Microsoft Cuts Russia Operations Due to Ukraine Invasion, Says Bloomberg News

The logo of Microsoft is seen at an office building in Wallisellen, Switzerland December 21, 2020. (Reuters)
The logo of Microsoft is seen at an office building in Wallisellen, Switzerland December 21, 2020. (Reuters)
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Microsoft Cuts Russia Operations Due to Ukraine Invasion, Says Bloomberg News

The logo of Microsoft is seen at an office building in Wallisellen, Switzerland December 21, 2020. (Reuters)
The logo of Microsoft is seen at an office building in Wallisellen, Switzerland December 21, 2020. (Reuters)

Microsoft Corp is substantially cutting its business in Russia in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.

Earlier in March, Microsoft said it was suspending new sales of its products and services in Russia.

The company did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

More than 400 employees will be affected, the report said, citing a company spokesperson.

Several major companies, including Apple Inc, Nike and Dell Technologies, have severed connections with Russia.

Facebook-owner Meta Platforms Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google have also taken measures to restrict Russian state media from making money off ads on their platforms.



Germany Says Aims to be World Leader in Quantum Technologies

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands next to a Quantum system during the inauguration of IBM's quantum data center at the IBM Campus in Ehningen, southern Germany, on October 1, 2024. (Photo by SILAS STEIN / AFP)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands next to a Quantum system during the inauguration of IBM's quantum data center at the IBM Campus in Ehningen, southern Germany, on October 1, 2024. (Photo by SILAS STEIN / AFP)
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Germany Says Aims to be World Leader in Quantum Technologies

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands next to a Quantum system during the inauguration of IBM's quantum data center at the IBM Campus in Ehningen, southern Germany, on October 1, 2024. (Photo by SILAS STEIN / AFP)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands next to a Quantum system during the inauguration of IBM's quantum data center at the IBM Campus in Ehningen, southern Germany, on October 1, 2024. (Photo by SILAS STEIN / AFP)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed to support the development of quantum technologies, saying at the opening of an IBM data center on Tuesday that investment in the sector was crucial for the future of Europe's biggest economy.

"Our goal is clear: to be global leader in quantum technologies," said Scholz, adding Germany had invested 2 billion euros ($2.22 billion) on quantum technology since 2020.

"This is the basis of our economic success and prosperity," he said at the opening of IBM's Quantum European Data Center in Ehningen, a roughly 290-million-euro investment. The center will allow users in Europe and elsewhere to access services for cloud-based quantum computing research, Reuters reported.

Quantum computers could operate millions of times faster than advanced supercomputers. So far, the United States and China have led the technology.

Other projects in Germany include the joint development of quantum processors by Infineon and eleQtron GmbH.
Scholz said Germany was focused on semiconductors, AI, pharmaceuticals and bio- and climate technologies.
"These are the areas we need to lead," said Scholz.