Nexperia's Dutch headquarters says it welcomes announcements lifting block on shipping chips

Dutch chipmaker Nexperia BV has welcomed recent statements from the US and Chinese governments removing barriers to the company shipping its chips, but declined to comment on statements made by its Chinese subsidiary that it will accelerate steps towards becoming independent.

Nexperia said its focus is now on ensuring the stability of supply to customers.

The Dutch government said separately it is continuing talks with the Chinese and other governments and industry on a "constructive way forward" for Nexperia. A fight over control of Nexperia, which makes large volumes of basic chips used in cars, has led to shortages and alarmed automakers around the globe.

The chips are made in the Netherlands before being finished in China, but Beijing blocked the trade after the Dutch government seized control of Nexperia, citing national security concerns.

The White House said on Saturday that China would change course and allow exports of finished chips, following discussions between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. On Sunday, a feud inside Nexperia appeared to worsen when the company’s Chinese unit lashed out at its Dutch counterpart’s “ extremely irresponsible ” actions and “highly deceptive” claims.

The two sides’ factories are still refusing to send products to each other amid conflicting accusations over multimillion-dollar debts and broken contracts.

Reference Sources

1. thestarmy - Nexperia's Dutch headquarters says it welcomes announcements lifting block on shipping chips
2. telegraph - Civil war at Chinese-owned chipmaker threatens car factory shutdowns

L.A. startup tests driverless freight trains on Southern California rails 

California-based startup Parallel Systems is developing an automated, battery-powered railway car as a green alternative to the thousands of trucks that sit idling for hours at ports every day.

The train cars are about 44 feet long and sit low to the ground, ready to be top-loaded with a cargo container. Slightly shorter than a standard 50-foot freight car, the parallel cars weigh roughly 40,000 pounds unloaded.

In Fillmore, the vehicle is being tested without cargo at speeds up to 40 mph.

The cars are much quieter than diesel-engine cars, the company said, but have a horn for crossings that meets Federal requirements.

Each car has two motors powered by lithium-iron phosphate batteries and can haul a container 500 miles on a single charge.

The cars are designed to travel in groups of up to 50, but each can also move independently.

Instead of using traditional railroad couplers or magnets to attach cars, the cars use their motors to stay connected. Sensors communicate with the motors to maintain a consistent speed across a line of railway cars. Parallel Systems has already raised $100 million and received approval from the Federal Railroad Administration to operate on shared railways.

The company said it eventually could produce tens of thousands of units per year to meet the new demands of the railway market.

Reference Sources

1. latimes - Driverless freight trains on Southern California rails? This L.A. startup is already testing them

Grand Egyptian Museum opens after decades of delays

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has opened after a two-decade delay and at a cost of more than $1 billion.

The 5 Million-Square-Foot Museum features exhibits and artifacts spanning 7,000 years, from Prehistory to approximately 400 A.D., according to CBS News.

It is also the world's only museum dedicated to one culture, which is ancient Egypt.

The Museum features massive statues and historic Artefacts from the country's ancient Civilisation, which will be on display across the 24,000 square metres (258,000 square feet) of permanent exhibition space.

Egyptian authorities have called the Museum "the largest cultural building of the 21st century". dozens of performers dressed in elaborate Pharaonic costumes, their foreheads crowned with golden wreaths and Sceptres in hand, played traditional tunes as a laser show depicting Pharaohs and fireworks lit up the night sky above the Museum.

Prime ministers, Presidents, and royalty descended on Cairo on Saturday to attend the Spectacle-Laden inauguration of the sprawling new Museum built near the ancient pyramids of Giza just outside Cairo.

Reference Sources

1. bangkokpost - Five things to know about the Grand Egyptian Museum
2. france24 - The Grand Egyptian Museum opens in lavish, pharaonic ceremony
3. asiaone - Egypt opens colossal new antiquities museum after two-decade wait, World News - AsiaOne
4. usnews - Egypt Opens Colossal New Antiquities Museum After Two-Decade Wait
5. upi - Grand Egyptian Museum opens after decades of delays

The CommonWealth English daily news digest is a service curated by CommonWealth English team with the help of AI tools.  

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