Russia plans to impose stiffer fines on technology firms that fail to comply with Russian laws, sources familiar with the plans said, raising the stakes in the Kremlin’s fight with global tech giants such as Facebook <FB.O> and Google. Over the past five years, Russia has introduced tougher internet laws that require search engines to […]
Taxes may be a bigger part of online shopping this season
Shoppers heading online to purchase holiday gifts will find they’re being charged sales tax at some websites where they weren’t before. The reason: the Supreme Court. A June ruling gave states the go-ahead to require more companies to collect sales tax on online purchases. Now, more than two dozen have moved to take advantage of […]
Justices to hear antitrust case over sale of iPhone apps
Apple is at the Supreme Court to defend the way it sells apps for iPhones against claims by consumers that the company has unfairly monopolized the market. The justices are hearing arguments Monday in Apple’s effort to end an antitrust lawsuit that could force the iPhone maker to cut the 30 percent commission it charges […]
In Iraq, an ancient board game is making a comeback
After rolling pyramid-shaped dice, Iraqi Kurdish artisan Hoshmand Muwafaq shifted his pebble around an ornate board, his handmade recreation of one of the Middle East’s oldest and most popular games. Originating nearly 5,000 years ago in what would become Iraq, the Royal Game of Ur mysteriously died out — until Muwafaq resurrected it by making […]
US fires tear gas into Mexico to repel migrants, closes border gate for several hours
US authorities shut the country’s busiest border crossing and fired tear gas into Mexico on Sunday to repel Central American migrants approaching the border after US President Donald Trump vowed the asylum-seekers would not easily enter the country. Traffic in both directions was suspended for several hours at the San Ysidro port of entry between […]
Russia fires on and seizes Ukrainian ships near annexed Crimea
Russia seized three Ukrainian naval ships off the coast of Russia-annexed Crimea on Sunday after opening fire on them and wounding several sailors, a move that risks igniting a dangerous new crisis between the two countries. Russia’s FSB security service said early on Monday its border patrol boats had seized the Ukrainian naval vessels in […]
Anxiety at NASA as Mars InSight spacecraft nears Red Planet
NASA’s top scientists admitted to sleepless nights, sweaty palms, stomach aches and moments of pure terror as their $993 million Mars Insight spacecraft approaches a high-drama finale Monday: landing on Mars. Mars Insight’s goal is listen for quakes and tremors as a way to unveil the Red Planet’s inner mysteries, how it formed billions of […]
Australia PM holds emergency meeting as electoral oblivion looms
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison held an emergency meeting with members of his embattled Liberal party on Monday as his minority government stared down the barrel at a heavy election defeat within the next six months. Morrison met lawmakers from Victoria, Australia’s second-most populous state, where voters overwhelmingly turned against the Liberals in a state […]
California’s deadliest wildfire finally tamed
The deadliest and most destructive fire in California’s history was finally brought totally under control by firefighters, more than two weeks after it erupted, authorities said on Sunday. The so-called Camp Fire, which broke out on November 8, is so far known to have killed 85 people. The Butte County Sheriff’s department said that they […]
Macron to address nation after violent Paris protests
French President Emmanuel Macron is to address his nation on Tuesday following persistent and sometimes violent protests over fuel taxes that are morphing into a movement against his business- and environment-friendly policies. Paris saw clashes between police and demonstrators Saturday on the Champs-Elysees where barricades were set on fire, luxury shop windows smashed, and traffic […]