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US Fed should avoid climate change 'mission creep': Powell
US Fed should avoid climate change 'mission creep': Powell
by  AFP

The Federal Reserve should avoid tackling politically-charged issues like climate change without Congressional approval if it is to maintain public trust in the institution, the head of the US central bank said Wednesday. The Fed should avoid "mission creep" in order to "maintain the public's trust" in the institution, Powell said.

Disney investors to vote on winner in succession proxy war
Disney investors to vote on winner in succession proxy war
by  AFP

Disney shareholders will deliver a verdict later Wednesday in the company's long-running struggle over leadership at one of the spring's most costly and closely-watched annual meetings. "The root cause of Disney's underperformance... is a board that is too closely connected to a long-tenured CEO and too disconnected from shareholder interests," Trian said in December.

EU probes Chinese-owned solar panel firms over subsidies
EU probes Chinese-owned solar panel firms over subsidies
by  AFP

The European Union on Wednesday announced investigations targeting two Chinese-owned solar panel manufacturers suspected of receiving subsidies as trade tensions heat up between Brussels and Beijing. In 2013, the EU imposed anti-dumping duties after European manufacturers said they were being forced out of business by underpriced Chinese panel imports.

US private sector hiring picks up again in March
US private sector hiring picks up again in March
by  AFP

US private sector hiring came in well above expectations last month, payroll firm ADP said Wednesday, with construction, financial services and manufacturing all contributing to the increase. "The three biggest increases for job-changers were in construction, financial services, and manufacturing," she added.

Eurozone inflation falls faster than expected in March
Eurozone inflation falls faster than expected in March
by  AFP

The eurozone's annual rate of inflation dipped further than predicted in March, official data showed Wednesday, spurring hope that the European Central Bank will cut interest rates in June. - Slowdown across the bloc - Across the European Union, Lithuania recorded the lowest inflation rate in March, at 0.3 percent, Eurostat data showed.

German family businesses desperately seeking buyers
German family businesses desperately seeking buyers
by  AFP

The Scharringhausen deli has been selling fine foods and wines in northern Germany for 160 years, but its future is in doubt as it struggles to find a buyer to take over the business. - Buyers wanted - According to a recent study by Commerzbank, one in three German companies with annual sales of up to 15 million euros are currently struggling to find buyers.

Asian markets hit by dimming US rate hopes, Taiwan quake
Asian markets hit by dimming US rate hopes, Taiwan quake
by  AFP

Asian markets tumbled Wednesday as investors grow increasingly sceptical that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates as much as hoped this year, while a massive earthquake in Taiwan added to the sense of gloom.