Freiburg / DPA Gardeners love to try out plants far from their native range, but can you believe that someone wants to grow tea near the Alps? “We’re having a tinker,” say farmer Erwin Wagner and gardener Werner Hanser. It’s three years since they began their experiment, and as the winter approaches, they’re bringing the Chinese tea plants, all …

  AFP The OPEC cartel warned on Tuesday that the oil industry needs to step up investments to guarantee sufficient supply as low prices stimulate demand. “Given the demand and supply outlook, there is a need for significant investments across the entire industry,” the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said in its annual report on the sector. The 14-nation …

  AFP Iran signed a deal with France’s Total on Tuesday to develop a major offshore gas field, its first big contract with a Western energy firm since sanctions were loosened in January. Total will lead a consortium also including China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and Iran’s Petropars to develop Phase 11 of the South Pars field under a 20-year …