Oil Prices Surge Amid Israel-Lebanon Conflict; UK Pound Struggles with Economic Forecasts

Despite a modest recovery on Friday, the UK pound is poised for its worst weekly performance in over a year, while oil prices are heading towards their largest weekly rise since 2023. The economic downturn comes as Israel escalates military operations in Lebanon, following missile strikes from Iran and continued rocket attacks from Hezbollah.

In this episode of The Standard Podcast, Dr James Meadway, economist at the Progressive Economy Forum, offers insight into how the ongoing Middle East crisis is affecting the UK economy and the financial outlook for the country.

Later in the podcast, the focus shifts to the world of immersive art. Jen Roebuck, CEO of Bermondsey’s Lumen Studios, discusses their latest exhibition, the Eclipse show, created by the French-Japanese art duo Nonotak. Visitors to this high-tech, immersive experience are enveloped in darkness, light, and sound as they navigate through a 1,000-square-metre space. The installation explores the intersection of art and technology, highlighting our growing fascination with immersive, real-world experiences.

The podcast offers a comprehensive look at the broader impact of global tensions on UK economic stability and the increasing popularity of immersive art installations.