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KLM offers wage proposals following threats of strike by ground crew
KLM made wage proposals on Wednesday to the Dutch staff of Air France KLM's Dutch subsidiary. The union CNV had said that the ground crews of the airline would strike on July 9 at Amsterdam Airport if their demands weren't met. The start of school holidays in some parts of the Netherlands is next week, so the eight-hour planned strike will take place during a busy period. KLM issued a statement saying that it had made a concrete salary proposal to all unions. The company proposed a payment of up to 1,178.60 euros (1,178.60 dollars) in 2025 as well as a structural increase of up to 2,5% by July 2026 depending on the results for 2025. KLM believes that this offer is a good starting point to reach an agreement. "The wage negotiations will continue 10 July," the company added. When contacted by, the union leader CNV did not respond immediately to a question about the proposals. KLM said that it would ask a court, just as it did successfully last month, to prohibit the industrial action planned after the unions had mentioned it. CNV was confident that a strike wouldn't be banned, because the circumstances have changed. The court's ruling in June cited concerns about security at the airport in relation to the NATO summit that was to be held in The Hague just days before the strike announcement.
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Worldline hires a new auditor to assess clients at high risk
Worldline, a French payment company, has announced that it has hired Accuracy as an auditing firm to evaluate its remaining merchant portfolio for risky activity. A group of 21 European news outlets claimed last month that Worldline covered-up client fraud in order to protect its revenue. Last week, Belgian prosecutors announced that they had launched an investigation into possible money laundering activities within its Belgian division. Worldline responded to media reports by stating that it has strengthened merchant risk control since 2023 and terminated client relationships with non-compliant clients. The group announced that in addition to the hiring of Accuracy, Oliver Wyman would also be hired to review Worldline’s control systems. The initial findings will be released on July 30, along with the first-half results. However, the main conclusions are to be revealed when Worldline announces its quarterly earnings in October. The company stated that it expects to identify any weaknesses or improvement areas by the end of the month. In such cases, the necessary action plans for ensuring optimal operational integrity will be implemented. Worldline, Europe's largest payments processor by transaction handled, saw its value drop by more than 500 million euros (590 million dollars) following the allegations. The shares of the Paris-listed firm have recovered in part since then, with a price of 3.93 euros per share at 1347 GMT. They had hit a record low price on June 25, when they were 2.69 euros. The yield on Worldline’s 2030 bond that it issued in June for a total of 550 million euro has increased by 40.8% within seven days. This shows the investors' anxiety.
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Document shows that Google has made a new proposal to avoid EU antitrust fines
A document obtained by has revealed that Google is proposing new changes to its search engine results to try to counter growing criticism. This comes a week ahead of a meeting which could result in yet another EU antitrust penalty. Google, the U.S. technology giant, has been put under pressure since it was charged in March by the European Union with unfairly favoring its own services like Google Shopping and Google Hotels over their competitors. Document stated that the company, owned and operated by Alphabet will meet with its competitors as well as the European Commission in order to discuss their proposals at a workshop held on July 7/8, 2018 in Brussels. The landmark EU Digital Markets Act under which Google was charged, lays out a dos and dont's list for Big Tech, aimed at curbing its power, giving rivals more space to compete, and giving consumers more choice. Google proposed last week to add a vertical search box to the top of its search results page. This box would include links to search engines specialised in certain fields, as well as hotels, airlines and restaurants. According to a Google document that was sent to the parties involved and viewed by us, this latest offer is called Option B. It's an alternative to the proposal from last week. The document stated that "under 'Option B,' whenever a VSS is displayed, Google will show a box with free links to suppliers", Google would organize the information on the suppliers in the box below the VSS box. The document stated that Option B "provides opportunities to suppliers without creating a box which can be characterized as a Google VSS". A Google spokesperson stated that "we've made hundreds" of changes to our products in order to comply with the DMA. "While we are committed to compliance, we are concerned by some of the DMA's real-world consequences, which have led to a worsening of online products and experiences in Europe." Google could be fined up to 10% of its annual global revenue if it is found in violation of the DMA. Reporting by FooYun Chee. (Editing by Ros Russel and Mark Potter).
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Ugandan military helicopter crashes in Mogadishu Airport, Somalia
Ugandan military spokeswoman said that a Ugandan helicopter, which was part of the African Union mission to maintain peace in Somalia, crashed on Wednesday at Mogadishu Airport. Felix Kulayigye's spokesperson confirmed that three of the eight people aboard the helicopter survived, but he didn't provide any details about the fate of five others. He said that emergency responders were trying their best to put out a fire on the crash site. In a press release, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia said that "search and Rescue operations are underway to recover the remaining crew and passenger." AUSSOM reported that the helicopter crashed just before landing at Mogadishu International Airport. SONNA, the state-run news outlet in Somalia, reported earlier on Wednesday that a helicopter crashed and was engulfed by flames. Farah Abdulle told reporters that she heard the explosion and saw smoke and fire over a helicopter. "The smoke completely covered the helicopter." AUSSOM is a multinational force that has over 11,000 members in Somalia, helping the military to combat al Shabaab. Al Qaeda's Somalia affiliate has been fighting since nearly 20 years to overthrow the internationally recognized government of Somalia and establish their own rule based strictly on Sharia Law. (Reporting and writing by Elias Biryabarema, Aaron Ross, and Bernadettebaum; Additional reporting by AbdiSheikh and GiuliaParavicini)
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Maersk estimates that effective US tariffs currently average 21%
Maersk, a Danish shipping company, estimates that companies pay an average of 21% in U.S. import duties per container, according to the Danish shipping company on Wednesday. This is less than half what it was before Washington stopped its tariffs. Maersk stated in its regular update on the global market that, at its height, just after President Donald Trump announced tariffs against almost all U.S. Trading Partners, the average effective rate reached 54%. The estimate was based upon the container-weighted average effective tariff rate of the group. The Trump administration is urging more than a dozen of its major trading partners to come to an agreement with it by the July 9 deadline in order to prevent import tariffs from increasing. In April, Trump announced a 90-day suspension of the steep levies that he announced a week before and sent global financial markets into turmoil. Maersk stated that "the whole world is on tariff-watch in July and August when various deadlines of potential trade agreements with the U.S. are about to expire." The report added that "the outcome of these talks will, of course, colour global trade as well as consumer sentiment in months to come." The company reported that it saw a robust growth in container demand during the first half year. The report said that "what happened was not entirely unexpected and customers did advance orders before the tariff announcements." Maersk's large U.S. clients have reduced their import dependence on China over the past few years. It said that many apparel and fashion clients have reached a single-digit China dependence. It added that "other commodities, such as home improvements, have a higher level of Chinese production due to the nature and quality of the product." Reporting by Jacob GronholtPedersen and Louise Rasmussen, Editing by Anna Ringstrom & Emelia SitholeMatarise
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Kenya is looking to privatise assets of the state to attract private sector investments, according to President Ruto
William Ruto, the President of Kenya, said at the London Stock Exchange that Kenya plans to privatise certain state assets through initial public offerings to attract more private sector investments. Ruto stated that the government intends to list the Kenya Pipeline Company this year via an IPO at the Nairobi Securities Exchange. He said: "We are committed in a structured and time-sensitive program that identifies, prepares, and has a pipeline of key assets for the government to be privatised via the stock exchange or enhanced through private sector involvement." Ruto said that a well-functioning capital market at home could reduce the reliance on external borrowing. Kenya is looking for new funding sources after deadly protests across the country last summer forced them to implement austerity measures. They also scrapped planned tax increases worth over 346 billion Kenyan Shillings ($2.68billion). At the Africa Debate, which took place later that day, Ruto stated that, following recent shocks, such as President Donald Trump's decision to eliminate USAID, Kenya is now working on relying on its own resources and private investments rather than "resources over which we have no control." He said Kenya raised $1.3 billion through the securitisation of assets, such as roads. He said: "We will now list some of these bonds on the securities exchange, so that other investors can take a bite out of the cherry." $1 = 128.9500 Kenyan shillings (Reporting and editing by Karin Strohecker, Joe Bavier).
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India's Travel Food Services to IPO $233.5 Million; aims for $1.69 Billion valuation
A newspaper advertisement published on Wednesday showed that Travel Food Services, a restaurant operator at airports, had set a price range of 1,045 to 1,100 rupees as its initial public offering. This follows the blockbuster IPO by HDB Financial Services. Travel Food Services' price range values it at 144.8 billion rupies ($1.69 billion), at the top end. The company plans to raise 20 billion rupies ($233.49m) through a three-day stock sale starting July 7. Kapur Family Trust will be the only shareholder to divest its shares. The Trust did not disclose if it would divest its entire shareholding. Travel Food Services didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. India's IPO is gaining momentum after a sluggish start to the year. This was due to market gyrations caused by global trade concerns and a border dispute in India. HDB Financial Services' IPO of $1.5 billion, which was launched on Wednesday, grew by more than 13 percent. It is India's biggest IPO in 2025. Travel Food Services is a joint-venture between UK-based SSP Group, and India's K-Hospitality. It has an estimated 26% market share in the domestic airport restaurants sector, according to revenue-based figures. According to a CRISIL Report, it operates Wendy's, Subway, and airport lounges. It has a domestic market share of 45%. According to the company's prospectus, revenue from operations increased by nearly 21% to 16.88 billion Rupees in fiscal 2025, while profits grew more than 27%, to 3.8 billion Rupees. Dreamfolks Services, a competitor, is valued at approximately 12.11 billion rupees. According to PRIME Database there are 143 Indian Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) planned, worth up to $26 billion. Regulators approved 73.
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INDIA RUPEE - Rupee slips and volatility expectations are unruffled due to the looming deadline for tariffs
Investors were focused on trade agreements ahead of the July 9 deadline, and so the rupee fell on Wednesday. The rupee closed the day at 85.7025 per dollar, a 0.2% decline. The Malaysian Ringgit fell by 0.7%. The dollar index rose by nearly 0.3%, hovering near the 97 handle. Stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data released on Tuesday offered mild support to the greenback with investors now awaiting a key non-farm payrolls report on Thursday and developments on bilateral trade negotiations. The rupee's implied volatility (a measure of future expectations) was hovering just a little below its average for the past three months, showing that traders have not yet priced in the possibility of large swings in near-term. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has stated that he is not considering extending deadlines for countries to reach trade agreements but expects a deal with India. ING's note said that while Trump has ruled-out an extension, the markets are wary to take this as a given due to recent reversals. "The prevailing opinion may be that global trade threats peak just before another last-minute respite," ING stated. The rupee is expected to remain largely range-bound in the coming year. It will trail Asian counterparts due to the sustained weakness of the dollar. The rupee will fall 0.1% in three months from its current level to 85.75 dollars. According to the median forecasts of 41 FX analysts, it is expected to trade at 86.13 per dollar in a year and to drop to 85.50 within six months.
Germany working to prevent UniCredit's quote for Commerzbank, sources say
Germany is working to irritate a possible takeover of among its biggest banks by an Italian competitor, a stance that pits Berlin against Rome and Europe's regulators, several people knowledgeable about federal government and regulators' thinking told Reuters.
Berlin was taken aback by UniCredit's swoop to develop a large stake in state-backed Commerzbank, a. move the Italian bank says could cause a merger.
Officials are now bracing for a potential hostile bid that. could tie Berlin's fortunes to those of Italy, whose financial obligation load. overshadows Germany's.
Integrating the banks poses a prospective risk to monetary. stability, they state, as UniCredit owns 10s of billions of euros. of Italian government bonds.
Numerous individuals in the German federal government are now pinning. their hopes on a regulatory review by the country's manager. BaFin, and are lobbying the regulator against an offer.
One essential argument is that Berlin might wind up footing the. costs if UniCredit were to be dragged into an Italian debt. crisis.
BaFin, which plays a crucial role in whether UniCredit can. attempt to get control of Commerzbank, has begun to analyse. UniCredit's demand to enable it to build its roughly 9.9%. shareholding to nearly 30%.
The watchdog will make a proposition to the European Central. Bank, the lenders' regulator, which has the last word, based upon. a handful of requirements such as the financial strength of the. buyer and the reputation of managers.
While Rome meticulously supports the deal, Berlin hopes its. concerns may ward off or at least delay the approval of. UniCredit's plan by the ECB.
BaFin has a delicate balancing act. While it is duty-bound. to deal with UniCredit's application even-handedly, it should likewise. consider the issues of the German federal government, as the. firm reports to the finance ministry.
A number of sources with knowledge of the ECB's thinking, said. there was extensive dispute with Germany's opposition,. although the nation stays prominent and can count on. powerful figures within the organization.
The ECB has stated large, European banks can better support. the economy and take on larger rivals in the United States.
Despite the fact that the 20 nations of the euro zone share a. currency, banking stays mostly national.
For the ECB, its handling of UniCredit's interest in. Commerzbank, balancing the interests of two of the bloc's. biggest countries, will be one of its biggest tests because. becoming the region's primary watchdog a decade ago.
BaFin and the European Reserve bank work closely together,. stated a spokesperson for BaFin, including that BaFin had a right to. suggest to the ECB whether a deal need to be authorized, leaving. the last word with the ECB.
This procedure makes an important contribution to financial. stability, he said.
A spokesperson for the ECB stated it remained in consistent. interaction with national authorities on such matters,. explaining choices as collaborative.
The ECB's chief manager Claudia Buch stated just recently the. organization would do anything to remove hurdles to. cross-border bank mergers, after president Christine Lagarde. explained such deals as desirable.
Italy's Treasury, Germany's finance ministry, Commerzbank,. and UniCredit declined to comment.
HAZARD
BaFin has a seat on the ECB's supervisory board along with. authorities from the 20 other nations that form the banking. union plus a smattering of ECB representatives. The ECB has. approximately 90 days to evaluate the case.
At the heart of Germany's issue is UniCredit's 40 billion. euros ($ 44 billion) of Italian government bonds.
This is seen as a prospective danger due to the fact that Italy is greatly. indebted. Commerzbank, which is smaller sized and financially weaker. than UniCredit, also has billions of euros of Italian bonds.
If Italy were to face trouble after a merger, authorities. fear Germany might have to step in.
However some ECB authorities see an option. Commerzbank could. ended up being a subsidiary within UniCredit, with clear plans on how to. deal with it individually in a crisis.
In the sovereign financial obligation crisis of the early 2010s, some. European nations had to bail out their banks, which were likewise. compromised by their sovereign, showing how linked they. were in a crisis that almost brought down the euro.
Berlin's response signals a lack of faith in the European. architecture put in place to avoid a repeat of the 2010-11. debt crisis, in addition to a deep-seated scepticism over Italy.
The German government believes UniCredit's move on. Commerzbank was aggressive and expect a hostile quote within. months, 3 sources knowledgeable about government thinking told. Reuters.
Individuals near to the federal government likewise stated trust between. Berlin and UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel had actually almost collapsed.
They indicated Orcel's surprise carry on Commerzbank,. consisting of utilizing derivatives that offer him an alternative to get more. shares, in spite of earlier recommending he was acting in line with. Berlin's wishes.
Orcel just recently told an audience he had actually spoken repeatedly. with stakeholders in Commerzbank and was keen to resume. dialogue.
Two of individuals with knowledge of the federal government's. thinking stated Berlin and Commerzbank's working presumption was. that UniCredit might try to buy the bank within months.
(source: Reuters)