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☆ WE Soda to sell shares in rare London IPO
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, May 31 (Reuters) - WE Soda, the world's largest producer of natural soda ash, said on Wednesday it planned to list shares on the London stock exchange, in a boost for Britain's flagging initial public offering (IPO) market. The UK-based company, which produces soda ash for a variety of uses including glass manufacturing, is considering applying for admission to trade on the premium segment of the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Though proceeds raised in London IPOs fell 90% last year, according to research by consultancy EY, the British capital has seen some activity in recent months. Earlier in May, Admiral Acquisition (ADMR.L), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) founded by veteran dealmaker Martin E. Franklin, raised $550 million in a London flotation. In April, Melrose Industries (MRON.L) listed the former automotive division of British engineer GKN under the name Dowlais (DWL.L) on the LSE.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, London IPOs, EY, dealmaker Martin E, Franklin, GKN, Pablo Mayo, Jason Neely, Mark Potter Organizations: London Stock Exchange, LSE, Ciner, Press, JPMorgan, BNP, Deutsche Bank, Liberum, European Union, Melrose Industries, Thomson Locations: London, Cambridge

☆ UK's Asda to buy EG petrol stations unit in $2.9-bln deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Asda, Britain's third-largest grocer, and EG are both owned by brothers Zuber and Mohsin Issa and private equity group TDR Capital. The unit of around 350 petrol stations and over 1,000 food-to-go locations will be valued at 2.27 billion pounds. The deal will help spur Asda in its drive to overtake Sainsbury's (SBRY.L) and become Britain's No. 2 supermarket as it rolls out the Asda Express across the EG petrol estate. The Issa brothers bought Asda in 2021 and have already converted 166 EG sites to the "Asda on the Move" format.

☆ Just what is phygital art, and why is Dubai going big on it?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Mark Tutton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —“Phygital art” may not be the most elegant phrase in the English language, but it is generating a buzz in certain circles. The Art Dubai international fair has a digital component exploring new media and technology trends, including phygital works. Separately, Christie's hosted its Art + Tech Summit at Art Dubai this year. Pablo del Val: Phygital works of art can also be NFTs, but a phygital work of art doesn’t necessarily need to be an NFT. Cedric Ribeiro/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for Art DubaiWhy is phygital art important to you?

[1/4] Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez appears after he casts his vote at a polling station during Regional elections, in Madrid, Spain, May 28, 2023. he said in a televised speech that took even some of his political allies by surprise. "...I believe it is necessary to respond and submit our democratic mandate to the will of the people." But it is highly unusual for a Spanish government to call a snap ballot after a poor performance in a regional vote. The PP potentially took as many as eight regional governments from the Socialists, depending on how successful the opposition party is in negotiating alliances with Vox.

☆ MLB roundup: Overturned DP helps Marlins beat Angels
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

Phillies 2, Braves 1Right-hander Zack Wheeler continued his dominance over Atlanta, throwing eight scoreless innings to lead visiting Philadelphia to a win. Four Atlanta relievers combined for four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and fanning six. Mariners 5, Pirates 0Luis Castillo allowed one hit over six scoreless innings as Seattle defeated visiting Pittsburgh. Mason Thompson (3-2), the first of four Nationals relievers, earned the win with two scoreless innings. Ryan Helsley (3-3) was credited with the victory after pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings, while Sandlin (2-2) took the loss.

☆ Exclusive: Buzzy legal generative AI startup Casetext is in talks to be acquired
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-25 | by ( Stephanie Palazzolo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AI startup Casetext is in talks to be acquired, Insider has learned. This hypothesis may have found its first example in Casetext, a buzzy legal generative AI startup that is in talks to be acquired, according to people familiar with the situation. Casetext has raised $68 million in funding from VCs including Union Square Ventures, Canvas Ventures, Y Combinator, and Touchdown Ventures. Now, the technology powers Casetext's AI legal assistant CoCounsel, which aids lawyers with everything from legal research memo drafting to deposition preparation to document review. Have a tip on a startup funding round?

LONDON/LISBON, May 19 (Reuters) - Portuguese insurer Fidelidade is exploring a potential stock market listing of its private healthcare subsidiary Luz Saude, six people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Luz Saude reported operating income of 599 million euros in 2022, a 10.6% jump from the year before, driven by growth in private healthcare services. They come after Fidelidade acquired the remaining 49% of Luz Saude it did not already own from parent Fosun in September. An IPO would mark a return of Luz Saude to the stock market after the healthcare group stopped trading on Euronext Lisbon in 2018. It could also awaken Europe's IPO market, after activity levels plunged last year on the back of soaring interest rates and economic uncertainty.

☆ West Ham players clash with AZ Alkmaar fans in bid to protect families inside stadium
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —West Ham players confronted a group of AZ Alkmaar fans at the end of the teams’ match on Thursday after the section of the stadium containing the Premier League side’s friends and families came under attack. Videos also showed a number of West Ham players leaping over the hoardings in an attempt to intervene before security arrived to calm the situation. “I was really concerned about how the family of my teammates and the West Ham family are,” he told Sky Sports. CNN has reached out to West Ham and AZ Alkmaar for comment but had not received a response at time of publication. According to Reuters, there was a similar incident after the first leg in London last week when AZ supporters were accosted by West Ham fans.

☆ Elon Musk told a Twitter advisor at 4 a.m. that the company would only pay rent over his 'dead body,' lawsuit says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

It alleges Musk told an advisor at 4 a.m. that "he would only pay rent over his dead body." In a 4 a.m. conversation, Elon Musk allegedly told one of this his investors that the company would only pay rent on its offices "over his dead body," per a new lawsuit. Over the last few months, Twitter's landlords in London, New York, and San Francisco have all sued the company for failing to pay rent. Mendoza allegedly responded: "Elon told me he would only pay rent over his dead body." Musk told CNBC on Tuesday that he sleeps around six hours a night, and previously told the BBC he's "shot myself in the foot" by tweeting after 3 a.m.

☆ MLB roundup: Astros score four in ninth, stun Cubs
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

Jake Meyers ripped a two-run homer that cut the deficit to 6-5, and when pinch hitter Mauricio Dubon followed with a walk, Brandon Hughes (0-2) entered in relief of Thompson. Mark Vientos, recalled earlier in the day from Triple-A Syracuse, hit a game-tying two-run homer in the seventh for the Mets. Cardinals 3, Brewers 0Paul DeJong hit a two-run homer and Nolan Arenado delivered his 1,000th career RBI as St. Louis defeated visiting Milwaukee. Boston tied its season high with 16 hits, including six in a six-run second inning. Justin Turner went 3-for-4 with his second homer in as many games.

LONDON, May 17 (Reuters) - Planisware is working with investment bankers on strategic options, including a stock market listing of the French software group, four people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Rothschild (ROTH.PA) is acting as financial adviser to Planisware, two of the people, who declined to be named, said. BNP Paribas (BNPP.PA) and Citigroup (C.N) have been lined up to arrange a possible initial public offering (IPO), one person added. Private equity group Ardian, which holds an undisclosed stake in Planisware through its growth capital arm, declined to comment. In France, IPO volumes plunged in 2022 to levels similar to the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

☆ Can You Spot the Dog Hidden in This Picasso Painting?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Jesus Jiménez | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In Pablo Picasso’s 1900 painting “Le Moulin de la Galette,” revelers sporting dresses or top hats appear to be drinking, dancing and chatting. Beneath the partyers, under layers of paint, there is a hidden dog that the artist seems to have hastily painted over. But recent research and extensive restoration of the painting for an exhibition revealed an auburn-coated King Charles spaniel with a red bow. The treatment revealed subtleties — such as the brushwork, color palette and spatial definition — that had previously gone unnoticed in the painting. Then, technical imaging unveiled an earlier version of the painting that included the lap dog in the foreground.

CNN —Conservators at the Guggenheim Museum in New York have uncovered a small dog hidden beneath the surface of a Pablo Picasso painting. The image of a charming lapdog wearing a red bow was revealed by museum experts during a technical analysis of the Spanish artist’s painting “Le Moulin de la Galette” ahead of an exhibition of his early works. “Le Moulin de la Galette” depicts a lively scene at the titular venue — a famous Parisian dance hall that was painted by other artists including Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Modifying paintings later became part of Picasso’s regular practice, Barten said, adding that “Le Moulin de la Galette” is now considered one of the earliest examples of this. “Le Moulin de la Galette” is the “centerpiece” of the Guggenheim’s show, said Barten, whose team of conservators also restored the artwork’s surface by removing decades of dirt and non-original varnish.

☆ Ecuador assembly begins impeachment hearing against President Lasso
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Alexandra Valencia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

QUITO, May 16 (Reuters) - Ecuador's National Assembly on Tuesday began an impeachment hearing against President Guillermo Lasso, who could be removed from his post, though the process increases the likelihood he will dissolve the legislature to avoid a final vote. The opposition, including members of the party of ex-President Rafael Correa - himself accused of corruption - has been invigorated following the re-election of Virgilio Saquicela as president of the National Assembly on Sunday. "The Ecuadorean people want Guillermo Lasso (...) to go home," said opposition lawmaker Viviana Veloz while presenting a motion to vote on the censure and dismissal of the president. CONAIE, Ecuador's largest indigenous organization, backed the measure to remove Lasso in a statement, saying that "with Guillermo Lasso Ecuador doesn't have a future, only fear and uncertainty." The assembly voted to continue with the impeachment process last Tuesday with 88 votes in favor out of 116 legislators present.

☆ Blackstone, Thomson Reuters consortium looks to sell further $3 bln in LSEG shares
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The accelerated stock offering, unveiled after the market close, includes some 28 million shares representing a voting interest of approximately 5.5% in the market infrastructure group. The news follows an earlier sale of more than $2 billion shares in March by Blackstone and Thomson Reuters, which became LSEG shareholders when they sold financial data firm Refinitiv to the bourse operator in 2021. As of April 30, Thomson Reuters owned 47.4 million shares of LSEG, worth $5 billion, which it had indicated it would begin selling in tranches this year. It also follows the publication of LSEG's first-quarter earnings at the end of April, which showed an almost 14% jump in gross profit to 1.8 billion pounds ($2.27 billion) from a year ago. LSEG has separately committed to buy up to 750 billion pounds of shares from the consortium through a targeted buy-back programme expected to be completed by April 2024.

☆ MLB roundup: Cardinals blitz Brewers 18-1
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Jack Flaherty (3-4) fanned a season-high 10 while blanking the Brewers on three hits in seven innings as the Cardinals won for the seventh time in eight games. Freddy Peralta (4-3) allowed six runs on six hits and five walks in 5 1/3 innings for the Brewers, whose three-game winning streak ended. Adam Frazier and Anthony Santander each hit a two-run homer and Cedric Mullins added a solo shot for the Orioles. Raleigh, who went 3-for-5, hit two-run shots in the fifth and sixth innings, logging his second multi-homer game of the season. Eugenio Suarez also blasted a two-run homer as part of Seattle's 15-hit attack.

☆ ‘Antigone in the Amazon’ Review: The Drama Is Brazil’s Land War
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Laura Cappelle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Arriving after so much political action, the play feels like an afterthought. In “Antigone in the Amazon,” two Flemish actors from NTGent, Sara De Bosschere and Arne De Tremerie, address the audience at regular intervals, explaining the tricky process of making the show and the ethical issues it raised. At one point, they are shown onscreen performing a scene from “Antigone” for the residents of a remote Amazonian village, who sit in a circle around them. I occasionally wondered the same thing about “Antigone in the Amazon.” Still, it is a more balanced, effective production than “Orestes.” Two Brazilian performers, Frederico Araujo and Pablo Casella, join the Flemish cast onstage. A third, the Indigenous activist Kay Sara, was supposed to join them and play Antigone, but we are told early in the show that she had “decided to go back home, with her people.”

☆ FC Barcelona: How Xavi's defensive revolution brought La Liga title back to Catalunya
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Such has been the Blaugrana’s dominance this season, Xavi’s side clinched the trophy with four games still remaining and his iteration will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest defensive teams in La Liga history. With only 13 goals conceded so far this season, Xavi’s Barcelona is set to obliterate that record. “Not only for me, but for the club and for all Barcelona fans it’s very important to win La Liga,” Barça striker Robert Lewandowski told CNN Sport ahead of the match against Espanyol. I think the first round [of fixtures] was very important, we proved that we can think about winning La Liga. Barcelona fans celebrate Sunday's La Liga success -- the club's first league title since the 2018-19 season.

☆ Recycling 'end-of-life' solar panels, wind turbines, is about to be climate tech's big waste business
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Bob Woods | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +13 min

watch nowIndeed, the market for recycled solar panel materials is expected to grow exponentially over the next several years. One recipient of this federal funding is First Solar, the largest solar panel manufacturer in the U.S. Massive wind turbines, blades are almost all recyclableRetired wind turbines present another recycling challenge, as well as business opportunities. How the circular renewable energy economy worksPlayers in the circular economy are determined not to let all that waste go to waste. Vestas Wind Systems has committed to producing zero-waste wind turbines by 2040, though it has not yet introduced such a version.

☆ A fleet of aging tankers is transporting sanctioned oil around the globe — and it's becoming an insurance nightmare because nobody knows who owns them
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

It's throwing up concerns about a fleet of secretive tankers transporting sanctioned oil globally. Authorities still don't know who to approach for damages, per various media reports. It has delivered an oil cargo to the eastern China province of Shandong before making its way to the shipyard, Bloomberg reported, citing ship-tracking data. The fire has been put out, but authorities don't know who to approach for damages according to various media reports. Russia itself has also put together a "shadow fleet" of more than 100 oil tankers in a bid to skirt Western sanctions, the Financial Times reported in December.

☆ Kyrsten Sinema, eyeing GOP voters, knocks 'both political parties' when asked about election deniers in Arizona
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

In 2024, Sinema would likely need support from conservative voters who doubt the 2020 election. "Well, we're currently living in a climate where it's okay to say things that aren't true," Sinema said. "What I think we're facing in our country today is this situation where people don't know what's true and what's not true," said Sinema. Sinema again blamed "the two political parties" for becoming "more extreme." Lake says she's "seriously considering" a Senate campaign, and Sheriff Mark Lamb, already running in the GOP primary, has also cast doubt on the validity of the 2020 election.

☆ Google, Meta executives push back against Canada online news bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Sam Jabri-Pickett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A Google logo is displayed at the entrance to the internet based company's offices in Toronto, Ontario, Canada September 9, 2018. REUTERS/Chris HelgrenTORONTO, May 3 (Reuters) - Google and Meta would withdraw access to news articles in Canada if legislation compelling internet companies to pay news publishers is passed, company executives told Canadian lawmakers on Wednesday. Meta would also end the availability of news content in Canada if the bill is passed as currently drafted, said Rachel Curran, head of public policy for Meta in Canada. Curran said Facebook feeds sent Canadian publishers more than 1.9 billion clicks in the 12 months ending April 2022, worth an estimated $230 million in free marketing. The bill introduced in April 2022 by Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez is the latest legislation aiming to make digital media platforms pay for linking news content.

The future of Credit Suisse's business in Switzerland is being closely watched as one of UBS's key strategic decisions. Credit Suisse's Swiss bank is one of the lender's four operating units and is seen as the jewel in the crown. In January, Credit Suisse had moved the business from its broader investment banking division into the Swiss unit, according to Credit Suisse's 2022 annual report. On a possible sale, Ermotti has said all options for the Swiss business are on the table. On Sunday, NZZ am Sonntag newspaper reported that UBS was working towards spinning off Credit Suisse's domestic unit.

LONDON, May 4 (Reuters) - Blackstone (BX.N) is weighing options for Spanish gambling company Cirsa, including an initial public offering (IPO), people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The U.S. buyout group recently invited proposals from investment banks to manage a possible share sale and refinancing of Cirsa's debt, said the people, speaking on condition of anonymity. An IPO would follow a public share sale by Italian peer Lottomatica (LTMC.MI), backed by Apollo Global Management (APO.N), whose shares began trading in Milan on Wednesday. Cirsa, a casino operator, posted 552.5 million euros ($609.24 million) in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for 2022. Based on Lottomatica's valuation, Cirsa could be worth several billions of euros, including debt.

LONDON, May 4 (Reuters) - U.S. buyout house Blackstone (BX.N) is weighing options for Dutch merchant bank NIBC, including a possible sale, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Blackstone has also been considering potential acquisitions in the absence of a sale, one person added. The Hague-based NIBC offers financing for industries such as automotive, commercial real estate, infrastructure and shipping, as well as retail mortgages. It has been exiting non-core businesses, including deal advisory and leveraged finance, in a bid to streamline its operations. The group had 22.8 billion euros of assets on its balance sheet at the end of last year and an equity value of around 2 billion euros ($2.21 billion), according to its 2022 annual accounts, which showed a profit of 179 million euros excluding non-recurring expenses.

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