Tech News

US sues to block Microsoft's blockbuster buyout of gaming giant Activision

The US Federal Trade Commission on Thursday sued to block Microsoft's $69 billion buyout of gaming giant Activision Blizzard, maker of the blockbuster "Call of Duty" title, over concerns that it would stifle competition.. The move by Washington follows an intervention by the European Union, which opened an in-depth probe into the transaction over its concerns that the deal would see Activision Blizzard's popular games become exclusive to Microsoft, the maker of the Xbox console.

Thu, Dec 8, 2022 1 mins read

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Frustration in Romania and Bulgaria after Schengen rejection

After more than 10 years waiting to be admitted into the Schengen zone, Bulgaria and Romania were once more turned away after two EU countries vetoed their admission.. - Austria's veto - The European Commission has long expressed its wish for a widened Schengen zone.

Thu, Dec 8, 2022 3 mins read

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Greenback to bear signatures of two women for first time

The US dollar will bear two women's signatures for the first time, belonging to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and US Treasurer Lynn Malerba, officials said Thursday as they unveiled the banknotes.. "This is the first time the signature of a woman Treasury Secretary will be on a US banknote.

Thu, Dec 8, 2022 1 mins read

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Industry lobbies against biodiversity goals: research

Lobbyists for pesticide and fertiliser producers are pushing "behind the scenes" against stronger protection for species and ecosystems at the COP15 biodiversity conference, research showed Thursday.. "We've tracked efforts from industry associations representing some of the world's biggest pesticide and fertiliser producers... strongly resisting global and EU targets for reducing the use of biodiversity-harming agrichemicals."

Thu, Dec 8, 2022 2 mins read

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Kazakhstan moves to reel in crypto mining

Kazakhstan, one of the world's leading locations for cryptocurrency mining, has moved to reel in the power-hungry industry that has often burdened the ageing energy grid of the Central Asian country.. According to data from the University of Cambridge, Kazakhstan was the world's third-largest miner of cryptocurrency as of January 2022, behind the United States and China. 

Thu, Dec 8, 2022 1 mins read

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UK turns to army as crippling strikes loom

Britain on Thursday said it was preparing to enlist the army to cover ambulances and border security before a wave of strikes this month as workers demand higher wages.. The Ministry of Defence is also in talks with the National Health Service, Downing Street said, after ambulance drivers voted to join nurses in going on strike this month.

Thu, Dec 8, 2022 2 mins read

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King Charles coins enter UK circulation

The first coins bearing the likeness of Britain's King Charles III entered circulation Thursday, The Royal Mint announced.. The Royal Mint, official producer of UK banknotes and coins, is initially releasing 4.9 million of the coins via transactions made at the country's postal offices.

Thu, Dec 8, 2022 0 mins read

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China's Xi meets Saudi crown prince on high-stakes visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince on Thursday on an Arab outreach visit that will yield billions of dollars in deals and has earned a rebuke from Washington. . His visit follows US President Joe Biden's trip in July, when he greeted Prince Mohammed with a fist-bump at the start of a vain attempt to convince the Saudis to raise oil production. rcb/th/fz

Thu, Dec 8, 2022 3 mins read

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Surveillance, hacking: whistleblower recalls Wirecard nightmare

When short seller Matthew Earl anonymously co-authored a report detailing explosive allegations of wrongdoing at German fintech champion Wirecard, his life was turned upside down. . Rather than triggering investigations into Wirecard, Earl's report led to German authorities launching a probe into him for alleged market manipulation.

Thu, Dec 8, 2022 3 mins read

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Huge Wirecard fraud trial opens in Germany

Germany's mammoth Wirecard fraud trial opens on Thursday, with ex-CEO Markus Braun and two former executives in the dock over their roles in the country's biggest-ever accounting scandal.. Wirecard's veteran CEO Braun, in custody since July 2020, faces charges of commercial gang fraud, breach of trust, accounting fraud and market manipulation.

Wed, Dec 7, 2022 3 mins read