Aviva set to buy Direct Line to create $21 billion British insurer

By Yadarisa Shabong and Tommy Reggiori Wilkes LONDON (Reuters) -British insurer Aviva has agreed to buy smaller rival Direct Line in a sweetened 3.61 billion pound ($4.60 billion) cash-and-stock deal that will create the UK’s largest home and motor insurer. In a joint statement on Friday, the companies said a preliminary agreement had been reached …

Aviva set to buy Direct Line to create $21 billion British insurer Read More »

JD Logistics takes full ownership of Kuayue-Express with $892 million stake buy

(Reuters) -China’s JD Logistics will acquire the 36.43% stake it does not already own in Kuayue-Express Group for not more than 6.48 billion yuan ($892 million) to further enhance express delivery offerings, the logistics services firm said on Friday. Under an agreement, Suqian Jingdong Bohai Enterprise Management, a unit of JD Logistics, will acquire the …

JD Logistics takes full ownership of Kuayue-Express with $892 million stake buy Read More »

Exclusive-ICC prosecutor to stay on as U.N. investigates alleged sexual misconduct – sources

By Stephanie van den Berg and Anthony Deutsch THE HAGUE (Reuters) -International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan will be allowed to stay on in his role at the world’s permanent war crimes tribunal during a U.N.-led investigation into his alleged sexual misconduct, sources told Reuters on Friday. The U.N.’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), …

Exclusive-ICC prosecutor to stay on as U.N. investigates alleged sexual misconduct – sources Read More »

Trump’s easing of regulations to trigger Japan outbound M&A, Citi exec says

By Anton Bridge and Miho Uranaka TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese companies will find it easier to gain approval for U.S. acquisitions under the incoming Trump administration, the vice chairman of Citigroup in Japan said, even as President-elect Donald Trump opposes Nippon Steel’s attempted buyout of U.S. Steel. The Trump presidency will also spark business reorganisations, …

Trump’s easing of regulations to trigger Japan outbound M&A, Citi exec says Read More »

Soccer-Slot says Liverpool will be thinking of winning, rather than Goodison farewell

(Reuters) – Liverpool boss Arne Slot is expecting an ear-splitting atmosphere against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday, but warned his team cannot get caught up in the emotion around the final Merseyside derby to be held at the old stadium. Slot’s men can extend their Premier League lead with a victory in Saturday’s lunchtime …

Soccer-Slot says Liverpool will be thinking of winning, rather than Goodison farewell Read More »

Novo Banco shareholders agree to unblock dividends, pave way for sale

LISBON (Reuters) – The three owners of Portugal’s fourth-largest bank Novo Banco have agreed to lift a ban on dividend payouts, paving the way for its potential sale or an initial public offering in 2025, the finance minister was quoted as saying on Friday. Joaquim Miranda Sarmento told the Expresso newspaper the agreement, involving the …

Novo Banco shareholders agree to unblock dividends, pave way for sale Read More »

WH Group get shareholders’ nod to spin off, list Smithfield Foods in US

(Reuters) – Hong Kong-based WH Group, the world’s largest pork producer, said on Friday that its shareholders had approved spinning off Smithfield Foods into a listed company in the United States. WH Group said 99.4% of its shareholders voted in favour of spinning off Smithfield Foods, which the company had proposed last month. At that …

WH Group get shareholders’ nod to spin off, list Smithfield Foods in US Read More »