tech
Richard Branson inspired by Apollo, his own space shot soon
Cape Canaveral, Jul 19 (AP/UNB) — Virgin Galactic's Richard Branson said Thursday his spaceship has just a few more test flights before he jumps on board for the first tourist trip.
Microsoft cloud growth beats expectations
Jul 19 (AP/UNB)- Microsoft on Thursday reported quarterly profit of $13.2 billion, powered in large part by a steadily growing cloud computing business that the company says now accounts for almost a third of its total revenue.
Facebook's Libra gets stark warning from G-7 finance chiefs
Chantilly, Jul 18 (AP/UNB) — Finance chiefs from the Group of Seven rich democracies issued a stark warning on Thursday that cryptocurrencies like the Libra digital money recently unveiled by Facebook should not be allowed before "serious regulatory and systemic concerns" are addressed.
Bitcoin craze hits Iran as US sanctions squeeze weak economy
Iran, July 18 (AP/UNB) — Iranians feeling the squeeze from U.S. sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic's ailing economy are increasingly turning to such digital currencies as Bitcoin to make money, prompting alarm in and out of the country.
Major economies take dim view of Facebook Libra
France, July 18(AP/UNB) — Finance ministers from the Group of Seven rich democracies are sounding the alarm on the dangers of cryptocurrencies and pouring cold water on Facebook's Libra as they wrap up a two-day meeting in Chantilly, France.
India reschedules launch of its moon mission for Monday
New Delhi, Jul 18 (AP/UNB) — India's space agency said it will launch a spacecraft to the south pole of the moon on Monday after an aborted effort this week.
Microsoft reports hundreds of election-related cyber probes
Dhaka, Jul 18 (AP/UNB) - Microsoft says it has detected more than 740 infiltration attempts by nation-state actors in the past year targeting U.S.-based political parties, campaigns and other democracy-focused organizations including think tanks and other nonprofits.
Dems pan 'Zuck buck,' want Facebook to rein in currency plan
Washington, Jul 18 (AP/UNB) — Facebook endured a second day of criticism from Congress over its plan to create a digital currency as senior House Democrats asked Facebook to scale back the project and threatened legislation that would block big tech companies from getting into banking.
China launches STAR, tech stock market to boost industry
Beijing, Jul 18 (AP/UNB) — Trading starts Monday on a Chinese stock market for high-tech companies that play a key role in official development plans that are straining relations with Washington.
Netflix's 2Q dud rattles investors as competition heats up
San Francisco, Jul 18 (AP/UNB) — Netflix's video streaming service suffered a dramatic slowdown in growth during its traditionally sluggish spring season, a drop-off coming as the company boosts its prices and girds for even stiffer competition.