Freshworks Eyes Acquisitions Worth Millions, With AI Firms in Focus U.S. software company Freshworks is preparing for a new wave of acquisitions as it looks to accelerate growth using its $800 million cash reserve, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and employee experience software. CEO Dennis Woodside said the company has already held discussions with potential acquisition targets across several global markets. Global AI Boom Drives Dealmaking The company’s renewed appetite for mergers and acquisitions comes amid a surge in AI-driven dealmaking across the tech sector. According to J.P. Morgan, global M&A volumes rose 39% to reach $4.3…
Author: StratNewsGlobal Tech Team
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China’s Zhuque-3 Rocket Achieves Key Breakthrough Despite Landing Failure China’s Zhuque-3 reusable rocket achieved a significant milestone during its maiden flight, marking the country’s first attempt to recover an orbital stage of a carrier rocket. Although the final-stage recovery failed, the mission was hailed as a major breakthrough by Dai Zheng, commander in chief of the Zhuque-3 mission and CEO of LandSpace, the rocket’s developer. A Leap Forward in China’s Reusable Rocket Technology Developed independently by LandSpace, the Zhuque-3 is a large-capacity, low-cost, reusable liquid-fuel launch vehicle designed to deploy large satellite constellations. The rocket lifted off from the Dongfeng…
U.S. Lawmaker Seeks Clarification on Trump’s Decision Allowing Nvidia Chip Sales to China U.S. Representative John Moolenaar, chair of the House of Representatives’ bipartisan select committee on China, has asked Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to explain President Donald Trump’s decision to allow Nvidia to sell its H200 artificial intelligence chips to China. The move, announced earlier this week, marks a significant departure from the export control policies enforced by both Trump’s previous administration and that of former President Joseph Biden. Break from Previous Export Controls In a letter sent on Friday, Moolenaar cited reports suggesting that Trump’s decision was partly…
Google to Build Subsea Cables in Papua New Guinea Funded by Australia Google will construct three subsea internet cables across Papua New Guinea (PNG) in a $120 million project fully funded by Australia under the Pukpuk Treaty, the Pacific nation’s acting minister for information and communications technology, Peter Tsiamalili, said on Friday. The initiative aims to strengthen PNG’s digital infrastructure while bolstering regional security ties between Canberra and Port Moresby. Boosting Digital Links and Regional Stability The new high-capacity cables will connect northern and southern Papua New Guinea with the Bougainville autonomous region, enhancing connectivity and data speed across the…
U.S. Lawmaker Seeks Ban on Chinese Lidar in Cars and Critical Infrastructure A U.S. lawmaker has introduced legislation aimed at eliminating Chinese-made sensors from self-driving vehicles and critical infrastructure, citing fears they could be hacked or disabled remotely during a conflict. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois and ranking member of the House Select Committee on China, proposed the bill this week to phase out Chinese lidar technology across key sectors. Lidar sensors, which use lasers to map surroundings for autonomous vehicles, are also widely used in port automation and industrial systems. The bill would prohibit new purchases of…
Bezos Earth Fund Pledges $24.5 Million to Create World’s First Cross-Border Marine Biosphere Reserve The Bezos Earth Fund, the world’s largest climate-focused philanthropy, has announced $24.5 million in new grants to safeguard marine ecosystems spanning Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador — a move that could lead to the creation of the planet’s first cross-border marine biosphere reserve. Protecting a Vital Marine Corridor The four grants will support local communities and conservation organisations working to preserve key coastal and oceanic habitats in one of the world’s most biodiverse marine corridors. The largest of these grants — $13.85 million — will…
Australia Becomes First Country to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16 Australia will on Wednesday implement the world’s first nationwide ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, a landmark move aimed at safeguarding young users from online harms. The restriction will prevent minors from accessing platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, placing the country at the forefront of global efforts to regulate digital access for children. A Landmark Law with Global Implications Passed in November 2024, Australia’s new law compels major social media companies to block users under 16 from registering or…
Musk and Huang to Lead AI Discussion at U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang are set to headline a discussion on advances in artificial intelligence and technology during a high-profile U.S.-Saudi Arabia investment forum in Washington on Wednesday, according to a document reviewed by Reuters. Focus on the Future of Technology The discussion will centre on “the emerging forces shaping the next wave of technological progress,” exploring new architectures, models, and investments that are driving an increasingly intelligent and interconnected world. Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdullah Alswaha, will moderate…
IBM in Advanced Talks to Acquire Confluent for $11 Billion IBM is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire data-infrastructure firm Confluent for around $11 billion, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal on Sunday. The potential deal would strengthen IBM’s position in the fast-growing cloud and data services market, aligning with its strategy to boost software and artificial intelligence capabilities. Strengthening Cloud and Data Capabilities Confluent operates an open-source platform that processes vast volumes of real-time data, ranging from bank transactions to website clicks. The acquisition, which could be announced as early as Monday, would enhance IBM’s ability…
Regulators in India Rejects Pharma Industry Pleas for More Time India’s drug regulator has directed all pharmaceutical manufacturers to fully comply with international quality standards by January, rejecting appeals from smaller companies for additional time. The decision follows renewed public concern after contaminated cough syrup was linked to 24 child deaths in central India since September. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) issued a notice on Friday instructing state regulators to begin immediate inspections of all manufacturing units. The order enforces compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) standards under “Schedule M,” which requires stringent measures to prevent cross-contamination and…