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☆ Champions League: Xavi laments ‘really bad’ referee in Barcelona’s elimination to Paris Saint-Germain
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Xavi was shown a red card in the second half. “The red card marked the tie. For as much as we speak [about the match], the red card marks everything. PSG manager Luis Enrique, who enjoyed two trophy-filled spells at Barcelona as a player and manager, said he thought his team would have won even without Araújo’s sending off. Obviously, the red card is a factor, but you still have to know how to play these games and not make mistakes.

Persons: Xavi, Germain, István Kovács, Barça, Ronald Araújo’s, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Araújo, Bradley Barcola, Kovács, Ousmane Dembélé, Hugo Pfeiffer, Kylian Mbappé, João Cancelo, clumsily, Dembélé, ” Xavi, It’s, “, Robert Lewandowski’s, José Ramón, Luis Enrique, Enrique, Kylian, Juan Medina, Reuters “, Lamine, ” Enrique, Atlético Madrid Organizations: CNN —, team’s Champions League, Paris Saint, Tuesday’s, Barcelona, Barcola, PSG, ESPN, Fuente, League, Reuters, ” PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Champions League Locations: CNN — Barcelona, Paris, Romanian, Barcelona

☆ Lamine Yamal: Spanish TV channel to ‘stop working’ with pundit Germán Burgos following derogatory comment about Barca teen
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Spanish television channel Movistar Plus+ says it will “stop working” with pundit and former Atlético Madrid assistant coach Germán Burgos following a derogatory comment he made about 16-year-old Barcelona star Lamine Yamal. Burgos is from Argentina, though he has spent much time in Spain as both a player and coach. “It was not my intention to harm Lamine Yamal in any way, the people of FC Barcelona, the players, UEFA, or the Movistar Plus+ platform where I work,” Burgos wrote on Instagram. My intention was not to disparage Lamine Yamal, quite the opposite. “Movistar Plus+ condemns any type of discrimination and will not allow these type of comments from any of its workers or collaborators tied to the platform.

Persons: Germán Burgos, Lamine Yamal, Germain, Burgos, doesn’t, it’s, ” Germán Burgos, AP Burgos, Lamine, ” Burgos, “, Ricardo Sierra, Barça, ”, Yamal, Xavi, “ He’s, Yamal’s Organizations: CNN, Barcelona’s Champions League, Paris Saint, Wednesday, Argentina’s, Barcelona, PSG, “, Argentina, Europa Press, AP, FC Barcelona, UEFA, Football, Movistar, UEFA Champions League, La Liga, ” CNN, European, Gavi, Real Betis Locations: Spanish, Madrid, Barcelona, Spain, Latin America, Burgos, Argentina, Mono, Atlético Madrid, AFP7, Marca, Yamal

☆ Travel news: Why does the US drive on the right and the UK on the left?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Editor’s Note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter. You’re probably aware that around 30% of the world’s countries drive on the left while 70% drive on the right. In Europe, Napoleon Bonaparte had a big hand in it, while in the United States, we need to go back to the time of wagon trains. In the United States, at least, an obscure tax rule helps explain why. Our partners at CNN Underscored, a product reviews and recommendations guide owned by CNN, have selected 22 must-haves for luxurious train travel in 2024.

Persons: Napoleon Bonaparte, it’s, There’s, you’re Organizations: CNN, Tourism, Engineering Locations: Europe, United States, London, Asia, Singapore, Tokyo, Japan, Africa, Rail, China, British, Australia, Philippines, Chocolate, CNN Italy, Bologna, Pisa . Spain

☆ Barcelona’s famous Sagrada Familia will finally be completed in 2026
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona will finally be finished in 2026, more than 140 years after construction started, officials have confirmed. “The Chapel of the Assumption is expected to be finished in 2025 and the tower of Jesus Christ, in 2026,” the Sagrada Familia said in a statement announcing the publication of its 2023 annual report. When complete, the Sagrada Familia will become the world’s tallest church, overtaking Ulm Minster in Germany. The Sagrada Familia pictured in 1940 Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesWhen Gaudí died in 1926, only an estimated 10%-15% of the project had been built, including one transept, a crypt and some of the apse wall. The construction of the church was carried out illegally for 137 years, until 2019, when a building permit was finally issued by Barcelona’s city council.

Persons: Jesus Christ, Christophe Simon, Antoni Gaudí, Virgin Mary, Jesus, Gaudí, Pope Benedict XVI Organizations: CNN, Assumption, Getty, Ulm Minster, Construction, Spanish, UNESCO, Authorities Locations: Barcelona, AFP, Ulm, Germany, Catalan, Barcelona’s

GUALBA, Spain (AP) — Plastic jugs in hand, Joan Torrent takes a path into the woods in search of drinking water. The drought emergency, which takes effect Friday, limits the daily amount of water permitted for residential and municipal purposes to 200 liters (53 gallons) per person. Catalonia’s water agency says the average resident uses 116 liters (30 gallons) per day at home. Gualba's name, according to local lore, means “white water” thanks to the streams flowing down from the Montseny mountain that overlooks the village. Only the Guadalete-Barbate river basin in southern Andalusia, which faces similar shortages and restrictions, is worse off at 14.6%.

Persons: Joan Torrent, Gualba, don’t, ”, Jordi Esmaindia Organizations: ” Locations: Spain, Gualba, Barcelona, Spain’s, Catalonia, Llobregat, Andalusia

☆ Lionel Messi: Paper napkin ‘contract’ to seal move to FC Barcelona heads to auction with a $380,000 starting bid
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The paper napkin containing the agreement which saw Lionel Messi join FC Barcelona will go to auction with a starting price of $380,000 (£300,000). Together with Rexach, Minguella helped organize Messi’s initial audition with the Blaugrana in September 2000. On December 14, Rexach, Minguella and Gaggioli met for lunch at the Pompeia tennis club to sign the napkin. “Yes, it’s a paper napkin, but it’s the famous napkin that was at the inception of Lionel Messi’s career. It changed the life of Messi, the future of FC Barcelona, and was instrumental in giving some of the most glorious moments of football to billions of fans around the globe.”

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Carles Rexach, Minguella, Horacio, ” Rexach, Horacio Gaggioli, Josep Minguella, Rexach, Gaggioli, Joan Gaspart –, – Messi, ” Ian Ehling, “, Lionel Messi’s Organizations: CNN, FC Barcelona, Messi, Barcelona, Camp, La Liga, Bonhams Locations: Barcelona, Argentine, York

☆ American bought an apartment in Spain and made a new life for himself. ‘I have not looked back’
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Silvia Marchetti | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Of all the cities Coe had toured and lived in during his career, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Seattle and Chicago, he picked laid-back Barcelona, Spain. Matthew Coe bought an apartment in Barcelona in 2021. Jordi FolchRhythm of life in SpainHe has quickly picked up the daily rhythm and easy-going habits of Spain. Yet the pros of living in Spain by far outnumber the cons, Coe says. In Spain, he’s eligible for national health care, having contributed through Social Security payments and having lived in Spain for more than 5 years.

Persons: Spain isn’t, you’ve, Matthew Coe, Coe, ” Coe, Jordi Folch “, ” Coe “, Matthew Coe Coe, “, Matthew Coe Barcelona, Jordi Folch, ”, it’s, He’s Organizations: CNN, Spanish Consulate, Social Locations: Spain, Wenatchee , Washington, Hong Kong, Europe, Singapore, Seattle, Chicago, Barcelona, Turkey, Italy, Greece, Spanish, Valencia, Madrid, Catalunya, United States, Pacific Northwest, overtourism

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández is keeping his cards close to his chest before the first “clasico” of the season. They all returned to training Friday, a day before Madrid arrives with a one-point lead in the Spanish league standings. “I will play my best players, those that are 100% ready,” the Barcelona coach said. Political Cartoons View All 1223 ImagesMadrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he wasn't worried who played for Barcelona as long as Jude Bellingham was ready to go. Regardless of who plays for the host team, Xavi has a huge task in finding a way to stop Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior.

Persons: Xavi Hernández, Robert Lewandowksi, de Jong, Pedri González, Jules Koundé, “, Ferran Torres, Carlo Ancelotti, wasn't, Jude Bellingham, Bellingham, Ancelotti, Xavi, Vinícius, ” Xavi, Ronald Araújo, De Jong, Oriol Romeu, Gavi Paéz, “ Oriol, ” Bellingham, Karim Benzema’s, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, “ Camavinga, Mendy, ” Ancelotti, Yamal, Fermín López Organizations: —, Madrid, Barcelona, Braga, Champions League, Bellingham, Manchester, Xavi’s, La Masia, Shakhtar Donetsk Locations: BARCELONA, Spain, — Barcelona, Barcelona, Lewandowski, Poland, Bellingham, Manchester City, Madrid, Saudi Arabia

☆ At Barcelona, Timing Is Everything
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Rory Smith | More About Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As he rose through the ranks at Barcelona, Gerard Deulofeu seemed to have everything. Luis Enrique, his manager, regarded him as his “standout.” He was fast-tracked into the senior side at the age of just 17. Deulofeu, though, never quite made it at Barcelona, not really. He felt Luis Enrique, previously such an ardent advocate, did not “trust” him now that he was in charge of the senior team. Deulofeu played six times for Barcelona, and was sold.

Persons: Gerard Deulofeu, Barcelona’s, Deulofeu, Luis Enrique, ”, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Luis Suárez, Cesc Fàbregas, Alexis Sánchez, Pedro, Andrés Iniesta Organizations: Barcelona, Everton, Sevilla Locations: Barcelona

☆ Vinícius Jr.: Barcelona board member writes then deletes derogatory social media post about Real Madrid star
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( George Ramsay | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —FC Barcelona coach Xavi said that he hopes Saturday’s El Clásico can be played with “mutual admiration” after a board member at the club deleted a derogatory social media post about Real Madrid forward Vinícius Jr. Neither Real Madrid nor Vinícius have publicly commented on the tweet. Vinícius testified earlier this month in a Spanish court about a racist incident which took place in the Mestalla Stadium when Madrid played Valencia. Footage and pictures widely posted on social media show a man performing monkey gestures towards Vinícius during the match. CNN has contacted Real Madrid and Vinícius for comment.

Persons: Xavi, Saturday’s El, ”, Vinícius Jr, Miquel Camps, Vinícius, Camps, “, Real, Raphinha, Kevin Langley, We’ve, Saturday’s, Sevilla, Rafael Yuste, Movistar, Yuste, Rodrygo, Florentino Pérez Organizations: CNN — FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Real Madrid’s Champions League, Sporting Braga, CNN, Los Blancos, Sevilla, Madrid, Valencia, Shakhtar Donetsk, La Liga, Real, Sevilla FC, ”, Shakhtar, Braga Locations: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Arlington , Texas

☆ Marc Guiu, 17, becomes youngest debutant to score for Barcelona
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —It took teenager Marc Guiu just 23 seconds to make history for Barcelona as he scored on his debut in the team’s 1-0 win against Athletic Bilbao. Guiu was brought on as a second-half substitute and made an instant impact, put through on goal by João Félix before firing a shot past Unai Simón. At the age of 17 years and 291 days, it made him the youngest player to score on debut for Barcelona. I’m just enjoying the moment, I’m still flying,” Guiu said after the match. Sixteen-year-old Lamine Yamal has also made a big impression this year, becoming the youngest player to appear in a competitive fixture for Barcelona in April and scoring his first league goal earlier this month.

Persons: Marc Guiu, Guiu, João Félix, Unai, ” Guiu, “, ” Simón, Fermín López, López, Félix, Yamal, Josep Lago, –, Xavi, ” Xavi, ” Organizations: CNN, Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Bilbao, La, La Liga, Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, Champions League Locations: Barcelona, AFP, Girona, Ukrainian

☆ Opinion: The people Olympic host cities don’t want you to see
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Opinion David Goldblatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

A Japanese policeman checks the signs to be used during the opening parade at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, 1964. Police officers stand guard at the rowing and kayak competitions venue at Lake Lanier near Gainesville, Georgia, ahead of the 1996 Olympic Games. Helsinki, which built the first permanent Olympic Village in 1952, created a successful and architecturally distinguished neighbourhood of social housing. Barcelona’s 1992 Olympic Village became the epicentre of a process of beachside gentrification and soaring house prices. Until that changes, we can expect the staging of future Olympic Games to look the same.

Persons: David Goldblatt, Read, David Goldblatt David Goldblatt, Douglas Miller, Charles Platiau, dockets, Buda Mendes, Barcelona’s, Urman Lionel, Denis Organizations: CNN, Olympic, Hulton, Getty, LAPD, Atlanta, Police, Housing Rights, Pan American Games, Rio de, City Council, Melbourne Olympic Games, Asahi Shimbun, City, Games, International Olympic Committee, Olympic Games Locations: British, Paris, Berlin, Roma, Tokyo, Moscow, Los Angeles, Lake Lanier, Gainesville , Georgia, Atlanta, Seoul, Beijing, Rio de Janeiro, Rio, Brazil, Buda, Helsinki, Melbourne, Japan, Australia, Mexico, Athens, Portakabins, London

☆ Barcelona restricts cruise ship access, plans to increase tourist taxes
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Julia Buckley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —As overtourism continues to throttle European cities, one destination has taken a step against cruise ships, restricting access to the port. Barcelona has closed its northern port terminal to cruise traffic, after an agreement with the local authorities to move ships further out of town. Cruise ships must now dock at the Moll d’Adossat pier, which is the furthest from the city center. Manfred Gottschalk/The Image Bank Unreleased/Getty ImagesBarcelona is Europe’s biggest cruise port. In contrast, the city’s population is just over 1.6 million, according to 2023 data by the local authorities.

Persons: overtourism, Moll, Lluís Salvadó, Salvadó, Ciutat Vella, Manfred Gottschalk, ” Albert Dalmau Miranda, Jaume Collboni, ”, Collboni Organizations: CNN, Trade, Cruises, World Trade, ”, Barcelona, New, Spanish, El Pais Locations: Barcelona, La, Port, ”, Barcelona’s, Europe’s, “, Airbnbs

☆ Lamine Yamal: Barcelona’s teenage star is ‘touched by the wand of God’
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Now, after a record-breaking year, almost everyone in world soccer is aware of Lamine Yamal. In April, at 15 years and 290 days, he became the youngest player to appear in a competitive fixture for the Blaugrana. When his star started to shine, questions were asked about which national team he would choose to represent. Unhelpful comparisonsDealing with such praise and adulation could be tricky for Yamal as he navigates the world of professional soccer. Yamal joined the Barcelona youth ranks at the age of seven, according to FIFA.

Persons: It’s, Yamal, Felipe Mondino, Luis de la Fuente, “, De la Fuente, ”, Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Barcelona’s, Fati, David Ramos, Pedri, Xavi, ” Xavi, Messi, Ballon Organizations: CNN, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa, Spanish national, Georgia, La Liga, Granada, Barcelona, Spanish, Premier League, Brighton, FIFA, ESPN Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Moroccan, Equatorial Guinea, Nou

☆ Sagrada Familia: Barcelona's famous cathedral nears completion as evangelist towers finished
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Amarachi Orie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —After a wait of more than 140 years, five central towers of Barcelona’s famous Sagrada Familia basilica are at last finished. On Wednesday, the final sculptural piece was placed on the tower of Matthew the Evangelist, according to a news release from the Basílica de la Sagrada Família. From Basílica de la Sagrada Família/Facebook“The four towers of the Evangelists are finished! An inauguration mass will be held at the cathedral on November 12, when the four evangelist towers will be illuminated. Josep Lago/AFP/Getty ImagesThe four evangelist towers stand at 135 meters tall (around 443 feet).

Persons: Antoni Gaudí, Virgin Mary, Jesus, Matthew the, John the, we’ll, Luke, Josep Lago, Jesus Christ, Gaudí, Pope Benedict XVI Organizations: CNN, Facebook, Getty, Spanish, UNESCO, Authorities, Ulm Minster Locations: Catalan, AFP, Barcelona’s, Ulm, Germany

CNN —FC Barcelona and several of the soccer club’s current and former executives are officially being investigated as suspects for “the sustained crime of active bribery,” according to a court document obtained by CNN – the latest twist in an alleged improper payment scandal overshadowing Spanish soccer. The investigation relates to alleged improper payments made by Barcelona to José María Enríquez Negreira, a former leading refereeing official in Spain. The spokesperson declined to share more details about the search but said that no arrests are expected to be made. He added that in his opinion the payments “produced the desired effects on referees,” resulting in “consequent systemic corruption in … Spanish refereeing” affecting soccer in the country. CNN has reached out to Negreira via his company for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Persons: “, –, Javier Soriano, invoiced, Negreira, ” Judge Joaquín Aguirre López, Aguirre López, ”, Barça, Caso, Xavi, Juan Manuel Serrano Arce, Javier Tebas, Los Blancos, CNN’s Matt Foster Organizations: CNN — FC Barcelona, CNN, Spain’s Civil Guard, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Guardia Civil, An FC Barcelona, Caso, Spanish, AFP, Getty, Prosecutors, CTA, 1st, La Liga, Barcelona, Osasuna, Civil Guard, Real, Real Madrid, UEFA Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Guardia, Spanish, Real Madrid

☆ Lamine Yamal becomes youngest La Liga starter in 21st century in Barcelona’s 2-0 win against Cádiz
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Lamine Yamal, the youngest player to ever feature for FC Barcelona in La Liga, has now made his full debut for the club at just 16 years and 38 days old. In making his full debut in Sunday’s game against Cádiz CF, Yamal also became the youngest player to start in La Liga in the 21st century. Yamal made his La Liga debut for Barça in April during a 4-0 over Real Betis. Bruna Casas/ReutersGetting a win was vital for Barça after the La Liga champion struggled in its opening game of the season against Getafe CF. Real Mallorca forward Luka Romero, who is now at AC Milan, is the youngest player to make his La Liga debut, according to Reuters.

Persons: Lamine Yamal, Yamal, ”, Xavi, Barça, Cádiz, Joan Valls, Pedri, Ferran Torres, ” Xavi, Bruna Casas, Raphinha, Luka Romero, Romero, Francisco Bao Rodríguez, Sansón – Organizations: CNN, FC Barcelona, La Liga, Cádiz CF, Liga, Barça, Real Betis, Movistar, ” Barcelona, Cádiz, Reuters, Getafe CF, Gavi, Real Mallorca, Luka, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Celta Vigo Locations: La

☆ Spain’s women make history at the Women’s World Cup against a backdrop of turmoil and dispute
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Spain has thrilled its fans and neutrals alike with some scintillating performances en route to a historic Women’s World Cup final against England on Sunday. Prior to this tournament, Spain had never won a knockout match at a Women’s World Cup. Spain has won three knockout matches for the first time at the Women's World Cup. But Spain, nevertheless, went on to make history at this World Cup. Alex Grimm/FIFA/Getty ImagesIn 2022, Spain won both the Under-17 and Under-20 Women’s World Cup.

Persons: Jorge Vilda, Spain’s, Alexia Putellas, Spain's Salma Paralluelo, Andrew Cornaga, Irene Paredes, Jennifer Hermoso, Vilda, ”, Mariona, Aitana, Ona, Saeed Khan, Sandra Paños, Mapi Leon, Patricia Guijarro, El Periodico, Leon, ’, Rafael del Amo, Angel Vilda, Molly Darlington, Luis Rubiales, Alex Grimm, Salma Paralluelo, we’ve, “, Virginia Torrecilla, Abbie Parr Organizations: CNN, England, Vilda, Spanish national, Getty, The Athletic, Diario de Navarra, Spanish, Real, Barcelona’s, League, FIFA, Sweden, AS, Spain, Spain’s, Twitter, ” Locations: Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Barcelona, Japan, La, Ona Batlle, AFP, The, Real Madrid, Marca

☆ Sea sails recklessly into choppy e-commerce waters
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Singapore-based Sea Limited Chairman and CEO Forrest Li, speaks during an interview with CNBC following his company's IPO on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., October 20, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Aug 16 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Sea's (SE.N) boss Forrest Li has picked a turbulent time to rock the boat. But Li's declaration on Tuesday that it's time to "ramp up" investments again risks wiping out the hard-earned investor goodwill. Despite Li's assurances that Sea will keep emphasising self-sufficiency and cost efficiencies, investors promptly erased some $10 billion, or 29%, in market value. In July, the latter injected $845 million into its Southeast Asian arm, signalling a price war may be on the horizon.

Persons: Forrest Li, Brendan McDermid, HONG KONG, Li, China's Alibaba, Robyn Mak, Exor’s Philips, Bain, BoE, Antony Currie, Thomas Shum Organizations: CNBC, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Reuters, HK, Twitter, FC Barcelona’s, Messi, Thomson Locations: Singapore, New York, U.S, HONG, York

☆ High services costs make UK rate-cutting laggard
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey speaks as he attends a press conference for the Monetary Policy Report August 2023, at the Bank of England in London, Britain, August 3, 2023. Alastair Grant/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Aug 16 (Reuters Breakingviews) - UK inflation is slowing, according to many metrics. Unfortunately, those are not the ones the Bank of England values the most. Prices in that category grew 7.4% in July, faster than June’s 7.2%, due to more expensive restaurants, hotels and airfares. Policymakers keep a close eye on services’ prices and wage growth, which hit a record in the three months to June.

Persons: Bank of England Andrew Bailey, Alastair Grant, Andrew Bailey, Bailey, Francesco Guerrera, Exor’s Philips, Bain, Neil Unmack, Streisand Neto Organizations: Bank of England, Monetary, REUTERS Acquire, Reuters, Bank of, Office, National Statistics . Services, European Central Bank, U.S . Federal Reserve, Twitter, FC Barcelona’s, Messi, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Bank of England, June’s

☆ Salesforce cage-rattlers leave in profitable peace
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Aug 15 (Reuters Breakingviews) - For activist investors in Salesforce (CRM.N), the low-hanging fruit should suffice. Fast growth and big-ticket acquisitions that Salesforce boss Marc Benioff had pursued turned anathema last year. The stock price roughly halved, falling faster than the Nasdaq-100 Technology Sector Index (.NDXT). Benioff eventually acquiesced, slashing 10% of the workforce, disbanding the deals committee and unveiling a $20 billion stock buyback plan. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Porte, Jeff Smith’s, Dan Loeb’s, Marc Benioff, ValueAct, Benioff, Jonathan Guilford, Exor’s Philips, Bain, BoE, Jeffrey Goldfarb, Sharon Lam Organizations: Viva Technology, Porte de, Reuters, Big Tech, Nasdaq, Profit, Elliott Investment Management, Twitter, FC Barcelona’s, Messi, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Salesforce, Salesforce’s

☆ Exor’s Philips bet looks well-timed
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Agnelli family’s investment company on Monday said it bought a 15% stake in the toothbrushes-to-defibrillators group for 2.6 billion euros ($2.8 billion). Philips’ shares are down some 62% since the peak in April 2021, and it now looks much cheaper than the sum of its parts. Based on peer multiples, its diagnostics business could be worth 14 times 2024 EBITDA, while its connected care unit, which helps hospitals manage patient data, might be valued at 18.5 times EBITDA. Lastly, throw in the consumer division, which makes toasters and TVs, and could fetch 12 times EBITDA. Using Refinitiv forecasts, that would imply a total enterprise value of 33 billion euros, and equity of some 24 billion euros, after taking off debt and 2.4 billion euros for legal costs estimated by Bernstein analysts.

Persons: John Elkann, Agnelli, Philips ’, EBITDA, Bernstein, Roy Jakobs, Philips, Karen Kwok, Bain, BoE, Neil Unmack, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, Koninklijke Philips, U.S . Department of Justice, Philips, Twitter, FC Barcelona’s, Messi, Siemens, Thomson

☆ Bain puts Chindata minority owners out of misery
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, Aug 14 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Bain Capital has just taught a refresher course in the perils of being a minority investor. On Friday the buyout firm agreed to take Chindata private in a deal that values the Chinese data centre operator it already controls at $3.2 billion. But those who bought in when the U.S. private equity firm took Chindata public in 2020 or were hoping for a bidding war – or both – have good reason to be disappointed. Second, a unit of state-owned conglomerate China Merchants Group countered Bain with a $3.4 billion deal, which Chindata took a month to acknowledge. And it has let investors holding another fifth or so of Chindata stock into the buyout group.

Persons: Bain’s, Bain, Chindata, Antony Currie, BoE, Robyn Mak, Katrina Hamlin Organizations: MELBOURNE, Reuters, Bain Capital, China Merchants Group, China Merchants, Twitter, FC Barcelona’s, Messi, Siemens, Thomson Locations: New York

☆ Planning to Visit Barcelona or Dubrovnik? It’s Going to Cost You.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Paige Mcclanahan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“It’s part of this zeitgeist that we need to be more conscious and take better care of our local environment,” Mr. Hansen said. In line with that trend, some European destinations that have long imposed tourism taxes have begun to increase their rates or impose additional levies. Last year, the Barcelona City Council began imposing a “city surcharge” on visitors, over and above the accommodation tax (from €1 to €3.50 per night), which the government of Catalonia established in 2012. It’s a similar story in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik — which, according to one index, had the highest ratio of tourists to residents of any European city in 2019. The mayor described the cruise tax as “a win-win.”

Persons: “, Mr, Hansen, Jordi Valls, Mato Frankovic, ’, Frankovic, ” Organizations: Barcelona City Council, City Locations: Barcelona, Catalonia, Croatian, Dubrovnik, Mato

☆ Sarina Wiegman: England manager shares secrets of the team’s success ahead of Women’s World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Amanda Davies | Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —After triumphing at the Women’s Euros in 2022, England will go into this year’s Women’s World Cup as one of the favorites to win the tournament. Since Sarina Wiegman took charge of the Lionesses in September 2021, the squad has transformed into something of a juggernaut. Naomi Baker/Getty ImagesEngland starts its World Cup campaign against Haiti on July 22, before facing Denmark and China in its other group stage matches. The USWNT has won the last two World Cup titles and knocked England out of the semifinals in 2019. If England is to win the Women’s World Cup for the first time, she will have to find a way to do so without captain Leah Williamson and goalscorer Beth Mead, who are both out with ACL knee injuries.

Persons: triumphing, Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh, Sarina Wiegman, It’s, CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies, Wiegman, “, We’re, Naomi Baker, ” Wiegman, ”, what’s, Ter, she’s, “ There’s, Alex Grimm, Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, “ I’m, that’s Organizations: CNN, England, Australia, Wembley, European, Getty, Haiti, United States Women ’ Locations: England, London, Denmark, China, Germany, France, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand

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