World Business Report

Moderna has halted plans to build a Covid-19 plant in Kenya alleging the demand after the pandemic has fallen dramatically. Rahul Tandon explores the different challenges that keep Africa missing out on investments to develop vaccines and the consequence this has on the population. And shareholders of United States Steel will vote on a planned takeover of the company by a Japanese firm. We hear why not everyone's happy with the deal.

As the European Central Bank holds interest rates steady at a record high of 4%, Vivienne Nunis asks whether the EU is ahead of the US in the race to reduce interest rates.We examine the economic relationship between Japan and the United States - as the Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida addresses the US Congress.Plus in another Japan-US relationship issue, we talk about Shohei Ohtani, a baseball, a home run, and a woman who feels she's lost out on $100,000 as a result.

Property tycoon Truong My Lan has been found guilty of embezzling from one of the country's largest banks for 11 years, and given a rare death sentence. We get the latest from our correspondent. And as the political crisis deepens in Myanmar, we hear the latest report from the United Nations which says the middle classes in the nation are at risk of being wiped out.

Consumer prices in the US rose faster than expected last month. The CPI measure of inflation rose 3.5% over the 12 months to March, up from 3.2% in February, the US Labor Department said.How will the new law restricting abortion in Arizona affect the state’s clinics?Plus UK Paralympic legend Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson tells us what she makes of the news that athletes will soon be paid for winning an Olympic gold medal.

The EU General Court removed Mikhail Fridman and Petr Aven off an EU sanction list

Commodities - the raw materials that power business around the globe - are surging in price. And that suggests investors betting on a prolonged expansion—and a potential rebound in inflation. The S&P GSCI, which tracks commodity prices has advanced 12% this year. Copper and oil have gained more than 10% and 17%, respectively. Gold is also posting fresh records, rising 13% to $2,332 a troy ounce. So what's going on?Also, in the programme, the presenter Roger Hearing finds out why some politicians have pushed back against New York City’s congestion charging plan.

As the impact of climate change expands across the world, a top European court issues the first ruling against a country for climate inaction. We get the latest from our correspondent. And we go to Spain to hear why the government is scrapping its golden visa scheme.

The world's largest chip maker, TSMC - The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, has announced it will take advantage of generous US subsidies to build cutting-edge tech in Arizona. The Biden administration has committed more than six billion dollars in subsidies and five billion in possible loans to support the plan.Also, in the programme, the presenter Sam Fenwick finds out what it's like to experiencing complete darkness a rare total solar eclipse.

As U.S Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, wraps up her four-day visit to Beijing, Rahul Tandon looks at what the trip could mean for future relations between the U.S and China.Tens of thousands of people in the gaming industry sector have lost their jobs in the last few months. Reporter Izzy Greenfield explains what’s going on.And as North America waits to watch a total solar eclipse we hear from the business community in Rochester, New York, how the event has delivered a ‘tourism boom’ for the local economy.

A rare earthquake that struck New York City has swayed landmarks and cracked roads. Roger Hearing has been speaking to a stockbroker who describes the moment of impact. We also hear from the co-director of the Global Resilience Institute Dr Daniel Aldrich about whether New York is prepared to withstand a quake of a larger magnitude.Also on the program discover why emerging economies joining US and Europe in shielding domestic manufacturers from a rising tide of Chinese imports. And finally we find out why there’s been a sharp rise in the sale of horror novels around the world.

McDonald's has announced its buying restaurants back, and bringing them in house - after the former franchise owner gave free meals to Israeli soldiers. That decision sparked a McDonald's boycott in many other countries across the world. We find out what happens when global brands and global politics collide.

Gucci splashes out on a new $1.3bn office in Europe’s biggest property deal since 2022

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stresses the importance of maintaining trade relationships and dialogue between the nations, as she spoke to reporters in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou. China accuses the West of feeling threatened by their cheaper exports to developing economies, but Yellen stands by her assessment that China is saturating the markets, driving down competitors. Also, in the programme, we will talk about Google and how its search engine is powered by artificial intelligence.....

We look at what the effects of chip suspension mean for Asia's semiconductor supply chain. Plus, Roger Hearing speaks to the executive vice president of Taiwan Residential Earthquake Insurance Fund to highlight the estimated cost of damage so far. Also, Zimbabwean president declares state of disaster due to droughtAnd finally, Disney secures its happy ever ending after convincing shareholders they’re heading in the right direction

The devastating earthquake with a 7.2 magnitude has killed at least nine people and damaged buildings, sparking evacuations at microchip plants. The country is a huge player in the world of microchips - with many large factories supplying the likes of tech giant Apple and AI supremo Nvidia. Those factories however have had to shut their doors temporarily over fears of the aftermath of this devastating earthquake, which has meant a halt in production. Also, in the programme, we will talk about rising cocoa price and how will it affect farmers.

A World Bank and UN joint report estimates costs to rebuild Gaza’s critical infrastructure to be $18.5 billion dollars – we discuss how it could be funded. Plus have drivers fallen out of love with electric cars? Tesla and BYD report sale losses. We also look at why hybrid work is becoming a popular choice for employees and Disney faces a showdown over its future against billionaire Nelson Peltz.

There was good news yesterday about Chinese manufacturing going up, but less good news toay for Beijing about its beleaguered property sector: the property development giant, Country Garden, has suspended trading of its shares in Hong Kong after delaying publication of its annual results. The firm said last week it needed more time to collect information as it restructures its debts. It defaulted on its overseas debt last year. Also, in the programme, the presenter Roger Hearing will talk about UK and US AI agreement and will find out why South Asia is producing not enough jobs for young professionals.

A transportation business in Baltimore tells us about how they may have to take a hit to sustain their business as the Baltimore bridge is repaired. Also, the truth behind ‘Truth Social’ – we find out how shares in the business have plunged by 23% after reporting less than a million dollars in revenue for the fourth quarter of last year. Plus, we’ll be looking at how the UK has benefitted from the introduction of a minimum wage, 25 years after it was introduced.

China's factory output has grown for the first time in six months. Roger Hearing finds out more about why that is good news but the picture remains mixed. Turkey's main opposition party has claimed big election victories in the main cities of Istanbul and Ankara. In Japan overtime per week is being limited to around 18 hours per week for drivers of trucks, taxis and buses. And in Germany part decriminalisation of cannabis will be introduced for over 18s. We hear more from our correspondent Jessica Parker in Dresden.

The big event of 2021 that will shape economies all over the world for decades to come was the COP 26 climate conference in Glasgow in November. The meeting saw a deluge of promises, but what was actually achieved? Martin Webber speaks to Tim Gould, chief energy economist at the International Energy Agency and economist Irwin Stelzer, from the Hudson Institute in the United States. It was another boom year for the pharmaceutical industry as it crafted the vaccines that have saved so many lives. Of the 8 billion coronavirus vaccinations worldwide, one billion have been delivered by the US logistics company, UPS. We hear from Wes Wealer, President of UPS healthcare. And small business owners have had a bleak time for much of the past year. But many of those that have survived now feel optimistic. We hear from the owner of the Aroma speciality coffee shop in Bologna in Italy, Cristina Caroli, about her year.