World Business Report

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.

Today we lead with a warning from the head of World Trade Organisation Ngozi Okonja-Iweala about the perils of trade protectionism.Plus, we find out why social media has dubbed French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Brazil as a honeymoon than a diplomatic summit.Also, we look at how local businesses in Jerusalem have been impacted by a decline in tourism and finally, we learn about the pros and cons of daylight saving, as Europe prepares to put its clocks forwards.

The director of the World Trade Organisation Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala says she is concerned about protectionism, which she doesn't think would work in today's world. The "arms race" in AI has been mostly a financial one but now it seems there's a race to grab talent too. We discuss this with Humayan Sheikh, one of the major investors in the British AI firm Deep Mind. And South Africa's Environment Minister Barbara Creecy tells us why one of the best ways to protect her country's wildlife might be to eat more of it.

We find out why the Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has launched its first electric vehicle and is now securing orders. Also, France votes on a law to prevent discrimination against your hairstyle at work. Plus, how Padel is becoming the world's fastest-growing sport. And, could a law in Florida stop kids under 13 from accessing social media?

Founder of crypto exchange FTX has been sentenced for stealing billions of dollars from customers. Sam Fenwick talks to experts and a victim about the consequences of this ruling on the cryptocurrency market. We get the latest from our correspondent in New York.

We hear about the aftermath from the United States Chamber of Commerce and the founder of a brewery that's located near the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Also, Disney and Florida appear to have settled a legal dispute. Plus, should America adopt Australian-style pensions? And Slovakian flying-car technology is off to China.

We take a look at some of the costs that will come from the accident, like the reconstruction of the bridge and compensation for the victim's relatives -and who will likely have to pay for them. The Swedish fashion brand H&M has said it had to delay its spring collection due to the disruption caused by the Red Sea crisis. We take a look at the details. Africa's debt has increased sharply in recent years. Now, delegates have gathered at a conference in Accra, Ghana, to find solutions. We talk to one of them. And a Chinese company has bought access to the technology developed by a Slovakian firm to build a flying car. We get the latest from our correspondent.

Rahul Tandon examines the economic impact of the crash in a busy shipping lane in Baltimore. We also hear how much it might cost to repair. Shares in Donald Trump's media company have soared by more than 55 per cent, after it began trading on the Nasdaq stock market. Truth Social raised money through a shell company called a SPAC before being listed.We hear how the tiny Pacific island nation of Palau is trying to boost tourism. During Covid, that industry was decimated, and the country's lost around a fifth of its GDP.

Baltimore's Key Bridge collapsed after a container ship crashed into a supporting pylon. The port near the bridge is the largest in the US for specialised cargo. We get the latest. A huge amount of food is wasted every day, often because farmers are unable to keep it cold after it’s harvested. We look into some of the potential solutions. And as more countries around the world tighten rules around vaping, we talk to Tadeu Marocco, CEO of British American Tobacco, who says that a blanket ban of e-cigarettes could drive an illegal market.

Rahul Tandon reflects on the departure of the company’s Chief Executive David Calhoun. He is set to leave at the end of the year. Could Pakistan be set to resume trade talks with India? We hear from a former Pakistani ambassador to the UK and the US. And we examine why rental costs have risen sharply in some parts of Spain.

Boeing is under pressure after an unused door blew out of a Boeing 737 Max in January shortly after take-off. Will Bain looks at what the changes at the top will mean for the aviation giant as it faces heavy scrutiny following safety incidents and manufacturing issues. Also on the programme: A deadline for Donald Trump to put up the $464m (£365m) penalty for inflating his net worth is due to expire Monday. If he doesn't, the New York Attorney General may start freezing his bank accounts and seizing his property. And as rental costs rise steeply in parts of Spain, Guy Hedgecoe looks at the situation in Ibiza, where the problem is particularly acute due to tourism.

Donald Trump’s social media business is set to become publicly listed after shareholders of a company approved the deal. This will potentially unlock a $3bn windfall for the former US president. Roger Hearing will be hearing how exactly Trump is expected to make money from this. The FBI say there's a criminal investigation into what happened when a panel fell off a Boeing plane in mid-flight back in January. We find what this means for the passengers that were onboard. And we look at the career of the woman who photographed some of the greatest moments in rock.