France 24 - Business

The ChangeNOW climate event, a meeting place for business and political leaders to discuss sustainable solutions for our planet, has kicked off in Paris. The event's co-founder and Chief Development Officer Kevin Tayebaly tells me how SDGs have provided opportunities to businesses and how a new ecosystem of startups, industry, and investors has been growing in size.

US President Joe Biden has ordered the release of 50 million barrels of oil from America's strategic petroleum reserves, as he leads a concerted effort with major oil consumers including China, to try and bring down energy prices. So what are SPRs and how do they work? Catherine Viette reports.

French lawmakers debate used device levy

The price of a used smartphone could be about to jump in France, if lawmaker approve a draft law currently being debated in the Senate. Workers who recondition old devices say they fear the potential impact on their jobs.

The world inched closer to the biggest overhaul of the international tax system in a generation, after the last major holdout, Ireland, agreed to sign on to a 15% global corporation tax rate.

How could US lawmakers regulate Facebook?

Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen told U.S. Senators that new rules are needed to govern social media companies. So what options could lawmakers pursue? Our Business Editor Stephen Carroll has been finding out.

Rubbish piles up in Marseille as refuse collectors go on strike

A strike by refuse collectors in the French city of Marseille has left rubbish piling up on the streets. The workers are in dispute with the local authorities over their working hours.

Consumer group calls for tax cut as French gas prices set to jump

French households will be paying almost 13 per cent more for their natural gas from Friday of this week, as the cost of wholesale gas has jumped. One consumer group wants the French government to cut taxes to help ease the burden.

Arc France, which runs the biggest glassware factory in the world, is in deep financial waters and may seek government help... again. Despite receiving a lot of orders and having only recently hired more than 200 people, the glassmaker is struggling to deal with ongoing global supply disruptions.

Choosing to buy food or electricity: Spanish energy price hikes hit home

The price of electricity in Spain has soared in recent months because of the increased cost of gas. That's meant some people having to make difficult decisions about how to cope with the price rises.

Investors relieved as Evergrande says it will make one debt payment

Global markets have been rattled in recent days by fears the Chinese property developer Evergrande may default on its debts. Now the company says it will make one of the two payments due tomorrow, but the situation regarding the second instalment is still uncertain.

French businesses see energy costs soar

Rising gas prices are pushing up electricity costs across Europe. While French consumers are being warned of bigger bills from next year - businesses are already seeing price rises.

French shipbuilder Naval loses out as Australia scraps submarine contract

The French shipbuilder Naval is in line for compensation worth tens of millions of euros after Australia cancelled a mega-contract to build twelve submarines for its navy. It's small consolation for losing a deal dubbed 'the contract of the century'.

Apple rushes out security patch to fix spyware weakness

Apple is urging users to upgrade their iOS after the discovery of a spyware infection via its iMessage service. Researchers say it's the first 'zero click' attack that could infect a device without clicking on a link or file.

"Fortnite" maker Epic Games is filing an appeal after a US court handed a mixed ruling in its antitrust case against Apple. While saying that Apple cannot prevent developers on its App Store from directing users to a third-party payment options, the judge also ruled it's OK for the tech giant to continue taking sizeable commission fees.

US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping talked for 90 minutes over the phone - their first conversation in seven months. The Biden administration has yet to establish a trade policy with China. Despite worsening diplomatic tensions, bilateral trade has boomed this year in part due to the pandemic.

Spain considers boosting minimum wage

As Spain considers boosting its minimum wage, we compare the situation across the EU, and look at the possible link with inflation.

Europe's first major auto show since the start of the pandemic is kicking off this week, not in Frankfurt but in Munich. This year's edition of IAA Mobility promises to be very different... and it's not all about cars.

Hurricane Ida has caused widespread economic damage to the US East Coast and could become one of the most costly weather disasters on record. President Joe Biden has directed the federal government to release the Strategic Petroleum Reserve after the storm disrupted oil production.

A judge has approved a landmark bankruptcy settlement linked to the opioid epidemic in the United States. Purdue Pharma will be dissolved under the deal, and its owners the Sackler family will pay $4.5 billion, and be immune from future lawsuits.

Luxury brands hit as China warns of tax rises for rich

Tens of billions of euros were wiped off the market value of big luxury brands in recent weeks, after China's President signalled that rich people may have to pay more tax. Investors fear this could hit sales of brands like Louis Vuitton and Chanel.