Month: February 2015

The sale of energy wasting ovens and cooking hobs will be banned across the European Union after the latest set of rules to make household appliances more efficient takes effect from Friday. The European Commission said on Wednesday getting rid of inefficient cooking appliances would cut average consumer energy bills by around 50 euros ($57) per year, while the cumulative savings from the rules across the bloc would run into billions. Industry bodies representing European appliance makers, such as Bosch Siemens Haushaltsgeraete [BSHBS.UL] and Philips, were involved in consultations and have welcomed the new rules, which will apply to new ovens and hobs. According to the ecodesign directive, which from Friday will cover hobs, ovens and cooking hoods, no model will be allowed on the market if it does not fall below a set energy efficiency limit, delivered through measures such as insulation and better door design.
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By Toni Clarke WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has expanded the authorized use of Celgene Corp’s cancer drug Revlimid to include newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma, the company said on Wednesday. Physicians in the United States have long been prescribing Revlimid for new patients on an “off-label” basis, but the company had not been allowed to promote its use in this population. The FDA’s action means Celgene can market Revlimid, in combination with a different drug, dexamethasone, as a treatment for all multiple myeloma patients and helps validate the company’s premise that treating patients earlier and for a longer period of time increases progression-free survival. The approval is expected to only modestly increase sales in the United States since doctors are already prescribing the drug for newly diagnosed patients.
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Heavy rains during Brazil’s four-and-a-half-day Carnival holiday offered the first relief in months for the country’s drought-stricken and economically crucial southeast, but was unlikely to end fears of water and electricity shortages. A cold front along Brazil’s southeastern coast near the two principal cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro brought heavy rains on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to most of the region and the neighboring center-west, home to much of the country’s farm belt. The southeast is Brazil’s most populous and economically developed industrial region. Uncertainty over the drought and its consequences on jobs, public health and overall quality of life have further darkened Brazilians’ mood at a time when the economy is struggling and President Dilma Rousseff’s popularity is at an all-time low.
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General Electric's 12.4-billion-euro ($14.08 billion) bid for Alstom's power equipment business is likely to face a full-scale investigation by EU antitrust regulators, three people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. The move by the European Commission suggests that the EU watchdog may have concerns that the deal could reduce competition, in which case it may demand remedies. "There is a strong possibility that the European Commission will open a phase two investigation although there is no final decision yet," said one of the people who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter. Another source said the companies have not provided concessions to the EU competition authority.

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