Category: History

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Business Finance History Technology

Google’s Microsoft Complex

James Grimmelman compares Google to Sauron. I’m flabbergasted. I had always thought that Google was the Ringbearer and that Mordor was where Gates and Ballmer hung out. Was I misinformed? Or am I just confused? If it’s the latter, I have a decent excuse. After all, even though Google and Microsoft have very different public personae, it’s getting harder and harder to tell them apart as businesses. Both built their empires through the same strategy: gaining control of the economic chokepoint of the prevailing computing model of their day.

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Business Education Finance History Science Social

UK Bank interest rates hit all-time low

The Bank of England has cut interest rates to 1.5%, the lowest level in its 315-year history, as it continues efforts to aid an economic recovery. The half percentage point reduction brings interest rates below 2% for the first time since the Bank of England was founded in 1694. The Bank has now reduced rates four times from October’s 5% level.

Read the article: Interest rates hit all-time low

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Business Education Finance History Innovation Science Social

Porsche and VW saga explained

Adolf Merckle, one of the world’s richest men, committed suicide yesterday by throwing himself under a train, Bloomberg reports. Financial difficulties, and particularly great losses he suffered on Volkswagen stock, are being cited as the key reason he ended his life.

Read the article: How Porsche hacked the financial system and made a killing

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Business Education Finance History India Social Technology

Satyam Scandal Shocks Indian IT Sector

The admission by Satyam Computer Services Ltd.’s chairman that he concocted key financial results sent shockwaves across the information-technology sector, raising questions about how the scandal will affect the company’s customers and rivals.

B. Ramalinga Raju, founder and chairman of one of India’s largest IT companies, resigned Wednesday after admitting to falsifying company accounts and inflating revenue and profit figures over several years, sending the company’s shares tumbling and triggering a probe by India’s capital market regulator.

Read the article: The $1bn black hole at heart of company’s finances

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Education History India Life Social

Pakistan and terrorism link clearer than ever-before

Fresh diplomatic tensions are on the rise between India and Pakistan over the Mumbai massacre, as Islamabad remains unmoved by a dossier of evidence presented by India purporting to show involvement by Pakistanis in the raid. Pakistan this week did admit that its investigations have confirmed that the sole surviving gunman involved in the November attacks is a Pakistani citizen — a fact that the government had refused to acknowledge until now.

Read the article: Pakistan Continues to Resist India Pressure on Mumbai

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Business China Education Finance History India Life Science Social Technology

US global dominance ‘set to wane’

US economic, military and political dominance is likely to decline over the next two decades, according to a new US intelligence report on global trends. The National Intelligence Council (NIC) predicts China, India and Russia will increasingly challenge US influence.

Read the article: US global dominance ‘set to wane’

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History India Life Nature Science Social

Malaysia outlaws yoga for Muslims

Millions of people in Malaysia have been banned from doing yoga because of fears it could corrupt Muslims. The Islamic authorities have issued a ruling, known as a fatwa, instructing the country’s Muslims to avoid yoga because of its Hindu roots.

Read the article: Malaysia outlaws yoga for Muslims

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Education History Life Social

Obama’s victory speech

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world – our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

To those who would tear the world down – we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security – we support you.

Read the article: Full text: Obama’s victory speech

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Business Finance History

Merrill Lynch chief sees severe global slowdown

“The global economy is entering a slowdown of epic proportions, comparable to the Great Depression, John Thain, chairman and chief executive of Merrill Lynch, warned on Tuesday.” – FT.com

Read the article: Merrill chief sees severe global slowdown

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History Life Social Sports

Lewis Hamilton Becomes Youngest Ever F1 World Champion

McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton became the youngest world champion in Formula One history by the skin of his teeth after a nail-biting Brazilian Grand Prix.

Read the article: Last-gasp Hamilton takes F1 crown