US and EU increase pressure on Russian energy sector

Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have missed their full paycheques for the first time since the beginning of the government shutdown three weeks ago, with Democrats and Republicans still blaming each other for the lapse in federal funding. We hear from a US federal employee at the Department of Defence on the East Coast. And this week the fight moved to the courts over another politically contentious area – the massive charges the Trump administration wishes to impose on H1B visas – the work visas issued to up to 65,000 foreign workers each year, looking for jobs that US employers say they are unable to fill otherwise. Also, Canada's prime minister, Mark Carney, says he's ready to resume trade negotiations with the United States when Washington is ready. This comes after President Trump announced he was abruptly ending talks because of an anti-tariff advertising campaign by the province of Ontario. (Picture: A sign outside the National Gallery of Art alerts visitors the museum is closed in Washington and remains closed due to the government shutdown on 23 October 2025. Credit: photo by JIM LO SCALZO/EPA/Shutterstock).

Donald Trump says he's ending trade talks with Canada, all over an ad. He accused Canada of fraudulently using Ronald Reagan’s words in what he called a “fake” advertisement. We hear from a Canadian business owner.China calls for calm ahead of trade talks with Washington… And Russia faces fresh sanctions as it sets interest rates. We speak with the former Russia Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Victoriya Holland Editor: Justin Bones

Two leading US basketball figures are among thirty-four people arrested as part of FBI investigations into illegal gambling and the Mafia. The Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups is accused of playing in rigged poker games in New York. The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has described this week's new US sanctions on Russia’s two biggest oil companies as an unfriendly act. But at the same time, he's claimed they won't have a substantial impact on Russia's economy. And we will look at the cost of insurance for museums after the priceless jewels thieves stole from the Louvre museum in a brazen heist this week, which were not privately insured.(Picture: Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) handles the ball during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena in March 31, 2025: Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images/File Photo)

Fresh sanctions are hitting Russia's energy sector, from both the European Union and the United States. The goal is to squeeze the money earned from energy imports. How will it impact Russian economy? Also, will India and China reduce their crude oil consumption? And China's economic plan - after four days of discussions at home, what priorities are being set for the rest of the decade? You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Victoriya Holland Editor: Stephen Ryan

Elon Musk's SpaceX says it has cut Starlink satellite communication links to more than 2,500 devices used by scam compounds in Myanmar. The UAE's AI minister has told the BBC that the country is choosing the United States and American companies over China as their preferred partner when it comes to AI. And, despite the US's $40 billion rescue package for President Javier Milei, investors are betting that Argentina will sharply devalue its currency after this weekend's midterm elections. (Picture: At least 84 repatriated Indonesian citizens who once worked in scam centres in Myanmar and arrived in the Indonesian capital on 28 Feb 2025. Credit: BAGUS INDAHONO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Retail traders are being credited for sending Beyond Meat's stock surging. Also, an estimate on the cost of the Jaguar Land Rover cyber attack. And Starlink devices are linked to scam centres in Myanmar.Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Victoriya Holland Editor: Stephen Ryan

Warner Brothers Discovery, which produced Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and Succession, says it’s considering a sale after receiving several unsolicited offers. The US media giant had announced plans to split into two separate entities earlier this year. How could the leading candidate in New York’s mayoral race reshape America’s financial capital?Plus, why people are going nuts for pistachios.(Picture: The exterior of the Warner Bros. Discovery Atlanta campus is pictured in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. May 2, 2023. REUTERS/Alyssa Pointer/File Photo)

Japan’s first female prime minister sends financial markets soaring as investors bet she's gonna spend big on Japan's economy. The Brazilian oil giant Petrobras says it's been given the green light to start drilling for oil near the mouth of the Amazon river off the coast of the world's largest tropical rainforest. And Coca-Cola’s results pop, but at the same time, demand is fizzling out. We'll find out what's going on at the world's biggest soda brand.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Victoriya Holland Editor: Shea Conduct

Amazon's cloud computing firm says major service issues remain after an outage hit hundreds of sites worldwide. As China's leaders meet in Beijing to formulate a five year plan, we'll look at the challenges and opportunities facing the world's second biggest economy. Diwali, the Hindu festival in India is underway. Gold is often bought for luck and prosperity but with prices hitting $4,300 an ounce, how are shoppers and businesses coping? Plus, has San Francisco's city made a comeback? Andrew Peach finds out.

A problem at Amazon Web Services has broken the internet...dozens of apps and websites stopped working following a huge outage. We look at India where the Hindu festival of Diwali has begun. Gold is often bought for luck and prosperity but - with prices hitting $4,300 an ounce - how are shoppers and businesses coping? And China is working on it's economic plan for the rest of the decade but what's the impact on the rest of the world? You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. Presenter: Sarah Rogers Producer: Victoriya Holland