World Business Report

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.

US inflation figures are higher than forecast in September. With the price of diesel and food increasing, lower income Americans have been hit the hardest. We hear from a saw manufacturer in Iowa and a computer repair shop in New York on how they’re coping with the higher prices.

In China, many leave home for big cities in search of work and livelihoods. Our China correspondent reports Beijing on the alienation many experience in the city after leaving loved ones behind.

And as today marks the hundredth anniversary of the launch of the first Winnie the Pooh book, we take a look at how it became such a money-spinner.

Presenter: Vishala Sri-Pathma

(Picture: Plastic letters arranged to read "Inflation" are placed on U.S. dollar banknote in this illustration taken, June 12, 2022. Credit: REUTERS / Dado Ruvic)

US inflation rose more than expected, climbing to 3.7% from 3.4% in the year to September. We'll look at what's driving the surprise increase in prices.

China's exports are getting a boost from strong demand for AI-related products and electric vehicles.

And despite tougher US sanctions, American exports to Cuba have reached record levels.

Presenter: Luke Wilson

IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva warns that an AI bust could wipe 1% off global GDP, rising to 1.8% in the U.S. The warning came as global tech and semiconductor stocks fell. We go to Ohio, where growing opposition to data centres is becoming a key issue ahead of the US midterm elections. And singer Raye questions whether the ticketing industry is fit for purpose.

Presenter: Vishala Sri-Pathma

(Picture: IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Bangkok, Thailand, 13 October 2026. Credit: Rungroj Yongrit/EPA)

Rwanda will host the F1 African Grand Prix in a 10-year deal starting in the early 2030s. We delve into why F1 wants Africa back on the calendar.

Earnings season gets underway with results from some of America's biggest banks.

And Netflix has secured the rights in Spain and Andorra for the next men's football World Cup.

Presenter: Luke Wilson

As fuel prices continue to put pressure on the global economy, we ask which has the greatest impact: the conflict in the Middle East or Russia's invasion of Ukraine?

Hundreds of supermarkets across France were hit by a cyber-attack that has left supermarkets empty. We're joined by a journalist in Paris who tells us how shoppers have reacted.

And why are so many of us watching horror movies? What does the genre's popularity say about the world today? A critic helps us understand.

(Photo credit: Reuters)

We examine the impact of Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia's aviation industry and wider economy, with thousands of flights cancelled.

President Trump claims Russia has agreed to supply the United States and other countries with millions of tonnes of diesel. And as Russia continues to attack Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, President Zelensky has condemned the deal which will also ease sanctions so that Russia can supply the diesel. We get the latest from an economist.

The President and Vice-Chairman of Microsoft Brad Smith has hit back at claims by the US Government it's employing too many foreign workers. He told the BBC the White House has got its sums wrong. Our BBC correspondent Samira Hussain explains.

And the much-anticipated film The Social Reckoning is released. We hear from film critic Adam Nayer and from Jeff Horowtiz, the journalist who wrote the investigative series "The Facebook Files" and book that the film is based on.

(Photo credit: Jeenah Moon / Reuters)

We examine new US restrictions on green card sponsorship by Microsoft and other tech firms.

Also, Adidas sues Australian fashion brand White Fox over its four-stripe designs

France is under growing pressure over its finances. The government is spending much more than it brings in through taxes, while borrowing becomes more expensive. We speak to a French businessman to get his thoughts.

We hear from the World Trade Organisation's chief economist, Robert Staiger about the significance of Artificial Intelligence in global trade.

The BBC's Cyber correspondent Joe Tidy explains the ASOS data breach.

And official replica football shirts are made by workers paid only a dollar an hour — a BBC investigation finds .

(Photo credit: Reuters / Gonzalo Fuentes)