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As the year draws to a close, Waikato Herald is taking stock of 2024. What moved readers most? As part of a 12-day series, Waikato Herald reporter Danielle Zollickhofer looks at the top stories each month. Welcome to day 11: November. Nationally, November 2024 was dominated by the controversial Treaty Principles Bill . Tens of thousands of people opposing the bill marched to Wellington in convoys from Cape Reinga in Northland and Bluff in Southland as part of the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti (March for the Treaty) . Despite the protests, the bill passed its first reading in Parliament amidst heated debate . Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke led a haka in opposition to the bill which saw her suspended from Parliament for 24 hours. Meanwhile, the Gangs Act 2024, including the ban on gang patches came into force and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon delivered the Government’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care.Firefighters and passengers hurt after train hits fire truck on crossing
Illinois coach Brad Underwood believes in players pushing each other during practice to improve themselves and the team. That's why he often pits starting guards Kylan Boswell and Kasparas Jakucionis against each other in practice. Underwood figures if it worked for Ayo Dosunmu and Trent Frazier, why not his newest backcourt? So far, that method appears to be paying off again as Boswell and Jakucionis are keying a strong start for the No. 24 Fighting Illini (8-3). They'll shoot for a non-conference win Sunday afternoon when Chicago State (0-14) visits Champaign, Ill. Boswell and Jakucionis' imprints were all over Illinois' 80-77 Braggin' Rights win over Missouri in St. Louis on Dec. 22. They combined for 37 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, with Jakucionis scoring 21 for his sixth straight game with at least 20 points. Underwood said pitting the two against each other in practice is a win-win. "I play them opposite each other so they can just exhaust each other and beat each other up," the coach said. Jakucionis, who averages a team-high 16.5 points a game on 46.8 percent shooting from the field, co-signs on that philosophy. "We elevate each other," he said. "In practice, we're pushing each other by defending and attacking each other. And it makes one another better each day and every day." Boswell adds 10.6 ppg to go with 3.5 assists, while teammates Tomislav Ivisic (13.9 ppg) and Will Riley (12.5) also are in double figures in scoring. Perhaps the best thing about this team is that it appears to have more ceiling left. Illinois is averaging 83.6 points a game without being efficient from the field (43.3 percent) or the 3-point line (32.3 percent). The Illini likely will find more efficiency against the winless Cougars, who are searching for answers and consistency in their first year as a member of the Northeast Conference. They haven't played since Dec. 21, when they fell 81-57 at Cal State Northridge. It was predictable that Chicago State would struggle. After earning 13 wins last season at a program that has had a hard time winning consistently, coach Gerald Gillion left to serve as Rod Strickland's lead assistant at Long Island. New Cougars coach Scott Spinelli, who worked under Mark Turgeon (Maryland) and Jim Christian (Boston College), not only had to replace most of his roster but brought a new style of play to town. Gillion played a methodical half-court game, and Spinelli is trying to play at a faster pace. "We want to have guys out there that can get up and down the floor," Spinelli said this past summer. That hasn't come to fruition yet. The Cougars are last in Division I in field-goal percentage at 35.1 and third from the bottom in scoring at 59.6 points per game. They also rank near the bottom in free-throw percentage, 3-point percentage, rebounding, assists and turnovers. Jalen Forrest is the team's leading scorer at 9.1 ppg but is shooting only 33.6 percent from the field. Cameron Jernigan averages a team-high 4.5 rebounds. --Field Level MediaGeorgia Tech cruises past Alabama A&MDirect Line has rejected a £3.3bn takeover offer from its bigger UK rival Aviva , the second time it has rebuffed a suitor this year. Aviva, the UK’s largest insurer, said it offered 250p a share, made up of cash and Aviva shares, in a non-binding proposal on 19 November. This was rejected by Direct Line on Wednesday, which has declined to engage further with Aviva, according to the statement. The announcement came after markets shut. Aviva’s share price closed 1.6% higher at 489.5p, while Direct Line shares slipped by 0.2% to 158.7p. Its share price has fallen by 14% this year, giving the company a market value of £2.1bn. By contrast, Aviva’s shares are nearly 13% higher, valuing it at £13.2bn. “Aviva believes that an acquisition of Direct Line would be consistent with its strategy to accelerate growth in its UK businesses and further pivot the group towards capital-light business lines,” the insurer said. It added that it would create a more efficient platform from which to serve existing and new customers, and would allow Direct Line customers to “benefit from Aviva’s breadth, scale and financial strength”. However, Direct Line, known for its motor insurance, said it had considered the proposal with its advisers and concluded that it was “highly opportunistic and substantially undervalued the company”. It added: “The board has considerable conviction in the capabilities of our newly established leadership team and stands firmly behind their delivery of our strategy. Under this strategy, the company continues to make early progress towards our financial targets, and expects to deliver attractive growth in profitability, capital generation and shareholder returns.” The Kent-based company said earlier this month that it plans to cut 550 jobs as part of a turnaround plan aimed at saving £50m next year. It lost nearly 400,000 car insurance customers in the past year. Adam Winslow joined as chief executive in March from Aviva, where he ran the general insurance business in the UK and Ireland. In February, Direct Line rejected a £3.1bn takeover approach from Belgian insurer Ageas , saying it was “uncertain and unattractive” for shareholders. The company was spun out of Royal Bank of Scotland in 2012 and listed on the London Stock Exchange two years later. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Aviva has sold businesses in France, Italy, Asia and elsewhere to focus on the UK, Ireland and Canada under chief executive Amanda Blanc. In March, it announced it was returning to the Lloyd’s insurance market through the £242m purchase of Probitas and completed the deal in July. Under UK takeover rules, Aviva has until 5pm on 25 December to announce a firm intention to make an offer or walk away.
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As the artificial intelligence revolution accelerates, two titans dominate the chip industry: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and Nvidia. Both have seen their stock prices soar, but which is the ultimate AI investment today? Spotlight on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) While not as glamorous as AI-driven software companies, TSMC’s expertise in semiconductor production has proven vital. In Q3, its revenue surged by 36% to $23.5 billion, with earnings leaping by 54% to $1.94 per American Depository Receipt. These impressive results are fueled by tech giants’ significant investments in cutting-edge AI chips. The company’s strategy hinges on its advanced production techniques, including the recent introduction of 3-nanometer chips, and ambitious plans to begin 2-nanometer chip production in 2025. TSMC currently commands a 90% market share for the world’s most advanced processors, securing its leadership in semiconductor manufacturing as AI infrastructure spending soars. Nvidia’s Power Play Unlike TSMC, Nvidia excels in designing the semiconductors crucial for AI data centers. Recent demand spikes saw Nvidia’s Q3 sales rocket by 94% to $35.1 billion, with non-GAAP earnings climbing 103% to $0.81 per share. This growth was largely driven by a 112% increase in data center revenue. Nvidia’s CEO anticipates AI infrastructure spending might hit $2 trillion in the next five years, positioning the company to capitalize significantly on this trend. Nvidia’s chips currently power between 70% and 95% of AI data centers, cementing its dominance in the sector. The Winner: Taiwan Semiconductor Both companies dominate their niches, but for investors seeking value, TSMC may be the more attractive choice. With a forward P/E ratio of 23.0, it’s comparatively cheaper than Nvidia, which stands at 32.7. As AI technology evolves, both TSMC and Nvidia remain pivotal players. However, for those keen on a more cost-effective option, Taiwan Semiconductor emerges as the more appealing investment today. Investing in the AI Revolution: TSMC vs. Nvidia – Which Stock Holds the Edge? As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and Nvidia lead the charge in the chip sector, playing pivotal roles in the AI ecosystem. While TSMC excels in semiconductor production, Nvidia dominates in designing AI-centric semiconductors. Here’s a deeper dive into the investment potential of these two industry leaders. TSMC: Scaling New Heights with Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Specifications and Innovations TSMC’s strength lies in its mastery of semiconductor manufacturing. The company commands a staggering 90% market share in advanced processing chips, thanks to its innovative production techniques. Their recent rollout of the 3-nanometer chips and plans to advance to 2-nanometer chips by 2025 highlight their commitment to staying ahead technologically. Market Position and Strategy TSMC’s robust market position is bolstered by significant investments from tech giants seeking high-performance AI chips. This ensures steady revenue growth and secures TSMC’s leadership as a crucial supplier in the AI landscape. The company’s ambitious roadmap further fortifies its status in semiconductor advancements, crucial for AI infrastructure. Nvidia: Powering the AI Data Center Revolution Market Analysis and Growth Predictions Nvidia has established itself as a leader in designing semiconductors that empower AI data centers. Its recent performance saw revenues soaring by 94% to $35.1 billion, with a notable 112% increase in data center revenues. As AI infrastructure spending is predicted to reach $2 trillion within five years, Nvidia is strategically positioned to harness this expansion. Features and Compatibility Nvidia’s GPUs are integral to modern AI applications, powering between 70% and 95% of current AI data centers. This widespread adoption underscores their compatibility and essential role in AI computing tasks, enabling everything from complex calculations to real-time data processing. Investment Insights: Comparing TSMC and Nvidia Pros and Cons – TSMC : Offers investors a cost-effective entry with a forward P/E ratio of 23.0. Its leading market share and cutting-edge manufacturing position make it a strong contender for those focusing on value investments. – Nvidia : Although trading at a higher P/E ratio of 32.7, Nvidia’s strategic edge in the rapidly expanding AI data center domain could justify the premium. The potential ROI driven by significant AI infrastructure investment creates an attractive case for growth-focused investors. Use Cases and Compatibility Both companies are indispensable to the AI sector but cater to different needs. TSMC’s chips are foundational for AI hardware, while Nvidia’s designs are vital for the operational capabilities of AI systems, particularly in data-heavy environments. Future Predictions and Trends As AI technologies evolve, both TSMC and Nvidia are expected to remain pivotal. TSMC’s continued excellence in chip production and pioneering of smaller, more efficient chips will likely maintain their leadership. Nvidia’s dominance in AI-centered semiconductors means they are poised to capture significant portions of the forthcoming surge in AI infrastructure spending. For potential investors, those drawn to a comparatively undervalued yet fundamentally strong stock may favor TSMC. Meanwhile, those seeking growth opportunities in AI data processing could find Nvidia more appealing. For more insights about Nvidia, you can explore the official Nvidia website, and for TSMC, visit their official site .
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