U.S. crude oil prices fell to their lowest level since May on Tuesday, deepening a prolonged downturn that has put the market on track for its weakest annual performance in seven years. The decline reflects growing concerns over a looming supply surplus and shifting expectations around geopolitical risks, particularly the possibility of a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. West Texas Intermediate crude briefly dropped to $55.69 per barrel, while global benchmark Brent crude

The strategic rivalry between the United States and China in the semiconductor sector continued to intensify throughout 2025, with export controls remaining a central instrument in what has come to be known as the global chip war. The dispute, rooted in concerns over national security, technological leadership and economic influence, significantly affected the semiconductor industry, global supply chains and investment decisions during the year. At the start of 2025, the United States maintained restrictions on the export of advanced artificial intelligence chips and related technologies to China. These controls were designed to limit Beijing’s access to cutting-edge computing capabilities that could be applied to military and surveillance technologies. US officials defended the measures as necessary to protect national security interests, but the restrictions had immediate commercial consequences for American chipmakers with strong exposure to the Chinese market. Companies producing high-performance AI chips, including industry leaders such as Nvidia, reported revenue pressures linked to reduced access to Chinese customers. The curbs also led to higher compliance costs and uncertainty over long-term market strategies. Industry executives warned that prolonged restrictions could weaken the global competitiveness of US firms while accelerating China’s efforts to develop independent semiconductor capabilities. Policy signals shifted after Donald Trump assumed the US presidency in January. His administration moved to ease certain export controls on advanced AI chips for what were described as approved customers in China. Under the revised framework, sales of Nvidia’s H200 chip were permitted, subject to conditions that included profit-sharing arrangements with the US government. The adjustments were widely interpreted as an attempt to balance national security concerns with the commercial interests of American technology companies. China responded to the US measures by criticising what it described as discriminatory semiconductor policies and urging Washington to reverse the controls. Beijing argued that the restrictions were disrupting global supply chains and undermining fair competition in the semiconductor industry. At the same time, Chinese authorities accelerated domestic initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s chip manufacturing ecosystem and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. As part of its response, China imposed export controls on several rare earth elements, materials that are essential for semiconductor production and advanced electronics. China holds a dominant position in the global rare earth supply, making these measures a powerful lever in the broader technology competition. The restrictions heightened concerns among manufacturers worldwide about material availability and supply chain resilience. The prolonged US-China chip war had ripple effects across global markets. American and allied semiconductor firms experienced volatility in revenues and share prices as companies reassessed exposure to geopolitical risk. Investment patterns shifted as manufacturers sought to diversify production and sourcing to reduce dependence on any single market. Chinese technology firms increasingly turned to domestic suppliers, accelerating efforts to replace restricted foreign components with locally developed alternatives. In parallel, the United States expanded its focus on strengthening domestic semiconductor production through subsidy programmes under the CHIPS Act. The initiative supported the construction of new fabrication plants and aimed to secure long-term technological leadership by rebuilding advanced manufacturing capacity within the country. By late 2025, both Washington and Beijing took limited steps to ease tensions, agreeing to suspend certain rare earth export controls. While the move signalled a willingness to manage escalation, the underlying competition in advanced chip technologies remained unresolved. The year underscored how deeply the semiconductor rivalry has become embedded in global trade, industrial policy and national security calculations, with lasting implications for the future of the technology sector.

Filmmaker Mira Nair has shared a candid behind-the-scenes revelation about her acclaimed television adaptation of Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy, offering fresh insight into the casting process behind the ambitious BBC series. In a recent interview, Nair disclosed that her son, Zohran Mamdani, was originally her first choice for the central role that was eventually portrayed by actor Ishaan Khatter. According to Nair, Mamdani possessed the essential qualities she believed were requi

US President Donald Trump said on Monday, December 15, that efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine were making unprecedented progress, describing the possibility of a peace deal as “closer than ever.” His remarks came amid a series of high-level diplomatic engagements in Europe, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with key European leaders in Berlin as part of renewed international efforts to bring an end to the nearly three-year-long conflict. Speaking t

Russia’s mysterious shortwave radio station known as UVB-76, often referred to as the “Doomsday Radio” or “The Buzzer,” transmitted an unusually high number of cryptic messages this week, drawing renewed attention from military analysts and security observers across Europe. The rare surge in activity included three transmissions on Monday, eight more on Wednesday, and an extended broadcast combining faint music with long sequences of Morse code, an operational pattern that has not b

Kolkata witnessed a rare convergence of global sporting excellence and popular culture on Saturday, December 13, as legendary footballer Lionel Messi arrived in the city as part of his three-day GOAT India tour. The visit transformed the city into a focal point of international attention, with fans, sports enthusiasts, and cultural observers closely following every development surrounding the Argentine icon’s presence. The historic Yuva Bharti stadium served as the backdrop for a series of

Few figures in Hollywood history have reached the age of 100 with their reputation not only intact but warmly cherished. Dick Van Dyke reaches that milestone today, standing as a rare constant in an industry defined by reinvention and impermanence. Once known for tripping over an ottoman on television and dancing with animated penguins on film, he has outlived many of his contemporaries and even the criticisms that once followed his most famous performances. Van Dyke’s career span

United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to halt fighting following days of deadly clashes along their disputed border, raising hopes for a return to stability in the volatile region. The announcement came after Trump held separate phone conversations with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, as tensions threatened to escalate into a broader military confrontation. In

Tensions between Japan and China intensified further after a coordinated air patrol by Chinese and Russian military aircraft passed close to Japan and South Korea, prompting both Tokyo and Seoul to scramble fighter jets. According to Japan’s defence authorities, seven Russian aircraft and two Chinese aircraft briefly entered South Korea’s Air Defence Identification Zone, raising fresh concerns over the scale and frequency of joint operations by Beijing and Moscow in the Asia Pacific regio

Raul Malo, the distinctive vocalist and frontman of the influential Latin-country-rock group The Mavericks, died on Monday at the age of 60 following a battle with cancer. His family announced the news, and his wife, Betty Malo, later shared a heartfelt message on Instagram reflecting on his life and the spirit he carried into every room he entered. She described him as someone who radiated joy, love, adventure and deep devotion to family and music, adding that his presence would continue to

The Chicago Bears may have seen their push for a top playoff position take a hit after their recent loss to the Green Bay Packers, but the organization is moving forward with preparations for a potential postseason appearance. The team announced on Tuesday that fans will soon be able to purchase tickets for possible home games during the 2025 NFL postseason, signaling continued optimism as the regular season enters its final stretch. Beginning Thursday, single-game tickets for a pot

The rapidly expanding artificial intelligence sector may face a significant reshuffling as Bill Gates warned that not all high-valued companies will survive in what he described as an increasingly “hyper competitive” market. Speaking at an event in Abu Dhabi, Gates said that although AI represents one of the most transformative technologies of the era, it does not guarantee universal success for companies riding the wave of investor enthusiasm. His remarks come at a time when global marke

Tensions between Washington and Kyiv escalated again after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly expressed disappointment with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of not yet reviewing a U.S.-supported peace proposal. Trump told reporters late Sunday that he believed Ukrainian officials were receptive to the plan, but insisted that their president had not personally examined it. His remarks added renewed pressure on Kyiv at a sensitive moment in negotiations intended to chart

The Ministry of External Affairs issued a firm message to China after an Indian national was reportedly singled out and detained for nearly 18 hours at Shanghai airport. The statement, released on Monday, underscored India’s expectation that its citizens travelling through Chinese airports must not be selectively targeted or subjected to arbitrary detention, and urged Beijing to ensure that international air travel regulations are respected without exception. The incident has intensified di

China has firmly rejected Japan’s claims regarding recent aerial encounters, escalating a diplomatic dispute that has widened to include political, economic, and regional security dimensions. A spokesperson for the Chinese navy, Colonel Wang Xuemeng, stated that Japanese aircraft had repeatedly approached Chinese vessels as they carried out previously announced carrier-based flight training east of the Miyako Strait. According to Wang, the operations were routine and transparent, and China

Travis Kelce has sparked widespread discussion online after revealing that he has never had an argument with fiancee Taylor Swift throughout their two-and-a-half-year relationship. Speaking on the New Heights podcast, the Kansas City Chiefs star responded to a fan question about conflicts in relationships, casually stating that he and Swift have never argued, repeating the claim with certainty. The comment quickly gained traction among fans and experts, with many reflecting on whether conflic

Spotify has released its Wrapped list for 2025, offering detailed insight into India’s most-streamed artists, songs and albums over the past year. The data shows a mix of consistent favourites, resurgent classics and the accelerating influence of independent musicians and podcasts on the country’s listening habits. Arijit Singh continued his long-standing dominance as India’s most-streamed artist for the seventh year in a row. Pritam and Shreya Ghoshal followed in second and third place

Russia is confronting an unexpected challenge in its human spaceflight program after significant damage was discovered at the country’s primary crewed launch facility in Kazakhstan. The incident occurred moments after the successful liftoff of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft, which departed from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on November 27 carrying two Russian cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut to the International Space Station. Although the mission reached orbit without complications, the condition of

Amid heightened tensions in Latin America, the United States has issued a strong warning advising pilots, airlines, and operators to treat the airspace over and around Venezuela as closed. The statement was delivered by US President Donald Trump, who posted the alert during a period of intensified American counterdrug operations targeting trafficking networks operating near Venezuelan borders. His message underscored what officials describe as an increasingly unstable security climate, citing

Senior advocate Sai Deepak has challenged the account presented by the Pakistan High Commission in the United Kingdom regarding a scheduled debate between Indian and Pakistani speakers at the Oxford Union. The event, which was expected to feature prominent figures from both countries, became the centre of a controversy after the Pakistan High Commission publicly claimed that Indian participants withdrew at the last moment, resulting in what it described as a walkover. Deepak rejected this ver