BBC World Service

The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.

<p>The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.</p>

World Business Report

French President Emmanuel Macron was expected to name the new government chief amid the country’s political breakdown, with a view to tackle the country’s economic outlook.

Also, how will Australia’s new plans to introduce a social media company levy encourage tech companies to pay news outlets and publishers for content?

And Donald Trump opened trading at the New York Stock Exchange, as he was named Time’s Person of the Year 2024.

New French PM to be announced

Will the $6bn trade in the illegal drug captagon that funded the Assad dictatorship be disrupted now he's gone?
As US inflation creeps up, we hear from businesses daring to feel more hopeful about their future prospects
The Macy's employee who hid $150 million in delivery charges.
And why universities in Australia are worried by plans to drastically cut the number of overseas students
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Syria’s economy and its reliance on drug money

Sebastian Ebel, says Germany needs to break free from over-regulation and focus on attracting foreign investors.
Food prices in South Africa have risen at their lowest rate in nearly 14 years, keeping the country's inflation below expected levels
And General Motors has announced that it will stop funding the development of the Cruise self-driving taxi.

TUI CEO says next German government needs to attract foreign investment

While some Syrians return to work after Bashar al-Assad's fall, others try to get out of the country in fear of a government led by the rebels. Also, Luigi Mangioni, the man accused of murdering Brian Thompson, the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, has been denied bail. And what impact is South Korea's political instability having on its economy?

Syria's long path to recovery

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Berita 

Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy supporter Jimmy Lai has been charged with fraud. We hear from Mr Lai in his last interview before being detained, and get a sense of the mood for businesses in the city from Mike Bird of the Wall Street Journal. 
Also in the programme, Ivana Davidovic reports on China's war against food waste. China's leader Xi Jinping has launched a campaign targeting food waste in the country. Jian Yi, who has been at the forefront of promoting a sustainable food system in China, and founded the Good Food Fund tells us President Xi's announcement came as a surprise. With some local authorities in China aiming to limit the amount of food diners order, Priscilla Young, co-founder of Brut Eatery, which has five outlets in Shanghai, is not sure of the benefits of a heavy-handed approach to curbing dining excess. James Palmer explains how Chinese complex relationship with food stems from centuries of famines. And we hear from Szechuan food and culture expert Fuchsia Dunlop how Chinese New Year feasts reveal why ordering too much is a sign of good luck for the future. 
Plus, we find out how the fashion industry is adapting to coronavirus from Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council.