Accor Surpasses 2025 Profit Expectations

/in /tarafından

French hospitality group Accor reported annual core profit slightly above market expectations for 2025, supported by portfolio diversification and growth in its loyalty programme.

The company posted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation of 1.20 billion euros, exceeding analyst forecasts of 1.19 billion euros and improving from 1.12 billion euros in 2024.

Accor plans to focus on expanding its network and strengthening loyalty partnerships in 2026, while also increasing franchise agreements in mature markets. The group is preparing to finalise the sale of its 30.6 percent stake in Essendi, with proceeds expected to fund a previously announced 450 million euro share buyback programme once the transaction is completed.

Revenue per available room, a key industry indicator, rose 4.2 percent to 76 euros in 2025, reflecting steady operational performance.

The company has also begun integrating artificial intelligence into its digital strategy. In February, Accor introduced an AI-powered booking tool designed to reduce reliance on online travel agencies and improve cost efficiency.

World Labs Secures $1B for Spatial AI

/in /tarafından

World Labs, the startup founded by computer scientist Fei-Fei Li, has raised $1 billion in a new funding round to advance its work in spatial intelligence.

The investment drew support from major technology players including AMD, Nvidia and Autodesk, along with firms such as Fidelity Management & Research Company and Sea. Autodesk alone contributed $200 million and will also take on an advisory role.

Spatial intelligence focuses on enabling artificial intelligence to understand and interact with the three-dimensional world rather than relying solely on flat data such as text or images. World Labs is developing foundational models capable of perceiving and generating 3D environments.

Earlier reports suggested the company had been in funding discussions at a valuation of around $5 billion, though the latest announcement did not confirm this figure.

Fei-Fei Li previously raised $230 million in 2024 to establish the startup. Future applications of spatial intelligence may extend to augmented reality, virtual reality and robotics.

World Labs joins a broader movement toward so-called world models, an emerging AI approach designed to interpret and simulate physical environments. Similar efforts are underway at Google DeepMind and other research-driven organizations.

FCC Chair Supports Nexstar’s Tegna Acquisition

/in /tarafından

The chair of the Federal Communications Commission has expressed support for Nexstar’s proposed $3.54 billion acquisition of Tegna, a move that could create the largest regional television station operator in the United States.

If approved, the deal would significantly expand Nexstar’s reach, potentially covering up to 80 percent of U.S. television households across key markets. However, completing the acquisition would require regulatory adjustments, including changes to existing limits on broadcast station ownership.

Current FCC rules prevent a single company from owning television stations reaching more than 39 percent of U.S. households. Supporters of the merger argue that these limits should be revised to reflect shifts in the media landscape, particularly as traditional broadcasters face declining revenues and growing competition from streaming platforms.

Industry groups have also called for modernization of ownership rules, suggesting that longstanding regulations place broadcasters at a disadvantage compared to large technology companies.

While some policymakers believe the ownership cap could be adjusted through regulatory action, others question whether such changes require legislative approval.

The proposed merger highlights ongoing debates over competition, diversity and the evolving structure of the media sector.