Bloomberg German Chancellor Angela Merkel signalled a growing reluctance to grant any special trade relations to the U.K. once it leaves the European Union, saying that allowing exemptions to EU rules on migration would lead to a free-for-all across the bloc. Merkel’s comments to Germany’s BDI industry lobby in Berlin on Thursday are a further indication that the U.K. …

  Frankfurt / AFP The potential implications of Brexit will not play a role in the EU’s probe of a proposed mega-merger between the London stock exchange and its Frankfurt rival, competition chief Margrethe Vestager said on Thursday. The European Commission last week announced an in-depth investigation into the LSE-Deutsche Boerse tie-up, which would create a financial behemoth linking the …

  London / AFP Britain on Thursday approved a shale gas fracking project in the north of England, overruling a local council’s decision to prevent the controversial scheme which is also opposed by environmentalists. Communities Secretary Sajid Javid gave the green light for the drilling of up to four wells by energy group Cuadrilla at the Preston New Road site. …