Donald Trump has said the US will be “very strongly involved” in Venezuela’s oil industry after launching a military attack that swept the country’s authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro, from power. The president gave a phone interview to the conservative Fox News channel hours after a dramatic pre-dawn assault on Caracas and the surrounding region ended in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cili...
Donald Trump has said the US will be “very strongly involved” in Venezuela’s oil industry after launching a military attack that swept the country’s authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro, from power. The president gave a phone interview to the conservative Fox News channel hours after a dramatic pre-dawn assault on Caracas and the surrounding region ended in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Asked about the future of Venezuela’s oil industry, Trump replied: “We’re gonna be very strongly involved in it. That’s all. What can I say? We have the greatest oil companies in the world – the biggest, the greatest, and we’re going to be very much involved in it.” Maduro, a 63-year-old former bus driver handpicked by the dying Hugo Chávez to succeed him in 2013, has accused the US of seeking to take control of his nation’s oil reserves, the biggest in the world. At around 2am on Saturday, explosions rocked Caracas with blasts, aircraft and black smoke seen for about 90 minutes. The Venezuelan government said the attacks also took place in the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira. Trump took a victory lap in his Fox News interview, remarking: “I’ve never seen anything like this. I was able to watch it in real time and I watched every aspect of it.” Describing the moment that Maduro was captured, the president said: “He was in a house that was more like a fortress than a house. It had steel doors, it had what they call a safety space where it’s solid steel … He was trying to get into it, but he got bumrushed so fast that he didn’t.” The raid had been planned for several days earlier but repeatedly delayed because of weather, Trump said. Some US forces were injured but he believes “we had nobody killed”. “We were prepared to do a second wave. We were all set – and this was so lethal, this was so powerful, that we didn’t have to … We were out there with an armada like nobody’s ever seen before.” Trump said Maduro and his wife had been whisked by helicopters to th...
Quick Read Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM) controls advanced packaging capacity that determines which AI chipmakers can scale production. Google reportedly cut its 2026 TPU production target from 4 million to 3 million units due to limited access to Taiwan Semiconductor’s CoWoS packaging. Nvidia secured over half of Taiwan Semiconductor’s CoWoS capacity through 2027. A recent study identi...
Quick Read Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM) controls advanced packaging capacity that determines which AI chipmakers can scale production. Google reportedly cut its 2026 TPU production target from 4 million to 3 million units due to limited access to Taiwan Semiconductor’s CoWoS packaging. Nvidia secured over half of Taiwan Semiconductor’s CoWoS capacity through 2027. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution has expanded rapidly since 2023, powering applications from chatbots to autonomous systems and driving trillions in market value. Tech giants have invested heavily in data centers and specialized hardware to meet surging demand for training and inference tasks. However, constraints are emerging that cap this growth rate. Supply chain bottlenecks, particularly in advanced manufacturing, limit how quickly new AI capabilities can scale. Power availability and component shortages further hinder expansion. It could be that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM) is one of the key linchpins determining how far and fast AI expands. Google's TPU Cut Reveals Packaging Crunch Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG)(NASDAQ:GOOGL) has reportedly reduced its 2026 production target for Tensor Processing Units from around 4 million to 3 million units. According to a report by Korea Economic Daily, this adjustment stems from limited access to Taiwan Semiconductor's CoWoS advanced packaging capacity, which Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) secured through priority allocations. CoWoS integrates processors with high-bandwidth memory on a silicon interposer, essential for high-performance AI accelerators. Without sufficient capacity, finished chips cannot deploy at scale. Other outlets have reported on production caps previously. Taiwan Semiconductor dominates CoWoS technology, but explosive AI demand has outpaced its expansions. Nvidia has locked in...
What are the charges against Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro? toggle caption Alfredo Lasry R/Getty Images Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, face a raft of charges in the United States following President Trump's announcement early Saturday that the U.S. attacked Caracas and took them into custody. Maduro, Flores and senior Venezuelan officials face charges related to alleged "drug ...
What are the charges against Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro? toggle caption Alfredo Lasry R/Getty Images Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, face a raft of charges in the United States following President Trump's announcement early Saturday that the U.S. attacked Caracas and took them into custody. Maduro, Flores and senior Venezuelan officials face charges related to alleged "drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies," according to an unsealed indictment posted on social media Saturday by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. The indictment alleges that, starting in 1999, the defendants partnered with international drug trafficking organizations to ultimately transport thousands of tons of cocaine into the United States. Maduro and his wife "will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts," Bondi wrote in an earlier post on X. Sponsor Message The new indictment adds to charges from the first Trump administration, when the U.S. Justice Department announced a federal indictment against Maduro in March 2020. That indictment alleged that Maduro was the leader of the Cartel de los Soles, and that he and other defendants took part in a narco-terrorism conspiracy with the Colombian guerrilla group known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Prosecutors said that the Cartel de los Soles was made up of high-ranking Venezuelan officials who abused the Venezuelan people and corrupted the nation's institutions to import large quantities of cocaine into the United States. According to the 2020 indictment, Maduro helped manage and ultimately lead the Cartel de los Soles, which sought to get rich and flood the U.S. with cocaine, allegedly using the drug as a weapon against the United States. Prosecutors said that Maduro helped negotiate multi-ton shipments of cocaine, and directed the Cartel de los Soles to provide military-grade weapons to FARC. He also allegedly coordinated foreign affairs with Honduras and...
Key Points Over the last 20 years, this trucking company's stock has vastly outpaced the broader market. The current downcycle has lingered, and the company's latest updates indicate that volumes remain under pressure. Even after the stock's pullback, shares still carry a premium valuation. 10 stocks we like better than Old Dominion Freight Line › For investors looking to build their portfolios wi...
Key Points Over the last 20 years, this trucking company's stock has vastly outpaced the broader market. The current downcycle has lingered, and the company's latest updates indicate that volumes remain under pressure. Even after the stock's pullback, shares still carry a premium valuation. 10 stocks we like better than Old Dominion Freight Line › For investors looking to build their portfolios with investments in high-quality businesses, Old Dominion Freight Line (NASDAQ: ODFL) is the kind of company that tends to end up on the shortlist. It is a leading less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier in North America, and it has built a reputation around exceptional service and disciplined pricing. But the last few years haven't been representative of the company's typical, consistently strong growth. Freight volumes have been in a slump that has lasted longer than most industry onlookers expected, leading many to call it a "freight recession." And since a key part of Old Dominion's business model is that it maintains excess capacity during slow periods so that it can quickly take market share when volumes finally pick back up, its business sees an outsize negative impact during times like this. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » As investors wait for freight volumes to pick back up, is it a good time to buy shares of this long-term compounder? A long-term winner in a rough patch Old Dominion's long-term track record is difficult to ignore. Not only has its stock compounded at approximately a 20% annualized return over the last 20 years, but the company's business model, which focuses on great service, a robust fleet, and owning the majority of its own service centers instead of leasing them, helps it rapidly gain market share during economic booms. Even during this rough patch, the company is maintaining its high standards for service. In Q3, management said the company again de...
Key Points A new survey suggests that investors are divided on their views about the market's future. By keeping a long-term outlook, you can worry less about what stocks will do in 2026. The right investment can limit risk while still building life-changing wealth over time. 10 stocks we like better than Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF › As we head into 2026, many investors are having mixed feeli...
Key Points A new survey suggests that investors are divided on their views about the market's future. By keeping a long-term outlook, you can worry less about what stocks will do in 2026. The right investment can limit risk while still building life-changing wealth over time. 10 stocks we like better than Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF › As we head into 2026, many investors are having mixed feelings about the stock market. While 37% of U.S. investors feel optimistic about the next six months, according to the most recent weekly survey from the American Association of Individual Investors, around 35% feel pessimistic. Regardless of where you believe the market is headed next year, continuing to invest consistently is one of the most effective ways to build long-term wealth. Even if stocks take a turn for the worse in 2026, staying in the market for many years can reduce the impact of any short-term volatility. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » The right investment is key to surviving market downturns, however. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a fantastic option for many people, and there's one Vanguard ETF I personally own and highly recommend heading into the new year. How to generate wealth while reducing risk Nobody knows where the market will be in the next six or 12 months. Stocks could continue surging, or we may be inching closer to the next recession. No matter what happens, though, the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSEMKT: VTI) can help protect your portfolio. The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF is a broad fund encompassing the entire U.S. stock market. It contains 3,527 stocks, ranging from small-cap to megacap and everything in between. Covering all sectors of the market, it's as diversified as you can get when investing in equities. Because it aims to follow the performance of the market as a whole, this ETF is incredibly likely to survive periods of ...
I woke to a huge bang - nothing has been normal since Vanessa Silva saw a strike on a military airbase by her home in the Venezuelan capital Stepping out of my home this morning, it was clear this was no normal day. The streets in my south-eastern suburb of the Venezuelan capital Caracas are quiet, besides the queues outside petrol stations, supermarkets and pharmacies. Overnight the city's darkne...
I woke to a huge bang - nothing has been normal since Vanessa Silva saw a strike on a military airbase by her home in the Venezuelan capital Stepping out of my home this morning, it was clear this was no normal day. The streets in my south-eastern suburb of the Venezuelan capital Caracas are quiet, besides the queues outside petrol stations, supermarkets and pharmacies. Overnight the city's darkness was punctured by flashes of orange and the roar of aircraft echoing around the valley, as US President Donald Trump announced a "large-scale" strike against Venezuela and captured the country's President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. It was almost 2am when I woke to a huge bang. Everything was vibrating, my heart was pumping and I jumped to the window. I could see flames in the middle of the runway at a military airbase next to my home, but couldn't see anyone running. Still hearing explosions, this time distant ones, my phone soon lit up as people began to WhatsApp and call about what was going on. The drama of the night stood in contrast to the calm, beautiful morning as the city saw a stunning sunrise on Saturday. But with daybreak has come a great sense of uncertainty here over what might happen next. In a sense, today feels like the day former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez died in 2013, with people struggling to comprehend what has happened. With no sign of public transport running in my area, Baruta Municipality, a worker at the local petrol station tells me two of his colleagues couldn't travel to work. A pharmacy is serving a queue of customers with its door shut, perhaps to help manage supplies. Some people are staying in their houses, trying to update relatives outside country following huge migration from Venezuela in recent times. Others in another part of the city told me they've experienced power cuts and been without electricity since the overnight explosions, meaning they have little information. For those with power, the main TV channel is showing supp...
[The stream is slated to start at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.] President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak Saturday morning following a stunning, large-scale attack on Venezuela overnight. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, were captured in the operation by U.S. forces and have been indicted in New Yor...
[The stream is slated to start at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.] President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak Saturday morning following a stunning, large-scale attack on Venezuela overnight. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, were captured in the operation by U.S. forces and have been indicted in New York on drug-trafficking charges. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.
Friday marked the end of a lackluster week for stocks and the first trading session of 2026. The market was mixed for the holiday-shortened week: The Dow and Nasdaq shed 0.1% and 1.5%, respectively, while the S & P 500 edged roughly 1% lower, its third back-to-back loss since Monday. It's unclear what caused the market's decline because there wasn't much for investors to digest. They received minu...
Friday marked the end of a lackluster week for stocks and the first trading session of 2026. The market was mixed for the holiday-shortened week: The Dow and Nasdaq shed 0.1% and 1.5%, respectively, while the S & P 500 edged roughly 1% lower, its third back-to-back loss since Monday. It's unclear what caused the market's decline because there wasn't much for investors to digest. They received minutes from the Federal Reserve's December policy meeting, when the central bank announced a 25-basis-point rate cut. The release on Tuesday afternoon indicated that Fed officials were divided on the cut. The decision was approved on a 9-3 vote, the most considerable dissent among officials since 2019. The market wasn't incredibly reactive to the news. Stocks, however, did continue to tumble that session. .SPX YTD mountain S & P 500 (SPX) year-to-date performance The weak weekly performance, however, stands in sharp contrast to the stock market's stellar 2025 run. The S & P 500 advanced more than 16% last year. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 20% and 13%, respectively. All three hit record highs over the stretch, too. However, it wasn't smooth sailing the entire year. The market ebbed and flowed as Wall Street speculated on the Fed's next rate decision and weighed concerns of President Donald Trump's trade policies. Investors also periodically rotated out of tech and into value areas of the market due to worries of inflated valuations in the AI trade. However, tech stocks ultimately drove the market higher with strong performances. As for the Club's portfolio, there were clear winners and losers. GE Vernova, Corning , and Alphabet outperformed the S & P 500 by a wide margin, with one name posting a near triple-digit gain. On the other side of the trade, Salesforce , Nike , and Procter & Gamble stumbled. Here's what drove the moves in all six stocks, including one that we initiated earlier this week. First, the winners ... GE Vernova: +98...
Nicolás Maduro, a former bus driver and union activist, rose from humble origins to rule Venezuela for 13 years and eight months before being unceremoniously ousted on Saturday by US special forces who seized the 63-year-old leader and flew him out of the country. For years Maduro had accused the US government of seeking to undermine the supposed socialist revolution that his late mentor and prede...
Nicolás Maduro, a former bus driver and union activist, rose from humble origins to rule Venezuela for 13 years and eight months before being unceremoniously ousted on Saturday by US special forces who seized the 63-year-old leader and flew him out of the country. For years Maduro had accused the US government of seeking to undermine the supposed socialist revolution that his late mentor and predecessor, Hugo Chávez, ushered in in 1999. Now in the custody of US authorities, he will face indictment on narcotics charges and a potentially long prison sentence. Venezuelans will judge him too. Maduro’s rule shattered Venezuela’s economy, leading millions of his countrymen and women to flee overseas to escape an incompetent, corrupt, repressive and often brutal government. Born on 23 November 1962, Maduro began his political career as president of the student union at José Ávalos high school in El Valle, a working-class neighbourhood on the outskirts of the capital, Caracas. View image in fullscreen Nicolás Maduro addresses the National Assembly in Caracas in March 2015. Photograph: Carlos García Rawlins/Reuters Records show he never graduated, but he was remembered as an imposing and conciliatory figure. In 1986 he traveled to Cuba where he received his only formal education after high school. He worked as a bus driver for the Caracas subway system on his return and quickly became a union leader, like his father before him, and an enthusiastic follower of Chávez. In the mid-1990s, he joined the political movement that Chávez organised after receiving a presidential pardon for leading a failed and bloody military coup. When Chávez eventually took office in 1998, the younger man’s loyalty, political skill and ideological commitment led to a rapid rise through the ranks of Venezuela’s ruling party. After six years in the National Assembly, Maduro was made foreign minister, before being appointed vice-president six years later. View image in fullscreen Government supporters ...
Key events 21m ago Premier League Bournemouth v Arsenal Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature 2m ago 16.20 GMT Team news: Declan Rice is fit enough to start in midfield for Arsenal, while Bukayo Saka is on the bench and Kai Havertz is given the day off. Antoine Semenyo takes his place in the Bournemouth starting XI. We’ll have the full line-ups very shortly … Share Upd...
Key events 21m ago Premier League Bournemouth v Arsenal Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature 2m ago 16.20 GMT Team news: Declan Rice is fit enough to start in midfield for Arsenal, while Bukayo Saka is on the bench and Kai Havertz is given the day off. Antoine Semenyo takes his place in the Bournemouth starting XI. We’ll have the full line-ups very shortly … Share Updated at 16.22 GMT 7m ago 16.15 GMT Arsenal’s January transfer plans: “We are open to every option,” said Arteta upon being quizzed on the matter yesterday. “Obviously, if we can find a solution that is short, medium or long. It’s always much better because it gives you stability and you don’t have to constantly start a process with a new player. But let’s see what happens, let’s see what the news is in the next few weeks, and we’ll try to make the right decision.” Arsenal are one of several clubs to have been linked with Real Madrid winger Rodrygo but the La Liga heavyweights may be reluctant to let the Brazilian go anywhere in the January window following the news that Kylian Mbappe has suffered a knee injury, the seriousness of which remains unclear. Share 8m ago 16.13 GMT Antoine Semenyo: While the Bournemouth winger is expected to move to Manchester City sooner rather than later this month, at his pre-match presser, Iraola said nothing has been set in stone .. yet. “No, there is nothing signed,” he told reporters. “For sure, there are conversations and I understand a lot of the noise around, but there is nothing signed. “Antoine is our player. We want to keep him. He is playing very well and doing the right things. He is a top professional, a top guy. He wants to help the team and his team-mates and I have no doubts that he will do his best. I have no doubts with him. He is being a top professional and I’m sure he will be until the last day.” View image in fullscreen Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola seems far more hopeful than expectant that Antoine Semenyo will rem...
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Democrats Now Claim They Are The "Real" American Patriots Leftists have never understood the phrase "If you can't beat em', join em'". Instead, they believe that if they can't defeat their political opponents in terms of logic, reason, morals, facts or the law, then their next best bet is to co-opt the enemy's message and image without actually adopting their values.. Voters witnessed the first ti...
Democrats Now Claim They Are The "Real" American Patriots Leftists have never understood the phrase "If you can't beat em', join em'". Instead, they believe that if they can't defeat their political opponents in terms of logic, reason, morals, facts or the law, then their next best bet is to co-opt the enemy's message and image without actually adopting their values.. Voters witnessed the first tinges of this strategy in 2024 when Kamala Harris claimed her campaign wasn't woke (after years of saying Americans needed to be more woke) and Tim Walz pretended to be manly by talking about football and masculinity without knowing anything about either subject. In 2025 going into 2026, however, the Democrats are taking their Talented Mr. Ripley routine to the next level. They don't just want to compete with conservative messages, they are trying to steal the conservative identity by proclaiming themselves to be the "real" American patriots. The new activist narrative (largely organized and funded by NGOs) runs with 1776 symbolism, claims that the US military is really on their side, argues that they are the true guardians of the constitution and that their revolution is one that the Founding Fathers would applaud. In tandem with the "No Kings" protests, Dems like Jasmine Crockett argued that MAGA is "unpatriotic" and anti-constitution. She believes Democrats are the true patriots and that they are the barrier protecting Americans from "fascism." This theme has led to a number of protests which have abandoned woke symbols in favor of a carefully crafted "pro-America" costume. The theatrics often revolve around mass deportations of illegal aliens and lead to hilariously misguided grandstanding. NEW: Anti-ICE activists used the 252nd anniversary of the Boston Tea Party to protest ICE and deportations. Led by transgender and immigrant activists, they compared themselves to the United States’ Founding Fathers. After calling for ICE to leave Boston, they dumped chunks of… pic.tw...
This trucking stock has been one of the market's best long-term compounders. But a stubborn freight slump has put that reputation to the test. For investors looking to build their portfolios with investments in high-quality businesses, Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL +1.52%) is the kind of company that tends to end up on the shortlist. It is a leading less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier in North Ame...
This trucking stock has been one of the market's best long-term compounders. But a stubborn freight slump has put that reputation to the test. For investors looking to build their portfolios with investments in high-quality businesses, Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL +1.52%) is the kind of company that tends to end up on the shortlist. It is a leading less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier in North America, and it has built a reputation around exceptional service and disciplined pricing. But the last few years haven't been representative of the company's typical, consistently strong growth. Freight volumes have been in a slump that has lasted longer than most industry onlookers expected, leading many to call it a "freight recession." And since a key part of Old Dominion's business model is that it maintains excess capacity during slow periods so that it can quickly take market share when volumes finally pick back up, its business sees an outsize negative impact during times like this. As investors wait for freight volumes to pick back up, is it a good time to buy shares of this long-term compounder? A long-term winner in a rough patch Old Dominion's long-term track record is difficult to ignore. Not only has its stock compounded at approximately a 20% annualized return over the last 20 years, but the company's business model, which focuses on great service, a robust fleet, and owning the majority of its own service centers instead of leasing them, helps it rapidly gain market share during economic booms. Even during this rough patch, the company is maintaining its high standards for service. In Q3, management said the company again delivered 99% on-time service and a cargo claims ratio of 0.1%. Advertisement Of course, great execution doesn't eliminate macro pressure. In Old Dominion's third-quarter 2025 results, total revenue fell to about $1.41 billion, down 4.3% year over year. Net income declined, and diluted earnings per share fell 10.5% year over year to $1.28. Exp...
President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores hold hands and pose for photos after the swear-in ceremony at Palacio Federal Legislativo on January 10, 2025 in Caracas, Venezuela. Jesus Vargas | Getty Images News | Getty Images A federal indictment charging Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro , his wife and four other people with narco-terrorism conspiracy and other charges was un...
President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores hold hands and pose for photos after the swear-in ceremony at Palacio Federal Legislativo on January 10, 2025 in Caracas, Venezuela. Jesus Vargas | Getty Images News | Getty Images A federal indictment charging Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro , his wife and four other people with narco-terrorism conspiracy and other charges was unsealed Saturday and posted online by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on the heels of the couple's dramatic capture by American forces in their own country. "For over 25 years, leaders of Venezuela have abused their positions of public trust and corrupted once-legitimate institutions to import tons of cocaine into the United States," the indictment alleges. The indictment was filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan. In addition to Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, the indictment also charges Maduro's son, Nicolas Ernesto Maduoro Guerra, Diosado Cabello Rondon, Ramon Rodriguez Chachin, and Hector Rusthenford Guerro Flores. Read the indictment here. "Nicolas Maduro Moros, the defendant, now sits atop a corrupt, illegitimate government that, for decades, has leveraged government power to protect and promote illegal activity, including drug trafficking," the indictment said. "That drug trafficking has enriched and entrenched Venezuela's political and military elite, including Minister of the Interior, Justice and Peace Diosado Cabello Rondon, the defendant, and former Minister of the Interior and Justice Ramon Rodriguez Chachin, the defendant." Read more CNBC politics coverage European Union approves over $105 billion toward Ukraine aid package for next two years Brown and MIT prof shooter suspect Neves Valente is found dead, authorities says Trump Media to merge with fusion company TAE Technologies, DJT stock soars Trump announces 'warrior dividend' of $1,776 to U.S. soldiers in prime-time speech Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell petitions to vacate sex crime conviction C...
Swiss authorities have opened an investigation into the managers of the bar where a fire at a New Year’s party left 40 people dead, police said on Saturday. The two are suspected of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and causing fire by negligence, police said in a statement. They said that the investigation was opened on Friday night, but did not give further details. More than 100 people ...
Swiss authorities have opened an investigation into the managers of the bar where a fire at a New Year’s party left 40 people dead, police said on Saturday. The two are suspected of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and causing fire by negligence, police said in a statement. They said that the investigation was opened on Friday night, but did not give further details. More than 100 people were injured in the blaze that broke out about 1.30am on Thursday at Le Constellation bar in the Alpine resort town of Crans-Montana. The process of identifying the dead and injured was still under way on Saturday, leading to an agonising wait for relatives desperate for news. A fire in a bar in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Photo: X/Tyroneking36852 Investigators said on Friday that they believe sparkling candles atop champagne bottles ignited the fatal fire when they came too close to the ceiling of the crowded bar. Advertisement Many of the injured were in their teens to mid-20s, police said. Authorities planned to look into whether sound-dampening material on the ceiling conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar. Officials said they would also look at other safety measures on the premises, including fire extinguishers and escape routes. The region’s top prosecutor has warned of possible prosecutions if any criminal liability is found. 01:55 Dozens killed and 115 injured in Swiss ski resort fire amid New Year celebrations Dozens killed and 115 injured in Swiss ski resort fire amid New Year celebrations The Valais region’s top security official, Stephane Ganzer, told SRF public radio on Saturday that “such a huge accident with a fire in Switzerland means that something didn’t work – maybe the material, maybe the organisation on the spot.” He added: “Something didn’t work and someone made a mistake, I am sure of that.”
No matter where the market is headed, this ETF can help protect your portfolio. As we head into 2026, many investors are having mixed feelings about the stock market. While 37% of U.S. investors feel optimistic about the next six months, according to the most recent weekly survey from the American Association of Individual Investors, around 35% feel pessimistic. Regardless of where you believe the...
No matter where the market is headed, this ETF can help protect your portfolio. As we head into 2026, many investors are having mixed feelings about the stock market. While 37% of U.S. investors feel optimistic about the next six months, according to the most recent weekly survey from the American Association of Individual Investors, around 35% feel pessimistic. Regardless of where you believe the market is headed next year, continuing to invest consistently is one of the most effective ways to build long-term wealth. Even if stocks take a turn for the worse in 2026, staying in the market for many years can reduce the impact of any short-term volatility. The right investment is key to surviving market downturns, however. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a fantastic option for many people, and there's one Vanguard ETF I personally own and highly recommend heading into the new year. How to generate wealth while reducing risk Nobody knows where the market will be in the next six or 12 months. Stocks could continue surging, or we may be inching closer to the next recession. No matter what happens, though, the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI +0.26%) can help protect your portfolio. The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF is a broad fund encompassing the entire U.S. stock market. It contains 3,527 stocks, ranging from small-cap to megacap and everything in between. Covering all sectors of the market, it's as diversified as you can get when investing in equities. Advertisement Because it aims to follow the performance of the market as a whole, this ETF is incredibly likely to survive periods of volatility. The market itself has survived every downturn it's ever faced, and there's a very good chance that trend will continue. In fact, not only has the market pulled through recessions and crashes, but it's also thrived over time. Since its inception in 2001, the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF has experienced significant short-term volatility -- from the dot-com bubble burst...
Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) is one of the world's most recognizable brands. It has long led the soft drink market, thanks to its global reach and broad range of products. But that hasn't necessarily been beneficial to investors in recent times. In the past five years, Coca-Cola has generated a total return of just 47%. The S&P 500, on the other hand, would've more than doubled your initial capital during...
Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) is one of the world's most recognizable brands. It has long led the soft drink market, thanks to its global reach and broad range of products. But that hasn't necessarily been beneficial to investors in recent times. In the past five years, Coca-Cola has generated a total return of just 47%. The S&P 500, on the other hand, would've more than doubled your initial capital during the same period. Shareholders are wondering if better days are ahead for the drink giant. Where will this dominant beverage stock be in five years? Nowhere to grow Investors need to realize that Coca-Cola is not going to report huge growth numbers. It's the opposite situation, actually. Revenue totaled $12.4 billion in the latest quarter (the fiscal second quarter of 2024, ended June 28), which represented a modest 24% increase compared to five years ago in Q2 2019. Compared to rapidly expanding areas of the economy, Coca-Cola is a dinosaur. For what it's worth, though, the business has taken market share over the years. According to Wall Street consensus analyst estimates, Coca-Cola is projected to increase its revenue at a compound annual rate of 3.6% between 2023 and 2026. That's certainly nothing to write home about. But Coca-Cola uses a different strategy to move the needle to offset weaker unit volume growth. In the latest quarter, for example, prices for the company's various products were 4% higher than in the year-ago period (excluding markets that have very high levels of inflation). There's proven pricing power here. Safe and stable For investors who simply want peace of mind from the individual stocks they buy, there might be no better company to own than Coca-Cola. I mentioned earlier that it possesses one of the most powerful brands. This intangible asset is what protects the company's competitive position. And it has helped Coca-Cola remain relevant in the minds of consumers for such a long time. Besides its brand strength, Coca-Cola is a safe business to bu...