Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Big Mac creator dies at 98

Dec 1 (Reuters) - The man behind one of the most

recognisable fast-food sandwiches, McDonald's Big Mac, died this

week at age 98.

Read more

HK stocks rise after OPEC output cut; China bounces on solid PMI

* Energy sector boosted after oil price jumped over 10

percent

Read more

UPDATE 1-China hikes tax on "super cars" amid luxury crackdown

* But carmakers say impact likely limited for now

(Adds details, company comments)

Read more

Indonesia Oct foreign tourist arrivals up 15.6 pct y/y

JAKARTA, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Indonesia attracted 913,589

foreign tourists in October, up 15.62 percent from a year

earlier, the statistics bureau said on Thursday.

Read more

Tokyo Century invests in SE Asia ride-hailing firm Grab

SINGAPORE, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Japanese financial services

company Tokyo Century Corp has made a strategic

investment in Southeast Asian ride-hailing firm Grab, the

companies said in a statement on Thursday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Slump in Australia business investment risks GDP contraction

* Will test RBA optimism on growth, reluctance to cut rates

(Adds economist reaction, home price data)

Read more

RPT-UPDATE 1-Slump in Australia business investment risks GDP contraction

SYDNEY, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Sharp cutbacks in Australian

business investment has opened the real possibility the economy

shrank last quarter for the first time in almost six years, a

blow to the conservative government of Malcolm Turnbull which

has staked its future on growth.

Read more

Australia business investment skids, risks GDP contraction

SYDNEY, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Australian business investment

fell a surprisingly sharp 4 percent last quarter as miners and

manufacturers cut back on spending, a disappointing report

underlining the real risk that the whole economy may have

contracted.

Read more

China slaps extra 10 pct tax on "super cars"

SHANGHAI, Dec 1 (Reuters) - China will impose an extra 10

percent tax on high-end cars in a bid to rein in lavish spending

and to reduce emissions, the ministry of finance has said, a

potential headache for luxury car makers.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Rapper Kanye West released from hospital -media reports

LOS ANGELES, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Rapper Kanye West was

released from hospital on Wednesday, media outlets citing

unidentified sources said, more than a week after he was

admitted for exhaustion amid a "spiritual crisis."

Read more

Brazil's Movida files for IPO in second such plan this year

SAO PAULO, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Movida Participações SA filed

for regulatory permission to sell shares for the first time in

the São Paulo Stock Exchange, the second such plan by a

Brazilian car rental firm this year.

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Australia home price growth accelerates in Nov-CoreLogic

SYDNEY, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Australian home prices rose for

the 11th straight month in November and the annual pace of

growth quickened noticeably, a red flag to policy makers

concerned about the risk of a debt-fuelled bubble.

Read more

U.S. tech startup Comma.ai giving away self-driving car software

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Comma.ai, the tech startup

that recently pulled the plug on its device to give cars limited

self-driving capabilities after being reprimanded by U.S.

regulators, has opened up its software secrets to the masses.

Read more

Levi's CEO asks shoppers to leave their guns at home

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 30 (Reuters) - The chief executive of the

Levi Strauss & Co jeans company waded into the U.S. gun control

debate on Wednesday, with an open letter asking customers not to

bring their firearms into its stores because doing so could make

employees and other shoppers uncomfortable.

Read more

Soccer-Chapecoense take hope from Real lifeline to Man United

SAO PAULO, Nov 30 (Reuters) - As Brazilian soccer club Chapecoense look to rebuild from the devastating effects of the air crash that decimated their squad, they can draw hope from the tale of how Manchester United forged an alliance with Real Madrid to recover from a similar disaster.

Read more

Azerbaijan criminalises defamation of the president online

BAKU, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Azerbaijan's parliament on

Wednesday made online defamation of the president a criminal

offence punishable by imprisonment.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Argentina's Decolar.com, banks in Nasdaq IPO talks, sources say

By Tatiana Bautzer, Guillermo Parra-Bernal and Liana B.

Baker

Read more

Foreign ownership in Canada housing dips in 2016 after tax hit

OTTAWA, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Foreign ownership in Canada's top

condo markets dropped in 2016 after the introduction of a

foreign buyers tax in Vancouver, and remains a small fraction of

overall ownership concentrated mostly in newer buildings,

Canada's housing agency said on Wednesday.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Obama moves to lock in vehicle greenhouse gas rules

WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency on Wednesday said it will push to lock in fuel

efficiency standards central to outgoing President Barack

Obama's climate policy before the Trump administration takes

over in January.

Read more

ConvaTec, Smurfit Kappa to join FTSE 100 after reshuffle

* Polymetal International and Travis Perkins to leave FTSE

100

Read more

RPT-After Castro's death, attention turns to Cuba's heir apparent

HAVANA, Nov 30 (Reuters) - With revolutionary leader Fidel

Castro dead and his brother Raul vowing to step down as

president in 15 months, it will soon be the hour of heir

apparent Miguel Diaz-Canel, an advocate for modernizing Cuba's

state-run media and abysmal internet access.

Read more

Netflix allows subscribers to binge-watch shows offline

Nov 30 (Reuters) - Video streaming pioneer Netflix Inc

said its subscribers would now be able to download

popular shows such as "Orange is The New Black" and "Narcos" on

their mobile devices at no extra cost.

Read more

German carmaker BMW launches Indonesian-made sedans in luxury push

JAKARTA, Nov 30 (Reuters) - German automaker BMW

on Wednesday launched its 7 series sedans in Indonesia that will

be assembled in the country as it seeks to tap into the

long-term demand for luxury vehicles in Southeast Asia's biggest

economy.

Read more

UPDATE 1-American Eagle forecasts holiday-qtr profit below estimates

Nov 30 (Reuters) - American Eagle Outfitters Inc

forecast a much lower-than-expected fourth-quarter profit,

joining rivals Abercrombie & Fitch Co and Gap Inc

in flagging a tough environment for retailers in the

crucial holiday selling season.

Read more

FEATURE-'America's Subway' in Washington highlights infrastructure woes

WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Hailed as "America's Subway"

when it began operating 40 years ago, Washington's Metro transit

system now could serve as Exhibit A for the U.S infrastructure

woes President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to fix.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Strong German retail sales reinforce hopes of rebound in Q4

* Outlook for 2017 clouded by Brexit, Trump uncertainties

(Adds unemployment, analyst, govt spending on schools)

Read more

Iraqi family's search for "Lost Girl" taken by Islamic Sate

KHAZER, Iraq, Nov 30 (Reuters) - In a camp near Mosul a

picture of a three-year-old girl, snatched from her mother's

breast by Islamic State militants when they overran her

Christian town two years ago, is taped to a wall along with a

desperate plea from her parents.

Read more

Pakistan puts cotton imports from India on hold as tensions mount

KARACHI/MUMBAI, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Pakistan has suspended

cotton imports from its top supplier, India, saying shipments

failed to fulfil phyto-sanitary certification, threatening the

$822 million-a-year trade, government and industry officials

told Reuters.

Read more

Rising oil price pulls Britain's FTSE higher

LONDON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Britain's top share index rose on

Wednesday, led by rebounding energy stocks as oil prices jumped

on hopes of a deal to curb global oversupply, though banking

stocks slipped after Royal Bank of Scotland failed a stress

test.

Read more

REFILE-Data leak on Europol terrorism investigations - Dutch TV

AMSTERDAM, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Information on numerous

international investigations into terrorism groups compiled by

Europol was accidentally left online, unguarded by any password,

a Dutch television programme reported on Wednesday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Data leak on Europol terrorism investigations -Dutch TV

AMSTERDAM, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Information on numerous

international investigations into terrorism groups compiled by

Europol was accidentally left online, unguarded by any password,

a Dutch television programme reported on Wednesday.

Read more

RPT-Demergers and destruction: activists press Europe conglomerates

AMSTERDAM, Nov 29 (Reuters) - The days of the European

conglomerate may be numbered, as activist shareholders are

pressing diversified groups to spin off secondary businesses and

focus on doing one thing well.

Read more

German retail sales post sharpest rise in more than 5 years in Oct

BERLIN, Nov 30 (Reuters) - German retail sales rose at their

fastest pace in more than five years in October, data showed on

Wednesday, reinforcing expectations that private consumption

will remain the main growth driver in Europe's largest economy

this year.

Read more

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

After Castro's death, attention turns to Cuba's heir apparent

HAVANA, Nov 30 (Reuters) - With revolutionary leader Fidel

Castro dead and his brother Raul vowing to step down as

president in 15 months, it will soon be the hour of heir

apparent Miguel Diaz-Canel, an advocate for modernizing Cuba's

state-run media and abysmal internet access.

Read more

All-American pick-up trucks aim to lure China's wealthy



Read more

Thai Oct factory output rises for 3rd month, but less than forecast

* Oct factory output +0.1 pct y/y vs 0.75 pct in Reuters

poll

* Gains in cosmetics, chemicals, petroleum, air conditioners

* Oct capacity utilisation 65.40 vs Sept's revised 65.46 pct

* Jan-Oct output +0.1 pct y/y

* 2016 output seen +0.5 pct, +1 pct next year - ministry

BANGKOK, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Thailand's industrial output

rose for a third straight month in October, buoyed by demand for

cosmetics, chemicals and petroleum, but the gain was much

smaller than expected, sugge

Read more

REFILE-UPDATE 2-Samsung Elec surges to record high on payout growth hopes

SEOUL, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

added $9 billion to its market value on Wednesday as

shares in the South Korean tech giant soared to record highs,

buoyed by promises of greater capital returns and a review of

its corporate structure.

Read more

Ford takes Fiesta upmarket to lift profitability

COLOGNE, Germany, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Ford wants to

raise profitability in Europe by adding higher-margin versions

of the Fiesta subcompact, its best-selling regional model, the

carmaker's top European executive said.

Read more

Australia home building boom fast turning to rubble

SYDNEY, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Australia is watching a

much-needed boom in home building turn to rubble after approvals

for new projects collapsed in October, a violent turnaround that

could undermine policymakers' hopes for solid economic growth

next year.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Samsung Elec trades at record high on payout growth hopes

* Company also mulling potential split in restructure move

(Updates with latest share price moves, background)

Read more

Europe on track for record tech investments this year - Atomico

HELSINKI/FRANKFURT, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Europe's tech sector

is on track for a record level of investments this year but poor

access to late-stage capital is keeping it from creating

independent tech "gorillas", one of the region's most active

investors said.

Read more

Major UK hotels Hilton, Shiva join fight against modern slavery

LONDON, Nov 30 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Hotels across

Britain are joining forces to fight modern slavery in an

initiative to be unveiled on Wednesday that will encourage staff

and guests to help spot signs of trafficking in hotel foyers and

corridors.

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. judge delays court hearing on Volkswagen 3.0-liter diesels

WASHINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - U.S. District Judge Charles

Breyer on Tuesday delayed a court hearing set for Wednesday on

Volkswagen AG's plan to address 80,000 polluting

Audi, Porsche and VW 3.0-liter vehicles.

Read more

COLUMN-Commentary: The high cost of Turkey's crackdown

Nov 29 (Reuters) - Necmye Alpay greeted me warmly. Dressed

casually in a workout-style jacket and sneakers, her spirit of

optimism stood in stark contrast to the spareness of the

setting: the Bakirkoy Women's Prison in Istanbul.

Read more

Grammy Awards may return to New York, but not a done deal: source

LOS ANGELES, Nov 29 (Reuters) - The organizers of the Grammy

Awards are in negotiations with the city of New York to bring

the annual music show back to the Big Apple, a source familiar

with the negotiation said Tuesday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Agnelli heir Elkann faces charges in New York over false kidnap claim



Read more

UPDATE 1-Fire in Turkish dormitory kills 12, including 11 teenage girls -officials

ANKARA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Twelve people, including eleven

teenagers, were killed when a fire swept through a girls

dormitory in the southern Turkish province of Adana on Tuesday,

officials said.

Read more

Sirius XM may pay nearly $100 mln in settlement over older songs

Nov 29 (Reuters) - Sirius XM Holdings Inc may pay

close to $100 million after settling a copyright lawsuit brought

by founding members of the 1960s band The Turtles over the

satellite radio company's broadcast of songs made before 1972.

Read more

Coliseum Capital in talks over potential Performance Sports deal

Nov 29 (Reuters) - Hedge fund Coliseum Capital Management

LLC, the third-largest shareholder of Performance Sports Group

Ltd, said it was in talks with a third party related to

a potential deal involving the maker of Bauer ice hockey gear.

Read more

UPDATE 2-EU rebuffs call to start Brexit talks on expat rights

* EU officials see British attempt to divide continent

(Adds May comment, paragraph 4)

Read more

Foreign purchases of Vancouver homes remain cool in wake of tax

VANCOUVER, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Foreign buyers continued to

scale back Vancouver-area property purchases in October after

British Columbia introduced a tax on international investors

aimed at cooling the city's red-hot housing market, data from

the Canadian province showed on Tuesday.

Read more

Sky seeks to shake up UK mobile market with flexible data plans

LONDON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Sky said it would enter

the UK mobile market with a SIM-only deal that allows data

allowances to roll over each month, and offers free calls to the

11 million British households that take its TV services.

Read more

Cyber Monday sales biggest online shopping day in U.S. history

Nov 29 (Reuters) - Shoppers spent $3.45 billion on Cyber

Monday on Samsung 4K TVs, PlayStation 4s and Barbie dolls among

other products, marking the largest online sales day in U.S.

history.

Read more

UPDATE 1-China's property market has bubble but won't collapse, says Wanda chairman

* China's property sector supported by urban potential -

Wang

Read more

RPT-Slovenian internet comic takes on Trump, wife

LJUBLJANA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - A Slovenian comic who

attracted more than 8 million hits with his online parody of

Russian President Vladimir Putin has turned his sites on two

more targets - U.S. President elect Donald Trump and his

Slovenian-born wife Melania.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Britain unveils proposals to regulate company behaviour

* Growing inequality drove many Britons to vote to quit EU

(Adds Clark comment, BCC)

Read more

Britain is pro-business, but firms need better governance - minister

LONDON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Business minister Greg Clark said

on Tuesday the British government was "unashamedly

pro-business", but that he wanted to strengthen existing

corporate governance structures to avoid damaging public trust

in the private sector.

Read more

Gambia's Jammeh faces rare challenge in Dec. 1 poll after 22-years rule

BANJUL, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Gambian President Yahya Jammeh

will face a rare challenge from a revitalised and united

opposition in an election on Thursday as he seeks to extend his

22-year grip on power in the tiny West African nation.

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. workers rally in first 'Fight for $15' protest since Trump win

LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Workers from

fast-food chains and nearly 20 airports joined nationwide

protests for higher pay, union rights and immigration reform on

Tuesday in their first major action since businessman Donald

Trump won the U.S. presidential election.

Read more

Britain's Imperial Brands to shut Russian tobacco factory

MOSCOW, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Britain's Imperial Brands

, the world's fourth-biggest tobacco company, will shut

one of its two Russian factories in January, it said on Tuesday,

citing increased taxes and the impact of changes to sales

regulations.

Read more

Chinese firms hit by huge increase in cyber attacks - survey

HONG KONG, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Cyber attacks on Chinese

companies have soared in the past two years, according to a

survey, with new technologies that connect household items to

the internet and allow them to receive and send data seen as

particularly vulnerable.

Read more

Nissan to offer maintenance-alert service in foray into connected cars

YOKOHAMA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Nissan Motor Co will

make its first major foray into internet-connected cars by

offering an option in some new vehicles that will use big data

technology to notify drivers when vehicle maintenance is

required.

Read more

Britain's FTSE lags Europe as commodity stocks drop

LONDON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Britain's top share index fell on

Tuesday, underperforming other European markets as energy and

mining stocks were hit by weaker oil and metals prices.

Read more

Spy chief adds to warnings of Russian cyber attacks on Germany

BERLIN, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Germany's spy chief warned that

Russian hackers may target next year's German election with

campaigns of misinformation that could undermine the democratic

process, echoing concerns voiced by the country's domestic

intelligence director.

Read more

S.Korea to cull 3 percent of poultry to contain bird flu

SEOUL, Nov 29 (Reuters) - South Korea will cull 3 percent of

its total poultry population to curb an outbreak of bird flu

that has hit a number of farms across the nation, its

agriculture ministry said on Tuesday.

Read more

UPDATE 2-UK regulator to go to European Commission to force change at BT's Openreach

LONDON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Britain's telecoms regulator will

go to the European Commission to try to force BT to

legally separate Openreach, the network the delivers broadband

to millions of homes and businesses, after the two sides failed

to reach a voluntary deal.

Read more

BT says still working with Ofcom to agree Openreach deal

LONDON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - BT said it would continue

to work with UK telecoms regulator Ofcom to find an agreed

solution for its networks division Openreach, after the

regulator said it would go to the European Commission to try to

force a legal separation.

Read more

UK regulator to go to European Commission to force change at BT's Openreach

LONDON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - British telecoms regulator Ofcom

said on Tuesday it was preparing to go to the European

Commission to try to force BT to legally separate its

networks division Openreach after the two sides failed to come

to a voluntary agreement.

Read more

Monday, November 28, 2016

Samsung Elec mulls holding company move, boosts payout



Read more

UPDATE 3-Samsung Elec considers structural split as investor pressure builds

* Samsung says conducting review for optimal corporate

structure

Read more

UPDATE 2-NZ's Trilogy turns to daigou to bypass Chinese animal testing rules

WELLINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - New Zealand skincare company

Trilogy is using Chinese shopping agents known as

'daigou' and ecommerce to avoid Chinese regulations requiring

animal testing on foreign skincare products sold in the country,

CEO Angela Buglass said.

Read more

REFILE-CORRECTED-UPDATE 2-Samsung Elec mulls holding company move, boosts payout

* Samsung says conducting review for optimal corporate

structure

Read more

CORRECTED-UPDATE 2-Samsung Elec mulls holding company move, boosts payout

* Samsung says conducting review for optimal corporate

structure

Read more

China Renaissance launches Shanghai venture

HONG KONG, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Boutique investment bank China

Renaissance on Tuesday launched a securities joint venture in

mainland China, looking to win more advisory business and a

piece of the booming market for stock broking in the world's

second largest economy.

Read more

INSIGHT-For Apple and others, tin supply chain has ties to rebel-held Myanmar mine

* United Wa State Army blacklisted by U.S. over drug

trafficking

Read more

UPDATE 2-AT&T unveils DirecTV Now streaming service ahead of Nov. 30 launch

NEW YORK, Nov 28 (Reuters) - AT&T Inc, the largest

U.S. TV provider, unveiled on Monday the pricing and launch date

for DirecTV Now, which will stream television programming

through the internet to win customers who shun traditional cable

and satellite TV subscriptions.

Read more

Liechtenstein bank's Chinese parent says no money losses in hacker attack

HONG KONG, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Valartis Bank, a Liechtenstein

lender, was targeted by a hacker but account statement data was

not obtained and no money losses have been identified so far,

the Chinese parent of the bank said on Tuesday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Samsung Elec says reviewing shift to holding company structure

* Samsung says conducting review for optimal corporate

structure

Read more

UPDATE 1-Australian regulator opposes collective bank bargaining on Apple Pay

SYDNEY, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Three of Australia's four biggest

banks will be barred from collectively bargaining with Apple Inc

in relation to its mobile digital payments system,

under a draft decision released by the antitrust regulator on

Tuesday.

Read more

U.S. companies hope Trump will stick to business roots, back Cuba ties

WASHINGTON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - U.S. companies are looking

for ways to persuade President-elect Donald Trump to soften his

threats to cancel the Obama administration's opening to Cuba, a

reversal they fear could cost them hundreds of millions of

dollars.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Brazil's Unidas files for IPO weeks after Enterprise deal

SAO PAULO, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Brazilian car rental firm

Unidas SA on Monday announced an initial public

offering in São Paulo in a securities filing, one of the few

IPOs in the last two years in Latin America's largest economy.

Read more

Ex-PokerStars employee avoids prison in U.S. online gambling case

NEW YORK, Nov 28 (Reuters) - A former employee of online

gambling company PokerStars avoided prison on Monday after

pleading guilty in connection with a long-running U.S. criminal

case targeting internet poker firms operating illegally in the

United States.

Read more

Metallica rocks to top of Billboard album chart

LOS ANGELES, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Heavy metal rockers

Metallica soared to the top of the weekly U.S. Billboard 200

album chart on Monday, edging out new records from R&B singer

Bruno Mars and country singer Miranda Lambert.

Read more

U.S. letter reveals details of GM self-driving vehicle system

WASHINGTON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - General Motors Co's

semi-autonomous "Super Cruise" system will allow drivers to take

their hands off the steering wheel for extended periods, but

will stop the vehicle automatically if drivers are not

attentive, according to a government letter made public on

Monday.

Read more

Cuba-focused closed-end fund rallies in wake of Castro's death

NEW YORK, Nov 28 (Reuters) - The only Cuba-focused stock

fund in the United States rallied more than 13 percent Monday, a

sign investors expect Fidel Castro's death to continue to open

up relations between the United States and the island country

despite President-elect Donald Trump's threat to end the

normalization process that began under President Obama in 2014.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Early U.S. Cyber Monday sales point to 9 pct rise; fewer deals

Nov 28 (Reuters) - U.S. shoppers snapped up Cyber Monday

deals on what is usually the single biggest day for internet

shopping, after stellar online sales over the Thanksgiving

holiday weekend.

Read more

UPDATE 1-VW extends 20 billion euro loan to weather diesel fall-out

* VW to issue multi-billion-euro bond in early 2017 -source

(Adds company comment, detail and background)

Read more

Canada rental vacancy rate rises; Vancouver, Toronto still hot

OTTAWA, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Canada's rental vacancy rate

edged up in 2016 as the supply of apartments increased, but

rental housing was harder to find in Vancouver and Toronto,

where a long housing boom has driven real estate investment and

a condo building boom.

Read more

Austrian hotel seeks to show the way on hiring refugees

VIENNA, Nov 28 (Reuters) - The Magdas Hotel in Vienna aims

to make a difference in a country where concerns about

immigration and rising unemployment have helped boost the

far-right Freedom Party.

Read more

A Minute With: Natalie Portman on taking on an icon in "Jackie"

NEW YORK, Nov. 28 (Reuters) - A new film about Jacqueline

Kennedy, one of the most photographed yet private women of the

20th century, attempts to get behind her mystique by blending

factual events with imagination in the week after the 1963

assassination of her husband, President John. F. Kennedy.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Time Inc rejects bid from billionaire Bronfman Jr. - NY Post

Nov 28 (Reuters) - Time Inc, the publisher of Time,

People and Fortune magazines, has rejected a takeover bid from

billionaire investor Edgar Bronfman Jr., the New York Post

reported on Monday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-UK accounting watchdog investigating Sports Direct audit

LONDON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Britain's accounting watchdog has

begun an investigation into Grant Thornton's auditing of

financial statements published by Sports Direct, it said

on Monday, dealing another blow to the troubled sportswear

retailer.

Read more

Britain's JD Sports buys Go Outdoors for 112 mln stg

LONDON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - British sportswear and fashion

retailer JD Sports Fashion has purchased privately-owned

outdoor clothing specialist Go Outdoors for 112.3 million pounds

($140.4 million), it said on Monday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Britain's JD Sports buys Go Outdoors for 112 mln stg

LONDON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - British sportswear and fashion

retailer JD Sports Fashion has purchased Go Outdoors for

112.3 million pounds ($140.4 million), it said on Monday,

beefing-up its presence in the outdoor clothing market.

Read more

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Reuters Business News Schedule at 0430 GMT/00.30AM ET

China's Oct industrial profits get boost from raw material

sectors

Read more

Yoox Net-A-Porter agrees online luxury retail business JV in MidEast

DUBAI, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Italian online fashion retailer

Yoox Net-A-Porter Group (YNAP) said on Monday it had

signed a joint venture agreement with Dubai-based billionaire

Mohamed Alabbar to create an online luxury retail business in

the Middle East.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Samsung Elec to consider split - Seoul Economic Daily

* Korea bourse asks firm to comment on split plans by 0900

GMT

(Updates with comments from investor, background)

Read more

Samsung Elec to consider split - Seoul Economic Daily

SEOUL, Nov 28 (Reuters) - South Korea's Samsung Electronics

Co Ltd will consider splitting itself into two as

proposed by activist hedge fund Elliott Management, Seoul

Economic Daily reported on Monday citing an unnamed source.

Read more

RPT-Indian cash crunch hits gold demand during peak wedding season

* Cash crunch hits gold jewellery sales in peak wedding

season

Read more

UPDATE 1-NZME responds to regulator's concerns over Fairfax NZ deal

WELLINGTON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Media company NZME

said on Monday that it had responded to the New Zealand Commerce

Commission's concerns over its proposed takeover of Fairfax New

Zealand, saying that the regulator had not considered

the competition digital news outlets would provide.

Read more

'Moana' Tops Thanksgiving Box Office, 'Rules Don't Apply' Bombs, 'Allied' and 'Bad Santa 2' Stumble

LOS ANGELES, xxxxxx (Variety.com) - Disney's "Moana" sailed

to the top of the Thanksgiving box office, earning a mighty

$81.1 million over the five day holiday period and $55.5 million

for the weekend.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Iran may seek naval bases in Yemen or Syria - chief of staff

DUBAI, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Iran may seek to set up naval

bases in Yemen or Syria in the future, the chief of staff of the

Iranian armed forces said in remarks published on Sunday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Volkswagen forms JV with Algeria's SOVAC for local assembly

FRANKFURT, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Volkswagen signed

a deal on Sunday to assemble cars in Algeria in a joint venture

with its local car importer SOVAC, aiming for a production

capacity of more than 100 vehicles per day from June 2017, VW

and Algerian officials said.

Read more

UPDATE 1-French PM Valls keeps open option of challenge to Hollande

* Hollande: left-wing must unite behind one another

(Releads, adds comments from Hollande and more detail)

Read more

Gambia's president vows 'zero tolerance' of election violence

DAKAR, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Gambian President Yahya Jammeh

warned on Sunday that anyone involved violence or unrest during

the country's presidential election in four days time would be

dealt with harshly.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Pilots union open to talks with Lufthansa in pay dispute

* Union will announce strikes at least 24 hours in advance

(Recasts with pilots union comment)

Read more

Kabul police raid shisha cafes in "debauchery" crackdown

KABUL, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Afghan police and health officials

raided cafes and restaurants in Kabul on Sunday, confiscating

shisha water pipes and paraphernalia in a campaign to halt

"debauchery and vulgarity".

Read more

Race-track rivalry moves to boardroom as VW brands battle for electric car jobs

* VW's brands compete for development, manufacturing roles

-sources

Read more

Porsche targets 20,000 electric car sales a year -Automobilwoche

FRANKFURT, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Volkswagen's

Porsche division expects annual sales of about 20,000 for its

first all-electric car, the Mission E, the luxury carmaker's

chief executive told a German magazine.

Read more

Blackmailers target customers of hacked Liechtenstein bank - paper

ZURICH/HONG KONG, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Customers of a

Chinese-owned Liechtenstein bank are being told by unknown

blackmailers they must pay a portion of their savings or face

having account details sent to finance authorities and the

media, a German newspaper reported on Sunday.

Read more

Iran may seek naval bases in Yemen or Syria - chief of staff

DUBAI, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Iran may seek to set up naval

bases in Yemen or Syria in the future, as distant footholds

might be more valuable militarily than nuclear technology, the

chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces said in remarks

published on Sunday.

Read more

U.S. Thanksgiving, Black Friday store sales fall, online rises

Nov 26 (Reuters) - Sales and traffic at U.S.

brick-and-mortar stores on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday

declined from last year, as stores offered discounts well beyond

the weekend and more customers shopped online.

Read more

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Memorabilia torched on London barge to protest punk gone rotten

LONDON, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Piles of punk music memorabilia

went up in flames on a river barge in London on Saturday in a

protest against the way the once rebellious genre has been

subsumed into mainstream culture.

Read more

Lufthansa urges pilots union to return to pay talks

FRANKFURT, Nov 27 (Reuters) - German pilots union VC should

resume talks with Lufthansa to find a compromise over

a long-running pay dispute rather than repeatedly going on

strike, a board member at the airline told a German weekly.

Read more

Chinese buyers say committed to closing AC Milan deal soon

MILAN, Nov 26 (Reuters) - The Chinese consortium seeking to buy Italian soccer club AC Milan is committed to signing the deal soon, it said on Saturday after the club's owner Silvio Berlusconi hinted at a further delay to the long-awaited acquisition.

Read more

UPDATE 1-"Viva Fidel!", Cubans begin mass mourning for Castro

HAVANA, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Hundreds of students massed at

Havana University on Saturday to honor Fidel Castro, as nine

days of official mourning began for the leader who dominated the

island's political life for generations.

Read more

Kaupthing to put UK's Oasis and Warehouse up for sale - sources

LONDON, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Administrators for failed

Icelandic bank Kaupthing are looking to sell off British high

street retailers including Coast, Oasis and Warehouse which

employ thousands of people, four sources familiar with the

matter said.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Lufthansa says some Sunday flights will be cancelled

* Pilots union says there can always be new strikes

(Adds comments from Lufthansa, union)

Read more

Siemens is well placed to adapt business in U.S. - CEO

FRANKFURT, Nov 26 (Reuters) - German trains-to-turbines

group Siemens is well placed to do business in the

United States, regardless of whether President-elect Donald

Trump backs fossil-fuels at the expense of renewable energy, its

CEO told a newspaper.

Read more

Malaysian political cartoonist Zunar arrested under sedition law

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Malaysian political

cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, or Zunar as he is popularly

known, was arrested on Saturday under the country's Sedition Act

for cartoons that allegedly insulted Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Read more

News of Fidel Castro's death slowly spreads across Havana

HAVANA, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Revelers dancing and drinking rum

on Havana's famed seafront quickly dispersed and a popular club

closed its doors on Friday night as news spread of the death of

Fidel Castro, the revolutionary and Cuba's "maximum leader" for

half a century.

Read more

China cracks down on cross-border gambling ring, makes nearly 100 arrests -Xinhua

SHANGHAI, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Police in central China have

arrested 94 members of a $72 billion cross-border gambling ring

whose activities stretched into Southeast Asia, the official

Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday, citing police.

Read more

Friday, November 25, 2016

UPDATE 1-British photographer David Hamilton dies in Paris -police source

PARIS, Nov 25 (Reuters) - British art photographer David

Hamilton died in Paris on Friday at the age of 83 after

committing suicide, a police source told Reuters.

Read more

Lufthansa pilots' union rejects latest pay offer but calls off strikes

FRANKFURT, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Lufthansa's pilots'

union said on Friday it rejected the airline's latest pay offer,

only hours after it was made, but added it has no plans now for

further strikes beyond Saturday.

Read more

UPDATE 2-U.S. industry seeks duties on Canadian lumber, reignites dispute

WASHINGTON/OTTAWA, Nov 25 (Reuters) - A group representing

the U.S. lumber industry and some of its workers on Friday

called on authorities to impose duties on Canadian softwood

lumber, reigniting a long-standing trade dispute between the two

nations.

Read more

COLUMN-Commentary: For Trump, it's time to put statesmanship over showmanship

Nov 25 (Reuters) - People live by stories. In our age, these

stories are both fashioned by them through social media and for

them by the mainstream media. Facebook and Twitter provide them

with galaxies of real and virtual characters; other outlets

deliver emotional narratives where stories are central, the

facts peripheral.

Read more

UPDATE 2-U.S. stores far from overwhelmed as Black Friday sales begin

Nov 25 (Reuters) - Crowds were thin at U.S. malls and stores

on Black Friday morning, formerly the traditional start of the

holiday shopping season, and online channels were expected to

show the strongest gains in sales over last year.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Daimler to invest 10 billion euros in electronic vehicles - paper

FRANKFURT, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Luxury carmaker Daimler

is planning to invest up to 10 billion euros ($11

billion) in developing electric vehicles, its research and

development head told a German daily.

Read more

REFILE-UPDATE 2-Lufthansa makes new offer to end costly pilots' strike

BERLIN, Nov 25 (Reuters) - German airline Lufthansa

said it had made a new offer to try to break the

deadlock in a long-running pay dispute with its pilots who have

been on strike since Wednesday.

Read more

Daimler says sticking with diesel vehicles in U.S.

FRANKFURT, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Luxury carmaker Daimler

will continue to sell diesel-powered vehicles in the

United States, in contrast to German rival Volkswagen

, it said on Friday.

Read more

South Africa's Naspers lifts H1 earnings, e-commerce unit robust

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Africa's biggest company by

market value, Naspers, reported a jump in half-year

profit on Friday, boosted by its internet businesses that

include a major stake in China's Tencent Holdings.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Internet businesses boost South Africa's Naspers

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Africa's biggest company by

market value, Naspers, reported a jump in half-year

profit on Friday, boosted by its internet businesses that

include a major stake in China's Tencent Holdings.

Read more

Multi-nationals overcome Brexit strains to boost FTSE earnings

LONDON, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Major companies listed in London

overcame the shock of Brexit to report robust third quarter

trading, with strong performances from multi-national firms

helping to offset domestic pressure and lift overall forecasts.

Read more

US stores far from overwhelmed as Black Friday sales begin

Nov 25 (Reuters) - Faith Ruggieri, standing in the damp and

chilly night air outside a Walmart in Providence, Rhode

Island on Black Friday, represented a hopeful sign for

traditional retailers squeezed by online rivals such as

Amazon.com Inc.

Read more

Sante! Belgium wants its beer on global culture list

BRUSSELS, Nov 25 (Reuters) - From brown ales to golden

pilsners to the strong trappist brews produced in monasteries,

Belgian beer is enjoyed around the world.

Read more

Indian cash crunch hits gold demand during peak wedding season

* Cash crunch hits gold jewellery sales in peak wedding

season

Read more

UPDATE 1-Britons chase Black Friday bargains online

LONDON, Nov 25 (Reuters) - British retailers reported strong

online demand in early "Black Friday" trading, as shoppers

chased deals in a spending spree that is expected to top last

year's record level.

Read more

More than 800 flights grounded as Lufthansa dispute intensifies

BERLIN, Nov 25 (Reuters) - German airline Lufthansa

cancelled around 830 flights on Friday because of a

strike by pilots, with long-haul journeys facing disruption over

the weekend as the dispute intensifies.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Malaysia's Sime Darby says could list its plantations division

* Q1 profit rises 37 pct on motors unit strength

(Adds CEO comments on IPOs)

Read more

Astronauts enjoy a zero-gravity 'Spacegiving' dinner

Nov 24 (Reuters) - An international crew of astronauts

celebrated Thanksgiving on Thursday with a special 'spacegiving

feast' of rehydrated foods on board the International Space

Station.

Read more

SK Innovation to delay China battery factory on regulatory uncertainty

SEOUL/BEIJING, Nov 25 (Reuters) - South Korea's SK

Innovation Co Ltd will delay building an electric

vehicle battery factory in China because of regulatory

uncertainty in the world's top auto market, two company

officials told Reuters on Friday.

Read more

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Reuters Business News Schedule at 0430 GMT/00.30AM ET

Japan Oct consumer prices continue slide, yen falls may help

BOJ

Read more

New Zealand looks offshore for workers to rebuild after quake

WELLINGTON, Nov 25 (Reuters) - New Zealand is looking

offshore for hundreds of workers to rebuild roads, railways and

buildings after this month's earthquake amid a shortage of local

workers in an overstretched construction industry.

Read more

Thanksgiving sales surge online as shoppers stay home for holiday

Nov 24 (Reuters) - Online spending by U.S. bargain hunters

climbed to above $1 billion by Thanksgiving evening, according

to Adobe Digital Index, surging almost 14 percent from a year

ago and reflecting a broader trend away from brick-and-mortar

shopping.

Read more

UPDATE 1-New York Thanksgiving parade goes off safely under tight security

NEW YORK, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Macy's 90th Thanksgiving Day

Parade went off without incident in New York on Thursday amid

heightened security, police said, after Islamic State militants

abroad encouraged their followers to attack the popular holiday

event.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Australia's Tabcorp buys 10 percent stake in takeover target Tatts

SYDNEY, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Australia's Tabcorp Holdings

on Friday said it had purchased control of around 10

percent of its takeover target Tatts Group for A$638 million.

Read more

Foreigners pile back into Australian property, reignite bubble fears

* Chinese buyers sidestep restrictions to re-enter Aussie

market

Read more

Australia's Tabcorp buys 9.9 percent stake in takeover target Tatts - source

SYDNEY, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Australia's Tabcorp Holdings

on Thursday evening purchased control of a 9.9 percent

stake in its takeover target Tatts Group for about A$639

million, said a source familiar with the situation.

Read more

Britain's Hammond chooses his battle - fixing weak productivity

LONDON, Nov 24 (Reuters) - In 2011, early in his time as

finance minister, George Osborne said he would revive British

manufacturing as he promised "a march of the makers" to

rebalance the economy.

Read more

UPDATE 1-French optician Alain Afflelou postpones float blaming market conditions

LONDON, Nov 24 (Reuters) - French optician chain Alain

Afflelou has postponed a 200 million euro ($211

million) initial public offering (IPO) in Paris, the company

said, with sources blaming choppy equity markets.

Read more

UPDATE 1-German economy ministry questions purchase of U.S. military planes

BERLIN, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Germany's economic ministry has

questioned a defence ministry plan to buy U.S. transport planes,

proposing instead the purchase of a Brazilian aircraft that

could trigger orders for German firms.

Read more

Barcelona fines homesharing sites Airbnb and Homeaway

MADRID, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Barcelona fined homesharing

websites Airbnb and Homeaway 600,000 euros ($633,600) each for

advertising and renting out apartments to tourists without a

license, the Catalan regional government said on Thursday.

Read more

Multi-million pound Sex Pistols collection to go up in flames

LONDON, Nov 24 (Reuters) - The son of Sex Pistols manager

Malcolm McLaren said he would set fire to millions of dollars of

punk memorabilia on Saturday, as a protest against the musical

scene's appropriation by the mainstream.

Read more

Ukraine students use computer keyboard keys for Steve Jobs portrait

KIEV, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Three Ukrainian IT students have

paid tribute to late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs by making his

portrait with computer keyboard keys.

Read more

German econ ministry questions purchase of U.S. military planes

BERLIN, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Germany's economic ministry has

questioned a plan by the country's defence ministry to buy U.S.

transport planes, proposing instead the purchase of a Brazilian

aircraft that could trigger orders for German firms.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Germany's motorways to remain in state's hands

BERLIN, Nov 24 (Reuters) - German ministers have agreed that

Germany's motorway network will be managed entirely by the state

in future, the Transport Ministry said on Thursday, after a

magazine reported last month that the finance ministry had

proposed a partial privatisation.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Lufthansa pilots' strike hits bookings as more planes grounded

* Airline cancels around 2,600 flights over three days

(Adds analyst, details on Friday's cancellations)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Brazil's Gafisa seeks up to $192 mln with unit IPO

SAO PAULO, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Brazilian homebuilder Gafisa

SA aims to raise up to 660 million reais ($192

million) with an initial public offering of Construtora Tenda

SA, a builder of low-cost homes, the first IPO by a Brazilian

construction company in seven years.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Hungarian Mercedes workers hold brief wage strike

BUDAPEST, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Workers at Daimler AG's

Mercedes-Benz plant in Kecskemet, Hungary, held a

two-hour strike demanding higher wages on Wednesday and

threatening a further walk-out if a deal is not agreed.

Read more

Finnish government lifts biofuel targets

HELSINKI, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Finland's centre-right

government said on Thursday it planned to lift the share of

biofuels blended in transport fuel to 30 percent by 2030 to help

meet the country's emissions reduction targets.

Read more

Business booms at Trump Tower, nearby retailers hit by security and crowds

NEW YORK, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Bailey White, 13, stood

patiently in line with her little brother Keaton at the gift

store inside the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue on Wednesday

afternoon, each clutching a stuffed terrier named Charlie that

cost $35 per item.

Read more

New York using sand-filled trucks to protect Thanksgiving parade

NEW YORK, Nov 24 (Reuters) - New York police will use

sand-filled trucks, radiation detectors, bomb-sniffing dogs and

heavily armed officers on Thursday to defend the 90th Macy's

Thanksgiving Day Parade, which Islamic State has encouraged its

followers to attack.

Read more

Trump's friend Farage taunts British PM with 'ambassador's reception'

LONDON, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Nigel Farage, the Brexit

campaigner who U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said would be

great as Britain's envoy to Washington, taunted Prime Minister

Theresa May with a mock ambassador's reception complete with

chocolate and champagne.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Domino's Pizza steps up UK expansion plans with 1,600 store target

LONDON, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Britain's biggest pizza delivery

firm Domino's Pizza plans to increase its presence

across the UK to 1,600 stores after seeing a strong performance

from new outlets and a positive market outlook, it said on

Thursday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-UK's Countrywide warns again Brexit will hit 2016 earnings

Nov 24 (Reuters) - British estate agent Countrywide Plc

warned again its 2016 core earnings would be hit by

lower property market activity since Britain's vote to leave the

European Union, sending its shares down more than 14 percent to

a record low.

Read more

UPDATE 4-Blast kills two at governor's office in southern Turkish city

* No immediate claim of responsibility

(Adds minister on possible PKK responsibility)

Read more

UK's Countrywide warns again that Brexit will hit 2016 earnings

Nov 24 (Reuters) - British estate agent Countrywide Plc

warned for a second time this year that its 2016 core

earnings would be hit by lower activity in the property market

following Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

Read more

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Toyota says aims to develop advanced electric-car battery in a few years

TOKYO, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp said it

aims to develop a new, more advanced electric-car battery "in a

few years" that will allow the Japanese automaker to come up

with an electrified vehicle with driving range and battery life

enhanced by up to 15 percent.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Thyssenkrupp cautious on profit; says cost cuts key

ESSEN, Germany, Nov 24 (Reuters) - German steel-to-elevators

group Thyssenkrupp forecast a smaller-than-expected

rise in operating profit for its current fiscal year and said on

Thursday cost cuts would again be key to meeting its targets

amid volatile raw material prices.

Read more

Reuters Business News Schedule at 0430 GMT/00.30AM ET

China will defend WTO rights if Trump moves on

tariffs-official

Read more

UPDATE 2-S.Korean investigators raid Lotte and SK offices amid political scandal

* Opposition parties seeking to launch impeachment

proceedings

Read more

British car demand stalls after Brexit, denting October output

LONDON, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Britain made fewer cars last

month for the first time in more than a year, driven by slower

domestic demand and prompting the industry's lobby group to

renew its call for the government to maintain free trade as

Britain leaves the European Union.

Read more

UPDATE 1-China's Ctrip.com to buy Skyscanner in $1.74 bln deal

Nov 23 (Reuters) - Ctrip.com International Ltd,

China's biggest online travel company, said on Wednesday it

agreed to buy travel search website Skyscanner Holdings Ltd in a

deal valuing the Scotland-based company at about 1.4 billion

pounds. ($1.74 billion).

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. judge orders striking ABX Air pilots back to work

CHICAGO, Nov 23 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Wednesday

upheld a temporary restraining order sought by cargo airline ABX

Air, whose major customers include DHL and online retail giant

Amazon, against its striking pilots and ordered them

back to work immediately.

Read more

Warren Beatty returns to movies with 'Rules Don't Apply'

LOS ANGELES, Nov 23 (Reuters) - After a 15-year absence,

Warren Beatty returns to the big screen in "Rules Don't Apply,"

a personal project about the eccentric billionaire Howard

Hughes.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Jewelry chain Charming Charlie explores debt restructuring -sources

Nov 23 (Reuters) - U.S. fashion jewelry and accessories

budget retailer Charming Charlie LLC is seeking to hire a

financial adviser to help find relief from its debt burden,

according to people familiar with the matter.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Irish data regulator steps up Yahoo hack probe, waits on email scanning

LONDON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Ireland's Data Protection

Commissioner (DPC) said it had stepped up its examination of the

theft of user information for 500 million Yahoo Inc

accounts and that it was awaiting information from Yahoo on

allegations it helped the U.S. government scan users' emails.

Read more

Jewelry chain Charming Charlie explores debt restructuring -sources

Nov 23 (Reuters) - U.S. fashion jewelry and accessories

budget retailer Charming Charlie LLC is seeking to hire a

financial adviser to help find relief from its debt burden,

according to people familiar with the matter.

Read more

UPDATE 1-China will defend WTO rights if Trump moves on duties -official

WASHINGTON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - China will defend its rights

under World Trade Organization tariff rules if U.S.

President-elect Donald Trump moves toward executing his campaign

threats to levy punitive duties on goods made in China, a senior

Chinese trade official said on Wednesday.

Read more

U.S. steelmakers push Trump team for more trade defenses

* Protectionist stance could trigger backlash from car

makers

Read more

WRAPUP 4-Data shows U.S. economy strengthening on eve of Trump presidency

WASHINGTON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - New orders for U.S.

manufactured capital goods rebounded in October, driven by

rising demand for machinery and a range of other equipment, the

latest indication of an acceleration in economic growth early in

the fourth quarter.

Read more

China will defend WTO rights if Trump moves on duties - official

WASHINGTON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - China will defend its rights

under World Trade Organization tariff rules if President-elect

Donald Trump moves toward executing his campaign threats to levy

punitive duties on goods made in China, a senior Chinese trade

official said on Wednesday.

Read more

UPDATE 2-U.S. auto sales to show 5 pct rise in November-JD Power, LMC

DETROIT, Nov 23 (Reuters) - U.S. auto sales in November will

be up 5 percent from a year earlier, making it possible that

2016 will top last year's record high, industry consultants J.D.

Power and LMC Automotive said on Wednesday.

Read more

U.S.' Pritzker: Time 'not ripe' to change China market criteria

WASHINGTON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny

Pritzker said on Wednesday that the time was "not ripe" for the

United States to change the way it evaluates whether China has

achieved market economy status and there are no international

trade rules requiring changes in the way U.S. anti-dumping

duties are calculated.

Read more

High-profile French police site among terrorist suspects' targets -sources

PARIS, Nov 23 (Reuters) - A high-profile police site was

among the potential targets in a foiled terrorist plot,

according to a person arrested in France in connection with the

plot, two sources close to the investigation said on Wednesday.

Read more

UPDATE 2-TUI board approves plans for new leisure airline with Etihad

BERLIN, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Europe's largest tour operator

TUI Group will spin off its German airline TUIfly into

a separate company together with some operations from struggling

Air Berlin after its supervisory board approved the

move on Wednesday.

Read more

EU lawmakers denounce Russian info tactics, anger Putin

STRASBOURG, Nov 23 (Reuters) - The European Parliament

called on the EU and its states to do more to counter Russian

"disinformation and propaganda warfare" on Wednesday, drawing an

angry response from President Vladimir Putin.

Read more

Toyota aims to sell more hybrid cars in India

NEW DELHI, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp

expects hybrid cars to make up 20 percent of its total vehicle

sales in India by 2020 from less than 2 percent today, a senior

company official told Reuters.

Read more

MIDEAST STOCKS-Saudi lifts mood in regional markets; Egypt holds near 8-yr peak

* Dubai's Arabtec surges by daily limit, other speculative

shares rally

Read more

November U.S. auto sales to show 5 percent rise -JD Power, LMC

DETROIT, Nov 23 (Reuters) - November U.S. auto sales will be

up 5 percent from a year earlier, making it possible that 2016

will top last year's record high, industry consultants J.D.

Power and LMC Automotive said on Wednesday.

Read more

SPECIAL REPORT-How a British town became a hub for online porn and poker

CONSETT, England, Nov 23 (Reuters) - John Mawson and his

wife Sandra live in a cramped one-storey home on a hill near

Consett, an old steel town in the north east of England. They

have been company directors for years, and between them serve 15

firms. But John had no idea what their companies did until a few

years ago, when he looked online.

Read more

U.S. retailers push deals early as Black Friday loses focus

CHICAGO, Nov 23 (Reuters) - With sales on Black Friday

slipping, U.S. retailers are offering pre-Thanksgiving deals

even earlier than in recent years to draw shoppers as the day

after no longer marks a spending peak at brick-and-mortar

chains.

Read more

Britain's FTSE buoyed by utilities before budget update

LONDON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Britain's top share index rose on

Wednesday, boosted by rising utility and commodity firms before

finance minister Philip Hammond outlines his policies in the

biggest economic update since the country voted to leave the

European Union.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Slower emerging markets hit Rocket's Global Fashion revenue

FRANKFURT, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Revenue growth at emerging

markets-focused retailer Global Fashion Group (GFG), which is

backed by investors Kinnevik of Sweden and Germany's

Rocket Internet, slowed in the third quarter although

its losses narrowed.

Read more

Hyundai Motor sells its entire stake in fighter jet manufacturer

SEOUL, Nov 23 (Reuters) - South Korean automaker Hyundai

Motor Co has sold its entire stake in fighter jet

manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) Ltd, a

Hyundai Motor spokeswoman said on Wednesday, without disclosing

the value of the deal.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Lufthansa pilots start two-day strike, hundreds of flights cancelled

* Almost 900 flights cancelled so far, more to come

(Adds quote from Lufthansa spokesman)

Read more

Challenging emerging markets hit Rocket's Global Fashion revenue

FRANKFURT, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Revenue growth at emerging

markets-focused retailer Global Fashion Group (GFG), which is

backed by investors Kinnevik of Sweden and Germany's

Rocket Internet, slowed in the third quarter, although

its losses narrowed.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Infineon raises medium-term operating margin target

* Fourth-quarter operating profit 280 mln euros

(Adds CEO comment, shares, background)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Thomas Cook on track for 2017 after "encouraging" summer bookings

* Recommends paying dividend of 0.5 pence per share

(Adds background, detail)

Read more

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Singapore in the driving seat as it negotiates new F1 deal



Read more

Thomas Cook FY profit broadly flat after Turkey issues weigh

LONDON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - British travel company Thomas

Cook posted broadly flat annual profit after its attempt

to grow was hampered by customers turning their backs on

holidays to Turkey, and said it was encouraged by future demand

for trips abroad.

Read more

Philippines money laundering body charges bankers for ignoring cyber heist

MANILA, Nov 23 (Reuters) - An anti-money laundering body in

the Philippines has filed charges against five officials of RCBC

bank and a former treasurer who "wilfully ignored"

suspicious activity that led to tens of millions of dollars

vanishing after a heist on Bangladesh's central bank.

Read more

Thai domestic car sales seen picking up next year - FTI

BANGKOK, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Thailand's domestic car sales

are expected at 780,000 vehicles next year, up 4 percent from

750,000 units projected for this year, the Federation of Thai

Industries (FTI) said on Wednesday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Pilots strike at cargo airline serving Amazon, DHL as holidays near

CHICAGO, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Pilots at ABX Air, an express

cargo airline that serves online retailer Amazon.com Inc

and DHL Express, went on strike on Tuesday, a critical

time for retailers with the holiday shopping season about to

kick into high gear.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Urban Outfitters sales miss as Anthropologie, Free People drag

Nov 22 (Reuters) - Apparel retailer Urban Outfitters Inc

reported quarterly comparable sales that missed

analysts' estimate as demand fell for its Anthropologie Group

and Free People brands, sending its shares down 9 percent in

after-market trading.

Read more

UPDATE 1-China arrests three Australian Crown Resorts employees

SYDNEY, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Three Australian employees of

casino operator Crown Resorts Ltd detained in China

since mid-October have been formally arrested on suspicion of

gambling offences, Australia's foreign minister said on Tuesday.

Read more

UPDATE 4-VW reboots Americas strategy, drops diesel in U.S.

* To focus on SUVs, electric cars; ditch weaker models

(Updates with Diess diesel comment, LA Auto Show details)

Read more

Hammond aims to ease UK living standards squeeze, focus on budget

LONDON, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Britain's finance minister will

say on Wednesday that he is reducing a benefits squeeze for

low-paid workers, but that fixing the public finances and

improving productivity are the best ways to improve living

standards.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Chinese official optimistic about US trade amid Trump uncertainty

WASHINGTON, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Chinese Vice Premier Wang

Yang said on Tuesday that U.S. policies toward China under

President-elect Donald Trump may be uncertain, but he is

optimistic because of the U.S. business community's enthusiasm

for U.S.-China trade.

Read more

'Moonlight,' 'American Honey' lead indie film Spirit nominations

LOS ANGELES, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Independent coming-of-age

movies "Moonlight" and "American Honey" lead nominations on

Tuesday for the Spirit Awards, the ceremony that celebrates

low-budget artistic films which often also do well at the

Oscars.

Read more

UPDATE 3-Lufthansa cancels hundreds of flights on Wednesday due to pilots strike

* Eurowings cabin crew also on strike on Tuesday

(Adds court ruling)

Read more

China vice premier sees optimism for U.S. trade in Trump presidency

WASHINGTON, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Chinese Vice Premier Wang

Yang said on Tuesday that U.S. policies toward China under

President-elect Donald Trump may be uncertain, but he is

optimistic because of the U.S. business community's enthusiasm

for U.S.-China trade.

Read more

James Corden parlays 'Carpool Karaoke' into Grammys host gig

LOS ANGELES, Nov 22 (Reuters) - British actor and talk show

host James Corden, whose "Carpool Karaoke" segment has become a

viral phenomenon, will host the Grammy Awards in February, the

Recording Academy said on Tuesday.

Read more

Saudi 10-year-old braves blades, broken glass for "Arabs Got Talent"

RIYADH, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Walking and jumping on smashed

glass and bracing for sharpened knives to be dropped onto his

belly, Khaled Allukman is a 10-year-old daredevil with a mission

- to win "Arabs Got Talent".

Read more

UPDATE 1-OPAP third-quarter hit by a Greek austerity tax increase

ATHENS, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Greece-based OPAP,

Europe's fourth-biggest betting firm, posted a 40 percent drop

on Tuesday in third-quarter net profit, hurt by an austerity tax

on its revenue.

Read more

UPDATE 3-From soldiers to midwives, Turkey dismisses 15,000 more after coup bid

* European lawmakers want end to EU membership talks

(Adds Erdogan quotes, European Parliament)

Read more

WRAPUP 1-U.S. existing home sales hit more than 9-1/2-year high

WASHINGTON, Nov 22 (Reuters) - U.S. home resales rose in

October to their highest level in more than 9-1/2 years amid

pent-up demand, offering more evidence of a pickup in economic

growth early in the fourth quarter.

Read more

Tokyo holds its first fashion show for Muslim women

TOKYO, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Models wearing an array of

colourful hijabs walked down a Tokyo catwalk on Tuesday in what

organisers said was the first such fashion show for Muslim women

in Japan.

Read more

"Freedom business" offers Indian sex workers alternative to red light district

CHENNAI, India, Nov 22 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - An

Indian quilt and bag company which employs women trapped in the

sex trade has appointed two former sex workers to its board, its

co-founder said, calling the move a first in the industry.

Read more

A Minute With: Lin-Manuel Miranda on 'Moana' and 'Mary Poppins'

LOS ANGELES, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Award-winning "Hamilton"

musical creator Lin-Manuel Miranda swaps the politics of 18th

century Washington for the charms of Polynesia in the Disney

animated movie "Moana."

Read more

Trump cancels meeting with N.Y. Times, complaining about 'nasty tone'

WASHINGTON, Nov 22 (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald

Trump abruptly canceled a meeting scheduled for Tuesday with The

New York Times newspaper that he has frequently criticized,

complaining in morning Twitter posts about inaccurate coverage

and a "nasty tone."

Read more

UPDATE 4-KKR to buy Nissan-backed supplier Calsonic for up to $4.5 bln

* Calsonic relies on Nissan for 80 pct of sales

(Adds KKR executive's comments, details of its previous deals

in Japan)

Read more

Hong Kong Disneyland to expand with $1.4 billion investment

HONG KONG, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Walt Disney will

expand its loss-making Hong Kong Disneyland theme park with a

$1.4 billion investment to try to attract more visitors, the

U.S. entertainment company and its local government partner said

on Tuesday.

Read more

China arrests three Australian Crown Resorts employees

SYDNEY, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Three Australian employees of

casino operator Crown Resorts Ltd detained in China

since mid-October have been formally arrested on suspicion of

gambling offences, Australia's foreign minister said on Tuesday.

Read more

Singapore unveils self-driving scooter, ideal for phone-obsessed walkers

SINGAPORE, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Researchers in Singapore have

come up with a solution to curb accidents involving

phone-obsessed walkers, a self-driving mobility scooter that

drives single pedestrians along footpaths.

Read more

UPDATE 1-VW brand targets operating margin over 6 pct post-2025

* Shares up 0.9 pct

(Adds details on rivals, shares, background)

Read more

Dustin Hoffman, Christiane Paul land best actor prizes at International Emmys

NEW YORK, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Oscar-winner Dustin Hoffman was

named best actor and Germany's Christiane Paul best actress at

the 44th International Emmy Awards in New York on Monday.

Read more

Two Philippine property firms to raise $359 mln via share, bond sales in 2017

MANILA, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Two Philippine companies involved

in the property sector announced on Tuesday plans to raise a

combined $358.7 million from the capital markets next year to

fund expansion plans.

Read more

KKR launches $4.5 bln offer for Japan's Calsonic Kansei

TOKYO, Nov 22 (Reuters) - U.S. buyout firm KKR & Co

is buying Japanese auto parts maker Calsonic Kansei Corp

from Nissan Motor and other shareholders for

as much as 498.3 billion yen ($4.50 billion), the companies said

on Tuesday.

Read more

Bahrain's Arcapita buys U.S. senior citizen housing for $110 mln

DUBAI, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Investment management firm

Arcapita said on Tuesday it had acquired a privately-held

portfolio of three housing schemes for senior citizens in the

United States for around $110 million.

Read more

Catering firm Compass revenue rises on strong U.S. growth

Nov 22 (Reuters) - Compass Group Plc, the world's

biggest catering firm, expressed confidence on its performance

for the current year, after reporting revenue growth largely in

line with expectations on the back of strong demand in the

United States.

Read more

Monday, November 21, 2016

Bollywood modernising feelings on intimacy, says 'Befikre' actor

LONDON, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Actress Vaani Kapoor said

Bollywood has become more liberal about intimacy on screen ahead

of the release of her new film 'Befikre', a contemporary

romantic comedy with passionate kissing scenes.

Read more

Kingfisher Q3 sales growth driven by UK and Poland

LONDON, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Kingfisher, Europe's

largest home improvement retailer, reported growth in

third-quarter underlying sales with strong demand in Britain and

Poland more than offsetting weakness in France.

Read more

Chinese chicken chain investigated over suggestive name, menu - paper

SHANGHAI, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Authorities are investigating a

Shanghai-based fried chicken chain for possible violations of

social order over its sexually suggestive name - "Call a Chick"

- and menu items, the Shanghai Daily reported on Tuesday.

Read more

Reuters Business News Schedule at 0430 GMT/00.30AM ET

BUENOS AIRES - The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) would be

meaningless without U.S. participation, Japan's Prime Minister

Shinzo Abe said on Monday as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump

said he would withdraw the United States from the pan-Pacific

free trade deal. (JAPAN-TPP/ABE (UPDATE 2, PIX, TV), moved, by

Kiyoshi Takenaka, 250 words)

Read more

Trump picks regulation opponents to lead FCC transition

NEW YORK, Nov 21 (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald

Trump's choice of experts to focus on new policies at the

Federal Communications Commission signals a regime that will

have a "lighter" touch on regulation and be more likely to favor

large mergers in telecoms industries, analysts said.

Read more

UPDATE 5-Tsunami hits Japan after strong quake, nuclear plant briefly disrupted

* Japan Meteorological Agency warns of tsunami up to 3

metres

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. State Dept warns about possible attacks in Europe during holiday season

WASHINGTON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - The State Department on

Monday issued an alert to U.S. citizens about a heightened risk

of terrorist attacks throughout Europe, particularly during the

holiday season.

Read more

Nissan suspends work at Fukushima engine plant after quake

TOKYO, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Nissan Motor Co said it

would suspend work at its engine factory in Fukushima at least

until a tsunami warning is lifted after a powerful earthquake

rocked northern Japan early on Tuesday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Smithfield Foods to buy Farmer John from Hormel

Nov 21 (Reuters) - Smithfield Foods said it would buy parent

of the Farmer John and Saag's Specialty Meats brands, and farm

operations in three U.S. states from Hormel Foods Corp

for $145 million in cash.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Amazon explores live sports streaming - WSJ

Nov 21 (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc is exploring live

sports streaming and has held talks with leagues including the

National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and the

National Football League for live game rights, the Wall Street

Journal reported, citing sources.

Read more

Amazon explores live sports streaming - WSJ

Nov 21 (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc is exploring live

sports streaming and has held talks with leagues including the

National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and the

National Football League for live game rights, the Wall Street

Journal reported, citing sources.

Read more

Smithfield Foods to buy Farmer John from Hormel

Nov 21 (Reuters) - Smithfield Foods said it would buy Farmer

John and Saag's Specialty Meats brands, and farm operations in

three U.S. states from Hormel Foods Corp for $145

million in cash.

Read more

UPDATE 1-DirecTV mobile streaming services in line with regulations, AT&T tells FCC

NEW YORK, Nov 21 (Reuters) - AT&T Inc's DirecTV mobile

video services that do not carry data charges for video

streaming do not violate net neutrality rules, as any other

online video provider can pay the wireless company to offer

similar services on equal terms, the telecommunications company

told the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in a letter on

Monday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-NBCUniversal doubles stake in BuzzFeed with $200 mln investment

Nov 21 (Reuters) - Online media company BuzzFeed, best known

for its list-based articles and quizzes, said Comcast Corp's

NBCUniversal had invested an additional $200 million

in the company.

Read more

DirecTV mobile streaming services in line with regulations, AT&T tells FCC

NEW YORK, Nov 21 (Reuters) - AT&T Inc's DirecTV mobile

video services that do not have data charges for video streaming

do not violate net neutrality rules, the telecommunications

company told the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in a

letter on Monday.

Read more

Nissan to sell 41 pct stake in Calsonic Kansei to KKR - Nikkei

Nov 22 (Reuters) - Nissan Motor Co will sell 41

percent of its stake in auto parts supplier Calsonic Kansei Corp

to U.S. buyout firm KKR & Co, the Nikkei

reported.

Read more

CORRECTED-Reese Witherspoon, AT&T venture, form media company aimed at women

Nov 21 (Reuters) - Otter Media, the joint venture between

AT&T Inc and The Chernin Group, has partnered with Reese

Witherspoon to form a new multimedia company, Hello Sunshine,

aimed at telling female-driven stories.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Kanye West cancels tour after bizarre concert rants

Nov 21 (Reuters) - Rapper Kanye West abruptly canceled the

remainder of his tour on Monday following a series of shows in

which he had embarked on rants about politics and the music

industry.

Read more

Yaskawa sees short-term Brexit gain from lower labour costs

FRANKFURT, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Japanese robot maker Yaskawa

Electric sees short-term benefits from Britain's

decision to leave the European Union thanks to lower labour

costs for the roughly 150 staff it employs in Scotland, it said

on Monday.

Read more

Ex-S&P exec goes on trial before SEC over mortgage bond ratings

NEW YORK, Nov 21 (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and

Exchange Commission on Monday took a former Standard & Poor's

executive to trial over claims that she engaged in a fraud that

inflated ratings of commercial mortgage-backed securities.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Daimler expresses regret over Chinese parking row involving senior manager

* Apologises for concerns raised by the incident

(Adds further Daimler comment)

Read more

Pitt and Cotillard hit red carpet for WWII thriller "Allied"

LONDON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Hollywood actor Brad Pitt and his

French co-star Marion Cotillard bring their new movie "Allied"

to Europe this week, hitting the promotional trail for the World

War Two thriller.

Read more

PREVIEW-Britain's Black Friday expected to be a record-breaking online affair

LONDON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Spending on Britain's Black

Friday discount shopping day is forecast to break last year's

record takings, though it is expected to be predominantly an

online affair this year.

Read more

MIDEAST STOCKS-Saudi sags on profit taking, Egypt conquers 8-yr high as currency weakens

DUBAI, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Stock markets in the Gulf diverged

on Monday with Saudi Arabia's index cooling for a third session

as investors book profits on lofty prices while Abu Dhabi

rebounded slightly.

Read more

'Lion' brings India love affair full circle for actor Dev Patel

LOS ANGELES, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Growing up as the son of

immigrants in London, actor Dev Patel did not feel much

connection to India.

Read more

Reuters Business News Schedule at 1330 GMT/08.30AM ET

British PM May says knows firms do not want "cliff edge"

after Brexit

Read more

Tight security for annual Shi'ite pilgrimage in Iraq's Kerbala

KERBALA, Iraq, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of

Shi'ite Muslims gathered in Iraq's holy city of Kerbala on

Monday for the annual pilgrimage of Arbaeen, which marks the end

of a 40-day mourning period for the grandson of the Prophet

Mohammad, Imam Hussein.

Read more

REPEAT-Gun shops eye busy Black Friday despite Hillary Clinton loss

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Christmas came early for

U.S. gun shop owners - who saw a rush of firearms purchases

ahead of the presidential election - but they may now be

hard-pressed to match last year's record holiday sales.

Read more

Cash crunch puts brake on India's cotton exports; rivals to gain

* Exports of 1 million bales delayed due to limited cotton

supply

Read more

UPDATE 2-Weak Taiwan October export orders may spur fresh growth worries

* Orders for high-end notebooks cause of weak data -

ministry

(Adds comments from government official, analyst)

Read more

Beijing to ban polluting cars during smog alerts

BEIJING, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Beijing will next year ban

highly polluting old cars from being driven whenever air quality

alerts are issued in the city or neighbouring regions, the

city's environmental protection bureau said on Monday.

Read more

CORRECTED-UPDATE 2-F1's SEAsia future in doubt as Ecclestone says Singapore wants to drop race-report

* F1 CEO tells Auto Motor und Sport Singapore wants to drop race

Read more

Facebook to expand in UK in latest vote of confidence after Brexit

LONDON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Facebook said it would

expand its UK presence by 50 percent in 2017, joining U.S.

technology peer Google in boosting investment in

Britain despite the uncertainty sparked by the vote to leave the

European Union.

Read more

Gun shops eye busy Black Friday despite Hillary Clinton loss

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Christmas came early for

U.S. gun shop owners - who saw a rush of firearms purchases

ahead of the presidential election - but they may now be

hard-pressed to match last year's record holiday sales.

Read more

Alibaba Cloud stretches global reach with four new facilities

BEIJING, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Alibaba Cloud plans to open four

new data facilities outside China, the cloud unit of Alibaba

Holdings Ltd said on Monday, as it seeks to grab global

market share from leading players Amazon.com Inc and

Microsoft.

Read more

Sunday, November 20, 2016

UPDATE 1-Ecclestone says Singapore wants to drop F1 race-report

* Ecclestone made comments to German magazine Auto Motor und Sport

Read more

Australia shares end tad weaker, NZ down

Nov 21 (Reuters) - Australian shares closed lower on Monday,

with consumer staples and healthcare stocks erasing the gains

from energy and material sectors, as investors looked for more

clarity on President-elect Donald Trump's policies.

Read more

INSIGHT-Stranded trucks, unpaid workers: India Inc counts cost of cash crunch

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Like millions of

Indians fed up with corruption and counterfeiting, Vimal Somani

cheered Prime Minister Narendra Modi's shock move to replace all

high-value banknotes. Two weeks on, his business is being

hammered by the ensuing cash crunch.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Box Office: 'Fantastic Beasts' Debuts to Magical $75 Million

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20 (Variety.com) - "Fantastic Beasts and

Where to Find Them" dominated the weekend box office, debuting

to a boisterous $75 million and launching a new cinematic

franchise.

Read more

Box Office: 'Fantastic Beasts' Debuts to Magical $75 Million

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20 (Variety.com) - "Fantastic Beasts and

Where to Find Them" dominated the weekend box office, debuting

to a boisterous $75 million and launching a new cinematic

franchise.

Read more

Drake looks for first American Music Awards but out of top prize

LOS ANGELES, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Canadian rapper Drake

competes on Sunday for his first ever American Music Award on a

night that will feature performances by Lady Gaga, Sting, Nicki

Minaj, and Justin Bieber.

Read more

MIDEAST STOCKS-Abu Dhabi hit after bank merger talk quashed; Saudi slips but Egypt resilient

* Abu Dhabi's UNB, ADCB, ADIB drop after denying merger

rumours

Read more

Volkswagen CEO says sees case for building own battery factory - paper

FRANKFURT, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Europe's largest carmaker

Volkswagen sees building its own factory to make

electronic vehicle batteries as a logical move as it expands

production of low-emission cars after its emissions scandal.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Hammond says will get UK ready for Brexit challenge

LONDON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Britain's first budget plan since

the Brexit vote will seek to get the economy prepared for the

challenges of leaving the European Union and help struggling

families through tough times ahead, finance minister Philip

Hammond said on Sunday.

Read more

Obama tells Latin America and world: give Trump time, don't assume worst

LIMA, Nov 20 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama did in

Latin America what he tried to do in Europe: tell worried

citizens not to draw negative conclusions about the man he once

called unfit to serve in the White House, President-elect Donald

Trump.

Read more

Austrian chancellor: Le Pen victory would hurt Europe's economy

VIENNA, Nov 20 (Reuters) - A French presidential victory by

far-right candidate Marine le Pen would badly damage Europe's

economy, Austria's Social Democrat Chancellor Christian Kern

said in an interview published on Sunday.

Read more

Saturday, November 19, 2016

China says terrorism, fake news impel greater global internet curbs

* China urges more controls at Wuzhen World Internet

Conference

Read more

UK's Hammond to announce 1.3 bln pound road boost in budget

EDINBURGH, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Finance minister Phillip

Hammond will this week announce 1.3 billion pounds ($1.60

billion) in new spending on roads as part of his plans to

bolster the economy as Britain prepares to leave the European

Union, the Treasury said on Sunday.

Read more

Facebook's Zuckerberg discloses steps to fight fake news

Nov 19 (Reuters) - Facebook Inc, facing withering

criticism for failing to stem a flood of phony news articles in

the run-up to the U.S. presidential election, is taking a series

of steps to weed out hoaxes and other types of false

information, chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said in a Facebook

post Friday evening.

Read more

Olympics-Kenyan officials "embezzled money meant for Rio team" - govt report

NAIROBI, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Large sums of money meant to cover the expenses of Kenya's team at the Rio Olympics were misappropriated by officials, according to an investigation ordered by the country's sports ministry.

Read more

Germany's Merkel says to spend more on infrastructure in election year

BERLIN, Nov 19 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel

promised on Saturday to increase investment in infrastructure in

Europe's biggest economy in 2017, an election year, without

resorting to new borrowing.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Egypt journalist unionists get 2 years' jail for harbouring colleagues

CAIRO, Nov 19 (Reuters) - An Egyptian court sentenced the

head of a journalists union and two board members to two years

in prison on Saturday for harbouring colleagues wanted by the

law and spreading false news, judicial sources said.

Read more

China inspects barbecues, closes some factories to battle smog: Xinhua

SHANGHAI, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Provincial governments across

China are taking measures ranging from inspecting outdoor

barbecues to halting production at industrial plants to reduce

worsening air pollution, the official Xinhua news agency said on

Saturday.

Read more

Massachusetts man convicted of fraud over 'Kung Fu Panda' drawings, lawsuit

Nov 19 (Reuters) - A Massachusetts man was found guilty by a

federal jury on Friday of back-dating drawings he relied on as

evidence in his lawsuit against DreamWorks Animation that

claimed he had invented the title character in the 2008 film

"Kung Fu Panda."

Read more

Friday, November 18, 2016

UPDATE 1-Thousands march in Malaysian capital calling for PM Najib to step down

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Thousands of

anti-government protesters marched in Malaysia's capital on

Saturday demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak

over his alleged involvement in a multi-billion dollar

misappropriation scandal.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Fantasy sports arch rivals DraftKings, FanDuel to merge

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 18 (Reuters) - The two biggest U.S. fantasy sports companies DraftKings and FanDuel said on Friday they would merge to cut legal bills and improve operating efficiency after tussling for years to win customers.

Read more

REFILE-Germany's Aixtron says U.S. opposes China deal on security grounds

Nov 18 (Reuters) - Germany's Aixtron Se said the

Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)

informed the company it would recommend that its pending

takeover by China's Fujian Grand Chip Investment Fund (FGC) be

blocked.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Facebook sets $6 bln buyback; accounting chief to leave

Nov 18 (Reuters) - Social media giant Facebook Inc on

Friday set a $6 billion buyback program for its Class A shares,

beginning in the first quarter of 2017.

Read more

Navajo Nation settles trademark suit against Urban Outfitters

PHOENIX, Nov 18 (Reuters) - The Navajo Nation, the largest

Native American tribe, has settled a trademark suit brought

against the apparel retail chain Urban Outfitters Inc

over use of the tribe's name in company merchandise, the two

sides said on Friday.

Read more

Facebook sets $6 bln buyback program, accounting chief to leave

Nov 18 (Reuters) - Social media giant Facebook Inc

said on Friday it would buy back up to $6 billion of its Class A

shares, beginning in the first quarter of 2017.

Read more

COLUMN-Commentary: Trust the People! Why I'm optimistic about Trump.

Nov 18 (Reuters) - I'm a Donald Trump optimist. Like the

many who don't support him, I am alarmed that he won. But I

don't believe he will be as bad as the worst fears. It's a very

modest definition of optimism, but I think it's the best

liberals can come up with. The worst fears are widespread,

serious, and may yet prove to be well founded. Still, my main

reason for "optimism" is America's tradition of liberty, its

ineradicable pluralism - and (to sound a populist note) the

American people.

Read more

Thanksgiving cheer for consumers as turkey, ham prices fall

CHICAGO, Nov 18 (Reuters) - U.S. consumers can expect to

spend less on their traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas

turkeys and hams this year as supplies of both have rebounded

from outbreaks of avian flu and a pig virus that hit production.

Read more

Most Americans back 'just the facts' news stories -Pew survey

WASHINGTON, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Most Americans want the media

to present facts in news stories without adding interpretation,

a Pew Research Center survey said on Friday amid a debate in the

media about its role in covering Donald Trump's unconventional

presidential campaign.

Read more

UPDATE 1-VW lowers spending plans as emissions costs weigh

WOLFSBURG, Germany, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Volkswagen

will cut spending on factories, equipment and

technology over the next four years, it said on Friday, as it

struggles to fund a strategic shift to electric cars while

grappling with the cost of its emissions scandal.

Read more

Merkel's party details plans to spend surplus German tax revenue

BERLIN, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel's

Christian Democrats (CDU) plan to divide surplus tax revenues

equally between infrastructure investment, tax relief, and

spending increases on foreign and security policy, a party

document obtained by Reuters showed.

Read more

UPDATE 1-Mediaset and Sky Italia in contact over Premium pay TV - sources

* Both Mediaset and Sky have denied formal talks

(Adds background)

Read more

European shares close lower as dollar strength hits miners

MILAN, Nov 18 (Reuters) - European equities ended lower on

Friday, with mining and energy stocks bearing the brunt of the

sell off after commodities prices slipped following a rally in

the dollar.

Read more

CORRECTED-(OFFICIAL)- Fiat Chrysler teams up with Amazon to sell cars online

MILAN, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA)

said it has teamed up with U.S. internet giant Amazon

to start selling cars online offering an additional

discount.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Malaysia arrests pro-democracy leader ahead of anti-PM rally

* Protesters to call for PM Najib to step down

(Adds details of more arrests, statement from Amnesty)

Read more

WIDER IMAGE-Mexican wrestling fans demand blood in extreme 'Lucha Libre'

NEZAHUALCOYOTL, Mexico, Nov 18 (Reuters) - It is almost nine

o'clock at night and fans are anxious in Mexico's Neza Arena, an

old and dingy building in one of the most crime-ridden suburbs

of Mexico City.

Read more

REFILE-Hedge in the cloud: funds outsourcing computing power step into unknown

LONDON, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Tucked into the attic of a

Georgian building in London's West End, seven people run a $200

million hedge fund following artificial intelligence formulas.

But the supercomputers that process their complex algorithms are

nowhere to be seen.

Read more

CORRECTED-OFFICIAL-Hundreds of Rohingya flee Myanmar army crackdown to Bangladesh-sources

* Some people trying to cross to Bangladesh gunned

down-residents

Read more

UPDATE 1-Abercrombie & Fitch quarterly sales miss estimates, shares skid

Nov 18 (Reuters) - Teen apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch

Co posted a bigger-than-expected drop in quarterly sales

as fewer customers visited its namesake stores.

Read more

UPDATE 2-More academics, mayors detained as Turkish purges enter fifth month

* U.N. officials says measures "draconian"

(Adds UN rapporteur, NATO, Kurdish politicians arrested)

Read more

Obama, EU leaders agree to maintain cooperation via NATO after Trump victory

BERLIN, Nov 18 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama and

European leaders agreed in Berlin on Friday that they needed to

keep working together as part of multilateral bodies like NATO

and to press ahead with the transatlantic agenda, the White

House said in a statement.

Read more

WRAPUP 1-Iraqi troops expand foothold in Mosul as IS pledges more suicide attacks

* Iraqi army storms Tahrir district on the eastern edge of

Mosul

Read more

BMW, Baidu joint project on self-driving cars breaks down

GUANGZHOU/WUZHEN, China, Nov 18 (Reuters) - German automaker

BMW and Chinese internet giant Baidu will end

their joint research on self-driving cars, executives for the

two firms said on Friday, with Baidu now searching for new

global research partners.

Read more

Publicis CEO: business circles are "optimistic" over Donald Trump

BARCELONA, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Business circles remain

optimistic about the future economic policies of U.S.

President-elect Donald Trump, Publicis Chief Executive Officer

Maurice Levy said on Friday.

Read more

UPDATE 1-U.S. says concerned over Russia blocking access to LinkedIn

* Twitter and Facebook could also be affected

(Updates with quotes from U.S. Embassy, tech conference)

Read more

UPDATE 1-Electrocomponents raises margins, savings forecast; shares surge

Nov 18 (Reuters) - Electrocomponents Plc forecast

higher full-year cost savings, after reporting

better-than-expected first-half profit boosted by cost cuts and

the pound's slide since Britain voted to leave the European

Union.

Read more

AUTOSHOW-China SUV wars to heat up as Volkswagen unveils two new models

GUANGZHOU, China, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Volkswagen AG

unveiled two sport-utility vehicles for the Chinese

market on Friday, the first in a planned wave of new models for

a booming segment where it has lagged rivals.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Volkswagen to cut 30,000 jobs at VW brand by 2021 - source

* VW to create 9,000 jobs in electric cars -source

(Adds details)

Read more

Thursday, November 17, 2016

"Toy Story 4" under way but needs time, says Hanks

LONDON, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks

said the cast and crew of "Toy Story 4" needed time to be

creative, after the release date of the Disney-Pixar animation

was pushed back again until 2019.

Read more

UPDATE 2-Ford tells Trump no Lincoln SUV production going to Mexico

WASHINGTON, Nov 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald

Trump said Ford Motor Co Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr

told him the automaker would not move a Kentucky plant to

Mexico, but the firm said it informed him the decision was to

keep one vehicle in U.S. production.

Read more

UPDATE 12-Japan's Abe says after meeting with Trump he is confident of building trust

NEW YORK, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo

Abe met with Donald Trump on Thursday seeking clarity on

campaign statements by the president-elect that rattled the

Tokyo government, later telling reporters he was confident Trump

was a "trustworthy leader."

Read more

Brussels honours French singer Polnareff by dressing up Manneken Pis

BRUSSELS, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Brussels honoured French singer

Michel Polnareff by dressing up the Manneken Pis, the Belgian

capital's iconic bronze statue of a boy urinating, in one of the

singer's exuberant stage costumes.

Read more

UPDATE 11-Japan's Abe says after meeting with Trump that he is confident of building trust

NEW YORK, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo

Abe said on Thursday he was confident of building trust with

Donald Trump following a meeting in which he sought clarity on

campaign rhetoric from the U.S. president-elect that cast doubt

on long-standing U.S. alliances.

Read more