World Business Report

The world's biggest producer of crude oil, the Saudi firm Aramco, has warned of "catastrophic consequences" if the Straits of Hormuz is blocked for an extended period of time. But as war rages in the middle east, and attacks on shipping severely reduce the transportation of oil and gas, Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline has emerged as a critical piece of infrastructure in the global energy system.
The CEO of Maersk speaks about the shipping industry's response to US/Israel war on Iran.
And Leanna Byrne hears from India where a shortage of LPG is causing headaches for the food preparation industry.

President Donald Trump’s announcement comes hours after G7 finance ministers said they were ready to use strategic oil reserves if necessary. Also, Anthropic sues the US government for calling it a risk. And we mark 250 years since the publication of Adam Smith’s iconic economics book, The Wealth of Nations.
(Picture: Motorists queue at a gas station in Skopje, North Macedonia, 09 March 2026. After the Regulatory Commission announced an increase in petrol and diesel prices at gas stations, people rushed to fill the tanks of their vehicles. Credit: Photo by GEORGI LICOVSKI/EPA/Shutterstock)

Bangladesh starts rationing fuel for private motorists. It's a result of the rapid rise in oil prices as a result of the US/Israel war on Iran.
And Nepal has a elected a new government, six months after the previous administration was toppled by Gen Z protests. Leanna Byrne hears from Nepal.

Israel bombards Beirut and Tehran and many people are being displaced. We hear from the restaurant owner keeping the ddors open for her customers despite the explosions.
Also, Ed Butler finds out why hundreds of trafficked workers were released from scam centres in Cambodia, only to end up wandering the streets of the capital without a way back home.
And we dig into the growing numbers of young Roblox millionaires.

The US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, says he will grant India a 30-day waiver to buy sanctioned oil from Russia to help ease supply concerns in the global market.
It comes as the Qatari energy minister warns that all energy producers in the Gulf region could shut down exports within weeks.
Plus - we hear from Nepal where votes are being counted in what’s being dubbed the young versus old election.