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☆ Microsoft packs Bing search engine, Edge browser with AI in big challenge to Google
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Jeffrey Dastin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Microsoft is staking its future on AI through billions of dollars of investment as it directly challenges Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) Google. “This technology is going to reshape pretty much every software category," Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella told reporters in a briefing at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington. On Monday it unveiled a chatbot of its own called Bard, while it is planning to release AI for its search engine that can synthesize material when no simple answer exists online. PRACTICAL USESAt the event, Mehdi demonstrated how the AI-enhanced search engine will make shopping and creating emails much easier. For the quarter ending Dec. 31, Alphabet reported $42.6 billion in Google Search and other revenue, while Microsoft posted $3.2 billion from search and news advertising.

☆ Microsoft is giving Google the kick in the butt it's needed for years
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Matt Weinberger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Win or lose, Microsoft is giving Google the kick in the rear end it's needed for a long time. Competition is ultimately good for consumers, but AI still has a long way to go. And yet, Google has never faced a real challenge to its search engine empire. Microsoft's Bing has endured for years as a consistent but distant second-place search engine — despite the tech titan's best efforts. What's not clear is whether Microsoft will end up being the company to lead the charge through the disruption of search engine technology.

☆ Intel is losing market shares when it comes to several applications, says Susquehanna's Hosseini
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailIntel is losing market shares when it comes to several applications, says Susquehanna's HosseiniMehdi Hosseini, senior hardware analyst at Susquehanna International Group, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss Intel's market share losses and more.

☆ Semiconductor chips: There's a 'three horse' race outside mainland China, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSemiconductor chips: There's a 'three horse' race outside mainland China, analyst saysMehdi Hosseini of Susquehanna International Group says TSMC, Samsung and Intel are all investing heavily in "adding capacity for the leading edge."

☆ Actress Zar Amir Ebrahimi channelled own experience of Iran in thriller 'Holy Spider'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Marie-Louise Gumuchian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] The 75th Cannes Film Festival - News conference for the film "Holy Spider" in competition - Cannes, France, May 23, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File PhotoLONDON, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Iranian actress Zar Amir Ebrahimi, who fled her home country in 2008 in fear after a private video was leaked, says she channelled her own experience in the thriller "Holy Spider", a dark tale of a serial killer in the holy city Mashhad. Amir Ebrahimi plays journalist Rahimi, who is trying to find him and suspects corruption is preventing his arrest. I'm maybe not that victim but I've been in the centre of a society judged by many people," Amir Ebrahimi said. "Holy Spider", selected as Denmark's submission for best international feature for the Oscars, won Amir Ebrahimi the best actress award at Cannes.

☆ Iran Executes Two Protesters Accused of Killing Militia Member
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( David S. Cloud | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Military personnel stood in front of an Iranian flag during a pro-government rally last month in Tehran. Iran hanged two men Saturday who were convicted of killing a militia member during antigovernment protests, according to Iranian state media, the third and fourth Iranians known to have received the death penalty in connection with the nearly four-month-old nationwide demonstrations. The executed men, Mohammad Mehdi Karami, 22 years old, and Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini, 39, were convicted in the Nov. 3 killing of Ruhollah Ajamian, a member of the pro-regime Basij militia force. Prosecutors said Mr. Ajamian was stabbed and bludgeoned with rocks during protests in the city of Karaj, near Tehran.

☆ Rapper who became the voice of the Iranian revolt is in danger of execution
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( Sanam Mahoozi | Sanam Mahoozi Is A Freelance Writer Based In London. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

Fear for his safety have also grown after Salehi’s official Twitter account posted Friday that despite being in danger of losing his eyesight, he was being repeatedly beaten. Iranian mourners march towards Aichi cemetery in Saqez in Iranian Kurdistan to mark 40 days since Mahsa Amini's death on Oct. 26, 2022. ESN / AFP - Getty ImagesUsing his voice and lyrics, Salehi came out in support of the anti-government protesters from the beginning. At the heart of the protests, and Salehi’s lyrics, is the conviction that the government must go. “This is Toomaj Salehi,” he wrote, reposting a Salehi video supportive of the protesters.

☆ Iran hangs two men accused of killing security official during protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jan 7 (Reuters) - Iran hanged two men on Saturday for allegedly killing a security official during nationwide protests that followed the death of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini on Sept. 16. The two men executed on Saturday had been convicted of killing a member of the Basij paramilitary force militia, and three others have been sentenced to death in the same case, while 11 received prison sentences. "Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini, principle perpetrators of the crime that led to the unjust martyrdom of Ruhollah Ajamian were hanged this morning," the judiciary said in a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency. Four protesters have been executed in the aftermath of the unrest. <a href="mailto:dubai.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com" target="_blank">dubai.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com</a>; Editing by William Mallard & Simon Cameron-MooreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Top Iranian Sunni cleric says torture of protesters un-Islamic
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

DUBAI, Jan 6 (Reuters) - A top dissident Iranian Sunni cleric on Friday denounced as un-Islamic Iran's alleged use of forced confessions to convict detained protesters, as weekly demonstrations continued in the county's southeast. Meanwhile, the authorities' crackdown following nationwide protests continued with arrests, including that of a celebrity chef and a prominent journalist. "If someone does not accept the accusation, they torture him to accept it. After the sermon, demonstrators marched in Zahedan, chanting "Death to the Islamic Republic", according to videos posted on social media. Officials are yet to announce the reasons for the detention of Beik, who had interviewed relatives of arrested protesters.

☆ Tech stocks got whacked in 2022 — but one server maker soared almost 90%, beating all its peers
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Heading into 2023, the outlook for the server market is murky, especially in the early part of the year. He said tech companies can move faster with Supermicro servers and are willing to pay for execution and the company's design skills. Another specialized market Supermicro is targeting is servers for 5G or telecom applications, using a new kind of approach called OpenRAN. Supermicro said in November that a big unnamed customer was responsible for nearly 22% of the company's sales in the quarter. Intel and AMD have issued downbeat prospects for the server market, and companies of all sizes are cutting costs.

☆ History-making Asian American soccer player describes his journey to self-acceptance
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Kimmy Yam | Kimmy Yam Is A Reporter For Nbc Asian America. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

The moment Team USA midfielder Kellyn Acosta’s feet touched the turf at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, he said he felt awash with gratitude. The label “Asian American” has been hard won. David S Bustamante / Getty Images“When you think about sports, and you think about my makeup, you think that’s the African American side of me that makes me excel. And he enjoyed the ride with the Asian American community on his mind. Kellyn Acosta during the World Cup Group match between the United States and Wales in Doha, Qatar, on Nov. 21.

CNN —A man is reported to have been killed by security forces in northern Iran during public celebrations by anti-government protesters following the national football team’s defeat against the United States on Tuesday. Norway-based rights group Iran Human Rights (IHR) said Mehran Samak was shot in the head by security personnel when he was out celebrating in Bandar Anzali Tuesday night. Based on existing evidence, he had been shot by a hunting rifle,” Bandar Anzali police chief Colonel Jafar Javanmardi said according to Tasnim. Footage obtained by CNN from pro-reform news outlet IranWire shows Samak's funeral in Bandar Anzali. Several videos were posted on social media Tuesday night showing people in cities across Iran, including in the capital Tehran, celebrating inside their homes and residential buildings after the US defeated Iran 1-0 in the World Cup.

☆ Pulisic sends fired-up U.S. to last 16 in simmering contest with Iran
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Hritika Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Pulisic's 38th minute goal proved enough for the Americans to advance at the expense of their geopolitical rivals in an eagerly awaited rematch of their 1998 World Cup group stage meeting, which Iran had won 2-1. "But it's a wonderful thing when one of your best players is also one of the most hard working. The Americans finished two points behind Group B winners England to reach the last 16 for the fifth time since 1994. Second half we showed what we could do determination wise. Iran only needed a point to advance but they were largely restricted to playing on the counter and unable to muster a credible attempt at scoring until the second half.

☆ Sargent replaces Wright for U.S., Iran's Beiranvand back in goal
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Hritika Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter recalled Josh Sargent to his starting lineup for Tuesday's Group B showdown against Iran, who were boosted by the return of first-choice goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand after his recovery from concussion. Sargent, who started the Americans' opener against Wales, was dropped for Friday's match against England but has regained his spot from Haji Wright up front, while centre back Cameron Carter-Vickers replaces Walker Zimmerman. Beiranvand was the only change to the Iran side that stunned Wales 2-0 after the concussion and broken nose he sustained against England last week. Iran coach Carlos Queiroz kept faith up front in Sardar Azmoun for a second straight match, with the forward having not started in their opener, as well as Ramin Rezaeian, scorer of one of Iran's two late goals against Wales. Iran: Alireza Beiranvand, Ehsan Hajsafi, Milad Mohammadi, Saeid Ezatolahi, Morteza Pouraliganji, Mehdi Taremi, Ali Gholizadeh, Majid Hosseini, Sardar Azmoun, Ahmad Nourollahi, Ramin RezaeianUnited States: Matt Turner, Sergino Dest, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Tim Ream, Tim Weah, Josh SargentReporting by Hritika Sharma; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ USMNT advances to World Cup knockout stage with hard-fought victory over Iran
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The US Men’s National Team (USMNT) was made to work hard for its place in the World Cup knockout stage, earning a tough 1-0 win over Iran in a nerve-racking Group B decider at Qatar 2022. Christian Pulisic’s first-half goal was all that separated the two sides as the USMNT reached the round of 16 for the first time since 2014. It certainly wasn’t pretty at times, in particular in the closing stages against Iran, but progressing through the group stage was the minimum expectation for this exciting young team. There will be some concerns going into the knockout stages, though, after Pulisic suffered an abdominal injury while scoring the winner. The USMNT had to battled hard for its place in the round of 16.

☆ A match like no other. When the US played Iran at the 1998 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

The US had qualified for the 1998 World Cup in France with ease. “Instantly, it was less about Germany, less about Yugoslavia, more about Iran,” Sampson told CNN Sport. “That was a bit of a distraction.”Over two decades later, the USMNT again faces Iran in the group stages of a World Cup. Gael Cornier/APThe USMNT had to face Germany, then the reigning European champion in its opening match, yet the Iran match, the second group game, was everyone else’s focus. “We had 150 armed police, which was unprecedented for a World Cup match.

☆ Qatar 2022: Cycling from Paris to Doha to watch the World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Doha, Qatar CNN —Traveling to watch their team play at the World Cup took a little longer than usual for two French fans. Mehdi Balamissa and Gabriel Martin decided the best way to travel from France to Qatar was on two wheels. The friends spent three months traveling 7,000 kilometers (roughly 4,350 miles) by bicycle to reach Qatar 2022 and watch their beloved France defend its title. mondialavelo/Instagram‘Special’ end to ‘crazy’ tripThe pair agreed cycling through Jerusalem was another highlight of a trip that ended in spectacular fashion. Their plan now is to stay in Qatar for as long as France stays in the competition before flying back home.

☆ Soccer Last-gasp double keeps Iran in World Cup after Wales thriller
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Martin Petty | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Iran scored twice in the final moments of stoppage time to keep alive their hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time with a thrilling last-gasp victory over a stunned 10-man Wales. Wales, who had keeper Wayne Hennessey sent off late in the match, looked to have survived the Iranian onslaught in their Group B encounter at Al Rayyan's Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, before substitute Rouzbeh Cheshmi found the net and Ramin Rezaeian sealed the win with seconds left. Iran had come out fighting in the second half and hit the post twice in a matter of seconds, with Sardar Azmoun's shot rebounding to Ali Gholizadeh, whose follow-up cannoned off the upright and back to the waiting Azmoun, who headed tamely into keeper Hennessey's hands. Iran, whose World Cup squad has been distracted by a political crisis at home, came close again on 72 minutes when Hennessey got a fingertip on Saeid Ezatolahi's shot, then piled on the pressure after Hennessey was sent off for dangerous play when he charged out of his area and clattered into the onrushing Mehdi Taremi. Reporting by Martin Petty; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Analysis: Relentless Iran do their talking on the pitch in defeat of Wales
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"We played today with amazing character, which is the profile of our team. We played with a sense of unity, cohesion," said Queiroz, who was thrown into the air by his players after the full-time whistle. "Sometimes you lose your dignity, your honour, but of course in our first game we were bleeding in our pride. "The sending off didn't help, of course, but at that point we had five forwards on the pitch, so couldn't get a defensive shape." Reporting by Rohith Nair in Al Rayyan, Qatar; Additional reporting by Martin Petty; Editing by Ken Ferris and Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Iran deliver sucker punch to Wales with stoppage-time winners
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

After Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey was sent off in the 87th minute, Iran produced a remarkable finale, with Roozbeh Cheshmi driving home to give them the lead before Ramin Rezaeian added another in the 11th minute of stoppage time. As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Wales would have been forgiven for thinking they had survived, but Cheshmi had other ideas. That strike rocked Wales to the core and left them open for the coup de grace elegantly delivered by Rezaeian. Taremi cut in from the left and played the ball to Rezaeian in acres of space on the right. He bore down on Wales' substitute keeper Danny Ward before lifting the ball nonchalantly over him into the back of the net.

☆ U.N. rights council votes to probe Iran's ongoing crackdown
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERSGENEVA/DUBAI, Nov 24 (Reuters) - The U.N. Rights Council voted on Thursday to appoint an independent investigation into Iran's deadly repression of protests, passing the motion to cheers of activists amid an intensifying crackdown in Kurdish areas over recent days. Tehran's representative at the Geneva meeting Khadijeh Karimi earlier accused Western states of using the council to target Iran, a move she called "appalling and disgraceful". CRACKDOWNThe crackdown has been particularly intense in Kurdish areas, located in western Iran, with the U.N. rights monitor this week noting reports of 40 deaths there over the past week. Iranian authorities have arrested a number of soccer players for expressing their support for protests. Asked on Thursday about the unrest at home Iran national team striker Mehdi Taremi said they were in Qatar to play soccer.

☆ Why there is so much stoppage time at the 2022 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But, at the 2022 World Cup, audiences are experiencing games which have just got longer – a lot longer. In fact, according to stats website Opta, the five single halves with the most stoppage time in a single World Cup match, since records began in 1966, were all on Monday and Tuesday at the 2022 World Cup. Former England and Liverpool midfielder Jamie Carragher said on Twitter: “Enjoying the amount of time that is being added on by the officials at the Qatar World Cup 2022. He said that the 32 World Cup teams andtheir members of staff will have to work “harder” to improve players’ recovery in between games. Examples would include soft tissue, swimming pools and ice chambers.”Injury concerns aside, brace yourself for a lot more World Cup minutes until the tournament concludes on December 18.

☆ England thrash Iran 6-2 in strong start to World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Nov 21 (Reuters) - England hammered Iran 6-2 on Monday in an emphatic World Cup opener thanks to two goals from Bukayo Saka and strikes by Jude Bellingham and Raheem Sterling, before substitutes Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish rounded off the rout. England had come close to taking the lead in the Group B opener, with Harry Maguire heading against the crossbar, before Bellingham, 19, steered in a header from a Luke Shaw cross in the 35th minute. Eight minutes later, England doubled their lead when Maguire climbed highest from a corner to head down for Saka to score. Mehdi Taremi narrowed the gap for Iran three minutes later but Rashford made it 5-1 and Grealish, also coming off the bench, scored England's sixth. Taremi scored a consolation second goal for Iran from the penalty spot in the dying seconds.

☆ Saka at the double as England hit Iran for six
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

England came into the tournament without a win in six games, but a dynamic opening 45 minutes in which Jude Bellingham scored his first England goal, Bukayo Saka doubled the lead and Raheem Sterling grabbed a third set up a second-half stroll. While Iran's Taremi grabbed another from the penalty spot in the 13th minute of stoppage time, given for a minor shirt pull after a VAR review, England's work was already done. read moreThe game eventually took centre stage and it was not long before England were in top gear. Shaw was the provider again for England's second goal as his corner was headed back across the area by Harry Maguire to Saka, who volleyed expertly into the top corner. England were not done however, as Saka grabbed his second in the 62nd minute.

☆ Iran players remain silent during national anthem at World Cup lin apparent protest at Iranian regime
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Doha, Qatar CNN —Before a ball was even kicked in Iran’s World Cup opener against England on Monday, Iran’s players made a powerful statement. Before the tournament began, Iran’s manager Carlos Queiroz said players would be allowed to protest while they competed in Qatar. The silent show of respect on Monday was met with a loud reaction from the Iranian fans, many of whom cheered throughout. “We know players are under immense pressure, nevertheless the Iranian population expects them to do something,” one fan told CNN. In October, a group of prominent Iranian athletes lobbied FIFA via a law firm, urging the governing body to suspend the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) and ban it from participating at the World Cup.

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