World Business Report

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has begun its journey back to Earth - but the astronauts it was supposed to be carrying are staying behind on the International Space Station. What happened?

US job growth was weaker than expected last month, with only 142,000 new jobs added. Is a recession imminent, and how might the Federal Reserve react?

And in South Africa, the Post Office teeters on the brink of closure. Business rescue practitioners have been brought in, jobs have been cut, and the CEO warns that billions are needed to save the state-owned company. What went wrong?<...

US job growth was weaker than expected last month, with only 142,000 new jobs added. Is a recession imminent, and how might the Federal Reserve react? Also, Boeing’s Starliner space shuttle will return to Earth soon, but not with its intended passengers. What happened, and what does it mean for commercial space travel?

Plus, the Biden Administration is tackling the issue of difficult subscription cancellations—what are their proposed solutions?

We’ll be looking at the US economy following the release of closely watched jobs data.

And, it's over 200 years old but it's on the brink of collapse: South Africa's postal office is looking to the government for a bail out. We speak to the man tasked with saving the institution.

Plus, what does a Banksy artwork do to your house price? Our reporter speaks to home and business owners.

The country is under a state of emergency as gangs try to expand their control over the capital, and other regions. We get the latest.

As Elon Musk's X is banned in Brazil, rival BlueSky gains ground in the South American nation. We talk to its CEO, Jay Graber.

And we get an insight on how airplane seats are made.

President Xi has offered $51 billion of Chinese finance for Africa and says it will create a million jobs... there are plenty of warm words about it but we'll examine who's getting the best deal.

Andrew Peach to a Swedish government minister about why they're abolishing a tax on air travel despite environmental concerns.

And why President Putin wants Russian cargo to make more use of a sea route which used to be blocked by ice before global warming.

Shares are down... with the tech giant Nvidia slumping almost 10%... is that because of fears about the US economy... or does it reveal wider concerns about artificial intelligence?

And fifty African leaders are in Beijing, looking for investment and tourism in exchange for access to minerals. We speak to DRC’s minister of communications about what delegates may be looking for from China.

And the German town worrying what will happen if VW closes the car plant their town depends on.

We start in Germany, where perhaps the biggest warnings yet about the pressure on Europe's car industry have come from one of the continent's biggest firms. Volkswagen - VW - has warned it could close factories for the first time in its history as it comes under increasing financial pressure.

Also today the boss of one of the world's biggest delivery firms warns of disruption to global trade,

And, fancy an AI dating - wingman?

Campaign donations have been a key feature of the 2024 US election. Since Kamala Harris entered the presidential race huge donation figures have been widely reported in the media. One Republican donor tells us why he’s hoping for a Trump win. We examine where campaign donations are coming from and how decisive they might be in this election.

Also in the programme, Rahul Tandon looks at the protests and general strike in Israel following the death of six hostages held by Hamas, and looking back at Mexico’s President Lopez Obrador’s economic record as he prepares to lea...

Businesses, schools, universities and transport across Israel have been disrupted by a general strike called to put pressure on the government to agree a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas. We find out how firms are operating and from one boss who's encouraging his staff to strike.

Also, Thailand's war on an "alien" fish that it fears could cost its economy almost $300 million.

And cries of foul play from fans of the band Oasis, after a ticketing meltdown and experiencing the rough side of dynamic pricing.

Elon Musk's social platform X expects to be blocked in Brazil after missing a judge's deadline to appoint a new legal representative. We get the latest. As The Maldives see their credit rating downgraded by ratings agency Fitch, investors fear the archipelago could become the first country to default on a sukuk, an Islamic financial product similar to a bond. We hear more about the islands' situation. And as more young Africans are leave their countries in search of a better future, we find out what happens to the elderly parents who are left behind.