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MANILA, Philippines (AP) — International stock markets were mixed today as investors await the release of minutes of a March meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee to decide on the extent of the Fed's dovish stance and after a rally in oil prices. Futures point to a positive opening on Wall Street. Benchmark U.S. crude oil jumped more than a dollar to nearly $37 a barrel. The dollar gained against the yen and the euro.
TOKYO (AP) — One day after the prime minister of Iceland resigned, the president of Ukraine defended himself today in the massive leak of records on offshore accounts that has named political officials, business and celebrities from around the world. President Petro Poroshenko said at a news conference in Tokyo that his case is significantly different than others in the so-called Panama Papers, including those in Iceland and Russia, where friends of President Vladimir Putin have been named. He says his candy business had to go into a blind trust when he became president.
BERLIN (AP) — German industrial production declined 0.5 percent in February, despite strong construction activity. The figures released today by the Economy Ministry compared with an increase of 2.3 percent — revised downward from 3.3 percent — in January. Experts had predicted a steeper February decline in industrial production for Europe's biggest economy. The strongest drops occurred in the energy production, capital and consumer goods sectors.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — An economic backlash broadened against a North Carolina law that critics say discriminates against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people with PayPal announcing it has canceled a major expansion in the state. North Carolina has come under heavy criticism since Gov. Pat McCrory signed the law, requiring transgender people to use public bathrooms that match the sex on their birth certificates.
NEW YORK (AP) — Wal-Mart Stores Inc., nation's largest food retailer, is pledging to sell only cage-free eggs by 2025, joining a growing list of retailers and food makers making the switch. The pace picked up when McDonald's announced in September that it will phase out the use of eggs laid by caged hens over the next 10 years. Since then, Target and Costco have been among major retailers to offer specific pledges.
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