Biden seeks to make half of new U.S. auto fleet electric by 2030

President Joe Biden took a step toward his goal of slashing greenhouse gas emissions on Thursday with an executive order aimed at making half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 electric, a move made with backing from the biggest U.S. automakers.
Amazon delays office return until January as COVID-19 cases surge

Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) on Thursday said it would not expect U.S. corporate employees to return to the office until next year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Wall St gains as unemployment claims decline; Cigna slumps

Wall Street jumped on Thursday as U.S. unemployment claims declined further last week, while a drop in shares of health insurer Cigna dragged healthcare stocks lower.
Special Report: How a little-known G7 task force unwittingly helps governments target critics

In late 2020, when Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni faced a fresh challenge to his 35-year rule, a new tool helped to silence his critics: anti-money laundering legislation promoted by the G7.
Crown, forint expected to firm as interest rates rise

The Czech crown and the Hungarian forint will extend gains in the coming year as their central banks hike rates to curb inflation during the post-pandemic economic recovery, a Reuters poll showed on Thursday.
Outdoor grills maker Weber raises $250 mln in downsized IPO

Weber Inc (WEBR.N) on Thursday raised about $250 million in its initial public offering, which was less than half the amount it had planned to raise earlier.
German industrial orders bounce back, but supply bottlenecks weigh

German industrial orders rose more than twice as much as expected in June, driven by bookings from domestic clients for large manufacturing products, but weaker turnover suggested that supply bottlenecks continued to hold back production.
Merck KGaA raises outlook after forecast-beating Q2 profit

Merck KGaA (MRCG.DE) raised its outlook after posting forecast-beating second quarter profits on Thursday, boosted by demand for its lab gear and supplies from pharma companies making treatments and vaccines against the coronavirus.
Boeing 737 MAX departs for key test flight in China

A Boeing Co (BA.N) 737 Max jet departed for China on Wednesday to conduct a flight test as part of the U.S. planemaker’s attempt to gain approval in the vital travel market following two fatal crashes, people familiar with the matter said.
Siemens raises profit guidance again as industrial demand ramps up

German engineering and technology company Siemens (SIEGn.DE) raised its profit guidance on Thursday for the third time this year on the back of a post-pandemic surge in demand.