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☆ Incident involving US warship intercepting missiles near Yemen lasted 9 hours
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A US warship that intercepted drones and missiles near the coast of Yemen on Thursday encountered a larger and more sustained barrage than was previously known, shooting down 4 cruise missiles and 15 drones over a period of 9 hours, according to a US official familiar with the situation. Their trajectory left little doubt that the projectiles were headed for Israel, the official said, a clearer assessment than the Pentagon’s initial take. The drones and missiles were intercepted with SM-2 surface-to-air missiles launched from the USS Carney. US interceptions of Houthi launches are exceedingly rare, making the timing of this incident, as tensions rise in Israel, more significant. In response, the US fired sea-launched cruise missiles at Houthi radar facilities in Yemen.

Persons: Carney, Burke, Brig, Pat Ryder, ”, Ryder, USS Mason, I’m Organizations: CNN, Arleigh, Pentagon, SM, USS, Navy, US Central Command, Support, US Locations: Yemen, Suez, Israel, Gaza, East, Syria, Iraq, Iranian, Tanf, Baghdad

☆ VinFast expects sales to founder's taxi venture to extend into 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Phuong Nguyen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

In an interview, VinFast CEO Le Thi Thu Thuy said VinFast had not provided any financing to GSM. "For the next two quarters we still see GSM having demand for our vehicles, both EVs and e-scooters," Thuy said. A VinFast survey showed riders who had experienced a ride in a VinFast taxi operated by GSM were four times more likely to buy than customers who took standard test drives, she said. GSM launched Vietnam's first pure EV taxi service earlier this year. Thuy said no deliveries had been made to Autonomy yet, and that VinFast was "working on options for contract execution."

Persons: VinFast, Pham Nhat Vuong, Le, Thuy, Nguyen Van Thanh, Thanh, VinFast's, Phuong Nguyen, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Green SM, GSM, EV, Thomson Locations: HANOI, Vietnam, Laos, India, Indonesia, United States, U.S, Autonomy

☆ What does the US carrier strike group near Israel bring? Tremendous firepower and an unmistakable message
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was deployed in the eastern Mediterranean amid a growing crisis in Israel. Carrier strike groups host significant airpower and firepower, and the Ford's new technological capabilities make it a major presence. US officials announced the movement of the carrier strike group toward Israel on Sunday, the day after Hamas carried out deadly terror attacks against the US ally. The amount of firepower each vessel brings adds up, especially considering the capabilities of the air wing aboard USS Gerald R. Ford. It set out on a short maiden deployment last year and its first full deployment as part of a fully certified carrier strike group earlier this year.

Persons: Gerald R, —, Burke, Thomas Hudner, Ramage, USS Carney, Roosevelt, Bryan Clark, Maxwell, Ford, Clark, Gray, Jackson Adkins, Dwight D, Eisenhower, Bryan Goodman, William Sum, Israel Organizations: Ford Carrier Strike, Israel . Aircraft, Carrier, Service, US, Sunday, Israel, Ford, Ticonderoga, Arleigh, US Navy, Hudson Institute, Nimitz, Central Command, Hornets, EA, Electronic Attack, U.S . Navy, Pentagon, Defense, US Central Command, Hamas, British Royal Navy, Wall, US Department of Defense, Airborne Command, Control Squadron, Jackson Adkins US, US State Department, Israeli Defense Force, IDF Locations: Israel, Normandy, United States, Ticonderoga, Gaza, Iran, Iraq, Wellington , Florida, Panorama City , California, Persian

Built using AI technology, Eternity is one of the latest South Korean acts pushing the boundary between real and virtual entertainment. And she’s a natural-born actress.”Video Ad Feedback Are AI-powered virtual bands the future of K-pop? Using deepfake and motion capture technology, Pulse9 then produced the band’s first music video (to accompany the ironically titled track “I’m Real”) in 2021. Metaverse EntertainmentMetaverse Entertainment used AI technology to generate faces, merging the features and hairstyles deemed most desirable into four final characters. The music video for MAVE’s first single, “Pandora,” has already racked up 25 million views on YouTube since its release in January.

Persons: “, ”, Ji, Zae, Pulse9, Lil Miquela, “ I’m, Lee Soo, Netmarble, Metaverse, Kang Sung, MAVE’s, Pandora, Kang, Siri, ” Kang, ” Eternity's, — they’re Organizations: CNN, Pulse9, YouTube, South, SM Entertainment, Metaverse Entertainment, SM, Kakao Entertainment, Entertainment, Wall Street, Park Locations: “, South Korean, ”, Indonesian

☆ VinFast aims to sell up to 50,000 EVs in 2023 — but it has only hit 23% of its target so far
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Lisa Baertlein | ReutersVietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast's ambitious plan to deliver as many as 50,000 vehicles this year is "unrealistic," according to one analyst. VinFast said it expects to deliver 40,000 to 50,000 vehicles in 2023 despite a weak global economy. In April, Green SM launched a pure EV taxi service in Vietnam with VinFast models. "VinFast's ambitious EV plan seems unrealistic. For example, VinFast's VF9 model is priced from $83,000 whereas the Tesla Model X is priced from $68,590 after federal tax credit and gas savings.

Persons: Lisa Baertlein, VinFast, Vingroup, Green, David Byrne, Tesla, XPeng, Lê Thị Organizations: Reuters, Smart Mobility, Green SM, EV, LightStream Research, P Global Mobility, CNBC, Nasdaq, Our U.S, Tesla Locations: Los Angeles, Vietnam, U.S, North America, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Our, North Carolina

☆ 'I believe in the sector': Investing in K-pop? Bernstein analyst is a fan of this stock
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

His pick is K-pop agency Hybe, which he's given an outperform rating and a target price of 350,000 South Korean won ($258) — or around 44% upside from Tuesday's close. Hybe's roster of artists includes BTS — one of the biggest South Korean boy bands. "I believe in the sector for the long-term growth and the macro trend," Suh told CNBC's " Street Signs " on Monday. Suh highlighted that Netflix announced in April that it would invest $2.5 billion in South Korean media over the next four years. So this is the reason why the global leading enterprise entertainment players companies try to diversify their IP portfolio to run their business more sustainably."

Persons: Bokyung Suh, Bernstein, Suh, CNBC's, Ted Sarandos, Sarandos, Hybe Organizations: South Korean, Kosdaq, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment, Disney, Netflix, Spotify, Hybe, BTS, Pledis Entertainment Locations: South Korea, Korean

☆ Inside the struggles at Calibrate, a new kind of weight-loss startup that's facing a mountain of patient complaints and refunds
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Rebecca Torrence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +19 min

Weight-loss startup Calibrate has struggled to get patients access to buzzy drugs like Ozempic. Kenyon's startup Calibrate, which she launched in June 2020, is one of the healthcare companies feeding the frenzy. CalibrateThe company is now running up against several massive challenges: Weight-loss drugs are expensive and in short supply, and health insurers are increasingly reluctant to pay for them. Kenyon said about 20% of Calibrate members do not have coverage for weight-loss medications, and around half of those people request refunds from Calibrate. Want to tell us about your experience with Calibrate or weight-loss drugs?

Persons: lightbulb, Isabelle Kenyon, Kenyon, Jenny Craig, OptumRx, She's, she's, Saxenda, —, weren't, It's, they've, Holly, hadn't, hasn't, Claire Rosenzweig, Rosenzweig, it's, Andrew Kelly, Shelby Livingston, Rebecca Torrence Organizations: New, Tiger Global, Founders Fund, Optum Ventures, FedEx, Food and Drug Administration, Jefferies, Better Business Bureau, BBB, Better Business, Metropolitan New, Better, Apple, Businessolver, Optum, UnitedHealth, Employees, REUTERS, Madryn Asset Management, SM Ventures, Ventures Locations: America, New York, Danish, GLP, Florida, Metropolitan New York, slivingston@insider.com, rtorrence@insider.com

☆ South Korea is working on an 'arsenal ship' in case it has to shower North Korea with missiles
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

If completed, they would be the first arsenal ships ever built and would mark another accomplishment for South Korea's burgeoning defense industry. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe arsenal shipAn illustration of a possible arsenal ship published in the US Navy's All Hands magazine in May 1995. South Korean interestA North Korean Hwasong ICBM in March 2022. Given the number and types of missiles South Korea's arsenal ships would carry, they could be involved in all three axes — all while staying mobile. AdvertisementAdvertisementHanwha Ocean's arsenal shipFew details about South Korea's arsenal ship program have been released.

Persons: Shoup, Neil Mabini, Haeseong Organizations: South, North, Service, International Maritime Defense Industry, South Korean, South Korea's Ministry of National Defense, US Navy, US, Russian Navy, Navy, RIM, MGM, Tactical Missile System, Air Force, Getty, Korea Air and Missile Defense, Korean, Daewoo Shipbuilding, Marine Engineering, Naval News, South Korea Defense Ministry, NUR Locations: North Korean, Wall, Silicon, South Korean, Busan, Soviet Union, Korean, Korea, Seoul, South Korea

☆ Shares in K-Pop agencies fall after report of antitrust probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, July 5 (Reuters) - Shares in K-Pop management agencies fell on Wednesday, after South Korea's antitrust watchdog began investigations into any potential infractions of subcontracting rules when outsourcing production of albums and merchandise, Yonhap reported. The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) sent investigators to the offices of HYBE (352820.KS), SM Entertainment (041510.KQ) and YG Entertainment (122870.KQ) on Tuesday, Yonhap news agency reported citing unnamed industry sources. HYBE, SM and YG did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Shares in HYBE, the management agency of K-Pop sensation BTS, fell 2.1% in early morning trade, versus a flat wider market (.KS11). SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment shares also fell 1.5% and 0.4%, respectively, as of 0015 GMT, although YG later reversed losses.

Persons: Yonhap, 1,300.0000, Joyce Lee, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Korea Fair Trade Commission, SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, SM, YG, Investment, Securities, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, HYBE

Shares of K-pop agencies dipped briefly on Wednesday after a reported investigation by South Korea's antitrust watchdog. The report said government agencies sent "examiners" to the offices of Hybe, SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, according to a CNBC translation of the article. Hybe, the agency behind BTS, saw its shares fall as much as 3%, while SM Entertainment fell as low as 2.19%. When contacted by CNBC, South Korea's FTC said they could not confirm or deny the Yonhap report. Hybe said that it has no comments, while YG Entertainment and SM Entertainment did not respond to requests seeking comments to the Yonhap report.

Persons: Lisa, Jennie, Yonhap, Hybe, — CNBC's Kimberly Kao Organizations: Coachella, Valley Music, Arts Festival, Korea's Fair Trade Commission, Yonhap, SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, CNBC, South, FTC Locations: INDIO , CALIFORNIA, Indio , California, South Korean, Hybe

☆ Some fans have turned on Lana Del Rey. Here's a complete timeline of how the singer soured her own reputation.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Callie Ahlgrim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +32 min

May 2020: Del Rey posted an unprompted public statement about her own reputationIt all began on May 21, four months after she attended the 2020 Grammys, when Del Rey shared a lengthy open letter on Instagram. —Lana Del Rey (@LanaDelRey) January 12, 2021—Lana Del Rey (@LanaDelRey) January 12, 2021Hardly one to stifle momentum, Del Rey also responded to the Australian blog Tone Deaf, which had published an article criticizing the defense of her album cover. —Lana Del Rey (@LanaDelRey) January 12, 2021—Lana Del Rey (@LanaDelRey) January 12, 2021Del Rey continued tweeting about her BBC interview, clarifying that she meant to criticize Trump's "significant lack of empathy" and "the issue of sociopathy and narcissism in America." Advertisement—Lana Del Rey (@LanaDelRey) January 12, 2021—Lana Del Rey (@LanaDelRey) January 12, 2021She also expressed disdain for negative publicity, citing her "long term relationship" with magazines like Complex and Rolling Stone, calling the former "pathetic." June 24, 2023: Del Rey arrived 30 minutes late to the stage at Glastonbury, telling the crowd, 'My hair takes so long to do'Lana Del Rey performs at Glastonbury Festival.

Persons: Lana Del Rey, Del Rey, —, Norman, Rockwell, Del Rey's, Del, she's, Ariana, Camila, Cardi, Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Lizzy Grant, Fader, Helen Brown, Brown, Christine Capetola, Lana, Ashley Reese, YouTuber D'Angelo Wallace, Lana Del, that's, Karen, Wallace, Nichole Perkins, Roxane Gay, Ariana Grande, Cat, Pence, It's, Magdalene, George Floyd, Kehlani, Tinashe, Violet, Noble, lana, frick, preemptively, I'm, Annie Mac, Trump, Donald Trump, Lana stans, Mac, Biden, I've, tweeting, Trump's, Steven Hyden, Ann Powers, Powers, they'd, Judah Smith, megachurch Churchome, Smith, Jack Antonoff, God, desirs, Marie Claire, Chris Pratt, Justin Bieber, Judah, Coleman Spilde, Joseph Okpako, WireImage Del, who's, Let's Organizations: Service, Pitchfork, Independent, Tulane, Trump, Twitter, Country, Billboard, Barnes, CDC, ppl, Michigan, YouTube, Capitol, NPR, Hall of Fame, BBC, Hillsong, Daily, Catholic Church, Glastonbury, Glastonbury Festival Locations: Los Angeles, America, Del Rey's, Del Rey, Churchome, y'all, WireImage Del Rey, Glastonbury

☆ After a 35-year break, the US Navy is building frigates again, and it has a lot of catching up to do
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Fincantieri plans to lay the keel of that ship, USS Constellation, this August. It will be the US Navy's first frigate since the retirement of its last Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate in 2015. FrigatesUS Navy first-in-class frigate USS Oliver Hazard Perry in late 1977. Though not intended to operate alone against enemy capital ships, frigates are now primarily used to support destroyer squadrons and carrier battle groups by performing escort, anti-submarine, anti-air, and limited anti-surface missions. US Navy guided-missile frigate USS Curts in a dry dock at a shipyard in California in January 1982.

Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). Here's how to use the Chase Gopuff credit and make the most of this perk. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightThere's no registration or activation required to use the Chase Gopuff credit. Chase Freedom cards (Chase Freedom Flex℠, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Chase Freedom® Student credit card, and Chase Freedom® )) Chase Sapphire cards (Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Chase Sapphire Card, J.P. Morgan Reserve Card)Chase Ink cards (Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, Ink Business Premier Card , Chase Ink Plus Card), Chase Ink Plus Card) Aeroplan® Credit CardAer Lingus Visa Signature® CardBritish Airways cards (British Airways Visa Signature® Card and British Airways Visa Card)Iberia Visa Signature® CardDisney credit cards (Disney ® Premier Visa ® Card and Disney® Visa® Card)Premier Visa Card and Disney® Visa® Card) The World Of Hyatt Credit Card and World of Hyatt Business Credit CardIHG credit cards (IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Select Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Classic Credit Card)Marriott credit cards (Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card , Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card , Marriott Bonvoy™ Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy® Business Card, Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Plus Business Card), Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card , Marriott Bonvoy™ Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy™ Premier Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy® Business Card, Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Plus Business Card) The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit CardSouthwest credit cards (Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Employee Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Classic Credit Card)Starbucks ® Rewards Visa ® CardRewards Visa Card United credit cards (United℠ Explorer Card, United Quest℠ Card, United Gateway℠ Card, United℠ Business Card, United Club℠ Business Card , United Club SM Card, United SM Presidential Plus SM Card, United MileagePlus ® Select Card, United MileagePlus ® Awards Card, and United MileagePlus ® Card, United SM Presidential Plus SM Business Card), United Club Card, United Presidential Plus Card, United MileagePlus Select Card, United MileagePlus Awards Card, and United MileagePlus Card, United Presidential Plus Business Card) Chase Slate Edge℠How to use the Chase Gopuff creditIf you haven't used Gopuff before, start by visiting Gopuff.com to set up your account. Remember, your order must be at least $10 in order to receive the Chase Gopuff credit.

☆ It's official - Pele is now defined as someone 'out of the ordinary'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Earlier this month, the Pele Foundation and Sportv launched the "Pele in the dictionary" campaign to pay tribute and recognise his legacy in other fields besides sport. Having reached more than 100,000 signatures, the name of the former player, who died in December, is now an entry in the dictionary. Examples: He is the Pele of basketball, she is the Pele of tennis, she is the Pele of Brazilian dramaturgy, he is the Pele of medicine". Pele's family was presented with a plaque with the entry and Michaelis has already included it in its digital edition. "The Pele campaign in the dictionary is one of the most original we have ever participated... His name in the dictionary is a very important piece of his legacy that will keep Pele alive forever," said Joe Fraga, executive director of the Pele Foundation.

☆ Upfront's Mark Suster has become the star of LA's booming startup scene. Not everyone is a fan.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Ben Bergman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +29 min

"I have worked with more than 50 VCs and nobody comes close to what it is like to work with Mark Suster," said a founder backed by Suster. "Mark and the Upfront Summit helped put LA tech and investing on the map," said Jeffrey Katzenberg, the cofounder of DreamWorks and WndrCo. Several years ago, a founder whose startup Suster invested in was in a conference room rehearsing their presentation for the Upfront Summit. If you're going to put him on your board, you're letting the fox guard the henhouse. "If you're going to put him on your board, you're letting the fox guard the henhouse."

Hong Kong/Seoul CNN —South Korean internet company Kakao has become the largest shareholder of SM Entertainment, winning a battle for control of one of the country’s most iconic music agencies. Kakao and its entertainment unit have increased their stake in SM to 39.9%, they said in a Tuesday regulatory filing. In securing a controlling stake, Kakao has seen off rival HYBE, South Korea’s top music agency and home to boy band sensation BTS, after a bruising takeover battle. In a separate Tuesday filing, HYBE said it had sold some of its SM shares to Kakao, reducing its stake to 8.8%. Aespa is represented by SM Entertainment.

☆ Kakao's stake in K-pop agency SM climbs to 40%, HYBE retains 8.8%
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, March 28 (Reuters) - South Korean social media giant Kakao's stake in K-pop agency SM Entertainment (041510.KQ) has reached 40%, the target said on Tuesday, in a deal that has left former bidder HYBE (352820.KS) stuck with more than half of its stake in SM. But Kakao's tender offer for a 35% stake at 150,000 won per share attracted acceptances for more than double the targeted stake, forcing it to scale back allotments in proportion. HYBE said it was left with an 8.81% stake in SM. Kim Hyun-yong, an analyst at Hyundai Motor Securities, said maintaining the remaining stake in SM could help HYBE contain Kakao in the long run. HYBE plans a substantial number of acquisitions and investments this year as the K-pop giant looks to boost its U.S. presence, its chairman Bang Si-hyuk said this month.

☆ BTS agency HYBE seeks U.S. deals after withdrawing bid for SM Entertainment
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Members of K-pop boy band BTS pose for photographs during a news conference promoting their new album "BE(Deluxe Edition)" in Seoul, South Korea, November 20, 2020. The company's efforts to expand its portfolio of music labels and fan community platforms come after HYBE on Sunday withdrew its plan to take over rival label SM Entertainment (041510.KQ) after a weeks-long battle with social media giant Kakao (035720.KS). HYBE owns multiple subsidiary labels and management companies including Ithaca Holdings, boasting a range of artists including BTS, Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber. The slowdown was largely, but not exclusively, due to the absence of BTS, who are currently on a break as a group, he said. Bang declined to comment on details of a new partnership deal with Kakao Entertainment on fan platform businesses, but added he was "personally satisfied" with the arrangement despite losing the bid to acquire SM Entertainment.

☆ Are they for real? South Korean girl band offers glimpse into metaverse
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] Footages of virtual girl group MAVE is played at the control room of MBC in Seoul, South Korea, February 28, 2023. Apart from backing MAVE:, Kakao launched a 1.25 trillion won ($960 million) tender offer last week to buy South Korean K-pop pioneer SM Entertainment (041510.KQ). SM is home to popular K-pop groups such as Girls' Generation, H.O.T., EXO, Red Velvet, Super Junior, SHINee, NCT Dream and Aespa. MAVE: is an "ongoing" project to explore new business opportunities and find ways to work around technological challenges, said Chu Ji-yeon, who heads Metaverse Entertainment. But South Korean technology has made much progress since then in creating virtual characters.

☆ K-pop giant Hybe drops bid for SM Entertainment, ending takeover battle
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The company dropped its plan to take control of K-pop pioneer SM Entertainment. Hybe, the agency representing top-selling South Korean boy band BTS, dropped its plan to take control of K-pop pioneer SM Entertainment, the company said on Sunday. Hybe's withdrawal put an end to a weeks-long takeover battle with social media giant Kakao, and will allow Kakao to expand its entertainment business further. Hybe said its decision to halt the takeover bid came after the price to acquire SM exceeded a fair range as the competition intensified. On Friday, shares in SM Entertainment closed at 147,800 won.

☆ Explainer: How Kakao won a takeover battle against HYBE for K-pop pioneer SM Entertainment
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

For more than two decades, the K-pop industry was dominated by the trio until BTS rose to global fame in recent years, making its agency HYBE the largest music label in the country. It is the second-largest entertainment group in South Korea by market value at $2.8 billion, trailing HYBE, which is worth $5.5 billion. Lee filed an injunction request to block the deal that was approved by a court, and sold a 15% stake in SM to rival agency HYBE, setting up a takeover battle. Kakao, the most popular social media platform in South Korea, is expanding aggressively into the entertainment industry where it already owns a smaller K-pop agency, Starship Entertainment. In January, Kakao Entertainment announced a 1.2 trillion won ($966.27 million) investment from Singapore's GIC and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, giving it more firepower for the SM bid.

Hong Kong/Seoul CNN —BTS agency HYBE says it has called off a takeover bid for SM Entertainment, ending weeks of corporate mudslinging that has dominated headlines in South Korea. Last week, tech giant Kakao and its entertainment unit said they had doubled down on their quest to take control of SM, the iconic K-pop music agency. Kakao offered SM shareholders 150,000 won ($115) per share, much more than HYBE’s previous offer of 120,000 won ($92) per share, which garnered only mild interest from investors. SM Entertainment said in a statement that it “welcomes” HYBE’s decision to suspend its takeover bid. Kakao and its entertainment unit will continue with their existing tender offer to SM shareholders, which will wrap up on March 26, they told CNN.

☆ Russia has been sending captured US Javelins and Stingers from Ukraine to Iran, which may be able to reverse-engineer the technology: report
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia has been capturing US and NATO-provided Javelins and Stingers on the battlefield in Ukraine. It has been sending the captured weapons to Iran, which could reverse-engineer the weapons, per CNN. Russia also believes that providing the captured weapons to Iran encourages the maintenance of an alliance between the two countries, the sources said. Earlier reports have suggested that Iran is sending ammunition and military drones to Russia, with US and NATO officials telling Foreign Policy this month that Russia and Iran are increasing defense ties. In the 1970s, Iran successfully reverse-engineered the American BGM-71 TOW missile, creating a replica anti-tank-guided missile called the Toophan.

☆ Kakao Strikes Back in the Battle of K-Pop Empires
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Jacky Wong | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

South Korea internet company Kakao is flashing its checkbook to secure a seat at the pinnacle of the country’s popular music industry. Entertainment company Hybe, manager for global K-pop sensation BTS, will need to pay up if it wants to compete. Kakao, together with its entertainment unit, on Tuesday made a tender offer of nearly $1 billion for 35% of K-pop label SM Entertainment. The high bid price shows Kakao’s determination to take control of one of the largest K-pop labels. Kakao had already bought nearly 5% of SM, which manages bands like Super Junior and Aespa, last week in the market.

It plans to offer SM shareholders 150,000 won ($115) per share. The artists are represented by SM Entertainment, which is currently in the midst of several shareholder disputes. Kakao and its Kakao Entertainment unit already currently hold 4.9% of SM, the company told CNN in a statement Tuesday. Kakao’s gambleKakao is pressing forward nonetheless, inviting SM shareholders to accept its tender offer, which ends on March 26. Its shares closed 3% lower in Seoul on Tuesday, while SM’s shares soared 15%.

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