<description>&lt;p&gt;Ukraine's position has been strengthened by a €90bn loan agreed by the EU after failing to agree on using frozen Russian assets. But is it enough to keep the country going?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In Sri Lanka, the International Monetary Fund has also approved a $206 million in emergency financing to help the country rebuild after a devastating cyclone. What will taking on more debt mean for the country's future debt sustainability?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Elsewhere, the former Chair of the independent board of Ben &amp;amp; Jerry's ice cream independent board has told World Business Report she was forced out by the company's owners, Magnum Ice Cream, following years of tension over Ben &amp;amp; Jerry’s outspoken social activism.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Also, Sony has more than doubled its stake in Peanuts, bringing Snoopy and Charlie Brown under its corporate umbrella, while the creator's family keeps the remaining 20% share.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(Photo: A serviceman of the 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade prepares to launch a Darts middle range strike unmanned aerial vehicle towards Russian troops. Credit: December 16, 2025. REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Ukraine gets a loan from the EU but is it sufficient.

Ukraine's position has been strengthened by a €90bn loan agreed by the EU after failing to agree on using frozen Russian assets. But is it enough to keep the country going?In Sri Lanka, the International Monetary Fund has also approved a $206 million in emergency financing to help the country rebuild after a devastating cyclone. What will taking on more debt mean for the country's future debt sustainability?Elsewhere, the former Chair of the independent board of Ben &amp; Jerry's ice cream independent board has told World Business Report she was forced out by the company's owners, Magnum Ice Cream, following years of tension over Ben &amp; Jerry’s outspoken social activism.Also, Sony has more than doubled its stake in Peanuts, bringing Snoopy and Charlie Brown under its corporate umbrella, while the creator's family keeps the remaining 20% share.(Photo: A serviceman of the 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade prepares to launch a Darts middle range strike unmanned aerial vehicle towards Russian troops. Credit: December 16, 2025. REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova)

Is EU money enough for Ukraine?

<description>&lt;p&gt;TikTok’s Chinese owner ByteDance has struck a deal with US and global investors to keep the app operating in America. But who really comes out on top?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Could Japan’s interest rate hike offer relief to struggling households?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Shipping giant Maersk has sent its first vessel through the Red Sea in two years. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And how could a new EU finance deal strengthen Ukraine’s defence against Russia?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Niamh Mc Dermott
Editor: Justin Bones&lt;/p&gt;</description>

TikTok's Chinese owners have signed a deal with the US to avoid a ban

TikTok’s Chinese owner ByteDance has struck a deal with US and global investors to keep the app operating in America. But who really comes out on top?Could Japan’s interest rate hike offer relief to struggling households?Shipping giant Maersk has sent its first vessel through the Red Sea in two years. And how could a new EU finance deal strengthen Ukraine’s defence against Russia?Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Niamh Mc Dermott
Editor: Justin Bones

TikTok lives to scroll another day

<description>&lt;p&gt;Volodymyr Zelensky has called on EU leaders at a crunch summit urgently to agree to a multi-billion euro loan in frozen Russian money to fund Ukraine's military and economic needs. Andrew Peach hears from EU leaders and an expert in Brussels. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Also, Bolivia ends two decades of fuel subsidies, introducing tough measures to stabilise the public finances, but will people put up with paying more for fuel?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And the economic challenges of making guitars, as Hoffner - famous for making Paul McCartney’s iconic violin-shaped bass guitar – has filed for insolvency in Germany. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gives a press conference during the EU Council Summit in Brussels, Belgium, 18 December 2025. Credit: OLIVIER HOSLET/EPA/Shutterstock)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

In a summit in Brussels, Ukraine tells the EU that it needs Russian assets.

Volodymyr Zelensky has called on EU leaders at a crunch summit urgently to agree to a multi-billion euro loan in frozen Russian money to fund Ukraine's military and economic needs. Andrew Peach hears from EU leaders and an expert in Brussels. Also, Bolivia ends two decades of fuel subsidies, introducing tough measures to stabilise the public finances, but will people put up with paying more for fuel?And the economic challenges of making guitars, as Hoffner - famous for making Paul McCartney’s iconic violin-shaped bass guitar – has filed for insolvency in Germany. (Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gives a press conference during the EU Council Summit in Brussels, Belgium, 18 December 2025. Credit: OLIVIER HOSLET/EPA/Shutterstock)

Will Europe use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine?

<description>&lt;p&gt;It's a big data day for the US, Europe and the UK. What do interest rates decisions and inflation data mean for the global economy? India's textile businesses say high US tariffs are causing major pain for businesses. We hear from the Treasurer of the Tiruppur Exporters Association. And should we be categorising Labubu dolls as a fad?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Victoriya Holland
Editor: Stephen Ryan&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Why did US inflation cool more than expected in November?

It's a big data day for the US, Europe and the UK. What do interest rates decisions and inflation data mean for the global economy? India's textile businesses say high US tariffs are causing major pain for businesses. We hear from the Treasurer of the Tiruppur Exporters Association. And should we be categorising Labubu dolls as a fad?You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Victoriya Holland
Editor: Stephen Ryan

Price increases in America ease unexpectedly

<description>&lt;p&gt;The US has stepped up its blockade on Venezuela’s sanctioned oil tankers, as humanitarian workers are warning that the situation would get worse if food and medical supplies can’t get into the country. We hear from people living in Caracas and someone who has left the country few days ago. Also, the board of Warner Brothers Discovery has told shareholders to reject Paramount's $180 billion dollar hostile bid for the entirety of its business. And the Oscars are to be streamed on YouTube from 2029 after the tech firm outbid traditional broadcasters. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(Photo: Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gestures, during a march to commemorate the Battle of Santa Ines in Caracas, Venezuela, December 10, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Gaby Oraa)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

There are fears that the economic situation may get worse.

The US has stepped up its blockade on Venezuela’s sanctioned oil tankers, as humanitarian workers are warning that the situation would get worse if food and medical supplies can’t get into the country. We hear from people living in Caracas and someone who has left the country few days ago. Also, the board of Warner Brothers Discovery has told shareholders to reject Paramount's $180 billion dollar hostile bid for the entirety of its business. And the Oscars are to be streamed on YouTube from 2029 after the tech firm outbid traditional broadcasters. (Photo: Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gestures, during a march to commemorate the Battle of Santa Ines in Caracas, Venezuela, December 10, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Gaby Oraa)

How is the US ship blockade affecting Venezuelans?

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