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☆ Joan of Arc: Why does her image still resonate?
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-15 | by ( Tacita Quinn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —More than 800 years after her birth, Joan of Arc — a patron saint of France — remains an object of not just historical, but cultural fascination. Humble beginningsOne of five children in a peasant family in Domrémy, in north-eastern France, Joan was born in the year 1412. The Amazonian image of Joan of Arc in armor is perhaps the most recurrent one in popular culture, inspiring thousands, if not hundreds and thousands, of similar depictions. It also provided the inspiration for Carl Theodore Dreyer’s silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) starring Renée Jeanne Falconetti. She is also a cautionary tale for young women, a brutal warning of the fickle nature of celebrity and a symbol of morality and strength.

Persons: Joan of Arc, we’ve, Chappell, Joan of, Jeanne Friott, Robert Mercier, Baz Luhrmann’s, Fiona Apple, Joe McNally, ” McNally, unapparent, Chloe Sevigny, Zendaya, Joan, Dauphin, King Charles VII, J, Ingres, Dauphin —, ”, Katherine J, Chen, Joan ”, Jules Bastien, Lepage, Alexander McQueen, Arc, Ingrid Bergman, Victor Fleming, Loomis Dean, Eleanor Jackson, “, ” Jackson, Rubens, Rossetti, Milla Jovovich, Charles, King of France, Luc Besson, Carl Theodore Dreyer’s, Renée Jeanne Falconetti, Rayne Fisher, Quann, ” Chappell Roan, Mike Coppola, ” Fisher, …, I’ve, ’, Roan, Sevigny, —, McNally, InStyle, Fındıkoğlu, Joan’s, Emma Corrin, Hari Nef, Chloe Sevigny's, Sara Jaye Weiss, ” Chen Organizations: CNN, Disney, France, Dauphin, British Library, auburn, Gaumont, MTV, Apple, London Fashion Locations: France, Domrémy, Dauphin of France, Hulton, Orléans, French, Loire, Reims, Compiegne

☆ Stephen King, Sarah Jessica Parker and More Share Their Top Books of the 21st Century
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-08 | by ( The New York Times Books Staff | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +26 min

To determine the best books of the 21st century , The New York Times Book Review and The Upshot polled hundreds of literary luminaries. Stephen King Stephen King has written more than 60 books, many of which have been adapted for film and television. Min Jin Lee Min Jin Lee has written two novels: FREE FOOD FOR MILLIONAIRES and PACHINKO, which was one of The Times’s 10 Best Books of 2017. Scott Turow Scott Turow is an attorney and writer best known for legal thrillers like PRESUMED INNOCENT and THE BURDEN OF PROOF. DU BOIS, was one of The Times’s 10 Best Books of 2021.

Persons: Stephen King Stephen King, ”, Ian McEwan ●, Christine Falls, Benjamin Black ●, Donna Tartt, Gillian Flynn ●, Cormac McCarthy ●, Margaret Atwood ●, Sarah Waters ●, Philip Roth ●, Viet Thanh Nguyen, “, Stephen King, Min Jin Lee Min Jin Lee, Anthony Doerr ●, Katherine Boo ●, Colm Tóibín ●, Julie Otsuka ● “, Tara Westover ● “, Matthew Desmond ● “, Marilynne Robinson, Edward P, Jones, Barbara Ehrenreich ●, Phil Klay Karl Ove Knausgaard Karl Ove Knausgaard, Roberto Bolaño ● “, Maggie Nelson ● “, Elena Ferrante ● “, Ben Marcus ● “, Emmanuel Carrère ●, Kazuo Ishiguro ●, Claire Keegan ● “, Peter Handke ●, Denis Johnson ●, Svetlana Alexievich, Bonnie Garmus Bonnie Garmus, Barnes, Nehisi Coates, Barbara Kingsolver ●, Tara Westover, Matt Ridley ●, Harry Potter, Prince, Rowling ●, Dave Eggers ●, Henry David Thoreau, Laura Dassow, Ben Rice ●, Colson Whitehead ●, Timothy Egan Nana Kwame Adjei ‑ Brenyah Nana Kwame Adjei ‑, ZZ Packer, Diana Khoi Nguyen, “ Greenwood, Michael Christie, Solmaz Sharif, Min Jin Lee ● “, George Saunders ● “, Jesmyn Ward, Ted Chiang ●, George Saunders ●, Colson Whitehead, Chimamanda Ngozi, Edwidge Danticat, Aracelis Girmay, Natsuo Kirino, Roberto Bolaño ●, Francisco Goldman ●, Paul Beatty Sarah Jessica Parker Sarah Jessica Parker, Tayari Jones, Sting, Paul Murray ●, Megha Majumdar ●, Anthony Marra ●, Jonathan Franzen ●, Donna Tartt ●, Janika Oza, Patrick Radden Keefe, Sonali Deraniyagala James Patterson James Patterson, Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, J.D . Barker, Stephen King ● “, Markus Zusak ●, Tara Westover ●, Stieg Larsson, Gillian Flynn, Rowling, Anthony Bourdain ●, Keith Richards, James Fox ●, Dennis Lehane ●, Laura Hillenbrand Elin Hilderbrand Elin Hilderbrand, “ Alice, Oliver, Charles Bock ●, Curtis Sittenfeld, Tim Winton ●, Lily King ● “, Anna Quindlen ●, Lauren Groff ● “, Maggie O'Farrell, Raven Leilani, Erin Morgenstern Annette Gordon ‑ Reed Annette Gordon, Reed, Siddhartha Mukherjee, Annette Gordon, Reed ●, Henrietta, Rebecca Skloot ●, Louis Menand ●, Isabel Wilkerson ●, Hilary, Rebecca Roanhorse Rebecca Roanhorse, Hugo, Ann Leckie ● “, Ted Chiang ● “, Kim Stanley Robinson ●, Stephen Graham Jones ●, Ken Liu ●, Djèlí Clark ●, Louise Erdrich ●, Theodore Sturgeon Marlon James Marlon James, Booker, Maria McCann ● “, Bird, James McBride ●, Alan Hollinghurst ●, Min Jin Lee ●, Skippy, Patrick French Roxane Gay Roxane Gay, Michael Chabon ●, Alicia Erian ●, Bernardine Evaristo, Kiese Laymon, Carmen Maria Machado ●, Zadie Smith, Emma Donoghue ●, Ann Patchett Jonathan Lethem Jonathan Lethem, Eugene Lim ●, Olga Ravn ●, Percival Everett ●, Keith Ridgway ●, Renee Gladman ●, Lydia Millet ● “, Helen DeWitt ● “, Robin McLean ●, Christopher Sorrentino Sarah MacLean Sarah MacLean, Angelina M, Lopez ● “, Lisa Kleypas ●, Jennifer Crusie ●, Circe, Madeline Miller, Kresley Cole ●, Beverly Jenkins ● “ Georgie, Kate Clayborn ● “ Hana Khan, Uzma Jalaluddin, Milla Vane ● “, Sherry Thomas Ed Yong Ed Yong, Bel Canto, Ann Patchett, Nana Kwame Adjei, Abed Salama, Nathan Thrall, Mohsin Hamid ● “, Helen Macdonald ● “, Jenny Odell ●, Julie Otsuka, Amal El, Max Gladstone ●, Hernan Diaz, Thomas Chatterton Williams Thomas Chatterton Williams, Hagar's, Jones ●, Catherine Lacey ● “, Dana Spiotta, Joan Silber ● “ Malcolm X, Manning Marable, Alice Munro ●, Hua Hsu, Veronica, Mary Gaitskill ●, Isabel Wilkerson Paul Tremblay Paul Tremblay, Mark Z, Joker, Kaoru Takamura ●, Benjamín Labatut, Stephen Graham Jones, Mariana Enriquez ●, Sara Levine ●, Colson Whitehead Nick Hornby Nick Hornby, Michael Chabon, David Kynaston ●, Billy Lynn's, Ben Fountain ●, Richard Russo, Olive Kitteridge, Elizabeth Strout ●, Mark Harris ●, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc ●, Scott Turow Scott Turow, Sam Quinones ● “, Elena Ferrante, Ann Goldstein, ●, Timothy Snyder ●, Adam Johnson ●, Ann Goldstein ●, Daniel Kahneman ● “, Daniel Alarcón Daniel Alarcón, Oscar Wao, Junot Díaz, Claudia Rankine, Jones ● “, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc ● “, Patrick Radden Keefe Honorée Fanonne Jeffers Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, Victor Luckerson ●, Alice Walker ●, Toni Morrison ●, Toni Morrison ● “, Ibram X, Tiya Miles ●, Isabel Wilkerson Lucy Sante Lucy Sante, Uwe Johnson, Damion Searls, Jeremiah Moss ●, Sigrid Nunez ●, Ian Penman, Mike DeCapite ●, Rachel Kushner ●, Ed Park ●, Svetlana Alexievich Gary Shteyngart Gary Shteyngart, Pitchaya Sudbanthad, Amy Hempel, Amy Hempel ● “, Colm Tóibín, Joseph O’Neill ●, Rachel Cusk ●, Tony Judt ●, Isabel Wilkerson Anand Giridharadas Anand Giridharadas, Jane Mayer ●, Andrew Solomon ● “, Hanya Yanagihara, Suketu Mehta, Karl Ove Knausgaard ●, Asne Seierstad, Joan Didion Jessamine Chan Jessamine, Barack Obama, Tang, Chloé Cooper Jones, Andrea Elliott ● “, Jenny Erpenbeck, Lauren Groff ●, Cathy Park Hong, Sheila Heti ●, Dorothy Roberts Michael Robbins Michael Robbins, Michael Robbins, Kristin Ross ●, Lauren Berlant, Andreas Malm ●, Anahid Nersessian, “ Lila, Mike Davis ●, Chelsey Minnis, Fred Moten ●, Mary Gaitskill Alma, Alma Katsu, Jonathan Strange, Norrell, Susanna Clarke ● “, Sarah Waters, Julie Otsuka ●, Audrey Niffenegger ●, Megan Abbott Megan Abbott, Edgar, Joyce Carol Oates, Kate Atkinson ●, Robert Kolker ●, Oyinkan Braithwaite ●, Daniel Woodrell ●, Joan Didion Joshua Ferris Joshua Ferris, Hemingway, Anne Enright, Patricia Lockwood ●, Paul Harding ●, Ann Napolitano Ann Napolitano, David Mitchell ●, Yaa Gyasi, Emily St, John Mandel ●, John Irving John Irving, OWEN MEANY, John Boyne, Paul Theroux, Abraham Verghese ●, James Salter ●, Nix, Nathan Hill, Edmund White ●, Peter Matthiessen ●, Michael Ondaatje ●, Jeanette Winterson Tiya Miles Tiya Miles, Frederick Douglass, David W, Blight, Andrew Sean Greer ●, Michael Pollan ●, Dara Horn ●, Stephen Greenblatt ●, Jami Attenberg Jami Attenberg, Ada Limón ●, Jonathan Franzen, Alison Bechdel, Sloane Crosley, Alexander Chee ●, Patti Smith ●, Morgan Parker ●, Sara Novic Stephen L, Carter Stephen L, Carter, Deirdre McCloskey ●, Mohsin Hamid ●, Virginia Postrel, Umberto, Geraldine Brooks ●, Richard Powers ●, Jane Brox ●, David Bentley Hart, Lesley Nneka Arimah, Sarah Schulman Sarah Schulman, Mattilda Bernstein, Natasha Trethewey ●, Adania Shibli, Ned Blackhawk ●, Stephanie E, Rogers, Martha S, Steven W, Raja Shehadeh ●, Hugh Ryan Elizabeth Hand Elizabeth Hand, Rene Denfeld ●, Henry Darger, John M, MacGregor ● “, Dan Chaon ● “ James Tiptree Jr, Julie Phillips ●, Kelly Link, Morgan Talty ●, Robert Macfarlane ●, William Gibson Dion Graham Dion Graham, Jonathan Eig’s, Colson Whitehead’s CROOK, Omar El Akkad, Wolf, Marlon James ● “, Winfred Rembert, Cixin Liu ● “, Dave Eggers ● “, George Floyd, Robert Samuels, Toluse, Jonathan Eig ●, Jonathan Eig ● “ Washington, Jeremy Denk Jeremy Denk, David Foster Wallace ●, Jeff, Geoff Dyer ●, Hanif Abdurraqib, Elif Batuman, Alex Ross ●, Kate Molleson Morgan Jerkins Morgan Jerkins, Zora Neale Hurston, Haruki Murakami ●, Masha Gessen ●, Safiya Sinclair ● “, Carmen Maria Machado ● “, Imani Perry, Jesmyn Ward Michael Roth Michael Roth, Amy Bloom, Saidiya Hartman, Valeria Luiselli ●, Jon Fosse, Daniel Kahneman ●, Ben Lerner ●, Jennifer Egan Organizations: New York, Argonauts, J.K, Railroad, Corrections, ”, A.M, Harvard University, OF, Metaphysical, Suns, Ministry, Indians, The New York Times, Hawthorn, Child, Roberto Bolaño ● “, New Yorker, NPR, University of Oklahoma, DU BOIS, PEN, “, Yale Law School, THE, Umberto Eco, Beginners, MacArthur Foundation, Wesleyan University, Topeka School Locations: ”, Brooklyn, Norwegian, Ben Marcus ● “ The, Nantucket, OF MONTICELLO, Monticello, “, BROOKLYN, Britain, Jones ● “ Lincoln, Feral, Bangkok, Susanna Clarke ● “ Lincoln, Burma, Texas, Jonathan Eig ● “, “ Austerlitz, Venice, Death, Varanasi, America, Lorraine

☆ Brenntag to reshuffle divisions amid investor calls for break-up
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 5 (Reuters) - German chemicals distributor Brenntag (BNRGn.DE), which has come under pressure from activist investors to break up its businesses, on Tuesday said it would reshuffle its units to drive "independence and autonomy" of its two global divisions. The company will transfer all pharmaceutical activities from its essentials divisions to its specialities arm, while moving water treatment and finished lubricants businesses along with some semi-speciality products in the opposite direction. Brenntag is the latest in a series of old and famous German companies, such as Bayer (BAYGn.DE) and Thyssenkrupp (TKAG.DE), that have been targeted by activist investors to divest part of their business to improve profitability. It said the "operational and legal disentanglement" of the specialities and essentials divisions would create optionality and make Brenntag ready for next strategic steps by 2026. Reporting by Tristan Veyet and Matteo Allievi in Gdansk; editing by Milla NissiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tristan Veyet, Matteo Allievi, Milla Nissi Organizations: Bayer, Thomson Locations: Gdansk

Signify's shares rose 5.6% to 28.16 euros at 1110 GMT on Friday, among top performers on Europe's benchmark STOXX 600 index (.STOXX). Signify did not disclose how many people would be affected by the revamp, but reiterated its aim to keep non-manufacturing costs within 25%-29% of sales. In the third quarter, its adjusted indirect costs as a percentage of sales increased by 160 basis points to 30.2%. "The new segment structure will also improve the disclosure and bring Signify closer to the customers, " it added. Signify's nominal sales fell by 13.8% in the third quarter hit by slow demand across its geographies, it said in October.

Persons: de, Eric Rondolat, Rondolat, Morgan, Diana Mandiá, Milla Nissi, Jane Merriman Organizations: REUTERS, Philips, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Eindhoven, Netherlands, China, Gdansk

☆ Most online hate targets women, says EU report
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 29 (Reuters) - Women are the main targets of online hate, including abusive language, harassment and incitement to sexual violence, a European Union report said on Wednesday. The study was conducted on YouTube, Telegram, Reddit and X - formerly known as Twitter - in four EU countries between January and June 2022. It showed women were the main targets across all platforms and countries involved. "The sheer volume of hate we identified on social media clearly shows that the EU, its Member States, and online platforms can step up their efforts to create a safer online space for all," FRA director Michael O'Flaherty said in a statement. Tech giants have been facing mounting scrutiny recently, with a surge in harmful content and disinformation following the Israel-Hamas war.

Persons: Michael O'Flaherty, Diana Mandiá, Milla Nissi, Angus MacSwan Organizations: EU's Agency, Fundamental Rights, YouTube, EU, EU's Digital Services, European Commission, Facebook, Tech, Thomson Locations: Roma, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Israel, Gdansk

☆ I'm a Ukrainian CEO who's expanded my bridal business despite the war. Here's how I did it.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ulyana Kyrychuk is the CEO of Milla Nova, a bridal company in Lviv, Ukraine. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ulyana Kyrychuk, the CEO of Milla Nova, a bridal brand in Lviv, Ukraine. I'm the CEO of Milla Nova, a female-led bridal company in Lviv with 500 employees that makes dresses for brides around the world. Milla Nova employees sewing dresses in the factory in Lviv, Ukraine. AdvertisementMilla Nova employees sewing dresses at the factory in Lviv, Ukraine.

Persons: Milla Nova, Kyrychuk, —, Ulyana Kyrychuk, It's, I've, I'd, weren't, Milla Organizations: Harvard, Service, Harvard Business School, DHL, LinkedIn Locations: Lviv, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Australia, DHL Ukraine

☆ Factbox-European Countries Tighten Borders
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

These countries have reinstated stricter checks:* Austria introduced checks at its border with the Czech Republic in October, set to last until Dec. 6. * Denmark in August tightened border control for arrivals, including those from Schengen countries, at Copenhagen airport to boost security after incidents of Koran burnings. * Germany announced controls in September on its land borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, set to stay in place until Dec. 4. * Sweden strengthened checks in August on its borders, giving border police more power including body searches and increased use of electronic surveillance. * France as of November reintroduced controls on its borders with Schengen members, citing what it called terrorism threats.

Persons: Berlin, Matteo Piantedosi, Gerald Darmanin, Olivier Sorgho, Stéphanie, Milla Nissi, Frances Kerry Organizations: Reuters, European, Austria, EU, Kremlin Locations: Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Ukraine, Denmark, Copenhagen, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Berlin, East, Italy, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, France, Belgian, Brussels, Africa, Croatia, Finland, Russia, Helsinki, Moscow, Gdansk

☆ European countries tighten borders
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Persons: Fabrizio Bensch, Berlin, Matteo Piantedosi, Gerald Darmanin, Olivier Sorgho, Stéphanie, Milla Nissi, Frances Kerry Organizations: REUTERS, European, Austria, EU, Kremlin, Thomson Locations: Forst, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Ukraine, Denmark, Copenhagen, Poland, Switzerland, Berlin, East, Italy, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, France, Belgian, Brussels, Africa, Croatia, Finland, Russia, Helsinki, Moscow, Gdansk

☆ European mobile data traffic to triple by 2028 -GSMA
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The GSMA, which brings together more than 1,000 mobile phone operators and businesses, said 5G subscribers were interested in adding high-bandwidth services and content to their mobile contracts, as demand for high-quality gaming, extended reality, and video content grows. Mobile data traffic per smartphone will increase in Western Europe to 56 gigabytes (GB) per month in 2028, compared with 20 GB last year. In Central and Eastern Europe, it will rise to 37 GB per month from 14 GB in 2022, the lobby group said in its annual mobile economy report. More than 460 million Europeans, or 85% of the population, were connected to mobile internet in 2022, according to the GSMA. ($1 = 0.9168 euros)Reporting Diana Mandiá, editing by Milla Nissi and Emelia Sithole-MatariseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, GSMA, We're, Daniel Pataki, Diana Mandiá, Milla Nissi, Emelia Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Qatar, REUTERS, Telecom Italia, Big Tech, Netflix, Microsoft, European Commission, Reuters, Thomson Locations: France, Argentina, Paris, Mobile, Western Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Orange, Europe

☆ 'Boomerang' CEOs of major companies
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 22 (Reuters) - Sam Altman reached an agreement with OpenAI to return as CEO on Wednesday, after a tumultuous few days following his ouster by the company's board. He joins a list of big name "boomerang" chief executives who have made comebacks at a later date. DELL (DELL.N) - MICHAEL DELLMichael Dell founded Dell Inc in 1980s and held the position of CEO until 2004, when he stepped down to serve as chairman. He returned as CEO in 2007 and led the company through the merger with EMC, which resulted in the emergence of Dell Technologies. He returned as CEO in 2023 amid challenges related to UBS's takeover of peer Credit Suisse.

Persons: Sam Altman, OpenAI, Steve Jobs, John Sculley, DELL, MICHAEL DELL Michael Dell, ROBERT IGER Robert Iger, HOWARD SCHULTZ Howard Schultz, JACK DORSEY Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams, Dorsey, SERGIO ERMOTTI Sergio Ermotti, Ralph Hamers, Boleslaw Lasocki, Victor Goury, Milla Nissi, Jane Merriman Organizations: Apple, Dell Inc, EMC, Dell Technologies . DISNEY, NBA, TWITTER, Twitter, UBS, Suisse, Thomson Locations: U.S, Swiss, Laffont, Gdansk

☆ Kohl's misses quarterly sales estimates as customers cut back spending
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Kohl’s label is seen on a shopping cart in a Kohl’s department store in the Brooklyn borough of New York, U.S., January 25, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 21 (Reuters) - Kohl's on Tuesday posted a bigger than expected drop in quarterly sales, as customers spent less dollars at its department stores amid persistently high inflation. Its comparable sales decreased by 5.5% in the third quarter, compared with analysts' estimate for a 3% fall, according to LSEG data. Inventories were down 13% in the quarter, the third straight quarter of decline. Reporting by Granth Vanaik in Bengaluru; Editing by Milla NissiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Kohl's, Granth, Milla Nissi Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Brooklyn, New York, U.S, Falls , Wisconsin, Bengaluru

☆ Bath & Body Works trims sales forecast as demand slows into holiday season
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Products are displayed in L Brands Inc., Bath & Body Works retail store in Manhattan, New York, U.S., May 13, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid Acquire Licensing RightsNov 16 (Reuters) - Bath & Body Works (BBWI.N) lowered its annual sales forecast on Thursday on signs of slowing demand ahead of the crucial holiday season, as customers cut back spending on non-essential items like the specialty retailer's candles and soaps. The retailer expects its 2023 net sales to fall by 2.5% to 4%, compared with its previous forecast for a decline of 1.5% to 3.5%. Bath & Body Works earned 48 cents per share excluding one-time items in the third quarter ended Oct. 28, topping analysts' average estimate of 35 cents per share. The Ohio-based company's net sales fell 2.6% to $1.56 billion in the quarter, in line with analysts' estimates.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Gina Boswell, Juby Babu, Milla Nissi Organizations: Brands Inc, Body Works, REUTERS, Body, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York, U.S, The Ohio, Bengaluru

The head office of Dutch financial insurance company Aegon is seen in The Hague, October 28, 2008. Dutch insurer Aegon tapped into government funding on Tuesday, taking 3 billion euros ($3.7 billion) to strengthen its capital base eroded by investment losses and exposure to risky investments. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 16 (Reuters) - Dutch Insurer Aegon (AEGN.AS) raised its annual capital generation forecast on Thursday after topping third-quarter expectations on the same metric, driven by a strong performance in the key U.S. market. The company expects operating capital generation from its units to be around 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) this year, compared with a prior target of more than 1 billion. Aegon's Americas region, which mostly consists of its U.S. business, represented two-thirds of the group's operating capital generation in the quarter.

Persons: Stringer, Matt Rider, Rider, Gaelle Sheehan, Victor Goury, Milla Nissi, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Aegon, REUTERS, U.S, Metlife, World Financial, Reuters, Thomson Locations: The Hague, Eastern, U.S, Americas, Netherlands, Laffont, Gdansk

Nov 16 (Reuters) - Swedish games developer Embracer (EMBRACb.ST) topped second-quarter operating profit expectations on Thursday, aided by its restructuring efforts, sending its shares up more than 11%. The group, which owns the rights to the Tomb Raider and Lord of the Rings games, reported a 14% drop in adjusted operating profit to 1.8 billion Swedish crowns ($170.2 million) in the quarter through September, but beat analysts' forecast of 1.62 billion crowns. The decline was mainly due to a lower contribution from PC and console games, it said. It announced major restructuring plans in June, after a $2 billion partnership deal with an undisclosed company fell through in May. Embracer's shares have lost nearly a half of their value since it warned on profit in May.

Persons: Embracer, Hans, Marius Ludvigsen, Lars Wingefors, Wingefors, Jesus Calero, Milla Nissi, Sharon Singleton, David Evans Organizations: The Entertainment, Services, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Swedish, Embracer, U.S, Gdansk

☆ Alstom to cut 1,500 staff, sell assets
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A logo of Alstom is seen at the Alstom's plant in Semeac near Tarbes, France, February 15, 2019. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 15 (Reuters) - Alstom (ALSO.PA) on Wednesday said it would cut jobs, sell assets and was considering a capital increase in a bid to boost its balance sheet and alleviate investor concerns over high debt. The maker of France's iconic TGV trains said it aimed to cut about 1,500 staff to help meet its confirmed mid-term targets. Alstom plans to cut its net debt by 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion) by March 2025. As of Sept. 30, it had a net debt of 3.43 billion euros.

Persons: Regis, Henri Poupart, Lafarge, Philippe Petitcolin, Safran, Olivier Sorgho, Milla Nissi, Silvia Aloisi Organizations: Alstom, REUTERS, Traders, Thomson Locations: Semeac, Tarbes, France, Gdansk

☆ Delivery Hero slightly lifts annual GMV outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Andreas Harte, a Foodora delivery cyclist poses in front of Delivery Hero headquarters in Berlin, Germany, June 2, 2017. Foodora is part of the Berlin-based company Delivery Hero, one of Europe's largest internet start-ups. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 14 (Reuters) - German online takeaway food company Delivery Hero (DHER.DE) slightly raised its full-year outlook on Tuesday after reporting a better-than-expected gross merchandise value (GMV) for the third quarter. The Berlin-based company now sees 2023 GMV growth at the upper end of its previous forecast range of 5-7% in constant currency terms. Delivery Hero, which reports earnings numbers only on a half-year and annual basis, said its key Asia-Pacific business reached a positive adjusted EBITDA before group costs in the month of October.

Persons: Andreas Harte, Foodora, Fabrizio Bensch, Emmanuel Thomassin, Ozan Ergenay, Michal Aleksandrowicz, Milla Nissi Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Frankfurt, Asia, Pacific, Gdansk

☆ Italy's Banca Generali lifts NII target after Q3 profit beat
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 13 (Reuters) - Italian asset manager Banca Generali (BGN.MI) raised its annual net interest income (NII) forecast on Monday after its third-quarter profit jumped nearly 35%, excluding one-off expenses. The group, controlled by Italy's top insurer Generali (GASI.MI), sees NII of around 300 million euros ($320 million) in 2023, up from a previous guidance of 250-280 million, CEO Gian Maria Mossa said in a post-earnings call with analysts. The bank reported a net profit of 80.1 million euros in the three months through September, beating a company-provided consensus estimate of 78.9 million, driven by a strong increase in NII and higher net recurring fees. Quarterly NII came in at 76.6 million euros, up from 36 million in the same period last year, while recurring fees rose by 2.1% to 114.4 million euros over the same period. The group also said it would set aside 26.6 million euros as non-distributable reserves in lieu of paying the windfall tax on net interest income introduced by the Italian government.

Persons: Gian Maria Mossa, NII, Federica, Milla Nissi Organizations: Banca Generali, Thomson Locations: Italian

☆ How European airlines have hedged against fuel price increases
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Spot Northwest European jet fuel prices were at $950 per metric ton on Monday, up 4% from before the assault. They also try to hedge against value changes in the U.S. dollar, in which jet fuel is priced. JET2 (JET2.L):The British leisure travel company said in July it had 81.8% of fuel hedged over the next 12 months. Lufthansa has hedged 74% of the fuel it expects to need for 2024 at an average price of $951 per ton. WIZZ AIR (WIZZ.L):The Hungarian carrier said in June it had hedged 62% of its 2024 fuel needs and 53% of the dollars it needs for that fuel.

Persons: Toby Melville, Vueling, IAG, Camilla Borri, Louis van Boxel, Woolf, Marta Frąckowiak, Milla Nissi, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Heathrow Airport, REUTERS, Brent, U.S ., AIR FRANCE, KLM, Reuters, British Airways, LUFTHANSA, Lufthansa, NORWEGIAN AIR, RYANAIR, SAS, Thomson Locations: London, Israel, Ukraine, Franco, Dutch, Iberia, NORWEGIAN, Norwegian, Gdansk

☆ Humana shares fall as reaffirmed 2023 profit view disappoints
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Khushi Mandowara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Signage for Humana Inc. is pictured at a health facility in Queens, New York City, U.S., November 30, 2021. The health insurer stuck to its 2023 adjusted profit target of at least $28.25 per share. As of Sept. 30, 5.9 million members were enrolled in its Medicare Advantage plans, up 14.7% from a year ago. The company raised its forecast for 2023 Medicare Advantage membership for the second time this year, and now expects to add at least 860,000 people. It reported a quarterly adjusted profit of $7.78 per share, beating analysts' estimate of $7.16 per share.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Humana, Julie Utterback, Utterback, UnitedHealth, Khushi, Milla Nissi Organizations: Humana Inc, REUTERS, Wednesday, Health, Humana, Medicare, Thomson Locations: Queens , New York City, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ mBank CEO doesn't see end of provisioning for Swiss franc mortgages
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Commerzbank's Polish unit mBank's logo is seen in Warsaw, Poland, May 31, 2023. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsGDANSK, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Polish lender mBank's (MBK.WA) CEO Cezary Stypulkowski on Tuesday said he did not see the end of provisioning for legal risks related to Swiss franc mortgages, adding the scale of the issue was difficult to predict. Stypulkowski did not give any timeline on when the situation might be solved. The bank's provisions for legal risk of foreign currency loans were 1.08 billion zlotys ($258.84 million) in the third quarter, compared with 2.31 billion zlotys a year earlier. ($1 = 4.1724 zlotys)Reporting by Mateusz Rabiega; editing by Milla NissiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kacper, Cezary Stypulkowski, Stypulkowski, Mateusz, Milla Nissi Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Warsaw, Poland, GDANSK

☆ Global Payments lifts profit forecast on strong consumer spending
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 31 (Reuters) - Global Payments (GPN.N) raised its annual profit forecast and beat Wall Street estimates for third-quarter profit on Tuesday, as strong consumer spending drove growth in its merchant-focused business. Global Payments now expects annual adjusted profit of between $10.39 and $10.45 per share, up from a prior range of $10.35 to $10.44 per share. That has helped companies like Global Payments, whose fees are strongly correlated to spending volumes. Peer Fiserv (FI.N) last week also raised its full-year profit forecast after its quarterly earnings nearly doubled. Excluding one-off items, Global Payments earned $2.75 per share in the third quarter.

Persons: Peer Fiserv, Arasu Kannagi Basil, Milla Nissi Organizations: Wall, Global, Thomson Locations: The Atlanta , Georgia, Bengaluru

☆ France's Atos posts lower Q3 revenue dragged by Tech Foundations unit
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of Atos is seen on a company building in Nantes, France, March 11, 2022. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 26 (Reuters) - French IT company Atos (ATOS.PA) on Thursday reported lower third-quarter revenue as good performance at its Eviden division was offset by the loss-making Tech Foundations unit. Atos is in talks to sell its legacy IT division, dubbed Tech Foundations, to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, which would end its initial turnaround plan to split the group into two listed entities. Atos posted quarterly revenue of 2.59 billion euros ($2.73 billion) for the whole group, down 3% organically and 5.3% on a constant currency basis from 2.82 billion euros last year. It still expects cash burn for the year to be about 1 billion euros.

Persons: Stephane Mahe, Daniel Kretinsky, Yves Bernaert, Atos, Michal Aleksandrowicz, Milla Nissi Organizations: REUTERS, IT, Tech, supercomputing, Thomson Locations: Nantes, France, French, Czech, Eviden, Gdansk

☆ Hershey tops quarterly estimates boosted by higher candy prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Hershey's chocolates are pictured for sale on a store shelf in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S. July 19, 2017. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 26 (Reuters) - Hershey (HSY.N) beat Wall Street expectations for quarterly sales and profit on Thursday, riding on benefits from higher prices of its chocolates and candies at a time when demand has slowed. Overall organic prices rose by 9.8% in the third quarter, while organic volumes increased by only 0.9%. Hershey's net sales rose to $3.03 billion in the quarter ended Oct. 1 from $2.73 billion a year earlier. The company also reaffirmed its annual profit forecast of $9.46 to $9.54 per share and sales expectations for an 8% rise.

Persons: Carlo Allegri, Hershey, Michele Buck, Ananya Mariam Rajesh, Milla Nissi Organizations: REUTERS, Hershey, Thomson Locations: Manhattan, New York City , New York, U.S, Russia, Ukraine, Bengaluru

☆ Dassault Systemes hikes profit target after strong Q3 subscriptions
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A logo of Dassault Systemes SE is seen on a company building in Paris, France, January 27, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Acquire Licensing RightsOct 25 (Reuters) - French software maker Dassault Systemes (DAST.PA) lifted its 2023 outlook for earnings per share (EPS) on Wednesday, after an uptick in subscriptions boosted its third-quarter sales. The company raised its full-year guidance for diluted EPS to between 1.19 euros and 1.21 euros, compared with a previous target of 1.18-1.20 euros per share, and confirmed annual revenue target for 8-9% growth. Overall software revenue increased by 12% in the quarter, driven by 21% growth in Europe. China stayed resilient with mid-single-digit percentage growth in software revenues despite tough economic conditions, the company said.

Persons: Sarah Meyssonnier, Pierre John Felcenloben, Milla Nissi Organizations: Dassault, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Europe, Asia, China, Gdansk

☆ Corning's shares fall as the Apple supplier forecasts Q4 core sales below estimates
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shares of Corning, whose Gorilla Glass is used by the likes of Samsung (005930.KS) and Apple (AAPL.O), fell nearly 4% before the bell. The company expects core sales of about $3.25 billion in the three months through December, compared with analysts' estimate of $3.56 billion, according to LSEG data. In the third quarter, its core sales fell by about 6% to $3.46 billion, missing estimates of $3.50 billion. The optical communications unit, one of Corning's main revenue generators, saw its net sales decline by more than 30%. The company forecast fourth-quarter core earnings of between 37 cents and 42 cents per share, below estimates of 50 cents per share.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Wendell Weeks, Corning, Arsheeya, Milla Nissi Organizations: Corning Inc, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Samsung, Apple, Counterpoint Research, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S, Corning, Bengaluru

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