(Reuters) – Italy’s FinecoBank said its full-year net profit hit a record 349.2 million euros ($399 million) driven by stronger net commissions, lifting its shares on Wednesday. The Milan-listed bank, which is already in the UK and plans to start offer…
European, U.S. regulators tell banks to prepare for Russian cyberattack threat
By John O’Donnell and Huw Jones FRANKFURT/LONDON (Reuters) – The European Central Bank is preparing banks for a possible Russian-sponsored cyber attack as tensions with Ukraine mount, two people with knowledge of the matter said, as the region braces f…
Global rally drives UK’s FTSE 100 to fresh two-year highs
By Shreyashi Sanyal and Sruthi Shankar (Reuters) -UK’s blue-chip index touched fresh two-year highs on Wednesday, joining a rally in global stock markets as investors cheered strong earnings while setting aside concerns about rising interest rates. The…
UK police reviewing a Johnson party decision after photo emerges
LONDON (Reuters) – British police said on Wednesday they were reviewing a decision not to investigate a gathering held in Boris Johnson’s Downing Street office during COVID lockdowns after a new photograph emerged of the event. The police were already …
L’Oreal Q4 sales beat expectations, lifted by U.S. and China
PARIS (Reuters) – L’Oreal, the world’s largest cosmetics group, reported on Wednesday better-than-expected growth over the fourth quarter as Chinese and American consumers spent more on beauty products over the holidays. Sales for the last three months…
Exclusive-France’s Renault says it backs moratorium on deep-sea mining
By Helen Reid JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – French automaker Renault SA has backed a moratorium on deep-sea mining, the company told Reuters on Wednesday, committing to exclude seabed metals from its supply chain in a blow to the nascent industry. In Octobe…
France’s Iliad bids more than $12.6 billion for Vodafone’s Italian business -source
By Mathieu Rosemain PARIS (Reuters) – French telecoms group Iliad has offered more than 11 billion euros ($12.6 billion) to buy Vodafone’s Italian business, a source close to the matter said on Wednesday, as the firm founded by billionaire Xavier Niel …
Energy crunch leaves Spanish coal plant workers in limbo
AS PONTES, Spain (Reuters) – Surging European gas prices and high demand for electricity in the cold winter months have granted a reprieve to a coal plant in northwest Spain, but its workers’ future is unclear. Set to close under Spain’s efforts to cut…
Mexican president suggests ‘pausing’ relations with Spain
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Wednesday suggested “pausing” diplomatic relations with Spain, ratcheting up the rhetoric of his attacks on Mexico’s former colonial power, which he has accused of plundering Mexi…
Italy reports 81,367 coronavirus cases on Wednesday, 384 deaths
MILAN (Reuters) – Italy reported 81,367 COVID-19 related cases on Wednesday, against 101,864 the day before, the health ministry said, while the number of deaths fell to 384 from 415. Italy has registered 149,896 deaths linked to COVID-19 since its out…