The Business of Politics and Lawsuits

Another week in the world of money which saw politics and lawsuits dominate the headlines.

Politics

We start this week in the world of politics where a Brazilian judge has accepted charges filled by state prosecutors against 11 companies for allegedly forming a cartel to control construction and upkeep of the subway and train systems in Sao Paulo just weeks after a corruption scandal involving state oil giant Petrobras was revealed. In other South American news Citigroup was authorized by a US judge to process Argentine dept payments after numerous lengthy court battles while on the other side of the world in the Middle East we saw trouble as conflict in Yemen sent oil prices soaring. Europe saw protestors marching in Madrid against austerity measures called the "march for dignity" while the always complicated relationship between EU and Greece raised its head when Germany and other EU leaders set strict terms for Greek aid.

Legal

But it wasn't just bureaucracy this week as we also saw legal disputes with the Ellen Pao lawsuit taking center stage as her legal team wrapped up arguments. However, they weren't alone with Twitter also being sued for gender discrimination. The technology world also saw the Google anti competitive report leaked and news that Google had become a lobbying powerhouse with near weekly meetings at the White House. Outside of the tech world Ex-American Apparel CEO, Dov Charney, is seeking $40 million in damages after being fired last year.

Stock Markets

We end the week on Wall Street where news of Heinz and Kraft merging had mouths salivating with the prospect of a new super food company and lastly, the stuff dreams are made of, when we heard luxury car maker Porsche gave each of it's employee's a sizable bonus sharing the spoils after a successful year.

From Digital Death to Medical Marvels

Paranoia kicked in this week when a massive security bug was discovered opening websites to eavesdropping but it's not all gloom with scientists putting a positive spin on things with advances in medical technology.

Security

A massive security bug in OpenSSL named "HeartBleed" is reported to affect nearly two thirds of all websites and his been around for the last 2 years. US regulators have even told banks to address the "Heartbleed" risk.

The Dutch government has followed the UK's lead and paid Microsoft to continue providing support for Windows XP until next year when they finally upgrade their systems.

A 5-year-old boy managed to bypass Microsoft Xbox One security allowing him to access restricted content.

Vehicles

Mazda is recalling 42,000 Mazda 6 sedans after it was discovered a breed of spiders could create webs preventing the fuel injection from functioning.

Police are on the look out for high tech cow tippers who have been tipping smart cars around San Francisco.

The EU may require electric and hybrid vehicles to make noise to alert pedestrians to their presence.

Money

Apple wants $2.2 billion in damages from Samsung for infringing on 5 patents.

Samsung sued a South Korean publications for a bad review of it's newly released Samsung S5.

HP has admitted to federal bribery and money laundering charges.

Medical

A new implant designed to zap paralyzed people and help them move again has been created by researchers who claim to have helped 4 paralyzed men walk again.

A new robotic suit could allow a paralyzed individual to kick the first ball at the Soccer World Cup.

Doctors have managed to implant lab grown vagina's in several women grown from their own cells.

Space

A weird bright light was spotted on Mars by Curiosity rover.

The sun emitted an M-Class solar flare but fortunately didn't cause any geomagnetic storm on Earth.

A solar plane named Solar Impulse 2 plans to circumnavigate the earth in 2015 with a 236ft wingspan.