ams OSRAM has closed the sale of its Entertainment and Industry Lamps business to Ushio Inc. (Japan) with a deal value of EUR 114 million. The transaction closed March 2nd. More information can be found here. ams OSRAM Completes Sale of Entertainment & Industry Lamps Business
Space-based solar power is transitioning from concept to reality, with recent advancements demonstrating the feasibility of transmitting solar energy from orbit to Earth. This technology, which could provide continuous, reliable electricity that isn’t interrupted by weather or geography, is being developed through initiatives such as Japan’s OHISAMA project and Caltech’s Space Solar Power Project. However, the implementation of space-based solar power will require international coordination on orbits, frequencies and safety protocols. The Washington Post
The US plans to purchase and own up to 10 nuclear reactors using Japan’s $550 billion funding commitment, part of a $332 billion investment in US energy projects. The initiative, driven by rising electricity demand for AI and manufacturing, is part of a broader strategy to accelerate the development of energy infrastructure. US to Own Nuclear Reactors Stemming From Japan’s $550 Billion Pledge – Bloomberg
ams OSRAM has signed an agreement with Ushio Inc. headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, for the sale of its Entertainment and Industry Lamps (ENI) business. The transaction is expected to close by the end of March 2026. The purchase price of EUR 114 million is on a cash-and-debt-free basis. ENI’s product portfolio ranges from specialty lamps for infrastructure and cinema applications to extremely sophisticated light sources for semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment (WFE). The profitable ENI business delivered revenues of approximately EUR 170 million in 2024. Ushio Inc. has approx. 6,000 employees and provides light units, equipment, systems, and services through developing new light sources and developing and applying proprietary optical technology, serving a multitude of industrial segments. ams OSRAM Sells Its Entertainment and Industry Lamps Business – tEDmag
President Donald Trump on Tuesday stateside announced that he had made the “largest Deal ever” with Japan, that involves “reciprocal” tariffs of 15% on the country’s exports to the U.S.
Yes, do you believe it, the Dodgers and Cubs are kicking off the MLB regular season with a two-game series in Japan, starting Tuesday, March 18. Of course, the remaining 28 MLB teams will not be participating. A week after the games in Japan, MLB Opening Day is slated for Thursday, March 27, 2025. Here is something you may not know. The American League is ahead 64-48 in the World Series that began in 1903. The American League has won the Fall Classic 16 more times than the National League, thanks to a team in the AL who has won the most titles. They won 27 times. The New York Yankees. Whooooooooah!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day—whether you’re going fact or legend, it’s a great excuse to celebrate!
St. Patrick is a mix of solid historical fact and popular myth/legend that grew over centuries. He was a real historical figure—a British-born missionary (likely from what is now Scotland or northern England/Wales area) who lived in the 5th century (roughly 385–461 AD). His birth name was probably Maewyn Succat, and he became known as Patricius (Patrick) later. He wrote two surviving documents: his Confessio (Confession) and a letter to Coroticus, which are the main primary sources about his life. These confirm he was kidnapped by Irish raiders as a teenager, enslaved in Ireland for about six years (herding sheep), escaped, trained for the church, and returned as a missionary bishop to convert the Irish to Christianity. He wasn’t the first Christian in Ireland—some communities already existed—but he’s credited with major missionary work and is the patron saint of Ireland.
Many beloved St. Patrick’s Day traditions and stories are myths or later embellishments: Myth: He drove the snakes out of Ireland. Completely legendary. Ireland has had no native snakes since the last Ice Age (about 10,000+ years ago)—the post-glacial island was isolated, and snakes never recolonized it. The “snakes” story symbolizes driving out paganism or “evil” but it’s not historical. Myth: He used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. This is a charming story, but it doesn’t show up in Patrick’s own writings or early biographies. While the shamrock (a three-leaf clover) became a symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day, the Trinity analogy is probably a later invention. Myth: St. Patrick was Irish by birth. No—he was Romano-British, captured and brought to Ireland against his will. Other common myths: Green wasn’t always the color associated with him or the holiday; massive parades and “wearing of the green” became big in America first; he didn’t drink green beer or eat corned beef and cabbage, those are more modern Irish-American traditions. In short: The man himself is fact—a brave, devout missionary who helped spread Christianity in Ireland. But many of the fun, magical tales attached to him are myths.
