BP loses bid to cut maximum $13.7 billion Gulf spill fine
(Reuters) – A U.S. judge on Thursday rejected BP Plc’s attempt to reduce the maximum civil fine it could face for its role in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, leaving it potentially liable to pay $13.7 billion under the federal Clean Water Act.
Daicel to build U.S. air bag inflator plant earlier than planned
TOKYO (Reuters) – Daicel Corp said it would build a second U.S. factory for air bag inflators in early 2016, bringing forward original plans partly to meet automakers’ demand for alternatives to potentially deadly inflators made by Takata Corp.
Wal-Mart wage hike seen pressuring Target, fast-food
(Reuters) – Wal-Mart Stores Inc’s wage hike will likely trigger a rethink on pay across the retail and fast-food sectors, with Target Corp one of the low-wage employers facing pressure to follow suit and pay workers more.
Honda to cut North America output by another 5,000 cars amid port delays
TOKYO (Reuters) – Honda Motor Co said on Friday it would continue to adjust production at two North American car factories from Feb. 24 to March 2 due to a parts shortage caused by disruptions at U.S. West Coast ports in the midst of protracted labor t…
Apple wants to start making electric vehicles as early as 2020: Bloomberg
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Apple Inc aims to begin producing an electric vehicle as early as 2020, Bloomberg cited people with knowledge of the matter as saying, a seemingly aggressive target for a mobile devices maker with little experience in car manu…
Oil prices fall again as inventories build
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Oil prices fell for a second day on Thursday, after the U.S. government reported another record high in crude inventories, but prices bounced sharply off session lows on relief the builds were less than an industry group had estima…
Nasdaq gains seventh day; Dow, S&P 500 slip with Wal-Mart
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The Nasdaq rose for a seventh straight session on Thursday as Priceline shares jumped, while the Dow and S&P 500 eased following declines in energy shares and a disappointing outlook from Wal-Mart.
Sanofi names CEO, cites ‘capabililty to unite teams’
PARIS (Reuters) – French drugmaker Sanofi on Thursday named Olivier Brandicourt, a Paris-educated doctor and head of Bayer AG’s healthcare arm, as its chief executive officer.
Germany holds up Greek bid for euro zone loan extension
ATHENS/BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Germany rejected a Greek proposal for a six-month extension to its euro zone loan agreement on Thursday, saying it was “not a substantial solution” because it did not commit Athens to stick to the conditions of its internati…
Exclusive: Ally assumes it will lose entire GM leasing business – CEO
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Ally Financial Inc is taking steps to replace its remaining exclusive leasing deals with General Motors Co , betting that the largest U.S. carmaker will eventually finish taking that business in-house, the auto lender’s chief execu…
