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In climate push, German chemical maker swaps oil for sugar
In climate push, German chemical maker swaps oil for sugar
Economy
by  AFP

At one of Europe's largest chemical complexes, German group Covestro is trialling the manufacture of a key product using sugar as a base material instead of oil, as the industry seeks to reduce its carbon footprint. Aniline is used as the base ingredient for chemical MDI, which is an essential material in manufacturing foams.

False GPS signal surge makes life hard for pilots
False GPS signal surge makes life hard for pilots
Economy
by  AFP

False GPS signals that deceive on-board plane systems and complicate the work of airline pilots are surging near conflict zones, industry employees and officials told AFP. A ground collision alert sounds in the cockpit, for instance, even though the plane is flying at high altitude -- a phenomenon affecting several regions and apparently of military origin.

US embrace of remote working empties offices, weighs on banks
US embrace of remote working empties offices, weighs on banks
Economy
by  AFP

The popularity of remote work in the United States has emptied office buildings, a cause for worry as their value falls and owners risk losses on property loans -- in turn putting pressure on smaller banks. With empty buildings in cities of all sizes, retailers servicing employees who used to work there are also under pressure, Powell added.

In bitcoin's shadow, another cryptocurrency, Ether, stages its own rally
In bitcoin's shadow, another cryptocurrency, Ether, stages its own rally
Technology
by  AFP

Bitcoin has captured the limelight in recent weeks as it surged to a new record high, yet another major cryptocurrency, Ether, has been enjoying its own meteoric rise. Bitcoin's rise has been well-documented, but Ether's has been even more impressive, surging almost 72 percent year to date in comparison to bitcoin's 61 percent rise.