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☆ WeightWatchers' CEO embraced Ozempic. Now she's out of the company.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-27 | by ( Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

WeightWatchers' CEO of roughly two years, Sima Sistani, is out. AdvertisementIt's been a bumpy year for WW International, the company also known as WeightWatchers. In a leadership shake-up Friday, the weight-loss company announced CEO Sima Sistani is stepping down after roughly two years — effective immediately — and board member Tara Comonte is stepping up to serve as interim chief. Sistani helped push the company into the weight-loss drug space in 2023 through the $106 million acquisition of telehealth platform Sequence — which is now called WeightWatchers Clinic, and which prescribes weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. The telehealth purchase marked something of a pivot from the group support meetings and calorie-tracking menus WeightWatchers is known for, though the company also launched a behavioral program for patients on Ozempic.

Persons: WeightWatchers, Sima Sistani, —, It's, Tara Comonte, Sima, Thilo Semmelbauer, Sistani, haven't, Comonte, Oprah Winfrey Organizations: Service, WW International, WeightWatchers, WeightWatchers Clinic, CNN, Life Sciences, Shake, Business, Smithsonian's National Museum of

☆ Sima Sistani, who embraced Ozempic, is out as CEO of WeightWatchers
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-27 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —WeightWatchers CEO Sima Sistani, who pushed the company into embracing weight-loss drugs, is leaving the position after a two-year stint. “These medications have shown, and science has evolved to say, that living with obesity is a chronic condition. Winfrey joined the board in 2015 and bought a 10% stake, immediately giving the beleaguered company relevance. Tara Comonte, a WeightWatchers board member and a former CEO of Shake Shack, will become the interim CEO effective immediately, the company said in a release. Prior to joining the company in June 2023, she was the CEO of a fertility technology company.

Persons: Sima Sistani, ” Sistani, Oprah Winfrey, Winfrey, Tara Comonte, Comonte’s, ”, Thilo Semmelbauer Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, National Museum of, Shake Locations: New York

☆ Russia's showing NATO its hand in the air war over Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-13 | by ( Sinéad Baker | Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +21 min

Experts told Business Insider the Ukraine war has underscored how some elements of modern air combat are radically changing. And in fights like Desert Storm and the Iraq War, the West established air superiority by taking out its opponent's air defenses. The Russian air force can't meet Western air forces air to air in a major attack without being "shot to pieces," Bronk said. "Nobody really wants an air war with Russia," said John Baum, a Mitchell Institute expert and retired US Air Force lieutenant colonel. "It is not a highly desirable thing, I think, from either side, to want to have this air war."

Persons: It's, Justin Bronk, hasn't, DIMITAR DILKOFF, Bronk, Andrew Curtis, Mark Cancian, Guy Snodgrass, Hoshang, Giorgio Di Mizio, David Allvin, it's, James Hecker, NATO hadn't, " Hecker, that's, Maxim Shemetov, Fabian Hinz, Riivo Valge, Mattias Eken, They're, Paula Bronstein, Anthony Sweeney, US Army Cancian, REUTERS Lockheed Martin, Timothy Wright, disaggregation, Schmuelgen Jarmo Lindberg, Evelyn Hockstein Valge, John Baum Organizations: Kyiv, NATO, Business, Royal United Services Institute, Western, Getty, US Air Force, Storm, Marine, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Russian Defense Ministry Press, AP Russia, AP, Hudson Institute nonresident, International Institute for Strategic Studies, REUTERS, RAND Corp, Patriots, US Army, West, Patriot, Ukraine, REUTERS Lockheed, Finnish Defense Forces, Eurofighter Typhoons, Mitchell Institute Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Russian, AFP, Iraq, Europe, West, Afghanistan, Baltic, Western Europe, Estonian, Finnish, Finland, Washington

☆ Euro 2024: Germany vs. Denmark suspended after lightning and heavy rain forces players off pitch
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-29 | by ( Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The Euro 2024 round of 16 clash between Denmark and host nation Germany was suspended after just over 30 minutes played due to what UEFA described as “adverse weather conditions” at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund. After a loud clap of thunder reverberated around the arena, referee Michael Oliver paused the game and led the players to the touchline. The players, staff and officials spent a few minutes taking shelter in the dugout before being led down the tunnel as lightning illuminated the sky in West Germany. Germany players walk off the pitch after its game against Denmark was suspended due to lightning and heavy rain. After an approximately 25-minute delay, the crowd welcomed the players back onto the pitch with a big cheer, going through a five-minute warmup before the match resumed goalless.

Persons: Michael Oliver, Schmuelgen, hailstones Organizations: CNN, UEFA, Denmark, Reuters Locations: Denmark, Germany, Dortmund, West Germany

☆ Oprah's WeightWatchers departure proves she still has the power to move the needle
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

On Thursday, WeightWatchers stock was worth $3.12 — down from a 2021 high of $40. WeightWatchers' value jumped by $700 million in just two days after Winfrey joined the company in 2015, with shares more than doubling. AdvertisementBut WeightWatchers and other weight loss companies have struggled in the recent Ozempic-era, as GLP1 medications become more accessible and commonplace. (Evidence suggests Winfrey's endorsement of GLP-1 medications sparked a spike in demand for them, as well. ) The statement said WeightWatchers' board of directors is supportive of Winfrey's proposal to donate her stock to the museum.

Persons: —, Winfrey's, Winfrey, Oprah Winfrey, Phil, Oz, Suze Orman, WeightWatchers, Semmelbauer Organizations: Service, Business, WW International, Magazine, National Museum of Locations: WeightWatchers

☆ Ukraine vs. Italy: Ukrainian media slams ‘scandalous’ penalty decision in crunch Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Stranger still, it appears as though VAR didn’t even review the challenge. The mood in the Ukrainian media after the match was understandably one of frustration. “I have one question: why did the VAR referee keep silent at the moment with Mudryk?” Stupar added. The referee didn’t want to expose himself. But if he didn’t give a penalty, then he should have given Mudryk a yellow card for simulation.”One Ukrainian media outlet called the decision 'scandalous.'

Persons: Bryan Cristante, Mykhailo Mudryk, Jesús Gil Manzano, didn’t, Miroslav Stupar, Stupar, “, ”, ’, ” Football24 Organizations: CNN, Italy, UEFA, Ukraine, FIFA, Reuters, TSN Locations: Ukraine, Italy, England, Ukrainian

☆ Germany approves global minimum corporate tax
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Nov 10 (Reuters) - The German parliament on Friday approved the implementation of a global minimum corporate tax, as part of an international deal to ensure large companies pay a minimum tax rate of 15%. This will apply to all such companies and large-scale domestic groups with turnover above 750 million euros ($800 million) per year. The law was approved in Germany with the support of all the coalition parties and the main opposition party. The Ministry of Finance estimated earlier this year that additional tax revenue of 910 million euros could be expected in Germany from 2026. In 2027 and 2028, the tax is forecast to bring in 535 and 285 million euros, respectively.

Persons: Thilo, Maria Martinez, Hugh Lawson Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Economic Cooperation, Development, Google, European Union, EU, Finance, Thomson Locations: Germany, Cologne

FILE PHOTO-A logo of German real estate company Vonovia, is pictured during a news conference in Duesseldorf, Germany, March 6, 2018. After a decade-long property boom, Germany is undergoing a sharp reversal of fortune after an era of cheap money ended. Germany's real estate sector is mired in its worst crisis in decades, marked by insolvencies, fizzling transactions, falling prices and a stagnation in construction jobs. Vonovia, which went public in 2013 at the start of the property boom and took over its biggest rival in 2021, serves as a bellwether for Germany's property sector. Vonovia affirmed full-year guidance for its key profit metric - so-called funds from operation - of 1.75 billion euros to 1.95 billion euros, down from 2.04 billion in 2022.

Persons: Thilo, Vonovia, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Rolf Buch, Matthias Inverardi, Tom Sims, Miranda Murray, Friederike Heine, Kim Coghill, Alexander Smith Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters Graphics, Stifel, Thomson Locations: Duesseldorf, Germany

SummarySummary Companies Shell to hold oil output steadyCompany to grow gas and LNG businessCapital spending reduced for 2024-25LONDON, June 14 (Reuters) - Shell (SHEL.L) will ramp up its dividend and share buybacks while keeping oil output steady into 2030, it said on Wednesday, as CEO Wael Sawan moved to regain investor confidence that wavered over its energy transition plan. Shell shares were up 1.5% at 1204 GMT, against a 1% rise for an index of European oil and gas companies (.SXEP). Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsOIL STEADYShell scrapped its previous target to cut oil output by 20% by 2030 after largely reaching the goal. It currently has a target to cut its 2030 emissions intensity, including from the combustion of the fuels it sells, by 20%. Shell also faces a Dutch court ruling ordering the company to drastically cut emissions.

Persons: Wael Sawan, Shell, Sawan, Biraj Borkhataria, Thilo, Bernard Looney, Ron Bousso, David Goodman, Jan Harvey Organizations: Shell, RBC, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Royal, REUTERS, BP, Lebanese, Thomson Locations: New York, Wesseling, Cologne, Germany, Bukom, Jurong, Singapore, Paris

The plan is the linchpin of Sawan's effort to boost Shell's share performance relative to its U.S. peers, which has suffered despite a record $40 billion profit last year. Its shares closed up 0.4%, against a flat index of European oil and gas companies (.SXEP) on Wednesday. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsOIL STEADYShell scrapped its previous target to cut oil output by 20% by 2030 after largely reaching the goal. It currently has a target to cut its 2030 emissions intensity, including from the combustion of the fuels it sells, by 20%. Shell also faces a Dutch court ruling ordering the company to drastically cut emissions.

Persons: Wael Sawan, Sawan, Biraj Borkhataria, Thilo, Shell, Bernard Looney, Ron Bousso, Jan Harvey, Alexander Smith, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: Shell, British, RBC, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Royal, REUTERS, BP, Lebanese, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New York, Wesseling, Cologne, Germany, Bukom, Jurong, Singapore, Paris

☆ Bayern win Bundesliga with last-gasp goal in dramatic season finale
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Bayern finished on 71 points, ahead on goal difference from Dortmund. RB Leipzig and sensational Union Berlin are third and fourth respectively and will also compete in the Champions League next season. "It is unbelievable that I experience such a title race," said Bayern's Thomas Mueller, who celebrated a league-record 12th Bundesliga title. While the title win rescues some silverware in what has been a frustrating season for Bayern, the club sacked CEO Oliver Kahn, who was not in Cologne, and sports director Hasan Salihamdizic minutes after the title win. Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Haaland breaks Premier League record as Man City reclaim top spot
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

West Ham remain in trouble in 15th place, four points above the relegation zone. West Ham, hampered by the absence of midfielders Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, defended valiantly with the colossal Angelo Ogbonna heading away cross after cross. West Ham still looked capable of adding a twist to the title script until Grealish released Haaland for his milestone moment. Foden then put the icing on his side's ninth successive league win with the 1,000th goal in Guardiola's City reign. As well as five league games left, City are in the semi-finals of the Champions League and FA Cup final.

☆ Former Audi boss agrees deal to make confession in diesel emissions scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Jörn Poltz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The former CEO has been on trial since 2020 over his role in the scandal after parent group Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) and Audi admitted in 2015 to having used illegal software to cheat on emissions tests. The trial is one of the most prominent court proceedings in the aftermath of the diesel scandal at Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) and its subsidiary Audi. Revelations that millions of emissions tests had been manipulated emerged in September 2015. Stadler was accused of failing to stop the sale of the manipulated cars after the scandal became known. Stadler has been on trial along with former Audi executive Wolfgang Hatz and an engineer.

[1/5] Chess prodigy Hussain Besou, 11, of Syrian origin plays chess with Andreas Kuehler, his former coach of LSV Turm Lippstadt chess club, at his home in Lippstadt, Germany, April 4, 2023. Hussain and his family immigrated as refugees in 2016 and now he will play for the German national team at the Mitropa Cup in Croatia as the youngest national player in the history of the German Chess Federation. Now 11, Besou will play for the German national chess team at the Mitropa Cup in Croatia later this month, making him the youngest German national player in the history of the German Chess Federation. German national youth trainer Bernd Voelker says Besou is an exceptional player. Despite not yet having full German citizenship, Besou will play with the German team as the youngest player in their history.

☆ Exclusive: Hydrogen firm Thyssenkrupp Nucera says IRA spurring U.S. interest
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Christoph Steitz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Thyssenkrupp Nucera held talks about several potential green hydrogen projects "with very concrete timelines" during a trip to the United States last week, Chief Executive Werner Ponikwar said in an interview. Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy, is seen as key to decarbonising industry and so meeting climate targets. "We are gaining a new growth market," Ponikwar said. Ponikwar expects the U.S. hydrogen market to grow to a mid double-digit gigawatt (GW) amount by the end of the decade, from just a few hundred megawatts currently. While the IRA supports hydrogen production, it does not require makers of hydrogen equipment to produce locally, unlike other renewable technologies where that's a condition to qualify for credits.

☆ Children hit by train in Germany, one killed, authorities say
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/6] Police officers work in the area near the scene of a train crash in Recklinghausen, Germany, February 2, 2023. REUTERS/Thilo SchmuelgenBERLIN, Feb 2 (Reuters) - A child was killed and another was seriously injured on Thursday after they were hit by a train along a railway line in the western German town of Recklinghausen, local authorities said. Bild newspaper said the victims were dragged by a freight train for several hundred meters (yards). "Why, how come, these are all questions that no one can yet answer and wouldn't solve anything," Reul said. Reporting by Riham Alkousaa, Andreas Kranz and Erol Dogrudogan; Editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

REUTERS/Thilo SchmuelgenSummarySummary Companies Fourth-quarter profit of $10 bln beats estimatesShell to repurchase $4 bln in sharesLONDON, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Shell (SHEL.L) delivered a record $40 billion profit in 2022, the energy giant said on Thursday, capping a tumultuous year in which a surge in energy prices after Russia's invasion of Ukraine allowed it to hand shareholders unprecedented returns. Shell also posted record fourth-quarter profit of $9.8 billion on the back of a strong recovery in earnings from liquefied natural gas (LNG) trading, beating analyst forecasts for an $8 billion profit. Annual profit reached $39.9 billion, more than doubling from a year earlier and far exceeding the previous record of $31 billion in 2008. Shell said its capital expenditure in 2023 will reach $23 billion to $27 billion, in line with previous guidance. The surge in revenue helped Shell sharply reduce its debt to $44.8 billion at the end of 2022 from $52.6 billion a year earlier.

☆ Thunberg joins march on German village in protest against coal mine expansion
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Climate activist Greta Thunberg joins the activists protesting against the expansion of the Garzweiler open-cast lignite mine of Germany's utility RWE to Luetzerath, in Keyenberg, Germany, January 14, 2023. REUTERS/Thilo SchmuelgenLUTZERATH, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Around 6,000 protesters - including climate activist Greta Thunberg - marched through mud and rain to the German village of Luetzerath on Saturday, according to a police estimate, demonstrating against the expansion of an opencast lignite mine. As the protesters neared the village, they were confronted by police in riot gear, and some used batons to push the protesters back. "It is the last place where brown coal will be mined - not a symbol for more-of-the-same, but for the final frontier." But activists have said Germany should not be mining any more lignite and focus on expanding renewable energy instead.

☆ An architect bought a crumbling 19th-century French château and restored it to match the original owners' plans. Now you can rent it for up to $600 a night — see inside.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Claire Turrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Sibylle Thomke, a Swiss architect, bought a 19th-century château in France with her savings in 2017. Sibylle Thomke. "You could buy a three-bedroom apartment in Zurich for the price that I paid for this property," Thomke said. "My biggest concern was how to make sense of the château," Thomke said. As they offer the luxury of a dinner service four nights a week at the château, Thomke chose not to place it on Airbnb.

[1/3] A general view of hydrogen electrolysis plant called 'REFHYNE', one of the world's first green hydrogen plants, during a launch event at Shell's Rhineland refinery in Wesseling near Cologne, Germany, July 2, 2021. REUTERS/Thilo SchmuelgenLONDON, Dec 22 (Reuters) - The green hydrogen express is gathering pace, but it may have a worrying problem with leaks. At least four studies published this year say hydrogen loses its environmental edge when it seeps into the atmosphere. The United States included billions of dollars of green hydrogen tax credits in its Inflation Reduction Act and the European Union approved 5.2 billion euros ($5.5 billion) in subsidies for green hydrogen projects in September. While potential leakages of hydrogen are not expected to be on a scale that could derail all green hydrogen plans, any seepage would erode its climate benefits, they say.

☆ UK watchdog narrows dividend-stripping investigation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Kirstin Ridley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

A German court this week sentenced tax lawyer Hanno Berger, alleged to have masterminded one of the country's biggest post-war frauds, to eight years in jail. It is the highest-profile prosecution and longest sentence to date in a series of trials that have also convicted British bankers. Although Britain was not impacted by cum-ex trading, much of the structuring and organising of the scheme took place in London, according to lawyers and authorities, some of whom turned to the country for help unpicking what had happened. It does not have the power to investigate tax fraud, but can investigate civil and criminal market abuse. One warning notice was sent in June 2020 to an unnamed former chief executive, according to a 2021 High Court judgment.

☆ Spain make one change in defence, Germany replace Havertz
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Steve Keating | Hritika Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AL KHOR, Qatar, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Spain coach Luis Enrique made one change to his starting lineup against Germany in their World Cup Group E on Sunday following their opening 7-0 demolition of Costa Rica, with Dan Carvajal replacing Cesar Azpilicueta in defence. The Spaniards, who will all but qualify with a win over the Germans, were otherwise unchanged in attack with Dani Olmo, Feran Torres and Marco Asensio. Germany, who suffered a shock opening loss to Japan and are in desperate need of points, brought on fullback Thilo Kehrer in the place of Nico Schlotterbeck. Coach Hansi Flick also dropped forward Kai Havertz, boosting his midfield with Leon Goretzka. Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Live Nation, Ticketmaster may need breakup, some senators say
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Taylor Swift poses on the red carpet for the 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) at the PSD Bank Dome in Duesseldorf, Germany, November 13, 2022. REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Ticketmaster and owner Live Nation Entertainment, the events ticketing giant behind the recently botched sale of Taylor Swift concert tickets, should be broken up by the Department of Justice if any misconduct is found in an ongoing investigation, Democratic senators said Monday. "This may be the only way to truly protect consumers, artists, and venue operators and to restore competition in the ticketing market." Live Nation and Ticketmaster merged in 2010 after a DOJ-brokered settlement that officials said would encourage competition and send ticket prices down. Instead, "across all genres and venues, Ticketmaster prices have more than tripled in the past 20 years," the senators wrote.

☆ Our best photos from day one of the World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Jeremy Schultz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Flat soccer balls filled with sand and a total of 20,000 candles set up by artist Volker-Johannes Trieb are seen at stadium Struenkede Castle during the opening game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to commemorate what the event organizers say are deaths...moreFlat soccer balls filled with sand and a total of 20,000 candles set up by artist Volker-Johannes Trieb are seen at stadium Struenkede Castle during the opening game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to commemorate what the event organizers say are deaths of thousands of workers who lost their lives to build the stadiums for the tournament in Qatar, a claim disputed by Qatar, in Herne, Germany. REUTERS/Thilo SchmuelgenClose

[1/3] Taylor Swift poses on the red carpet for the 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) at the PSD Bank Dome in Duesseldorf, Germany, November 13, 2022. The company said it is working to shore up its technology "for the new bar that has been set by demand for the Taylor Swift's Eras Tour". Chaos around the Swift tour prompted calls for the U.S. government to break up the company. For those who did not get tickets to the Eras tour, Swift said her hope was to provide "more opportunities for us to all get together and sing these songs." She has promised hits from albums spanning her career on the Eras tour.

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