US, Ecuador Launch Joint Military Operations Against Terrorist Organizations US Southern Command on Tuesday stated that the US military had conducted a joint operation with Ecuadorian forces against "designated terrorist organizations" in Ecuador, as the Trump administration continues to fight narco-terrorism. U.S. Marine Corps. Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan looks on during a Senate Armed Services Comm...
US, Ecuador Launch Joint Military Operations Against Terrorist Organizations US Southern Command on Tuesday stated that the US military had conducted a joint operation with Ecuadorian forces against "designated terrorist organizations" in Ecuador, as the Trump administration continues to fight narco-terrorism. U.S. Marine Corps. Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan looks on during a Senate Armed Services Committee Confirmation Hearing on Capitol Hill on Jan. 15, 2026. Tom Brenner/Getty Images "We commend the men and women of the Ecuadorian armed forces for their unwavering commitment to this fight, demonstrating courage and resolve through continued actions against narco-terrorists in their country," Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command, said in a post on X. The announcement comes after Donovan visited Ecuador on March 1 for a two-day visit, where he met President Daniel Noboa and senior Ecuadorian defense officials in Quito. They discussed security cooperation and US support of Ecuador's efforts to combat narco-terrorism. A Pentagon spox told the Epoch Times that the joint effort does not entail US troops in combat . " Ecuador is one of the United States’ strongest partners in disrupting and dismantling Designated Terrorist Organizations in the region ," Donnovan said on Tuesday. "The Ecuadorian people have witnessed firsthand the terror, violence, and corruption that these narco-terrorists inflict on communities across the region." Noboa announced on Monday that Ecuador had entered a new phase in its fight against narcoterrorism and illegal mining. " In the month of March, we will conduct joint operations with our regional allies, including the United States ," he said on X. "The security of Ecuadorians is our priority, and we will fight to achieve peace in every corner of the country." As the Epoch Times notes further, the operations come amid increased U.S. involvement in the region, including the capture of former Venezuelan leader N...
India’s National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) is planning to raise about $500 million to create its first equity-focused fund, according to people familiar with the matter, bolstering its capacity to support infrastructure projects in the world’s fastest-growing major economy. The state-owned lender plans to set up an equity-focused alternative investment fund at GIFT...
India’s National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) is planning to raise about $500 million to create its first equity-focused fund, according to people familiar with the matter, bolstering its capacity to support infrastructure projects in the world’s fastest-growing major economy. The state-owned lender plans to set up an equity-focused alternative investment fund at GIFT City, India’s international financial hub, and is in discussions with the hub’s regulator, the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. The agency, created five years ago to close India’s infrastructure financing gap, typically funds the sector by selling rupee bonds and loans and funneling proceeds to long-term projects that struggle to obtain bank credit. NaBFID’s entry into equity marks an expansion of its toolkit beyond traditional debt and a bid to appeal to a broader swath of investors as the country’s infrastructure needs accelerate. India’s rapid population growth will require an estimated $4.5 trillion investment in infrastructure by 2030, according to data from government think tank Niti Aayog, and NaBFID has quickly scaled up its lending. Total assets surged 44% year over year to 1.04 trillion rupees ($11.4 billion) as of Dec. 31, 2025, according to its website. Still, the bank has sought to expand its funding beyond domestic debt markets, where its recently been squeezed by falling interest rates. NaBFID’s loans are repriced every six or 12 months, while most of its own borrowing costs are fixed, leading the bank to rely more on derivatives. Last month, NaBFID secured about $125 million from HSBC Holdings Plc , marking the lender’s first ever foreign currency borrowing. Once the funding vehicle is set up, the money will be raised in tranches over the next six to nine months, said the people. Discussions are ongoing, and terms are not yet finalized, they added. IFSCA a...
Anna Edwards, Lizzy Burden, Tom Mackenzie and Mark Cudmore break down today's key themes for analysts and investors on "Bloomberg: The Opening Trade." (Source: Bloomberg)
Anna Edwards, Lizzy Burden, Tom Mackenzie and Mark Cudmore break down today's key themes for analysts and investors on "Bloomberg: The Opening Trade." (Source: Bloomberg)
Lloyd Blankfein was CEO of Goldman Sachs for more than a decade, riding the trading boom to the top of the storied investment bank and steering it through the 2008 financial crisis. In his new memoir, Streetwise: Getting To and Through Goldman Sachs, he writes about his journey from public housing in Brooklyn to the pinnacle of Wall Street. So what's he up to now? And how does he see markets and f...
Lloyd Blankfein was CEO of Goldman Sachs for more than a decade, riding the trading boom to the top of the storied investment bank and steering it through the 2008 financial crisis. In his new memoir, Streetwise: Getting To and Through Goldman Sachs, he writes about his journey from public housing in Brooklyn to the pinnacle of Wall Street. So what's he up to now? And how does he see markets and finance today? In this episode, we talk about deglobalization and Wall Street, the threats AI and tech pose to investment banking, risk management in private credit, and rich people's attitudes towards taxes. Plus, Lloyd shares some of what he left out of the book and he explains why he doesn't tweet more. (Source: Bloomberg)
The surge in oil prices following the US and Israel’s war on Iran will improve the current account balance of just three sub-Saharan African economies, while most others will suffer, according to Bloomberg Economics. If oil stays at about $85 a barrel, Angola, Nigeria and Ghana will see their current account balance improve, while the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa and Kenya will be am...
The surge in oil prices following the US and Israel’s war on Iran will improve the current account balance of just three sub-Saharan African economies, while most others will suffer, according to Bloomberg Economics. If oil stays at about $85 a barrel, Angola, Nigeria and Ghana will see their current account balance improve, while the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa and Kenya will be among the worst-hit, Bloomberg Economics Yvonne Mhango wrote in a report on Thursday. “For most African economies, higher oil prices mean weaker currencies and renewed inflationary pressure, which could put rate hikes back on the table,” she said. Inflation will be the biggest risk for most nations. In South Africa, fuel costs are poised to increase in April, according to Central Energy Fund data, while traders moved to price in a chance of an interest-rate hike later this month. The biggest economy on the continent will see its current account balance hit by 1% of gross domestic product, according to BE. Read More: Oil Spike Threatens South Africa Inflation, Godongwana Says Angola’s current account balance could benefit by as much as 3.3% of GDP, BE said. Nigeria will not only gain from crude sales, but also fuel exports. Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote this week raised the prospect of sending more product from his 650,000 barrel-a-day oil refinery to Europe — if the price is right. For South Africa, fuel supplies could also become a challenge if India and Oman, two of its biggest suppliers, throttle exports. The Next Africa newsletter runs every weekday. Sign up here for the newsletter, and subscribe to the Next Africa podcast on Apple , Spotify or anywhere you listen .
Nebius secured approval for a 1.2 GW AI data center in Missouri. With capacity sold out and revenue targets set, here's why investors are paying attention.
Nebius secured approval for a 1.2 GW AI data center in Missouri. With capacity sold out and revenue targets set, here's why investors are paying attention.
Key Points Although the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite have soared under President Trump, major geopolitical and historical events have led to periods of outsize volatility. The Iran war is raising concerns about higher energy prices, which may alter the Federal Reserve's ongoing rate-easing cycle. However, a comprehensive analysis of 43 geopolitical and major historic...
Key Points Although the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite have soared under President Trump, major geopolitical and historical events have led to periods of outsize volatility. The Iran war is raising concerns about higher energy prices, which may alter the Federal Reserve's ongoing rate-easing cycle. However, a comprehensive analysis of 43 geopolitical and major historical events since 1940 points to the power of perspective and time on Wall Street. 10 stocks we like better than S&P 500 Index › When examined as a whole, the iconic Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI), benchmark S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC), and growth-driven Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) have thrived with President Donald Trump in the White House. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq gained 57%, 70%, and 142%, respectively, during his first, non-consecutive term, and they've all rallied by double digits since his second term began in January 2025. But these gains have also been accompanied by several roller-coaster rides on Wall Street. For instance, the five-week COVID-19 crash (February-March 2020) and Trump's Liberation Day tariff and trade policy announcement in April 2025 both led to a broader market dive. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue » The newest event, which has seen the U.S. and Israel conduct military operations against Iran, has investors on edge. However, 86 years of history, coupled with a hearty dose of perspective, make clear what comes next for stocks. Why Wall Street fears the Iran war Wars are tragic events that can cost lives and adversely impact families. But major geopolitical events, such as the Iran war, can also disrupt economies and stock markets far from where the fighting is taking place. As an example, the spot price of crude oil has surged in the wake o...
The post Best Margin Trading Platforms in March 2026 by Margaret Jackson appeared first on Benzinga . Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this. Margin trading platforms allow you to borrow funds from a brokerage to increase your trading capital, which amplifies both potential gains and losses. The best platform depends on your needs, including the assets you want to trade, the amount of ...
The post Best Margin Trading Platforms in March 2026 by Margaret Jackson appeared first on Benzinga . Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this. Margin trading platforms allow you to borrow funds from a brokerage to increase your trading capital, which amplifies both potential gains and losses. The best platform depends on your needs, including the assets you want to trade, the amount of leverage you require, your risk tolerance and the fees involved. This guide will give you an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of each margin trading platform. Table of contents [ Show ] How We Chose the Best Margin Trading Platforms 7 Best Margin Trading Platforms 1. Best for Mobile Users: Plus500 2. Best for IPO Investing: SoFi 3. Best for Low Cost with Global Reach: Interactive Brokers 4. Best for Mobile Margin Trading: Webull 5. Best for Beginner: Robinhood 6. Best for Comprehensive Resources: Fidelity 7. Best for Education: Tastytrade Choosing the Right Margin Trading Platform Frequently Asked Questions How We Chose the Best Margin Trading Platforms We evaluated the platforms based on their commission structure and pricing transparency, platform usability and the range of available account types. Educational tools, investor resources and the quality of customer service also were considered. 7 Best Margin Trading Platforms Before exploring each broker, remember that the best margin trading platforms balance low rates, reliable tools, and flexible borrowing power. 1. Best for Mobile Users: Plus500 Best For Leveraged Trading Overall Rating Read Review get started securely through Plus500’s website More Details Disclosure: 80% of retail accounts lose money Best For Leveraged Trading N/A 1 Minute Review 80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Plus500 is an online CFD broker focusing on contracts for difference (CFDs). CFDs are similar to bin...