Markets give their verdict on America's dramatic military intervention in Venezuela. Shares of US oil giants like Chevron and Exxon Mobil are soaring... after President Trump suggested they can play a lead role in restoring Venezuela’s oil industry

But there's been criticism from China and Iran - traditional allies of Venezuela - and from Spain, which is home to an estimated 600,000 Venezuelans many who have fled the economic troubles in their home country.

We speak to a former US ambassador to Venezuela, Patrick Duddy

And – you may have heard of South Korea’s K-Pop phenomenon…we look at how K-Beauty is now taking centre stage.

Presenter - Leanna Byrne Senior Producer - Craig Henderson

The Chinese car company BYD has overtaken Elon Musk's Tesla as the world's biggest seller of electric vehicles. We unpack how it happened.

How viable is it to be a content creator? We look at how TikTok became a political flashpoint between the US and China.

And good news for pasta lovers? The US has slashed proposed tariffs on imports from Italy.

(Photo: A worker cleans up a BYD Dolphin. Credit: MAST IRHAM/EPA/Shutterstock (15865396e))

In Iran, at least seven people have been killed in anti-government protests that were triggered by a sharp fall in the value of the currency, a rising cost of living and an economy that's labouring under Western sanctions.

The price of cigarettes looks set to rise in India. What will it mean for tobacco farmers?

Also, factory activity in the Euro Zone area contracted further last month.

Presenter: Gideon Long Producer: Ahmed Adan and Amber Mehmood Editor: Justin Bones

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)

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.

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)

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

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)

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

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.)

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

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.

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.

Frey Lindsay looks back on the stories shaping the world of money and work in 2025. It's been a year where tariffs have grabbed many of the headlines and we hear from our correspondents around the world on the impact they've had. We also hear about the biggest toy and collector craze of 2025 - the Labubu doll.

In Pakistan, the government has sold its national carrier, PIA, in an auction which was televised live. The airline sold for $482 million. Gideon Long speaks to Muhammad Ali, the privatisation adviser to Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. We hear from two countries at the sharp end of Donald Trump’s tariffs over the past year - India, which is on 50% US export tariffs, and South Africa facing 30%. And in the UK there is a blue and smelly cheese called Stilton which many people traditionally eat at Christmas. In fact 40% of sales are in the six weeks before Christmas. But its makers are on a mission to change all that and make Stilton a year round nibble.

(PHOTO: View of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane at Islamabad International Airport, Pakistan October 3, 2023. Credit: REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/File Photo)

Leanna Byrne is joined by Russ Mould of AJ Bell to look back at the market moments that defined the year from tariffs and precious metals to the growing influence of artificial intelligence.

Plus,the latest US jobs figures show a fall in new applications for unemployment benefits.

And India launches its heaviest-ever rocket yet, another sign of its ambitions to compete in the fast-growing global satellite industry.

The US economy picked up speed over the three months to September, as consumer spending jumped and exports increased but consumer sentiment is low, Rahul Tandon hears from a business about what things are like on the ground. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a pill version of the weight-loss drug Wegovy, according to pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk. And, an important moment for Indian female cricket players seeing their match fees doubled for domestic games.

(Photo: A person shops for products imported from Asia at a market in Los Angeles, California, USA, 07 April 2025. Credit: ALLISON DINNER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

New figures suggest the US economy is powering ahead but questions remain about what that really means for businesses? Leanna Byrne looks at what’s behind the data. Also, US regulators have approved the first pill version of the blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy. And could North Koreans be working remotely for US companies?

The American billionaire Larry Ellison has promised more than $40 billion of his money in support of Paramount to buy rival studio, Warner Bros Discovery. Where does this leave antitrust questions around a Paramount or Netflix takeover? Ed Butler hears from Phillip Berenbroick, who served as chief counsel for the US Senate’s judiciary subcommittee on antitrust matters. How much money is Morocco spending as host for the African Cup of Nations?

Also, we explore Yiwu, China’s capital of Christmas

(Photo: Paramount, Netflix and Warner Bros logos are seen in this illustration taken December 8, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration)

Leanna Byrne takes a look as Jim Beam, one of the most recognisable names in American bourbon, confirms it will pause production for a year at its main Kentucky distillery from January.

India and New Zealand strike a new free trade deal, cutting tariffs and opening markets on both sides.

And at the box office, the latest Avatar: Fire and Ash opens more quietly than expected in the US, despite strong takings overseas.