World Business Report

A New Mexico judge has fined Meta for its handling of user data. It's the latest large legal payout for the tech firm, following an $18 billion settlement reached with California over child safety, and comes as it releases its latest financial results.
Vulnerabilities in the PHP programming language have led to websites being down in several countries, including Japan, Finland and the UK. Around seven in 10 of the world's websites use PHP. Is this a new era of cyber insecurity and instability? ​
And a BBC investigation finds that employees from Google have resigned due to the use of AI for military technologies. We hear from one former employee.
Presenter: Luke Wilson
Producers: Neil Morrow & Neggeen Sadid
(Photo: Meta logo and a keyboard in this illustration taken October 19, 2026. Credit: REUTERS / Dado Ruvic)

India telecoms company Jio Platforms has launched what is expected to be the country’s biggest ever share sale. The company, which is part of Reliance Industries and backed by India’s second richest man, Mukesh Ambani, aims to raise around $3.2bn in its initial public offering (IPO).
Also, protests in Portugal over housing affordability spill on to the streets. And why Starbucks China has run out of patience with customers who take a seat…but not a coffee.
Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Craig Henderson
Editor: Naomi Rainey

With two weeks until the US midterm elections, Luke Wilson examines how rising living costs could influence voters and what the latest economic figures reveal.
Also, Netflix reports its latest results after a difficult few months marked by job cuts and executive departures.
And could Africa's economy grow faster than China's for the first time in decades?
Presenter: Luke Wilson
Producers: Neil Morrow and Bisi Adebayo
(Picture:Two women stand beside a golf cart decorated with American flags during a Republican voter turnout event ahead of the midterm elections in The Villages, Florida, US, October 18, 2026. REUTERS/Maria Alejandra Cardona)

French lawmakers are continuing their scrutiny of next year's budget as the country reels from days of violent unrest. What began as protests over the cost of living and conditions in schools has escalated into some of the worst rioting France has seen in years.Thousands of people have been arrested, businesses have been looted and buildings set alight.
We hear why the boss of one of the world’s biggest airlines - Ryanair - predicts the cost of flights will increase by up to 20% next year.
And the people of oil rich Alberta have decided whether to stick with Canada.
Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Craig Henderson
Editor: Naomi Rainey

Around 2,000 businesses have been affected by riots and looting across France. We hear from those caught up in the unrest and examine the economic impact.
Also, can Europe's biggest mobile operators build a rival to Elon Musk's Starlink?
And Saudi Arabia postpones a major investment conference as Houthi attacks disrupt business in the kingdom.
Presenter: Andrew Peach
Producers: Neil Morrow and Bisi Adebayo
(Picture: Masked protesters stand next to burning bicycles amid clashes during a demonstration against the cost of living and rising fuel prices near the Place de la Republique in Paris as part of nationwide protests called by the "Yellow Vests" movement, joined by French high school and university students, teachers and parents demanding better school conditions and government action, as well as labour unions, workers, farmers and retirees, France, October 17, 2026. REUTERS/Jack Taylor/File Photo)