Business

A Paris court could order the oil major TotalEnergies to halt the development of a Uganda pipeline, based on legislation that makes big companies liable for risks to the environment and human rights. The French oil giant has been accused by activist groups of not fairly compensating the people who were expropriated and of endangering Ugandan ecosystems. Also in the show, the White House urges government employees to enforce a ban on TikTok within 30 days. Finally, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis takes the keys of Disney's magic kingdom in Florida.

The annual Mobile World Congress brings together the biggest names in the telecoms industry and this year has reverted to its pre-pandemic format, with over 80,000 delegates expected in Barcelona. FRANCE 24's Leo McGuinn explains what the sector has in store to find a path back to profits. Also in this edition: some 11 days after saying they couldn't contact him, investment bank China Renaissance says its missing founder Bao Fan has been "cooperating" with Chinese authorities.

For the six months ending in December, the Australian national carrier Qantas posted profits of €920 million. It expects strong demand over the next two years as well. But as FRANCE 24's Bryan Quinn explains, dark clouds are still looming over the company and its decision to cut staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. Also on the show: South African utility Eskom asks its chief to take an early exit, and sandwich chain Subway is launching its own electric vehicle charging stations.

Microsoft is lobbying European regulators to approve its $69 billion takeover bid for video game giant Activision Blizzard. To allay concerns about competition, it's agreed to let Nintendo and Nvidia users access some of its titles. But there are still plenty of roadblocks for what could be the tech industry's biggest ever deal. Also in the show: carmakers Toyota and Honda agree to the biggest wage increases in two years for Japanese workers, and Pakistan nears a bailout deal with the IMF.

The missing founder of China Renaissance, Bao Fan, was looking to start a fund for his personal fortune, according to the Financial Times. Bao is one of the country's biggest financiers in the tech sector and could be the latest target of a crackdown on the industry. Also in the show, Hong Kong presents a new budget to help the territory's battered economy recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. And Starbucks's next big bet is to launch olive oil-infused coffee... in Italy.

Vladimir Putin claims the Russian economy has withstood Western sanctions, as he prepares to mark one year since the invasion of Ukraine. While Russia's GDP has contracted less than many analysts expected, Beata Javorcik of the EBRD explains that's largely the result of years of "sanctions-proofing", and doesn't mean that households and businesses aren't suffering. Also in the show: the EU's carbon price hits a record high of €100 per tonne, and Sri Lanka's cabinet agrees to start repaying its debt.

The nine US Supreme Court justices will hear arguments in two cases opposing individuals to large internet platforms this week. In both of them, the plaintiffs are the families of terror attack victims, who argue that internet giants should be held responsible for the content on their platforms. FRANCE 24's Bryan Quinn reports on a ruling that could change one of the founding principles of the internet. Also on the show: French President Emmanuel Macron defends his government's pension reform and UK businesses successfully trial the four-day work week.

Unable to pay its heating bill amid soaring energy costs, one Hungarian ballet company is getting a little extra help from one of its sponsors by rehearsing in an Audi factory. We take a closer look. Also, Meta unveils paid verification status for Facebook and Instagram. Plus, the US Supreme Court prepares to hear a case on foundational internet content law that has been brought by families of victims of jihadist attacks.

Labor action at seven German airports is set to ground nearly 300,000 passengers Friday as unions call for higher pay amid decades-high inflation. Portugal is ending its "Golden Visa" program for real-estate investors as housing prices skyrocket, and US regulators charge crypto firm Terraform Labs and founder Do Kwan with fraud in the $40 billion collapse of the Terra/Luna stablecoin system last year.

The South Korean capital's transport authorities have been posting losses because of the increasing number of silver surfers. As FRANCE 24's Georgina Robertson explains, some businesses are even taking advantage of the policy by employing seniors to deliver packages. Also in this edition, the US Congressional Budget Office gives a deadline for debt ceiling negotiations and hands in a sobering assessment of the nation's finances. And Sri Lankans are asked to pay 66 percent more for electricity.