World Business Report

Shares of Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive, tumbled by as much as 8% on Friday morning after it announced that it has delayed the launch by a year – to May 26, 2026. With the company being valued at around 40 billion US dollars, that is a lot of money being shaved off. The U.S. President Donald Trump repeated that he will revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status, saying that "We are going to be taking away Harvard's tax-exempt status. It's what they deserve!" Harvard, which is already suing the Trump administration, said that this is unlawful. And Skype Will Shut Down on Monday, May 5, As Microsoft Shifts to Teams. Davina Gupta will hear from one of the creators of the Skype ringtone.

US job figures were healthier than expected in April with an increase in employment of 177,000 while the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2%. David Harper looks at what it means for the economy. Also, Americans have got used to buying cheap imports from places like China, without paying import duty. That's now changing as tax is being collected on low-value packages. Australians are heading to the polls this weekend, our reporter has been finding out how the international economic situation has become a key factor in the election. And, fancy a 'Golden Visa' for Kazakhstan? If you've got a couple hundred thousand dollars, you could... You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

As trade wars continue, we explore how businesses of all sizes are surviving. Will tariffs dominate Apple and Amazon's earnings? And how are small businesses staying afloat? The US and Ukraine signed a minerals deal which President Zelensky says is an "equal partnership". Andrew Peach speaks to the US’ former Deputy Director for Batteries and Critical Materials. Plus, the World Health Organisation says cuts in US foreign aid could lead to the worst ever disruption in global health funding. And we're hearing stories from Colombia, where support for small businesses could help to keep the peace.

The US and Ukraine have signed a deal that will give Washington access to some of the war-torn country's natural resources. We're unpicking some of the detail behind a deal to exploit mineral resources in Ukraine. A state backed blog in China suggests that the US might have floated the idea of talks on trade tariffs. And we're hearing stories from Colombia, where support for small businesses could help to keep the peace. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

While President Trump has praised his tariffs again, the US economy has shrunk for the first time in three years. Meanwhile, China's factories take a big blow amid the ongoing trade war. Rahul Tandon speaks to small businesses owners feeling the pinch. Plus, with elections looming in Australia this weekend, we take a closer look at the soaring cost of housing—and what it could mean for voters.

The US economy contracts during President Trump's first three months in office. GDP fell by 0.3%... Mr Trump blames former President Biden. Meanwhile China blames US tariffs for falls in its manufacturing figures... but there are more positive numbers in Europe. Also, Andrew Peach hears from the UN Assistant Secretary General about Afghanistan's economy under Taliban rule. And we'll hear why a fall in demand for diamonds is very damaging for Botswana. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

On the programme we are looking at Donald Trump's first 100 days in power, during which he has talked a lot about tariffs, and there have been many changes to trade policies. Rahul Tandon looks at the key important economic events of the initial 100 days and the way they have upended global trade. Also, Mark Carney is celebrating his election victory in Canada, although Canadian broadcaster CBC projects his party will fall just short of the 172 parliamentary seats needed for a majority.

Roger Hearing looks at the economic impact of the first 100 days of the second Trump Presidency, as the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the changing of policy around tariffs creates "strategic uncertainty" . We also hear from Mexicans deported from the US under the president's push on immigration. Meanwhile Mark Carney's Liberal Party wins the Canadian election. But what can Mr Carney do to deal with the tariff threat? We'll hear from one of Canada's leading industrialists. Plus the European court of Justice rules that Malta's 'Golden visa' scheme is illegal. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

Canadians are voting in a general election which has been dominated by Donald Trump's trade war and threats to annex the country. The leaders of the two main parties rejected a renewed assertion by Mr Trump on election day that Canada should become the fifty-first US state. Devina Gupta hears from the BBC’s economics editor Faisal Islam, who is in Ottawa, and Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses. And the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, has urged people not to speculate over the cause of a massive power cut that's affected millions of people across Spain and Portugal.

Roger Hearing hears how a massive power cut has hit Spain and Portugal, along with parts of France. Spanish power grid operator Red Electrica said it was working with energy companies to restore power. Also - the impact of US tariffs begins to bite as there's a big downturn in goods arriving from China. The steepest rise in global spending on defence since the end of the Cold War - we'll find out who's buying what. Plus Kenya lifts a ban on licencing new commercial banks - and what are the economic issues as Canadians go to the polls? You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

A new survey by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research has revealed that consumer confidence in the United States has seen its largest drop since 1990. In Canada voters go to the polls on Monday, and a big issue will be the country’s future relationship with the US. Rahul Tandon discusses the growing economic divide in North America with prominent Canadian businesswoman Arlene Dickinson. And California has overtaken Japan to become the fourth largest global economic force behind Germany, China and the US as a whole.

Donald Trump has signed a controversial executive order aimed at stepping up deep-sea mining within the US and in international waters. The Thursday order is the latest issued by the US president to try to increase America's access to minerals used by the aerospace, green technology and healthcare sectors. Andrew Peach hears from Gerard Barron, Chairman and CEO, The Metals Company, which has been long pushed for permission to mine in the seabed, and Duncan Currie from Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, which is campaigning against mining in the seabed.

China has said no to any trade talks until the US withdraws its tariffs, but which of the World's two superpowers will blink first and bring the growing trade war to a halt? Rahul Tandon finds out how children's Christmas presents could fall victim to the US-China trade war, as President Trump's tariffs threaten to disrupt the global toys market. As the situation in Kashmir develops and Pakistan suspends all trade with India, we hear from Uzair Younhis on what the economic impact will be on Pakistan if India suspends its water flow down the Indus River. Meanwhile, there's concern for the survival of Africa's shea nut tree which provides an income for millions of women. The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.

As tensions rise, Pakistan says any attempt by India to limit its water supply will be seen as an act of war. This comes after India blamed Pakistan for the attack in India-administered Kashmir, and introduced a series of measures, including the suspension of a water-sharing treaty and the closure of the main border crossing. And in Washington, South Korea’s delegation are meeting the US diplomats today to discuss about the 25% tariffs across the board with more on semiconductors, steel and cars. China and Kenya agreed on Thursday to boost ties to a new level and oppose trade barriers, following talks between President Xi Jinping and his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto in Beijing. And we hear about shea butter, which provides an income for millions of women across Africa, but environmentalists say climate change is impacting the growth and yield of the trees because of prolonged droughts – and there are fears it could impact global supply.

And Rahul Tandon talks to a former advisor to Jerome Powell about the US President's blistering attacks on the Federal Reserve chair.

Beijing says the door for trade talks with the US is wide open, though it's also criticised President Trump's negotiating tactics. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Washington couldn't say it wanted to reach a trade agreement with China while simultaneously exerting extreme pressure. Shares in Tesla are up nearly five per cent following remarks by its billionaire boss, Elon Musk, that he is likely to scale back his work for the Trump administration next month. Around the world, wine production is in decline due to global warming that is causing extreme weather conditions, which affect harvests, and fewer of us are drinking wine.

President Trump says tariffs on China “will not be anywhere near 145%” but won’t be removed all together. It follows US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying he expected a ‘de escalation’ in US China tariffs. The International Monetary Fund has revised its global growth forecast in the wake of Trump’s tariffs, with the US expected to be hit hardest. And the boardgames industry is suffering the consequences of tariffs. A number of companies have launched a legal case against the Trump administration. Among them is Stonemaier Games, we speak to their President.

The International Monetary Fund has slashed its outlook for global growth, adding that US tariffs and market uncertainty will lead to a significant worldwide slowdown. India and the US are making progress in negotiating a bilateral trade deal after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US Vice President JD Vance in Delhi. And in the UK, an isolated island where Stormzy wrote an album is on sale – and expected to go for more than £25m ($33m). Andrew Peach hears from Simon Pelling, the director at Fine and Country, the agents who are selling the island.

Stocks tumble on Wall Street as the week begins. The reason seems to be President Trump's desire to replace the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell. The US Vice President JD Vance has met with India's prime minister Narendra Modi to discuss a trade deal. And the United Nations says the cyberscam industry is expanding globally including to South America and Africa. We hear from International Justice Mission which has been campaigning to help the people forced to working at these scam centres.

US Vice President JD Vance has arrived in the Indian capital, Delhi, where he is due to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid global trade tensions sparked by Washington's tariff policies. The talks are likely to focus on fast-tracking a much-awaited bilateral trade deal between the two countries. The spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank kick off in Washington today, with the state of the global economy front and centre. And we hear about Dubai’s new academy focusing on training creators who produce content for social media and how they can become influencers. Marc Ashdown speaks to Jeremy Jauncey, the founder of Beautiful Destinations, which is behind Dubai’s New Academy.