Economy

Sobering news: French winemakers go teetotal
Sobering news: French winemakers go teetotal

Orders for Coralie de Bouard's alcohol-free red wine have been gushing in since the Qatari owners of Paris Saint-Germain football club asked her to come up with a teetotal tipple for them.

Canada central bank holds key lending rate at 5%
Canada central bank holds key lending rate at 5%

The Bank of Canada on Wednesday held its key lending rate at five percent for the fourth time in a row, saying it remains concerned about stubbornly high inflation. Its course, Shenfeld added, "has shifted from a discussion of whether rates are high enough to one about how long they need to keep rates at 5 percent.

Polish farmers protest against 'uncontrolled' Ukraine imports
Polish farmers protest against 'uncontrolled' Ukraine imports

Polish farmers on Wednesday put up nationwide road blockades to protest against Ukrainian farm imports which they said were undermining their revenues. Farmers launched over 160 road protests with tractors and farm machinery, blocking or slowing traffic as they beeped horns and waved Polish flags.

UK PM Sunak defends Royal Mail delivery obligation
UK PM Sunak defends Royal Mail delivery obligation

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday pledged to maintain Royal Mail's obligation to deliver letters six days a week, despite calls for less frequent service to slash costs. Royal Mail's USO stipulates that it must deliver letters six days a week to all 32 million addresses in the UK for the price of a stamp.

UK says Royal Mail delivery obligation 'unsustainable'
UK says Royal Mail delivery obligation 'unsustainable'

An obligation that Royal Mail delivers letters six days per week risks becoming "unsustainable", a UK regulator said Wednesday as it proposed less frequent service. Royal Mail's universal service obligation (USO) stipulates that it must deliver letters six days a week to all 32 million addresses in the UK for the price of a stamp.

EU ports join up to fight drug smuggling
EU ports join up to fight drug smuggling

The EU on Wednesday launches a "European Ports Alliance" to harmonise methods in the fight against drug smuggling and to combat the hubs' infiltration by criminal groups.