BP's head of Trinidad and Tobago said the oil and gas major is still interested in cross-border opportunities with Venezuela, despite the government in Caracas suspending all bilateral energy agreemen... ...

Core Insights - Google has agreed to pay $68 million to settle a lawsuit regarding its voice-activated assistant, which allegedly spied on smartphone users and violated their privacy [1] Company Summary - The settlement amount of $68 million indicates the financial implications of legal challenges faced by Google in relation to privacy concerns [1] - This lawsuit highlights ongoing issues in the tech industry regarding user privacy and the ethical use of voice-activated technology [1]

Core Viewpoint - Century Aluminum is set to acquire a 40% stake in a new U.S. smelter being developed by Emirates Global Aluminium, marking the first primary aluminum plant in the U.S. in nearly 50 years [1] Group 1 - The planned smelter represents a significant development in the U.S. aluminum industry, which has not seen new primary production facilities for almost five decades [1] - This partnership indicates a strategic move by Century Aluminum to expand its footprint in the North American market [1] - Emirates Global Aluminium is leading the initiative, highlighting its commitment to investing in U.S. manufacturing capabilities [1]

New orders for key U.S.-manufactured capital goods increased more than expected in November, suggesting business spending on equipment maintained a steady growth pace in the fourth quarter. ...

Core Insights - Russian February Urals crude oil cargoes are trading at the widest discounts against dated Brent in Indian ports since 2022 due to intensified pressure from Western sanctions [1] Group 1 - The discounts for Russian Urals crude oil cargoes in India have reached significant levels, indicating a shift in market dynamics [1] - The intensified pressure from Western sanctions is a key factor influencing the pricing of Russian crude oil [1]

Quantum computing firm IonQ said on Monday it would buy chipmaker SkyWater Technology for about $1.8 billion, in a deal that would bring semiconductor manufacturing in-house and boost the development ... ...

Core Insights - Sarepta Therapeutics' gene therapy demonstrated sustained benefits in patients with a progressive muscle-wasting disorder, particularly in their ability to control and coordinate movement, based on three-year data from a late-stage trial [1] Group 1 - The gene therapy showed significant improvements in motor function over the three-year period [1] - Patients exhibited enhanced movement control and coordination, indicating the therapy's long-term efficacy [1] - The data supports the potential of gene therapy as a viable treatment option for this condition [1]

Core Investment - Nvidia has invested $2 billion in CoreWeave at a purchase price of $87.20 per share [1] Partnership Expansion - The companies have expanded their partnership to enhance CoreWeave's data capabilities [1]

Core Insights - Danish energy trader InCommodites has appointed John Dimech, a former Shell executive, as CEO of InCommodities APAC [1] Company Developments - The appointment of John Dimech is part of InCommodites' strategy to strengthen its leadership in the Asia-Pacific region [1] - InCommodites is backed by Goldman Sachs, indicating strong financial support and confidence in its operations [1]

Core Viewpoint - AstraZeneca's CEO Pascal Soriot will accompany UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on a trip to China, indicating a strategic move to strengthen ties between the UK and China in the pharmaceutical sector [1] Group 1: Company Developments - The participation of AstraZeneca's CEO in the trip highlights the company's commitment to expanding its presence in international markets, particularly in China [1] - This visit may open up new opportunities for AstraZeneca in terms of partnerships and collaborations within the Chinese healthcare landscape [1] Group 2: Industry Implications - The trip reflects a broader trend of UK pharmaceutical firms seeking to enhance their relationships with China, a key market for growth in the industry [1] - Strengthening ties with China could lead to increased investment and innovation in the pharmaceutical sector, benefiting both UK and Chinese markets [1]