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Swiss renewable energy battle moves to the ballots
Swiss renewable energy battle moves to the ballots
Economy
by  AFP

Switzerland's largest wind farm, sitting astride the ridge of the Jura mountains by the French border, consists of only 16 turbines -- tiny compared to those of other European countries. Switzerland's largest party, the hard right Swiss People's Party (SVP), has also backed the vote, warning that implementing the law could threaten Swiss energy security.

Solar investment outstrips all other power forms: IEA
Solar investment outstrips all other power forms: IEA
Economy
by  AFP

More money is pouring into solar power than all other electricity sources combined, with investments set to reach half a trillion dollars this year, the world's top energy research body said Thursday. Combined investment in renewables and nuclear for electricity generation is now set to reach 10 times the amount going to fossil-fuel power, led by solar, with China investing the biggest share.

Chile's lithium dreams raise water concerns in the desert
Chile's lithium dreams raise water concerns in the desert
Economy
by  AFP

As night falls in Chile's Atacama desert, the world's driest, a drilling machine extracts brine to measure levels of lithium -- a crucial mineral for the global switch to cleaner energy, but harmful in its own way. Chile is seeking to retake its position as the world's top lithium producer, but environmentalists fear extraction in the Atacama desert will harm fragile ecosystems there.

After a bitter break-up, Trump makes up with billionaire donors
After a bitter break-up, Trump makes up with billionaire donors
Economy
by  AFP

In an electoral system in which money is the ultimate kingmaker, Donald Trump has been courting the country's billionaires -- and they have their checkbooks ready. On November 5, voters -- perhaps influenced by ads paid for with millions of dollars of billionaire money -- will have the final say. rle/sst/st

In first, SpaceX's megarocket Starship nails ocean splashdown
In first, SpaceX's megarocket Starship nails ocean splashdown
Economy
by  AFP

SpaceX's massive Starship rocket achieved its first ever splashdown during a test flight Thursday, in a major milestone for the prototype system that may one day send humans to Mars. NASA chief Bill Nelson wrote on X. "We are another step closer to returning humanity to the Moon through #Artemis -- then looking onward to Mars."