Microsoft embraces big data
By: the Economist April 23, 2020 TWO DECADES ago Microsoft was a byword for a technological walled garden. One of its bosses called free open-source programs a “cancer”. That was then. On April 21st the world’s most valuable tech firm joined a fledgling movement to liberate the world’s data. The company plans to launch 20 […]
Chinese bank publishes first-ever banking blockchain white paper
By: Cryptopolitan April 22, 2020 A major Chinese bank has published the first-ever banking blockchain white paper showcasing the potential of blockchain tech in finance. The blockchain-based financial application white paper by The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is grabbing eyeballs. It is rare to see white papers associated with blockchain technology being […]
Denmark Extends Business Aid to Increase Spending By $15 Billion
By: Bloomberg April 18, 2020 Denmark extended the duration of its aid programs to businesses and workers and added some new measures to increase spending by about 100 billion kroner ($15 billion). The government agreed with all parties in parliament to keep aid measures available until July 8, a month longer than previously planned, according […]
NHS in standoff with Apple and Google over coronavirus tracing
By: The Guardian April 16, 2020 The NHS is in a standoff with Apple and Google after the two tech firms refused to support the UK’s plans to build an app that alerts users when they have been in contact with someone with coronavirus. Apple and Google are encouraging health services worldwide to build contact-tracing […]
Which firms should pay dividends?
By: The Economist April 16, 2020 Over the next month the toll that lockdowns are inflicting on businesses will become more visible as big Western companies report their first-quarter results and start to give investors a steer on what to expect for the rest of 2020. For some, bankruptcy beckons—this week America’s banks warned of a […]
UK government using confidential patient data in coronavirus response
By: The Guardian April 12, 2020 Technology firms are processing large volumes of confidential UK patient information in a data-mining operation that is part of the government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, according to documents seen by the Guardian. Palantir, the US big data firm founded by the rightwing billionaire Peter Thiel, is working with […]
UK spy agencies urge China rethink once Covid-19 crisis is over
Locked doors and virtual votes at virus-hit AGMs
By: The Guardian April 12, 2020 Behind closed doors, at its headquarters in London’s West End, FTSE 100 distribution company Bunzl will hold its annual general meeting next week, attended by just two shareholders. The company, which supplies businesses with products such as coffee cups and cleaning materials, had scheduled its AGM for 15 April at a […]
To retire at 65, American millennials need to save almost half their paycheck
By: Weforum Nov 18, 2019 US millennials are now advised to save much more for retirement than previously suggested – 40% of income, compared to 15% in the past. Many millennials are at risk of having insufficient savings to retire comfortably. If you can’t save more of your income now, make sure you’re investing in […]