World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
SpaceX eyes take off with over $1 trillion valuation
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is preparing to go public. Could it become one of the world’s most valuable companies? One year on from “Liberation Day”, when sweeping tariffs reshaped global trade, we ask who’s winning and who’s paying the price. And from bankruptcy to comeback, Leanna Byrne speaks to the boss…
Countries hold summit over Strait of Hormuz trade crisis
More than forty countries take part in a virtual gathering in a bid to reopen the vital shipping lane. The UK is playing host to the meeting, joined by other countries across the world caught up in the trade crisis caused by near closure of the Strait of Hormuz, due…
How will rising oil prices affect airlines?
Jet fuel prices are surging as the war in Iran unsettles airlines and global travel. Leanna Byrne examines what it could mean for ticket prices and the wider economy. Also, a new weight loss pill from Eli Lilly promises to shake up the booming obesity drug market. And as Apple…
Could there be a revival of the coal industry?
South Korea has lifted caps on electricity from coal and the Philippines and Vietnam are boosting coal-fired power. Sarah Rogers explores whether or not the coal industry could see a long-term revival. Plus, we hear from the man behind the 'i' in iMac as Apple turns fifty years old.
Two of the biggest names in your kitchen could soon be joining forces
Unilever, the company behind brands like Hellmann’s and Knorr, has agreed to combine its food business with US spice and flavour giant McCormick & Company. What does it tell us about where big consumer brands are heading next? Also, South Africa cuts fuel duties as the impact of the war…
Why Sri Lanka is raising electricity prices for most households
The Sri Lankan government has increased electricity prices for most households by more than 8% as fuel costs surge due to the Iran conflict. Plus, Bisi Adebayo looks at the impact the war is having on jet fuel costs and how British and American food giants, Unilever and McCormick, have…
Kharg Island: What role does it play in Iran’s economy?
The White House deflects questions about US threat to hit Iranian energy infrastructure. President Trump expects Iran to make a deal to end the war. He has said he'd strike targets including electricity plants, and Iran's main oil-exporting site, Kharg Island. Presenter Andrew Peach examines what this all means for…
Why diesel is rising quicker in price than other fuel?
The price of diesel has risen nearly 90% since the start of the war in Iran according to ICE. Why is that more than other fuels? Plus Sarah Rogers hears why the price of subscriptions could rise after the World Trade Organsiation fails to reach a deal on ecommerce tariffs…
BYD profits fall 19%: What’s driving the decline?
BYD has reported a 19% fall in annual profit, its first decline in four years, despite rising sales as price pressure in China weighs on margins. We look at what is driving the slowdow, and what it means for the wider electric vehicle industry. We also examine the increasingly competitive…
Fears of fuel shortages lead to panic buying in Australia
As prices soar, petrol and diesel pumps are running dry at hundreds of service stations across Australia. But is the shortage caused by panic buying rather than lack of fuel? We hear from India where generic replacements for the weightloss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy are bringing cheaper drugs to the…
Meta shares slide after landmark ruling on social media addiction
Meta shares slide after landmark ruling on social media addiction. Shares of Alphabet, Google's parent company, were also down but not as sharp as Meta stock. Jurors found that Meta, which owns Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, and Google, owner of YouTube, intentionally built addictive social media platforms that harmed the…
Meta and Alphabet shares fall following social media trial defeat
A California jury found Meta and YouTube designed addictive products that harmed young people. The plaintiff was awarded damages of $6m; Meta to pay 70% and YouTube the remainder. Transport workers in the Philippines are on strike over the price of fuel driven by surging oil prices as the Middle…
Meta and YouTube found liable in landmark social media addiction trial
A Los Angeles jury has handed down an unprecedented win for a young woman who sued Meta and YouTube over her childhood addiction to social media. We hear the latest. Since the war in the Middle East erupted, attention has focused on oil and gas flows through the Strait of…
Asian economies feel the pain of the US-Israel war with Iran
The Asian Development Bank's Chief Economist Albert Park tells us that the conflict in the Middle East could prove 'traumatic', knocking as much as 1.3% of Asian GDP growth, depending on how long it goes on for. He believes that the countries most vulnerable include Sri Lanka, Maldives, Laos, Bangladesh…
From state of emergency to rationing: fuel shortages cause chaos across the globe
The Philippines government has declared a state of emergency. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said fuel supply in the country is in ‘imminent danger' as prices continue to surge because of the war in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Slovenia introduces fuel rationing to stop ‘fuel tourism’ and Kenya’s flower industry is…
The Philippines declares state of emergency over fuel crisis
The Philippines has declared a state of national energy emergency as the conflict in the Middle East cuts fuel supplies. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he had signed an executive order to safeguard energy security amid severe disruption to global supply chains. The Philippines is highly dependent on fuel imports…
Oil, outages and energy shifts: the global ripples from the Middle East
As the war in the Middle East continues, other regions adjust. The price of oil dropped after President Trump said discussions with Iran had taken place. Meanwhile, the Philippines, which gets most of its fuel from the Persian Gulf, has declared a four-day work week to reduce energy demand; Suranjana…
Markets rally as Trump signals progress with Iran
We bring you the latest reaction after President Trump says the US has held constructive talks with Iran, even as Iran has denied any dialogue with the US. Also, South Korea has a new central bank chief, Shin Hyun-song, known for predicting the 2008 financial crisis. And Huel, the British…
IEA warns looming global energy crisis is worst in history
The head of the International Energy Agency has told the BBC that governments need to “be more vocal” about cutting energy usage amid what he called the “greatest global energy security challenge in history”. Dr Birol is now calling on countries to cut demand suggesting lower speed limits, avoiding air…
"Work from home and limit flights", urges IEA, as fuel crisis deepens
The International Energy Agency wants people to cut their energy consumption. The IEA warned that the impact from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would “become more and more severe”. And the South Korean boyband BTS are back after an interruption for its members to do national service. They've…