U.S. currency manipulation threat puts Asians on guard

As European countries turn to energy suppliers in Southeast Asia, driving up global prices, there are concerns that other developing countries are being forced to spend more on increasingly expensive LNG or coal.

Environmental crime is the third most lucrative criminal business in the world. Yet too often it is still treated like petty crime. Activists hope new EU legislation may soon change that.

The vast Casamance forest region in Senegal is known for its rare woods: rosewood, and the Cayor pear tree, among others. Officially they are protected, but armed independence fighters smuggle the wood on the black market. These groups often raze entire plots of land and then export the wood, mainly to China via neighbouring Gambia. Clashes with the fighters have killed several people this year.

Political pressure at home and strict COVID-19 policies have caused many companies working in China to rethink how they do business. Is it still worth investing in the country? An interview with China expert Jacob Gunter.

Thirteen years ago, the UN's climate conference saw developed countries commit $100 billion per year by 2020. That figure has not been met and it is South Asia that has paid the price, say climate activists.

Jerome Ngutor had trouble with a persistent stomach ache but like many Nigerians, he did not have money to see a doctor. Then he heard about a novel idea to get health insurance - collect waste material and trade it for cover.

The deal to set up a fund to compensate poorer countries being hit by climate change is viewed as a positive development, but many remain skeptical as it's not clear who would pay for it and who would benefit.

French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the US is bringing simmering EU-US tensions over economic policy to the boil. At the heart of European criticisms are multi-billion-dollar economic support packages that could be perceived as giving the US an unfair advantage. Also in the show, the US Congress is heeding Joe Biden's call to do whatever it takes to avert a costly railroad shutdown. Plus, French butchers take to the streets to protest the rise in energy prices.

A handful of African companies have finally started shipping goods under the long-delayed AfCFTA free trade agreement. They're part of a new initiative to kick-start intra-African trade.

Leaders from Europe and Southeast Asia are hopeful a summit this week will usher in an era of better economic ties and help European producers in Asia diversify away from China.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said she wants to see progress on a stalled bilateral investment agreement with the European Union. She said the two partners should have a "resilient democratic alliance."

The regime in Pyongyang has started 2023 by threatening South Korea and announcing plans for more capable ballistic missiles and a larger nuclear arsenal.