International News
IATA says red tape delaying Covid-19 medical cargo flights
Governments were endangering lives by holding up cargo planes delivering life-saving medical supplies to combat the coronavirus pandemic with “cumbersome and bureaucratic processes”, the air industry's trade body said on Wednesday.
Europe close: Stocks extend gains as Italy virus infections slow, Germany approves stimulus
Stocks on the Continent finished firmly higher for a second consecutive day, alongside further gains on Wall Street and amid some positive headlines on the coronavirus front and as regards government relief measures.
Germany approves historic 750bn euro relief package, waves debt limit
Lawmakers in the euro area's largest economy waved the constitutional brake on debt limits as the country faces off against its hardest challenge since the Second World War.
US open: Boeing leads gains on hopes for economic relief package
Stocks in the US were pushing higher still early on Wednesday, led by gains for Boeing thanks to news that lawmakers on Capitol Hill had agreed on a roughly $2trn economic relief bill that included measures aimed specifically at the aerospace and defence engineer.
US house price inflation steady in January, FHFA says
US house price inflation was steady at the start of the year, led by gains in the Mid-Atlantic region and South.
Italian coronavirus pandemic might peak this week, WHO says
The Covid-19 pandemic in Italy may hit its peak as soon as during the present week, the world's health watchdog said.
EU calls for dedicated crisis management centre - reports
The European Union is expected to endorse establishing a dedicated crisis management centre in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was reported on Wednesday.
US durable goods orders rise past forecasts in February
Orders for goods made to last more than three years jumped past forecasts last month.
US pre-open: Stocks set for mixed start amid reports of agreement on stimulus
Wall Street is set for a roughly flat start amid news of a preliminary agreement on Capitol Hill on a roughly $2trn stimulus package to see the country's economy through the coronavirus pandemic.
Asia report: Markets surge as US lawmakers agree huge stimulus
Markets in Asia were higher across the board on Wednesday, led by stocks in Japan, as investors reacted to the news that lawmakers in the US had agreed to a $2trn coronavirus stimulus package, leading to some monster gains on Wall Street overnight.
German business sentiment hits lowest level since 2009
German business sentiment saw its worst deterioration in March since the country’s reunification in 1990, according to a widely-followed survey released on Wednesday.
US agrees $2tn stimulus in response to Covid-19
US lawmakers have agreed a $2tn package of fiscal measures to support American households and businesses hit by the coronavirus crisis.