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EU Commission slams Apple Pay for abusing market power

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Contactless payments have become the norm, tapping your iPhone to pay for coffee seems like the perfect idea – but the EU commission has major doubts in the tech

The European Commission has accused Apple of abusing its market position for contactless payments on iPhone

It believes the tech giant may have broken competition law by preventing rivals from accessing its “tap and go” technology.

The EU official who is in charge of competition policy says findings show Apple may have restricted competition just to benefit its own apple pay option.

If the charges proceed, Apple could be facing a hefty fine up to 10 per cent of its global turnover

To put that into perspective, the US based tech company made close to 37 billion dollars in revenue last year.

Apple denies the charge and has promised to engage with the Commission.

It says Apple Pay was only one of many options available to European consumers.

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Powell defends the Fed’s independence from Trump

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As Trump’s presidency approaches, Fed Chair Jerome Powell signals he won’t back down on protecting the central bank’s autonomy.

With the election results still rolling in, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has already made it clear that he intends to uphold the Fed’s independence, even if it means clashing with the new administration.

In a statement on Thursday, Powell declared he would not resign if President-elect Trump asked him to, asserting it would be illegal for any president to fire or demote a sitting Fed governor.

This stance comes amid signals from Trump’s team indicating they may seek influence over the Fed’s monetary policies, including interest rate decisions, challenging the longstanding norms that keep the Fed separate from politics.

Not stepping down

Powell’s terse response to questions on the issue emphasized his commitment: when asked if he would step down at Trump’s request, Powell replied simply, “No.” And when asked if the president could legally demote Fed governors, he affirmed, “not permitted under the law.”

Historically, Trump has shown impatience with Powell’s decisions, especially on interest rates.

If Trump tries to replace Powell or other Fed leaders prematurely, he could face legal challenges and market backlash.

Economists argue that an independent Fed actually benefits Trump’s agenda by stabilising rates.

 

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Federal Reserve lowers rates amid eased job market

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The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates by a quarter-point, bringing the benchmark rate to a range of 4.5% to 4.75%, as economic growth continues but job gains slow.

The Fed noted that labour market conditions have “generally eased,” even with low unemployment, signalling a more cautious approach amid a stable economic expansion.

The statement marks a shift in Fed language, now saying inflation has “made progress” toward the 2% goal instead of the prior “further progress.”

With inflation holding steady around 2.6%, policymakers aim to keep economic risks balanced, despite pressures from slower job growth.

This rate cut reflects a strategic move to sustain economic momentum while cautiously watching inflation’s gradual trend toward the Fed’s target.

The decision was unanimous, aligning Fed priorities with a balanced approach to support both employment and price stability.

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Money

Trump victory sparks market surge as Wall Street soars

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Donald Trump’s election victory has sparked a massive rally in the stock market.

Banks and industrial companies led the surge as investors bet that Trump’s plans for deregulation and tax cuts will boost economic growth.

Shares of big banks, like JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, soared as investors predicted fewer regulatory restrictions.

Meanwhile, industrial giants such as Caterpillar and steelmakers like Nucor also hit record highs, reflecting optimism about U.S. manufacturing.

In contrast, clean-energy stocks took a hit, as Trump’s policies are expected to favour traditional energy sectors.

This surge comes amid rising Treasury yields and falling gold prices as investors gain confidence in the transition to a Trump administration.

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