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US soldiers to train and fight with Microsoft HoloLens augmented reality
The US Army has given Microsoft a $480 million contract to create augmented reality systems for use in combat and training, based on its HoloLens headset technology (Bloomberg). The army will use these to “increase lethality by enhancing the ability to detect, decide and engage before the enemy”. If the 2,500 prototypes work as planned, the contract could lead to a further 100,000 headset deal.
The EU plans to offset all greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
The European Commission has presented a plan to make the economic bloc carbon-neutral by 2050 (BBC News). Key elements of the strategy will involve planting trees and burying greenhouse gasses such as methane and carbon dioxide. The efforts are timely, following news earlier this week that CO2 emissions have begun to rise again for the first time in four years, linked to faster worldwide economic growth.
US charges two Iranians over SamSam ransomware
The US Department of Justice has charged two Iranian men over the creation and operation of the SamSam ransomware, which targeted "public entities, hospitals, and municipalities" between 2015 and 2018 (The Register). Iran has no extradition treaty with the US, but sanctions have – for the first time – been applied to two Bitcoin addresses used to collect ransomware payments.
How chess became a pawn in Russia's political war games
In October the World Chess Federation (FIDE) announced the election of its new president, Arkady Dvorkovich (WIRED). His ascent to the top of the game’s governing body follows the 23-year, seven-term reign of another Russian, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, who was suspended in July for allegedly violating the organisation's code of ethics. But many FIDE members are still asking themselves: how did chess become a pawn in Russia’s political power games?
Valve has launched eagerly anticipated card game Artifact
Valve has finally released something: digital collectable card game Artifact, designed by Magic the Gathering creator Richard Garfield (Rock Paper Shotgun ). Set in the same fantasy universe as Valve's Dota multiplayer online battle arena games, there's an animated launch trailer and free tie-in comic series to help ease you into the game, which costs £16 on Windows, Linux and macOS.
Podcast 395: Google takes on the EU's war on memes
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This article was originally published by WIRED UK
