World Business Report

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 impact could soon be felt worldwide. It’s not just about higher cooking gas bills or queues at petrol stations, as Will Bain has been finding out. And what happens when you let artificial intelligence take over your holiday plans?
We hear from one travel columnist who decided to find out by handing a two-night seaside break over to Google’s Gemini, with no guidebooks, no travel agent, and no help from friends.
(Picture: Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg departs the office of U.S. Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) following a meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 26, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Nathan Howard).

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 enough.
And the boss of Air Canada is under pressure to resign, after releasing a condolence message for the recent deaths of two pilots in English only. One of the pilots killed in Sunday's collision at LaGuardia Airport was from French-speaking Quebec.

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 prices closely, because fuel is one of their biggest costs. We hear from the boss of AirAsia Group, the Malaysian budget airline, on what might happen, should oil prices remain high.
(Picture: Attorney for Kayle GM, Mark Lanier (C) speaks to the media outside the Los Angeles Superior Court, in Los Angeles, California, USA, 25 March 2026. Credit: Photo by TED SOQUI/EPA/Shutterstock).

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

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 latest.
The Trump administration says it will pay the French energy giant, TotalEnergies, nearly $1bn to cancel plans to build wind farms off the US eastern coast. President Trump has moved to scrap sustainable energy sources and increase fossil fuel production. And dynamic ticket pricing is back in the news. A group representing football fans have filed a complaint against FIFA at the European Commission for ‘abusing its monopoly position’ in ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup. FIFA says it's focused on ensuring fair access to matches.