We’ve heard about VW’s $15 billion settlement to resolve US claims by owners and regulators, but a spate of recent state AG-led actions shows that the fallout from the emissions cheating scandal is far from over. NY, MA, and MD are among the states bringing civil claims against VW and accusing its very top executives of knowing of the manipulation for years – NYTimes and WSJ
Healthcare mega-deal naysayers are playing a little “told ya so” with the news that the DOJ is reportedly preparing lawsuits that would block Aetna’s $37 billion merger with Humana and Anthem’s $48 billion offer for Cigna as violative of US antitrust laws. If true, the actions, if successful, could trigger billions in break-up fees – NYTimes and WSJ and Bloomberg
And while we’re talking big deals (or the hope for them), news has broken that Monsanto is rejecting Bayer’s revised takeover bid of $125/share, up $3/share over its previous offer – NYTimes and WSJ and Bloomberg
On a smaller scale, Unilever has snapped up shaving start-up (yes, there is such a thing) Dollar Shave Club for $1 billion – NYTimes
UK’s Financial Conduct Authority is putting its US counterparts on blast with the statement that an “explosive report into failures to thwart money laundering that is at the heart of a billion-dollar HSBC Holdings PLC settlement is being blocked from publication by US authorities and may threaten the stability of the global financial system if ever fully aired.” So, you know, kind of a big deal for the special relationship – Law360
Pimco—still struggling since the departure of Big Billy Gross 2 years ago—has hired Man Group chief exec and former Goldman banker Manny Roman as its new CEO – WSJ
Here’s a sign of the financial times: bitcoin has so quickly gone mainstream that a recent BOE research paper is proposing that central banks issue their own kinds of digital currency—a move that could usher in the adoption of widespread blockchain-based record keeping – WSJ
A return of Glass-Steagall? Don’t bank on it – NYTimes
A legal challenge to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU without parliamentary assent will be heard in October, according to news from the Queen’s Bench division of the UK’s High Court – Law360
Oakley’s doing its part to help US athletes bring home the gold – Wired
Just another step closer to Dennis Quaid bombing around in our bloodstream. No problems there, right? – AP
