People in Martinique are protesting the cost of living. That's because food products on the island cost up to 42 percent more than in mainland France. Sri Lankans are gearing up for a presidential election – and this year, the economy will be at the top of voters' minds. The Bank of England decided to hold its key rate steady at 5 percent, a day after the US Federal Reserve kicked off its own rate cuts with a half percentage point reduction. 

Sri Lankan voters will head to the polls this Saturday to choose a new president. We'll see why the economy will be at the heart of the campaign with the financial collapse of 2022 still present in peoples' minds. In 2024, economic indicators have recovered but Sri Lankans are still suffering. Also in this edition, Donald Trump accuses the US federal reserve of "playing politics" after it cut its target interest rate.

The US Federal Reserve lowered its key lending rate by a deeper-than-expected 0.5 percent, in its first rate cut in more than four years. The move indicates that while monetary policymakers are confident about taming inflation, their focus has shifted to supporting the slowing job market. Plus, France 24's Yuka Royer speaks with Regina Mayor, Global Head of Clients & Markets at KPMG International, about what is top of mind for global CEOs amid economic uncertainty and technological advances. 

Norway's road federation revealed on Tuesday that the number of electric vehicles on its roads was now larger than the number of petrol cars. Though diesel cars are still the most common type of vehicle in the country, EVs could overtake them in 2026. In this edition, we take a look at why Norway is leading the way in the transition to electric mobility. Also on the show, we discover the sweet Algerian spread that's creating a viral sensation in France and attracting the attention of regulators.

After weeks of negotiations, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has unveiled her new top team, giving key economic portfolios to France, Italy and Spain. If approved by the European Parliament, the bloc's top brass will be charged with steering the EU's industrial agenda in the face of competition from China and the US. Plus, London Mayor Sadiq Khan announces a new plan to make a part of Oxford Street completely traffic-free. 

In a long memo sent to Amazon staff on Monday, CEO Andy Jassy told the tech giant's corporate employees that they would no longer be allowed to work remotely so that they are "better set up to invent, collaborate, and be connected enough to each other". Amazon had previously faced protests when reducing the number of days that staff could work from home. Also in this edition, Meta bans Russian state media platforms from its apps and Boeing cuts costs and freezes hiring amid a damaging strike.

Boeing has announced a hiring freeze and cost-cutting measures amid a crippling strike at its assembly plants that has brought production of its best-selling jets, including the 737 MAX, to a virtual halt. But first, lawyers for TikTok and ByteDance have made their case against a US law, signed back in April, that gave them until January 19, 2025 to sell the app to a non-Chinese buyer or face a ban. The legal battle is expected to go all the way to the Supreme Court.

TikTok's lawyers are heading to US federal appeals court to argue that a law forcing Chinese parent company ByteDance to sell or see the app banned in the country is unconstitutional. Also in this edition: Ukrainian women step up into traditionally "male" jobs amid a labour shortage due to Russia's invasion.

Visa-free travellers going to the UK will have to get permission prior to their visit as the government expands its Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA, scheme to all visitors. A similar plan is also in the pipeline for the European Union. Plus, the Olympics may be over but the medal race continues. Around 1,400 people from nearly 70 countries are taking part in the 47th edition of the WorldSkills competition that's underway in the French city of Lyon. 

Boeing workers in Washington and Oregon will be voting on Thursday night on whether to accept a new contract offer that increases wages by 25 percent over the next four years. If the deal is turned down, as has been predicted by union organisers, they will need a two-thirds majority to approve strike action. Also in this edition, we take a look at the plight of migrant workers in Singapore as Pope Francis calls for them to have a "fair wage" during his visit to the city-state.