PHOENIX -- Dr. Jim Arnold, a longtime engineer AT&T Bell Labs and Motorola, passed away May 22 after a brief illness. He was 63.

GAITHERSBURG, MD -- The US government is seeking bids for 20 printed circuit boards with components and assembly for a custom laser stabilization and control function project.

BANNOCKBURN, IL -- New guidelines from IPC explain the effects of printed circuit board fabrication processing on board cleanliness.

BRUSSELS -- The European Union is committing 5 billion euros ($6.5 billion) toward research on semiconductors and other electronics as part of an effort to catch its Asian and US rivals.

WASHINGTON -- Senators from both US political parties today announced a joint agreement to update the Toxic Substances Control Act to require all chemicals be screened for safety prior to entering the market.

FRANKFURT -- Germany-based printed circuit board fabricators reported sales rose 4% sequentially in March, but fell 6.4% year-over-year.

SAN JOSE, CA — North America-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers reported orders rose faster than shipments in April, but remained well below last year's figures.

PENANG, MALAYSIA – Test Research Inc. will host a technology seminar on June 7 at Eastin Hotel here.

WASHINGTON -- Apple's chief executive on Tuesday told a US Senate Committee that the company plans to invest $100 million in new computer manufacturing facilities in the US. The remarks were consistent with Tim Cook's pronouncements last December.

SIOUX FALLS, SD – Raven Industries reported fiscal first-quarter sales at its Applied Technology unit were $51.2 million, down 4.7% year-over-year.

NANJING, CHINA -- Foxconn will reportedly invest some $210 million for additional production capacity in Huai'an City, Jiangsu province, according to reports.

NEWARK, NY -- IEC Electronics' revenues fell 11% year-over-year for its fiscal second quarter ended Mar. 29, according to preliminary company estimates. As previously reported the company is restating its financials for the quarters ended Dec. 30, 2011; Mar. 30, June 29, and Dec. 28, 2012.