WASHINGTON – The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has reported a strong second quarter for global semiconductor sales, totaling $179.7 billion, up 7.8% from the first quarter. For June alone, sales reached $59.9 billion, reflecting a 1.5% increase from May and a 19.6% year-over-year jump compared to June last year.

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ATLANTA -- Sales sentiment among component vendors remains strong in July across all product segments and end-markets, a new survey by ECIA revealed.

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Nearly 15 years have passed since Solyndra went out of business, but its specter hangs over the US government to this day as a warning of the risk of federal intrusion in a capitalist world.

Solyndra, of course, represented the US’s attempt to bolster the sustainable energy industry, specifically solar. The intentions were noble: solar was seen as a safe respite from combustible sources like oil and natural gas, which are expensive, nonrenewable and dirty.

But corruption and mismanagement conspired to drain its coffers. The resulting bankruptcy ultimately cost taxpayers more than $500 million in unreimbursed loans.

The financial hit, however, was nothing compared to the surgical job it did on the collective congressional spine. “Strategic investments” became a fool’s term, something you said if you wanted to be primaried.

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