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German family winery taps into zero-alcohol trend
German family winery taps into zero-alcohol trend
by  AFP

Alcohol-free drinks are becoming ever more popular, especially with health-conscious younger people -- a trend cheered by a small German winery based in a Rhine Valley castle. From its base in a small castle set amid vine-covered hills, the business has been making alcohol-free wine ever since, and three decades ago stopped producing alcoholic varieties altogether.

Asian markets mixed as traders eye fresh trade tensions
Asian markets mixed as traders eye fresh trade tensions
by  AFP

Asian markets were mixed Wednesday as traders tried to gauge the economic outlook after Donald Trump picked a tough-negotiating hawk as his trade envoy the day after saying he would hit China, Canada and Mexico with hefty tariffs. Traders are keenly awaiting the release later Wednesday of the Fed's preferred gauge of inflation as well as figures on jobless claims and economic growth.

Future of deep-sea mining stands at a crucial juncture
Future of deep-sea mining stands at a crucial juncture
by  AFP

Torn between the defenders of the world's seabeds and industrialists eager to exploit the vast, untapped resources of the deep, the international community faces a crucial year that could decide the future of mining in the high seas.

Bolivia announces $1 bn deal with China to build lithium plants
Bolivia announces $1 bn deal with China to build lithium plants
by  AFP

Bolivia said Tuesday it had signed a $1 billion deal with China's CBC, a subsidiary of the world's largest lithium battery producer CATL, to build two lithium carbonate production plants in the country's southwest. Bolivia claims to have the world's largest lithium deposits.

Trump tariffs threat casts chill over Canada
Trump tariffs threat casts chill over Canada
by  AFP

Canada was scrambling Tuesday to blunt the impact of US President-elect Donald Trump's threat to implement steep tariffs once he takes office, as experts warned of a potentially "catastrophic" hit to the Canadian economy.

Saudi 2025 budget sees lower deficit on spending trims
Saudi 2025 budget sees lower deficit on spending trims
by  AFP

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday approved a budget for 2025 that projected a smaller deficit than last year despite continued heavy spending on reforms to transition the economy away from oil. In 2022, Saudi Arabia recorded its first budget surplus in nearly a decade after Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to a surge in oil prices.