Core Viewpoint - Maurel & Prom is optimistic about resuming Venezuelan oil exports following the recent easing of U.S. sanctions on the country's energy sector, marking a significant shift in the regulatory environment [1] Group 1: Sanctions and Regulatory Changes - The U.S. government issued two general licenses allowing major energy companies to operate in Venezuela, representing the most substantial easing of sanctions since the removal of President Nicolas Maduro [1] - Maurel & Prom described the easing of sanctions as a "constructive step," although it was not included in the list of companies covered by the new licenses [1] Group 2: Company Operations and Performance - The company has been unable to export Venezuelan oil since Q2 of the previous year due to the suspension of its license by the Trump administration [1] - Maurel & Prom submitted a new license application to the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in early January, seeking full resumption of operations in Venezuela [1] - The company reported a significant increase in identified reserves in Venezuela, with studies confirming the potential of previously unproven zones [1] Group 3: Production Details - In the Urdaneta Oeste field, where Maurel & Prom holds a 40% working interest, gross production averaged about 21,000 barrels of oil per day in January, resulting in a net output of 8,400 barrels per day for M&P Iberoamerica [1]

Skip to main content Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv Equinor makes oil, gas find in the North Sea February 16, 20268:00 AM UTCUpdated ago By Reuters Equinor's flag flutters at the company's headqurters in Stavanger, Norway, December 5, 2019. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab COPENHAGEN, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Norway's Equinor (EQNR.OL), opens new tab has discovered oil and gas in the so-called Granat prospect i ...

Core Viewpoint - Volkswagen plans to implement a cost-cutting initiative aimed at reducing expenses by 20% across all brands by the end of 2028, as reported by Manager Magazin [1]. Cost-Cutting Initiative - The savings plan was presented by CEO Oliver Blume and finance chief Arno Antlitz during a closed-door meeting with top executives in Berlin in mid-January [1]. - The initiative is designed to ensure that returns return to a sustainable level amid challenges such as a slump in China, U.S. tariffs, and a competitive market environment [1]. Areas of Focus - Specific details regarding where the savings will be made and how cooperation between brands will be improved were not disclosed during the meeting [1]. - Potential plant closures may be considered as part of the cost-cutting measures [1].

Core Viewpoint - Contact Energy of New Zealand plans to raise NZ$525 million (approximately $317 million) in new equity to finance a range of renewable energy projects, indicating a strategic push for growth in the renewable sector [1] Company Summary - The capital raised will be directed towards various renewable energy initiatives, reflecting the company's commitment to expanding its operations in sustainable energy [1] - This move is part of Contact Energy's broader strategy to accelerate growth under its long-term vision [1]

Core Viewpoint - Disney has issued a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance, accusing the company of unauthorized use of Disney characters in its Seedance 2.0 AI video generator [1] Group 1: Legal Actions - Disney claims that ByteDance's Seedance 2.0 is using a pirated library of copyrighted characters from franchises such as Star Wars and Marvel, presenting them as public-domain content [1] - The cease-and-desist letter alleges that Seedance is reproducing, distributing, and creating derivative works featuring characters like Spider-Man and Darth Vader [1] - Paramount Skydance has also sent a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance for similar intellectual property infringement [1] Group 2: ByteDance's Response - ByteDance has stated it will enhance safeguards on Seedance 2.0 to prevent unauthorized use of copyrighted characters and celebrity likenesses [1] - The AI model has gained popularity in China, with videos going viral, including one featuring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt [1] Group 3: Disney's Previous Actions - Disney has previously taken similar actions against Character.AI, demanding the cessation of unauthorized use of its copyrighted characters [1] - In December, Disney signed a licensing deal with OpenAI, allowing the use of characters from its franchises in the Sora video generator [1]

Skip to main content Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv Oil drifts ahead of US-Iran nuclear talks SINGAPORE, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Oil prices traded sideways on Monday ahead of talks between Washington and Tehran, with concerns about Iran-U.S. tensions disrupting oil flows keeping a floor under prices, while OPEC+ leans in favour of resuming output hikes from April. Brent crude futures edged down 3 cents to $67.72 a barrel by 0156 GMT after closing 23 ...

Group 1 - Qube Holdings has signed a scheme implementation agreement with a consortium led by Macquarie's asset management arm, valuing the logistics firm at A$11.7 billion (approximately $8.26 billion) [1][1][1]

Group 1 - Warner Bros Discovery is considering reopening sale talks with Paramount Skydance after receiving an amended offer from Paramount [1] - The Warner Bros board is evaluating whether Paramount could provide a path to a superior deal [1] - Paramount enhanced its bid by offering shareholders additional cash for each quarter the deal fails to close and agreeing to cover the breakup fee owed to Netflix if Warner Bros walks away [1]

Core Viewpoint - Visa's exclusive partnership with the Olympics highlights the challenges Europe faces regarding payment systems, particularly the dominance of foreign payment providers and the declining use of cash [1]. Group 1: Visa's Role and Market Dynamics - Visa has been the sole card provider for the Olympics since 1986, with a sponsorship deal extended to 2032, emphasizing its monopoly in this high-profile event [1]. - Approximately two-thirds of card transactions in the euro area are processed by international card schemes like Visa and Mastercard, indicating a significant reliance on foreign payment systems [1]. - A spokesperson for Visa stated the company's commitment to enhancing the purchasing experience for Olympic products, despite the growing trend of consumers not carrying cash [1]. Group 2: European Central Bank (ECB) Initiatives - The ECB aims to launch a digital euro by 2029, which is seen as crucial for Europe's economic security and to reduce dependency on non-EU payment providers [1]. - The digital euro is intended to be available for both wholesale and retail payments, functioning offline like cash and online, to maintain control over monetary policy [1]. - Legislative proposals for the digital euro have faced delays in the European Parliament, but recent endorsements from the European Council and Parliament have strengthened the ECB's position [1]. Group 3: Cash Payment Acceptance - Cash payments are still accepted at Olympic venues, with ATM machines available for cash withdrawals, although the trend shows a significant preference for card payments [1]. - The Esselunga grocery chain, located in the Olympic press center, initially did not accept cash but announced it would start accepting cash payments to improve service [1].

Core Insights - Uber plans to expand its food delivery business into seven new European markets, aiming for an additional $1 billion in gross bookings over the next three years [1] Group 1: Expansion Strategy - The new markets include the Czech Republic, Greece, Romania, Austria, Denmark, Finland, and Norway [1] - This expansion is part of a broader strategy to enhance value in the multibillion-euro food delivery market [1] Group 2: Leadership Perspective - Susan Anderson, global head of delivery at Uber, emphasized the need to "raise the bar, shake things up and deliver better value across the category" [1] Group 3: Recent Developments - Earlier in the week, Uber agreed to acquire the delivery arm of Turkey's Getir to strengthen its presence in Turkey [1]