Business

According to preliminary data released on Monday, Japan's economy grew by 0.2 percent annually in the last quarter of 2025, bouncing back from a contraction in the previous quarter but far below expectations of +1.6 percent growth. Also in this edition, Warner Bros. Discovery is reportedly considering reopening sale talks with Paramount Skydance. Plus, China's successful "winter economy" could be a blueprint to bolster domestic consumption. 

Indian farmers and trade unions have staged a day of nationwide strikes and protests over a recently announced trade deal with the United States. While the government says measures to safeguard the country's agriculture sector have been put in place, Indian farmers worry the agreement will lower barriers for US farm products. We take a closer look.

In a rare move, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives has approved a resolution to undo President Donald Trump's ability to impose tariffs on Canadian goods. We take a closer look. Also in this edition: EU leaders meet for an informal retreat aimed at setting a course to improve competitiveness in a "new global economy".

US President Donald Trump is threatening to block the opening of a new cross-border bridge between the US and Canada over concerns Washington has been treated unfairly over the course of the project. In this edition, we see whether Trump's claims about the bridge are fair and whether other motives could explain his threats. Also, Argentinians want an update on the method used to calculate inflation, which hasn't changed since 2004.

French metal giant ArcelorMittal has confirmed it will go ahead with a plan to build a new electric furnace to replace one of its coal-powered ones at its steel mill in northern France. Half of the €1.3 billion investment will come from a state-backed energy efficiency mechanism. President Emmanuel Macron toured the Dunkirk site to mark the occasion. Also in the segment, we look at the state of Cuba's economic crisis amid severe fuel shortages. 

Meta Platforms and YouTube defended themselves in a landmark civil suit in Los Angeles on Monday, where they were accused of purposely designing their products to cause addiction in children. The US's leading tech companies are facing several similar court cases across the country. Also in this edition, French President Emmanuel Macron calls for the EU to launch a joint borrowing mechanism to invest in AI, green tech and quantum computing.

The digital economy now accounts for 17 percent of global GDP and is worth over $20 trillion, according to a new report by the International Data Centre Authority (IDCA). But growth has been uneven across the world, with more than 1 billion people having poor access to electricity. IDCA's CEO Mehdi Paryavi tells FRANCE 24 that poorer nations can develop digital economies that can empower those nations and improve energy access and education. 

The Nikkei 225 index in Tokyo, which tracks the performance of Japan’s largest companies, hit a new record on Monday after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured a two-thirds majority in the lower house over the weekend. Takaichi ran on an ambitious big-spending agenda, welcomed by investors, although concerns over the country’s debt load –around 230% of GDP – are likely to persist.

Businesses across Italy could see a windfall of some $6 billion, as spectators head to the Alps for the Winter Olympics. The Milano-Cortina 2026 Games have run over budget, although by a smaller amount than previous competitions. Giulia Wedam, co-Founder & CEO of the tourism agency Cortina IN, says she's expecting a boost in business that will outlast the Games themselves.   

Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC, Asia's most valuable company, has announced plans to produce 3-nanometre cutting-edge chips in Japan. Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi lauded the announcement as "the missing piece for the country" since she's looked to bolster domestic chipmaking ahead of lower house elections on February 8. Also in this edition: Cuba is on the edge of a "humanitarian collapse" as it faces an oil siege imposed by the United States.