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What is the name of Delcy Rodriquez, the acting President of Venezuela?
Delcy Rodriguez is a Venezuelan politician who wields an iron fist. She is a proponent of economic orthodoxy, has worked to establish relationships with the private sector, and is well-known for her taste in luxury. In her more than 10 years in public life, Rodriguez, 56, has accumulated significant influence. Maduro called her "a tigress" because of her staunch support of his socialist regime, which presided over an economic crisis and exodus of 8 million migrants. She was vice president from 2018 onwards, having served simultaneously as finance minister then oil minister. She was previously a communications minister, a foreign?minister, and the head?of a progovernment legislature. She is close to her brother Jorge Rodriguez who is the head of the National Assembly. The Rodriguez siblings are children of leftist guerrilla Jorge?Antonio Rodriguez. He founded the Revolutionary Socialist League Party in 1976 and was arrested for his involvement in the kidnapping an American businessman. His family claims that he died from torture in police custody. Maduro has hailed him as a Venezuelan hero. Delcy is a labor lawyer who spent nine years in France and England studying postgraduate law. She competes in table-tennis competitions with brother. They often post their pictures on social media. She is often seen wearing designer clothing in public. After years of hyperinflation, she implemented orthodox policy, including cutting public expenditure, limiting credit, and a dollar-bolivar fixed rate. This helped to lower triple-digit inflation. Her role has brought her into close contact with foreign oil companies such as Chevron. Rodriguez is often referred to as "workaholic" by leaders in the industry. She attends private sector events that other public officials have neglected for years. She is Venezuelan official that travels the most to China, Russia and Turkey - allies of Venezuela. Diane Craft edited the report by Diane Craft.
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Barclays data indicates that in 2025, activists will run a record number of campaigns.
According to Barclays, activist investors who want companies to improve their performance launched a record-breaking number of campaigns in 2025. Market volatility, favorable financing terms, and increased deal activity created the ideal environment for lobbying for change. Blue-chip activists including Elliott Investment Management and a large number of newcomers launched attacks in 2025 on global companies, urging them to improve operations, replace board members, or even sell themselves. Activists attacked well-known brands like athleisure brand Lululemon Athletica and ride-hailing service Lyft. PepsiCo, the maker of soda and snacks, and Yeti, a cooler and drinkware manufacturer, were also targeted. The data revealed that the number of attacks in 2018 was up nearly 5% over 2024. It also surpassed the previous record set in 2018. Jim Rossman is the global head of shareholder advice at Barclays. He said, "We went from a period of maximum uncertainty to a rebound in M&A and private equity markets in the second half." It was an excellent time to use the activists' toolkit. Barclays data show that 141 campaigns were conducted in the United States. This represents a 23% increase from the previous campaign. The data also showed that Asian companies attracted the attention of activists, with a record number of 56 campaigns in Japan. Barclays reported that this accounted for half of all global activity outside the United States. Barclays data revealed that Elliott was the most active activist investor. It launched 18 campaigns in 2012, and spent nearly $20 billion of capital. The hedge fund has taken on Lululemon in the fourth quarter, urging management to consider hiring a former Ralph Lauren executive for the position of CEO. It also took on Barrick Mining by urging it to consider breaking up the company. Elliott has won 17 board positions in the past year. This includes two seats at Phillips 66 where investors voted for candidates that Elliott had proposed. Activist investors, formerly called corporate raiders and derided, have gained a new level of acceptance among corporate management. Their returns are improving, and they're working with boards to boost the share price of a company. Barclays' data also showed that the patience of corporate activists with chief executives could quickly run out. In the year following an activist campaign, 32 CEOs quit in a record number. In 2024, there will be 27 CEOs who resign, up from the 24 that left in 2023 due to activist pressure. Rossman, Barclays' Rossman, said: "If executives do not perform well, they will be fired." (Reporting and editing by Matthew Lewis in New York, Svea Herbst Bayliss)
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Trump uses intimidation to get Venezuelan leaders in line
Sources familiar with the situation say that after removing Nicolas Maduro as president, the Trump administration hopes to intimidate Venezuela's inner circle to follow the U.S. position by threatening further military action which could place them at risk of suffering a similar fate. Three people who were briefed about the U.S.'s strategy said that President Donald Trump’s advisers believe they might also be able work behind the scenes to help Interim?President Delcy Rodrguez, who is seen by many as a technocrat, who could be willing to assist the U.S. in a political transition, and on key?oil related issues. Trump's willingness to extend his military reach is one of the many complicating factors in this vague plan. It also raises questions about Trump's ability to bend Venezuelan post-Maduro government to his will. According to a source, the sweeteners that Maduro could offer his aides are offers of amnesty and safe exile. These were the types of offers Maduro turned down in his last days before he was captured by U.S. Special Forces on Saturday. He is currently being held in a New York jail awaiting his Monday court date on drug charges. Two powerful members of Maduro’s inner circle, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who have both received multi-million dollar U.S. bountys on their heads, are still potential spoilers for any agreement with the U.S. The White House refused to answer 'questions, instead referring to Marco Rubio's comments that were broadcasted on Sunday. Trump's efforts could also be undermined if Democrats are able to convince enough Republicans, including the president himself, to restrict funding for any future military operations in Venezuela. This would send a signal to Venezuela that Trump could be weaken. The U.S. President's pledge on Saturday to "run", post-Maduro Venezuela, appears to be an aspiration for outside control - at least heavy influence?over the OPEC country?without deploying U.S. land forces that would have little support in their home. Officials in the United States believe that they can still get Venezuelan cooperation by maintaining a massive buildup of military forces off its coast, and by threatening further airstrikes, targeting Maduro's loyalists, and as a final resort, sending a contingent U.S. soldiers. The source said, "This sword is hanging over Trump's head." According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Venezuela's leaders may feel particularly vulnerable due to the damage caused by U.S. strikes on Venezuela's air defence?systems. Rubio emphasized on Sunday TV news programs that another major source of leverage is the "quarantine" placed on Venezuelan oil exports, which are the main financial lifeline for the government. Senator Tom Cotton, Republican Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee in Arkansas, made it clear that the Venezuelan government was under threat. He told CNN: "If they do not want to follow Maduro's steps, they must start meeting our requirements." VENEZUELAN Oficials Defiant Top Venezuelan officials who called the capture Maduro's and his wife Cilia's Cilia Flores as a kidnapping, and accused the U.S. trying to steal Venezuela's vast oil reserve, insist that they will remain united. Rodriguez, who is also Venezuela's oil minister, has been appointed interim leader by Venezuela's highest court. She has stated that Maduro remains the president. She has been a member of Maduro's inner-circle for a long time, and has a deep understanding of the oil industry, which is the main source of income in the country. However, she has publicly refuted Trump's claims that she was willing to work with America. Trump warned in an interview published by The Atlantic on Sunday that Rodriguez could pay a higher price than Maduro if she "does not do what is right." Rubio, ignoring Rodriguez' defiant words, told CBS that "we're going?to make an assessment based on what they do and not what they publicly say." Trump did not mention restoring democracy in Venezuela during his press conference held on Saturday. He also disappointed Venezuela's opposition by dismissing the idea of working together with Maria Corina Machado - widely regarded as Maduro’s most credible rival and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Instead, he focused on the prospects for exploiting Venezuela’s energy resources. Trump's advisers seem to believe that co-opting Venezuelan's current government is the best way to stabilise the country, create a pathway for U.S. investment in oil and move towards some sort of political transition away from the Maduro regime. Since the U.S. invaded Panama in 1977 to remove military leader Manuel Noriega on allegations that he ran a "drug-running" operation, it has not intervened so directly in Latin America. The United States also made similar accusations against Maduro. They accused him of running a 'narco state' and rigging 2024 elections, which he denied. Trump did not provide a clear explanation of how the U.S. will fulfill its vow to oversee Venezuela. Critics condemned this as neocolonialism, and it could alienate some supporters who are opposed to foreign interventions. Two U.S. officials say that Trump's comments caught the Western Hemisphere Office of the U.S. State Department by surprise. No preparations had been made to send staff to Caracas. Rubio, along with Secretary Pete Hegseth, will assume this job. On Sunday, Rubio provided little clarity and appeared to move away from the idea that he would actually take day-today control of a country of almost 30 million people. He told NBC's Meet the Press: "It's the running policy." "We want Venezuela moving in a particular direction because we believe it is good for Venezuelans and it's also in our national interests." (Reporting and writing by Matt Spetalnick and Humeyra Pauk; Additional reporting and writing by Jonathan Landay, Washington; Editing and Don Durfee, Diane Craft and Don Durfee)
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Venezuelan houses destroyed by US attack, but no official numbers on deaths
Residents of Catia La Mar, near Venezuela's capital Caracas, said that some homes were destroyed or damaged in the U.S. military operations that captured President Nicolas Maduro. Officials reported unspecified deaths. Jonatan Mallora (50), a motorcycle taxi driver and Angel Alvarez (a young street vendor), both said that they were awakened by explosions on Saturday morning in their community, located about 31 kilometers north of Caracas. Venezuelan authorities have said that the U.S. has hit areas in La Guaira and Caracas, as well as the neighboring states of Miranda, Aragua, and that many soldiers, civilians, and members of Maduro’s security team, were killed. However, they did not provide a'specific number of dead or injured. In the U.S. strike on a nearby Naval Academy, Mallora and Alvarez's small neighborhood of Romulo Gallegos was badly damaged. Mallora, who was standing in the rubble where his roof had been destroyed, said: "It is sheer luck that they did not kill my children." He claimed that he and his daughter, 24, and son, 22, escaped without injury. Alvarez examined the shrapnel-damaged wall of his apartment and water tank –?vital for a country with erratic water supplies. He was relieved to have a spare water tank, and that his house remained intact unlike Mallora. Alvarez said: "We didn't really know what to do." He recalled how he ran around after hearing the deafening sound. He added, "I wouldn't wish an attack on anyone." "We are alive because of a miracle."
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Trump's Venezuela gamble has caused investors to experience more geopolitical turmoil
Global investors face a new surge in geopolitical risks after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. This could unlock Venezuela's vast oil reserve and boost risky investments over the long-term, but it may also prompt a flight to security when trading resumes. Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will take control of Venezuela, an oil-producing nation. Maduro was detained in New York on Sunday, while he awaited charges. The U.S. accuses him of running a 'narco state' and of rigging the elections. Washington hasn't made a direct intervention like this in Latin America since 1989, when it invaded Panama. The events remind us that geopolitical tensions continue dominating headlines and driving the markets," said Marchel Alexanderovich, an economic at Saltmarsh Economics. "It's clear that markets have to deal with more headline risk now than under previous U.S. administrations." Markets off to a strong start in 2026 The markets were closed when the strikes occurred, but they had started the first trading day on a positive note, with Wall Street Indexes ending in the black and the dollar gaining?against an assortment of major currencies. U.S. stocks and global stock markets ended 2025 at record highs. They had notched double-digit increases in a turbulent year marked by tariff wars and central bank policy, as well as simmering geopolitical conflicts. Mohamed El-Erian (?a former CEO of bond fund giant PIMCO) said in a blog post on X, that the reaction to Maduro being toppled was not clear. If the markets had been open, "we would have seen an immediate decoupling between oil prices (lower because of the possibility?of increased Venezuelan imports, depending on leadership succession in Venezuela) and gold (higher because of safe haven flows amid the increased uncertainty"), wrote he. Last year, gold rose to its highest level in 46 years. This was due to a combination of factors such as U.S. interest rate cuts and geopolitical tensions. Trump stated at a Saturday press conference that the United States will "run the country" until we are able to make a "safe, proper and judicious transfer." He did not provide any details on the process, but said that he would not be afraid to send in U.S. troops. VENEZUELA OIL: NO SHORT-TERM REMEDY Trump, just hours after seizing the Venezuelan leader said that American oil companies are prepared to spend billions of dollars to restore Venezuela's production. This could boost global growth as a greater supply will lower energy prices. Oil prices have been relatively stable since December, hovering around $60 to $61. Brian Jacobsen is the chief economist at Annex Wealth Management. He said that this would be a great investment because it could lead to massive amounts of oil being released over time. Markets can sometimes go into a risk-off state due to the expectation of conflict, but as soon as it happens, they quickly return to a risk-on mode. Most strategists still agree that it will take many years to boost Venezuelan production, which has been slashed over the last decade due?to poor management and a lack investment by foreign companies since the government nationalised the oil operations in 2000s. This included the assets of Exxon Mobil XOM.N, and ConocoPhillips COP.N. Analysts told us that any companies who might be interested in investing there would have to deal with security concerns, dilapidated facilities, legal questions regarding the U.S. Operation to snatch Maduro, and long-term political instability. 'POLITICAL STABILISATION AND CONSIDERABLE INVESTIMENT' Stephen Dover is the chief market strategist at Franklin Templeton Institute and the head of the Franklin Templeton Institute. He said on LinkedIn that the U.S. government has demonstrated its willingness to use force and act unilaterally, which could encourage countries to spend more money on their national security. He added that it would also add to the uncertainty surrounding the role of the dollar as a safe-haven, "while raising additional questions about the deterioration in international institution pillars." He said that a stable, productive, and prosperous Venezuela would be able to offer significant oil supplies in the future. This would be a significant boost to global growth. But it will require political stability and substantial investment in order to realize this potential. (Additional reporting from Davide Barbuscia in New York and Megan Davies, Gregor Hunter Stuart and Christina Fincher in Singapore. Editing by ElisaMartinuzzi and Christina Fincher.)
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At least 16 people killed in Iran protests, says rights group
Rights groups reported that at least 16 people were killed in Iran during the past week of unrest. Protests against rising inflation erupted across the country, resulting in violent clashes with security forces. State media and human rights groups have?reported? deaths and arrests throughout the week, but the numbers differ. The figures have not been independently verified. While smaller than previous unrest that shook the Islamic Republic, the protests come at a time of vulnerability as the economy is in ruins and international pressure is building. IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER SAYS IT WILL NOT YIELD TO ENEMIES Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has warned that he will come to protesters' assistance if violence breaks out. He said on Friday: "We are locked up and?loaded and prepared to go", but did not specify what actions he is considering. Senior Iranian officials threatened retaliation and the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ayatollah Khamenei stated that Iran would not surrender to the enemy. Hengaw, a Kurdish human rights group, reported that 17 people have been killed since the start of protests. HRANA, an activist network, reported that at least 16 people were killed and 582 arrested. Ahmad-Reza Radan, the chief of Iran's police, told state media that the security forces have arrested a large number of protest leaders in the past two days. There have been clashes in Iran's western regions, but also in Tehran, central areas and the province of southern Baluchistan. The governor of Qom (the conservative center of Iran's Shi'ite Muslim clerical institution) said late on Saturday that two people were killed in the unrest. He added that one person died when a homemade explosive device he had made blew prematurely. HRANA, a state-affiliated news agency, and Tasnim? reported that authorities detained the administrator who ran online accounts encouraging protests. CURRENCY LOST HALF OF ITS VALUE The protests started a week ago among traders in bazaars and shopkeepers, then spread to students at universities and provincial cities where protesters chanted against Iran's clerical leaders. Since the beginning of the Iranian year in March, inflation has been above?36% and the value of the rial has fallen by around?50% against the US dollar. This has caused hardships for many. The international sanctions against Iran for its expensive nuclear program have been reimposed. Water and electricity has been scarce in the country this year, and financial experts predict a global recession by 2026. Authorities tried a double approach to protests, acknowledging the economic crises and offering dialogue with the demonstrators. However, they responded violently to more fervent displays of dissent. Khamenei stated on Saturday that while authorities will talk to protesters "rioters must be put in the right place". (Reporting and writing by Elwely Elwelly, Dubai newsroom. Writing by Angus McDowall. Editing by Alison Williams).
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At least 16 people killed in Iran protests, says rights group
Rights groups reported that at least 16 people were killed in the midst of a week-long unrest across?Iran. Protests against inflation sparked violent clashes with security forces. State media and human rights groups have reported deaths and arrests throughout the week, but their numbers differ. The figures have not been independently verified. While smaller than previous unrest that shook the Islamic Republic, the protests come at a time of vulnerability as the economy is in ruins and international pressure is building. SUPREME LEADER SAYS IRAN?WON'T YIELD TO ENSEMY Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has said that he will come to protesters' assistance if violence breaks out. He stated on Friday: "We are locked and ready to go", but did not specify what actions he would take. Senior Iranian officials responded to this warning by threatening retaliation, and Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran said that Iran would not "give in" to the enemy. Hengaw, a Kurdish rights organization, reported that at least 17 people have been killed since protests began. HRANA, an activist network, reported that at least 16 people had been killed, and 582 others arrested. There have been clashes in Iran's western regions, but also in Tehran, central areas and the province of Baluchistan in the south. The governor of Qom said late on Saturday that two people were killed in the unrest. He added that one of the victims died when a homemade explosive device he had made blew prematurely. HRANA, a state-affiliated news agency, and Tasnim reported that authorities detained the administrator who ran online accounts encouraging protests. CURRENCY? LOST HALF OF ITS VALUE The protests started a week earlier among traders in bazaars and shopkeepers, then spread to students at universities and provincial cities where protesters chanted against Iran's clerical leaders. Iran's inflation rate has been above 36% ever since March, when the year began. The rial has also lost half of its value in relation to the dollar. This has caused hardship for many people. The government struggled with providing water and electricity to the entire country throughout the year. Global financial bodies predict that the world will be in a recession by 2026. Authorities tried a double approach to protests, acknowledging the economic crises and offering dialogue with the demonstrators. However, they responded violently to more forceful displays. Khamenei stated on Saturday that while authorities will talk to protesters "rioters must be put in their places".
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Police: Several teenagers killed in Swiss bar fire
Police said that teenagers as young 14 and 15 were among the 40 people who died when a bar caught fire on New Year's Eve in Switzerland, killing 40 people. The police in Valais have identified 16 additional victims of the fire in Crans-Montana. This was one of the worst tragedies in recent Swiss History. The Valais Police said that among the newly identified individuals were 10?Swiss citizens, 2 Italians, 1 Romanian, 1 French, and 1 Turkish. The names of the individuals were not revealed. Two 15-year old Swiss women were also killed. Police said that ten of the bodies identified on Sunday were teenagers between 16 and 18 years old. Two Swiss men, aged 20 and 31 and a French citizen aged 39 were also identified as dead. Police have identified 24 people who died as a result of the fire in the southern Swiss mountain resort. On Saturday night, police reported that two Swiss women aged 24 and 22 as well as two Swiss men aged 18 and 21 had been identified. The fire that destroyed the Le 'Constellation Bar is still being investigated by officials. Around 119 people were injured, many of whom suffered?severe burning. Many of them were transferred to burn units at hospitals in Europe. Police said that they are still working on identifying those who died and injured. Prosecutors said that two bartenders are being investigated for offences, including negligence-related homicide. (Reporting and editing by John Revill)
VEGOILS-Palm oil closes up while market waits on information
Malaysian palm oil futures ended up on Wednesday as the product's price was viewed as competitive compared with rival oils, while the market awaited export and production performance data for the first half of the month.
The benchmark palm oil agreement for July delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange was up 39 ringgit, or 1.02%, at 3,854 ringgit ($ 819.13) a metric ton on the closing.
The marketplace is considering the present palm oil costs competitive. Market focus is now on May 1-15 palm oil export and production performance, Anilkumar Bagani, commodity research head at Mumbai-based Sunvin Group stated.
Dalian's most-active soyoil contract rose 0.54%,. while its palm oil contract got 0.21%. Soyoil costs. on the Chicago Board of Trade increased 0.58%.
Palm oil is affected by cost motions in associated oils as. they contend for a share in the global veggie oils market.
Exports of Malaysian palm oil products for May 1-15 fell. 17.6% to 574,760 metric heaps from 697,449 tons shipped throughout. April 1-15, independent inspection business AmSpec Agri Malaysia. said on Wednesday.
According to cargo surveyor Intertek Screening Providers,. exports of Malaysian palm oil items for May 1-15 fell 5.2% to. 600,777 metric loads from 633,680 metric loads delivered throughout the. very same duration in April.
Ahead of month-to-month U.S. soy crushing data due on Wednesday. from the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA),. analysts surveyed usually expect the trade group. to report that its members crushed 183.072 million bushels of. soybeans in April, down 6.8% from the record-high March total. but up 5.7% from a year previously.
India's palm oil imports rose to their greatest level in. three months in April as lower costs drew buyers, a leading. trade body said on Tuesday. Imports increased 40.9% in April from the. previous month to 684,094 metric loads.
Oil costs increased on Wednesday on expectations for greater. need as the U.S. dollar weakened and a report revealed U.S. crude and gasoline inventories fell while the release of. inflation data might point to a more helpful financial outlook.
More powerful crude oil futures make palm a more attractive. choice for biodiesel feedstock.
(source: Reuters)