World Business Report
Analysis of the big global business and economic issues, as they affect consumers and investors. Broadcast on weekdays.
Has Blue Origin blown its reputation?
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 about how much of a setback it is for Jeff Bezos business in the space race while Elon Musk's SpaceX firm's IPO gets ever closer. Leanne…
Gulf conflict overshadows defence gathering in Singapore
The Shangri-la forum is Asia's largest annual defence conference. Politicians, military and industry figures are all in attendance. AI giant Anthropic is valued at more than its rival Open AI. And Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket self-combusts spectacularly on the launch pad in Florida.
Why is Patagonia suing a drag queen?
Outdoor apparel company, Patagonia, has sued a drag queen named Pattie Gonia for allegedly causing "irreparable" damage to its brand. Mangoes have become a hot commodity following a steep increase in shipping prices due to the ongoing war in Iran. This follows reports of 90% losses to India's 'king of…
Russia's economy stumbles as war with Ukraine intensifies
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 prices have jumped around the world in recent years. What's the cause? And a Google engineer has been charged with breaking insider trading law…
'Draft' US- Iran deal lowers oil price
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 peace proposal. Fifa has been ordered to explain World Cup ticket pricing after allegations of 'artificially inflating prices' and 'misleading fans' over the sale…
A slice of the AI pie
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 department – receiving a bonus of more than $400,000. Also in the programme, why it's going to be a very expensive Eid al-Adha this…
BP sack boss over 'bullying' behaviour
Oil giant BP has removed its chairman Albert Manifold with immediate effect over concerns including "bullying" and "overbearing" behaviour by him Petrol and diesel prices in India continue to rise, reflecting a weak rupee, heavy taxes and lingering geopolitical risks. And EU agricultural ministers met in Brussels today to come…
Former F1 boss on Ferrari's electric gamble
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 they are calling the Luce. And we hear from an Indian fruit farmer as their mango crop is crushed by extreme weather.
Pope Leo says AI must be “disarmed”
Pope Leo has warned that artificial intelligence poses potentially existential risks to humanity and should not be used to concentrate power in the hands of just a few people. Oil prices have fallen sharply on hopes of a deal that could bring an end to the US-Israel war with Iran…
Oura ring sets eyes on Wall Street
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 company is valued at about $11 billion. And Pope Leo has raised his strong concerns on the development of Artificial Intelligence.
Hike, Cut or Hold? What will the new Fed head do on interest rates
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 Reserve at a very tense moment for the US and global economies. He's an advocate for cutting rates. something President Trump has…
AI, billions and the race to go public
Artificial intelligence companies including OpenAI, Anthropic and SpaceX are preparing for potential stock market listings in 2026, as investor interest in the sector pushes combined company valuations towards the trillion-dollar mark. President Trump has also decided against signing a planned executive order on AI regulation today, a move being closely…
Inside Space X's IPO plan
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 the significance of the IPO. We also hear from Azadeh Moshiri in India about why the cockroach has unexpectedly become India's new political mascot.
Why did Bolt's CEO fire whole HR team?
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, AI giant Nvidia is the first company to be worth $5 trillion, following their fiscal first-quarter earnings announcement. This comes after their CEO was…
Trump leaves, Putin enters
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 technology. The two leaders failed to come to an agreement on a long awaited Russian gas pipeline between the countries. China is…
Why did a former Google CEO get booed?
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 tells us why. We also discuss fuel price hikes in India as Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes his European visit in Norway. And with data centres…
Kenya's government cuts fuel prices after deadly protests
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 East conflict. Roads into the Nairobi were blocked, tyres burned and public transport disrupted as anger grows over fuel hikes. A nationwide transport strike…
Musk and Altman are 'toddlers'
Tech journalist Kara Swisher describes Elon Musk and Sam Altman as 'toddlers' as their trial concludes. In a unanimous verdict, the jury agreed that Elon Musk's claims essentially expired after waiting too long to file his lawsuit. Plus we hear from a New York cabbie who expects a deal to…
Major rail strike brings New York to a halt
Long Island Rail Road workers walk out, leaving hundreds of thousands of commuters scrambling for alternatives and raising concerns about the wider economic impact of the disruption. Elsewhere, rising fuel prices around the world have led to a nationwide strike by public transport operators in Kenya. While in India the…
Trump heads home after high-stakes China talks
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 two days with American and Chinese experts. Across the pond, it's been a dramatic week for British politics too as Prime Minster Keir Starmer faces calls…