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Meanwhile, electricity prices are up +35% since 2022.

With nuclear power 10+ years away, how will we meet electricity demand?

Data centers are the new oil:

Data center energy consumption has reached a record 5% of total US power demand.

By 2030, data center energy consumption will exceed 10% of total US power demand.

The AI revolution is even bigger than you think.

Data centers are the new oil:

Data center energy consumption has reached a record 5% of total US power demand.

By 2030, data center energy consumption will exceed 10% of total US power demand.

The AI revolution is even bigger than you think.

Trois suspects ont été arrêtés à Anvers, pour des soupçons de préparation d’« attentat terroriste d’inspiration djihadiste à l’encontre d’hommes politiques » à l’aide d’un drone, a annoncé la justice belge. Deux d’entre eux comparaîtront devant un juge d’instruction vendredi, et le troisième a été libéré.

Un projet d’attentat djihadiste à l’aide d’un drone visant le premier ministre belge Bart De Wever a été déjoué et trois personnes ont été arrêtées jeudi 9 octobre.

La justice belge a d’abord évoqué des « politiques » comme cible de ce projet d’attentat, mais l’entourage du chef du gouvernement belge, et plusieurs de ses ministres, ont confirmé qu’il était bien la cible.

« La nouvelle d’un projet d’attentat visant le premier ministre, Bart De Wever, est profondément choquante », a déclaré sur la plateforme X le ministre des affaires étrangères belge, Maxime Prévot. Interrogé par l’Agence France-Presse, l’entourage du chef du gouvernement belge a également confirmé qu’il était bien la cible de ce projet d’attaque.

Les suspects sont des adultes nés en 2001, 2002 et 2007. Deux d’entre eux étaient auditionnés par la police judiciaire et comparaîtront devant un juge d’instruction vendredi. Le troisième suspect a été libéré.

Ces arrestations s’inscrivent dans le cadre d’une enquête pour « tentative d’assassinat terroriste et participation aux activités d’un groupe terroriste », a expliqué la cheffe du parquet fédéral, Ann Fransen, au cours d’une conférence de presse à Bruxelles. « Il y a également des indications que le but des suspects était de fabriquer un drone auquel une cargaison devait être attachée », a ajouté Mme Fransen.

Selon la presse, la police a fouillé une maison à quelques centaines de mètres du domicile du chef du gouvernement à Anvers. « Lors de la perquisition au domicile d’un des suspects », un engin improvisé, potentiellement explosif mais pas encore opérationnel, a été trouvé ainsi qu’un sac contenant des billes de métal.

Chez un deuxième suspect, la police a découvert une imprimante 3D « dont on peut soupçonner qu’elle devait servir à fabriquer des pièces utiles à la commission d’un attentat », a déclaré Ann Fransen.

The footballing behemoth offered a breather by Ares

If there has ever been a sign of credit risk, an annual interest rate of 22 per cent is it.

That’s what Ares is charging Eagle Football Group, the prolific football investor and owner of Olympique Lyonnais, for part of the $450mn it’s owed.

Eagle Football was founded by John Textor, a former professional skateboarder who subsequently went into tech investing.

But the group has struggled with a heavy debt burden and the FT revealed this week that it’s long been in default on hundreds of millions of dollars of debt.

In June 2023, Eagle Football triggered a technical default by failing to provide Ares with adequate financial information “on a timely basis”, according to long-delayed accounts filed last weekend at UK Companies House.

Altogether, Eagle Football owes Ares about $300mn of ‘payment in kind’ debt with annual interest rates of 16 per cent, another $135mn at a rate of 18 per cent, and a final $27mn facility costing 22 per cent.

Not wanting to disturb the peace though, Ares has let the former minority owner of Crystal Palace off the hook.

The private capital group has been piling into European sports investments in recent years. Yet it decided against seizing Eagle Football’s assets and taking control of the clubs it owns.

Last week it told Textor’s group it wouldn’t seek repayment for a further 12 months. You might think that magnanimous, but Ares is starting to get its pound of flesh.

In July, Eagle Football sold its 45 per cent stake in Crystal Palace to New York Jets owner Robert “Woody” Johnson.

And it was none other than Ares that pocketed the vast majority of the £190mn proceeds from the sale.

The owners of Villa d’Este, whose grounds have captured the wonder of the international jet-set for almost half a millennium, have formed a new group named Villa d’Este La Collezione.

Cernobbio, Italy — Lake Como is filled with aristocratic villas and hotels that have enchanted the world’s greatest thought leaders and celebrities for centuries. On Wednesday, the owners of the storied Villa d’Este, which has lured celebrity guests like Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Woody Allen, Madonna, Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, Gianfranco Ferré, Winston Churchill and Gianni Agnelli, said they formed a collection of hotels aimed at preserving the region’s architectural gems. In addition to their marquee property Villa d’Este, they already own Villa La Massa, a five-star location, which is situated on the banks of the Arno River near Florence.

In a press conference announcing the Villa d’Este La Collezione, its owner Giuseppe Fontana said the firm plans to open two new luxury properties: Palazzo Venezia in Como and Miralago Luxury Apartments in Cernobbio.

Preserving Architectural Treasures

“Every day we strive to enhance the destination on a global scale. Today, Villa d’Este La Collezione marks the beginning of a new chapter within a structured growth and development strategy for our magnificent territory, reaffirming our commitment to raising the standard of luxury hospitality and strengthening our position as a leader in the industry,” Fontana said, adding that the group has a constant eye on further acquisitions.

Restoring a Fabled Past

Palazzo Venezia, a 19th-century building located in Piazza Cavour in Como and which faces the lake is expected to open Dec. 6. It will also introduce a new dining experience called Altariva, which includes a lake-view rooftop bar. It will be the first five‑star hotel in Como to join The Leading Hotels of the World, the group said.

Miralago Luxury Apartments, situated in the lakeside town of Cernobbio, will follow in June. The residential property consists of eight luxury apartments that were reimagined by Milan-based design duo Nathalie and Virginie Droulers of Droulers Architecture. It was formerly a four-star property named Hotel Miralago. The upscale residences combine the warmth of a home with the standards of five-star hotel concierge services, as well as privileged access to the facilities of Villa d’Este, including its Sporting Club, swimming pool and Golf Club.

The group is also in the earlier stages of revitalizing two key locations starting with the historic Hotel Regina Olga in Cernobbio. Dating back to the late 19th century, the hotel was acquired by Villa d’Este in April. The restoration project involves updating approximately 50 rooms, a restaurant and a bar with generous outdoor spaces. Another architectural jewel, Villa Belinzaghi, which was built in 1860 by former Milan Mayor and banker Count Giulio Belinzaghi, is also in the works. It was previously part of the Villa d’Este estate during the 1950s and 60s and rejoined the portfolio in 2022, reconnecting an essential chapter in Villa d’Este’s history. The updated property is expected to include four suites, two restaurants, a destination bar and cigar lounge, and a private spa featuring an indoor plunge pool and an outdoor pool nestled in the garden.

Fontana lauded Lake Como’s continued allure and its status as one of the world’s top tourist destinations, remarking on the Sultan of Morocco’s visit to Villa d’Este in 1615.

The property, which boasts a 10-hectare park, was originally built in 1568 and named Villa Garovo. It was designed by architect Pellegrino Pellegrini, known as “Il Tibaldi,” as a summer residence for Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, Bishop of Como.

In 1815 it was acquired by the then Princess of Wales, Caroline of Brunswick, who became the future Queen of England. She originally named it “New Villa d’Este.”

Lake Como’s Eternal Allure

Tourism continues to serve as a major contributor to Italy’s economy, according to the National Statistics Bureau Istat. In 2024, Italy welcomed 129.3 million tourist arrivals. Nights spent rose 2.5 percent year-on-year, with a total of 458.4 million nights, driven by nonresident visitors.

The upcoming Winter Olympic Games is a key driver for new hotel openings this year. The event, which will be held between Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, will run Feb. 6 to 22, while the Paralympics will run March 6 to 15. Italy-based Rocco Forte Hotels will cut the ribbon on the five-star hotel under The Carlton banner, with entrances on Milan’s Via Senato and Via della Spiga, on Nov. 6., while the new Rosewood Milan and Six Senses in Milan are expected to open in 2026.