The European Commission has unconditionally approved Google’s proposed acquisition of Wiz under the EU Merger Regulation, concluding that the deal raises no competition concerns in the European Economic Area.
The assessment focused on the fast-growing cloud security market, where both companies are active. Google provides cloud infrastructure and security services via Google Cloud Platform, while Wiz offers a cloud-native application protection platform for multi-cloud environments.
Regulators examined whether Google could restrict competition by bundling Wiz’s tools or limiting interoperability with rival cloud providers. The market investigation found customers would retain access to credible alternatives and could switch suppliers if needed.
The Commission also considered whether the acquisition would give Google access to commercially sensitive data relating to competing cloud infrastructure providers. Feedback from customers and rivals indicated that the data involved is not sensitive and is generally accessible to other cloud security firms.
Based on these findings, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in any relevant market. The deal was therefore cleared unconditionally following a Phase I review.
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Fukushima is repositioning itself as a technology and innovation hub, more than a decade after the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan. The Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework aims to revitalise the coastal Hamadori region of Fukushima Prefecture.
At the centre of the push in Fukushima is the Fukushima Institute for Research, Education and Innovation, which plans a major research complex in Namie. The site in Fukushima will focus on robotics, energy, agriculture and radiation science, drawing researchers from across Japan and overseas.
Fukushima already hosts the Fukushima Robot Test Field and the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field. Projects in Fukushima include hydrogen production from solar power and large-scale robotics and drone testing.
Officials in Fukushima say the strategy combines clean energy, sustainable materials and advanced research to create jobs and attract families back to Japan’s northeast. Fukushima is positioning itself as a global case study in post-disaster recovery through technology.
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The European Commission has launched an Action Plan Against Cyberbullying aimed at protecting the mental health and well-being of children and teenagers online across the EU. The initiative focuses on reporting access, national coordination, and prevention.
A central element is the development of an EU-wide reporting app that would allow victims to report cyberbullying, receive support, and safely store evidence. The Commission will provide a blueprint for Member States to adapt and link to national helplines.
To ensure consistent protection, Member States are encouraged to adopt a shared understanding of cyberbullying and develop national action plans. This would support comparable data collection and a more coordinated EU response.
The Action Plan builds on existing legislation, including the Digital Services Act, the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, and the AI Act. Updated guidelines will strengthen platform obligations and address AI-enabled forms of abuse.
Prevention and education are also prioritised through expanded resources for schools and families via Safer Internet Centres and the Better Internet for Kids platform. The Commission will implement the plan with Member States, industry, civil society, and children.
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Microsoft is studying high-temperature superconductors to transmit electricity to its AI data centres in the US. The company says zero-resistance cables could reduce power losses and eliminate heat generated during transmission.
High-temperature superconductors can carry large currents through compact cables, potentially cutting space requirements for substations and overhead lines. Microsoft argues that denser infrastructure could support expanding AI workloads across the US.
The main obstacle is cooling, as superconducting materials must operate at extremely low temperatures using cryogenic systems. Even high-temperature variants require conditions near minus 200 degrees Celsius.
Rising electricity demand from AI systems has strained grids in the US, prompting political scrutiny and industry pledges to fund infrastructure upgrades. Microsoft says efficiency gains could ease pressure while it develops additional power solutions.
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The European Union is revisiting the idea of an EU-wide social media age restriction as several member states move ahead with national measures to protect children online. Spain, France, and Denmark are among the countries considering the enforcement of age limits for access to social platforms.
The issue was raised in the European Commission’s new action plan against cyberbullying, published on Tuesday. The plan confirms that a panel of child protection experts will advise the Commission by the summer on possible EU-wide age restrictions for social media use.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the creation of an expert panel last September, although its launch was delayed until early 2026. The panel will assess options for a coordinated European approach, including potential legislation and awareness-raising measures for parents.
The document notes that diverging national rules could lead to uneven protection for children across the bloc. A harmonised EU framework, the Commission argues, would help ensure consistent safeguards and reduce fragmentation in how platforms apply age restrictions.
So far, the Commission has relied on non-binding guidance under the Digital Services Act to encourage platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snap to protect minors. Increasing pressure from member states pursuing national bans may now prompt a shift towards more formal EU-level regulation.
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The $3 million, three-year project, led by Professor James J. Collins at MIT’s Department of Biological Engineering, centres on developing programmable antibacterials designed to target specific pathogens.
The approach uses AI to design small proteins that turn off specific bacterial functions. These designer molecules would be produced and delivered by engineered microbes, offering a more precise alternative to traditional antibiotics.
Antimicrobial resistance impacts low and middle-income countries most severely, where limited diagnostic infrastructure causes treatment delays. Drug-resistant infections continue to rise globally, whilst the development of new antibacterial tools has stagnated.
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Australia’s online safety regulator has notified Roblox of plans to directly test how the platform has implemented a set of child safety commitments agreed last year, amid growing concerns over online grooming and sexual exploitation.
In September last year, Roblox made nine commitments following months of engagement with eSafety, aimed at supporting compliance with obligations under the Online Safety Act and strengthening protections for children in Australia.
Measures included making under-16s’ accounts private by default, restricting contact between adults and minors without parental consent, disabling chat features until age estimation is complete, and extending parental controls and voice chat restrictions for younger users.
Roblox told eSafety at the end of 2025 that it had delivered all agreed commitments, after which the regulator continued monitoring implementation. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said serious concerns remain over reports of child exploitation and harmful material on the platform.
Direct testing will now examine how the measures work in practice, with support from the Australian Government. Enforcement action may follow, including penalties of up to $49.5 million, alongside checks against new age-restricted content rules from 9 March.
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The US-based conglomerate Cisco is promoting a future in which AI agents work alongside employees rather than operate as mere tools. Jeetu Patel, the company’s president, revealed that Cisco has already produced a product written entirely with AI-generated code and expects several more by the end of 2026.
A shift to spec-driven development that allows smaller human teams to work with digital agents instead of relying on larger groups of developers.
Human oversight will still play a central role. Coders will be asked to review AI-generated outputs as they adjust to a workplace where AI influences every stage of development. Patel argues that AI should be viewed as part of every loop rather than kept at the edge of decision-making.
Security concerns dominate the company’s planning. Patel warns that AI agents acting as digital co-workers must undergo background checks in the same way that employees do.
Cisco is investing billions in security systems to protect agents from external attacks and to prevent agents that malfunction or act independently from harming society.
Looking ahead, Cisco expects AI to deliver insights that extend beyond human knowledge. Patel believes that the most significant gains will emerge from breakthroughs in science, health, energy and poverty reduction rather than simple productivity improvements.
He also positions Cisco as a core provider of infrastructure designed to support the next stage of the AI era.
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A new consultative body has been established in South Korea to manage growing anxiety over AI and rapid industrial change.
The Ministry of Employment and Labour joined forces with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions to create a regular channel for negotiating how workplaces should adapt as robots and AI systems become more widespread across key industries.
The two sides will meet monthly to seek agreement on major labour issues. The union argued for a human-centred transition instead of a purely technological one, urging the government to strengthen protections for workers affected by restructuring and AI-powered production methods.
Officials in South Korea responded by promising that policy decisions will reflect direct input gathered from employees on the ground.
Concerns heightened after Hyundai Motor confirmed plans to mass-produce Atlas humanoid robots by 2028 and introduce them across its assembly lines. The project forms part of the company’s ambition to build a ‘physical AI’ future where machines perform risky or repetitive tasks in place of humans.
The debate intensified as new labour statistics showed a sharp decline in employment within professional and scientific technical services, where AI deployment is suspected of reducing demand for new hires.
KCTU warned that industrial transformation could widen inequality unless government policy prioritises people over profit.
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BlockFills, an institutional digital asset trading and lending firm, has suspended client deposits and withdrawals, citing market volatility as Bitcoin experiences significant declines.
A notice sent to clients last week stated the suspension was intended ‘to further the protection of our clients and the firm.’ The Chicago-based company serves approximately 2,000 institutional clients and provides crypto-backed lending to miners and hedge funds.
Clients were informed they could continue trading under certain restrictions, though positions requiring additional margin could be closed.
The suspension comes as Bitcoin fell below $65,000 last week, down roughly 25% in 2026 and approximately 45% from its October peak near $120,000. In the digital asset industry, withdrawal halts are often interpreted as warning signs of potential liquidity constraints.
Several crypto firms, including FTX, BlockFi, and Celsius, imposed similar restrictions during prior downturns before entering bankruptcy proceedings.
BlockFills has not specified how long the suspension will last. A company spokesperson said the firm is ‘working hand in hand with investors and clients to bring this issue to a swift resolution and to restore liquidity to the platform.’
Founded in 2018 with backing from Susquehanna and CME Group, there is currently no public evidence of insolvency.
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