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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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Wall Street Leans Modestly Lower Ahead of Inflation Data

 

Wall Street opened with a slight dip today as investors eagerly await Friday’s inflation update from the government. Here are the key highlights:

  1. Corporate Earnings Digestion:

    • Markets are processing recent corporate earnings reports.
    • FedEx (FDX) surged 14.6% after beating Wall Street’s Q4 sales and profit targets.
    • Chipmaker Nvidia (NVDA) rebounded, recovering from recent losses.
  2. Inflation Update Anticipation:

    • The government’s report on inflation, closely monitored by the Federal Reserve, will influence interest rate decisions.
    • Investors hope for timely rate cuts to prevent a recession or inflation resurgence.
  3. Global Markets:

    • European markets (DAX, FTSE, CAC 40) dipped, while Japan’s Nikkei rose 1.3%.
    • Tokyo Electron and Advantest Corp. gained due to enthusiasm over Nvidia and AI.
  4. Currency Watch:

    • The dollar edged higher against the yen, nearing the 160 yen level.
    • Tokyo officials warn of potential market intervention.

Stay tuned for Friday’s crucial inflation data—the Fed’s next move hangs in the balance.


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