GERMANY

McDonald's to shut business in Iceland

McDonald's Corp will shutter its business in Iceland because it is too expensive for the franchise to operate after the country's financial crisis.

Michelin keeps cashflow target; Q3 sales solid

French tire manufacturer Michelin SA said it still aims to generate positive free cash flow in the second half as third-quarter sales fell 10.9 percent, narrowly beating forecasts.

Magna's Opel buy inches closer as Spain gives go-ahead

Canada's Magna on Monday inched closer to clinching its Opel buy with approval from Spanish plant workers as the clock ticks down to a November 3 board meeting at which GM is set to decide on the deal.

German firm plans 100 MW wind farm in Bulgaria

Germany's privately-held N-Vision Energy plans to invest up to 140 million euros ($210.5 million) to build a 100 megawatt wind energy park in Bulgaria, its managing director said on Monday.

ING to split in two, launch rights issue

Dutch bancassurer ING Group NV will split in two, shrinking itself into a smaller Europe-focused bank, in the most striking example yet of the deep changes the EU wants to force on banks that received state aid.

COLUMN-Germany does its bit for global rebalancing: Paul Taylor

Germany's centre-right coalition has chosen a bold economic recovery strategy starting with unfunded tax cuts that amount to a third stimulus programme and should be welcomed around Europe and in Washington.

Iran would need 18 months for atom bomb: diplomats

Intelligence agencies estimate that it would probably take Iran a minimum of 18 months to develop a nuclear weapon if it chose to build one, Western diplomats and intelligence officials said.

CORRECTED: Asian shares uneven; China article trips dollar

(Corrects paragraph 4 to say inventory adjustments, rather than inventory building and drops reference to rates)

Asian shares uneven; China article trips dollar

Shares in Japan and South Korea rose on Monday, with Seoul lifted by strong economic growth data, while the dollar slid after a Chinese article said Beijing should raise its euro and yen holdings in its reserves.

U.N. experts inspect Iran's new nuclear site

A team from the U.N. nuclear watchdog inspected a nuclear site in Iran on Sunday that has heightened Western fears of a covert program to develop atomic bombs, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.

Volkswagen offers to save Karmann -paper

Volkswagen is offering to save Germany's Karmann from going bust, but the contract carmaker's owners are demanding more money than VW is willing to put up, weekly Spiegel reported, giving no details of its sources.

Merkel promises tax relief but financing unclear

Chancellor Angela Merkel sealed a coalition deal with the Free Democrats (FDP) on Saturday, promising to revive the German economy with billions of euros in tax relief but failing to spell out how the government will pay for the cuts.

Liquidation nears at German carmaker Karmann

Independent German contract carmaker and convertible roof-top specialist Karmann is nearing liquidation as new orders remain out of sight and customers remain unwilling to pay their bills.

GM board to reconsider Opel in early November

General Motors will decide in early November whether to proceed with a deal to sell its European arm Opel to a group led by Canada's Magna or to seize a new opportunity to keep the unit after seven months of grinding negotiations.

Neurotic? It could lead to asthma

People who are neurotic -- they tend to worry a lot and to have emotional ups and downs -- seem to be at increased risk of developing asthma, a new study hints. Those who suffer through a divorce or

GM puts signing of Opel sale on hold

General Motors put on hold a deal to sell a 55 percent stake in carmaker Opel to a Russian-backed consortium led by Canadian automotive group Magna , GM's chief negotiator on the deal said on Friday.

UK still in recession after shock Q3 contraction

Britain's economy contracted in the third quarter of this year, quashing hopes the downturn was ending and instead marking the longest recession on record.

ECB warns EU on hedge fund plans

The European Central Bank has warned that EU plans to tighten regulation of hedge funds and other alternative investors risk creating a two-tier playing field that could drive the industry out of Europe.

GE calls for trade deal in environmental goods

A deal freeing up trade in environmental goods and services is urgently needed to help global efforts to tackle climate change, General Electric Co said on Thursday.

Merck profit beats forecasts

Merck & Co , slated to acquire Schering-Plough Corp later this year, reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit amid strong demand for its Januvia diabetes pill and gains from the sale of its share of the Merial animal health business.

Europe shares fall; Ericsson down after results

Disappointing results from telecom equipment heavyweight Ericsson (ERICb.ST) and profit-taking after a recent strong run helped send European shares lower around midday on Thursday.

Berlin Wall rebuilt with dominos on 20th anniversary

The Berlin Wall will be back to briefly divide the German capital again next month -- but with giant brightly colored dominos rather than cement slabs.