The US government will maintain control over Venezuelan oil sales "indefinitely," potentially releasing 30 to 50 million barrels into the market. This move, expected to generate roughly $2.8 billion, aims to exert influence over Venezuela's government, though the revenue split remains unclear amid ongoing negotiations between the US and Venezuela's state-run oil company, PDVSA.
Papua New Guinea is experiencing growing frustration as a government order to shut down Starlink's unlicensed internet services disrupts businesses, healthcare, and communities. The National Information and Communications Technology Authority (Nicta) awaits a directive from the ombudsman or courts regarding licensing, leaving the future of Starlink's operations and its impact on connectivity uncertain. The shutdown highlights regulatory hurdles for SpaceX's satellite internet service in expanding to remote regions.
Multiple news sources report that President Trump is seeking $100 billion in oil industry investment for Venezuela after a hypothetical ouster of Nicolas Maduro, envisioning lower energy prices for the US. However, oil executives, including Exxon's CEO, expressed serious reservations, citing past asset seizures and deeming Venezuela "uninvestable" under current conditions, despite its vast energy reserves.
NZXT, a prominent PC gaming hardware company known for its aesthetically driven cases, offers various discounts, including up to $250 off daily deals on PC cases and accessories, and savings of up to $150 on gaming gear bundles. The company also provides a subscription-based PC rental service, Flex, starting at $59 per month, targeting gamers seeking a more affordable entry point into high-end gaming. These promotions aim to expand NZXT's market reach beyond its core case business into peripherals and complete system solutions.
Glencore and Rio Tinto have resumed merger discussions, potentially creating a £150 billion ($201 billion) mining behemoth amid rising demand for copper and other metals. Rio Tinto, with roughly double Glencore's market capitalization, is likely to acquire its rival in an all-stock transaction, driving further consolidation in the mining sector. This move follows other major deals and bids in the industry, fueled by record copper prices and strategic positioning for clean energy and technology demands.
Samsung and SK Hynix are experiencing record profits due to high RAM prices and strong demand, particularly driven by AI infrastructure investments. Samsung forecasts approximately $13.8 billion in operating profit for Q4 2025, a significant increase from 2024, while SK Hynix reported a record $7.8 billion operating profit in Q3 2025 with a 47% operating margin. These financial gains highlight the positive impact of memory market dynamics on leading manufacturers.
Tesco and Marks & Spencer both reported robust Christmas food sales, with Tesco's UK sales rising 3.2% and achieving its highest market share in over a decade, while M&S saw a 5.5% increase in food sales driven by "Christmas hero lines." However, M&S experienced a 2.9% sales decline in its fashion, home, and beauty segment, attributed to lower foot traffic and lingering impacts from a previous cyber-attack, potentially disappointing investors who believed the company had revitalized its clothing business.
NSO Group's latest transparency report, intended to improve its image as it seeks entry into the U.S. market following an acquisition by U.S. investors, is facing criticism for lacking concrete data on customer accountability. The report's release coincides with significant leadership changes at NSO, including the appointment of a new executive chairman and the departure of the CEO and a founder, as the company aims to be removed from the U.S. Entity List.
Saks Global, parent company to Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, is reportedly preparing to file for bankruptcy amid financial struggles stemming from its $2.7 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus in 2024. Inventory shortages and broader financial woes are impacting the luxury retailer's operations, raising concerns among customers, vendors, and investors about the future of the combined entity.
Donald Trump aims to leverage Venezuela's extensive crude reserves to manipulate the oil market, targeting a price reduction to $50 per barrel from the current $56. This strategy seeks to lower energy costs for U.S. consumers, potentially impacting global oil markets already facing oversupply and recent price declines, including a 20% slump in 2025. The plan involves Venezuela using oil sale profits exclusively to purchase U.S.-made goods.
Saks Global, parent company to Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, is reportedly preparing to file for bankruptcy amid worsening financial struggles since its $2.7 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus in 2024. Inventory shortages, like those recently observed in popular fragrance lines, signal deeper operational issues and raise concerns among shoppers, vendors, and investors about the future of the luxury retail giant. The deal was supposed to cut costs and bolster the brands.
With U.S. debt exceeding $38 trillion, increased corporate bond issuance, potentially reaching $2.25 trillion this year driven by AI-related investments, poses a threat to Treasury demand and could push interest rates higher. This competition for investor capital, coupled with potential tariff reductions and tax refunds, creates uncertainty for the Treasury Department as it manages its debt supply.
The U.S. government aims to control Venezuelan oil sales indefinitely, leveraging 30-50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to pressure the Venezuelan government. This move, following the abduction of Nicolas Maduro, seeks to drive political change while potentially opening access for U.S. oil companies like ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron, who are meeting with the president to discuss the situation amidst economic and geopolitical uncertainties. Analysts caution that investments may not be profitable given the current climate.
A new executive order from President Trump protects Venezuelan oil revenue held in the U.S. from private claims, aiming to safeguard funds for governmental and diplomatic purposes. This move comes as the administration seeks to encourage U.S. oil companies, like ExxonMobil, to invest in Venezuela's reconstruction, with Trump estimating the U.S. is taking control of $30 to $50 million in Venezuelan oil sales. The order addresses concerns about political instability and potential asset seizures that have made Venezuela an unattractive investment environment.
Multiple news sources indicate that US job creation slowed significantly in 2025, averaging only 49,000 new jobs per month, the weakest performance since the Covid-19 pandemic despite a 4.3% economic growth rate; losses in retail and manufacturing contributed to the slowdown, although the unemployment rate dipped to 4.4%. This decline is attributed to factors like policy changes enacted by President Trump.
Oura's victory in a patent infringement case against RingConn and Ultrahuman led to a US import ban on their smart rings, impacting the competitive landscape. Ultrahuman, known for its subscription-free model unlike Oura's $6/month fee, faces challenges in its US expansion plans due to the ruling related to hardware design patents. The ITC ruling protects Oura's specific ring hardware design, potentially reshaping the smart ring market.
Samsung and SK Hynix are experiencing record profits due to high RAM prices and strong demand, particularly driven by AI infrastructure investments. Samsung forecasts approximately $13.8 billion in operating profit for Q4 2025, a significant increase from 2024, while SK Hynix reported a record $7.8 billion operating profit in Q3 2025 with a 47% operating margin. These gains reflect a market shift from memory oversupply in 2023 to current shortages impacting prices and benefiting memory manufacturers.
NSO Group's latest transparency report, intended to improve its image as it seeks entry into the U.S. market following an acquisition by U.S. investors, is facing criticism for lacking concrete data on human rights enforcement. The report arrives amidst significant leadership changes, including the appointment of a former Trump official as executive chairman, and is viewed skeptically by experts who believe it's a strategic move to be removed from the U.S. Entity List.
NSO Group's latest transparency report, lacking key data on customer accountability, is viewed skeptically as a strategic move to enter the U.S. market following a recent acquisition by U.S. investors and leadership changes. The report's release coincides with NSO's efforts to be removed from the U.S. Entity List, despite criticism that it lacks concrete evidence of improved human rights practices.
