Recession risk, rate rises drive down private equity deal volumes to 4-year low

By Patturaja Murugaboopathy (Reuters) – Dealmaking by private equity firms hit its lowest in four years, under pressure from high interest rates, recession fears, and a weak outlook for corporate earnings, although some analysts predict stored-up funding will drive a near-term rebound. Private equity deal volumes slumped 63% from the same period last year to…

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Hollywood directors ratify labor pact as writers keep picketing

By Lisa Richwine and Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Film and television directors voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new three-year labor contract with major Hollywood studios on Friday, averting a second work stoppage that would have added to upheaval caused by an ongoing writers’ strike. The Directors Guild of America (DGA) said 87% of…

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Explainer-PwC Australia fights to contain government tax leak scandal

By Lewis Jackson and Scott Murdoch SYDNEY (Reuters) – PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Australia has moved to contain the fallout from a scandal over the misuse of confidential government tax plans by selling its government consulting unit to Allegro Funds and flying in an executive from Singapore to lead the local firm. Here is what you need…

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New York lawyers sanctioned for using fake ChatGPT cases in legal brief

By Sara Merken NEW YORK (Reuters) – A U.S. judge on Thursday imposed sanctions on two New York lawyers who submitted a legal brief that included six fictitious case citations generated by an artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT. U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel in Manhattan ordered lawyers Steven Schwartz, Peter LoDuca and their law firm…

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Factbox-PwC Australia scandal latest of many around the globe for the firm

By Lewis Jackson SYDNEY (Reuters) – PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Australia is under fire after a former partner leaked confidential government tax plans between 2014 and 2017 which were then used to drum up work with multinational companies hoping to sidestep new rules. Acting Chief Executive Kristin Stubbins told state parliament on Monday there would be “severe”…

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Analysis-After the buzz, investors are doing their own homework on AI

By Danilo Masoni and Lucy Raitano MILAN (Reuters) – The rapid adoption of generative artificial intelligence has boosted markets this year, but after the initial euphoria, investors are waking up to the possible risks, including the need to be highly selective in stock-picking. Businesses ranging from IT services and consulting to media, information and education…

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Exclusive-Deutsche Bank tells investors some of their Russian shares are missing

By Sinead Cruise and Carolina Mandl LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) – Deutsche Bank has told clients it can no longer guarantee full access to Russian stocks that belong to them, underlining the challenges global investors face to recover stranded investments in the country’s companies. Germany’s largest bank said in a note dated June 9 and viewed…

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