A Swedish University crowned World’s Best, Asia ascends and UK Shines as US drops 

LONDON, Nov. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — QS Quacquarelli Symonds, global higher education experts, have released the 2026 edition of the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability.

Lund University in Sweden has taken the top spot for the first time. University of Toronto drops to second place, followed by UCL up to third. 

This year, 2000+ universities are featured across 106 higher education systems.
The US is most represented (240 universities), followed by China (163), the UK (109), India (103) and France (76).

Ben Sowter, QS Senior VP, said, “The publication of the QS Sustainability Rankings arrives at a pivotal moment. With only 17% of the 169 global Sustainable Development Goals on track for delivery in 2030, the need for accelerated action on environmental and social challenges has never been clearer.“

Overview

• University of California, Berkeley (11^th ), remains top in the US. NYU joins the top-20.
• The UK has the most institutions in the top 10, top 50, and top 200.
• Canada has the world’s highest concentration of top-10 universities (7%)
• UNSW Sydney re-enters the top-10 (7^th). Four Australian universities are in the top-20.
• Université Paris-Saclay  (45^th) is the only French university among the top-50.
• Germany boasts 65 ranked universities, led by Universität Hamburg (46^th)
• Delft University of Technology (35^th) is the Dutch leader
• 58 Spanish universities are featured in this edition, led by Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (83^rd)
• Seoul National University (37^th) becomes Asia’s top-performer, overtaking The University of Tokyo (48^th).
• China adds more institutions than any other system – 49 new entries—nearly double its closest competitor, India (+26). Fudan University is the highest ranked (140^th).
• IIT Delhi remains India’s best performing institution (205^th).
• National University of Singapore (69^th) and Nanyang Technological University (99^th) are tied in first for Environmental Research
• Universidade de São Paulo is the only Latin American university in the top-200 (90^th).
• South Africa boasts all four of Africa’s top-ranked universities. University of Cape Town leads (59^th)
• American University of Beirut retains highest rank in the Arab Region (176^th)

The complete rankings are available here. 

NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) provides a daily pre-market update directly from the NYSE Trading Floor. Access today’s NYSE Pre-market update for market insights before trading begins. 

Ashley Mastronardi delivers the pre-market update on November 18th

• The Dow dropped over 1% and the S&P 500 nearly 1%, weighed down by a 2% decline in Nvidia as uncertainty around the AI trade grows.
• NYSE-listed Home Depot posted results this morning and NYSE-listed Target reports Wednesday. Fed minutes from October meeting release Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET, with rate-cut odds now near 45%, down from 95% a month ago.
• September non-farm payrolls due Thursday as government catches up on delayed reports. NYSE-listed Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a $4.3B stake in Alphabet, sending shares up more than 3%.

Opening Bell
MP Materials (NYSE: MP) celebrates its 5-year listing anniversary

Closing Bell
South Bow (NYSE: SOBO) celebrates their vision for growth and commitment to creating long-term value

Click here to download the NYSE TV App

Video – https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2826212/NYSE_Market_Update_Nov_18.mp4

• Supermicro offers complete, turnkey solutions based on NVIDIA-Certified Systems^™ with the latest-generation NVIDIA accelerated computing platforms, leveraging Supermicro Data Center Building Block Solutions^® (DCBBS) to accelerate time-to-online
• Full-stack solutions comprising Supermicro’s industry-leading portfolio of AI-optimized systems, NVIDIA software stack, and NVIDIA Spectrum-X Ethernet, streamlining the process of AI development from concept to production at any scale
• Supermicro’s AI Factory solutions are based on NVIDIA Enterprise Reference Architectures with Supermicro single and multi-rack validation & testing to ensure seamless plug-and-play deployment

SAN JOSE, Calif. and ST. LOUIS, Nov. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Supercomputing Conference — Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI), a Total IT Solution Provider for AI/ML, HPC, Cloud, Storage, and 5G/Edge, is announcing new complete, turnkey solutions to simplify deployment and accelerate time-to-online for AI factories. Based on NVIDIA Enterprise Reference Architectures and NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs, the new rack-scale clusters are fully integrated and validated by Supermicro, and delivered as full-stack solutions, complete with the NVIDIA software stack and NVIDIA Spectrum-X Ethernet networking. Supermicro’s DCBBS can further facilitate the build-out of AI factories, providing everything needed to develop a new greenfield data center or to refurbish a traditional data center into an AI factory, reducing lead times and the need to juggle multiple vendors.

DCBBS sys 422GL-522GA–A22GA

“Supermicro has always led the industry in time-to-market for new GPU technologies at rack-scale, and we’re leveraging our expertise in delivering large-scale NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 and NVIDIA HGX B300-based AI infrastructure to enable the democratization of AI for enterprises in every industry,” said Charles Liang, president and CEO of Supermicro. “The AI factory is the foundation for transforming every company into an AI company, and in combination with our Data Center Building Block Solutions, Supermicro and NVIDIA are helping enterprises accelerate and streamline the deployment of AI factories for the industry’s shortest time-to-online (TTO).”

For more information on Supermicro AI Factory cluster solutions, please visit supermicro.com/aifactory

Supermicro offers complete AI factory solutions based on Supermicro NVIDIA-Certified Systems featuring NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs, which have been optimized for maximum performance and efficiency in traditional environments where power, cooling, and physical space are common restricting factors when deploying AI infrastructure. Supermicro AI Factory solutions include Spectrum-X networking and are based on the NVIDIA Enterprise Reference Architectures for NVIDIA RTX PRO™ 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPUs and NVIDIA HGX™ B200.

Preconfigured as scalable units, Supermicro AI factory cluster solutions are available in small, medium, and large configurations, ranging from 4 nodes and 32 GPUs up to 32 nodes and 256 GPUs. The clusters are integrated and tested up to L12 (multi-rack cluster) at Supermicro’s global production sites—including in San Jose, CA—and include the NVIDIA software stack (NVIDIA AI Enterprise, NVIDIA Omniverse™, NVIDIA Run:ai), NVIDIA Spectrum-X Ethernet networking, and fully integrated cabling for a complete solution that is plug-and-play and ready to start generating tokens from day one. Supermicro also offers storage solutions for all stages of the AI data pipeline, based on a comprehensive portfolio of storage-optimized systems. Together with leading data management ISVs, Supermicro can support the NVIDIA AI Data Platform reference design and enable AI workflows within the AI factory.

Supermicro is currently taking orders for AI factory cluster solutions in 4, 8, and 32-node configurations with NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition or NVIDIA HGX B200 GPUs, optimized for AI and HPC workloads at any scale.

Universal AI, HPC, and visual computing clusters with NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPUs – Based on Supermicro’s 4U and 5U PCIe GPU systems, with 8 GPUs per node in a 2-8-5-200 (CPU-GPU-NIC-Bandwidth) configuration, these cluster solutions are able to handle AI inference, enterprise HPC, and graphics & rendering workloads, enabling enterprises to leverage common infrastructure for multiple applications.

High performance AI and HPC clusters with NVIDIA HGX GPUs – Based on Supermicro’s 10U modular GPU platforms, each node includes NVIDIA HGX B200 8-GPU and supports NVIDIA NVLink^® for maximum GPU-GPU communication. These clusters are optimized for AI model fine-tuning and training, as well as HPC workloads.

About Super Micro Computer, Inc.

Supermicro (NASDAQ: SMCI) is a global leader in Application-Optimized Total IT Solutions. Founded and operating in San Jose, California, Supermicro is committed to delivering first to market innovation for Enterprise, Cloud, AI, and 5G Telco/Edge IT Infrastructure. We are a Total IT Solutions provider with server, AI, storage, IoT, switch systems, software, and support services. Supermicro’s motherboard, power, and chassis design expertise further enables our development and production, enabling next generation innovation from cloud to edge for our global customers. Our products are designed and manufactured in-house (in the US, Asia, and the Netherlands), leveraging global operations for scale and efficiency and optimized to improve TCO and reduce environmental impact (Green Computing). The award-winning portfolio of Server Building Block Solutions® allows customers to optimize for their exact workload and application by selecting from a broad family of systems built from our flexible and reusable building blocks that support a comprehensive set of form factors, processors, memory, GPUs, storage, networking, power, and cooling solutions (air-conditioned, free air cooling or liquid cooling).

Supermicro, Server Building Block Solutions, and We Keep IT Green are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Super Micro Computer, Inc.

All other brands, names, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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Live All-In interview with co-host Jason Calacanis explores AI revolution

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)^® announces Bob Sternfels, Global Managing Partner at McKinsey & Company and Hemant Taneja, CEO of General Catalyst, will join Jason Calcanis, Entrepreneur, Angel Investor, and Co-Host of the  All-In podcast for a CES^® keynote. This live taping of the world’s most influential business podcast will explore how AI is redefining global strategy, investment, and innovation, offering real-world insights from three of the sharpest minds in business.

“This is CES at its best — a convergence of ideas, influence, and innovation,” said Kinsey Fabrizio, President, CTA. “Hosting a live taping of the All-In podcast with the leaders of McKinsey and General Catalyst, captures the excitement of this moment. AI isn’t just reshaping industries, it’s rewriting the rules of leadership, strategy, and opportunity. CES is where innovators show up and lead the AI revolution.”

• Sternfels leads McKinsey & Company, the world’s most influential management consultancy. Under his leadership, the firm has embraced AI in its client work as well as its own operations, with Lilli, McKinsey’s generative AI platform, powering new ways of working across the firm.
• Taneja leads General Catalyst, one of the world’s premier venture and transformation companies with more than $40B under management. He has backed era-defining companies such as Stripe, Samsara, Superhuman (formerly known as Grammarly), and Gusto.
• Calacanis is one of Silicon Valley’s most dynamic voices. As an early investor in companies like Uber, Robinhood, and Calm, he has a track record of spotting industry-changing innovation. As co-host of the All-In podcast, he has built a platform that shapes the tech, investing, and policy debates followed by millions of founders and executives.

“I’m excited to join Hemant and Jason at CES for a conversation about how top leaders in business, investing, and technology are navigating the AI revolution,” said Sternfels. “We’ll explore the potential of this technology to transform enterprises and discuss how leaders can seize the AI opportunity to reimagine their organizations and build AI-driven value.”

AI is redefining productivity, reshaping competition, and driving leaders to rethink how their organizations operate. This CES keynote will dive into the most urgent and provocative questions surrounding AI — from which industries are already being upended to how investors, CEOs, and global leaders can navigate what’s next.

Known for its unscripted style and sharp debates among leading investors and entrepreneurs, All-In reaches millions of listeners and shapes conversations in boardrooms and startups alike.

“I’m excited to bring the no-BS, full-contact All-In podcast format to CES this year… and hopefully for many years to come!” said Calacanis.

The keynote will cover where the smart money is going in AI right now and what is overvalued. Further underscoring the transformative power of tech, it will highlight the importance of strategic collaboration and investment in shaping the future of global industries.

“Tech isn’t just a force for disruption; it’s a catalyst for complete industry transformation,” said Taneja. “This keynote unites strategic vision, expansive influence, and investment power to help groundbreaking ideas become lasting enterprises. At CES, investors have a front-row seat to the future, connecting with founders worldwide, and making choices that will define the next era of innovation.”

Don’t miss this live taping of the All-In Interview at 2 PM PST on Tuesday, Jan. 6, in the Palazzo Ballroom at the Venetian. Dr. Lisa Su of AMD, Joe Creed of Caterpillar, Yannick Bolloré of Havas and Vivendi, and Yuanqing Yang of Lenovo leaders will also keynote at CES 2026.  

Learn more about real-world adoption of physical AI and how it’s reshaping industries, work, and the future of automation during the conference session, Transforming Industries with Physical AI, presented by McKinsey.

Register for CES 2026 where innovators show up to shape the next great wave of innovation.

About CES^®:  
CES is the most powerful tech event in the world – the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. This is where the world’s biggest brands do business and meet new partners, and the sharpest innovators hit the stage. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, CES features every aspect of the tech sector. CES 2026 takes place Jan. 6-9 in Las Vegas. Learn more at CES.tech and follow CES on social.

About Consumer Technology Association (CTA)^®:  
As North America’s largest technology trade association, CTA is the tech sector. Our members are the world’s leading innovators – from startups to global brands – helping support more than 18 million American jobs. CTA owns and produces CES® – the most powerful tech event in the world. Find us at CTA.tech. Follow us @CTAtech.

Bob Sternfels, Global Managing Partner at McKinsey & Company

Hemant Taneja, CEO of General Catalyst

Jason Calcanis, Entrepreneur, Angel Investor, and Co-Host of theAll-In podcast

Stollsteimer to lead Texas deployment and North American operations expansion

HOUSTON, Nov. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ace Green Recycling, Inc. (“Ace” or the “Company”), a leading provider of sustainable battery recycling technology solutions, today announced the appointment of battery industry veteran Rick Stollsteimer as Senior Vice President of Operations.

Stollsteimer joins Ace from Gopher Resource, one of the largest battery recyclers in the United States, where he served as Vice President of Operations overseeing a 24/7/365 smelting facility producing more than 175,000 tons of finished product annually. At Gopher, he led transformative initiatives that improved safety performance, increased operational uptime to world-class levels, and drove double-digit gains in output efficiency.

At Ace, Stollsteimer will oversee operational readiness and scale-up of the company’s flagship Silsbee, Texas facility, the first large-scale GREENLEAD^® and LFP battery recycling site in the United States. The Texas facility is expected to deploy Ace’s lead-acid recycling system in 2026, followed by its LFP-focused lithium-ion system in 2027, establishing a model for zero-emission battery recycling infrastructure across North America. Stollsteimer will also play a central role in driving the Company’s broader operational and commercial expansion throughout the region.

“Rick’s decision to join Ace is a strong endorsement of our mission to build a cleaner, safer, and more efficient battery recycling ecosystem in the United States,” said Nishchay Chadha, CEO and Co-Founder of Ace Green Recycling. “His first-hand experience in conventional smelting and track record of operational excellence will be invaluable as we bring our zero-emission technologies online and expand across North America

“I am thrilled to join Ace, which is building out market leading cutting-edge battery recycling technology,” said Rick Stollsteimer, Senior Vice President of Operations at Ace Green Recycling. “I’ve experienced both the constraints and the challenges of traditional smelting. Ace’s proprietary technology eliminates the need for high-temperature furnaces altogether – offering a smarter, safer, and more sustainable model for how battery recycling should operate at scale. I’m thrilled to help lead this transformation from the ground up in Texas and beyond.”

About Ace Green Recycling
Ace Green Recycling, Inc., incorporated in Delaware, is an innovative battery recycling technology platform offering sustainable end-of-life solutions. It has deployed modular, Scope 1 carbon emissions-free recycling facilities for lithium (nickel-manganese-cobalt & lithium iron phosphate) and lead batteries used in various industries including electronics, automotive and energy storage. Ace was founded by Nishchay Chadha, Chief Executive Officer and a veteran in recycling, mining and global supply chain industries, and Dr. Vipin Tyagi, Chief Technology Officer, with extensive experience in battery materials recycling technologies. For more information, please visit www.acegreenrecycling.com.

Contacts:

Media
Media@acegreenrecycling.com

Investors
Investors@acegreenrecycling.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “project” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Such statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Ace and members of its management as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to vary significantly from those implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of this date, and Ace undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.