IN THE PAPERS
In the papers 2 April
02-04-2008
by Sylvia Leatham
Microsoft wins approval for Open Office XML | Motorola allegedly approached by Indian electronics group
The Irish Independent reports that up to 270 jobs for Waterford were announced on Tuesday by bioscience firms Genzyme and Lancaster. Read the full story on ENN.
The Irish Examiner says that computer games make people more relaxed and do not trigger violent tendencies, according to a new study. Researchers at Middlesex University in Britain asked 292 people aged between 12 and 83 to play the 'World of Warcraft' online game while their levels of aggression were tested. Researcher Jean Barnett said the results did not back up the popular theory that computer games made enthusiasts more volatile and frustrated. Instead anger levels depended on each individual's characteristics, with most participants feeling calm but tired.
The Irish Times notes that liquidated software firm Big Picture Software Ltd has gone on trial in Dublin charged with defrauding the Revenue Commissioners. The company went into liquidation in 2004 and owes Revenue more than EUR265,000 in outstanding VAT returns, the jury was told.
According to the Financial Times, Microsoft has won a controversial 15-month battle to have a key document format approved as a global industry standard, smoothing the way for lucrative government procurement contracts. Although the decision by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has yet to be formally announced, documents seen by the newspaper indicate that 86 percent of its member national bodies have voted in favour of approving the Open Office XML standard.
The paper also says that Vodafone is seeking talks with fellow shareholders in Poland's second-largest mobile operator with a view to enabling the UK group to increase its stake in the Polish business. Vodafone is believed to be interested in securing control of Polkomtel and it could soon have the opportunity to raise its stake from 19.6 percent to 24.4 percent.
The same paper reports that Indian electronics group Videocon has made an approach to Motorola to buy the handset business of the troubled US telecoms group. Venugopal Dhoot, chairman of Videocon, said the company submitted an unsolicited "expression of interest" to Motorola on Monday. He did not disclose details on how much Videocon might bid for the handset business. However, Motorola brushed aside Videocon's interest while declining to comment on what it characterised as "rumour".
The Wall Street Journal reports that videogame publisher Take-Two Interactive Software, which is resisting a takeover bid from Electronic Arts, has received backing for its directors from influential proxy adviser RiskMetrics Group. Take-Two said in a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it is "pleased" RiskMetrics has recommended the re-election of its directors and other proposals at the company's annual meeting.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 