IBM's $1.2bn Data Centre Commitment

IBM is committing more than $1.2 billion to expand its data centres and support cloud computing initiatives, in anticipation of a $200 billion global market for cloud services by 2020.

In 2013, IBM acquired cloud services company SoftLayer (founded in 2005), which rents out servers starting at $159 a month for a dedicated machine, some of the rentals made via Digital Realty (NYSE: DLR).

IBM is also building out a Watson division at a cost $1bn. Watson is IBM's AI machine which has built-in natural language capabilities. It aims to use SoftLayer as a cloud distribution mechanism for services based off Watson.

Fireworks in Riga as Latvia Joins the Euro, not so for Lithuania

Valdis Dombrovskis, Prime Minister of Latvia (and a trained physicist), declared 1 January 2014 as a "big opportunity for Latvia's economic development". Some Latvian locals have expressed concerns over inflation, and indeed Latvia's central bank does expect a modest rise in prices, to bring inflation to 2%.

Two-thirds of the Baltic States are now Euro-enabled.

Amongst the other Baltic States, Estonia has already joined the euro in 2011, and Lithuania aims to do so in 2015. Ex-communist Poland has retained the zloty and is tight-lipped about the prospect of joining the Euro.

Say "Atta" to the Latvian lats, as another European currency hits the history books!

The World's Largest Oil Importer is China

In 2013, China overtook the United States as the world's biggest importer of oil, partly due to rising car sales. According to the EIA, oil demand in China exceeded supply by 6.3 million bpd vs. 6.1 million bpd in the US. Many analysts predict this trend will continue for some years e.g. Macquarie, Wood Mackenzie. There has also been speculation that oil may be priced in RMB although this raises questions over convertibility.

India is the world's fourth largest importer of crude oil. 30% of its refining capacity is concentrated in two refineries in Jamnagar, western Gujarat, owned and operated by Reliance Industries. However, in terms of raw crude oil production, the state of Rajasthan exceeds Gujarat.

Argentinia's YPF Agrees to Buy Bulk of LNG from BP

YPF will buy most of its LNG cargoes for 2014-2015 from BP, amounting to 5.57 million tonnes. The LNG will deliver to the Bahia Blanca import terminal, near Buenos Aires, the largest province in Argentina. For 2014, Argentina will pay around $15 per mmBtu.

Angela Merkel's Conservative Party wins a Third Term

Her party (CDU, Christian Democratic Union) took about 41.5% of the vote. She will retake here position as Chancellor of Germany (the German title of the head of government, also known as Bundeskanzler - Federal Chancellor). The CDUs principles are based on a school of political thought known as Christian democracy.

David Bonderman's Baby TPG Breaks into the (Bonded?) Warehouse Business

TPG Capital, founded by:

• David Bonderman, educated at University of Washington and Harvard Law School. He has developed the Bonderman's Program at the University of Washington for unstructured international travel and study. He lives in Texas, as befits the name of his firm.

has bought up a portfolio of warehouses across the European Union  from warehouse specialists P3 owned by Bahraini firm Arcapita. P3 has properties in both the EU and GCC. Arcapita's CEO is:

• Atif Abdulmalik, established Arcapita in 1997. He has a Bachelors in Accounting and Finance, from Saint Edwards University Texas.

Arcapita also has investments in technology companies, predominately in the United States.

Investec Preps $500m Aircraft Debt Fund

This is the latest initiative from Investec's aircraft financing team, led by Ramki Sundaram, former head of defunct company Air Deccan. Investec primarily operates in the UK, Australia and South Africa.