World Business Report

What does the UK budget show us about global debt challenges?

What’s the right approach when major economies are weighed down by growing debt? As the UK Government unveils its latest budget, Will Bain examines how debt is increasingly shaping economic decisions. We also look at the rise of California-based live-stream shopping platform Whatnot, now valued at around $11 billion and fast becoming a serious challenger in retail. And finally, what’s the big deal about wearing pajamas on planes? (Photo: Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves holds her budget box outside number 11 Downing Street in London. Credit: Tolga Akmen/EPA Images)

Taxing more to cut the debt

The UK's net financial debt this year will be £2.6tn, meaning "one in every £10 the government spends is on debt interest". How are UK markets reacting to this? Leanna Byrne examines with our experts. Also, in Australia, two 15-year-olds are taking their government to court over a new law that bans anyone under 16 from using social media. And Iran is bringing in a higher fuel price, but only in certain situations. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Ahmed Adan Editor: Justin Bones

Half of Venezuela flights cancelled

An airline industry body in Venezuela tells Will Bain flights in and out the country have already been cut by half, with major disruption looming as a dispute over the safety of Venezuelan airspace intensifies. Also, are American consumers starting to feel the pinch? We examine a series of data points suggesting confidence may be on the wane. And how a misplaced passkey left one of the world’s leading internet security firms red-faced. (Photo by MIGUEL GUTIERREZ/EPA/Shutterstock: Passengers wait in a line at Simon Bolivar International Airport, which serves Caracas, in Maiquetia, Venezuela, 24 November 2025.)

Can the UK Budget balance the books?

Britain's finance minister, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, is expected to raise taxes for both individuals and businesses in the UK's budget tomorrow. We hear from a restaurant owner on his concerns for the hospitality sector. And why Serbia says its main oil refinery may shut down within days. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Haider Saleem Editor: Justin Bones

Goodbye Doge

The US federal government's Department for Government Efficiency, Doge, has ended its cost-cutting mission eight months early. Bisi Adebayo examines whether it achieved what it set out to do. And as the latest iteration of the Wicked movie franchise hits the big screen, we ask what its success can tell us about the resilience of Hollywood.