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Tree branches to fleece jackets: Chemicals plant in Germany bets on biomass
Tree branches to fleece jackets: Chemicals plant in Germany bets on biomass

Staring at a pile of freshly cut beechwood, forestry manager Johannes Brodowski wonders if he is looking at the future of Germany's chemicals industry. Germany's traditional chemicals industry has been battered by high energy prices and cheap competition from Asia, with national output now at its lowest level since 1995.

by  AFP

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US Fed's preferred inflation gauge picks up as tariff effects loom
US Fed's preferred inflation gauge picks up as tariff effects loom
by  AFP

The US Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation edged up in May while spending weakened, government data showed Friday, with policymakers monitoring the effects of President Donald Trump's tariffs in the coming months. But central bank officials have said they expect to learn more about the impact of tariffs over the summer, meaning they will be scrutinizing data in the coming months.

Spain makes Booking.com scrap 4,000 tourist rental ads
Spain makes Booking.com scrap 4,000 tourist rental ads
by  AFP

Online hotel booking giant Booking.com on Friday said it had taken down thousands of advertisements in Spain in the leftist government's latest crackdown on illegal short-term tourist rentals. Spain has also ordered online tourist accommodation giant Airbnb to take down more than 65,000 adverts for violating licence rules and has been in a legal battle with the US-based company.

China confirms trade deal framework reached with United States
China confirms trade deal framework reached with United States
by  AFP

China confirmed on Friday details on the framework of a trade deal with the United States, saying Washington would lift "restrictive measures" while Beijing would "review and approve" items under export controls. Under the deal, China "will review and approve applications for the export control items that meet the requirements in accordance with the law".

Green bonds offer hope, and risk, in Africa's climate fight
Green bonds offer hope, and risk, in Africa's climate fight
by  AFP

It only took two days for Nigeria to raise $59 million through green bonds -- part of a funding drive for climate and environmental projects in a nation still hooked on oil. Green bonds are similar to sovereign bonds: Investors are paid interest on what is essentially a loan to the government, but in this case the money funds environmentally friendly projects.