Miranda Murray

Volkswagen is planning to shut factories in every scenario presented to labour representatives, putting both factions on collision course in a dispute over pay and jobs, and raising the spectre of strikes.

Germany's economy grew less than previously estimated in the third quarter, the statistics office reported on Friday, in further bad news for a country set to be the worst performer among the Group of Seven rich democracies this year.

New German Finance Minister Joerg Kukies dampened expectations that a reform of the nation's spending cap, known as the debt brake, could lead to more leeway in the federal budget in an interview with the Handelsblatt newspaper published on Friday.

Basements, underground car parks and subway stations could be converted into shelters.

A Roche study into using a combination of tiragolumab and tecentriq to treat a form of lung cancer in a phase III trial did not achieve the desired success, the Swiss pharmaceuticals maker said on Tuesday.

German machine and car parts maker Schaeffler on Wednesday said it will close two production facilities, in Austria and Britain, as a part of restructuring measures the company announced earlier this month.

Germany's domestic intelligence agency (BfV) has set up a task force to head off any foreign state attempts to influence the upcoming federal election after last month warning of increased Russian-sponsored espionage and sabotage.

Volkswagen , under pressure by high costs and Chinese competition, brushed off union proposals for cost savings on Friday, just days ahead of planned walkouts meant to avoid unprecedented plant closures.

Germany's manufacturing sector remained firmly entrenched in contraction territory in November as firms struggle with weak demand and competitive pressure, highlighting ongoing challenges for Europe's largest economy, a survey showed on Monday.

Almost 100,000 workers joined walkouts at Volkswagen's German plants on Monday in protest at management plans to cut wages and even close sites at Europe's biggest carmaker, the IG Metall union said, threatening further industrial action.