Commodities - the raw materials that power business around the globe - are surging in price. And that suggests investors betting on a prolonged expansion—and a potential rebound in inflation. The S&P; GSCI, which tracks commodity prices has advanced 12% this year. Copper and oil have gained more than 10% and 17%, respectively. Gold is also posting fresh records, rising 13% to $2,332 a troy ounce. So what's going on? Also, in the programme, the presenter Roger Hearing finds out why some politicians have pushed back against New York City’s congestion charging plan.

How is the surging price of commodities affecting the global economy?

The latest business and finance news from around the world from the BBC

Business

Investing

Careers

Management & Marketing

Business News

Shopping

News

The US Federal Reserve says it needs greater confidence that inflation is easing before cutting interest rates. We get the latest from our correspondent in New York.
The housing market is one of the industries most impacted by the higher cost of borrowing. We hear from buyers and sellers. 
And we have an exclusive interview with Pakistan's Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, about the conditions the country has to meet after taking a loan from the International Monetary Fund.

US holds interest rates for sixth time

Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb exclusively speaks to World Business Report about the latest and 24th International Monetary Fund bailout for the country - and says it should be its last. In this extended podcast version of the interview with Mr. Aurangzeb, he talks to Will Bain about the steps he thinks are necessary for Pakistan to achieve economic stability. The country's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has previously said the disbursement of $1.1 billion by the IMF will help the country achieve that, amid discussions for a new loan programme. The funding was the second and final tranche of Pakistan's $3 billion standby arrangement with the IMF which it secured last summer to help avert a sovereign default.  Also, in the programme, we look at how the risk of flooding or landslides are affecting people living in Kenya.

Pakistan’s Finance Minister says he wants IMF bailout package to be the last

Changpeng Zhao, the founder of the giant crypto exchange, Binance, will spend 4 months in a US prison. He had pled guilty to charges of enabling money laundering at the exchange. Ed Butler asks what it means for crypto. Meanwhile, in Argentina, a series of key reforms were passed which could spell privatization of a dozen companies. We speak to a former presidential candidate who says the reforms will spell trouble. Finally, Beijing, Brussels and Washington are preparing for a major showdown over electric cars.

Binance founder sentenced to 4 months in jail

Zimbabwe introduces a new currency, the ZiG, to tackle its high inflation. The Argentinian parliament has approved sweeping austerity measures which has triggered mass protests. We also hear from Ecuador, a country which in the late 90s successfully dealt with high inflation. And we hear from Bumble CEO Lidiane Jones on women in tech and the path to success.

Zimbabwe launches a new currency backed with gold

Energy ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies have agreed to phase out the use of coal power by 2035, putting a critical timeline on the plans first announced last year in Dubai. Also in the programme, Ed Butler looks at the new spending cap set to apply to football teams in the English Premiere League. And, we hear about the retreat of the grocery courier firm Getir from Europe and the U.S, and the future of the sector.

How is the surging price of commodities affecting the global economy?

Download our free app to listen on your phone