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☆ AI needs 'human control' to avoid being weaponized, says Microsoft's president
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"We have to ensure that AI remains subject to human control. Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence technology that can generate content such as text, images, code and more. AI impact on jobsMeanwhile, the explosive growth of AI has workers worrying that their jobs could be replaced by the technology. A Goldman Sachs report in March said generative AI could impact as many as 300 million jobs around the world. The Microsoft executive pointed out that AI is a tool that supplements human work, and not one that replaces jobs.

Persons: Brad Smith, Smith, it's, we've, CNBC's Martin Soong, We've, Goldman Sachs Organizations: CNBC, Tech, Microsoft Locations: New Delhi

☆ Microsoft's president on fresh bid for Activision Blizzard: 'Up to the regulators' to decide
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

watch nowMicrosoft says it "really tried" to take the concerns of U.K. regulators to heart, before launching its fresh bid to take over Activision Blizzard — and it's now up to the regulators to decide whether that path is clear. "I think we need to let the regulators speak for themselves," Microsoft's vice-chairman and president Brad Smith told CNBC in an exclusive interview. Last Tuesday, Microsoft submitted a new proposal to U.K. regulators for the takeover of American game publisher Activision Blizzard after its initial proposal was rejected. Microsoft submitted a new proposal to U.K. regulators for the takeover of American game publisher Activision Blizzard after its initial proposal was rejected. Brad Smith Microsoft's vice-chairman and presidentOn regulatory concerns, Smith said: "We haven't tried to dismiss them.

Persons: it's, Brad Smith, we've, Brad Smith Microsoft's, Smith, haven't, We've, CNBC's Martin Soong Organizations: Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, CNBC, Activision, Markets Authority, Nurphoto, Activision PC, Ubisoft, CMA Locations: New Delhi

☆ AI will advance productivity and fundamental lines of businesses, Microsoft says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailAI will advance productivity and fundamental lines of businesses, Microsoft saysMicrosoft's vice chairman and president, Brad Smith, says AI will not only advance productivity and make people more effective in their jobs, but also lead to a happier workplace and workforce.

Persons: Brad Smith Organizations: Microsoft

☆ Microsoft says it worked hard to address regulatory concerns over Activision Blizzard deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailMicrosoft says it worked hard to address regulatory concerns over Activision Blizzard dealBrad Smith, president and vice chair of Microsoft, discusses the company's merger agreement with Activision Blizzard. The two companies had originally agreed to complete the transaction by July 18, but regulatory pushback from the U.S. and the U.K. delayed the takeover.

Persons: Brad Smith Organizations: Microsoft, Activision Blizzard Locations: U.S

☆ Microsoft says it will sell Activision streaming rights to Ubisoft to unblock its takeover bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Microsoft has restructured its deal to hand Activision cloud gaming rights to rival Ubisoft. Microsoft really wants to get its takeover of Activision Blizzard over the line. The tech giant has substantially restructured its deal to try and appease the UK regulator's concerns that a takeover would hurt competition in cloud gaming. The new deal involves selling Activision cloud-gaming rights for countries outside the European Economic Area to video-game publisher Ubisoft. Microsoft announced its intent to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion in January 2022, but the deal has been entangled in competition concerns ever since.

Persons: Sarah Cardell, Brad Smith Organizations: Microsoft, Activision, Ubisoft, Morning, Activision Blizzard, Economic Area, Cloud Gaming, European Commission, Markets Authority, CMA Locations: British

☆ Ubisoft shares pop 9% on revised Microsoft-Activision deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Ashley Capoot | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Yves Guillemot, CEO and co-founder of Ubisoft, speaks at the Ubisoft Forward livestream event in Los Angeles, California, on June 12, 2023. Shares of French game maker Ubisoft popped 9% in Europe trading Tuesday after Microsoft submitted a new deal for the takeover of Activision Blizzard to try and appease wary U.K. regulators. The U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority confirmed it blocked the original $69 billion deal that Microsoft first put forward in January 2022. Instead, these rights will be divested to Ubisoft before Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Ubisoft offers cloud games on services like Amazon Luna and Nvidia 's GeForce Now, which compete with Microsoft's Xbox streaming service.

Persons: Yves Guillemot, Brad Smith, Tom Clancy's, Smith, CNBC's Arjun Kharpal Organizations: Ubisoft, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Markets Authority, CMA, Activision Blizzard PC, Activision, Amazon, Nvidia Locations: Los Angeles , California, Europe, U.S

☆ Microsoft submits new Activision Blizzard takeover deal to British regulator after initial block
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Dado Ruvic | ReutersMicrosoft on Tuesday submitted a new deal for the takeover of Activision Blizzard, offering a spate of concessions after U.K. regulators rejected its initial proposal. Under the restructured deal, Microsoft will not acquire cloud rights for existing Activision PC and console games, or for new games released by Activision during the next 15 years, the CMA said. Regulators previously argued that Microsoft could also take key Activision games, like Call of Duty, and make them exclusive to Xbox and other Microsoft platforms. To cross that line, Microsoft offered concessions, such as offering royalty-free licenses to cloud gaming platforms to stream Activision games, if a consumer has purchased them. In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission was fighting a legal battle with Microsoft in an effort to get the Activision takeover scrapped.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Brad Smith Organizations: Activision, Reuters Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Markets Authority, Microsoft, CMA, Redmond, Activision PC, Ubisoft Entertainment, Ubisoft, Netflix, European Union, Federal Trade Commission Locations: U.S, Europe

Megan Rapinoe reacts to missing during the penalty kick shootout. The US soccer icon announced she would retire at the end of the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, meaning this could be her final match for the US national team. Rapinoe came on as a second-half substitute against Sweden but failed to score her penalty in the shootout. "She’s going to leave a legacy and we’re going to continue to grow as feminine soccer players and I think it’s great." It was a sentiment echoed by fellow fan Tina Lordanou, who was watching from the same bar.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Brad Smith, Rapinoe, I’ve, Gia Díaz, Tina Lordanou Organizations: USSF, Getty, Women’s Soccer League, US, Sweden Locations: New York

☆ USWNT faces unfamiliar emotions following dramatic Women's World Cup exit
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

This is a team that had not lost a Women’s World Cup match for 12 years, had never finished worse than third in the tournament, and was aiming for a historic World Cup three-peat, a near impossible feat never achieved in men’s or women’s soccer. Always remember that you encourage women and girls everywhere to show up and fight for their dreams.”Alex Morgan reacts after the US was knocked out the World Cup. It’s been an honor.”Megan Rapinoe played in her last ever World Cup match for the US. Brad Smith/USSF/Getty ImagesFellow two-time World Cup winner Julie Ertz also told Fox Sports afterwards, while fighting back tears, that she would probably never play for the USWNT ever again. “We just lost the World Cup by a millimeter,” Naeher told Fox Sports.

Persons: Alex Morgan, –, Megan Rapinoe, Julie Ertz –, Jill Biden, ” Alex Morgan, Alex Pantling, Hillary Clinton, “ I’m, Zećira Mušović, “, Vlatko Andonovski, ” Andonovski, ”, Lindsey Horan, William West, ’, I’ve, It’s, ” Megan Rapinoe, Brad Smith, Julie Ertz, Lina Hurtig’s, Alyssa Naeher, Naeher Organizations: CNN, Sweden, US, National, Twitter, “, FIFA, Vietnam, Portugal, Getty, ”, Fox Sports, USSF Locations: Melbourne, Sweden, Netherlands, Portugal, Portuguese, AFP

CNN —The US Women’s National Team was a post width away from exiting the Women’s World Cup at the group stage, but survived a late scare to earn a goalless draw against Portugal and reach the last 16. Defeat for the USWNT – a team aiming for a third consecutive world title – would have ended its participation in the tournament. The gap between the top-ranked teams and others has closed significantly in the four years since the last Women’s World Cup. “What this World Cup shows now is that the women’s game is growing a lot and because of that you have these kinds of results that before the World Cup nobody believed would happen,” Portugal coach Francisco Neto told reporters. “We had our World Cup on the line,” veteran Megan Rapinoe, who came on as a second-half substitute, admitted afterwards.

Persons: Ana Capeta, Alyssa Naeher, Robin Alam, Alex Morgan, “, didn’t, ” Morgan, Francisco Neto, Brad Smith, Jessica Silva, –, Morgan, Lynn Williams, Williams, Saeed Khan, Megan Rapinoe, “ We’re, ” Organizations: CNN, US Women’s National, Portugal, USSF, Getty, FIFA, ”, Saints Locations: Netherlands, Vietnam, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, ” Portugal, Auckland , New Zealand, Eden, America, AFP

☆ How to watch Australia, Canada and Nigeria battle for Wwomen's World Cup knockout phase spot
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images Norway celebrates scoring in its 6-0 victory against the Philippines on Sunday. Aisha Schulz/AP Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt, center, heads the ball to score the opening goal against Italy on July 29. John Cowpland/AP Italy's fans cheer before their team's match against Sweden at Wellington Regional Stadium, New Zealand. John Cowpland/AP China's Wang Shuang celebrates after scoring against Haiti during a Women's World Cup match on Friday, July 28. John Cowpland/AP US forward Alex Morgan is surrounded by Vietnam defenders during their opening match on July 22.

Persons: Colombia's Manuela Vanegas, Franck Fife, Alexandra Popp, Ulrik Pedersen, Manuela Vanegas, Sajad, Jaimi Joy, Reuters Linda Caicedo, Phil Walter, Getty, Dominique Randle, Hannah Peters, Hali, Rafaela Pontes, Olivia McDaniel, Norway's Caroline Graham Hansen, Abbie Parr, Sophie Roman Haug of, Jessika Cowart, Buda Mendes, Ali Riley, Katie Bowen, Molly Darlington, Julia Stierli, Alessandra Tarantino, Ramona Bachmann, Sanka Vidanagama, James Elsby, Benzina, Edina Alves Batista, Hannah Mckay, Brenton Edwards, Panama's Aldrith Quintero, Jamaica's Deneisha Blackwood, Kameron Simmonds, Luisa Gonzalez, Allyson Swaby, Herve Renard, Wendie Renard, Debinha, Katie Tucker, Aisha Schulz, Amanda Ilestedt, John Cowpland, Rebecka Blomqvist, Wang Shuang, Maddie Meyer, Dumornay, China's Dou Jiaxing, Alex Pantling, Chloe Kelly, Carl Recine, Mary Earps, Andy Cheung, Janni Thomsen, Alex Greenwood, Lauren James, Justin Setterfield, Keira Walsh, Walsh, Argentina's Mariana Larroquette, Yamila Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Matthew Lewis, Linda Motlhalo, Lars Baron, Osinachi Ohale, Bradley Kanaris, Dan Peled, Anthony Albanese, Matt Roberts, Jéssica Silva, Vietnam's, Saeed Khan, Fiona Goodall, Daphne van Domselaar, Julie Ertz, Brad Smith, Andrew Cornaga, Lindsey Horan, Joe Prior, Catherine Ivill, Amanda Perobelli, Canada's Vanessa Gilles, Ireland's Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Murty, Katie McCabe applauds, Paul Kane, Kailen Sheridan, McCabe, Stephen McCarthy, Adriana Leon, Colin Murty, Jennifer Hermoso, David Rowland, Reuters Hermoso, Spain's Alexia Putellas, Mary Wilombe, Naomoto, Japan's Mina Tanaka, Daniela Solera, Sarina Bolden, Bolden's, Hannah Wilkinson, Bolden, Victoria Esson, Katelyn Mulcahy, Hagen Hopkins, Catalina Usme, Korea's Cho, Colombia's Jorelyn, Carolina Arias, Cameron Spencer, Reuters Usme, Kim Hye, Rebecca Welch, David Gray, Brazil's Marta, Matt Turner, Borges, Khadija Er, Victoria Adkins, Germany's Alexandra Popp, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Morocco's Fatima Tagnaout, Hamish Blair, Cristiana Girelli, Kim Price, Francesca Durante, German Portanova, Reuters Italy's Giulia Dragoni, Estefania Banini, Dragoni, Grace Geyoro, Mark Baker, Rebecca Spencer, Robert Cianflone, Bunny, Shaw, Estelle Cascarino, Portugal's Ines Pereira, Stefanie van der, Van der Gragt, Portugal's Jessica Silva, Silva, Joe Allison, Magaia, Sweden's Elin Rubensson, Amalie Vangsgaard's, Zhang Linyan, Denmark's Pernille Harder, Gary Day, Shui, Reuters England's Alessia Russo, Haiti's Tabita Joseph, England's Lionesses, Reuters Nicolas Delépine, Kerly Theus, Zac Goodwin, Jun Endo, Zambia's Agnes Musase, Reuters Aoba, Catherine Musonda, Alex Morgan, Carmen Mandato, Megan Rapinoe, Horan, Trần Thị Kim Thanh, Sophia Smith dribbles, Ane, Esther González, Costa, Costa Rica's Mariana Benavides, Katrina Guillou, Switzerland's Gaëlle Thalmann, William West, Uchenna Kanu, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Canada's Christine Sinclair, Steph Catley, Heather Payne, Australia's Kyra Cooney, Mackenzie Arnold, Ria Percival, Ada Hegerberg, Jan Kruger, Zealand's CJ Bott, Norway's Mathilde Harviken vie, Jose Breton, Benee, Ireland's, Niamh Fahey, Vanessa Gilles, Coliin Murty, Sam Kerr, Kerr, Tony Gustavsson, Christine Sinclair, Ireland, Spain –, Japan's Hikaru Naomoto Organizations: CNN, Germany, Getty, Colombia, Reuters, Norway, Sunday, FIFA, AP, New Zealand, South, Jamaica, Brazil, France, Italy, Sweden, Wellington Regional, Haiti, China, Denmark, England, Argentina, Nigeria, Australia, Canada, Reuters Australian, Vietnam, Portugal, USSF, Ireland, Spain, Eden, Costa, Forsyth, AP Costa, Japan, New, Victoria, Panama, Morocco, Cristiana, Atlanta Primus, Zambia, Zambian, Costa Rica's, Getty Images, Zealand, AP Norway, Nations, FOX Sports, Telemundo, Seven Network, Optus Sport, BBC, ITV, Republic of Ireland, Super Falcons, coy Locations: Japan, Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia, Australia, Canada, Nigeria, AFP, Colombia, Philippines, AP Philippines, Sophie Roman Haug of Norway, New, Reuters, Morocco, South Korea, Perth, Reuters Jamaica, Brisbane, New Zealand, Reuters England, Reuters Argentina, Argentina, South Africa, Ireland, Portugal, Vietnam, United States, Netherlands, Wellington , New Zealand, Auckland , New Zealand, Costa Rican, Dunedin , New Zealand, AP Costa Rican, Reuters Switzerland, Norway, Switzerland, Sydney, Reuters Colombia, Panama, Adelaide, Germany, AP Argentina, German, Italy, Atlanta, Africa, China, European, Reuters England's Georgia, Ane Frosaker, Eurasia, Melbourne, Reuters Norway, Zealand, Eden, United Kingdom, Republic of, Republic of Ireland, Wellington

☆ AI industry leaders create forum to regulate big machine learnings models
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 26 (Reuters) - OpenAI, Microsoft (MSFT.O), Alphabet's (GOOGL.O) Google and Anthropic are launching a forum to regulate the development of large machine learnings models, the industry leaders of artificial intelligence said on Wednesday. The group will focus on ensuring safe and responsible development of what is called "frontier AI models" that exceed the capabilities present in the most advanced existing models. They are highly capable foundation models that could have dangerous capabilities sufficient to pose severe risks to public safety. Generative AI models, like the one behind chatbots like ChatGPT, extrapolate large amounts of data at high speed to share responses in the form of prose, poetry and images. The industry body, Frontier Model Forum, will work to advance AI safety research, identify best practices for deployment of frontier AI models and work with policymakers, academic and companies.

Persons: Sam Altman, Brad Smith, Chavi Mehta, Jeffrey Dastin, Arun Koyyur Organizations: Microsoft, Google, European Union, Frontier Model, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru, Palo Alto

☆ Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and Anthropic announce industry group to promote safe AI development
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The new organization, known as the Frontier Model Forum, was announced Wednesday by Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and Anthropic. The companies said the forum’s mission would be to develop best practices for AI safety, promote research into AI risks, and to publicly share information with governments and civil society. Wednesday’s announcement reflects how AI developers are coalescing around voluntary guardrails for the technology ahead of an expected push this fall by US and European Union lawmakers to craft binding legislation for the industry. “Companies creating AI technology have a responsibility to ensure that it is safe, secure, and remains under human control,” said Microsoft president Brad Smith. “In particular, I am concerned that AI systems could be misused on a grand scale in the domains of cybersecurity, nuclear technology, chemistry, and especially biology,” Amodei said in his written testimony.

Persons: Biden, ”, Brad Smith, Dario Amodei, Bengio, ” Amodei, Amodei, Chuck Schumer, Schumer Organizations: CNN, Frontier Model, Google, Microsoft, US, European Union, Amazon, Meta, Companies, European

☆ White House secures voluntary pledges from Microsoft, Google to ensure A.I. tools are secure
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

President Joe Biden speaks as he meets with AI experts and researchers at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, June 20, 2023. The seven companies each agreed Friday to a set of voluntary commitments in developing AI technology. Top tech companies and investors are pumping billions of dollars into the large language models behind so-called generative AI. The latest commitments are part of an effort by President Biden to ensure AI is developed with appropriate safeguards, while not hindering innovation. Vice President Kamala Harris previously hosted AI CEOs and labor and civil liberties experts to weigh in on the challenges that come with AI.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Adam Selipsky, Dario Amodei, Kent Walker, Mustafa Suleyman, Nick Clegg, Brad Smith, Greg Brockman, it's, Kamala Harris Organizations: Google, Microsoft, White, Web, CNBC, YouTube Locations: San Francisco, coders, India

CNN —Soccer players at the 2023 Women’s World Cup will on average earn just 25 cents for every dollar earned by men at their World Cup last year, a new CNN analysis found. In addition to prize money, FIFA committed to paying $42 million to the federations and players’ clubs for Women’s World Cup preparations. Havana Solaun (R) and Jamaica are appearing at their second ever Women's World Cup. But for the players, equal pay encompasses more than simply closing this gap to the salaries enjoyed by male footballers. June 2023 A record $110 million prize pot negotiated for the Women’s World Cup, at least $30,000 guaranteed for every player.

Persons: Gianni Infantino, Sam Kerr, Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Bob Marley’s, Cedella, Havana Solaun, Brendon Thorne, hadn’t, Jamaica’s Chinyelu Asher, ”, ” Asher, Asher, Saeed Khan, Morgan, Rapinoe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Brad Smith, ” Jonas Baer, Hoffmann, FIFPRO’s, It’s, that’s, –, Infantino, Baer, “, ringfenced, Ali Riley, CNN’s Amanda Davies, Riley, “ It’s, ” Ali Riley, Catherine Ivill, Women’s Soccer Australia Heather Reid, ” Riley, England’s Lionesses, ” FIFPRO’s Baer, – Carli Lloyd, Hope, Becky Sauerbrunn –, ” Lloyd, — Jan, USWNT, Lloyd, ” Reid, ’ Organizations: CNN — Soccer, CNN, FIFA, New Zealand, Women’s, US, National, Australia, Havana, Getty, Jamaica Football Federation, ’, CNN Sport, Forbes, USSF, CONCACAF, Africa, of Nations, Olympic, –, Canada Soccer, teams, Women’s Soccer Australia, English Football Association, French Football Federation, Royal Belgium Football Association, FIFA’s, US Soccer, States Women’s National, Football Federation, USWNT, Soccer, Court, Central, Central District of, The New York Times, LA Times, Guardian, Reuters, “ Locations: Australia, New, New Zealand, Jamaica, Canada, South Africa, Spain, Havana, AFP, France, Infantino, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, United States, Qatar, country’s, Sweden, Spanish, England, Central District, Central District of California, Canadian, El, China

☆ Microsoft and Activision extend their deal deadline
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington CNN —Microsoft and Activision have mutually agreed to extend their merger deadline by three months in the face of ongoing negotiations with the UK government that could allow the $69 billion acquisition to close, the two companies announced on Wednesday. The announcement highlights the commitment by both companies to complete the deal after back-to-back court defeats for US regulators who had challenged the merger. The new contractual deadline for consummating the deal will be October 18, the companies said. If the deal fails to close by Sept. 15, the breakup fee could increase to $4.5 billion, the filing said. We’re confident in our next steps and that our deal will quickly close.”In a memo to employees, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick thanked staff for their patience.

Persons: ” Brad Smith, We’re, Bobby Kotick, “, ” Kotick, Phil Spencer, ” Spencer Organizations: Washington CNN, Microsoft, Activision, Securities and Exchange Commission, Markets Authority, CMA, Activision Blizzard, ” Locations: U.S, United States

☆ Microsoft and Activision Delay Deal to Settle British Regulatory Issues
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Karen Weise | More About Karen Weise | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Microsoft and Activision Blizzard said on Wednesday that they were delaying a $69 billion merger as the two companies scrambled to get final approval from British antitrust regulators. The new extension, set for Oct. 18, signals that the two companies believe they will complete the deal but need more time to satisfy regulators’ concerns. When Microsoft announced its plans to acquire the video game publisher Activision in early 2022, the two companies set a deadline of July 18 this year to close the deal. The revised agreement introduced an escalating breakup fee that Microsoft would have to pay to Activision if the purchase fell through, from $3 billion until Aug. 29, then growing to as much as $4.5 billion if it does not close by Sept. 15. “We are confident about our prospects for getting this deal across the finish line,” Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president, wrote on Twitter.

Persons: Activision Blizzard, Brad Smith Organizations: Microsoft, Activision, Twitter

☆ Women’s World Cup 2023: When, how to watch and everything you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup gets underway in Auckland on Thursday as co-host New Zealand takes on Norway. For the first time ever, the Women’s World Cup will be hosted across two countries: Australia and New Zealand. Sydney Football Stadium will host six Women's World Cup games. A record 32 teams will take part in the World Cup, eight more than the previous two editions. Brazilian superstar Marta, 37, is set to end her international career having scored a record 17 Women’s World Cup goals, while the USWNT’s Megan Rapinoe has also announced that she will retire after what will be her fourth and final World Cup.

Persons: Sydney –, Cameron Spencer, Jason McCawley, Alex Morgan, Brad Smith, Sam Kerr, Kerr, Michael Regan, Marta, Megan Rapinoe, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Alyssa Thompson, Spain’s Alexia Putellas, d’Or, –, Keira Walsh, Asisat Oshoala, Ada Hegerberg, Ballon d’Or, Caroline Graham Hansen, Wendie Renard, Pernille, Alexandra Popp, James Williamson, Vivianne Miedema, Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Macario, Giulia Gwinn, Iman Beney, Becky Sauerbrunn, Mallory Swanson, Gianni Infantino Organizations: CNN, FIFA, Zealand, US Women’s National, Southern Hemisphere, Australia –, Sydney, Sydney Football, Australia, FOX Sports, Telemundo, Seven Network, Optus Sport, BBC, ITV, Republic of Ireland, Stadium Australia, England, Gracenote, Wales, USSF, Getty, of Ireland Nigeria Canada Group, Spain Costa Rica Zambia, England Haiti Denmark China, France Jamaica Brazil Panama Group, Africa Italy Argentina, Germany Morocco Colombia South Korea Players, Chelsea, Manchester City, Ballon, Japan Locations: Auckland, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Dunedin, Hamilton, Wellington, Sydney’s, France, United Kingdom, Republic of, Sydney, United States, Germany, Netherlands, Haiti, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Vietnam, Zambia, Sweden, England, Spain, San Jose , California, New Zealand Norway Philippines Switzerland, Spain Costa Rica, Spain Costa Rica Zambia Japan, England Haiti, United States Vietnam Netherlands Portugal, France Jamaica, Africa, Germany Morocco Colombia, Brazilian, Barcelona, Norwegian, Denmark, Brazil, Swiss, Qatar

☆ Activision, Microsoft extend deal deadline to secure UK approval
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Aditya Soni | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 19 (Reuters) - Activision Blizzard (ATVI.O) and Microsoft (MSFT.O) on Wednesday extended the deadline for the close of their $69 billion deal by three months to Oct. 18 as the American companies work to secure UK approval for the biggest gaming deal in history. The extension will "provide ample time to work through the final regulatory issues," Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a tweet. Strength in those titles helped Activision beat market estimates for second-quarter net bookings and adjusted profit in the second quarter, it announced on Wednesday. The deadline extension came after the companies had to contend with varying concerns from regulators in the UK and the United States. Microsoft responded to these concerns by offering 10-year licensing deals to rivals after the deal closes.

Persons: Brad Smith, Bobby Kotick, Chavi Mehta, Yuvraj Malik, Devika Organizations: Activision, Microsoft, Reuters, HK, Sony, Diablo, FTC, Nintendo, PlayStation, CMA, Sony Group, Xbox, Thomson Locations: United States, Bengaluru

☆ Analysis: Microsoft tests the limits of Britain's antitrust authority
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Paul Sandle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The European Union approved the deal in May, when it accepted commitments to license games to rival platforms. At the same time, Microsoft offered a "detailed and complex" new proposal to the CMA, prompting the regulator to take the unprecedented step of reopening talks. The CMA said it was awaiting further Microsoft submissions on what had changed and how it would restructure the transaction. "We will then consider whether the proposals create a new merger situation and address the CMA's competition concerns," a spokesperson said on Tuesday. CLOSED FOR BUSINESSAfter the CMA block, Microsoft thundered that Britain was closed for business; exactly what the government did not want to hear as it tries to reignite the economy after the uncertainty sparked by Brexit.

Persons: we've, Becket McGrath, they're, Brexit, Tom Smith, Brad Smith, Jeremy Hunt, Meta, Smith, Marcus Smith, Gareth Mills, Charles Russell Speechlys, Sam Tobin, James Davey, Kate Holton, Sharon Singleton Organizations: CMA, Microsoft, U.S, Activision Blizzard, Markets Authority, Xbox, FTC, Reuters, European Union, Activision, CAT, Euclid Law, Geradin Partners, Brexit, Britain's, Facebook, Meta, Markets Unit, Thomson Locations: U.S, Barcelona, Brexit, London, Brussels, British, United States, Britain

☆ Microsoft signs agreement to keep Call of Duty on Playstation
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO: Activision games "Call of Duty" are pictured in a store in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., January 18, 2022. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo(Reuters) -Microsoft has signed an agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said in a tweet on Sunday. A deal to keep Call of Duty on Playstation could further ease concerns surrounding the acquisition’s impact on competition. Speaking on the agreement, Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a tweet, “Even after we cross the finish line for this deal’s approval, we will remain focused on ensuring that Call of Duty remains available on more platforms and for more consumers than ever before.”The FTC had argued the deal would hurt consumers whether they played video games on consoles or had subscriptions because Microsoft would have an incentive to shut out rivals like Sony Group. To address the FTC’s concerns, Microsoft had earlier agreed to license “Call of Duty” to rivals, including a 10-year contract with Nintendo, contingent on the merger closing.

Persons: Carlo Allegri, Phil Spencer, Brad Smith Organizations: Activision, REUTERS, Microsoft, PlayStation, Activision Blizzard, FTC, Sony Group, Nintendo Locations: Manhattan, New York City , New York, U.S

☆ Call of Duty to remain on Playstation following Activision Blizzard Microsoft merger
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Microsoft (MSFT) has signed an agreement with Sony (SNE) to ensure “Call of Duty” remains available on PlayStation after Microsoft (MSFT) closes its $69 billion Activision Blizzard (ATVI) merger, the tech giant said Sunday. The agreement could resolve long-standing complaints by Sony that the merger — which aims to make Microsoft the third-largest video game publisher in the world — threatens competition. “We are pleased to announce that Microsoft and @PlayStation have signed a binding agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard,” said Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s Xbox head, in a tweet. On Sunday, Microsoft did not disclose the duration of the agreement with Sony. Last week, Microsoft won two successive court victories when a federal district court and a US appeals court declined to temporarily block the merger from being consummated.

Persons: Sony didn’t, ”, Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s, we’ve, Brad Smith, Satya Nadella, Jacqueline Scott Corley, “ Organizations: CNN, Microsoft, Sony, PlayStation, Activision, Activision Blizzard, ” Sony, Nintendo, Nvidia, “, Sony PlayStation, Federal Trade Commission

Game enthusiasts and industry personnel walk between the Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation exhibits at the E3 trade show on June 16, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. Sony has signed a binding agreement with Microsoft to keep Call of Duty on its PlayStation gaming consoles after closing the Activision Blizzard acquisition, Microsoft said on Sunday. "We are pleased to announce that Microsoft and PlayStation have signed a binding agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard," Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said on Twitter Sunday. Regulators around the world had expressed significant concern about Microsoft's power over the gaming market if an Activision acquisition was approved. The deal does something to ameliorate those concerns, although Microsoft and Sony aren't disclosing the duration of the agreement.

Persons: Activision Blizzard, Phil Spencer, Jim Ryan, Ryan, Brad Smith, divestitures Organizations: Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation, Sony, Microsoft, PlayStation, Activision Blizzard, Activision, Twitter, Regulators, Sony's PlayStation, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, EU, Markets Authority Locations: Los Angeles , California, San Francisco federal

The San Francisco federal court had ruled in favor of Microsoft on Tuesday, saying the FTC had failed to show the deal would be illegal under antitrust law. "The FTC asks this Court to enjoin the merger at issue pending resolution of the FTC’s appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The FTC had said it was seeking a preliminary injunction to temporarily stop the deal until an internal FTC judge could assess it. It is rare for a merger fight to go to an appeals court. The agency settled with the companies before the appeals court made a decision.

Persons: We're, Brad Smith, Jacqueline Scott Corley, Corley, Diane Bartz, David Shepardson, Kanishka Singh, Tim Ahmann, Josie Kao, Jamie Freed Organizations: U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Microsoft, Activision, San, FTC, Ninth Circuit, Appeals, Nintendo, Britain's, Markets Authority, Foods, Oats, Thomson Locations: San Francisco, Britain, California

☆ FTC loses appeals court bid to temporarily block Microsoft-Activision deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Jordan Novet | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Microsoft is still working to resolve concerns about the transaction from the United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority. "We appreciate the Ninth Circuit's swift response denying the FTC's motion to further delay the deal. The FTC first sued to block the acquisition last December, then filed for an emergency injunction to block the completion of the deal before it could have an agency administrative law judge take it up. The agency requested a temporary injunction while the court considered an appeal of the district court's conclusion. FTC representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ruling.

Persons: Brad Smith, Lina Khan Organizations: Microsoft, Appeals, Circuit, Federal, Activision Blizzard, United Kingdom's, Markets Authority, FTC, Activision Locations: U.S, San Francisco

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