Economic ministers from the United States and 13 Indo-Pacific countries launch negotiations on Thursday on Washington's first major pan-Asian trade engagement effort in nearly a decade, but this time any deal won't cut tariffs.

GENEVA (Reuters) -Luxury goods group Richemont successfully batted away proposals from activist investor Bluebell Capital at an annual shareholder meeting Wednesday in which tensions flared.

(Reuters) -Jet and auto parts supplier Melrose Industries plans to spin off its GKN automotive unit as a new UK-listed company as it breaks up one of Britain's oldest engineering businesses, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

Japan's government said it was ready to take action if "rapid, one-sided" moves in the currency market continue, signalling their alarm over the yen's fall to a fresh 24-year low.

Melrose Industries plans to spin off its GKN automotive division as a new UK-listed company, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

ABB shareholders approved on Wednesday spinning off turbocharging business Accelleron, whose products increase engine output and raise efficiency while also reducing fuel consumption.