Business

The EU has unveiled a "toolbox" of measures to protect vulnerable families from the rising price of energy. Member states are being encouraged to offer tax breaks or energy cheques, but France says the plan doesn't go far enough to ensure energy independence. Also in the show: IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva defends her record after being cleared of an ethics scandal at the World Bank, and shipping ports around the world are facing traffic jams.

As natural gas prices soar, French households are cutting back on heating. The European Commission is preparing to unveil a "toolbox" of measures designed to keep rising energy costs in check. Also, the US Congress approves a short-term hike in the debt ceiling and Apple is reportedly cutting back on its iPhone production amid the global shortage in computer chips.

Natural gas isn't the only commodity becoming more expensive. We take a look at what's driving the upsurge in global oil prices and how it's affecting consumers. Also, the International Monetary Fund is standing behind its embattled managing director and French President Emmanuel Macron prepares to unveil a massive new investment plan.

IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva is under fire amid accusations that she and other World Bank officials manipulated data in favor of China during her tenure as chief executive of the World Bank. Tesla tries to build support for its controversial Berlin Giga Factory, and Facebook says it will "nudge" teens away from harmful content.

After weeks of political wrangling, the US Senate has approved a bill to extend government borrowing through early December by raising the debt ceiling by about half a trillion dollars. The bipartisan deal prevents the US from defaulting on its credit obligations on October 18, though another cliff edge will come on December 3. Plus, a private airline in Ukraine has introduced a new design for its cabin crew uniform, ditching high heels and skirts in favour of trainers and trousers.

US lawmakers have reached a temporary truce on the debt ceiling, thereby avoiding the threat of a default in the coming weeks. But the deal to raise the government's borrowing limit through early December doesn't resolve their key differences over spending plans. Also in the show: Ireland agrees to sign onto a global corporate tax deal, ditching its own low rates.

In the US, Republican senators have said they would support a short-term lifting of the government's borrowing limit, in order to avoid a damaging default on October 18. In response, the White House said on Wednesday that no formal offer had yet been made. Spokesperson Jen Psaki urged senators not to "kick the can down the road" with a temporary solution. Also today, Russia's President Vladimir Putin could increase gas supplies to Europe to alleviate a spike in prices.

African economies are due to emerge from recession this year, but their recoveries remain fragile, according to the World Bank's Africa's Pulse report. Axel van Trotsenburg, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank, tells FRANCE 24 that rising inflation has led to more food insecurity across Africa. He wants the Covid-19 vaccine rollout to be accelerated in order to get 40 percent of the continent fully vaccinated by the end of the year.

Former Facebook employee Frances Haugen spent hours testifying to a US Senate committee on Tuesday, accusing the social media giant of pursing profits over safety. She called on lawmakers to pursue stricter oversight of technology companies, but what options does Congress have? We examine the current avenues of regulation that could be beefed up. Also today, unions representing hospitality workers in France call for a pay rise to combat the severe shortage of staff in the sector.

Gas prices have surged to a new high, underscoring the pressure on Europe's energy sector. The cost of natural gas has spiked around 400 percent since the start of the year. EU finance ministers have struggled to reach agreement on a coordinated approach to protect consumers – France and Germany are calling for sweeping reforms. Also in today's show: a whistleblower accuses Facebook of putting "profits before people", and unions in Hollywood call for a strike over working conditions.