Rumble Eyes Acquisition of German Cloud Firm Amid Data Security Concerns

The American video platform Rumble is considering acquiring the German cloud computing company Northern Data, which specializes in high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure solutions. The potential acquisition focuses particularly on Northern Data's cloud and data center operations, while Rumble plans to divest its cryptocurrency mining business prior to finalizing any deal.

Recently, it was disclosed that Rumble's proposed purchase price is significantly lower than Northern Data's market valuation, leading to a decline in the latter's stock prices. However, both the supervisory board and management of Northern Data have expressed their willingness to engage in further discussions regarding the potential takeover.

In a related matter, the messaging applications Signal and WhatsApp, known for their robust end-to-end encryption, have come under scrutiny after two Austrian security researchers presented findings at the DEFCON 2025 cybersecurity conference. Their research indicates that despite the encryption, certain metadata--such as delivery confirmations--can still expose information about the devices used and their statuses, raising questions about the overall security of these messaging platforms.

Additionally, the German Federal Minister of Economics, Katherina Reiche, has sparked controversy with her recent statements advocating for longer working hours and a delayed retirement age for Germans. In another interview, she suggested reducing subsidies for solar energy providers, prompting backlash from various stakeholders in the renewable energy sector who fear this could signal the complete removal of renewable energy funding.

Furthermore, Amazon is racing against time with its Project Kuiper, which involves launching a constellation of satellites to provide internet access from space. The company is required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to have half of its planned 3,236 satellites operational by July 2026 and to complete the constellation by July 2029. After several delays, including weather-related launch cancellations, Amazon successfully deployed its first batch of 27 internet satellites earlier this year and has continued with subsequent launches.

Meanwhile, the German railway company Deutsche Bahn is preparing to introduce a new generation of trains known as the ICE L, which was originally slated for service in October 2024. Delays attributed to supplier issues and complex regulatory processes have postponed the launch, but the company now plans to present the first ICE L train to the public on October 17, 2025.

In other notable developments, OpenAI is rolling out its latest language model, GPT-5, which will be integrated into iOS 26 for iPhone users this September. Additionally, Berlin is set to test a new bicycle traffic light system that predicts whether cyclists can reach the next traffic signal while it's green.

Finally, technological advancements continue to emerge, with a new 100-kW laser weapon developed in Australia capable of neutralizing multiple drones simultaneously, showcasing the rapid evolution of defense technology.