GERMANY

VW eyes cash call to fund Porsche, maybe other deals

Volkswagen AG set out plans to raise as much as 10 billion euros ($14.9 billion) from shareholders, which analysts said would be enough to make fresh acquisitions as well as merge with Porsche.

Auto investors look beyond Q3 scrapping boost

As a boost from state-sponsored schemes to help consumers replace old vehicles with newer ones tapers off, investors will be looking at the auto sector's longer-term prospects when European carmakers and suppliers post third-quarter results in the coming weeks.

Opel Trust says no need to reopen Opel sale

The German trust set up to oversee Opel said it saw no reason to reopen the carmaker's sale despite EU concerns that Germany's promises of state aid had skewed the bidding process.

EU proposes €280 million aid to farmers

The European Union announced Monday that a majority of EU states agreed to create a €280 million ($418 million) fund to help dairy farmers cope with the impact of low prices.

2010 Soccer World Cup emissions to soar: minister

Carbon emissions from next year's soccer FIFA World Cup are expected to soar from the 2006 benchmark set by Germany, host nation South Africa said on Monday.

Daimler builds cash pile in Q3, shares jump

Daimler boosted its cash cushion in the third quarter, it said on Monday as it unexpectedly published key quarterly earnings figures.

Opel Trust says no need to re-open Opel sale

The German trust set up to oversee Opel said on Monday it saw no reason to re-open the sale of the carmaker despite EU concerns that Berlin's promises of state aid had skewed the bidding process.

Overseas box office still looking Up

For the fourth time this year, the 3D animated feature Up claimed the No. 1 spot on the overseas circuit, bagging $27.9 million from 4,500 screens in 24 territories during the weekend.

EU says Germany assures Opel aid is unconditional

Germany has assured GM and the Opel Trust that its 4.5 billion euros ($6.70 billion) offer in financial aid for Opel is not tied to the choice of an investor or a plan, a European Commission spokesman said on Monday.

Europe shares jump 1 pct; technical outlook bright

European shares bounced back on Monday to hover near last week's 12-month highs, with banks, food producers and drugmakers leading the advance ahead of more earnings results from major companies such as Apple (AAPL.O).

Merkel talks tax to break coalition deadlock

German Chancellor Angela Merkel sought on Sunday to broker a deal on tax cuts between her conservatives and the Free Democrats (FDP) and achieve a breakthrough in tricky talks to form a center-right coalition.

Germany says EU concerns don't endanger Opel deal

Economy Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg expressed confidence on Saturday that Germany could address EU concerns about a sale of carmaker Opel to Canada's Magna, saying they did not put the deal at risk.

Iranian go-slow dims deal chances at Vienna atom talks

World powers will seek to finalize an agreement with Iran next week on processing its uranium abroad to help allay Western fears it is developing nuclear weapons.

FACTBOX-German parties negotiate coalition policies

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the Free Democrats (FDP) are trying to bridge differences on a range of policy issues before finalising their coalition pact by the end of next week.

Siemens buys Solel Solar for $418 million

German industrial conglomerate Siemens agreed to buy Israel's Solel Solar Systems Ltd for about $418 million to expand its business with solar thermal power plants.

Gap to open in China in 2010, will restart TV ads

U.S. clothing chain Gap Inc plans to open its first store in China next year as it seeks new international opportunities to counteract a protracted domestic sales slump at its main brand.

European shares rise to new 12-month high

European shares hit a fresh one-year high on Thursday, with analysts pointing to third-quarter earnings beating forecasts, though mobile phone giant Nokia (NOK1V.HE) bucked the trend. At 1041 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index of top European shares was up 0.5 percent at 1,021.65 points, having risen as far as 1,022.26, the highest since Oct. 7, 2008.

GM, Magna set to sign Opel deal, job talks continue

U.S. carmaker General Motors was close to signing a deal to sell a 55 percent stake in its European arm Opel to Canada's Magna Thursday as talks continued with unions over job cuts.

Lazard CEO Bruce Wasserstein dies at 61

Lazard Ltd Chief Executive Bruce Wasserstein, a legendary dealmaker for more than 30 years, has died, ending an era at one of Wall Street's best-known investment banks.

No support for routine pancreatic cancer screening

A new study fails to support routine pancreatic cancer screening for people at high genetic risk of the disease -- though, researchers say, at-risk individuals can still talk with their doctors about it.

N Brown looks to the U.S. as profits rise

British home shopping company N Brown said it could enter the potentially lucrative United States market next year as it posted record first-half results and a positive outlook, sending its shares higher.

UK union OK brings Opel deal closer

Agreement between Magna and a UK labour union on Tuesday brought closer a final deal for General Motors [GM.UL] to sell a majority stake in its European carmaking arm Opel to a Canadian-Russian consortium.