
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) 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. 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.” 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 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.Dec 16, 2024 Researchers create microchips capable of detecting and diagnosing diseases ( Nanowerk News ) In a world grappling with a multitude of health threats — ranging from fast-spreading viruses to chronic diseases and drug-resistant bacteria — the need for quick, reliable, and easy-to-use home diagnostic tests has never been greater. Imagine a future where these tests can be done anywhere, by anyone, using a device as small and portable as your smartwatch. To do that, you need microchips capable of detecting miniscule concentrations of viruses or bacteria in the air. Now, new research from NYU Tandon faculty including Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Davood Shahrjerdi; Herman F. Mark Professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Elisa Riedo; and Giuseppe de Peppo, Industry Associate Professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and who was previously at Mirimus, shows it’s possible to develop and build microchips that can not only identify multiple diseases from a single cough or air sample, but can also be produced at scale. “This study opens new horizons in the field of biosensing. Microchips, the backbone of smartphones, computers, and other smart devices, have transformed the way people communicate, entertain, and work. Similarly, today, our technology will allow microchips to revolutionize healthcare, from medical diagnostics, to environmental health” says Riedo, “The innovative technology demonstrated in this article uses field-effect transistors (FETs) — miniature electronic sensors that directly detect biological markers and convert them into digital signals — offering an alternative to traditional color-based chemical diagnostic tests like home pregnancy tests,” said Shahrjerdi. “This advanced approach enables faster results, testing for multiple diseases simultaneously, and immediate data transmission to healthcare providers” says Sharjerdi, who is also the Director of the NYU Nanofabrication Cleanroom, a state-of-the-art facility where some of the chips used in this study were fabricated. Riedo and Shahrjerdi are also the co-directors of the NYU NanoBioX initiative. Field-effect transistors, a staple of modern electronics, are emerging as powerful tools in this quest for diagnostic instruments. These tiny devices can be adapted to function as biosensors, detecting specific pathogens or biomarkers in real time, without the need for chemical labels or lengthy lab procedures. By converting biological interactions into measurable electrical signals, FET-based biosensors offer a rapid and versatile platform for diagnostics. Recent advancements have pushed the detection capabilities of FET biosensors to incredibly small levels — down to femtomolar concentrations, or one quadrillionth of a mole — by incorporating nanoscale materials such as nanowires, indium oxide, and graphene. Yet, despite their potential, FET-based sensors still face a significant challenge: they struggle to detect multiple pathogens or biomarkers simultaneously on the same chip. Current methods for customizing these sensors, such as drop-casting bioreceptors like antibodies onto the FET’s surface, lack the precision and scalability required for more complex diagnostic tasks. To address this, these researchers are exploring new ways to modify FET surfaces, allowing each transistor on a chip to be tailored to detect a different biomarker. This would enable parallel detection of multiple pathogens. Enter thermal scanning probe lithography (tSPL), a breakthrough technology that may hold the key to overcoming these barriers. This technique allows for the precise chemical patterning of a polymer-coated chip, enabling the functionalization of individual FETs with different bioreceptors, such as antibodies or aptamers, at resolutions as fine as 20 nanometers. This is on par with the tiny size of transistors in today’s advanced semiconductor chips. By allowing for highly selective modification of each transistor, this method opens the door to the development of FET-based sensors that can detect a wide variety of pathogens on a single chip, with unparalleled sensitivity. Riedo, who was instrumental in the development and proliferation of tSPL technology, sees its use here to be further evidence of the groundbreaking way this nanofabrication technique can be used in practical applications. “tSPL, now a commercially available lithographic technology, has been key to functionalize each FET with different bio-receptors in order to achieve multiplexing,” she says. In tests, FET sensors functionalized using tSPL have shown remarkable performance, detecting as few as 3 attomolar (aM) concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and as little as 10 live virus particles per milliliter, while effectively distinguishing between different types of viruses, including influenza A. The ability to reliably detect such minute quantities of pathogens with high specificity is a critical step toward creating portable diagnostic devices that could one day be used in a variety of settings, from hospitals to homes. The study, now published by the Royal Society of Chemistry in Nanoscale ( "Nanoscale-localized multiplexed biological activation of field effect transistors for biosensing applications" ), was supported by Mirimus, a Brooklyn-based biotechnology company, and LendLease, a multinational construction and real estate company based in Australia. They are working with the NYU Tandon team to develop illness-detecting wearables and home devices, respectively. “This research shows off the power of the collaboration between industry and academia, and how it can change the face of modern medicine,” says Prem Premsrirut, President and CEO of Mirimus. “NYU Tandon’s researchers are producing work that will play a large role in the future of disease detection.” “Companies such as Lendlease and other developers involved in urban regeneration are searching for innovative solutions like this to sense biological threats in buildings.” says Alberto Sangiovanni Vincentelli of UC Berkeley, a collaborator on the Project. “Biodefense measures like this will be a new infrastructural layer for the buildings of the future” As semiconductor manufacturing continues to advance, integrating billions of nanoscale FETs onto microchips, the potential for using these chips in biosensing applications is becoming increasingly feasible. A universal, scalable method for functionalizing FET surfaces at nanoscale precision would enable the creation of sophisticated diagnostic tools, capable of detecting multiple diseases in real time, with the kind of speed and accuracy that could transform modern medicine. Source: NYU Tandon School of Engineering (Note: Content may be edited for style and length)
IOWA CITY — The Iowa football team picked up the commitment of Central Michigan transfer Jonah Pace on Monday. Pace The 6-foot-5, 285-pound defensive lineman announced the decision on X, formerly known as Twitter, with a post captioned: Stay the path. A Marengo, Illinois native, Pace appeared in 37 games over the course of four seasons with the Chippewas. He racked up 54 total tackles, including 30 solo stops, 12 tackles for loss, including five sacks, one forced fumble, one blocked kick and two passes defended. Nebraska reportedly also had interest in the veteran run stuffer. A three-star prospect on the 247Sports Composite rankings out of high school, Pace originally picked Central Michigan over offers from Illinois State, Indiana State, Murray State, North Dakota and Western Illinois. Pace joins Auburn transfer Hank Brown as the only two transfer portal commits for the Hawkeyes since the start of the winter transfer window two weeks ago. Did Logan Jones actually surprise teammates with post announcing his return to Iowa? Ferentz expects Brendan Sullivan to start Iowa’s bowl game, reveals other Hawkeye QB news Iowa transfer portal tracker: Hawkeyes add MAC defensive lineman Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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LOS ANGELES, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM") reminds investors of the upcoming December 13, 2024 deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in the class action filed on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Edwards Lifesciences Corporation ("Edwards Lifesciences" or the "Company") EW securities between February 6, 2024 and July 24, 2024 , inclusive (the "Class Period"). If you suffered a loss on your Edwards Lifesciences investments or would like to inquire about potentially pursuing claims to recover your loss under the federal securities laws, you can submit your contact information at www.glancylaw.com/cases/edwards-lifesciences-corporation/ . You can also contact Charles H. Linehan, of GPM at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, or via email at shareholders@glancylaw.com to learn more about your rights. On July 24, 2024, Edwards Lifesciences announced fiscal second quarter 2024 results which came in below expectations. The Company also announced lowered projections for its core Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) platform for the full fiscal year 2024. The Company attributed the TAVR setback to the "continued growth and expansion of structural heart therapies ... [which] put pressure on hospital workflows." On this news, Edwards Lifesciences' stock price fell $27.25, or 31.34%, to close at $59.70 per share on July 25, 2024, thereby injuring investors. The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) the Company did not possess reliable information pertaining to projected revenue outlook and anticipated growth; (2) the Company's growth was at risk of decelerating; (3) the Company's "patient activation activities" failed to reach the perceived low-treatment-rate population TAVR's growth relied upon obtaining; (4) the Company overstated hospital desire to continue to utilize the Company's TAVR procedures over newer, innovative structural heart therapies; and (5) as a result, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn , Twitter , or Facebook . If you purchased or otherwise acquired Edwards Lifesciences securities during the Class Period, you may move the Court no later than December 13, 2024 to request appointment as lead plaintiff in this putative class action lawsuit. To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to the pending class action lawsuit, please contact Charles Linehan, Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to shareholders@glancylaw.com , or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com . If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Contacts Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, Los Angeles Charles Linehan, 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224 shareholders@glancylaw.com www.glancylaw.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Manitoba’s official gift shop is the size of a walk-in closet, but it’s stocked with hundreds of items targeted at tourists and others, be they politicians or members of the public, in search of a last-minute and locally made present. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Manitoba’s official gift shop is the size of a walk-in closet, but it’s stocked with hundreds of items targeted at tourists and others, be they politicians or members of the public, in search of a last-minute and locally made present. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Manitoba’s official gift shop is the size of a walk-in closet, but it’s stocked with hundreds of items targeted at tourists and others, be they politicians or members of the public, in search of a last-minute and locally made present. The Golden Boy Gift Shop is located underneath its iconic statue-namesake, tucked in the corner of the lobby of the legislative building at 450 Broadway. “It’s the people’s building — the people of Manitoba. This is their building and this is their government, so we should be showcasing Manitoba artisans’ work or Manitoba companies, over and above anybody else,” said acting manager Cheryl Gilfix-Bird. Among the products that line the shelves and racks: condiments from Grand Marais-based Canadian Birch Company; wooden coasters and trinkets from Oakbank’s Zealousdecor; sashes from Métis-owned Étchiboy; pottery by Lorette artist Susan Gurman; and hand-painted keychains and earrings via Bloom Moon Designs of Selkirk. Gilfix-Bird said her preference is to sell goods created by Manitoba creators and companies, which account for the majority of stock, but that is not always possible so the shop sources everything from Canadian-owned businesses. Purchases are often accompanied by a card detailing their origins and, if applicable, such as in the case of the Manitoba tartan, their historical significance. Ties, scrunchies and scarves made of red, green, gold and blue-patterned plaid — a design by Hugh Kirkwood Rankine that was added to the Scottish Register of Tartans in the ’60s and received royal assent to become an official emblem in Manitoba that decade — are for sale. “The red squares of the pattern represent the Red River Settlements, near what is now Winnipeg,” per an information card about the provincial tartan. It states that green is symbolic of local natural resources, gold is a reference to the agriculture industry, and blue represents the Earl of Selkirk, Thomas Douglas, whose Scottish family clan tartan has blue lines. Every new shop employee participates in a tour of the legislature to orient themselves and learn about the history of Manitoba, Gilfix-Bird said, adding customers often have questions about items and the grounds on which they are sold. “The best-(seller)? I think that it’s not a product. It’s everything that has a polar bear on it,” said Daniela Sanchez Ramirez, a retail employee at the gift shop. Sanchez Ramirez, who is originally from Colombia, said foreigners are often keen to take home a souvenir displaying Manitoba’s ceremonial mammal, whether it’s in the form of a stuffed animal, pin, pair of earrings or on a mug. The sales associate has been asked if polar bears can be spotted roaming city streets, she noted, followed by a chuckle. The summer is typically the shop’s busiest season, given the sheer number of tourists who stop by for free tours that often start and end near the gift shop. Busier periods correspond with the legislative session, the acting manager said. At the same time, Gilfix-Bird noted it’s a fairly unknown shop that, in line with historic landlord protocols, does not have any flashy advertising; she and her colleagues often hear from first-time shoppers who are surprised to learn they exist and the range of products in stock. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The employee team began bolstering the shop’s social media presence this fall. The shop, which operates five days a week, year-round and offers free gift-wrapping, will be open on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Its upcoming holiday closures are Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Prices range from $1 to $400, although the majority of products are under $50. maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the . Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she joined the newsroom as a reporter in 2019. . Funding for the education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the . Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the . Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she joined the newsroom as a reporter in 2019. . Funding for the education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the . Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Advertisement Advertisement
Bank of America’s recent analysis highlights that Nvidia and Broadcom are poised to be leaders in the semiconductor space by 2025. With artificial intelligence becoming a key force, both companies are expected to experience significant growth. Analyst Vivek Arya emphasized the crucial role of AI, notably boosting the growth of these firms in the early months of 2025. The substantial support from American cloud service giants will likely propel Nvidia’s upcoming Blackwell chips to maintain their strong foothold in the AI semiconductor market. Meanwhile, Broadcom’s diverse AI infrastructure capabilities position them well for success in this expanding field. The analysis forecasts a 15% increase in global semiconductor sales, reaching $725 billion by 2025. While slower than the 20% growth observed in 2024, the numbers continue to reflect robust industry expansion. Early-year demand will mainly be driven by AI, but as 2025 progresses, sectors like automotive and industrial applications are expected to rise in significance as inventory levels stabilize and global vehicle production rebounds. Nvidia’s pivotal role in integrating AI within data centers underscores its exceptional market position. Likewise, Broadcom stands to gain considerably from its extensive range of AI-based technologies. Despite current challenges such as geopolitical tensions with China and uncertainties regarding global economic recovery, demand for AI innovation is predicted to continue flourishing. Bank of America suggests potential for increased mergers and acquisitions in the semiconductor sector, possibly restructuring the competitive landscape as the new U.S. administration settles in, further enhancing the dynamics for Nvidia and Broadcom in the industry. How AI Catalysts Could Revolutionize Nvidia and Broadcom by 2025 The semiconductor industry is on the cusp of transformative growth, with Nvidia and Broadcom at the forefront. Recent insights by Bank of America suggest that these two tech giants are poised to dominate the market by 2025, driven largely by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Key Drivers of Growth Analyst Vivek Arya highlights AI’s pivotal role in this projected surge. The burgeoning support from American cloud service providers is anticipated to fortify Nvidia’s position, especially with the release of its new Blackwell chips. Broadcom, boasting a wide array of AI infrastructure capabilities, is similarly positioned for success in this rapidly evolving landscape. Furthermore, Bank of America projects an impressive 15% increase in global semiconductor sales, reaching a staggering $725 billion by 2025. This growth, while slightly slower compared to the 20% uptick in 2024, underscores the sustained expansion of the industry. Initially propelled by AI demand, the latter half of 2025 is expected to witness a surge in demand across automotive and industrial sectors as inventory levels stabilize. Prospective Developments and Challenges While Nvidia is making strides by integrating AI within data centers, Broadcom is set to benefit from its diverse AI-based technologies. Nonetheless, both companies face challenges, including geopolitical tensions with China and uncertainties around the global economic recovery. Despite these hurdles, the appetite for AI innovation remains robust. M&A Activities and Market Restructuring Bank of America anticipates heightened mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity within the semiconductor sector as part of the industry’s broader evolution. This shift could potentially reshape the competitive landscape, offering Nvidia and Broadcom further opportunities to solidify their leadership roles. Future Predictions With a new U.S. administration likely influencing future policies, there is potential for a reshaping of the semiconductor sector’s competitive dynamics. Such changes could foster an environment ripe for innovation and collaboration, further enhancing the prospects for leaders like Nvidia and Broadcom. The anticipated thriving semiconductor market, led by pioneering companies and innovative AI applications, signals a bright future with the potential for substantial economic and technological advancements. For those interested in the latest updates on these developments, visit the main domains of Nvidia and Broadcom for more insights and information.
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Can AI ‘sleigh’ the Christmas charts?By Hiran H.Senewiratne Trading at the Colombo Stock Exchange was bullish yesterday as investors were driven by the fact that Fitch Ratings had upgraded Sri Lanka out of the default rating and upgraded it to CCC+ level. This resulted in the All Share Price Index going beyond the 15,000 mark hitting a new record yesterday. According to CSE sources, the ASPI crossed the 15,000 mark for the first time in history and the market closed at 15,020.61 points with a turnover of Rs. 8.44 billion. Amid those developments both indices moved upwards. All Share Price Index up by 209.9 points while S and P SL20 up by 73.65 points. Turnover stood at Rs 8.4 billion with twelve crossings. Those crossings were reported in HNB which crossed 750,000 shares to the tune of Rs 212 million and its share price traded at Rs 284,50, CTC 160,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 208 million and its share price traded at Rs 1300, JKH 8.1 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 182 million and its share price traded at Rs 22.50, Sampath Bank one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 110 million and its share price traded at Rs 110, NTB 250,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 44 million and its share price traded at Rs 176, NHB (Non Voting) 200,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 42.7 million and its share price traded at Rs 215, RIL Properties three million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 36.9 million and its share price traded at Rs 12.30, Access Engineering one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 35 million and its share price traded at Rs 35, LOLC Holdings 50000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 28.5 million and its share price traded at Rs 570, People’s Insurance 150,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 23.8 million and its share price traded at Rs 26.50, Commerical Bank 150,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 20.6 million and its share price traded at Rs 137.50 and Marawila Resorts 3.3 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 20.4 millions and its share price traded at Rs 6.20.A recent article highlighted the challenges faced by , once considered Europe’s flagship battery manufacturing startup, and underscores broader concerns about the green industrial transition in Europe. However, those same lessons are applicable for the U.S. as it seeks to compete in a space dominated by China. Northvolt’s bankruptcy serves as a cautionary tale about Europe’s struggle to compete in the electric vehicle (EV) and clean tech sectors against better-established Asian companies. While Northvolt secured substantial orders and funding ($15 billion raised and $50 billion in orders), it was hampered by production delays, operational mismanagement, and an inability to scale effectively. This reflects broader systemic challenges such as high costs, regulatory hurdles, and fragmented policymaking across Europe. Northvolt’s bankruptcy also reflects the challenges posed by political shifts and economic uncertainty. In the U.S., bipartisan support for clean energy is critical to ensure that initiatives survive changes in administration or economic downturns. Policymakers must build resilience into programs to ensure they can withstand external shocks, such as fluctuating energy prices or global market competition. The article criticizes Europe’s inconsistent support for clean technologies. Unlike China’s coordinated industrial policies, European policymakers have been hesitant to act decisively, even as green initiatives face growing political resistance. Comparisons to bailouts for financial institutions highlight a reluctance to treat green tech failures as critical to economic and strategic interests. This hesitance could jeopardize the continent’s climate goals and its automotive sector, which is heavily reliant on transitioning to EVs. Similar to Europe, the U.S. needs a unified, long-term industrial policy for green technology. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provided significant incentives for domestic clean energy development, but ensuring these funds are effectively deployed requires strong coordination between federal, state, and local governments. Northvolt’s struggles highlight the risks of fragmented policies and hesitation, which could undermine investor confidence and the timely rollout of critical infrastructure. Northvolt’s collapse can be attributed to a combination of internal missteps and external pressures. According to , excessive spending, subpar safety standards, and an over-reliance on Chinese machinery significantly hampered the company’s ability to scale effectively. Externally, slower-than-anticipated adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and high operational costs placed additional strain on the business. These challenges underscore the need for greater operational discipline, diversified supply chains, and a robust domestic manufacturing base to avoid such pitfalls. The United States can take valuable cues from its semiconductor initiatives, like the CHIPS and Science Act, to support clean technologies such as battery manufacturing. Prioritizing diversified supply chains and fostering advanced domestic production capabilities can mitigate risks and bolster competitiveness, especially against established players like China. One potential takeaway from Northvolt’s struggles is the need to integrate the second-life battery market into business strategies. By focusing on repurposing surplus batteries for secondary applications, manufacturers can reduce inefficiencies and strengthen supply chains. This approach not only addresses sustainability concerns but also enhances competitiveness in a market increasingly shaped by Chinese dominance. Currently, a significant gap exists between battery manufacturers like Northvolt and recyclers such as . Companies like are working to bridge this divide by redistributing functional surplus batteries for second-life applications rather than recycling them prematurely. This strategy taps into a lucrative market opportunity and highlights the potential of “reverse logistics” to transform the industry. Innovative approaches to battery reuse might have dramatically improved both operational efficiency and market viability. Ben Firestone, CEO of Bluewater Battery Logistics, has emphasized that prioritizing the second-life battery market enables battery integrators to streamline supply chains and maintain a competitive edge. Despite its collapse, Northvolt’s Chapter 11 filing aims to secure short-term financing and attract new investors to reorganize. This restructuring underscores the high capital intensity and risk associated with battery production but also reveals potential opportunities for those willing to bet on long-term clean energy growth. Policymakers and investors must balance the risks with the strategic necessity of developing domestic clean tech capabilities. The U.S. can draw from the coordinated public-private partnerships that have worked in other sectors, such as aerospace and pharmaceuticals. Encouraging collaboration between government agencies, established corporations, and startups can de-risk large-scale projects and ensure that new technologies like (EGS) or advanced batteries succeed. Northvolt’s bankruptcy is not just the failure of a company but a wake-up call for Europe’s clean tech ambitions. To compete globally, the continent needs cohesive policies, streamlined regulations, and unwavering support for critical green technologies. As the push for decarbonization accelerates, addressing these issues will be vital to ensuring that Europe can sustain and grow its green economy. Northvolt’s challenges offer a roadmap for avoiding similar pitfalls in the U.S. The focus should be on strategic planning, operational discipline, supply chain resilience, and clear, long-term policies that support innovation and competitiveness. If these lessons are heeded, the U.S. can strengthen its leadership in the global clean energy transition. By
Oliver Glasner: Crystal Palace are heading in right direction after Ipswich winColorado's 2-way star Travis Hunter eyes Big 12 title and more before 'for sure' entering NFL draftLAS VEGAS -- After securing his fourth world championship at the age of just 27, has firmly entered 's greatest of all time debate. He is now in exalted company. Only Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and had won four championships. Verstappen's next goal is to join Fangio, Schumacher and Hamilton as a winner of five -- if he did it next year, he would emulate Schumacher in winning five consecutively. The Dutchman's record-breaking 2023 season had already firmly established this decade as the Verstappen Era, but his follow-up in 2024 was special for a number of reasons. Verstappen won seven of the first 10 races, seeming ready to cruise to his fourth title before Red Bull's campaign began to crumble, with an increasingly erratic car, and the rise of McLaren in the middle of the season. This was when Verstappen showed his mettle, though, extracting important performances from the car at every weekend and then in the pouring rain in the São Paulo Grand Prix to move himself to the brink. That Interlagos performance, which saw him race from 17th on the grid to victory, was a feather in the cap. F1's other candidates for the GOAT also have had career-defining performances in similar conditions: three-time world champion Ayrton Senna, considered by many to be F1's greatest ever, had Monaco 1984 and Donington 1992; Schumacher had Spain 1996; and Hamilton had Silverstone 2008. Verstappen's career now checks multiple boxes. A title against another all-time great, Hamilton, in 2021. Two dominant seasons in an unmatched car. And now a championship with a car that you can consider to have been inferior for much of the season. Few drivers can point to all three of those types of championship-winning campaigns, and that is why 2024 has been so significant to Verstappen's legacy. Dominant Formula 1 winners always have to deal with the suggestion that they are the benefactors of a great car. If that were the case, teams like Red Bull would pay average drivers a lot less money than they are paying Verstappen. There is a reason teams always want a superstar driver. This subject is something that has irked Verstappen recently. He took a playful (but clearly thought-out) jab at McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who earlier this year claimed seven or eight current drivers could win the title in the Dutchman's Red Bull. Verstappen went on to claim if he were driving Brown's McLaren, which doubled up as a dig at title rival . "Last year I had a dominant car but I always felt not everyone appreciated what we achieved as a team. Of course the car was dominant, but it wasn't as dominant as people thought it was," Verstappen said in Las Vegas. "I will always look back at it because, even if in places we didn't have the best setup in the races, we were still capable to win races because the car was quite strong. But I am also very proud of this season because for most of it -- I would say for 70% -- we didn't have the fastest car, but actually we still extended our lead, so that is something I am very proud of." Fans and pundits can get into the weeds of who had the best car where until the end of time, but Verstappen is right to say his car did not look like a title-winning one for much of the year. Norris has been criticised for failing to properly use the strength of his McLaren at various points in the season, and it was that contrast to Verstappen that proved most telling. Another mark of the new four-time world champion's greatness can be seen by looking at the other side of the Red Bull garage. Much has been made of 's abysmal form in the second RB20, but plenty within the team feel the car is likely somewhere between his and Verstappen's performances; there is a suggestion that one driver is overperforming and the other is underperforming. Verstappen's reputation as a teammate killer is well founded and is built on his incredible ability to drive just about anything beyond the limits of what other drivers might be able to. That's why 2024 felt like the cherry on top of his achievements so far: he wasn't just beating a teammate to the title, he was battling an erratic car against quickly improving rivals. At this stage, it's hard to imagine Verstappen retiring as just a four-time world champion. McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes will take renewed hope of challenging for the drivers' title in 2025, but this season has demonstrated that Verstappen is the driver to beat, regardless of where his car is in the competitive order. While at times this year -- something that was true of other GOAT candidates, including Senna and Schumacher -- it is difficult to find times when Verstappen has made unforced errors. Most worryingly of all for his rivals is that, in the decade since he made his debut as a 17-year-old, he appears to have gained the wisdom to settle for second, fourth or sixth when he needs to. Is Verstappen the GOAT? Assigning GOAT status to anyone is circumstantial and subjective and often suffers from recency bias. Some sports have obvious candidates for how they completely reshaped the game they played, like Michael Jordan. Some were utterly unmatched by their peers, like Serena Williams or Wayne Gretzky. Others, like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, divide opinion but stand alone in the argument. While it is always difficult and slightly unfair to compare different eras, with standards of play and professionalism improving with every decade that passes, Formula 1 has an added layer of complexity to it. The best example of this is to compare the greats of today with Fangio, the legend of the 1950s. The Argentine won five championships for four different teams in an era when a season would span fewer than 10 races -- the 2024 season will finish at 24. But there were more glaring differences as well. Fatality rates in F1 races during Fangio's day were awful, and that fact hung over drivers every time they stepped into the cockpit. That is not to say the same danger does not exist today, but safety standards have improved massively. The stats show that to be the case: 15 F1 drivers died in the 1950s, 14 in the 1960s, 12 in the 1970s, four in the 1980s and two in the 1990s. Jules Bianchi's death in 2015, from injuries sustained at the previous year's Japanese Grand Prix, remains the only one this millennium. Improved safety is not something to hold against modern drivers; it simply complicates trying to compare a Verstappen or Hamilton with someone of Fangio's era. There are many who saw Jim Clark race in the 1960s who felt he was the greatest ever. The Scot was killed in a Formula 2 race in 1968 as a two-time F1 champion but at the time of his death held the record for wins, pole positions and fastest laps. Enzo Ferrari considered Gilles Villeneuve, who died at the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix having not managed to win a title, as the best driver he ever saw race one of his famous cars. Senna is revered as one of the greatest, but his death at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix stopped any chance of him adding to his three championships. The darker side of motor racing makes an easy debate on the topic difficult to have. It is not just the deaths, either. While the basic rules of a soccer game and the dimensions of a pitch have remained the same, Formula 1 is an ever-evolving championship. Rules change, cars change, safety standards change, even the circuits change. Technology's continued, rapid evolution is what allows the sport to change as often as it does. Senna, Prost and Schumacher raced in a time with limited data available to them. Drivers today have an almost-unbelievable amount of information at their fingertips: insights into their own performance and those of their teammates and rivals. You could use that to knock the modern generation, but there is a flip side to that. The modern batch of F1 racers compete in an era of significantly limited testing; gone are the days when Schumacher and Ferrari could travel home from a race and complete 300 laps the following day at the Fiorano test track in Maranello. The current budget cap has added another layer of difficulty drivers of old simply did not have to deal with: power units need to be managed to stretch over a long season, rather than dropping in a freshly built engine ahead of each grand prix, and crashes can now have a direct impact on what can be invested in development. The more you pull at the threads of different factors over the years, the more complicated it becomes to assign the "greatest" status to anyone. The outright greatest will always be subjective and often can be limited to whether you saw particular drivers competing at their best, but Verstappen is doing something few before him have done and is raising the bar every year he competes. There might even be greater talents on the horizon, but, like Schumacher and Hamilton before him, Verstappen continues to move the goalposts they'll be tasked with reaching Verstappen is also good enough that, in a few years, there might not even be a debate left to have. He has repeatedly spoken about not wanting to race into his late 30s, but in the here and now, he goes into 2025 as the favourite. Whether he is still racing with Red Bull in 2026 or beyond will be a fascinating narrative to follow in the coming seasons, and it is clear the best route to success for any team right now is to have Verstappen in the cockpit. That isn't going to change any time soon.