Small is beautiful: The French fashion businesses staying independent

French fashion designer Thierry Mugler, who dressed Beyonce and Lady Gaga, has died aged 73, according to a statement on Mugler's official Facebook page confirming earlier French media reports. Mugler, who reigned over fashion in the 1980s, was known for his daring theatrical designs featuring broad shoulders and plunging necklines. He dressed the likes of Beyonce, Lady Gaga, David Bowie, Diana Ross and Duran Duran - among many others - during his career at the top of the fashion industry.

France is considered one of the top destinations in the world for winter sports, known as "les sports d'hiver". They're a major part of the country’s tourism industry. Ski culture goes beyond the slopes, and like many things in France, it also involves a lot of food. But has skiing become too expensive? And how can resorts cope with climate change? In this episode of French Connections Plus, Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula slalom the ins and outs of the white gold that is French skiing.

With a slowly recovering economy, the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in India is affecting both the retail and service sectors.

The eastern French town of Lunéville has played a key role in France's fashion history. It's the birthplace of Lunéville stitch embroidery, which features on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. To teach it, there is only one person left: Aude. Her students come from all over the world to learn the techniques passed on to her by her grandmother. We also take you behind the scenes at Hermès, whose square silk scarves are made by a highly skilled team near the French city of Lyon.

Nigeria to hold second interest rate meeting of 2022 on the back of an upsurge in inflation and fragile growth. Persistent double-digit inflation could pile pressure on the central bank to reconsider its dovish stance on rates.

At least four people died in the city of Beersheba when a man rammed his car into one person and stabbed several others. Police said the Arab assailant was shot dead by a civilian.

61% of small business owners in the US say that the current state of the economy is making it difficult for them to stay open. This is according to a survey of over 500 small business owners commissioned by Clarify Capital.

While most advanced economies are recovering from the worst effects of the pandemic, labour markets are facing a new and unexpected challenge: a shortage of workers. It's one of the issues business leaders are discussing at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Christophe Catoir, President of Adecco, tells FRANCE 24's Business Editor Kate Moody that the problem could persist for several years to come.

Small business owners in South Africa's Soweto say power outages - some of the worst to hit South Africa - have forced them to cut hours and staff.

In South Africa, a xenophobic movement called Operation Dudula is accusing illegal immigrants of taking jobs from South Africans. Operation Dudula vigilantes are known to raid small businesses owned by foreigners. With an unemployment rate close to 35 percent, the situation is tense and the populist rhetoric of Operation Dudula supporters is raising fears of new xenophobic riots in South Africa, like in 2008, 2015 and 2019. Our correspondents report.

A testament to its history, France is sprinkled with beautiful villages and towns. To stand out, attract tourists or even new residents, many have turned to a variety of certificates, labels and competitions to boost their visibility. We've followed an inspector for the non-profit ‘Most Beautiful Villages of France’ who looked at the town of Bergheim to see if it’s worthy of obtaining this certification. We also met Christophe Alaux, a marketing professor, to understand the role of these labels.

Data suggest that Germany may be on the brink of an economic downturn that could ultimately lead some businesses to move abroad.