Reuters - Business Today

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Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Weaker euro, strong stronger growth lift Europe shares

LONDON (Reuters) - European shares were on track for their best week since late April on Wednesday, gaining almost 1 percent on forecast-beating growth data, rising metals prices and a weakening euro.

As NAFTA talks begin, Trump's 'America First' agenda looms large

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As the United States, Canada and Mexico kick off negotiations on Wednesday to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement, the biggest uncertainty is whether a deal can pass President Donald Trump's "America First" test.

Trump, in tweet, hits Amazon over taxes, jobs

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday criticized Amazon.com on Twitter over taxes and jobs and accused the global retailer, without offering evidence, of hurting U.S. localities and causing job losses.

Exclusive: China's Belt and Road acquisitions surge despite outbound capital crackdown

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Mergers and acquisitions by Chinese companies in countries that are part of the Belt and Road initiative are soaring, even as Beijing cracks down on China's acquisitive conglomerates to restrict capital outflows.

Fiat Chrysler joins BMW-Intel self-driving car alliance

SAN FRANCISCO/FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Fiat Chrysler will join an alliance led by BMW to develop self-driving cars, intensifying a race by carmakers and technology companies to develop "robotaxis" which can be called up via smartphone and paid for by the minute.

Futures higher ahead of Fed minutes

(Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were higher on Wednesday ahead of the minutes on the Federal Reserve's July policy meeting, which will offer clues on the future path of interest rate hikes.

Air Berlin CEO blames delays to new airport for insolvency

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Air Berlin's chief executive blamed long delays in the opening of a new Berlin airport for the German airline's insolvency in an interview published by Germany's Die Zeit.

Walnut whipped out as Nestle introduces nut-free fondants

LONDON (Reuters) - Nestle risked an outbreak of consumer mockery on Wednesday by launching new versions of its popular Walnut Whip candies lacking the nutty ingredient after which they are named.

Merkel vows to pressure auto firms to boost electric cars

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany must exert pressure on auto companies to accelerate the transition to electric cars, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday as German firms try to mend their reputation after a diesel emissions scandal.

Target second-quarter profit, sales beat view as customer traffic rises

(Reuters) - Target Corp on Wednesday reported higher-than-expected quarterly profit and comparable-store sales after four straight quarters of declines as more customers visited its stores and website.