The new budget for South Africa may witness a major focus on government spending, sluggish global economy and inflation. The debt component is also increasing to about 50 percent of GDP. Global rating agencies have downgraded South Africa's sovereign credit rating.
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NASA Calls Coders to Create New Algorithms to Improve Its Robonaut's Vision
NASA is seeking new algorithms that could enable its Robonaut 2 to see better, despite the worn out sensors due to constant radiation. Coders can participate in a competition held by NASA and submit algorithms that could solve the problem and could also work with the humanoid’s existing central system and machinery.
Battery Ventures XI Closes Pair of Funds Raising $950 Million
Battery Ventures X has been closed in February 2013 with a fund of $900 million. Now, the Battery Ventures XI is going to be closed at $950 million, surpassing the predecessor funds. A large number of venture firms are expecting to receive funds in 2016, which may be good or bad news for some institutional investors.
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.
Canadian venture capital at 10-year high
Led by technology sector, venture capital (VC) investments in Canada reached 10 year high in 2015. Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA) said 536 deals in funding for entrepreneurs raised $2.25 billion in 2015.
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Usher and Robert Downey Jr. join a list of investors to help fund online learning platform MasterClass in its Series B round. In total, the round raised $15 million as the company plan to further expand its area of subjects as well as adding new instructors.
Elon Musk has shared a brainchild for travelling from one city to another with extraordinary speed through a hyperloop in 2013. The plan is now getting implemented at Quay Valley in California. If the project becomes commercially viable, people will get an opportunity to travel at 800 MPH subject to getting approval from the government authorities.
Electric Vehicle (EV) purchasers enjoy different sorts of benefits from the federal and state governments. Irked with the subsidies, the Koch Brothers have dedicated a fund for lobbying in pulling back the subsidies for EVs. Tesla Motors CEO, Elon Musk has however, protested the news ignoring the fact that his comparison may be treated as ‘Apple to Apple’ or ‘Apple to Orange’.
Williams Cos has decided to offload its Canadian operations for $1 billion. It is hoping to put it on the block in next week. In fact, it has already appointed two investment banks to oversee the sale process.
China has unveiled a series of new initiatives to push its economy growth rate. The government is keen on meeting the increasing demand in small and medium-sized homes. Another set of new rules for accelerating reforms at state-owned enterprises will be announced soon.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is seeking an approval from Union Finance Ministry for easing capital restrictions on Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs). RBI has recommended Union Finance Ministry to raise the cap on sponsor's holding in asset reconstruction companies.
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.
Silicon Valley tech industries have been witnessing a downward trend during the last couple of years. Fenwick & West LLP has revealed their fourth quarter findings on valuations of some Silicon Valley companies. The report shows a decrease in valuation position of the companies during the fourth quarter compared to the strong position in the third quarter.
Lumber Liquidators' shares dropped as a CDC health report elevated cancer risk factor in laminate flooring. The formaldehyde content increased the risk of cancer in certain flooring products.
