Can budgets transform economies?

The US stands on the verge of an election, with the final major economic data showing lower unemployment and stronger-than-expected consumer spending. But will this shift the outcome?Plus, we’re in Arizona, a hotly contested state, where immigration takes centre stage.And the EU opens an investigation into Temu, one of the world’s largest online retailers from China.

Sam Fenwick looks at the issues that are driving Lebanon’s economy into a downwards spiral. We look at the economic cost of war as new research suggests Lebanon's GDP could shrink by over 20% amid the ongoing conflict. The US election is hotting up. We'll look at the cost of health care and how it might determine how people vote. And find out why a Tasmanian ferry takes an unexpected 'Berth' more than ten thousand miles away in Edinburgh.

The UK’s new Labour government has announced its first budget with big tax rises it says are needed to restore public services. Rahul Tandon examines whether a single budget has the power to transform an economy, and the challenges facing many high-income countries as they wrestle with budget holes and high debt. Elsewhere, embattled car giant Volkswagen reports a drop in profits, coming soon after reported layoffs and plant closures. Also, the Bank of Japan is set to announce interest rates, the first meeting since the country’s snap election. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you.

Trouble for Volkswagen as its profits drop and it clashes with unions over possible plant closures, Roger Hearing finds out more.The EU imposes tariffs on electric vehicle imports from China, and there are reports from Beijing that the government is pushing its carmakers not to invest in EU members who backed the tariffs.Britain's new Labour government sets out its first budget with big tax rises it says are needed to restore public services.And we hear from India about the traditional push to buy gold ahead of the Diwali festival.

The European Commission has given approval for steep tariffs on electric vehicles made in China. It closes an investigation which started a year ago. They will remain in place for five years.We hear about plans by homeware company Ikea to put money into a hardship fund for victims of the former communist regime in East Germany. Some including political prisoners were forced to make products for the company.We hear about Tik Tok's founder Zhang Yiming. He is number one on China's Rich List with an estimated net worth of 49 billion dollars. Presenter Rahul Tandon examines these and some of the other global business stories of the day.

The UK's lowest-paid workers could get a salary increase of 6% next year according to local media reports. We look into the consequences this could have. Also in the programme, we talk to US voters in Nevada about their concerns regarding the rise in cost of living. And we hear about HSBC's unexpected jump in profits.

Japan’s Prime minister Shigeru Ishiba has insisted he will not step down despite a historic loss by the governing coalition in Sunday's elections. We examine the market’s reaction to the loss and look ahead to what this means for the coalition. Meanwhile, in Germany, Volkswagen plans to close three plants, lay off thousands of workers and cut pay by 10%, according to trade unions in negotiations with the car giant. And with only a week to go in the US election, we look at Pennsylvania, tipped to be one of the key swing states that will decide the election. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

Struggling German car giant Volkswagen is planning to shut 3 factories in Germany according to the IGMetall Trade Union. We examine the problems facing the European car industry.Georgia’s elections were won by the ruling Georgian Dream party but opposition parties claim the election was stolen.Also, Japanese voters have given the ruling LDP a bloody nose in Sunday’s General Election. We speak to a leading Japanese economist about what happens now, now that no party has a parliamentary majority. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

Japanese voters are getting ready to take part in the country's General Election on Sunday. How will it affect Japan’s economy? We speak to business owners and find out what do they expect from this election? Also, we look at the US election campaign in Texas, plus we learn about the very first online banner ad which went live exactly 30 years ago.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

Georgia will vote in a crucial parliamentary election this weekend. The country looks to whether their prospects will be better served with closer ties to Russia or Europe. Opposition figures hope a win for them could restart Georgia’s stalled bid to join the EU.Elsewhere, Jensen Huang the chief executive of the chip developer Nvidia received a warm welcome in India. We look at how Nvidia might affect the microchip and AI industry there. Also, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is one of the year’s most hotly anticipated game releases. We examine its impact at the UK’s biggest gaming show. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!