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Commission approves €1.5 billion French measure to support ProLogium in researching and developing innovative batteries for electric vehicles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:05:42 GMT

The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, a €1.5 billion French measure to support ProLogium Technologies (‘ProLogium') in researching and developing a new generation of batteries for electric vehicles.  The measure will contribute to the achievement of the strategic objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU battery strategy.The French measureFrance notified to the Commission its plan to support ProLogium's Prometheus research and development (‘R&D') project of solid-state batteries (‘SSB') for electric vehicles. SSB technology uses solid instead of liquid electrolyte to develop batteries that have a higher energy density and are safer for consumers than conventional lithium-ion batteries.Under the measure, the aid will take the form of a direct grant of up to €1.5bn that will cover the R&D project until the end of 2029.As part of the Prometheus project, ProLogium will (i) develop  ‘first generation' SSB to overcome the limitations of the cu...

Kazakhstan and Afghanistan explore the benefits of trade cooperation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:05:42 GMT

The Kazakh-Afghan Business Forum in Astana has brought together more than 300 business and government representatives. Despite the upheaval of the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul, Kazakhstan is the largest supplier of food to the Afghan market and sees major potential in a proposed rail link across Afghan territory, which would greatly improve Central Asia’s access to Pakistan and its ports, writes Political Editor Nick Powell.Afghanistan not only accounts for 70% of Kazakhstan’s flour exports, it offers a market worth $500 million for Kazakh food, petrochemicals, chemicals, metallurgical products and machine-making, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Integration, Serik Zhumangarin told the forum. He said in a press release that mutual trade turnover was nearer $1 billion and he could see it reaching $3 billion in future.Beyond Afghanistan and its 40 million people are the important markets of Pakistan and India, as well as the Middle East, which are of high trad...

Europe’s ‘Gold Standard’ Insurance Regulation Badly Tarnished

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:05:42 GMT

Solvency II, the prudential regime for insurance and reinsurance undertakings in the EU  is portrayed as a global ‘gold standard’. An extraordinary case involving the Romanian Financial Supervisory Authority, ASF, and the insurance operator, Euroins Romania which has played out since the beginning of this year badly tarnishes the ‘gold standard’ claim – writes Dick Roche.The case also raises a red flag about the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority, EIOPA, one of the EU’s main financial regulators and questions how the Authority defines its role and whether it is fit for purpose.  The BackgroundIn 2019 Romania’s motor insurance industry was facing a major crisis.  Romania’s largest provider of motor third-party liability insurance City Insurance, with over three million policies on its books, was facing serious financial difficulties.  The Romanian Financial Supervisory Authority, ASF put pressure on Euroins Romania to take o...

Miss Manners: My co-worker called my behavior insulting, but I’ve never heard of this rule

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:05:42 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was scolded by a co-worker for putting trash into the trash bin!Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: We accidentally invited them to the wedding. How do we undo it? Advice | Miss Manners: Should I report my mother-in-law for her workplace crime? Advice | Miss Manners: Can we tell the in-laws what wedding gift would be appropriate? Advice | Miss Manners: Am I allowed to point out that these people are short? Advice | Miss Manners: I don’t want to give away any more avocados after what she did The bag in the bin had just been changed a few minutes before. My co-worker said I was insulting the person who changed it — that their work was “already being ruined.”I am a little embarrassed to say that although I am in my 30s, I have never encountered this etiquette rule before.What is the acceptable amount of time to wait?GENTLE READER: Zero minutes. Because such a ...

Germany, Brazil & Canada are out. Here’s why this is the most open Women’s World Cup ever

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:05:42 GMT

SYDNEY (AP) — Change is happening fast in women’s soccer.A leveling of the playing field is being highlighted at the Women’s World Cup, which saw two-time champion Germany crash out of the tournament on Thursday.In the biggest upset of a World Cup that has been full of surprises, the second-ranked Germans, two-time World Cup winners, were eliminated in group stage for the first time in team history. Copa America champion Brazil and Olympic gold medalist Canada were also eliminated in the first round, while Morocco, South Africa and Jamaica all advanced to the knockout stage while making history along the way. “If I’m candid, I really am surprised,” said Jill Ellis, who coached America to World Cup wins in 2015 and 2019. “I think when you suddenly see a Germany or a Brazil get knocked out of a World Cup at the group stage, I don’t think any of us could have predicted that.“Am I excited by the development? Of course, for sure. But I think I was thinking that (there would be) one more ...

Padres host the Dodgers on 3-game home win streak

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:05:42 GMT

Los Angeles Dodgers (62-45, first in the NL West) vs. San Diego Padres (54-55, fourth in the NL West)San Diego; Friday, 9:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: Bobby Miller (6-2, 4.37 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 59 strikeouts); Padres: Yu Darvish (8-7, 4.53 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 117 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -111, Dodgers -108; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres, on a three-game home winning streak, host the Los Angeles Dodgers.San Diego has gone 29-25 in home games and 54-55 overall. The Padres have the top team ERA in baseball at 3.70.Los Angeles has a 28-25 record in road games and a 62-45 record overall. The Dodgers have the second-ranked team slugging percentage in the NL at .457.Friday’s game is the seventh time these teams match up this season. The Dodgers are up 5-1 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Juan Soto has 25 doubles and 23 home runs for the Padres. Gary Sanchez is 10-for-33 with two doubles, five home runs and 12 RBI over the last...

Reds host the Nationals on 5-game home win streak

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:05:42 GMT

Washington Nationals (46-63, fifth in the NL East) vs. Cincinnati Reds (59-52, second in the NL Central)Cincinnati; Friday, 6:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: Patrick Corbin (7-11, 5.14 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 87 strikeouts); Reds: Graham Ashcraft (6-7, 5.31 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 76 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Reds -185, Nationals +157; over/under is 10 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Reds, on a five-game home winning streak, host the Washington Nationals.Cincinnati has a 59-52 record overall and a 28-26 record at home. The Reds have the eighth-ranked team batting average in the NL at .253.Washington is 24-29 in road games and 46-63 overall. The Nationals have the 10th-ranked team on-base percentage in the NL at .318.Friday’s game is the fifth time these teams match up this season. The Reds have a 4-0 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Spencer Steer leads the Reds with 42 extra base hits (23 doubles, two triples and 17 home runs). Elly De La Cruz is 11-f...

Cubs host the Braves on 3-game home win streak

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:05:42 GMT

Atlanta Braves (69-37, first in the NL East) vs. Chicago Cubs (56-53, third in the NL Central)Chicago; Friday, 2:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Max Fried (0-0); Cubs: Kyle Hendricks (4-5, 3.61 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 48 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -172, Cubs +146; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs, on a three-game home winning streak, host the Atlanta Braves.Chicago has a 56-53 record overall and a 30-27 record at home. The Cubs have a 37-14 record in games when they scored five or more runs.Atlanta has gone 32-17 in road games and 69-37 overall. The Braves lead the NL with 206 total home runs, averaging 1.9 per game.The matchup Friday is the first meeting this season between the two teams.TOP PERFORMERS: Cody Bellinger has 16 doubles, a triple and 16 home runs for the Cubs. Dansby Swanson is 10-for-36 with a double and six home runs over the last 10 games.Ronald Acuna Jr. has 27 doubles, a triple and 25 home runs for the Braves. Austin Riley i...

Brewers bring 1-0 series lead over Pirates into game 2

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:05:42 GMT

Pittsburgh Pirates (48-60, fourth in the NL Central) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (59-51, first in the NL Central)Milwaukee; Friday, 8:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Quinn Priester (2-1, 9.19 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, 13 strikeouts); Brewers: Colin Rea (5-4, 4.76 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 83 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Brewers -167, Pirates +141; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers host the Pittsburgh Pirates, leading the series 1-0.Milwaukee has gone 30-24 in home games and 59-51 overall. The Brewers have a 37-16 record in games when they record at least eight hits.Pittsburgh is 48-60 overall and 22-32 in road games. The Pirates are 21-6 in games when they hit at least two home runs.Friday’s game is the eighth time these teams match up this season. The Brewers have a 6-1 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Christian Yelich has 16 home runs, 51 walks and 63 RBI while hitting .291 for the Brewers. William Contreras is 14-for-42 with six doubles, a home r...

Cardinals begin 3-game series at home against the Rockies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:05:42 GMT

Colorado Rockies (42-66, fifth in the NL West) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (48-62, fifth in the NL Central)St. Louis; Friday, 8:15 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Rockies: Chris Flexen (0-5, 8.08 ERA, 1.93 WHIP, 33 strikeouts); Cardinals: Adam Wainwright (3-5, 7.18 ERA, 1.90 WHIP, 34 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cardinals -170, Rockies +144; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals host the Colorado Rockies on Friday to start a three-game series.St. Louis is 48-62 overall and 24-31 at home. The Cardinals have the 10th-ranked team ERA in the NL at 4.50.Colorado has a 42-66 record overall and a 17-36 record in road games. The Rockies have a 29-15 record in games when they out-hit their opponents.Friday’s game is the fourth meeting between these teams this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Nolan Arenado has 21 doubles, two triples, 22 home runs and 78 RBI for the Cardinals. Lars Nootbaar is 12-for-33 with a double, four home runs and eight RBI over the past 10 games.R...