Disaster Capitalism

World

U.S. Diplomatic Missions Ordered to Scrutinize Global Aid for Compliance with Expanded Social Policy Restrictions

Exclusive: A newly revealed State Department cable directs embassies worldwide to audit all assistance programs against stringent new rules prohibiting funding for groups involved in abortion services, diversity initiatives, and gender identity advocacy, expanding a long-contested policy to nearly $30 billion in foreign aid.

World

Exclusive: U.S. Envoys in Jerusalem Blocked Internal Warnings of 'Apocalyptic' Gaza Conditions

Reuters reveals that senior U.S. diplomats suppressed graphic cables from aid officials detailing catastrophic famine and devastation in northern Gaza in early 2024, preventing the warnings from reaching top Biden administration leadership.

Business

Beyond the Chipmakers: The Power Giant Quietly Energizing America's AI Boom

As data center demand surges, NextEra Energy emerges as a critical, and often overlooked, infrastructure player. Its partnerships with tech titans like Meta and Google highlight a strategic pivot in the energy sector.

Business

Valero Energy Caps Record Year with Soaring Q4 Profits, Eyes Policy Shifts and Venezuelan Crude

Valero Energy reported a robust fourth quarter, with net income surging to $1.1 billion, driven by strong refining margins and record operational performance. While renewable diesel faced headwinds, ethanol profits soared. The company outlined disciplined capital plans and highlighted potential tailwinds from policy clarity and increased access to discounted heavy crude.

Business

Public Sector Pension Bill Soars to £39bn, Placing Growing Burden on Taxpayers

Official figures reveal a sharp 26% increase in the annual cost of public sector pensions, now reaching £39bn, with taxpayers covering the bulk of the expense as employer contribution rates rise.

World

Private Equity and Sovereign Wealth Funds Profit from UK's Special Educational Needs Crisis

As demand for specialist education soars, private investors—from Abu Dhabi to private equity firms—are capitalizing on a strained system, drawing criticism for extracting profits from vulnerable children and cash-strapped councils.

Business

U.S. Antimony Shares Tumble as Policy Shift Clouds Expansion Ambitions

United States Antimony (UAMY) faces a volatile market reaction following Washington's reported reversal on critical mineral price supports, casting uncertainty over its strategic expansion into Bolivia.

Business

Starbucks Faces Legal and Supply Chain Headwinds Amid Turnaround Bid

A new lawsuit alleging wrongful termination and safety cover-ups, coupled with ongoing supply shortages, challenges the coffee giant's operational resilience and brand trust as its new CEO executes a critical recovery plan.

Business

SL Green Realty's 2025 Results: A Tale of Two Cities as Losses Mount Amid Leasing Strength

SL Green Realty Corp. posted a significant net loss for 2025 despite rising revenues and robust leasing activity. The Manhattan office landlord confirmed a shift to quarterly dividends and is advancing major financing and asset sale plans, placing cash conservation and balance sheet flexibility at the forefront of its recovery strategy.

Business

Beyond Intel: Why AMD's AI Chip Momentum Makes It the Clear Choice for Growth Investors

While Intel grapples with supply constraints and valuation concerns, rival AMD is capitalizing on the AI boom with aggressive product roadmaps and surging market share, positioning itself for sustained long-term growth.

Business

Xero's Share Price Slump: A Year of Pain for Investors Amidst Strong Fundamentals

While the broader ASX has climbed nearly 10% over the past year, shareholders of cloud accounting giant Xero have watched their holdings plummet by 47%. This stark divergence raises questions about market sentiment versus the company's underlying performance, which shows surprising resilience.

Business

MARA Secures French Nod for Exaion Acquisition, Gaining a Regulated Foothold in Europe's Digital Infrastructure

French regulators have greenlit MARA Holdings' takeover of EDF's data center unit Exaion, imposing strict conditions on energy use and data protection. The deal marks a significant, albeit tightly supervised, expansion of the bitcoin miner's European ambitions into high-performance computing.

Business

Comstock Completes $50M Equity Raise Amid Share Price Volatility, Analysts See Value Gap

Comstock Inc. (LODE) has closed a $50 million follow-on equity offering, issuing shares at $2.75. The capital infusion comes as the company's stock faces significant near-term pressure, declining over 30% in the past week, even as some analysts maintain a bullish long-term price target.