Cover Story
Issue 01A report says US intelligence agencies recently assessed that Iran can effectively stop access through the Strait of Hormuz. Separate disclosed accounts said a tentative US-Iran arrangement under discussion would reopen the waterway, though details had not been made public at the time of the reports.
Bouygues Telecom, Orange and Iliad’s Free unit signed a memorandum of understanding with Altice France to buy SFR for an enterprise value of €20.35 billion including debt, subject to regulatory approval. The indicative split is about 42% Bouygues, 31% Iliad and 27% Orange, with break-up fees of €0.1–€2.0 billion.
Airbus is reviewing whether to proceed sooner with a larger, stretched version of its A220 jet after expectations that the program could move closer to launch this year, sources said. The company has signaled it is assessing technical and market factors, including the aircraft’s potential range and customer considerations.
Authorities in St. Petersburg advised residents to remain indoors after a large Ukrainian drone attack targeted Russia’s second-largest city on Saturday. The incident followed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rejection on Friday of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s proposal for face-to-face talks. Ukraine has intensified long-range strikes on energy and military sites inside Russia.
The Sandiganbayan, the Philippines’ anti-graft court, dismissed the remaining asset claims in a civil forfeiture case involving the heirs of former president Ferdinand Marcos, ending litigation that had lasted more than 30 years. Media reports said the government previously secured partial summary judgments ordering forfeiture of $658 million in Swiss deposits.
China’s securities regulator said it is preparing a reform plan for the fund management industry focused on improving long-term investor returns, reducing fees, and tightening oversight of market activity. It also outlined a three-year implementation plan for related guidance and said it will encourage private securities funds to adopt long-term, value-oriented investment approaches.