BeReal's challenges show the difficulty for new consumer apps to break out absent a big platform shift, as users lack the time to try additional consumer apps — The recent reports that BeReal is struggling with either a fundraise or growth or both, is a bummer.
The Philippines' new undersea internet cable network is expected to bring jobs to remote islands, boosting the country's BPO sector, which employed 1.7M in 2023 — Project expected to bring stable internet and new jobs to more remote islands — InfiniVAN holds a cable pulling ceremony on the island of Boracay in November 2022.
Sources: YC plans to raise at least $2B across three new funds that include exposure to its next four startup batches and follow-on investments as they grow — The storied startup accelerator is targeting at least $2 billion, sources told Forbes, in its first major fundraising effort under Garry Tan.
Italy opens a probe into Booking.com, says the website's handling of hotels in its Preferred Partner Programme “seems likely to hinder effective competition” — Italy's antitrust has opened a probe into Booking.com (BKNG.O) to establish whether the travel website is in a potential abuse …
Meituan reports Q4 revenue up 23% YoY to ~$10.2B and a net income of ~$308.4M, both above estimates, as the food delivery giant plans international expansion — The company reported sales of 73.7 billion yuan ($10.2 billion) in the December quarter, versus the 72.7 billion yuan average projection.
The UK CMA launches a formal Phase 2 of its review of the Vodafone and Three UK's $19B merger, after finding competition and pricing concerns in Phase 1 — The U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has confirmed that it's launching a formal “phase 2” investigation into the planned merger between Vodafone and Three UK.
Bloomberg : Sources: amid the Iran war, Asian bankers say rising power prices and energy security are becoming a bigger consideration in ...
