World Business Report
Episodes
Eyes on the Strait of Hormuz as oil tankers start moving
18 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
US and Iranian officials have signed a 'memorandum of understanding' to end the war which began in March. Oil and LNG prices are expected to fall as s...
Is Russia running short on fuel?
17 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump’s new Federal Reserve chair, Kevin Warsh, has held interest rates steady at his first policy meeting, despite being appointed with a cl...
Ready, Fed, Go!
17 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
US Fed Chair Kevin Warsh who was appointed by Trump is to set to oversee his first meeting, but will he hold rates steady? In Japan, six major ice cre...
SpaceX overtakes Amazon to become world's fifth most valuable firm
16 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Elon Musk's SpaceX has overtaken Amazon to become the world's fifth most valuable company after a surge in its share price. Why are people keen to inv...
Why is consumer spending falling in China?
16 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
China's consumer spending and investment have fallen to levels unseen since the pandemic but what does that mean for their economy going forward? Also...
How will a US and Iran deal affect global shipping?
15 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The US and Iran agree deal to end war and could lead to supplies of gas and oil flowing more freely across the world. We hear from the Secretary-Gener...
Will energy prices come down after US and Iran deal?
15 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The US and Iran have reached an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. We will be hearing what this mean for oil prices in the global market. In th...
Elon Musk becomes the world's first trillionaire
12 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Elon Musk has become the world's first trillionaire after SpaceX shares soared following the company's stock market debut in New York. Andrew Peach ex...
SpaceX Begins Trading in Landmark $1.8 Trillion Listing
12 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today is the day SpaceX begins trading on public markets after raising around $75 billion in one of the largest listings on record, valuing the compan...
It's official: 2026 is an El Niño year
11 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
El Niño has officially begun, according to scientists at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Will Bain examines what the climate ...
SpaceX Prepares for a Historic Market Launch
11 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Wall Street is preparing for what could be the biggest IPO in history as SpaceX gets ready to begin trading on the public markets. We look at the fina...
US inflation hits three-year high
10 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Gideon Long dives into the latest US inflation figures after prices rose at their fastest pace in three years. We hear from American business owners o...
US Inflation Hits Three-Year High as Energy Prices Surge
10 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The cost of goods in the United States is rising at its fastest pace in three years, with inflation driven mainly by soaring energy prices since the s...
UK watchdog investigates mega takeover with Paramount and Warner Bros
09 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The UK competition watchdog started the investigation into Paramount Skydance's $110bn takeover of Warner Bros Discovery. We ask the former CMA direct...
China and North Korea: Strengthening Ties
09 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Chinese President Xi Jinping has wrapped up a two-day visit to North Korea featuring military honours, public displays of friendship and talks with Ki...
Another legal setback for Trump
08 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A federal judge has overturned the $100,000 H 1B visa application fee ordered by President Donald Trump saying it's an unlawful tax.IATA, the airline ...
Markets Rattled by Tech Sell-Off and Middle East Tensions
08 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Global stock markets have fallen sharply after a sell-off in technology shares combined with growing uncertainty over tensions in the Middle East.Sout...
Is the FIFA World Cup boosting the US job market?
05 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
US hospitality industry leads on new jobs growth, but is AI still impacting hiring for white-collar roles?Moscow says the Russian economy is proving r...
US jobs growth way better than expected
05 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
US jobs growth was way better than expected last month. The world’s biggest economy added twice as many jobs as economists had forecast: 172,000 ver...
Why water bottles have been given a red card by FIFA
04 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As Elon Musk's SpaceX seeks a valuation of nearly one-point-eight trillion dollars, which would make it the largest initial public sale in history, we...
Can Trump's latest tariff plan on 60 countries stick?
03 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The head of manufacturers association in Switzerland weighs in on what's at stake from President Trump's latest policy on trade.Also, what's gooing on...
The US seeks to refloat its tariffs policy
03 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The US proposes new duties of at least 10% on 60 countries in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Donald Trump’s earlier tarif...
Who gets to regulate AI?
02 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump signed an executive order to vet AI models before they are released. The hope is to prevent AI-enabled cyberattacks, but what will it ...
Toy Story is back!
02 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
More than 30 years after the original movie, Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are back as Woody and Buzz in the fifth instalment of one of the most lucrative f...
How will Nvidia reinvent your laptop?
01 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Big tech firms race to cash in on the AI boom. Anthropic, the firm behind chatbot Claude went public in the US, filing paperwork for a stock market li...
Nvidia “re-invents the computer” with new chip
01 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tech giant Nvidia says it will launch a new “superchip” for personal computers, marking a major new venture for the world’s most valuable compan...
Has Blue Origin blown its reputation?
29 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With an uncrewed Blue Origin rocket exploding during a hot fire test at Cape Canaveral, Florida, we speak to former NASA engineer Sinead O’Sullivan ...
Gulf conflict overshadows defence gathering in Singapore
29 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Shangri-la forum is Asia's largest annual defence conference. Politicians, military and industry figures are all in attendance.AI giant Anthropic ...
Why is Patagonia suing a drag queen?
28 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Outdoor apparel company, Patagonia, has sued a drag queen named Pattie Gonia for allegedly causing "irreparable" damage to its brand.Mangoes have beco...
Russia's economy stumbles as war with Ukraine intensifies
28 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Russian rouble has surged to its strongest level in more than three years on the back of widening trade imbalances and high interest rates.Cofffee...
'Draft' US- Iran deal lowers oil price
27 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Oil prices have fallen more than 5% after Rubio says that US will give Iran talks 'every chance to succeed', with Iran reporting details of draft peac...
A slice of the AI pie
27 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Workers at Samsung Electronics in South Korea have voted for a massive pay deal. It will mean some workers – particularly those in the AI chip depar...
BP sack boss over 'bullying' behaviour
26 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Oil giant BP has removed its chairman Albert Manifold with immediate effect over concerns including "bullying" and "overbearing" behaviour by himPetro...
Former F1 boss on Ferrari's electric gamble
26 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Former F1 team manager Professor Andrew Graves gives us his take on Ferrari's electric gamble as they unveil their latest product, an electric vehicle...
Pope Leo says AI must be “disarmed”
25 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Pope Leo has warned that artificial intelligence poses potentially existential risks to humanity and should not be used to concentrate power in the ha...
Oura ring sets eyes on Wall Street
25 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Finnish company behind the brand Oura, the maker of the health and wellness tracking ring has now filed to become a public company in the U.S. The...
Hike, Cut or Hold? What will the new Fed head do on interest rates
22 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The new chair of the world's most powerful central bank is being sworn in at the White House today. Kevin Warsh becomes the 17th Chair of the Federal ...
AI, billions and the race to go public
21 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Artificial intelligence companies including OpenAI, Anthropic and SpaceX are preparing for potential stock market listings in 2026, as investor intere...
Inside Space X's IPO plan
21 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Elon Musk's space X is going public, in what could be the biggest initial public offering in history. Leanna Byrne speaks to Dr Stephanie Hare about t...
Why did Bolt's CEO fire whole HR team?
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan Breslow let go of 30% of his workforce, plus his entire HR department. He defended this by saying they 'created problems that didn't exist.' And,...
Trump leaves, Putin enters
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hot on the heels of the US President, the Russian leader is the latest to meet with President Xi in Beijing, signing over 20 agreements on trade and t...
Why did a former Google CEO get booed?
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The former Google CEO got heckled at a graduation ceremony at the University of Arizona. The editor-in-chief of their student paper The Daily Wildcat ...
Kenya's government cuts fuel prices after deadly protests
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Deadly protests in Kenya have forced the government to cut diesel prices after a sharp jump in fuel costs, driven by supply pressures from the Middle ...
Musk and Altman are 'toddlers'
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tech journalist Kara Swisher describes Elon Musk and Sam Altman as 'toddlers' as their trial concludes. In a unanimous verdict, the jury agreed that E...
Major rail strike brings New York to a halt
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Long Island Rail Road workers walk out, leaving hundreds of thousands of commuters scrambling for alternatives and raising concerns about the wider ec...
Trump heads home after high-stakes China talks
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As the US president leaves Beijing for Washington, it's clear both parties are eager to improve their economic relationship. We reflect on the last tw...
Trump and Xi talks come to a close
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ahead of President Trump's and President Xi's China summit, there were hopes of deals agreed on both trade and tariffs. But has anything actually been...
Will Donald Trump's visit to China benefit the global economy?
14 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The US president and his Chinese counterpart struck a positive tone at a banquet dinner in Beijing today. But what was actually achieved in a day of m...
The start of the deal: Trump and Xi meet
14 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Presidents Trump and Xi meet in Beijing: What's at stake for both in terms of trade and tariffs? And Honda reports its first annual loss in 70 years. ...
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping discuss tariffs, trade, and AI
13 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
US President Donald Trump is in China to meet with his counterpart Xi Jinping. They're expected to discuss their current tense trade relationship, the...
Trump flies to China for talks with Xi
13 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tariffs, tech competition, the Iran war and Taiwan top the agenda for the two superpowers. Trump, last visited in 2017. He returns to a stronger, more...
US price worries: customers tighten purse strings
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Are higher prices in the US starting to show up in household bills as inflation moves closer to 4%? We’ll be looking at where that pressure is comin...
US inflation leaps to 3.8%
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have caused higher energy and grocery prices. The average US price for a gallon of unleaded is at its highest lev...
Oil deadlock deepens
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Oil prices are rising as tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt supply, with petrol in parts of the US now topping six dollars a gallon. We’...
Narendra Modi urges Indians to WFH
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The PM says austerity measures will cut India's fuel use and save foreign exchange. India imports 90% of its oil. Its fuel bill has spiked since the U...
Why is US consumer confidence at a record low?
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
US job numbers are rising and the stock market is booming near record highs. So why are consumers feeling so pessimistic about the economy?As a Mexica...
Donald Trump warns EU of new tariffs by July 4
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, the US President threatened to raise the tariff on the import of EU cars to 25% if the European Parliament delayed a new EU/US tariff agree...
EU and airlines disagree on fuel shortage concerns
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As airlines cut flights over high jet fuel costs the EU's transport commissioner says passengers must still be compensated.We hear from the Global Fas...
Air Asia boss admits high fuel costs are hard to manage
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tony Fernandes, the chief executive of the low cost carrier, has been speaking to the BBC. He says the current high fuel costs are more complex for th...
How Ted Turner changed the media landscape
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ted Turner, founder of CNN died today. We hear from Brian Selter, CNN media correspondent and Lisa Napoli who was an intern in its early days to look ...
India and Vietnam look to deepen economic ties
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Oil prices drop after reports that the US and Iran are close to a peace deal. Donald Trump says the war could end with an agreement, and warns strikes...
Tensions rise in the Persian Gulf
05 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With the US and Iran trading fire in the Strait of Hormuz, the ceasefire wobbling and oil prices continuing to rise, Sam Fenwick discusses the latest ...
What's life like for seafarers stuck in the Strait of Hormuz?
05 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The ceasefire between Iran and the US is looking increasingly fragile after another day of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. As tensions rise, so are c...
Hostility fears escalate in the Persian Gulf
04 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Are ships moving in the Persian Gulf and could it lead to the resumption of hostilities between the US and Iran? Andrew Peach finds out more on the la...
GameStop wants eBay for $56bn
04 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Video game retail chain GameStop has made a surprise $56bn bid to take over the online marketplace eBay. GameStop’s CEO says he plans to create a co...
Trump announces 25% tariffs on cars from the EU
01 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The US President Donald Trump has announced a new hike on cars and trucks imported from the European Union, accusing the EU of not adhering to their t...
Global fertiliser shortage threatens 2026 crop yields
01 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A third of the world's fertiliser is sourced from the Persian Gulf region. Farmers' are now predicted to produce smaller crops this year, affecting 10...
Oil hits new highs - how bad will it get?
30 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We hear how oil prices have been swinging sharply, with Brent crude briefly hitting 126 dollars a barrel as tensions in the Gulf raise concerns about ...
Oil prices on a rollercoaster ride
30 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The price of Brent crude hit a four year high on Thursday before falling back. Markets were reacting to comments from President Trump about maintainin...
Powell says he will stay on as Federal Reserve Governor
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jerome Powell says he will continue to stay on as Federal Reserve Governor, even after his chairmanship ends. We look at what this means for the futur...
Oil price rose over $116 after reports of 'extended' Iran blockade
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Oil prices have jumped despite the UAE exit from the OPEC groups of oil producing countries - we'll be looking at why. And more pressure is pilling on...
How will leaving OPEC impact the UAE's oil production?
28 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The United Arab Emirates is leaving OPEC and OPEC+ after nearly 60 years of membership, we find out what triggered them to leave. In the US, we hear w...
United Arab Emirates is quitting the Opec and Opec+
28 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has said it is quitting the Opec and Opec+ groups of major oil producing nations after nearly 60 years.As people contin...
Is Sierra Leone's diamond industry under threat?
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Diamond mines across Sierra Leone are closing, deepening economic uncertainty and raising fears of further conflict. Our presenter Ed Butler travels t...
How the rise in jet fuel prices impacting the global aviation industry?
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Airline's could start going bankrupt the boss of one aviation company tells World Business Express. And why two tech titans are heading to the courts ...
US consumer confidence and electric vehicles
24 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
US consumers are feeling less confident about their economy than at any other time. We hear from researchers and businesses about why war in the Middl...
Expect global markets to fall, says Bank of England
24 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Bank of England expects stock markets around the world to fall as share prices are not reflecting the many risks facing the world economy, so says...
Is a $110bn Paramount–Warner deal about to reshape Hollywood?
23 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Shareholders of Warner Brothers Discovery have approved its sale to media conglomerate Paramount Skydance, with the merger valued at $110 billion. Rah...
Warner Brothers Discovery agree to Paramount acquisition
23 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The shareholders of Warner Brothers Discovery have voted yes to an hundred billion dollar acquisition by Paramount. After fighting off Netflix to reac...
Iran seizes cargo ships in Strait of Hormuz
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Iran has seized two cargo ships and warned that reopening the Strait of Hormuz will be “impossible” if a US blockade continues. Sarah Rogers asks...
EU frees up money for Ukraine
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The European Union has unlocked a $100 billion loan for Kyiv - money that’s been stuck for months. Hungary had been holding it up, arguing it wasn’...
US senators grill new Fed chair
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Andrew Peach is joined by George Conboy as we look at Kevin Warsh’s grilling before the US Senate's banking committee and examine the prospects for ...
The new head of the Fed?
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Kevin Warsh - Donald Trump’s nominee for the post as chairman of the Federal Reserve, the US central bank - appears before senators in a bid to conv...
US businesses begin claiming tariff refunds
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Andrew Peach hears from businesses reclaiming 'Liberation Day' tariffs in what promises to be the biggest repayment programme in history. Elsewhere, e...
Tensions in the Gulf as US seizes Iranian ship
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Global financial markets have headed south again after tensions between the US and Iran took a turn for the worse over the weekend. American forces at...
IMO warning for ships in the Strait of Hormuz
18 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is open, but the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation tells us he wouldn't advise...
Oil price plunges after Iran says Strait of Hormuz is open again
17 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Iran's Foreign Minister says ships can again use the crucial Persian Gulf sea route while a ceasefire continues to hold. Markets have reacted sharply ...
Jet fuel warning in Europe
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The head of the International Energy Agency Fatih Birol says the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz could trigger what he calls the largest energy crisi...
Could Europe have ‘maybe 6 weeks of jet fuel left’?
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
That’s a warning from the International Energy Agency boss, Fatih Birol as the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt energy supplies. So what co...
Trump threatens to fire Fed chairman
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump has threatened to fire US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell if he does not step aside next month, raising concerns over central bank...
Pressure on US to ease global economic pain
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
World finance ministers meeting in Washington have been voicing their anger and frustration at the US because of the financial strains being placed o...
IMF warns conflict could tip global economy into recession
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With the Global recession warning from the International Monetary Fund, Andrew Peach looks at rising oil, gas and food prices, and how they could forc...
IMF warns of global recession
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In its World Economic Outlook report the International Monetary Fund says that, in a worst case scenario - where oil, gas and food prices spike and ...
Trump’s shipping blockade, the Philippines’ tax breaks, and Hungary’s political shakeup
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As President Trump blocks ships travelling to and from Iran through the Strait of Hormuz, how will this affect Iranian oil exports?The Philippines has...
US blockade begins on Strait of Hormuz
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The US has begun its blockade of the key shipping route the Strait of Hormuz after talks with Iran failed to reach an agreement. President Donald Tr...
Inheritance: Samsung Episode 1
12 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From a fruit and vegetable store to a global empire, Samsung’s story is more than business - it’s an epic family saga. Behind the success lies a d...
Why is the world watching Hungary’s general election?
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After a 16-year rule, the nationalist prime minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, faces the opposing leader Peter Magyar in Sunday’s election. Leann...
Fuel protests cause disruption on Ireland's roads
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Strait of Hormuz remains almost shut to shipping, hurting economies around the world. In Ireland farmers and lorry drivers have been protesting hi...
Is the ceasefire in the Gulf too late to stop food prices rising?
09 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Although the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States still holds, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains heavily disrupted, drivin...
First Iranian oil for India in seven years
09 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For the first time in seven years, India has bought its first cargo of Iranian oil. India hasn't purchased any Iranian oil since 2019 because of US sa...