Tootfinder

Sources: DeepSeek is in talks to raise outside capital for the first time, seeking at least $300M at a valuation of at least $10B (The Information)
https://www.theinformation.com/articles/chinas-deepseek-raising-money-first-time-10-b…

China’s DeepSeek is Raising Money for First Time, At $10 Billion-Plus Valuation
DeepSeek is in talks to raise outside capital for the first time, seeking to beef up its financial war chest so it can better compete in the costly battle to develop leading AI models, according to four people familiar with the matter. DeepSeek is owned by Chinese hedge fund High-Flyer Capital ...

Forests don’t just store carbon. They keep people alive, scientists say https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/forests-dont-just-store-carbon-they-keep-people-alive-scientists-say/

Forests don’t just store carbon. They keep people alive, scientists say
For decades, a dominant argument for protecting forests has focused on carbon. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, store it in wood and soils, and slow the accumulation of greenhouse gases. A new scientific review suggests this emphasis overlooks other ways forests shape climate and human well-being. Forests, it argues, are not only a mitigation tool for […]

Vurt, a mobile-first vertical streaming platform designed for indie filmmakers to upload their micro series or feature films, launches with 100 episodes (Lauren Forristal/TechCrunch)
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/vurt-mobile-first-v…

Meet Vurt, the mobile-first streaming platform for indie filmmakers embracing vertical video | TechCrunch
Micro-drama apps make billions in consumer spending, so VURT launched its streaming app to allow indie filmmakers to capitalize on the vertical video trend.

"A fish a day: More than 300 freshwater species described in 2025"
#Fish #Animals
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A fish a day: More than 300 freshwater species described in 2025
More than 300 freshwater fish species were described in 2025. The fish come from around the world and a variety of ecosystems.

Länder setzen Bahn bei Sanierung Berlin-Hamburg Frist
Die Verzögerung bei der Bahnsanierung Berlin-Hamburg bringt fünf Regierungschefs auf die Palme. Ein Brief an die Bahn-Chefin macht das Projekt zum Politikum.
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Bluesky integrates Germ DM, an E2E encrypted messaging app built on AT Protocol, making it the first private messenger natively available in the Bluesky app (Sarah Perez/TechCrunch)
https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/18/a-st

A startup called Germ becomes the first private messenger that launches directly from Bluesky's app | TechCrunch
Social network Bluesky now offers private messaging by integrating the startup Germ's E2E encrypted messenger natively in its app.

Mediahuis is experimenting with AI agents for commissioning, writing, and more to "automate first line news", which is reviewed by humans prior to publication (Charlotte Tobitt/Press Gazette)
https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers…

Mediahuis trials use of AI agents to carry out 'first-line' news reporting
Belgium-based news publisher Mediahuis is experimenting with automating the production of its “first-line” news using AI agents.

Wow, serious rite of passage: my younger son playing his first lp... On our turntable unused for a decade or two, with a just-replaced cartridge... These speakers are also getting their first airing despite me having had them for years (gifted by a mate as excess to requirements)...

Mistral buys Paris-based Koyeb, which simplifies AI app deployment at scale and manages AI infrastructure, in its first acquisition; Koyeb raised $8.6M to date (Anna Heim/TechCrunch)
https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/17/mistral-ai-buys-k…

Mistral AI buys Koyeb in first acquisition to back its cloud ambitions | TechCrunch
Mistral AI has agreed to buy Koyeb, a Paris-based startup that simplifies AI app deployment at scale and manages the infrastructure behind it.