Global Smartphone Shipments to Fall 2.1% in 2026 as Chip Costs Surge Global smartphone shipments are projected to decline by 2.1% next year as rising semiconductor and memory chip costs weigh on demand, according to technology research firm Counterpoint. The forecast reflects the mounting impact of a worldwide shortage of legacy memory chips, which has disrupted electronics supply chains in recent months. Manufacturers have increasingly prioritised high-end memory components for artificial intelligence (AI) processors, leaving fewer supplies for consumer devices such as smartphones. Low-End Smartphones Hit Hardest Counterpoint’s Research Director, M.S. Hwang, said the budget smartphone market—devices priced below $200—has…
Author: Aditya Lenka
Aditya Lenka
A multi-faceted professional with a diverse range of skills and experiences. He currently works as a Producer, Digital Marketer, and Journalist for several well-known media outlets, namely StratNewsGlobal, BharatShakti, and Interstellar. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Aditya has covered a wide range of topics and events across India, bringing a unique perspective to his work.When he's not busy producing content, Aditya enjoys exploring new places and cuisines, having traveled extensively throughout India. He's also an avid writer and poet, often penning his thoughts and musings in his free time. And when he wants to unwind and relax, Aditya spends time with his two loyal companions, Zorro and Pablo, his beloved dogs.Aditya's dynamic personality and varied interests make him a unique individual, always eager to learn and experience new things.
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Kenya Secures $311 Million Deal for New High-Voltage Power Lines Kenya has signed a $311 million investment agreement to construct two high-voltage electricity transmission lines in partnership with Africa50, a pan-African infrastructure fund, and PowerGrid Corporation of India, the country’s finance ministry announced on Monday. The initiative marks another step in Kenya’s growing reliance on public-private partnerships to fund major infrastructure projects amid rising debt and limited fiscal space. By securitising specific revenue streams, the government aims to attract private investment without further burdening public finances. Partnership to Design, Build and Operate Under the deal, Africa50 and PowerGrid will collaborate…
Italian Scientists Develop 3D-Printed Sweet Snacks from Lab-Grown Plant Cells Scientists in Italy are experimenting with lab-grown plant cells and fruit residues to create 3D-printed sweet snacks with high nutritional value, blending tradition with futuristic food innovation. The Nutri3D project, led by Italy’s National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), aims to design sustainable treats that retain familiar flavours while addressing global food security challenges. Reinventing Pastries for a Changing World Italy’s culinary heritage was recently added to UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural traditions, yet researchers are already looking ahead. The Nutri3D team is developing nutrient-rich…
Protesters in Siberia Oppose Russia’s Ban on Roblox Several dozen people gathered in the Siberian city of Tomsk on Sunday to protest against Russia’s decision to ban the U.S.-based gaming platform Roblox, marking a rare public display of dissent amid tightening censorship laws. The protest reflected growing frustration over Moscow’s escalating restrictions on digital platforms. Public Outcry Over Digital Restrictions In the snow-covered Vladimir Vysotsky Park, about 25 people held up hand-drawn placards reading “Hands off Roblox” and “Roblox is the victim of the digital Iron Curtain,” according to photos shared by one of the organisers. Another sign read, “Bans…
Japan Should Focus on Niche Strengths in Chip Revival, Says NTT Chairman Japan must take a targeted approach to semiconductor manufacturing rather than attempting to compete on cost and scale, NTT Chairman Jun Sawada told Reuters in an interview. He said Japan’s success lies in producing specialised, high-quality chips instead of replicating the large-scale, low-cost strategies of global giants. Niche Over Scale Sawada explained that NTT’s investment in Rapidus—a government-backed chipmaker aiming for mass production of advanced semiconductors by 2027—reflects this strategic vision. “That’s why we supported investment in Rapidus—because they aim for low-volume, high-quality production,” he said. “Competing on…
President Murmu Felicitates Winners of National Energy Conservation Awards 2025 National Energy Conservation Day 2025 was celebrated at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, where President Droupadi Murmu honoured the winners of the National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) and the National Painting Competition on Energy Conservation. The event, organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power, highlighted India’s enduring commitment to energy efficiency, sustainability, and responsible energy use. Energy Conservation: A Necessity, Not an Option Addressing the gathering, President Murmu stressed that energy conservation remains the most dependable and environment-friendly energy source. She observed that saving energy…
Investors Eager as SpaceX Eyes $25 Billion IPO and $1 Trillion Valuation SpaceX is reportedly preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) that could value Elon Musk’s rocket and satellite company at more than $1 trillion—potentially making it one of the most significant listings in stock market history. The IPO, which could raise over $25 billion as early as June, has already sparked excitement among investors who have long awaited the chance to buy into the private aerospace firm. Shay Boloor, chief market strategist at Futurum Equities Research, described the anticipated offering as “the craziest IPO in the history of…
Time Magazine Names AI Architects as 2025 Person of the Year Time magazine has named the architects of artificial intelligence (AI) as its 2025 “Person of the Year,” recognising those who ushered in what it calls “the age of thinking machines.” The magazine’s annual feature celebrates individuals or groups who have most influenced global events, for better or worse, during the year. The cover story explores how AI transformed the world in 2025—often in revolutionary yet unsettling ways. It includes interviews with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, whose chips power the AI boom, and with major investors such as SoftBank chief…
Caribbean Nations Join Forces to Develop Geothermal Energy Five Caribbean nations are collaborating to accelerate geothermal energy development, aiming to overcome financial hurdles and cut electricity costs in a region long burdened by some of the world’s highest power tariffs. Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines announced their plans after the U.N. COP30 climate conference in Brazil, reaffirming their commitment to supply affordable and sustainable power. Together, the countries possess an estimated 6,290 megawatts (MW) of geothermal potential—enough to power the Eastern Caribbean many times over. The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)…
India Deploys 37 Supercomputers with 40 Petaflops Under National Supercomputing Mission India’s pursuit of technological self-reliance in high-performance computing has reached a major milestone, with 37 supercomputers now deployed across the country under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM). Collectively delivering a total computing power of 40 Petaflops, these systems are advancing frontier research in multiple scientific and engineering disciplines. Expanding India’s Supercomputing Network Launched in April 2015 with an outlay of ₹4,500 crore, the NSM is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) through the Centre for Development…