World Business Report

Humayun Falak Shahi, crude oil analyst at Kpler, explains Kharg Island's role in Iran's export flows. Laurie Garver, former NASA deputy administrator, sets space policy context. Michelle Fleury, BBC business correspondent, covers market reactions to geopolitical threats. Dr Anahita Motazad-Rad, LSE senior fellow, outlines Kharg's strategic and economic significance. They discuss export vulnerabilities, market volatility, strategic retaliation and wider regional risks.

Discussion of why diesel prices have surged faster than other fuels, including supply routes and crude quality. Exploration of the WTO impasse and potential impacts on subscription costs for digital services. A look at the rapid growth of fast fashion in small-town India and its environmental consequences.

Chris Lowe, FHN Financial chief economist, offers macroeconomic perspective on energy and global shocks. Imogen Bogle, Everything Electric chief content officer, explains shifting EV consumer trends and OEM strategies. Tu Li, Sino Auto Insights MD, breaks down Chinese EV market dynamics and competitive pressure. They discuss BYD’s profit drop, price wars, export challenges, rising fuel prices and infrastructure gaps.

Archana Shukla, BBC reporter covering pharmaceuticals in India, reports from a Bengaluru factory making generic semaglutide. She describes sterile filling and robotic pen assembly. She talks about falling prices, potential global distribution as patents expire, and regulatory worries as cosmetic use rises. Short, vivid on-the-ground reporting with market and safety angles.

Will Bain, business reporter on Asia’s energy fallout. Arturo Bejar, former Meta safety lead and whistleblower. Lily Jamali, Silicon Valley tech correspondent. Kerry Leahy, Columbia economist. They discuss a landmark ruling linking platform design to youth harm, market and legal fallout for big tech, potential product and regulatory changes, and how broader economic shocks amplify investor and industry risks.

Emma Wall, Chief Investment Strategist at Hargreaves Lansdown, gives market commentary on legal rulings and oil-driven volatility. Bruce Daisley, former Twitter VP for EMEA, explains how product design chases user time and changed timelines. They discuss legal fallout for big tech, shifts in social media design, and the market moves tied to oil and geopolitical headlines.

Emma Stanford, travel writer who tested an economy 'sky couch'. Tony Fernandez, AirAsia CEO navigating fuel volatility. Michael Malone, Silicon Valley commentator on tech legal fallout. Susan Schmidt, portfolio manager tracking market reactions. They discuss a landmark social media liability verdict, helium and commodity risks from Gulf tensions, airline fuel strategies, and airline seating innovations.

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 domestic services and flights between Australia and New Zealand. Vietnam Airlines also scrapped almost a two dozen domestic flights a week. And why shares in the Chinese toy-maker Pop Mart – who make Labubu Dolls – have tumbled more than twenty percent…their biggest drop in nearly a year. Presenter: Sarah Rogers Senior Producer: Craig Henderson

George Steer, Financial Times reporter in New York, explains a sudden burst of oil trading tied to a presidential announcement. Professor Lioran de Mello, Macquarie energy academic, examines Australia’s refinery closures and policy choices. Guy De Launy reports from Ljubljana on Slovenia’s 50-litre rationing and cross-border fuel tourism. Sorinjana Tiwari files from Manila on Manila’s emergency measures and soaring prices.

Ben King, a markets correspondent who decodes unusual trading moves, and Surinjana Tawari, BBC reporter in Manila covering on-the-ground disruptions. They discuss the Philippines' national energy emergency and its effects on fuel supply and transport. They also cover sudden large oil trades tied to political events and how local drivers and businesses are coping with shortages and subsidy limits.