Irregular rains, prolonged dry seasons threaten Cameroon’s cocoa economy

Costa Rica is considered a model country in Central America. But the pandemic and corruption have exacerbated inequality and poverty.

Hardly a week goes by in Cameroon without a video emerging that documents violence against gay or transgender people. Our Observers, LGBT rights activists, brought this worrying phenomenon to our attention. In this episode of The Observers Direct, we visited them on the ground to see how they help victims and fight to change public attitudes.

The war in Ukraine means a worsening of Poland’s economic outlook, an increase in inflation and possible stagflation. But it also means a big hole in the country’s labor market is being filled.

As more Ukrainians flee the Russian invasion, European governments are trying to meet the initial cost of supporting those refugees. One estimate puts the figure at $30 billion for this year alone. In this special show, we examine how a refugee crisis impacts the economy of host countries. Economist Emmanuelle Auriol from the Toulouse School of Economics shares her insights. We also speak to the founder of SEP, a group that's giving women refugees at the Jerash Camp in Jordan a fresh start through embroidery.

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to impact crucial food exports, wheat prices are soaring. Many African countries rely on Ukrainian and Russian grain exports and could face a severe food crisis. But in Cameroon, entrepreneurs are coming up with alternatives to wheat, which is used to make flour. Production of bread and cakes made from local cassava and sweet potato flour is now booming. These tubers are abundant in the country but are normally used unprocessed in traditional dishes. Our correspondents report.

The World Bank has estimated Ukraine's economic output will almost halve this year, slumping 45% as a result of the war with Russia. DW discussed that with Dmytro Los, chairman of Ukraine Business & Trade Association.

Beating expectations, Chinese economy grows 4.8% in first quarter of 2022. Over the first three months of the year, China's economy expanded at an annual rate of nearly 5 percent when compared to the same stretch last year. But as Covid-19 lockdowns roll on, the country's annual growth target looks hard to reach.

On tonight's show, our reporters bring you the latest from South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a national state of disaster over the deadly floods on the east coast, warning that rebuilding even basic services will take time. Around the city of Durban, at least 443 people have died, with 48 still missing. Some 10,000 troops have been deployed to help restore power and water and search for the missing.

Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen have outlined differing visions for the French economy ahead of Sunday's election. The presidential candidates want to tackle the top issue for French voters: the rising cost of living. Daniela Ordonez, Chief French Economist at Oxford Economics, breaks down the different proposals and what they would cost the French state.

Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen have outlined differing visions for the French economy ahead of Sunday's election. The presidential candidates want to tackle the top issue for French voters: the rising cost of living. Daniela Ordonez, Chief French Economist at Oxford Economics, breaks down the different proposals and what they would cost the French state.

French voters have re-elected Emmanuel Macron for another five-year term, handing him victory over far-right candidate Marine Le Pen for the second time in a row. So what's next for the French economy and the number one issue for voters, the cost of living crisis? Kate Moody asks Frederik Ducrozet, senior European Economist at Pictet Wealth Management.

Domestic violence is on the rise, but under-reported in Cameroon. Campaigners say official figures account for only a fraction of the women who have suffered - or even died - at the hands of their partners. And for those seeking justice, advocates say successful prosecutions are rare due to the failings and corruption within Cameroon's judicial system.