Meta's outgoing chief artificial intelligence scientist Yann LeCun is holding early talks to raise 500 million euros ($586.00 million) for a new startup that would value the AI firm at about 3 billion... ...

German airline group Lufthansa is projecting 6% supply growth for its passenger airlines on its long-haul routes in 2026, said CEO Carsten Spohr, adding it expects the delivery of a new widebody plane every other week to help bolster growth. ...

Core Insights - Japan's Sumitomo Realty and Development, the third-largest developer in the country, is planning to expand its operations in India with a unique strategy focused on managing apartments in Mumbai rather than selling them [1] Company Strategy - The company aims to concentrate its efforts on the Mumbai market, indicating a targeted approach to its expansion plans [1] - By managing apartments instead of selling them, Sumitomo Realty is adopting a different business model that may provide steady revenue streams and long-term investment opportunities [1]

Core Insights - German footwear brand Birkenstock exceeded Wall Street expectations for fourth-quarter revenue, driven by strong demand for its sandals and clogs among affluent consumers [1] Group 1 - Birkenstock's strong performance is attributed to increased sales from its popular sandal and clog lines [1] - The demand surge is particularly noted among affluent shoppers, indicating a potential trend in consumer spending behavior [1] - The results come ahead of a crucial holiday season, suggesting that the brand is well-positioned for continued growth [1]

Core Viewpoint - A Russian ban on the U.S. gaming platform Roblox has sparked discussions among children and parents regarding censorship and the effectiveness of bans in an age where children can easily circumvent restrictions [1] Group 1 - The ban has led to debates about censorship among children and parents [1] - There is a concern about the utility of bans in a digital environment where children can bypass restrictions with minimal effort [1]

Core Viewpoint - Swiss pharmaceutical companies Novartis and Roche are supporting U.S. initiatives to reduce drug costs and are collaborating with the Trump administration to achieve this objective, following reports of nearing a pricing agreement [1] Group 1 - Novartis and Roche are recognized as major players in the pharmaceutical industry [1] - The companies are actively engaging with the U.S. government to address drug pricing issues [1] - The collaboration indicates a significant shift in the pharmaceutical sector's approach to pricing strategies [1]

Core Insights - British consumer confidence and spending are subdued as the Christmas season approaches, indicating a challenging retail environment for companies like Currys [1] - The recent government budget did not provide significant support to boost consumer spending, further impacting the retail sector [1] Company Insights - Currys, an electrical retailer, has expressed concerns regarding the muted consumer confidence and spending patterns, which could affect sales performance during the critical holiday season [1] - The company's leadership highlights the need for more effective government measures to stimulate consumer spending [1]

Core Viewpoint - Mercedes-Benz is accelerating its fixed cost reduction target of 5 billion euros ($5.9 billion) to the end of 2026, moving it up by one year [1] Group 1 - The company aims to achieve significant cost savings by reducing fixed costs [1] - The revised timeline indicates a proactive approach to financial management and operational efficiency [1]

Core Viewpoint - Meg O'Neill, an experienced figure in the energy industry, has been appointed by BP to lead significant changes at the company, following her impactful leadership at Woodside Energy in Australia [1] Group 1: Leadership Changes - Meg O'Neill's appointment at BP signifies a strategic move to revitalize the company's operations and direction [1] - Her previous success at Woodside Energy highlights her capability to drive transformation within major energy firms [1] Group 2: Industry Impact - The leadership change at BP may influence the broader energy sector, as companies look to adapt to evolving market conditions and sustainability goals [1] - O'Neill's experience is expected to bring fresh perspectives to BP's strategies, potentially affecting its competitive positioning in the industry [1]

Core Viewpoint - Micron Technology's shares listed in Frankfurt experienced a significant increase of nearly 12% in early European trading, driven by a positive forecast from the company [1] Company Summary - The increase in Micron Technology's stock price reflects investor confidence following the company's optimistic outlook for future performance [1]