Aug 28 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories in

the Wall Street Journal. Reuters has not verified these stories

and does not vouch for their accuracy.

- Japan's Sompo Holdings said that it will acquire Bermudian

insurer Aspen Insurance Holdings ( AHL ) for around $3.5

billion.

- U.S. President Donald Trump fired Robert Primus, a board

member of the Surface Transportation Board, a U.S. regulatory

body which oversees railroads.

- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director

Susan Monarez has been fired, the White House said on Wednesday,

less than a month after being sworn in, and four senior

officials have resigned amid growing tensions over vaccine

policies and public health directives.

- Tech-focused freight forwarder Flexport is joining with

BlackRock ( BLK ) to double its supply-chain financing pool to

$250 million as tariffs raise costs for U.S. retailers and

manufacturers.

- Lynas Rare Earths ( LYSCF ) announced plans to raise

about $488 million through an equity offering to accelerate its

expansion efforts, though it warned that its proposed heavy rare

earths processing facility in Texas may not proceed.

- Amazon ( AMZN ) will extend its corporate staff

programs, including pay structure and benefits, to U.S.

corporate employees at its Whole Foods chain of supermarkets,

aiming to integrate its grocery businesses more closely.

(Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)