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BBC World Service

The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.

World Business Report

Syria rolls out redesigned banknotes as part of a currency reform aimed at rebuilding after years of war. Russia, meanwhile, is pressing ahead with tax rises to help fund the war in Ukraine as the invasion nears its fourth year. Rahul Tandon asks what realistic economic choices remain for governments under that kind of strain. 

In the US, New York City has a new mayor: Zohran Mamdani. We speak to an adviser who served on his inaugural committee about what his agenda means for the city’s economy. 

And our North America Technology Correspondent Lily Jamali reports back after a year investigating whether the gains from artificial intelligence are being shared more widely accross America - or still concentrated among a few firms and regions.

(Photo: A currency exchanger handles cash in his hands, after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, at Yusuf al-Azma Square in Damascus, Syria, December 16, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)

How do economies hit by war rebuild in 2026?

At midnight on 01 January, Bulgaria became the 21st country in the European Union to adopt the Euro currency. Also, Serbia's main oil refinery has been given more time to find a new owner, as it tries to avoid US sanctions against Russian-owned oil companies. And, we visit the Chinese village at the centre of red paper lantern production.

Bulgaria adopts the Euro

Netflix is screening its latest hit at the cinema and MTV is closing music-video channels. What can the latest moves in the entertainment business tell us about how streaming is changing our viewing and listening habits?

(Picture: The Netflix logo and an advertisement for Stranger Things are shown on one of their buildings in the Hollywood neighbourhood of Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 2, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Mike Blake)

How is streaming changing what we listen to and watch?

In our last episode before the end of the year, we ask: what could 2026 hold for the global economy? Will the US keep powering ahead, is China finally turning a corner, and how much further can interest rates really fall?

And we speak to an applied futurist who advises businesses and governments on the pressures shaping the years ahead. We ask what his key predictions are for 2026, and what they could mean for workers, companies and governments.

Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Haider Saleem and Amber Mehmood
Editor: Stephen Ryan

Global economic predictions for 2026

From buying his first shares at just 11 years old to now retiring at 95, we look back at what has made Warren Buffett one of finance’s most successful figures - and hear from someone who knows him about his legacy.

China is the world’s second-largest economy and official figures show strong growth. But a new report suggests the reality may be different. We speak to one of the people behind that report.

Also, we look at the upcoming trial of a former military officer accused of blowing up one of Europe’s largest gas pipelines.

(Picture: Warren Buffet. Credit: EPA)

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett retires

Iranian shopkeepers are taking part in protests as the currency hits a record low against the US dollar, and annual inflation is running at over 40 percent.
 
Denmark’s national postal service is delivering its last letter today, bringing an end to four centuries of letter delivery by the state-owned firm PostNord.
 
And, just before he retires, we say goodbye to Warren Buffett and look back at his career.
 
Also how artificial intelligence is driving a shake up in the legal profession worldwide.
 
Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Ahmed Adan
Editor: Justin Bones

Iran's store owners take to the streets in anger

Traders in Iran have staged a second day of protests in Tehran, with many closing their shops and marching through key commercial areas to protest the collapse of the rial. Videos on social media show crowds chanting slogans against the government of President Masoud Pezeshkian, as officials warn against unrest and blame sanctions for the currency’s sharp fall.

Also, the hacking of Jaguar Land Rover has highlighted growing cyber vulnerabilities in the global car industry.

And with global military spending at record highs, we look at how defence budgets have surged in response to war and rising geopolitical tensions, with analysis from defence budget expert.

(Image: A Iranian man sells boiled beetroot and lava beans in Tajrish Bazaar in Tehran, Iran, 08 December 2025. Credit: ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH/EPA/Shutterstock.)

Iran traders protest as rial plunges

One year on from South Korea’s worst air crash, families say they’re still waiting for answers. 
 
Also, South Korea’s biggest e-commerce firm, Coupang, has agreed to pay over a billion dollars in compensation to its users for a massive data breach.
 
We also look back at the hacking of one of the UK's most famous brands – Jaguar Land Rover.
 
And the new James Bond game, 007 First Light, has been delayed until the end of May.

Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Ahmed Adan
Editor: Justin Bones

Families seek answers a year after the South Korean plane crash

We're looking at what's happening inside Cambodia, amidst that border conflict, with incursions going deeper into the territory from the Thai military. What are the economic consequences for Cambodia? Also we're looking at the sliding global oil price, and what Nigerians do for fun at the year's end.

You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

(Picture: A woman cooks food as she takes refuge in Prey Chamkar Ta Doak market in Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia, after fleeing home following fighting along the Thailand-Cambodia border. Credit: AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

What is the economic impact of the fighting between Thailand and Cambodia?

Ex-Malaysia PM Najib Razak has been jailed for 15 years for abuse of power and money laundering - Bisi Adebayo looks at the details.

Japan approves a record-breaking budget with defence spending at a new high.

And we head to to Nigeria, where 'Detty December' is proving to be big business, a point echoed by Nigerian singer and event co-founder Darey Art Alade.

1MDB: Ex-Malaysia PM Najib Razak found guilty in state funds scandal

With Hong Kong's emergency services dealing with their deadliest fire in decades, that's so far claimed the lives of 83 people at Wang Fuk Court, we look at the safety of the world's tallest buildings.

Andrew Peach hears how relations between the United States and Venezuela are deteriorating, and what impact it is having on the aviation sector. 

And we look at the risks posed by the multi-million pound trade of illegal English Premier League football shirts. 

The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC. 

(Picture: Firefighters operate outside an evacuation centre after a deadly fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong. Credit: Reuters / Maxim Shemetov.)

Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades

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