French businesses welcome lockdown easing

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.

The tennis star is prepared to miss the French Open, Wimbledon and any tournament if they require jabs. He told the BBC that he is not against vaccines but wants "the freedom to choose what you put into your body."

French car giant Renault announced Wednesday it was immediately suspending operations at its Moscow factory after Kyiv called for a boycott of the company for remaining in Russia.

The coronavirus pandemic forced many companies to halt business travel almost overnight. The economic consequences for airlines and hotels have been dramatic, leaving many to wonder if corporate travel will bounce back.

The former US president has been fined $10,000 per day until he complies with a New York court order to turn over documents as part of an investigation into his business practices.

More European businesses in China are looking to shift their investments due to the country's strict coronavirus lockdowns, according to the European Chamber of Commerce.