Nissan, a long-time Renault partner, has been left sidelined by a potential tie-up between the French firm and Fiat-Chrysler, just as the beleaguered Japanese firm battles to recover from the arrest of former boss Carlos Ghosn.

The prospect of a merger between French carmaker Renault and Italian-US auto giant Fiat Chrysler received a warm welcome on Monday, with analysts hailing the idea as an ideal fit for two companies who must keep up in the highly competitive industry.

U.S. stock market operator Nasdaq said Monday it was withdrawing its offer of nearly 700 million euros ($784 million) to acquire the Oslo Stock Exchange, clearing the way for its European competitor Euronext.

European markets pushed higher Monday, relieved that centrists remain in control in the European parliament following a bloc-wide election, while the chance of a big merger in the auto industry also sparked confidence.

A positive statement on US-China trade talks from President Donald Trump added to the positive vibe, dealers said.

Asad Ahmed, one of about 1.2 million young Indians entering the cutthroat job market each month, diligently scribbles notes at a computer class in New Delhi.

Campione d'Italia, a tiny Italian enclave on the shores of Switzerland's Lake Lugano, is fighting for its survival after its main source of income -- a giant casino -- went bankrupt.

The United States and Japan are making "great progress" on trade talks, but "much" of the negotiations will wait until after Japanese elections in July, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted Sunday.

"Great progress being made in our Trade Negotiations with Japan. Agriculture and beef heavily in play. Much will wait until after their July elections where I anticipate big numbers!" Trump wrote, referring to upper house elections in Japan this summer.

French carmaker Renault is in talks with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles with the long-term prize a world-leading alliance including Japan's Nissan and Mitsubishi, reports say.

The British pound wobbled Friday following Prime Minister Theresa May's widely-expected resignation, while stock markets mostly rebounded as U.S. President Donald Trump offered an "olive branch" to China in their trade war, dealers said.

Chinese financial regulators on Friday took over a bank based in the northern Inner Mongolian region because of its "serious credit risk".