World Business Report

A spike in cases of the new coronavirus in Italy fuelled concerns of a possible pandemic. Professor Michele Geraci is an economist who was until recently the undersecretary of state at the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, and discusses the possible economic implications of parts of Italy being put into lockdown. Also in the programme, our regular workplace commentator Peter Morgan reflects on the success or otherwise of employers' attempts to boost the fitness of their workforce. Plus the BBC's Elizabeth Hotson looks at how brands aim to forge strong relationships with certain types of music. (Picture: A man wears a face mask in central Milan. Picture credit: Getty Images.)

Italian officials have cut short the Venice Carnival as they try to control what is now the worst outbreak of the coronavirus in Europe. Authorities in the Veneto region said the carnival would end later on Sunday, two days earlier than scheduled. Italy has by far the highest number of coronavirus cases in Europe, with 152. Three people have died. Also, finance ministers and heads of central banks from the world's top 20 economies, have been discussing how to prevent the spread of the coronavirus undermining the global economy. But measures, if any, can they take? Fuel refineries around the world are bracing for disruption to the sources where they usually buy oil. The United States is imposing sanctions on the trading arm of the Russian energy giant Rosneft, because of its oil deals with Venezuela. What is the relationship between the two? Also in the programme, we look ahead towards Donald Trump's visit to India. Plus, we look into the reasons behind Kenya's ban on exports of avocados

Billionaire businessman Warren Buffet's fans await eagerly his annual letter to shareholders - and it's not just those involved who look forward to gobbling up its contents. Rio carnival kicks off in Brazil - we hear about the figures and economy around the event. Plus, Chris Low from FHN Financial in the US gives us the stock markets reactions to the latest in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Will President Trump's first trip to India since becoming President prevent a trade war between the world’s largest democracy and the world’s biggest economy? American wants India to open up its markets to many of its products, including dairy. The EU summit in Brussels is in danger of failing to agree a long-term budget. The "frugal four" - Sweden, Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands - insist spending is capped, while the "friends of cohesion" - a group of central and eastern European countries - demand it is maintained on what they see as crucial projects. We get the latest from Jim Brunsden of the Financial Times, in Brussels. And the BBC's personal finance reporter, Kevin Peachey, has been looking at memorial benches can help grieving families - but also often prove to be expensive, and temporary memorials.

Chinese buyers and designers were missing from this year's London Fashion Week, as coronavirus (COVID-19) halts travel plans. Mining giant AngloAmerican has a financially successful 2019 - we speak to its CEO Mark Cutifani about the challenges of being the world's largest producer of platinum. Plus, we hear the latest on the stock markets with Cary Leahy of Decision Economics in the US.