Tootfinder

Sources: Apptronik, a humanoid robot maker backed by Google, is in the process of raising at least $400M led by B Capital at a $5B pre-money valuation (The Information)
https://www.theinformation.com/articles/google-backed-apptronik-tal…

Google-Backed Apptronik in Talks to Raise Funding at $5 Billion Valuation
Apptronik, a humanoid robot maker backed by Google, is in the process of raising at least $400 million at a $5 billion valuation not including the new money, according to two people familiar with the discussions. The new round,led by B Capital, would at least triple the startup’s valuation from ...

SAG-AFTRA praises California Governor Gavin Newsom for signing new legislation to protect a performer's likeness, saying it takes action "against AI abuse" (Alyssa Ray/The Wrap)
https://www.thewrap.com/sag-aftra-statement-new-law-agai…

SAG-AFTRA Praises Governor Newsom for Taking Action 'Against AI Abuse' With New Law: 'California Stands With Performers'
SAG-AFTRA voiced their appreciation for California lawmakers on Monday, after new legislation was signed to protect a performer's likeness.

"For a site that recently rose to prominence despite the calcified nature of the platform ecosystem [...] this is a crucial moment. Bluesky, some users feel, is failing to meet it."
(Original title: Bluesky Really Doesn’t Want People To Say ‘Rest In Piss’ About Charlie Kirk)
https://afterma…

After release from captivity, Russian POWs often 'sent back to die' in Ukraine: https://benborges.xyz/2025/09/15/after-release-from-captivity-russian.html

iRobot files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after reaching a restructuring support agreement to hand control to its secured lender and key supplier, Shenzhen Picea (Bloomberg)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-15/robot…

Robot Vacuum Roomba Maker Files for Bankruptcy After 35 Years
iRobot Corp. filed for bankruptcy after reaching a restructuring support agreement that will hand control of the consumer robot maker to Shenzhen PICEA Robotics Co., its main supplier and lender, and Santrum Hong Kong Co.

After EU pledge, can the Special Tribunal for Aggression for Ukraine bring Putin to The Hague?: https://benborges.xyz/2025/10/15/after-eu-pledge-can-the.html

Publicly traded Bitcoin miner Bitfarms says it will wind down its BTC operations and pivot to AI infrastructure after posting a net loss of $46M in Q3 (Logan Hitchcock/Decrypt)
https://decrypt.co/348573/bitfarms-wind-down-bitcoin-mining-pivot-ai-aft…

Bitfarms Will 'Wind Down' Bitcoin Mining and Pivot to AI After $46 Million Loss
Bitcoin miner Bitfarms will end its Bitcoin operations in the coming years, shifting focus to providing infrastructure for growing AI demand.

A day after Ukrainian drone strike, Russia's largest oil terminal in occupied Crimea is still on fire: https://benborges.xyz/2025/10/14/a-day-after-ukrainian-drone.html

Shares of Indian payment startup Pine Labs debuted at ~$2.73, up 9.5% from the ~$2.49 IPO price, after a $440M IPO earlier this week that was 2x oversubscribed (Soumyajit Saha/Nikkei Asia)
https://asia.nikkei.com/business/marke…

Indian fintech Pine Labs rises in trading debut after $440m offering
Payments company had earlier slashed IPO over valuation concerns

Nexperia says China banned it from exporting China-made products, as Beijing hits back at the Dutch government for taking over the Wingtech-owned chipmaker (Sarah Jacob/Bloomberg)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-1…

China Puts Export Controls on Nexperia After Dutch Takeover
China is blocking Nexperia from exporting products from the Asian nation after the Dutch government moved to seize control of the chipmaker.