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World Business Report

BBC World Service

The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.

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8:57

French container ship reportedly passes through...

World Business Report ·

2026/04/03

Several sources are reporting that a French-owned container ship has successfully braved the troubled Strait of Hormuz. The CMA CGM Kribi is believed to be the first western vessel to pass through the passage since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war against Iran. It was not immediately clear how the vessel secured safe passage. It comes as Iran carried out two attacks on commercial plants in Kuwait and Abu Dhabi Also there's better-than-expected jobs news for the US. And we hear from a trade

26:27

SpaceX eyes take off with over $1 trillion valuation

World Business Report ·

2026/04/02

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 of Polaroid about why instant cameras are thriving again.(Photo: NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission lifts off in a Dragon spacecraft, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, from the launch pad of Space Launch Complex-40 at

8:58

Countries hold summit over Strait of Hormuz trade crisis

World Business Report ·

2026/04/02

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 to the US-Israel war in Iran.UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper opened the event by condemning what she described as "Iranian recklessness" in closing the Strait of Hormuz and "hitting global economic security". The talks are trying to

25:56

How will rising oil prices affect airlines?

World Business Report ·

2026/04/01

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 turns 50, what’s next for the garage start-up that became one of the world’s most powerful companies.(Photo: A general view of the PCK refinery, a crude oil processing facility supplying gasoline, jet fuel, diesel and fuel

8:57

Could there be a revival of the coal industry?

World Business Report ·

2026/04/01

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.

26:27

Two of the biggest names in your kitchen could soon...

World Business Report ·

2026/03/31

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 in Iran feeds through to prices at the pump. Leanna Byrne hears from a business person and our correspondent who has been out to witness the situation. (PHOTO: Hellmann's, a brand of Unilever, is seen on

8:57

Why Sri Lanka is raising electricity prices for most...

World Business Report ·

2026/03/31

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 agreed a deal to combine parts of their food businesses.

26:26

Kharg Island: What role does it play in Iran’s economy?

World Business Report ·

2026/03/30

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 Iran and its neighbours in the Middle East.(Photo: A handout satellite image made available by Copernicus, the European Union's Earth Observation Programme, on 14 March 2026 shows

8:57

Why diesel is rising quicker in price than other fuel?

World Business Report ·

2026/03/30

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 tariffsand we look at the growth of fast fashion in India

26:27

BYD profits fall 19%: What’s driving the decline?

World Business Report ·

2026/03/28

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 market for electric cars, set against a backdrop of rising global oil prices.While oil prices continue to rise, the cost of weight loss drugs could be heading in the opposite direction. And we look at how a small,

8:53

Fears of fuel shortages lead to panic buying in...

World Business Report ·

2026/03/27

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 local market. And Hollywood actor turned producer Eva Longoria says a Warner Bros. Discovery–Paramount mega merger will be bad news for creativity in the movie busines

26:26

Meta shares slide after landmark ruling on social...

World Business Report ·

2026/03/26

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 20-year old's mental health. We look at the numbers and find out what investors are thinking.The global energy crisis is already wreaking havoc on economies across Asia, and the

8:52

Meta and Alphabet shares fall following social media...

World Business Report ·

2026/03/26

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 East continues. The Filipino government which declared an energy state of emergency this week has introduced fuel subsidies and free bus rides for affected commuters, but protesters say the measures are not

26:26

Meta and YouTube found liable in landmark social...

World Business Report ·

2026/03/25

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 Hormuz. However, the Gulf is also a major producer of aluminium and helium. We look at how disruption has spread into other commodities. And it’s not just commodities and supply chains feeling the pressure. Airlines are watching oil

8:53

Asian economies feel the pain of the US-Israel war...

World Business Report ·

2026/03/25

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 and Pakistan. Meanwhile the price of jet fuel has more than doubled since the start of the war with Iran, with numerous major airlines raising their prices. Jetstar New Zealand cancelled some

26:28

From state of emergency to rationing: fuel shortages...

World Business Report ·

2026/03/24

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 struggling with cancelled flights and disrupted sales. As Australia closes hundreds of petrol stations, many ask where this crisis is headed, and when it will end. Andrew Peach has the

8:58

The Philippines declares state of emergency over fuel...

World Business Report ·

2026/03/24

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 and particularly vulnerable to disruptions in production and shipments. The US-Israel war with Iran - and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route - has sent

26:20

Oil, outages and energy shifts: the global ripples...

World Business Report ·

2026/03/23

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 Tewari is in Manila with the latest. We also look at the drive towards solar energy across Sub-Saharan Africa and how this conflict could accelerate trends in the renewable energy sector. In Cuba, more

8:56

Markets rally as Trump signals progress with Iran

World Business Report ·

2026/03/23

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 meal replacement brand comes under new ownership.

26:27

IEA warns looming global energy crisis is worst in...

World Business Report ·

2026/03/20

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 travel, even restricting the use of private cars. Last week the IEA coordinated the release of 400 million barrels of strategic oil reserves, which is around 20% of the total reserves. However, the

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