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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 Today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq Rebound Amid China Tariff Retaliation and New Jobs Data

                                    

US stocks rebounded on Tuesday as investors assessed China's swift retaliation to the latest US tariffs and digested fresh jobs data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.2%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.7%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.2%.

China responded to the new 10% tariffs imposed by the US with tariffs of its own on US coal, liquified natural gas, crude oil, farm equipment, and some autos. Despite the escalating trade tensions, some analysts see China's measured response as a potential opening for compromise.

Meanwhile, job openings in the US declined more than expected in December, adding to concerns about the labor market's cooling trend. Investors are closely watching these developments as the Federal Reserve considers future interest rate cuts amid ongoing inflation concerns.

Tech stocks led the gains, with Alphabet (Google) shares rising nearly 2% ahead of its fourth-quarter earnings report. Vaccine stocks, however, fell after Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to lead the Health and Human Services Department advanced to the Senate.

Overall, the market's positive reaction suggests cautious optimism as traders navigate the complexities of trade relations and economic data.



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