U.S. accuses China of playing blame game in white paper response

Africa's free trade area started a year ago amid much fanfare. But its impact has been low amid the coronavirus pandemic and an economic downturn on the continent.

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.

Australia's vocal criticism of China's human rights record has long angered Beijing. When Canberra called for an investigation into the origin of the coronavirus in 2020, Beijing slapped high tariffs on some Australian products.

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.

Uganda wants to curb its borrowing and boost exports in sectors such as meat and dairy as the East African country lifts restrictions triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, President Yoweri Museveni, and government officials. Uganda's trade push follows several years of reduced Chinese lending to the continent and as programmes designed to offer relief to indebted countries as they recover from COVID 19-induced slumps start to expire.

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.

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.

Australia is caught in the middle of the US-China trade dispute, which is dominating Davos this year. Meanwhile, Australia has just booked its 27th consecutive year of growth, says Finance Minister Mathias Cormann.

The Taliban are taking steps to halt Afghanistan's opium trade even as the country's economy crumbles. It is unclear how the Taliban government plans to replace this illicit source of income for millions of farmers.

The prime ministers of both countries witnessed the signing of the deal in a virtual ceremony. Australia wants to curb dependence on China as its largest trading partner.