Core Viewpoint - France's anti-trust authority has fined TotalEnergies, Rubis, and EG Group a total of €187.5 million ($217.3 million) for anti-competitive practices that resulted in higher fuel prices in Corsica [1] Group 1: Investigation and Findings - The fine follows an investigation into agreements that restricted access to fuel depots in Corsica, initiated after a complaint from Ferrandi, a competing fuel distributor, in 2022 [2] - The investigation revealed that from 2016 to 2023, no other companies were permitted to use the fuel depots owned by TotalEnergies, Rubis, and EG Group [2] Group 2: Regulatory Statement - The regulator stated that the exclusive use of Corsican fuel depots by DPLC shareholders is anti-competitive and harms consumers by limiting competition [3] - TotalEnergies contends that the authority's findings lack "tangible evidence" of any anti-competitive impact on the island [3] Group 3: Company Response - TotalEnergies claims the decision is based solely on a 2016 contractual clause regarding access to the depots for shareholders, and that non-shareholders also had access to a fuel supply arrangement [4] - The company expressed regret that the authority did not acknowledge the absence of adverse effects on local distributors or consumers, highlighting its long-standing service in Corsica and recent price reductions [5] - TotalEnergies plans to appeal the decision in the Paris Court of Appeal, asserting that it has not engaged in anti-competitive practices [6]

Core Viewpoint - The European Commission has initiated an anti-trust investigation into Red Bull to assess whether the company has illegally restricted competition in the energy drinks market, particularly concerning products larger than 250ml sold in off-trade channels like supermarkets and petrol stations [1][6]. Group 1: Investigation Details - The investigation will focus on whether Red Bull has employed practices that restrict competition, including offering incentives to off-trade customers to delist or reduce the visibility of competing energy drinks larger than 250ml [3]. - The inquiry will also examine if Red Bull has misused its role as a category manager at certain retailers to disadvantage rival products [4]. - This investigation marks the first instance of the Commission examining potential abuse related to category management roles by a supplier [4]. Group 2: Market Position and Regulatory Focus - Red Bull is reported to hold a dominant position in the Netherlands' wholesale market for branded energy drinks, which has drawn particular scrutiny from regulators [2]. - The Commission has stated that the investigation will be conducted as a priority, although the opening of proceedings does not imply any predetermined outcome [5]. - Teresa Ribera, a key official at the Commission, emphasized the investigation's aim to determine if Red Bull's practices are keeping prices high and limiting consumer choices in the energy drinks sector [6].

Core Points - Google will pay over $40 million to support South African news media, addressing challenges faced in the digital age [1][3] - The funding package includes $4 million for national publishers and broadcasters, $2.6 million annually for AI innovation, and $2.2 million for community and small media outlets over three years [3] - The agreement follows a 16-month investigation by the Competition Commission, which found that Google searches favored international news over local outlets [2][4] Funding Details - The total funding amount agreed upon is 688 million rand, equivalent to approximately $40.4 million [3] - Specific allocations include $4 million for content on Google News and $2.6 million annually for AI innovation [3] - Community and small media outlets will receive $2.2 million over three years to aid in digital transformation [3] Regulatory Context - The Competition Commission had previously recommended that Google pay up to $27 million annually for five years due to anti-trust practices affecting local media [2] - Similar funding arrangements have been established in other countries like Taiwan, Canada, Australia, and the United States amid regulatory pressures [5] - Social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, did not reach a settlement and is required to make monetization programs available to local publishers [6]

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is suing Live Nation and Ticketmaster for allegedly allowing ticket brokers to violate policies, resulting in millions of concert tickets being sold to fans at inflated prices [1] Group 1 - The lawsuit claims that Live Nation and Ticketmaster tacitly permitted ticket brokers to bypass their policies [1] - The agency highlighted that this practice led to significant markups on tickets sold to fans [1] - The action taken by the FTC indicates a regulatory push against perceived unfair practices in the ticketing industry [1]