Trump torpor: What explains markets’ muted response to Venezuela and Greenland? January 7, 2026 It is understandable that of the dozens of 2026 market outlook papers published by banks and analysts last month, not one predicted that Venezuela’s autocratic leader, Nicolas Maduro, would be captured in a historic overnight raid just three days into the New Year. Even more forgivable, is the fact none foresaw the rapid escalation of [...]
Starmer sends Trump warning on Greenland in sign of icy relations January 6, 2026 Keir Starmer has joined EU countries in sending President Trump a warning to back off Greenland in another sign of tensions emerging between between the US and Western allies. In a statement on Tuesday, European leaders defended Nato member Denmark’s claim over the islands in the Atlantic Ocean, adding that the issue of control was [...]
Cost burden on firms rise at fastest pace since May January 6, 2026 Cost burdens on firms rose at their fastest pace since May as bosses dealt with wage growth pressures and sky-high energy prices, new data has indicated. S&P Global’s latest purchasing managers’ index (PMI), a monthly survey tracking hundreds of companies’ performances, showed that cost increases became heavier at the end of last year. Researchers said [...]
Finance chiefs fearful of war and geopolitical risks January 6, 2026 Finance chiefs have begun the year fretting over the spectre of war and rising global tensions as President Trump’s shock operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro put investor nerves on edge. A quarterly survey by Big Four accounting firm Deloitte showed that “geopolitical risks”, which can include everything from higher tariffs to conflict and [...]
Venezuela proves farce of political forecasting January 6, 2026 If history teaches us anything, it's that political forecasters almost always get it wrong. Just look at Venezuela, writes Paul Ormerod.
2026 will be all about hard power January 6, 2026 The season of peace on earth and good will to all men did not last long, and while I’ll shed no tears at seeing a corrupt dictator snatched from his lair it’s fair to say that 2026 is off to an uneasy start. The market response to Donald Trump’s audacious swoop on Venezuela has been [...]
Trump’s push for ‘crypto capital’ sparks PwC shift towards digital assets January 5, 2026 The US arm of the Big Four giant PwC has changed its stance on cryptocurrency work following President Donald Trump’s fondness for digital assets. Trump has pledged to make the US the “crypto capital of the world” after passing the ‘Genius Act’, which governs digital assets such as stablecoins, into law last year. As a [...]
Starmer: UK not involved in Venezuela strikes January 3, 2026 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed the UK was “not involved” in the US military strikes on Venezuela or the capture of Nicolas Maduro earlier this morning. Speaking to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, Starmer said: “I haven’t [spoken to President Trump] and it’s obviously a fast-moving situation. We need to establish all the facts. “What [...]
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro indicted in New York on drugs and weapons charges January 3, 2026 Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, will stand trial in the US, after both he and his wife were captured and flown out of the country by US special forces on Saturday morning. US Attorney General, Pam Bondi, has confirmed that both Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. Bondi [...]
Trump says Nicolas Maduro has been captured and flown out of Venezuela January 3, 2026 Donald Trump has said the US has captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and flown him out of the country, after weeks of growing tensions between the two nations. Trump confirmed the US has launched air strikes on Caracas earlier this morning, using black hawk helicopters and chinooks, following reports the capital had been hit by [...]