Business Matters

Joining us live are Fermin Koop, an Argentine freelance journalist specialising in environmental issues and based in Buenos Aires, and Jessica Khine, Head of Asia for Astris Advisory Japan, based in Penang, Malaysia. We examine Myanmar's faltering economy amidst ongoing unrest, with insights from Professor Sean Turnell, an economic advisor to the imprisoned leader Aung San Suu Kyi. How has the military government’s limited control impacted urban areas? Boeing has faced a turbulent year with technical problems and costly strikes, yet its shares have risen sharply since November. What’s behind this recovery? Theo Leggett reports. In Asia, Japan eases visa rules for Chinese visitors, boosting bilateral engagements. Meanwhile, in Argentina, President Millei outlines an ambitious nuclear energy plan to enhance energy security. We also reflect on the 20th anniversary of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami, exploring the immense rebuilding efforts across affected nations with journalist Shoeb Kagda. Finally, updates on Australia's fire crisis, India’s booming concert economy, and protests in Panama over U.S. threats to the Panama Canal.

Also, we hear from a health academic, who worked with United Healthcare boss Brian Thompson, shot dead in Manhattan three weeks ago, about healthcare in the US. We'll be talking too with doctors from three continents who each had something in common in 2024: they all went out on strike. What are the challenges facing the health sectors in Kenya, India and the UK? And the Ursa Major, the Russian ship which sunk in the western Mediterranean this week. Where was it going and what was it carrying?

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 how South Korea's political instability is impacting its economy And who is France's new finance minister?

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 Delhi's pollution levels have once again soared to dangerous levels. But what impact does this smog have on business and workers in the city?

A government shutdown looms over the US as funding deal is rejected Amazon workers have gone on strike at the peak of the Christmas rush. 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 visitor numbers.

Will this interest rate cut be the last rate reduction for some time? Also on World Business Report, Rahul Tandon hears how The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear last-ditch legal arguments from TikTok as to why it should not be banned or sold in the US. And the de-facto leader of Syria tells the BBC that sanctions on his country should be lifted immediately.

Canada takes a breath after the resignation of the country’s Finance Minister, with calls growing for Chrystia Freeland to consider challenging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as leader of the country’s Liberal Party. Also on Business Matters, Andrew Peach hears how 26 tonnes of gold has been found in the vaults of Syria’s National Bank. Andew hears how the Japanese carmakers Nissan and Honda appear to be edging closer to a merger. And with Christmas just around the corner,, why do we keep buying presents for each other if it makes so many of us unhappy?

Andrew Peach is joined by Peter Morici, an economist at the University of Maryland and columnist for Dow Jones Market Watch and the Washington Times, and Sushma Ramachandran, who's a columnist at the Tribune newspaper, in Delhi, to discuss the latest business and economic news. They look at Canada, where the finance minister Chrystia Freeland has resigned on the same day an economic statement was due, triggering a political crisis. There's more political crisis in Germany, where the government has collapsed amid a row over the economy. We ask what businesses want from the country's next leaders. We hear from India - as Sri Lanka wants closer relations with the country on energy and trade. Plus we discuss the safety of CEOs - as the president of the global insurance giant AON tells us firms are going to have to rethink their security process for executives.

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!

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 country singer Noah Kahn and his family helped his local country store to secure its future You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

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!

While some Syrians return to work after Bashar al-Assad's fall, others try to get out of the country in fear of a government led by the rebels. We get the latest. Luigi Mangioni, the man accused of murdering Brian Thompson, the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, has been denied bail. We take a look at his case. And the political crisis continues in South Korea, where president Yoon Suk Yeol has been banned from leaving the country after the faild martial law attempt. We hear about the impact the political instability is having in the economy. Rahul Tandon discusses these and more business stories with two guests on opposite sides of the world: Sarah Birke, The Economist’s Bureau Chief for Mexico, Central America and The Caribbean, and Simon Littlewood, president of ACG Global Growth Delivered in Singapore.

After the fall of Syria's president Bashar al-Assad, we look into the challenges the nation will face to rebuild the economy. China has launched an antitrust investigation into Nvidia, the world’s most valuable maker of computer chips. We find out why. Baseball player Juan Soto has agreed a $765m deal over 15 years with Major League Baseball's New York Mets, the biggest contract awarded in the the history of sport. We look into the details. Rahul Tandon discusses these and more business stories with two guests on opposite sides of the world: Sergio Guzman, director of Colombia Risk Analysis in Bogota, and Yoko Ishikura, Professor Emeritusof Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo.

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol has issued an apology following his attempt to declare martial law earlier this week, which sparked widespread political unrest. Calls for his resignation are growing, even within his own party, as an impeachment vote looms. Syria is on the brink as rebel forces capture more of the country - we'll have the latest. Plus, Suriname's finance minister discusses how the country plans to avoid the "oil curse" and ensure citizens benefit from its newfound wealth. Joining Roger Hearing are Jyoti Malhotra, Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune in Delhi, and Ralph Silva of the Silva Research Network in Toronto.

As US companies race to stock up goods ahead of president-elect Trump's promised tariffs, Gene Seroka, the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles shares how the port is handling the influx of shipments from China. In South Korea, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions has launched an indefinite strike, demanding President Yoon Suk Yeol step down over his martial law declaration. And in a cultural milestone, traditional Japanese rice wine Sake, has been officially recognised by the United Nations as an "intangible cultural heritage". We are joined throughout the programme by Tony Nash, CEO and Founder Complete Intelligence in the US and Jessica Khine, Head of Asia for Astris Advisory Japan in Malaysia.

South Korea has started impeachment proceedings against its President after thwarting a shock move to impose martial law. Presenter Rahul Tandon discusses the economic fallout with Senior Asia correspondent for Bloomberg Rebecca Choong Wilkins who is based in Hong Kong and the President of US based Greenwood Capital Walter Todd who is based in North Carolina in the US. 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. We also discuss a social media trend that encourages women to quit their jobs and become stay-at-home wives and girlfriends in Sweden. We look at what this might mean for families in the future.

MPs in the country voted to block the move after mass protests and outcry. We get the latest from our Korea Service. The boss of Japanese bank Nomura has taken a short-term pay cut after a former employee was charged with robbery of bank clients, attempted murder and arson. And it's been 30 years since Playstation first hit the shelves in Japan for the first time. We hear more from tech writer Bree Fowler

Elon Musk’s record setting pay package has been rejected for a second time by a Delaware judge Opposition parties in France say they'll bring down the minority government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier within days. This after he forced his social security budget through without a vote in parliament. As Ghana approaches an election, Ed Butler reports on the economic turmoil facing the country

Ukraine's desperate battle to restore its energy grid as Russian missile attacks leave over a million people without power. With temperatures already below zero, the winter ahead looks dire. Olga Khakova, deputy director for European energy security at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center, joins us to discuss the immense challenges Ukraine faces in keeping the lights on. We also explore other global developments, including Brazil’s currency volatility, India’s economic slowdown, and how US consumer confidence held up on Black Friday. Plus, Tom Brook reports on whether Thanksgiving weekend signals a revival for Hollywood cinemas. Joining Roger Hearing this week is Yoko Ishikura in Tokyo and Andy Uhler in Texas to provide their global perspectives throughout the show. We want to hear your views. Contact us on WhatsApp or send a voice note to +44 330 678 3033.

Australia will ban children under 16 from using social media, after its Senate approved the world's strictest laws. We hear from Peter Malinauskas, Premier of South Australia and Bruce Daisley, an author and technology leader and former vice president of X (former Twitter). Also, where will GenZ shop on Black Friday? And we find out of how the first 24-hour stock exchange will work. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!