The German and French economy ministers have asked experts in Berlin and Paris to come up with reform recommendations for both countries in an apparent attempt to avert a full-blown clash between the euro zone heavyweights over economic policy.
Germany
Private equity eyes $13 billion Bayer plastics business
Private equity firms are circling Bayer's (BAYGn.DE) 10 billion-euro ($12.7 billion) plastics business, hoping to divert the German drugmaker from its plan to list the division, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
Lufthansa close to deal with IBM for IT infrastructure unit
German airline Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) is close to a deal to sell its IT infrastructure unit to IBM (IBM.N), including an outsourcing agreement for the services, as part of a shake-up of its technology activities, it said on Wednesday.
Lufthansa pilots threaten more strikes as long haul hit
Lufthansa pilots threatened to call further strikes this week after the latest stoppage in a dispute over retirement benefits grounded two-thirds of its flights on Tuesday.
Shire CFO to leave drugmaker as AbbVie drops bid
British drugmaker Shire (SHP.L) will lose its interim chief financial officer early next year to water supplier Severn Trent (SVT.L), the latest blow for Shire, whose proposed $55-billion acquisition by U.S. rival AbbVie (ABBV.N) was aborted last week.
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France and Italy will keep pressure on Germany this week to use government money to revive the euro zone's stagnating economy but in a sign of inertia, a promised list of projects to create growth will not be ready until December.
Airbus took a step on Friday toward opening a second plant in China by signing a letter of intent with Chinese authorities to set up a cabin completion center for its wide-body A330 jets.
A consortium of infrastructure investors, including the alternative investment arm of German insurance group Allianz, has taken over British rolling stock leasing company Porterbrook Rail Finance [PTKRL.UL].
European planemaker Airbus (AIR.PA) still plans to deliver its first A350 wide-body plane to launch customer Qatar Airways this year, but is aware that it is working for a "demanding" customer, its chief executive said on Friday.
BMW (BMWG.DE) has hired Ferrari's former chief engineer as it seeks to strengthen its technical prowess amid intensifying competition with rival German luxury carmakers Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
German automaker Daimler (DAIGn.DE) and industrial gases maker Linde (LING.DE) pledged to build 20 hydrogen fuelling stations in Germany in coming years to boost support networks for eco-friendly cars.
Germany's Bertelsmann (BTGGg.F) said on Monday it would take full ownership of Gruner + Jahr, publisher of magazines including Stern and Brigitte, as the German media conglomerate looks to speed up a late push into digital media.
Daimler has struck a cooperation deal with Nissan Motor Co. on transporter vans, deepening a strategic alliance between the German and Japanese automakers.
Rocket Internet (RKET.DE), the global e-commerce investor, is selling its shares at 42.50 euros apiece, or the top of the price range, as investors flock to tap into a new wave of Internet start-up listings.
