Google Labs Launches AI Assistant CC to Deliver Daily Productivity Briefings

Himasha Dissanayake, JadeTimes Staff

H. Dissanayake is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology

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Image Source: ZoomBangla

Google Labs has unveiled a new experimental artificial intelligence assistant named CC, designed to help users better manage their daily tasks by sending personalized productivity summaries directly to their inbox each morning. Powered by Google’s advanced Gemini AI models, CC connects with a user’s Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive to synthesize key information into a concise briefing titled “Your Day Ahead.”

Unlike traditional digital assistants that live in a sidebar or separate app, CC operates primarily through email. Every morning, the agent analyzes a user’s incoming messages, upcoming calendar events, important files, and even relevant information from the broader web to create a tailored snapshot of the day’s priorities. This daily productivity briefing highlights schedules, key tasks, upcoming appointments, and reminders — such as bills or action items — all in a single message.

Users can interact with CC by replying directly to its emails or by sending messages to a dedicated address using the format [your-username]+cc@gmail.com. Through these interactions, CC learns personal preferences, remembers ideas, adds tasks to the user’s to-do list, and even generates email drafts or calendar links to help take action quickly.

Currently, CC is available as an early-access experiment for Google consumer account users aged 18 and older in the United States and Canada, with priority given to Google AI Ultra and paid subscribers on the waitlist. Participation requires enabling Workspace Smart Settings, and users retain full control, with the option to disconnect from the service at any time.

Google emphasizes that CC is a standalone experimental service and is not part of Google Workspace or the Gemini Apps suite. While it offers significant potential to streamline daily planning and enhance productivity, CC remains in an early testing phase, and its broader release will likely depend on user feedback and ongoing development.

Hong Kong, India Fuel Blockbuster Year for Asia Fundraising

Himasha Dissanayake, JadeTimes Staff

H. Dissanayake is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology

Image Source: Bloomberg

Note: Figures are as of Dec. 12, 2025

Asia's equity fundraising staged a dramatic comeback in 2025, led by a resurgent Hong Kong market and record-breaking activity in India, propelling the region to the forefront of global share sales.

Hong Kong reclaimed its position as Asia’s top fundraising hub for the first time since 2013, with proceeds from initial public offerings, placements, and block trades surging nearly fourfold to more than $73 billion. That performance placed the city just behind the United States globally and marked a sharp reversal from recent years, when weak sentiment and China-related concerns weighed heavily on dealmaking.

Chinese companies powered much of the rebound as they tapped capital markets to fund global expansion. Battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL) raised $5.3 billion in the world’s second-largest listing this year, while BYD Co. and Xiaomi Corp. each secured more than $5 billion through share placements. The momentum held despite geopolitical tensions and the rollout of new US tariffs.

“This year has exceeded expectations,” said James Wang, head of equity capital markets for Asia excluding Japan at Goldman Sachs. He added that volumes are likely to continue rising, though at a more measured pace.

The surge was broad-based across the region. Four of the world’s five largest share-sale venues in 2025 were in Asia — Hong Kong, India, mainland China, and Japan — underscoring the continent’s dominance in global equity issuance.

Hong Kong’s pipeline remains robust, with about 300 companies awaiting listings. While regulators have cautioned banks over rushed applications, investors are becoming more selective after a year of strong returns. Hong Kong IPOs delivered an average debut gain of nearly 50%, outperforming the Hang Seng Index, which is up 29.5% year to date despite some late-year volatility.

India also delivered a standout performance, recording a second consecutive year of record IPO proceeds exceeding $20 billion. Strong participation from domestic mutual funds and retail investors fueled billion-dollar-plus deals, while block trades by existing shareholders added to volumes. High-profile candidates, including Reliance Industries’ Jio Platforms, are expected to test the market next year.

Mainland China, meanwhile, saw renewed enthusiasm for listings aligned with Beijing’s strategic priorities, particularly in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, even as broader issuance remained more controlled.

Looking ahead, bankers expect Asia’s deal flow to remain active into 2026, supported by a deep pipeline and secondary offerings. However, valuation discipline, market performance, and geopolitical risks will play a decisive role in determining whether the region can surpass this year’s fundraising highs.

Nine EU Nations Urge Caution Over ‘Buy European’ Industry Plans

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business

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Image Source: REUTERS/Yves Herman

A group of nine European Union member states has called on the EU to exercise extreme caution in implementing “Buy European” strategies aimed at bolstering its industries. The nations voiced concerns over potential effects on prices, supply chains, and market competition.

The European Commission is expected to present proposals next month designed to strengthen EU industry by reducing CO2 emissions and increasing clean-tech production. Central to the proposals are requirements to prioritize locally manufactured goods, thereby decreasing reliance on Chinese imports.

France is a notable proponent of this initiative, with President Emmanuel Macron recently urging Chinese President Xi Jinping to address “unsustainable” trade imbalances, threatening tariffs if actions are not taken. Similarly, German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has advocated for a ‘Buy European’ policy for critical components, supported by Chancellor Friedrich Merz favoring European preference in public procurement.

Contrastingly, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Sweden, and Slovakia have urged the Commission to proceed with utmost caution. Their joint position paper, seen by Reuters, recommends that any ‘Made in Europe’ approach be thoroughly assessed for its impact on prices, supply chains, and competition before enactment.

The paper suggests that an EU preference policy should only be considered when no adequate alternatives exist and should be limited to specific strategic sectors for a defined period. The group emphasized the need to avoid burdensome verification of European origin for complex products.

They further caution that proposals should not disrupt EU trade relations, stressing the importance of maintaining partnerships with like-minded countries as part of the EU’s diversification strategy. The group warns that stringent measures could hinder innovation and investment while highlighting the current insufficiency of EU companies in meeting demand across emerging sectors.