FCC says 'net neutrality' rules will end on June 11

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Communications Commission said in a notice Thursday that landmark 2015 U.S. open-internet rules will cease on June 11.

Kodak blockchain project seeks to raise $50 million in token offering

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wenn Digital, the developer of an image protection blockchain platform licensed by Eastman Kodak Co , said on Thursday it intends to raise up to $50 million (37 million pounds) in a combined public and private token offering.

BT to cut 13,000 jobs as seeks to revive growth

LONDON (Reuters) - BT will cut 13,000 managerial and back-office jobs and move to a smaller London base in the latest attempt by the boss of Britain's biggest telecoms group to rebuild from an accounting scandal and multiple pressures on its business.

Autopilot was not engaged during Florida Model S crash: Tesla

(Reuters) - Tesla Inc's autopilot system was unlikely to have been a factor in a Florida car crash this week which killed two teenagers, the electric carmaker said in a statement issued late on Wednesday.

De Beers tracks diamonds through supply chain using blockchain

LONDON (Reuters) - Anglo American's De Beers said on Thursday it had tracked 100 high-value diamonds from miner to retailer using blockchain, in the first effort of its kind to clear the supply chain of imposters and conflict minerals.

Vietnam jails Facebook user for posts seen as anti-state propaganda

HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam has jailed a Facebook user for 4-1/2 years over posts that "distorted" the political situation in the Southeast Asian country, a branch of the ruling Communist Party said.

China's Didi apologizes after killing of passenger compounds safety fears

BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's biggest ride-sharing company apologized on Thursday over the killing of a passenger, apparently by her driver, and said it had to win back the trust of users after the "tragedy".

Apple scraps $1 billion Irish data center over planning delays

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Apple ditched plans to build an 850 million euro ($1 billion) data center in Ireland because of delays in the approval process that have stalled the project for more than three years, the iPhone maker said on Thursday.

Balancing act: software giant SAP navigates Russian risks

MOSCOW/WALLDORF, Germany (Reuters) - Most Western technology companies are losing ground in Russia under the weight of restrictive rules and mounting local competition. Germany's SAP is thriving.

Cyber security firm Avast falls in LSE's biggest debut of the year

LONDON (Reuters) - Cyber security firm Avast shares were down 2.6 percent in early trade on Thursday in the London Stock Exchange's biggest debut in almost a year.

South Korea regulators step up pressure on Samsung over complex ownership structure

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean regulators turned up the heat on Samsung Group [SAGR.UL] over its complex ownership structure, with the country's antitrust chief saying on Thursday the arrangement for control at the nation's top conglomerate was "not sustainable".

Japan's Panasonic sees 12 percent profit increase, driven by EV battery sales

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese electronics conglomerate Panasonic Corp said on Thursday it expects operating profit to increase 11.7 percent in the year through March 2018 as sales of automotive batteries expand.

Apple drops plans for data center in Ireland due to planning delays: RTE

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Apple will not proceed with a planned data center in Athenry, Ireland, because of delays in the planning approval process, RTE reported on Thursday citing a company statement.

Japan's Panasonic sees 11.7 percent profit increase, in line with estimates

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese electronics conglomerate Panasonic Corp said on Thursday it expects operating profit to increase 11.7 percent in the year through March 2018 as sales of vehicle components and batteries expand.

Cyber security firm Avast down 3 percent in London debut

LONDON (Reuters) - Cyber security firm Avast was down almost 3 percent in its debut on Thursday compared to its offer price of 250 pence in the biggest initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange since July 2017.

BT to cut 13,000 jobs in biggest cull in a decade

LONDON (Reuters) - BT will cut 13,000 managerial and back-office jobs and move to a smaller London base in the latest attempt by the boss of Britain's biggest telecoms group to rebuild from an accounting scandal and downturn in trading.

Uber expands into Spanish tourist hotspot

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Uber is expanding further into Spain by launching a multi-city ride-hailing service across the Costa del Sol beach resort hotspot before the busy summer season.

BT to cut 13,000 jobs and leave London HQ

LONDON (Reuters) - BT is cutting 13,000 managerial and back-office jobs and leaving its London headquarters in the latest attempt by Britain's biggest telecoms group to rebuild after an accounting scandal and downturn in trading.

BT to cut 13,000 jobs in restructuring plan

LONDON (Reuters) - BT is cutting 13,000 managerial and back-office jobs and plugging its pension black hole, while placating shareholders by maintaining its dividend, in the latest restructuring by Britain's biggest telecoms group.

Samsung faces new pressure on group structure after criticism by antitrust head

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's biggest conglomerate, Samsung Group [SAGR.UL], came for fresh criticism about its ownership structure on Thursday, with the country's antitrust chief saying it was unsustainable.

Xerox board seeks better terms from Fujifilm, will resume talks

(Reuters) - Xerox Corp's board said on Wednesday it intended to resume merger discussions with Fujifilm Holdings, seeking a superior deal to terms announced at the end of January that have spurred a proxy fight over the company.

Samsung Group's ownership structure unsustainable: South Korea antitrust chief

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's antitrust chief said on Thursday that South Korea's No. 1 conglomerate Samsung Group's [SAGR.UL] current ownership structure is not sustainable.

U.S. drone program taps Apple, passes over Amazon, China's DJI

WASHINGTON/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Inc soon will be capturing images of North Carolina by drone; a 1,500-pound, unmanned aircraft will look for mosquitoes in Florida; and startup Flirtey will fly medical equipment on drones to heart-attack victims in Nevada.

Sears shares soar on Amazon tie-up; CEO says still not over 'hump'

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (Reuters) - Sears Holdings Corp shares jumped 16 percent on Wednesday after the company announced a tire service partnership with Amazon.com, part of Chief Executive Officer Edward Lampert's strategy to make the troubled retailer profitable again.

Three companies win $550.8 million deal to supply McAfee software to Pentagon

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three companies have been awarded a $550.8 million blanket purchase agreement to supply McAfee hardware, software and related services to the U.S. Defense Department, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.

China's ZTE says main business operations cease due to U.S. ban

HONG KONG (Reuters) - ZTE Corp's main business operations have ceased due to a ban imposed by the U.S. government, but China's second biggest telecom equipment maker is trying to have the ban modified or reversed, it said on Wednesday.

U.S. drone program taps Alphabet, passes over Amazon, China's DJI

WASHINGTON/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The U.S. Transportation Department's 10 winning drone pilot projects aimed at spurring the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in a wide variety of fields do not include Amazon.com Inc and China's DJI, but do involve Alphabet Inc, Qualcomm Inc and Microsoft Corp.

Qualcomm sets new $10 billion buyback plan

(Reuters) - Chipmaker Qualcomm Inc said on Wednesday its board has approved a new $10 billion buyback program that replaces the previous $15 billion stock repurchase program announced in March 2015.

Sears shares soar on Amazon tie-up; CEO says on 'right path'

HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. (Reuters) - Sears Holdings Corp shares jumped about 17 percent on Wednesday after the company announced a tire service partnership with Amazon.com, part of Chief Executive Officer Edward Lampert's strategy to make the troubled retailer profitable again.

Uber opens up international contest for a third flying taxi city

(Reuters) - Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] on Wednesday re-opened a contest to select the first international city to launch its proposed flying taxi project, following apparent delays in getting the service off the ground in Dubai, a previously proposed market.