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November Pixel Drop: Google brings Gemini Intelligence, custom widgets and AI summaries
Google's November Pixel Drop expands Gemini Intelligence on Pixel 10 with improved voice typing, task automation and proactive suggestions. The update also introduces personalised widgets, AI-powered conversation summaries, additional icon styles and upgraded Call Screen features on Pixel 11 devices. Google has also launched Pixel Tag, its new accessory for tracking personal belongings.
How Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's extramarital affair could cause collateral damage in Washington
The affair between Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and a Chinese businesswoman suspected of spying for Beijing has triggered investigations in the US, raising concerns over national security and the security of sensitive AI technology. The controversy has drawn scrutiny from Congress, the Justice Department and Nvidia's board, with President Donald Trump also weighing in.
Local partner wanted for Xiaomi ‘home’ coming
The proposal is in the exploratory phase, but the Chinese technology company is set to begin evaluating potential Indian suppliers, according to one of the persons who did not wish to be identified. “It marks a natural progression for Xiaomi as it has committed to expanding beyond air purifiers into categories such as air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines,” the person said.
Trump's close ties to Nvidia's Huang scrutinized after foreign intelligence concerns
Huang is one of Trump's closest allies in Silicon Valley, and the relationship between the two dates to at least 2025. Over the past two years, he has repeatedly voiced support for the administration's agenda and become a regular presence in Washington as Nvidia sought to sell advanced chips to the Chinese market.
Apple Intelligence AI service registers with Chinese regulator for use on tablets, laptops
The cyberspace regulator in China's Shanghai said on Monday that Apple's generative AI service, Apple Intelligence, has been registered for use on tablets and laptops in China.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping likely to skip ASEAN Summit in Manila: Report
The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shared this information on Wednesday while responding to reports about Xi's expected absence from the annual summit, which the Philippines is hosting this year.

Chinese chipmaker YMTC puts IPO on hold as weaker markets weigh, sources say
That process has been put on hold due to "various factors", according to an internal note YMTC sent to its staff and seen by Reuters. It did not elaborate on the factors. The delay, which two of the people said could last several months, has not been reported previously.

European shares fall as tech stocks slide, Middle East tensions weigh
European shares declined as technology stocks led losses amid concerns over AI valuations and escalating US-Iran tensions. Rising oil prices added pressure, while stronger earnings expectations lifted healthcare stocks, with Bayer gaining 6% after raising its 2026 profit outlook.

Tehran's negotiators leave Doha with no breakthrough in talks
Amid fears the conflict could reignite after Tuesday's midterm elections in the United States, China and Russia both spoke out on Monday against the possibility of renewed military action in a war that has hit the global economy.

First Apple Intelligence features land in China, with Alibaba’s Qwen on board
The tech giant has partnered with Alibaba to bring its Qwen model into some of the experiences. Chinese users will be able to use Qwen through Siri, Writing Tools, and Visual Intelligence, enabling text and image understanding. Users can access it by signing in with a Qwen account or through Apple, the company said in a blog post.

Fintechs fortify cyber defences; Logistics cos in the speed lane
Happy Monday! Fintechs are stepping up security as AI-powered cyberattacks become more sophisticated. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

'We do it even better': Trump says US outperforms China, Russia in spy operations ahead of midterms
During a recent campaign rally in Iowa, Trump emphasized that the US also spies on China and Russia. He reassured attendees that the US performs these operations more effectively than its adversaries. This statement coincided with recent scrutiny of Chinese intelligence efforts targeting US military personnel. Two Chinese nationals had recently received prison sentences for acting as agents of the Chinese government in the US.

Washington set to cut wire connecting Chinese companies to US phone numbers
The US Federal Communications Commission intends to vote on banning Chinese telecom firms from accessing US phone numbers. Concerns around national security have led to this potential decision against companies like China Mobile and China Telecom. The measure aims to prevent illegal robocalls and protect US telecommunications. China has opposed this likely ban, asserting it undermines legitimate business practices.
US plans to ban Chinese telecom firms from direct access to US phone numbers
The United States will soon prohibit Chinese telecom companies from having direct access to American phone numbers. This action aims to enhance national security and curb illegal robocalls. The Federal Communications Commission is set to vote on this proposal. The FCC may also revoke number authorizations for firms posing security risks. Concerns about espionage linked to Chinese firms have significantly increased in recent years.

Who sent $2 bn military equipment to Iran past US blockade? More than 5,000 agencies
Iran has developed a clandestine network involving over 5,000 agencies to import military equipment and evade sanctions. This network functions despite ongoing US naval blockades and sanctions since the war began. Extensive investigations reveal significant transactions and military logistics supporting their activities. The secretive agencies have been linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and elite controlled businesses.

Eric Swalwell controversy: Who is Stephen Cloobeck? Why has FBI raided billionaire donor's Beverly Hills mansion?
Stephen Cloobeck, who founded the Diamond Resorts International timeshare company and ran last year for California governor, contributed more than $23,000 to Swalwell’s congressional campaigns since 2017, federal campaign finance records show.

ED arrests Delhi-based ticketing agent in 'Dunkey Route case' linked to Indians deported from USA in Feb 2025
Tarun Khosla, a Delhi-based ticketing agent, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in October 2025. He was involved in facilitating illegal immigration through the Dunkey Route, which includes dangerous crossings. The ED's investigation revealed Khosla's coordination with various agents and local contacts in South America. Over 300 Indians were deported from the USA after illegally entering via this route.

Asin and Micromax co-founder Rahul Sharma’s approach to raising daughter Arin: No TV or mobile phones at home, books for older classes and 12 languages, including Chinese and Korean
Asin Thottumkal and Rahul Sharma are raising their daughter, Arin Rayn Sharma, without any screens at home. They have chosen to fill their residence with an extensive collection of books meant for higher classes. Arin is reported to have the ability to understand and speak around twelve different languages. The couple believes that their reading-focused environment is beneficial for their child's development.

A missed call for China is a loud wake-up call for desi companies
Indian smartphone brands Lava and Ai+ are gaining market share as Chinese rivals retreat amid soaring memory chip prices and shrinking demand. Domestic brands captured 7% of shipments in the September quarter, their highest share in nearly eight years. Government incentives and India's manufacturing expansion offer a boost, but technology, distribution, after-sales service and customer loyalty remain critical to sustained growth.

Branch managers, 37 mule accounts & Rs 7.3 crore racket: How labourers were lured with loan promises only to have their documents misused. Police probe Chinese link
Two branch managers of a private bank are under investigation for their alleged role in a Rs 7.3-crore mule-account racket linked to 99 cybercrime complaints across India. Six people, including one branch manager, have been arrested, while another manager remains absconding. Police are probing alleged forged KYC documents, suspected cryptocurrency transactions and a possible link to a Chinese national.

Smartphones need some new smart sell
India's smartphone sales are in a slump, mirroring a global decline. Consumers are increasingly opting to hold onto their devices longer, while premium brands like Apple and Samsung show more resilience than their mass-market competitors. The industry appears to have hit a technological plateau, with minimal advancements noted. This slowdown may pave the way for future innovations that provide more essential features for users.

Putin agrees to resume trilateral talks on Ukraine war with Kyiv and Washington, Kremlin says
Vladimir Putin has agreed to resume negotiations with Washington and Kyiv regarding the conflict in Ukraine. The trilateral talks will focus on establishing a post-war security system for both countries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insists on a leaders' summit to address ongoing hostilities. Recent discussions have yielded minimal progress amid continued military confrontations in Ukraine. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff noted a slight momentum in peace efforts following multiple high-level meetings.

Trump envoy Witkoff meets Putin in St. Petersburg for Ukraine war talks
Steve Witkoff held talks with Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg to discuss peace efforts regarding Ukraine. These meetings follow Witkoff's recent discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Oslo. Zelenskyy emphasized the need to freeze the conflict to achieve an end to the war. Trump expressed increasing pressure on Zelenskyy to negotiate a deal with Russia. Ongoing Russian attacks in Ukraine continue to result in casualties and damage to infrastructure.

North Korea is one of the poorest countries in the world, but its dictator Kim Jong Un lives an ultra-luxurious lifestyle, which includes a bulletproof train and yachts: A look at his fortunes
Kim Jong Un leads a life characterized by extreme wealth and excesses while much of North Korea suffers from poverty. He travels in luxury, using a bulletproof train and various high-end aircraft for international trips. His collection of superluxury yachts has been spotted near his summer retreat in Wonsan. On the other hand, many ordinary citizens in North Korea struggle to secure basic meals each day amid poor economic conditions.

Price shock trumps festive cheer as India smartphone shipments hit decade low
India's smartphone market faced a 26% decline in shipments in Q3 2026 compared to the previous year. Factors like rising prices and cautious consumer spending reduced replacement demand for smartphones. Samsung regained the top market position, shipping 6.7 million units with a strong premium portfolio. Apple also entered the top five, driven by demand for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 models.

US banning Chinese AI DeepSeek from government agency IT systems
The department is also banning acquisition of DeepSeek products and third-party services developed using DeepSeek by US civilian government agencies. DHS said DeepSeek models pose "multiple threat vectors" and raised concerns that use of the product "may result in the transfer of sensitive data to the PRC if used by US government employees or vendors."

India's smartphone shipments slip 26 pc to decade-low in Q3, Samsung regains top spot: Report
Major Chinese players Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi are estimated to have seen a decline in shipments while Samsung regained top position despite a marginal dip in shipments.

Army Major's wife, ChatGPT, Claude & China links: How this Indian woman landed in the middle of Jammu espionage probe
An Army officer’s wife has been booked in Jammu in an alleged espionage case for reportedly preparing research papers on sensitive national security issues using AI tools ChatGPT and Claude. Officials, as cited by PTI, alleged that she was in contact with foreign nationals, including individuals suspected of links to Chinese intelligence agencies. Her mobile phone has been seized for forensic examination, and investigators are probing whether sensitive information was shared.
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