France\'s Mistral AI raised 3 billion euros, lifting its valuation to more than 21 billion euros. On the same day, ASML expanded cooperation on advanced lithography with Samsung Electronics and TSMC. The moves were linked to efforts by European companies to rebuild competitiveness in AI and semiconductors. Mistral AI said the Series D round, led by Samsung, was the largest fundraising by a European tech company.

China has introduced tougher electric-vehicle battery safety rules that the industry says are difficult to meet with existing lithium-ion technology, boosting attention on sodium-ion batteries as a faster-to-commercialise alternative. The rules require no fire or explosion even during thermal runaway and tighten tests for heat spread and impacts. Demand for sodium-ion batteries is forecast to rise sharply, led by China’s push on transport rules and international standards.