Podcasts about markets authority

Jessica Lennard, chief strategy officer at the CMA, discusses how the regulator has to balance its work with the world's largest tech companies with the vast startup market, how the CMA's competition regulation is evolving to suit innovation and why the wider regulatory regime as a whole is changing in the era of the modern industrial strategy.   The Competition and Markets Authority is the UK's regulator for corporate competition. Overseeing areas such as mergers and acquisitions, ensuring companies meet pro-competition requirements and consumer protection. 

This Day in Legal History: LochnerOn April 17, 1905, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Lochner v. New York, a landmark case in American constitutional law that struck down a New York law limiting bakery workers to a 60-hour workweek and 10-hour workday. The Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the law violated the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause by interfering with the freedom of contract between employers and employees. Justice Rufus Peckham, writing for the majority, held that the state had overreached its police powers because the law did not have a sufficient connection to health or safety.This decision launched what is known as the “Lochner era,” a period lasting into the 1930s during which the Supreme Court routinely struck down economic regulations on the basis that they infringed upon economic liberties. Critics of the ruling saw it as judicial activism favoring corporate interests over workers' rights, while supporters viewed it as a defense of individual liberty and limited government.Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. wrote a famous dissent, arguing that the Constitution does not enshrine any particular economic theory and warning against the Court imposing its own views on legislation. His dissent later became influential in shaping modern constitutional jurisprudence.The Lochner decision has since been largely discredited and is no longer considered good law, but it remains a critical case in debates over substantive due process, judicial restraint, and economic regulation.Google is facing a class action lawsuit in the UK that could result in damages of up to £5 billion ($6.6 billion), alleging it abused its dominant position in the online search market. Filed with the Competition Appeal Tribunal, the case argues that Google's control of the search engine landscape allowed it to inflate advertising prices. The suit claims Google secured exclusive deals with phone manufacturers and Apple to make its search engine the default option, effectively excluding competitors.The claim also alleges Google offered better functionality and features for its own ads, making it harder for rivals to compete. Led by competition law expert Or Brook, the suit represents thousands of businesses who argue they had no real alternative to using Google Ads. Brook emphasized that visibility on Google is critical for businesses, calling its control a form of monopoly power.Google rejected the allegations as speculative and said it would fight the lawsuit, maintaining that users and advertisers choose its services because they are effective, not because they are forced to. Meanwhile, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority launched a separate investigation into Google's practices earlier this year, citing its dominant role in UK search and advertising markets.Google faces 5 billion pound UK lawsuit for abusing dominance in online search | ReutersThe Associated Press (AP) has accused the Trump White House of ignoring a court order that reinstated the news agency's access to press events. The dispute centers around a federal judge's finding that the AP was unlawfully retaliated against for refusing to use the term “Gulf of America” in place of the historically recognized “Gulf of Mexico” in its reporting, as requested by President Trump. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden ruled that the White House likely violated the AP's First Amendment rights and ordered that access restrictions be lifted while the case proceeds.Despite this, AP lawyers say the White House continues to exclude its journalists from the press pool, including access to the Oval Office and presidential travel. In response, the White House implemented a new policy removing all wire services, including AP, Reuters, and Bloomberg, from permanent pool status, placing them instead in a rotating system with about 30 other outlets. The AP claims this is a veiled attempt to continue its exclusion.Both Reuters and the AP criticized the policy, noting that many media outlets, especially smaller and international ones, depend on wire service coverage for timely updates on presidential actions. The White House has appealed Judge McFadden's ruling, with arguments scheduled before a federal appellate court.AP accuses Trump White House of defying court order restoring access | ReutersThe California attorney general's office has declined to support Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI, stating in a public letter that the legal action doesn't appear to serve the state's public interest. Musk, who co-founded OpenAI but later left, accuses the company and CEO Sam Altman of abandoning its nonprofit mission in favor of profit. He urged the state to join his lawsuit, arguing the transition to a for-profit model undermines the original intent of the organization.The attorney general's office responded that Musk hadn't demonstrated how the lawsuit would benefit the public and raised concerns that he may be trying to control OpenAI's assets for personal gain. This comes after Musk's consortium offered an unsolicited $97 billion bid for the company earlier this year. Musk's legal team pushed back, claiming the state misunderstood his intentions and noting support from former OpenAI employees and philanthropic leaders who oppose the company's restructuring.OpenAI, which is still legally a nonprofit in California, must get approval from the state for its planned governance changes. The company says the changes are essential to secure $40 billion in investment and that the nonprofit will retain a stake in the for-profit entity, helping it fulfill its mission long-term.Musk filed his lawsuit in 2024, asserting OpenAI had strayed from its founding purpose of developing AI to benefit humanity. A jury trial is scheduled for next year. Meanwhile, Musk has launched a competing AI firm, xAI, and Altman has accused him of trying to sabotage a rival.California attorney general declines to join Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI | Reuters This is a public episode. 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How do you handle the communications strategy for a company merger? That's the topic of PRWeek UK's latest Beyond the Noise podcast.Joining UK news editor Siobhan Holt this week are PRWeek reporter Eliza Wiredu and Andi Donovan, head of communications at Vodafone, alongside Mandy Sharp, founder and CEO of Tin Man Communications. Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.Last year, it was announced that a £15bn merger between mobile networks Vodafone and Three had been approved by the Competition and Markets Authority, setting the stage for the creation of the UK's biggest mobile network with about 27 million mobile phone customers. The merger is set to be complete in the first half of 2025. In the episode, the two bosses discuss the communications strategy around the imminent merger. Donovan explains how Vodafone is being supported by its agencies, including Tin Man, which has been Vodafone's consumer PR agency since 2022, and Teneo.The two leaders chat about their client-agency partnership and campaign work. In light of the recent Netflix drama Adolescence, which raised the issue of toxic masculinity online, the pair discuss Vodafone's previous award-winning campaign work on harmful algorithms online, and how the mobile network is continuing to highlight the issue.The pair also chat about AI technology and the current PR and comms recruitment market. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pet ownership has rocketed since the covid pandemic, but so have vet prices. In fact, bills have increased by more than 60% in the last ten years. The Competition and Markets Authority is so concerned about the increases it has a launched an investigation into the industry and is due to reveal its findings this year. Datshiane Navanyagam investigates the pet industry and the corporate takeover of high street vets – talking to whistleblowers about how they feel they're being measured on the amount of money they bring in.Reporter: Datshiane Navanayagam Producers: Jim Booth and Tom Wall Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Production Coordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Carl Johnston

The UK government elected in 2024 has a "growth" agenda and is pushing regulators including the UK Competition and Markets Authority to support this. What does the approach mean for the CMA? Veronica Roberts, lawyer at Herbert Smith Freehills, joins Blair Matthews and Matthew Hall to discuss the wide range of recent announcements and proposals from the CMA and government. Listen to this episode to learn more about the CMA's future approach to enforcement of the UK merger control, antitrust, consumer protection and digital markets rules. With special guest: Veronica Roberts, lawyer, Herbert Smith Freehills Related Links: UK government policy paper, "New approach to ensure regulators and regulation support growth", 17 March 2025 UK Competition and Markets Authority, "Mergers: Evolving the CMA's approach", 12 March 2025 UK government consultation, "Strategic steer to the Competition and Markets Authority", 13 February 2025 UK Competition and Markets Authority blog post, "New CMA proposals to drive growth, investment and business confidence", 13 February 2025 Hosted by: Blair West Matthews, Cleary Gottlieb and Matthew Hall, McGuireWoods London LLP

On Monday, April 14, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will kick off its trial against Meta. In process for years, the case is over whether Mark Zuckerberg's company has an illegal monopoly over social media and whether it should be forced to spin off Instagram and WhatsApp.To prepare to cover the arguments, Tech Policy Press Associate Editor Cristiano Lima-Strong spoke to two experts to better understand the issues at play.William (Bill) Kovacic is a Professor of Law and Policy and Director of the Competition Law Center at the George Washington School of Law. From January 2006 to October 2011, he was a member of the Federal Trade Commission and chaired the agency from March 2008 to March 2009. And for nearly a decade, Professor Kovacic served as a Non-Executive Director with the United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority.Gene Kimmelman is a senior policy fellow at Yale's Tobin Center for Economic Policy. He was the Justice Department's deputy associate attorney general during the Biden administration, and he has served as chief counsel to the head of the DOJ Antitrust Division and the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee.

In this episode, we report on the changes to the UK’s consumer law regime (made by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (the DMCC Act). With enforcement action expected to ramp up in the UK, we consider how similar approaches have played out in Australia and Italy. While consumer protection jurisdictions in Australia and Italy have seen strong and active enforcement, the enforcement powers in the UK were relatively weaker – until 6 April 2025, when the Competition & Markets Authority's new direct enforcement powers became active. In this episode, Ashurst colleagues Fiona Garside and Chris Eberhardt explain how the UK’s new regime represents a major change to the way consumer law is enforced, including potentially significant penalties for breaches (up to a maximum of 10% of the company's global turnover) as well as redress requirements and other directions or remedies. Joining Fiona and Chris are Gabriele Accardo and Melissa Fraser from Ashurst’s Milan and Sydney offices, respectively. Gabriele and Melissa explain how consumer protection enforcement works in Italy and Australia. They outline how prudent organisations approach compliance, including setting a culture from senior management downwards. And they share the regulatory priorities and trends that are shaping the agenda in their respective countries. Together, the four colleagues reflect on what UK organisations can learn from their overseas counterparts. To listen and subscribe to this podcast, search for ‘Ashurst Legal Outlook’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast player. And to find out more about the full range of Ashurst podcasts, visit ashurst.com/podcasts. The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textLinking the Travel Industry is a business travel podcast where we review the top travel industry stories that are posted on LinkedIn by LinkedIn members.  We curate the top posts and discuss with them with travel industry veterans in a live session with audience members.  You can join the live recording session by visiting BusinessTravel360.comYour Hosts are Riaan van Schoor, Ann Cederhall and Aash ShravahStories covered on this session include -Guy Fisher's post about his almost 2 hour hold with an unnamed airline to complete a simple change to his booking creates plenty of discussion.The French government's much talked about increases in taxes on flights took effect this week.Expedia Group makes a round of job cuts.Snowfall (now Junction) enters into liquidation with debts of £10.5m.The American Express Global Business Travel / CWT deal receives approval from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority.Jay Shabat provides a graph comparing Q4 2024 operating margins amongst major airlines, highlighting by how much International Airlines Group (IAG) outperformed both Air France-KLM and Lufthansa.American Express announces the acquisition of payment and expense tech provider Center (getcenter.com).Shortly after Pieter Elbers reveals that he wishes IndiGo (InterGlobe Aviation Ltd) could fly to Amsterdam, they announce two new long haul routes: Manchester and Amsterdam. They will start serving these destinations in July with a Boeing Dreamliner wet leased from Norse Atlantic Airways.Extra StoriesSpace News!You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show

In our 100th episode of Can Marketing Save the Planet we kick off our ‘4 part mini-series on greenwashing and navigating green claims' with Cecilia Parker-Aranha, Director of Consumer Protection at the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Cecilia joined us back in 2021, and so it was great to have her join us again to discuss the evolving landscape to provide an up to date understanding of where we are with greenwashing. Since the publication of the Green Claims Code in 2021 significant progress has been made however, challenges remain. Cecilia tells us that since we last spoke, the CMA has taken action against misleading claims in sectors like fashion and fast-moving consumer goods prompting businesses to reassess their environmental messaging. She highlights how technology can be used to aid businesses in tracking supply chain data, but the human part remains crucial to ensure claims are accurate and not misleading. We discuss how consumers are increasingly distrustful of green claims and how now is the time for organisations to focus on making sure what they are saying is accurate and evidence-based. Cecilia again explains that the CMA's role is not to punish but to guide organisations toward compliance through education and support. However, under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, everyone needs to be aware that the CMA can now impose fines directly and these can be up to 10% of global turnover for breaches and - breaches including misleading green claims. Cecilia explains, “so from April this year (2025), we'll have the power to reach our own decisions on whether or not a business has breached consumer law. The second thing is that at the moment there aren't any financial penalties for breaches of consumer law, at least those pursued through the civil route. Again, from April this year, it will be possible for the CMA to impose financial penalties on businesses who break the law.” Cecilia stresses the importance of collaboration between marketing and sustainability teams to ensure there is clear, accurate communication. She recommends that Marketers test claims with consumers to avoid misinterpretation and ensure transparency. Sharing so much knowledge and advice in this episode Cecilia believes Marketers should start by measuring their impact and build claims from solid evidence. And, this isn't just for those organisations operating in the UK, and as many organisations sell into other countries, she advises ensuring alignment with global standards like the EU Green Claims Directive. Tune in and listen as we talk to Cecilia about: The current green claims landscape as we progress through 2025 What organisations and Marketers should be thinking about when considering making green claims Where to go to stay informed and up to date Digital products passports and how they align with green claims The use of technology in supporting green claims The need for Marketing teams to work cross-functionally Why it's important for organisations to talk about what they are doing   For resources check out the CMA's Green Claims Code and on their website you'll find lots of information, such as - what has happened in cases and what advice and agreements were reached. These real world cases further provide guidance on the changes organisations need to consider to ensure they are being responsible when making green claims. More in this mini-series to follow with conversations with the ASA, ClientEarth and Fanclub PR. Stay tuned. ________________________________________________________________________ About us… We help Marketers save the planet. 

In our 100th episode of Can Marketing Save the Planet we kick off our ‘4 part mini-series on greenwashing and navigating green claims' with Cecilia Parker-Aranha, Director of Consumer Protection at the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).Cecilia joined us back in 2021, and so it was great to have her join us again to discuss the evolving landscape to provide an up to date understanding of where we are with greenwashing. Since the publication of the Green Claims Code in 2021 significant progress has been made however, challenges remain. Cecilia tells us that since we last spoke, the CMA has taken action against misleading claims in sectors like fashion and fast-moving consumer goods prompting businesses to reassess their environmental messaging. She highlights how technology can be used to aid businesses in tracking supply chain data, but the human part remains crucial to ensure claims are accurate and not misleading. We discuss how consumers are increasingly distrustful of green claims and how now is the time for organisations to focus on making sure what they are saying is accurate and evidence-based. Cecilia again explains that the CMA's role is not to punish but to guide organisations toward compliance through education and support. However, under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, everyone needs to be aware that the CMA can now impose fines directly and these can be up to 10% of global turnover for breaches and - breaches including misleading green claims. Cecilia explains, “so from April this year (2025), we'll have the power to reach our own decisions on whether or not a business has breached consumer law. The second thing is that at the moment there aren't any financial penalties for breaches of consumer law, at least those pursued through the civil route. Again, from April this year, it will be possible for the CMA to impose financial penalties on businesses who break the law.”Cecilia stresses the importance of collaboration between marketing and sustainability teams to ensure there is clear, accurate communication. She recommends that Marketers test claims with consumers to avoid misinterpretation and ensure transparency. Sharing so much knowledge and advice in this episode Cecilia believes Marketers should start by measuring their impact and build claims from solid evidence. And, this isn't just for those organisations operating in the UK, and as many organisations sell into other countries, she advises ensuring alignment with global standards like the EU Green Claims Directive. Tune in and listen as we talk to Cecilia about: The current green claims landscape as we progress through 2025What organisations and Marketers should be thinking about when considering making green claimsWhere to go to stay informed and up to dateDigital products passports and how they align with green claimsThe use of technology in supporting green claims The need for Marketing teams to work cross-functionallyWhy it's important for organisations to talk about what they are doing For resources check out the CMA's Green Claims Code and on their website you'll find lots of information, such as - what has happened in cases and what advice and agreements were reached. These real world cases further provide guidance on the changes organisations need to consider to ensure they are being responsible when making green claims. More in this mini-series to follow with conversations with the ASA, ClientEarth and Fanclub PR. Stay tuned.

In the latest instalment of our Antitrust Review podcast, host Nick Levy is joined by Marcus Bokkerink, Chair of the U.K. Competition & Markets Authority until his resignation earlier this year. Their conversation covers an array of topics, including the CMA's role, objectives, and achievements, theGovernment's growth agenda, the role of politics in antitrust enforcement, merger control, digital regulation, and much more.

Today, Dot discusses Google experimenting with a new AI-only search feature, the EU pushing back on criticism from the US over its antitrust regulation, as well as the Competition and Markets Authority deciding against formally investigating Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI. 

Patterns of Protection : IP Strategies for Fashion A discussion on the CMA's Green Claims Code for fashion brands Presenters-        Marisa Broughton, Partner-        Frances Gourdie, Managing Associate Key topics-        The environmental impact of the fashion sector-        The Competition and Markets Authority's Green Claims Code -        Greenwashing & brand value-        IP considerations

In this episode, Richard Westcott talks to Diane Coyle, Jacques Crémer, and Paul Seabright about Europe's position in competing with the US in technology. They explore the factors shaping Europe's place in the global tech race—how data, policy, investment, competition and culture influence its potential to compete with the US.Our experts unpack the challenges and opportunities for Europe's tech ecosystem. They consider whether Europe should aim to catch up with the US or focus on carving out its own path, questioning what success in innovation really looks like. Along the way, they discuss the role of data, risk-taking, the challenges of scaling up new ideas, and the structural and policy changes needed to support innovation in Europe.This episode is hosted by Richard Westcott (Cambridge University Health Partners and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus), and features experts Diane Coyle (Bennett Institute for Public Policy, University of Cambridge), Jacques Crémer (IAST), Paul Seabright (IAST)Season 4 Episode 6 transcriptListen to this episode on your preferred podcast platformFor more information about the Crossing Channels podcast series and the work of the Bennett Institute and IAST visit our websites at https://www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/ and https://www.iast.fr/.Follow us on Linkedin, Bluesky and X. With thanks to:Audio production by Steve HankeyAssociate production by Burcu Sevde SelviVisuals by Tiffany Naylor and Aurore CarbonnelMore information about our host and guests:Podcast hostRichard Westcott is an award-winning journalist who spent 27 years at the BBC as a correspondent/producer/presenter covering global stories for the flagship Six and Ten o'clock TV news as well as the Today programme. Last year, Richard left the corporation and he is now the communications director for Cambridge University Health Partners and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, both organisations that are working to support life sciences and healthcare across the city. @BBCwestcottPodcast guestsDiane Coyle is the Bennett Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge. Diane co-directs the Bennett Institute where she heads research under the themes of progress and productivity. Diane's new book (April 2025) ‘The Measure of Progress: Counting what really matters' explores how outdated economic metrics are distorting our understanding of today's digital economy. Diane is also a member of the UK Government's Industrial Strategy Council, New Towns Taskforce, and advises the Competition and Markets Authority. She has served previously in a number of public service roles including as Vice Chair of the BBC Trust, member of the Competition Commission, and of the Natural Capital Committee. Diane was awarded a DBE in 2023 for her contribution to economics and public policy. @DianeCoyle1859Jacques Crémer is Professor at the Toulouse School of Economics. He is a Fellow of the Econometric Society and of the European Economic Association. He has been the first director of the Digital Center since 2015.  In 2018-2019, as a Special Adviser to European Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, he co-authored the report “Competition Policy for the Digital Era”. Jacques has done fundamental work on planning theory, auctions, incentive t

Send us a textLinking the Travel Industry is a business travel podcast where we review the top travel industry stories that are posted on LinkedIn by LinkedIn members.  We curate the top posts and discuss with them with travel industry veterans in a live session with audience members.  You can join the live recording session by visiting BusinessTravel360.comYour Hosts are Riaan van Schoor, Ann Cederhall and Aash ShravahStories covered on this session include -The government of Portugal confirms it's looking for a minority investor in TAP Air Portugal.A post by Chris Kneeland about the small print on hotel shower shampoo, conditioner and bodywash bottles went viral.Dubai based LCC flydubai is planning to launch a domestic airline in India.Southwest Airlines announces a 15% reduction in their workforce, affecting 1,750 employees.A Delta Air Lines flight, using a Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft, crashes during landing at Toronto Airport, flipping upside down. All crew and passengers evacuated safely.Air France-KLM selects Amadeus Nevio to "pursue the broader transformation of its retailing capabilities".The UK Competition and Markets Authority has a change of heart about their previous decision relating to the proposed acquisition of CWT by American Express Global Business Travel.Air India Limited and Lufthansa announce codeshare agreements on 100 routes.Spirit Airlines receives approval to exit their chapter 11 bankruptcy situation to emerge as a private company.You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show

In this episode of The Consult Room, we explore the Competition and Markets Authority's investigation into the rising costs of veterinary care across the UK. Join me as I break down the complex issues facing the sector, from corporate consolidation and price transparency to the financial strain on pet owners.Drawing on over two decades of experience in the charity veterinary sector, I discuss the implications for pet owners, veterinary professionals, and animal welfare. From skyrocketing vet fees and pet insurance premiums to media portrayals of the profession, this conversation delves into the root causes of the affordability crisis and potential solutions that the CMA's report may offer.

Hello, and welcome to episode 145 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast, I'm Chris Kirkbride. A reasonably busy week this week. On sanctions, new designations from the UK, EU, and US, while the UN has agreed a sanctions extension on Sudan. On money laundering, AUSTRAC and Europol announce action against remitters and digital currency exchanges and a money laundering gang. On market abuse, the Financial Conduct Authority has announced action against Mako Financial Markets Partnership for failings in its systems and controls to prevent financial crime, while in other financial crime news, the Competition and Markets Authority in the UK has announced settlement in a competition case against four banks for sharing sensitive information relating to UK gilts.A transcript of this podcast is available at www.crimes.financial, with links to the stories.

In the latest instalment of Cleary Gottlieb's Antitrust Review podcast, host Nick Levy is joined by a panel of lawyers from Cleary's U.S., Brussels and London offices, together with Sir Jonathan Faull, Peter Guilford, John Fingleton, and Stuart Hudson, to discuss President Trump's appointments to the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice and the likely direction of U.S. enforcement, the early days of Teresa Ribera's tenure as Competition Commissioner, and the implications of the Labour Government's appointment of a new chair of the U.K. Competition & Markets Authority.

For this episode of #SustainabilityBridges, special guest Patrik Karlsson, Senior Policy Officer at the European Securities and Markets Authority, joins Pierre Garrault, Eurosif's Senior Policy Adviser, to discuss ESMA's recent reports and opinions on the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and greenwashing.As part of the episode, Patrik also explains ESMA's guidelines on fund names that use ESG or sustainability-related terms and details the recent Q&As to clarify their application.ESMA's supervisory priorities for 2025 are also covered in depth with Patrik explaining that there will be an intensification of the focus on implementation and supervision of the Sustainable Finance EU regulatory framework. Finally, Pierre and Patrik look ahead to the future of sustainable finance in light of the current political focus on streamlining regulatory requirements.

There are 36 million pets in the UK, which doesn't include fish and other aquatics, and the cost of owning one can add up.One of the biggest bills a pet owner can face is the price of taking their animal to the vet. The Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation earlier this year into whether people are paying too much and whether they are getting information about treatment options. It says the 'unprecedented response' it's had shows the strength of feeling. Aside from that, there's the general cost of care like food and heating bills.This week Felicity Hannah is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Mullineaux, dog owner, vet and current president of the British Veterinary Association and by Lisa Webb, dog and cat owner and senior lawyer at the consumer organisation Which?We also hear from an award winning dog breeder, a cat and rabbit rescue centre and even head to a dog Christmas party - although we must point out, a pet is for life, not just for the festive season.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast on Saturday the 28th of December 2024).

The recent and upcoming changes to the heads of key antitrust agencies, and in particular the Chair of the UK Competition and Markets Authority, may signal a shift in approach to merger control. In our latest Essential Antitrust podcast, our host Jenn Mellot is joined by fellow partners Thomas Janssens, Martin McElwee and Colin Raftery to discuss how this and other recent developments will affect deals going forward.  

Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy look at the day ahead in British politics. Anne is in Davos where Rachel Reeves is kickstarting her economic fightback. The chair of the Competition and Markets Authority has been moved on and there are big moves on AI, nature and unemployment. But will it all create the growth the chancellor is desperately seeking? Meanwhile, back in Westminster, how will Sir Keir Starmer fare in his first PMQs since Axel Rudakubana's guilty pleas over the Southport attack?    You can send us a WhatsApp on 07511 867 633 or email us: jackandsam@sky.uk     

The data was found exposed on an Amazon cloud server, and contained precise location data on thousands of vehicles. Also, the Competition and Markets Authority, the U.K.'s antitrust watchdog, has opened an investigation into whether IBM's planned acquisition of cloud software vendor HashiCorp would affect competition. The CMA said Monday it was inviting comment on the merger from interested parties by January 16; Apple is allowing anyone to access its Apple TV+ streaming service for free this weekend, from January 3 to 5. The company made the announcement on Monday alongside a short video featuring its most popular TV shows, including “Severance,” “Slow Horses,” “Shrinking,” and more; Samsung Electronics said on Tuesday that it has become the largest shareholder of South Korea-based robotics maker Rainbow Robotics, increasing its stake from 14.7% to 35% for KRW 267 billion (about $181 billion). The electronics giant, which paid KRW 86.8 billion for the 14.7% stake in 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Send us a textLinking the Travel Industry is a business travel podcast where we review the top travel industry stories that are posted on LinkedIn by LinkedIn members.  We curate the top posts and discuss with them with travel industry veterans in a live session with audience members.  You can join the live recording session by visiting BusinessTravel360.comYour Hosts are Riaan van Schoor, Ann Cederhall and Aash ShravahStories covered on this session include -UK based Gray Dawes Travel continues their global expansion with the acquisition of Melbourne based Verve Travel Management (VTM).Sam Cande's sustainability consultancy company, Responsible Futures, is acquired by Greengage Solutions.Navitaire, an Amadeus company, introduces Stratos, a "suite of modern airline retailing solutions for low-cost carriers and hybrid airlines" according to Dave Evans, Navitaire CEO.Condor Flugdienst GmbH becomes the latest German airline to base their aircraft outside of Germany to avoid high domestic costs.The ITA Airways / Lufthansa deal is put on hold by the Italian treasury because of a last minute disagreement over the price.Gant Travel reminds us that the US DOT's policies requiring US airlines to issue full refunds in the event of a flight cancellation or “significant change” that is out of the customer's control went into effect on October 28, 2024. Air France-KLM temporarily reduce their GDS surcharges. The UK Competition and Markets Authority's interim report on the proposed merger between American Express Global Business Travel and CWT concludes it will “substantially lessen competition” for large global organisations.Extra StoriesYou can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on Apple Podcast, Spotify, iHeart, Pandora, Alexa or your favorite podcast player.This podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show

It's no secret that competition agencies in the U.S. and elsewhere have been scrutinizing Big Tech's efforts to acquire emerging players in the AI space. In this episode, Luis Blanquez of Bona Law, P.C., talks to co-hosts Alicia Downey and Anant Raut about how the enforcers' concerns are now extending to investments, licensing deals, and other types of transactions that fall outside merger clearance review. Will recently announced investigations into such transactions protect future rivals from Big Tech's dominance or chill investments in AI technology innovation? Listen to this episode to learn about the effect these investigations may be having on not just the companies directly involved, but also venture capital investors and AI start-ups generally. With special guest: Luis Blanquez, Partner, Bona Law P.C. Related Links: Mergers & Acquisitions, AI and Antitrust: The New Creative Ways for Big Tech to Enter the AI Market and Avoid HSR Rules, The Antitrust Attorney Blog (July 21, 2024) UK Competition and Markets Authority, AI Strategic update (April 29, 2024) Hosted by: Alicia Downey, Downey Law LLC and Anant Raut

In the latest instalment of Cleary Gottlieb's Antitrust Review podcast, host Nick Levy is joined by a panel featuring Jackie Holland, Cleary partner and former Senior Director of the UK Office of Fair Trading; Ricardo Zimbrón, former Director of Mergers at the Competition & Markets Authority and currently a partner at Cleary; Alexander Baker, CEO, Fingleton; and John Gray, Partner, FGS Global, to discuss the implications of the new Labour Government for competition enforcement and practice in the UK. Their conversation covers an array of topics, including the new government's growth agenda, the role of politics in antitrust enforcement, merger control, consumer protection, digital regulation, and much more.

Send us a Text Message.Linking the Travel Industry is a business travel podcast where we review the top travel industry stories that are posted on LinkedIn by LinkedIn members.  We curate the top posts and discuss with them with travel industry veterans in a live session with audience members.  You can join the live recording session by visiting BusinessTravel360.comYour Hosts are Riaan van Schoor, Ann Cederhall and Aash ShravahStories covered on this session include -German rail operator Deutsche Bahn will cut up to 30,000 jobs over the next five years after posting a net loss of €1.2 billion for the first half of 2024.Ryanair announced distribution agreements with two major providers this week.SeatBoost integrates with Accelya Group, making their service available to airlines on the Accelya FLX Platform.Whilst still hoping to be carbon neutral by 2050, Air New Zealand withdrew from a previous plan to reduce their emissions by nearly 29% by 2030.Australian carrier Rex Airlines goes into administration.AirAsia reports an impressive 42% YoY passenger growth in Q2 2024.Ethiopian Airlines revenue increased by 14% to $7b in 2023/2024 on the back of a 23% jump in passenger numbers.Spanish regulators fine Booking.com nearly €414m for "abusing their dominant position".The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority is referring the American Express Global Business Travel acquisition of CWT for further scrutiny. You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on Google Podcast, Apple Podcast, iHeart, Pandora, Spotify, Alexa or your favorite podcast player.This podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the Show.

P.M. Edition for Aug. 8. The U.S. has warned Iran that it could suffer a devastating blow if it were to mount a major attack against Israel. And banking reporter Gina Heeb says a newly declining mortgage rate could provide some relief in the U.S. housing market. Plus, the U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority is seeking to establish whether Amazon's investment in AI company Anthropic should be considered a de facto merger that might stifle competition. Pierre Bienaimé hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Labour markets are in the focus of competition law regulators worldwide and companies and their advisers need to know what the issues are. What is the situation in the EU and its member states? Johanna Kübler, partner at German competition law firm Commeo, joins Jaclyn Phillips and Matthew Hall to discuss the background to this current focus in the EU, the legal rules that apply, the current status of leading investigations and key practical compliance messages. Listen to this episode to learn more about how to navigate and comply with competition law in this important area. With special guest: Johanna Kübler, partner, COMMEO Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB Related Links: Portugal Competition Authority technology consulting no-poach investigation 2024: https://www.concorrencia.pt/en/articles/adc-accuses-multinational-technology-consulting-group-anticompetitive-practices-labor https://www.concorrencia.pt/en/articles/adc-fined-multinationals-anticompetitive-practices-labor-market European Commission Competition Policy Brief "Antitrust in Labour Markets" May 2024 Commissioner Vestager speech October 2021 "A new era of cartel enforcement" European Commission food delivery no-poach investigation November 2023 Commeo newsletter "Labour Markets in the Focus of Competition Watchdogs" May 2024 UK Competition and Markets Authority purchase of freelance services investigations U.S. Federal Trade Commission "FTC Announces Rule Banning Noncompetes" April 2024 Hosted by: Jaclyn Phillips, White & Case LLP and Matthew Hall, McGuireWoods London LLP

Net Neutrality Rules set to be reinstated on July 22nd, have been put on hold until August 5th, the UK Competition and Markets Authority is investigating Microsoft's investment in Inflection AI, and, iOS Beta and other Apple beta operating systems are now available. MP3 Please SUBSCRIBE HERE. You can get an ad-free feed of DailyContinue reading "Net Neutrality Rules Set To Go Into Effect In July Have Been Postponed Until August – DTH"

The UK's Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Act means that, for the first time, the Competition and Markets Authority will be able to take action against businesses that breach consumer law, including imposing fines. In this podcast, Matthew Gough, Joanna Hooper and Julia Woodward-Carlton discuss the CMA's new enforcement powers and how businesses can prepare.

Managing the rituals of a loved one's death can be both bewildering and expensive. And although no-one wants to think about it being like buying a holiday or car, it is a business with a supply chain involving funerals, burials and cremation. A couple of years ago the Competition and Markets Authority - which protects people from unfair trading practices - carried out an in-depth investigation into the funeral market because of the “surprise” people experienced at the final cost of that farewell. On average people spend about £4,000, so what do you get for that and how is the industry changing?Evan Davis is joined by: Gill Stewart, Managing Director, Co-op Funeralcare Alison Crake, Senior Partner, Crake and Mallon Funeral Directors Kate Tym, independent celebrant And Greg Cranfield from JC Atkinson coffin makers.PRODUCTION TEAM: Producers: Alex Lewis, Drew Hyndman and Miriam Quayyum Editor: Matt Willis Sound: James Beard and Hal Haines Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison and Rosie Strawbridge

In the latest instalment of Cleary Gottlieb's Antitrust Review podcast, host Nick Levy is joined by Sir John Vickers, Warden of Oxford University's All Souls College and a former head of the Office of Fair Trading, the predecessor to the Competition & Markets Authority. Their conversation covers an array of topics, including the relevance of industrial economics, the evolution of UK competition law, the CMA's enforcement priorities post-Brexit, consumer protection, merger control, judicial review, Big Tech, and much more.

This Day in Legal History: Denmark Becomes a Constitutional MonarchyOn June 5, 1849, Denmark transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy with the signing of its first constitution. This pivotal moment marked the end of absolute royal rule and the beginning of a new era of governance based on democratic principles. The Danish constitution of 1849 safeguarded civil liberties, including freedom of speech, assembly, and religion. It also curtailed the king's powers, ensuring that he could no longer rule by decree. A significant feature of the new constitution was the establishment of a bicameral legislature known as the Rigstag, composed of the Folketing and the Landsting. The Folketing served as the lower house, representing a broader spectrum of the populace, while the Landsting functioned as the upper house. This legislative framework aimed to balance representation and ensure a more equitable system of governance.The constitution laid the groundwork for Denmark's modern democratic system, promoting the rule of law and the protection of individual rights. Each year on June 5, Denmark commemorates this historic event with Constitution Day, a national holiday celebrating the values and freedoms enshrined in the 1849 constitution. This day serves as a reminder of Denmark's commitment to democracy and civil rights, reflecting the enduring legacy of the country's constitutional foundations.The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accused Meta Platforms Inc. of withholding critical information during its initial reviews of the company's acquisitions of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014. These transactions were originally approved after varying levels of scrutiny by the FTC, but the agency now claims that Meta did not disclose key pre-acquisition documents. The FTC, which is currently seeking to break up Meta on antitrust grounds, alleges that this undisclosed information would have impacted its original decisions.Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is attempting to dismiss the case, arguing that its substantial investments in the acquired apps have benefited consumers. A Meta spokesperson countered the FTC's claims by stating that Meta faces significant competition and that the company's investments have enhanced Instagram and WhatsApp.This isn't the first time Meta has faced allegations of non-disclosure; in 2017, European regulators fined the company for providing misleading information about the WhatsApp deal. Additionally, the FTC's recent filing accuses Meta of degrading user experience on its platforms by increasing ad loads and under-resourcing Instagram. The case, overseen by US District Judge James Boasberg, has yet to see a trial date set.Meta Withheld Information on Instagram, WhatsApp Deals: FTC (1)Former President Donald Trump has requested the judge in his hush money case to lift a gag order following his conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The charges stem from a $130,000 payment made by Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election to keep her silent about an alleged encounter. Trump denies the affair and plans to appeal the conviction.Before the trial began, Justice Juan Merchan restricted Trump's public statements about the case to prevent potential threats to the proceedings. Trump's defense argues that with the trial concluded, these restrictions on his First Amendment rights are no longer justified. During the trial, Trump was fined $1,000 for each of 10 violations of the gag order, which included calling Cohen a "serial liar" and criticizing the jury selection.Trump, a candidate in the 2024 presidential election, claims the gag order is unconstitutional. His lawyer, Todd Blanche, highlighted that President Joe Biden and others have publicly commented on the case, while Cohen and Daniels have also continued to publicly criticize Trump. The judge has previously noted that public critics of Trump likely do not need protection under the gag order. The Manhattan District Attorney's office, which brought the case, has not yet responded to the request to lift the gag order. The case continues to attract significant public and media attention as Trump prepares for his upcoming campaign.Trump asks judge to lift gag order after conviction in hush money case | ReutersThe UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has ruled that Google parent Alphabet must face a lawsuit worth up to £13.6 billion ($17.4 billion) for allegedly abusing its dominance in the online advertising market. The lawsuit, brought by Ad Tech Collective Action on behalf of UK publishers, claims that Google's anti-competitive behavior caused them significant financial losses.Despite Google's attempt to block the case, arguing it was incoherent and strongly rejecting the allegations, the CAT has certified the case to proceed towards a trial, expected no earlier than the end of 2025. The CAT noted that the threshold for certifying a collective proceeding in the UK is relatively low.This case is part of a broader scrutiny of Google's adtech business by regulators, including Britain's Competition and Markets Authority and the European Commission. In the US, Google is also defending against antitrust lawsuits from the Department of Justice and a coalition of states led by Texas.Google's legal team maintains that the company's impact on the ad tech industry has been pro-competitive. The CAT's decision adds to a series of significant lawsuits against major tech firms this year, including Meta and Apple. Google has not yet responded to the ruling.Tribunal rules $17 bln UK adtech lawsuit against Google can go ahead | ReutersThe EU's General Court has ruled that McDonald's cannot use the term "Big Mac" for poultry products after failing to use the trademark for such products over five consecutive years. This decision is a partial win for the Irish fast-food chain Supermac's in a long-standing trademark dispute. Supermac's initiated the revocation attempt in 2017, challenging McDonald's 1996 registration of the "Big Mac" name for both meat and poultry products.The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) initially dismissed Supermac's request, supporting McDonald's use of the term. However, Supermac's continued to contest the decision. The General Court sided with Supermac's, stating that McDonald's did not demonstrate continuous use of the "Big Mac" trademark for poultry products within the EU for five years. McDonald's has the option to appeal the decision to the Court of Justice of the European Union. The case number is T-58/23 Supermac's v EUIPO - McDonald's International Property (BIG MAC).No more chicken Big Macs - EU court rules against McDonald's in trademark case | Reuters This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

My guest on this week's episode of the Mobile Dev Memo podcast is Tom Smith, a partner at specialist competition law firm Geradin Partners. I invited Tom to the podcast to discuss the recently passed Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Bill in the UK, which grants the UK's Competition and Markets Authority with broad new powers to regulate digital markets. Among other things, Tom and I discuss: What the DMCC aims to achieve; The political context around the DMCC; How the DMCC differs from the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA); What new powers and obligations the DMCC grants and imposes upon the CMA; The long-term consequences of the DMCC. Thanks to the sponsors of this week's episode of the Mobile Dev Memo podcast: ⁠⁠⁠Clarisights⁠⁠⁠. Go to⁠⁠⁠ clarisights.com/demo⁠⁠⁠ to try it out for free. You'll see why thousands of performance marketers trust Clarisights every day.⁠⁠ INCRMNTAL⁠⁠. True attribution measures incrementality, always on. Interested in sponsoring the Mobile Dev Memo podcast? Contact ⁠Marketecture⁠. The Mobile Dev Memo podcast is available on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts

The US Department of Justice launches action to break up concert promotor Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster. Felicity Hannah has the latest.Meanwhile, in the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority announces that it is escalating a probe into vet fees and the theme park sector gears up for the bank holiday.

Can Google overcome competition and performance concerns to make the Privacy Sandbox a reality? Does it really matter in terms of privacy compliance, in the face of the EU ePrivacy Directive? How would Universal Opt-Outs affect the Topics API in the US? Alan Chapell is outside privacy and AI counsel for dozens of AdTech and Mart¿Tech companies. He started his career in the digital space in 1997 at Jupiter Research and is now the principal analyst at The Chapell Report, which is a monthly report focusing on the intersection between privacy, competition, addressability and AI in the digital media space.  Mr. Chapell is board chair of the Network Advertising Initiative, the premier trade association for 3rd party AdTech marketplace. He is also an accomplished musician. His band, “Chapell”, is about to release their 7th album, “The Underground Music Show”, on all major streaming services. References: Chapell & Associates and The Chapell Report UK Competition and Markets Authority update report (April 2024) on Google Chrome's implementation of the Privacy Sandbox Privacy Sandbox (documentation) CNIL's report on the Privacy Sandbox (July 2023)  Global Privacy Control (Universal Opt-Out Mechanism) Peter Craddock: Could core advertising components fall under the “strictly necessary” exception in the ePrivacy Directive? (Masters of Privacy) Network Advertising Initiative Chapell on Spotify

The discovery of 35 bodies and an unknown quantity of unidentified human ashes at a Hull funeral home has become one of the most harrowing investigations in the history of Humberside Police. Linsey Smith investigates what went wrong and hears from some of the many families who've been left devastated by the discovery - some of whom now know the ashes they were given didn't belong to their loved ones. File on 4 also hears how the funeral industry is largely unregulated and how concerns raised more than three years ago by the Competition and Markets Authority about the storage and treatment of the deceased haven't been acted upon.Reporter: Linsey Smith Producers: Holly Clemens and Nicola Dowling Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Digital producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinators: Tim Fernley & Jordan King Editor: Carl JohnstonImage Credit:Christopher FurlongGetty

Today we look at the increase in sewage spills into England's waterways and how the Competition and Markets Authority is trying to prevent ‘greenwashing' by fashion companies.Adam is joined by BBC climate reporter Esme Stallard to help explore these two stories. BBC Panorama and Countryfile journalist Joe Crowley speaks to Adam and Esme about the amount of sewage in Britain's rivers and seas. And BBC Newsbeat's Pria Rai, explains why fashion companies are promising to change the way they present the environmental impact of their clothes.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhereNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Flynn with Miranda Slade and Gemma Roper. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at the reaction to the alleged comments made by Tory donor Frank Hester as well as warnings from a watchdog that pet owners are overpaying for medicines. Adam and Chris discuss the reported remarks by Frank Hester, who has donated £10 million to the Conservative Party, after Rishi Sunak's person described the donor's comments as “racist”. Mr Hester's company said he "accepts that he was rude about Diane Abbott in a private meeting several years ago but his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin".It said he had tried to apologise directly to her for the hurt he has caused, and is deeply sorry for his remarks.Dale Vince, Labour Party donor and CEO of Ecotricity tells Adam what it's like to be a donor of a political party. And the Competition and Markets Authority has warned that vet practices are not being transparent about the prices of pet medicines. Adam is joined by Claire Batty, a vet from Lancashire, and BBC reporter Jim Connolly. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Flynn with Gemma Roper and Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The Competitions and Markets Authority has warned it has 'fundamental concerns' about the UK's house building sector. Will Bain speaks to the director of Cameron Homes.Plus, Microsoft and AI start-up Mistral partner up, and Whoopi Goldbery launches the first black-owned, black-focussed streaming service.

Enhanced Conversions in Microsoft Advertising This week on Marketing O'Clock, some updates are coming to Microsoft Ads that will enhance the experience. Then, Google unveils a reBard of its AI chatbot. Plus, who took the cookie from the cookie jar? The UK's Competition and Markets Authority, that's who. Google ‘cannot proceed with third-party cookie deprecation' in the UK until they address privacy concerns. Take the Marketing O'Survey - https://survey.marketingoclock.com/ Visit us at - https://marketingoclock.com/ Join our Discord Community - http://community.marketingoclock.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intro - 00:00

The UK merger control system provides for voluntary filings but that does not mean parties to deals can hide from the regulator, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). But how does the CMA's Mergers Intelligence Committee (MIC) identify deals to ask about and review the informal briefing papers which can be submitted by parties hoping to avoid a full filing? Eleni Gouliou, a Director of Mergers at the CMA, who has chaired MIC, joins Anora Wang and Matthew Hall to discuss the work of MIC and its place within the CMA's merger review processes. Listen to this episode to learn more about this area of the CMA's merger control work, which is increasingly important now that the UK is outside the EU merger control regime. With special guest: Eleni Gouliou, Director of Mergers, UK Competition and Markets Authority Related Links: UK Competition and Markets Authority "Guidance on the CMA's mergers intelligence function" (December 2020) UK Competition and Markets Authority merger inquiry outcome statistics Hosted by: Anora Wang, Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP and Matthew Hall, McGuireWoods London LLP  

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority aims to make big tech companies give more access to their rivals, Google is laying hundreds of employees across multiple business units, and Huawei is shutting down lobbying operations in the U.S. MP3 Please SUBSCRIBE HERE. You can get an ad-free feed of Daily Tech Headlines for $3 aContinue reading "Google Is Laying Off Hundreds Across Multiple Units – DTH"

Plus: U.K. Competition and Markets Authority provisionally found Adobe's acquisition of Figma would likely harm innovation. And 11 workers were killed in a South African platinum mine in one of the worst accidents in years. Alex Ossola reports.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the BBC World Service: Microsoft’s revised offer to buy Call of Duty-maker Activision Blizzard has been approved by regulators in the U.K. The Competition and Markets Authority said the deal addressed its concerns, after the watchdog blocked the original $69 billion bid in April. Plus, it's the 10th anniversary of China's huge infrastructure project, the Belt and Road Initiative. Billions of dollars have been lent to countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America, but some countries are struggling with repayments.

From the BBC World Service: Microsoft’s revised offer to buy Call of Duty-maker Activision Blizzard has been approved by regulators in the U.K. The Competition and Markets Authority said the deal addressed its concerns, after the watchdog blocked the original $69 billion bid in April. Plus, it's the 10th anniversary of China's huge infrastructure project, the Belt and Road Initiative. Billions of dollars have been lent to countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America, but some countries are struggling with repayments.

A.M. Edition for Oct. 5. The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority is launching a probe into the business practices of cloud providers like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft. Journal reporter Kim Mackrael explains why cloud computing is quickly becoming the next front for regulators. Plus, three GOP members throw their hat in the ring for the role of House speaker. And, how the dollar continues to reign supreme, even as central banks around the world attempt to reduce their dependence on the greenback. Keith Collins hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the BBC World Service: The United Kingdom is set to clear a fresh Microsoft-Activision deal. In August, the “Call of Duty” maker agreed to sell its streaming rights to Ubisoft Entertainment and the U.K.’s regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority has now said this “substantially addresses previous concerns.” Energy giant Chevron and unions have struck a deal to end strikes at two large liquefied natural gas facilities in Australia. The industrial action had threatened to disrupt exports of LNG. Plus, it was all about interest rates this week: Which central banks would up them or hold them? We look at some of those big decisions.

Microsoft's intention to purchase video game developer Activision Blizzard was first announced in January 2022.The Federal Trade Commission issued a complaint against the deal, saying it would harm competition in the gaming market. That case went to trial — and Microsoft came out on top,And the deal still faces roadblocks in the United Kingdom, where the Competition and Markets Authority initially blocked the deal and is now holding a hearing to review it next month.But despite those roadblocks, the deal is set to close. And it may change the business of video games for the foreseeable future. We discuss the buyout and how this acquisition could affect the future of gaming. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find out how to connect with us by visiting our website.