Telecom Italia’s KKR deal sparks threat of legal action by Vivendi
Largest shareholder ‘deeply regrets’ acceptance of private equity’s firm offer of up to €22bn for fixed-line network
Mergers & Acquisitions
Annual revenue from music copyright climbs to $41.5bn
Figures reflect post-pandemic rebound in public licensing in gigs and hospitality
Digital Media
The great American spending spree
Pay growth, savings and ‘fomo’ have helped the US economy defy a gloomy backdrop
Consumer trends
Elon Musk releases new AI chatbot ‘Grok’ in bid to take on ChatGPT
Billionaire’s xAI start up unveils generative AI model in challenge to Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Google
Artificial intelligence
Citadel’s Ken Griffin warns against hedge fund clampdown to curb basis trade risk
Founder of $62bn firm hits out at US proposals to treat big players in his industry like broker-dealer arms of banks
Financial & markets regulation
Shipowners urged to protect vessels against electric-car fires
Exports of lithium ion-based products increase safety risks and pose ‘huge problem’ for shipping, says IMO
Electric vehicles, Batteries
Tech giants pour billions into cloud capacity in AI push
Google, Microsoft and Amazon boost investment by a fifth over two years to a combined quarterly total of $42bn
Artificial intelligence
Shell boss backs ‘leaner’ operation in defending renewables strategy shift
Top executives have left group’s green divisions after shift in focus under new CEO
Renewable energy
Top US gas producer says pipeline fights endanger industrial world
EQT chief lambasts ‘movement to cancel energy infrastructures’ after latest delay to Mountain Valley project
Shale Oil & Gas
Will the private equity squeeze hit football?
Also in this newsletter: Saudi Arabia bags the 2034 World Cup without a fight
Travel & leisure industry