World Business Report

Ukraine has begun introducing emergency power cuts in Kyiv as Russia steps up its attacks on energy infrastructure. Kyiv has been preparing for a renewed onslaught before winter begins, by building fifteen small scale power plants in heavily fortified concrete bunkers. We find out how businesses are operating.

Also, will a major new oil refinery in Kenya increase oil sales in Africa?

Andy Burnham has suggested rejoining the EU - how will it work?

And a new Singapore dating app launched to help with a record-low fertility rate.
(Picture: Ukrainian President Zelensky visits Warsaw, Poland - 19 Dec 2025. Credit: EPA_AutoIngest)

The construction of a $16bn dollar oil refinery in Lamu, coastal Kenya is expected to create about 60,000 jobs and be completed within three years. It hopes to provide 1,000 megawatts of power generation, twice the capacity of his Lagos refinery, serving the needs of the Lamu refinery and beyond.
It’s being backed by Africa’s richest man, the Nigerian billionaire oil tycoon Aliko Dangote. But the project is not without controversy. There have been clashes between police and protesters who say the land where the refinery is being built belongs to them.
Also, President Trump is still deciding whether to ban diesel exports in a move which he sees as a way to reduce the rising price of diesel in the US.
And why the tech billionaire and head of Meta Mark Zuckerberg has made a sizeable donation to Irish sport.
Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Snr Producer: Craig Henderson
Editor: Naomi Rainey

On Tuesday Trump, Musk and tech CEOs signed a document they have referred to as the "Accord on Super Intelligence." We go to the U.S. to hear the latest.
Manchester City has been found guilty of all charges by the Premier League. A former chairman of the club tells us there's only one appropriate punishment.
And in Spain young and old have protested for housing rights — after an 87-year-old was forcibly evicted from her home in Madrid.
(Photo: Reuters / Jonathan Ernst)

A US ban on several Canadian imports, including alcohol, dairy and motorcycles, has come into effect as a trade war between the two neighbours drags on. We hear from two business owners about the impact on their US sales.
Also, inflation in Spain has risen more sharply than expected, hitting the highest rate in more than three years.
And FIFA v UEFA continues, as football's world governing body accuses its European counterpart of spreading misinformation.

Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Victoriya Holland
Editor: Naomi Rainey

Starship carried out two laps of the Earth – rather than the planned six – before SpaceX decided to end the mission early and bring it back to Earth. There was concern launch would not go ahead as planned when engineers found an issue with one of its six engines before the mission started.
In the U.S. there is backlash against data centres. We go to Pennsylvania to speak to a veteran activist about the protests — and speak to a journalist reporting on the issue.
And Apple has been ordered to pay billions in damages after a US jury found it had used another firm's tech without permission.
(Photo: Reuters / Steve Nesius)