Anti-government protests over the economy in Iran turn deadly

The United States military has seized two tankers linked to Venezuelan oil. This comes as Venezuela’s state-run oil company is confirming – for the first time – that it is negotiating the sale of crude oil to the United States after the US Energy Secretary said that Washington would control Venezuelan oil sales 'indefinitely'. Also, the global race between the world’s biggest companies and countries to build the most powerful computers ever seen. And Warner Brothers Discovery is telling its shareholders to once again reject an updated bid from Paramount Skydance, calling it inferior.(PHOTO: The vessel tanker Bella 1 [now called the Marinera] at Singapore Strait, after U.S. officials say the U.S. Coast Guard pursued an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, in this picture taken from social media on March 18, 2025. Credit: Hakon Rimmereid/via REUTERS)

The US President says the interim authorities in Venezuela will be turning over up to fifty million barrels of what he called 'sanctioned oil' to the United States. Also, America's Department of Health has frozen childcare and family assistance payments over alleged fraud. And, a report from inside the home of one of the world's high-speed quantum computers.

As people wonder what happens next, we talk to a student and business owner about their hopes for Venezuela's future, and explore the economy beyond oil production. Also, does sacking football managers make good business sense?And we hear from gym enthusiasts keen on a German fitness trend.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.(Picture: People walk in front of graffiti reading "Free Maduro" during a women's march toward the office of interim President Delcy Rodriguez in Caracas, Venezuela, January 6, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria)

Six European leaders today rallied to Greenland's support after the President Donald Trump said the US ‘needed Greenland’.The UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark said in a joint statement, that Greenland ‘belongs to its people...and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations"We look at Greenland’s business community and how it is responding to all the uncertainty over its future.Also – as the first retail sales of Xmas are revealed…will it be a bumper year for companies relying on seasonal shopping.And, as Manchester United part company with yet another manager, we look at the cost to the club in replacing Ruben Amorim, and those who have gone before him….Presenter: Leanna Byrne Senior Producer: Craig Henderson

We get a sense of what prices and the jobs market are like in Venezuela, and also look at the country's oil sector. Also, our reporter in South Korea on K-beauty and the global demand for Korean skincare and cosmetics. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.(Picture: Law enforcement officials move captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores out of the helicopter, ahead of a court hearing in New York. Credit: REUTERS/Adam Gray TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Markets give their verdict on America's dramatic military intervention in Venezuela. Shares of US oil giants like Chevron and Exxon Mobil are soaring... after President Trump suggested they can play a lead role in restoring Venezuela’s oil industry But there's been criticism from China and Iran - traditional allies of Venezuela - and from Spain, which is home to an estimated 600,000 Venezuelans many who have fled the economic troubles in their home country.We speak to a former US ambassador to Venezuela, Patrick DuddyAnd – you may have heard of South Korea’s K-Pop phenomenon…we look at how K-Beauty is now taking centre stage.Presenter - Leanna Byrne Senior Producer - Craig Henderson

The Chinese car company BYD has overtaken Elon Musk's Tesla as the world's biggest seller of electric vehicles. We unpack how it happened.How viable is it to be a content creator? We look at how TikTok became a political flashpoint between the US and China.And good news for pasta lovers? The US has slashed proposed tariffs on imports from Italy.(Photo: A worker cleans up a BYD Dolphin. Credit: MAST IRHAM/EPA/Shutterstock)

In Iran, at least seven people have been killed in anti-government protests that were triggered by a sharp fall in the value of the currency, a rising cost of living and an economy that's labouring under Western sanctions. The price of cigarettes looks set to rise in India. What will it mean for tobacco farmers?Also, factory activity in the Euro Zone area contracted further last month.Presenter: Gideon Long Producer: Ahmed Adan and Amber Mehmood Editor: Justin Bones

Syria rolls out redesigned banknotes as part of a currency reform aimed at rebuilding after years of war. Russia, meanwhile, is pressing ahead with tax rises to help fund the war in Ukraine as the invasion nears its fourth year. Rahul Tandon asks what realistic economic choices remain for governments under that kind of strain. In the US, New York City has a new mayor: Zohran Mamdani. We speak to an adviser who served on his inaugural committee about what his agenda means for the city’s economy. And our North America Technology Correspondent Lily Jamali reports back after a year investigating whether the gains from artificial intelligence are being shared more widely accross America - or still concentrated among a few firms and regions.(Photo: A currency exchanger handles cash in his hands, after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, at Yusuf al-Azma Square in Damascus, Syria, December 16, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)

At midnight on 01 January, Bulgaria became the 21st country in the European Union to adopt the Euro currency. Also, Serbia's main oil refinery has been given more time to find a new owner, as it tries to avoid US sanctions against Russian-owned oil companies. And, we visit the Chinese village at the centre of red paper lantern production.