and that much profit, as well as so many customers, tends to attract the attention of government officials. and now the us department ofjustice, along with 16 different states, has filed a lawsuit against apple. apple charges as much as nearly $1600 for an iphone. but as our complaint alleges, apple has maintained monopoly power in the smartphone market not simply by staying ahead of the competition on the merits, but by violating federal anti—trust law. it accuses the company of blocking rival tech firms from accessing hardware and software features on the iphone, thus gaining an unfair dominance of the smartphone market. apple denies the accusations, saying in a statement... leaving apple and the us government heading for a lengthy argument in court over whether the tech giant is protecting its customers or making it difficult for them to leave. even very popular companies that make stuff that we care about have to compete for that loyalty that we have, and apple isn't doing that. and i think this is the last in four major lawsuits that we are seeing against major american tech companies. and it is a deliberate attempt to kind of reinvigorate anti—trust law enforcement in america. apple argues this case will hurt its ability to create the kind of technology people have come to expect from it. a court will now decide. michelle fleury, bbc news, new york. former us president donald trump, who is of course campaigning for a second go at the job, could be in line for a huge payout. trump media, which runs his social media platform truth social, is planning to launch on the stock market by merging with another firm. that deal is going to be voted on later today. it could leave mr trump with a majority stake worth around $3 billion. here'sjoao da silva with more. this is quite an astonishing deal for for a number of reasons. for a number of reasons. first, we're talking about a huge windfall for mr trump in exchange for a business whose own auditor warned last year it was at risk of failure. then there's the problem of sheer scale. the deal implies trump media, the owner of truth social, has a value of billions of dollars. but we know this business brought injust $3.3 million in revenue in the first in the first nine months of last year and lost nearly $50 million. so why is this merger happening at all? well, that isn't too hard to guess. we know that the backers of digital world, that's the potential buyer of trump media, are mostly individual investors, many of whom are apparently trump loyalists. so it does look like that if this sale is allowed to go ahead, these trump supporters will be taking on any risks involved and really putting their money where their loyalty really is. now, this deal isn't likely to immediately resolve mr trump's current financial issues, such as that m60 million fraud penalty in new york. the former president would be barred from selling his shares for at least six months, so the new company could grant him an exemption. mr trump could try to get a loan back by the value of the shares, but in this case, analysts said, a bank would probably lend him significantly less than the shares are worth on paper, given the obvious risks to the business. to india now. it's the fastest growing major economy in the world, but that growth is not being shared equally. a new report says india has the highest levels of inequality for a century. from mumbai, nikhil inamdar has more. well, this new study from the world inequality lab says income inequality is at a 100—year high here in india. and the share of wealth of india's top i% at a0.i% is also at its highest historical levels, beating even developed economies such as the us. the paper has been published by noted economists, including thomas piketty, the french nobel laureate. the researchers point blame towards india's income tax system, which might be regressive when viewed from the lens of net wealth, they say. so what can be done? the authors have proposed a super tax of 2% on the net wealth of the wealthiest 167 families in india to fight this inequality. it could yield up to 0.5% of national income in revenues, which they say can be used for public investments in health, education and nutrition. the distribution of economic growth in india has significant implications for global inequality dynamics, according to the lab. given india's massive size and population. in other news, in the uk shop sales saw zero growth last month as wet weather and cost—of—living pressures kept people at home. sales of clothing did go up, but that was offset by a decline in the sale of food and fuel, according to official figures. all this comes after a lacklustre december, then a strong bounce bank injanuary. the planned merger between vodafone and three in the uk could lead to "higher prices" and "reduced quality" for customers, according to the competition watchdog. the £15 billion deal could now be subject to an in—depth investigation. the combined group would be the uk's biggest mobile network with about 27 million customers. germany's football team is ending its 70—year relationship with adidas, announcing a new seven—year deal with american sports giant nike. the first nike kits will be unvieled in time for the 2027 season, but angry fans have taken to social media, unimpressed at the team ditching the german brand. this sunday marks 100 days days since the start of houthi missile attacks on container ships using the red sea. it has forced many shipping companies to re—route around the cape of good hope, adding more than a week to their freight times and disrupting international trade. let's talk to marco forgione, boss of the institute of export and international trade. boss of the institute of export thank boss of the institute of export you so much forjoin how thank you so much forjoining us. how serious is this situation, how bad is the disruption? the destruction _ bad is the disruption? the destruction has _ bad is the disruption? tue: destruction has been bad is the disruption? tte: destruction has been significant. bad is the disruption? "tte: destruction has been significant. in additional time and additional cost of shipping around the cape of good hope, the southern tip of africa. africa. as we expressed when they started, this was going to result in price pressures and we have seen that, it was going to impact shrink inflation, where products shrink in size and remain at the same cost. we have seen availability issues with large brands either pulse and production or showing that they have had disruption in their supply chain. tt had disruption in their supply chain. . , . had disruption in their supply chain. ., , ., ., had disruption in their supply chain. ., ., , chain. it has had a significant im act. chain. it has had a significant impact what _ chain. it has had a significant impact. what about - chain. it has had a significant impact. what about for - chain. it has had a significant - impact. what about for consumers, are we feeling the impact of this disruption? we are we feeling the impact of this disruption?_ are we feeling the impact of this disrution? . ., . ., , disruption? we are. we have seen --ies disruption? we are. we have seen pipes pressure. — disruption? we are. we have seen pipes pressure, we _ disruption? we are. we have seen pipes pressure, we have _ disruption? we are. we have seen pipes pressure, we have seen - pipes pressure, we have seen availability issues. more generally, what we are now seeing is an expansion of the threat area beyond the red sea in the gulf of aden, increasing somali pirate attacks, and further into the indian ocean and further into the indian ocean and the straits of hormuz. the problem started out with some of the attacks on the red sea have expanded and that is having a growing impact on consumers and on trade. what and that is having a growing impact on consumers and on trade. what can the shipping — on consumers and on trade. what can the shipping companies _ on consumers and on trade. what can the shipping companies do? - on consumers and on trade. what can the shipping companies do? we - on consumers and on trade. what can the shipping companies do? we have| the shipping companies do? we have seen a shift to _ the shipping companies do? we have seen a shift to the _ the shipping companies do? we have seen a shift to the tactical _ seen a shift to the tactical transportation that are being used, so there has been a move from sea freight to the china — europe rail freight to the china — europe rail freight and demand that has gone through the roof and the number of trains leaving china coming to the eu has increased dramatically. there is also being some shift to air freight, as well, but none of that is sustainable in the longer term. what we have to see it as a conclusion of the weaponisation of trades around the red sea and suez. there has also been an impact on the nations. we are seeing growing problems and risk of famine and some of the african nations who are dependent on the red sea for their freight and aids.— dependent on the red sea for their freight and aids. thank you so much for “oininu freight and aids. thank you so much forjoining us- _ weightwatchers has had a bit of a rollercoaster ride of late. the company was rocked when oprah winfrey left the board, the share price has tumbled and it has been hit by the increasing popularity of weight—loss drugs. tadhg enright has been speaking to the company about 0prah's latest moves and the impact of those weight loss pills. in particular that we're talking about are definitely game—changers. they certainly have the lowest side effect profile and definitely are very well tolerated. however, they're not for everybody i think is really important to know that these drugs in themselves, they're just a band—aid. if you don't have the other treatment modalities present, which include a healthier lifestyle, having the right activity, getting good sleep, having the right resilience, all those things are so important to a comprehensive weight plan. amy, we have to talk about oprah winfrey because she recently stepped down from the board of weightwatchers, even donated her shareholding because of a potential conflict of interests, because she's been speaking a lot about her use of those weight loss drugs. how much of an impact has that had on weightwatchers? actually, although there's one story that you're seeing out there in the media, in the news about what's happening and its impacts. but the reality is we're actually excited because she's evangelising and supporting us in her most authentic self. she's able to tell her story, not feeling any type of influence and really wants people to understand in the most genuine way that weight health is an issue and you need to address it. you can see more of that interview and find out about the economic impact of the global obesity epidemic on �*talking business' this weekend right here on bbc news. the first airing in the uk is at 11.30pm on saturday and in the rest of the first showing is 2230 gmt on friday. the prime minister rishi sunak has just launched the local election campaign in derbyshire. with less than six weeks to go until polling day on the 2nd of may. let's take a listen to what the prime minister had to say. shill listen to what the prime minister had to say-— had to say. all rights? morning, morninu. had to say. all rights? morning, morning- how — had to say. all rights? morning, morning. how is _ had to say. all rights? morning, morning. how is everyone - had to say. all rights? morning, i morning. how is everyone doing? morning, morning, everyone. it is great to be here because there is no one better to be your first marathon ben bradlee, everyone! not only did ben bradlee, everyone! not only did ben literally create this role he also has a track record of bringing in investment. as the leader of nottinghamshire county council he secured billions of pounds and in this role he will have £4 billion to invest in driving growth, jobs and opportunity in the region and the £1.5 billion that he will have to invest in local transport is the largest amount that the government has ever given up front to any combined authority. applause. as you know, he also knows this area like the back of his hand, unlike his opponent who was the mp for watford. unlike his opponent who was the mp forwatford. he unlike his opponent who was the mp for watford. he will be a great mayor and he willjoin other great conservative mayor is like in teesside, delivering for his community after years of neglect on to the labour party. saving the airport, securing a free port, providing jobs and investment, making sure the high streets get the investment they deserve by making sure the treasury sets up a campus in darlington. that is levelling up in darlington. that is levelling up in action! then you go over to the west midlands where we have the great auntie streets. he is delivering for his community, making sure that he secures more investment than wales and scotland combined. he is making sure there are billions being invested in local transport idea smashing his targets all whilst protecting the green i also known know that king duncan up in north yorkshire will do a fantasticjob across the board, that is conservative mayors delivering for their communities. in contrast, just look at what is happening in london with city can. more interested in virtue signalling can actually deliver on. failing on crime, failing on housing and his transport policy is to tax motorists off the road and rename trend lines, for goodness' sake! and whilst auntie anne pam to chart the residents are planning an extra council tax, city can saddle says constituents with £400 in extra bills. itjust goes to show, what you get with labour? they tax you more and deliver less. applause. and it is the same across our consoles, too. just look at what is happening here. nottingham council effectively bankrupt after having a fire sale of assets they still can't balance the

Related Keywords

Apple , Company , Us , Lawsuit , States , Antitrust Laws , Landmark Lawsuit , Department Ofjustice , Claims , 15 , People , Iphone , Bit , Michelle Fleury , Sort , Around The World , 1 Billion , It Didn T , It Sjust , Reason , Parents , Android , Anything Else , American Tech Companies , Revenues , Wall , Rest , Family , Sales Ofjust , One , 50 Billion , 150 Billion , Customers , Profit , Attention , Government Officials , 16 , Smartphone Market , Competition , Complaint , Monopoly Power , Merits , 600 , 1600 , Accusations , Law , Hardware , Blocking Rival Tech Firms , Features , Software , Dominance , Statement , Government , Court , Argument , Tech Giant , Loyalty , Lawsuits , Stuff , Isn T , Last , Four , Case , Bbc News , Attempt , Technology , Kind , Law Enforcement , Ability , New York , Donald Trump , Trump Media , Line , Job , Payout , Course Campaigning For A Second Go , Deal , Trump , Mr , Planning , Stock Market , Firm , Stake , Social Media Platform Truth , 3 Billion , 6 Billion , Business , More , Number , Reasons , Auditor , First , Exchange , Windfall , Here Sjoao Da Silva , Media , Problem , Billions , Value , Risk , Revenue , Truth , Social , Failure , Scale , Dollars , Owner , 3 Million , Nine , Merger , Isn T Too Hard , 0 Million , 50 Million , World , Supporters , Sale , Investors , Many , Backers , Loyalists , Buyer , Issues , President , Money , Fraud Penalty , Deal Isn T , Shares , Loan Back , Exemption , Six , Growth , Paper , Given India , Levels , Risks , Economy , Bank , Report , Analysts , Inequality , Income Inequality , Inequality Lab , Study , Nikhil Inamdar , Mumbai , 100 , Wealth , I , Share , Economists , High , Economies , Blame , Income Tax System , Lens , Researchers , Nobel Laureate , French , Thomas Piketty , Income , Investments , Tax , Families , Authors , Health , Education , Nutrition , 0 5 , 167 , 2 , Size , Distribution , Lab , Population , Implications , Global Inequality Dynamics , News , Sales , Uk , Pressures , Weather , Shop , Home , Zero , Bounce Bank , Injanuary , Clothing , Figures , Food , Decline , Fuel , December , Vodafone , Investigation , Group , Quality , Competition Watchdog , Subject , Prices , Mobile Network , 5 Billion , Three , 15 Billion , 27 Million , Football Team , Relationship , Nike Kits , American Sports Giant Nike , Germany , Adidas , 70 , Seven , Social Media , Team , Brand , Season , Fans , German , 2027 , Shipping Companies , Red Sea , Container Ships , Missile Attacks , Times , International Trade , Cape Of Good Hope , Houthi , Boss , Institute , Export , Situation , Forjoin , Marco Forgione , Let S Talk , Disruption , Destruction , Shipping , Cost , Bad , Tte , Tue , Tip , Africa , Inflation , Price Pressures , Products , Availability , Impact , Consumers , Supply Chain , Showing , Chain , Tt , Production , Brands , Pulse , Fact , Im , Pipes Pressure , Area , Disrution , Ies Disruption , Pressure , Availability Issues , Expansion , Threat , Gulf Of Aden , Some , Attacks , Indian Ocean , Straits Of Hormuz , Somali Pirate , Trade , Shift , Transportation , Move , China , Sea Freight , Roof , Demand , Europe Rail Freight , Europe , Air Freight , Trains , Term , None , Well , Weaponisation , Conclusion , Eu , Trades , Famine , Problems , Nations , African Nations , Suez , Oininu Freight And Aids , Weightwatchers , Aids , Rollercoaster Ride , Of Weightwatchers , Weight Loss Drugs , Share Price , Popularity , Moves , Hit , Weight Loss Pills , Oprah Winfrey , 0prah , Tadhg Enright , 0 , Drugs , Everybody , Side Effect Profile , Band Aid , Game Changers , Amy , Treatment , Activity , Resilience , Weight Plan , Lifestyle , Modalities , Sleep , Things , Shareholding , Interests , Lot , Conflict , Use , Story , Impacts , Reality , Issue , Weight Health , Influence , Self , Type , Way , Interview , Airing , Obesity Epidemic , 11 30 , 2230 , Rishi Sunak , Election Campaign , Listen , Derbyshire , 2nd Of May , 2nd Of May , Rights , Everyone , Morning , Morninu , Ben Bradlee , Role , Marathon , Track Record , Investment , Jobs , Opportunity , Leader , Nottinghamshire County Council , 4 Billion , Opponent , Applause , Mp , Mayor , Region , Transport , Back , Authority , Front , Hand , Amount , Watford , Forwatford , 3 5 Billion , 1 5 Billion , Community , Streets , Neglect , Port , Airport , Labour Party , Teesside , Levelling Up , West Midlands , Campus , Treasury , Action , Darlington , Auntie Streets , Scotland , Wales , Mayors , Fantasticjob , Communities , Contrast , Targets , Idea , King , Know , Green , North Yorkshire , City , Virtue Signalling , Crime , London , Council Tax , Transport Policy , Trend Lines , Residents , Sake , Road , Housing , Motorists , Auntie Anne Pam , Goodness , Itjust , Constituents , Bills , Show , Saddle , 400 , 00 , Consoles , Fire Sale , Assets , Nottingham Council ,