World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
US eases Russias oil sanctions
The US has loosened sanctions on other countries buying Russian oil we'll be talking about if those measures are enough to keep a lid on energy prices. And the smart toys struggling with toddlers emotions, why researchers are raising concerns on those. Presenter: Sarah Rogers Producer: Victoriya Holland Editor: Stephen…
Can a Temporary US Shipping Rule Ease Fuel Costs?
The US is considering temporarily waiving the Jones Act, a century-old law from 1920 that normally requires all goods shipped between US ports to travel on US-built, owned, and flagged vessels. The waiver would allow foreign ships to move fuel between domestic ports for 30 days to help curb rising…
Can a temporary US shipping rule ease fuel costs?
The US is considering temporarily waiving the Jones Act, a century-old law from 1920 that normally requires all goods shipped between US ports to travel on US-built, owned, and flagged vessels. The waiver would allow foreign ships to move fuel between domestic ports for 30 days to help curb rising…
Shipping workers all at sea
As the Strait of Hormuz remains shut what is being done to keep seafarers safe?
Could a $20 billion dollar insurance scheme get more Hormuz ships moving?
A $20 billion push is now on to get tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Middle East tourism suffers as flights are cancelled, and skies remain closed. And how tens of thousands of people are kidnapped for ransom each year. (Picture: An LPG gas tanker at anchor in…
'Largest ever' oil reserve release agreed by 32 countries
The International Energy Agency is proposing the release of emergency oil reserves to calm energy markets. Also, World Business Express finds out why diesel prices are rising faster than petrol/gasoline. And Leanna Byrne looks at February's US inflation data.
What is needed to steady volatile oil markets?
The International Energy Agency is meeting in Paris to discuss the release of strategic oil reserves in a bid to bolster supplies and calm energy markets as the US-Israel war with Iran ends the 11th day. Sam Fenwick hears from the former head of oil industry and markets at IEA,…
Energy price shock as US/Israel war on Iran continues
The world's biggest producer of crude oil, the Saudi firm Aramco, has warned of "catastrophic consequences" if the Straits of Hormuz is blocked for an extended period of time. But as war rages in the middle east, and attacks on shipping severely reduce the transportation of oil and gas, Saudi…
Oil prices ease as Trump says Iran war over “pretty quickly”
President Donald Trump’s announcement comes hours after G7 finance ministers said they were ready to use strategic oil reserves if necessary. Also, Anthropic sues the US government for calling it a risk. And we mark 250 years since the publication of Adam Smith’s iconic economics book, The Wealth of Nations…
Bangladesh rations fuel to private motorists
Bangladesh starts rationing fuel for private motorists. It's a result of the rapid rise in oil prices as a result of the US/Israel war on Iran. And Nepal has a elected a new government, six months after the previous administration was toppled by Gen Z protests. Leanna Byrne hears from…
Middle East crisis: Israel bombing Beirut
Israel bombards Beirut and Tehran and many people are being displaced. We hear from the restaurant owner keeping the ddors open for her customers despite the explosions. Also, Ed Butler finds out why hundreds of trafficked workers were released from scam centres in Cambodia, only to end up wandering the…
US allows Russian oil sales to tackle rising prices
The US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, says he will grant India a 30-day waiver to buy sanctioned oil from Russia to help ease supply concerns in the global market. It comes as the Qatari energy minister warns that all energy producers in the Gulf region could shut down exports within…
The economic hardship rather Iran and its citizens
What do people in Iran think about the war? We hear from Iranians across the country who tell us how life is changed and how it stayed the same. Also, we look at the life of the foreign workers living in neighbouring countries. We've received the thoughts of two Indian…
Can Gulf countries export oil before storage runs out?
As global oil prices continue to climb, crude oil supplies from Iraq and Kuwait could stop shipping within days if travel through the Strait of Hormuz remains virtually halted. Plus, China cuts its economic growth forecast to the lowest level since 1991.
How are shipping delays at the Strait of Hormuz impacting global business?
The US-Israel war with Iran brought the crisis in global shipping. We hear how it's affecting seafarers and speak to the Head of the International Maritime Organisation. Also, all provinces in Iraq have experienced a power blackout, which the government has attributed to a technical fault. We get the latest…
Crude warning: Energy experts say Strait of Hormuz closure could force energy prices higher
Oil and gas traders took a breath on Wednesday after Trump pledged help in the Strait of Hormuz, but experts say there are still signs the price of crude could break through the $100 mark as hundreds of tankers are anchored and unused in the vital waterway. Meanwhile, TikTok has…
Trump: US Navy could escort tankers through Hormuz
President Trump says the US Navy will escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz "if necessary", after shipping traffic almost entirely halted through the key sea passage following Iranian threats to "set fire" to ships. We hear the latest on shipping in the region. We also head to Lebanon as…
Strait talking: Energy markets rocked as conflict intensifies
Natural gas prices spike in Europe after Qatar closes its LNG base. Meanwhile the Strait of Hormuz closure sends crude oil higher and its importance in the shipment of fertiliser ingredients could have major effects on global crop production this year, the boss of Yara says
What the US-Israel war with Iran means for global trade
The conflict has caused the closure of shipping lanes, with up to a fifth of global energy and as much as a third of other commercial shipping impacted. Thousands of flights have also been suspended, with airports as well as refineries the target of Iranian attacks. We get reaction to…
Iran: War in Middle East rattles global markets
Airlines have grounded flights, one of the world’s busiest airports has shut, and oil prices are climbing after strikes in the Middle East. We hear from investors and analysts as they react in real-time to the US-Israel war with Iran. And we find out how the disruption is affecting air…