Wall of worry weighs on market sentiment

African free trade bloc opens for business, but challenges remain. ... Backers say it will boost trade among African neighbours while allowing the continent to develop its own value chains. The World Bank estimates it could lift tens of millions out of poverty by 2035.

With Qataris streaming into Saudi Arabia following the border re-opening, business owners in the al-Ahsa area say they are hopeful to see the economy boom again after "suffering economically" from the feud between Riyadh and Doha. Saudi Arabia shut its side of Qatar's only land border in June 2017 as part of a package of sanctions it said was a response to Doha's backing of radical Islamist groups and closeness to Iran. Qatar has always denied the charges.

Disney's shares have rallied after the company reported better than expected results for its latest quarter. Sales came in at €16.2 billion, down 22 percent from the previous year, amid a continuing hit from the pandemic. But its streaming business Disney+ is continuing to grow as people stay home for longer, offsetting losses made at its theme parks that have suffered months of shutdown. Plus, as dining out is not an option for many couples this Valentine's Day, a handful of hotels in Brussels are offering quality time and fancy dinners for two – in guest rooms.

Newly appointed World Trade Organization (WTO) director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said on Monday she doesn't want to see "business as usual" as she will need to broker international trade talks in the face of U.S.-China conflict, respond to pressure to reform trade rules and counter protectionism heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic

NLC urges African governments to invest in research

This young Kenyan entrepreneur isn't sitting on a fortune. But that hasn't stopped her from starting her own business. Nowadays, she is successfully selling Hijabs.

Wigs made from human hair have become more popular in Cameroon in recent years. Stores are fully stocked with wigs in all different colors and styles. Suppliers import the hair mainly from India, Europe, and Middle East.

Offering a shared pot of €3.5 billion to start with, the newly-proposed football competition known as the European Super League would divvy up revenue among a smaller group of elite clubs. We tell you more. Also, we take a look at the French government's plan to aid farmers reeling from this month's cold spell.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Tuesday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Tuesday.

DR Congo is home to Earth's second-largest tropical rainforest. In the town of Yangambi, some 2,000 kilometres from the capital Kinshasa, lies what was once the world's leading tropical research centre. Founded by the Belgians in the 1930s, it fell into neglect after independence in 1960 and was miraculously spared during the two Congo wars. It's now being rehabilitated with the support of scientists and donors from around the world. Our correspondents report.

Nigeria has largest number of startups in Africa - Report: Richest Americans pay little in income taxes - European tableware makers take on China

The US sanctions target officials from China's Hong Kong liaison office, which seeks to promote Chinese influence in the partly autonomous city.