Just weeks after the announcement that Amazon had taken over creative control of the iconic James Bond franchise, an update has emerged confirming that producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman will be overseeing the series going forward.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/nick-frost-rumoured-to-be-cast-as-hagrid-in-maxs-harry-potter-reboot-8892015">Nick Frost rumoured to be cast as Hagrid in Max's Harry Potter reboot</a>
<h2>Amy Pascal and David Heyman incharge</h2>
Amy Pascal has produced major films such as Marvel&rsquo;s Spider-Man movies, The Challengers, Venom, and the upcoming Chronicles of Narnia movie directed by Greta Gerwig for Netflix.
David Heyman, best known for producing Harry Potter, Paddington, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, is also involved in the upcoming Klara and the Sun film directed by Taika Waititi.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/whats-wrong-in-praying-for-him-mohanlal-responds-to-row-regarding-his-sabarimala-puja-for-mammooty-8892246">'What's wrong in praying for him?': Mohanlal responds to row regarding his Sabarimala puja for Mammooty</a>
<h2>Amazon&rsquo;s takeover of James Bond</h2>
Amazon acquired the James Bond franchise as part of its $8.5 billion purchase of MGM, taking over from long-time producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Reports suggest that before finalising the deal, Wilson and Broccoli rejected Amazon&rsquo;s plans for film and TV spin-offs, ensuring the franchise would remain faithful to its roots.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lizzo-to-star-in-rosetta-tharpe-biopic-8892256">Lizzo to star in Rosetta Tharpe biopic</a>
<h2>Mixed reactions to the change</h2>
Amazon&rsquo;s takeover has received mixed responses from audiences and former cast members, with concerns raised over the future direction of the franchise.
The James Bond series, which has spanned over six decades, remains one of the most successful film franchises in history, grossing over $19 billion worldwide. The last instalment, No Time to Die (2021), marked Daniel Craig&rsquo;s final appearance as the legendary British spy.
<h2>Who will be the next James Bond?</h2>
Fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of Daniel Craig&rsquo;s successor as 007. While numerous actors have been rumoured for the role, no official casting decision has been made.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/kim-soo-hyuns-taiwan-fan-meet-postponed-for-safety-reasons-8892149">Kim Soo-hyun's Taiwan fan meet postponed for 'Safety Reasons'</a>

Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman will be overseeing the series going forward for Amazon Studios. So, fans can expect some major updates soon.

Just weeks after the announcement that Amazon had taken over creative control of the iconic James Bond franchise, an update has emerged confirming that producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman will be overseeing the series going forward. Also Read: Nick Frost rumoured to be cast as Hagrid in Max's Harry Potter reboot Amy Pascal and David Heyman incharge Amy Pascal has produced major films such as Marvel’s Spider-Man movies, The Challengers, Venom, and the upcoming Chronicles of Narnia movie directed by Greta Gerwig for Netflix. David Heyman, best known for producing Harry Potter, Paddington, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, is also involved in the upcoming Klara and the Sun film directed by Taika Waititi. Also Read: 'What's wrong in praying for him?': Mohanlal responds to row regarding his Sabarimala puja for Mammooty Amazon’s takeover of James Bond Amazon acquired the James Bond franchise as part of its $8.5 billion purchase of MGM, taking over from long-time producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Reports suggest that before finalising the deal, Wilson and Broccoli rejected Amazon’s plans for film and TV spin-offs, ensuring the franchise would remain faithful to its roots. Also Read: Lizzo to star in Rosetta Tharpe biopic Mixed reactions to the change Amazon’s takeover has received mixed responses from audiences and former cast members, with concerns raised over the future direction of the franchise. The James Bond series, which has spanned over six decades, remains one of the most successful film franchises in history, grossing over $19 billion worldwide. The last instalment, No Time to Die (2021), marked Daniel Craig’s final appearance as the legendary British spy. Who will be the next James Bond? Fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of Daniel Craig’s successor as 007. While numerous actors have been rumoured for the role, no official casting decision has been made. Also Read: Kim Soo-hyun's Taiwan fan meet postponed for 'Safety Reasons'

Amazon's James Bond finds new producers

Seen as&nbsp;a groundbreaking move towards sustainable energy, Amazon has announced an investment of more than $500 million to develop small modular reactors (SMRs). This initiative aims to bolster the company's commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

The investment underscores Amazon's strategic shift towards alternative energy sources, as the e-commerce giant looks to diversify its energy portfolio and enhance its sustainability efforts according to a report by CNBC.

<o:p>The report further stated that,&nbsp;Amazon Web Services (AWS)&nbsp;announced it has signed an agreement with Dominion Energy, Virginia’s utility company, to explore the development of a small modular nuclear reactor, near Dominion’s existing North Anna nuclear power station.</o:p>

Amazon's foray into the nuclear energy sector is not merely a financial investment; it represents a commitment to innovative technology that could reshape the future of energy production. Small modular reactors are designed to be safer, more efficient, and easier to deploy than traditional nuclear power plants. These reactors can generate up to 300 megawatts of electricity, making them suitable for various applications, including powering data centres and other facilities.<o:p></o:p>

The company’s decision comes at a time when the global demand for clean energy solutions is surging. As countries strive to meet their climate goals, nuclear energy is increasingly viewed as a viable option due to its low carbon footprint. By investing in SMRs, Amazon aims to position itself at the forefront of the nuclear renaissance, which is gaining traction as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.<o:p></o:p>

Amazon's investment aligns with its broader sustainability goals. The company has already made significant strides in renewable energy, committing to powering its operations with 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025. The integration of small modular reactors into its energy strategy could further enhance its ability to meet these targets while providing reliable and consistent power.<o:p></o:p>

Industry experts have praised Amazon's bold move into nuclear energy. They believe that this investment could pave the way for other companies to explore similar avenues, potentially leading to a more robust nuclear sector. The development of SMRs could also stimulate job creation in engineering and construction sectors, contributing positively to local economies.<o:p></o:p>

Furthermore, this investment highlights a growing trend among large corporations seeking sustainable energy solutions. As businesses face increasing pressure from consumers and regulators to reduce their carbon footprints, many are exploring innovative technologies that offer cleaner alternatives. Amazon's commitment to SMRs could inspire other companies to follow suit and invest in advanced energy technologies.<o:p></o:p>

As the world grapples with climate change and the urgent need for clean energy solutions, Amazon's investment in small modular reactors represents a significant step forward. By embracing nuclear technology, the company not only aims to secure its own energy future but also contributes to the global effort towards sustainable development.<o:p></o:p>

Therefore, Amazon's substantial investment in small modular reactors signals a transformative shift in how major corporations approach energy production and sustainability. As the company continues to innovate and adapt in an ever-changing landscape, its commitment to developing advanced nuclear technology may well set a precedent for others in the industry. With this strategic move, Amazon is not just investing in its future but also playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of clean energy worldwide.<o:p></o:p>

Seen as a groundbreaking move towards sustainable energy, Amazon has announced an investment of more than $500 million to develop small modular reactors (SMRs). This initiative aims to bolster the company's commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Seen as a groundbreaking move towards sustainable energy, Amazon has announced an investment of more than $500 million to develop small modular reactors (SMRs). This initiative aims to bolster the company's commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. The investment underscores Amazon's strategic shift towards alternative energy sources, as the e-commerce giant looks to diversify its energy portfolio and enhance its sustainability efforts according to a report by CNBC. The report further stated that, Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced it has signed an agreement with Dominion Energy, Virginia’s utility company, to explore the development of a small modular nuclear reactor, near Dominion’s existing North Anna nuclear power station. Amazon's foray into the nuclear energy sector is not merely a financial investment; it represents a commitment to innovative technology that could reshape the future of energy production. Small modular reactors are designed to be safer, more efficient, and easier to deploy than traditional nuclear power plants. These reactors can generate up to 300 megawatts of electricity, making them suitable for various applications, including powering data centres and other facilities. The company’s decision comes at a time when the global demand for clean energy solutions is surging. As countries strive to meet their climate goals, nuclear energy is increasingly viewed as a viable option due to its low carbon footprint. By investing in SMRs, Amazon aims to position itself at the forefront of the nuclear renaissance, which is gaining traction as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Amazon's investment aligns with its broader sustainability goals. The company has already made significant strides in renewable energy, committing to powering its operations with 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025. The integration of small modular reactors into its energy strategy could further enhance its ability to meet these targets while providing reliable and consistent power. Industry experts have praised Amazon's bold move into nuclear energy. They believe that this investment could pave the way for other companies to explore similar avenues, potentially leading to a more robust nuclear sector. The development of SMRs could also stimulate job creation in engineering and construction sectors, contributing positively to local economies. Furthermore, this investment highlights a growing trend among large corporations seeking sustainable energy solutions. As businesses face increasing pressure from consumers and regulators to reduce their carbon footprints, many are exploring innovative technologies that offer cleaner alternatives. Amazon's commitment to SMRs could inspire other companies to follow suit and invest in advanced energy technologies. As the world grapples with climate change and the urgent need for clean energy solutions, Amazon's investment in small modular reactors represents a significant step forward. By embracing nuclear technology, the company not only aims to secure its own energy future but also contributes to the global effort towards sustainable development. Therefore, Amazon's substantial investment in small modular reactors signals a transformative shift in how major corporations approach energy production and sustainability. As the company continues to innovate and adapt in an ever-changing landscape, its commitment to developing advanced nuclear technology may well set a precedent for others in the industry. With this strategic move, Amazon is not just investing in its future but also playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of clean energy worldwide.

Amazon goes nuclear: investing over $500 million to develop small modular reactors

Spain's antitrust regulator on Tuesday imposed&nbsp;substantial fines&nbsp;on tech giants Amazon and Apple. The regulatory body has penalised the companies a combined total of 194.1 million euros ($218.03 million) for engaging in a collaborative effort to curtail the online sale of Apple products as well as devices offered by their competitors within Spain.

The penalty levied against Apple stands at a staggering 143.6 million euros, while Amazon faces a fine of 50.5 million euros. Both corporations have been granted a two-month window to submit an appeal, should they choose to contest the ruling.

The unveiling of Amazon and Apple's contracts

According to the Spanish National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC), two contracts inked by Amazon and Apple on October 31, 2018, have come under scrutiny for containing anti-competitive clauses that inflicted harm upon Spain's online market for electronic devices.&nbsp;The regulatory authority alleges that the agreements imposed unjustifiable restrictions on the number of Apple product sellers allowed on Amazon's Spanish website. Shockingly, more than 90 percent of the existing shops utilizing Amazon's marketplace to vend Apple products were reportedly barred as a result.

The regulatory investigation has uncovered additional findings regarding the actions of Amazon and Apple. The antitrust regulator revealed that Amazon imposed restrictions on retailers located in other European Union countries, hindering their ability to access Spanish customers.

Furthermore, Apple's competitors faced limitations on their advertising capabilities when users searched for Apple products on Amazon's website. As a consequence of this agreement between the two tech giants, the report suggests that the prices of Apple devices sold online in Spain witnessed an increase. These revelations shed further light on the alleged anti-competitive practices carried out by Amazon and Apple in Spain's online marketplace.

Amazon and Apple's counter statements

Reuters cited an Amazon spokesperson who expressed their disagreement in response to the allegations made by the Spanish National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC). In an emailed statement to Reuters, the spokesperson stated, "We reject CNMC's suggestion that Amazon benefits from excluding sellers from its marketplace because our business model is entirely dependent on the success of the companies selling on Amazon." They emphasized that Amazon's success relies on the achievements of the sellers utilizing their platform.

The spokesperson also highlighted the positive impact of the arrangement on Apple gadget customers. They noted that the number of discounts available on iPads and iPhones actually increased as a result of the agreement. This perspective aims to counter the allegations raised by the regulator and present a different interpretation of the situation.

Tech giant Apple has responded to the ongoing situation, stating that the purpose of this collaboration was to combat the rampant sale of counterfeit products online. The company revealed that, prior to the agreement, Apple had to invest substantial resources, both in terms of finances and time, to send numerous "take-down" warnings in an attempt to block the sale of counterfeit&nbsp;devices.&nbsp;

Spain's antitrust regulator on Tuesday imposed substantial fines on tech giants Amazon and Apple. The regulatory body has penalised the companies a combined total of 194.

Spain's antitrust regulator on Tuesday imposed substantial fines on tech giants Amazon and Apple. The regulatory body has penalised the companies a combined total of 194.1 million euros ($218.03 million) for engaging in a collaborative effort to curtail the online sale of Apple products as well as devices offered by their competitors within Spain. The penalty levied against Apple stands at a staggering 143.6 million euros, while Amazon faces a fine of 50.5 million euros. Both corporations have been granted a two-month window to submit an appeal, should they choose to contest the ruling. The unveiling of Amazon and Apple's contracts According to the Spanish National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC), two contracts inked by Amazon and Apple on October 31, 2018, have come under scrutiny for containing anti-competitive clauses that inflicted harm upon Spain's online market for electronic devices. The regulatory authority alleges that the agreements imposed unjustifiable restrictions on the number of Apple product sellers allowed on Amazon's Spanish website. Shockingly, more than 90 percent of the existing shops utilizing Amazon's marketplace to vend Apple products were reportedly barred as a result. The regulatory investigation has uncovered additional findings regarding the actions of Amazon and Apple. The antitrust regulator revealed that Amazon imposed restrictions on retailers located in other European Union countries, hindering their ability to access Spanish customers. Furthermore, Apple's competitors faced limitations on their advertising capabilities when users searched for Apple products on Amazon's website. As a consequence of this agreement between the two tech giants, the report suggests that the prices of Apple devices sold online in Spain witnessed an increase. These revelations shed further light on the alleged anti-competitive practices carried out by Amazon and Apple in Spain's online marketplace. Amazon and Apple's counter statements Reuters cited an Amazon spokesperson who expressed their disagreement in response to the allegations made by the Spanish National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC). In an emailed statement to Reuters, the spokesperson stated, "We reject CNMC's suggestion that Amazon benefits from excluding sellers from its marketplace because our business model is entirely dependent on the success of the companies selling on Amazon." They emphasized that Amazon's success relies on the achievements of the sellers utilizing their platform. The spokesperson also highlighted the positive impact of the arrangement on Apple gadget customers. They noted that the number of discounts available on iPads and iPhones actually increased as a result of the agreement. This perspective aims to counter the allegations raised by the regulator and present a different interpretation of the situation. Tech giant Apple has responded to the ongoing situation, stating that the purpose of this collaboration was to combat the rampant sale of counterfeit products online. The company revealed that, prior to the agreement, Apple had to invest substantial resources, both in terms of finances and time, to send numerous "take-down" warnings in an attempt to block the sale of counterfeit devices.

Spain's antitrust regulator imposes $218 million fine on Amazon and Apple. Here's why

Fake reviews on e-commerce platforms have&nbsp;become one of the most persistent issues that online retailers across the globe have been facing over the past few years. A "cottage industry of fraudsters" has mushroomed on social media platforms and messaging apps, making the shopping experience, a nightmare, for both consumers as well as retailers.&nbsp;

Amazon, one of the biggest e-retailers in the game, had to block over 200 million fake reviews last year to keep the platform sanitised. It reported more than 23,000 groups that added fake reviews, with more than 46 million members, to social media platforms.

The company says the fake reviews were harming customers who are being "deceived about products they should or shouldn't be purchasing".

According to&nbsp;Dharmesh Mehta, head of the company’s customer trust team, it is a vicious cycle where these fraudsters are playing both galleries.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“They go to sellers and on the nefarious side say: ‘I can get you fake reviews’ – but many offer it as a marketing service and end up duping a small business who don’t know what is going on behind the scenes," Mehta told The Guardian.&nbsp;

“Then they go to a bunch of consumers and say: ‘Hey, if you leave a five-star review for this product, I’ll give it to you for free or a £25 gift card.’ So, they’re effectively buying a customer’s review on one side, and on the other hand, selling a marketing or review service to a brand or manufacturer," he added.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-to-develop-framework-to-check-fake-reviews-on-e-commerce-websites-482842">Also read |&nbsp;Centre to develop framework to check fake reviews on e-commerce websites</a>

<h2>Amazon, Google receive rap on the knuckles&nbsp;</h2>

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA),&nbsp;a UK-based competition watchdog had last year accused the likes of Amazon and Google of not doing enough to nip the problem in the bud.&nbsp;

“Our worry is that millions of online shoppers could be misled by reading fake reviews and then spending their money based on those recommendations,”&nbsp;said Andrea Coscelli, the chief executive of the CMA.

“Equally, it’s simply not fair if some businesses can fake five-star reviews to give their products or services the most prominence while law-abiding businesses lose out.”

Since then, the Jeff Bezos-owned platform has taken the lead in clipping the wings of fake reviewers. It has invested in machine learning models to detect fraudulent behaviour.&nbsp;

"We use machine learning to look for suspicious accounts, to track the relationships between a purchasing account that's leaving a review and someone selling that product," said Mehta.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/amazon-under-fire-for-exposing-warehouse-employees-to-risks-reports-38609-injuries-in-2022-wion-582009">WATCH |&nbsp;Amazon under fire for exposing warehouse employees to risks; reports 38,609 injuries in 2022 | WION</a>

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However, the company argues that social media platforms are extremely sluggish when it comes to acting on the intel provided. Amazon said it sued more than 10,000 Facebook group administrators who were found running fake review farms. When quizzed about the rampant presence of such groups on its platform, Meta said it continues to "invest in new technologies and methods to protect our users from this kind of content”.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Fake reviews on e-commerce platforms have become one of the most persistent issues that online retailers across the globe have been facing over the past few years.

Fake reviews on e-commerce platforms have become one of the most persistent issues that online retailers across the globe have been facing over the past few years. A "cottage industry of fraudsters" has mushroomed on social media platforms and messaging apps, making the shopping experience, a nightmare, for both consumers as well as retailers. Amazon, one of the biggest e-retailers in the game, had to block over 200 million fake reviews last year to keep the platform sanitised. It reported more than 23,000 groups that added fake reviews, with more than 46 million members, to social media platforms. The company says the fake reviews were harming customers who are being "deceived about products they should or shouldn't be purchasing". According to Dharmesh Mehta, head of the company’s customer trust team, it is a vicious cycle where these fraudsters are playing both galleries. “They go to sellers and on the nefarious side say: ‘I can get you fake reviews’ – but many offer it as a marketing service and end up duping a small business who don’t know what is going on behind the scenes," Mehta told The Guardian. “Then they go to a bunch of consumers and say: ‘Hey, if you leave a five-star review for this product, I’ll give it to you for free or a £25 gift card.’ So, they’re effectively buying a customer’s review on one side, and on the other hand, selling a marketing or review service to a brand or manufacturer," he added. Also read | Centre to develop framework to check fake reviews on e-commerce websites Amazon, Google receive rap on the knuckles The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), a UK-based competition watchdog had last year accused the likes of Amazon and Google of not doing enough to nip the problem in the bud. “Our worry is that millions of online shoppers could be misled by reading fake reviews and then spending their money based on those recommendations,” said Andrea Coscelli, the chief executive of the CMA. “Equally, it’s simply not fair if some businesses can fake five-star reviews to give their products or services the most prominence while law-abiding businesses lose out.” Since then, the Jeff Bezos-owned platform has taken the lead in clipping the wings of fake reviewers. It has invested in machine learning models to detect fraudulent behaviour. "We use machine learning to look for suspicious accounts, to track the relationships between a purchasing account that's leaving a review and someone selling that product," said Mehta. WATCH | Amazon under fire for exposing warehouse employees to risks; reports 38,609 injuries in 2022 | WION × However, the company argues that social media platforms are extremely sluggish when it comes to acting on the intel provided. Amazon said it sued more than 10,000 Facebook group administrators who were found running fake review farms. When quizzed about the rampant presence of such groups on its platform, Meta said it continues to "invest in new technologies and methods to protect our users from this kind of content”. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Amazon blames social media sites for allowing 'fake reviews' industry to boom

E-commerce giant Amazon unveiled its plan to cut more than 18,000 jobs as it cuts costs, chief executive&nbsp;Andy Jassy said.&nbsp;

In a note to his staff, Jassy said, "Between the reductions we made in November and the ones we're sharing today, we plan to eliminate just over 18,000 roles."

He added that affected workers will be informed from January 18.&nbsp;These 18,000 workers stand for 6 per cent of the firm's nearly 300,000 corporate workforces, AFP reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/online-retail-giant-amazon-reaches-settlement-with-eu-agrees-to-make-big-business-changes-skips-10-fine-544904">Also read |&nbsp;Online retail giant Amazon reaches settlement with EU, agrees to make big business changes, skips 10% fine</a>

Admitting layoffs to be a difficult decision for people, Jassy said&nbsp;that the company is working towards helping with that. He said, " We are working to support those who are affected and are providing packages that include a separation payment, transitional health insurance benefits, and external job placement support."

He added that Amazon has weathered uncertain and difficult economic times in the past and will continue to do so.&nbsp;

Not mentioning any specific region for layoffs, he&nbsp;indicated that some of the layoffs will be in Europe.&nbsp;

According to him, this sudden announcement was made as one of Amazon's teammates leaked this information externally.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/amazon-sued-and-accused-of-stealing-tips-given-to-delivery-drivers-541060">Also read |&nbsp;Amazon sued and accused of 'stealing' tips given to delivery drivers</a>

Two months ago, the e-commerce giant said that it will focus on cutting expenses in its annual business review operation. It had already introduced a hiring freeze and even halted some of its warehouse expansions.&nbsp;

It even closed some of its businesses and cancelled many projects.&nbsp;

In November, the company said that it will begin its layoffs but did not give a specific amount.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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E-commerce giant Amazon unveiled its plan to cut more than 18,000 jobs as it cuts costs, chief executive Andy Jassy said. In a note to his staff, Jassy said, "Between the reductions we made in November and the ones we're sharing today, we plan to eliminate just over 18,000 roles.

E-commerce giant Amazon unveiled its plan to cut more than 18,000 jobs as it cuts costs, chief executive Andy Jassy said. In a note to his staff, Jassy said, "Between the reductions we made in November and the ones we're sharing today, we plan to eliminate just over 18,000 roles." He added that affected workers will be informed from January 18. These 18,000 workers stand for 6 per cent of the firm's nearly 300,000 corporate workforces, AFP reported. Also read | Online retail giant Amazon reaches settlement with EU, agrees to make big business changes, skips 10% fine Admitting layoffs to be a difficult decision for people, Jassy said that the company is working towards helping with that. He said, " We are working to support those who are affected and are providing packages that include a separation payment, transitional health insurance benefits, and external job placement support." He added that Amazon has weathered uncertain and difficult economic times in the past and will continue to do so. Not mentioning any specific region for layoffs, he indicated that some of the layoffs will be in Europe. According to him, this sudden announcement was made as one of Amazon's teammates leaked this information externally. Also read | Amazon sued and accused of 'stealing' tips given to delivery drivers Two months ago, the e-commerce giant said that it will focus on cutting expenses in its annual business review operation. It had already introduced a hiring freeze and even halted some of its warehouse expansions. It even closed some of its businesses and cancelled many projects. In November, the company said that it will begin its layoffs but did not give a specific amount. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Amazon to cut over 18,000 jobs, says CEO Andy Jassy; workers to know employment status by Jan 18

Amazon.com Inc. announced on Thursday that it would shut down Amazon Academy, an&nbsp;online learning programme for high-school students in India, less than two years after its introduction.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Early last year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Amazon Academy platform was introduced. It offered to coach for competitive tests, including the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), which grants admission to the best engineering universities in India.&nbsp;

The e-commerce behemoth announced in a statement that it has decided to end Amazon Academy "in a phased manner to take care of current customers" based on an assessment.

The winding down occurs as numerous edtech companies struggle under the weight of Indian schools and coaching facilities reopening following lockdowns brought on by Covid.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/from-organ-trade-to-sedatives-how-afghanistan-is-coping-with-economic-crisis-537127">From organ trade to sedatives: How Afghanistan is coping with economic crisis</a>

Industry pioneer Byju's announced last month that it would let go of 2,500 people as it works to become profitable.&nbsp;

Additional players Unacademy, Toppr, WhiteHat Jr., and Vedantu all announced layoffs earlier this year, Reuters reported.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

Amazon.com Inc. announced on Thursday that it would shut down Amazon Academy, an online learning programme for high-school students in India, less than two years after its introduction.

Amazon.com Inc. announced on Thursday that it would shut down Amazon Academy, an online learning programme for high-school students in India, less than two years after its introduction. Early last year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Amazon Academy platform was introduced. It offered to coach for competitive tests, including the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), which grants admission to the best engineering universities in India. The e-commerce behemoth announced in a statement that it has decided to end Amazon Academy "in a phased manner to take care of current customers" based on an assessment. The winding down occurs as numerous edtech companies struggle under the weight of Indian schools and coaching facilities reopening following lockdowns brought on by Covid. Also Read: From organ trade to sedatives: How Afghanistan is coping with economic crisis Industry pioneer Byju's announced last month that it would let go of 2,500 people as it works to become profitable. Additional players Unacademy, Toppr, WhiteHat Jr., and Vedantu all announced layoffs earlier this year, Reuters reported. (with inputs from agencies)

Amazon to shut down its online learning platform for Indian high-school students

As per a report by Newsweek and Capital &amp; Main, which cited leaked internal documents, Amazon, Google, Walmart, and other corporate behemoths have been spying on their employees to prevent them from unionising.

According to Newsweek, the most well-known examples of businesses using surveillance technologies on employees include Amazon and Walmart.

Whole Foods Market, owned by Amazon, employs heat maps to track store locations with a high likelihood of union action.

According to Newsweek, which cited the twice-weekly Human Resources journal, HR Brew, Walmart has tools to monitor an employee's activities and chats regarding activism, while Google has a system that warns management about internal meetings attended by 100 or more employees.&nbsp;

Companies frequently use underhanded tactics, according to Ricardo Hidalgo, an international organiser with the Teamsters who has helped unionise machinists and sanitation workers, by installing an informer among the group of employees who try to unionise.

This is done to keep track of conversations and pit staff members against one another.

Experts point to employment regulations, the majority of which were enacted in the first part of the twentieth century, emphasising that while the legislation has remained the same, technology has evolved and continues to improve, making it easier for employers to keep track of their employees.

In some circumstances, companies can acquire commercially available tools rather than invent their own gadgets to spy on employees.&nbsp;

Employee surveillance has increased dramatically in recent years.

According to a study conducted by Gartner, 60 per cent of large firms utilise monitoring technologies, which is twice as many as before the coronavirus outbreak.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

As per a report by Newsweek and Capital & Main, which cited leaked internal documents, Amazon, Google, Walmart, and other corporate behemoths have been spying on their employees to prevent them from unionising.

As per a report by Newsweek and Capital & Main, which cited leaked internal documents, Amazon, Google, Walmart, and other corporate behemoths have been spying on their employees to prevent them from unionising. According to Newsweek, the most well-known examples of businesses using surveillance technologies on employees include Amazon and Walmart. Whole Foods Market, owned by Amazon, employs heat maps to track store locations with a high likelihood of union action. According to Newsweek, which cited the twice-weekly Human Resources journal, HR Brew, Walmart has tools to monitor an employee's activities and chats regarding activism, while Google has a system that warns management about internal meetings attended by 100 or more employees. Companies frequently use underhanded tactics, according to Ricardo Hidalgo, an international organiser with the Teamsters who has helped unionise machinists and sanitation workers, by installing an informer among the group of employees who try to unionise. This is done to keep track of conversations and pit staff members against one another. Experts point to employment regulations, the majority of which were enacted in the first part of the twentieth century, emphasising that while the legislation has remained the same, technology has evolved and continues to improve, making it easier for employers to keep track of their employees. In some circumstances, companies can acquire commercially available tools rather than invent their own gadgets to spy on employees. Employee surveillance has increased dramatically in recent years. According to a study conducted by Gartner, 60 per cent of large firms utilise monitoring technologies, which is twice as many as before the coronavirus outbreak. (With inputs from agencies)

Technology giants spy on staff to prevent unionising, report says

Oliver Daemen, a&nbsp;Dutch teenager who became the world's youngest space traveller this week surprised billionaire Jeff Bezos on the inaugural flight by his exploration company Blue Origin by telling him he's never ordered anything on Amazon.com.

Oliver Daemen, an 18-year-old physics student, accompanied Bezos, his brother Mark Bezos and 82-year-old female aviator Wally Funk, the oldest person to go to space, on a 10-minute trip beyond Earth's atmosphere.

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Bezos funded Blue Origin by selling billions worth of stock in his highly profitable online delivery business Amazon.

"I told Jeff, like, I've actually never bought something from Amazon," he said&nbsp;in an interview on Friday&nbsp;at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. "And he was like, 'oh, wow, it's a long time ago I heard someone say that."

Blue Origin had&nbsp;released footage of the newly minted astronauts performing somersaults in near-zero gravity and throwing Skittles which Dutch teen&nbsp;Oliver&nbsp;Daemen&nbsp;caught in his mouth.

Daemen, who was picked after another candidate bidding $28 million for the ride cancelled at the last minute, got the good news while on a family holiday in Italy.

"So I flew from Italy to Amsterdam, from Amsterdam to Atlanta, from Atlanta to El Paso, from El Paso to the ranch, so it was quite a long trip," he said.

Daemen had dreamt of space travel since he was a kid, followed every development by space exploration companies like Blue Origin and got his pilot's license at a young age.

Daemen's ticket was paid for by his father, the CEO of a private equity firm, CNBC reported.

He plans to attend the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands to study physics and innovation management this September.

Oliver Daemen, a Dutch teenager who became the world's youngest space traveller this week surprised billionaire Jeff Bezos on the inaugural flight by his exploration company Blue Origin by telling him he's never ordered anything on Amazon.

Oliver Daemen, a Dutch teenager who became the world's youngest space traveller this week surprised billionaire Jeff Bezos on the inaugural flight by his exploration company Blue Origin by telling him he's never ordered anything on Amazon.com. Oliver Daemen, an 18-year-old physics student, accompanied Bezos, his brother Mark Bezos and 82-year-old female aviator Wally Funk, the oldest person to go to space, on a 10-minute trip beyond Earth's atmosphere. Bezos funded Blue Origin by selling billions worth of stock in his highly profitable online delivery business Amazon. "I told Jeff, like, I've actually never bought something from Amazon," he said in an interview on Friday at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. "And he was like, 'oh, wow, it's a long time ago I heard someone say that." Blue Origin had released footage of the newly minted astronauts performing somersaults in near-zero gravity and throwing Skittles which Dutch teen Oliver Daemen caught in his mouth. Daemen, who was picked after another candidate bidding $28 million for the ride cancelled at the last minute, got the good news while on a family holiday in Italy. "So I flew from Italy to Amsterdam, from Amsterdam to Atlanta, from Atlanta to El Paso, from El Paso to the ranch, so it was quite a long trip," he said. Daemen had dreamt of space travel since he was a kid, followed every development by space exploration companies like Blue Origin and got his pilot's license at a young age. Daemen's ticket was paid for by his father, the CEO of a private equity firm, CNBC reported. He plans to attend the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands to study physics and innovation management this September.

Oliver Daemen, who accompanied Bezos on his space trip, says he never ordered from Amazon

The&nbsp;Brazilian&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;released nearly 20 per cent more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere over the last decade than it absorbed, according to a stunning report that shows humanity can no longer depend on the world's largest tropical forest to help absorb man-made carbon pollution. &nbsp;&nbsp;

From 2010 through 2019, Brazil's&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;basin gave off 16,600,000,000 tonnes of CO2, while drawing down only 13,900,000,000 tonnes, researchers reported on Thursday in the journal Nature Climate Change.

The study looked at the volume of CO2 absorbed and stored as the forest grows, versus the amounts released back into the atmosphere as it has been burned down or destroyed.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="UK space agency hunts for 'Moon Trees' from seeds brought back by mission 50 years ago">UK space agency hunts for 'Moon Trees' from seeds brought back by mission 50 years ago</a>

"We half-expected it, but it is the first time that we have figures showing that the&nbsp;Brazilian&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;has flipped, and is now a net emitter," said co-author Jean-Pierre Wigneron, a scientist at France's National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA).

"We don't know at what point the changeover could become irreversible," he told AFP in an interview.

The study also showed that deforestation -- through fires and clear-cutting -- increased nearly four-fold in 2019 compared to either of the two previous years, from about one million hectares (2.5 million acres) to 3.9 million hectares, an area the size of the Netherlands.

"Brazil saw a sharp decline in the application of environmental protection policies after the change of government in 2019," the INRA said in a statement.

Brazilian&nbsp;President Jair Bolsonaro was sworn into office on January 1, 2019.&nbsp;

Terrestrial ecosystems worldwide have been a crucial ally as the world struggles to curb CO2 emissions, which topped 40 billion tonnes in 2019.&nbsp;

Over the last half century, plants and soil have consistently absorbed about 30 per cent of those emissions, even as those emissions increased by 50 per cent over than period.&nbsp;

Oceans have also helped, soaking up more than 20 per cent.

The&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;basin contains about half of the world's tropical rainforests, which are more effective at soaking up and storing carbon that other types of vegetation.

If the region were to be come a net source rather than a "sink" of CO2, tackling the climate crisis will be that much harder.

Using new methods of analysing satellite data developed at the University of Oklahoma, the international team of researchers also showed for the first time that degraded forests were a more significant source of planet-warming CO2 emissions that outright deforestation.

Over the same 10-year period, degradation -- caused by fragmentation, selective cutting, or fires that damage but do not destroy trees -- caused three times more emissions that outright destruction of forests.

The data examined in the study only covers Brazil, which holds some 60 per cent of the Amazonian rainforest.

Taking the rest of region into account, "the&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;basin as a whole is probably (carbon) neutral," said Wigneron.

"But in the other countries with&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;rainforest, deforestation is on the rise too, and drought has become more intense."

Climate change looms as a major threat, and could -- above a certain threshold of global warming -- see the continent's rainforest tip into a much drier savannah state, recent studies have shown.

This would have devastating consequences not only to the region, which currently harbours a significant percentage of the world's biodiversity, but globally as well.

The&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;rainforest is one of a dozen so-called "tipping points" in the climate system.

Ice sheets atop Greenland and the West Antarctic, Siberian permafrost loaded with CO2 and methane, monsoon rains in South Asia, coral reef ecosystems, the jet stream -- all are vulnerable to point-of-no-return transitions that would radically alter the world as we know it. &nbsp;

The Brazilian Amazon released nearly 20 per cent more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere over the last decade than it absorbed, according to a stunning report that shows humanity can no longer depend on the world's largest tropical forest to help absorb man-made carbon pollution.

The Brazilian Amazon released nearly 20 per cent more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere over the last decade than it absorbed, according to a stunning report that shows humanity can no longer depend on the world's largest tropical forest to help absorb man-made carbon pollution. From 2010 through 2019, Brazil's Amazon basin gave off 16,600,000,000 tonnes of CO2, while drawing down only 13,900,000,000 tonnes, researchers reported on Thursday in the journal Nature Climate Change. The study looked at the volume of CO2 absorbed and stored as the forest grows, versus the amounts released back into the atmosphere as it has been burned down or destroyed. Also read: UK space agency hunts for 'Moon Trees' from seeds brought back by mission 50 years ago "We half-expected it, but it is the first time that we have figures showing that the Brazilian Amazon has flipped, and is now a net emitter," said co-author Jean-Pierre Wigneron, a scientist at France's National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA). "We don't know at what point the changeover could become irreversible," he told AFP in an interview. The study also showed that deforestation -- through fires and clear-cutting -- increased nearly four-fold in 2019 compared to either of the two previous years, from about one million hectares (2.5 million acres) to 3.9 million hectares, an area the size of the Netherlands. "Brazil saw a sharp decline in the application of environmental protection policies after the change of government in 2019," the INRA said in a statement. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was sworn into office on January 1, 2019. Terrestrial ecosystems worldwide have been a crucial ally as the world struggles to curb CO2 emissions, which topped 40 billion tonnes in 2019. Over the last half century, plants and soil have consistently absorbed about 30 per cent of those emissions, even as those emissions increased by 50 per cent over than period. Oceans have also helped, soaking up more than 20 per cent. The Amazon basin contains about half of the world's tropical rainforests, which are more effective at soaking up and storing carbon that other types of vegetation. If the region were to be come a net source rather than a "sink" of CO2, tackling the climate crisis will be that much harder. Using new methods of analysing satellite data developed at the University of Oklahoma, the international team of researchers also showed for the first time that degraded forests were a more significant source of planet-warming CO2 emissions that outright deforestation. Over the same 10-year period, degradation -- caused by fragmentation, selective cutting, or fires that damage but do not destroy trees -- caused three times more emissions that outright destruction of forests. The data examined in the study only covers Brazil, which holds some 60 per cent of the Amazonian rainforest. Taking the rest of region into account, "the Amazon basin as a whole is probably (carbon) neutral," said Wigneron. "But in the other countries with Amazon rainforest, deforestation is on the rise too, and drought has become more intense." Climate change looms as a major threat, and could -- above a certain threshold of global warming -- see the continent's rainforest tip into a much drier savannah state, recent studies have shown. This would have devastating consequences not only to the region, which currently harbours a significant percentage of the world's biodiversity, but globally as well. The Amazon rainforest is one of a dozen so-called "tipping points" in the climate system. Ice sheets atop Greenland and the West Antarctic, Siberian permafrost loaded with CO2 and methane, monsoon rains in South Asia, coral reef ecosystems, the jet stream -- all are vulnerable to point-of-no-return transitions that would radically alter the world as we know it.

Climate change: Amazon may be turning from friend to foe

As the release date for the most-anticipated season two of 'Mirzapur' fast approaches, Amazon Prime Video is all set to give die-hard fans a full first season at no cost.With Season 1 of the show streaming on the platform, Amazon Prime Video has now made its first season available to everyone including those who have not subscribed to the video streaming platform. 
 
'Mirzapur'&nbsp;is the story of Kaleen Bhaiyya, the King Of Mirzapur vs the Pandit Brothers, Guddu, and Bablu. What initially begins as a battle for power, leading to the throne of Mirzapur, eventually shapes the destiny of the city, influencing its business and its politics. 
 
While Season 2 of&nbsp;'Mirzapur'&nbsp;is all set to premiere on 23rd October, fans can binge-watch Season 1 and enjoy the world of 'Mirzapur'&nbsp;while they wait for the second season to drop.Fascinating viewers in a terrific first season, the show featured Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Vikrant Massey, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Shweta Tripathi, Rasika Duggal, and Kulbhushan Kharbandha in the lead. 
 
While Tripathi stole the show essaying the role of Kaleen Bhaiyya, the King Of Mirzapur, Ali Fazal &amp; Vikrant Massey packed a punch as Guddu and Bablu Pandit - the wannabe gangsters. Joining them in Season 2 are Vijay Varma, Priyanshu Painyuli, Isha Talwar, Amit Sial, Anjum Sharma. 
 
With all eyes firmly fixed on what happens next on the show, the makers have kept everyone`s curiosity high by not revealing much about the story.

Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under their banner Excel Media &amp; Entertainment, the second season of Mirzapur will premiere on October 23 on Amazon Prime Video.

As the release date for the most-anticipated season two of 'Mirzapur' fast approaches, Amazon Prime Video is all set to give die-hard fans a full first season at no cost.

As the release date for the most-anticipated season two of 'Mirzapur' fast approaches, Amazon Prime Video is all set to give die-hard fans a full first season at no cost.With Season 1 of the show streaming on the platform, Amazon Prime Video has now made its first season available to everyone including those who have not subscribed to the video streaming platform. 'Mirzapur' is the story of Kaleen Bhaiyya, the King Of Mirzapur vs the Pandit Brothers, Guddu, and Bablu. What initially begins as a battle for power, leading to the throne of Mirzapur, eventually shapes the destiny of the city, influencing its business and its politics. While Season 2 of 'Mirzapur' is all set to premiere on 23rd October, fans can binge-watch Season 1 and enjoy the world of 'Mirzapur' while they wait for the second season to drop.Fascinating viewers in a terrific first season, the show featured Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Vikrant Massey, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Shweta Tripathi, Rasika Duggal, and Kulbhushan Kharbandha in the lead. While Tripathi stole the show essaying the role of Kaleen Bhaiyya, the King Of Mirzapur, Ali Fazal & Vikrant Massey packed a punch as Guddu and Bablu Pandit - the wannabe gangsters. Joining them in Season 2 are Vijay Varma, Priyanshu Painyuli, Isha Talwar, Amit Sial, Anjum Sharma. With all eyes firmly fixed on what happens next on the show, the makers have kept everyone`s curiosity high by not revealing much about the story. Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under their banner Excel Media & Entertainment, the second season of Mirzapur will premiere on October 23 on Amazon Prime Video.

Watch 'Mirzapur' Season 1 for free on the streaming platform

The world's richest man Jeff Bezos is being compared to the ruler of an autocracy. The ones making this accusation are his employees at Amazon. Reducing employee benefits while getting rich during the pandemic.

The world's richest man Jeff Bezos is being compared to the ruler of an autocracy. The ones making this accusation are his employees at Amazon. Reducing employee benefits while getting rich during the pandemic. How is that fair? They ask. Moreover, Amazon is fiercely cracking down on workers who ask such questions. To make Bezos listen to the demands, protesters are banging on his door in New York where Bezos lives occasionally. This is not an isolated incident. Since the Wuhan virus outbreak, Amazon workers have been protesting across the world. They say the e-commerce giant has done little to keep its employees safe. Lack of personal protective equipment, negligent safety guidelines, callous and unrealistic performance standards and most demoralising of all -- inadequate compensation. In June, Amazon ended wage increases and double overtime pay. For warehouse workers, the harazd pay of two dollars per hour has been discontinued. Health benefits have also been cut. There is no dearth of money, e-commerce is one of the few businesses that are flourishing during the pandemic. Amazon has posted its biggest profit since its founding nearly 26-years ago helping Bezos retain the world's richest tag. So, protesters have made an additional demand this time. Not to Bezos, but to legislators. Tax the rich. It's being called the "Tax Bezos" movement. "Today, we want to have our demands heard. We want a wealth tax on all billionaires, from 1 to 3%, all the billionaires of the country. But, here, in Manhattan, Bezos property, 80 million dollars property, we were advocating in front of this property today to have the Amazon workers demands be heard." "They are taxing me on unemployment, they are taxing me at every corner I get but you have a man that is a billionaire, all of them billionaires, and they are not paying taxes. What part of the game is that? Tell me, where the right and wrong is in that?" Amazon has not taken these protests lightly. At the Staten island warehouse, employees walked out over safety concerns. Chris Smalls who led the protest was fired. Amazon said Smalls was fired for not maintaining the social distancing norms. Protesters say that is not the reason. Amazon is retaliating against vocal employees to stop them from forming unions. In its defence, the company says it acquired 100 million facemasks for its workers in the last quarter. Created jobs by hiring 175,000 people since the virus outbreak and spent nearly 700 million dollars on employee benefits. But clearly, Amazon has failed to deliver the goods to its employees.

How Amazon failed to deliver goods to its own employees

India's plan to regulate "non-personal" data has jolted US tech giants Amazon, Facebook and Google, and a group representing them is preparing to push back against the proposals, according to sources and a letter seen by Reuters.

India's plan to regulate "non-personal" data has jolted US tech giants Amazon, Facebook and Google, and a group representing them is preparing to push back against the proposals, according to sources and a letter seen by Reuters. A government-appointed panel in July recommended setting up a regulator for information that is anonymised or devoid of personal details but critical for companies to build their businesses. The panel proposed a mechanism for firms to share data with other entities - even competitors - saying this would spur the digital ecosystem. The report, if adopted by the government, will form the basis of a new law to regulate such data. But the US-India Business Council (USIBC), part of the US Chamber of Commerce, calls imposed data sharing "anathema" to promoting competition and says this undermines investments made by companies to process and collect such information, according to a draft letter for the Indian government. "USIBC and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are categorically opposed to mandates that require the sharing of proprietary data," says the USIBC's previously unreported letter, which is likely to be completed and submitted in coming weeks to India's information-technology ministry. "It will also be tantamount to confiscation of investors' assets and undermine intellectual property protections." A USIBC spokeswoman had no comment on the draft letter. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce didn't respond to Reuters queries. The head of the panel, Kris Gopalakrishnan, a founder of Indian technology giant Infosys Ltd, said the group will work with the government to review input from the industry. India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Amazon.com Inc, Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google did not respond to requests for comment. The report is open for public comments until Sept. 13. "Forced data sharing" India's plan to regulate non-personal data is the latest irritant for U.S. tech companies that have been battling tighter e-commerce rules and data storage norms that several countries are also developing. New Delhi and Washington are already at odds on such issues, as well as over digital taxes and tariffs. The USIBC draft letter says "forced data sharing" will limit foreign trade and investment in developing countries, and the panel's proposals run against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's calls for U.S. companies to invest in India. The lobby group expresses concern about the panel's recommendation to mandate local storage for non-personal data, describing this as a "dramatic tightening" of India's international data transfer regime. "These are far-reaching concepts that would have a significant impact on the ability of both Indian and multinational firms to do business in India," Washington-headquartered law firm Covington & Burling said in a note prepared for the USIBC, which was also seen by Reuters. The law firm did not respond to a request for comment. The Indian panel has listed research, national security and policymaking among purposes for which such data should be shared. Three sources said tech executives participated in several meetings in recent weeks to discuss concerns over the report.

India data-curb plan 'anathema', US tech giants plan pushback

Amazon.com Inc said on Sunday that it was removing certain images after messages using extremely strong racist abuse appeared on some listings on its UK website when users searched for Apple's AirPods and other similar products.

Amazon.com Inc said on Sunday that it was removing certain images after messages using extremely strong racist abuse appeared on some listings on its UK website when users searched for Apple's AirPods and other similar products. The message sparked outrage on Twitter, with the topic "AirPods" trending in the United Kingdom, according to Reuters. "We are removing the images in question and have taken action on the bad actor," an Amazon spokeswoman told Reuters on Sunday. She did not elaborate more on the "bad actor". Screenshots and video grabs of the messages were trending on Twitter, with users sharing the images. In April, several of Amazon's foreign websites, including the UK domain, were added to the U.S. trade regulator's "notorious markets" report on marketplaces known for counterfeiting and piracy concerns. Amazon strongly disagreed with the report at that time, describing it as a "purely political act." (With inputs from Reuters)

Amazon removes racist messages that appeared on some product listings

Amazon said on Wednesday it may temporarily shut its warehouses in France after a court ordered the company to limit deliveries in the country to essential goods like food and medical supplies, reported news agency Reuters.

Amazon said on Wednesday it may temporarily shut its warehouses in France after a court ordered the company to limit deliveries in the country to essential goods like food and medical supplies, reported news agency Reuters. The e-commerce giant is facing mounting scrutiny on both sides of the Atlantic of the health measures it has put in place to protect employees from the coronavirus pandemic while it strives to meet a surge in orders as most shops remain under lockdown. In a ruling on Tuesday, the French court said Amazon had to carry out a more thorough assessment of the risk of coronavirus contagion at its warehouses and should restrict its deliveries in the meantime, or face a fine. "We're puzzled by the court ruling given the hard evidence brought forward regarding security measures put in place to protect our employees", Amazon said in a statement. "Our interpretation suggests that we may be forced to suspend the activity of our distribution centres in France," the group said, adding it would appeal the decision. Amazon currently employs close to 10,000 people at its six French warehouses, 6,500 of whom are on permanent contracts, according to the court decision. Some worker unions have called for the complete closure of Amazon's activities in France, or at the very least a clampdown, after raising concerns over health standards at its shipping sites, arguing they were too crowded. (With inputs from Reuters)

Amazon says it may close French warehouses after court ruling 

Amazon and Walmart’s Flipkart are among online retailers demanding that India scale back a proposed tax on third-party sellers on their platforms, saying the burden of compliance will hurt the fledgling industry, according to a document seen by Reuters.

Amazon and Walmart’s Flipkart are among online retailers demanding that India scale back a proposed tax on third-party sellers on their platforms, saying the burden of compliance will hurt the fledgling industry, according to a document seen by Reuters. The online retail industry is braced for a possible 1% tax on each sale made by sellers on their platforms from April if the proposal is approved by parliament next month. The move is part of a broader plan by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to increase tax revenues and counter a sharp economic slowdown due to weakening consumer demand. But the tax will hurt the country’s fledgling e-commerce sector, according to a presentation prepared by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for the government and reviewed by Reuters. “(It) would cause irreparable loss to the entire industry with increased compliance burden,” the lobby group said on behalf of e-commerce companies. “This will also lead to reduced trading activity.” Amazon declined to comment. A spokesman for Bengaluru-based Flipkart said it was working with industry chambers to voice sellers’ concerns and highlight the increased cost of compliance. The Finance Ministry declined to comment. Some third-party sellers are also pushing back against the tax, arguing it would negatively impact their working capital, adding that they already contribute to a nationwide sales tax. This tax will be “extremely detrimental to the growth and sustenance” of small online sellers and make the model “unviable”, Unexo Life Sciences, a seller of healthcare products on Amazon’s India website, said in an email to the Central Board of Direct Taxes that was reviewed by Reuters. Online vendors, or sellers with revenue of less than half a million rupees in the previous year, as well as brick-and-mortar retailers, will be exempted from the new tax, although they are subject to the nationwide sales tax. India’s e-commerce sector is expected to reach $200 billion by 2026 as rising smartphone use and cheap data help hundreds of millions to shop online for everything from groceries to furniture. But companies such as Amazon and Flipkart have also had to face tighter regulations and an antitrust probe. The tax would apply to the income of drivers on ride hailing firms such Uber and Ola as well as sales on restaurant aggregators including Zomato and Swiggy. Ola and Uber declined to comment, while Swiggy and Zomato did not respond to requests for comment. Modi is pushing to expand India’s tax base to hundreds of thousands of manufacturers, food sellers and cab drivers who currently do not pay income tax, a senior Finance Ministry official said. Modi has said just about 15 million of India’s 1.3 billion Indians people pay income tax. New Delhi expects to collect about 30 billion Indian rupees ($419.46 million) through the tax, the Finance Ministry said. It will also provide data on billions of dollars in sales.

Amazon, Flipkart challenge new Indian tax on online sellers

Amazon.com Inc on Friday filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims contesting the Pentagon's award of an up to $10 billion cloud computing contract to Microsoft Corp.

Amazon.com Inc on Friday filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims contesting the Pentagon's award of an up to $10 billion cloud computing contract to Microsoft Corp. An Amazon spokesman said that the company filed a complaint and supplemental motion for discovery. The filing was under seal. "The Complaint and related filings contain source selection sensitive information, as well as AWS's proprietary information, trade secrets, and confidential financial information, the public release of which would cause either party severe competitive harm," Amazon said in a court document seeking a protective order. "The record in this bid protest likely will contain similarly sensitive information." Last week, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper rejected any suggestion of bias in the Pentagon's decision to award Microsoft the contract after Amazon announced plans to challenge it. Amazon was considered a favourite for the contract, part of a broader digital modernization process of the Pentagon, before Microsoft emerged as the surprise winner. The company has previously said that politics got in the way of a fair contracting process. U.S. President Donald Trump has long criticized Amazon and its founder Jeff Bezos.

Amazon files lawsuit contesting Pentagon's $10 billion cloud contract to Microsoft

Microsoft Corp. has won the Pentagon's $10 billion cloud computing contract, the Defense Department said on Friday, beating out favorite Amazon.com Inc. The contracting process had long been mired in conflict of interest allegations, even drawing the attention of President Donald Trump, who has publicly taken swipes at Amazon and its founder Jeff Bezos.

Microsoft Corp. has won the Pentagon's $10 billion cloud computing contract, the Defense Department said on Friday, beating out favorite Amazon.com Inc. The contracting process had long been mired in conflict of interest allegations, even drawing the attention of President Donald Trump, who has publicly taken swipes at Amazon and its founder Jeff Bezos. Trump in August said his administration was reviewing Amazon's bid after complaints from other companies. The Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure Cloud (JEDI) contract is part of a broader digital modernization of the Pentagon meant to make it more technologically agile. Specifically, a goal of JEDI is to give the military better access to data and the cloud from battlefields and other remote locations. Oracle Corp had expressed concerns about the award process for the contract, including the role of a former Amazon employee who worked on the project at the Defence Department but recused himself, then later left the Defense Department and returned to Amazon Web Services. In a statement, an Amazon Web Services (AWS) spokesman said the company was "surprised about this conclusion." The company said that a "detailed assessment purely on the comparative offerings" would "clearly lead to a different conclusion," according to the statement. AWS is considering options for protesting the award, a person familiar with the matter told. Although the Pentagon boasts the world's most potent fighting force, its information technology remains woefully inadequate, according to many officials. Officials have complained of having outdated computer systems and being unable to access files or share information as quickly as they might be able to in the private sector. "If I am a warfighter, I want as much data as you could possibly give me," Lieutenant General Jack Shanahan, the director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, told reporters in August describing the importance of the contract. Some companies were concerned that a single award would give the winner an unfair advantage in follow-on work. The Pentagon has said it planned to award future cloud deals to multiple contractors. This week, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper removed himself from reviewing the deal due to his adult son's employment with one of the original contract applicants, IBM Corp <IBM.N>. IBM had previously bid for the contract but had already been eliminated from the competition. Microsoft said it was working on a comment. IBM and Oracle did not immediately return requests for comment. In a book slated for publication Oct. 29, retired Navy commander Guy Snodgrass, who served as a speech writer to former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, said Trump called Mattis and directed him to "screw Amazon" by preventing it from bidding on the JEDI contract, according to an excerpt of the book seen by Reuters ahead of its release. "We’re not going to do that," Mattis later told other Pentagon officials, according to the excerpt. "This will be done by the book, both legally and ethically." Snodgrass declined to comment pending the release of his book. In a statement announcing Microsoft as the winner, the Pentagon underscored its view that the competition was conducted fairly and legally. "All (offers) were treated fairly and evaluated consistently with the solicitation's stated evaluation criteria. Prior to the award, the department conferred with the DOD Inspector General, which informed the decision to proceed," it said. Microsoft shares were up 3% to $144.98 in after-hours trading after the news. Amazon shares were down 0.92% to $1,745.12. The Pentagon said it had awarded more than $11 billion across 10 separate cloud contracts over the past two years. "As we continue to execute the DOD Cloud Strategy, additional contracts are planned for both cloud services and complementary migration and integration solutions necessary to achieve effective cloud adoption," the Pentagon said.

Microsoft beats Amazon for Pentagon's $10 billion cloud computing contract

Deforestation in Brazil's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-countries-meet-to-bolster-rainforest-protection-248160">Amazon rainforest </a>rose for the fourth straight month in August from a year earlier, according to preliminary government data released on Friday, adding to concerns over fires already ravaging the region.

The Brazilian Amazon is facing its worst spate of forest fires since 2010, with news of the destruction of the world's largest rainforest last month prompting global outcry and worries that it could hurt demand for the country's exports.

Brazil's leading meat export industry group and other agribusiness associations on Friday joined with nongovernment organizations (NGOs) to call for an end to deforestation on public lands, demanding government action amid the fires.

"I haven't seen any contracts being cancelled in any sectors. Exports continue, but the red light is flashing," Marcello Brito, president of the Brazilian Agribusiness Association, told reporters at a briefing.

"If action isn't taken, if the discourse doesn't change, if the rhetoric doesn't change, then things can get worse."

Environmentalists blame the strong rhetoric of right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro in favour of developing the Amazon for emboldening deforesters and those setting fires.

Bolsonaro has complained that the country does not have the resources to police an area as large as the Amazon. The country is facing a steep budget shortfall as its economy recovers slower than expected from a deep recession.

Brazil's Environment Minister Ricardo Salles told Reuters in an interview on Friday that the government did not have enough funds to hire more permanent environmental enforcement agents, who are used to combat deforestation and fires

Instead, the federal government plans to hire state environmental police on their days off to assist in enforcement, he said.

"You have to be creative," Salles said.

The Group of Seven wealthy nations offered $20 million in aid last week to help fight the fires, but Bolsonaro said he would only accept it if French President Emmanuel Macron withdrew "insults" against him.

Bolsonaro and Macron have been embroiled in a deeply personal and public war of words, with Bolsonaro mocking Macron's wife and accusing the French leader of disrespecting Brazil's sovereignty. Macron has called Bolsonaro a liar and said Brazilian women are "probably ashamed" of him.

It remains unclear if Brazil will accept the offer, although the country will take 10 million pounds in aid from the United Kingdom, according to the British embassy in Brasilia.

Deforestation rising

In the eight months through August, Amazon deforestation rose 92% to 6,404.8 square kilometres (2,472.91 square miles), an area larger than the U.S. state of Delaware, according to preliminary data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE).

In August alone, deforestation more than tripled to 1,700.8 square kilometres (657 square miles).

Deforestation is often followed by burning to clear land for ranching or farming, so the destruction in August could signal more fires to come in the Amazon, according Ana Paula Aguiar, an INPE land-use researcher now on leave at Stockholm University.

"They cut trees and then later they start fires, so possibly (the spike in fires) will continue," Aguiar said. "If they have already deforested in the previous month, we'll see fire this month."

In the first five days of September, INPE registered 2,799 fires in the Amazon, a decrease of 60% compared to the same period of 2018.

If the hotspots continue to be registered at the same rate, September could be a better month for fires, falling below the same month a year ago and the average for the last 20 years, Aguiar said. But with only a few days of data, it is too soon to tell, she said.

Environment Minister Salles attributed the fall in the number of fires to the government's measures to combat the fires, which included sending in the military.

Rain could bring relief to the western part of the Brazilian Amazon, although to the east broad swathes of the rainforest will remain extremely dry, according to Refinitiv data.

Call to action

Meat group Abiec and NGOs Imazon and IPAM are among the 11 Brazilian groups that signed on to a campaign on Friday calling for a Justice Ministry task force to resolve conflicts over public land, representatives of the groups told reporters.

The protection of the Amazon, which absorbs vast amounts of greenhouse gas that causes global warming, is seen as vital to the fight against climate change. Roughly 60% of the Amazon lies in Brazil.

The campaign also calls for another task force to examine forests on public land that have not been assigned any reserve or other status.

About 40% of deforestation in 2018 occurred on public lands, according to IPAM.

All forests should receive designations based on what they are best suited for, IPAM Executive Director Andre Guimaraes said. For example, if it contains sensitive species, a forest could be protected as a reserve or national park, he said.

Others could be designated as national forests or as concession areas for sustainable logging, Guimaraes said.

Roughly 650,000 square km (250,966 square miles) of forest in Brazil - an area nearly twice the size of Germany - have no designation, according to IPAM.

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest rose for the fourth straight month in August from a year earlier, according to preliminary government data released on Friday, adding to concerns over fires already ravaging the region.

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest rose for the fourth straight month in August from a year earlier, according to preliminary government data released on Friday, adding to concerns over fires already ravaging the region. The Brazilian Amazon is facing its worst spate of forest fires since 2010, with news of the destruction of the world's largest rainforest last month prompting global outcry and worries that it could hurt demand for the country's exports. Brazil's leading meat export industry group and other agribusiness associations on Friday joined with nongovernment organizations (NGOs) to call for an end to deforestation on public lands, demanding government action amid the fires. "I haven't seen any contracts being cancelled in any sectors. Exports continue, but the red light is flashing," Marcello Brito, president of the Brazilian Agribusiness Association, told reporters at a briefing. "If action isn't taken, if the discourse doesn't change, if the rhetoric doesn't change, then things can get worse." Environmentalists blame the strong rhetoric of right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro in favour of developing the Amazon for emboldening deforesters and those setting fires. Bolsonaro has complained that the country does not have the resources to police an area as large as the Amazon. The country is facing a steep budget shortfall as its economy recovers slower than expected from a deep recession. Brazil's Environment Minister Ricardo Salles told Reuters in an interview on Friday that the government did not have enough funds to hire more permanent environmental enforcement agents, who are used to combat deforestation and fires Instead, the federal government plans to hire state environmental police on their days off to assist in enforcement, he said. "You have to be creative," Salles said. The Group of Seven wealthy nations offered $20 million in aid last week to help fight the fires, but Bolsonaro said he would only accept it if French President Emmanuel Macron withdrew "insults" against him. Bolsonaro and Macron have been embroiled in a deeply personal and public war of words, with Bolsonaro mocking Macron's wife and accusing the French leader of disrespecting Brazil's sovereignty. Macron has called Bolsonaro a liar and said Brazilian women are "probably ashamed" of him. It remains unclear if Brazil will accept the offer, although the country will take 10 million pounds in aid from the United Kingdom, according to the British embassy in Brasilia. Deforestation rising In the eight months through August, Amazon deforestation rose 92% to 6,404.8 square kilometres (2,472.91 square miles), an area larger than the U.S. state of Delaware, according to preliminary data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). In August alone, deforestation more than tripled to 1,700.8 square kilometres (657 square miles). Deforestation is often followed by burning to clear land for ranching or farming, so the destruction in August could signal more fires to come in the Amazon, according Ana Paula Aguiar, an INPE land-use researcher now on leave at Stockholm University. "They cut trees and then later they start fires, so possibly (the spike in fires) will continue," Aguiar said. "If they have already deforested in the previous month, we'll see fire this month." In the first five days of September, INPE registered 2,799 fires in the Amazon, a decrease of 60% compared to the same period of 2018. If the hotspots continue to be registered at the same rate, September could be a better month for fires, falling below the same month a year ago and the average for the last 20 years, Aguiar said. But with only a few days of data, it is too soon to tell, she said. Environment Minister Salles attributed the fall in the number of fires to the government's measures to combat the fires, which included sending in the military. Rain could bring relief to the western part of the Brazilian Amazon, although to the east broad swathes of the rainforest will remain extremely dry, according to Refinitiv data. Call to action Meat group Abiec and NGOs Imazon and IPAM are among the 11 Brazilian groups that signed on to a campaign on Friday calling for a Justice Ministry task force to resolve conflicts over public land, representatives of the groups told reporters. The protection of the Amazon, which absorbs vast amounts of greenhouse gas that causes global warming, is seen as vital to the fight against climate change. Roughly 60% of the Amazon lies in Brazil. The campaign also calls for another task force to examine forests on public land that have not been assigned any reserve or other status. About 40% of deforestation in 2018 occurred on public lands, according to IPAM. All forests should receive designations based on what they are best suited for, IPAM Executive Director Andre Guimaraes said. For example, if it contains sensitive species, a forest could be protected as a reserve or national park, he said. Others could be designated as national forests or as concession areas for sustainable logging, Guimaraes said. Roughly 650,000 square km (250,966 square miles) of forest in Brazil - an area nearly twice the size of Germany - have no designation, according to IPAM.

Brazil deforestation rises in August, adding to Amazon fire worries

The number of forest fires in Brazil surged in the first eight months of 2019, official data show, as President Jair Bolsonaro faces growing criticism over rampant destruction of the Amazon.

The number of forest fires in Brazil surged in the first eight months of 2019, official data show, as President Jair Bolsonaro faces growing criticism over rampant destruction of the Amazon. Nearly 73,000 fires were recorded between January and August, compared with 39,759 in all of 2018, the embattled National Institute for Space Research (INPE) said late Monday. That is the highest number of forest fires for any year since 2013 and follows two years of declines. "What we are seeing is a consequence of the increase in deforestation seen in recent figures," said Ricardo Mello of WWF's Amazon Program. Forest fires tend to intensify during the dry season, which usually ends in late October or early November, as land is cleared to make way for crops or grazing. The INPE figures show fires have been concentrated in states occupying the Amazon. Thick smoke has blanketed several cities in recent days and even caused a commercial flight to be diverted. The data comes as Bolsonaro faces growing criticism over his anti-environment rhetoric, which activists blame for emboldening loggers, miners and farmers in the Amazon. Norway on Thursday joined Germany in halting Amazon protection subsidies, accusing Brazil of turning its back on the fight against deforestation. The governors of nine states spanning the Amazon also published a statement on Sunday saying they would negotiate directly with the Amazon Fund contributors. The latest INPE figures coincide with a UN regional meeting on climate change in Brazil ahead of December's summit in Chile. INPE is already in Bolsonaro's crosshairs over data showing a surge in deforestation in recent months. Bolsonaro dismissed the figures as lies and sacked the head of the agency tasked with tracking forest clearing. Brazil leads the region in forest fires this year, according to the INPE data that is collected via satellite and updated in real-time. Venezuela ranked second with 26,453 fires and Bolivia with 16,101.

Forest fires in Brazil surge as deforestation accelerates

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-founder-jeff-bezos-divorce-final-with-38-billion-settlement-report-233449">Amazon founder Jeff Bezos</a> sold shares worth $1.8 billion in the last three days of July, reducing the value of his stake in the world's third most valuable company to about $110 billion.

The move by Bezos was part of a previously adopted trading plan and was revealed in regulatory filings that also showed that his former wife Mackenzie Bezos is now the online retailer's second largest individual shareholder.

Her stake, stemming from a divorce settlement of the pair's previous joint holdings, is currently worth more than $37 billion.

The numbers mean Bezos retains his pole position among the world's billionaires, while his former wife now ranks 23rd, according to Forbes data.

The couple announced their plan to divorce in a joint Twitter statement in January, and Amazon disclosed in April that 4% of its outstanding stock or 19.7 million shares would be registered in MacKenzie Bezos' name after court approval of the divorce.

The billionaire chief executive has said previously that he would sell stock worth about $1 billion each year to fund his r<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazons-jeff-bezos-unveils-lunar-lander-project-blue-moon-217363">ocket company, Blue Origin</a>.

Blue Origin aims eventually to cut the cost of space flight to levels that would allow millions of people to live and work off Earth, Bezos has said.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos sold shares worth $1.8 billion in the last three days of July, reducing the value of his stake in the world's third most valuable company to about $110 billion.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos sold shares worth $1.8 billion in the last three days of July, reducing the value of his stake in the world's third most valuable company to about $110 billion. The move by Bezos was part of a previously adopted trading plan and was revealed in regulatory filings that also showed that his former wife Mackenzie Bezos is now the online retailer's second largest individual shareholder. Her stake, stemming from a divorce settlement of the pair's previous joint holdings, is currently worth more than $37 billion. The numbers mean Bezos retains his pole position among the world's billionaires, while his former wife now ranks 23rd, according to Forbes data. The couple announced their plan to divorce in a joint Twitter statement in January, and Amazon disclosed in April that 4% of its outstanding stock or 19.7 million shares would be registered in MacKenzie Bezos' name after court approval of the divorce. The billionaire chief executive has said previously that he would sell stock worth about $1 billion each year to fund his rocket company, Blue Origin. Blue Origin aims eventually to cut the cost of space flight to levels that would allow millions of people to live and work off Earth, Bezos has said.

Jeff Bezos sells shares worth $1.8 billion in Amazon, still world's top billionaire

Amazon.com Inc on Wednesday said it is opening a general store in New York City that will sell toys, household goods and a range of other products highly rated on its website, marking its latest push into brick-and-mortar retail.

Drawing on its wealth of customer data, Amazon has stocked the store with its best sellers as well as products popular with New Yorkers.

The shop, known as Amazon 4-star, will let customers play with Echo speakers, Kindle e-readers and other devices made by the company. It will also sell books, games and kitchenware.

The news marks Amazon's latest incursion into the turf of rivals such as Target Corp, which has courted urban shoppers with new small-format stores. It also highlights how the world's largest online retailer, famous for upending retail chains' business, is increasingly turning to physical stores to please customers.

Digital price tags will line the shelves of Amazon 4-star. That will allow items' prices to fluctuate, so members of Amazon's loyalty club Prime will always pay the online price in the store.

Those without membership in the fast-shipping club will be charged the typically higher list price, unless they sign up for Prime on the spot. Amazon's chain of more than a dozen book stores operates in the same way.

Encouraging sign-ups is key to the company's strategy because Prime members tend to shop more on Amazon.com.

The extent of Amazon's ambition for the new store format is unclear. The company is known for experimentation, and a spokesman declined to comment on expansion plans.

Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, said Amazon will add new stores if the format takes off, but he expects it may not.

"If I’m looking for a television and the store is full of kitchen appliances, it doesn’t help me very much," he said.

Grocery remains the other key category for Amazon's brick-and-mortar play.

The company bought Whole Foods Market in a $13.7 billion deal last year, from which it is now delivering fresh food to shoppers' homes. It is also rolling out smaller grocery shops known as Amazon Go, where in-store technology allows customers to walk out with items and have their credit cards billed without having to stop by a cash register. 
&nbsp;

Amazon.com Inc on Wednesday said it is opening a general store in New York City that will sell toys, household goods and a range of other products highly rated on its website, marking its latest push into brick-and-mortar retail.

Amazon.com Inc on Wednesday said it is opening a general store in New York City that will sell toys, household goods and a range of other products highly rated on its website, marking its latest push into brick-and-mortar retail. Drawing on its wealth of customer data, Amazon has stocked the store with its best sellers as well as products popular with New Yorkers. The shop, known as Amazon 4-star, will let customers play with Echo speakers, Kindle e-readers and other devices made by the company. It will also sell books, games and kitchenware. The news marks Amazon's latest incursion into the turf of rivals such as Target Corp, which has courted urban shoppers with new small-format stores. It also highlights how the world's largest online retailer, famous for upending retail chains' business, is increasingly turning to physical stores to please customers. Digital price tags will line the shelves of Amazon 4-star. That will allow items' prices to fluctuate, so members of Amazon's loyalty club Prime will always pay the online price in the store. Those without membership in the fast-shipping club will be charged the typically higher list price, unless they sign up for Prime on the spot. Amazon's chain of more than a dozen book stores operates in the same way. Encouraging sign-ups is key to the company's strategy because Prime members tend to shop more on Amazon.com. The extent of Amazon's ambition for the new store format is unclear. The company is known for experimentation, and a spokesman declined to comment on expansion plans. Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, said Amazon will add new stores if the format takes off, but he expects it may not. "If I’m looking for a television and the store is full of kitchen appliances, it doesn’t help me very much," he said. Grocery remains the other key category for Amazon's brick-and-mortar play. The company bought Whole Foods Market in a $13.7 billion deal last year, from which it is now delivering fresh food to shoppers' homes. It is also rolling out smaller grocery shops known as Amazon Go, where in-store technology allows customers to walk out with items and have their credit cards billed without having to stop by a cash register.

Amazon turns to toys, home goods in latest brick-and-mortar trial

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