Microsoft&nbsp;Corp is substantially cutting its business in Russia in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier in March,&nbsp;Microsoft&nbsp;said it was suspending new sales of its products and services in Russia.

"More than 400 employees will be affected", said a company spokesperson.

Several major companies, including Apple Inc, Nike and Dell Technologies, have severed connections with Russia.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-google-and-microsoft-working-on-passwordless-future-477217">Apple, Google and Microsoft working on 'passwordless future'</a>

Watch |&nbsp;Microsoft warns of Forex hit, cuts 4th quarter forecast

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Facebook-owner Meta Platforms Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google have also taken measures to restrict Russian state media from making money off ads on their platforms.

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Microsoft Corp is substantially cutting its business in Russia in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Earlier in March, Microsoft said it was suspending new sales of its products and services in Russia.

Microsoft Corp is substantially cutting its business in Russia in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Earlier in March, Microsoft said it was suspending new sales of its products and services in Russia. "More than 400 employees will be affected", said a company spokesperson. Several major companies, including Apple Inc, Nike and Dell Technologies, have severed connections with Russia. Also read | Apple, Google and Microsoft working on 'passwordless future' Watch | Microsoft warns of Forex hit, cuts 4th quarter forecast Facebook-owner Meta Platforms Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google have also taken measures to restrict Russian state media from making money off ads on their platforms. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Microsoft cuts Russia operations due to Ukraine invasion

Microsoft Corp on Tuesday forecast double-digit revenue growth for the next fiscal year, driven by demand for cloud computing services, and its shares jumped about 4%.

Microsoft forecasts double-digit revenue growth

Microsoft said that it has disrupted attempted hacks by Russian spies. This comes at a time when the Russian invasion of Ukraine is still ongoing.

Microsoft: Disrupted attempted hacks by Russian spies

In pics: List of foreign companies pulling out of Russia keeps on growing

Microsoft&nbsp;Corp unveiled its&nbsp;fourth&nbsp;data&nbsp;centre in&nbsp;India&nbsp;on Monday, betting on rising digital consumption in one of its fastest-growing markets.

Microsoft&nbsp;India&nbsp;head Anant Maheshwari said the company was making long-term investments in the country, although he declined to confirm reports by local media of a $2 billion price tag for the latest centre.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-a-relief-for-indian-students-in-sumy-russia-announces-ceasefire-for-humanitarian-purposes-459790">In a relief for Indian students in Sumy, Russia announces ceasefire for humanitarian purposes</a>

"A public cloud&nbsp;data&nbsp;center&nbsp;is not a one time investment, it is a continuous investment that we have," Maheshwari told Reuters. "In the last two years, we doubled the capacity in the existing three&nbsp;data&nbsp;centers."

The overall&nbsp;Indian public cloud services market is expected to reach $10.8 billion by 2025, according to research firm IDC.

India's government has been nudging foreign tech companies to store more of their&nbsp;data&nbsp;locally, a move seen as New Delhi's attempt to gain stricter oversight of Big Tech firms.

Maheshwari said&nbsp;Microsoft&nbsp;was continuing to grow its workforce in&nbsp;India&nbsp;from 18,000 currently "both through the pandemic and going forward."

"We already serve more than 340,000 companies in the country," Maheshwari said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttar-pradesh-assembly-elections-voting-underway-in-54-seats-across-9-districts-459730">Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections: Voting underway in 54 seats across 9 districts</a>

The new&nbsp;data&nbsp;centre is located in&nbsp;India's southern state of Telangana.

The company's business model, which relies on partners building additional services on top of its cloud platform, Azure, generated business worth about $10 billion in the last five years, Maheshwari said.

Competitors are joining the race in&nbsp;India. Key rival Amazon announced in late 2020 it would spend $2.8 billion to build its second&nbsp;data&nbsp;centre in the country, while Adani Group last year announced plans to build six&nbsp;data&nbsp;centre parks across the country.

Microsoft Corp unveiled its fourth data centre in India on Monday, betting on rising digital consumption in one of its fastest-growing markets. Microsoft India head Anant Maheshwari said the company was making long-term investments in the country, although he declined to confirm reports by local media of a $2 billion price tag for the latest centre.

Microsoft Corp unveiled its fourth data centre in India on Monday, betting on rising digital consumption in one of its fastest-growing markets. Microsoft India head Anant Maheshwari said the company was making long-term investments in the country, although he declined to confirm reports by local media of a $2 billion price tag for the latest centre. Also read | In a relief for Indian students in Sumy, Russia announces ceasefire for humanitarian purposes "A public cloud data center is not a one time investment, it is a continuous investment that we have," Maheshwari told Reuters. "In the last two years, we doubled the capacity in the existing three data centers." The overall Indian public cloud services market is expected to reach $10.8 billion by 2025, according to research firm IDC. India's government has been nudging foreign tech companies to store more of their data locally, a move seen as New Delhi's attempt to gain stricter oversight of Big Tech firms. Maheshwari said Microsoft was continuing to grow its workforce in India from 18,000 currently "both through the pandemic and going forward." "We already serve more than 340,000 companies in the country," Maheshwari said. Also read | Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections: Voting underway in 54 seats across 9 districts The new data centre is located in India's southern state of Telangana. The company's business model, which relies on partners building additional services on top of its cloud platform, Azure, generated business worth about $10 billion in the last five years, Maheshwari said. Competitors are joining the race in India. Key rival Amazon announced in late 2020 it would spend $2.8 billion to build its second data centre in the country, while Adani Group last year announced plans to build six data centre parks across the country.

Microsoft unveils fourth data centre in India

Philanthropist Melinda French Gates has called Jeffrey Epstein "evil personified," and slammed ex-husband Bill Gates for having met him multiple times.

Late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was involed in human trafficking and killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex abuse charge.

A socialite and donor, his network of relationships extended from former presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton to British Prince Andrew.

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"I wanted to see who this man was, and I regretted it from the second I stepped in the door," she told CBS Mornings in an interview.

Melinda said meeting Epstein was "abhorrent," and afterward she had "nightmares."

"Any of the questions remaining about what Bill's relationship there was, those are for Bill to answer, but I made it very clear how I felt about him," said French Gates.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mackenzie-scott-and-melinda-french-gates-donate-40-million-to-gender-equality-projects-401803">Also read |&nbsp;MacKenzie Scott and Melinda French Gates donate $40 million to gender equality projects</a>

The billionaire formerly donated the majority of her wealth to the charitable organisation, which fights global poverty, disease, and inequity.

The Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation, of which Gates is co-chair, is part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a major project between governments and international organisations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/where-is-jeffrey-epsteins-money-going-448444">Also read |&nbsp;Where is Jeffrey Epstein’s money going?</a>

They had finalised their divorce in August, and have continued their work together at the foundation. French Gates’ future there, though, remains unknown - she could leave her position within two years if she and her former husband decide they can no longer work together.

The Wall Street Journal revealed that Bill Gates's March 2020 departure from Microsoft occurred during an investigation into an affair he had with an employee in 2000.

''I believe in forgiveness. I thought we had worked through some of that,'' she said about Bill's affair with a Microsoft employee.

''I gave every single piece of myself to this marriage. I was committed from the day we got engaged to the day we ended it,'' she added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Philanthropist Melinda French Gates has called Jeffrey Epstein "evil personified," and slammed ex-husband Bill Gates for having met him multiple times. Late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was involed in human trafficking and killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex abuse charge.

Philanthropist Melinda French Gates has called Jeffrey Epstein "evil personified," and slammed ex-husband Bill Gates for having met him multiple times. Late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was involed in human trafficking and killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex abuse charge. A socialite and donor, his network of relationships extended from former presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton to British Prince Andrew. "I wanted to see who this man was, and I regretted it from the second I stepped in the door," she told CBS Mornings in an interview. Melinda said meeting Epstein was "abhorrent," and afterward she had "nightmares." "Any of the questions remaining about what Bill's relationship there was, those are for Bill to answer, but I made it very clear how I felt about him," said French Gates. Also read | MacKenzie Scott and Melinda French Gates donate $40 million to gender equality projects The billionaire formerly donated the majority of her wealth to the charitable organisation, which fights global poverty, disease, and inequity. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, of which Gates is co-chair, is part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a major project between governments and international organisations. Also read | Where is Jeffrey Epstein’s money going? They had finalised their divorce in August, and have continued their work together at the foundation. French Gates’ future there, though, remains unknown - she could leave her position within two years if she and her former husband decide they can no longer work together. The Wall Street Journal revealed that Bill Gates's March 2020 departure from Microsoft occurred during an investigation into an affair he had with an employee in 2000. ''I believe in forgiveness. I thought we had worked through some of that,'' she said about Bill's affair with a Microsoft employee. ''I gave every single piece of myself to this marriage. I was committed from the day we got engaged to the day we ended it,'' she added. (With inputs from agencies)

Melinda Gates calls meeting Epstein 'abhorrent', slams ex-husband Bill's friendship with him

Zain Nadella, the son of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and his wife Anu, died early Monday morning, according to the company.

He was 26 years old and had been born with cerebral palsy.&nbsp;

The company's top executives were notified of Zain's death by email.

According to the message, Microsoft executives were asked to keep Satya Nadella's family in their thoughts and prayers while giving them space to grieve quietly.&nbsp;

Nadella has focused the company on building products to better serve users with disabilities since taking over as CEO in 2014, citing lessons he learnt while raising and supporting Zain.

Last year, Seattle Children's Hospital partnered with the Nadellas to create the Zain Nadella Endowed Chair in Pediatric Neurosciences, which is part of the Seattle Children's Center for Integrative Brain Research.&nbsp;

"Zain will be remembered for his eclectic taste in music, his bright sunny smile, and the immense joy he brought to his family and all those who loved him," Jeff Sperring, CEO of Children’s Hospital, wrote in a message to his Board, which was shared with Microsoft executives. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/elon-musk-praises-elevation-of-parag-agarwal-as-twitter-ceo-usa-benefits-greatly-from-indian-talent-432887">Also read | Elon Musk praises elevation of Parag Agarwal as Twitter CEO: 'USA benefits greatly from Indian talent'</a> 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Zain Nadella, the son of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and his wife Anu, died early Monday morning, according to the company. He was 26 years old and had been born with cerebral palsy.

Zain Nadella, the son of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and his wife Anu, died early Monday morning, according to the company. He was 26 years old and had been born with cerebral palsy. The company's top executives were notified of Zain's death by email. According to the message, Microsoft executives were asked to keep Satya Nadella's family in their thoughts and prayers while giving them space to grieve quietly. Nadella has focused the company on building products to better serve users with disabilities since taking over as CEO in 2014, citing lessons he learnt while raising and supporting Zain. Last year, Seattle Children's Hospital partnered with the Nadellas to create the Zain Nadella Endowed Chair in Pediatric Neurosciences, which is part of the Seattle Children's Center for Integrative Brain Research. "Zain will be remembered for his eclectic taste in music, his bright sunny smile, and the immense joy he brought to his family and all those who loved him," Jeff Sperring, CEO of Children’s Hospital, wrote in a message to his Board, which was shared with Microsoft executives. Also read | Elon Musk praises elevation of Parag Agarwal as Twitter CEO: 'USA benefits greatly from Indian talent' (With inputs from agencies)

Zain Nadella, son of CEO Satya Nadella, dies at 26: Microsoft

Microsoft&nbsp;Corp said on Monday it would&nbsp;remove&nbsp;Russian state-owned media outlet RT's mobile apps from the Windows App store and ban advertisements on&nbsp;Russian state-sponsored media, as global tech firms respond to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The company said it would not display any state-sponsored RT and Sputnik content, de-rank their search results on Bing and not place any ads from its ad network on those sites.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/node/454148">Here's what Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates doing in Pakistan</a>

Western tech companies, including Facebook-owner Meta Platforms Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google, have placed restrictions on&nbsp;Russia's state-controlled media outlets in Ukraine and around the world.

Google has banned downloads of RT's mobile app on Ukrainian territory after barring&nbsp;Russia's state-owned media outlet RT and other channels from receiving money for ads on their websites, apps and YouTube videos.

Facebook is barring&nbsp;Russian state media from running ads or monetizing on its platform anywhere in the world.

Watch |&nbsp;World Bank Prez David Malpass criticized Microsoft's $69 billion deal as poor countries struggle

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"(We) will make ongoing adjustments to strengthen our detection and disruption mechanisms to avoid the spread of disinformation and promote instead independent and trusted content,"&nbsp;Microsoft&nbsp;said in a blog.

A growing list of companies are also looking to exit&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;as sanctions from Western countries tighten.

Microsoft Corp said on Monday it would remove Russian state-owned media outlet RT's mobile apps from the Windows App store and ban advertisements on Russian state-sponsored media, as global tech firms respond to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Microsoft Corp said on Monday it would remove Russian state-owned media outlet RT's mobile apps from the Windows App store and ban advertisements on Russian state-sponsored media, as global tech firms respond to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The company said it would not display any state-sponsored RT and Sputnik content, de-rank their search results on Bing and not place any ads from its ad network on those sites. Also read | Here's what Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates doing in Pakistan Western tech companies, including Facebook-owner Meta Platforms Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google, have placed restrictions on Russia's state-controlled media outlets in Ukraine and around the world. Google has banned downloads of RT's mobile app on Ukrainian territory after barring Russia's state-owned media outlet RT and other channels from receiving money for ads on their websites, apps and YouTube videos. Facebook is barring Russian state media from running ads or monetizing on its platform anywhere in the world. Watch | World Bank Prez David Malpass criticized Microsoft's $69 billion deal as poor countries struggle "(We) will make ongoing adjustments to strengthen our detection and disruption mechanisms to avoid the spread of disinformation and promote instead independent and trusted content," Microsoft said in a blog. A growing list of companies are also looking to exit Russia as sanctions from Western countries tighten.

Microsoft to remove RT apps, ban Russian state-owned media ads

On Thursday, Pakistan received a special guest. The co-founder of Microsoft Bill Gates. What was he doing in Islamabad? Discussing the eradication of Polio with Pak PM Imran Khan. Pakistan is among the only 2 countries still fighting polio. Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Here's what Bill Gates was doing in Islamabad

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates met with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday (February 17) during his first-ever visit to the South Asian nation.&nbsp;

Pakistan's Prime Minister's Office said that the Microsoft co-founder was visiting the country on the premier's "special invitation" as&nbsp;Khan hosted Gates over lunch.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"It was a pleasure to welcome @BillGates who came to Pakistan on my invitation. Apart from his many achievements, he is admired globally for his philanthropy," cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan tweeted.&nbsp;

"On behalf of our nation I thank him for his immense contribution towards polio eradication &amp; poverty alleviation initiatives," he added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/price-surge-in-pak-galvanises-oppositions-plan-to-bring-no-confidence-vote-against-imran-khan-453857">Price surge in Pak galvanises opposition's plan to bring no-confidence vote against Imran Khan</a>

Pakistan and Afghanistan are countries in the world where polio continues to circulate. Bill Gates met with Khan to discuss polio eradication in one of the last two countries of the world where the virus is endemic. &nbsp;

The Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation is part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a major project between governments and international organisations.&nbsp;

Health and humanitarian officials say that Pakistan's attempts to eradicate polio are at a hopeful but sensitive stage. No children have been paralysed by wild polio in Pakistan in more than a year.&nbsp;

However, as per the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation,&nbsp;the virus was detected in December in sewerage samples in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.&nbsp;

ALSO READ&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-journalist-arrested-for-making-obscene-remarks-about-imran-khan-453755">Pak scribe fires at cops before his arrest for 'obscene' remarks against Imran</a>

During his visit, Gates also met with the country's COVID-19 National Command and Operation Centre, which leads the country's response to the pandemic.

Pakistan's Senator Faisal Javed Khan said Gates "greatly appreciated steps [regarding polio eradication] in Pakistan, the National Command and Operation Centre's (NCOC) performance in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic and initiatives such as the Ehsaas programme". He shared pictures of the meeting on Twitter.&nbsp;

Gates was also conferred the country's second-highest civilian award by the country's president.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates met with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday (February 17) during his first-ever visit to the South Asian nation. Pakistan's Prime Minister's Office said that the Microsoft co-founder was visiting the country on the premier's "special invitation" as Khan hosted Gates over lunch.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates met with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday (February 17) during his first-ever visit to the South Asian nation. Pakistan's Prime Minister's Office said that the Microsoft co-founder was visiting the country on the premier's "special invitation" as Khan hosted Gates over lunch. "It was a pleasure to welcome @BillGates who came to Pakistan on my invitation. Apart from his many achievements, he is admired globally for his philanthropy," cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan tweeted. "On behalf of our nation I thank him for his immense contribution towards polio eradication & poverty alleviation initiatives," he added. ALSO READ | Price surge in Pak galvanises opposition's plan to bring no-confidence vote against Imran Khan Pakistan and Afghanistan are countries in the world where polio continues to circulate. Bill Gates met with Khan to discuss polio eradication in one of the last two countries of the world where the virus is endemic. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a major project between governments and international organisations. Health and humanitarian officials say that Pakistan's attempts to eradicate polio are at a hopeful but sensitive stage. No children have been paralysed by wild polio in Pakistan in more than a year. However, as per the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the virus was detected in December in sewerage samples in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. ALSO READ | Pak scribe fires at cops before his arrest for 'obscene' remarks against Imran During his visit, Gates also met with the country's COVID-19 National Command and Operation Centre, which leads the country's response to the pandemic. Pakistan's Senator Faisal Javed Khan said Gates "greatly appreciated steps [regarding polio eradication] in Pakistan, the National Command and Operation Centre's (NCOC) performance in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic and initiatives such as the Ehsaas programme". He shared pictures of the meeting on Twitter. Gates was also conferred the country's second-highest civilian award by the country's president. (With inputs from agencies)

Here's what Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates doing in Pakistan

World Bank President David Malpass criticized Microsoft's $69 billion takeover of gaming developer Activision Blizzard as a questionable allocation of capital at a time when poor countries are struggling to restructure debts and fight COVID-19 and poverty.

World Bank Prez David Malpass criticized Microsoft's $69 billion deal as poor countries struggle

Tech giant&nbsp;Microsoft is going to buy Activision Blizzard, the iconic gaming studio that has made genre-defining and immensely popular games like 'Call of Duty', 'Candy Crush Saga' and more. The USD 68.7 billion deal is going to be the biggest deal in the history of gaming industry. Microsoft announced the all-cash deal on Tuesday. This deal is likely to give Microsoft a strong foothold in booming videogame market dominated by major players like Tencent and Sony.

It also represents the American multinational's bet on the "metaverse," virtual online worlds where people can work, play and socialize, as many of its biggest competitors are already doing.&nbsp;

"Gaming is the most dynamic and exciting category in entertainment across all platforms today and will play a key role in the development of metaverse platforms," Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella said.

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Microsoft's offer of $95 per share represents a premium of 45% to Activision's Friday close. Activision's shares were last up 27% at $83.11, still a steep discount to the offer price, reflecting concerns the deal could get stuck in regulators' crosshairs.

Microsoft has so far avoided the type of scrutiny faced by Google and Facebook but this deal, which would make it the world's third largest gaming company, will put the Xbox maker on lawmakers' radars, said Andre Barlow of the law firm Doyle, Barlow &amp; Mazard PLLC.

"Microsoft is already big in gaming," he said.

However, a source familiar with the matter said Microsoft would pay a $3 billion break-fee if the deal falls through, suggesting it is confident of winning antitrust approval.

The tech major's shares were last down 1.3%.

The deal comes at a time of weakness for Activision. Before the deal was announced, its shares had slumped more than 37% since reaching a record high last year, hit by allegations of sexual harassment of employees and misconduct by several top managers.

The company is still addressing those allegations and said on Monday it had fired or pushed out more than three dozen employees and disciplined another 40 since July.

CEO Bobby Kotick, who said Microsoft reached out to him for a possible buyout, would continue to be the CEO of Activision following the deal.

In a conference call with analysts, Microsoft boss Nadella did not directly refer to the scandal but talked about the importance of culture in the company.

"It's critical for Activision Blizzard to drive forward on its renewed cultural commitments," he said, adding "the success of this acquisition will depend on it."

(With inputs from agencies)

Tech giant Microsoft is going to buy Activision Blizzard, the iconic gaming studio that has made genre-defining and immensely popular games like 'Call of Duty', 'Candy Crush Saga' and more.

Tech giant Microsoft is going to buy Activision Blizzard, the iconic gaming studio that has made genre-defining and immensely popular games like 'Call of Duty', 'Candy Crush Saga' and more. The USD 68.7 billion deal is going to be the biggest deal in the history of gaming industry. Microsoft announced the all-cash deal on Tuesday. This deal is likely to give Microsoft a strong foothold in booming videogame market dominated by major players like Tencent and Sony. It also represents the American multinational's bet on the "metaverse," virtual online worlds where people can work, play and socialize, as many of its biggest competitors are already doing. "Gaming is the most dynamic and exciting category in entertainment across all platforms today and will play a key role in the development of metaverse platforms," Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella said. Microsoft's offer of $95 per share represents a premium of 45% to Activision's Friday close. Activision's shares were last up 27% at $83.11, still a steep discount to the offer price, reflecting concerns the deal could get stuck in regulators' crosshairs. Microsoft has so far avoided the type of scrutiny faced by Google and Facebook but this deal, which would make it the world's third largest gaming company, will put the Xbox maker on lawmakers' radars, said Andre Barlow of the law firm Doyle, Barlow & Mazard PLLC. "Microsoft is already big in gaming," he said. However, a source familiar with the matter said Microsoft would pay a $3 billion break-fee if the deal falls through, suggesting it is confident of winning antitrust approval. The tech major's shares were last down 1.3%. The deal comes at a time of weakness for Activision. Before the deal was announced, its shares had slumped more than 37% since reaching a record high last year, hit by allegations of sexual harassment of employees and misconduct by several top managers. The company is still addressing those allegations and said on Monday it had fired or pushed out more than three dozen employees and disciplined another 40 since July. CEO Bobby Kotick, who said Microsoft reached out to him for a possible buyout, would continue to be the CEO of Activision following the deal. In a conference call with analysts, Microsoft boss Nadella did not directly refer to the scandal but talked about the importance of culture in the company. "It's critical for Activision Blizzard to drive forward on its renewed cultural commitments," he said, adding "the success of this acquisition will depend on it." (With inputs from agencies)

Microsoft to buy 'Candy Crush' and 'Call of Duty' maker Activision for USD 69 billion

Microsoft warned Saturday evening that it had detected a highly destructive form of malware in dozens of government and private computer networks in Ukraine that appeared to be waiting to be triggered by an unknown actor.

In a blog post, the company said that Thursday — around the same time that government agencies in Ukraine found their websites had been defaced — investigators who watch over Microsoft’s global networks detected the code. “These systems span multiple government, nonprofit and information technology organisations, all based in Ukraine,” Microsoft said.

The code appears to have been deployed around the time that Russian diplomats, after three days of meetings with the United States and NATO over the massing of Russian troops at the Ukrainian border, declared that the talks had essentially hit a dead end.

Ukrainian officials blamed the defacement of their government websites on a group in Belarus, though they said they suspected Russian involvement. But early attribution of attacks is frequently wrong, and it was unclear if the defacement was related to the far more destructive code that Microsoft said it had detected.

Microsoft said that it could not yet identify the group behind the intrusion, but that it did not appear to be an attacker that its investigators had seen before.

The code, as described by the company’s investigators, is meant to look like ransomware — it freezes up all computer functions and data, and demands a payment in return. But there is no infrastructure to accept money, leading investigators to conclude that the goal is to inflict maximum damage, not raise cash.

It is possible that the destructive software has not spread too widely and that Microsoft’s disclosure will make it harder for the attack to metastasize. But it is also possible that the attackers will now launch the malware and try to destroy as many computers and networks as possible.

Warnings like the one from Microsoft can help abort an attack before it happens, if computer users look to root out the malware before it is activated. But it can also be risky. Exposure changes the calculus for the perpetrator, who, once discovered, may have nothing to lose in launching the attack, to see what destruction it wreaks.

For President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Ukraine has often been a testing range for cyberweapons.

An attack on Ukraine’s Central Election Commission during a presidential election in 2014, in which Russia sought unsuccessfully to change the result, proved to be a model for the Russian intelligence agencies; the United States later found that they had infiltrated the servers of the Democratic National Committee in the United States. In 2015, the first of two major attacks on Ukraine’s electric grid shut off the lights for hours in different parts of the country, including in Kyiv, the capital.

And in 2017, businesses and government agencies in Ukraine were hit with destructive software called NotPetya, which exploited holes in a type of tax preparation software that was widely used in the country. The attack shut down swaths of the economy and hit FedEx and the shipping company Maersk as well; U.S. intelligence officials later traced it to Russian actors. That software, at least in its overall design, bears some resemblance to what Microsoft warned of Saturday.

The new attack would wipe hard drives clean and destroy files. Some defense experts have said such an attack could be a prelude to a ground invasion by Russia. Others think it could substitute for an invasion, if the attackers believed a cyberstrike would not prompt the kind of major sanctions that President Joe Biden has vowed to impose in response.

Microsoft warned Saturday evening that it had detected a highly destructive form of malware in dozens of government and private computer networks in Ukraine that appeared to be waiting to be triggered by an unknown actor.

Microsoft warned Saturday evening that it had detected a highly destructive form of malware in dozens of government and private computer networks in Ukraine that appeared to be waiting to be triggered by an unknown actor. In a blog post, the company said that Thursday — around the same time that government agencies in Ukraine found their websites had been defaced — investigators who watch over Microsoft’s global networks detected the code. “These systems span multiple government, nonprofit and information technology organisations, all based in Ukraine,” Microsoft said. The code appears to have been deployed around the time that Russian diplomats, after three days of meetings with the United States and NATO over the massing of Russian troops at the Ukrainian border, declared that the talks had essentially hit a dead end. Ukrainian officials blamed the defacement of their government websites on a group in Belarus, though they said they suspected Russian involvement. But early attribution of attacks is frequently wrong, and it was unclear if the defacement was related to the far more destructive code that Microsoft said it had detected. Microsoft said that it could not yet identify the group behind the intrusion, but that it did not appear to be an attacker that its investigators had seen before. The code, as described by the company’s investigators, is meant to look like ransomware — it freezes up all computer functions and data, and demands a payment in return. But there is no infrastructure to accept money, leading investigators to conclude that the goal is to inflict maximum damage, not raise cash. It is possible that the destructive software has not spread too widely and that Microsoft’s disclosure will make it harder for the attack to metastasize. But it is also possible that the attackers will now launch the malware and try to destroy as many computers and networks as possible. Warnings like the one from Microsoft can help abort an attack before it happens, if computer users look to root out the malware before it is activated. But it can also be risky. Exposure changes the calculus for the perpetrator, who, once discovered, may have nothing to lose in launching the attack, to see what destruction it wreaks. For President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Ukraine has often been a testing range for cyberweapons. An attack on Ukraine’s Central Election Commission during a presidential election in 2014, in which Russia sought unsuccessfully to change the result, proved to be a model for the Russian intelligence agencies; the United States later found that they had infiltrated the servers of the Democratic National Committee in the United States. In 2015, the first of two major attacks on Ukraine’s electric grid shut off the lights for hours in different parts of the country, including in Kyiv, the capital. And in 2017, businesses and government agencies in Ukraine were hit with destructive software called NotPetya, which exploited holes in a type of tax preparation software that was widely used in the country. The attack shut down swaths of the economy and hit FedEx and the shipping company Maersk as well; U.S. intelligence officials later traced it to Russian actors. That software, at least in its overall design, bears some resemblance to what Microsoft warned of Saturday. The new attack would wipe hard drives clean and destroy files. Some defense experts have said such an attack could be a prelude to a ground invasion by Russia. Others think it could substitute for an invasion, if the attackers believed a cyberstrike would not prompt the kind of major sanctions that President Joe Biden has vowed to impose in response.

Microsoft warns of destructive cyberattack on Ukrainian computer networks

From metaverse to NFT: Here is all you need to know about tech buzzwords of 2021

Lead 'em then leave 'em: Tech founders who quit

Parag Agrawal’s appointment as CEO of Twitter Inc has unleashed tidal waves of hype about the success of Indians abroad (i.e. the US) and a world awestruck by the cult of the ‘Global Indian CEO’. The flood of words, bytes and images has made sure that everyone knows everything about Agrawal from his schooldays to the terms of his appointment especially his pay packet down to the last decimal.&nbsp;

Thereby hangs the narrative of the Cult of the global Indian CEO which holds that India, though not the world’s manufacturing hub, is the world’s CEO-producing factory for the technology sector as well as others. Prominent in this pantheon of world-changing tech CEOs are Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai and IBM’s Arvind Krishna. Big Indian names in the minor arcana of non-tech global corporates include Ivan Menezes of Diageo and Vas Narasimhan of Novartis.&nbsp;

Even those who know nothing about these people or their accomplishments know how much they are paid. Clearly, it is not the company or its products and services that matter; nor is it the person and her attributes and achievements. It is money that is the sole measure of success. And, it needs to be in US dollars just as the acme of success can be only the top job in a US company.&nbsp;

It is only the US, as our story goes, that is truly globalised, recognises ‘merit’ (without reference to caste and other considerations) and offers a ‘better life’ by way of education, jobs, success and wealth. The minor detail that, more often than not, their education in India’s IITs helped launch many of these achievers on the road to success, is not allowed to spoil the narrative of all things great being achievable only in America.&nbsp;

No longer is this lamented as “brain drain”, which is as it should be. But neither is this trend of Indian-origin CEOs leading global corporates a dimension of India’s “soft power” as it is made out to be by those who have reduced success and achievement to idolatry of wealth, particularly dollarised wealth. &nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/twitter-ceo-parag-agrawal-said-this-in-his-very-first-e-mail-as-captain-of-the-ship-433002">Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal said this in his very first e-mail as captain of the ship</a>

These successful individuals may be Indian, but they are not India’s. India is their homeland, which they have left. They are now dedicated to their home country, the US, where they have reached the top of the corporate food chain. Their loyalty is to their companies, consumers, stakeholders, brands, products, boards and shareholders; not to India. Their sole interest is to maximise the profits of their companies. They did not get to the top to advance the interests of the Indian state, nation or people. Of course, Indian talent would doubtless be harnessed when required for running their business. These tech titans are as much American as the companies they head and the currency in which they generate profits.&nbsp;

They are also Americans as idols who represent the Cult of Mammon. As the iconic status of both wealth and the wealthy in India media reveals, the cult has now been exported worldwide. The self-gratification, the celebrity culture, the corporate narcissism, the self-glorification of the so-called self-made successful people is adored, if not worshipped, with near-devotional fervor. &nbsp;This is exactly what the prosperity gospel is all about.&nbsp;

Were it otherwise, there is much to cherish and celebrate in India’s long-standing “human exports” to the world, which predates these techno-corporate icons. Indian scholars, artists, scientists, jurists, economists, writers, social scientists, academics, public intellectuals and thought leaders have long been prominent in many spheres of life abroad. They have inspired and influenced individuals, institutions and communities; and, their thinking, including their understanding of India and Indians, and Indian thought, tradition, politics, society, economy and philosophy. &nbsp;These are people who may feature in the higher realms of human endeavour.&nbsp;

The “lower realms”, our overseas equivalent of the “great unwashed” at home, are peopled by the millions of Indian workers abroad, mainly in West Asia. Over the decades, their money-order remittances have contributed immensely to the economy (and education) of their families, homes, communities, villages, towns and cities. These toiling classes, such as the workers in the Gulf, may never fit our image of “NRIs” in the dollarised aspirational sense. Yet their contribution to home country and homeland country is far greater. &nbsp;

Traditionally, India’s political elite fraternised selectively with those in the ‘higher realm’; and, at least talked more about the condition of those in the ‘lower realm’. Such engagements attest to their greater relevance and contribution to the Indian economy and role, albeit unacknowledged, as a “soft power” to strengthen and deepen bilateral and people-to-people relations. &nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Parag Agrawal’s appointment as CEO of Twitter Inc has unleashed tidal waves of hype about the success of Indians abroad (i.e. the US) and a world awestruck by the cult of the ‘Global Indian CEO’.

Parag Agrawal’s appointment as CEO of Twitter Inc has unleashed tidal waves of hype about the success of Indians abroad (i.e. the US) and a world awestruck by the cult of the ‘Global Indian CEO’. The flood of words, bytes and images has made sure that everyone knows everything about Agrawal from his schooldays to the terms of his appointment especially his pay packet down to the last decimal. Thereby hangs the narrative of the Cult of the global Indian CEO which holds that India, though not the world’s manufacturing hub, is the world’s CEO-producing factory for the technology sector as well as others. Prominent in this pantheon of world-changing tech CEOs are Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai and IBM’s Arvind Krishna. Big Indian names in the minor arcana of non-tech global corporates include Ivan Menezes of Diageo and Vas Narasimhan of Novartis. Even those who know nothing about these people or their accomplishments know how much they are paid. Clearly, it is not the company or its products and services that matter; nor is it the person and her attributes and achievements. It is money that is the sole measure of success. And, it needs to be in US dollars just as the acme of success can be only the top job in a US company. It is only the US, as our story goes, that is truly globalised, recognises ‘merit’ (without reference to caste and other considerations) and offers a ‘better life’ by way of education, jobs, success and wealth. The minor detail that, more often than not, their education in India’s IITs helped launch many of these achievers on the road to success, is not allowed to spoil the narrative of all things great being achievable only in America. No longer is this lamented as “brain drain”, which is as it should be. But neither is this trend of Indian-origin CEOs leading global corporates a dimension of India’s “soft power” as it is made out to be by those who have reduced success and achievement to idolatry of wealth, particularly dollarised wealth. Also Read | Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal said this in his very first e-mail as captain of the ship These successful individuals may be Indian, but they are not India’s. India is their homeland, which they have left. They are now dedicated to their home country, the US, where they have reached the top of the corporate food chain. Their loyalty is to their companies, consumers, stakeholders, brands, products, boards and shareholders; not to India. Their sole interest is to maximise the profits of their companies. They did not get to the top to advance the interests of the Indian state, nation or people. Of course, Indian talent would doubtless be harnessed when required for running their business. These tech titans are as much American as the companies they head and the currency in which they generate profits. They are also Americans as idols who represent the Cult of Mammon. As the iconic status of both wealth and the wealthy in India media reveals, the cult has now been exported worldwide. The self-gratification, the celebrity culture, the corporate narcissism, the self-glorification of the so-called self-made successful people is adored, if not worshipped, with near-devotional fervor. This is exactly what the prosperity gospel is all about. Were it otherwise, there is much to cherish and celebrate in India’s long-standing “human exports” to the world, which predates these techno-corporate icons. Indian scholars, artists, scientists, jurists, economists, writers, social scientists, academics, public intellectuals and thought leaders have long been prominent in many spheres of life abroad. They have inspired and influenced individuals, institutions and communities; and, their thinking, including their understanding of India and Indians, and Indian thought, tradition, politics, society, economy and philosophy. These are people who may feature in the higher realms of human endeavour. The “lower realms”, our overseas equivalent of the “great unwashed” at home, are peopled by the millions of Indian workers abroad, mainly in West Asia. Over the decades, their money-order remittances have contributed immensely to the economy (and education) of their families, homes, communities, villages, towns and cities. These toiling classes, such as the workers in the Gulf, may never fit our image of “NRIs” in the dollarised aspirational sense. Yet their contribution to home country and homeland country is far greater. Traditionally, India’s political elite fraternised selectively with those in the ‘higher realm’; and, at least talked more about the condition of those in the ‘lower realm’. Such engagements attest to their greater relevance and contribution to the Indian economy and role, albeit unacknowledged, as a “soft power” to strengthen and deepen bilateral and people-to-people relations. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

ON THE MARGIN: NRIs and the Cult of Mammon 

In a rare win for activist shareholders, Microsoft Inc has agreed on better reporting of&nbsp;sexual harassment data.&nbsp;

They have passed a resolution to address more transparently such claims through independent investigations and public reporting.

According to a regulatory filing by the company, the proposal received 77.97 per cent in favour.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/vignesh-sundaresan-buys-nft-for-69-million-people-can-download-it-for-free-433242" hreflang="en">Vignesh Sundaresan buys NFT for $69 million; people can download it for free</a>

It issued a statement saying, ''While Microsoft has conducted prior internal investigations into sexual harassment and gender discrimination allegations, it has failed to report transparently on any independent investigations to employees and investors.''

“To avoid legal and reputational risk and maintain shareholder value, Microsoft must create a culture of accountability and transparency, protecting employees from harassment and discrimination.”

It comes after reports had emerged that the company's co-founder Bill Gates had tried to start a relationship with an employee in 2000.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-owner-meta-asked-to-sell-giphy-by-british-regulator-432991" hreflang="en">Facebook-owner Meta asked to sell Giphy by British regulator&nbsp;</a>

Arjuna Capital had sought a report from the software firm on the effectiveness of its policies to battle sexual harassment in the workplace.

It is a Boston-based investment adviser and frequent filer of shareholder resolutions pressing companies for changes like disclosing more data on pay equity.

Microsoft already internally shares annual data on the volume of sexual harassment concerns raised and the results of the investigations into them. It has now adopted plans to make that data public.

The vote comes as big mutual fund firms increasingly support investor challenges to companies on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and as employees of big tech firms stage walkouts protesting their tackling of sexual harassment claims.

A similar proposal had been introduced in automaker Tesla Inc last year stating that support for a shareholder resolution on how it handles arbitration to resolve workplace complaints of harassment and discrimination rose to 46 per cent of votes cast at its annual meeting, up from 27 per cent.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

In a rare win for activist shareholders, Microsoft Inc has agreed on better reporting of sexual harassment data. They have passed a resolution to address more transparently such claims through independent investigations and public reporting.

In a rare win for activist shareholders, Microsoft Inc has agreed on better reporting of sexual harassment data. They have passed a resolution to address more transparently such claims through independent investigations and public reporting. According to a regulatory filing by the company, the proposal received 77.97 per cent in favour. Also read | Vignesh Sundaresan buys NFT for $69 million; people can download it for free It issued a statement saying, ''While Microsoft has conducted prior internal investigations into sexual harassment and gender discrimination allegations, it has failed to report transparently on any independent investigations to employees and investors.'' “To avoid legal and reputational risk and maintain shareholder value, Microsoft must create a culture of accountability and transparency, protecting employees from harassment and discrimination.” It comes after reports had emerged that the company's co-founder Bill Gates had tried to start a relationship with an employee in 2000. Also read | Facebook-owner Meta asked to sell Giphy by British regulator Arjuna Capital had sought a report from the software firm on the effectiveness of its policies to battle sexual harassment in the workplace. It is a Boston-based investment adviser and frequent filer of shareholder resolutions pressing companies for changes like disclosing more data on pay equity. Microsoft already internally shares annual data on the volume of sexual harassment concerns raised and the results of the investigations into them. It has now adopted plans to make that data public. The vote comes as big mutual fund firms increasingly support investor challenges to companies on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and as employees of big tech firms stage walkouts protesting their tackling of sexual harassment claims. A similar proposal had been introduced in automaker Tesla Inc last year stating that support for a shareholder resolution on how it handles arbitration to resolve workplace complaints of harassment and discrimination rose to 46 per cent of votes cast at its annual meeting, up from 27 per cent. (With inputs from agencies)

Microsoft to publish sexual harassment data after Bill Gates scandal

Recently the United States slammed China for one of the biggest hacks of all time. The United States accused China, the Chinese state of stealing emails and data from a Microsoft exchange, but China denied any connection with the incident.

United States: US allies, accuse China of cyberattack

Three years after an employee revolt forced Google to abandon work on a Pentagon program that used artificial intelligence, the company is aggressively pursuing a major contract to provide its technology to the military.

The company’s plan to land the potentially lucrative contract, known as the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability, could raise a furor among its outspoken workforce and test the resolve of management to resist employee demands.

In 2018, thousands of Google employees signed a letter protesting the company’s involvement in Project Maven, a military program that uses artificial intelligence to interpret video images and could be used to refine the targeting of drone strikes. Google management caved and agreed to not renew the contract once it expired.

The outcry led Google to create guidelines for the ethical use of artificial intelligence, which prohibit the use of its technology for weapons or surveillance, and hastened a shake-up of its cloud computing business. Now, as Google positions cloud computing as a key part of its future, the bid for the new Pentagon contract could test the boundaries of those AI principles, which have set it apart from other tech giants that routinely seek military and intelligence work.

The military’s initiative, which aims to modernize the Pentagon’s cloud technology and support the use of artificial intelligence to gain an advantage on the battlefield, is a replacement for a contract with Microsoft that was canceled this summer amid a lengthy legal battle with Amazon. Google did not compete against Microsoft for that contract after the uproar over Project Maven.

The Pentagon’s restart of its cloud computing project has given Google a chance to jump back into the bidding, and the company has raced to prepare a proposal to present to Defense officials, according to four people familiar with the matter who were not authorized to speak publicly. In September, Google’s cloud unit made it a priority, declaring an emergency “Code Yellow,” an internal designation of importance that allowed the company to pull engineers off other assignments and focus them on the military project, two of those people said.

On Tuesday, the Google cloud unit’s chief executive, Thomas Kurian, met with Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., the chief of staff of the Air Force, and other top Pentagon officials to make the case for his company, two people said.

Google, in a written statement, said it is “firmly committed to serving our public sector customers,” including the Defense Department, and that it “will evaluate any future bid opportunities accordingly.”

The contract replaces the now-scrapped Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure, or JEDI, the Pentagon cloud computing contract that was estimated to be worth $10 billion over 10 years. The exact size of the new contract is unknown, although it is half the duration and will be awarded to more than one company, not to a single provider like JEDI.

It is unclear whether the work, which would provide the Defense Department access to Google’s cloud products, would violate Google’s AI principles, although the Defense Department has said the technology is expected to support the military in combat. But Pentagon rules about outside access to sensitive or classified data could prevent Google from seeing exactly how its technology is being used.

The Defense Department said it would seek proposals from a limited set of companies that could meet its requirements. “As this is an active acquisition, we cannot provide any additional information related to this effort,” said Russell Goemaere, a spokesperson for the department.

After a late start in selling its cloud computing technology to other organizations, Google has struggled to close the gap with Amazon and Microsoft, which have the two biggest cloud computing businesses. To bring in more big customers, Google hired Kurian, a longtime executive at the software company Oracle, to take over the business in 2018. He has beefed up the size of Google’s sales staff and pushed the company to compete aggressively for new contracts, including military deals.

But Google employees have continued to resist some work pursued by the cloud unit. In 2019, they protested the use of artificial intelligence tools for the oil and gas industry. A year later, the company said it would not build custom AI software for the extraction of fossil fuels.

Google started working on Project Maven in 2017 and prepared to bid for JEDI. Many Google employees believed Project Maven represented a potentially lethal use of artificial intelligence, and more than 4,000 workers signed a letter demanding that Google withdraw from the project.

Soon after, Google announced a set of ethical principles that would govern its use of artificial intelligence. Google would not allow its AI to be used for weapons or surveillance, said Sundar Pichai, its chief executive, but would continue to accept military contracts for cybersecurity and search and rescue.

Several months later, Google said it would not bid on the JEDI contract, although it was unlikely that the company had a shot at landing the deal; the Maven experience had soured the relationship between Google and the military, and Google lacked some of the security certifications needed to handle classified data.

Google’s cloud business recently has done other work with the military. Since last year, Google has signed contracts with the U.S. Air Force for using cloud computing for aircraft maintenance and pilot training, as well as a U.S. Navy contract for using artificial intelligence to detect and predict the maintenance needs of facilities and vessels.

Some Google workers believed the new contract would not violate the principles, a person familiar with the decision said, because the contract would enable generic uses of its cloud technology and artificial intelligence. The principles specifically state Google will not pursue AI that can be applied in “weapons or those that direct injury.”

Lucy Suchman, a professor of anthropology of science and technology at Lancaster University whose research focuses on the use of technology in war, said that with so much money at stake, it is no surprise Google might waver on its commitment.

“It demonstrates the fragility of Google’s commitment to staying outside the major merger that’s happening between the DOD and Silicon Valley,” Suchman said.

Google’s efforts come as its employees are already pushing the company to cancel a cloud computing contract with the Israeli military, called Project Nimbus, that provides Google’s services to government entities throughout Israel. In an open letter published last month by The Guardian, Google employees called on their employer to cancel the contract.

The Defense Department’s effort to transition to cloud technology has been mired in legal battles. The military operates on outdated computer systems and has spent billions of dollars on modernization. It turned to U.S. internet giants in the hope that the companies could quickly and securely move the Defense Department to the cloud.

In 2019, the Defense Department awarded the JEDI contract to Microsoft. Amazon sued to block the contract, claiming that Microsoft did not have the technical capabilities to fulfill the military’s needs and that former President Donald Trump had improperly influenced the decision because of animosity toward Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s executive chair and the owner of The Washington Post.

In July, the Defense Department announced that it could no longer wait for the legal fight with Amazon to resolve. It scrapped the JEDI contract and said it would be replaced with the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability.

The Pentagon also noted that Amazon and Microsoft were the only companies that likely had the technology to meet its needs but said it would conduct market research before ruling out other competitors. The Defense Department said it planned to reach out to Google, Oracle and IBM.

But Google executives believe they have the capability to compete for the new contract, and the company expects the Defense Department to tell it whether it will qualify to make a bid in the coming weeks, two people familiar with the matter said.

The Defense Department has previously said it hopes to award a contract by April.

Three years after an employee revolt forced Google to abandon work on a Pentagon program that used artificial intelligence, the company is aggressively pursuing a major contract to provide its technology to the military.

Three years after an employee revolt forced Google to abandon work on a Pentagon program that used artificial intelligence, the company is aggressively pursuing a major contract to provide its technology to the military. The company’s plan to land the potentially lucrative contract, known as the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability, could raise a furor among its outspoken workforce and test the resolve of management to resist employee demands. In 2018, thousands of Google employees signed a letter protesting the company’s involvement in Project Maven, a military program that uses artificial intelligence to interpret video images and could be used to refine the targeting of drone strikes. Google management caved and agreed to not renew the contract once it expired. The outcry led Google to create guidelines for the ethical use of artificial intelligence, which prohibit the use of its technology for weapons or surveillance, and hastened a shake-up of its cloud computing business. Now, as Google positions cloud computing as a key part of its future, the bid for the new Pentagon contract could test the boundaries of those AI principles, which have set it apart from other tech giants that routinely seek military and intelligence work. The military’s initiative, which aims to modernize the Pentagon’s cloud technology and support the use of artificial intelligence to gain an advantage on the battlefield, is a replacement for a contract with Microsoft that was canceled this summer amid a lengthy legal battle with Amazon. Google did not compete against Microsoft for that contract after the uproar over Project Maven. The Pentagon’s restart of its cloud computing project has given Google a chance to jump back into the bidding, and the company has raced to prepare a proposal to present to Defense officials, according to four people familiar with the matter who were not authorized to speak publicly. In September, Google’s cloud unit made it a priority, declaring an emergency “Code Yellow,” an internal designation of importance that allowed the company to pull engineers off other assignments and focus them on the military project, two of those people said. On Tuesday, the Google cloud unit’s chief executive, Thomas Kurian, met with Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., the chief of staff of the Air Force, and other top Pentagon officials to make the case for his company, two people said. Google, in a written statement, said it is “firmly committed to serving our public sector customers,” including the Defense Department, and that it “will evaluate any future bid opportunities accordingly.” The contract replaces the now-scrapped Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure, or JEDI, the Pentagon cloud computing contract that was estimated to be worth $10 billion over 10 years. The exact size of the new contract is unknown, although it is half the duration and will be awarded to more than one company, not to a single provider like JEDI. It is unclear whether the work, which would provide the Defense Department access to Google’s cloud products, would violate Google’s AI principles, although the Defense Department has said the technology is expected to support the military in combat. But Pentagon rules about outside access to sensitive or classified data could prevent Google from seeing exactly how its technology is being used. The Defense Department said it would seek proposals from a limited set of companies that could meet its requirements. “As this is an active acquisition, we cannot provide any additional information related to this effort,” said Russell Goemaere, a spokesperson for the department. After a late start in selling its cloud computing technology to other organizations, Google has struggled to close the gap with Amazon and Microsoft, which have the two biggest cloud computing businesses. To bring in more big customers, Google hired Kurian, a longtime executive at the software company Oracle, to take over the business in 2018. He has beefed up the size of Google’s sales staff and pushed the company to compete aggressively for new contracts, including military deals. But Google employees have continued to resist some work pursued by the cloud unit. In 2019, they protested the use of artificial intelligence tools for the oil and gas industry. A year later, the company said it would not build custom AI software for the extraction of fossil fuels. Google started working on Project Maven in 2017 and prepared to bid for JEDI. Many Google employees believed Project Maven represented a potentially lethal use of artificial intelligence, and more than 4,000 workers signed a letter demanding that Google withdraw from the project. Soon after, Google announced a set of ethical principles that would govern its use of artificial intelligence. Google would not allow its AI to be used for weapons or surveillance, said Sundar Pichai, its chief executive, but would continue to accept military contracts for cybersecurity and search and rescue. Several months later, Google said it would not bid on the JEDI contract, although it was unlikely that the company had a shot at landing the deal; the Maven experience had soured the relationship between Google and the military, and Google lacked some of the security certifications needed to handle classified data. Google’s cloud business recently has done other work with the military. Since last year, Google has signed contracts with the U.S. Air Force for using cloud computing for aircraft maintenance and pilot training, as well as a U.S. Navy contract for using artificial intelligence to detect and predict the maintenance needs of facilities and vessels. Some Google workers believed the new contract would not violate the principles, a person familiar with the decision said, because the contract would enable generic uses of its cloud technology and artificial intelligence. The principles specifically state Google will not pursue AI that can be applied in “weapons or those that direct injury.” Lucy Suchman, a professor of anthropology of science and technology at Lancaster University whose research focuses on the use of technology in war, said that with so much money at stake, it is no surprise Google might waver on its commitment. “It demonstrates the fragility of Google’s commitment to staying outside the major merger that’s happening between the DOD and Silicon Valley,” Suchman said. Google’s efforts come as its employees are already pushing the company to cancel a cloud computing contract with the Israeli military, called Project Nimbus, that provides Google’s services to government entities throughout Israel. In an open letter published last month by The Guardian, Google employees called on their employer to cancel the contract. The Defense Department’s effort to transition to cloud technology has been mired in legal battles. The military operates on outdated computer systems and has spent billions of dollars on modernization. It turned to U.S. internet giants in the hope that the companies could quickly and securely move the Defense Department to the cloud. In 2019, the Defense Department awarded the JEDI contract to Microsoft. Amazon sued to block the contract, claiming that Microsoft did not have the technical capabilities to fulfill the military’s needs and that former President Donald Trump had improperly influenced the decision because of animosity toward Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s executive chair and the owner of The Washington Post. In July, the Defense Department announced that it could no longer wait for the legal fight with Amazon to resolve. It scrapped the JEDI contract and said it would be replaced with the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability. The Pentagon also noted that Amazon and Microsoft were the only companies that likely had the technology to meet its needs but said it would conduct market research before ruling out other competitors. The Defense Department said it planned to reach out to Google, Oracle and IBM. But Google executives believe they have the capability to compete for the new contract, and the company expects the Defense Department to tell it whether it will qualify to make a bid in the coming weeks, two people familiar with the matter said. The Defense Department has previously said it hopes to award a contract by April.

Google wants to work with the Pentagon again, despite employee concerns

Microsoft President Brad Smith has downplayed the metaverse 'hype' and said that it still requires a lot of work.

According to Smith, ''We're all talking about the metaverse as if we're entering some new dimension. This is not like dying and going to heaven. We're all going to be living in the real world with people.''

"I think (the metaverse) will be very big. Everyone is going to be entering this. We have to ensure that it protects privacy, digital safety and protects against disinformation, manipulation. We have a lot to clean up."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/microsoft-ceo-satya-nadella-launches-3d-avatars-enters-metaverse-race-426360" hreflang="en">Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella launches 3D avatars, enters metaverse race</a>

His statement comes a day after Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella unveiled three-dimensional versions in the company's teams app and stepped into the world of metaverse.

Smith highlighted that metaverse needs Big Tech actors like Facebook, Microsoft, Google and Apple would likely each develop their own versions of metaverse.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tech-it-out-what-is-the-metaverse-424223/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As Covid lockdown measures and work-from-home policies pushed more people online for both business and pleasure, the concept has surged in popularity during the pandemic.

During an interview he sidelines of Lisbon's Web Summit, he also said that ''Tech is going to have to lean in...with real concrete ideas...even make concessions, so that we can all compromise and build a common platform that better protects people than ... the internet as a whole has in recent past.''

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/what-is-metaverse-the-new-buzzword-in-internet-technology-412364">Also read |&nbsp;What is metaverse, the new buzzword in internet technology?</a>

"Government (will) see through that, and it's not going to bode well for the sector...We sort of need to get real."

Mark Zuckerberg renamed&nbsp;Facebook Inc. to&nbsp; Meta Platforms Inc. or Meta for short.&nbsp;

Facebook as 'Meta' in a strategic rebranding move that experts believed was a distraction from its privacy violations.

In a stinging rebuke,&nbsp;whistleblower Frances Haugen had accused&nbsp;the company of yet again prioritising expansion over people's safety.

(With inputs from agencies)

Microsoft President Brad Smith has downplayed the metaverse 'hype' and said that it still requires a lot of work. According to Smith, ''We're all talking about the metaverse as if we're entering some new dimension.

Microsoft President Brad Smith has downplayed the metaverse 'hype' and said that it still requires a lot of work. According to Smith, ''We're all talking about the metaverse as if we're entering some new dimension. This is not like dying and going to heaven. We're all going to be living in the real world with people.'' "I think (the metaverse) will be very big. Everyone is going to be entering this. We have to ensure that it protects privacy, digital safety and protects against disinformation, manipulation. We have a lot to clean up." Also read | Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella launches 3D avatars, enters metaverse race His statement comes a day after Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella unveiled three-dimensional versions in the company's teams app and stepped into the world of metaverse. Smith highlighted that metaverse needs Big Tech actors like Facebook, Microsoft, Google and Apple would likely each develop their own versions of metaverse. As Covid lockdown measures and work-from-home policies pushed more people online for both business and pleasure, the concept has surged in popularity during the pandemic. During an interview he sidelines of Lisbon's Web Summit, he also said that ''Tech is going to have to lean in...with real concrete ideas...even make concessions, so that we can all compromise and build a common platform that better protects people than ... the internet as a whole has in recent past.'' Also read | What is metaverse, the new buzzword in internet technology? "Government (will) see through that, and it's not going to bode well for the sector...We sort of need to get real." Mark Zuckerberg renamed Facebook Inc. to Meta Platforms Inc. or Meta for short. Facebook as 'Meta' in a strategic rebranding move that experts believed was a distraction from its privacy violations. In a stinging rebuke, whistleblower Frances Haugen had accused the company of yet again prioritising expansion over people's safety. (With inputs from agencies)

'Requires lot of work': Microsoft President Brad Smith downplays metaverse 'hype'

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has launched three-dimensional avatars and immersive meetings in a bid to enter the metaverse race.

The company is going to roll out a collaborative platform for virtual experiences that will combine HoloLens meetings with mixed reality.

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The metaverse is here, and it’s not only transforming how we see the world but how we participate in it – from the factory floor to the meeting room. Take a look. <a href="https://t.co/h5tsdYMXRD">pic.twitter.com/h5tsdYMXRD</a>
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) <a href="https://twitter.com/satyanadella/status/1455624165201887234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The metaverse broadly refers to the idea of a shared virtual platform that people can access through different devices and where they can move through digital environments.

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According to Nadella, ''As the digital and physical worlds come together, we are creating an entirely new platform layer, which is the metaverse.''

''In a sense the metaverse enables us to embed computing into the real world and embed the real world into computing, bringing real presence to any digital space,'' he added.

Microsoft will update its Teams app to push towards metaverse environment that will ''transform how we see the world but how we participate in it.''

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/what-is-metaverse-the-new-buzzword-in-internet-technology-412364">Also read |&nbsp;What is metaverse, the new buzzword in internet technology?</a>

It comes after Mark Zuckerberg changed Facebook's name to Meta Platforms Inc to reflect its focus on building the ''metaverse.''

As Covid lockdown measures and work-from-home policies pushed more people online for both business and pleasure, the concept has surged in popularity during the pandemic.

Microsoft, which owns Xbox and the world-building game Minecraft, is also a key player in the gaming world.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/facebook-is-now-meta-but-another-company-pocketted-money-from-all-the-buzz-425058">Also read |&nbsp;Facebook is now Meta, but another company pocketted money from all the buzz</a>

Recently, metaverse has become one of the tech sector's hottest buzzwords, with companies pouring millions of dollars into its development.

Xbox boss Phil Spencer has talked about planning for "a metaverse or mixed-reality construct."

Fortnite's owners Epic Games said in April that $1 billion of funding raised recently would be used to support its "vision for the metaverse".

(With inputs from agencies)

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has launched three-dimensional avatars and immersive meetings in a bid to enter the metaverse race. The company is going to roll out a collaborative platform for virtual experiences that will combine HoloLens meetings with mixed reality.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has launched three-dimensional avatars and immersive meetings in a bid to enter the metaverse race. The company is going to roll out a collaborative platform for virtual experiences that will combine HoloLens meetings with mixed reality. The metaverse is here, and it’s not only transforming how we see the world but how we participate in it – from the factory floor to the meeting room. Take a look. pic.twitter.com/h5tsdYMXRD — Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) November 2, 2021 × The metaverse broadly refers to the idea of a shared virtual platform that people can access through different devices and where they can move through digital environments. According to Nadella, ''As the digital and physical worlds come together, we are creating an entirely new platform layer, which is the metaverse.'' ''In a sense the metaverse enables us to embed computing into the real world and embed the real world into computing, bringing real presence to any digital space,'' he added. Microsoft will update its Teams app to push towards metaverse environment that will ''transform how we see the world but how we participate in it.'' Also read | What is metaverse, the new buzzword in internet technology? It comes after Mark Zuckerberg changed Facebook's name to Meta Platforms Inc to reflect its focus on building the ''metaverse.'' As Covid lockdown measures and work-from-home policies pushed more people online for both business and pleasure, the concept has surged in popularity during the pandemic. Microsoft, which owns Xbox and the world-building game Minecraft, is also a key player in the gaming world. Also read | Facebook is now Meta, but another company pocketted money from all the buzz Recently, metaverse has become one of the tech sector's hottest buzzwords, with companies pouring millions of dollars into its development. Xbox boss Phil Spencer has talked about planning for "a metaverse or mixed-reality construct." Fortnite's owners Epic Games said in April that $1 billion of funding raised recently would be used to support its "vision for the metaverse". (With inputs from agencies)

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella launches 3D avatars, enters metaverse race

The Russian-based agency behind last year's massive SolarWinds cyber attack has targeted hundreds more companies and organisations as a part of its latest attacks on US-based computer systems, reveals Microsoft in a blog post.

In a blog post dated October 24, Microsoft said that Nobelium's latest wave targeted "resellers and other technology service providers" of cloud services. The attacks come as a part of a broader campaign over the summer, Microsoft said. It further added that it had notified 609 customers between July 1 and October 19 that they had been attacked.

The software giant's Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC), described the cyberattack as "nation-state activity."

MSTIC said that it "shares the hallmarks" of the assault on SolarWinds, a Texas-based software company targeted as its 300,000-strong customer base gave the hackers access to a huge number of companies.&nbsp;

The latest attack has been underway since at least May, MSTIC said.&nbsp;

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In April, Washington imposed sanctions and expelled Russian diplomats in retaliation for Moscow's alleged involvement in the SolarWinds attack, election interference and other hostile activity.

The software company urged its customers to check on their security arrangements using multi-factor authentification.

This is not the first time that Nobelium has mounted a comeback since SolarWinds, with Microsoft announcing in May that it had again detected a series of attacks by the group on government agencies.

In May, the effort targeted about 3,000 email accounts at more than 150 different organisations, at least a quarter of them involved in international development, humanitarian and human rights work.

This time, Burt said the speed of the attacks was escalating. While the success rate was only "in the low single digits", this compares to "attacks from all nation-state actors 20,500 times over the past three years".

The Russian-based agency behind last year's massive SolarWinds cyber attack has targeted hundreds more companies and organisations as a part of its latest attacks on US-based computer systems, reveals Microsoft in a blog post.

The Russian-based agency behind last year's massive SolarWinds cyber attack has targeted hundreds more companies and organisations as a part of its latest attacks on US-based computer systems, reveals Microsoft in a blog post. In a blog post dated October 24, Microsoft said that Nobelium's latest wave targeted "resellers and other technology service providers" of cloud services. The attacks come as a part of a broader campaign over the summer, Microsoft said. It further added that it had notified 609 customers between July 1 and October 19 that they had been attacked. The software giant's Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC), described the cyberattack as "nation-state activity." MSTIC said that it "shares the hallmarks" of the assault on SolarWinds, a Texas-based software company targeted as its 300,000-strong customer base gave the hackers access to a huge number of companies. The latest attack has been underway since at least May, MSTIC said. Also read | Woman finds her dad on Facebook after 58 years In April, Washington imposed sanctions and expelled Russian diplomats in retaliation for Moscow's alleged involvement in the SolarWinds attack, election interference and other hostile activity. The software company urged its customers to check on their security arrangements using multi-factor authentification. This is not the first time that Nobelium has mounted a comeback since SolarWinds, with Microsoft announcing in May that it had again detected a series of attacks by the group on government agencies. In May, the effort targeted about 3,000 email accounts at more than 150 different organisations, at least a quarter of them involved in international development, humanitarian and human rights work. This time, Burt said the speed of the attacks was escalating. While the success rate was only "in the low single digits", this compares to "attacks from all nation-state actors 20,500 times over the past three years".

Russian cyberattack targeting hundreds of US networks, reveals Microsoft

The letter from a Microsoft Corporation engineer claiming an affair with Bill Gates that precipitated his departure from the board in 2019 wasn't the first time some Microsoft directors were confronted with the billionaire's improper behaviour with female workers.

According to sources familiar with the case, Microsoft management found emails between Gates and a midlevel female employee at the firm more than a decade ago, while Gates was still an employee at Microsoft and chairman of the board.

According to the sources, the then-married Gates was flirty and propositioned the female employee in the communication.&nbsp; 
 
Watch | Bill and Melinda Gates split up after 27 years of marriage

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In 2007, Gates, then a full-time employee and Microsoft president, flirted with a female staffer via email and asked her to a meeting outside of work.

The firm became aware of the emails the next year, and executives from the group informed Gates that they were improper and had to be stopped. 
 
Watch | Gravitas: Bill Gates quit Microsoft amid probe into affair with staffer

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According to the Wall Street Journal, Gates accepted the facts and stated that he would not do it again.

The board, which was made aware of these connections, took no action.&nbsp;

"Microsoft has nothing to share other than verifying the veracity of the WSJ article," a Microsoft representative said on Monday.

Gates stepped down as Microsoft's president in 2008, although he remained on the company's board of directors until March 2020.

After 27 years of marriage, the former Microsoft CEO and one of the world's wealthiest men announced their divorce in May.

(With inputs from agencies)

The letter from a Microsoft Corporation engineer claiming an affair with Bill Gates that precipitated his departure from the board in 2019 wasn't the first time some Microsoft directors were confronted with the billionaire's improper behaviour with female workers.

The letter from a Microsoft Corporation engineer claiming an affair with Bill Gates that precipitated his departure from the board in 2019 wasn't the first time some Microsoft directors were confronted with the billionaire's improper behaviour with female workers. According to sources familiar with the case, Microsoft management found emails between Gates and a midlevel female employee at the firm more than a decade ago, while Gates was still an employee at Microsoft and chairman of the board. According to the sources, the then-married Gates was flirty and propositioned the female employee in the communication. Watch | Bill and Melinda Gates split up after 27 years of marriage In 2007, Gates, then a full-time employee and Microsoft president, flirted with a female staffer via email and asked her to a meeting outside of work. The firm became aware of the emails the next year, and executives from the group informed Gates that they were improper and had to be stopped. Watch | Gravitas: Bill Gates quit Microsoft amid probe into affair with staffer According to the Wall Street Journal, Gates accepted the facts and stated that he would not do it again. The board, which was made aware of these connections, took no action. "Microsoft has nothing to share other than verifying the veracity of the WSJ article," a Microsoft representative said on Monday. Gates stepped down as Microsoft's president in 2008, although he remained on the company's board of directors until March 2020. After 27 years of marriage, the former Microsoft CEO and one of the world's wealthiest men announced their divorce in May. (With inputs from agencies)

Microsoft warned Bill Gates over flirtatious emails to female colleague in 2008: Report

Microsoft executives warned Bill Gates in 2008 about inappropriate emails he had sent to a female employee, a Microsoft spokesman said Monday.

The warning involved messages in which Gates, who at the time was a full-time employee and the company’s chair, asked an employee out on a date. Senior Microsoft executives learned of the emails in 2008, according to Frank Shaw, a Microsoft spokesperson.

“These emails proposed meeting outside of work and off campus,” Shaw said. “While flirtatious, they were not overtly sexual but were deemed to be inappropriate.”

After they discovered the messages, executives warned Gates that his behaviour was inappropriate and notified a small group of board members about the incident, Shaw said. Gates told the board members that he agreed that what he had done was inappropriate, and the board took no further action.

Gates left the company shortly thereafter in a long-planned departure, though he remained a member of its board until last year. The executives’ warnings to Gates were reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal.

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Bridgitt Arnold, a spokesperson for Gates, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Journal quoted her as saying, “These claims are false, recycled rumours from sources who have no direct knowledge, and in some cases have significant conflicts of interest.”

In 2019, after The New York Times reported on Gates’s long-running relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Microsoft’s board began looking into a report that Gates had, years earlier, had a sexual relationship with a subordinate at Microsoft.

Gates and his wife, Melinda French Gates, announced earlier this year that they were ending their 27-year marriage.

The Times reported in May that Gates had developed a reputation for questionable conduct in work-related settings. The article described Gates making an overture to a female Microsoft employee after having attended a presentation by her while he was the company’s chair. Gates left the meeting and immediately emailed the woman to ask her out to dinner, the Times reported.

“If this makes you uncomfortable, pretend it never happened,” Gates wrote in an email, according to a person who read it to the Times.

Shaw said Monday that it was Gates’ emails to that female employee that triggered executives’ warnings to Gates in 2008.

Microsoft executives warned Bill Gates in 2008 about inappropriate emails he had sent to a female employee, a Microsoft spokesman said Monday. The warning involved messages in which Gates, who at the time was a full-time employee and the company’s chair, asked an employee out on a date.

Microsoft executives warned Bill Gates in 2008 about inappropriate emails he had sent to a female employee, a Microsoft spokesman said Monday. The warning involved messages in which Gates, who at the time was a full-time employee and the company’s chair, asked an employee out on a date. Senior Microsoft executives learned of the emails in 2008, according to Frank Shaw, a Microsoft spokesperson. “These emails proposed meeting outside of work and off campus,” Shaw said. “While flirtatious, they were not overtly sexual but were deemed to be inappropriate.” After they discovered the messages, executives warned Gates that his behaviour was inappropriate and notified a small group of board members about the incident, Shaw said. Gates told the board members that he agreed that what he had done was inappropriate, and the board took no further action. Gates left the company shortly thereafter in a long-planned departure, though he remained a member of its board until last year. The executives’ warnings to Gates were reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal. Also read | Facebook plans on hiring 10,000 people in EU to work on metaverse Bridgitt Arnold, a spokesperson for Gates, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Journal quoted her as saying, “These claims are false, recycled rumours from sources who have no direct knowledge, and in some cases have significant conflicts of interest.” In 2019, after The New York Times reported on Gates’s long-running relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Microsoft’s board began looking into a report that Gates had, years earlier, had a sexual relationship with a subordinate at Microsoft. Gates and his wife, Melinda French Gates, announced earlier this year that they were ending their 27-year marriage. The Times reported in May that Gates had developed a reputation for questionable conduct in work-related settings. The article described Gates making an overture to a female Microsoft employee after having attended a presentation by her while he was the company’s chair. Gates left the meeting and immediately emailed the woman to ask her out to dinner, the Times reported. “If this makes you uncomfortable, pretend it never happened,” Gates wrote in an email, according to a person who read it to the Times. Shaw said Monday that it was Gates’ emails to that female employee that triggered executives’ warnings to Gates in 2008.

Microsoft leaders warned Bill Gates over ‘inappropriate’ emails

Nearly seven years after its launch Microsoft is pulling the plug on LinkedIn in China and will replace it with a stripped-down version of the platform that would focus only on jobs.

Microsoft pulls the plug on LinkedIn in China, to replace it with a stripped-down version

Microsoft on Thursday said it will shut down career-oriented social network LinkedIn in China, citing a "challenging operating environment" as Beijing tightens control over tech firms.

The US-based company will replace LinkedIn in China with an application dedicated to applying for jobs but without the networking features, according to senior vice president of engineering Mohak Shroff.

"We're... facing a significantly more challenging operating environment and greater compliance requirements in China," Shroff said in a blog post.

According to the Wall Street Journal, LinkedIn was given a deadline by Chinese internet regulators to better oversee content on the site.

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LinkedIn, which launched in China in 2014, lets people use personal and professional relationships to find job opportunities.

Chinese authorities have been targeting a range of homegrown tech behemoths for alleged monopolistic practices and aggressive harvesting of consumer data.

The drive is part of a wider policy by the government to tighten its grip on the world's number two economy, including targeting private education, property and casinos.

Microsoft will "sunset" the China version of LinkedIn and launch an InJobs application dedicated to connected professionals in that country with companies seeking employees, according to Shroff.

Microsoft bought LinkedIn for slightly more than $26 billion in 2016, and has worked to build a presence in China despite concerns about online censorship.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/study-says-drinking-warm-milk-can-make-one-sleepy-here-is-how-420786">Also read |&nbsp;Study says drinking warm milk can make one sleepy, here is how</a>

Facebook and Twitter have been banned in China for more than a decade.

Google left the country in 2010 in response to a hacking attack and censorship.

The website of e-commerce giant Amazon is accessible in China, but the market there is dominated by local players such as Alibaba and JD.com.

Microsoft on Thursday said it will shut down career-oriented social network LinkedIn in China, citing a "challenging operating environment" as Beijing tightens control over tech firms.

Microsoft on Thursday said it will shut down career-oriented social network LinkedIn in China, citing a "challenging operating environment" as Beijing tightens control over tech firms. The US-based company will replace LinkedIn in China with an application dedicated to applying for jobs but without the networking features, according to senior vice president of engineering Mohak Shroff. "We're... facing a significantly more challenging operating environment and greater compliance requirements in China," Shroff said in a blog post. According to the Wall Street Journal, LinkedIn was given a deadline by Chinese internet regulators to better oversee content on the site. Also read | Turkey’s 24-year-old Rumeysa Gelgi titled as tallest woman living LinkedIn, which launched in China in 2014, lets people use personal and professional relationships to find job opportunities. Chinese authorities have been targeting a range of homegrown tech behemoths for alleged monopolistic practices and aggressive harvesting of consumer data. The drive is part of a wider policy by the government to tighten its grip on the world's number two economy, including targeting private education, property and casinos. Microsoft will "sunset" the China version of LinkedIn and launch an InJobs application dedicated to connected professionals in that country with companies seeking employees, according to Shroff. Microsoft bought LinkedIn for slightly more than $26 billion in 2016, and has worked to build a presence in China despite concerns about online censorship. Also read | Study says drinking warm milk can make one sleepy, here is how Facebook and Twitter have been banned in China for more than a decade. Google left the country in 2010 in response to a hacking attack and censorship. The website of e-commerce giant Amazon is accessible in China, but the market there is dominated by local players such as Alibaba and JD.com.

Microsoft shuttering LinkedIn in China as rules tighten

Microsoft on Tuesday started rolling out its new operating system Windows 11. The OS is now available as a free upgrade on eligible Windows 10 PCs as well as on new PCs that come pre-installed with windows 11 worldwide.

New pre-installed Windows 11 devices have begun rolling out from partners including ASUS, HP, and Lenovo with more coming soon from partners like Acer and Dell.

"With Windows 11, we reimagined the entire user experience to bring you closer to what you love, empower you to produce, and inspire you to create. Windows 11 will provide users a sense of calm and openness while keeping everything that they do secure. We are pleased to bring the new Windows 11 to India," said Rajiv Sodhi, Chief Operating Officer, Microsoft India. He was quoted by IANS.

The company says Windows 11 features powerful new experiences whether users are working on a school project, collaborating on a presentation for work, building a new app or creating your next big idea.

The OS comes with redesigned Taskbar icons and Start menu It also adds rounded corners for all program windows and built-in Teams chat.

Windows 11 also includes support for DirectStorage, a feature first introduced on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles.

Introduced in July, Windows 11 comes with a sleeker look and layouts for snapping applications to the screen, more detailed widgets, a revamped Microsoft Store, and support for Android apps.

Microsoft has already revealed basic requirements for running Windows 11 on a PC. It will need a processor that has two or more cores and a clock speed of 1GHz or higher along with 4GB RAM and at least 64GB storage.

The firm recently announced Windows 11 will officially support Intel Core X-series, Xeon W-series, and the Intel Core 7820HQ.

(With inputs from agencies)

Microsoft on Tuesday started rolling out its new operating system Windows 11. The OS is now available as a free upgrade on eligible Windows 10 PCs as well as on new PCs that come pre-installed with windows 11 worldwide.

Microsoft on Tuesday started rolling out its new operating system Windows 11. The OS is now available as a free upgrade on eligible Windows 10 PCs as well as on new PCs that come pre-installed with windows 11 worldwide. New pre-installed Windows 11 devices have begun rolling out from partners including ASUS, HP, and Lenovo with more coming soon from partners like Acer and Dell. "With Windows 11, we reimagined the entire user experience to bring you closer to what you love, empower you to produce, and inspire you to create. Windows 11 will provide users a sense of calm and openness while keeping everything that they do secure. We are pleased to bring the new Windows 11 to India," said Rajiv Sodhi, Chief Operating Officer, Microsoft India. He was quoted by IANS. The company says Windows 11 features powerful new experiences whether users are working on a school project, collaborating on a presentation for work, building a new app or creating your next big idea. The OS comes with redesigned Taskbar icons and Start menu It also adds rounded corners for all program windows and built-in Teams chat. Windows 11 also includes support for DirectStorage, a feature first introduced on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles. Introduced in July, Windows 11 comes with a sleeker look and layouts for snapping applications to the screen, more detailed widgets, a revamped Microsoft Store, and support for Android apps. Microsoft has already revealed basic requirements for running Windows 11 on a PC. It will need a processor that has two or more cores and a clock speed of 1GHz or higher along with 4GB RAM and at least 64GB storage. The firm recently announced Windows 11 will officially support Intel Core X-series, Xeon W-series, and the Intel Core 7820HQ. (With inputs from agencies)

Microsoft starts rolling out Windows 11 to PCs across the world

Microsoft's Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella said on Monday that the company's near acquisition of social media app TikTok was the "strangest thing" he had "ever worked on"

Former US President Donald Trump had ordered TikTok to separate its US version from Chinese parent company ByteDance over concerns of data security of US users. Microsoft had begun acquisition talks in August 2020 but the deal collapsed by September.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/microsoft-co-founder-bill-gates-offers-15-billion-in-climate-help-if-us-takes-legislative-action-405062">Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates offers $1.5 billion in climate help if US takes legislative action</a>

Trump's divestment push ended by the time he left office in January and no potential suitor ending up acquiring TikTok.

Nadella was speaking at the Code Conference in Beverly Hills, California. He said that he was looking forward to bringing Microsoft's security, child safety and cloud expertise to TikTok.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/safe-and-easy-microsoft-announces-passwordless-account-for-users-413771">Safe and easy: Microsoft announces 'passwordless account' for users</a>

"It's unbelievable," Nadella said of the experience during an on-stage interview. "I learned so many things about so much and so many people. First of all, TikTok came to us. We didn't go to TikTok."

"TikTok was caught in between a lot of things happening across two capitals," Nadella continued. "President Trump had a particular point of view of what he was trying to get done there, and then it just dropped off. The [U.S. government] had a particular set of requirements and then it just disappeared."

Nadella said Microsoft's services related to content moderation and child safety was what had attracted TikTOk CEO Zhang Yiming to Microsoft.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amazon-microsoft-cisco-among-tech-giants-to-utilise-data-from-indias-farmers-413747">Amazon, Microsoft, Cisco among tech giants to utilise data from India’s farmers</a>

ByteDance did not immediately respond to Reuter's request for comment.

Nadella said he has no idea whether the US is still pushing for a deal under President Joe Biden. The Biden administration has said it is reviewing the national security concerns&nbsp;

"At this point, I'm happy with what I have," Nadella said.

He also expressed support for greater government regulation of cryptocurrency rules, which could stifle ransomware attacks since the ransoms often flow through opaque systems.

Microsoft's Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella said on Monday that the company's near acquisition of social media app TikTok was the "strangest thing" he had "ever worked on" Former US President Donald Trump had ordered TikTok to separate its US version from Chinese parent company ByteDance over concerns of data security of US users.

Microsoft's Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella said on Monday that the company's near acquisition of social media app TikTok was the "strangest thing" he had "ever worked on" Former US President Donald Trump had ordered TikTok to separate its US version from Chinese parent company ByteDance over concerns of data security of US users. Microsoft had begun acquisition talks in August 2020 but the deal collapsed by September. Also Read | Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates offers $1.5 billion in climate help if US takes legislative action Trump's divestment push ended by the time he left office in January and no potential suitor ending up acquiring TikTok. Nadella was speaking at the Code Conference in Beverly Hills, California. He said that he was looking forward to bringing Microsoft's security, child safety and cloud expertise to TikTok. Also Read | Safe and easy: Microsoft announces 'passwordless account' for users "It's unbelievable," Nadella said of the experience during an on-stage interview. "I learned so many things about so much and so many people. First of all, TikTok came to us. We didn't go to TikTok." "TikTok was caught in between a lot of things happening across two capitals," Nadella continued. "President Trump had a particular point of view of what he was trying to get done there, and then it just dropped off. The [U.S. government] had a particular set of requirements and then it just disappeared." Nadella said Microsoft's services related to content moderation and child safety was what had attracted TikTOk CEO Zhang Yiming to Microsoft. Also Read | Amazon, Microsoft, Cisco among tech giants to utilise data from India’s farmers ByteDance did not immediately respond to Reuter's request for comment. Nadella said he has no idea whether the US is still pushing for a deal under President Joe Biden. The Biden administration has said it is reviewing the national security concerns "At this point, I'm happy with what I have," Nadella said. He also expressed support for greater government regulation of cryptocurrency rules, which could stifle ransomware attacks since the ransoms often flow through opaque systems.

Failed TikTok deal 'strangest thing I've worked on', says Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella

Do you have trouble remembering your passwords? Microsoft may have the solution. They are offering password-less authentication for millions of users around the world. Can biometrics & OTPs replace passwords? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: A world without passwords?

Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Cisco Systems Inc. are among technology giants which are lining up to utilise data from India’s farmers in an ambitious government-led productivity drive. It is aimed at transforming an outmoded agricultural industry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, which is seeking to ensure food security in the world’s second-most populous nation, has signed preliminary agreements with the three US titans and a slew of local businesses.&nbsp;

Modi is betting the private sector can help farmers boost yields with apps and tools built from information such as crop output, soil quality and landholdings.

As per the government, io Platforms Ltd, which is controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd., and tobacco giant ITC Ltd are among local powerhouses that have signed up for the programme.

With the project, the Modi government seeks to usher in long-due reforms to makeover a farm sector that employs almost half of the nation’s 1.3 billion people and contributes about a fifth of Asia’s third-biggest economy.

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Ankur Pahwa, a partner at consultancy EY India, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying, "This is a high impact industry and private players are sensing the opportunity and want to be a large part of it".

He further added, "India has a very high amount of food wastage because of lack of technology and infrastructure. So there’s a huge upside to the program.”

The idea is to seed all the information such as crop pattern, soil health, insurance, credit, and weather patterns into a single database and then analyse it through AI and data analytics.&nbsp;

After that, the goal is to develop personalised services for a sector replete with challenges such as peaking yields, water stress, degrading soil and lack of infrastructure including temperature-controlled warehouses and refrigerated trucks.

As of now, the government has seeded publicly available data for more than 50 million farmers of the 120 million identified land-holding growers. Some of the local companies that have signed up include Star Agribazaar Technology, ESRI India

Technologies, yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Organic Research Institute and Ninjacart. However, the success rate is far from guaranteed.&nbsp;

The plan to rope in big corporations is already drawing criticisms from critics.&nbsp;

As per the critics, the move comes as another attempt by the government to give the private sector a greater sway.

Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Cisco Systems Inc. are among technology giants which are lining up to utilise data from India’s farmers in an ambitious government-led productivity drive.

Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Cisco Systems Inc. are among technology giants which are lining up to utilise data from India’s farmers in an ambitious government-led productivity drive. It is aimed at transforming an outmoded agricultural industry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, which is seeking to ensure food security in the world’s second-most populous nation, has signed preliminary agreements with the three US titans and a slew of local businesses. Modi is betting the private sector can help farmers boost yields with apps and tools built from information such as crop output, soil quality and landholdings. As per the government, io Platforms Ltd, which is controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd., and tobacco giant ITC Ltd are among local powerhouses that have signed up for the programme. With the project, the Modi government seeks to usher in long-due reforms to makeover a farm sector that employs almost half of the nation’s 1.3 billion people and contributes about a fifth of Asia’s third-biggest economy. Also read | Indian PM Modi inaugurates new defence offices, slams Central Vista critics Ankur Pahwa, a partner at consultancy EY India, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying, "This is a high impact industry and private players are sensing the opportunity and want to be a large part of it". He further added, "India has a very high amount of food wastage because of lack of technology and infrastructure. So there’s a huge upside to the program.” The idea is to seed all the information such as crop pattern, soil health, insurance, credit, and weather patterns into a single database and then analyse it through AI and data analytics. After that, the goal is to develop personalised services for a sector replete with challenges such as peaking yields, water stress, degrading soil and lack of infrastructure including temperature-controlled warehouses and refrigerated trucks. As of now, the government has seeded publicly available data for more than 50 million farmers of the 120 million identified land-holding growers. Some of the local companies that have signed up include Star Agribazaar Technology, ESRI India Technologies, yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Organic Research Institute and Ninjacart. However, the success rate is far from guaranteed. The plan to rope in big corporations is already drawing criticisms from critics. As per the critics, the move comes as another attempt by the government to give the private sector a greater sway.

Amazon, Microsoft, Cisco among tech giants to utilise data from India’s farmers

Recently internet users have been joking about having to remember too many passwords. Microsoft, however, has found a solution for their users.

The popular tech company has decided to abandon password system to let its users have a ‘passwordless account’ for easy and quick access.

Users of all popular services such as Microsoft Outlook, OneDrive and more will be given the option of creating ‘passwordless accounts’ in the coming weeks.

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The option was available for corporate users of Microsoft in March, but has now decided to extend this option for private users too.

"You can now completely remove the password from your Microsoft account," Vasu Jakkal, the company's corporate vice president of security, compliance and identity, wrote in a&nbsp;blog post&nbsp;Wednesday.

However, security will now be compromised for these accounts. Microsoft will allow users to access their personal accounts through the famous Authenticator app that will generate a ‘One Time Password’ (OTP) (unique numbered login code). Users can put in this code and enter their account.

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Another option will be through ‘Windows Hello’ that will let users sign in through facial recognition or fingerprint.

Users are also allowed to own an external security key — which looks like a USB drive — that will have security and login information pre-loaded in it.

Microsoft has taken this decision after it observed an alarming spike in cyberattacks in the past year, caused by lack of password strength, especially for people who have been working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Recently internet users have been joking about having to remember too many passwords. Microsoft, however, has found a solution for their users. The popular tech company has decided to abandon password system to let its users have a ‘passwordless account’ for easy and quick access.

Recently internet users have been joking about having to remember too many passwords. Microsoft, however, has found a solution for their users. The popular tech company has decided to abandon password system to let its users have a ‘passwordless account’ for easy and quick access. Users of all popular services such as Microsoft Outlook, OneDrive and more will be given the option of creating ‘passwordless accounts’ in the coming weeks. Also read | Facebook documents show how toxic Instagram is for teens: Reports The option was available for corporate users of Microsoft in March, but has now decided to extend this option for private users too. "You can now completely remove the password from your Microsoft account," Vasu Jakkal, the company's corporate vice president of security, compliance and identity, wrote in a blog post Wednesday. However, security will now be compromised for these accounts. Microsoft will allow users to access their personal accounts through the famous Authenticator app that will generate a ‘One Time Password’ (OTP) (unique numbered login code). Users can put in this code and enter their account. Also read | What's the difference? Netizens wonder as new iPhone 13 is almost like iPhone 12 Another option will be through ‘Windows Hello’ that will let users sign in through facial recognition or fingerprint. Users are also allowed to own an external security key — which looks like a USB drive — that will have security and login information pre-loaded in it. Microsoft has taken this decision after it observed an alarming spike in cyberattacks in the past year, caused by lack of password strength, especially for people who have been working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Safe and easy: Microsoft announces 'passwordless account' for users

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