World Business Report

The world's second largest economy grew by 4.5% in the third quarter, but worries persist in China over weak spending at home.

China’s economy grew by 4.5% in the third quarter of the year, thanks to the AI boom driving investment in Chinese exports. But global trade tensions and continued concerns at the level of consumer spending at home hang over the future of the world’s second largest economy.

Meanwhile in the Eurozone’s second largest economy, France, shares have fallen and borrowing costs have risen after violent protests in the country over the weekend.

Why the World Bank is concerned there won’t be enough jobs to go around in future for today’s youth.

And in England, the Government gets tough on so-called headphone dodgers, who insist on listening to music loudly on public transport - driving other passengers mad.
Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Senior Producer: Craig Henderson
Editor: Naomi Rainey

Jean-Claude Trichet , former president of the European Central Bank, joins the programme to discuss economic stability. We hear his thoughts on the student protests in France and that country's fiscal struggles. Should the ECB intervene or can France sort this out on its own?
And voters in the U.S. are worried about housing, polls suggest. But what role will it play in shaping the midterms? One researcher joins us to explain the issues and races.
Elizabeth Holmes allowed a filmmaker into her home before she went to prison. We speak to a critic on the documentary, a result of three years' work, that is out now.
Presenter: Will Bain
Producers: Barbara George and Neggeen Sadid
(Picture: A protester holds a placard reading "Bismillah c'est les tenebres" (Bismillah, it's darkness) during a demonstration by French high school and university students in Nantes as part of a nationwide protest movement led by students, supported by teachers, school parents and labour unions, demanding better school conditions and concrete measures, France, October 13, 2026. Credit: REUTERS / Stephane Mahe)

Shares in Tesla have climbed after Elon Musk's carmaker launched its new 'flying' Roadster car.
EU leaders are meeting in Brussels, with its two biggest members - France and Germany - calling for tougher action against Chinese imports, particularly chemicals and plastics.
And violent clashes between police and protestors are entering their fourth day in the Albanian capital, Tirana, as protests against poor education facilities, rising living costs and alleged government corruption continue.
Presenter: Luke Wilson
Producer: Guy Kilty

Tesla is set to show off its latest EV, the Roadster, nearly nine years after it first unveiled the next-generation version of the electric sports car. We'll be hearing if Tesla's bet on an ultra luxury sportscar will pay off.
It's another bumpy day for tech stocks as investors question who will pay for the AI spending boom.
And why bold flavours such as Tequila ’Rita, Chilli Mango and Watermelon Smash are proving a hit for an alcohol industry under pressure.
Presenter: Will Bain
Producers: Craig Henderson and Barbara George
(Picture: The silhouette of Elon Musk and Tesla logo are seen in this illustration taken. Credit: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)

Brazil's Congress has approved a constitutional amendment that will cut the working week from 44 hours to 40 and give employees two days off per week without cutting their salary. The change represents the biggest overhaul to workers' rights since Brazil's return to democracy in 1988. Also on the programme, a global sell-off in memory-chip stocks has deepened, with South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index closing down more than 8 per cent. Plus, in Kenya, an initiative is helping women to keep animals, like goats and sheep, in an effort to build their financial independence and grow their incomes.