China's Natural Gas Output Hits Record on Shale Boom

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is launching a major initiative to build a domestic nuclear fuel supply chain, signaling a strategic push to support the growing demand for carbon-free energy. The plan centers on creating "Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses" across the country.

The DOE will formally invite states to submit proposals for hosting these advanced facilities. The goal is to create hubs that can handle every stage of the nuclear fuel process, a move designed to reduce America's reliance on foreign uranium and pioneer new technologies.

The Vision: All-in-One Nuclear Hubs

A core objective of these campuses is to establish commercial-scale recycling for used nuclear fuel. Currently, U.S. reactors only utilize about 5% of the potential energy in their fuel, and there is no commercial infrastructure to reprocess the remaining material. This initiative aims to change that, turning spent fuel into a valuable asset and diverting it from long-term storage sites like Yucca Mountain.

Figure 1: Storage casks holding enriched uranium illustrate a critical stage in the nuclear fuel supply chain, which the U.S. government is now aiming to bolster domestically.

Ultimately, a single campus could integrate the entire fuel cycle, from uranium enrichment to recycling. These sites could also host advanced reactors, power generation facilities, and co-located data centers, creating a streamlined system that avoids the complexities of transporting nuclear materials.

Economic Impact and Private Investment

The timing of the initiative aligns with a surge in demand for nuclear power, driven partly by the massive electricity needs of AI and data centers. The DOE anticipates that one of these innovation campuses could attract as much as $50 billion in private sector capital investment.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright framed the plan as a key part of a broader strategy. "Unleashing the next American nuclear renaissance will drive innovation, fuel economic growth, and create good-paying American jobs," he said, adding that it aligns with "President Trump's vision to revitalize America's nuclear base."

A Cornerstone of National Energy Policy

The Trump administration has consistently positioned nuclear power as a central element of its national energy strategy. While nuclear energy already accounts for roughly 21% of U.S. electricity, the country remains dependent on imports for a significant portion of its uranium.

This new plan builds on several recent policy actions:

• Regulatory Reform: Last May, President Donald Trump signed executive orders to streamline regulations and accelerate the deployment of both large and small nuclear reactors.

• Major Investments: Last fall, the administration finalized a deal with Westinghouse owners Cameco and Brookfield Asset Management to invest $80 billion in constructing large-scale nuclear reactors across the U.S.

• Enrichment Funding: Earlier this year, the DOE announced $2.7 billion to boost domestic enrichment capabilities. This included a $900 million award to Centrus to expand its plant in Piketon, Ohio, though the facility has not yet reached commercial production.

Speaking in November, Wright emphasized the administration's commitment, stating that most of the department's loan capital will be directed toward building new nuclear plants.

"When we leave office three years and three months from now, I want to see hopefully dozens of nuclear plants under construction," Wright stated.

Source: decrypt

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has sharply criticized the European Union’s new trade agreement with India, accusing Brussels of prioritizing commerce over the interests of the Ukrainian people.

In a statement to CNBC, Bessent expressed his disappointment, arguing that Europe’s actions undermine sanctions against Russia. He pointed out that the EU has been purchasing refined products from India that are made with sanctioned Russian oil.

According to Bessent, Europe was unwilling to match Washington’s higher tariffs on Indian goods precisely because it was negotiating this separate trade pact.

"Trade Ahead of Ukraine": Bessent's Core Accusation

The U.S. Treasury Secretary directly linked the EU's trade ambitions to its reluctance to join American economic pressure on India. Last year, Washington imposed 25% tariffs on India to discourage its purchases of Russian oil. Bessent noted that the EU declined to participate.

"The Europeans were unwilling to join us, and it turns out, because they wanted to do this trade deal," he stated. "So every time you hear a European talk about the importance of the Ukrainian people, remember that they put trade ahead of the Ukrainian people."

These comments follow Bessent’s signal last week that the U.S. might remove its 25% additional tariffs after observing a sharp reduction in India's imports of Russian oil.

What's Inside the New EU-India Trade Agreement?

On Tuesday, the European Union finalized a long-awaited trade deal with India. The agreement is designed to significantly increase two-way trade and reduce the bloc's economic reliance on the United States amid rising global trade friction.

The EU projects the deal will achieve the following:

• Double EU exports to India by the year 2032.

• Eliminate or reduce tariffs on 96.6% of traded goods by value.

• Generate savings of €4 billion ($4.8 billion) in duties for European firms.

When asked if such deals, which exclude the United States, pose a threat, Bessent remarked, "They should do what's best for themselves, but I will tell you, I find the Europeans very disappointing."

Broader Tensions in US Trade Policy

Bessent's critical remarks come at a time of heightened transatlantic tensions. President Donald Trump recently unsettled European leaders by threatening to raise tariffs on certain European countries over their opposition to his interest in pursuing Greenland, although the threat was later withdrawn.

U.S. officials also remain frustrated with the EU's failure to implement tariff reductions promised in a framework trade agreement reached with Washington in July.

This pattern of applying pressure was further highlighted this week when Trump increased duties on imports from South Korea from 15% to 25%. The administration cited the slow pace of the South Korean parliament in implementing a trade agreement reached with the U.S. last year.

Bessent defended the move against South Korea, calling it "helpful to get things moved along" and emphasizing the need for their parliament to ratify the deal. On Tuesday, Trump said he expects the U.S. and South Korea to find a solution, as South Korean officials were scheduled to arrive in Washington for talks.

The Trump administration on Wednesday officially rolled out its "Trump Accounts" program, a new initiative providing government-funded investment accounts for babies born in the United States. According to top officials, more than 500,000 families have already registered for the program.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent details the new "Trump Accounts" initiative at a press conference in Washington.

The White House is establishing these investment accounts as a key strategy to address household affordability concerns ahead of the November midterm elections. The program was created last year as part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill," the Republican party's signature tax and spending legislation.

How the 'Trump Accounts' Program Works

The initiative targets children born over a specific three-year period, with the U.S. Treasury providing the initial seed money. The goal is to tackle the lack of savings accounts held by many American families.

Key features of the program include:

• Initial Government Deposit: The U.S. Treasury will deposit $1,000 into an investment account for every child born between 2025 and 2028.

• Eligibility: An estimated 25 million families are expected to be eligible for the program.

Encouraging Private Investment and Family Savings

The government is actively encouraging families to supplement the initial deposit with their own contributions. The program has also attracted significant private investment, including a $6.25 billion contribution from entrepreneur Michael Dell and his wife, Susan.

Potential Growth to $1.1 Million

At a rollout event in Washington, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted the long-term potential of the accounts. She stated that if a family contributes the maximum allowed amount of $5,000 each year, the account could grow to nearly $1.1 million by the time the child turns 28.

A Bipartisan Push Amid Low Public Awareness

The Trump administration is framing the accounts as a bipartisan achievement. "It's not about red or blue politics," said Cheryl Hines, an actress and the wife of Health Secretary Robert Kennedy, at the launch event.

Despite the official rollout, public knowledge of the program remains limited. A poll conducted by Exclusive Public First and reported by Politico found that:

• 57% of Americans had never heard of a Trump Account.

• 25% had heard of the program but could not explain how it works.

• Only 14% were familiar with the accounts and could describe them.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio faced intense questioning from the Senate on Wednesday, making his first public appearance before lawmakers since the dramatic U.S. raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.

Addressing a packed hearing room, Rubio argued that Venezuela's new leadership is already pivoting toward a closer relationship with the United States. The Trump administration is currently working with Delcy Rodriguez, a former Maduro ally who assumed the role of interim president following his arrest. However, the White House has made it clear that further military action remains an option if her government fails to meet U.S. demands.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, pictured here on December 15, 2025, defended the Trump administration's Venezuela policy before the Senate.

Rubio, himself a former Florida senator, described communications with the new Venezuelan leaders as "very respectful and productive." He expressed confidence that the U.S. could quickly re-establish a diplomatic presence in the country, framing the new dynamic as a historic opportunity.

"For the first time in 20 years, we are having serious conversations about eroding and eliminating the Iranian presence, the Chinese influence, the Russian presence as well," Rubio stated. "In fact, I will tell you that there are many elements there in Venezuela that welcome a return to establishing relations with the United States on multiple fronts."

Later on Wednesday, Rubio was scheduled to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, sparking questions about whether the Trump administration might seek to install her as Maduro's permanent replacement.

Justifying the Intervention

Rubio laid out the administration's case for removing Maduro, arguing that Venezuela had become a strategic threat to the United States. He presented a stark picture of the situation prior to the raid, citing several key factors:

• Hostile Foreign Influence: The country had become a base of operations for U.S. adversaries, including China, Russia, and Iran.

• Regional Instability: Maduro's alleged cooperation with drug traffickers was destabilizing the region and directly impacting the U.S.

"It was an untenable situation and it had to be addressed," Rubio declared. He added that the U.S. has established a short-term mechanism to sell Venezuelan oil, with the ultimate goal of fostering a "friendly, stable, prosperous Venezuela" that holds free and fair elections.

Tensions Boil Over in Congress

Despite Rubio's assurances, the administration's actions have triggered significant pushback on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers from both parties have voiced frustration over a pattern of poor communication regarding major foreign policy decisions, including the Maduro raid and cuts to foreign aid programs.

Committee Chairman Jim Risch, a Republican, noted the "confusion over how it will be done" but praised Rubio for explaining the administration's plans. However, the underlying tension was palpable, especially following a recent, high-stakes legislative battle.

The War Powers Showdown

Just two weeks ago, Senate Republicans narrowly defeated a resolution that would have required President Trump to seek congressional authorization before taking further military action in Venezuela. The vote was so close that Vice President JD Vance had to be called in to break a tie.

The resolution initially seemed poised to pass after five Republicans sided with Democrats to advance it—a rare rebuke of President Trump. In response, Trump publicly attacked the five defectors, while he and Rubio launched an intense lobbying effort to flip their votes.

They successfully persuaded two senators, Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana, to change their positions by promising that Rubio would testify before the committee and insisting no U.S. troops were in Venezuela.

A Breach of Trust

The close vote reflects a growing anxiety in Congress over presidential war powers and a desire to reclaim constitutional authority over military deployments.

Members of Congress, including some of Trump's fellow Republicans, accused Rubio of misleading them. They claimed he had insisted the administration was not planning a leadership change in Venezuela just days before the raid. Adding to the frustration were reports that oil company executives were briefed on the operation before lawmakers were.

Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware voiced a common fear, warning of the risk of being drawn into another protracted conflict. "You and I both know a long and painful history of wars that began and seemed to be resolved and then opened up into excruciating, expensive years-long conflict," he said.

These concerns are amplified by other recent statements from President Trump, who said this month that the U.S. will run Venezuela for years, told Iranian protestors that "help is on the way," and threatened military action to take Greenland.

Sterling retreats after reaching strongest level since 2021

​FTSE 100 edges higher on mixed trading

​Stock-specific moves dominate UK market

​Dollar hovers near three-year lows

​Gold pushes towards $5300 on dollar weakness

​European markets driven by earnings

Source:ig