World Business Report

Will the EU hit the brakes on its combustion car ban?

The European Union once set an ambitious goal: by 2035, all new cars sold would be fully electric. But now, the BBC understands that Brussels is considering scrapping, or at least watering down, its plan to ban new petrol and diesel vehicles. So what could it mean for carmakers and consumers across Europe? South Korea and the UK have signed a new trade deal. In the US, people applying for a skilled worker visa will now have their social media profiles screened. And who's winning the race to build the most sophisticated AI models? (Photo: An exhaust pipe of a car is pictured on a street in Berlin, Germany. Credit: REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch)

Spain hits Airbnb with a major multimillion fine for illegal listings

The Spanish government has fined property rentals giant Airbnb €64m ($75m) for advertising unlicensed apartments. Andres Barragan, Secretary General for Consumer Affairs in the Spanish Government, tells this programme that the short term rent for tourism is rising the rent price. In India, pollution is grinding the economy to a halt. And in Paris, workers at the Louvre are on strike in a dispute over demand for extra staff and measures to tackle overcrowding. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

Trade tensions: EU vs China

Trade tensions rise as the EU investigates Chinese firms over possible unfair government subsidies. We hear from the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU who says they are being unfairly targeted. Plus, who will pay the new €3 tax on small parcels from China - businesses or consumers? Why are most household things still not being recycled? And sport fans in the US will soon be able to subscribe to a new YouTube TV package. [Photo: An attendant walks past EU and China flags in Beijing, China. Credit: REUTERS/Jason Lee]

Australia's under-16s social media ban faces courtroom test

Gideon Long takes a look as online discussion forum Reddit challenges Australia’s ban on social media for under-16s. Plus, after Ben from Ben & Jerry’s criticises the ice-cream maker’s owners, they hit back — speaking exclusively to the BBC. And why are general strikes spreading across several European countries?

Disney & OpenAI deal: Threat or opportunity?

Disney is investing $1bn in OpenAI, letting fans create AI-generated videos with its characters. But what will the deal mean for the future of entertainment? We hear from people across the creative industry. Tickets for next year’s World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico have gone on sale but fans say the prices are “extortionate.” In Kenya, a court has frozen a multibillion-dollar US health deal over data-privacy concerns. And Mexico is hitting China with a wave of new tariffs.