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The year 2024 has been a fast-paced one in terms of political shifts, deadly conflicts, and regional developments. As we approach the end of this eventful year, the repercussions of these events will undoubtedly carry over into 2025. The contemporary history of the world is filled with wars and conflicts driven by political, geographical, and religious differences. However, the conflicts of 2024 reflect a combination of both religious and political motives fueling the violence. Reports from organizations like ACLED and the Global Peace Index suggest that 2024 has been one of the most violent years since World War II. Over 92 countries have experienced cross-border conflicts, and violence-related casualties have significantly increased. The International Rescue Committee, in its annual monitoring report, also highlighted the rise in global conflicts, predicting that 2025 will continue to be affected by the ongoing violence. In the Middle East, events such as the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, as well as violent incidents in Gaza and Lebanon, have made 2024 one of the most tense years in the region. Meanwhile, the conflict between Israel and the Houthis in Yemen has intensified, and the possibility of direct confrontation between Israel and Iran has emerged as a potential scenario for 2025. Vladimir Putin’s re-election as the President of Russia for the fifth time, alongside Donald Trump’s return to power in the United States, were major political developments that had significant international implications. On the other hand, far-right extremist parties, known for their anti-immigration policies, have gained traction in Europe, while European countries with centrist, mainly liberal policies have not had a particularly favorable year. Climate change and its consequences were also key topics in 2024. At the latest United Nations Climate Change Conference, no new agreements were reached to effectively address the impacts of climate change. 2024 was reported as the hottest year on record, with a rise of 1.5°C since the Industrial Revolution, underscoring humanity’s failure to curb global warming. 2024 also saw significant developments in the virtual space. Artificial intelligence reached new capabilities, sparking both new expectations and new concerns regarding its implications on society. As we approach 2025, the political, social, and environmental challenges of 2024 are expected to leave lasting effects. From the ongoing global conflicts to the growing influence of far-right politics in Europe, and the failure to adequately address climate change, the future remains uncertain. With technological advancements such as artificial intelligence and virtual spaces also advancing rapidly, society will need to grapple with both the potential and the risks these changes bring. As we move forward, it is clear that the lessons of 2024 will shape the strategies and decisions of governments, organizations, and individuals in the years to come. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ( MENAFN - market Press Release) December 19, 2024 8:29 am - The global oil and gas downhole cables market is experiencing significant growth, driven by rising energy demands and technological advancements in exploration and production activities. The market is projected to reach USD 1,624.0 million by 2031. Introduction The global oil and gas downhole cables market is experiencing significant growth, driven by rising energy demands and technological advancements in exploration and production activities. Valued at USD 1,062.23 million in 2023, the market is projected to reach USD 1,624.0 million by 2031, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.45% during the forecast period (2024-2031). This market analysis explores key growth drivers, market segmentation, regional insights, and major industry players that are shaping the future of downhole cable technology. Market Overview The global oil and gas downhole cables market encompasses products such as tubing encapsulated cables (TEC), fiber optic cables, and electric submersible pump (ESP) cables. These cables play a critical role in ensuring the efficient transmission of power, data, and signals in harsh downhole environments. The market's growth is fueled by increasing oil and gas exploration activities, the adoption of smart technologies, and the rise of new projects in untapped regions. In 2023, the market was valued at USD 1,062.23 million, with a forecasted value of USD 1,624.0 million by 2031. The report provides revenue (USD Million) and volume (Million Units) estimates for the 2022-2031 period. The analysis delves into key market segments by type, installation, application, and region, offering insights into growth opportunities and emerging trends. Key Market Drivers Increased Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Rising Energy Demand: The global demand for energy continues to rise, driving increased exploration and production (E&P) activities, especially in deepwater and unconventional resources. New Drilling Projects: The surge in new drilling projects and infrastructure development fuels the need for downhole cables, which are essential for power, data transmission, and signal processing. Technological Advancements Enhanced Cable Technology: The development of robust cables that withstand extreme downhole conditions such as high temperatures, intense pressure, and corrosive environments is a key growth driver. Smart Technologies and IoT: The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, sensors, and automation technologies enhances cable functionality, allowing real-time data collection, remote monitoring, and predictive maintenance. Growing Investments in Emerging Markets Regional Expansion: Emerging markets in Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia are witnessing an increase in oil and gas activities, creating significant growth opportunities. Infrastructure Development: Investments in oil and gas infrastructure, including pipelines, rigs, and offshore platforms, are propelling the demand for downhole cables. High Initial Costs and Market Challenges Investment Hurdles: The cost of advanced downhole cables and the complexity of their installation may hinder adoption in certain regions. Return on Investment (ROI): The need for high ROI may discourage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from adopting these technologies. Market Segmentation The oil and gas downhole cables market is segmented based on the following criteria: By Type Tubing Encapsulated Cables (TEC) Fiber Optic Cables Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) Cables By Installation Onshore Offshore By Application Data Transmission Power Transmission Signal Transmission By Region North America: United States, Canada, Mexico Europe: Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe Asia Pacific: China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa: UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of MEA Latin America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America Regional Insights North America The North American region, led by the United States, dominates the oil and gas downhole cables market due to significant investments in shale gas exploration and offshore drilling projects. Asia Pacific The Asia Pacific market is experiencing rapid growth, with China, India, and Southeast Asia driving demand due to increased energy consumption and exploration activities in emerging economies. Middle East & Africa Rich in natural resources, the Middle East and Africa region presents lucrative opportunities for market growth, particularly in countries like UAE and Saudi Arabia, which are investing heavily in oil and gas infrastructure. Europe Europe's growth is supported by ongoing investments in renewable energy and advanced drilling technologies in regions like the North Sea. Latin America Countries such as Brazil and Argentina are focusing on offshore exploration and drilling, leading to increased demand for downhole cables to support these activities. Key Players in the Market Several prominent players are driving innovation in the oil and gas downhole cables market. Key players include: Schlumberger: A global leader in oilfield services, offering a range of downhole cable solutions for data and power transmission. Nexans: A manufacturer specializing in advanced cable technologies that support harsh downhole environments. Halliburton: A key provider of oilfield services, including downhole cable systems for real-time data transmission and well monitoring. Prysmian Group: A global leader in cable manufacturing, offering high-performance downhole cables that meet the demands of extreme wellbore conditions. These players are actively investing in R&D to develop durable, efficient, and cost-effective downhole cable solutions. Future Opportunities and Emerging Trends Sustainable Energy Goals: The shift toward sustainable energy and carbon reduction initiatives could impact the growth of the oil and gas sector, potentially driving demand for advanced downhole cables that support cleaner energy extraction methods. Digital Transformation: The oil and gas sector is increasingly adopting digitalization, automation, and IoT-based solutions to improve efficiency and reduce downtime. This shift creates new opportunities for smart downhole cable solutions. Innovations in Cable Design: Continuous improvements in cable materials, coatings, and insulation technologies are enabling the development of more durable and long-lasting downhole cables. Conclusion The global oil and gas downhole cables market is set to experience substantial growth, driven by rising energy demands, technological innovations, and increased exploration activities in emerging markets. Advanced cable technologies, IoT integration, and automation are transforming downhole cable applications, offering significant growth potential for industry players. North America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa are key regions driving market expansion, supported by ongoing investments in oil and gas infrastructure. Industry leaders such as Schlumberger, Nexans, Halliburton, and Prysmian Group are at the forefront of developing next-generation downhole cable solutions. For companies looking to stay competitive, investing in research and development, expanding product offerings, and leveraging IoT-enabled technologies will be critical to capturing emerging opportunities in this fast-growing market. MENAFN19122024003520003262ID1109014730 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, representing a 42% premium on the company’s stock as of March 18. Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, while Erik and Pete Nordstrom — part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recused themselves from voting. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom Family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally. In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration. What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market tumbled more than a dozen points to 81.1. The Conference Board says a reading under 80 can signal a potential recession in the near future. Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda's U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse? Researchers and watchdog groups say the emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools that allow people to efficiently produce detailed and novel online reviews has put merchants, service providers and consumers in uncharted territory. Phony reviews have long plagued many popular consumer websites, such as Amazon and Yelp. But AI-infused text generation tools enable fraudsters to produce reviews faster and in greater volume, according to tech industry experts. The deceptive practice is illegal in the U.S. and becomes a bigger problem for consumers during the holiday shopping season, when many people rely on reviews to buy gifts. A tech company and watchdog group that uses software to detect fake reviews says AI-generated reviews have multiplied. Romanian lawmakers narrowly approve new pro-European coalition during period of political turmoil BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian lawmakers have voted narrowly in favor of a new pro-European coalition government led by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. The move on Monday could usher in an end to a protracted political crisis in the European Union country following the annulment of a presidential election. Parliament approved the new administration in a 240-143 vote in the 466-seat legislature. The new coalition is made up of the leftist Social Democratic Party, the center-right National Liberal Party, the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party and national minorities. President Klaus Iohannis swore in the new government on Monday night. Government regulators close investigation into Ford Focus recalls Government safety regulators are closing an investigation into two previous recalls of the Ford Focus after determining that Ford Motor Co. has satisfied its concerns. Ford recalled around 1.5 million Ford Focus sedans from the 2012-2018 model years in 2018 because they could lose power. The issue was a malfunctioning canister purge valve and software that didn’t adequately detect when it was stuck open. Ford fixed the software in two separate recalls, but after cars continued to stall, the government opened an inquiry last year. Earlier this fall, Ford offered to replace the canister purge valve on all of the vehicles, satisfying regulators' concerns. AI will eavesdrop on world's wildest places to track and help protect endangered wildlife PUERTO JIMÉNEZ, Costa Rica (AP) — A biologist hid 350 audio monitors across Costa Rica’s tropical rainforests to spy on endangered spider monkeys in order to help protect them. But she had to go back to collect the data and feed those sounds into artificial intelligence systems that can recognize monkey calls. Now tech giant Microsoft's philanthropic arm is hoping to supercharge AI-assisted wildlife research with new solar-powered devices that can capture sounds, images and other wilderness data for a year or more without human intervention. Researchers say more AI wildlife surveillance is urgently needed to monitor the health of species at risk of extinction.
LATHAM, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 19, 2024-- AngioDynamics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANGO), a leading and transformative medical technology company focused on restoring healthy blood flow in the body’s vascular system, expanding cancer treatment options and improving patient quality of life, today announced that it will report financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 before the market open on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, followed by a Virtual NanoKnife System investor event. Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter Financial Results Conference Call The Company’s management will host a conference call at 8:00 am ET the same day to discuss the results. To participate in the conference call, dial 1-877-407-0784 (domestic) or +1-201-689-8560 (international). This conference call will also be webcast and can be accessed from the “Investors” section of the AngioDynamics website at www.angiodynamics.com . The webcast replay of the call will be available at the same site approximately one hour after the end of the call. A recording of the call will also be available, until Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET. To hear this recording, dial 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) or +1-412-317-6671 (international) and enter the passcode 13750571. Virtual NanoKnife Investor Event In an effort to provide investors more insight into the NanoKnife System and the Company’s strategy for the technology, the Company will be hosting a virtual investor event on January 8, 2025 at 9:30am ET. This event be webcast and can be accessed from the “Investors” section of the AngioDynamics website at www.angiodynamics.com . About AngioDynamics, Inc. AngioDynamics is a leading and transformative medical technology company focused on restoring healthy blood flow in the body’s vascular system, expanding cancer treatment options and improving quality of life for patients. The Company’s innovative technologies and devices are chosen by talented physicians in fast-growing healthcare markets to treat unmet patient needs. For more information, visit www.angiodynamics.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219061676/en/ CONTACT: Investors: AngioDynamics, Inc. Stephen Trowbridge, Executive Vice President & CFO (518) 795-1408 KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEALTH ONCOLOGY CARDIOLOGY MEDICAL DEVICES SOURCE: AngioDynamics, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/19/2024 05:00 PM/DISC: 12/19/2024 04:58 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219061676/en
By JILL COLVIN and STEPHEN GROVES WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working mostly behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role: Helping Donald Trump try to get his most contentious Cabinet picks to confirmation in the Senate, where Vance has served for the last two years. Vance arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday with former Rep. Matt Gaetz and spent the morning sitting in on meetings between Trump’s choice for attorney general and key Republicans, including members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The effort was for naught: Gaetz announced a day later that he was withdrawing his name amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations and the reality that he was unlikely to be confirmed. Thursday morning Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth, the “Fox & Friends Weekend” host whom Trump has tapped to be the next secretary of defense. Hegseth also has faced allegations of sexual assault that he denies. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings in coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, and Vice President-elect JD Vance, left, walk out of a meeting with Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, departs the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, center speaks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, right, speaks with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, before testifying at a hearing, March 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a classified briefing on China, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a vote on Capitol Hill, Sept. 12, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance R-Ohio speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Vance is taking on an atypical role as Senate guide for Trump nominees The role of introducing nominees around Capitol Hill is an unusual one for a vice president-elect. Usually the job goes to a former senator who has close relationships on the Hill, or a more junior aide. But this time the role fits Vance, said Marc Short, who served as Trump’s first director of legislative affairs as well as chief of staff to Trump’s first vice president, Mike Pence, who spent more than a decade in Congress and led the former president’s transition ahead of his first term. ”JD probably has a lot of current allies in the Senate and so it makes sense to have him utilized in that capacity,” Short said. Unlike the first Trump transition, which played out before cameras at Trump Tower in New York and at the president-elect’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, this one has largely happened behind closed doors in Palm Beach, Florida. There, a small group of officials and aides meet daily at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to run through possible contenders and interview job candidates. The group includes Elon Musk, the billionaire who has spent so much time at the club that Trump has joked he can’t get rid of him. Vance has been a constant presence, even as he’s kept a lower profile. The Ohio senator has spent much of the last two weeks in Palm Beach, according to people familiar with his plans, playing an active role in the transition, on which he serves as honorary chair. Mar-a-Lago scene is a far cry from Vance’s hardscrabble upbringing Vance has been staying at a cottage on the property of the gilded club, where rooms are adorned with cherubs, oriental rugs and intricate golden inlays. It’s a world away from the famously hardscrabble upbringing that Vance documented in the memoir that made him famous, “Hillbilly Elegy.” His young children have also joined him at Mar-a-Lago, at times. Vance was photographed in shorts and a polo shirt playing with his kids on the seawall of the property with a large palm frond, a U.S. Secret Service robotic security dog in the distance. On the rare days when he is not in Palm Beach, Vance has been joining the sessions remotely via Zoom. Though he has taken a break from TV interviews after months of constant appearances, Vance has been active in the meetings, which began immediately after the election and include interviews and as well as presentations on candidates’ pluses and minuses. Among those interviewed: Contenders to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray , as Vance wrote in a since-deleted social media post. Defending himself from criticism that he’d missed a Senate vote in which one of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees was confirmed, Vance wrote that he was meeting at the time “with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director.” “I tend to think it’s more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45,” Vance added on X. “But that’s just me.” Vance is making his voice heard as Trump stocks his Cabinet While Vance did not come in to the transition with a list of people he wanted to see in specific roles, he and his friend, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who is also a member of the transition team, were eager to see former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. find roles in the administration. Trump ended up selecting Gabbard as the next director of national intelligence , a powerful position that sits atop the nation’s spy agencies and acts as the president’s top intelligence adviser. And he chose Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , a massive agency that oversees everything from drug and food safety to Medicare and Medicaid. Vance was also a big booster of Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who will serve as Trump’s “border czar.” In another sign of Vance’s influence, James Braid, a top aide to the senator, is expected to serve as Trump’s legislative affairs director. Allies say it’s too early to discuss what portfolio Vance might take on in the White House. While he gravitates to issues like trade, immigration and tech policy, Vance sees his role as doing whatever Trump needs. Vance was spotted days after the election giving his son’s Boy Scout troop a tour of the Capitol and was there the day of leadership elections. He returned in earnest this week, first with Gaetz — arguably Trump’s most divisive pick — and then Hegseth, who has was been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017, according to an investigative report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. Vance hosted Hegseth in his Senate office as GOP senators, including those who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, filtered in to meet with the nominee for defense secretary. While a president’s nominees usually visit individual senators’ offices, meeting them on their own turf, the freshman senator — who is accompanied everywhere by a large Secret Service detail that makes moving around more unwieldy — instead brought Gaetz to a room in the Capitol on Wednesday and Hegseth to his office on Thursday. Senators came to them. Vance made it to votes Wednesday and Thursday, but missed others on Thursday afternoon. Vance will draw on his Senate background going forward Vance is expected to continue to leverage his relationships in the Senate after Trump takes office. But many Republicans there have longer relationships with Trump himself. Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, said that Trump was often the first person to call him back when he was trying to reach high-level White House officials during Trump’s first term. “He has the most active Rolodex of just about anybody I’ve ever known,” Cramer said, adding that Vance would make a good addition. “They’ll divide names up by who has the most persuasion here,” Cramer said, but added, “Whoever his liaison is will not work as hard at it as he will.” Cramer was complimentary of the Ohio senator, saying he was “pleasant” and ” interesting” to be around. ′′He doesn’t have the long relationships,” he said. “But we all like people that have done what we’ve done. I mean, that’s sort of a natural kinship, just probably not as personally tied.” Under the Constitution, Vance will also have a role presiding over the Senate and breaking tie votes. But he’s not likely to be needed for that as often as was Kamala Harris, who broke a record number of ties for Democrats as vice president, since Republicans will have a bigger cushion in the chamber next year. Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.PIA sell-off: govt says getting enhanced bids