GERMANY

MRI, solar cells, aging work lead Nobel predictions

Scientists who discovered the secrets of how cells age, who made efficient solar cells possible and who figured out how to watch the brain work in real time are all leading contenders for Nobel prizes, Thomson Reuters predicted on Thursday.

EU countries to debate Opel aid doubts on Oct. 7

The European Commission and officials from countries hosting Opel factories will discuss on Oct. 7 Germany's controversial plan to grant state aid for the ailing European carmaker.

New world economic order takes shape at G20

The Group of 20 is set to become the premier coordinating body on global economic issues, reflecting a new world economic order in which emerging market countries like China are much more relevant, according to a draft communique.

Stocks pressured despite G20 pledge, dollar eases

Global stocks struggled near a 1-1/2 week low on Friday despite a pledge by the Group of 20 countries to keep emergency economic stimulus in place until a durable recovery is secured, helping underpin government bonds.

Cadbury CEO's comments draw UK scrutiny--FT

Britain's takeover watchdog is reviewing private comments by Cadbury Plc's chief about the company's valuation amid a potential takeover by Kraft Foods Inc, saying Todd Stitzer had stoked uncertainty in the market, the Financial Times reported.

Obama arrives at G20 with big agenda

President Barack Obama arrived at the Group of 20 summit in Pittsburgh on Thursday with an ambitious agenda to crack down on banks' risky behavior and rebuild the global economy on a more stable footing.

Merkel to G20: regulation before rebalancing

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned on Thursday that a U.S. drive to rebalance the global economy risked distracting the Group of 20 from a more urgent need for market regulation at their Pittsburgh summit.

Netanyahu attacks Ahmadinejad's Holocaust denial

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brandished at the U.N. on Thursday Nazi-era documents on the extermination of Jews, dramatically rebutting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's denial of the Holocaust.

German book trade slams EU stance on Google books

The German book trade slammed European regulators on Thursday for failing to take a stand against an agreement allowing U.S. internet company Google to create an online library.

Opel workers protest over threatened Belgian closure

Some 3,000 Opel workers and union leaders from across Europe protested on Wednesday against the threatened closure of the carmaker's plant in Belgium and plans to cut the workforce by a fifth.

Germany seeks European solution for Opel

Germany will seek a good European solution over state aid to loss-making carmaker Opel, and does not expect the European Union to block any deal, Economy Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said on Thursday.

China, Britain diverge on Iran nuclear sanctions

China dampened expectations of further sanctions on Iran Thursday, telling other major powers that putting even more pressure on Tehran would not persuade it to halt its nuclear program.

Car execs most affected by pay cuts -German study

Almost half of Germany's car industry executives had to take pay cuts as a result of the crisis, more than in any other industry, a study showed on Thursday.

China open to G20 talks on new economic balance

A U.S. drive to build a more balanced global economy gained the qualified support of China on Wednesday in a sign that Group of 20 leaders may be ready to take joint action to prevent future economic crises.

VW sees flat global car market in 2010

Volkswagen (VOWG.DE) expects global car markets to stagnate next year, a top executive said on Wednesday, calling on staff to help the world's third-largest automaker catch the sector leaders.

Cadbury sees sense in Kraft deal: conference note

Cadbury Plc Chief Executive Officer Todd Stitzer detailed potential benefits from a takeover by Kraft Foods Inc and discussed valuations with investors in comments that could set the stage for talks between the British confectioner and the world's No. 2 food company.

China backs G20 coordination

China offered some support on Wednesday to U.S. plans to build a more balanced global economy, as world leaders seek to agree ways to nurture a tentative recovery and prevent future crises.

Magna firewalls will ease customer worries -exec

Magna International Inc (MGa.TO) has not lost any contracts because of its investment in Opel, a senior company executive said on Tuesday, after outlining some of the ways the Canadian auto parts supplier plans to keep the operations separate.

Final polls give Merkel hope before election

German Chancellor Angela Merkel looks on track to win a second term and has a good chance of forming the center-right coalition that eluded her four years ago, the last polls released before Sunday's election indicated.

India urges G20 to shun protectionism, U.S. pushes plan

India's prime minister called on Group of 20 nations on Wednesday to send a strong warning against protectionism this week as world leaders seek to shore up a tentative global recovery and prevent future economic crises.

G20 Support builds for rebalancing world economy

Leaders from some of the largest Western powers rallied support Tuesday behind a U.S. plan to build a more balanced global economy and warned against returning to business as usual once recovery takes hold.

Mexico's Cemex seals $1.8 bln share offer

Mexico's Cemex, the world's No. 3 cement maker, sealed a $1.8 billion share offer on strong demand on Tuesday in a sign of investor optimism in the debt-laden company's recovery.