TECH NEWS

Manus seeks $4B valuation in new $500M fundraise as it resumes independent ops

Chinese AI startup Manus, which earlier this year had to break off a merger with Meta, is in discussions to raise $500 million at a $4 billion valuation now that it has resumed operations as an independent company, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing anonymous sources.

Potential investors in the round include IDG Capital, Boyu Capital, battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology, as well as existing backers Tencent, HSG and Zhenfund, the Journal reported. Manus is also said to be considering a restructuring exercise to prepare for an IPO in Hong Kong.

Manus, which went viral following a demo of its AI agent last year, relocated its staff to Singapore in mid-2025 before announcing a $2 billion acquisition deal with Meta that December. The startup was said to be pulling in annual recurring revenue of over $100 million at the time.

However, intensifying worries in China over losing AI talent...

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In India, the new iPhone can arrive faster than a pizza

For some iPhone buyers in India, getting Apple’s brand-new iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max did not require lining up outside a store or waiting days for delivery. They needed only a few taps on a quick-commerce app to get one delivered to their doorstep in about

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Porsche has built a battery cell whose cathode is entirely recycled from its own old packs

Porsche and the Aachen recycler cylib have produced pilot battery cells in which 100% of the cathode active material, the lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese, came from Porsche’s own end-of-life packs. The EU Batteries Regulation will require only 6% recycled lithium and 6% recycled nickel in a new battery

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Nexperia will make chips in India with Tata as it splits from Wingtech

“We are thrilled to partner with Nexperia for manufacturing their products at our semiconductor facilities in Dholera and Jagiroad,” said Randhir Thakur, chief executive of Tata Electronics. The Dutch chipmaker and the Indian manufacturer announced a partnership on Thursday covering chip production and packaging in India. They issued the joint

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Newsom pitches an AI kill switch for California

Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order asking a working group to report within two months on strengthening California’s AI safety laws, including whether companies should build a kill switch for frontier models. He vetoed SB 1047, which required developers to be able to promptly enact a full shutdown,

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In India, the new iPhone can arrive faster than a pizza

Porsche has built a battery cell whose cathode is entirely recycled from its own old packs

Nexperia will make chips in India with Tata as it splits from Wingtech

Newsom pitches an AI kill switch for California