World Business Report

Paramount-Skydance is the only show in town for ownership of Warner Brothers, with a deal valuing the movie maker and media empire at $111bn. But even if it seals the deal with shareholders and boards it still needs to get past regulators on both sides of the Atlantic.

We head to the Balkans, where a multi-billion-dollar rail link between Belgrade and Budapest opens for freight today.

We also hear about the secret to Pokemon's success, as the video game characters turn 30.

With a landmark court case in California hearing from a woman who says tech giants Meta and YouTube’s owner Google harmed her mental health as a child, we catch up with our correspondent in Los Angeles, Peter Bowes, on the legal proceedings and discuss how damaging and addictive social media websites can be during a person's formative years.
Elsewhere, as Netflix squabbles with Paramount for control of Warner Brothers Discovery and its worldwide franchises including Harry Potter and Superman, we hear from former Paramount executive Guy Petty on why Netflix's CEO Ted Sarandos is heading to the White House.
Rahul Tandon speaks to Moritz Riesinger of the IG Metall union in Germany as it comes to a temporary agreement with Elon Musk over its Tesla factory near Berlin.
And economist Cary Leahey of Columbia University explains why the latest unemployment figures in the United States has risen once again.
Global business news, with live guests and contributions from Europe, Latin America and the USA.
(Picture: Supporters of plaintiff Kaley G.M. hold signs as they stand outside the courthouse in Los Angeles, California, on the day she takes the stand at a trial in a key test case accusing Meta and Google's YouTube of harming children's mental health through addictive social media platforms. Credit: Reuters / Mike Blake.)

The president and chief executive of the World Economic Forum, Borge Brende is stepping down after an investigation into his links with Jeffrey Epstein. The Forum says it found no additional concerns.
The price of lithium, a key ingredient in EV batteries, has surged after one of the world’s top producers, Zimbabwe, suddenly banned exports.
We also hear from Volvo UK over the recall of electric cars over a fire risk with some of its batteries.

The United States says it will ease restrictions on Venezuelan oil exports to Cuba's private sector as Washington's blockade leads to a worsening crisis on the Caribbean island.
Former US treasury secretary and onetime Harvard president Larry Summers retires from his roles at the university.
Elsewhere in Milan, Gucci is facing a backlash after using AI to make images to promote its forthcoming show at Milan Fashion Week. Critics have questioned how using AI instead of human models and photographers is in keeping with the fashion giant's values.
(FILE PHOTO: Cuban-flagged tanker Alicia anchors near a terminal in Matanzas, Cuba, January 7, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Norlys Perez)

The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, says there is a 'great opportunity' to develop a relationship with China, following a meeting with its leader Xi Jinping, in Beijing.
Merz is currently on his first visit to China, which is Germany's biggest trading partner, since becoming leader 10 months ago.
Plus a dispute is brewing between Washington and an AI company over military use of its technology.
Presenter: Bisi Adebayo
Producer: Matt Lines
Editor: Justin Bones