Top Stories: Google Launches its First Asia-Pacific Cybersecurity Hub in Tokyo

• Google Launches its First Asia-Pacific Cybersecurity Hub in Tokyo
• Singtel Reduces its Holdings in Bharti Airtel With $710 Million Sale
• SK Hynix Injects $1 Billion in AI Memory Chip Technology
• US Pushes Allies to Limit China's Access to Chip Technology
• Photography Giant Nikon Acquires RED Digital Cinema in Landmark Deal

Google Launches its First Asia-Pacific Cybersecurity Hub in Tokyo

Asian countries are set to have even better cybersecurity measures, as Google just launched its first Asia-Pacific cybersecurity hub in Tokyo, the Japanese capital.

This is because of the growing concerns among Asian countries about increasing cybersecurity threats from computer networks and governments in China and other parts of the world.

The renowned tech giant, valued at $1.7 trillion with over 4.9 billion users globally, has confirmed that it plans to invite cybersecurity experts and engineers from India, Australia, South Korea, and Japan for training to enable them to boost cyber defence across the Asia-Pacific region. Google has stated that it will not receive any compensation for the joint research in the region. – Henry Chikwem

Singtel Reduces its Holdings in Bharti Airtel With $710 Million Sale

Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) has decided to reduce its holdings in India’s popular mobile operator, Bharti Airtel, by selling a part of its stock valued at $710 million.

According to the telecom operator, its motive behind the move was to diversify assets by focusing on 5G operations, data centres, IT services and reducing net debt.

Singtel sold the stock to a US investment firm known as GQG Partners which has caused its stake to reduce from 29.8% to 29%, valued at $33 billion. Singtel has been a major stakeholder in Bharti Airtel for 20 years and had previously made a similar sale in 2022, which amounted to $2.54 billion. – Henry Chikwem

SK Hynix Injects $1 Billion in AI Memory Chip Technology

The world’s second-largest memory chip maker, SK Hynix, has decided to inject $1 billion in AI memory chip technology to boost the final steps of its chip manufacturing process and to maintain its lead in the memory chip market.

The company believes that doing this will set itself apart in the industry, reduce competition, and create advanced modern chips that will boost performance and lessen power consumption.

The chip maker is South Korea’s second-most valuable company, with its stock gaining nearly 120% since the start of 2023. It is also valued at $85.3 billion, thanks to Nvidia, which chose the company to provide high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for its AI accelerators. – Henry Chikwem

US Pushes Allies to Limit China's Access to Chip Technology

In a move with potential global implications, the US government is reportedly urging key allies like Japan, South Korea, and Germany – all major players in chip production – to further restrict China's access to advanced semiconductor technology.

Specifically, the US reportedly seeks limitations on selling specialized chemicals like photoresist, a crucial element in chip manufacturing, to China. Additionally, they are pushing the Netherlands, home to leading chip equipment maker ASML, to restrict servicing and repairs of existing equipment sold to Chinese clients.  

This news comes amidst ongoing tensions between the US and China in the semiconductor sector. These restrictions could significantly impact China's chip sector, reducing its global production from its current 9%, and potentially dampening its technological advancement. – David Adubiina

Photography Giant Nikon Acquires RED Digital Cinema in Landmark Deal

In a surprising twist set to shake up the photography industry, Nikon, the renowned camera company, has announced an unexpected acquisition of RED Digital Cinema.

This acquisition marks a fusion of Nikon's illustrious legacy in optics and imaging with RED's cinema camera technology used in Hollywood productions like Guardians of the Galaxy and The Queen's Gambit. Nikon is expected to leverage its established distribution network and financial resources to further propel RED's technology and potentially expand its reach to a wider range of filmmakers.

What makes this move even more unexpected is that just two years ago, the two were embroiled in a legal battle over video compression patents that was later dismissed. Although the financial details remain under wraps, RED will transition into a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nikon. This strategic integration positions Nikon to capitalize on the burgeoning professional digital cinema camera market, estimated at over $1 billion. – David Adubiina

– Editing by Emmanuel Oyedeji and Loy Okezie

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