Cryptoassets increase risk in developing economies, study says
NEW YORK Cryptoassets, peddled as the future of finance, have not only failed to deliver on their promise
2023-08-23 02:16
Sara Sharif: Surrey Police had contact with family of murdered girl
A senior Surrey Police officer said contact with the murdered girl's family had been "historic".
2023-08-23 01:57
NBA fines James Harden $100,000 for 'public trade demands'
The NBA announced Tuesday that it has fined Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden $100,000 for what the league is calling "public trade demands."
2023-08-23 01:53
West Ham's second Mohammed Kudus offer rejected by Ajax
West Ham have had a second offer for Mohammed Kudus rejected by Eredivisie giants Ajax. The Hammers remain in talks and hope to get a deal over the line before the transfer window closes on September 1.
2023-08-23 01:19
Microsoft changes its takeover of Call of Duty developer in attempt to get it approved
Microsoft has made a major change to its proposed takeover of the developer of Call of Duty, in yet another attempt to get it completed. The company is hoping to buy Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, or £54 billion, in what would be one of the biggest sales ever. But it has faced intense regulatory scrutiny, including by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, which has looked to block the deal. Now it has said that it has sent a fresh proposal for how the takeover would work in an attempt to convince the CMA that the deal should go ahead. But it has stressed that there is still no “green light” for the deal. It came as the regulator confirmed on Tuesday that Microsoft‘s original plan to buy the computer games company “cannot proceed”. Under the new proposal, Microsoft would sell off its rights to offer games via the cloud for new or existing Activision PC or console games for the next 15 years outside the European Economic Area (EEA). It will instead sell those rights to Ubisoft, a rival developer known for the Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry games series. This is designed to ensure that gamers have access to Activision Blizzard’s games, even on consoles and computers not made by Microsoft. The CMA will now launch a new probe into this deal, a so-called Phase 1 investigation. CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell said: “The CMA has today confirmed that Microsoft‘s acquisition of Activision, as originally proposed, cannot proceed. “Separately, Microsoft has notified a new and restructured deal, which is substantially different from what was put on the table previously “This is not a green light. We will carefully and objectively assess the details of the restructured deal and its impact on competition, including in light of third-party comments.” Microsoft president Brad Smith said: “Under the restructured transaction, Microsoft will not be in a position either to release Activision Blizzard games exclusively on its own cloud streaming service, Xbox Cloud Gaming, or to exclusively control the licensing terms of Activision Blizzard games for rival services.” It marks a new twist in the case, the biggest fight the CMA has taken on since gaining new post-Brexit powers. At one point the case looked like as though it would only end after a court battle. In January 2022 Microsoft announced that it planned to buy Activision Blizzard, the company behind the Call Of Duty and World Of Warcraft games, for an eye-watering sum. When the UK was still an EU member, a deal of that size would have been assessed by regulators in Brussels. But after Brexit the CMA now has the power to investigate such deals itself. Although both companies are American, both have significant businesses in the UK so their tie-up could have a significant impact on competition here. Activision Blizzard chief executive Bobby Kotick said: “For us, nothing substantially changes with the addition of this divestiture: our merger agreement with Microsoft, closing deadline, and the cash consideration to be paid for each Activision Blizzard share at closing remain the same. “We will continue to work closely with Microsoft and the CMA throughout the remaining review process, and we are committed to help Microsoft clear any final hurdles as quickly as possible. “This has been a longer journey than expected, and I am very proud of how focused everyone has remained on delivering great games.” Additional reporting by agencies Read More Meta could finally launch Threads feature everyone is waiting for Japanese scientists hoping for a message from alien life imminently iPhone 15 could bring two major changes to fix battery life Meta could finally launch Threads feature everyone is waiting for Japanese scientists hoping for a message from alien life imminently iPhone 15 could bring two major changes to fix battery life
2023-08-23 00:59
Tokelau profile
Provides an overview of Tokelau, including key events and facts about this Pacific Ocean territory.
2023-08-23 00:54
US commerce secretary will visit China next week at a critical moment for the world's top two economies
US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will visit China next week at a critical time for the world's second-largest economy — and for the Biden administration's relationship with the country and its leaders.
2023-08-23 00:51
Georgia Rico case: John Eastman surrenders to authorities
Ex-Trump lawyer John Eastman is one of two accused in the Georgia indictment to surrender on Tuesday.
2023-08-23 00:50
White House: China economic data less transparent in recent months
By Andrea Shalal and David Ljunggren The United States on Tuesday criticized China for reducing the transparency of
2023-08-23 00:50
Sigma Lithium, eyeing buyout, sues ex-CEO and daughter-in-law over trade secrets
By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK Sigma Lithium, which produces metal used in electric vehicle batteries, has sued a
2023-08-23 00:48
British tourist drowns jumping into lake to cool off during family holiday to Turkey
A British tourist, aged 43, has reportedly drowned after he jumped into a lake to cool off during a family holiday to Turkey. The man was part of an organised tour at the Manavgat Dam in Antalya, when he dove into the water for respite from the 33C summer, according to news reports. A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office confirmed a British man had died in Turkey and that it was “in touch with local authorities” in a statement. He reportedly entered the water from a pier platform connected to a riverside restaurant. Shortly after, he appeared to struggle and reportedly made desperate attempts to stay afloat. Local media reported that while some onlookers rushed to help the man, others alerted authorities about the incidents. Officers from Turkey’s Gendarmerie General Command, rescue divers and emergency service providers responded to the scene. Divers reportedly retreived the man’s lifeless body from around 40ft beneath the water’s surface. Medical staff reportedly waiting on dry land pronounced the man dead, as his body was sent to the Antalya Forensic Medicine Institute for a post-mortem examination. It is currently not clear why the man drowned, and it is hoped the autopsy will provide more details into the tragic incident. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office told the Evening Standard: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Turkey, and are in touch with local authorities.” Antalya, known for its blue waters and stunning coastline, is a popular Turkish holiday destination that accounts for around 30 per cent of the country’s foreign visitors. Last month, temperatures in Antalya touched 44C as a heatwave swept across many European countries, including Spain, Greece, and Italy. Read More Lucy Letby news – latest: Whistleblower hits out at NHS failings after concerns about killer nurse ignored Pakistani rescuers try to free 6 children and 2 men from a cable car hundreds of feet in the air Eighteen bodies found in Greek forest hit by fire believed to be migrants Turkey says UN lost neutrality after world body condemns Cyprus roadwork, assault on peacekeepers Major wildfires burn in Greece, Spain's Canary Island of Tenerife A bus crashes off the road in central Turkey, leaving 12 passengers dead
2023-08-23 00:47
Armed gardaí, dog units and checkpoints to tackle Dublin crime
The money from the Irish government will allow 16,500 hours of police overtime per month.
2023-08-23 00:25
