Eskom, a South African state owned power producer has attracted a probe over its deals for developing new power plants. Country’s finance minister has ordered the probe and cancelled post budget breakfast briefing scheduled to be broadcast by New Age newspaper. The move has been analyzed as a revolt within the government against Gupta family, intimate with President Jacob Zuma.
Legal & Regulatory
Ofcom Pauses Split of Openreach From BT, Instructs To Ensure Universal Broadband right
Openreach provides broadband internet service to BT and other operators in the UK. Since BT remains as the controlling authority of Openreach, so dependence appears as a major hurdle in rendering equal customer services. Observing the anomalies, Ofcom, the UK telecom regulator has instructed BT ensure universal broadband for all.
Louisiana Public Service Commission Rejected Macquarie's Move to Acquire Public Utility Cleco Power LLC
State regulator rejected a $4.85 billion dollar acquisition of utility power company Cleco to Macquarie Group on Wednesday. The regulator said that the acquisition did not serve the best interest of the customers.
China's Economic Slowdown Is Deliberate and Healthy, According to the IMF
The newly-elected managing director of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, spoke at the Global Women’s Forum 2016 regarding the global economy, especially in the wake of the China economic slowdown. Despite the prolonged slowdown, the IMF foresee that China’s lower growth was deliberate and healthy.
Mark Zuckerberg Supports Apple, Strongly Opposes Creating Backdoors For Law Enforcers
The US government has appeared in a row with Apple centering unlocking of encrypted data of an iPhone allegedly used by a terrorist. Apple opposes the demand citing creation of backdoors for the law enforcers, may lead to a potential abuse. Supporting Apple stand, Mark Zuckerberg has pledged playing due rolls in its fight while addressing in the Mobile World Congress on Monday.
Latest News
China’s ruling party decided to replace the country’s chairman of the securities regulator, Xiao Gang, with former central banker Liu Shiyu. The regulator has taken the blame for failing to stabilize the market turbulence in the country over the year.
The US Department of Justice has been favored with a court order in getting technical assistance from Apple for unlocking an iPhone. Apple CEO has vowed to challenge the court order citing iPhone security. Finally HECC has come forward to end the dead lock situation with invitation to Tim Cook for discussing a possible solution mentioning no set date.
Apple and FBI want to resolve their feud over the decryption of the iPhone of the San Bernardino shooter but the giant tech company turned FBI's request. John McAfee, inventor of the McAfee software, offers assistance to solve the case.
One of India’s biggest drug maker, Cipla, has received the government’s approval allowing the company to carry out an investment agreement formed last year with Mauritius-based FIL Capital Investments. Cipla is one of the 10 companies which had their clearance while the government also rejected 5 other foreign investment proposals.
Apple found support from Facebook and Twitter that it should not be forced to help FBI in unlocking the smartphone of one of the San Bernardino mass shooting assailants, Farook. Even if Apple unlocked phones in the past for solving criminal investigations, it is still the company' best interest to protect their privacy of their customers.
The Liberal Democratic Party has shot down the request put forth by the Government Pension Investment Fund to lift the ban imposed on it to make direct stock investments. The LDP made a final decision on Monday to keep the ban in place, fearing the government fund would gain direct control over private companies as well as bring down the pension benefits in cases of losses incurred on investments.
A startup offering up to $10,000 loan to help couples fund their wedding had shifted its business concept to a crowdfunding platform. The move infuriates many couples expecting the loan, whereas the startup said that the couple wouldn’t have to pay it back as long as they stay together. The change of business plan was due to overwhelming demand and regulation challenges, stated the company.
Kentucky and 26 other US states consider hemp cultivation and processing as legal. Industrial hemp and its derivatives are widely used in fabrics, shampoo, plastics, building materials etc. To avail the potential business opportunity, Seed CX has raised fund for $3.42 million aiming to run a platform for hemp and its derivatives.
Japan’s auto workers unions had agreed on slimmer pay raise of 3,000 yen, only half the amount they demanded last year. That would hinder Prime Minister Abe’s determination to put an end to the country’s economy stagnation by boosting domestic growth and reviving exports.
