FRANCE 24’s analyses of the economic events and technological innovations shaping our world, including economic trends, energy markets, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and space exploration.
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Italy's trucker protests halt buffalo mozzarella production, cost producers €3 million
22 October 2026Italy's diesel-price protest halts buffalo mozzarella production, with producers estimating €3 million in losses in just 24 hours as milk fails to reach dairies and finished cheeses cannot reach customers. In banking, Barclays announces it will cut around 5,000 jobs – roughly 5 percent of its workforce – as it uses artificial intelligence to reduce costs. This comes as Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang urges "responsible optimism" on AI in Berlin, even as AI-exposed stocks slide. -
Combatting online scams in the age of AI
22 October 2026One in four Europeans has fallen victim to an online scam, from identity fraud to fake romances. The rise of artificial intelligence is ushering in new risks. Minh Nguyen, Chief Product Officer at security solutions provider Entrust, says both online platforms and governments can play a role in protecting consumers and businesses. -
Meta's Zuckerberg pitches AI successes to investors with 26% rise in quarterly revenue
22 October 2026Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg touted the company's progress on artificial intelligence during an earnings call on Wednesday and called for more investment. The tech giant's Muse AI agent has garnered 10 million users since its launch six weeks ago, while third-quarter revenue rose to $64.6 billion. Meanwhile, the company is accused of political interference in Brazil's presidential election. Also in this edition, we check in on France's rising borrowing costs. -
French bond yields hit 24-year high after unrest
21 October 2026French bond yields have topped 5 percent, their highest level since 2002, after widespread protests and violence over the weekend. It's a sign that investors are losing confidence in France's finances, as the government grapples with budget and debt problems. Also in the show: chipmaker Nvidia says it's invested $10 billion in European tech firms to boost the "AI economy", and the UK approves a controversial natural gas field as PM Andy Burnham faces pressure over energy costs. -
Musk talks up potential merger of SpaceX and Tesla
21 October 2026As SpaceX reports blockbuster quarterly earnings, CEO Elon Musk floats the possibility of merging the rocketry and AI firm with his electric car company Tesla. Also in this edition: OpenAI reveals more agent misbehaviour as market turmoil hits data centre companies, and France's political crisis exacerbates its bond market rout. -
US regulators certify Boeing 737 MAX 10 after years of delay
20 October 2026The US Federal Aviation Administration has given final approval for the 737-10, the largest model in Boeing's best-selling MAX family. The certification comes more than five years after the narrowbody jet's maiden flight, and marks an important step for the planemaker that's been trying to regain ground following a safety and management crisis. Plus, the French government has offered all businesses affected by the recent riots an interest-free loan of up to €50,000. -
French retailers begin filing insurance claims after weekend of looting
20 October 2026Shop owners in France are counting the cost of the weekend's riots as the government works on new measures to help them recover from widespread looting. Also in this edition: Germany welcomes new investments from Nvidia into its tech scene, and energy prices continue to climb after new Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia. -
France tells online marketplaces to crack down on resale of looted items
19 October 2026As thousands of French shop owners are reeling from the weekend's violence and looting, listings of apparently stolen items have been popping up online. The government has asked major second-hand marketplaces such as Vinted, eBay and Amazon to crack down on suspicious adverts. -
French retailers reel after weekend of riots, looting
19 October 2026Representatives of the French business community gather for a crisis meeting with the government following widespread looting during the weekend's protests. Meanwhile, the country's tourism sector fears a drop in winter holiday bookings, and bond and currency traders sell off French debt and the euro. -
Who capped Starlink in Ukraine? Musk, Trump and Rubio give three different answers
18 October 2026Ukraine says speed limits on Starlink are still hampering military efforts to fight off Russian drones, days after a surprise network slowdown that Kyiv called deliberate and Washington denied ordering. We take a closer look in Tech 24.