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Mastercard Wants to Acquire a Swedish Firm that Simplifies the Management and Cancellation of Subscription Agreements

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On Tuesday, Mastercard said that it had reached a deal to buy Minna Technologies, a software company that helps customers better manage their subscriptions.

The action was taken in response to Mastercard’s and Visa’s aggressive efforts to diversify their businesses beyond credit and debit cards and into technology services including pay-by-bank payments, cybersecurity, and fraud prevention.

Mastercard refuses to share the transaction’s financial information, which is presently being examined by regulators.

The payments giant claimed that the agreement will enable it to provide customers with a method to access all of their subscriptions in a single view, whether inside your banking app or a central “hub,” in conjunction with other projects it is committed to surrounding subscriptions.

Based in Gothenburg, Sweden, Minna Technologies creates technology that enables users to manage subscriptions within banking apps and websites, irrespective of the payment method they originally used.

According to the company, it collaborates with some of the biggest financial institutions in existence today. It already counts rival Visa and Mastercard as important partners.

In a blog post on Tuesday, Mastercard stated, “These teams and technologies will add to the broader set of tools that help manage the merchant-consumer relationship and minimize any disruption in their experience.”

Modern consumers frequently have a tonne of subscriptions from various providers, including Netflix, Amazon, and Disney Plus, to keep track of. Having numerous subscriptions can make it challenging to cancel them because users may forget which ones they have paid for when.

According to Mastercard, this may have a detrimental effect on retailers since customers who find it difficult to cancel their subscriptions often contact their banks to ask that payments be stopped.

Data from Juniper Research indicates that there are currently 6.8 billion subscriptions worldwide; by 2028, that figure is predicted to increase to 9.3 billion.

Establishment businesses in the financial services industry, like Mastercard, have been expanding their product line quickly to stay competitive with up-and-coming fintech companies that provide consumers with easier-to-use, digitally native methods of managing their money.

A U.S. fintech company called Finicity was purchased by Mastercard in 2020. It allows other banks or other third parties to access a customer’s banking data and process payments on their behalf.

In other words, as a customer, you would simply need to use your fingerprint to confirm your identity when you pay, instead of having to manually enter your card details as it was previously stated that the company would tokenize all cards issued on its network in Europe by 2030.

Meanwhile, Visa is making an effort to compete with fintech rivals. The business introduced Visa A2A, a new service that makes it simpler for customers to set up and manage direct debits—payments that are deducted from your bank account instead of using a credit or debit card—last month.On Tuesday, Mastercard said that it had reached a deal to buy Minna Technologies, a software company that helps customers better manage their subscriptions.

The action was taken in response to Mastercard’s and Visa’s aggressive efforts to diversify their businesses beyond credit and debit cards and into technology services including pay-by-bank payments, cybersecurity, and fraud prevention.

Mastercard refuses to share the transaction’s financial information, which is presently being examined by regulators.

The payments giant claimed that the agreement will enable it to provide customers with a method to access all of their subscriptions in a single view, whether inside your banking app or a central “hub,” in conjunction with other projects it is committed to surrounding subscriptions.

Based in Gothenburg, Sweden, Minna Technologies creates technology that enables users to manage subscriptions within banking apps and websites, irrespective of the payment method they originally used.

According to the company, it collaborates with some of the biggest financial institutions in existence today. It already counts rival Visa and Mastercard as important partners.

In a blog post on Tuesday, Mastercard stated, “These teams and technologies will add to the broader set of tools that help manage the merchant-consumer relationship and minimize any disruption in their experience.”

Modern consumers frequently have a tonne of subscriptions from various providers, including Netflix, Amazon, and Disney Plus, to keep track of. Having numerous subscriptions can make it challenging to cancel them because users may forget which ones they have paid for when.

Mastercard pointed out that this could be detrimental to retailers because customers who find it difficult to cancel their subscriptions wind up contacting their banks to ask that payments be stopped.

Data from Juniper Research indicates that there are currently 6.8 billion subscriptions worldwide; by 2028, that figure is predicted to increase to 9.3 billion.

Establishment businesses in the financial services industry, like Mastercard, have been expanding their product line quickly to stay competitive with up-and-coming fintech companies that provide consumers with easier-to-use, digitally native methods of managing their money.

A U.S. fintech company called Finicity was purchased by Mastercard in 2020. It allows other banks or other third parties to access a customer’s banking data and process payments on their behalf.

In other words, as a customer, you would simply need to use your fingerprint to confirm your identity when you pay, instead of having to manually enter your card details as it was previously stated that the company would tokenize all cards issued on its network in Europe by 2030.

Meanwhile, Visa is making an effort to compete with fintech rivals. The business introduced Visa A2A, a new service that makes it simpler for customers to set up and manage direct debits—payments that are deducted from your bank account instead of using a credit or debit card—last month.

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Microsoft Acknowledges DeepSeek AI’s Innovations, Adds It to Azure AI Foundry

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Microsoft Acknowledges DeepSeek AI’s Innovations, Adds It to Azure AI Foundry

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently acknowledged the advancements of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup that made waves earlier this week with its open-source model, R1. The model has drawn attention for its claims of matching or surpassing Western AI technology at a significantly lower cost.

“DeepSeek has introduced some real innovations,” Nadella remarked during an investor call following Microsoft’s latest earnings report. “Of course, as technology evolves, it becomes more widely accessible and commoditized.”

DeepSeek’s breakthrough has sparked discussions among investors regarding Microsoft’s AI spending. Some have questioned whether the company and its partner OpenAI could achieve similar efficiencies in AI training and inference—key processes in developing and deploying AI—at a lower cost.

According to Nadella, Microsoft has already been focused on optimizing these efficiencies. “We’ve been seeing significant gains in both training and inference for years,” he explained, emphasizing how Microsoft’s software has continually enhanced AI performance and reduced costs across different model generations and hardware.

Much of this progress, Nadella noted, has been achieved in collaboration with OpenAI. He also stressed the importance of cost-effectiveness in AI deployment: “Releasing the best model isn’t enough. If it’s too expensive to operate, it’s not useful.”

Despite ongoing efforts to optimize costs, Microsoft remains committed to AI infrastructure expansion. The company plans to invest $80 billion in data centers this fiscal year to meet growing demand, although it anticipates a slowdown in spending starting in fiscal 2026.

Meanwhile, reports have surfaced regarding Microsoft and OpenAI investigating whether a group linked to DeepSeek may have accessed OpenAI’s data outputs without authorization. However, this has not deterred Microsoft from making DeepSeek’s R1 model available to customers. On Wednesday, the company added R1 to its Azure AI Foundry, a platform featuring over 1,800 AI models designed to support businesses in developing and managing AI applications.

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Swiss International University Announces International Presence in Zurich, Dubai, Riga, and Bishkek

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State-accredited Swiss International University leads global education with innovative 100% blended learning programs.

Swiss International University is making history as the world’s first state-accredited university to deliver 100% blended education. With campuses in Zurich, Dubai, Riga, and Bishkek, SIU is reshaping higher and vocational education, making it smarter, more accessible, and highly flexible. This innovative approach is ideal for modern students seeking quality education while balancing their personal and professional lives.

This blended education offering at SIU makes it possible for the student to learn on campus and online while continuing their higher education without sacrificing other commitments. The university has opened doors to those who had previously been denied access to good quality education or needed a more personalized and adaptable solution. Using advanced technologies like AI tools, virtual labs, and interactive platforms, SIU constructs practical and engaging learning environments, making students proficient in the competitive job markets of today.

SIU’s campuses in Zurich, Dubai, Riga, and Bishkek are a model of international standards, meeting both global and local needs. The students will be exposed to different cultures and will have the opportunity to engage with peers from various backgrounds and prepare for global careers. The institution ensures that its programs reflect the latest advancements in business, technology, and health, offering students the flexibility to choose courses that align with their personal goals and professional aspirations.

State accreditation of the university enhances its reputation, which also attracts the attention of employers, international organizations, and educational institutions. It not only proves the value of SIU’s degrees and certificates but also certifies the quality of education. It establishes itself as a leader in contemporary education through the hybrid model of traditional learning and modern methodologies, paving the way for an adaptable and efficient model for the future of learning.

SIU’s vision champions innovation, inclusivity, and global connectivity through education, thus setting it apart from previous standards. Here, flexibility cuts across cutting-edge technology and powerful international presence that fosters the culture of lifelong learning for students and continues developing their skill and knowledge in the post-graduation era as well.

By focusing on accessibility, SIU creates a more diverse and inclusive academic environment. The students are challenged to follow their passions while experiencing unmatched support from the faculty and peers. In this way, it redefines modern education in terms of changing to meet the needs of the world.

SIU also stresses experiential learning, giving students real-world exposure through internships, collaborative projects, and hands-on activities. This approach not only prepares graduates for immediate employment but also ensures they possess the critical thinking and problem-solving skills required in today’s dynamic industries. The university’s commitment to quality and flexibility enables students to achieve their goals without limits.

SIU embraces cultural diversity, creating a vibrant learning community where ideas are exchanged, perspectives are broadened, and innovation flourishes. Students graduate with not just a degree but a global outlook, ready to contribute meaningfully to an interconnected world.

For more information, visit their website.

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Microsoft’s Venture Head Chris Young Resigns

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Microsoft’s Venture Head Chris Young Resigns

Chris Young, the head of business development and leader of Microsoft’s venture unit, has stepped down from his role, the company announced on Wednesday.

As the leader of Microsoft’s M12 venture fund and a named officer, Young played a pivotal role in the company. Named officers, including CFO Amy Hood, Vice Chair and Chief Legal Officer Brad Smith, Sales Head Judson Althoff, and CEO Satya Nadella, have their responsibilities, compensation, and departures disclosed publicly by the company.

Microsoft revealed Young’s resignation in an SEC filing, which also noted his contributions to the company. These included advancing M12’s engagements in areas such as AI and data infrastructure, collaborating with company leaders on emerging technologies, securing a strategic partnership, and driving progress on sustainability goals. Additionally, Young was recognized for championing diversity and inclusion within the business development organization and across the broader company.

Before joining Microsoft in 2020, Young served as the CEO of McAfee. He took over the M12 leadership from Peggy Johnson, who founded the venture fund. Originally established to monitor emerging Silicon Valley technologies and startups, M12 evolved under Young’s leadership to function more as an extension of Microsoft’s business development team.

The SEC filing did not specify the reasons behind Young’s departure but stated that he would remain at Microsoft as an employee until March to support the transition. Young has not commented on the announcement.

A Microsoft spokesperson expressed gratitude for Young’s contributions, stating:
“We are deeply grateful for the significant impact Chris had at Microsoft over the past four years. During Chris’ tenure, he led hundreds of strategic partnerships, fostered a culture of innovation, and laid the groundwork for our future growth. We support Chris’ decision to pursue a new endeavor.”

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