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☆ To survive nuclear apocalypse, you may have to eat nothing but mushrooms, rats, and insects
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Survivors could farm mushrooms on dead trees, or eat rats and insects. In order to survive, he says, people would need to adopt sunlight-free agriculture — cultivating mushrooms, rats, and insects. Vincent Kessler/ReutersWhile we're using the wood to grow mushrooms, we could use the dead trees' leaves, too, he said. Dead trees can feed other life forms, like rats and insectsRats, much like mushrooms, can digest cellulose, the sugar that makes up 50% of wood. So anything the mushrooms leave behind could be fed to the rats, Walsh suggests.

☆ Italy's Treasury sees AXA stake sale as way to simplify MPS governance - source
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] The logo of French Insurer Axa is seen outside a building in Montaigu, France, February 23, 2022. REUTERS/Stephane MaheMILAN, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Italy's Treasury does not regard negatively a decision by French insurer AXA (AXAF.PA) to sell its 8% stake in Monte dei Paschi (BMPS.MI) because it boosts free float and simplifies the state-owned bank's governance structure, a person close to the matter said. The Treasury owns 64% of Monte dei Paschi following a 2017 bailout and must eventually exit the Tuscan lender. AXA on Monday sold virtually all of the stake it had acquired late last year when it bought into a 2.5 billion euro rights issue at Monte dei Paschi, becoming its second biggest investor after the government. A source told Reuters on Monday the stake was bought by several institutional investors.

☆ Bird flu alarm drives world towards once-shunned vaccines
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Sybille De La Hamaide | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

"That's why every country in the world is worried about bird flu," French agriculture minister Marc Fesneau said. But the fear of trade restrictions remains centre stage for countries reluctant to vaccinate poultry against bird flu. Bird flu can also mutate rapidly and reduce the efficacy of vaccines while programmes are costly and time consuming, as shots often need to be administered individually. Ceva said it was using the mRNA technology used in some COVID shots for the first time in poultry vaccines. The global market for bird flu vaccines would be about 800 million to 1 billion doses per year, excluding China, said Sylvain Comte, corporate marketing director for poultry at Ceva.

☆ France tears down beach apartment block as rising sea bites
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Stephane Mahe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Today, the hulk of the 80-flat Le Signal apartment block perches precariously on a dune just metres from the water and local authorities are tearing it down before it tumbles. By 2010, the ocean was lapping at the dune on which Le Signal was built. "Le Signal's situation is largely symbolic for what is happening in terms of coastal erosion France," he said. He said ever-rising sea levels and increasingly violent storms made it impossible to let people live in Le Signal without costly shore protection measures that could also have negatively impacted nearby shorelines. "Le Signal is a warning for what could happen in other zones and for the need to prepare for it now," he said.

☆ France seeks strategy as nuclear waste site risks saturation point
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Benjamin Mallet | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/5] Used nuclear fuel is seen in a storage pool at the Orano nuclear waste reprocessing plant in La Hague, near Cherbourg, France, January 17, 2023. "We can't have a responsible nuclear policy without taking into account the handling of used fuel and waste. La Hague is the country's sole site able to process and partially recycle used nuclear fuel. Meanwhile, France's national agency for managing nuclear waste last month requested approval for a project to store permanently high-level radioactive waste. The facility at La Hague, with its 1980s-era buildings and Star Wars-style control rooms, has its limitations.

☆ Analysis: Airbus and Boeing try to fill giant factories with small jets
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Tim Hepher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] A350 passenger aircraft are seen parked at the Airbus factory in Blagnac near Toulouse in France, June 18, 2020. That comes as Airbus is mid-way through installing a new production line for its hot-selling A321neo narrow-body jet in the deserted Lagardere building. 'STATEMENT' TO AIRBUS AND INVESTORSAirbus and Boeing were for years evenly matched in the single-aisle market which generates most cash. "(Boeing) don't want to be in a situation where Airbus moves to 70 and they are stuck at 50. "So this is a very important statement (to Airbus): 'We are not going to withdraw from the market'," he added.

[1/6] French energy workers on strike gather with dockers near tyres set on fire as they protest against French government's pension reform plan, in the port of Saint-Nazaire, France, January 26, 2023. An Elabe poll for BFM showed 72% of the French are against the pension reform. "Oil workers are against this (pension) reform but they don't want to be on the front line," said a CGT union representative for Exxonmobil. A spokesperson for Esso, whose two French refinery sites are run by ExxonMobil (XOM.N), said only truck loading operations were suspended at Fos, with everything else operating normally. A union representative added that production at the Port Jerome site was slightly impacted.

[1/2] The logo of Airbus is picuted at the Airbus facility in Montoir-de-Bretagne near Saint-Nazaire, France, March 4, 2022. REUTERS/Stephane MaheDELHI/PARIS, Jan 20 (Reuters) - European planemaker Airbus (AIR.PA) is set to win an order for 235 single-aisle planes as part of a historic purchase of some 495 jets due to be announced by a resurgent Air India on Jan. 27, industry sources told Reuters. Air India and Boeing did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reuters reported last month that Air India was close to placing orders for around 500 jets from both Airbus and Boeing after months of intense talks on the core plane order. Air India, with its maharajah mascot, was once known for its lavishly decorated planes and stellar service but its reputation declined in the mid-2000s as financial troubles mounted.

☆ China's BYD takes cautious approach to U.S. in global EV push
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Norihiko Shirouzu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

[1/2] The logo of BYD is pictured at the 2022 Paris Auto Show in Paris, France October 17, 2022. While BYD has not fully articulated its global ambitions in public, a concerted worldwide push has become the single most important strategic focus for China's biggest EV maker, four sources familiar with BYD management's thinking said. "BYD is taking a cautious approach to the U.S.," the person said. "I would say BYD at this point is already better positioned than Tesla in the EV era." "America is going to be a key, key part of this global push strategy," one said.

☆ Factbox: European companies cut jobs as economy sputters
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

REUTERS/Stephane MaheJan 17 (Reuters) - Decades-high inflation and the impact of war in Ukraine have forced companies across Europe into lay-offs or hiring freezes. * HUSQVARNA (HUSQb.ST): the garden equipment and tools maker announced in late October it will cut 1,000 jobs, the vast majority of them related to the shift from petrol to battery-powered tools. * SIEMENS GAMESA (SGREN.MC): the Spanish wind turbine maker in late September said it plans to cut 2,900 jobs, mostly in Europe, as part of a plan to return to profitability. * CLAS OHLSON (CLASb.ST): the Swedish hardware store chain said in December it would cut about 85 full-time jobs amongst other measures to deliver cost savings and reduced depreciation. BANKS AND FINANCIALS* KLARNA: Dagens Industri reported in May the Swedish payments company would lay off about 10% of its 7,000 employees.

☆ Europe had second-warmest year on record in 2022, EU scientists say
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Kate Abnett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Stephane MaheBRUSSELS, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Europe experienced its second-warmest year on record in 2022, European Union scientists said on Tuesday, as climate change unleashed record-breaking weather extremes that slashed crop yields, dried up rivers and led to thousands of deaths. The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said 2022 was also the world's fifth-warmest year, by a small margin. The last eight years were the world's eight hottest on record, C3S said. Britain experienced its hottest year on record in 2022, its national weather service said on Wednesday. The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service shares its findings on the global climate for 2022 The annual global average temperature in 2022 was 0.3 degrees Celsius above the reference period of 1991-2020.

But the headline number masked a more malignant trend, with all key components of core inflation accelerating. "Rising core inflation means that not much will sway the European Central Bank from the hawkish path it set out late last year," ING economist Bert Colijn said. The recession was expected to push up unemployment, naturally dampening price pressures. But employment, already at a record high, is actually going up, not down. "The delayed passthrough of high production costs and a still-strong labour market will sustain core inflation," Riccardo Marcelli Fabiani at Oxford Economics said.

☆ Aramco and TotalEnergies to build $11 bln Saudi petrochemicals plant
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A sign with the logo of French oil and gas company TotalEnergies is pictured at a petrol station in Bouguenais near Nantes, France, November 14, 2022. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File PhotoPARIS, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) and TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) will join forces to build a new petrochemicals complex in Saudi Arabia, the French energy group said on Thursday. The project involves investment of about $11 billion, of which $4 billion will be funded through equity by Aramco (62.5%) and TotalEnergies (37.5%), the statement said. The planned Amiral complex, integrated with the existing Saudi Arabia Total Refining and Petrochemical (SATORP) refinery located in Jubail on Saudi Arabia’s eastern coast, will be owned and operated by Aramco and TotalEnergies. The petrochemicals facility will enable SATORP to convert its refinery off-gases and naphtha, as well as ethane and natural gasoline supplied by Aramco, into higher-value chemicals.

☆ The US may have lost in the World Cup, but soccer is more popular than ever in America
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Harry Enten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +36 min

The Atlas Lions made history as the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal. They made history as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. It was Morocco's first World Cup win since 1998 — and its third-ever at the tournament. Less spoken about is that they also rate better on television than the men do in the World Cup. We’ll just have to wait and see, though with the US, Canada and Mexico hosting the 2026 World Cup, soccer isn’t going away anytime soon.

☆ Croatia beats Japan on penalties to reach World Cup quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +28 min

CNN —Goalkeeper Dominik Livaković made himself a national hero as Croatia beat Japan on penalties 1-1 (3-1) to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. Marko Djurica/ReutersJapan’s heartbreakDespite its defeat, Japan can look back at an impressive World Cup campaign. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Mbappé was one of the leading stars of the team's World Cup triumph four years ago. He also became just the third goalkeeper to save three penalties in a single World Cup shootout.

☆ France reaches World Cup quarterfinals with 3-1 victory over Poland as Kylian Mbappé breaks Pelé’s record
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +30 min

CNN —France was made to work hard for its place in the World Cup quarterfinals, overcoming an improved Poland side 3-1 thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé. That is Mbappé’s fifth goal of Qatar 2022 and already his ninth World Cup goal overall, breaking Pelé’s record of seven World Cup goals scored before the age of 24. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Issei Kato/Reuters Kylian Mbappé scores his second goal on November 26, leading France to a 2-1 victory over Denmark. Mbappé was one of the leading stars of the team's World Cup triumph four years ago.

☆ USMNT’s youth and talent at Qatar 2022 bodes well for 2026 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +31 min

The Netherlands knocked the USMNT out of the Qatar World Cup on Saturday. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Frappert became the first woman to referee a men's World Cup match. It was Morocco's first World Cup win since 1998 — and its third-ever at the tournament. Qatar is the first Islamic country to host a World Cup.

☆ Japan vs. Croatia: Samurai Blue aiming to reach World Cup quarterfinals for first time
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +31 min

CNN —In a World Cup of surprises, Japan has played a leading role in headline-making shock results. Croatia is a team undefeated in nine of its last 10 World Cup matches. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Frappert became the first woman to referee a men's World Cup match. It was Morocco's first World Cup win since 1998 — and its third-ever at the tournament.

☆ France's CMA CGM sees profits ebbing as shipping boom fades
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The logo of CMA-CGM shipping company is pictured on a container in Montoir-de-Bretagne near Saint-Nazaire, France, March 4, 2022. French-based CMA CGM, one of the world's largest container lines, reported on Friday a net profit of $7.0 billion for the third quarter, up from $5.6 billion in the year-earlier period. CMA CGM, based in Marseille and privately controlled by the founding Saade family, said its energy costs had increased by $822 million year-on-year in the third quarter. Its soaring profits over the past year drew calls from the French government for CMA CGM to help cushion inflation pressures. CMA CGM responded with shipping discounts for cargoes to France.

☆ TotalEnergies leads Shell, BP in renewables race, but shares sag
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Ron Bousso | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Stephane MaheSummarySummary Companies TotalEnergies has largest renewables operationsBut European energy giants' shares trail U.S. rivalsLONDON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - French energy giant TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) has pulled ahead of rivals Shell (SHEL.L) and BP in the race to build up a renewables business, data collected by Reuters shows. BP, Shell and TotalEnergies have all set out ambitious plans to shift towards low-carbon and renewable energies in the coming decades in an effort to slash greenhouse emissions to net zero. BP, by comparison, has so far built 2GW of operating renewables capacity, partly through its 50% stake in Lightsource BP, one of the world's top solar producers. Shell's net capacity is slightly higher at 2.2GW, with acquisitions including U.S. producer Savion and Indian renewables platform Sprng Energy earlier this year. TotalEnergies aims to have 100GW of gross renewables capacity by 2030 while BP targets 50GW of net renewables.

☆ Audi partners with Swiss Sauber for Formula One
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sauber has been involved in Formula One since 1993 and currently competes with Ferrari engines, under the name of Alfa Romeo, a Stellantis brand. "Together we want to write the next chapter from 2026," Adam Baker, CEO of Audi Formula Racing said. Sauber Motorsport said in a statement that the team will continue to use Ferrari power units for the next three seasons until the rules change. "Audi is the best strategic partner for the Sauber Group," said Sauber Holding's board chairman Finn Rausing, the Swedish billionaire whose family owns packaging company Tetra Laval. Formula One's next generation of power units will have significantly more electrical power and use 100% sustainable fuels from 2026.

☆ EU countries try to map out path to gas price cap
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Kate Abnett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/IllustrationBRUSSELS, Oct 25 (Reuters) - European Union energy ministers will discuss a bloc-wide gas price cap on Tuesday, attempting to navigate their next steps although it is likely to be weeks before any final decisions. With no legal proposal for a price cap on the table yet, ministers meeting in Luxembourg are expected to debate the principles of how an EU gas price limit could work, as well as possible drawbacks. Europe has been scrambling to tame high energy prices after Russia slashed gas supplies following its invasion of Ukraine - sending gas prices skywards and pushing European power prices to record levels in August. Any proposal would need to be negotiated by EU countries, possibly with the aim of approving it at an emergency meeting of energy ministers in November. Ahead of Tuesday's talks, the EU Commission shared a document with countries that cautioned against another type of price cap, for gas used to generate power, which it said could cause an increase in gas use.

☆ EU countries look to map out path to gas price cap
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Kate Abnett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/IllustrationBRUSSELS, Oct 25 (Reuters) - European Union energy ministers will discuss a bloc-wide gas price cap on Tuesday, attempting to navigate their next steps although it is likely to be weeks before any final decisions. Europe has been scrambling to tame high energy prices after Russia slashed gas supplies following its invasion of Ukraine - sending gas prices skywards and pushing European power prices to record levels in August. With no legal proposal for a price cap on the table yet, ministers meeting in Luxembourg are expected to debate the principles of how an EU gas price limit could work, as well as possible drawbacks. Ahead of Tuesday's talks, the EU Commission shared a document with countries that cautioned against another type of price cap, for gas used to generate power, which it said could cause an increase in gas use. One senior EU official said it was not yet clear when Brussels would make a firm proposal on a price cap.

☆ BYD flags huge quarterly profit jump as China sales surge past Tesla
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Shares in BYD jumped. By comparison, Tesla sold just over 318,000 electric vehicles in China during the first nine months of the year. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers has estimated that EV sales in China will increase by about 56% this year to 5.5 million units - a market far greater than most countries' entire auto sales. EVs are also expected to account for 20% of overall China vehicle sales this year, up from 13.6% in 2021, the industry association said. Some subsidies for electric vehicles are set to expire this year although the government has extended an exemption of the purchase tax for EVs to the end of 2023.

☆ Chinese EV giant BYD flags huge jump in quarterly profit, shares surge
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of BYD is pictured at the 2022 Paris Auto Show in Paris, France October 17, 2022. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File PhotoOct 18 (Reuters) - BYD Co (002594.SZ), China's biggest electric car maker, said third-quarter net profit likely more than quadrupled due to robust sales and a better product mix, sending its shares surging. It estimated that net profit for the July-September quarter came in between 5.5 billion yuan to 5.9 billion yuan ($765 million-$820 million), or an increase of 333% to 365.1% from the same period a year earlier. BYD's Hong Kong shares gained 4% on Tuesday morning while its shares in Shenzhen climbed 5%. Government incentives have helped sales of electric vehicles surge in the world's biggest auto market.

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