SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " relative " 366 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
How well have past GOTY winners sold?
We’re less than two months away from 2026’s The Game Awards, and what a year it’s been for fantastic games, including Resident Evil Requiem, Forza Horizon 6, Slay the Spire II, the Blood of Dawnwalker, and Control Resonant – just to name a few. So as we approach the end of the year, we thought we’d look back on our estimates for the GOTY winners of the past four years. In terms of revenue, Elden Ring (2022 winner), Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023), Astro Bot (2024), and Expedition 33 (2025) have generated a combined $3.8B via 73M copies sold: Let’s have a look, then. Elden Ring has generated $2B in revenue Elden Ring is a phenomenon in every sense. It’s sold a whopping 36.4M copies across Steam (50%), PS5 (35%), and Xbox (15% across console and PC). Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Elden Ring also just passed an astronomical milestone: $2B in revenue. While PlayStation and Xbox account for half of Elden Ring’s copies sold across these three platforms, they account for 57.5% of revenue. This – as ever – is due to regional pricing and the higher relative share of PC gamers in lower-priced markets. For example, around 17.4% of Elden Ring’s Steam copies sold were in China, where the game costs about 26% less than the price in the States. There’s an … interesting narrative going around these days that console gamers are only interested in ball-and-gun games and have the patience for little else. Well, Elden Ring’s impressive sales prove that is simply not true, and across all platforms. What’s more, over 9.8M people have played Elden Ring for over 100 hours, with nearly 3.5M people getting all of the achievements and trophies. For reference, 10.9% of Elden Ring’s PlayStation players have the platinum trophy, while 10.5% of players on Steam and 3.9% of Xbox players unlocked all the achievements. Git gud, Xbox players! Of the 1.5M people who played Elden Ring on PlayStation last month, 4% also played Dark Souls 3 last month, 4% played Bloodborne, and 3% played Sekiro. There’s those Soulsborne diehards for you. By many accounts, including my own, Elden Ring is one of the best games of all time. It’s an evergreen seller that will continue to be a cash cow for Bandai and FromSoftware for years to come. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Elden Ring has sold another 2M copies across Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox this year, generating almost $110M. This means it’s outperforming many of this year’s high-profile releases. Even Elden Ring’s standalone run-based PvE spinoff, 2025’s Nightreign, has sold 7.8M copies and generated $282M in revenue. Baldur’s Gate 3 is another billion-dollar-plus banger Another cross-platform phenomenon is Baldur’s Gate 3, which has sold 23.2M copies and generated over $1.2B in revenue. About 18.7M of these copies (80.6%) are via Steam, 2.9M via PS5 (12.7%), and 1.6M (6.8%) via Xbox. Around 1.3M folks on Steam bought BG3 before it hit 1.0. The PlayStation version launched about a month after the PC 1.0 release, while the Xbox version came four months later due to technical issues around developing local co-op on the Series S. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Across platforms, Baldur’s Gate 3’s monthly active users have never dropped below 2M, including 2.2M MAUs last month (68.5% on Steam, 21.9% on PS5, and 9.6% on Xbox). And it still regularly brings in 280K to 400K players every day: About 1% of BG3’s Steam player base has played for over 500 hours! That’s a little under 200K people. Astro Bot is also an evergreen seller, albeit a more niche, family one Astro Bot, 2024’s winner, has now sold 4.7M copies and generated $291M in revenue. The budget, including marketing, is almost certainly under $100M, given the small Japan-based core team and three-year dev timeline. You can really see why the tides are changing toward less expensive hubs. Astro Bot is the only first-party winner on this list, but follows other first-party winners of The Last of Us Part II (2020’s winner), God of War (2018), and Breath of the Wild (2017). Around 46.6% of Astro Bot’s copies sold have been physical, which is far higher than the typical game. This makes sense for a couple of reasons: There’s a large family audience for this one, and physical boxes are an item to wrap when giving Astro as a gift. Astro has collector value for the PlayStation core (this is nostalgia-fueled platformer celebrating PlayStation’s history) Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Astro is another one of those games that continues selling over time, regularly selling more than 100K a month. It’s sold around 1M more copies this year ($60M in revenue) and is a popular title with families. We can see this using the Alinea platform’s MAU crossover tool: Astro Bot’s top #2, #3, and #4 games by crossover in any given month this year are Minecraft, Fortnite, and Roblox – without fail. The #1 title every month, though, is Astro’s Playroom, a pack-in with all PS5 consoles. For every month this year, between 20% and 30% of Astro Bot players also played Astro’s Playroom that month. So the free pack-in is a noice funnel for converting players to a full paid product. Expedition 33 sells 8.7M despite Game Pass cannibalisation Finally, we have last year’s winner – Expedition 33. The turn-based-RPG banger has generated $366M via 8.7M copies sold, with 58.8% on Steam, 35.7% on PS5, and 5.5% on Xbox. Xbox’s share of copies sold is this low due to Expedition 33 launching on Game Pass, where 4.3M people across console and PC accessed the game. A little under 700K Xbox players used their subscription to play Expedition 33 this year. That said, the game’s 1.5-year Game Pass deal ended last week on October 16, and we’re already beginning to see a positive trend on Expedition 33’s copies sold via Xbox (but the jury’s still out!). There’s understandably a lot of French pride behind this one, as France is the game’s #3 market on both Steam and PlayStation. Vive la France! One thing that stood out to me is that the GOTY winners aren’t $300M Hollywood productions made in the US. They’re mostly mid-budget studios outside the traditional AAA cost centres. Lots to think about there. Also, good games sell well; who’d have thunk it!? And there’s a whole load of them this year, with GTA 6 still to come, too. GTA just made the cutoff point for the VGAs this year. What a coincidence! Loading... Cool links and other stuff Our physical games newsletter from Tuesday was picked up by GameSpot, Eurogamer, TweakTown, and a bunch of others. We’re offering a free trial of our platform for games companies. Send us a message here, or reply right here on Substack/email, and we’ll set you up. Next week, we’ve got some exciting news regarding the future of our newsletter, so stay tuned! The last word Reply to this email – or reach out here – if you have any feedback for the newsletter – or want to request a game for us to cover. Want to see why these companies (and many others) are subscribed to Alinea? Get a free platform trial! [Alinea Analytics boasts the most accurate PC and console estimates in the business. Game makers use our platform to understand their audience, keep an eye on the competition, monitor sales trends, and spot new opportunities. We equip game studios and financial institutions with accurate data and the confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Want to talk about all things games market data? We’d love to chat!]
Tracking tsunamis triggered by extreme weather
As much of Western Europe faced record-breaking temperatures and extended drought this summer, Croatia experienced another weather event that could also set a worrisome precedent.Over the course of two weeks, a series of meteorological tsunamis (meteotsunamis) struck Croatia’s Adriatic coast, alarming both residents and tourists. Social media posts showed flooded seaside promenades and people walking through knee-deep water. Fortunately, no deaths or major damage were reported.In a world where natural disasters seem to be increasing, meteotsunamis — tsunamis caused by rapid weather changes – rarely make headline news. But warming sea temperatures and changing atmospheric conditions may help explain why these phenomena could become more common, especially in shallower seas and inland lakes with wide coastal shelves.“We have definitely become more aware of them, and there have been a lot more reports of these events in the last 10 years,” says Jadranka Šepić, an associate professor of environmental physics at the University of Split whose research focuses on efforts to track meteotsunamis in real time. She is also one of Croatia’s ambassadors for Science Comes to Town (SCTT), a European Commission-funded programme aimed at making research more accessible to the public.Šepić sees two possible reasons for the apparent increase in meteotsunamis. One is that photos and videos shared on social media are providing more empirical evidence, while rising air and sea temperatures could also play a role. The geophysicist “cannot say with certainty” that warming is a contributing factor because research is still ongoing. “But I can say that previously in Croatia we might have had one exceptionally strong event every 10 or 15 years, and one strong event every five years, and within 15 days this summer we had five strong events,” Šepić notes. “This is not typical.”‘A fist against the sea surface’Unlike tsunamis that are triggered by underwater earthquakes or volcanoes, meteotsunamis are caused by sudden changes in atmospheric pressure combined with other rapidly developing weather events, such as thunderstorms. The effect “is like pushing a fist against the sea surface,” Šepić explains. The resulting oscillation intensifies as it reaches shallower water, and “can be far more destructive than a wind-driven wave because meteotsunamis are accompanied by very strong currents than can penetrate much deeper inland.” The meteotsunami, she continues, “then behaves the same as a tsunami — they slow down and grow as the sea shallows, and then grow further in places like harbours due to further shallowing and narrowing. When they come ashore, they can be very destructive — taking everything with them out to sea and then taking it back.”Croatian research institutions have tracked such sea oscillations since the 1930s because the relatively shallow Adriatic Sea is prone to meteotsunamis. The strongest recorded so far was in June 1978, according to the Adriatic Meteotsunami Catalogue, which is supported by the European Research Council (ERC), Croatian Science Foundation and the country’s leading research institutions. During that event, six-metre-high waves flooded the coastal town of Vela Luka on Korčula Island, causing major damage.Other meteotsunami “hotspots” in Europe include the Mediterranean Sea as well the Atlantic coastal shelves off France, Portugal and Spain. In June 2006, a meteotsunami with five-metre-high waves swept through the harbour of Ciutadella in Spain’s Balearic Islands, causing widespread damage to boats. Several less powerful events were reported in the Balearics and off the coast of Spain this summer, leading to some beach closures.Forecasting is challenging because of how quickly meteotsunamis can develop and their uncertain trajectory. Šepić is involved in two ERC-funded research projects — SHExtreme and MeD-Track — aimed in part at strengthening monitoring and real-time data collection. Access to accurate and immediate information is essential for early-warning systems.Early exposure to meteotsunamisŠepić first learned about meteotsunamis from her parents while growing up in Croatia. She later had the opportunity to investigate these events during her master and doctoral studies in geophysics at the University of Zagreb. The geophysicist has also conducted research at the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Split, the University of the Balearic Islands in Palma de Mallorca and the Institute of Ocean Science in the Canadian province of British Columbia.Projects like SCTT are important to raise awareness about research and inspiring young people to pursue studies and careers in science, notes Šepić. She credits her colleagues at the University of Split and the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries for their community outreach and engagement in the European project, which includes partner universities and institutions in Brest (France) and Kiel (Germany). As an example of town-gown collaboration, Šepić highlights her own university’s ‘Oceanographers on the Island’ programme. This initiative offers workshops and hands-on learning for children living on numerous Croatian islands.“It is a great privilege for Split to be involved in a project like Science Comes to Town, which is the first of its kind in the European Union," Šepić says. As for encouraging new generations of scientists, “This is a great effort, and I hope that we will see an effect in a few years.”Science|Business, which connects policymakers, academics and industry through its news reporting, analysis and events, is an SCTT partner.
Trump pushes to evict the press from the White House
While moving the media out of the White House may be a relatively small debate considering Trump’s broader attacks on journalists, it would be highly symbolic.
What does a healthy brain look like? Turns out it’s all relative.
Northeastern researchers explore how our closest ties affect brain health, and how understanding those bonds could change mental health care.
CCIA Study Finds South Korea Fines U.S. Companies Up to Seven Times More Than Korean Firms Relative to Business Activity
Washington – A new study by the CCIA Research Center finds that South Korea’s competition authority imposes penalties on U.S. companies at rates four to seven
Streaming’s Biggest Show Returns…and a Buzzy Genre Struggles
(Welcome to my weekly streaming ratings report, the single best guide to what’s popular in streaming TV and what isn’t. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. If you were forwarded this email, please subscribe to get these insights each week.) Obviously, the big news of the week (if not month) is Netflix letting go of executive Bela Bajaria, their chief content officer. I’m going to cover this in my next “Most Important Story of the Week”, but I also have a data angle that I might publish before then. (Too much news this month, am I right?) But first, I have a bonus Streaming Ratings Report issue for you. Today’s article is a bit of a grab bag of topics I’ve wanted to write about, but couldn’t squeeze into the (already very long) Streaming Ratings Report issues. The NFL drives huge viewership numbers, so I’ve got a look at that. A whole bunch of TV shows returned to the traditional broadcast channels, and I have thoughts. And I have a quick look at adult animated shows, since a couple flopped earlier this month. Plus, the Emmys aired earlier this month, and we got some fun data bout how popular those nominated shows are and why I’m not optimistic about the show’s future. That’s a lot, so let’s dive right in. Subscribe Sports - Football Remains the King of Streaming Over the last two Streaming Ratings Reports, I sorta ignored the biggest “show” each week. (I was tempted to say “piece of content” but I know that word bugs folks.) In my database, I call these “specials”, and they sure are special. I speak of the king of American TV: football!!! Streaming football is back and, unlike some other sports, it routinely dominates all viewership. Probably the best way to show this is to update one of my favorite graphics, the “40 Million Hour Club”1 since football games have joined that club each week they’ve premiered: (Yep, that’s the data through 28-Sep, the first four weeks of the season. As a reminder, I take the average minute audience provided by Nielsen, factor out a percentage of linear TV viewers in home markets, and multiply the run time by the three-hour runtime.) Again, the numbers are huge. Let’s start with Netflix. They grabbed the rights to the bonus opening week NFL Kickoff game (which was on YouTube last year) and it put up 18.5 million viewers on average. That nets out to 47.4 million hours of estimated streaming hours. That’s good! Though, notably, it’s well below Christmas Day games from previous years. Compared to other streamers/broadcasters, that’s a bit of a mixed result. On one hand, Netflix’s 18.5 million average is about what YouTube claimed last year, though Nielsen used a bespoke methodology at that time, so I trust this viewership figure more. So that’s good. (The game also shifted from a Friday to a Thursday and that could have helped the viewership as well.) And Netflix continues to best Prime Video in total viewership—as you’ll see next—though Netflix has had much higher-profile (opening week and Christmas Day) games. NBC/Peacock’s opening game the night before averaged 25.1 million average viewers, which is just much bigger than Netflix (or Prime Video). That’s the big caveat to all streaming viewership records: even in success, they can’t compete with traditional linear TV. Previously, I called this my “hierarchy of viewership”, and the data keeps supporting that thesis. The downside for NBC is that this game’s viewership was down compared to previous years, though it may be a counting issue. Here’s a great chart from Sports Media Watch: Indeed, looking at all the opening week games across all windows, Netflix still lags the other primetime windows, but does well compared to the afternoon games: I saw a few folks make the case that streamers still lag traditional broadcasters in reach, and I’d add they really lag compared to “broadcast plus streaming” options like NBC/Peacock, ESPN/Disney+ and CBS/Paramount+. The best data I saw for this came from Samba TV, who charted reach through the 2025 season, and, wow. (Samba TV’s numbers are historically lower than Nielsen’s, so don’t compare their household figures to Nielsen’s hours, but use them as a proxy for the relative reach of the streamers.) The good news is Prime Video is NOT having a down year. Their opening Thursday Night Football game reached 18.6 million viewers (about what Netflix got), but that’s a high for Prime Video on Thursdays and the biggest Thursday night game since 2015. The TNF games the weeks of 21-Sep and 28-Sep continued this streak, getting 43.1 (16.8 million average viewers) and 42.5 total hours (16.6 million average viewers), which were both up from last year. Still, that continues the (typical) season slide: (For those new-to-streaming-football-numbers folks, the viewership declines for Thursday Night Football as the year goes along.) Overall, it appears as if Prime Video is now part of the “football habit”, be it for customers at home or out at places like bars and restaurants. And its viewership is slowly catching up to broadcast. One last chart shows this. Last season, Nielsen started adding out-of-home viewership to the charts, so I try not to do season-to-season comparisons as I did for the first few years. And while Nielsen added Big Data viewing this year, I’m going to compare the last two seasons. Here’s that chart, which shows the season-over-season gains: When it comes to streaming football, we have to keep a few seemingly contradictory thoughts in our head… First, streaming doesn’t come close to matching broadcast’s reach and, thus, viewership. Second, even with that gap, football is still the biggest “thing” on streaming. It’s very, very popular. Third, while some methodology changes have likely helped Prime Video’s numbers, their viewership does appear to be growing. Lastly, yeah, the NFL started the season off poorly, with week one dragging down the numbers in year-over-year comparisons. However—and again, methodology changes may have helped this—the viewership grew compared to previous seasons over the next couple of weeks. So football is still king. On streaming and off. Television - Adult Animation Continues to NOT Make the Streaming Charts In the last two reports, two adult-animated shows whiffed: Netflix’s animated comedy, Dang! Paramount+’s Sega-video-game-inspired fantasy/comedy, Golden Axe. Neither made the charts, but that’s usually the case for animated shows. I mean, here’s literally every animated show that’s made the Nielsen Original charts since the start of 2025: And one of those shows is G_abby’s Dollhouse_! A kids show! The problem with charts like this is that they don’t give you a sense of how many shows miss the charts. Netflix had at least eleven animated flops, including comedies like Big Mouth (a show everyone assumed was popular in the pre-Streaming Ratings Era), Long Story Short, Haunted Hotel, Mating Season, Strip Law, and Alley Cats, and action shows like Blood of Zeus, Castlevania: Nocturne, Devil May Cry, Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, and Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft. Prime Video had at least six animated misses, two in the same universe (Hazbin Hotel, Helluva Boss), three more comedies (#1 Happy Family USA, The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy and Kevin) and an action show (The Mighty Nein). Disney+ had MCU and Star Wars animated misses (Eyes of Wakanda, Marvel Zombies, Star Wars: Visions, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, and Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld) but I can’t tell how many of those shows were geared towards adults. HBO Max had Harley Quinn and Hulu had Solar Opposites. None of these shows made the charts! That’s a lot of misses! If I remade the chart with all those misses, here’s how it would look: Listen, I know the counter arguments. First, it’s cheaper to produce animated shows than live action. Fair enough, but with viewership this low, even that cheaper price point starts to not matter. Second, just look at the acquired charts. Hit animated comedies can generate viewership for years! Shows like The Simpsons, South Park, Family Guy, and Bob’s Burgers do really, really well. Fair enough, but streaming has failed to recreate the dynamic that Fox has mastered so well. That’s a problem for streaming still. Television - Emmys! The annual Emmys broadcast was a few weeks ago, and I’ve got data on how the nominees performed on streaming, plus hot takes on this year’s viewership (and the big news about the broadcast’s, er, streamcast’s future). We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… The top Emmy-nominated shows… ...why I’m worried about the future of the Emmys telecast... ...the pros of broadcast television ...and the cons... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support. Coming Soon! Next week, we’ve got a double issue (since the weeks of 21-Sep and 28-Sep were so light), but then I’ll be all caught up after a deluge of streaming ratings data from Nielsen in September. In the meantime, I’m going to try to take a look at Netflix’s stats to explain why Bela Bajaria is out. But even light weeks give me plenty to talk about. The Great British Baking Show returns to Netflix and Apple TV has a buzzy new star-studded comedy. And Netflix has a controversial-but-appears-to-be-popular new game show. Plus big films like Toy Story 5, Backrooms and The Breadwinner head to streaming. And is East of Eden a hit? After that, The Kardashians return to Hulu, Prime Video has a reboot of Carrie, and Netflix has a horror show, Below. Disclosure Day heads to Peacock, The Housemaid heads to HBO Max_,_ a new Ben Affleck film, Animals, lands on Netflix, and Apple TV has a new John Cena action film based on, checks notes, Hasbro’s Matchbox toys. Okay. Longterm, some interesting TV production news. HBO Max ordered How to Survive Without Me, starring Kaley Cuoco, Joshua Jackson, Ray Romano and Rita Wilson, for fifteen episodes! I love that some streamers (or, at least, HBO Max) are finally ordering TV shows with more than eight episodes. In less wise production news, Landman does not appear to be coming back this year, since it just started production. Frankly, I don’t love this (get your shows out on time) but Landman is so popular, I doubt it matters.
Donaldson’s Finer Chocolates celebrates 60 years
.video-js, .video-js .vjs-tech { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; z-index: 0; } var player = videojs('player_block_856c09248e49db4b70fe6745ff3f47f3'); player.nuevo({ contextMenu: false }); var vast = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, }; var video = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, } var event_label = 'Video: 209855 - Article: Donaldson’s Finer Chocolates celebrates 60 years'; var post_id = 209861; var post_url = "https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/videos/donaldsons-finer-chocolates-celebrates-60-years"; player.vastAds({ tagURL: "https://servedbyadbutler.com/vast.spark?setID=13487&ID=177008&pid=117129", id: "PreRoll" }); player.on('vast.adStart', function() { vast.started = true; }); player.on('vast.adError', function() { vast = { started: true, ended: true }; }); player.on('play', function() { if (vast.ended && !video.paused) { video.started = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Played", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_played", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } if (video.started && video.paused) { video.resumed = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Resumed", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_resumed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('pause', function() { if (vast.ended) { video.paused = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Paused", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_paused", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('ended', function() { //vast.adEnd fires after ended, pointless to use. vast.ended = true; if (video.started && !video.ended) { video.ended = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Ended", eventLabel: event_label }); } var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: 100, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); }); player.on('fullscreenchange', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Fullscreen Toggled", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('enterpictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Opened", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('leavepictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Closed", eventLabel: event_label }); }); let lastReportedPercentage = 0; player.on('timeupdate', function() { const currentTime = player.currentTime(); const duration = player.duration(); if (duration) { const progressPercentage = Math.floor((currentTime / duration) * 100); if (progressPercentage % 5 === 0 && progressPercentage !== lastReportedPercentage) { lastReportedPercentage = progressPercentage; var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: progressPercentage, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } } });
FULL SHOW: Inside INdiana Business 10/18/26
.video-js, .video-js .vjs-tech { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; z-index: 0; } var player = videojs('player_block_749367d61c9c0e618948e21b0aa00de3'); player.nuevo({ contextMenu: false }); var vast = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, }; var video = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, } var event_label = 'Video: 209916 - Article: FULL SHOW: Inside INdiana Business 10/18/26'; var post_id = 209917; var post_url = "https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/videos/full-show-inside-indiana-business-10-18-26"; player.vastAds({ tagURL: "https://servedbyadbutler.com/vast.spark?setID=13487&ID=177008&pid=117129", id: "PreRoll" }); player.on('vast.adStart', function() { vast.started = true; }); player.on('vast.adError', function() { vast = { started: true, ended: true }; }); player.on('play', function() { if (vast.ended && !video.paused) { video.started = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Played", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_played", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } if (video.started && video.paused) { video.resumed = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Resumed", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_resumed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('pause', function() { if (vast.ended) { video.paused = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Paused", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_paused", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('ended', function() { //vast.adEnd fires after ended, pointless to use. vast.ended = true; if (video.started && !video.ended) { video.ended = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Ended", eventLabel: event_label }); } var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: 100, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); }); player.on('fullscreenchange', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Fullscreen Toggled", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('enterpictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Opened", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('leavepictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Closed", eventLabel: event_label }); }); let lastReportedPercentage = 0; player.on('timeupdate', function() { const currentTime = player.currentTime(); const duration = player.duration(); if (duration) { const progressPercentage = Math.floor((currentTime / duration) * 100); if (progressPercentage % 5 === 0 && progressPercentage !== lastReportedPercentage) { lastReportedPercentage = progressPercentage; var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: progressPercentage, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } } });
Health workers run out of patience with Stormont budget delay
The practical impact of Northern Ireland's budget delay seemed relatively muted until earlier this week when hospital doctors announced two strikes.
Northern Ireland health workers run out of patience with Stormont budget delay
The practical impact of Northern Ireland's budget delay seemed relatively muted until earlier this week when hospital doctors announced two strikes.
Trump's team is in chaos as midterms enter final stretch
A White House that has enjoyed relative stability over the past two years has returned to a state of disarray that characterized much of Trump's early political career.
Science Missed the Giraffe’s Only Relative Until 1901
Science ignored the okapi for centuries while Indigenous communities in the Congo knew it well, and even after a skull reached London in 1901, researchers struggled to explain what they were looking a...
Science Missed the Giraffe's Only Relative Until 1901
Science ignored the okapi for centuries while Indigenous communities in the Congo knew it well, and even after a skull reached London in 1901, researchers struggled to explain what they were looking at. Today, this elusive giraffe relative faces threats that make it harder than ever to find, count, or protect.
Cattle futures higher waiting on direct business
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were up, optimistic about the week’s direct business. Direct cash cattle trade activity was relatively quiet on Thursday. There was a lone bid that surfaced in Kansas at $226 live, but the rest of cattle country has been quiet. It appears sellers are holding out for […]
Federal probe of Ilhan Omar aimed at revoking citizenship, deporting her
Investigators are focused on her age when she became a citizen and have subpoenaed relatives, weeks before the Minnesota Democrat faces voters.
Scientists discover an ancient shipwreck dating to when the Great Pyramid was built
The wreck was found with relatively intact cargo on the seabed off the coast of Türkiye and is believed to be between 4,400 and 4,700 years old
AP report: Rep. Ilhan Omar's phone seized and relatives subpoenaed in criminal probe
The scope of the investigation into Omar is unclear, though Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has suggested that authorities were examining potential crimes related to her family's immigration paperwork.
Is the EU research budget actually increasing?
Is a Horizon Europe budget of €158 billion a 10% cut or a significant increase to the EU’s support for research and innovation? What would seem like a question of fact has divided opinion in Brussels since the Irish presidency of the EU Council presented its negotiation box on October 10. The answer depends on factors such as how you adjust for inflation, whether you account for increases in overall EU wealth and if you care about absolute or proportional figures. The €158 billion budget in current prices, proposed by the Irish presidency of the EU Council, was quickly criticised by university lobbies and rejected by the high-level expert group led by former Portuguese science minister Manuel Heitor. It was also decried by the four pro-European political groups in the European Parliament. “How can Europe close its competitiveness gap while cutting the European Competitiveness Fund by 13% and Horizon Europe by nearly 10%?” asked a joint statement by the European People’s Party (EPP), Renew Europe, the Socialists and Democrats and the Greens/European Free Alliance. Together, these parties hold 63% of seats in the Parliament.In stark contrast, Irish foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee said that the proposal “significantly increases investment in competitiveness, research and innovation,” Meanwhile, a presidency press release said that, compared to the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the proposal would “double the volume of competitiveness related programmes.” So, who is right? That depends on how you make the calculation.Compared to the Commission figure or the previous budget?The first thing to notice is the difference in baselines. When the MEPs say the Irish presidency will cut Horizon Europe by “nearly 10%” they are using the European Commission proposal for the MFF from July 2025, which allocated €175 billion in current prices to Horizon Europe. However, when the Irish foreign affairs minister said the research and competitiveness budget is increasing significantly, she is comparing it to the 2021-27 MFF, which had a Horizon Europe budget of €84.9 billion in 2018 prices.Her point holds when accounting for inflation. Applying a 2% annual inflation rate, the calculation method used by the Commission, the 2021-27 Horizon Europe would have a budget of €97.5 billion in 2025 prices. In comparison, the Irish presidency’s €158 billion figure in current prices translates to €140 billion in 2025 prices. Does the ECF count?But there is more to the dispute. In its statements, the Irish presidency lumped the research budget in with the overall budget for competitiveness. The Parliament statement, however, kept the two separate. This matters because the next MFF includes plans to add a new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) to fund programmes meant to boost the continent's competitiveness. The Irish negotiating box allocated €245 billion in current prices to this programme.When this is added to the €158 billion for Horizon Europe, as well as programmes such as the EU education programme Erasmus+, the total for “competitiveness, prosperity and security” in the Irish proposal becomes €514 billion in current prices. But it is still uncertain how big a share of this competitiveness budget would go to research. The Commission proposal of July 2025 for the MFF included clear links between the ECF and Horizon Europe, indicating some ECF money will go to research. At the same time, the structure of the ECF is still being negotiated, and a substantial part of its budget is expected to support non-research activities such as defence manufacturing, decarbonisation and digital infrastructure. Related articlesCouncil floats 9.6% budget cut to next Horizon EuropeResearch community to appeal to national governments over planned EU budget cutEU own resources ‘essential’ for future research budget, says leading MEPSo, it is by looking at competitiveness rather than research, or combining the two, that the Irish presidency can claim that its proposed budget will significantly increase investment in competitiveness, research and innovation.According to the Irish presidency proposal, Horizon Europe and other competitiveness-related programmes in the current multiannual budget received €221 billion in current prices. However, since this money is being distributed from 2021 to 2027, it is not directly comparable to the €514 billion in current prices which will be distributed from 2028 to 2034.Research as a proportion of the MFFBut the relative rise in competitiveness-related programmes points to another important distinction: whether you look at the research budget in absolute terms or as a share of the overall MFF. Here, too, the size of the research budget has risen, although only slightly. In the 2021-27 MFF, Horizon Europe accounted for 7% of the total budget. In the Irish presidency’s proposal, it amounts to 8.7%. The share for the total competitiveness envelope went from 17.7% in the current MFF to 28.1% in the Irish presidency proposal.This proportional share may seem irrelevant to universities looking for research funding, but it is becoming significant as budget negotiations between the Parliament, the Commission and the Council begin. On October 2, a group of 17 southern and eastern European countries sent out a statement calling for the EU agriculture and cohesion budgets to be protected. The Parliament’s co-rapporteur on the budget, Siegfried Mureșan of the EPP, has also said that the research envelope is likely to be cut disproportionately as the budget is slimmed down during negotiations.
Devious Arc Raiders Griefers Are Having Fun in PvE, Camping Locked Loot Rooms and Pulling Enemy Robots Into Extraction Points
Arc Raiders PvE lobbies are already stacked with griefers, using the relative safety of the mode, where your bullets don’t affect other raiders, to put other players in dangerous spots via other means, whether that be manipulating the AI, using tools, or simply getting in the way.
Rep. Ilhan Omar's phone seized and relatives subpoenaed in probe, AP source says
The Justice Department has historically sought to avoid public investigative actions involving a candidate within 60 days of a primary or general election
Rep. Ilhan Omar's phone seized and relatives subpoenaed in criminal probe, AP source says
Federal authorities investigating Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar have seized the Democratic lawmaker’s phone and have issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas, including to some of her relatives, according to a person briefed on the probe.
Kenya confirms second Ebola case, a relative of first patient
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s Health Ministry confirmed the country’s second Ebola case Wednesday, saying a relative of the man who died two days after arriving from Congo had tested positive while in quarantine.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Busy Fall
We have a busy fall ahead of us—and that’s always good news. We like to stay busy. We’re working on two special annual publications: the CNY Business Guide and the CNY Winter Guide. Both publications are designed to reach specific audiences in the community. We’re excited about these new editions and would like to share a few details about them. Let’s begin with the Winter Guide. Winter can be challenging, but it also offers plenty to celebrate. The new CNY Winter Guide will help readers embrace the season and make it more fun and enjoyable. This year’s annual publication will feature an extensive calendar of events, compelling stories, and curated lists of things to do and see throughout the winter. This will be our 31st annual issue. It is one of the few publications—if not the only one—devoted exclusively to winter in Central New York. For advertisers, it offers a valuable opportunity to reach readers across the region. As we tell prospective advertisers, one ad works for them all season long. Rates start in the low $200s. The guide will be available at hundreds of high-traffic locations, including all Wegmans stores and select Price Chopper and Tops Friendly Markets locations. It will also be available online, with every ad hyperlinked so readers can click directly through to the advertiser’s website or Facebook page. Our network of drivers will also deliver the guide to hundreds of high-traffic locations several times throughout the winter. The publication will be out by Thanksgiving. The CNY Business Guide is a one-of-a-kind publication that many readers use as a reference. Unlike the books of lists published by business journals across the country, it comes in a glossy, full-color magazine format. It also ranks employers in four counties, with a particular emphasis on Oswego and Onondaga and substantial information about Cayuga and Jefferson. It is an ambitious project that requires extensive research, phone calls, careful fact-checking, writing and design. In short, it takes a great deal of work—and we’re glad to take on the challenge. The guide is widely distributed to business and professional readers throughout Central New York. The Business Guide gives companies an excellent opportunity to highlight their growth and expansion, showcase new products, and share other noteworthy developments. For readers, it provides a valuable snapshot of companies across the region, including what they do and who leads them. The guide will be published in early December. We invite companies to advertise in both publications. Advertising costs are relatively low, and each guide offers access to a broad audience across Central New York. Wagner Dotto is the editor and publisher of Oswego County Business Magazine.
HOW I GOT STARTED: Jim Brooker
Owner of Starlight MFG Solutions in Fulton was vice president at Otis Technology in Phoenix — until the company closed locally. He then decided to open his own shop. “We are pretty much doubling in size each year so far,” he says By Stefan Yablonski Q: When did you start this business” A: I started Starlight MFG Solutions LLC while I was working at another government contractor. I was vice president of engineering at Otis Technology at their Phoenix location until they closed that facility due to a shift in business at the end of 2023. While at Otis, I was also working on Starlight on a part-time basis. I gained a lot of exposure to a lot of different equipment. That is the kind of service we provided to Otis when we were a part of them. Now we have spun that whole concept off here. Q: How would you describe it? A: It’s a manufacturing engineering firm specializing in custom automation to serve as an outsourced engineering support for companies that need additional resources. I want to make it a sustainable business that can partner with local manufacturers to help them. Q: What is your background; did you go to college with this in mind? A: I am a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. My B.S. from RIT was in manufacturing engineering technology and my MS from RIT was in manufacturing and mechanical systems integration with a minor in business. Q: Why this type of business? A: I identified a large gap in the market for companies that needed small to medium help with manufacturing projects. Q: What services do you offer? A: We are focusing more on manufacturing. We do a lot of robotics, we do laser marking, we do filling — pretty much anything that the customer needs. Q: Have you seen any growth since you started? A: Yes. We have been growing ever since the company started. Our specialties include robotics, vision inspection and guidance, rotary-indexing workcells, dispense systems, laser marking, machine tending and more. We provide support to companies that need additional resources. We moved to a facility in Fulton about a year and a half ago. We are leasing our space in Fulton — the former NET & Die facility. We bought our own equipment, we are leasing the space. We have been operating here since early 2024. Q: You’re ready to take on bigger jobs? A: We want to stay in the small to medium size market where the large players don’t want to play. That is kind of where we found our niche. We are expanding regionally to take on more of those projects. My customers are relatively small business. They don’t have in-house automation; engineering and development teams are not feasible. Q: Business has been doing well? A: I am pretty satisfied about where we are at. We are definitely growing year to year. We are pretty much doubling in size each year so far. We are self-sustaining. Q: How busy are you on any given day? A: How busy? That’s kind of relative. We average between three and five projects going on in the shop at any time. We have a backlog that is manageable. We have seen a great demand for laser marking. The work is very relationship-driven. Much of it is based on referrals from other customers. Q: So, you must have a pretty big staff? A: No. I have just one other full-time person, a colleague from Otis. I bring in other people as the projects dictate. I handle sales and the overall operation of the manufacturing processes. We use outside sources for some work. We aren’t afraid to take on the other jobs — but we are filling our niche pretty well. Q: Do you get tired? A: I don’t get tired, no not really. Before this I ran a facility in Phoenix for 12 years. I enjoy solving problems and that part of the job is still my favorite. I have a supportive family life at home that definitely helps a lot. I just love the challenge of it. Q: Do you still live in the area? A: Yes. I live in Phoenix, town of Lysander. Q: What is the biggest job you’ve done? A: We have done some that were pretty good size. I don’t want to get into dollar amounts, don’t want to share gross revenue. We try to use locally sourced components. It is just amazing the components you can find that are locally produced.
PROFILE: Ben Sio
New President of CenterState CEO Brings Nearly Two Decades of Experience to Drive CNY Growth By Stefan Yablonski Ben Sio serves as president of the CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity — or CenterState CEO. The independent Syracuse-based nonprofit is committed to creating inclusive, equitable and sustainable economic growth in Central New York. “I started in this position in March, so it has been six months. I’m in my 19th year with CenterState,” he said in August. As president, he is responsible for overseeing the organization’s administration and governance, while leading and executing its vision to be an effective advocate, exceptional employer and a force for positive outcomes for the community. He previously served as chief of staff and senior vice president of strategy, policy and planning, overseeing the organization’s long-term strategic planning, consulting, corporate governance, fundraising and development, land-use planning and government relations. In his years with the organization, Sio has led or supported many high-profile strategic initiatives including the creation of the CNY Rising Plan, the launch of the NUAIR Alliance and the region’s UAS strategy, the creation of the Micron-enabled Community Priorities Document and the recently awarded NY Smart I Corridor Tech Hub. “When we decided to split Rob’s [Simpson] role into two positions, he has the CEO title and I got the president title. Rob remains focused on forward looking vision strategy for the organization and I’m more focused on the day-to-day operations,” he explained. “I’m also responsible for building consensus around strategic needs and priorities and managing the change necessary to drive execution. It’s an eventful job. “The experiment that we call CenterState is always evolving and shifting and addressing where we see market demand and market failure. “If we see something in our economy that isn’t going the way we think it should go, then whether it is housing development or workforce development or something else, we are always figuring out how to step into these situations and address those challenges.” “We are the largest ever in terms of staff that we have ever been. We are no longer the 20-person organization we were when we started out many, many years ago,” he said. “There are more day-to-day things to take care of. But also there is just so much happening in the community right now that is pulling CenterState and our expertise in so many directions. I tell people if we were bored and not busy, then I’d be really concerned about what we are doing. But we are not bored. We’ve certainly got our hands full — and that is a good thing.” CenterState has now approximately 63 employees on its staff, according to recent nonprofit database records. It’s involved in myriad programs, ranging from Genius NY, a business accelerator competition for uncrewed systems, IoT and robotics startups, to CenterState Up Start, a collaborative business development program that connects local, service-based businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs to the tools and networks that help them thrive. CNY Guy Through and Through A Central New York guy through and through, Sio was born and raised in Skaneateles. “My mom was a teacher, an art teacher. My father worked for many, many years with National Grid. He was there through the transition from Niagara Mohawk to National Grid,” he said. “Neither of my parents were touched by cutbacks and job loss. But I grew up going through that transition and being concerned that there were rounds of layoffs. My childhood connection to the economy here in Central New York … years ago it was on the decline. There were people that lived here that were concerned about losing their job. They were thinking they lived in a place that didn’t show much promise.” That narrative translated to his generation, he added. “The kids that grew up in the ‘90s in Central New York were very much told, directly or indirectly, by their parents, that they had to go somewhere else to find economic opportunity. That is what I grew up thinking,” he said. “I only went a few miles down Route 20 for college — in Geneva, New York; I graduated from Hobart and William Smith College with a bachelor’s degree in public policy and political science. “I got real interested in regional economies; because what makes regional economy is what makes the economy successful. And when I graduated, I had an opportunity to move to Washington, DC and work down there at a nonprofit doing this work.” However, he decided to stay in Central New York. “I got hired two weeks after I graduated. I got hired by the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce. At the time it was one of two entities doing economic development in Central New York — [the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce and the Metropolitan Development Association] — and it eventually became CenterState CEO,” he said, referring to 2010 merger between the two organizations. During his time at CenterState, Sio has also split time at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., where he supported communities developing export and foreign direct investment (FDI), a long-term cross-border investment where an individual or company from one country buys a lasting stake or control in a business located in another country. The program — known as Global Cities Initiative — was designed to help leaders in major U.S. and international metropolitan areas reorient their local economies toward global markets. “Early on in my tenure at CenterState, we had done a lot of work with the Brookings Institution, just regional planning stuff. We worked with them on developing a regional export plan, to export more products out of Central New York and a larger business plan for the region. They hired me on to help replicate those plans in different parts of the country,”Sio explained. “So, I worked there for three or four years. I worked for CenterState, but I was technically loaned to Brookings for a period of time to help them do this work elsewhere.” Family ties “My wife is Carly. We have been married 14 years. We have two kids, a 3-year-old and a 7-year-old. “With a 3-year-old and a 7-year-old, fun is a relative term these days. We do a lot of hiking. The kids this summer got very interested in waterfalls. We’ve hit every waterfall we could in a short hike — we’ve done Skaneateles and some others.” “I do woodworking and wood turning — it’s a branch of woodworking; you use a wood lathe. My big thing there is making wood bowls. I do that in most of my free time, which is not much,” he quipped. “I like to get into my woodshop and make a bowl and decompress and turn off the rest of the world for a little bit. I usually do it late at night when the house is quiet. It is definitely my escape from the day to day. I make a lot of bowls; all different sizes, all different species of wood. It’s a fun thing to do for me.” He gives away many of his creations. “They are mostly gifts — I don’t really sell them. I really don’t have time to go set up a booth at a fair or craft show. I usually give them away. I donate them to different things. If you are in my periphery, you’ve likely received a salad bowl from me as a gift. I just need to find something to do with all the stuff that I create,” he said. Lifelines Name: Benjamin Sio Position: President, CenterState CEO Birth Date: Not provided Birth place: Syracuse Residence: Westvale Education: Hobart and William Smith Colleges in the Finger Lakes Affiliations: Member of the boards of Skaneateles Festival, Greccio Foundation, Interfaith Works, CNY Community Foundation Personal/family: Married with two kids Hobbies: Woodworking and woodturning
Australia: NSW Health warns against handling bats due to lyssavirus
NSW Health is advising the public not to handle, or otherwise handle bats, following a recent increase in people being bitten or scratched across the state. In the two weeks from 28 September to 10 October, 43 people were assessed by NSW Health after being bitten or scratched by bats. This includes in coastal areas in Hunter New England, the Mid North Coast, Northern NSW, and the Central Coast. This is a significant increase when compared with 10 reported cases of bat bites or scratches for the same two-week period in 2025. Keira Glasgow, Director in Health Protection at NSW Health, said, “We want people to assume that any bat could carry Australian bat lyssavirus, which is a close relative to the rabies virus and very dangerous to humans.” “If you see a bat that is injured or in distress, call your local wildlife rescue service and do not touch it. Only trained, protected and vaccinated wildlife handlers should interact with bats. “It is incredibly rare for Australian bat lyssavirus to transmit to humans, but once symptoms of lyssavirus start in people who are scratched or bitten by an infected bat, sadly there is no effective treatment. “If you are bitten or scratched by a bat, urgent medical assessment is crucial.” Rabies virus and Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) belong to a group of viruses called lyssaviruses. These viruses transmit via a bite from an infected ("rabid") animal. They all cause a similar illness known as rabies, which affects the central nervous system and is usually fatal. Rabies and ABLV infection cause similar symptoms. The early symptoms are flu-like, including headache, fever and fatigue. The illness progresses rapidly to paralysis, delirium, convulsions and death, usually within a week or two. Rabies cases and the three known human cases of ABLV infection have shown a wide variability in the time it takes for symptoms to appear following exposure to an infected animal (from several days to several years). The best way to protect yourself from infection is to not touch bats. If you see a bat in distress, injured or trapped on the ground, do not try to rescue it. Instead, contact trained experts. Outbreak News Today is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Scientists uncover a hidden map of the brain with 539 distinct regions
Scientists have uncovered a hidden layer of organization in the brain by creating the first detailed 3D map of its lipids, the fatty molecules essential for brain structure and communication. By analyzing millions of measurements from mouse brains, researchers identified 539 distinct chemical zones, revealing patterns and boundaries that traditional brain maps have missed. Surprisingly, even white matter, once thought to be relatively uniform, contains a complex patchwork of chemically distinct regions.
BiomEdit receives conditional licensure for first commercial product
.video-js, .video-js .vjs-tech { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; z-index: 0; } var player = videojs('player_block_06a93b38e4501badd2c5e511f28c10a6'); player.nuevo({ contextMenu: false }); var vast = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, }; var video = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, } var event_label = 'Video: 209497 - Article: BiomEdit receives conditional licensure for first commercial product'; var post_id = 209495; var post_url = "https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/videos/biomedit-receives-conditional-licensure-for-first-commercial-product"; player.vastAds({ tagURL: "https://servedbyadbutler.com/vast.spark?setID=13487&ID=177008&pid=117129", id: "PreRoll" }); player.on('vast.adStart', function() { vast.started = true; }); player.on('vast.adError', function() { vast = { started: true, ended: true }; }); player.on('play', function() { if (vast.ended && !video.paused) { video.started = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Played", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_played", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } if (video.started && video.paused) { video.resumed = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Resumed", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_resumed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('pause', function() { if (vast.ended) { video.paused = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Paused", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_paused", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('ended', function() { //vast.adEnd fires after ended, pointless to use. vast.ended = true; if (video.started && !video.ended) { video.ended = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Ended", eventLabel: event_label }); } var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: 100, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); }); player.on('fullscreenchange', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Fullscreen Toggled", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('enterpictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Opened", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('leavepictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Closed", eventLabel: event_label }); }); let lastReportedPercentage = 0; player.on('timeupdate', function() { const currentTime = player.currentTime(); const duration = player.duration(); if (duration) { const progressPercentage = Math.floor((currentTime / duration) * 100); if (progressPercentage % 5 === 0 && progressPercentage !== lastReportedPercentage) { lastReportedPercentage = progressPercentage; var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: progressPercentage, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } } });
World Food Championship returns this week
.video-js, .video-js .vjs-tech { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; z-index: 0; } var player = videojs('player_block_03beb15a8cb1a37bffb33585888f5156'); player.nuevo({ contextMenu: false }); var vast = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, }; var video = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, } var event_label = 'Video: 209562 - Article: World Food Championship returns this week'; var post_id = 209493; var post_url = "https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/videos/world-food-championship-returns-this-week"; player.vastAds({ tagURL: "https://servedbyadbutler.com/vast.spark?setID=13487&ID=177008&pid=117129", id: "PreRoll" }); player.on('vast.adStart', function() { vast.started = true; }); player.on('vast.adError', function() { vast = { started: true, ended: true }; }); player.on('play', function() { if (vast.ended && !video.paused) { video.started = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Played", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_played", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } if (video.started && video.paused) { video.resumed = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Resumed", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_resumed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('pause', function() { if (vast.ended) { video.paused = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Paused", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_paused", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('ended', function() { //vast.adEnd fires after ended, pointless to use. vast.ended = true; if (video.started && !video.ended) { video.ended = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Ended", eventLabel: event_label }); } var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: 100, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); }); player.on('fullscreenchange', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Fullscreen Toggled", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('enterpictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Opened", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('leavepictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Closed", eventLabel: event_label }); }); let lastReportedPercentage = 0; player.on('timeupdate', function() { const currentTime = player.currentTime(); const duration = player.duration(); if (duration) { const progressPercentage = Math.floor((currentTime / duration) * 100); if (progressPercentage % 5 === 0 && progressPercentage !== lastReportedPercentage) { lastReportedPercentage = progressPercentage; var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: progressPercentage, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } } });
Mammoth Solar projects begin commercial operation in northwest Indiana
.video-js, .video-js .vjs-tech { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; z-index: 0; } var player = videojs('player_block_a68dcf07ebc2e2352c385208d1b99a12'); player.nuevo({ contextMenu: false }); var vast = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, }; var video = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, } var event_label = 'Video: 209524 - Article: Mammoth Solar projects begin commercial operation in northwest Indiana'; var post_id = 209568; var post_url = "https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/videos/mammoth-solar-projects-begin-commercial-operation-in-northwest-indiana"; player.vastAds({ tagURL: "https://servedbyadbutler.com/vast.spark?setID=13487&ID=177008&pid=117129", id: "PreRoll" }); player.on('vast.adStart', function() { vast.started = true; }); player.on('vast.adError', function() { vast = { started: true, ended: true }; }); player.on('play', function() { if (vast.ended && !video.paused) { video.started = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Played", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_played", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } if (video.started && video.paused) { video.resumed = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Resumed", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_resumed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('pause', function() { if (vast.ended) { video.paused = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Paused", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_paused", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('ended', function() { //vast.adEnd fires after ended, pointless to use. vast.ended = true; if (video.started && !video.ended) { video.ended = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Ended", eventLabel: event_label }); } var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: 100, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); }); player.on('fullscreenchange', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Fullscreen Toggled", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('enterpictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Opened", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('leavepictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Closed", eventLabel: event_label }); }); let lastReportedPercentage = 0; player.on('timeupdate', function() { const currentTime = player.currentTime(); const duration = player.duration(); if (duration) { const progressPercentage = Math.floor((currentTime / duration) * 100); if (progressPercentage % 5 === 0 && progressPercentage !== lastReportedPercentage) { lastReportedPercentage = progressPercentage; var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: progressPercentage, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } } });
Elanco, Purdue planning research institute at One Health Innovation District
.video-js, .video-js .vjs-tech { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; z-index: 0; } var player = videojs('player_block_94a61c85e04a6a869b6c2261615f1b19'); player.nuevo({ contextMenu: false }); var vast = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, }; var video = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, } var event_label = 'Video: 209555 - Article: Elanco, Purdue planning research institute at One Health Innovation District'; var post_id = 209492; var post_url = "https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/videos/elanco-purdue-planning-research-institute-at-one-health-innovation-district-2"; player.vastAds({ tagURL: "https://servedbyadbutler.com/vast.spark?setID=13487&ID=177008&pid=117129", id: "PreRoll" }); player.on('vast.adStart', function() { vast.started = true; }); player.on('vast.adError', function() { vast = { started: true, ended: true }; }); player.on('play', function() { if (vast.ended && !video.paused) { video.started = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Played", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_played", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } if (video.started && video.paused) { video.resumed = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Resumed", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_resumed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('pause', function() { if (vast.ended) { video.paused = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Paused", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_paused", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('ended', function() { //vast.adEnd fires after ended, pointless to use. vast.ended = true; if (video.started && !video.ended) { video.ended = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Ended", eventLabel: event_label }); } var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: 100, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); }); player.on('fullscreenchange', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Fullscreen Toggled", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('enterpictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Opened", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('leavepictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Closed", eventLabel: event_label }); }); let lastReportedPercentage = 0; player.on('timeupdate', function() { const currentTime = player.currentTime(); const duration = player.duration(); if (duration) { const progressPercentage = Math.floor((currentTime / duration) * 100); if (progressPercentage % 5 === 0 && progressPercentage !== lastReportedPercentage) { lastReportedPercentage = progressPercentage; var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: progressPercentage, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } } }); .video-js, .video-js .vjs-tech { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; z-index: 0; } var player = videojs('player_block_3e0dd12dd9e4b24938fb711c6167c088'); player.nuevo({ contextMenu: false }); var vast = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, }; var video = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, } var event_label = 'Video: 0 - Article: Elanco, Purdue planning research institute at One Health Innovation District'; var post_id = 209492; var post_url = "https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/videos/elanco-purdue-planning-research-institute-at-one-health-innovation-district-2"; player.vastAds({ tagURL: "https://servedbyadbutler.com/vast.spark?setID=13487&ID=177008&pid=117129", id: "PreRoll" }); player.on('vast.adStart', function() { vast.started = true; }); player.on('vast.adError', function() { vast = { started: true, ended: true }; }); player.on('play', function() { if (vast.ended && !video.paused) { video.started = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Played", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_played", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } if (video.started && video.paused) { video.resumed = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Resumed", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_resumed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('pause', function() { if (vast.ended) { video.paused = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Paused", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_paused", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('ended', function() { //vast.adEnd fires after ended, pointless to use. vast.ended = true; if (video.started && !video.ended) { video.ended = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Ended", eventLabel: event_label }); } var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: 100, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); }); player.on('fullscreenchange', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Fullscreen Toggled", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('enterpictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Opened", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('leavepictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Closed", eventLabel: event_label }); }); let lastReportedPercentage = 0; player.on('timeupdate', function() { const currentTime = player.currentTime(); const duration = player.duration(); if (duration) { const progressPercentage = Math.floor((currentTime / duration) * 100); if (progressPercentage % 5 === 0 && progressPercentage !== lastReportedPercentage) { lastReportedPercentage = progressPercentage; var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: progressPercentage, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } } });
FULL SHOW: Inside INdiana Business 10/11/26
.video-js, .video-js .vjs-tech { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; z-index: 0; } var player = videojs('player_block_26b86e7d07622cb4e28deb678ea7a256'); player.nuevo({ contextMenu: false }); var vast = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, }; var video = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, } var event_label = 'Video: 209577 - Article: FULL SHOW: Inside INdiana Business 10/11/26'; var post_id = 209574; var post_url = "https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/videos/full-show-inside-indiana-business-10-11-26"; player.vastAds({ tagURL: "https://servedbyadbutler.com/vast.spark?setID=13487&ID=177008&pid=117129", id: "PreRoll" }); player.on('vast.adStart', function() { vast.started = true; }); player.on('vast.adError', function() { vast = { started: true, ended: true }; }); player.on('play', function() { if (vast.ended && !video.paused) { video.started = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Played", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_played", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } if (video.started && video.paused) { video.resumed = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Resumed", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_resumed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('pause', function() { if (vast.ended) { video.paused = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Paused", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_paused", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('ended', function() { //vast.adEnd fires after ended, pointless to use. vast.ended = true; if (video.started && !video.ended) { video.ended = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Ended", eventLabel: event_label }); } var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: 100, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); }); player.on('fullscreenchange', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Fullscreen Toggled", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('enterpictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Opened", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('leavepictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Closed", eventLabel: event_label }); }); let lastReportedPercentage = 0; player.on('timeupdate', function() { const currentTime = player.currentTime(); const duration = player.duration(); if (duration) { const progressPercentage = Math.floor((currentTime / duration) * 100); if (progressPercentage % 5 === 0 && progressPercentage !== lastReportedPercentage) { lastReportedPercentage = progressPercentage; var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: progressPercentage, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } } });
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Recommends Science-Based Thresholds to Target Dangerous Enhanced Kratom Products
Kratom products credit: CDPH DEA takes action based on updated recommendation from HHS October 11, 2026 - WASHINGTON - On Friday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services relesed the following: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided a new recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that establishes science-based thresholds for 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI), potent opioid compounds associated with products marketed as kratom. The Department of Justice today announced that DEA issued new Notices of Intent reflecting HHS’ updated scientific analysis and recommendations, including a new Notice of Intent for 7-OH and MGPI incorporating HHS’ recommended concentration and ratio thresholds. Following a review of available scientific data and comments, HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Brian Christine, M.D., recommended that DEA use concentration or ratio-based thresholds to determine which products containing 7-OH and MGPI are subject to Schedule I control for purposes of temporary scheduling of these substances under the Controlled Substances Act. The recommendation is designed to target concentrated or chemically altered products while distinguishing them from natural botanical kratom products, which may contain trace amounts of 7-OH and MGPI. “We are drawing a clear line between natural kratom and dangerous, enhanced opioid products,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We listened to the public, followed the science, and developed a clear recommended threshold for temporary scheduling that targets concentrated 7-OH and MGPI without sweeping natural botanical kratom into Schedule I. The Trump Administration will continue taking decisive action against dangerous products that fuel addiction while making sure our policies are grounded in rigorous science.” Under the recommendation, 7-OH and MGPI would be controlled in Schedule I for purposes of temporary scheduling when either substance alone, or their combined amount when both are present: Exceeds 1 milligram per gram in solid powders, encapsulated material, or other solid forms, or exceeds 1 milligram per milliliter in liquid preparations; or When the mass of mitragynine present divided by the mass of 7-OH, or MGPI, or the combined amount of 7-OH and MGPI if both present, is less than 100. The ratio-based approach reflects the alkaloid composition of natural kratom products and provides a way to identify products intentionally enhanced or concentrated with 7-OH or MGPI. Available scientific data indicate that 7-OH occurs naturally in botanical kratom at relatively low or trace levels, while some evidence reviewed by FDA suggests MGPI may also occur at trace levels in some natural or kratom-derived products. FDA's scientific review found that 7-OH is substantially more potent than morphine in preclinical studies, with available data indicating approximately two to nine times greater potency depending on the study. FDA also identified evidence supporting a meaningful risk of opioid-like physical dependence and withdrawal from MGPI. “Our recommendation gives DEA a scientifically supportable framework to distinguish natural botanical kratom from products that have been concentrated or manipulated to deliver dangerous levels of potent opioid compounds,” said Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Brian Christine, M.D. “This approach allows us to focus on the products that pose the greatest threat to public health.” In July 2025, following an FDA scientific and medical evaluation, HHS recommended that 7-OH above a specified threshold be placed in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. In July 2026, DEA announced its intent to temporarily schedule 7-OH above a specified threshold, and HHS simultaneously sought public comment on the proposed threshold. DEA subsequently temporarily placed MGPI and two synthetic 7-OH derivatives, MGM-15 and MGM-16, in Schedule I. Since then, questions have emerged about how scheduling could affect natural botanical kratom products potentially containing trace amounts of MGPI. The new HHS recommendation responds to those concerns by providing DEA with a more precise threshold based on both the concentration of 7-OH and MGPI and their relationship to mitragynine, the predominant alkaloid in kratom. HHS and FDA will continue working with DEA to protect Americans from dangerous concentrated and synthetic opioid products while ensuring federal policy is grounded in the best available science. Source: HHS
For The First Time Ever, Quantum Spins Shift a Centimeter-Scale Object
This is (relatively) huge.
For The First Time Ever, Quantum Spins Shift a Centimeter-Scale Object
This is (relatively) huge.
Scientists Uncover Two Hidden Forms of Disorder in Next-Generation Semiconductors
A study of twisted two-dimensional semiconductors reveals how subtle material disorder can emerge at different spatial scales. Two distinct forms of hidden disorder may influence how ultrathin semiconductors emit light. One extends across relatively large areas of the material, while the other is concentrated around tiny defects. A new theoretical approach offers a way to
Gears of War: E-Day sells 230K copies
Gears of War: E-Day has sold 230K copies since its advance-access launch on October 1 and full release on October 6. Steam accounts for 168K of those, with Xbox (console and PC) selling 62K. But there’s more to this story, as Xbox makes up the bulk of revenue. E-Day is the best-reviewed Gears game in nearly two decades (and the best one ever made, in my opinion). The Coalition has made a banger here (it’s currently in my top 10 of the year). Despite E-Day’s undeniable quality, this is a soft result. And it’s down to the business model, really. E-Day has made $37M so far, thanks to the Premium upgrade On Xbox, Game Pass is cannibalising much of the premium revenue. Our estimates show that 1.7M folks accessed E-Day via their subscription rather than a copy. But Xbox is having it both ways – or having it halfway, at least – via its Premium Edition Game Pass upgrade. Game Pass subscribers could pay $30 (or their local equivalent) for up to five days of early access starting October 1. Our estimates show that of the 1.7M who accessed E-Day through Game Pass, 722K paid for the upgrade. Between the review embargo lifting on October 1 and the full release, E-Day managed to shift another 250K early-access upgrades – no doubt helped by the campaign’s rave reviews. So despite selling far fewer copies on Steam, Xbox accounts for almost three-quarters of the revenue (roughly $26M of the $37M, versus about $11M on Steam). So “230K copies” undersells the paying audience. Including the 722K upgrades, nearly 950K people actually paid something for E-Day. The $30 upgrade is a halfstep from cannibalisation, but will Xbox go all the way? While E-Day is a sublime game, these are soft numbers for a flagship when Xbox badly needs revenue wins. E-Day sold 62K copies on Xbox against 722K Premium upgrades, so for every one copy sold on Xbox, nearly 12 Game Pass upgrades were sold. The $70 premium SKU is – functionally – dead on Xbox. Normally you can’t see what a Game Pass player would have paid, because the game’s just there in the subscription. But the $30 early-access upgrade estimate shows that 722K people demonstrated they’ll spend real money on this game. In a world without day-one Game Pass, many of these folks would have bought E-Day at $70. They paid $30 for five days early access to something they don’t own. Xbox is, in effect, charging its most valuable customers the least, based on a hangover from a tried-and-exhausted strategy from a previous administration. Those 722K willing-to-pay players generated about $21.7M via the upgrade. If three quarters of this group – mostly US and European audiences – bought E-Day outright, that’s nearly $40M. Of course, Game Pass does bring in meaningful recurring revenue, and E-Day is adding value for hundreds of thousands of subscribers. However, Game Pass is no longer growing, so Xbox is at a crossroads. Xbox is reportedly looking to do a Netflix and bolt on an ad-supported tier to pad it further. But that will just set a new floor, and leadership keeps telling us the priority now is revenue growth, which is subscriber-speak for ARPU. Xbox has already pulled Call of Duty from day-one Game Pass after day-one inclusion hammered its sales, with new CoD titles now arriving on the service around a year late. We know that some Microsoft executives believe the service devalues games outright, and rumours (which Microsoft has dismissed so far, to be fair) suggest that day-one releases could be taken off Game Pass. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe When a game this well-reviewed does this softly on its home platform, the model – not the game – gets brought into question. What else E-Day’s early adopters have played (including this month so far) Looking at E-Day‘s players on Xbox, most have played the franchise before (86% have played Gears 5, 76% Gears 4), and every game on the crossover list is either a shooter or a title from an Xbox-owned studio (though Game Pass is inflating those numbers, of course, more on that later): As for what else Xbox’s E-Day players have played this month, the top three are Fortnite (16%), Roblox (7%), and Call of Duty (6%). Another 5% played Minecraft Dungeons II, which is also on Game Pass and launched a couple of days before Gears‘ advance-access date. Many Game Pass players are happy to check out most big new additions. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Over on Steam, the top crossover games are also mostly shooters (slightly more PC-coded ones), including Space Marine 2, which was itself heavily inspired by Gears: Looking at what E-Day‘s Steam players are into this month shows who they are – as subscriptions don’t skew the data. The top three are Wardogs (13%), Deadlock (12%), and CS2 (10%), so you’ve got the restless shooter crowd checking out the new hotness. A little further down are Helldivers 2 and Space Marine 2, your co-op PVE shooter players who’ll feel right at home in Horde mode. Game Pass is skewing the playtime distribution on Xbox Looking at the playtime distribution in our platform, E-Day players on Steam are – relatively speaking – playing for longer: 54% of E-Day players on Xbox have played for five hours or less (versus 32% on Steam) 19% of Xbox players played for over 15 hours (versus 33% on Steam) 14% of Xbox players played for over 20 hours (22% on Steam) The absolute number of people playing for over 15, 20, and 50 hours is, of course, bigger on Xbox, thanks to the sheer volume of folks who came in through Game Pass (upgraders included). None of that is cause for alarm. Game Pass is the reason Xbox playtime skews lower, as when a game is free to try, people try it and bounce without putting in even an hour (17% under an hour on Xbox versus 6% on Steam). Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe The subscription brings in tourists alongside the committed, dragging down the average even when the game is excellent (but also perhaps winning over the uninitiated). It’s standard across every subscription-included title, on PS Plus too. Forza Horizon 6, for instance, had 11% of its Xbox players bounce under an hour, versus just 2% on Steam. So, Xbox’s crossroads So there we have it. Gears of War: E-Day is an incredible game whose revenues have been stifled by subscription inclusion and exclusivity. It’s the best-reviewed entry in the series in fifteen-odd years, but it still turned into one of the year’s softer flagship launches, not because players didn’t want it, but because Xbox’s own storefront gave its most willing buyers a reason not to pay. Which leaves Xbox at a crossroads. Will it keep making Gears games when the financial returns are this thin and the margins this low? And if it does, does the next one arrive off Game Pass at day one – the way CoD now does, or even on PlayStation? I think it should. Alright, back to E-Day for me! The last word Reply to this email – or reach out here – if you have any feedback for the newsletter – or want to request a game for us to cover. [Alinea Analytics boasts the most accurate PC and console estimates in the business. Game makers use our platform to understand their audience, keep an eye on the competition, monitor sales trends, and spot new opportunities. We equip game studios and financial institutions with accurate data and the confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Want to talk about all things games market data? We’d love to chat!]
I Flew in Condor Business Class From NYC to Germany: Is it Worth the Upgrade?
Traveler editor Charlie Hobbs takes flight with Condor, the Frankfurt-based carrier known for its relatively affordable transatlantic fares.
Iowa Business Council survey shows postive outlook on state's economy
The Iowa Business Council (IBC) has released its third quarter Economic Outlook Survey that gauges the outlook for the next six months. IBC President Joe Murphy says it’s based on a 100 point scale. “Our overall survey score was 64.91 index points, so just under 65 points, relatively flat, virtually no movement on the overall […]
Sydney Sweeney and Marilyn Monroe are related, because of course they are
The blonde actresses are ninth cousins, once removed, via a shared relative in the 1600s.
Relatives of Epstein victim appear in attack ad targeting Jeff Crank
Relatives of Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein‘s most prominent victims, accuse U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank in a TV ad released Monday by his Democratic challenger of refusing to meet with them last year when they sought his assistance to force a vote to release federal files related to the convicted sex offender. Sky and […]
Henning Willers: Inspiring Correlative Science Talks on Radiation and Immunotherapy at RadRes2026
Henning Willers: Inspiring Correlative Science Talks on Radiation and Immunotherapy at RadRes2026 / Anthony Nguyen, cancer, Everett Moding, Henning Willers,
Scientists seek new ways to protect Sierra Nevada meadows
Sierra Nevada meadows may cover a relatively small portion of the landscape, but scientists say they play an important role in supporting wildlife, storing water and maintaining biodiversity. Researchers and conservationists recently gathered at the...
As flu season approaches, here’s why you should you get your vaccine now
While flu activity is still relatively low, officials say now is the time to get vaccinated before cases begin to rise later this year.
From floating saunas to clinical trials: How heat might help mental health
While scientists have a decent understanding of how sauna and other forms of heat exposure exercises our cardiovascular system, they know relatively little about its impact on mental health.
From floating saunas to clinical trials: How heat might help mental health
While scientists have a decent understanding of how sauna and other forms of heat exposure exercises our cardiovascular system, they know relatively little about its impact on mental health.
From floating saunas to clinical trials: How heat might help mental health
Many people are turning to sauna because of its benefits for their mental health. While scientists have a decent understanding of how sauna — and other forms of heat exposure — exercises our cardiovascular system, they know relatively little about its impact on depression, anxiety and mood. But more studies are being done to understand this connection and why heat appears to act as a powerful antidepressant. NPR's Will Stone visits a "floating sauna village" in Oslo where a husband-wife team are conducting one of the first trials on the link between sauna and mental health — and talks to one of the leading researchers in the U.S about her efforts to study this. Morning Edition consumer health segment for October 5
Vozinha thought Yashin Trophy nomination was a ‘joke’
Vozinha (40), a relative unknown heading into this summer’s FIFA World Cup, made a name for himself in North America thanks to his exploits with Cape Verde. The 40-year-old, who has never played at ...
Dear Abby | Family gatherings marred by hate speech
Dear Abby: All members of my family are white. When my children were smaller, an incident occurred at a family holiday. One relative has a history of making racist comments,
Wolff: “It’s difficult to cope” for Russell seeing Antonelli pace
The Bahrain GP in Malaysia represents a crucial moment in the Championship for Mercedes, who introduce a series of long-awaited upgrades to the W17. These updates are the first major aerodynamic changes for Mercedes in several months, who are finally responding to the developments from other teams - most notably McLaren. Despite the relative delay …
Mars’ North Polar Ice Is Much Cleaner Than Scientists Thought
Beneath the dusty surface of Mars’ north pole, scientists have uncovered surprisingly clean layers of ice that may preserve a hidden record of the planet’s dramatic climate history. Earth maintains a relatively steady posture in space thanks to the gravitational anchor of a massive moon. Mars lacks that stability. Tugged only by two tiny moons,
Scientists seek new ways to protect Sierra Nevada meadows
Sierra Nevada meadows may cover a relatively small portion of the landscape, but scientists say they play an important role in supporting wildlife, storing water and maintaining biodiversity.
Who is Randy Villegas, the political newcomer trying to oust David Valadao from Congress and flip District 22 blue?
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – Although he’s relatively new to the political scene, Randy Villegas has been making waves in the legislative stage. Villegas, a self-described populist, is …
Do dying people know the end is near? This is what science has discovered
People who work around death often describe an unsettling phenomenon: some dying patients seem to know the end is approaching before anyone explicitly tells them. They may start saying goodbye, giving instructions, withdrawing from ordinary routines or talking about deceased relatives. Research suggests that awareness of approaching death does occur in many patients—but it is far from universal, and scientists still cannot explain every way that awareness appears. Some people remain mentally cle
3 UK Exporter Stocks That Could Hold Up Better If Politics Shifts
UK politics is being ripped up again, with talk of a more left leaning Labour government under Andy Burnham, possible electoral reform and even Brexit being revisited. That mix is shaking assumptions about regulation, tax and the pound, which can punish some domestically focused groups while leaving certain global exporters relatively better placed. This article walks through three UK large cap stocks exposed to this news and explains how their international reach could matter for your...
Trendiana: New businesses in historic buildings
.video-js, .video-js .vjs-tech { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; z-index: 0; } var player = videojs('player_block_15315d361e94a116563811e52e3d9839'); player.nuevo({ contextMenu: false }); var vast = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, }; var video = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, } var event_label = 'Video: 208959 - Article: Trendiana: New businesses in historic buildings'; var post_id = 208663; var post_url = "https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/videos/trendiana-new-businesses-in-historic-buildings"; player.vastAds({ tagURL: "https://servedbyadbutler.com/vast.spark?setID=13487&ID=177008&pid=117129", id: "PreRoll" }); player.on('vast.adStart', function() { vast.started = true; }); player.on('vast.adError', function() { vast = { started: true, ended: true }; }); player.on('play', function() { if (vast.ended && !video.paused) { video.started = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Played", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_played", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } if (video.started && video.paused) { video.resumed = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Resumed", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_resumed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('pause', function() { if (vast.ended) { video.paused = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Paused", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_paused", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('ended', function() { //vast.adEnd fires after ended, pointless to use. vast.ended = true; if (video.started && !video.ended) { video.ended = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Ended", eventLabel: event_label }); } var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: 100, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); }); player.on('fullscreenchange', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Fullscreen Toggled", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('enterpictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Opened", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('leavepictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Closed", eventLabel: event_label }); }); let lastReportedPercentage = 0; player.on('timeupdate', function() { const currentTime = player.currentTime(); const duration = player.duration(); if (duration) { const progressPercentage = Math.floor((currentTime / duration) * 100); if (progressPercentage % 5 === 0 && progressPercentage !== lastReportedPercentage) { lastReportedPercentage = progressPercentage; var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: progressPercentage, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } } }); .video-js, .video-js .vjs-tech { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; z-index: 0; } var player = videojs('player_block_3534765033d0230575a757b73121fd37'); player.nuevo({ contextMenu: false }); var vast = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, }; var video = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, } var event_label = 'Video: 0 - Article: Trendiana: New businesses in historic buildings'; var post_id = 208663; var post_url = "https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/videos/trendiana-new-businesses-in-historic-buildings"; player.vastAds({ tagURL: "https://servedbyadbutler.com/vast.spark?setID=13487&ID=177008&pid=117129", id: "PreRoll" }); player.on('vast.adStart', function() { vast.started = true; }); player.on('vast.adError', function() { vast = { started: true, ended: true }; }); player.on('play', function() { if (vast.ended && !video.paused) { video.started = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Played", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_played", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } if (video.started && video.paused) { video.resumed = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Resumed", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_resumed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('pause', function() { if (vast.ended) { video.paused = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Paused", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_paused", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('ended', function() { //vast.adEnd fires after ended, pointless to use. vast.ended = true; if (video.started && !video.ended) { video.ended = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Ended", eventLabel: event_label }); } var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: 100, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); }); player.on('fullscreenchange', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Fullscreen Toggled", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('enterpictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Opened", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('leavepictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Closed", eventLabel: event_label }); }); let lastReportedPercentage = 0; player.on('timeupdate', function() { const currentTime = player.currentTime(); const duration = player.duration(); if (duration) { const progressPercentage = Math.floor((currentTime / duration) * 100); if (progressPercentage % 5 === 0 && progressPercentage !== lastReportedPercentage) { lastReportedPercentage = progressPercentage; var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: progressPercentage, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } } });
Pochettino regrets lack of 'sporting justice' for his ex-Tottenham team amid Man City charges saga
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed sadness at an apparent failure of “sporting justice” in his response to reports that Manchester City has been found guilty of almost all of the 115 charges leveled against the club for alleged financial breaches. The alleged rule-breaking by City took place between 2009-18, during which period Pochettino was manager of Tottenham and turned the London team into a challenger for titles in English soccer despite operating on a relatively small budget. The Premier League has yet to officially confirm the verdict that, according to several media outlets, has been passed down by an independent commission following a long-running case.
Oscar Health (OSCR) Stock Looks Cheap Relative To Its Earnings Path
Oscar Health has been on a powerful run in recent years, yet the real question for you today is whether the current share price lines up with what its earnings story can reasonably support. The stock has also seen shorter term pullbacks, which makes the earnings backdrop even more important for anyone trying to judge what they are actually paying for. Over the past 3 years the stock has delivered a very large gain of about 4.3x, which puts a lot of weight on whether the underlying earnings...
Intel Panther Lake Teardown, 18A, BSPD, GAAFET, SemiAnalysis STEEL
Panther Lake debuts the first commercial implementation of backside power delivery (BSPDN), introduces Intel’s first iteration of gate-all-around (GAA) transistors, and showcases their advanced packaging capabilities with its Foveros-S assembly. With Panther Lake, Intel’s manufacturing arc has shifted from nebulous roadmaps to shipped silicon, a significant milestone on their long road back to competitive semiconductor manufacturing. To evaluate the extent of Intel’s comeback, we tore down Panther Lake. The SemiAnalysis STEEL teardown lab breaks down advanced datacenter and AI hardware. To learn more about our pipeline or to commission a teardown, contact sales@semianalysis.com. WE’RE HIRING: Architecture, floorplan, packaging, manufacturing, and labs experts. Opportunities from system to transistor and everywhere in between. Check out our Careers page. Our teardown traces 18A from its four-sheet RibbonFETs (Intel’s marketing name for GAAFETs) and gate stacks through contacts, frontside and backside wiring, and the bonded carrier. We explain how these material and integration choices improve gate control and reduce resistance, while adding capacitance, thermal resistance, and process complexity. Our measurements put Panther Lake’s 18A compute logic and TSMC N3E GPU logic at similar logic density. However, 18A does not lead TSMC N3P, N2 or Samsung SF2 in peak density. Panther Lake’s CPU cores are incremental updates, and the high-end GPU still uses TSMC N3E. Panther Lake assembles one compute tile, one GPU tile, and one I/O tile atop a passive base tile using Intel’s Foveros-S advanced packaging. Both compute tile variants use Intel 18A. The Xe3 GPU options are a 4-core GT1 tile on Intel 3 and a larger 12-core GT2 tile on TSMC N3E. Both I/O tile variants use TSMC N6. [1], [2] Our analysis centers on the PTL-U compute tile, both the 4-core and 12-core GPU tiles, as well as the 12-lane I/O tile. In conventional chips, power and signal are routed through the same frontside metal stack towards the device frontend. Power rails consume scarce routing resources near the transistors, while tall via stacks carry VDD and VSS from the coarse upper wires to local rails. Backside power delivery (BSPD) moves the main power network behind the transistor layer, to the backside, separating it from frontside signal routing. We covered BSPD and its impacts in 2024. [3], [4], [5] Intel’s BSPD implementation, branded as “PowerVia”, routes power through dedicated backside metals to nano-TSVs, which connect those rails to local source/drain (S/D) contacts. Implementing that separation requires Intel to build the interconnect stacks from both sides of the wafer. The frontside comprises the M0-M14 signal stack, while the backside comprises the BM0-BM5 power stack. M0 and BM0 are closest to the transistors. The nano-TSVs connect the two sides, but Intel patterns and etches each via from the front after forming the contacts. A narrow via runs from the side of the contact deep into the silicon substrate. Intel then completes the frontside signal metal stack, bonds the wafer to a carrier, flips it and removes the original substrate until the buried via tips are exposed. The backside metal stack is then deposited directly on the revealed vias. The nano-TSV and backside-via profiles taper in opposite directions because Intel forms them from opposite sides of the wafer. The transistor structures form the FEOL. Local contacts and nano-TSVs connect them to the wiring. M0 begins the frontside interconnect stack. The silicon carrier remains attached above the frontside interconnects. It supports the device wafer during substrate removal and backside processing and remains part of the finished chip’s thermal path. PowerVia removes the main power distribution from the congested frontside metals, routing supply through shorter and wider backside wires. Its lateral landing still occupies area in the standard cell, so it recovers less cell area than a direct backside contact. [3] Nano-TSVs beside the logic devices carry VDD or VSS from the backside power network, while signal connections continue upward through the frontside metals. Backside Interconnects Samsung SF2 data is included for comparison to Panther Lake’s within this article. SF2 is the incumbent GAA foundry node but lacks BSPD, serving as a useful reference to evaluate 18A. A full teardown of Samsung’s S26 products, processed on SF2, will be shared soon.Nanosheet-cut EDS comparison. The PowerVia supply path runs from the backside Cu rails through Mo-lined W nano-TSVs to the local transistor contacts. In this cross section, the tapered connection spans roughly 150 nm from the contact level to BM0. The Ta liner confines Cu and promotes adhesion to the surrounding stack; the AlOₓ etch stop controls the next dielectric etch above the rail. Dielectric beneath the ribbons electrically separates the devices from the backside wiring and removes the conducting silicon body below the channel. [6] AlOₓ serves as an etchstop (ES), enabling endpointing and protecting the underlying layers. Low-volatility aluminum fluoride reaction products resist the fluorinated plasma, allowing a thin AlOₓ film to protect the metal while the surrounding low-k dielectric is removed. [6], [7]. While the BM0 and layers above the M1 lines show double AlOx layers, Our SMIC N+3 teardown showed single AlOₓ layers. SMIC uses a simpler local AlOₓ substack, while the remaining cap and etch sequence provide the required landing protection. So why double layers? The closely spaced AlOₓ doublets provide two protected endpoints in the etch sequence. Intel documents an AlOₓ/SiN/AlOₓ stack that explains the benefit. The main dielectric plasma etch stops on the first AlOₓ film; a selective wet clear opens that film; a second plasma etch removes the intermediate SiN and stops on the second AlOₓ film. The final wet clear exposes the metal landing surface. SiN is the intermediate dielectric in Intel’s published example. [8] The second stop protects the metal through a cap breakthrough. Wide openings can etch faster than narrow ones, and etch depth varies across the wafer. Metal under an early-clearing opening would otherwise be exposed while other openings still need more etching. Staged protection widens the process window and reduces metal erosion, corrosion and void formation. [8] TSMC documents AlN/AlOₓ/SiOC/AlOₓ above Cu, with AlN blocking Cu diffusion, and a simpler AlN/SiOC/AlOₓ variant that omits one AlOx film. [9] Levels with different opening sizes, aspect ratios, pattern densities and cap materials need different etch margins. A double AlOx stop is useful where another protected endpoint justifies the added processing. The extra film adds formation, selective opening and cleaning steps, plus another set of interfaces to control adhesion, moisture, and stress. These blanket films are opened through the existing via pattern, so each film does not require another lithography mask. AlOₓ adds parasitic capacitance when it replaces lower-k dielectric; two thin AlOₓ films can nevertheless contain less AlOₓ than one thick film. Total thickness, placement, and theintermediate dielectric determine the electrical cost. Deposition chemistry also changes AlOx permittivity and residual hydroxyl content, which can oxidize the underlying metal. [7], [8], [10], [11] The backside stack separates into relatively fine BM0-BM2 wiring near the devices and coarser BM3-BM5 power distribution. The largest pitch increase occurs between BM2 and BM3. BM0’s pitch closely matches the logic-row height, fitting local power delivery to the cell rows. Higher levels aggregate current through larger conductors: routing density becomes less important than low resistance and current capacity as the network approaches the package. This hierarchy provides wide power wiring for the power delivery network without consuming scarce frontside signal-routing resources. [3] The SemiAnalysis STEEL teardown lab breaks down advanced datacenter and AI hardware. To learn more about our pipeline or to commission a teardown, contact sales@semianalysis.com. WE’RE HIRING: Architecture, floorplan, packaging, manufacturing, and labs experts. Opportunities from system to transistor and everywhere in between. Check out our Careers page. Frontside Interconnects Intel 18A combines Mo-lined W contacts and nano-TSVs with a separate backside Cu power network. Samsung SF2 keeps power on the frontside, using Ti-based contact interfaces and Ta-based barriers and Co liners around Cu wiring. In 18A standard-cell rows, backside power rails supply the devices through nano-TSVs within the cells, freeing frontside routing resources. Samsung’s M0 accommodates both power and signal connections. From the device toward M0, the connection runs through a Ti-based S/D interface, W contact fill, a Mo-lined W via, and the Cu M0 wire. Mo supplies a conductive nucleation and adhesion layer for W, replacing the resistive TiN liner used in conventional W integration. This increases the effective conduction volume within the feature while retaining W fill and its established polishing, cleaning and etching processes. Intel’s Mo/W patent describes this integration tradeoff. The nano-TSV uses the same Mo-lined W construction in the backside supply path. [12] The move from TiN to Mo is an incremental change. While a full Co or Mo fill can also reduce the volume lost to liners in very small features, it requires new integration schemes that increase complexity and risk. Cu remains attractive for wider wires due to its low resistance. As wires and vias shrink, the diffusion barrier consumes an increasing fraction of their cross-section. [12], [12], [14] Intel uses Co/Ru liners at M0-M1, Co at M2-M4, and Nb at M5-M9. The lower-level liners help Cu adhere and reduce void formation during trench fills. Applied Materials’ Endura has new thermal control that facilitate wetting process, so the thin film continuity is good enough that good capillary pressure will drive Cu atoms to the via bottom without voiding. Intel’s choice to use Nb is particularly interesting. Intel’s Nb patent describes a conductive diffusion barrier intended to reduce the barrier’s contribution to resistance relative to conventional Ta-based barriers, particularly at via bottoms where all current crosses the barrier. The patent pairs Nb in coarser levels with the option of lower-cost PVD processing. [15], [16] The upper metal layers support thicker barriers formed through physical vapor deposition (PVD) despite its worse coverage and uniformity. Meanwhile, the lower metal layers require thinner barriers deposited through conformal atomic layer deposition (ALD). Co/Ru adds another material interface and requires controlled deposition and Cu fill. Changing liners and barriers by metal layer allows Intel to optimize interconnect resistance, process complexity, and reliability. [15, 16] RibbonFET, Intel’s name for its gate-all-around FETs (GAAFETs), replaces the FinFET’s vertical fins with four stacked horizontal silicon nanosheets, allowing the gate to surround the channel on every side. The path to GAAFET begins with the planar transistor. A planar MOSFET places the gate above the channel between its source and drain. Pairing an NMOS with a PMOS transistor creates a CMOS inverter, in which the NMOS pulls the output low for a high input, and the PMOS pulls it high for a low input. The gate must retain electrostatic control of the channel to ensure clean switching. As gate lengths shrank, the drain began to compete with the gate for that control, increasing off-state leakage. Electrostatic control was restored through an architectural evolution that raised the channel into a vertical fin and wrapping the gate around three sides. Called “FinFET”, this new architecture packed more effective channel width into a smaller footprint. Further scaling made it harder to maintain both drive current and leakage within smaller cells, and reintroduced the same problems planar MOSFETs faced. Nanosheet GAAFETs close the fourth side by replacing the vertical fin with a stack of horizontal nanosheets, each surrounded by the gate. The tighter electrostatic control suppresses leakage at shorter gate lengths while stacking adds effective channel width within the cell footprint. In a FinFET process, channel width changes in discrete steps as designers must add or remove whole fins. Nanosheet width can instead be adjusted continuously within the process’s design rules. Wider sheets increase drive current, while narrower sheets reduce capacitance at the cost of drive current. Intel 18A uses stacks of four nanosheets each and varies their widths across logic and SRAM. At the process level, adding more sheets to each stack increases effective channel width and drive current, but complicates fabrication. RibbonFET vs MBCFET Samsung began GAAFET production in 2022 with SF3E, following with SF3 and now SF2. Its ‘MBCFET’ provides a useful structural comparison with Intel’s first RibbonFET implementation. [17] STEEL is digging deeper into SF2, used in the Exynos 2600, and TSMC’s GAAFET N2, used in Apple’s A20 Pro, in upcoming newsletter articles. We’re throwing some teasers on X. Let’s compare Samsung SF2’s MBCFET with Intel 18A’s RibbonFET. Subscribe Even to the untrained eye, Intel’s extra nanosheet is obvious. Intel stacks four ribbons to Samsung’s three. Samsung’s sheets are much wider in these fields, so both sheet count and width matter to the available channel perimeter. Sheet width also changes which silicon surfaces carry current. On conventional (001) silicon, wide nanosheets emphasize the broad top and bottom surfaces, favoring electron transport; the larger sidewall contribution in a narrow sheet favors hole transport. Thinner sheets improve gate control but increase confinement and scattering. This makes width and thickness part of the NMOS/PMOS balance, alongside strain and threshold voltage. [18], [19] GAAFET designs like 18A use different work-function-metal (WFM) stacks for NMOS and PMOS. Around each ribbon, a thin SiOx interfacial layer separates the silicon channel from the HfOx high-k dielectric, with La providing dipole tuning and the WFM wrapping the dielectric. NMOS uses a TiAl-based stack, while PMOS uses TiN WFM. W fills the remaining gate trench, providing a lower-resistivity path where the work-function layers are no longer needed. In this field, the PMOS stacks leave room for W between ribbons, while the NMOS stacks occupy more of those gaps. A silicon-based dielectric marks the P/N boundary, allowing the PMOS and NMOS gates, sharing the same gate trench, to be processed sequentially. Fast logic paths, retention circuits, and SRAM need a family of threshold options. Changing threshold without substantially changing device dimensions, capacitance or fabrication complexity is valuable. FinFET processes typically use different work-function-metal stacks. In a four-ribbon GAA stack, the narrow sheet-to-sheet gap limits how much WFM can fit around each channel. La in the gate dielectric creates interfacial dipoles at the SiOx/HfOx boundary, shifting effective work function and tuning threshold voltage. This gives Intel another control alongside its NMOS and PMOS WFM stacks. Low-threshold devices improve critical-path drive; higher thresholds reduce leakage elsewhere. Dipole tuning is especially useful in GAA because it changes threshold without consuming the narrow intersheet gap with thicker WFM. Precise control of La incorporation, diffusion and interface quality has long been a challenge, limiting viability in high volume production but is now seen from every leading-edge foundry. Intel’s patent describes depositing a dipole-forming oxide above HfOx and annealing it toward the interfacial oxide before completing the work-function and fill metals. This separates threshold tuning from the space available for metal. Newer research addresses the thermal cost: imec’s 2026 dipole-middle research inserts the shifter between two HfOx depositions, shortening the diffusion path while protecting SiOx during patterning. [20], [21]Matched-cut EDS, Intel 18A (left) vs. Samsung SF2 (right). Intel retains raised source/drain epi beneath its contacts, while Samsung recesses W deep into the epi to form a V-shaped Ti-lined interface. The deeper contact increases metal-to-semiconductor area and shortens the current path from the lower sheets, reducing contact and spreading resistance. It also removes epi volume and brings the contact etch closer to the channel ends. Retaining more epi preserves the material available for strain transfer, especially from SiGe into PMOS. These geometries balance contact access against stress engineering and etch margin. [22], [23] Samsung stacks three sheets to Intel’s four ribbons, and both processes use sheet width to tune drive strength. In our Samsung cross-sections, widths range roughly from 19 to 30 nm in the NPU rows and 37 to 50 nm in the CU cell. The Samsung nanosheets taper, with the widest sheet at the bottom and the narrowest at the top. Both processes use HfOx gate dielectric and Ti-based work-function stacks, with Al in the NMOS stack. In the Samsung devices shown here, the dielectric and WFM occupy the intersheet gaps, leaving W above the top sheet. Intel’s PMOS stack leaves more room between ribbons, and W fills those gaps while the thicker NMOS stack leaves W mainly in the upper trench. Gate-stack EDS maps. The W between Intel’s PMOS ribbons provides a conductive path close to the lower gates. Where WFM fills the entire gap, the gate still surrounds the channel, but voltage reaches it through the more resistive work-function films. Thinner WFM and dipole tuning preserve room for low-resistivity fill; Mo and Ru are alternative fill metals being developed for further scaling. [24] A masked, sequential WFM flow explains the different gate heights and inter-nanosheet fill. The proposed sequence below shows how separate NMOS and PMOS work-function steps produce that geometry. Enabled by the BSPDN process, Intel replaces the dense-logic silicon subfin with dielectric, removing the parasitic conduction path below the ribbons and reducing substrate-related capacitance. A retained silicon body as in classical, non-SOI, planar and FinFET designs needs junction and punchthrough-stop engineering to suppress leakage. Dielectric isolation makes that leakage less sensitive to the subfin doping profile but adds removal and fill steps. It also weakens the direct thermal path through silicon, making the contacts, metal stacks and package more important for heat extraction. [24], [26] Fluorine is concentrated around selected Intel device structures in the maps. WF6 is a standard precursor for W nucleation and fill, while barrier films protect adjacent dielectrics from fluorine attack. Low-fluorine W processes reduce the residual-F burden. Chloride-based precursors avoid introducing F during W deposition, but require control of chlorine attack, nucleation and fill quality. The integration target is a continuous, low-resistance W path with a thin protective liner and minimal chemical damage to the surrounding stack. [20], [27], [28] The SemiAnalysis STEEL teardown lab breaks down advanced datacenter and AI hardware. To learn more about our pipeline or to commission a teardown, contact sales@semianalysis.com. WE’RE HIRING: Architecture, floorplan, packaging, manufacturing, and labs experts. Opportunities from system to transistor and everywhere in between. Check out our Careers page. We measured cell height, gate pitch, metal geometry, and ribbon dimensions at the XTEM sites shown below. The tables group these dimensions by site and device polarity. Our “sheet cuts” cross the silicon channel and show the ribbons end-on. “gate cuts” run along the channel through successive gates. The 18A logic cell dimensions point to a five-track logic library while the N3E and Intel 3 cell dimensions evidence a seven-track logic library. The DDR-PHY uses wider M0 wires and much larger spacing than core logic. That trades routing density for lower wire resistance and weaker coupling between neighboring nets. The geometry suits the current delivery and coupling requirements of analog, clock, and I/O circuitry. PowerVia lets 18A combine a compact cell height with wider M0 geometry by moving the main power rails off the signal-routing tracks. That relaxes local wire scaling while preserving a small cell footprint. Cell height and gate pitch set the geometric density; pin access and routability determine how much of it a real block can use. [29] The biggest takeaway from our gate-pitch measurements is that Intel 18A compute logic and TSMC N3E GPU logic have similar density in the Bohr representative-cell model. The 18A example is 18.6% denser than the Intel 3 GPU example. Gate pitches are nearly identical across the three sites, so cell height drives most of the difference. The Bohr model combines a four-transistor NAND2 spanning three gate pitches and a 32-transistor scan flip-flop (SFF) spanning nineteen pitches, weighting their densities 60:40. The sensitivity column shows how independently changing cell height and gate pitch by ±1 nm changes the result. This compares representative cell geometries; whole-die density also depends on cell mix and placement. The 18A P-core gives M0 substantially more metal cross section than the N3E vector engine. Treating each profile as a trapezoid gives 2.63 times the area per line and 1.84 times the area after normalization by routing pitch. The larger section reduces the geometric contribution to line resistance and lowers current density for a given current. Taller and wider wires also add capacitance, so circuit delay depends on the balance of resistance and capacitance. The DDR-PHY has less metal area per routing width than the 18A core fields, while remaining above N3E. [30] Area = height × (top CD + bottom CD) / 2, including liners. Area/pitch normalizes by routing width. Taper is the symmetric sidewall angle from vertical, with the largest angle belonging to the DDR-PHY. Compute tile The measurements show how ribbon dimensions and gate-stack geometry vary across the compute tile and between NMOS and PMOS to balance channel drive, gate load and the space needed for the dielectric/WFM stack across logic, SRAM and the DDR-PHY. Width mainly changes available channel perimeter; thickness also changes electrostatic control and carrier confinement. Gate-stack thickness then determines the space left for low-resistivity fill P-core and LP E-core logic Both the P-core and LP E-core use multiple nanosheet widths. Widths are measured on high-magnification XTEMs while wider-field images demonstrate additional width choices within the LP E-core. Multiple widths are expected even within an LP E-core. Timing-critical paths, buffers and cells with different fanout need different drive strengths. The lower-magnification fields show this width diversity beyond the sites quantified in the table. L2 and L3 SRAM GAA gives SRAM designers another way to balance the pull-up (PU), pass-gate (PG), and pull-down (PD) transistors. FinFET bitcells set device strength through fin count while GAA adds nanosheet width as a sizing knob. In a 6T SRAM cell, a strong pull-down relative to the pass-gate limits read disturbance, while a strong pass-gate relative to the pull-up improves writability. During a write, the pass-gate and write driver pull the node storing “1” below the inverter trip point. During a read, the pull-down holds the node storing “0” low. Bias, threshold voltage, mismatch and assist circuitry set the remaining margin. FinFET high-current cells commonly use a PU:PG:PD fin-count pattern of 1:2:2, a device-sizing ratio rather than a current ratio. Ribbon width lets Intel balance SRAM strengths without adding whole fins. The L2 cell uses its narrowest ribbons for PU and widest for PD, improving writability and read stability respectively. Intel’s disclosed HCC operates without assist; its denser HDC uses negative-bitline write assist. Pulling the selected bitline briefly below ground increases pass-gate overdrive so it can overpower the pull-up at lower supply voltage. That buys density and low voltage writability at the cost of boosting circuitry, switching energy, and additional voltage stress that must be controlled. [31], [32] Four rectangular ribbons give the perimeter = 8 × (width + thickness), before corner rounding. PG/PU is 1.49 and PD/PG is 1.16. The L3 structures closely resemble L2 in layout and cell height. Fewer L3 nanosheet widths are tabulated because fewer high-magnification images were available. DDR PHY The DDR-PHY trades density for controlled analog behavior and reliable off-chip signaling. It contains drivers, receivers, delay circuits, and calibration logic that set drive strength, sampling time, and voltage margin. Repeated four-sheet devices with similar widths fit the use of regular transistor units for matching and programmable drive. Its wider local wiring provides room for current delivery and separation of sensitive signals, while consuming more area than a dense core-logic grid. The layout serves the memory channel’s electrical requirements as well as digital logic density. [33] The SemiAnalysis STEEL teardown lab breaks down advanced datacenter and AI hardware. To learn more about our pipeline or to commission a teardown, contact sales@semianalysis.com. WE’RE HIRING: Architecture, floorplan, packaging, manufacturing, and labs experts. Opportunities from system to transistor and everywhere in between. Check out our Careers page. Intel 3 GPU devices Vector engine logic Intel 3’s XVE logic uses two-fin PMOS and NMOS devices with power rails in M0. Its cell height and M0 pitch give a seven-track geometry, two tracks more than the 18A logic. One-fin groups also appear among the two-fin devices. Intel 3 L2 SRAM The Intel 3 L2 SRAM uses the familiar HCC sizing pattern: one PU fin, two PG fins, and two PD fins. N3E GPU devices Vector engine logic The N3E XVE field contains repeated two-fin devices with seven-track cell geometry. N3E remains a FinFET process, giving Panther Lake a direct FinFET-to-RibbonFET comparison. N3E L2 SRAM The N3E L2 SRAM uses the same PU:PG:PD fin-count pattern of 1:2:2. Panther Lake-U follows Lunar Lake’s floorplan quite closely. Both pair 4 P-cores with 4 LP E-cores and NPU, media and display engines in similar locations. Lunar Lake also uses Xe2, the direct predecessor to Panther Lake’s Xe3 GPU. This makes Lunar Lake the most direct basis for our comparisons. Arrow Lake differs in core count and uses the older Xe-LPG GPU architecture, so we only use it where it offers a more direct component-level comparison. Compute tile Panther Lake compute-tile floorplans remain sparse even months after launch. Intel 18A’s backside metal and dielectric stack must be removed without damaging the underlying structures before a clean transistor-level floorplan can be imaged. Most published die shots hide or heavily process the background, but we are quite proud of the die shot we achieved and are excited to show the work we have done. We measured the areas of the key components on the compute tile and compared them with their Lunar Lake predecessors on TSMC N3B. These help us to capture changes in block area and compare the two chips across process nodes and designs. Our total tile areas exclude the scribe-line area. The compute-plus-GPU subtotal below uses the PTL-U compute tile and GT1 GPU; it excludes the I/O tile and passive base. Individual block areas use the boundaries marked on the floorplans The compute-plus-GPU row is recomputed from the displayed PTL-U and GT1 areas. Component rows use their stated per-region counts and are not an additive partition of the whole tile. The P-core area remains almost unchanged between Lunar Lake and Panther Lake, despite L2 capacity increasing from 2.5 MiB to 3 MiB. Arrow Lake uses the same Lion Cove core as Lunar Lake but also has a 3 MiB L2. Cougar Cove fits 20% more L2 into the same P-core area. The larger private cache keeps more of each core’s working set close to its execution units, reducing access to shared L3 and DRAM. Extra capacity adds storage leakage and lookup energy, so designers balance it against avoided lower-level accesses. The shared P-core L3 cache also shrank by 14.8%. [2] Cougar Cove combines a similar footprint with Intel’s reported power-efficiency improvements. RibbonFET’s tighter channel control reduces leakage, while PowerVia reduces supply droop and allows tighter voltage guardbands. [1] Darkmont’s four-core LP E-core cluster is 5.0% smaller than Skymont’s on Lunar Lake, with most of the reduction in its L2 regions. The 1 MiB region shrank by 8.4% and the 1.5 MiB region by 14.9%. The tag arrays also use one fewer visible row. Tags identify which memory addresses the data array holds, so rearranging them changes the cache’s layout and wiring without requiring less data capacity. [2] The LP E-cores share one L2. This pools capacity and avoids duplicating all the cache machinery, but the four cores contend for its banks and bandwidth. Their separate cluster also keeps light work away from the performance cluster and its L3, allowing that larger domain to sleep. [1], [2] Cache area includes more than the storage cells. Tags identify each line, decoders select rows, sense amplifiers read the small bitline signal, and wires connect to the banks. Splitting an array into smaller sections shortens wordlines and bitlines, improving access speed, but duplicates peripheral circuits. Panther Lake’s smaller cache regions therefore reflect the complete memory implementation, including how much of each region is devoted to storage. [34] Unlike Meteor Lake and Arrow Lake, Panther Lake has no separate SoC tile. The NPU, LP E-cores, memory controllers, PHYs, media and display engines now share the compute tile. This removes an active die and keeps CPU memory traffic on one die. The cost is moving PHY and I/O-related circuitry onto 18A: drivers, receivers and analog circuits must still meet external voltage, loading and signal-integrity requirements, so their area does not shrink like dense digital logic. [1], [2] The biggest shrink comes from the NPU, which occupies 36.9% less area. NPU 5 consolidates the same total INT8 MAC count into half as many neural compute engines. Each of the three NCEs has a larger MAC array to make the complete NCE envelope 22.6% larger than an NPU 4 engine. Consolidation also halves the number of scratchpads and SHAVE DSPs, from 12 to 6. The MAC array handles matrix multiplication and convolution, while SHAVE executes vector and custom operations that fit the array poorly. [1], [2], [35] The paired floorplans identify each NCE envelope and its scratchpad, MAC, and SHAVE regions. Each measured MAC polygon is counted once per NCE in the area accounting below. The scratchpads store weights, activations, and intermediate results near the MAC arrays, allowing repeated use without fetching them again from DRAM. Halving their number delivers the largest measured area saving but leaves less local storage for the same total MAC count. Layers that no longer fit locally require smaller working tiles or more transfers of intermediate data. The benefit depends on keeping the enlarged arrays busy while managing that tighter storage budget. [36] NPU 5 also adds native FP8. Using half the operand width of FP16 reduces storage and transfer demand, helping workloads fit the smaller local memory budget. Lower precision and format-dependent range make scaling and model validation part of deployment. Hardware activation functions further reduce work that would otherwise occupy the programmable DSPs. [1], [2] Microsoft requires an NPU to deliver at least 40 TOPS for Copilot+ PCs. Both Lunar Lake and Panther Lake meet this threshold, but Panther Lake uses significantly less silicon. GPU tiles Panther Lake is Intel’s first product with Xe3, its latest GPU architecture. It offers two different GPU tiles: a smaller GT1 tile with 4 Xe3 cores on Intel 3 and a larger GT2 tile with 12 Xe3 cores on TSMC N3E. Panther Lake allows us to compare the same GPU architecture across both Intel 3 and TSMC N3E. Wildcat Lake adds a third Xe3 implementation on Intel 18A. A future newsletter will detail Xe3 and its implementation differences across all three process nodes. GT2 scales Xe3 to a different physical layout, with render slices arranged vertically instead of GT1’s horizontal arrangement. Slice placement sets the distances to shared cache banks and the D2D interface. Those wires consume area and add delay, so scaling the number of Xe cores also requires a new balance of cache placement, routing and timing. [1] What’s immediately obvious is that the GT2 tile on TSMC N3E has much smaller Xe cores than GT1. These block areas include logic, caches, and routing. An Xe core on the GT1 tile is ~69% larger than one on Lunar Lake, and ~55% larger than one on GT2. Intel 3 therefore uses substantially more area per Xe core. The block-area gap exceeds the measured logic and SRAM density gaps, bringing routing, timing targets, cell mix, and floorplan allocation into the comparison. The measured vector/matrix engine region is almost unchanged between Lunar Lake and Panther Lake’s GT2 tile. Xe3 retains eight 512-bit vector engines and eight 2048-bit XMX engines per core. Its gains also come from feeding those engines more effectively: more resident threads hide stalls, and variable register allocation lets shaders trade registers per thread against the number of threads kept active. [1] The shared L1/SLM capacity increased by 33% from 192 KiB to 256 KiB, while its area increased only 5%, raising effective density by 27%. L1 retains reused cache lines, while software-managed SLM lets a thread group share data locally. Both reduce traffic to more distant memory. Allocating more SLM per group can also limit how many groups reside on a core at once. [1], [37] The GT1 tile carries 4 MiB of L2 against 16 MiB on the GT2 tile. GT1 divides its L2 cache into four 1 MiB banks, while GT2 uses eight 2 MiB banks. Each bank contains 128 macros, but each N3E macro stores 16 KiB, twice the Intel 3 macro’s 8 KiB capacity. The N3E macro is only 54% larger while holding twice as many bits, giving it 30% higher density: ~23.7 Mbit/mm² versus 18.3 Mbit/mm². Including bank-level circuitry, the gap widens to ~16.9 Mbit/mm² on GT2 versus ~10.4 Mbit/mm² on GT1. GT2 gains density with its macros storing more bits per unit area, and those macros occupy more of each cache bank. Larger macros spread decoder and sense-amplifier overhead across more storage, while a more compact bank layout reduces the share spent on control and routing. The compromise is longer wordlines and bitlines that carry more capacitance. [34] I/O tile Panther Lake uses two I/O tile variants, both fabricated on TSMC N6. The smaller one provides 4 PCIe 5.0 and 8 PCIe 4.0 lanes and serves lower-tier systems as well as those without a discrete GPU, while the larger one adds 8 PCIe 5.0 lanes, bringing the total to 20 lanes, for discrete-GPU connectivity. Panther Lake SKUs with the larger 10- or 12-Xe GPUs use the smaller I/O tile. [38] The smaller I/O tile adds a PCIe 4.0 block and a Thunderbolt block to Lunar Lake’s I/O layout, providing four additional PCIe 4.0 lanes and another Thunderbolt 4 port. Its repeated N6 blocks retain nearly identical areas and layouts. Reusing these proven PHYs and controllers avoids porting and requalifying external interfaces on 18A, where faster digital logic offers less benefit to circuits constrained by the off-chip link. [38] SemiAnalysis’s teardown lab (STEEL) dives deep into the world’s advanced datacenter and AI hardware. To learn more about our pipeline or to commission a teardown, contact sales@semianalysis.com. We’re hiring technical experts from system to transistor and everywhere in between. Check out our Careers page. Panther Lake offers scalability and modularity through its disaggregated packaging that partition compute, GPU, and I/O silicon into separate tiles allowing for a suite of tile configurations. This partitioning makes the package part of Intel’s node economics as it determines how much leading-edge wafer area each product consumes, which functions can remain on other processes, and how much configuration freedom Intel can offer from a shared set of tiles. Furthermore, fabricating the compute and GPU tiles separately confines the new 18A process to the compute tile and allows graphics and I/O to use other, more established, and more cost-effective processes. For Panther Lake, the GPU and I/O tiles are assembled alongside the compute tile on a passive silicon base using Foveros-S. Intel’s current technology brief lists a nominal 36 µm pitch for Foveros-S. Through-silicon vias (TSVs) in the base connect the fine wiring above to the larger package connections below. The functional tiles sit side by side on that passive base in a 2.5D configuration. [39] Our cross-section through the compute and GPU tiles shows the package’s wiring hierarchy. Microbumps connect each active tile to the passive silicon base; its fine redistribution layer (RDL) carries the short, dense tile-to-tile links. TSVs carry connections through the base to the package substrate, which fans them out to the much coarser motherboard solder joints. The base supplies interconnect, while computation remains in the active tiles above it. [39] At the compute-tile edge, the higher-magnification inset shows a local microbump spacing of approximately 25.24 µm and a feature width of 12.33 µm. These local spacings are finer than Intel’s nominal Foveros-S value. The X-ray fields further confirm tighter neighboring bumps, consistent across every die-to-die area found on each tile. Additional X-ray analysis is offered after the paywall. Putting the memory controller beside the CPU removes the D2D transfer that CPU memory requests required in Meteor Lake and Arrow Lake. This avoids the extra transmitter, receiver, and link traversal, saving interface energy and latency. Panther Lake’s separate GPU still crosses a D2D link to reach DRAM, so its larger local caches also help contain package traffic. [1], [40] Smaller dies are less likely to contain a random fatal defect, and screening them before assembly prevents one bad tile from consuming a complete package of good silicon. Reuse also spreads design and qualification work across more products. Against those gains, Intel pays for the passive base, D2D circuits, extra bonding and test steps, and losses during assembly. Cost per working product across the portfolio captures the combined effect of wafer yield, reuse, test, and assembly. [29] Wildcat Lake packaging Intel launched Core Series 3, formerly Wildcat Lake, on 16 April 2026 for value mobile and edge systems. Wildcat Lake keeps 18A but removes the passive base and combines more functions on one die to simplify the package. The two products therefore reveal two distinct ways to commercialize the same leading-edge process. [41] Wildcat Lake’s 18A die combines up to two Cougar Cove P-cores, four Darkmont LP E-cores, two Xe3 cores and a smaller NPU. A separate platform-controller die supplies I/O, connected through UCIe, Intel’s first processor implementation of the standard. Consolidating graphics remove a tile boundary and the passive base, reducing assembly complexity for a modest-bandwidth value product. It also ties CPU and graphics scaling to the same die, giving up Panther Lake’s ability to swap in a much larger GPU. [42], [43] In July 2021, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger set out an ambitious process roadmap aimed at regaining performance leadership by 2025, later described as five nodes in four years. Five years and one CEO later, Intel’s comeback story is not as unambiguously positive as Pat may have hoped. [44], [45] Intel once set the pace for process technology, bringing high-k metal gate technology and FinFETs into volume production years ahead of the rest of the industry. Its 22 nm FinFET process reached consumers with Ivy Bridge in 2012. [46] Intel’s integrated device manufacturing (IDM) model allowed its architects and process engineers to co-optimize products and processes. Starting with Sandy Bridge, Intel dominated x86, while AMD struggled with Bulldozer. That lead faltered at 14 nm and broke at 10 nm. Intel targeted a massive 2.7× density increase, but the node arrived years late and required several revisions before it could support Intel’s full lineup. This delay forced Intel to stretch 14 nm across six generations, while TSMC moved ahead in process technology and AMD recovered in x86. By 2019, Intel was still shipping 14 nm across most of its product stack, with its 10 nm client ramp focused on Ice Lake mobile processors. Meanwhile, TSMC was shipping N7 and N7+, and AMD’s Zen 2 compute chiplets used N7 to raise core counts and improve efficiency. Intel’s process failures were central to its decline, but unsound business decisions furthered their downward slide. Product delays compounded product mistakes, pushing client, server, and FPGA roadmaps off schedule. Several attempts to enter AI (Nervana and Gaudi) and networking (Tofino) also failed to establish lasting businesses. Intel’s recovery has focused on consumer CPUs and advanced packaging. Tiger Lake, Alder Lake, Lunar Lake and now Panther Lake have restored Intel’s consumer roadmap. On the process side, Intel 4 shipped with Meteor Lake, Intel 3 with Granite Rapids and Sierra Forest, and Intel 18A with Panther Lake. Intel has also made advanced packaging part of its foundry offering. However, Intel is still playing catch-up in servers. Several Xeon generations arrived years late and trailed contemporary AMD and Arm server CPUs in performance, efficiency, and core count. The process roadmap is back, but Intel does not hold the same process-technology leadership position it held prior to 10 nm. The introduction of gate-all-around nanosheets and backside power delivery are two of the biggest changes to transistor integration in a decade. Intel took on both changes at once: 18A paired its first RibbonFET with PowerVia in Panther Lake. Panther Lake is a substantial manufacturing milestone. Our cross-sections show how RibbonFET and PowerVia reshape local contacts and wiring, while the floorplans show where architectural consolidation and process choices save area. A sustained competitive lead depends on product performance, cost, yield, and the next implementation. The SemiAnalysis STEEL teardown lab breaks down advanced datacenter and AI hardware. To learn more about our pipeline or to commission a teardown, contact sales@semianalysis.com. WE’RE HIRING: Architecture, floorplan, packaging, manufacturing, and labs experts. Opportunities from system to transistor and everywhere in between. Check out our Careers page.. [1] Intel, “Intel Tech Tour 2025 Panther Lake recap,” Doc. 866361, 2025. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://cdrdv2-public.intel.com/866361/ITT_2025_Panther_Lake_Recap1.pdf [2] Intel, “Core Ultra processors Series 3 datasheet, volume 1,” Doc. 872188-001, Jan. 2026. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://cdrdv2-public.intel.com/872188/872188-001.pdf [3] N. Horiguchi and E. Beyne, “Backside power delivery: How to power chips from the backside,” imec Reading Room, Nov. 25, 2022. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.imec-int.com/en/articles/how-power-chips-backside [4] W. Hafez et al., “Intel PowerVia technology: Backside power delivery for high density and high-performance computing,” in Proc. IEEE Symp. VLSI Technol. Circuits, Kyoto, Japan, Jun. 2023, pp. 1–2, doi: 10.23919/vlsitechnologyandcir57934.2023.10185208. [5] K. Fischer et al., “Intel 18A platform technology featuring RibbonFET (GAA) and PowerVia for advanced high-performance computing,” in Proc. Symp. VLSI Technol. Circuits, Kyoto, Japan, Jun. 2025, pp. 1–3, doi: 10.23919/vlsitechnologyandcir65189.2025.11075006. [6] K.-F. Cheng, C.-L. Teng, H.-Y. Huang, and H.-C. Chen, “Metal oxide composite as etch stop layer,” U.S. Patent 12 176 247 B2, Dec. 24, 2024. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://patents.google.com/patent/US12176247B2/en [7] S. W. King, “Dielectric barrier, etch stop, and metal capping materials for state of the art and beyond metal interconnects,” ECS J. Solid State Sci. Technol., vol. 4, no. 1, pp. N3029–N3047, 2015, doi: 10.1149/2.0051501jss. [8] A. V. Mule’, D. J. Towner, D. Seghete, C. R. Ryder, and A. A. Gonzalez, “Multi-layer etch stop layers for advanced integrated circuit structure fabrication,” U.S. Patent Appl. 20220102343 A1, Mar. 31, 2022. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20220102343A1/en [9] C.-C. Wang and J. H. Wang, “Interconnect structure with dielectric cap layer and etch stop layer stack,” U.S. Patent Appl. 20230253247 A1, Aug. 10, 2023. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230253247A1/en [10] Y. J. Wu, K.-F. Cheng, C.-C. Lee, H.-K. Chang, and H.-Y. Huang, “Etch stop layer for interconnect structures,” U.S. Patent Appl. 20240332070 A1, Oct. 3, 2024. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20240332070A1/en [11] M. G. Rainville, N. Shankar, K. S. Reddy, and D. M. Hausmann, “Deposition of aluminum oxide etch stop layers,” U.S. Patent Appl. 20180197770 A1, Jul. 12, 2018. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://patents.justia.com/patent/20180197770 [12] J. S. Leib et al., “Conductive lines having molybdenum liner and tungsten fill for advanced integrated circuit structure fabrication,” U.S. Patent Appl. 20240429126 A1, Dec. 26, 2024. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://patents.justia.com/patent/20240429126 [13] M. Naik, “Cobalt enables power and performance scaling at single-digit logic nodes,” Applied Materials, Dec. 17, 2018. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.appliedmaterials.com/us/en/blog/blog-posts/cobalt-enables-power-and-performance-scaling-at-single-digit-logic-nodes.html [14] Lam Research, “Breaking through AI’s invisible barrier with molybdenum,” Lam Research Newsroom, May 6, 2025. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://newsroom.lamresearch.com/molybdenum-metallization-ai-revolution [15] P. Yashar, G. Malyavanatham, and H. Vijwani, “Integrated circuit interconnect structures with niobium barrier materials,” U.S. Patent Appl. 20240112951 A1, Apr. 4, 2024. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20240112951A1/en [16] Applied Materials, “Applied Materials unveils chip wiring innovations for more energy-efficient computing,” Applied Materials Investor Relations, Jul. 8, 2024. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://ir.appliedmaterials.com/news-releases/news-release-details/applied-materials-unveils-chip-wiring-innovations-more-energy [17] Samsung, “Samsung showcases AI-era vision and latest foundry technologies at SFF 2024,” Samsung Semiconductor, Jun. 13, 2024. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://semiconductor.samsung.com/news-events/news/samsung-showcases-ai-era-vision-and-latest-foundry-technologies-at-sff-2024/ [18] C. W. Yeung et al., “Channel geometry impact and narrow sheet effect of stacked nanosheet,” in Proc. IEEE Int. Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM), Dec. 2018, pp. 28.6.1–28.6.4, doi: 10.1109/iedm.2018.8614608. [19] S. Mochizuki et al., “Evaluation of (110) versus (001) channel orientation for improved nFET/pFET device performance trade-off in gate-all-around nanosheet technology,” in Proc. Int. Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM), Dec. 2023, pp. 1–4, doi: 10.1109/iedm45741.2023.10413854. [20] D. G. Ouellette et al., “Fabrication of gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having molybdenum nitride metal gates and gate dielectrics with a dipole layer,” U.S. Patent 12 051 698 B2, Jul. 30, 2024. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://patents.google.com/patent/US12051698B2/en [21] imec, “Advancing the CFET-based device roadmap with novel integration modules and standard-cell architectures,” imec, 2026. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.imec-int.com/en/articles/advancing-cfet-based-device-roadmap-novel-integration-modules-and-standard-cell [22] A. Reznicek, X. Miao, C. Lee, and J. Zhang, “Wrap around contact for nanosheet source drain epitaxy,” U.S. Patent 11 302 813 B2, Apr. 12, 2022. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://patents.google.com/patent/US11302813B2/en [23] J. A. Kittl, J. G. Hong, D. R. Palle, and M. S. Rodder, “Methods for varied strain on nano-scale field effect transistor devices,” U.S. Patent 9 978 833 B2, May 22, 2018. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9978833B2/en [24] S. Gandikota et al., “Method of reducing metal gate resistance for next generation NMOS device application,” Int. Patent Appl. WO 2024/137272 A1, Jun. 27, 2024. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2024137272A1/en [25] J. Zhang et al., “Full bottom dielectric isolation to enable stacked nanosheet transistor for low power and high performance applications,” in Proc. IEEE Int. Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM), Dec. 2019, pp. 11.6.1–11.6.4, doi: 10.1109/iedm19573.2019.8993490. [26] C. Yoo, J. Chang, Y. Seon, H. Kim, and J. Jeon, “Analysis of self-heating effects in multi-nanosheet FET considering bottom isolation and package options,” IEEE Trans. Electron Devices, vol. 69, no. 3, pp. 1524–1531, Mar. 2022, doi: 10.1109/ted.2022.3141327. [27] S. S. Pradhan, D. B. Bergstrom, J.-S. Chun, and J. Chiu, “Tungsten gates for non-planar transistors,” European Patent Appl. EP 3 506 367 A1, Jul. 3, 2019. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://patents.google.com/patent/EP3506367A1/en [28] L. Schloss and X. Ba, “Tungsten films having low fluorine content,” U.S. Patent 9 754 824 B2, Sep. 5, 2017. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9754824B2/en [29] Intel Foundry, “Accelerating AI and HPC with advanced process and packaging technologies,” Doc. 367370-001US, Jun. 2026. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/central-libraries/us/en/documents/2025-11/intel-foundry-hpc-ai-brief.pdf [30] M. Lofrano, X. Chang, H. Oprins, and Z. Tokei, “Mitigating the thermal bottleneck in advanced interconnects,” imec, Sep. 28, 2023. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.imec-int.com/en/articles/mitigating-thermal-bottleneck-advanced-interconnects [31] S. Bair, “Intel at ISSCC 2025: Navid Shahriari invited talk, eight papers, forums, panelist & product details,” Intel Community, Feb. 19, 2025. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://community.intel.com/t5/Blogs/Tech-Innovation/Edge-5G/Intel-at-ISSCC-2025-Navid-Shahriari-Invited-Talk-Eight-Papers/post/1667592 [32] D. Chandra, E. Potladhurthi, D. R. S. Reddy, and K. S. Rengarajan, “Tunable negative bitline write assist and boost attenuation circuit,” U.S. Patent Appl. 20160203857 A1, Jul. 14, 2016. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20160203857A1/en [33] Synopsys, “Advantages of firmware-based training in high-speed DDR IP,” Synopsys IP Technical Bulletin. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.synopsys.com/articles/firmware-based-training-ddr-ip.html [34] N. Muralimanohar, R. Balasubramonian, and N. P. Jouppi, “CACTI 6.0: A tool to understand large caches,” Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, 2009. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://users.cs.utah.edu/~rajeev/cacti6/cacti6-tr.pdf [35] Intel, “Intel Tech Tour 2024 Lunar Lake AI hardware accelerators,” Doc. 824436, 2024. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://cdrdv2-public.intel.com/824436/2024_Intel_Tech%20Tour%20TW_Lunar%20Lake%20AI%20Hardware%20Accelerators.pdf [36] Y.-H. Chen, J. Emer, and V. Sze, “Eyeriss: A spatial architecture for energy-efficient dataflow for convolutional neural networks,” in Proc. 43rd ACM/IEEE Annu. Int. Symp. Comput. Archit. (ISCA), Jun. 2016, pp. 367–379, doi: 10.1109/isca.2016.40. [37] Intel, “Introduction to the Xe-HPG architecture,” Doc. 758306, Nov. 4, 2022. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/developer/articles/technical/introduction-to-the-xe-hpg-architecture.html [38] Intel, “Core Ultra processors Series 3 for the edge,” Doc. 855291. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://cdrdv2-public.intel.com/855291/Intel%C2%AE%20Core%E2%84%A2%20Ultra%20Processors%20Series%203%20for%20Edge%20Overview_2.pdf [39] Intel Foundry, “Foveros technology brief,” Doc. 366411-001US, Feb. 2026. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/central-libraries/us/en/documents/2025-07/foveros-25d-product-brief.pdf [40] D. Das Sharma, “UCIe: Building an open chiplet ecosystem,” UCIe Consortium, 2022. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.uciexpress.org/_files/ugd/0c1418_c5970a68ab214ffc97fab16d11581449.pdf [41] Intel, “Intel launches Intel Core Series 3 processors,” Intel Newsroom, Apr. 16, 2026. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/newsroom/news/client-computing/intel-launches-intel-core-series-3-processors-changing-the-game-for-everyday-computing.html [42] Intel, “Core Series 3 launch press deck,” Apr. 2026. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://download.intel.com/newsroom/2026/Intel-Core-Series-3/Intel-Core-Series-3-Launch-Press-Deck.pdf [43] Intel, “Intel outlines architectures for agentic AI at Hot Chips 2026,” Intel Newsroom, Aug. 24, 2026. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/newsroom/news/client-computing/intel-outlines-architectures-for-agentic-ai-at-hot-chips-2026.html [44] Intel, “Intel accelerates process and packaging innovations,” Intel Investor Relations, Jul. 26, 2021. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.intc.com/filings-reports/all-sec-filings/content/0001193125-21-224438/d199788dex991.htm [45] Intel, “Intel reports third-quarter 2021 financial results,” Intel Investor Relations, Oct. 21, 2021. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.intc.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1505/intel-reports-third-quarter-2021-financial-results [46] Intel, “3rd generation Intel Core processors bring exciting new experiences and fun to the PC,” Intel Investor Relations, Apr. 23, 2012. Accessed: Sep. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.intc.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/577/3rd-generation-intel-core-processors-bring-exciting
Meet the Michigan climate candidate on Trump’s radar
Less than two months ago, William Lawrence was a relatively unknown progressive climate group co-founder and a dark-horse candidate for Congress running in a Trump district in the middle of Michigan.
Euro zone business lending slows slightly
Lending growth to euro zone businesses slowed slightly from relatively high levels in August and held steady in the case of household loans, data from the European Central Bank showed on Friday.
Euro zone business lending slows slightly
FRANKFURT, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Lending growth to euro zone businesses slowed slightly from relatively high levels in August and held steady in the case of household loans, data from the European
Paul Lepage Says ICE is Deporting His Relative
The Republican running in the 2nd Congressional District has been supportive of federal immigration actions.
Branded Pharmaceuticals Stocks Q2 In Review: Phibro Animal Health (NASDAQ:PAHC) Vs Peers
Let’s dig into the relative performance of Phibro Animal Health (NASDAQ:PAHC) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q2 branded pharmaceuticals earnin...
Tyrone Tracy News: Steelers, Giants Connected In Trade Rumors
Tyrone Tracy is still a member of the New York Giants, but that may not be the case for long. A former fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Purdue product began his career on a relatively high note. Appearing in all 17 games while making 12 starts, the rookie finished his inaugural campaign …
Caesars Entertainment (CZR), Why Is It Getting Fresh Attention Now?
Caesars Entertainment (CZR) has drawn fresh attention after two directors, Jesse Lynn and Ted Papapostolou, resigned from the board on September 16, 2026, prompting investors to reassess governance and long term positioning. Recent trading around Caesars Entertainment has been relatively muted, with the share price at $29.65 and a year to date share price return of 25.85% that sits alongside a 1 year total shareholder return of 15.19% and a 5 year total shareholder return that has declined...
Madison Square Garden Entertainment (NYSE:MSGE) Meets Minervini Trend Template and High Growth Momentum Criteria
MSGE passes Minervini Trend Template and High Growth Momentum screens with strong relative strength, a 9/10 technical rating, and breakout potential.
Pacers’ Pascal Siakam Receives Harsh Label in New NBA Study
With the NBA preseason approaching, a new salary analysis has identified which players provided the strongest and weakest returns relative to their contracts last season. Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam claimed the study’s most unforgiving distinction.Casino Guru USA ranked him as the NBA’s most overpaid player after comparing 2026-27 cap charges with production from the […] The post Pacers’ Pascal Siakam Receives Harsh Label in New NBA Study appeared first on HEAVY.
Travel health insurance
Travel health insurance Do you have a friend or relative traveling to the Dominican Republic? Encourage them to get travel health insurance before they depart the U.S. to avoid possible medical emergencies becoming financial emergencies, too. Many travelers ask, “Why would I need travel health insurance–I have health insurance?” But your domestic U.S. health insurance may not work overseas. Hospitals here in the Dominican Republic often require payment in full prior to the patient being treated or being discharged. Some private U.S. insurance companies pay for overseas medical care, but usually only on a reimbursable basis, meaning you must pay first and request reimbursement later. The U.S. government does not pay for medical care overseas, and Medicare does not cover medical or hospital expenses incurred outside the United States. In addition, if the traveler needs to be medically evacuated for any reason, this is not covered by most U.S insurance and usually costs well over $10,000 USD. Travel medical insurance can alleviate this cost burden. Don’t let unexpected medical costs ruin your vacation! Please review more information here on Travel.State.Gov and on the Embassy website’s page on Medical Emergency – U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic.
A new process turns plastic waste into gasoline and diesel fuel
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a surprisingly simple way to turn polyethylene, the common plastic used in shopping bags and cutting boards, into gasoline and diesel-like fuels. The process uses inexpensive aluminum-based molten salts to break long plastic molecules into smaller hydrocarbons, producing about 60% gasoline under relatively mild conditions.
15 Annoying Movies We’re Tired of Being Told to Watch
Some movies don’t feel like they’re being recommended to us in good faith. You hear about them from friends, relatives, coworkers, awards shows, social media, and eventually someone who looks genuinel...
Frank Mrvan talks steel industry, possible Chicago Bears move
.video-js, .video-js .vjs-tech { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; z-index: 0; } var player = videojs('player_block_becb4b5b400cc85a8142076459fad58a'); player.nuevo({ contextMenu: false }); var vast = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, }; var video = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, } var event_label = 'Video: 208470 - Article: Frank Mrvan talks steel industry, possible Chicago Bears move'; var post_id = 208469; var post_url = "https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/videos/frank-mrvan-talks-steel-industry-possible-chicago-bears-move"; player.vastAds({ tagURL: "https://servedbyadbutler.com/vast.spark?setID=13487&ID=177008&pid=117129", id: "PreRoll" }); player.on('vast.adStart', function() { vast.started = true; }); player.on('vast.adError', function() { vast = { started: true, ended: true }; }); player.on('play', function() { if (vast.ended && !video.paused) { video.started = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Played", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_played", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } if (video.started && video.paused) { video.resumed = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Resumed", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_resumed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('pause', function() { if (vast.ended) { video.paused = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Paused", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_paused", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('ended', function() { //vast.adEnd fires after ended, pointless to use. vast.ended = true; if (video.started && !video.ended) { video.ended = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Ended", eventLabel: event_label }); } var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: 100, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); }); player.on('fullscreenchange', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Fullscreen Toggled", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('enterpictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Opened", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('leavepictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Closed", eventLabel: event_label }); }); let lastReportedPercentage = 0; player.on('timeupdate', function() { const currentTime = player.currentTime(); const duration = player.duration(); if (duration) { const progressPercentage = Math.floor((currentTime / duration) * 100); if (progressPercentage % 5 === 0 && progressPercentage !== lastReportedPercentage) { lastReportedPercentage = progressPercentage; var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: progressPercentage, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } } });
Why politicians should pay more attention to the polls (reprise)
Welcome to the 231st edition of The Week in Polls (TWIP), a polling newsletter that always welcomes new readers. So please don’t keep TWIP a secret; share it with your friends and colleagues: Share The Week in Polls With all the stories swirling around Reform, JL Partners and political polling, I am finally tearing myself away from talking about the regulation of polling this week - and instead re-running a previous piece reminding us why the solution to problems with polls isn’t simply to ban or ignore them. Rather, we need them to play a vital role in making our politics - and politicians - better. This is followed by summaries of the latest national voting intention polls, seat projections from MRPs and the most recent party leader ratings. Subscribers who pay for the full edition can also read ten insights from the latest polls and analyses, including: A trio of organisations and a pair of professors have been casting their eyes over the Liberal Democrats ahead of the party’s autumn conference; What impact did the summer heatwave have on views on climate change? and Which wins out between chocolate and cheese? If you are not yet a paid subscriber, you can read all ten by starting a free trial now: Get FREE 7-day trial For more polling news as it comes in ahead of next week’s edition, you can also follow The Week in Polls on Bluesky. Picking up on my doubt last week about whether or not 35% of British train travellers have tried to order a takeaway for delivery to a railway station or carriage, thank you to reader Iain, who has been in touch to say he has done just that… in India. Another quick pair of updates, this time on the controversies around Reform and polling. Politico has a further scoop - “Farage aide caught in donor sting attended Egypt retreat with JL Partners” - and Ian Dunt has written about the problems with polling too: “Seeing the response of many polling experts in the last few weeks suggests that they are nervous about what is happening and keen to mitigate against it. Seeing the response of journalists, which has been basically non-existent, suggests the precise opposite.” My usual reminder as well: please do hit reply if you’ve spotted a poll, focus group or new piece of poll-based research that you think should be in contention for coverage in a future edition. Thank you! And with that, on with the show. How politicians get public opinion wrong I have written before about the benefits that come from widespread availability of high-quality political polling. We need more polls and more good coverage of polls. However, what I’ve not dug into before is the research into how accurately politicians estimate public opinion on issues. Thankfully we have academic research to tell us. First, the bad news: We present results from a study of 866 politicians in four countries.1 Politicians were asked to estimate the percentage of public support for various policy proposals. Comparing more than 10,000 estimations with actual levels of public support, we conclude that politicians are quite inaccurate estimators of people’s preferences. They make large errors and even regularly misperceive what a majority of the voters wants. Politicians are hardly better at estimating public preferences than ordinary citizens. Walgrave, S., Jansen, A., Sevenans, J., Soontjens, K., Pilet, J.B., Brack, N., Varone, F., Helfer, L., Vliegenthart, R., van der Meer, T., Breunig, C., Bailer, S., Sheffer, L. & Loewen, P.J. (2023a), “Inaccurate Politicians: Elected Representatives’ Estimations of Public Opinion in Four Countries”, The Journal of Politics, 85(1): 209-222. The bad news is not quite as bad as that makes it sound because, when asked whether the majority of public opinion was for or against various policies, politicians picked the wrong option ‘only’ 29% of the time. However, this included getting it wrong even when public opinion is far from evenly split on an issue: They do not only get it wrong when the public is divided and hard to read (e.g., when there is a 51%:49% distribution). Seventy percent of the misplacements occur for policies with a relatively clear distribution of at least 60% (dis)agreeing citizens. Moreover, the public scored only slightly worse than politicians, picking the wrong option 2.7 out of 8 times on average, compared with 2.3 times for politicians. Turning to the other measure of accuracy (not which side is in the lead but what the percentage support is for each side), politicians on average were 18 percentage points out in their guesses. Again, this was only slightly better than the public, whose error came in at 21 percentage points.2 Further research, using the same mix of countries, gives a little more comfort about how (in)accurate perceptions are: We show that politicians have a better understanding of public opinion when they think the issue matters to voters. Further, when an issue is personally important to politicians they more accurately estimate their party supporters’ opinions. The results confirm that politicians hold more accurate perceptions of voters’ preferences when they think it is important to do so but not necessarily when the issues actually are important to voters. Butler, C., Walgrave, S., Soontjens, K. & Loewen, P.J. (2024), “Politicians are better at estimating public opinion when they think it is more salient”, Party Politics: 1–13. Even so, it’s not a good picture. The remedy for this? Politicians should spend more time reading the polls. So forward this newsletter to someone you know… Share For a more general argument against banning polls, see my 2024 piece. Is “Let Bartlet Be Bartlet” good advice or not? The latest episode of my Political Fictions podcast heads across the Atlantic for a dip into one of the political TV classics: Mark and Cory talk about a giant of American political drama for the first time this week, as they tackle The West Wing. They talk about Let Bartlet Be Bartlet, the nineteenth episode of series one. In it, Mark wonders if The West Wing is actually the epitome of the “Boris Johnson school of politics”, Cory outmanoeuvres Mark into confirming we will record a Christmas Special about Love, Actually and they debate whether the central message of this episode has been misunderstood. Cory’s email newsletter is Paperback Rioter and Mark has a family of email newsletters. Subscribe to our newsletter for some additional bonus content and to get alerted whenever a new episode comes out. Our theme tune is “Monkeys Spinning Monkeys” by Kevin MacLeod/incompetech.com and licensed under the Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. You can also listen to our episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the web or YouTube. Elsewhere from me… [ A Lord's Eye View How to fix the problem of money in our politics Welcome to my latest update on work in the House of Lords. This time I am taking a look at how our political system is regulated, and the protections we need to keep democracy safe from becoming simply a contest to see who has the biggest bank account… Read more 5 days ago · 3 likes · 2 comments · Mark Pack ](https://lordseyeview.substack.com/p/how-to-fix-the-problem-of-money-in?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web&embedding_publication_id=1269283) If you spot a factual error… Borrowing an idea from Stuart Ritchie and others, if you spot a factual error in an edition of this newsletter, I will give you a free 12-month subscription to the paid-for version (or an extra 12 months on your existing one). Factual errors qualify, but grammatical errors or disagreements over interpretation do not, and my decision is final. Messages about both of those are always welcome, though. Voting intention and leadership ratings Here are the latest voting intention polls from different pollsters. It is all pretty static at the moment, with a small and consistent Labour lead in nearly all the polls. The table is also online here, along with explanations about what is included. It is updated regularly throughout the week as new polls are released. Next are the seat projections from MRPs, also sorted by fieldwork dates, listing those which are based on dedicated fieldwork (rather than models based on averages of other polls). Because such MRPs are published infrequently, some of the entries below are quite old. Finally, here is a summary of leadership ratings, with a graph from PollCheck: Detailed numbers from the latest polls are online here, and both that and the graph are updated regularly throughout the week as new data comes out. For historical figures on both voting intention and leader approval stretching back to the 1930s, including Parliamentary by-election polls, see PollBase. Catch up on the previous two editions [ ](https://theweekinpolls.substack.com/p/a-crisis-point-for-political-polling) [ A crisis point for political polling Sep 13 ](https://theweekinpolls.substack.com/p/a-crisis-point-for-political-polling) [ Read full story ](https://theweekinpolls.substack.com/p/a-crisis-point-for-political-polling) [ ](https://theweekinpolls.substack.com/p/extra-questions-about-the-polls-in) [ Extra questions about the polls in Reform’s funding scandal Sep 6 ](https://theweekinpolls.substack.com/p/extra-questions-about-the-polls-in) [ Read full story ](https://theweekinpolls.substack.com/p/extra-questions-about-the-polls-in) My privacy policy and other legal information are available here. Links to purchase books or other items are usually affiliate links which pay a commission for each sale. Quotes from social media messages are occasionally lightly edited for punctuation and clarity. If you are subscribed to other email lists of mine, please note that unsubscribing from this one will not automatically remove you from the others. If you wish to be removed from all my lists, simply reply to this email to let me know. A quintet of Lib Dem polling analyses, and 9 other polling insights you shouldn’t miss The following ten findings from the most recent polls and analyses are only for subscribers who pay for the full edition, but you can sign up for a free trial to read them straight away. Ahead of the start of Liberal Democrat conference, we have a trio of organisations and a pair of professors with pieces out about Ed Davey’s party:
First pediatric medical-behavioral Health Unit opens, Deaconess partners with Evansville Fire Dept
.video-js, .video-js .vjs-tech { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; z-index: 0; } var player = videojs('player_block_6a8e5afc39f852b50a5529c8e17c7b1e'); player.nuevo({ contextMenu: false }); var vast = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, }; var video = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, } var event_label = 'Video: 208479 - Article: First pediatric medical-behavioral Health Unit opens, Deaconess partners with Evansville Fire Dept'; var post_id = 208543; var post_url = "https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/videos/first-pediatric-medical-behavioral-health-unit-opens-deaconess-partners-with-evansville-fire-dept"; player.vastAds({ tagURL: "https://servedbyadbutler.com/vast.spark?setID=13487&ID=177008&pid=117129", id: "PreRoll" }); player.on('vast.adStart', function() { vast.started = true; }); player.on('vast.adError', function() { vast = { started: true, ended: true }; }); player.on('play', function() { if (vast.ended && !video.paused) { video.started = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Played", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_played", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } if (video.started && video.paused) { video.resumed = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Resumed", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_resumed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('pause', function() { if (vast.ended) { video.paused = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Paused", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_paused", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('ended', function() { //vast.adEnd fires after ended, pointless to use. vast.ended = true; if (video.started && !video.ended) { video.ended = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Ended", eventLabel: event_label }); } var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: 100, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); }); player.on('fullscreenchange', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Fullscreen Toggled", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('enterpictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Opened", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('leavepictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Closed", eventLabel: event_label }); }); let lastReportedPercentage = 0; player.on('timeupdate', function() { const currentTime = player.currentTime(); const duration = player.duration(); if (duration) { const progressPercentage = Math.floor((currentTime / duration) * 100); if (progressPercentage % 5 === 0 && progressPercentage !== lastReportedPercentage) { lastReportedPercentage = progressPercentage; var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: progressPercentage, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } } });
This truth emerges as political situations change fast: Maps show us our world, but not neutrally
There are choices involved in everything from which countries are centered to their size relative to each other and what the objects on the map are called. This map showed Africa more accurately and ...
FULL SHOW: Inside INdiana Business 9/20/26
.video-js, .video-js .vjs-tech { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; z-index: 0; } var player = videojs('player_block_45da0acbd54312ee5199625a1d6c1696'); player.nuevo({ contextMenu: false }); var vast = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, }; var video = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, } var event_label = 'Video: 208505 - Article: FULL SHOW: Inside INdiana Business 9/20/26'; var post_id = 208502; var post_url = "https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/videos/full-show-inside-indiana-business-9-20-26"; player.vastAds({ tagURL: "https://servedbyadbutler.com/vast.spark?setID=13487&ID=177008&pid=117129", id: "PreRoll" }); player.on('vast.adStart', function() { vast.started = true; }); player.on('vast.adError', function() { vast = { started: true, ended: true }; }); player.on('play', function() { if (vast.ended && !video.paused) { video.started = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Played", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_played", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } if (video.started && video.paused) { video.resumed = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Resumed", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_resumed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('pause', function() { if (vast.ended) { video.paused = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Paused", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_paused", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('ended', function() { //vast.adEnd fires after ended, pointless to use. vast.ended = true; if (video.started && !video.ended) { video.ended = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Ended", eventLabel: event_label }); } var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: 100, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); }); player.on('fullscreenchange', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Fullscreen Toggled", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('enterpictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Opened", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('leavepictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Closed", eventLabel: event_label }); }); let lastReportedPercentage = 0; player.on('timeupdate', function() { const currentTime = player.currentTime(); const duration = player.duration(); if (duration) { const progressPercentage = Math.floor((currentTime / duration) * 100); if (progressPercentage % 5 === 0 && progressPercentage !== lastReportedPercentage) { lastReportedPercentage = progressPercentage; var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: progressPercentage, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } } });
OpenAI vs. Anthropic: the agent platform gap
69% of enterprises using OpenAI's agent platform make it primary, vs. 38% for Anthropic's, per VB Pulse. Anthropic leads on consideration relative to users.
Dear Annie: Group chat strikes again! One cousin ruins it for everyone with regular political rants
This relative mulls just muting the whole thing.
Scientists discover a mysterious new frog hiding in the Amazon
Scientists discovered a new frog species in the flooded forests of the western Amazon, distinguishing it from nearly identical relatives through DNA and its unique call. Adenomera varcena highlights how much Amazonian biodiversity remains hidden even as habitat loss and climate change threaten these poorly understood species.
Buccaneers vs. Browns: Initial injury report for Week 2
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened preparations for their Week 2 matchup against the Cleveland Browns with a relatively light injury report Wednesday. Safety Miles Killebrew was limited as he continues to work through the concussion protocol, while cornerback Jacob Parrish was also limited with a back injury. The encouraging news for Tampa Bay came with […]
How vibe coding is impacting business in the long term
Utilizing AI to help software development is swiftly becoming normalized across organizations, leaving IT pros to manage any potential problems. Companies need to consider their level of liability when choosing to deploy vibe coding, Mike Wehrs, TieTechnology COO, told IT Brew. Issues can vary, and depend on the relative newness of vibe coding to the tech stack, as well as the talent of those using it.
NASA Watches Earth’s Weight, Finds Center of Mass
Seasonal changes redistribute enough water around Earth to shift the planet’s center of mass back and forth by fractions of an inch relative to its geometric
EU membership bid gives boost to Moldova’s fledgling R&D landscape
Moldova’s push to join the EU is having the spillover effect of helping to improve the country’s R&D landscape, which in recent years has suffered from fragmentation, decreasing personnel and a lack of research infrastructure.The country became an EU candidate country in 2022, alongside Ukraine, and officially began accession negotiations in 2024. With a pro-EU government, Moldova has been actively carrying out reforms to align with EU standards. This has helped accelerate the development of R&D, said Igor Chiosa, acting head of the Research and Innovation Policy Directorate at Moldova’s Ministry of Education and Research. “Our R&D landscape is moving up, and we are more and more involved in the European Research Area,” he said. “The support we receive from the EU is very important, not only financially, but also because of incentives, consultation and capacity building.”The R&D landscape in the former Soviet republic is still relatively underdeveloped, despite attempts at improvement going back to a 2004 law on science and innovation and later reforms in 2017 and 2018. But the system remains in a “precarious situation” and “in the process of contraction,” according to an assessment carried out by the government for the current National Programme for Research and Innovation, which runs from 2024 to 2027. The analysis highlights in particular the declining number of researchers and PhDs, which has been continuously falling, as well as limited research funding. This is around 10 times lower than the EU average and “insufficient to maintain a level of research activity that supports higher education and meets the needs of the economy.” The mechanisms for allocating research funds are also described as inefficient, as well as the general fragmentation of the landscape, with research and innovation activities being carried out in 67 different places. The lack of strategic vision for research infrastructure is also noted. The strategy sets out to address these issues and is being fuelled by reforms linked to EU accession. Moldova now has a regulation on open science and gender equality. There is also a new support mechanism for technology transfer offices and a business-academia roadmap. In 2025, the country also became the first Eastern Partnership country to approve a Smart Specialisation strategy, which will coordinate its R&D efforts to focus on strengths, within a European context. “We’ve done a lot in terms of normative acts,” Chiosa said. Horizon Europe successMoldova is also seeing more success in the EU’s flagship R&D programme, Horizon Europe. The country has now won nearly €15 million in funding, already double the amount won under the previous programme, Horizon 2020, and more than the €10 million target set by the government. Chiosa said the priority has shifted now to winning more research-centred projects, rather than those related to support and capacity. Moldova is also targeting further involvement in large European projects. Last year, it joined the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking giving Moldovans access to Europe's supercomputing network. The country is also a member of Danubius-RI, a European research infrastructure focused on river and sea research. Despite these efforts, Moldova’s research capacity is still shackled by its limited R&D budget, which equates to 0.23% of its GDP. This is around half of what its neighbour Romania spends, which is the lowest in the EU. According to Chiosa, the research budget is increasing year-on-year, jumping by €6.34 million between 2024 and 2025. But this doesn’t show up when looking at it as a proportion of GDP. “Of course, it’s difficult,” he said. “That is why we are putting more emphasis on collaboration between business and academia, as well as participation in Horizon Europe, to try to diversify our sources of funding.”A World Bank loan of €30 million, plus a grant of €7.8 million, was agreed in 2025 to support the modernisation of Moldova’s universities. As part of this, a call was launched this year to provide universities grants of up to €900,000 to develop their research infrastructure. Moldova is also collaborating closely with Romania, with which it shares a common language, funding 100 joint projects in 2023 and 2024. This support has been instrumental. “They are helping with sharing their expertise, inviting us into consortia, and lots more,” Chiosa said. Looking forward, Moldova is eagerly anticipating joining the EU. “We are looking closely at what the EU is doing and will shape our future national programme in research innovation accordingly.”EU accession “blocked at a technical level”Moldova is aiming to join the EU by 2028, but despite its swift and eager efforts to meet the accession criteria, there remain obstacles outside of the country’s control. For a country to join the EU, it must have certain legislation in place and meet specific standards in various areas. This is categorised into six thematic clusters containing 33 chapters. Moldova and the EU have so far opened two of the clusters, numbers one and six. The first covers fundamental laws, such as the judiciary, security and financial legislation. The sixth covers external relations. The remaining four clusters are still unopened. This includes the third cluster, on competitiveness and growth, which contains the chapter on science and research.Related articlesQ&A: Albania’s ambition to become a ‘moderate innovator’Data corner: Horizon success rates are droppingThe European Commission has confirmed that these clusters are ready to be opened, with an official saying that the Commission is encouraging EU governments, who have the final say, to move forward on the matter. However, both clusters two and three remain blocked by the EU Council’s working party on enlargement and countries negotiating accession to the EU, a different official, representing the Council, confirmed.This working party is set to meet several times in the coming weeks, with a Council meeting scheduled for mid-October in which enlargement, and Moldova’s bid, will be discussed. But there is no certainty that these talks will lead to progress. According to the Council source, it is “completely impossible to foresee if and when the file will be unblocked,” citing the sensitivity of the matter. Moldova’s situation is particularly complicated. One factor is that it borders Ukraine and is increasingly embroiled in Russia’s war, with drone incursions occurring more often on its territory. Another is Transnistria, a Russian-backed breakaway state that lies within the territory of Moldova. It is unclear how the EU would be able to accept Moldova into the bloc while this situation remains unchanged. While there is no direct reason to delay opening cluster three with Moldova, as it covers matters unrelated to security, it could be that the EU is reluctant to speed through accession negotiations without first resolving broader, geopolitical issues.Chiosa is confident that, if and when the chapter on science and research is opened, Moldova will be able to finalise it quickly. It doesn’t require any legislative changes and is only a matter of proving certain standards, which Chiosa believes Moldova is well prepared to do. “We hope that chapter 25 on science and research will be one of the first chapters opened and closed,” he said.
Baileyton Celebration featured food, entertainment and fun
Some relatively light rain Saturday afternoon did not stop many from enjoying the Baileyton Celebration held Saturday and Sunday.
Issue of N.Y. school funding back in court
At issue now is a relatively small piece of a years-long puzzle over how New York funds its schools.
Building the Capital Ecosystem Native Businesses Need
A Native-led CDFI is showing what happens when small-business lending receives relationship-based, culturally rooted support.
Yankees Extend Dominant All-Time MLB Record
The New York Yankees have some marks as part of their franchise history that are just so overwhelmingly dominant relative to the rest of MLB that they can be hard to believe. They extended one of those records on Monday night. The feat needed for the Yankees was to clinch a spot in the postseason. […] The post Yankees Extend Dominant All-Time MLB Record appeared first on HEAVY.
Heart & Soul: Free clinic in Westfield offers health care to uninsured, underinsured
Hamilton County has a relatively low rate of people without health insurance. However, a free clinic in Westfield treated about 700 people – totaling approximately 1,700 patient visits – just last year. For Heart & Soul Free Clinic Executive Director Lisa Zouvelos Kreag, the
Hostage families became a political prize. But not for the party that championed their cause
The largely anti-Netanyahu campaign to bring captives home turned hostage relatives into some of Israel's most recognizable public figures. When election season came, many found the opposition had little room for them
Music festival survivors, victim's relatives discuss PTSD, substance abuse, mental health effects
A public event commemorating Hamas's October 7 massacre united over 500 individuals as they addressed PTSD, substance abuse, and other mental health effects after surviving or losing relatives.
Jacoby Brissett Makes Strong Statement After Cardinals Upset Chargers
Jacoby Brissett and the Arizona Cardinals are riding high after an exceptional performance on Sunday afternoon. Arizona is coming off of a 26-14 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. The game flow ensured a relatively close battle, but the Cardinals pulled away late to earn a signature win. Brissett spoke to media following the game, […] The post Jacoby Brissett Makes Strong Statement After Cardinals Upset Chargers appeared first on HEAVY.
The System Is Not the Patient
Across OECD countries, healthcare spending has long grown faster than GDP, while health-adjusted life expectancy has stagnated or declined and up to 20% of spending remains directed to low-value care. Outcome-based care measures success by patient outcomes relative to resources used, yet no health system has implemented it end to end. The World Economic Forum convened expert workshops to identify practical solutions. This paper argues that full system redesign, perfectly aligned incentives and flawless measurement systems are not prerequisites for progress, highlighting instead six interconnected priorities. The challenge is now to connect existing building blocks into a coordinated system focused on improving patient outcomes.
Marian U. President discusses Crossroads Academic Medical Institute
.video-js, .video-js .vjs-tech { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; z-index: 0; } var player = videojs('player_block_39437ed8a825372988ddac5e69036cd8'); player.nuevo({ contextMenu: false }); var vast = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, }; var video = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, } var event_label = 'Video: 208183 - Article: Marian U. President discusses Crossroads Academic Medical Institute'; var post_id = 208180; var post_url = "https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/videos/marian-u-president-discusses-crossroads-academic-medical-institute"; player.vastAds({ tagURL: "https://servedbyadbutler.com/vast.spark?setID=13487&ID=177008&pid=117129", id: "PreRoll" }); player.on('vast.adStart', function() { vast.started = true; }); player.on('vast.adError', function() { vast = { started: true, ended: true }; }); player.on('play', function() { if (vast.ended && !video.paused) { video.started = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Played", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_played", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } if (video.started && video.paused) { video.resumed = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Resumed", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_resumed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('pause', function() { if (vast.ended) { video.paused = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Paused", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_paused", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('ended', function() { //vast.adEnd fires after ended, pointless to use. vast.ended = true; if (video.started && !video.ended) { video.ended = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Ended", eventLabel: event_label }); } var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: 100, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); }); player.on('fullscreenchange', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Fullscreen Toggled", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('enterpictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Opened", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('leavepictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Closed", eventLabel: event_label }); }); let lastReportedPercentage = 0; player.on('timeupdate', function() { const currentTime = player.currentTime(); const duration = player.duration(); if (duration) { const progressPercentage = Math.floor((currentTime / duration) * 100); if (progressPercentage % 5 === 0 && progressPercentage !== lastReportedPercentage) { lastReportedPercentage = progressPercentage; var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: progressPercentage, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } } });
FULL SHOW: Inside INdiana Business 9/13/26
.video-js, .video-js .vjs-tech { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; z-index: 0; } var player = videojs('player_block_4e11a4d0c32548e609e933dd829bdcbb'); player.nuevo({ contextMenu: false }); var vast = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, }; var video = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, } var event_label = 'Video: 208173 - Article: FULL SHOW: Inside INdiana Business 9/13/26'; var post_id = 208172; var post_url = "https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/videos/full-show-inside-indiana-business-9-13-26"; player.vastAds({ tagURL: "https://servedbyadbutler.com/vast.spark?setID=13487&ID=177008&pid=117129", id: "PreRoll" }); player.on('vast.adStart', function() { vast.started = true; }); player.on('vast.adError', function() { vast = { started: true, ended: true }; }); player.on('play', function() { if (vast.ended && !video.paused) { video.started = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Played", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_played", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } if (video.started && video.paused) { video.resumed = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Resumed", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_resumed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('pause', function() { if (vast.ended) { video.paused = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Paused", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_paused", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('ended', function() { //vast.adEnd fires after ended, pointless to use. vast.ended = true; if (video.started && !video.ended) { video.ended = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Ended", eventLabel: event_label }); } var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: 100, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); }); player.on('fullscreenchange', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Fullscreen Toggled", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('enterpictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Opened", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('leavepictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Closed", eventLabel: event_label }); }); let lastReportedPercentage = 0; player.on('timeupdate', function() { const currentTime = player.currentTime(); const duration = player.duration(); if (duration) { const progressPercentage = Math.floor((currentTime / duration) * 100); if (progressPercentage % 5 === 0 && progressPercentage !== lastReportedPercentage) { lastReportedPercentage = progressPercentage; var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: progressPercentage, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } } });
Bone Health Without the Hype
I am at the Australasian Menopause Society meeting and we had a fantastic lecture on Bone Health on Day 2, called, “Everything you need to know about bones - except the boring bits!” Spoiler alert, there were no boring bits. The lecture was given by Dr. Amanda Beech, who is a senior staff specialist in Obstetric Medicine and Endocrinology at the Royal Hospital for Women, where she is director of the Bone Density Unit. I want to summarize my top 10 take-aways for you. Share Osteoporosis is a disease of low bone mass, disruption of bone microarchitecture, and fragility of the skeleton. It is a silent disease…until someone develops a fracture. The diagnosis of osteoporosis is based on either fragility/minimal trauma fractures or a T-score of less than -2.5 on a DXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) or bone scan. It is important to recognize that about 50% of minimal trauma fractures occur when women have low bone mass (often referred to as osteopenia), but not osteoporosis. This tells us that bone strength is more complicated than a number on a DXA report. I am going to add a little here that wasn’t in the talk (one can only include so much in 25 minutes), as many women might read the above paragraph and think, “Shouldn’t we be treating everyone with low bone mass if this is when 50% of the fractures occur?” Many fractures happen for women with low bone mass because there are so many women with low bone mass –it is a statement about the population on a whole, not about the fracture risk of low bone mass. For you as an individual, bone density is only one component of fracture risk and many women with lower bone mass will not have a significantly elevated fracture risk. This is why individualized risk assessment matters. Subscribe We build bone in our teens and twenties, and by the time we are about thirty we have reached peak bone mass. This is why, when we discuss risk factors for osteoporosis, it is important to consider factors that might have affected us in our teens and twenties when we were actively building bone, such as nutritional restriction/energy imbalance. It is important to ask women about a history of eating disorders, and for those with such a history, getting a bone scan in perimenopause or at age 50 is likely warranted. (This image below isn’t from the talk, but is similar to one that was). Bone mass is relatively stable until about two years before the final menstrual period, and perimenopause marks a time of rapid bone loss for women. Using urinary markers of bone loss we know that the time of significantly accelerated bone loss starts about 1 year before the final period and ends about 2 years after the final period. The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) shows that over the menopause transition women lose an average of 10.6% of the bone at their lumbar spine and 9.1% at the femoral neck While this wasn’t covered in the lecture, I want to add that the rapid bone loss during perimenopause is clearly related to more than estradiol, because during this time estradiol levels can be erratic and not uniformly low. Bone loss during perimenopause is likely a multi-hormone event. For example, rising FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) tracks with bone loss better than estradiol, and there is evidence that FSH may act directly on bone. While decreased estrogen matters, there is clearly more going on. FSH and bone is an active area of research. Subscribe Screening for osteoporosis was recommended fairly broadly before age 65, and was taken from the “Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause,” from Monash University. Here is a screenshot from the toolkit that was used as a slide: I am going to add a little bit more about body weight here for clarification. Low body mass (typically 152.1 lb): 0 points (risk neutral) 60–69 kg (132.3–152.1 lb): 3 points (adds some risk)
Instant Canadiens Analysis: Former Villain Kreider A Smart Addition
The Montreal Canadiens shocked many fans on Saturday, announcing the signature of a relatively unlikely target, forward Chris Kreider. Kreider, […]
Texas A&M Injury Update: Who’s Available vs. Arizona State?
Texas A&M enters its Arizona State showdown relatively healthy, but Daymion Sanford’s status remains the biggest question before kickoff at Kyle Field.
Dear Abby | Relative's gift came with strings attached
Dear Abby: About 15 years ago, my nephew gave me a birthday gift of a baseball bat signed by a top player. I love baseball, so it was a lovely
Man Utd's Martinez ready for Haaland derby test
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez is not taking his previous success against Erling Haaland as proof it will happen again at Old Trafford tomorrow. Despite the relative size difference, Argentina centre-back Martinez has a decent record against the prolific Manchester City man. Most recently, Martinez rammed the cruel pre-match jibes of former United stars Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes down their throats by shutting Haaland out in Michael Carrick's first game in charge last January.