The wave of mass layoffs continues to shake tech companies, from global giants to startups. With growing demand from consumers stuck at home and online, the tech sector went on a hiring spree during the pandemic. But since last year, as inflation rose and profits slowed, hundreds of thousands of workers have lost their jobs. FRANCE 24's Charles Pellegrin tells us what's behind the job cuts.

As many as 2.8 million people hit the streets across France on Tuesday in a second day of walkouts designed to protest the latest pension reform proposals. Perhaps the most controversial element of the government's reform would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. It would also increase from 42 to 43 the number of years that workers must pay into the system to receive a full pension. We explore what's at stake with economist François Geerolf.

Is the luxury sector recession-proof? Sales at high-end brands plunged at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, but they've since rebounded sharply, even as inflation soars and economic growth slows. Now many fashion houses are hoping that China's reopening will be another boost to their business. Our Business Editor Kate Moody sat down with Rachid Mohamed Rachid, chairman of the investment group behind brands like Valentino and Balmain, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The energy and cost of living crises were on top of the agenda at this year's World Economic Forum in Davos. Has the rush to cut off Russian fossil fuels helped or hindered European efforts to transition to green energy? We speak to Anders Opedal, the head of Norwegian energy company Equinor, as well as France's Minister of State for European Affairs, Laurence Boone.

2022 was a tumultuous year for crypto. One company fell after another, culminating with the spectacular collapse of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange and the arrest of its founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who is now under investigation for fraud. So what's in store for the industry this year? FRANCE 24's Kate Moody spoke to Brett Quick, head of policy at the Crypto Council for Innovation, a crypto advocacy group that establishes dialogues with governments and regulatory agencies.

2022 was dominated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the energy and inflation crises that stemmed from the war, as well as ongoing disruptions to global supply chains. In this show, we're looking ahead to 2023 with Ian Bremmer, president and founder of the Eurasia Group. It has just published its annual ranking of the biggest geopolitical and economic risks facing the global community. Top of the list is rogue Russia, followed by maximum Xi Jinping of China, weapons of mass disruption, inflation shockwaves and Iran.

The past year has been one of challenges for households and businesses around the world. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine upset a tentative global economic recovery and created new challenges for governments and consumers alike. FRANCE 24's Business Editors Kate Moody and Charles Pellegrin look back at some of the biggest business stories from 2022.

Global corporations are facing growing pressure to weigh in on political and social issues. But do they follow through, and can they still turn a profit? Kate Moody asks Katherine Valvoda Smith. She is the executive director of the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship and co-author of "The Executive's Guide to 21st Century Corporate Citizenship: How your Company Can Win the Battle for Reputation and Impact".

As widespread protests break out across China, we take a closer look at the impact of the zero-Covid policy on workers, businesses and the economy, by speaking to Professor Chang-Tai Hsieh of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. "There is no question that this has been an unmitigated economic disaster. The growth is down to levels that we haven't seen in decades," he told us.

"Quiet quitting" is the latest trend to sweep across the American workforce. The concept doesn't involve actually leaving one's job, but rather making a conscious decision not to go above and beyond basic duties. The expression began circulating in July when a New York-based engineer published a video on TikTok that went viral. But employers shouldn't dismiss this as a social media trend, warns Allyson Stewart-Allen, CEO of International Marketing Partners. "This is not a passing fad or just another employment cycle. This is a profound reassessment that people are taking time to do, to think about balance."