Alphabet Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt has been appointed by the Pentagon to lead a special defense board. He will personally advise the agency on emerging tech brought familiar to him in Silicon Valley. Pentagon is reaching out to Silicon Valley as well as hackers to help improve the bureaucracy’s digital security.
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Google Grants $30 Million to European Tech News Publishers as the First Batch of the $170 Million Project
Google’s Digital News Initiative (DNI) program has just granted more than $30 million to selected projects in 23 European countries. It’s the first batch of the long-term $170 million project to help stimulate innovation in digital journalism.
Jack Ma To Extend His Media Dynasty Through Acquiring Stake In Caixin Media
Ma is going to expand his control in media arena through acquiring stake in Caixin Media. However, the media company has confirmed that the potential investors primarily agreed not to interfere in Caixin’s editorial interest. Details of the possible deal hasn’t been available from either party.
SunEdison’s Vivint Acquisition Efforts May Face Limbo
SunEdison has announced on Wednesday suspending quarterly dividend followed by earlier decision for making delay in disclosing quarterly earnings report. Following these revelations, the banks deciding earlier to extend loan facility, have pulled out from the loan commitments. Delay in disclosing earnings violate prior loan agreement which has been cited as the reason for pulling back.
Fidelity Wrote Down Canadian Unicorn Hootsuite and Other Tech Startups
Fidelity Investment wrote down many of tech startups in its January valuation report. Canadian startup darling Hootsuite Media Inc. was among the list.
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During five years, the Department of Energy’s ARPA-E program has invested in hundreds of projects for a total of $1.3 billion. The agency is still pushing forward to improve its funding system to help more projects commercialize its technologies.
Indian Finance Minister has apparently faced the brunt of imposing tax on withdrawals from EPF. Ahead of widespread criticism, he has explained certain provisions in the proposed budget arguing in its favor. However, he has hinted for a partial rollback.
Public worker unions are raising voice against huge fees and bonuses being paid to private fund managers. New Jersey's (N.J.) government worker pension fund paid $728 million in fees to private fund managers for 2015 year.
Cisco has acquired Leaba Semiconductor, an Israeli company for less than $400 million. The acquired company provides new ideas and solutions for important infrastructure difficulties. It focuses on the product design, development and marketing and develop affinity with silicon wafer manufacturers.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting National Bank of Greece via its trade finance scheme. From 2015, EBRD is investing in Greece, helping the crisis-hit economy recover as early as possible.
Argentina is planning to issue $15-bilion bonds making it the largest sum by any developing nation since 1996. Country's new President Mauricio Macri-led government will use funds mobilized through bonds for repaying debts and supporting government spending.
Led by energy and banking stocks, equities on Wall Street surged after the latest data buoyed investor confidence. Crude oil price was nearing $35 per barrel. Wall Street is waiting for jobs data to be released on Friday.
According to a latest 'Beige Book' from US Federal Reserve, economic activity in some districts has been slowing down, while some recorded modest growth in labor market. The latest financial market crash also hit consumer spending severely in some areas.
It's been almost a year since Exelon and Pepco announced their possible merger. Both companies are now facing difficulties as they need to comply with new conditions the district imposed. They have to adapt with the new terms if they want the merger to move forward.
