All posts tagged: chain

US commits 4m to strengthen semiconductor supply chain

US commits $874m to strengthen semiconductor supply chain

Published by skeptic

The US Department of Commerce has announced plans to provide up to $874m in federal funding to seven technology companies under the CHIPS and Science Act, aiming to accelerate next-generation semiconductor research and strengthen the semiconductor supply chain. The proposed investments, announced through signed letters of intent, will support research and development across advanced computing technologies, including integrated photonics, AI memory, advanced packaging, semiconductor materials and secure electronics. The awards remain subject to due diligence and final government approval. Officials say the funding will help expand domestic innovation, reduce reliance on overseas technologies and reinforce the United States’ position in the global semiconductor supply chain while supporting future advances in AI, defence, healthcare, robotics and industrial manufacturing. Funding targets critical semiconductor technologies The seven proposed awards focus on technologies considered essential to future AI infrastructure and high-performance computing. The largest allocation, worth up to $300m, is earmarked for GlobalFoundries to accelerate research into co-packaged optics. The technology integrates photonics directly with AI processors, increasing data transfer speeds while reducing energy consumption. According to the Department …

Popular burger chain to close up to 350 stores – opened in 1969 | World | News

Popular burger chain to close up to 350 stores – opened in 1969 | World | News

Published by Sam Flores

Wendy’s has over 5,830 locations in the United States, as per numbers from February this year. However, as part of the popular burger-chain’s plan around five to six per cent of locations will shut in 2026. This equates to about 350 underperforming stores. The latest closure came in recent days when a restaurant at 4003 Wilmington Pike in Kettering, Ohio, had a sign posted on its front door which read: “This location is permanently closed.” This is the second store in the Drayton area to shut in the last four months, as the Moraine store closed in Marach 2026. Wendy’s has not announced that any other stores are scheduled to close. In a fourth quarter earnings call CEO Ken Cook said: “By closing consistently underperforming restaurants, we are enabling our franchisee partners to increase focus on locations with the greatest potential for profitable growth.” He added that closing around six per cent of locations under its Project Fresh program will improve profitability and franchisee economics. The giant fast-food chain reported a 5.5% decline in global …

Behind Trump’s Freedom Fuel: a mysterious gas chain, legal troubles and an NFL coach

Behind Trump’s Freedom Fuel: a mysterious gas chain, legal troubles and an NFL coach

Published by Sam Flores

President Trump and his White House have enthusiastically promoted the Freedom Fuel Network, a chain of star-spangled convenience stores selling gas at $3.47 per gallon in honor of the 47th president. Untangling exactly who is behind the Philadelphia-area venture has proved difficult. Records indicate the chain, which was launched last month, is run by a disparate collection of businessmen that includes an NFL kicking coach, a GOP fundraiser and a New Jersey entrepreneur who this year was ordered, along with his brother, to pay civil damages for unlawfully taking more than 200,000 gallons of fuel. How the stations got Trump’s attention remains a mystery, and the four businessmen declined to — or could not be reached for — comment. What is clear: Trump loved the idea of cheaper gas. The president celebrated the network’s gas prices just before the busy Fourth of July travel period as consumers were grappling with higher costs sparked by the war with Iran. “I am pleased to announce that a VERY smart Retailer, located throughout the Northeast, is stepping up,” …

Fast food chain launches meat-heavy, salad-free happy hour for customers avoiding explosive diarrhea parasite

Fast food chain launches meat-heavy, salad-free happy hour for customers avoiding explosive diarrhea parasite

Published by Daniella Wilson

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more As the number of cases of an explosive diarrhea-causing parasite continues to rise, some fast-food chains are leaning into consumer avoidance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Nearly 7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis —the parasite leaving victims with “explosive diarrhea” — have been reported across the United States. Officials still have not identified the root cause of the outbreaks. Past outbreaks have been linked to contaminated produce, including cilantro and basil. On Monday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said lettuce may be responsible this time, though the cause is still being investigated. As consumers avoid leafy greens (and other fresh produce out of an abundance of caution), sandwich chain Arby’s is leaning into its meat-heavy menu with a new deal. The chain’s Cheesesteak …

UBS: TSMC’s ‘Surprise CapEx Hike’ Reinforces Confidence In AI Supply Chain

UBS: TSMC’s ‘Surprise CapEx Hike’ Reinforces Confidence In AI Supply Chain

Published by Jenni Sidey

TSMC, or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world’s largest contract chipmaker, raised its 2026 spending and revenue outlook on Thursday morning, a move UBS analysts said “boosts confidence in the AI supply chain.” TSMC manufactures chips designed by companies such as Nvidia, Apple, AMD, Qualcomm and Broadcom. It is a major supplier of Nvidia chips used in AI data centers. The company now expects 2026 capital expenditures of $60 billion to $64 billion, up from its previous forecast of $52 billion to $56 billion, while projecting dollar-denominated revenue growth of slightly more than 40%. Here are second quarter results (courtesy of Bloomberg): Net income NT$706.6 billion, estimate NT$623.73 billion Gross margin 67.7%, estimate 67.1% Operating profit NT$766.6 billion, estimate NT$742.75 billion Operating margin 60.3%, estimate 58.6% Sales NT$1.27 trillion, estimate NT$1.27 trillion Third quarter forecast: Sees sales $44.6 billion to $45.8 billion, estimate $43.11 billion (Bloomberg Consensus) Sees gross margin 65% to 67%, estimate 65.9% Sees operating margin 56% to 58%, estimate 57.7% “AI-related demand continues to be extremely robust,” TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei told …

KFC Japan, major sushi chain fear shortages after cyberattack

KFC Japan, major sushi chain fear shortages after cyberattack

Published by Sam Flores

TOKYO: A cyberattack against a major frozen food maker in Japan has prompted businesses such as Kentucky Fried Chicken and a popular sushi chain to warn of possible shortages and even store closures. Nichirei, Japan’s top frozen food supplier, said on Wednesday (Jul 15) that it “came under a cyberattack”, disrupting subsidiaries’ operations including making deliveries to clients. The company did not share details of the attack, which Nichirei first disclosed in a statement on Monday that mentioned “system failures caused by unauthorised access”. The disruption could affect large parts of Japan’s food sector as Nichirei also provides temperature-controlled logistics services to a wide range of businesses. Supermarkets have already been hit by shortages, local media said, reporting that pastry chefs and elderly care centres have also been impacted. Kura Sushi Inc, a popular rotary sushi chain with nearly 700 locations in Japan and abroad, said on Wednesday that its stores in the country’s west were experiencing shipment delays for some products. Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan warned on Tuesday that its restaurants could face shortages …

Forget typosquatting; slopsquatting is the software supply chain threat created by AI coding tools

Forget typosquatting; slopsquatting is the software supply chain threat created by AI coding tools

Published by skeptic

Slopsquatting represents an emerging supply chain threat made possible by AI hallucinations. As developers increasingly rely on AI coding assistants, they unknowingly grant cybercriminals access to their software from day one.  Understanding what slopsquatting is Slopsquatting is a new type of supply chain attack that uses large language model (LLM) hallucinations to inject malicious code into development workflows. The term combines “AI slop” and “typosquatting,” a deceptive practice where attackers register misspelled or lookalike versions of popular domains to prey on users who enter URLs incorrectly. This novel attack vector exploits LLMs’ tendency to generate fictitious software package names, which threat actors can then register and populate with malicious code. During AI-assisted coding, the model may generate fake open-source packages — bundled collections of files, programs and installation tools. This alone is not necessarily harmful. However, if an attacker registers that fake package name, they can inject malware that gets incorporated directly into a developer’s codebase. How AI creates a supply chain risk Traditionally, AI safety risks stem from hallucinations, which can adversely affect users …

Bloom Energy Defends Supply Chain, Calls Hunterbrook Report “False And Misleading”

Bloom Energy Defends Supply Chain, Calls Hunterbrook Report “False And Misleading”

Published by Jenni Sidey

Bloom Energy is responding forcefully against allegations made by short seller Hunterbrook Capital, rejecting the firm’s claims about its accounting, supply chain and growth prospects a day after a report sent shares sharply lower. The clean energy company said Thursday that Hunterbrook’s assertions regarding its financial reporting and access to critical raw materials are “false and misleading,” according to a statement reported by Bloomberg. The response comes after Hunterbrook published an investigation on July 8 that questioned Bloom’s independence from Chinese suppliers and argued that the company’s long-term manufacturing ambitions may be constrained by global scandium availability. Hunterbrook disclosed that it stands to benefit if Bloom’s shares decline through a short position. Bloom specifically defended its financial reporting, saying allegations concerning its accounting are contradicted by its audited financial statements. The company also disputed Hunterbrook’s central thesis surrounding scandium oxide, the specialty material used in Bloom’s solid oxide fuel cells. Bloom said it has sufficient scandium oxide supply to meet both current production needs and its existing customer backlog. It added that its scandium supply is …

Popular UK hotel chain adds one surprising thing to their showers | UK | News

Popular UK hotel chain adds one surprising thing to their showers | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

The hotel chain is trialling waterproof notepads in their showers (Image: Getty) Travelodge is trialling waterproof notepads in their bathrooms – as half of Brits claim the best ideas strike while they’re in the shower. The hotel chain aims to ensure guests’ good ideas don’t go down the drain with their suds after a whopping 48% of people admitted inspiration strikes while they’re in the buff. With creativity striking the majority up to four times per day, Brits say their lightbulb moments are also likely to come during more unexpected moments. This includes when they’re falling asleep (34%), during or after exercising (10%) and even while tending to the garden (15%). But while creative inspiration (55%), personal decisions (54%) and problem-solving (53%) are among the thoughts most likely to come to mind while showering, 65% say they forget their idea before they’re able to jot it down. This is particularly relevant for Britain’s business travellers. In 2025, an estimated 5.1million business trips took place, with 60% revealing the ability to capture ideas as they occur …

Norway World Cup fan issues brutally honest review of beloved US coffee chain

Norway World Cup fan issues brutally honest review of beloved US coffee chain

Published by Daniella Wilson

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more The World Cup has brought in millions of international travelers to the U.S., many of whom are experiencing American culture for the first time — but some are not impressed with their findings. As tourists flock to major cities like Boston, Houston and New York City for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, foreign visitors have gone viral for their heartwarming reactions to American culture, whether it be euphoria over Waffle House trips or amazement at the sizes of U.S. stadiums. However, some soccer fans have been let down by the new experiences — as demonstrated in a recent video on Instagram by sports broadcaster Maggie Gray, who asked Norwegian fans what surprised them the most about America while outside of MetLife Stadium in New …