Economy

China wine industry looks to breed climate resilience
China wine industry looks to breed climate resilience

At a laboratory in Beijing, purple and green hybrid-species grapes are laid out on a board for testing, part of the strategy China's nascent wine industry is using to try to combat climate challenges. - Creating hybrids - The most ambitious strategies involve developing new hybrid grape varieties that are more resistant to inclement weather.

Dutch airline KLM unveils 'firm' cost-cutting measures
Dutch airline KLM unveils 'firm' cost-cutting measures

Dutch airline KLM on Thursday announced a sweeping package of "firm" cost-cutting measures it hopes will lead to a boost in operating profits of around 450 million euros ($496 million) "in the short term." According to its last set of results, combined with partner airline Air France, the group's second-quarter profit stood at 165 million euros -- well below forecasts.

Senegal looks to aquaculture as fish stocks dwindle
Senegal looks to aquaculture as fish stocks dwindle

The Senegalese town of Kayar sits on the doorstep of the vast Atlantic Ocean, but it is a farm located further inland that provides part of its fish production. In a vast hangar around 100 kilometres (60 miles) southeast of Dakar, Demba Diop specialises in the production of young fish destined for farming.

Climate change, economics muddy West's drive to curb Chinese EVs
Climate change, economics muddy West's drive to curb Chinese EVs

China's meteoric rise as the world's powerhouse of electric vehicle production makes Western efforts to curb their exports a tough sell -- and means they could even stifle the fight against climate change, analysts warn. But without a steady stream of electric vehicles on Europe's roads, analysts say, that goal will be tough to meet.

Biden official urges talks as US port strike enters second day
Biden official urges talks as US port strike enters second day

US dockworkers picketed for a second day Wednesday, garnering support from other labor groups as the Biden administration urged shippers to boost their offer to end a damaging strike weeks before the presidential election. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the strike could be ended quickly, arguing that shippers need to share more of the bounty after a period of "unbelievable profits."

Biden official says port strike deal not as far as parties think
Biden official says port strike deal not as far as parties think

Shippers and striking US dockworkers are closer to agreeing on economic terms than they realize, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said Wednesday. "We actually think the parties, economically, are not as far apart from each other as they may think," Buttigieg told CNBC a day after the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) launched a strike at major East and Gulf Coast ports.