Facebook makes billion dollar pledge to support news industry
Facebook, following in Google’s footsteps, says it plans to invest one billion US dollars to “support the news industry” over the next three years.
Digital
MSP quizzes Infrastructure Secretary on broadband – from back seat of his car
A Scottish Government minister has been quizzed on plans to boost broadband in rural communities – as connection problems saw one MSP forced to take part in the session from the back seat of his car.
Tributes for cardiologist who invented defibrillator and campaigned for peace
Dr Bernard Lown, a Massachusetts cardiologist who invented the first reliable heart defibrillator and later co-founded an anti-nuclear war group that was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, has died aged 99.
Rapper arrested in Spain following protest against curbs on free speech
A 24-hour standoff between police and a Spanish rapper barricaded with dozens of his supporters in a university ended with anti-riot officers arresting the artist.
Tributes to salsa great Johnny Pacheco following death aged 85
Salsa star Johnny Pacheco, who was a co-founder of Fania Records, Eddie Palmieri’s bandmate and backer of music stars such as Ruben Blades, Willie Colon and Celia Cruz, has died aged 85.
Culture minister tells DCMS committee EU failed to address touring visa concerns
The European Union’s proposals for visa-free travel for UK performers failed to address the “creative and cultural sectors’ concerns”, Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage has said.
YouTube grilled over how much it pays musicians per stream
YouTube has been challenged over how much it pays musicians per stream in an exchange with MPs.
Musicians and songwriters are being ‘cheated’ by streaming – sector bosses
Musicians and songwriters are being “cheated” by the way streaming revenue is handled, industry bosses have said.
‘Massive underpayment’ by YouTube, says UK music industry boss
The head of the British Phonographic Industry has said YouTube is paying only “a tiny fraction” of what it should in music-streaming revenue.
Turkey unveils space programme with the moon an early target
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unveiled an ambitious 10-year space programme for his country that includes missions to the moon, sending Turkish astronauts into space and developing internationally viable satellite systems.
EU says Apple court win was based on ‘contradictory reasoning’
The European Union’s executive Commission says a court decision handing Apple victory last year in a big tax case was “contradictory” and committed legal errors, in a filing for its appeal.
Astronauts complete four-year power upgrade on International Space Station
A pair of spacewalking astronauts have completed a four-year effort to modernise the International Space Station’s power grid, installing one last battery.
Daughter of Warsaw Zoo couple who saved hundreds from Holocaust dies aged 77
The daughter of former Warsaw Zoo directors Jan and Antonina Zabinski, who saved hundreds of Jews from the Holocaust by hiding them at the zoo and whose story was told in the Hollywood movie The Zookeeper’s Wife, has died.
Vaccine appointment tool could be a gamechanger for the NHS, official says
A digital tool developed to help manage Covid-19 vaccinations could be a “gamechanger” for the NHS, according to a senior health service official.
Chinese tycoon Jack Ma makes video appearance after spell out of public view
China’s highest-profile entrepreneur, Jack Ma, appeared in an online video, ending a two and a half month absence from public view that prompted speculation about the future of the e-commerce billionaire and his Alibaba Group.
European car sales plunge as pandemic provokes crisis
European car sales plunged by nearly a quarter last year as the pandemic provoked the worst crisis ever to hit the capital-intensive industry.
Dubai staying open despite a surge in coronavirus cases
Coronavirus infections are surging to unprecedented heights in the United Arab Emirates.
Canada gives green light for return of Boeing 737 Max planes
The Boeing 737 Max can return to Canadian airspace beginning on Wednesday, officials said, concluding nearly two years of government review after the aircraft was involved in two deadly crashes that saw the planes grounded worldwide.
World leaders to address virtual forum after Davos gathering postponed
Organisers of the World Economic Forum are expecting leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for a virtual gathering next week — after Covid-19 postponed and moved the annual in-person event of Davos, Switzerland.
Fourth-largest car company floats on Milan and Paris stock exchanges
Stellantis, the car company combining PSA Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler, was launched on the Milan and Paris stock exchanges, giving life to the fourth-largest car company in the world.
Stars out in force at inauguration when Joe Biden takes reins of power
A-listers absent from President Donald Trump’s inauguration four years ago will be performing when President-elect Joe Biden takes the keys to the White House on January 20.
Chinese president asks former Starbucks boss to help repair US relations
China’s President Xi Jinping is asking former chief executive Howard Schultz of Starbucks to help repair US-Chinese relations that have plunged to their lowest level in decades amid a tariff war and tension over technology and security.
Elvis Presley’s former home offers virtual tours for fans
Elvis Presley’s Graceland is now offering online tours for fans around the world, including those who cannot travel to the tourist attraction in the US state of Tennessee during the coronavirus pandemic.
Blistering barnacles! Tintin drawing could set auction record for comic book art
Comic book lovers and tourists alike can catch a socially distanced glimpse of a Tintin drawing by Herge in Paris before it goes under the hammer on Thursday.
Shares rise as tech company Intel replaces its chief executive
Intel is replacing its chief executive after only two years, but it has been a rough stretch for the chipmaker.
Volkswagen reveals 15% drop in sales during pandemic
German carmaker Volkswagen said its global sales fell 15.2% during 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic but showed significant recovery toward the end of the year.
Rapper YFN Lucci wanted for ‘murder’ after shooting
Rapper YFN Lucci is wanted for murder in a December shooting that left one dead and another wounded, authorities said.
Artworks looted under Nazi rule handed over by German authorities
German authorities have now handed over all 14 works from the art trove accumulated by late collector Cornelius Gurlitt that so far were proven to have been looted under Nazi rule, the government said.
Angela Merkel sees Twitter’s cancelling of Donald Trump as ‘problematic’
German Chancellor Angela Merkel considers US President Donald Trump’s eviction from Twitter by the company “problematic”, her spokesman said.
Donald Trump looking for new social media presence with Parler offline
President Donald Trump has been kicked off most mainstream social media platforms following his supporters’ siege on the US Capitol.