety expert about what that investigation might look at and what the incident means for the airline industry.
Passenger survives aeroplane drama
A Ryanair passenger was partially sucked out of a Boeing 737 on a flight from Greece to Germany, after a cabin window shattered. Authorities are investigating the cause.
The European low cost carrier Easyjet is set to become part of a bidding war between two US based private equity firms.
And a heatwave in central Europe has farmers in Switzerland worried.
Volkswagen makes sweeping production cuts
Volkswagen, whose 10 brands range from Seat to Porsche, is making sweeping production cuts in Germany. We take a look at the impact this is having on the automotive industry in the country.
A row over Peking duck is adding to already tense relations between Brussels and Beijing. The European Commission has opened an investigation into whether Chinese duck meat is being sold in Europe at unfairly low prices. We take a look at the wider dispute.
And since the United States imposed a near total fuel blockage on Cuba six months ago, the island's food...
Volkswagen makes sweeping production cuts
Volkswagen, whose 10 brands range from Seat to Porsche, is making sweeping production cuts in Germany. We take a look at the impact this is having on the automotive industry in the country.
A row over Peking duck is adding to already tense relations between Brussels and Beijing. The European Commission has opened an investigation into whether Chinese duck meat is being sold in Europe at unfairly low prices. We take a look at the wider dispute.
And since the United States imposed a near total fuel blockage on Cuba six months ago, the island's food...
Chinese factories raise their prices
Energy price rises since US/Israel war with Iran has affected Chinese manufacturers. But retailers in China struggle to raise prices as consumers watch their budgets.
Volkswagen's Board is considers move to cut 100,000 jobs in Germany.
And we learn about the political philosophy of Manchesterism and how it may soon be seen in No 10 Downing Street.
George Johnson: 'He was extraordinary'
Pioneering entrepreneur George Johnson has died aged 99. We speak to Valerie Jarrett, American businesswoman, former Senior Advisor to the President of the United States, and chief executive officer of the Obama Foundation. She knew George Johnson throughout his life, and was a close friend.
Russia has banned exports of diesel in order to avoid domestic shortages, after a flurry of attacks by Ukrainian drones on the nation's refineries. We take a look at what impact this is having on the country.
The US military says it has carried out a second night of airstrikes on...
Ukraine's drone strikes hit Russia's oil industry
Russian motorists queue for miles in the hope of buying petrol, but President Putin describes the problem as manageable.
Meanwhile fighting has erupted in the Persian Gulf with both US and Iran firing at targets on land and at sea. Almost no ships are currently passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
And the world's biggest professional ESports event gets under way in Paris.
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. <...