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Chip giant Nvidia to take $5bn stake in Intel and collaborate on products
The Guardian· 2025-09-18 12:48
Core Viewpoint - Nvidia plans to invest $5 billion in Intel and collaborate on products, particularly in AI infrastructure and personal computing [1][2] Group 1: Investment and Market Reaction - Intel's shares surged 29% in pre-market trading following Nvidia's announcement, while Nvidia's shares rose nearly 3% [2] - Nvidia will purchase Intel common stock at $23.28 per share, pending regulatory approvals [2] Group 2: Collaboration Details - The collaboration aims to integrate Nvidia's AI and computing technology with Intel's CPUs, creating a combined platform for future computing [3] - Intel will develop custom chips for Nvidia's AI infrastructure, and Nvidia technology will be integrated into Intel's PC products [4] Group 3: Intel's Challenges and Nvidia's Growth - Intel has faced significant challenges, losing nearly $19 billion last year and an additional $3.7 billion in the first half of this year, with plans to reduce its workforce by 25% by 2025 [5] - Nvidia has capitalized on the AI boom, becoming the world's most valuable company due to its specialized GPUs that are essential for AI development [5] Group 4: Market Outlook - The total AI infrastructure spending is projected to reach between $3 trillion to $4 trillion by the end of the decade, indicating a strong growth trajectory for the chip industry, particularly for Nvidia [6]
Ben & Jerry's co-founder quits, accusing Unilever of silencing social mission
The Guardian· 2025-09-17 12:14
Core Viewpoint - Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, has resigned after nearly 50 years, citing a loss of independence and accusing Unilever of silencing the brand's social mission [1][2][3] Company Background - Ben & Jerry's was founded in 1978 with a mission to advance human rights and dignity, and it became one of the largest ice cream brands in the US [11][12] - In 2000, Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry's for $326 million, with an agreement to maintain an independent board to uphold the brand's social values [13] Recent Developments - Greenfield's resignation follows a dispute over Unilever's decision to sell Ben & Jerry's Israel division, which contradicted the brand's social mission [4] - Ben & Jerry's had previously launched legal action against Unilever for threatening to dismantle its board over public statements supporting Palestinians [5] - Cohen and Greenfield have sought investors to buy back the brand, valuing it between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion, but Unilever has refused to sell [7] Brand's Social Mission - Greenfield expressed disappointment that the independence, which was a basis for the sale to Unilever, has been lost, stating that if the company cannot stand up for its beliefs, it is not worth being a company [3] - An open letter from Cohen and Greenfield called for the brand to be released from Unilever's control, arguing that the dismantling of its social mission has devalued the business [6] Unilever's Position - A spokesperson for TMICC (the new ice cream division of Unilever) stated that they disagreed with Greenfield's perspective and sought constructive dialogue with the co-founders [8]
Google announces £5bn AI investment in UK before Trump visit
The Guardian· 2025-09-16 07:00
Investment Overview - Google plans to invest £5 billion in the UK over the next two years to meet the growing demand for artificial intelligence services [1][3] - The investment is expected to create approximately 8,250 jobs annually in UK businesses [4] Economic Impact - The UK Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, views the investment as a "vote of confidence" in the UK economy, aimed at driving growth amid economic challenges [2][9] - The investment will focus on research and development, capital expenditure, and engineering, contributing to technological advancements and improvements in cybersecurity [3][4] Strategic Partnerships - Google will collaborate with Shell to manage its renewable energy supply in the UK [5] - The investment aligns with a broader increase in Google's capital expenditure budget, with expectations to invest about $85 billion in the 2025 financial year [7] Market Position - Alphabet, Google's parent company, has surpassed a market capitalization of $3 trillion, joining other tech giants like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple [8] - The investment is part of Google's strategy to enhance its services, including Cloud, Workspace, Search, and Maps, amid rising demand [4] Historical Context - The UK has a rich history in technology and innovation, and Google aims to continue this legacy through its investment in AI and scientific discovery [10]
Elon Musk buys nearly $1bn in Tesla stock in push for more control
The Guardian· 2025-09-15 14:15
Core Insights - Elon Musk has purchased nearly $1 billion worth of Tesla stock, reinforcing his control over the company [1] - Tesla shares rose over 8% in premarket trading following Musk's stock purchase [1] - The company is transitioning from an electric vehicle maker to a technology leader, focusing on robotaxis, artificial intelligence, and robotics [1] Stock Purchase Details - Musk acquired 2.57 million shares at prices ranging from $372.37 to $396.54 per share [2] - Following the stock purchase, Tesla shares increased by more than 7% on Friday, continuing a trend of gains [2] - Despite being down about 2% this year, the stock is poised for a third consecutive session of gains if premarket trends hold [2] Governance and Leadership - Musk has sought a larger stake and increased voting power, threatening to develop AI and robotics products outside of Tesla if he does not receive 25% voting power [3] - Tesla's board proposed a trillion-dollar compensation plan for Musk, indicating strong confidence in his leadership despite challenges in the market [3] Market Concerns - Board chair Robyn Denholm addressed concerns regarding Musk's political activities affecting sales, stating he is now "front and center" at Tesla [4] - Musk's political engagements and public disputes with Donald Trump have raised investor concerns about potential distractions and lost sales [4]
Paramount Skydance reportedly preparing takeover bid for Warner Bros Discovery
The Guardian· 2025-09-11 19:13
Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance is preparing a takeover offer for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) to consolidate two major US media conglomerates and Hollywood studios [1][2] Group 1: Takeover Bid Details - Paramount is planning a majority cash bid for WBD, supported by the Ellison family [2] - Following the news, shares in WBD increased by up to 34% [2] Group 2: Company Background - WBD owns significant media assets, including Warner Bros studios, CNN, DC Comics, and several TV networks like HBO [2] - Paramount owns Paramount Pictures and TV broadcasters such as CBS in the US and Channel 5 in the UK [3] Group 3: Recent Strategic Moves by Ellison - David Ellison has quickly made strategic moves since taking control of Paramount, including a $7.7 billion deal for UFC broadcasting rights and exclusive contracts with the Duffer brothers and Activision for a Call of Duty movie [4] - Decisions regarding CBS News, a major news operation, have come under scrutiny, particularly related to a settlement with Donald Trump over a controversial interview [5][6] Group 4: Implications for Media Landscape - The potential acquisition of WBD raises questions about the future of CNN, which has faced criticism from Trump regarding its coverage [8]
Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk to cut 9,000 jobs amid increased competition
The Guardian· 2025-09-10 09:00
Core Viewpoint - Novo Nordisk is cutting 9,000 jobs, representing 11% of its global workforce, due to declining sales of its weight-loss drug Wegovy and increased competition from Eli Lilly's Mounjaro, alongside challenges from generic drugmakers and potential US tariffs [1][3][8] Group 1: Job Cuts and Financial Impact - The job cuts will save Novo Nordisk approximately 8 billion kroner (£930 million) annually by 2026, but will incur one-off restructuring charges of 8 billion kroner [3][4] - The company has revised its operating profit growth forecast for the year from 10%-16% down to 4%-10% due to these changes [4] Group 2: Market Competition and Product Performance - Eli Lilly's Mounjaro has been shown to be more effective than Wegovy in weight loss, contributing to Wegovy's declining sales [3][5] - Novo Nordisk's new obesity drug, CagriSema, has also underperformed in clinical trials compared to Mounjaro [5] Group 3: Industry Challenges - The US market has seen a rise in compounded weight-loss medications, which are sold at lower prices, further impacting Novo Nordisk's sales [6] - The company faces ongoing threats of sector-specific tariffs from the US government, which could affect its operations [7][8] Group 4: Company Strategy and Leadership - The job cuts are part of a strategic shift under new CEO Mike Doustdar, aimed at making the company more agile and redirecting funds towards research and development [4][5][8] - Novo Nordisk had previously expanded its workforce by 75% over five years due to the success of its weight-loss drugs [8]
Ben & Jerry's founders call for the brand to be ‘freed' from its owners
The Guardian· 2025-09-09 17:21
Core Viewpoint - The co-founders of Ben & Jerry's are advocating for the brand to be made independent from Unilever's plans to list its ice-cream business, expressing concerns over the erosion of the brand's founding values and social mission [1][2][3]. Group 1: Concerns Over Brand Independence - Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield have called for Ben & Jerry's to be excluded from Unilever's upcoming stock market listing of its ice-cream division, The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) [1][2]. - The co-founders, despite having no financial interest or formal role, feel compelled to voice their concerns as individuals regarding the brand's future [2]. Group 2: Erosion of Founding Values - The co-founders express deep concern that commitments made to them, employees, and customers are being undermined, particularly regarding the brand's voice on social justice issues [3][5]. - They emphasize that the founding values of Ben & Jerry's are central to its identity and should not be compromised for convenience or political pressure [4]. Group 3: Legal and Operational Conflicts - Ben & Jerry's social mission board has taken legal action against Unilever, alleging attempts to suppress the brand's public statements supporting Palestinian refugees [6][7]. - Unilever has rejected these claims and stated its intention to defend its position vigorously, highlighting ongoing tensions between the two entities [8].
US created 911,000 fewer jobs through March 2025 than initially reported
The Guardian· 2025-09-09 15:09
The US added 911,000 fewer jobs than first estimated for the year to March 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced on Tuesday, highlighting recent concerns about the health of the labor market.The revisions are 50% higher than last year’s adjustment and were on the higher end of Wall Street estimates between 600,000 and 1 million.The revision comes after a lackluster August jobs report, with only 22,000 jobs added in the US. That report too contained revisions and noted that 13,000 jobs were lo ...
How Google dodged a major breakup – and why OpenAI is to thank for it
The Guardian· 2025-09-09 13:34
Antitrust Case Against Google - The judge ruled that Google will not be forced to divest Chrome, avoiding a significant breakup of the company [2][3] - Google is prohibited from exclusive distribution agreements for its search engine but must share data with competitors [3] - The emergence of generative AI has shifted the competitive landscape, influencing the court's decision [4][5] Generative AI Competition - Generative AI companies are attracting substantial investments, threatening Google's dominance in search [5] - OpenAI and ChatGPT are highlighted as significant competitors to Google, with OpenAI's success indirectly benefiting Google [8][9] - Google has acknowledged the competitive threat posed by generative AI, leading to a reassignment of resources towards AI projects [10][11] Anthropic's Settlement - Anthropic agreed to pay $1.5 billion to settle a lawsuit over the use of copyrighted books for AI training, marking a significant copyright recovery [17][18] - The settlement is seen as a victory for authors concerned about AI's impact on their livelihoods, although the legal basis for the case was more about piracy than copyright use [19][21] - Other companies, including Apple and Meta, are facing similar scrutiny and potential litigation regarding their use of copyrighted materials for AI training [20][22][23]
Anglo American to merge with rival Teck in $53bn mining group
The Guardian· 2025-09-09 09:58
Core Viewpoint - The merger between Anglo American and Teck Resources will create a $53 billion global copper group, marking one of the largest mining mergers in recent years, but it raises concerns about potential job cuts [1][9]. Company Strategy - The merger is seen as a strategic move to form a "global critical minerals champion," enhancing growth and operational capabilities for both companies [2]. - Anglo American has been restructuring its business to focus on iron ore and copper, having spun off its platinum mining business and exploring the sale of its diamond business, De Beers [6]. Management and Structure - Duncan Wanblad, CEO of Anglo, will lead the merged entity, with Jonathan Price, CEO of Teck, becoming deputy CEO [2]. - The global headquarters of the new business will be located in Vancouver, Canada, with commitments made to the Canadian government regarding employee retention [3]. Financial Aspects - The merger is expected to generate $800 million in annual cost savings within four years, with $60 million anticipated from board and head office reductions [4][5]. - Anglo American will pay a special dividend of $4.5 billion to its shareholders before the deal completes [8]. Market Impact - Following the announcement, Anglo shares rose by 5% in London, while Teck's stock increased by nearly 22% in Frankfurt [10]. - Anglo American investors will hold 62.4% of the new entity, while Teck shareholders will own 37.6% [7].