- US consumer inflation eases more than expected in June
- Dozens of int'l news groups urge Israel to allow Gaza access
- France says needs 25 bn euros budget cuts to keep deficit promise
- Motie snares Stokes and Root but England still on top against West Indies
- Nearby exoplanet could be first known ocean world: Webb telescope
- England's decade of development has its reward in Euro 2024 final
- Israel presses operation in Gaza's north
- Fire breaks out at France's Rouen cathedral
- One of a kind: Musetti revives dying art at Wimbledon
- Russia denies jailed campaigner Orlov's plea for freedom
- Bangladesh charges 26 for destruction of vast mangrove forest
- EU accepts Apple plan to open iPhone tap-to-pay to rivals
- Oil demand growth slowing, China consumption dips: IEA
- South Korea names K-pop group NewJeans as tourism ambassadors
- French left blasts Macron, demands keys to govt
- King Charles III urges England team to spare fans Euro 2024 'drama'
- Bosnian Muslims commemorate Srebrenica genocide
- Cocoa price surge eats into Barry Callebaut sales volumes
- Commercial goods trucked into Gaza after aid logjams
- Warholm and Ingebrigtsen headline Monaco Diamond League meeting
- Grease, sweat and tears for Turkey's Ottoman oil wrestlers
- Romania faces down Vuitton for 'stealing' its beloved blouse
- Power and glory as Rybakina eyes Wimbledon final
- In the heart of Mauritania's desert, a green oasis cultivates equality
- Ukraine relies on friends as Russia strikes power grid
- The pacifist politician hoping to change Russia
- Gatland demands more disciplined Wales in second Australia Test
- Colombia defeat Uruguay to reach Copa America final
- Embattled Biden to give high-stakes press conference
- Zelensky to take center stage as NATO summit also looks to Asia
- England's Baxter, 22, to start in front row against All Blacks
- China building more wind, solar capacity than rest of world combined: report
- Lorenzo hails Colombia's bravery in Copa semi triumph
- Asian markets track Wall St records after Powell hints at rate cut
- The two candidates challenging Kagame again
- Fiji count on 'commanding' Tuwai to bring home third Olympic gold
- Nunez, Uruguay players brawl in stands with fans after Copa loss
- Ghost Cyprus resort bears scars of half-century of division
- Slipper to captain Australia against Wales after Wright ruled out
- Water shortages worsen as funding dries up for northwest Syria displaced
- Colombia defeat Uruguay 1-0 to reach Copa America final
- Canada conservationists push back as grizzly hunting ban lifted
- AI accessibility? Blind gamer puts ChatGPT to the test
- Paris dream of swimming in the Seine part of its Olympics vision
- Brazil's vaunted Academy seeks to shed image as white men's club
- Paul Kagame: Rwanda's polarising strongman
- Rwanda heads to the polls as Kagame makes fourth-term bid
- Christie is only All Blacks change for second England Test
- Argentine woman raped, beaten by French rugby players: lawyer
- F-16s will boost Ukraine defenses, but not a 'silver bullet'
Microsoft to buy US gaming giant Activision-Blizzard for $69 bn
Microsoft announced Tuesday a $69 billion deal to purchase US gaming giant Activision Blizzard, the firm behind hits like "Call of Duty" that has been hit by allegations of sex discrimination against women.
"This acquisition will accelerate the growth in Microsoft's gaming business across mobile, PC, console and cloud and will provide building blocks for the metaverse," Microsoft said in a statement.
Activision, the California-based maker of "Candy Crush" has been hit by employee protests, departures, and a state lawsuit alleging it enabled toxic workplace conditions and sexual harassment against women.
Over the past seven months the company has received about 700 reports of employee concerns over sexual assault or harassment or other misconduct, in some cases separate reports about the same incident, The Wall Street Journal has reported.
Nearly 20 percent of Activision Blizzard's 9,500 employees have signed a petition calling for CEO Bobby Kotick to resign.
L.Mesquita--PC