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U.S. Seizure of Russian-Flagged Tanker Heightens Global Tensions

The ship, currently between Iceland and the British Isles, has been accused of breaking US sanctions and shipping Iranian oil. It has historically transported Venezuelan crude oil. The United States has seized a Russian‑flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela after a prolonged pursuit across the Atlantic, marking one of the most assertive enforcement actions under Washington’s sanctions program. The vessel, previously known as Bella‑1 and later renamed Marinera , was intercepted after evading an earlier boarding attempt near Venezuelan waters. U.S. military aircraft and naval units tracked the ship for weeks as it traveled across the Atlantic, at times shadowed by Russian naval vessels. Officials say the tanker was part of a network used to transport sanctioned Venezuelan and Russian oil. Its capture underscores Washington’s efforts to disrupt what it describes as illicit energy shipments that help sustain both governments. The operation comes at a delicate geopolitical moment, wit...

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Stock Market Update: S&P 500 and Nasdaq Futures Rise After CPI Surprise

 

Investors are closely monitoring the stock market today as S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures show upward momentum following a surprising inflation report. Here are the key highlights:

  1. CPI Surprise: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February revealed a 3.2% year-over-year increase in consumer prices, indicating elevated inflation. This data is crucial for the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest rate decision.

  2. Boeing Issues Impact Southwest: Southwest Airlines (LUV) announced capacity cuts due to ongoing problems with Boeing’s (BA) 737 Max planes. Investors are closely watching how this development affects the airline industry.

  3. Oracle’s Strong Earnings: Tech giant Oracle (ORCL) reported better-than-expected fiscal third-quarter earnings. Additionally, Oracle teased an upcoming announcement with chipmaker NVIDIA (NVDA), driving its stock price higher.

  4. Market Expectations: The CPI release influences market expectations regarding the timing of a potential Federal Reserve interest-rate cut. The “core” CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, rose by 0.4% in February and 3.1% year-on-year, surpassing estimates.

  5. Bitcoin Continues Rally: Bitcoin (BTC-USD) reached a record high of $72,120, driven by surging inflows into crypto assets. Some predict bitcoin could reach as high as $350,000 this year.

  6. Corporate Developments: Oracle’s cloud computing progress and collaboration with NVIDIA are boosting investor confidence.


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