AA Milne's first Pooh book was published a century ago in October 1926. Generations of children loved it, but its inspiration, the author's own son, told the BBC that he took to "running away when people bring up the subject".
"Pooh, promise you won't forget about me, ever. Not even when I'm a hundred." This is the plaintive cry made by Christopher Robin to his teddy bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, in the final chapter of The House in Pooh Corner.
British novelist and playwright AA Milne needn't have worried. The first Winnie-the-Book was published 100 years ago in October 1926, and introduced a cast of characters modelled on the author's son and the soft toys he played with: lovably dim Pooh Bear, nervy Piglet, hyperactive Tigger, pessimistic Eeyore. Far from being forgotten, in the century since then the characters have taken on a life far beyond the parameters of their idyllic home, the Hundred Acre Wood.
BBC Radio 4, Desert Island Discs: Christopher Milne, 13/11/1976
From 1966, they became the subject of animated and live-action Disney films, in what is now one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. Pooh Bear has even courted controversy in Poland for being "inappropriate", sparked memes mocking the Chinese president Xi Jinping, and prompted tongue-in-cheek pop-culture theories in which the residents of the Hundred Acre Wood have been "diagnosed" with different psychological conditions.

#christopher #acre #wood

McALLEN, Texas (AP) — The Ford Expedition rumbled to a stop and Cindy Banda's bedazzled flip-flops landed on the asphalt of the Houston cancer center's vast parking lot. She threaded through the rows of cars, a tally of patients who gather here to sit with chemotherapy needles or lie on radiation machines.
The elevator dinged open. A year ago in this building, surgeons removed Banda's right breast, and she still didn't know whether treatment had expunged the cancer from her body. Doctors had told her it would be tough to beat.
"I'm more of a positive person myself," Banda said, now sitting with a white wristband in a dim waiting room. But the bills are harder to dismiss, and the single mother with six children in her care repeated something like a mantra. "Keep the house. Keep the cars. And just keep the kids stable."
That's true for many Americans, as rising healthcare costs leave more families with a sinking feeling after seeing the bill for surgery or medication. Heading into the Nov. 3 midterm elections, about half of registered voters said healthcare costs are a major problem for them and their families, up from a little more than one-third four years ago, according to a Fox News poll from September.
With party control of Congress at stake, registered voters are nearly twice as likely to say they trust Democrats over Republicans to handle healthcare, according to an ******* ociated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll from the same month. Those frustrations, combined with broader concerns over rising prices, have sapped support for President Donald Trump and his Republican Party.

#keep #cancer #rising #families

Sonay Kartal's dreams of becoming a WTA 1000 champion were ended on Sunday evening following defeat in the Wuhan Open final.
Despite being ranked 170th on the Tour, Kartal marched into the Chinese WTA 1000 final, defeating Belinda Bencic, Elina Svitolina, Jasmine Paolini and Jelena Ostapenko en route.
Maja Chwalinska, from Poland, defeated Kartal in the final, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Following Sunday's contest, Kartal posted a short message on social media.
"Leaving China with my head held high," Kartal, who has risen 121 places in the WTA rankings to world number 49, said in an Instagram post on Sunday.

#chinese

Swimmers brandishing short, curved sticks held their breath as they somersaulted and dove towards a weighted puck at the bottom of a Hong Kong swimming pool, vying for first place in a sport likened to voluntary drowning.
The annual underwater hockey tournament, ominously advertised as "physical ****** ", nevertheless drew a roster of hardcore enthusiasts from countries across Asia to the Chinese city over the weekend.
"You have to choose when to use your breath and when not to... Anyone that's got the puck, you know that they've got some level of suffering," Leo Lines, a ****** anese-New Zealander competitor from Hokkaido, told AFP.
"I love that."
Suited up in snorkel masks and fins, players only resurface for air when they absolutely have to, and their heads remain constantly underwater so they can monitor the game.

#swimmers #kong

There were many standout high school football performances across northeast Louisiana from Week 7. Who gets your vote as the Monroe News-Star's football player of the week?
Below are the Week 7 nominees and a poll to vote for the athletes. You can vote on this poll as many times as you like. The poll closes at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 23.
'We couldn't ask for more': Neville shines in Franklin Parish victory

#poll

Qinwen Zheng has battled unimaginable fitness concerns over the past few years, which threatened to completely derail such a promising start to her career.
Having emerged onto the scene as inarguably one of the most talented Chinese players of all time, she soon started achieving feats to back up such promise.
Deep runs in WTA 1000 and Grand Slam tournaments felt relatively regular, and culminated in her reaching the final of the Australian Open in 2024, and the Wuhan Open later that year.
Whilst she lost both matches, Qinwen Zheng was getting closer to snagging an elite honour before disaster struck.
The end of her 2025 campaign was completely marred by injury, and whilst she tried to play after elbow surgery, she had to shut it down. This past turmoil is what makes any new fitness concerns particularly worrying for the 24-year-old.

#zheng #concerns

Take a trip down memory lane and revisit the unforgettable women who reigned supreme as the ultimate it girls during the 2000s. First for Women shines a spotlight on the magnetic actresses and trendsetters who shaped pop culture, earned countless fans, and continue to captivate with their style, talent, and charisma. From red carpets and premiere nights to trailblazing moves in business and entertainment, these icons have left a lasting mark on Hollywood — and on the hearts of an entire generation.
Photo Image Press / MEGA
Known for her infectious energy and starring roles in beloved romantic comedies, Kate Hudson became synonymous with glamour and an infectious smile. Her portrayal of Penny Lane in Almost Famous earned her a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, as reported by Biography.
Photo Image Press / MEGA
Jessica Simpson charmed audiences not just with her powerful vocals and catchy tunes, but also with her down-to-earth personality and sharp business acumen. Her transition from pop sensation to reality TV star and fashion mogul showcased her versatility and enduring appeal. The Jessica Simpson Collection, launched in 2005, grew into a fashion empire that reached $1 billion in annual sales at its peak, according to Forbes.

#business

Christina Zhu, the head of Walmart's China business, remembers when Chinese shoppers did not have much choice.
As a child, she watched her parents wake up at 4:30 a.m. on Sundays to go to the wet market. "They had to haggle, and high-quality produce wasn't always guaranteed," Zhu, born in 1973, recalled at the Fortune Leaders Forum in Macau in September.
Today, Chinese shoppers are "probably the group with the most choices [in the world]," and they have become "the most demanding customers," she said.
Meeting those rising expectations has become the defining challenge for retailers in China, and Walmart has managed it better than most. It entered China in 1996 with a Supercenter and a Sam's Club in Shenzhen. Three decades later, the U.S. retailer is thriving in the world's second-largest economy even as other foreign brands struggle.
China represents 3% of Walmart's overall business, but it is growing, generating $24.6 billion in sales in its past fiscal year, a 19.3% jump. Sales grew 20.7% last quarter, faster than the 5.9% reported by the company as a whole.

#China

Burry is mitigating near-term tax selling in underperforming holdings.
The investor foresees an early end to the artificial intelligence boom, positioning for a 2000–2003 style value equity revival.
Significant capital is being directed into discounted Chinese equities like BYD, while maintaining a cautious stance on Alibaba amidst its infrastructure spending.
Renowned value investor Michael Burry outlined his fourth-quarter portfolio maneuvers in an update on his Cassandra Unchained Substack platform on Monday, revealing how he is positioning around tax-loss harvesting headwinds while building long-term exposure to deeply discounted sectors.
Burry noted that the final quarter routinely brings heightened selling pressure on underperforming equities as investors sell underperforming ***** ets at a loss to offset capital gains.

#burry #positioning #capital #equities

Sean "Diddy" Combs is headed back into solitary confinement, a day after a report described a prison life of massages, smuggled liquor, and contraband phones.
Staff at FCI Fort Dix are returning Combs to the facility's Special Housing Unit, according to TMZ, which was told the move came in direct response to this week's NBC News reporting on his alleged perks. Sources described the placement as typical procedure while prison officials run an investigation.
The report in question drew on four men who spent time in Combs' unit at the New Jersey prison. They said the mogul had other inmates making his bed, doing his laundry, and cleaning his toilet before he used it.
Sources also revealed to NBC News that inmates cooked for him on makeshift heating elements, turning out curry chicken, pizza and empanadas, and that others gave him Chinese-style massages. Thousands of dollars a month allegedly flowed into their commissary accounts.
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#shop

Queen Margrethe appeared in good spirits as she welcomed visitors to Fredensborg Palace for a special honor following her recent health difficulties.
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#special #mary

Updated on: October 4, 2026 / 6:21 PM EDT / CBS News
The FBI arrested a suspected Chinese agent at Los Angeles International Airport after she allegedly surveilled the Taiwanese president's U.S.-based son, law enforcement sources told CBS News.
Wanying "Heather" Zhang, an Irvine, California, realtor, was cuffed by federal law enforcement on Sunday before she boarded a flight to Shanghai, China, from LAX, on a charge of acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.
Zhang's husband Edric Ding, a realtor at the same firm, told CBS News when reached by phone Sunday: "I don't know anything yet," and declined to comment further.
It was not immediately clear if Zhang has an attorney.

#sunday #told #angeles

Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars premiered on September 15, 2026.
Each week, the stars and their pro partners collaborate on costumes that complement the theme and style of their dances.
InStyle looks back at 13 of the best Dancing With the Stars fashion moments throughout the years.
You may think you're simply reaching the age when Dancing With the Stars starts catering to you, but the long-running competition series is having a major moment in general. So, no matter your age, it makes sense if you've suddenly found yourself completely engrossed in the celebrity-meets-dance-pro spectacle (and keeping who's delivering a perfect 10 each week).
Of course, the choreography is only part of the fun. The themed costumes are often just as entertaining as the dances themselves, with every performance bringing a new opportunity for sequins, fringe, feathers, sheer fabrics, and plenty of sparkle. And when Disney Night, Halloween Night, or the freestyle round rolls around, you can pretty much count on the wardrobe department pulling out all the stops. Depending on the dance and its theme, contestants can transform from Old Hollywood starlets in sweeping gowns to disco divas dripping in rhinestones—and sometimes undergo multiple transitions in a single episode.

#dancing #costumes #season

Disgraced music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs isn't exactly living a bare-bones life in prison, according to a report from NBC News published Tuesday.
The rapper has allegedly set up a cushy lifestyle inside New Jersey's Fort Dix correctional institution, where he has fellow inmates catering to his basic needs and is said to have access to contraband liquor and a cellphone.
Culture: Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sentenced To 4 Years In Prison For Prostitution Charge
"This is not some normal **** you see in jail," a man who lived in the same unit as Combs at the low-security prison told NBC News. "This is some rich ****. It looks crazy, but again, it's Diddy."
The Bad Boy Records boss, who is serving a 50-month sentence for prostitution-related offenses, reportedly pays men to cook for him, make his bed and do his laundry, in addition to someone who gives him what NBC described as "Chinese-style massages."

#diddy #sean #sentenced

On September 8, 2026, Reuters reported that ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) plans to work with major customers. It includes Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM), Nvidia, Intel, Samsung, and SK Hynix to adapt its next-generation "High NA" extreme ultraviolet lithography tools so they can print larger data-center chips. It addresses a current limitation where the newer machines use a smaller mask than ASML's widely deployed standard EUV tools.
ASML targets a pilot production line using the larger masks by 2031 and high-volume manufacturing readiness by 2033. Chief technology officer Marco Pieters said these changes could lift the productivity of these systems by roughly 40%.
The larger-mask project could create a new growth opportunity for ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) while helping TSMC manufacture larger AI chips more efficiently. ASML plans to use its High NA EUV tools to handle chips as large as today's biggest data-center processors. The business expects the larger masks to increase system productivity by 40%. It could scale up demand for its next-generation equipment and help TSMC improve the economics of producing increasingly large and complex chips.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM)'s planned use gives ASML a clear path toward commercializing the technology. TSMC plans to introduce High NA EUV into advanced-node high-volume production from 2030. ASML aims to show its larger-mask technology through a pilot line in 2031. TSMC's commitment could give ASML greater visibility into future equipment demand. Early use could help TSMC maintain its advanced-chip manufacturing advantage.
The collaboration could solidify both companies' positions as chipmakers develop larger and more powerful processors. ASML can extend its High NA roadmap beyond its current chip-size limitation. TSMC can prepare its manufacturing processes for the next generation of AI chips. The partnership gives ASML an opportunity to deepen its relationship with one of its largest customers and gives TSMC access to a technology that could support future advanced-chip production.

#asml #technology #plans #next

On September 9, 2026, Reuters reported that CEO Brian Niccol's first two years as Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) CEO have succeeded in bringing customers back to the coffee chain. Comparable sales rose 7.9% in the fiscal third quarter for a fourth straight quarter of improvement, but his "Back to Starbucks" restructuring has raised costs and squeezed margins along the way. Global operating margin has fallen to 12.9% from 15.8% two years earlier. Niccol, who marks his second anniversary in the role, now faces pressure to convert the sales recovery into the sustainable profit growth investors are demanding.
Niccol's turnaround strategy has already restored customer momentum at Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX). The "Back to Starbucks" strategy reversed six consecutive quarters of declining comparable sales as the company focused on reducing wait times, simplifying menus, improving store ambiance, and increasing staffing. Starbucks has moved beyond the sales deterioration that preceded Niccol's tenure. It gives investors a stronger foundation for the next phase of the turnaround. If management can sustain traffic gains while improving productivity, the sales recovery could provide a path toward stronger earnings growth.
The China joint venture with Boyu Capital gives Starbucks a more capital-efficient way to participate in China's growth. Starbucks sold control of its China retail operations to Boyu. It retained a 40% stake and continues to own and license its brand and intellectual property. The structure reduces Starbucks' direct capital requirements while allowing it to retain economic exposure to the Chinese market. Reuters cited ****** ysts who said the arrangement leaves Starbucks well positioned to convert stronger organic sales growth into profit growth, which could support returns as the recovery progresses.
Starbucks now has an opportunity to turn its customer investments into margin expansion. The firm committed at least $500 million toward labor as part of the restructuring. Niccol prioritized staffing and store improvements to rebuild the customer experience. That spending helped help the sales recovery. But it also pushed global operating margins down to 12.9% from 15.8% over two years. With sales now improving, management can focus more heavily on productivity, cost control, and operating leverage. It creates an opportunity for stronger earnings if it can improve margins without damaging customer traffic.
Labor tensions could undermine Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX)' recovery and keep costs elevated. Starbucks has yet to reach a first contract with its U.S. barista union. The union called for a consumer boycott in August. Negotiations or labor actions could disrupt store operations, increase labor costs, and create reputational pressure just as Starbucks tries to improve profitability. Therefore, investors face a risk that labor issues could offset some of the productivity gains management needs to expand margins.

#

ResMed Inc. (NYSE:RMD) is well positioned to benefit from the long-term growth of the global obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment market. Likewise, the company remains well positioned to benefit from growing awareness and penetration in the global market, backed by a robust product portfolio.
The company's OSA portfolio includes CPAP and APAP machines, led by the AirSense platform. The AirSense 10 series is one of the most widely used CPAP and APAP machine series. Beyond sleep therapy machines, it also offers nasal, nasal-pillow, and full-face masks, along with a wide range of accessories and related products.
The broad product portfolio offers multiple avenues for generating recurring revenue beyond the initial sale of a sleep therapy device.
Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, ResMed's revenue increased 9% year over year to $1.5 billion, supported by strong demand for sleep devices, masks, and accessories. Americas device revenue increased 6%, while total Americas Sleep and Breathing Health revenue rose 8%. Americas masks and other revenue increased 10%. The stronger performance is particularly important as it highlights the ability to monetize the installed patient base beyond the initial device purchase.

#sleep #increased

Volkswagen announced a steep cut to its full-year profit outlook on Friday, citing roughly €10 billion ($11.5 billion) in one-time charges concentrated at its troubled Porsche division, amid mounting pressure from U.S. tariffs and a weakening Chinese auto market on the world's second-largest automaker.
The company said it now expects an operating return on sales of up to 1% for 2026, down from its previous guidance of 4% to 5.5%. Volkswagen also said full-year revenue is expected to fall to about €315 billion, from €321.9 billion in 2025.
The bulk of the charges — about €6 billion — stem from revised mid-term ******* umptions for Porsche, in which Volkswagen holds a 75.4% stake. The sports car brand has been hit by U.S. tariffs and a collapse in demand for foreign luxury vehicles in China. On top of that, Volkswagen said it would book a further €2 billion in impairments in the second half of the year, covering China-related writedowns as well as restructuring charges such as costs from early-retirement schemes and the pending divestiture of its Osnabrück plant in Germany, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Volkswagen stock closed down 5.6% following the announcement. Shares of Porsche and Volkswagen's top shareholder Porsche SE fell 3.3% and 4.9%, respectively.
The company cautioned that "further deterioration in the market environment, especially in China, as well as an accelerated shift in demand in favour of battery-electric vehicles" would drag down results, with its Audi and Volkswagen passenger car brands bearing the brunt. Volkswagen noted that its outlook ******* umes tariffs remain unchanged and does not account for possible future effects from the war in the Middle East.

#charges #tariffs #full

Volkswagen has dramatically cut its 2026 profit outlook as deteriorating business in China, restructuring costs and a multibillion-euro writedown at Porsche pile pressure on Europe's largest automaker.
The German carmaker now expects an operating margin of no more than 1% this year, down from its previous forecast of at least 4%, according to Bloomberg. Volkswagen shares fell more than 7% following the announcement, dragging other automakers lower.
VW expects around €10 billion ($11.5 billion) in charges this year, including restructuring costs ****** ociated with workforce reductions and writedowns on Chinese ****** ets. The total includes a €6-billion writedown related to Porsche, reflecting revised long-term expectations for the sports-car maker.
Excluding the exceptional charges, Volkswagen said its operating margin would be around 4%.
China represents one of the biggest challenges. Volkswagen CFO Arno Antlitz said the market has contracted by around 20%, with no stabilization currently in sight. Chinese automakers are simultaneously taking domestic market share and expanding into Europe with competitively priced electric vehicles.

#porsche

On September 9, 2026, Reuters reported that U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) CEO Jim Farley criticizing the automaker's business relationships with Chinese battery maker CATL and Chinese automakers Geely and BYD as raising "profound concern."
It specifically flagged Ford's licensed CATL battery technology at its Marshall, Michigan plant, its joint venture with Geely in Spain, and its decision not to move Lincoln Nautilus production out of China until 2030. Ford responded that Duffy's letter was "a wrongheaded attempt to capture headlines," noting that it owns the Marshall plant, controls its operations, and employs the workforce there, unlike companies that simply import Chinese-made batteries.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) can argue that its CATL partnership still solidifies U.S. battery manufacturing rather than becoming more dependent on Chinese imports. Ford owns and operates its Marshall, Michigan battery plant. It allows the company to manufacture batteries domestically while licensing CATL technology. That structure could help Ford expand its U.S. EV production capacity and reduce the need to import finished Chinese battery packs.
Ford's improving financial performance gives the firm more flexibility to manage the political pressure. The automaker raised its full-year adjusted EBIT guidance to $10 billion-$11 billion after second-quarter results exceeded expectations, with record Bronco sales and a stronger product mix supporting the improvement. Stronger operating earnings could give Ford more resources to adjust its battery strategy if policymakers impose more restrictions on Chinese technology.
The company's existing U.S. manufacturing footprint could become a competitive advantage if Washington tightens restrictions on Chinese automotive technology. Ford has already invested in domestic battery production instead of relying entirely on imported battery packs. Model e losses have narrowed for three consecutive quarters. If policymakers force automakers to cut Chinese supply-chain reliance, Ford can use its existing U.S. factories to adapt faster than rivals that depend heavily on Chinese parts.

#ford #catl #motor

Up until now, Nvidia's (NASDAQ:NVDA) top-tier AI chips – particularly its powerful GPUs – have easily been the best in the world. That's why they've been in such demand all over the world.
Well... all over the world, except for China. U.S. export controls on sensitive technology prohibit the company from selling its top-of-the-line GPUs and other AI chips to Chinese customers.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
That created an uneven playing field that's benefited Nvidia's main Chinese rival, Huawei. And an announcement Huawei made today may indicate that the Chinese chipmaker is about to make a serious play for Nvidia's crown.
Here's what was said and what it means for Nvidia investors.

#chips

The intelligence report, circulated across the US military this spring in the midst of the war with Iran, immediately set off alarm bells: A Chinese ship in the Middle East was transporting components of a nuclear weapons program.
The US military swung into action with plans to intercept the vessel, according to four sources familiar with the episode. According to two of the sources, armed members of the US military were preparing to board the ship. Military planes were in the air, one of those sources and another source familiar with the incident said.
It was only just before the planned operation that officials dug deeper into the report put together by a special operations command ****** yst and found it had been generated with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) — and that a chatbot the ****** yst had used inaccurately identified the material the ship was carrying. CNN was not able to learn what the misidentified cargo was.
The report, according to one of the sources, was “entirely false.” But it also “almost started a war,” the source said. Any US operation against a Chinese vessel could have risked spiraling into an armed conflict between the two nations.
Across the US military and the intelligence community, officials are pushing to weave AI into nearly every facet of their work, from ****** yzing the huge volumes of raw intelligence the US collects and selecting targets for strikes, to more mundane applications like managing budgeting, logistics and supply chains.

#intelligence #ship #familiar

A woman from a low-income family in China crossed over into Hong Kong to get to a concert she had spent months saving up for.
It was a trip that Beijing’s vast surveillance apparatus didn’t miss. Now her family face the prospect of losing their government benefits for splurging on “high-end consumption.”
The incident has sparked massive debate across Chinese social media over whether those receiving benefits are also entitled to small luxuries. It’s also a reminder of the staggering extent of the Chinese government’s surveillance system, one turbocharged by advances in AI and the embrace of digital payments.
The story first surfaced in a post on popular site Red Note in early September by a user who said they were the young woman’s cousin.
The woman, surnamed Huang, had “worked hard doing manual labor and saved up from the subsidies” to pay for the concert ticket and expenses of traveling to Hong Kong, around 235 miles (380 kilometers) from her home in Jiangxi province, the post said.

#hong #family #government #benefits

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York filed a civil forfeiture complaint on Sep. 14 seeking approximately $61 million in cryptocurrency linked to black-market sales of Iranian crude oil.
According to the DOJ, the funds were allegedly meant to support the Iranian government and its military, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC. The U.S. government has designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
A civil forfeiture complaint is a legal action in which the government seeks to seize money or property it believes was involved in or resulted from criminal activity. It is not a criminal charge, the allegations are not proven until a court rules in the government's favor.
Related: Cathie Wood dumps $65 million in crypto ahead of CLARITY vote
The complaint alleges that two Chinese companies, Blessed Trust and Hexa Whale, used trading accounts at Binance to launder proceeds from sanctioned Iranian oil sales. Binance is the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by daily trading volume.

#government

International Business Machines (IBM) has secured a landmark $1 billion federal award from the U.S. Department of Commerce under the CHIPS and Science Act. The deal finalized non-dilutive funding to accelerate quantum wafer manufacturing at Anderon, a dedicated quantum foundry company spun out by IBM.
At the time of writing, IBM shares are down about 17% versus the start of this year.
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#international #commerce

On August 25, Aptiv (NYSE:APTV) said it will support NVIDIA's newly announced Jetson Orin Nano 2 processor, extending a partnership that already covers the more powerful Jetson Thor platform. The move puts Aptiv squarely inside the buildout of "physical AI," the term for machines like drones, robots, and industrial systems that need to sense and react to the real world in real time. For a company still just months removed from spinning off its electrical distribution business, betting on edge robotics is a statement about where it thinks the next decade of growth actually lives.
NVIDIA's Jetson Orin Nano 2 packs 78 TOPS of processing power into an 8GB, 8-core Arm chip that doubles the inference speed of its predecessor while cutting power draw by 40% at equivalent performance. That kind of efficiency gain matters for battery-powered devices like delivery drones and mobile robots, where every watt saved extends run time. Aptiv isn't just supplying compute support; it is layering in its PULSE surround-view camera and radar system for 360-degree sensing, its Gen 8 radar for object detection in tough conditions, and Wind River software to handle the unglamorous but essential work of long-term maintenance and security updates. That full-stack approach is the pitch: instead of stitching together sensors, chips, and software from separate vendors, customers get one partner who can carry a device from prototype to a fleet running in the field.
The timing lines up with what Aptiv reported in its second-quarter results on August 4, 2026. Revenue reached $3.3 billion, up 2%, while adjusted EBITDA climbed to $613 million from $547 million a year earlier, pushing margins to 18.7% from 17.1%. CEO Kevin Clark pointed to double-digit growth in non-automotive revenue, progress moving robotics from partnership talks to actual commercial deployments, and a major drone industry win secured in early July. North America sales rose 10% and Asia Pacific grew 6%, including 5% growth in China, giving the company some geographic momentum to lean on as it chases this new business line.
The quarter wasn't clean underneath the headline numbers. Free cash flow came in at just $12 million in the second quarter, down from $219 million a year earlier, and the first half of 2026 actually posted negative free cash flow of $196 million versus a positive $264 million a year ago. Operating cash flow from continuing operations fell to $82 million for the first half, down sharply from $531 million. Management also flagged automotive demand and customer mix as an incremental headwind, a reminder that Aptiv's legacy business still carries real weight even as it chases robotics and drones. EMEA revenue dropped 8%, and South America fell 4% in the quarter, both drags even as North America and Asia Pacific grew.

#jetson #robotics

The U.S. has between 3,000 and 4,700 active data centers, with plans to build another 1,500. Globally, there are about 11,800, with plans to add about 100 gigawatts of new capacity by 2030. All of which creates substantial opportunity for beaten-down stocks such as ASML Holding (ASML). However, to run all of those data centers, the world needs advanced AI chips. Today's most advanced data-center AI processors, manufactured on 4nm, 5nm, and certain 7nm processes, depend heavily on ASML's lithography technology. And as the industry moves toward 2nm production, that dependence on ASML's EUV systems will become even more important.
Some of those companies include Samsung Electronics (SMSN.L.IX), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM), and Intel (INTC). All of which are moving forward with ASML's High-Numerical Aperture extreme ultraviolet lithography systems, better known as High-NA EUV. In short, AI must have powerful chips to run. And those chips are becoming much harder to manufacture, with ASML producing the machines that make their production possible.
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#asml #advanced #lithography

This story was originally published on Bisnow, the newsroom global commercial real estate reads first. To receive daily news and ******* ysis, subscribe to Bisnow's free suite of newsletters.
A pair of national real estate investment managers closed their U.S. office credit fund with $1.1B in investor commitments.
Hines and Rialto Capital secured 126 investors for their Hines Rialto Credit Partners, a co-general partnership focused on U.S. office credit investments. The fund required a minimum investment of $100K, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
With the rapid growth of private credit, Hines said it believes investors are searching for real estate credit strategies grounded in specialized underwriting and deep market knowledge.
"Yield alone does not tell you the quality of the risk," Alfonso Munk, Hines' global co-head of investment management, said in a statement. "In real estate credit, understanding the underlying ******* et — what it is worth, how it performs and how it may hold up under pressure — is becoming increasingly important as the market works through a significant refinancing cycle."

#real #rialto

Saudi Arabia suspends Yanbu oil loadings after halting its East-West pipeline, sending Brent back to $108.
Asia's Oil Crunch Sends Regional Benchmarks to Record Highs
- Asia's oil industry is facing a double whammy of supply shortages and better-than-expected demand, with crude differentials across the region gradually climbing towards record highs.
- Futures prices on China's Shanghai Futures Exchange rose to $138 per barrel on Tuesday, the highest reading on record, as Chinese refiners scramble to put their hands on available October supply.
- Saudi Aramco's announced halt in Yanbu loadings could see some recovery in exports from Saudi terminals in the Gulf, however these flows would be massively constrained by unprecedented freight rates.

#record #highs #supply #west

Alluvium ***** et Management, an ***** et management company, released its "Conventum – Alluvium Global Fund" second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. The second quarter reflected a sharp shift from geopolitical uncertainty and oil market volatility to a powerful equity rally led by semiconductor companies. Despite the broader market strength, the Fund declined 1.4% in EUR terms, 2.2% in USD terms, and 3.9% in AUD terms. Portfolio results were mixed, with Alphabet benefiting from strong Cloud growth, while Robert Half, H&R Block and other holdings posted solid gains. However, cable businesses and several healthcare and consumer holdings weighed on performance. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Conventum – Alluvium Global Fund highlighted Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA). Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is a Chinese multinational company that focuses on cloud computing, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence. On September 14, 2026, Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) closed at $109.23 per share. Over the past month, Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) declined 14.03%, and its shares lost 32.08% over the past 52 weeks. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) has a market capitalization of $268.48 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $91.99 and $192.67.
Conventum – Alluvium Global Fund stated the following regarding Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) was down 21.3%. Its results were all about AI, and how its investments are paying off, and management's confidence to make further investments. So the only disappointing news (if you can call it that), was that free cash is being chewed up by capital expenses to the point where it has become negative. The results were generally well received. Share price fluctuations are par for the course, especially for Alibaba. We are not fussed. As a consequence of the falling share price, its maintainable earnings yield (on our numbers) has increased to 7.7% and it is trading at a circa 30% discount to our valuation. The Fund's current position is 2.6%."
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) ranks 30 on our list of the 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 97 hedge fund portfolios held Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) at the end of the second quarter which was 102 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

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