Syria's economy shrank massively under Bashar al-Assad

France’s President Emmanuel Macron is fighting to form a new government and pass next year’s budget. But will it calm the country’s economic turmoil? Also, a British hedge fund trader is jailed for defrauding Denmark out of over $1 billion. And how country singer Noah Kahn and his family helped his local country store to secure its futureYou can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

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 prospectsThe 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 studentsYou can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

Damascus Chamber of Commerce says the interim government pledges to open up the economy and re-establish international trade links. Also, Luigi Mangione, 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?Rahul Tandon is joined by Sarah Birke, The Economist’s Bureau Chief for Mexico, Central America and The Caribbean, and Simon Littlewood, president of ACG Global Growth Delivered in Singapore.

Syrians are calling for sanctions to be lifted so international trade can resume and its economy can be rebuilt. Also, China launches an antitrust investigation into Nvidia, the world’s most valuable maker of computer chips. And, baseball player Juan Soto has agreed a $765m deal with the New York Mets, the biggest contract awarded in the the history of sport.Rahul Tandon discusses these and more business stories with two guests on opposite sides of the world: Sergio Guzman, director of Colombia Risk Analysis in Bogota, and Yoko Ishikura, Professor Emeritus of Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo.

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol has issued an apology following his attempt to declare martial law earlier this week, which sparked widespread political unrest. Calls for his resignation are growing, even within his own party, as an impeachment vote looms.Syria is on the brink as rebel forces capture more of the country - we'll have the latest.Plus, Suriname's finance minister discusses how the country plans to avoid the "oil curse" and ensure citizens benefit from its newfound wealth.Joining Roger Hearing are Jyoti Malhotra, Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune in Delhi, and Ralph Silva of the Silva Research Network in Toronto.

As US companies race to stock up goods ahead of president-elect Trump's promised tariffs, Gene Seroka, the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles shares how the port is handling the influx of shipments from China.In South Korea, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions has launched an indefinite strike, demanding President Yoon Suk Yeol step down over his martial law declaration.And in a cultural milestone, traditional Japanese rice wine Sake, has been officially recognised by the United Nations as an "intangible cultural heritage". We are joined throughout the programme by Tony Nash, CEO and Founder Complete Intelligence in the US and Jessica Khine, Head of Asia for Astris Advisory Japan in Malaysia.

South Korea has started impeachment proceedings against its President after thwarting a shock move to impose martial law. Presenter Rahul Tandon discusses the economic fallout with Senior Asia correspondent for Bloomberg Rebecca Choong Wilkins who is based in Hong Kong and the President of US based Greenwood Capital Walter Todd who is based in North Carolina in the US.France is facing difficult economic challenges after the government collapses. Prime Minister Michel Barnier leadership was called into question after he used special powers to push through the budget without a vote.We also discuss a social media trend that encourages women to quit their jobs and become stay-at-home wives and girlfriends in Sweden. We look at what this might mean for families in the future.

MPs in the country voted to block the move after mass protests and outcry. We get the latest from our Korea Service.The boss of Japanese bank Nomura has taken a short-term pay cut after a former employee was charged with robbery of bank clients, attempted murder and arson.And it's been 30 years since Playstation first hit the shelves in Japan for the first time. We hear more from tech writer Bree Fowler

Elon Musk’s record setting pay package has been rejected for a second time by a Delaware judge Opposition parties in France say they'll bring down the minority government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier within days. This after he forced his social security budget through without a vote in parliament. As Ghana approaches an election, Ed Butler reports on the economic turmoil facing the country

Ukraine's desperate battle to restore its energy grid as Russian missile attacks leave over a million people without power. With temperatures already below zero, the winter ahead looks dire. Olga Khakova, deputy director for European energy security at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center, joins us to discuss the immense challenges Ukraine faces in keeping the lights on.We also explore other global developments, including Brazil’s currency volatility, India’s economic slowdown, and how US consumer confidence held up on Black Friday. Plus, Tom Brook reports on whether Thanksgiving weekend signals a revival for Hollywood cinemas.Joining Roger Hearing this week is Yoko Ishikura in Tokyo and Andy Uhler in Texas to provide their global perspectives throughout the show.We want to hear your views. Contact us on WhatsApp or send a voice note to +44 330 678 3033.