Sweden refuses to launch research satellite on Russian Soyuz rocket March 16, 2022 Sweden has cancelled the launch of a research satellite via a Russian rocket, following the Kremlin-backed attack on neighbouring Ukraine. The launch was scheduled for the end of this year, after its initial scheduled launch in 2019 was delayed. “Preparing for a launch from Russia is unthinkable under the current circumstances,” a spokesperson for the [...]
SS&C completes £1.24bn snap up of Blue Prism as tech firm leaves London market March 16, 2022 US fintech SS&C has completed its £1.24bn acquisition of British tech firm Blue Prism, heralding another tech departure from the London market. The new combined entity will operate as SS&C Blue Prism, and report to Mike Megaw, Managing Director, Business Process Automation. Blue Prism is a leading player in intelligent automation, and has over 2,000 clients across [...]
UK competition watchdog raises concerns over £6bn Avast buyout by cybersecurity rival March 16, 2022 The UK’s competition watchdog has raised concerns over the £6bn buyout of Avast by fellow cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock, after launching a probe into the deal in January. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced this morning that the deal, which was announced in August, between close competitors could harm competition in the market, as there [...]
Apple supplier in talks with Saudi Arabia for £7bn chip-making facility March 15, 2022 Apple supplier Foxconn Technology is reportedly in talks with Saudi Arabia to build a new $9bn (£6.8bn) chip-making facility. It follows the closure of two plants yesterday in technology hub Shenzhen, China, amid a fresh lockdown as Covid-19 cases in the region spiral. Saudi Arabia is currently reviewing the offer to build a dual-line semiconductor [...]
Ofcom to widen UK satellite regulation as the number of space launches explodes March 15, 2022 The UK’s broadcast and communications regulator is set to embed itself further into the space sector as the increasing number of satellites in orbit calls for a more hawkish watchdog. Ofcom will oversee the radio spectrum – an essential part of wireless communications – to ensure it is used efficiently as more people and businesses [...]
Skyrora unveils UK’s largest rocket testing site as CEO hails Ukrainian colleagues March 15, 2022 Rocket company Skyrora has unveiled the country’s largest rocket engine testing facility, ahead of the first launches from UK soil. It is a major addition to the UK’s space infrastructure, as the country seeks to take a leading position in the second round of the global space race. The Scottish firm will also gain a [...]
Metaverse switch: Young people jump ship from Facebook and embrace virtual reality platform March 15, 2022 The metaverse could become a mainstream way to make friends and even date, with nearly a fifth of young people ready to ditch more conventional social media platforms. With more than a tenth having already made their own metaverse avatar, data from Zen Internet highlighted that 18 per cent of 16-24 year olds are already [...]
Pfizer to donate Russian profits to Ukrainian humanitarian support March 15, 2022 Pfizer is set to donate all of its Russian profits to humanitarian support for Ukraine, the company confirmed late last night, as it vowed to continue to supply medicines to Russian patients. The biotech giant, which rose to fame amid the pandemic, said in a statement that “a voluntary pause in the flow of our [...]
Tech giant Arm to slash hundreds of jobs after Nvidia $40bn takeover falls through March 15, 2022 Cambridge-based technology titan Arm has announced it will slash hundreds of jobs after a $40bn sale to a US tech firm fell through. The chipmaker has informed staff it will cut up to 15 per cent of roles, following the collapse of a sale to rival Nvidia last month. Arm’s chief executive, Rene Haas, told [...]
Uber fares could rocket 20 per cent as ride-hailing app foots VAT bill March 14, 2022 Uber could hike prices by as much as a fifth from tonight as the ride-hailing giant faces fresh VAT charges. It comes after the company was forced to implement changes following the High Court ruling last year, which said that Uber could not be viewed as an agent but must be regarded as a contractor. [...]