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☆ ‘It was a massive thing’ to be England’s first Black football player, says Viv Anderson
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Yet despite the atrocious conditions, the fixture went ahead as planned, and after 90 minutes of less-than-inspiring football, England had beaten Czechoslovakia 1-0 at Wembley Stadium. More importantly, however, was the fact that Anderson had made history as the first Black player to represent the England national team. Up and down the country, Anderson says that racist abuse formed an ugly backdrop to some of his football career. “It’s one of those things we (Black players) all had to get through if we wanted to make a career,” he says. Whether it be on the playground, whether it be at home with nieces and nephews, I was always playing football.

Persons: Viv Anderson, Anderson, ” Anderson, Anderson’s, Queen Elizabeth II, Elton John, “, didn’t, Peter Robinson, –, ”, Graham Budd, Brian Clough, Clough, ’ ”, “ ‘ You’ve, you’ve, Shutterstock Anderson, Clyde Best, Laurie Cunningham, Brendon Batson, Cyrille Regis, ’ ” Regis, you’re, ’ ” Anderson, Michel Barrault, Keith Alexander, Lincoln, nothing’s, That’s, Richard Masters, Simon Bruty, Jack Leslie, Greg Clarke, it’s Organizations: CNN, England, Wembley, England national, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, Arsenal, CNN Sport, –, FA Cup, Football League, West Brom, English Premier League, Black, English Football Association, ” Premier League, Plymouth Argyle Locations: Czechoslovakia, Nottingham, England, Jamaica, Carlisle, Coventry

☆ Here are Thursday's biggest analyst calls: Nvidia, Apple, Amazon, Spotify, AMD, Uber, McDonald's, Broadcom & more
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Here are Thursday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Morgan Stanley reiterates Eli Lilly as overweight Morgan Stanley raised its price target on the stock to $1,083 per share from $1,023. "We are initiating RBBN with a Buy rating and $5 price target because the investment thesis has significantly improved." Rosenblatt reiterates Broadcom as buy Rosenblatt raised its price target on the stock to a Street high $2,400. Morgan Stanley downgrades Microchip to equal weight from overweight Morgan Stanley said the semis company has a "lofty" valuation. Morgan Stanley upgrades Telefonica Brasil to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said it's bullish on shares of the LatAm telecom company.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Eli Lilly, Rosenblatt, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Mizuho, Truist, Wells, Guggenheim, it's, Jefferies downgrades Darden, Jefferies, Roblox, VIV, OW, Uber, McDonald's Organizations: Broadcom, AVGO, " Bank of America, Apple, Bank of America, JPMorgan, Nvidia, Digital Realty, Mizuho, Services, AMD, Silo AI, KBW, Guggenheim, Costco, Jefferies, Spotify, Telefonica Brasil, Energy, Uber, CART Locations: NYC, Europe, underperform, Olive, China

Learn moreThe Canadians are mounting an incredible comeback, bringing us to a somewhat unlikely Game 7 on Monday. If you want to attend the game in person in Florida, we can help you out. Options are running low for the sold-out finale, but we can show you where to buy Stanley Cup tickets for Game 7 of the Oilers vs. Panthers match. Oilers vs. Panthers Game 7 tickets When: Monday, June 24, 8 p.m. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal reselling of tickets, and entry into an event is at the venue's discretion.

Organizations: Business, Stanley, Oilers, Panthers, Amerant Bank, Florida Amerant Bank, Vivid Locations: Florida, Edmonton, Sunrise

☆ Meet Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's 6 children
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

AdvertisementVivienne Jolie-Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Zahara Jolie-Pitt, and Shiloh Jolie-Pitt at the world premiere of "Eternals" at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on October 18, 2021. On her 18th birthday on May 27, Shiloh filed to legally change her name to Shiloh Jolie, TMZ and People reported. Knox, Zahara, Pax, Jolie, Vivienne, and Shiloh at the world premiere of "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" in 2019. AdvertisementShiloh Jolie-Pitt, Zahara Jolie-Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, Maddox Jolie-Pitt and Knox Jolie-Pitt at the UK premiere of "Eternals" on October 27, 2021 in London, England. Vivienne is listed as "Vivienne Jolie" in the Playbill, but it's unclear if she legally changed her name.

Persons: —, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Jolie, Pitt, Maddox Jolie, Maddox, Yoon Suk, Stefani Reynolds, Rath Vibol, Maddox Chivan Thornton Jolie, Billy Bob Thornton, he'll, Maleficent, Jason Merritt, Zahara, Joe Biden, Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim Keon Hee, Zahara Marley Jolie, Christopher Jue, Disney Jolie, Kung, Shiloh, Kevin Winter, Robert Procop, Vivienne Jolie, Zahara Jolie, Shiloh Jolie, Jon Kopaloff, Pax, Matt Sayles, Invision, Jolie's, Oprah, tracksuits, Marilla, Marilla Sicilia, Vivienne, Doja, Hamilton Evans, He's, he's, Brad, Pax Jolie, Pax Thien, JC Olivera, Knox, Knox Léon Jolie, Issei Kato, Knox Léon, Vivienne Marcheline, Leon, Marcheline, Vivi, Marie Claire, Princess Aurora, Tigress, Knox Jolie, Karwai Tang, Getty Images Knox, Viv, isn't Organizations: Service, Miraval, Business, South, White, Getty, Pitt Foundation, Netflix, Vogue, Pitt, FBI, Yonsei University, British Vogue, Japan, Disney, Entertainment, El Capitan Theatre, Lexus, Spelman College, Spelman's Alpha Kappa Alpha, AP Pitt, Fair, Rome, Pax Thien Jolie, JR, Museum, Tolerance, BBC, REUTERS, Getty Images, Marvel, People Locations: France, Washington ,, Cambodia, Pitt's, Seoul, South Korea, British, Tokyo, Japan, Zahara, Ethiopia, Shiloh, Hollywood, Atlanta, Marilla Sicilia, Vegas, Vietnam, Paris, Knox, Los Angeles, London, England

☆ 2024 men’s T20 World Cup: boasting over a billion fans, cricket arrives on the shores of the US
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

And now, 180 years later, international cricket returns to the US with the men’s T20 World Cup. Three venues across the country – in Lauderhill, Florida, New York and Dallas – have been constructed to host T20 World Cup games. The Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas, Texas, will host the first game of the men's 2024 T20 World Cup. The Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, will host the men's T20 World Cup final. How to watchThe 2024 men’s T20 World Cup begins on Saturday, June 1, with the two North American debutants – the US and Canada – opening proceedings against one another.

Persons: cricket’s, –, US –, Dallas –, Lauderhill, Shelby Tauber, ” Victor Cruz –, New York Giants –, Monank Patel, Corey Anderson, Anderson, Ali Khan, Khan, “, Brian Lara, Viv Richards, Chris Gayle, Randy Brooks, St, Vincent, “ I’ve, Frank Nsubuga, Joel Ford, ” Organizations: CNN — Cricket, Major League Cricket, US, Dallas, Nassau County International Cricket, Prairie Cricket, Bloomberg, Getty, Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, New York’s Major League Baseball, Adelaide Oval, “, New York Giants, New Zealand, Black Caps, Guardian, Caribbean . Cricket, West Indies, Kensington, North, Reuters, ICC, Grand Prairie Cricket, West, Sunday, Sky Sports, UK Star Sports Network, Disney Locations: Manhattan, Caribbean, Lauderhill , Florida , New York, Nassau, New York, India, Pakistan, Dallas , Texas, Florida, Australia, York, Ohio, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Barbados, Bridgetown, AFP, Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Grenadines, Uganda, Canada, Papua New Guinea

☆ Haiti: Why Kenya-led security assistance has still not arrived
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Caitlin Hu | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Who are Haiti’s gangs? Complicating the situation is a torrent of smuggled guns and ammunition arming Haiti’s gangs, despite an arms embargo on the island. In October last year, the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) was finally greenlit by the United Nations’ powerful Security Council. More equipment, including armored vehicles and radios, is expected to arrive in Haiti for the MSS over the coming days and weeks. “We believe only the Haitian police can provide long term security for Haiti.

Persons: puncturing, Joe Biden, William Ruto, ” Ruto, ”, Viv Ansamn, Jovenel Moise, Antony Blinken, Al, Bill O’Neill, Ariel Henry, Ayub Abdikadir, Ruto, El Salvador, Felix Ulloa, “, SPNH17, Nou Pap, ’ Organizations: CNN, Kenyan, Haitian, Haiti’s National Police, Relations, Multinational Security, Multinational, United Nations, Security, police, UN, Presidential Council, Kenya’s Citizen, Canada, El, Salvadoran, “, NPD, Haitian National Police Locations: Haiti, Haitian, Port, Washington, Kenya, Al Shabaab, Somalia, Sudan, Congo, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Chad, Jamaica, United States, France, Spain, Canada, Toussaint Louverture, El Salvador

☆ Gangs forced out Haiti’s government. This FBI ‘Most Wanted’ gang leader claims they’re liberating the country
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Caitlin Stephen Hu | David Culver | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +22 min

Port-au-Prince, Haiti CNN —Vitel’homme Innocent’s picture on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted” list of fugitives suggests a crazed man – eyes wide and wild, teeth bared. But the man on the gold sofa preferred to talk about a brighter future – one that he claims Haiti’s gangs are prepared to usher in. Abandoned cars on the road between the US Embassy and the Kraze Baryé stronghold in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on April 28, 2024. Kraze Baryé employs around 100 men and women, according to Innocent’s lieutenant and cousin, the bleach-blond Dezod Augustin, 34. But Haiti’s gangs maintain they deserve a seat at the negotiating table.

Persons: Haiti CNN —, Innocent, Evelio Contreras, “, ” Innocent, de, –, Kraze Baryé, ”, Viv Ansanm, Ariel Henry, Henry, Kraze, “ It’s, ’ Marie, Lucie Bonhomme Opont, Pierre, Louis Opont, territoire perdue, Opont, ’, Jimmy Chérizier, Robin Hood, Sanjou, Dezod Augustin, Gedeon Jean, Prince, Baryé, Delmas, Antony Blinken, Haiti Dennis Hankins, Rick Barton, Haiti’s, CNN Jean, Henry’s, Jean, CNN’s Rachel Clarke Organizations: Haiti CNN, CNN, Haiti’s, Prince, de Mars, United Nations, Haitian National Police, ”, Kenya, Haiti’s National Police, CARICOM, US Embassy, Security, “, Washington, US, UN, Fund, Federal Bureau of, State Department Locations: Prince, Haiti, Tabarre, Haiti’s, Port, balaclavas, Haitian Creole, Haitian, Nairobi, “, Canada, United States, Kraze Baryé, American, France, Kenya, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Chad, Jamaica, it’s, Atlanta

☆ Only Henry can sign off on Haiti’s transitional council, embattled PM’s office tells CNN
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Anneclaire Stapleton | Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Haiti’s embattled Prime Minister Ariel Henry says his country’s constitution states that only he and his cabinet can appoint a council for the transition of power, Henry’s office told CNN exclusively on Wednesday. But Henry’s office told CNN that only he and his cabinet can appoint the transitional council and will not simply “deliver the country” to new leaders without following constitutional procedures. “According to the Haitian constitution, only the prime minister with the cabinet can appoint the presenting council. Simon Maina/AFP/Getty ImagesThe United Nations secretary-general’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Wednesday that the transitional council under the CARICOM agreement for Haiti is the path forward. While Henry was out of the country, gangs laid siege to Haiti’s main airport to prevent his safe return.

Persons: CNN —, Ariel Henry, Henry, Jean Junior Joseph, “, Simon Maina, Stephane Dujarric, Dujarric, “ It’s, we’ve, that’s, ” Henry, Haiti’s, Jovenel Moïse, Jimmy “, Viv Ansanm, Jean, Martin Bauer, Bauer Organizations: CNN, Haitian, United States International University Africa, Getty, United Nations, UN, Caribbean, International Organization for Migration, Dominican, Food Program, Bauer . Food Locations: Caribbean, Haiti, Kenya, Nairobi, AFP, Puerto Rico, Haiti’s, Dominican Republic, Hispaniola, Dominican, Port

☆ Haiti’s prime minister is resigning. Will that bring calm to the gang-ravaged country?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Caitlin Stephen Hu | Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

In Henry’s place, a transitional council will be established and endowed with some powers of the presidency – including the ability to name a new interim prime minister. It is unclear how long it could take to establish a transitional council to begin the transfer of power, though Haiti’s former PM Claude Joseph told CNN that it could be created within 24 hours. The big question is whether these changes can bring calm to Haiti, and put a stop to the terrible violence tearing apart Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince. Talks with regional leaders continued, leading into the emergency CARICOM meeting on Monday. The United States will contribute $300 million to the Kenyan-led multinational security mission, Blinken said after attending the CARICOM meeting on Monday.

Persons: CNN —, Ariel Henry, Henry, Claude Joseph, Jimmy “, Henry’s, Cherizier, Odelyn Joseph, Romaine LeCoeur, Fanmi, Petit, Jimmy Cherizier, Viv Ansanm, “ ’ Viv Ansanm ’, ” Cherizier, Guy Philippe, Philippe, ”, “ we’re, State Anthony Blinken, William Ruto, “, ” Blinken, Mia Mottley, Will Ariel Henry, Blinken Organizations: CNN, CNN — Haiti’s, Caribbean, US State Department, AP, United Nations, Initiative, Transnational, CARICOM, Montana Group, Petit Dessalinnes, United Nations Security, Kenyan, senior State Department, State, State Department Locations: Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Kenya, Port, Prince, Swiss, EDE, CARICOM, “, Barbados, United States

☆ Opinion | Americans Might Tune Out the Trump Show Reboot
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Michelle Goldberg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

In crude material terms, Donald Trump’s presidency benefited the media, with subscriptions, ratings and clicks all soaring. “When Trump Wins, So Does the Media,” the center-left writer Matthew Yglesias wrote in October. In a second Trump presidency, those questions would be answered. If Trump is re-elected, I’d expect to see a lot of Americans adopting a similar stance as an emotional survival strategy. Though Trump thrives on attention, he’d be even more destructive without the pressure of sustained public outrage.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Matthew Yglesias, Philip Bump, Trump, MAGA, George Packer, ” I’m, Trump’s, Viv Groskop, Vladimir Putin’s, he’d, Jennifer Senior, “ I’d, ”, Benjamin Toff Organizations: Trump, The New York Locations: Washington, The, Vladimir Putin’s Russia

☆ 'King Kohli' enters 50-overs GOAT debate at run-laden World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Amlan Chakraborty | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Initially, Kohli was part of batting's "Fab Four" alongside England's Joe Root, Australia's Steve Smith and New Zealand's Kane Williamson. While others have faded somewhat recently, Kohli has been burning brightly, and pulling ahead of his peers. The elegant right-hander ended that drought in September last year and has been at his prolific best at the current World Cup, where he is the runaway top-scorer with 711 runs from 10 matches including three centuries. "And to do it on the biggest stage - in the World Cup Semi-final - and at my home ground is the icing on the cake." Congratulations emperor," the bowling great wrote after Kohli's Mumbai masterclass.

Persons: India's Virat Kohli, Devon Conway, Tim Southee REUTERS, Adnan Abidi, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith, Zealand's Kane Williamson, Tendulkar, RICHARDS, Viv Richards, Kohli's, Sachin, Richards, Wasim Akram's, Amlan Chakraborty, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Cricket, ICC Cricket, New Zealand, Wankhede, Rights, Tendulkar's, West Indies, International Cricket Council, Thomson Locations: India, New, Mumbai, Rights AHMEDABAD, Pakistan, Ahmedabad

Airbnb has made its first acquisition as a public company, in a deal valued at just under $200 million, sources familiar with the deal told CNBC. The startup is called Gameplanner.AI, which has been in "stealth mode" since its founding in 2020. Startups in stealth mode operate out of the public eye for various reasons, such as to protect intellectual property or avoid distractions. Airbnb's news follows reports that Google is in talks to invest hundreds of millions into another AI startup, Character.AI, which in March raised a $150 million at a $1 billion valuation in a funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz. The startup lets people create virtual characters or chat with AI versions of celebrities like Elon Musk or Albert Einstein.

Persons: Airbnb, Gameplanner.AI, Adam Cheyer, Siri, Steve Jobs, Cheyer, Viv, Brian Chesky, Chesky's, Andreessen Horowitz, Elon Musk, Albert Einstein Organizations: CNBC, Apple, Viv Labs, Google

☆ Telecom Italia CEO defends grid deal as top investor threatens legal challenge
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Telecom Italia (TIM) logo is seen displayed in this illustration taken, May 3, 2022. CEO Pietro Labriola's comments follow criticism from top shareholder Vivendi (VIV.PA), which has threatened a legal challenge to the plan to sell the grid, saying it considered the decision to proceed without a shareholder vote as "unlawful". "It is not possible under the Italian law to transfer such competence to the shareholders," the CEO added. According to Vivendi, the sale required an extraordinary shareholder vote because it would change TIM's corporate purpose and therefore required a change to the company bylaws. Labriola said the deal is "no more than the strict execution of the delayering (business) plan" unanimously approved in 2022.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Pietro Labriola's, Labriola, Agostino Nuzzolo, Elvira Pollina, Giulia Segreti, Jan Harvey Organizations: Telecom Italia, REUTERS, Rights, Telecom, KKR, Vivendi, TIM, Thomson Locations: Milan

☆ Telecom Italia core profit up 9% as grid share deal helps domestic sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

That is ahead of a 1.37 billion euro company-provided analyst consensus. Total domestic sales rose 2.2% in the quarter to 2.98 billion euros, also above forecasts. The company confirmed its 2023 financial targets, including a stabilisation of core earnings and service revenue in Italy. In the nine months, service revenue at TIM's domestic operations fell 1.3% to 7.9 billion euros. TIM's net financial debt stood at 26.3 billion euros as of Sept. 30, marginally up from the end of the previous quarter.

Persons: Stefano Rellandini, Giorgia, Pietro Labriola, Elvira Pollina, Valentina Za Organizations: Telecom Italia, REUTERS, Vivendi, Italy's, KKR, TIM, Thomson Locations: Rozzano, Milan, Italy, TIM's

☆ Telecom Italia gives green light to KKR's grid bid, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Elvira Pollina | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Telecom Italia (TIM) logo is seen displayed in this illustration taken, May 3, 2022. The price tag can reach 22 billion euros when including some future payments were a long-awaited combination of TIM's grid with that of state-backed fibre optic rival Open Fiber materialise, the first two sources said. Italian infrastructure fund F2i is also preparing to take a stake in the grid to bring the holding in Italian hands to 30%-35%. With its 24% TIM stake, Vivendi has warned TIM's board it is ready to bring a legal challenge to the sale after criticising its approval process, documents seen by Reuters showed. ($1 = 0.9321 euros)Reporting by Elvira Pollina; Editing by Valentina ZaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Giorgia, Pietro Labriola's, Merlyn Advisors, Stefano Siragusa, Elvira Pollina, Valentina Za Organizations: Telecom Italia, REUTERS, Vivendi, Sunday, KKR, Reuters, TIM, Treasury, Thomson Locations: MILAN, London

☆ Telecom Italia approves KKR's $20 billion grid bid in blow for Vivendi
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Elvira Pollina | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Telecom Italia (TIM) logo is seen displayed in this illustration taken, May 3, 2022. The board started a review of KKR's offer on Friday, approving it on Sunday, TIM said. The sale's 18.8 billion euro price tag, including debt, could reach 22 billion euros if certain conditions are met, TIM said. TIM said it would not put the board's decision to a shareholder vote, in a setback for leading shareholder VivendI (VIV.PA). Vivendi, which owns 24% of TIM, has been seeking a higher price and questioned the sustainability of the business left behind.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Giorgia, Pietro Labriola's, Labriola, Merlyn Advisors, Merlyn, Elvira Pollina, Valentina Za, Will Dunham Organizations: Telecom Italia, REUTERS, TIM, Vivendi, Sunday, KKR, European Union, Treasury, VivendI, Thomson Locations: Italy, MILAN, London

☆ Viaplay shares fall 18% after company seeks recapitalisation, postpones results
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

OSLO, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Shares in Swedish streaming company Viaplay (VPLAYb.ST) fell 18% on Tuesday after the company said it is in talks with three major shareholders as well as lenders and bondholders on a recapitalisation, and is in discussions to sell non-core operations. Viaplay said late on Monday that due to the talks, it would postpone its third-quarter earnings report to no later than Nov. 29, rather than the original plan of reporting on Tuesday. The company's shares hit an all-time low of 22.72 Swedish crowns on Tuesday, down 88% year-to-date. Viaplay did not name the shareholders, lenders and bondholders involved in the talks. Reporting by Terje Solsvik and Marta Frąckowiak Editing by Bill Berkrot and Susan FentonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Viaplay, Kepler, Kristoffer Carleskar, Jorgen Madsen Lindemann, Terje Solsvik, Marta Frąckowiak, Bill Berkrot, Susan Fenton Organizations: Thomson Locations: OSLO, Viaplay

☆ Explainer: What's at stake in Telecom Italia grid deal?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TIM is selling NetCo, a venture comprising both TIM's domestic fixed-access network and international wholesale telecoms operator Sparkle. TIM's landline network covers nearly 89% of the country's households and its fibre cable stretches over 23 million kilometres across the country. Beyond TIM's grid, a second major network is being rolled out by Open Fiber, a company controlled by CDP and Australian investment group Macquarie. There had long been talks of trying to combine TIM's network with Open Fiber but competition concerns have hampered such a deal so far. With its 24% voting stake, Vivendi could throw a spanner in the works at any TIM shareholder meeting to vote on a deal or challenge it in the courts.

Persons: Yara, Pietro Labriola's, Giorgia, Elvira Pollina, Keith Weir, Anil D'Silva Organizations: REUTERS, KKR, Italian Treasury, Telecom Italia's, TIM, WHO, Vivendi, Treasury, Trade, Macquarie, Thomson Locations: Rome, Italy

REUTERS/Yara Nardi/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMILAN, Sept 20 (Reuters) - U.S. fund KKR and Italy's Treasury are set to ask Telecom Italia (TIM) for more time to arrange a joint bid for its landline grid, three sources close to the matter said. KKR (KKR.N) last month won the backing of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, which authorised the Treasury to join its bid for an asset deemed of strategic national interest. The U.S. fund's preliminary bid valued the business -- dubbed NetCo -- at around 23 billion euros ($25 billion) including debt and taking into account a number of variables. The French group, which owns 24% of TIM, has so far shown little appetite for a deal under KKR's terms. The Treasury is evaluating the request, one of these people said, without adding further details.

Persons: Yara, Giorgia, Arnaud de Puyfontaine, Giancarlo Giorgetti, Elvira Pollina, Giuseppe Fonte, Alvise Armellini, Alexander Smith Organizations: REUTERS, KKR, Italy's Treasury, Telecom Italia, Treasury, TIM, NetCo, Reuters, Vivendi, Thomson Locations: Rome, Italy, U.S

☆ Pinault’s Hollywood foray is untimely distraction
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Pierre Briancon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Charles Platiau Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 8 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The story of European business trying to mingle with Hollywood has often led to unhappy endings. The Pinault family, which controls $61 billion luxury group Kering (PRTP.PA), thinks it can buck the trend. Pinault may have overpaid for CAA, especially in the middle of a major strike of Hollywood writers and actors. The transaction, through holding company Artemis, adds Hollywood's premiere talent agency to Pinault’s family empire which spans fashion, wine and contemporary art. CAA was valued at $1.1 billion when TPG acquired a majority stake in 2014, four years after having originally invested in the talent agency.

Persons: Francois, Henri Pinault, Kering, Charles Platiau, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, François, Ari Emanuel’s, Artemis ’, Gucci, Alessandro Michele, Pinault, Jean, Kering’s, Valentino, Brad Pitt, Salma Hayek, Lisa Jucca, Streisand Neto Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Hollywood, Universal Studios, Creative Artists Agency, CAA, Gucci, TPG, Endeavor, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, bask

☆ Telecom Italia's quarterly core profit rises as domestic revenues edge up
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

which was above a company-provided analyst consensus of 1.3 billion euros. TIM's net financial debt rose to 26.1 billion euros ($28.57 billion) as of June 30 from 24.6 billion euros in the same period last year. The company confirmed its financial targets for 2023, including a stabilisation of service revenue and core earnings at the domestic level. The government has special vetting powers on any deal involving TIM's grid and wants to join KKR's bid to keep a strategic oversight on Italy's main telecommunications infrastructure. The grid sale has faced heavy reservations from TIM's top investor, Vivendi (VIV.PA), which is demanding a higher valuation to back a deal.

Persons: Yara, Pietro Labriola, Giorgia, Elvira Pollina, Urvi, Chris Reese, Leslie Adler Organizations: REUTERS, Telecom Italia, KKR, TIM, U.S, TIM's, Vivendi, Thomson Locations: Rome, Italy, Milan, Bengaluru

☆ French Sunday newspaper on strike over fears of far-right turn
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( Michel Rose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The newspaper’s owner, French media group Lagardere (LAGA.PA), on Friday named Geoffroy Lejeune as JDD's new editor-in-chief, succeeding Jerome Begle who left for Paris Match. Lejeune is the former head of magazine Valeurs Actuelles, which has courted controversy with anti-immigrant covers and was fined for racist insult in 2022. The company already owns news channel CNews, which has taken a conservative turn since Bollore took control. In a statement, Arnaud Lagardere said Geoffroy Lejeune was a "raw talent of journalism" that he could not pass up. "Under Geoffroy Lejeune, Valeurs Actuelles spread hateful attacks and fake news.

Persons: Geoffroy Lejeune, Jerome Begle, Lejeune, Vincent Bollore, Bollore, Rima Abdul Malak, Arnaud Lagardere, Valeurs, Michel Rose, Juliette Jabkhiro, Emelia Sithole Organizations: Sunday, Paris Match, European Commission, Lagardere, Vivendi, U.S, Fox, Twitter, Thomson

☆ Telecom Italia grid talks leave Vivendi in a bind
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, June 23 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Telecom Italia (TLIT.MI) is moving ahead with the long-awaited sale of its grid. The 5.5 billion euro Italian group has entered exclusive talks with private equity powerhouse KKR (KKR.N), and wants a binding offer by Sept. 30. Vivendi however is valuing the NetCo at 31 billion euros. A 26 billion euro price tag would imply an EV/EBITDA multiple of 14 times. That’s almost three times that of Vodafone (VOD.L) or Telefonica (TEF.MC), assuming the grid’s EBITDA at 1.8 billion euros, according to Barclays estimates.

Persons: Pietro Labriola, Il Messaggero, That’s, – Labriola, Pamela Barbaglia, Pierre Briancon, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Telecom, KKR, Vivendi, hardball, Telecom Italia’s, Vodafone, Telefonica, Barclays, Twitter, Intel, Thomson Locations: Rome, York, French

KKR's approach incorporates a value for TIM's fixed landline network that could top 23 billion euros ($25 billion). TIM plans to analyse in depth the terms to be proposed by KKR, one of the sources said. Having already invested 1.8 billion euros in the grid, KKR has bid for a controlling stake in a unit comprising TIM's entire domestic fixed access network and submarine cable business Sparkle. KKR is also ready to let TIM retain a stake in its landline network. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration will have a say on any deal as Rome can use its "golden powers" rules to set conditions or block bids for strategic assets such as TIM's network.

Persons: Pietro Labriola's, Giancarlo Giorgetti, Giorgia Meloni's, Giuseppe Fonte, Elvira Pollina, Valentina Za, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: KKR, TIM, Telecom Italia, Macquarie, Reuters, Vivendi, Treasury, Thomson Locations: ROME, Rome

☆ EU regulators checking if Vivendi jumped gun in Lagardere acquisition
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Foo Yun Chee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BRUSSELS, June 15 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators are checking whether French media conglomerate Vivendi (VIV.PA) closed its acquisition of French publisher Lagardere (LAGA.PA) before securing regulatory approval, the European Commission said on Thursday. Such so-called gun jumping can result in fines of up to 10% of a company's group aggregate turnover. The EU executive said it was alerted by media reports but has not opened a formal investigation yet. "The Commission was made aware of allegations of gun jumping, which have been reported in the press. The Commission can confirm that it is looking into the matter," the EU executive said in an email.

Persons: Lagardere, Foo Yun Chee, Mathieu Rosemain, Jan Harvey Organizations: Vivendi, European Commission, EU, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, EU, Paris

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