South Sudanese model Majda John Peter has been crowned the winner of the world's most prestigious modelling competition, as the event held by global agency Elite returned on Tuesday.

The International Monetary Fund says a first agreement has been reached on a $2.9 billion loan to the bankrupt country. Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis in more than 70 years.

Zambia took a crucial step closer on Wednesday to restructuring its debts and rebuilding its ravaged economy. The International Monetary Fund said in a statement that it had approved a $1.3 billion, 38-month loan program with the southern African country.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says the US will support the restructuring of Sri Lanka's debt and will extend financing assurances to the country. This as Sri Lanka suffers its worst economic crisis in seven decades. We report on how fishermen are having to use oars instead of motors to set to sea. But first, we look at the EU's proposed plan to cope with the energy crisis, as well as discouraging data from China's export sector.

World Bank Group President David Malpass warns that developing countries in particular are facing a large pile of debt as they struggle to leave the coronavirus crisis and recession behind.

At the head of a right-wing coalition, far-right Brothers of Italy leader Giorgia Meloni is gearing up to become Italy's new head of government. On the economic front, she'll be faced with rising consumer prices as well as the ongoing issue of national debt.

Earlier this week the IMF said sub-Saharan Africa faced its “most challenging environment in years”, with the region's pandemic recovery disrupted by surging inflation, rising interest rates and a global slowdown.

Runaway inflation and soaring food prices have compelled Ghana and Zambia to seek bailouts from the International Monetary Fund. This week, traders across Ghana closed shop to protest the worsening economy.

At least 220 people were killed in two days of tribal fighting in Sudan's southern Blue Nile province. The provincial government declared a 30-day state of emergency and banned gatherings.

On the first anniversary of Sudan's military coup, the country remains stuck in a political stalemate. But, despite the increasingly difficult humanitarian situation, the population hasn't given up hope.

On the first anniversary of the military coup that derailed Sudan's transition to civilian rule, at least one protester is killed and thousands take to the streets against the power grab. Also, key peace talks open in South Africa between Ethiopia's federal government and Tigrayan rebels. Finally, part of the world's largest telescope SKA is hosted by South Africa to study the birth of the universe.

FRANCE 24's Europe team brings you a new series of Europe Now programmes, focusing on "levelling up" – efforts aimed at making life more equal across Europe's many and diverse regions