Talking Biz News Today — March 31, 2021

Some of Wednesday’s top business news stories:

Associated Press

Volkswagen hoaxes media with fake statement on name change, by Tom Krisher

Consumer confidence surges in March to highest point in year, by Martin Crutsinger

CNN

GameStop raids Amazon for another heavy-hitter exec, by Clare Duffy

SpaceX Mars rocket prototype explodes during test flight, by Jackie Wattles

The Wall Street Journal

U.S. Home Prices Rise at Fastest Pace in 15 Years, by Nicole Friedman

Cable-News Viewership Falls After Trump’s Exit, Ratings Races Tighten, by Benjamin Mullin

CNBC

Macy’s CEO says company is already benefiting from vaccinations and stimulus checks, by Tyler Clifford

Bank of America announces expansion of racial justice initiatives, by Rich Mendez

Reuters

Google to contribute $25 million to new EU fund to fight fake news, by Foo Yun Chee

COVID-19 pushes Lloyd’s of London to $1.2 billion loss in 2020

News about business journalism

Investor charged with using business reporter for insider trading

Financial Post hires Marotta as a reporter

Bloomberg’s Brussels bureau chief moving to equity team

Politico taps editors for new economics and business team

Wired hires Johnson to cover artificial intelligence

Politico names Warmbrodt its financial services editor

Bloomberg reporter Levitt adds JP Morgan to beat

Politico names Bustillo its food and ag policy reporter

Institutional Investor hires Hamlin as a staff writer

Politico reporter Maldonado set to depart

Holding company hires Rosen to do financial media M&A

The Telegraph appoints Foy as financial and professional services correspondent