Icon

Bob Mackie, the American fashion designer famed for his glamorous costumes worn by entertainment icons including Cher and Carol Burnett, has died at the age of 87. Known for dazzling beadwork, feathers and show-stopping gowns, Mackie dressed some of the biggest names in music and television across a career spanning more than six decades, and tributes are pouring in from the entertainment and fashion worlds.

Europe's reliance on foreign-made semiconductors is drawing renewed attention as its critical dependencies shape trade and technology diplomacy. The discussion focuses on how the EU balances supply-chain security with international relations, particularly given its dependence on chips and equipment produced largely in Asia and the United States.

The Economist is asking whether the semiconductor industry is headed for a severe downturn, questioning whether massive current investment in chips and AI-related demand can be sustained. The piece fuels debate about whether chipmakers' record valuations and spending plans reflect durable growth or an overheated bubble waiting to burst.

Ukraine's Defense Forces struck several Russian military targets on October 14 and during the night of October 15, including a drone launch site in Donetsk and a base of Russia's Rubicon unmanned systems unit in the Zaporizhzhia region, according to Ukraine's military reporting. The operations are part of Ukraine's continuing campaign against Russian drone infrastructure and command facilities.

Arm's chief financial officer said 'delivering silicon is definitely more complicated' as the chip designer reportedly considers deals to move beyond its licensing model toward actually making chips. The comments suggest a potential strategic pivot for the SoftBank-owned company, whose designs power most of the world's smartphones, and have fueled debate about whether Arm would become a competitor to its own licensees.

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is returning, and multiple US news outlets are publishing guides on what viewers need to know about the comeback. The revival of the long-running lingerie event, which was discontinued after criticism over its lack of inclusivity, is drawing widespread attention across American media coverage.

The Department of Commerce has announced an amended agreement with GlobalFoundries under the CHIPS Program, reallocating $955 million of the company's existing award. The redirected funds are intended to speed up investments in silicon photonics, silicon-germanium, and advanced packaging technologies. The move adjusts the focus of US semiconductor subsidy support toward emerging chip technologies rather than traditional fabrication capacity alone.

Stock futures pointed higher, yet selling in AI-related shares continued following news involving Anthropic. Taiwan Semiconductor reported strong earnings, offering a bright spot in the tech sector. Investors are weighing the mixed signals between ongoing AI sector pressure and solid results from a key chipmaker at the heart of the AI supply chain.

Dolly Parton, the American country music icon and songwriter, has died at the age of 80. Reports note that she shared an update on her health just days before her death. Parton was one of the most celebrated figures in music, known for a career spanning more than five decades and hits such as 'Jolene' and '9 to 5'. Further details about the cause of death have not been given.

Citroen is bringing back the 2CV, its iconic post-war French car, as a modern electric vehicle. The BBC reports the automaker is reviving the classic design for the electric age, tapping nostalgia for the famously simple 'Tin Snail' while moving toward electrification. Readers are weighing in on whether the redesign honors the car's famously bare-bones spirit.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's third-quarter figures show advanced chips accounting for 79% of wafer revenue, underscoring how strongly demand for leading-edge processors is driving its business. The breakdown highlights the company's central role in supplying chips for AI and high-end electronics, with investors watching its quarterly results closely as a barometer for the broader semiconductor industry.

A United States biotechnology company says its efforts to bring back the dodo are moving ahead. The flightless bird, known for its large hooked beak, was driven to extinction in the 17th century. The claim has reignited debate over whether de-extinction science is feasible and how such efforts should be prioritised.

An American company is working to resurrect the dodo, the flightless bird that went extinct in the late 17th century on Mauritius. Using genetic engineering techniques, the firm aims to recreate the species and potentially reintroduce it to its former habitat. De-extinction projects like this draw both fascination and criticism from scientists.

A jersey worn by Michael Jordan in an NBA Finals game has sold at auction for $14 million, setting a new record for basketball memorabilia. The sale is being widely reported as the highest price ever paid for a basketball item, underlining Jordan's lasting status as one of the sport's most valuable icons among collectors.

Revival, has launched. The release puts the iconic Pinhead and the Lament Configuration puzzle box into an interactive format for the first time in years. Horror fans and franchise followers are discussing the game's arrival, sharing early impressions and debating how faithfully it captures the tone of the original films.

Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell has spoken about holding U.S. citizenship while remaining fiercely Canadian, coining the term 'Canerican' and invoking Neil Young as a fellow example. She was speaking in connection with a new book of her paintings. The remarks have been picked up by music media and are drawing attention from fans of the folk legend.

Texas is on track to produce almost half of all U.S.-made silicon solar modules by 2027, according to pv magazine USA. The projection reflects a rapid buildout of solar manufacturing capacity in the state, positioning Texas as the center of the domestic solar supply chain as U.S. production expands.

Apple research describes a distributed virtual GPU cloud that pools idle Apple Silicon devices to serve computing workloads. The idea taps unused capacity in Macs already deployed in homes and offices, turning them into shared accelerators for AI and other demanding tasks. Discussion centers on how practical the approach is for real-world workloads and what it means for cloud GPU costs.

Russian semiconductor companies have shown off domestically developed CPU and SoC designs, demonstrating the silicon by running retro games. The designs include RISC-V and Arm-based processors alongside chips based on the Elbrus architecture. The display highlights Russia's push to build homegrown chip capability as Western sanctions restrict its access to foreign semiconductor technology.

Citroën is reviving its classic 2CV as an electric car priced around $17,000. The announcement has drawn attention because the 2CV is one of France's most beloved and recognizable cars, and its return as an affordable EV would be a notable move in the budget electric segment. Details on timing and specifications have not yet been confirmed.