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US and Australia Sign Critical-Minerals Agreement

William Attardi on October 23, 2025

President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a critical-minerals deal at the White Houseon Monday as the U.S. eyes the continent’s rich rare-earth resources at a time when China is imposing tougher rules on exporting its own critical minerals abroad. The two leaders described the agreement as an $8.5 billion deal between the allies. Trump said it had been negotiated over several months. Earlier this month, Beijing announced that it will require foreign companies to get approval from the Chinese government to export magnets containing even trace amounts of rare-earth materials that originated from China or were produced with Chinese technology. The Trump administration says this gives China broad power over the global economy by controlling the tech supply chain. US and Australia Sign Critical-Minerals Agreement – electrifiED

Consortium Acquires Aligned Data Centers in $40B Deal by Michelle Chapman

William Attardi on October 21, 2025

A group including BlackRock, Nvidia, and Microsoft is buying Aligned Data Centers in an approximately $40 billion deal in an effort to expand next-generation cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure. The acquisition comes amid a flurry of deals in recent months involving top AI developers that are flooding the booming AI sector with resources and money, and addressing resources — such as electricity and infrastructure — needed to support such technology. Last month, OpenAI and Nvidia announced a $100 billion partnership that will add at least 10 gigawatts of data center computing power.  Consortium Acquires Aligned Data Centers in $40B Deal – electrifiED

Google Invests $9B to Expand AI Infrastructure in South Carolina

William Attardi on October 21, 2025

Google is announcing a new $9 billion investment in South Carolina through 2027. This funding will expand Google’s Berkeley County data center campus and support the continued construction of two new sites in Dorchester County, strengthening the state’s role as a critical hub for American infrastructure. As we deepen our roots in the Palmetto State, we’re creating new jobs, helping to power the state’s digital economy for years to come, and advancing the U.S. as a world leader in AI innovation. Google Invests $9B to Expand AI Infrastructure in South Carolina – electrifiED

Nichia and ams OSRAM Sign Broad Patent Cross-License Agreement

William Attardi on October 16, 2025

Nichia and ams OSRAM have expanded their long-standing collaboration in the field of intellectual property (IP). The agreement grants both companies mutual access to each other’s patents for nitride LED and laser components and, for the first time, also covers sophisticated LED packages and LED modules, such as matrix headlamps. The move aims to strengthen the industry- leading IP protection both companies offer to their customers. [News] Nichia and ams OSRAM Sign Broad Patent Cross-License Agreement – LEDinside

Google Announces $15B Investment in AI Hub in India by Rajesh Roy

William Attardi on October 16, 2025

Google announced on Tuesday that it will invest $15 billion in India over the next five years to establish its first artificial intelligence hub in the country. Located in the southern city of Visakhapatnam, the hub will be one of Google’s largest globally. It will feature gigawatt-scale data center operations, extensive energy infrastructure, and an expanded fiber-optic network, the company said in a statement. The investment underscores Google’s growing reliance on India as a key technology and talent base in the global race for AI dominance. For India, it brings in high-value infrastructure and foreign investment at a scale that can accelerate its digital transformation ambitions. Google Announces $15B Investment in AI Hub in India – electrifiED

Stellantis Says It will Invest $13B to Expand Its US Operations, Adding More Than 5,000 Jobs by Alex Veiga

William Attardi on October 15, 2025

Stellantis says it will invest $13 billion over the next four years to expand its manufacturing capacity in the United States, a move that the automaker says will increase its domestic vehicle production by 50% and add more than 5,000 jobs. The world’s fourth-largest carmaker said Tuesday the investment will support the introduction of five new vehicles, including a Dodge Durango to be built in Detroit and a midsize truck to be assembled in Toledo, Ohio. The new jobs will be spread across plants in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.  Stellantis says it will invest $13B to expand its US operations, adding more than 5,000 jobs | AP News

OpenAI Partners with Walmart to Let Users Buy Products in ChatGPT by Wyatte Grantham-Philips

William Attardi on October 15, 2025

OpenAIis partnering with Walmart to let shoppers make purchases directly within ChatGPT, furthering the artificial intelligence company’s push to turn its chatbot into a virtual merchant as it seeks to boost revenue. In an Tuesday announcement, Walmart said the new offering will give customers the option to “simply chat and buy.” That means the retailer’s products would be available through instant checkout in ChatGPT — allowing users to buy anything from meal ingredients or household items, to other goods they might be discussing with the chatbot.  OpenAI partners with Walmart to let shoppers buy products in ChatGPT | AP News

Faster Economic Growth, Weaker Hiring Seen by Harriet Torry and Anthony DeBarros

William Attardi on October 13, 2025

Prospects for U.S. economic growth are looking up, as investment in artificial intelligence booms and risks around tariffs diminish, according to economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal. Even as the economists have raised estimates for economic growth, they have lowered prospects for jobs. Behind the strange dichotomy: Employers are reluctant to hire given political uncertainty and rising costs, even as their investment, especially in AI, is boosting productivity and economic growth.  That slower job growth, however, won’t translate into notably higher unemployment, because the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration is reducing the supply of workers. Economists expect the jobless rate to hover around 4.5% over the next year. It was 4.3% in August.  tCTlJoMg7sMgno0naAXk-WSJNewsPaper-10-13-2025.pdf

The Rise of DIY Healthcare

William Attardi on October 10, 2025

Healthcare is fast becoming a do-it-yourself project for patients. The trend comes amid a shortage of doctors, long wait times for appointments and an increasing prevalence of chronic diseases earlier in adulthood. In today’s fast-evolving healthcare landscape, AI and other new technologies and services are emerging to help patients find and act on medical information. “The evidence shows that the more a patient gets involved in their own care, the better the outcomes. In the future, primary-care doctors could act more as expert consultants rather than paternalistic bosses to patients.” —  Tom Delbanco The Rise of DIY Healthcare – WSJ

National Football League – American football began as a hybrid of soccer and rugby on post-Civil War college campuses. Football was wildly popular but disorganized in the early 1900s. In an effort to standardize and organize, the National Football League was formed in 1920 in Canton, Ohio.  The NFL is the premier professional organization for American football, with 32 teams in two conferences and almost 1,700 active players. In 2023, the NFL generated nearly $20B in revenue. With its teams valued at $190B combined, it is the most valuable sports league in the world. The popularity of the NFL has made it a global sport. In 2002 the NFL began featuring fantasy games on its site.  The NFL is the most valuable sports league in the world.  NFL teams are worth a total of $163B. Each team holds an average value of over $5.1B, almost as much as the NBA and MLB combined. The Dallas Cowboys, valued at $9B, are the most valuable sports franchise on Earth. (NY Yankees are at 8.2B….just saying).