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Some investors are warning that geopolitical risks are being underestimated following the military actions of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration in Venezuela over the weekend and the threat of further action in the Americas. "There should be broader geopolitical implications from this event, but in my view, the financial markets are not very efficient in pricing such risks accurately," said Tai Hui, chief market strategist for Asia-Pacific at J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

 

Reuters

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International law experts say that Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro will find it hard to escape prosecution in Manhattan federal court on drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges because the Supreme Court has held that criminal defendants generally can't challenge federal courts' authority to preside over their cases by arguing they were brought to the U.S. illegally. “The U.S. authority would say: It doesn't matter how we get him. Once we get him, we can try him,” said Marc Weller, director of the international law program at Chatham House and a professor at the University of Cambridge in the U.K. “The way Maduro was captured could have no bearing on U.S. courts' jurisdiction,” observed Jorge Contesse, a Rutgers law professor who studies international human rights law in Latin America, citing what's known as the Ker-Frisbie doctrine.

 

Bloomberg Law

The Trump administration has launched investigations under the False Claims Act into the use of diversity initiatives in hiring and promotion at major U.S. companies, including Google and Verizon. The companies, in sectors including automotive, pharmaceuticals, defense, and utilities, have received Justice Department demands for documents and information about their workplace programs, the Wall Street Journal has reported, citing people familiar with the investigations. Lawyers who practice in the area say it is unusual to see the antifraud law being used to pursue concerns about compliance with federal antidiscrimination laws. “These investigations are somewhat unique,” said Lisa Dykstra, a partner at Morgan Lewis. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the False Claims Act would be a “weapon” used to go after companies that “continue to adhere to racist policies.”

 

The Wall Street Journal

Japanese carmaker Toyota has told its employees in Venezuela to work from home following the Trump administration’s removal of President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend. Bloomberg notes that the company’s manufacturing site in Cumana has faced repeated disruptions due to the South American country’s protracted economic crisis. The remote working directive is not affecting sales and production, Toyota said.

 

Bloomberg

A federal district court in the Southern District of Florida has accepted the guilty pleas of two cybersecurity professionals to conspiring to obstruct, delay or affect commerce through extortion in connection with ransomware attacks occurring in 2023. Ryan Goldberg and Kevin Martin are due to be sentenced in March and face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, the Justice Department said. Reuters notes that the case drew attention in part because the defendants were established professionals in the digital protection space.

 

Department of Justice

Reuters

The Verge

A widening economic divide is emerging between large corporations and small businesses, mirroring growing disparities between high- and low-income households, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis. While profits at major companies have surged, buoyed by stock market gains and investment in artificial intelligence, many small firms are struggling with weak consumer demand, higher costs and tariff pressures. Data from payroll providers show small businesses cutting jobs, while larger firms continue to hire. The Federal Reserve has noted resilient spending among wealthier consumers, contrasting with declines elsewhere. Analysts warn that thinner margins, limited access to finance and cost pressures leave small businesses more exposed, raising concerns for employment and broader economic growth.

 

Wall Street Journal

Tech companies have moved more than $120bn of data center spending off their balance sheets using special purpose vehicles funded by Wall Street investors, according to a Financial Times analysis.

 

Financial Times

The U.S. government has approved an annual licence allowing Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to import chip manufacturing equipment to their Chinese facilities for 2026. The decision comes as a temporary reprieve following earlier restrictions that had revoked licence waivers for some tech firms. With the end of the validated end user status, future shipments will now require specific U.S. export licences, a shift aimed at limiting China's access to advanced American technology.

 

Reuters

Amazon has canceled plans to launch drone deliveries in Italy, citing broader regulatory hurdles despite progress with aerospace authorities. The company has recently completed initial drone tests in San Salvo but said that Italy’s business regulatory framework does not align with its long-term goals. Italy’s civil aviation body ENAC called the move unexpected and linked it to “recent financial events involving the Group.” Amazon said: “Following a strategic review, we have decided to stop our commercial drone delivery plans in Italy.”

 

Reuters

More lenient U.S. regulators collected 61% less in fines for money laundering and sanctions breaches in 2025, according to data provided to the Financial Times by compliance software provider Fenergo.

 

Financial Times

Some of the world’s largest reinsurance companies boosted profitability last year after reducing coverage to limit their risk from catastrophic events such as flooding and increased prices for their policies.

 

Financial Times

Citigroup’s board has greenlit the sale of its Russian subsidiary, AO Citibank, to Renaissance Capital, resulting in a pre-tax loss of approximately $1.2bn largely due to currency translation adjustments. The transaction is anticipated to close in the first half of 2026, with Citigroup planning to classify its remaining Russian operations as "held for sale." The bank explained that "the cumulative impact of the moves would be capital neutral to Citi's common equity tier 1 capital," although the final loss may be influenced by fluctuating foreign exchange rates.

 

Reuters

Italian pasta has been largely spared from the steep U.S. tariffs that the Trump administration had threatened against 13 producers, averting potential price hikes for American consumers. The Commerce Department had previously accused the companies of "dumping" products at below-market prices and proposed tariffs of up to 91.7%, which would have exceeded the pasta's value. Following cooperation from the Italian firms, the U.S. drastically reduced the rates, with some brands facing as little as 2.3% and others up to 14%.

 

CNN

Reuters