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Renault slams brakes on listing of Ampere EV division
Renault slams brakes on listing of Ampere EV division
by  AFP

French automaker Renault said Monday that it was halting the initial public offering of its EV unit Ampere, saying market conditions were unfavourable to list the company's shares. Ampere launched in November 2023 and plans were to list the unit's shares on the stock exchange in the first half of 2024 at an estimated valuation of eight to 10 billion euros, or as much as Renault.

Historic German store KaDeWe files for insolvency
Historic German store KaDeWe files for insolvency
by  AFP

Iconic Berlin department store KaDeWe said Monday it had filed for insolvency, as rising rental prices in Germany left it struggling to stay afloat. Its iconic status has seen it become the subject of a television series in Germany, which dramatised the lives of employees at the up-market department store.

Buried in massive debt, Italy puts crown jewels up for sale
Buried in massive debt, Italy puts crown jewels up for sale
by  AFP

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni once declared Italy's postal service a "crown jewel" that must stay in state hands, but she is now selling a stake as part of a privatisation programme to tackle a huge public debt. Nevertheless, the decision to sell a stake in the postal service to foreign investors marks a shift from a statement she made in 2018, four years before becoming prime minister.

Italy reveals energy, migration plan at Africa summit
Italy reveals energy, migration plan at Africa summit
by  AFP

African leaders gathered at a Rome summit on Monday to hear Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's much-hyped plan for the continent, aimed at transforming Italy into an energy hub -- and stopping migration. The summit comes just months after Russia held its own summit with African leaders.

Protesting French farmers plan blockade of Paris
Protesting French farmers plan blockade of Paris
by  AFP

French farmers began moving on Paris on Monday, threatening to choke off major motorways and blockade the capital to press their demands better working conditions, in an intensifying standoff with the government. In neighbouring Belgium, farmers have stepped up their own campaign, blocking a key motorway on Sunday as they too demand better conditions.

Philips stops selling sleep devices in US amid recall woes
Philips stops selling sleep devices in US amid recall woes
by  AFP

Under-fire Dutch medical device maker Philips said Monday it would halt new sales of sleep machines in the United States after a series of recalls that continued to weigh on results. "Until the relevant requirements of the consent decree are met, Philips Respironics will not sell new... sleep therapy devices or other respiratory care devices in the US," the company said.

Italy unveils energy, migration plan to African leaders
Italy unveils energy, migration plan to African leaders
by  AFP

African leaders gathered at a Rome summit Monday where Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will unveil her much-hyped plan for the continent, aimed at transforming Italy into an energy hub and stopping migration. - Pilot schemes - Meloni has said the plan is to start with a series of pilot schemes with the aim of then extending them across the continent.