Business

The energy shock and economic headwinds caused by the Iran war have increased uncertainty in Latin America – but the region remains resilient. That's according to Ilan Goldfajn, president of the Inter-American Development Bank. He tells FRANCE 24 there are requests for "targeted support" like energy diversification and fertiliser needs. Also in the show: Jerome Powell gives his last press conference as Federal Reserve Chair, as his successor Kevin Warsh takes a step closer to confirmation. 

OPEC faces a double crisis as it manages both the energy shock caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the departure of the UAE. Also in this edition: Airbus reports some disappointing quarterly results. Plus, OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma is sentenced to $5.5 billion in fines for its role in the deadly opioid crisis in the US.

The United Arab Emirates has announced it will leave OPEC and OPEC+ on May 1, in a significant blow to the oil cartels. In a statement, the Gulf country said it was doing so to focus on its national interest. The country had often expressed frustration at production quotas set by the group, and its relationship with Saudi Arabia, OPEC's de facto leader, had become increasingly tense. 

Two of Silicon Valley's best-known tech moguls, Elon Musk and Sam Altman, are to face each other in court, with the trial's jury selection getting underway this Monday. The lawsuit is brought by Musk, who accuses Altman of fraud and is seeking more than $130 billion in damages for "betraying" the AI startup's founding mission of being non-profit. Plus, labelling rules on honey jars are set to toughen from mid-June in France, taking a new EU indication of origin rule into account. 

With a summer of travel chaos looming for many European holidaymakers, one ferry operator is promising smooth sailing. Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries, tells FRANCE 24 the line has enough supplies of maritime fuels to last the season, and vows not to raise ticket prices despite the global energy crisis. Also in the show: Warner Bros. shareholders vote to approve a takeover by Paramount Skydance, a mega-merger which could reshape the US media landscape. 

Shareholders in Warner Brothers Discovery are voting this Thursday to approve or reject a $110 billion acquisition offer from Paramount Skydance in the face of widespread opposition from Hollywood workers. Also in this edition: the US considers currency swap deals with its Middle Eastern and Asian allies, and European airlines face a turbulent summer travel season.

The European Union has unveiled plans to shield households and businesses from the energy crisis triggered by the war with Iran. The bloc says it has spent an additional €24 billion on energy imports because of higher prices since the war began, and it urged more investment in renewable energy. Also in the show: French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurates a lithium mine in a bid to reduce reliance on imports of critical minerals.   

Iranians are confronting mass layoffs and soaring inflation amid destroyed infrastructure and internet blackouts. We take a closer look. But first: US senators grill Donald Trump's nominee for Federal Reserve chair, and the global condom industry takes a blow from supply chain issues tied to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

France says the economic fallout from the Iran war has cost the country at least €6 billion, as the government has rolled out support measures for businesses and households, increased defence spending and faced surging borrowing costs. To offset this while meeting its budget deficit target, French officials say a freeze in some spending is necessary. Plus: Kevin Warsh, Donald Trump's pick for the next chairman of the Federal Reserve, has faced a grilling in the US Senate in a confirmation hearing. 

Apple has named John Ternus as its new CEO to replace Tim Cook, who is stepping down in September after 15 years at the helm of the tech giant. We take a closer look. Also, a new energy think tank report shows renewable energy accounted more than a third of electricity generation globally in 2025, a first in modern history. Plus: Donald Trump's Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh says the central bank must be largely independent of political influence as he faces the Senate Banking Committee this Tuesday.