Texas Instruments' $60 billion chip pledge sounds bold—but the U.S. still has work to do

More than $60 billion of investment will be spent by Texas Instruments to build and expand seven semiconductor factories in the United States, creating more than 60,000 jobs in the country, the company said today.
The announcement, which will see the investment spent across seven semiconductor fabrication sites, is a boost for President Donald Trump, though it is not exactly new cash, some experts argue.
'I think it's exactly what they've been saying for the last four or five years,' says Stacy Rasgon, a senior analyst at Bernstein who covers semiconductors. 'They're probably one of the few that's actually put massive amounts of dollars in the ground in the U.S. already. So you might as well get credit for it.'
The announcement also does not include a time frame. Texas Instruments CEO Haviv Ilan said in a statement: 'TI is building dependable, low-cost 300-millimeter capacity at scale to deliver the analog and embedded processing chips that are vital for nearly every type of electronic system.'

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Trump calls for special prosecutor to investigate 2020 election, reviving longstanding grievance

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday called for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the 2020 election won by Democrat Joe Biden, repeating his baseless claim that the contest was marred by widespread fraud. 'Biden was grossly incompetent, and the 2020 election was a total FRAUD!' Trump said in a social media post in which he also sought to favorably contrast his immigration enforcement approach with that of the former president. 'The evidence is MASSIVE and OVERWHELMING. A Special Prosecutor must be appointed. This cannot be allowed to happen again in the United States of America! Let the work begin!'

Newsweek

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Is Donald Trump Considering Tactical Nukes Against Iran? What We Know

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President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office of the White House on June 18, 2025 (left) and a retired U.S. B61 thermonuclear gravity bomb, a type of tactical nuclear weapon still... President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office of the White House on June 18, 2025 (left) and a retired U.S. B61 thermonuclear gravity bomb, a type of tactical nuclear weapon still in service, shown in 2021. More BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Jon G. Fuller/GETTY/AP Why It Matters No nuclear weapon has been deployed in war since the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in 1945, and any use of such weapons against an Iranian facility would be extremely controversial in the U.S. and worldwide. On Thursday, the White House said Trump would decide "within the next two weeks" whether the U.S. will join Israeli military action that began on June 13 against Iranian nuclear sites. Israel claims that Iran is working toward building a nuclear weapon, while Tehran insists its nuclear program is entirely peaceful. What To Know One of Iran's most important nuclear sites is the Fordow nuclear enrichment facility, which is believed to be buried about 80 meters deep into the side of a mountain. Experts have suggested Israel doesn't have any conventional bombs capable of destroying the site, though on Thursday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "we have the capability" to "hit all of their nuclear facilities." Unlike Israel, the U.S. possesses 30,000-pound GBU-57s "bunker buster" bombs that are specifically designed to reach targets buried deep beneath the surface and can be deployed by B-2 Spirit heavy bombers. On Wednesday, citing people "familiar with the deliberations," The Guardian reported that Trump "does not appear to be fully convinced" that GBU-57s bombs can reach the Fordow facility. It said the effectiveness of GBU-57s against the Fordow facility was "a topic of deep contention" within the Pentagon, citing two defense officials, with some reportedly believing that only a tactical nuclear weapon could destroy the site. It added that Trump was "not considering" the option and said it hadn't been presented by Hegseth or Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine. Tactical nuclear weapons are smaller than strategic nuclear weapons and are designed to be deployed for limited strikes or on the battlefield, rather than against whole cities. The U.S. maintains a large arsenal of tactical nuclear weapons, though none have ever been used in combat. Fox News senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich said she was told by a White House official that The Guardian report was "false." According to Heinrich, the official "has no doubt about the efficacy of bunker busters in eliminating the site at Fordow" adding they also denied "that any options [including tactical nukes] have been taken off the table." Israel has been attacking Iranian military and nuclear sites since June 13. On Thursday, the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists said that at least 639 people had been killed in the attacks, though the figures have not been independently verified. In response, Iran has fired ballistic missiles at Israel, killing 24 civilians, according to Israeli authorities. On Friday the British, French and German foreign ministers were slated to meet their Iranian counterpart in Geneva, Switzerland, in a bid to resolve the conflict. U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that "a window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution." What People Are Saying Fox News senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich: "There have been a lot of headlines this afternoon including one from The Guardian that claims that the U.S. military has doubts about whether the 'bunker-buster' bombs could get the job done, further claiming only a tactical nuke maybe could finish it and it further stated that the president is not considering a tactical nuke, that it was not one of the options presented to him. "I was just told by a top official here that none of that report is true, that none of the options are off the table and the U.S. military is very confident 'bunker busters' could get the job done at Fordow." Fox News host Jesse Watters, on Thursday: "The Guardian reported Trump was getting cold feet worried about the effectiveness of 'bunker busters' and not willing to use tactical nukes. But the White House tells Fox that's not true, everything's on the table, even tactical nukes." Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, on Friday, referring to possible U.S. tactical nuke deployment, according to Russia's TASS news agency: "This would be a catastrophic there are so many speculations that, in fact, it's impossible to comment on them." What Happens Next It is not yet known whether the U.S. will launch strikes against Iran and, if so, what weaponry it will use. Deploying a tactical nuclear bomb, the first use of a nuclear weapon since World War II, would be a controversial move.

Digital Trends

35 minutes ago

• Digital Trends

LG 2025 TV buying guide: New lineup and models explained

LG has long been a trusted brand name for TVs and all kinds of appliances. Within that TV department, what it's done with its OLED models is remarkable, especially when it comes to variety, which we'll get to. More than ever this year, it's also giving some extra love to the rest of the lineup. This guide breaks down LG's 2025 TV lineup to help you in the decision-making process if you're in the market for a new TV. There are a number of different models offered at a variety of sizes with varying levels of performance, and it can be a little bit confusing. We'll get there in a minute though, because we're starting with LG's budget-friendly LED lineup with the models that are new for 2025. LED TVs These are models labeled UA75 and UA77. They're both 4K TVs that support HDR10 and 4K gaming with a 60 Hz refresh rate and VRR, but they're not necessarily much to write home about. Both models feature direct LED backlighting, which is a step down from full array local dimming found in the higher-end models. Direct-lit usually results in worse contrast and more halo effects around bright objects. What they are is budget-friendly. At the 43-inch size, some models start under $300. Even if you climb the ladder up to 86 inches, you'll pay a little more than $1,000. These would be ideal for a college dorm room if you're getting a smaller size TV or for a room that just needs a TV but won't be the centerpiece of a home theater. QNED LED and Mini-LED TVs Moving up, there's LG's QNED lineup. These combine quantum dot and NanoCell tech to deliver richer, more accurate colors with a wider color gamut. They're also better to view from wider angles, so you don't need to be directly in front of the TV to get a decent picture. LG QNED82A LED TV Starting with the QNED82A, this LED model offers a better picture in terms of color and clarity thanks to LG's 'dynamic QNED color' and a feature called Dimming Pro, which does a better job controlling light and showing better contrast. While it's a fine TV starting at $600 for a 55-inch model and $750 for 65 inches, there's more to be had in the QNED lineup a little bit higher up. LG QNED85A mini-LED TV The QNED85A is a little more expensive, starting at $850 for the 55-inch version, but the improvements are significant, especially for gamers. The upgraded Alpha 8 AI Processor Gen 2 provides an even better picture and sound quality experience. Still, like the 82A, this is an edge-lit LED TV and a step below the full array local dimming found further up the lineup. However, for gamers that need more from their TVs, this is the model where 120 Hz refresh rates start to appear. Also worth noting, if you have the internet speed and router to take advantage, the QNED85A and beyond are Wi-Fi 6E enabled compared to Wi-Fi 5 on the QNED82A. On paper, that means internet connectivity to the TV can be much faster, which could make for a better streaming experience with less buffering for 4K shows, movies, and cloud gaming. LG QNED92A mini-LED TV At the top of the QNED lineup is the QNED92A. To eliminate confusion, that's its model number in the United States. In the United Kingdom, it's QNED93. They're essentially the same TV, but depending on the region you're in, you'll see one of those two. Take everything from the previous model and turn it up a notch in the QNED92A, which is only available in 65, 75, and 85 inches and starts at $1,800 for the 65-inch size. As the flagship QNED TV, it's the only model to feature full array local dimming and Dolby Vision. With the best backlight technology in the 92A, you'll get darker blacks and brighter highlights than anything else previously listed. In terms of audio, it sets itself apart as the only QNED TV in the lineup that supports Dolby Atmos. That means if you're streaming Dolby Atmos-compatible content from the TV operating system, webOS, you'll get Atmos in your speaker setup as long as they support it. In the lower-tier QNED85A, you'll need an external device that supports Dolby Atmos since that model only supports Dolby Atmos pass-through to your audio system. LG QNED9M wireless mini-LED TV Also in this section is the QNED9M, which adds the wireless connect box. Previously, this was exclusive to the OLED M series that introduced this box a few years ago. Adding this to the QNED lineup really reiterates LG's commitment to bolstering its mini-LED TVs, especially as competitors like Sony, Samsung, Hisense, and TCL continue to make big improvements in that department every year. Essentially, the QNED9M packs many of the same features as the 92A, including local dimming, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos support. The wireless connect box means the only cord running from the TV is for power. It's offered in similar sizes too, starting at 65 inches for $1,800. OLED TVs Moving on to the OLED TVs — a little bit simpler. There are the B, C, and G series OLED TVs, ascending in that order. There's also the M series, which features the wireless connect box. In general, these are some of the best-looking TVs on the market thanks to OLED's superior contrast levels. LG B5 OLED TV Starting with the LG B5, it's offered at 48, 55, 65, 77, and 83 inches, which is great for getting into extra-large OLED sizes without spending quite as much. It's still not as inexpensive as some of LG's mini-LED options, but for example, the 83-inch B5 comes in at $4,500, while the 77-inch follows at $3,000. Pricing for the 55 and 65-inch models hasn't been announced yet but will be updated once available. As far as features, even what's considered entry-level OLED still comes pretty stacked. The B5 supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. With its quick response time, it's a great TV for gaming too, complete with variable refresh rate up to 120 Hz. Four HDMI 2.1 ports don't hurt either, especially for entry-level OLED. Sansui's OLED offerings add a little more competition for the B series TVs in the budget OLED tier, but for those who want to purchase from a more familiar brand, the B5 is tough to beat. Final pricing will confirm if that holds up. LG C5 OLED TV The C series takes a moderate but still significant step up, mainly improving brightness and picture processing. The LG C5 uses the Alpha 9 Gen 8 processor — a step up from the Alpha 8 in the B series — and its refresh rate tops out at 144 Hz compared to 120 on the B5. One of the biggest differences separating the C5 from the B5 is the EVO panel. When you see OLED Evo, that's the panel with brightness booster tech, giving the C5 panel more brightness and more vibrant color. Along with the more advanced processor, this makes the C5 the better choice if image quality is a priority. The C5 also comes in a 42-inch size, unlike the B5 and the next TV. It's a great option for a monitor or a smaller gaming setup on a desk. LG G5 OLED TV The G5 is truly special and stands out among the TVs listed here. The G4, last year's model, was already closing the gap with its MLA (Micro Lens Array) panel, drawing closer to QD-OLED rivals from Samsung and Sony. This year, LG has taken the flagship G5 to new heights. The new four-stack OLED panel further enhances brightness — LG claims up to 45% better than the G4, which is impressive if you saw that magnificent G4 screen. When talking about brightness, it's not just for the sake of being bright and blinding. Overall brightness helps with daytime viewing or rooms with lots of ambient light, but brightness mainly benefits HDR viewing and how much the brightest objects on screen stand out from darker areas. Think of the twinkle of stars in a night sky or bright fire or sun that's meant to pop in a movie scene. The G5 has all the bells and whistles mentioned with the previous OLED models but improves in the gaming category with variable refresh rate up to 165 Hz. It comes in sizes ranging from 55 to 97 inches, with the 55-inch model starting at $2,500 and the 97-inch model sitting at a whopping $25,000. Note that the four-stack OLED panel is not available in the 97-inch version. Also, the G5 comes with LG's 5-year warranty, adding peace of mind for such a big investment. LG M5 wireless OLED TV Finally, though pricing isn't available yet, the LG M5 OLED was announced via press release back at CES and is expected to feature the same four-stack OLED panel as the G5. What makes it special is the wireless connect box. This allows you to set the wireless box out of sight and get lossless audio and video quality sent to the TV. It's especially convenient when mounting or placing the TV where running cables is tricky or if you want extra tidy cable management. From previous testing with an M series OLED, the wireless connectivity worked well with only occasional performance dips depending on obstructions between the wireless box and TV. The M5 is currently listed for pre-order in 65, 77, 83, and 97-inch sizes.