Canadian truckers protesting against Covid-19 restrictions are blocking three major border crossings with the US. The movement is affecting businesses, especially the auto industry. The blockade of the Ambassador Bridge that connects Windsor, Ontario to Detroit, Michigan has forced major car plants to shut down or run at reduced capacity due to parts shortages. We take a closer look.

Business daily

Canadian truckers' blockades hit automakers with parts shortages

Inflation in the US has surged to the highest level in four decades. January's 7.5 percent reading is the fastest annual pace since 1982. It will add more pressure to the US Federal Reserve to rein in the spiralling price rises. Also in the show: French President Emmanuel Macron announces plans to build new nuclear reactors to boost energy production. 

US inflation soars to 40-year high

Disney's earnings jumped above pre-pandemic levels in its latest financial results, boosted by the return of visitors to the company's theme parks. The streaming service Disney+ also added almost 12 million subscribers in the last three months of 2021, more than expected, thanks to popular additions including the Beatles documentary "Get Back". Also today, we look ahead to French President Emmanuel Macron's announcements on nuclear power, which is becoming a major issue in April's presidential election.

Rollercoasters and The Beatles help to boost Disney's earnings

The price of Bitcoin dipped in early trading on Wednesday, after the US Justice Department announced it had arrested two people and seized Bitcoin worth $3.6 billion that was stolen from the exchange Bitfinex in 2016. The investigation is being closely watched by players in the cryptocurrency sector as to how investigators are tracking criminal activity involving the tokens. Also today, we report on protests in Argentina against the latest agreement with the International Monetary Fund.

Bitcoin dips after US officials seize $3.6 billion of stolen cryptocurrency

It was the biggest ever deal in the chipmaking industry, but US firm Nvidia has abandoned its planned $40 billion purchase of Britain's Arm Holdings. The sale was called off after pressure from regulators in the UK, EU and US. Softbank, Arm's current owner, is planning to float the company on the stock market instead. Also today, we look ahead to the announcement of EU plans to boost semiconductor production.

Chips are down: Nvidia abandons $40 billion deal to purchase Arm Holdings

Some of the world's top corporations have made bold promises to reach carbon neutrality. But according to a report from the New Climate Institute, many of them are far off track from their own targets. Also, Japanese conglomerate Toshiba revises its restructuring plan, and cryptocurrency exchanges are planning to spend big at the Super Bowl.

Major multinationals falling short on 'net zero' climate pledges, report claims

We take a look at the business of this year's Winter Olympics. A report suggests the true cost is 10 times more than the official $3.9 billion price tag, but Beijing is banking on other benefits. Also, Amazon reports another strong sales quarter, with its advertising business playing an increasingly significant role.

The business of Beijing 2022: Are the Games worth the hefty price tag?

Inflation in Turkey has soared to nearly 49 percent - the highest level in two decades. It's another sign that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's unorthodox monetary policy may not be bearing fruit. Also in the show: as energy prices surge, British authorities unveil more financial aid for electricity bills, and Facebook shares plunge as it reports a drop in user numbers for the first time. 

Turkey's inflation rate soars to 49% as Erdogan defends policy

The number of daily users of Facebook has fallen for the first time in the social network's 18-year history. The news sent shares in the platform's parent company Meta plunging by more then 20 percent in after-hours trading on Wall Street – a slump which wipes around $200 billion off its market value. In a call with investors, CEO Mark Zuckerberg pointed notably to the increased competition the company was facing from TikTok. FRANCE 24's Business Editor Stephen Carroll explains.

Drop in Facebook user numbers wipes $200 billion off parent company's value

Inflation in the eurozone hit another record high in January, climbing to 5.1 pertcent for the first time since records began. The price surge was driven by the rising cost of energy. Also in the show: Egyptian authorities consider rolling back a bread subsidy scheme, and French drivers rush to retrofit their cars with electric motors. 

Eurozone inflation hits record 5.1% as energy prices surge

Ministers from the OPEC+ group of oil-producing countries are meeting on Wednesday to discuss supply levels, as prices have soared to their highest since 2014. The 23 states are responsible for more than 40 percent of global oil production. Prices have jumped in recent months, as supply has failed to keep pace with demand. OPEC+ has been gradually increasing production since July, but the group is coming under pressure from countries including the US to go further. We take a closer look.

Oil producers discuss production levels as prices hit seven-year high

The German government has blocked a Taiwanese company from buying chip supplier Siltronic. The €4.3 billion deal would have had a major impact on the semiconductor industry. Germany – and the European Union – are trying to protect domestic producers from foreign takeovers, while boosting their own share of the chip market. Also in the show: eurozone unemployment hits a record low, and the overnight hit game Wordle gets sold to The New York Times. 

Germany blocks Taiwanese takeover of chip supplier

India's government has announced billions of euros worth of investment in infrastructure, as part of the country's recovery from the economic slump linked to the Covid-19 pandemic. The finance minister unveiled a public spending package totalling more than €470 billion for the next financial year, including money for roads and railways. Also today, we look at the New York Times' deal to buy the popular online game Wordle.

India plans major infrastructure investment in big-spending budget

Music streaming giant Spotify has published its content policies, which have not been changed, and said it would add a content advisory to any podcasts discussing Covid-19. The move comes after a backlash over a recent episode of prominent vaccine skeptic Joe Rogan, which prompted musicians Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, as well as some other artists, to pull their works off the platform.  Plus, China's factory activity slowed in January as Covid lockdowns weighed on manufacturing and demand.

Spotify adds content warnings as Joe Rogan apologises over Covid controversy

The French economy grew an estimated 7 percent in 2021, fuelled by strong domestic demand despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and rising inflation. Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire says the new figures also show the government's policies have worked, praising the "spectacular" bounceback that wiped out the impact the pandemic had on the economy in 2020. Plus, Apple reports all-time record quarterly sales, helped by strong iPhone 13 sales in both developed and emerging markets. 

French GDP grows 7% in 2021 in strong rebound

A daily update on the latest business and economic news. Live on weekdays at 8.15 am Paris time.

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