World Business Report

It's official: 2026 is an El Niño year

El Niño has officially begun, according to scientists at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Will Bain examines what the climate phenomenon could mean for food prices, energy markets, economic growth and weather patterns around the world. We'll also look ahead to Friday's huge Initial Public Offering in shares in SpaceX. And the World Cup is under way. We hear from businesses and residents about the opportunities, disruptions and expectations as the tournament gets started. (Picture:Indonesian farmers brace for possible dry spell linked to El Nino. Indonesia, June 4, 2026. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan)

SpaceX Prepares for a Historic Market Launch

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 final steps before launch, what investors can expect, and what the listing could mean for the wider technology and space sectors. Also on the programme, the European Central Bank has raised interest rates for the first time in almost three years as policymakers respond to inflationary pressures across the eurozone. Nearly a year after the crash of Air India Flight 171, investigators are expected to provide an update. But the inquiry has become increasingly controversial, with competing theories about what caused the disaster and growing scrutiny of the investigation itself. And the World Cup kicks off in Mexico. We head to Atlanta, one of the tournament's host cities, to find out whether businesses and residents are ready for the economic opportunities and challenges that come with football's biggest event. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: David Cann

US inflation hits three-year high

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 on the front line of rising costs. We also turn to China, where inflation remains far lower than in the United States, and examine what the latest figures reveal about the strength of the world's second-largest economy. And with the FIFA World Cup approaching North America, how are businesses preparing for the economic opportunities the tournament could bring? (Picture: Fuel prices are displayed outside a gas station in Washington, DC, USA, 22 May 2026.JIM LO SCALZO/EPA/Shutterstock)

US Inflation Hits Three-Year High as Energy Prices Surge

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 start of the war in Iran. Economists say the energy shock is feeding through into broader price pressures across the world’s largest economy. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s TSMC, a key player in the global AI boom and the centre of the US-China tech rivalry, has been speaking exclusively to the BBC about whether it can keep up with surging demand for advanced chips. And with just a day to go, large numbers of World Cup 2026 tickets are appearing on resale platforms. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: David Cann

UK watchdog investigates mega takeover with Paramount and Warner Bros

The UK competition watchdog started the investigation into Paramount Skydance's $110bn takeover of Warner Bros Discovery. We ask the former CMA director how will it affect the deal? Also, why is Switzerland going to restrict the number of the population in the country? And we look into one of the most successful IPO - SpaceX.