Taliban backs Twitter over Threads | Foxconn talks of 4-5 potential chip fabrication lines in India

Twitter wins big name backer against Meta Threads… the Taliban

While Meta Threads surpasses 100 million sign-ups a week since launch, Twitter has gained support from a leader of the hardline Islamist group which said Musk’s platform was a tolerant place that allowed freedom of speech to thrive.

Anas Haqqani offered his endorsement in a tweet on Monday hailing the social media for its credibility.

Twitter has two important advantages over other social media platforms.
The first privilege is the freedom of speech. The second privilege is the public nature & credibility of Twitter. Twitter doesn’t have an intolerant policy like Meta. Other platforms cannot replace it. pic.twitter.com/oYQTI3hgfI

— Anas Haqqani(انس حقاني) (@AnasHaqqani313) July 10, 2023

The Taliban has long had a presence on Twitter. It said that Musk has nothing to fear – though Musk’s reactions suggest otherwise in several tweets against Zuckerberg and even a threat to sue Meta.

https://news.sky.com/story/twitter-wins-big-name-backer-against-threads-but-its-the-taliban-12918910

Game-on for Microsoft’s $69bn Activision deal

The multi-billion deal has been greenlit by US district judge Jacqueline Corley after she thwarted contentions that it would hurt consumers by giving Microsoft exclusive access to games.

Shortly after the judge’s order, Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it would consider Microsoft’s proposals to resolve antitrust concerns in the UK, suggesting the two parties may come to a resolution.

Yet the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) argued the deal would leave rival console makers like Nintendo and Sony vulnerable, claims which Corley dismissed.

The FTC have until Friday to appeal the decision – otherwise what will be the largest transaction in videogame history will be approved in the US.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-judge-rules-microsoft-deal-buy-activision-can-go-forward-2023-07-11/

Foxconn talks of 4-5 potential chip fabrication lines in India post Vedanta break-up

A day after Foxconn pulled the plug on its $19.5 billion chipmaking joint venture with Vedanta, the tech giant has expressed interest to establish four to five semiconductor fabrication lines in India, the Economic Times reported on Tuesday.

Foxconn said that itself and Vedanta both agreed the project hadn’t been progressing as well as they’d liked and Foxconn is now in talks with various local and international partners to establish chip facilities in India.

The ET report said that Foxconn is eyeing Gujarat for one production line and will also be considering other potential locations.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/foxconn-looking-to-set-up-4-5-semiconductor-fabrication-lines-in-india/articleshow/101684279.cms

Over 140 countries to extend digital services tax freeze through 2024

More than 140 countries with digital services taxes have agreed press pause on applying them for another year as a replacement tax deal was pushed back.

With the exception of Canada, the countries were supposed to begin implementing a two-part 2021 deal next year that overhauled outdated rules on how government tax multinationals.

The first part aims to reallocate taxing rights on about $200 billion in profits from the biggest and most profitable multinationals to the countries where their sales occur. The second pillar intends to put an end to tax competition between governments to attract investment by setting a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% from next year.

The deal is now expected to be applied in 2025, instead of in 2024 as previously planned.

https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/countries-agree-extend-digital-services-tax-freeze-through-2024-2023-07-12/