Argentina's President Javier Milei is defending himself against accusations that he promoted a cryptocurrency that crashed, leaving investors with losses worth billions of dollars. The libertarian firebrand had initially posted a message on social media showcasing the launch of a new token on Friday night, saying it would stimulate economic growth. Also in this edition: our reporters in Germany meet the business owners angry at the ruling coalition for the decline in the country's competitiveness.

As Germany enters the final week of its election campaign, the economy is a top concern for voters. Having long been Europe's manufacturing powerhouse, the country has shown no meaningful growth since the pandemic and capped 2024 with a second consecutive annual GDP contraction. We take a closer look at what's been holding the German economy back. Plus, Alibaba founder Jack Ma, a Chinese tech icon who became a target of Beijing's crackdown, is seen shaking hands with President Xi Jinping. 

EU leaders mull the possibility of funnelling some $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to Ukraine as the US launches peace talks with Russia without input from Brussels or Kyiv. Also in this edition: US President Donald Trump's minerals-for-security deal that was rejected by his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky could be revived under different terms, and Mexican agave farmers face a hangover from tequila overproduction.

US President Donald Trump has announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs on trading partners. They won't go into effect immediately, but could be imposed within weeks. The announcement came just ahead of Trump's meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose country Trump says imposes some of the highest tariffs in the world. Meanwhile, Mexican businesses are in limbo amid the US president's tariff threats.

Since 2000, African countries eligible for preferential market access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) have seen a considerable increase in their exports to the US. But that piece of legislation comes up for renewal this year – while President Donald Trump and his protectionist views on global trade are in power. We take a look at what that could mean for key export sectors in Africa. Finally, our correspondents in Mexico look at how the local auto industry is dealing with the threat of tariffs.

A new IISS study shows Russian defence spending exceeds all of Europe's combined, adding weight to worries that after Ukraine, Russia would be capable of attacking other parts of the continent. Also, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wrapped up a two-day visit to France, with French President Emmanuel Macron working on developing ties with one of the world’s most important developing economies. Elsewhere, US inflation spiked more than expected in January. Finally, Duolingo announces the death of its green owl mascot.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who also heads US President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spoke to the media to defend his efforts to slash government spending and reduce the US federal workforce. This comes as Trump signed a new executive order giving DOGE further authority to pursue its mission. Also, Turkey's textile industry is voicing concern over Syrian workers leaving their jobs to return home after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

With one of the longest and most complex supply chains, the fashion industry faces challenges in ensuring fair and ethical practices in the manufacturing process. As a major meeting on due diligence in the sector takes place at the OECD, Kalpona Akter, founder of the Bangladesh Centre for Worker Solidarity, speaks to FRANCE 24 about how working conditions have changed since the days she was working in a garment factory at age 12, what still needs to change, and what consumers need to do. 

On the last day of the AI Action Summit in Paris, and after the announcement of hundreds of millions of euros in artificial intelligence investment pledges in the European Union, FRANCE 24 speaks to Andrea Rocchetto, the CEO and founder of Ephos, an EU-based chip manufacturer. He reacts to the financial commitments made by the EU, calling for drastic deregulation of the sector, and discusses the AI industry's huge energy needs.

Tesla sales slumped in January in multiple markets around the world. In Germany, Europe's largest car market, sales declined by 60 percent compared to the same month in 2024. Among the contributing factors was Elon Musk's increasing involvement in politics and his recent behaviour. Also, metal prices rose after Donald Trump said he would impose additional 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminium coming into the United States.