Computer HardwareSemiconductors

Qualcomm, MediaTek Eye Samsung for 2nm Chip Production Amid TSMC Price Hikes

Major chipset designers Qualcomm and MediaTek are reportedly evaluating Samsung’s 2nm production capabilities as an alternative to TSMC. The potential shift comes as foundry price increases threaten to squeeze profitability for upcoming flagship processors.

Industry Shakeup as Chip Giants Explore Samsung Partnership

Leading chipset manufacturers Qualcomm and MediaTek are reportedly considering shifting production of their next-generation 2nm processors to Samsung Foundry, according to industry reports. This potential move comes as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) continues implementing significant price increases that are impacting chip designers’ bottom lines.

Economy and TradingEnergy Policy

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves Signals Tough Budget with Wealth Tax Hikes Amid Economic Pressures

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is laying groundwork for a challenging budget featuring tax rises on wealthy individuals and potential spending cuts. The economic outlook has worsened due to Office for Budget Responsibility forecast revisions and ongoing Brexit impacts, according to reports.

Chancellor Prepares Nation for Economic Challenges

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has begun preparing the public for difficult economic measures in next month’s budget, according to reports from her Washington meetings with the International Monetary Fund. Sources indicate the chancellor aims to frame potential tax increases and spending cuts as necessary responses to economic challenges inherited from the previous government.

Economy and Trading

UK Economy Shows Modest Growth in August GDP Report Amid Budget Preparations

The UK economy reportedly returned to growth in August with a modest 0.1% expansion, according to the latest GDP report. This comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares an autumn budget that may include higher taxes on wealthy individuals.

UK Economy Returns to Modest Growth in August

The UK economy reportedly showed signs of recovery in August with modest expansion, according to the latest gross domestic product report. Sources indicate the economy grew by 0.1% during the month, marking a slight improvement from July when the economy reportedly flatlined.

Arts and EntertainmentBusiness Acquisition

PlayStation 30th Anniversary Concert Faces European Cancellations Following US Tour Changes

PlayStation: The Concert’s European leg faces significant venue cancellations across Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland according to recent reports. The official 30th anniversary music event continues to encounter scheduling challenges following earlier US tour date removals.

European Tour Dates Cancelled Amid Scheduling Changes

PlayStation: The Concert, the official music event celebrating the brand’s 30th anniversary, is facing substantial challenges with its European tour dates according to recent venue announcements. Multiple European venues have either cancelled scheduled performances or removed the event from their official listings for 2026.

FundingStartups

Kuku Secures $85M Funding as India’s Mobile Content Market Heats Up

Kuku, the Indian storytelling platform backed by Google, has reportedly secured $85 million in Series C funding, doubling its valuation to approximately $500 million. The funding comes as digital media overtakes television in India’s entertainment sector for the first time, with platforms competing fiercely for the attention of mobile-first consumers.

Major Funding Round Values Kuku at $500 Million

Indian storytelling platform Kuku has reportedly raised $85 million in fresh funding as competition intensifies in the nation’s rapidly growing mobile content market, according to reports from TechCrunch. The Series C round, led by Granite Asia, values the startup company at approximately $500 million—more than double its previous valuation, sources indicate.

Business AcquisitionStartups

Zepto Secures $400M Funding Led by CalPERS as Indian Quick Commerce Market Expands Rapidly

Indian quick commerce platform Zepto has reportedly raised $400 million in a funding round led by California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), according to sources. The funding comes as the company plans to go public next year and faces increasing competition in India’s rapidly growing quick commerce market.

Major Funding Round for Quick Commerce Startup

Indian startup Zepto has reportedly raised $400 million in a funding round led by new investor California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), according to recent reports. Sources indicate the investment round, which includes both primary and secondary components, also saw participation from existing investors including Avenir, Avra, Lightspeed, Glade Brook, The Stepstone Group, and Nexus Venture Partners. The funding reportedly values the company significantly, with analysts suggesting this positions Zepto for a potential public listing next year.

Climate ChangeSustainability

Wood Vaulting Emerges as Promising Climate Solution with Potential to Remove Billions of Tons of CO2 Annually

Researchers suggest wood vaulting could remove 12 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually. Several startups have already begun implementing this low-tech approach to carbon sequestration through biomass burial projects across the United States.

Simple Climate Solution Gains Scientific Backing

Wood vaulting, a surprisingly straightforward approach to carbon sequestration, could potentially remove 12 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year, according to a recent study published in Nature Geoscience. The technique involves collecting and burying woody biomass to prevent decomposition, effectively diverting carbon from the fast-paced biological cycle into the much slower geological carbon cycle.

Business AcquisitionEconomy and Trading

Nestle India Q2 Profit Rises on Strong Maggi and Nescafe Demand, Shares Surge

Nestle India posted a marginal increase in second-quarter profit, benefiting from improved urban demand for Maggi noodles and Nescafe coffee. Shares surged approximately 5% to a one-year high following the earnings report, according to Reuters.

Nestle India Reports Quarterly Profit Growth

Nestle India posted a marginal increase in second-quarter profit on Thursday, reportedly benefiting from improving urban demand for popular products including Maggi noodles and Nescafe coffee. According to reports, shares jumped about 5% to a one-year high following the earnings announcement.

Business AcquisitionEconomy and Trading

Nestle Announces 16,000 Job Cuts as New CEO Launches Major Restructuring

Nestle will cut 16,000 jobs worldwide as new CEO Philipp Navratil seeks to reduce costs and restore investor confidence. The restructuring comes amid management changes and pressure to reverse slowing sales growth at the world’s largest packaged food company.

Major Workforce Reduction at Nestle

Nestle, the world’s largest packaged food company, will eliminate 16,000 jobs globally as new CEO Philipp Navratil implements what he described as necessary changes to transform the business, according to Reuters reports. The job cuts represent approximately 5.8% of Nestle’s workforce of around 277,000 employees and are part of a broader efficiency push announced on Thursday.