World Business Report

World Business Report

Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers, investors and the environment.

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  • Episodes available for:
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All episodes (40)

  • WBR: Wall Street Update 17 May 13

    Fri, 17 May 13

    Duration:
    7 mins

    Available:
    28 days remaining

    One year on from Facebook floating on the stock exchange - what's the future for the company? And our US markets expert explains why he feels uneasy about the recent high share values in the country.

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  • WBR: Rwanda 17 May 13

    Fri, 17 May 13

    Duration:
    28 mins

    Available:
    28 days remaining

    Nearly two decades after the genocide which tore the country apart, Rwanda is making a come back. We hear from the country's finance minister that their determination to become a middle income country is paying off. We hear about the latest fleet of super container ships nearly half a kilometre long and as broad as an autobahn. And why Nepalese hill farmers are finding that coffee is just their cup of tea.

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  • WBR: Wall Street Update 16 May 13

    Thu, 16 May 13

    Duration:
    7 mins

    Available:
    27 days remaining

    Football star and celebrity David Beckham's announcement that he is retiring from football will, many say, actually accelerate 'Brand Beckham'. Also, the biggest movers and losers on the US stock markets.

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  • WBR: BP oil spill claims 16 May 13

    Thu, 16 May 13

    Duration:
    28 mins

    Available:
    27 days remaining

    Oil giant BP is getting increasingly concerned at the growing cost of compensation linked to the Deepwater Horizon disaster. It says it is being forced to pay out claims for what it calls "fictitious and inflated losses", and wants Prime Minister David Cameron to raise the issue with President Obama at the G8 meeting in Northern Ireland next month. Our Business Editor Robert Peston tells us why BP is so worried, and we speak to a Louisiana lawyer who is pursuing claims against the company.

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  • WBR: Wall Street Update 15 May 13

    Wed, 15 May 13

    Duration:
    6 mins

    Available:
    26 days remaining

    Google shares rise amidst announcements from the company of innovative new products, while US market optimism remains high despite bad manufacturing industry figures.

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  • WBR: France in recession 15 May 13

    Wed, 15 May 13

    Duration:
    28 mins

    Available:
    26 days remaining

    As France slips back into recession we ask what exactly does the eurozone's second largest economy need to do to get back on its feet? Plus, after Angeline Jolie's revelation that she's had a double mastectomy - why are genetic tests for cancer so expensive?

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  • WBR: Wall Street Update 14 May 13

    Tue, 14 May 13

    Duration:
    10 mins

    Available:
    25 days remaining

    Some of Europe's biggest oil companies are being investigated for rigging prices. Also, why is Blackberry Messenger, the 'crown jewel' of RIM, being given away for free for all platforms? And finally, we find out if the US market can maintain its recent high values.

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  • WBR: EU probes possible oil price fixing, 14 May 2013

    Tue, 14 May 13

    Duration:
    27 mins

    Available:
    25 days remaining

    The EU has raided several global oil firms as part of an investigation into price fixing. Also, Singapore cracks down on tax cheats, why whistleblowing remains a dangerous game and why France wants to tax tablet computers.

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  • WBR: Wall Street Update 13 May 2013

    Mon, 13 May 13

    Duration:
    3 mins

    Available:
    24 days remaining

    The Japanese currency continues to sink in value as a result of concerted efforts by the government and the central bank. Investors around the world are taking note.

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  • WBR: Bangladesh factories shut 13 May 13

    Mon, 13 May 13

    Duration:
    28 mins

    Available:
    24 days remaining

    Hundreds of garment factories in Bangladesh are to shut down amid continued protests over safety conditions in the industry. Meanwhile western clothes buyers say they'll sign up to improved fire and safety regulations in the country - but is it too little, too late? Also with Nawaz Sharif expected to become Pakistan's next prime minister, we ask whether his pro-business credentials will translate into economic reforms. Plus - will Germany start putting speed limits on some of its fastest roads?

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  • WBR: Wall Street Update 10 May 2013

    Fri, 10 May 13

    Duration:
    10 mins

    Available:
    21 days remaining

    A global crime syndicate has stolen $45 million dollars by hacking into a debit card database.

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  • WBR: Africa's missing resource wealth 10 May 13

    Fri, 10 May 13

    Duration:
    28 mins

    Available:
    21 days remaining

    A panel chaired by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan warns tax evasion, secret deals and illicit financial transfers are depriving African countries of the benefits of the continent's resources boom. Also 45 million dollars vanish in minutes in one of the biggest bank heists in criminal history. And we look at the facts behind the Great Gatsby's fictional fortune.

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  • WBR: Wall Street Update 9 May 2013

    Thu, 9 May 13

    Duration:
    8 mins

    Available:
    20 days remaining

    Sesame Street on subscription. Youtube has launched subscription channels which users will have to pay for. Sesame Street and the Ultimate Fighting Championship are among the first dedicated channels. We have the details, plus a full round up of the day's trading on Wall Street

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  • WBR 09 May 13: Slovenia's financial woes

    Thu, 9 May 13

    Duration:
    27 mins

    Available:
    20 days remaining

    Another eurozone country teeters on the brink of bankruptcy. This time it's Slovenia where the government's just announced a package of tax increases and economic reforms. Ministers there hope it'll be enough to avoid the humiliation of a bailout. But WILL it? And we'll take you to Capetown to the event they call Africa's Davos where we'll hear from an entrepreneur who's hoping to make big money - from the eggs of flies.

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  • WBR: Wall Street Update 08 May 13

    Thu, 9 May 13

    Duration:
    18 mins

    Available:
    19 days remaining

    It's been another good day for Wall Street, we get the latest. Also we have a special report on the Italian sports car maker Ferrari who has decided to limit production of its high performance models this year, claiming it wants to protect the brand's aura of exclusivity.

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  • WBR 08 May 13: Sir Alex Ferguson retires

    Wed, 8 May 13

    Duration:
    27 mins

    Available:
    19 days remaining

    Today: the business fallout for Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson steps down as manager. He's brought the club success on and off the pitch for almost three decades. But already investors are selling Manchester United shares in New York. And what business can learn from Sir Alex's famously forthright management style. Plus, why America's finance minister has given his signature a makeover.

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  • WBR: Wall Street Update 07 May 13

    Tue, 7 May 13

    Duration:
    12 mins

    Available:
    18 days remaining

    We hear more about the new head of the World Trade Organisation. On the day the Dow chalked up a new milestone, closing above 15,000 for the first time we get the latest from our analyst on Wall Street. And after a series of food scandals we have a special report on how scientists can spot "Food Fraud"

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  • WBR 07 May 13: Windows 8 woes

    Tue, 7 May 13

    Duration:
    27 mins

    Available:
    18 days remaining

    If only Microsoft had had a crystal ball when it launched its Windows 8. Maybe then it wouldn't be planning a relaunch. Has Microsoft been left having to eat humble pie - humble Apple pie maybe? Also, is it time for Britain and Europe to call it quits? The man who was Margaret Thatcher's Chancellor reckons it is. He says EU membership now has more cons to it than pros. But what would Germany do if Britain said auf wiedersehn.?

    Download 13MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • WBR: Wall Street Update 06 May 13

    Mon, 6 May 13

    Duration:
    3 mins

    Available:
    17 days remaining

    US investors are still positive following Friday's better than expected jobs report.

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  • WBR: India forges ahead with nuclear power 06 May 13

    Mon, 6 May 13

    Duration:
    28 mins

    Available:
    17 days remaining

    As India plans to finish a nuclear power plant which it started twenty-five years ago, we'll be looking at why it has taken so long to complete, and what those for and against have to say about the project. A grande malaise surrounds France's Socialist president, Francois Hollande. And we take a trip to an Irish meat plant and a construction site to find out how small businesses are faring, as the government promises an end is in sight to the straitjacket of the bailout programme. Plus, would you drink a bottle of whisky that's been sloshing around in the Atlantic since 1941? As two bottles from the famous Whisky Galore! shipwreck turn up at auction, we take a look at why the auction price is still cause for cheer.

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  • WBR: US markets update

    Sat, 4 May 13

    Duration:
    2 mins

    Available:
    14 days remaining

    US markets rose on news that more jobs than expected had been created in April.

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  • WBR: US jobs and Buffett tweets 3 May 13

    Fri, 3 May 13

    Duration:
    28 mins

    Available:
    14 days remaining

    The American economy surprises by creating a slew of new jobs in April and the markets are cheering. But we hear from one manufacturer who is still waiting to feel the impact of the recovery. Turkey has signed up to a new Japanese-built nuclear plant, despite being in an earthquake zone. Plus, Warren Buffett joins Twitter and his second tweet is championing women.

    Download 13MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • WBR:US markets update

    Thu, 2 May 13

    Duration:
    3 mins

    Available:
    13 days remaining

    It's jobs, jobs all the way in the US markets.

    Download 2MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • WBR: ECB rate cut 2 May 13

    Thu, 2 May 13

    Duration:
    28 mins

    Available:
    13 days remaining

    What has Mario Draghi done with interest rates? The European Central Bank president is predicting a Euro recovery just around the corner ... interesting ... but which corner exactly ... and when ...? And glory, glory Man United. The world's most successful club has published its off-the-field results - and they're champion. But still the Reds are in the red to the tune of half a billion dollars. Could United fans end up the losers?

    Download 13MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • WBR: Wall Street Update 01 May 13

    Wed, 1 May 13

    Duration:
    4 mins

    Available:
    12 days remaining

    Facebook quarterly results and a look at the US markets and economic data

    Download 2MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • WBR: European pressure on Dhaka 1 May 13

    Wed, 1 May 13

    Duration:
    28 mins

    Available:
    12 days remaining

    A week after the garment factory collapse in Dhaka and pressure is growing on the authorities there to act to make Bangladeshi factories safe. But should the country's biggest trade partner, Europe, also be doing more? The EU's Trade Commissioner responds. And how the home of the French president, the Elysee Palace, is selling off some of its finest wines - all in the name of austerity.

    Download 13MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • WBR: Wall Street Update 30 Apr 13

    Tue, 30 Apr 13

    Duration:
    5 mins

    Available:
    11 days remaining

    Computer giant Apple is asking investors for $17bn to help fund extra payouts to shareholders in the biggest ever bond issue by a non-banking company -we find out the reasons why, and what it has done for Apple share price.

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  • WBR: The end of tax havens? 30 Apr 13

    Tue, 30 Apr 13

    Duration:
    28 mins

    Available:
    11 days remaining

    Will there be a world without tax havens? The head of the OECD, the club of leading industrialised nations, tells WBR the day will come soon when there is nowhere left to hide your money from the tax man. It comes as Luxembourg's finance minister says the country is ready to start sharing confidential data on corporate bank accounts with other countries. Also, we celebrate twenty years of the internet. And we hear how Turkey's farmers are on the cusp of wielding new power on the world agricultural stage.

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  • WBR: Wall Street Update 29 Apr 13

    Mon, 29 Apr 13

    Duration:
    10 mins

    Available:
    10 days remaining

    Apologies and compensation is promised for families affected by the garment factory collapse in Bangladesh -but what are the long term implications for the fashion industry? Plus, the US stock markets biggest movers and losers of the day.

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  • WBR: EU bans pesticides over bee fears 29 Apr 13

    Mon, 29 Apr 13

    Duration:
    28 mins

    Available:
    10 days remaining

    We discuss a potential 2-year ban on some of the world's most widely used pesticides, which opponents believe severely harms bees - and another sip of foul-tasting medicine for Greece, as 15,000 civil service jobs are to go.

    Download 13MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • WBR: Wall Street Update 26 Apr 13

    Fri, 26 Apr 13

    Duration:
    5 mins

    Available:
    7 days remaining

    Market reaction to US GDP figures, and major repercussions on the US's air traffic sector from budgeting problems

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  • WBR: Consumers Lead US Recovery 26 Apr 13

    Fri, 26 Apr 13

    Duration:
    28 mins

    Available:
    7 days remaining

    Consumer spending helps boost the latest US growth figures. But if shoppers are doing their part, what about the rest of the economy? Meanwhile with European manufacturing in the doldrums, we ask whether it's time for small scale craft workers to come to the rescue. And British wartime leader Winston Churchill appears on a banknote for the first time. Will these be hugely valuable collectors items sometime in the future?

    Download 13MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • WBR: Wall Street Update 25 Apr 13

    Thu, 25 Apr 13

    Duration:
    3 mins

    Available:
    6 days remaining

    Quarterly earnings reports and a look ahead to US GDP figures out on Friday.

    Download 2MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • WBR: Dhaka building collapse 25 Apr 13

    Thu, 25 Apr 13

    Duration:
    28 mins

    Available:
    6 days remaining

    Western retailers are under scrutiny as the death toll mounts following the collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh. We ask whether this is the human cost of the hunger for cheap clothes. Also unemployment reaches a record high in France and Spain, as Germany's Angela Merkel warns that a one-size-fits-all approach is hindering growth in the eurozone. The doping scandal that's rocked international horse racing - what will it do to the reputation of Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed? And how bad soft drinks really are for us, according to new research.

    Download 13MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • WBR: Wall Street Update: 24 Apr 13

    Wed, 24 Apr 13

    Duration:
    10 mins

    Available:
    5 days remaining

    Wall Street weighs in on the dangers of high frequency trading after a hack attack on Associated Press on Twitter caused the Dow to temporarily drop. Zimbabwe's ruling party is suggesting the government could seize control of foreign owned firms without paying any compensation. And Australia is becoming an expensive place to make movies.

    Download 5MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • WBR: Italy's new PM 24 Apr 13

    Wed, 24 Apr 13

    Duration:
    28 mins

    Available:
    5 days remaining

    A red Letta day for Italy. After two months of political paralysis, Italy's prime minister designate prepares to roll up his sleeves and get down to business. But just how big a task does Enrico Letta have in front of him? What impact could a combination of high frequency trading - and scares sparked by fake tweets - have on the markets? And is it a job for a stardust man? The cost of tidying up our own back yard, in space.

    Download 13MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • WBR: Wall Street Update: 23 Apr 13

    Tue, 23 Apr 13

    Duration:
    11 mins

    Available:
    4 days remaining

    Hacking the hacks, Associated Press claim that their Twitter account has been infiltrated after bogus tweets about explosions at the White House caused a 100 point dive in the Dow Jones index - we get reaction from Wall Street. End of an era for Apple? We ask one analyst whether the technology giant has lost its shine, after its profits fall for the first time in a decade. And no longer riding on a high, we get the view from the bookies on the latest scandal in horse racing.

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  • WBR: End of austerity? 23 Apr 13

    Tue, 23 Apr 13

    Duration:
    28 mins

    Available:
    4 days remaining

    For years it's been the accepted wisdom that the only solution to our economic woes is to cut and and to save. But is it working and if it's not is there an alternative to all this austerity? Also today if Scotland opts for independence what will happen to its money? Will it stick with the pound? Will the auld enemy allow it to? And as the new IPL season starts in India - it's big business, big bucks but is it cricket?

    Download 13MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • WBR: Wall Street Update: 22 Apr 13

    Mon, 22 Apr 13

    Duration:
    3 mins

    Available:
    3 days remaining

    On Wall Street, investors had mixed feelings about the prospects for corporate America.

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  • WBR: Europe lifts sanctions on Burma 22 Apr 13

    Mon, 22 Apr 13

    Duration:
    28 mins

    Available:
    3 days remaining

    The EU has given its seal of approval to reforms in Burma, scrapping most of its sanctions. We ask what it means for Burmese business - and whether it's too soon. The US is changing the way it measures the size of its economy - we hear why. Also as giant European airline Lufthansa is grounded by a strike, we hear why industrial unrest in Germany is growing. The boss of Google, Eric Schmidt, admits that its next-generation Google Glass does raise privacy concerns - and Lucy Kellaway on why it's pointless asking teenagers what they want to be when they grow up.

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