News updates from September 15: Union launches strike Detroit carmakers, Zelenskyy to meet Biden in Washington
Novartis: Shareholders in the Swiss drugmaker will vote on whether to spin off its Sandoz generics business, valued at up to $25bn. The board has unanimously backed the proposal, which would allow Novartis to follow rivals such as Pfizer in selling divisions making off-patent medicines to focus on higher-value innovative treatments.
UK economy: Data on insolvencies in England and Wales during August will be published, the latest indication of economic woes. The UK economy contracted more than expected in July, while the value of mortgages in arrears during the second quarter reached its highest level for seven years.
France: Air traffic controllers will begin a nationwide strike over inflation and pay, threatening to cause chaos during the second weekend of the Rugby World Cup tournament. The strike could also affect flights crossing French airspace to and from other countries.
London Fashion Week: The twice-yearly showcase opens at 180 Strand. Featured designers over the five-day programme include Bora Aksu, Burberry, JW Anderson, KNWLS, Molly Goddard, Paul Costelloe, Richard Quinn, Roksanda and Simone Rocha.
Nato: The defence bloc’s chiefs gather in Oslo for their annual Military Committee Conference.
European Central Bank: ECB president Christine Lagarde and the eurozone bank’s board meet informally in Santiago de Compostela to discuss the global economy and appoint a new board member.
