hello and welcome to asia business report. let's start white delimiter by taking a look at how tensions in the middle east are impacting the oil markets. houthi groups in yemen say they will not bow to international pressure to stop attacks on the red sea. the group, backed by iran, says the us and the uk attempts at getting china to mediate have not been fruitful. it has interrupted international community is causing them to take a much longerjourney around the coast of south africa up year, as opposed to going right through the red sea and into the suez canal, which is a much shorter route and also way more cost—effective. all of this coming at a time when demand from the top oil importer, china, is considerably slowing down. our analyst says oil prices have so

far been surprisingly unaffected by the ongoing tensions. unaffected by the ongoing tension— unaffected by the ongoing tensions. , , tensions. interestingly when our cut tensions. interestingly when your cut oil _ tensions. interestingly when your cut oil prices, - tensions. interestingly when your cut oil prices, taking i your cut oil prices, taking notice of what is happening in the red sea because we have seen oil prices take upward pressure. we would have expected to see ten to 15 years ago. the fact is that because those attacks in the red sea. it did not cause disruptions, we did not see lots of supply but saw tank is being diverted but saw tank is being diverted but not a loss in the market. add to that the fact that it is not booming, we are not seeing a tight market and that by itselfjustifies a tight market and that by itself justifies the level where prices have been trading over the last few months and they are aware they are today. is that slowdown in demand from china affecting the overall outlook?— china affecting the overall outlook? . , , , outlook? china is the biggest wild card in _ outlook? china is the biggest wild card in the _ outlook? china is the biggest wild card in the markets. - outlook? china is the biggest wild card in the markets. if i wild card in the markets. if you look at opec expectations

cup expect 90% of demand growth to come from asia and largely driven by china, which is the largest oil importer in the world and therefore whatever happens to china will have a major impact on prices. and because of the economic situation in china, we see that prices are not really going above the current levels of 79 above the current levels of 79 a barrel, which is pretty timid, given that geopolitical developments. so unless we see a major improvement in the economic situation in china, i think we should be more cautious about expecting a boom in oil demand growth.— in oil demand growth. despite all of this, _ in oil demand growth. despite all of this, us _ in oil demand growth. despite all of this, us stocks - in oil demand growth. despite all of this, us stocks are - all of this, us stocks are shrugging off the challenges and hitting record highs. take a look at how the us markets ended on friday. big tech, falling inflation and strong earnings season are considerable factors that have contributed to what we are looking at at the moment. here is more.

the us stock market is on a hot streak. the s&p 500 has notched multiple record closes since the start of the new year, and even closed above the 5,000 mark for the first time ever on friday — that's after flirting with that number for days. the dow has also notched some record highs, and you can bet the nasdaq is up, as well. now, there are a few reasons why the us stock market is powering ahead. 0ne — it's earnings season, and a bunch of prominent companies have shown higher—than—expected earnings. two — the tech sector, especially powered by enthusiasm over artificial intelligence. it's true for some of the biggest names in the industry like amazon, alphabet, apple, nvidia, microsoft and meta. three — a blockbuster jobs report injanuary showed 353,000 jobs added, and unemployment staying at 3.7%. that's on par with historic lows, and that's great for the economy. what's also great is falling inflation — that would allow the fed to cut interest rates, which would allow already strong companies

to borrow more cheaply. now, all of this sounds like a virtuous cycle, and investors are wondering how long it can go on for, and how high it can take markets. but what we don't know are the unknowns that could bring markets back down to reality. now to india, and they have been new developments in that messy public divorce are one of the country's billionaires. his estranged wife has levelled fresh allegations at that textile magnate and promoter. 0ur india business correspondent has exclusive details. good are having on the programme. tell us about what this is about.— this is about. this is essentially - this is about. this is essentially a - this is about. this is j essentially a marital this is about. this is - essentially a marital dispute which first came to light in november 2023 when his

estranged wife accused him of domestic violence and physical abuse. they were both engaged in talks and she had asked for 75% of his $1.4 billion in talks and she had asked for 75% of his $1.1; billion fortune and those stocks have completely collapsed. she has gone ahead and made fresh allegations with a fresh police complaint against her husband saying he was spying on her, there was constant surveillance against her and her children, that there was some sort of spyware kept in her car and her husband's staff wet forcefully occupying herfather�*s property occupying her father's property in occupying herfather�*s property in their western state of gujarat. gautam singhania has told the bbc these are completely false and baseless allegations. this is certainly something that will have continuing uncertainty in the

stock price because it will affect shareholders. both gautam singhania and his wife continue to remain on the board with gautam singhania serving as its chairman and ceo. the stock has already lost 10% since the allocations first came to light in november 2023 and there are now these fresh allegations to deal with. we will leave — allegations to deal with. we will leave it _ allegations to deal with. we will leave it there. thank you for bringing us up to date. also getting you up to date with what else we are looking ahead to all through the week. apart from that 0pec report we have been talking about, focusing on india which will release its inflation data later in the day. food prices are in focus as some analysts are in focus as some analysts are expecting them to drop slightly after surging late last year. that is later today then we move on to the us, late in the week, when we get inflation numbers from their and they will be watched closely for hints of when the federal reserve possibly will start lowering interest rates. then we move on to indonesia

when voters go to the polls, or rather vote on wednesday, to elect the next president. for many, jobs and economy will be a major concern. we will have news from jakarta on the day. it is at time of the year were people across china spend time with their families as they make their way back home for the lunar new year. fear and bite you are by far the most popular alcoholic beverages are popular alcoholic beverages are popular but is sure are increasing numbers are pouring themselves glasses of whiskey and for some of the world's largest makers of alcohol it is competition time. for millennia in china, booze has been about baijiu — a very strong, clear liquid made with fermented grains, often sorghum. but in recent times, we've seen the growing popularity of alcohol from abroad. china, for example, is now the world's greatest importer of red wine. and when it comes to the hard stuff, whisky is where the growth is at.

sojust over a year ago, china's whisky market was valued at $2.3 billion. now that's expected to almost triple by 2027 — an annual growth of 20% each year from the chinese market, compared to 4% growth worldwide. it's something whisky—sellers here in asia are looking to capitalise on. let's go meet one. why has the price of whisky exploded so much? the thing about whisky is the age is very important. you have to wait at least ten to 20 years to have the result. you have to have this instinct to do this collection before everybody do it. tell me about exactly the astronomical increases in prices that we've seen. for example, the really famous islay distillery, bowmore, and the 50—year—old one released eight years ago, when the release is $20k us, but right now it's $75k us. so you can see the growth is immense. do you see a lot of sales coming from china? yeah, because the chinese new year is kind of like a christmas in europe. it's like a festive

and people want to spend money, buy nice gift, and have something memorable. so whisky is part of their memory, as well. international brands are taking the made—in—china route to cater to this growing demand. the french alcohol company pernod ricard — behind such brands as jameson, beefeater gin and absolut vodka — is ploughing $140 million into a production base in the sichuan area. it's a similar story for rival diageo, which opened a plant in december. diageo is a number—one whisky player in the world, and also a number—one whisky player in china. we are here for a long—term play and, as a consequence of that, we have opened our apac innovation hub based out of shanghai. diageo and pernod ricard are battling to be the world's top spirits—maker, and the potential of an emerging market like china makes it a key battleground in that fight.

diageo says demand is so strong, there's space for everyone. as for china's whisky consumers, they're young, highly educated and with money to spend. many of them are shunning baijiu in favour of less—alcoholic international options. and international whisky—makers are in good spirits as they look to take a big gulp of that market. tiktok has signed a sponsorship deal with britain's 0lympics team to help grow its athletes online influence. team gb and polemics gb say the short video app will help athletes increase their fan app will help athletes increase theirfan base. that is app will help athletes increase their fan base. that is all app will help athletes increase theirfan base. that is all for now, stay tuned to bbc news. bbc news — bringing you different stories| from across the uk. music therapy at the nottingham wellbeing hub. it's all about tackling the demons of addiction. there's a wide range of support here for people at their lowest ebb. lee created the garden. he's a paid recovery connector with first—hand experience. lee spent decades addicted to alcohol that got him into serious trouble.

when i got released from prison, iwas effectively street homeless. that was a massive shock. you can't live a normal life on the streets. you will fall into some sort of alcohol or drug abuse. they want your curtains drawn on your own, hating the world and you just go to stop. 130 men and women are currently being supported by the rough sleepers drug and alcohol treatment team here. paul's 35 years old. i split with my partner. i ended up street homeless for 12 months. when i was on the streets, i ended up with pneumonia. how much have they helped you here? if i didn't get the help that i got i'd probably be dead or i'd be in prison. i've been in here and i've screamed my head off and they've known how to deal with me. you know what i mean? they're using all sorts of techniques to help people change their lives. everything from acupuncture to addiction treatments and debt and housing advice all under one roof. for more stories from across the uk, head l to the bbc news website.

there are not many first left forjack hemmings but today he is about to pilot a spitfire, a dream unrealised until now. he was a squadron leader in the royal air force during the war and has long been an admirer of the aircraft.

and has long been an admirer of the aircraft-— the aircraft. the spitfire and the aircraft. the spitfire and the hurricane, _ the aircraft. the spitfire and the hurricane, if— the aircraft. the spitfire and the hurricane, if they - the aircraft. the spitfire and the hurricane, if they have l the aircraft. the spitfire and l the hurricane, if they have not succeeded in overcoming the luftwaffe, they would have been an invasion and britain might have become german. jack is still working _ have become german. jack is still working hard _ have become german. jack is still working hard for- have become german. jack is still working hard for the - still working hard for the charity he loves, the flight todayis charity he loves, the flight today is all about raising awareness and vital funding. after plenty of waiting, the weather was right, and it was time to take to the skies. after taking the controls for a time, jack then relaxes as the pilot performs victory roles. not one, not two but three! and when you have waited this long to fly in a spitfire, it would be rude not to make the most of it. would be rude not to make the most of it—

most of it. for more stories across the _ most of it. for more stories across the uk, _ most of it. for more stories across the uk, head - most of it. for more stories across the uk, head to - most of it. for more stories across the uk, head to the l most of it. for more stories . across the uk, head to the bbc news _ across the uk, head to the bbc news website. _ hello and welcome to sports day. i'm lizzie greenwood—hughes with the headlines. celebrations for the ivory coast, the new champions of africa after they beat nigeria in the final in abidjan. but tragic news from the world of athletics. it's reported the world marathon record holder kelvin kiptum has been killed along with his coach. and in football arsenal break their premier league away record at west ham. hello again. well, we're starting with football and the africa cup of nations where there are huge celebrations in abidjan after the ivory coast won

the title for the third time in their history. sebastien haller was the hero as they came from behind to beat nigeria 2—1 in the final on home soil. piers edwards reports. after their disastrous group stage display, the prospect of ivory coast lifting the nations cup trophy was simply improbable. but ever since, the miracles have just kept coming, squeezing through as a best third place side into the knockout rounds, where the elephants came alive under a new coach. despite trailing in the final for a third time in the knockout rounds, as captain william troost—ekong gave nigeria a first half lead. the elephants bounced back yet again, first through franck kessie before sebastien hallerfired home the winner nine minutes from time. cue huge celebrations in abidjan as the ivorians moved level with nigeria on three titles apiece. now, well, here's more reaction from the former ivory coast international kolo

toure and the former manchester city defender nedum 0nuoha, who were both