Fight against cryptocurrencies China closes data centers

As of: 06/22/2021 8:26 am

Virtual means of payment like Bitcoin are a thorn in the side of the Chinese government. That is why it is vehemently against it: Now data centers have been switched off in several parts of the country.

From Steffen Wurzel, ARD studio Shanghai

The Chinese government continues to vehemently oppose everything that has to do with Bitcoin. Banks and financial service providers were again asked not to offer any more services that have to do with crypto payment methods. One wants to preserve the stability and the security of the financial market and protect the assets and property of the population, said the state central bank of China.

China had banned trading in crypto-currency such as Bitcoin as early as 2017, as the first large country in the world. The so-called mining, however, i.e. the electronic generation of Bitcoins and Co with huge computer networks, was still tolerated by the Chinese authorities. The government has only been systematically taking action against decentralized and digital means of payment for around six weeks. Huge data centers were shut down in several parts of the country. Most recently, around two thirds of all new Bitcoins worldwide were generated with computers in China. This share will now decrease rapidly and significantly, say analysts.

Concept of bitcoin contradicts politics

Monetary and currency policy are centrally controlled in China. The central bank is directly under the communist leadership. The Chinese currency, renminbi or yuan, is not freely convertible. The decentralized and open concept of Bitcoin contradicts this policy and is therefore rejected by the Chinese government. At the same time, the government is working on its own digital currency, which, however, has almost nothing to do with Bitcoin.

The stricter action taken by the Chinese authorities against crypto-currency has helped Bitcoin to lose around half of its value in the past two months. The Bitcoin price is still a good three times as high as a year ago

A series of countries that were once the hottest epidemic centers in the world have now reopened thanks to an effective mass vaccination strategy, lighting up the hope of soon stabilizing people’s lives and recovering the economy. “Now everyone is experiencing the real New York and it suddenly dawned on me, we’re almost over the real pandemic,” Michelle Khoury said with joy evident on her face. That mood is not only of Michelle, but of many people in New York (USA) when the state fully reopens on May 19, restoring all activities. Those who have been vaccinated are no longer required to wear masks or practice social distancing when going out. They only have to wear masks at nursing homes, hospitals or on public transport. 2/ Our World in Data’s chart of the number of people vaccinated against Covid-19 in New York as of May 19. Light blue represents the number of people who injected at least 1 dose, dark green represents full dose. In a statement announcing the important decision, Governor Andrew Cuomo said that from now on, all shops, restaurants, entertainment centers, theaters and museums will no longer have to limit the number of visitors to a low level. , and New York’s subway system, which is the largest in the United States, is also officially open 24/24 as before the pandemic. The government plans to soon organize famous traditional events such as professional volleyball tournaments, marathons and performances at the Radio City Music Hall variety stage as soon as this year. According to official data, the number of new infections and deaths in New York is now hitting its lowest level since the pandemic broke out more than a year ago. After the first case of death from the new strain of corona virus was recorded on March 14, 2020, the state lost more than 30,000 people within just one year. ABC News points out that this number is 10 times more than the number of Americans who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. America is slowly returning to normal New York is one of many typical states of the United States, including New Jersey and Connecticut, that have reversed the pandemic to return to normal life. After more than a year of struggling against the terrible infection of the virus with more than 33.8 million positive cases and nearly 602,000 deaths, the US is gradually reviving thanks to the world’s fastest vaccination campaign. CDC data shows that, by the end of May 18, New York reached about 52% of the population receiving at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine and 43% receiving a full dose. In New Jersey, the numbers were 56.9% and 45.2%, respectively, while in Connecticut it reached 59.9% and 49.3%. Our World in Data’s chart of the number of people vaccinated against Covid-19 in the US as of May 18. Light blue represents the number of people who injected at least 1 dose, dark green represents full dose. Many other places in the US are also gradually returning to normal. Las Vegas casinos are reopening at 100% capacity with no social distancing requirements. Disneyland in California also reopened late last month after shutting down for 400 days. Massachusetts also announced that all restrictions related to Covid-19 will end by the weekend of Memorial Day (May 31). The momentum to escape the Covid-19 pandemic in the US is not outside the judgment of experts and forecasts of global financial institutions. White House senior adviser on Covid-19 Andy Slavitt pointed out that, for the first time in the pandemic, the number of infections last week decreased in all 50 US states. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, on May 18, said the average number of infections and deaths from Covid-19 in the last 7 days in the US has dropped to the lowest since the pandemic began. About 60% of Americans 18 years of age and older have had at least one dose of the vaccine, and this is a good sign that the US will easily reach the goal set by President Joe Biden, of 70% of the population getting less vaccination at least one dose of vaccine by July 4. However, she cautioned that recent numbers suggest “we should be cautiously optimistic”. Europe opens at the same time From the beginning of this week, European countries simultaneously eased restrictive measures, allowing most economic sectors to return to normal activities. The EU is speeding up Covid-19 vaccination campaigns for its people. Photo: Reuters Once one of the hottest epidemic centers in Europe in particular and globally in general, the UK officially reopened from May 17, after a long time of implementing strict blockade measures. People can move freely, hug each other or drink beer in public, have dinner at restaurants or watch movies in theaters. Students are no longer required to wear masks at school. On the same day, the first flights to Portugal and the countries that allow visitors from the UK to enter took off. He also got this spectacular step thanks to a successful vaccination campaign. The country’s daily number of new infections and deaths are both low as more than 20 million British adults have been vaccinated with both vaccines, accounting for over 30% of the country’s population. In addition, more than 36 million other people have also received the first dose of the vaccine, accounting for nearly 70% of the population. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government decided to reopen in phases, with the goal of returning to normal by next June. He warned the public to be cautious, because while Britain “has reached an important milestone in the road out of the blockade, we still have to take this next step with extreme caution”. Statista’s graph shows the number of people who received 1 or 2 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine in France from December 27, 2020 to May 15, 2021. In France, starting May 19, restaurants began serving outdoor guests after more than 6 months of having to close. Theaters, cinemas, museums and the Eiffel Tower are also open to a certain number of visitors. On the same day, Portugal officially opened its doors to all European visitors to the country without having to quarantine, provided that they present a negative test for Covid-19 within 72 hours. The Netherlands also reopened amusement parks and zoos, and allowed restaurants and outdoor bars to close 2 hours later than before. In Italy, the curfew time was also lowered to 9pm, compared to 10pm before. Beaches have been reopened to normal since the weekend. For the first time in six months, Austria allowed restaurants, theaters and cinemas to reopen. The government of this country announced that, from May 19, visitors from some countries with low infection rates will not need to be isolated, although they still need to provide negative test results and vaccination cards. two in November 2020, after recording a record high number of daily infections.

Many commercial centers in Hanoi on the morning of May 2 welcome a large number of guests to play and eat. Including the Japanese brand supermarket system in Long Bien district, the shopping area is crowded with people starting at 11am. The checkout area is always crowded. Prices today are the same as usual. Visitors here wear 100% masks due to the development of the Covid-19 epidemic, which is at risk of a resurgence. According to a security guard, the number of customers flocking here on weekends is higher than on weekdays, especially today is a holiday, so the workload of supermarket staff increases several times. Resting area, using soft drinks is full at 11:45. Today, the majority of customers are families bringing children, the elderly or organizing relatives to go out. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh and his girlfriend, after shopping for clothes, went to a shop selling stuffed animals to visit. He said the purpose of coming here on a day off is sightseeing, walking is the main thing, not shopping or eating. Mr. Hoa (a resident of Long Bien district, right) enters an electronics store to buy technology products. Initially, he chose to buy a laptop with a price of 13 million VND for the purpose of watching movies online instead of the phone because of the large screen, but after someone recommended using a smart TV, he reconsidered. . The stalls selling fast food are full. The person who came after did not have a seat. Similar is the stall selling Vietnamese, Hong Kong, Thai hotpot… Man traveling with his family enjoying a quick lunch. The price of a hot pot here is from 300,000 VND, guests can choose according to the combo depending on their preferences and needs. Customers are especially crowded in the fast food area and have to wait in line for tens of minutes to get their turn. However, there are no seats inside, many people buy to take out to enjoy. The gaming area is also full, customers are mainly young people and young people. The machines work continuously, many young people have to stand next to them and wait for their turn. While the food stalls, supermarkets are crowded, the stalls selling household goods, fashion… are quite deserted. Trang, an employee at the shopping center, said that customers flock here often near lunch and dinner time, and normally on the floors there are only scattered people.

The image was taken inside a vaccination center located in the railway museum of Catalonia in Vilanova i La Geltru City, Spain. Persons receiving AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine rest at the follow-up area after vaccination. (Image: Getty Images) Medical staff giving flu vaccines to residents not participating in the community Covid-19 vaccination program established at the National Museum of Science and Technology of Leonardo Da Vinci in cooperation with the Leonardo Da Vinci Hospital in Milan, Italy. (Photo: EPA) Chairs in the post-vaccination monitoring room in the city of Naples, Italy, are placed at a guaranteed social distance. (Image: Getty Images) “Medical train” Akademik Fyodor Uglov in Kuytun village, Irkutsk region, Russia. The train is being used as a mobile diagnostic center, and staff on board are deploying Sputnik V vaccination to locals along the East Siberian Railway. (Photo: TASS) A Covid-19 vaccination clinic on the square of the SNCF station vaccination center in Nice City, France. (Photo: Shutterstock) The Robert Poirier Athletics Stadium in Rennes, Britany Province, France, has been transformed into the Pfizer / BioNTech Covid-19 vaccination center. (Image: Getty Images) Medical staff preparing to vaccinate at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain. (Photo: AP) Poland’s Wroclaw city prepares for a mass vaccination campaign at the city stadium. (Photo: Shutterstock) Aalborg Symphony Orchestra performs at an immunization center in Jutland, Denmark. (Photo: EPA) Residents sit in cars waiting for Covid-19 vaccinations at an immunization site at NRG Park complex, Houston City, Texas, USA. (Photo: AP) Cars move through traffic posts leading to the vaccination center inside Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA. To date, the state of nearly 40 million people has had nearly 19 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine, with nearly 6.9 million fully vaccinated. (Photo: AP) The line of vehicles waiting for the Covid-19 test at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles City. The United States, the country most heavily affected by Covid-19, stressed that vaccination was the way to bring the country out of the pandemic. (Photo: AP) Photographed while waiting in line for AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccination at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada. (Photo: AP)

After the opening of 23 new Laptop Centers, FPT Shop has reached the milestone of 70 laptop centers nationwide. Digital Retail Joint Stock Company (FPT Retail), the owner of the FPT Shop retail system, has just opened 23 more laptop centers, bringing this retailer to the milestone of 70 laptop centers covering 63 provinces. country. These are all specialized stores, focusing on selling laptop products and many related accessories. Opening laptop centers is also one of the important factors that helps FPT Shop improve customer experience and better meet the increasing shopping demand of consumers. Mr. Nguyen The Kha, Director of mobile telecommunications of FPT Shop shared: “In a short time, FPT Shop has opened 70 new Laptop Centers. This achievement is the result of many factors: efforts. building brand associated with technology destination; diversifying brands and business products by adding new products of Microsoft Surface, AVITA, LCD screen, printer … “. In addition, the system always closely monitors the market, forecasts accurately and satisfies the needs of users, making good use of its leading position in gaming laptops, Macbook M1. FPT Shop has also adopted the right strategy when focusing on customer experience. According to GfK’s data, the growth rate of laptop at FPT Shop has exceeded 2 times compared with the plan in the first quarter of 2021 and doubled compared to the general market. Currently, FPT Shop accounts for more than 30% of the market share and is the No. 1 growing chain of stores in the laptop retail market. Thus, for every 10 laptops in use in Vietnam, more than 3 are purchased at FPT Shop. On the occasion of reaching the 70th of laptop centers, FPT Shop strongly discounted from 5 to 10% of most genuine laptop products on sale here. Specifically, Apple, Asus, HP, Dell, MSI brand laptops get 5% discount, Acer, Lenovo, Avita, Microsoft Surface brand laptops get 10% discount, apply to products over 8 million and get the bar. 100% payment. If you choose to pay by installment, you will enjoy 0% interest rate and no upfront payment required. The installment payment procedure is also very simple, only requires ID card and driver’s license (or household registration book). In addition, all customers who choose to buy a laptop at FPT Shop will receive a 20% discount on a laptop protection combo package, a stylish laptop backpack, 30% off when buying additional 23 “and 27” LCD screens, a 10% discount on sales. LCD 32 ”, discount 300,000 VND when buying HP printer

If, from June, company doctors can also be supplied with vaccines, as the Federal Minister of Health said Jens Spahn announced on Monday , the Deutsche Bahn wants to vaccinate its employees themselves. For this purpose, vaccination centers are to be set up at at least ten locations in Germany. “The first are now being built in Munich and Nuremberg,” said a spokeswoman. No other locations were known at first. Which vaccine will be used has not yet been determined. As soon as enough vaccine is available, as many “systemically important employees as possible should receive a vaccination offer from their employer”. The group assumes that around half of the employees in Germany are classified as systemically relevant. Many of them belong to group 3 in the federal corona vaccination regulation. This includes 60 to 70-year-olds and people with a medical history, but also people who “work in particularly relevant positions in institutions and companies of critical infrastructure”. According to the vaccination ordinance, this also includes transport and traffic. Personnel director Martin Seiler emphasized that the decision to vaccinate is voluntary. There will also be no vaccination privileges, neither for employees nor for customers.

BASF pioneers

The chemical company BASF is one of the pioneers in vaccinations by company doctors. Employees from the Ludwigshafen headquarters can go there have been vaccinated since last Wednesday . A vaccination center was set up for this purpose – with vaccination booths, waiting and rest rooms. The vaccine from BioNTech is used first. Vaccinations are carried out in the order specified by the state: Initially, only employees with previous illnesses such as diabetes have the opportunity to do so. The group expects to be able to vaccinate up to 4,000 employees in the coming weeks. Most of the other major German companies from industry, trade and finance listed in the DAX and MDAX are also preparing for vaccinations for their employees, according to surveys. The insurance group Allianz has set up its own vaccination lines at several locations. A total of 27 vaccination lines have been operational at 15 different sites in the group since Monday. The chemical and pharmaceutical company Bayer also hopes to be able to start in the second quarter. The Düsseldorf-based consumer goods company Henkel has also provided a vaccination center.

Vaccinate 1000 employees daily

Telekom reports that it can offer its employees vaccinations at 18 German locations and that it is able to vaccinate 80 percent of its employees in Germany within two months. At the automotive supplier Continental, a good 1000 employees in Germany could be vaccinated every day, announced the DAX company from Hanover. “Our company doctors are ready,” said a spokeswoman for the German press agency. The energy company RWE is also in the starting blocks. “RWE could get started next week – if there is a vaccine for the companies,” said CEO Rolf Martin Schmitz of the “Rheinische Post”. The entire workforce could be vaccinated in two weeks. “Then we would offer to vaccinate the families of the employees,” said Schmitz.