By Valentine Baldassari (Reuters) -Akzo Nobel reported stronger-than-expected quarterly core earnings on Thursday as higher pricing helped offset supply chain issues, a coronavirus resurgence in China and the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Chief Executive Thierry Vanlancker said in a statement that the group’s “vigorous pricing initiatives” had helped it manage “the unprecedented variable cost inflation that impacted our industry during the quarter”. The Dutch paints and coatings maker flagged uncertainties linked to sanctions on Russia, the resurgence of the coronavirus in China and …