The price of insulin is killing Americans

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Whistleblowers uncover corruption and help bring the truth to light, often benefiting society in the process. But in Africa they face dismissal, violence and murder. Extensive legislation seldom offers real protection.

After a 7 percent slump on Monday, oil prices saw further falls in Asian trading on Tuesday, as investors considered the impact of the latest Covid-19 lockdowns on demand for oil. The price of crude has been extremely volatile in recent months. At the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the international benchmark Brent rose to its highest level since 2008. Also today, we report on a protest by ride-hailing drivers in France over high fuel prices.

Russia's war in Ukraine is derailing the global economy's recovery from the pandemic. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is the latest to slash its forecast for economic growth, warning of high inflation and a possible food crisis. Also in the show: India's central bank raises interest rates for the second time in less than a month, while Turkey's government refuses to do so, despite spiralling inflation.

The German government is planning to expand the powers of its antitrust authorities. The move comes after recent measures to compensate for rising gasoline prices have turned into a profit windfall for oil companies.

After weeks of disruptive demonstrations, Ecuador's president Guillermo Lasso announced a price cut for gasoline and diesel. However, the reduction is far less than what protesters have demanded.

Nigerian manufacturers are lamenting the impact of higher diesel prices on operations, stressing that most businesses are at risk of shutting down due to macroeconomic challenges.

Nigeria says it is currently in talks with oil marketers over calls for an upward adjustment in the pump price of petrol, bridging claims payment, among others in the downstream oil sector. Luke Ofojebe, the Head of Research at Vetiva Research, joins me to discuss this development.

The European Union is proposing a cap on the price of Russian natural gas, despite Vladimir Putin threatening to cut off supplies for any market that does so. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also asking energy ministers to consider imposing a windfall tax on companies that have reaped the benefits of high oil and gas prices. It's a move many countries are considering - although the UK's new Prime Minister Liz Truss has ruled it out.

Ursula von der Leyen also proposed a price cap for firms profiting from rising energy prices and spoke of a "solidarity contribution" for fossil fuel companies.

The French government is extending its energy aid for households and businesses. Price hikes for electricity and gas bills will be capped at 15 percent and low-income families will receive direct payments of €100 to €200 each. Also in the show: Google loses an appeal over a €4.3 billion EU antitrust fine, as a court largely upholds a ruling that its Android operating system quashes competition.

With leaders set to meet Friday in Prague, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has floated new gas cap proposals.