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(AWP Alliance News) - Air Liquide SA on Monday announced the divestiture of its biogas production in four countries. The Paris-based industrial gas producer said it will divest its biogas production activities in the US, France, Norway and Sweden to Mobius Renewables. The divestiture comprises several production units and distribution assets. Air Liquide said: 'The divestiture illustrates Air Liquide's strategy to create value and actively manage its portfolio.' Air Liquide shares fell 1.0% to EUR181.26 each on Monday morning in Paris. By Tom Budszus, Alliance News slot editor Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

(AWP Alliance News) - Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday that the US must reduce its demands on the Islamic republic, with negotiations stalled over ending the two-month-long Middle East war. 'At this stage, our priority is to end the war,' he said in a briefing broadcast by state television. 'The other side must commit to a reasonable approach and abandon its excessive demands regarding Iran.' Negotiations between the two countries have been stalled since a ceasefire took effect on April 8, with only one round of direct peace talks held so far. A key sticking point has been Iran's stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel launched strikes on February 28, choking off major flows of oil, gas and fertiliser, while the US has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports. But US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Washington would begin escorting ships through the waterway, drawing a threat of attacks from the Iranian military. 'By now, the Americans should have learned that they cannot use the language of threats and force against the Iranian nation,' said Baqaei. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran has shown that it considers itself the guardian and protector of the Strait of Hormuz and this vital waterway.' He said the strait was a 'secure and safe route' for international shipping before the war. 'The international community must hold the US and the Zionist regime accountable for imposing insecurity on this waterway and for creating problems that are being felt across the world,' he added, referring to Israel. Baqaei told state television before Trump's announcement of an escort plan that Tehran had submitted a 14-point proposal 'focused on ending the war,' and that Washington had responded to it in a message to Pakistani mediators.  source: AFP Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

(AWP Alliance News) - Sentiment in the German car industry deteriorated further in April, according to figures published on Monday, with new tariffs on cars and auto parts announced by US President Donald Trump expected to put another damper on expectations. The business climate index of the ifo Institute dropped to minus 23.8 points last month from minus 19.0 in March, the Munich-based economic think tank said. 'Although companies assessed their current business situation as better than in the previous month, they are considerably more pessimistic about the coming months,' the institute said. Its business expectations index plummeted to minus 30.7 points in April from minus 15.3 points in March. Germany's car industry, once considered the backbone of the economy, has long been struggling with an array of challenges, including growing competition from China and a slow transition to electric vehicles. New US tariffs have also been weighing on the sector, with Trump aiming to get foreign businesses to produce in the country. In another blow to German carmakers, Trump said on Friday he will raise tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the EU to 25% starting this week, accusing the bloc of failing to comply with a trade agreement and escalating a long-running trans-Atlantic trade dispute. Under the trade deal agreed in August, tariffs on cars and auto parts were capped at 15%.  However, implementation in the EU has slowed amid renewed tariff threats by Trump and legal uncertainty following a US Supreme Court ruling in February that found many of his existing tariffs unlawful. Meanwhile, the war in Iran is also adding to the woes of German manufacturers, 'placing an additional strain on the already weakened automotive industry,' ifo industry expert Anita Wolfl said. source: dpa Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.