El Salvador has become the first country in the world to make Bitcoin legal tender, despite surveys showing widespread scepticism about the move. The government has invested more than $20 million in the cryptocurrency in recent days, saying it will open up access to banking for many Salvadorans. Bitcoin will be accepted for payments in parallel with the US dollar. Also today, millions of Americans have lost their unemployment benefits as several pandemic-era welfare programmes have expired.

IAA Mobility Germany, one of the world's biggest auto shows, is kicking off on Tuesday in Munich. Traditionally a venue for carmakers to show off their latest, sleekest, most powerful models, this year's event promises to be very different. Organisers say the focus will be on "climate neutral mobility". Plus, the UK's main business lobby CBI warns that Britain's ongoing labour shortage could continue for up to two years.

Shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange jumped 2 percent as Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he would not run for re-election in the ruling party's upcoming leadership race, effectively stepping down as Japan's premier. His popularity had plunged to as low as 26 percent over his handling of the Covid-19 crisis. But first, US President Joe Biden has instructed the federal government to unlock the country's Strategic Petroleum Reserve in order to keep oil pumping after Hurricane Ida disrupted production.

A US judge has approved a bankruptcy plan for Purdue Pharma, the drugmaker at the centre of the country's opioid addiction crisis. The deal will see its owners, the Sackler family, contribute $4.5 billion and receive immunity from future lawsuits. The company pleaded guilty last year to criminal charges over the marketing of its highly addictive painkiller OxyContin. Also today, we look at how changes to Apple's App Store could benefit companies like Netflix and Spotify.

India's economy grew by a record 20.1 percent between April and June, compared to the same period last year when the country was experiencing a deep recession. The strong growth comes despite India seeing a surge in Covid-19 cases during that period. Also today, we hear how French luxury giants saw tens of billions of euros wiped off their market value after a warning that China's rich may have to pay more tax.

Afghanistan's economy is in a state of collapse as the final US forces leave the country. Prices are rising sharply, the currency has weakened and banks have placed limits on cash withdrawals. FRANCE 24's Business Editor Stephen Carroll looks at how the Taliban takeover has affected everyday business, as well as the broader state of the country's economy.

French finance minister Bruno Le Maire meets with representatives of some of the sectors worst affected by the health crisis, as he vows the French government is putting an end to its "whatever it costs" approach to Covid-19 relief. Also, Croatia gets a big boost from summer tourism and cruise operator Carnival faces a new lawsuit in the US, accusing the firm of neglecting passengers' health.

As Afghan civilian life continues to suffer following the Taliban's takeover, the World Bank is the latest international organisation to suspend dispersements of development funds to the country. This, as western governments increase pressure on the insurgents by squeezing their cash flows, while negotiating a safe exit for people wanting to leave. Also, the "naked baby boy", on the iconic cover of Nirvana's 1991 album "Nevermind", sues the band and record labels for child sexual exploitation.

The British government has announced details of its new state aid plan to replace EU rules after Brexit. It promises to provide for "timely and effective" subsidies, without sparking bidding wars between different parts of the UK. The new system will be watched closely by Brussels, as London has agreed to certain limits on government subsidies to business in its post-Brexit trade deal. Also, we look at calls for French hospitality workers to be paid more to help ease staff shortages.

A federal judge in the United States has dismissed two complaints over alleged breaches of competition law by Facebook. Judge James Boasberg said the claims by the Federal Trade Commission were "unsupported" and that the agency had not proven the social media giant was dominant in its sector. The news is a blow to efforts to rein in the power of big technology companies, although the FTC can file a new lawsuit within 30 days. We also look at the latest economic forecasts for France and China.