Chinese exports drop in December, while trade surplus with US widens

The Social Democrats' narrow victory in Germany's federal elections suggests the country could be heading into a more progressive future. As coalition talks get started, business leaders want their priorities heard.

Traditionally, the hills of eastern Rwanda were a place for growing coffee, sweet potatoes, sugar cane and bananas. But in recent years, new plants have also appeared, such as patchouli, geranium and eucalyptus. Whole villages have begun to transform them into essential oils, helping lift many inhabitants out of poverty. And demand is booming for these wellness products worldwide. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Olivia Bizot.

Traditionally, the hills of eastern Rwanda were a place for growing coffee, sweet potatoes, sugar cane and bananas. But in recent years, new plants have also appeared, such as patchouli, geranium and eucalyptus. Whole villages have begun to transform them into essential oils, helping lift many inhabitants out of poverty. And demand is booming for these wellness products worldwide. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Olivia Bizot.

The standoff over migrants entering the EU between Minsk and Warsaw has hit local Polish businesses near the border, many reliant on tourism. With the winter coming and no end in sight to the crisis, DW visited the area.

Report: Africa to see less funding for fossil fuels - Nigeria introduces eNaira digital currency - Solar powered vehicles made in Germany?

Benefitting from soaring demand for online ads, Google's parent company Alphabet reported nearly $19 billion in profits between July and September, up 68 percent from the same period last year. Microsoft's earnings also beat expectations, while French consumers are gearing up for some price hikes at the bakery.

Bar owner Mohamed Lamin Mansaray told everyone to run away from his bar just before a fuel tanker exploded following a traffic collision, killing at least 99 people and injuring hundreds more on Friday (November 5) in Sierra Leone. The explosion destroyed Mansaray's business killing a staff member and destroying his home, which he had built for himself and his 10 family members. "We are getting into festive season....I have just purchased a brand new musical set, lots of drinks from the Sierra Leone brewery and chairs that worth about Le 270,000,000 (24,700 USD). Property that I have lost and one of my staff died”, said Mansaray while pointing at what is left of his business.

2021 brought big changes to households and businesses around the world. In the last show of the season, Stephen Carroll and Kate Moody take a look at some of the biggest business and economic stories of the year and how they might evolve in 2022.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is poised to win a fourth consecutive term in Sunday's presidential elections. But there's mounting pressure from the US and the EU who are using economic sanctions to promote change.

China will have 6.5 million more affordable rental housing units during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), an official of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development said on Tuesday.

Marie-Hélène Poisson is the only craftswoman to be entirely dedicated to Boulle work. This French technique, invented at the end of the 17th century, consists of inlaying antique furniture with decoration made of brass or tortoiseshell. Marie-Hélène learned the trade from her father and is now passing it on to her daughter. The future of Boulle inlay is safe in their hands. FRANCE 24 takes you to the town of Vendôme, in France's Loir-et-Cher region, for a closer look at this special craft.

We take a look at the business of this year's Winter Olympics. A report suggests the true cost is 10 times more than the official $3.9 billion price tag, but Beijing is banking on other benefits. Also, Amazon reports another strong sales quarter, with its advertising business playing an increasingly significant role.