Moxie Marlinspike leaves encrypted-messaging app Signal
Moxie Marlinspike, the co-founder and chief executive of encrypted-messaging app Signal, has resigned.
He blogged it was a "good time to replace myself as CEO" after working on Signal for over a decade.
Signal recently enabled crypto-currency payments within the app, which has concerned some users.
Mr Marlinspike remains a board member of the Signal Foundation, while the board's executive chair, Brian Acton, becomes interim chief executive.
Moxie Marlinspike, the co-founder and chief executive of encrypted-messaging app Signal, has resigned.
He blogged it was a "good time to replace myself as CEO" after working on Signal for over a decade.
Signal recently enabled crypto-currency payments within the app, which has concerned some users.
Mr Marlinspike remains a board member of the Signal Foundation, while the board's executive chair, Brian Acton, becomes interim chief executive.
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Kim Kardashian sued in crypto 'pump and dump' case
Kim Kardashian is among three celebrities being sued by investors in the EthereumMax crypto-currency.
Other defendants include boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr, basketball player Paul Pierce, and the currency's creators.
The legal action alleges the celebrities collaborated with EthereumMax to "misleadingly promote and sell" the crypto-currency.
EthereumMax said it disputed the allegations and looked forward to the truth coming out.
Kim Kardashian is among three celebrities being sued by investors in the EthereumMax crypto-currency.
Other defendants include boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr, basketball player Paul Pierce, and the currency's creators.
The legal action alleges the celebrities collaborated with EthereumMax to "misleadingly promote and sell" the crypto-currency.
EthereumMax said it disputed the allegations and looked forward to the truth coming out.
German court finds Syrian colonel guilty of crimes against humanity
A German court has sentenced a Syrian colonel to life in prison for crimes against humanity in a historic trial.
Anwar Raslan, 58, was linked to the torture of over 4,000 people in Syria's civil war in a jail known as "Hell on Earth".
The trial in Koblenz is the world's first criminal case brought over state-led torture in Syria.
UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet praised the conviction as a "landmark leap forward" in the pursuit of truth.
A German court has sentenced a Syrian colonel to life in prison for crimes against humanity in a historic trial.
Anwar Raslan, 58, was linked to the torture of over 4,000 people in Syria's civil war in a jail known as "Hell on Earth".
The trial in Koblenz is the world's first criminal case brought over state-led torture in Syria.
UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet praised the conviction as a "landmark leap forward" in the pursuit of truth.
US Supreme Court blocks Biden's workplace vaccine mandate
The US Supreme Court has blocked President Joe Biden's rule requiring workers at large companies to be vaccinated or masked and tested weekly.
The justices at the nation's highest court said the mandate exceeded the Biden administration's authority.
Separately they ruled that a more limited vaccine mandate could stand for staff at government-funded healthcare facilities.
The administration said the mandates would help fight the pandemic.
President Biden, whose approval rating has been sagging, expressed disappointment with the decision "to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees".
The US Supreme Court has blocked President Joe Biden's rule requiring workers at large companies to be vaccinated or masked and tested weekly.
The justices at the nation's highest court said the mandate exceeded the Biden administration's authority.
Separately they ruled that a more limited vaccine mandate could stand for staff at government-funded healthcare facilities.
The administration said the mandates would help fight the pandemic.
President Biden, whose approval rating has been sagging, expressed disappointment with the decision "to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees".
Novak Djokovic: Australia cancels tennis star's visa
Novak Djokovic is set to be detained on Saturday after Australia cancelled his visa for a second time, in a row over his right to remain in the country unvaccinated.
The decision on "health and good order" grounds means he faces deportation and a three-year visa ban.
Djokovic's lawyers called the decision "patently irrational" and will appeal.
The men's tennis number one is still scheduled to play in the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday.
Novak Djokovic is set to be detained on Saturday after Australia cancelled his visa for a second time, in a row over his right to remain in the country unvaccinated.
The decision on "health and good order" grounds means he faces deportation and a three-year visa ban.
Djokovic's lawyers called the decision "patently irrational" and will appeal.
The men's tennis number one is still scheduled to play in the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday.
Tsunami hits Tonga after giant volcano eruption
Tsunami waves caused by a giant underwater volcanic eruption have hit the Pacific country of Tonga.
Social media footage showed water washing through a church and several homes, and witnesses said ash was falling over the capital, Nuku'alofa.
A tsunami warning sent residents scrambling to higher ground.
The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano sent shockwaves across the South Pacific.
Tsunami waves caused by a giant underwater volcanic eruption have hit the Pacific country of Tonga.
Social media footage showed water washing through a church and several homes, and witnesses said ash was falling over the capital, Nuku'alofa.
A tsunami warning sent residents scrambling to higher ground.
The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano sent shockwaves across the South Pacific.
Novak Djokovic: Tennis star to be deported after losing Australia visa appeal
Tennis star Novak Djokovic has lost his last-ditch court bid to stay in Australia and is set to be deported.
Judges rejected his appeal after the government cancelled the unvaccinated player's visa for a second time this month on public health grounds.
The decision has ended the 34-year-old's hopes of defending his Australian Open title and winning a record 21st Grand Slam.
He said he was "extremely disappointed" but respected the ruling.
Tennis star Novak Djokovic has lost his last-ditch court bid to stay in Australia and is set to be deported.
Judges rejected his appeal after the government cancelled the unvaccinated player's visa for a second time this month on public health grounds.
The decision has ended the 34-year-old's hopes of defending his Australian Open title and winning a record 21st Grand Slam.
He said he was "extremely disappointed" but respected the ruling.
REvil ransomware gang arrested in Russia
Authorities in Russia say they have dismantled the ransomware crime group REvil and charged several of its members.
The United States had offered a reward of up to $10m (£7.3m) for information leading to the gang members, following ransomware attacks.
Russia's intelligence bureau FSB said the group had "ceased to exist".
However, it does not appear that any Russian members of the gang will be extradited to the United States.
The agency said it had acted after being provided with information about the REvil gang by the US.
Authorities in Russia say they have dismantled the ransomware crime group REvil and charged several of its members.
The United States had offered a reward of up to $10m (£7.3m) for information leading to the gang members, following ransomware attacks.
Russia's intelligence bureau FSB said the group had "ceased to exist".
However, it does not appear that any Russian members of the gang will be extradited to the United States.
The agency said it had acted after being provided with information about the REvil gang by the US.
Tonga tsunami: Runway ash hampers relief efforts as scale of damage emerges
Ash cloaking a runway has hampered relief efforts to Tonga, as the scale of the damage from a volcanic eruption and a tsunami becomes clear.
New Zealand is trying to send clean drinking water and other supplies but planes cannot land at the main airport.
Some of Tonga's small outlying islands have suffered substantial damage, aid agencies say.
Two people have been reported dead, but with communications limited there are fears the true toll could be higher.
An underwater volcano erupted on Saturday, showering Tonga with ash and triggering a tsunami.
Ash cloaking a runway has hampered relief efforts to Tonga, as the scale of the damage from a volcanic eruption and a tsunami becomes clear.
New Zealand is trying to send clean drinking water and other supplies but planes cannot land at the main airport.
Some of Tonga's small outlying islands have suffered substantial damage, aid agencies say.
Two people have been reported dead, but with communications limited there are fears the true toll could be higher.
An underwater volcano erupted on Saturday, showering Tonga with ash and triggering a tsunami.
Microsoft plans to buy Activision Blizzard for nearly $70bn
Microsoft says it plans to buy major games company Activision Blizzard in a deal worth $68.7bn (£50.57bn).
It would be the biggest acquisition in the company's history and is expected to be finalised in 2023.
The move means Microsoft will take ownership of gaming franchises like Call of Duty, Warcraft and Overwatch.
Microsoft claims it will help them grow their gaming business across mobile, PC and consoles along with providing building blocks for the metaverse.
This deal is the biggest in gaming history and comes a year after Microsoft bought another influential gaming company Bethesda for $7.5bn.
Microsoft says it plans to buy major games company Activision Blizzard in a deal worth $68.7bn (£50.57bn).
It would be the biggest acquisition in the company's history and is expected to be finalised in 2023.
The move means Microsoft will take ownership of gaming franchises like Call of Duty, Warcraft and Overwatch.
Microsoft claims it will help them grow their gaming business across mobile, PC and consoles along with providing building blocks for the metaverse.
This deal is the biggest in gaming history and comes a year after Microsoft bought another influential gaming company Bethesda for $7.5bn.
Ukraine: Blinken flies to Europe amid Russia invasion fears
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Europe on Wednesday amid mounting fears that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could be imminent.
Mr Blinken will hold discussions with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, before meeting with his British, French and German counterparts in Berlin.
On Friday he will meet Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva.
Russia has repeatedly denied any plans to launch an attack on neighbouring Ukraine.
However on Tuesday senior US officials said that Moscow could launch an invasion at "any point".
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Europe on Wednesday amid mounting fears that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could be imminent.
Mr Blinken will hold discussions with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, before meeting with his British, French and German counterparts in Berlin.
On Friday he will meet Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva.
Russia has repeatedly denied any plans to launch an attack on neighbouring Ukraine.
However on Tuesday senior US officials said that Moscow could launch an invasion at "any point".
Ukraine tension: Biden says he thinks Putin will 'move in'
US President Joe Biden has said he thinks his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will "move in" on Ukraine but does not want "full-blown war".
He told a news conference Mr Putin would pay a "serious and dear price" for invading, but indicated a minor incursion might be treated differently.
The White House later stressed any Russian military move would be met with a swift, severe response from the West.
Russia has some 100,000 troops near the border but denies planning an invasion.
US President Joe Biden has said he thinks his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will "move in" on Ukraine but does not want "full-blown war".
He told a news conference Mr Putin would pay a "serious and dear price" for invading, but indicated a minor incursion might be treated differently.
The White House later stressed any Russian military move would be met with a swift, severe response from the West.
Russia has some 100,000 troops near the border but denies planning an invasion.
Apple AirTags - 'A perfect tool for stalking'
It had just turned 3pm when she got home on 27 December. She received a notification on her phone.
"My phone made a ding that I'd never heard before", she says.
The notification told her that an unknown device had been following her movements.
She rang the police, who told her they didn't know what to do. She has yet to find the device, which she believes is somewhere in her car. She says Apple Support was able to confirm it was an AirTag. "I watch my surroundings very closely now," she says.
The button-sized devices are designed to work with Apple's 'Find My' network to locate lost items. But there have been multiple reports in the US of the devices being used to track people.
It had just turned 3pm when she got home on 27 December. She received a notification on her phone.
"My phone made a ding that I'd never heard before", she says.
The notification told her that an unknown device had been following her movements.
She rang the police, who told her they didn't know what to do. She has yet to find the device, which she believes is somewhere in her car. She says Apple Support was able to confirm it was an AirTag. "I watch my surroundings very closely now," she says.
The button-sized devices are designed to work with Apple's 'Find My' network to locate lost items. But there have been multiple reports in the US of the devices being used to track people.
Coronavirus: Austrian parliament approves mandatory vaccination order
Austria has moved closer to introducing a compulsory vaccination order after parliament's lower house voted in favour of new government proposals.
The law, which is due to come into effect on 1 February, would make Austria the first European country to introduce a mandatory jab.
From mid-March the law will see adults unvaccinated against Covid-19 subjected to fines of up to €3,600 (£2,994).
So far, 72% of Austrians have been fully vaccinated against the virus.
Austria has moved closer to introducing a compulsory vaccination order after parliament's lower house voted in favour of new government proposals.
The law, which is due to come into effect on 1 February, would make Austria the first European country to introduce a mandatory jab.
From mid-March the law will see adults unvaccinated against Covid-19 subjected to fines of up to €3,600 (£2,994).
So far, 72% of Austrians have been fully vaccinated against the virus.
UN condemns deadly air strike on Yemen prison
The UN has condemned an air strike on a Yemen detention centre that has killed more than 70 people.
The facility in Saada, a stronghold of the rebel Houthi movement in north-western Yemen, was hit on Friday.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement that the "escalation needs to stop".
In a statement on Saturday, the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels in the country denied it had carried out the air strike.
The UN has condemned an air strike on a Yemen detention centre that has killed more than 70 people.
The facility in Saada, a stronghold of the rebel Houthi movement in north-western Yemen, was hit on Friday.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement that the "escalation needs to stop".
In a statement on Saturday, the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels in the country denied it had carried out the air strike.
Netflix faces rocky road after pandemic wins
The number of Netflix subscribers grew to 222 million last year, but the streaming firm is facing a rocky road ahead as the surge of interest it saw during the pandemic fades.
Overall, Netflix added 18.2 million members last year - roughly half the number who subscribed in 2020.
Investors had hoped that pace would start to pick up again.
But the firm's 2022 forecast brought bad news, sending shares down almost 20% in after-hours trade.
The firm said it expected to add just 2.5 million members in the three months to March - far lower than analysts had expected.
The number of Netflix subscribers grew to 222 million last year, but the streaming firm is facing a rocky road ahead as the surge of interest it saw during the pandemic fades.
Overall, Netflix added 18.2 million members last year - roughly half the number who subscribed in 2020.
Investors had hoped that pace would start to pick up again.
But the firm's 2022 forecast brought bad news, sending shares down almost 20% in after-hours trade.
The firm said it expected to add just 2.5 million members in the three months to March - far lower than analysts had expected.
Russia-Ukraine tensions: UK warns of plot to install pro-Moscow ally
The UK has accused President Putin of plotting to install a pro-Moscow figure to lead Ukraine's government.
The Foreign Office took the unusual step of naming former Ukrainian MP Yevhen Murayev as a potential Kremlin candidate.
Russia has moved 100,000 troops near to its border with Ukraine but denies it is planning an invasion.
UK ministers have warned that the Russian government will face serious consequences if there is an incursion.
In a statement, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: "The information being released today shines a light on the extent of Russian activity designed to subvert Ukraine, and is an insight into Kremlin thinking.
The UK has accused President Putin of plotting to install a pro-Moscow figure to lead Ukraine's government.
The Foreign Office took the unusual step of naming former Ukrainian MP Yevhen Murayev as a potential Kremlin candidate.
Russia has moved 100,000 troops near to its border with Ukraine but denies it is planning an invasion.
UK ministers have warned that the Russian government will face serious consequences if there is an incursion.
In a statement, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: "The information being released today shines a light on the extent of Russian activity designed to subvert Ukraine, and is an insight into Kremlin thinking.
Ukraine: US orders families of embassy staff to leave
The US has ordered the relatives of its embassy staff in Ukraine to leave amid rising tension in the region.
The State Department has also given permission for non-essential staff to leave and urged US citizens in Ukraine to consider departing.
In a statement, it said there were reports that Russia is planning significant military action against Ukraine.
Russia has denied claims that it is planning to invade Ukraine.
The US has ordered the relatives of its embassy staff in Ukraine to leave amid rising tension in the region.
The State Department has also given permission for non-essential staff to leave and urged US citizens in Ukraine to consider departing.
In a statement, it said there were reports that Russia is planning significant military action against Ukraine.
Russia has denied claims that it is planning to invade Ukraine.
Ukraine: UK withdrawing some embassy staff from Kyiv
Britain has started withdrawing staff from its embassy in Ukraine, amid growing fears of a Russian invasion.
Officials say there have been no specific threats to British diplomats, but about half of the staff working in Kyiv will return to the UK.
The US has ordered relatives of its embassy staff to leave, saying an invasion could come "at any time".
Russia has denied plans for military action, but tens of thousands of troops have amassed on the border.
Britain has started withdrawing staff from its embassy in Ukraine, amid growing fears of a Russian invasion.
Officials say there have been no specific threats to British diplomats, but about half of the staff working in Kyiv will return to the UK.
The US has ordered relatives of its embassy staff to leave, saying an invasion could come "at any time".
Russia has denied plans for military action, but tens of thousands of troops have amassed on the border.