Author: Lucas

(Trinidad Guardian) Energy and Energy Industries Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal says representatives from the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) are expected to visit Trinidad and Tobago after the Carnival season to provide technical advice on restarting the Pointe-a-Pierre Refinery. The refinery, formerly operated by Petrotrin, was mothballed in November 2018 as part of a restructuring exercise. Moonilal yesterday said the decision for IOC to visit was agreed to in principle during the India Energy Week in Goa from January 27-30. He led T&T’s delegation to the conference, where discussions focused heavily on the future of refining at Pointe-a-Pierre. Beyond long-standing partners BP and Shell,…

Cryptocurrency markets have evolved from simple peer-to-peer trading networks into complex, data-driven ecosystems powered by automation. At the center of this transformation lies algorithmic trading—systems designed to execute trades automatically based on predefined rules, market signals, and mathematical models.While algorithmic trading has improved market efficiency, liquidity, and execution speed, it has also introduced structural vulnerabilities. In highly volatile and fragmented crypto markets, automated systems can unintentionally magnify the effects of manipulative strategies, turning minor disruptions into large-scale price movements.This raises a critical question: Why do algorithmic trading systems amplify market manipulation risks in the crypto market?To answer this, we must…

Silver rates today: Silver prices witnessed extreme volatility this week, recording some of their sharpest moves in decades as a rapid sell-off erased early-2026 gains and dragged prices deep into correction territory. The white metal has now fallen more than twice as much as gold from its recent peak, underscoring its reputation as one of the most volatile assets in the precious metals complex. Over the past week, silver prices have swung wildly, with analysts describing the moves as among the most turbulent since the 1980s. Market participants point to a combination of stretched valuations, supply–demand mismatches and a sudden…

China’s discounted crude purchases are coming under strain as the United States tightens its stance on Iran and Venezuela, with analysts warning that more refineries may have to turn to higher-priced barrels from Canada, Brazil and the Middle East.The world’s second-largest economy is also accelerating its shift to electric vehicles and ramping up domestic fossil fuel production to help narrow its oil supply gap, while maintaining strategic reserves to mitigate any potential disruption.After securing influence over Venezuela’s oil sector, US President Donald Trump has begun ramping up pressure on Iran, warning last month that countries doing business with Tehran would…

This memory chip company looks poised for continued success.It’s going on four years since OpenAI’s ChatGPT introduced the world to generative artificial intelligence (AI), and the megatrend shows no sign of slowing down. Shares of Micron Technology (MU +0.78%) initially lagged behind early winners like Nvidia, but they are now playing catch-up in spectacular fashion, with the stock up about 600% during the past three years. Despite the explosive growth, Micron’s shares still trade at a reasonable price compared to alternatives in the technology industry. Let’s find out why the memory chip company still looks poised for success and try…

Europeans are among the world’s most diligent savers, yet many remain hesitant when it comes to investing. According to EU Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union Maria Luís Albuquerque, this caution is not about a lack of money, but a lack of trust, understanding and access. “Engagement with capital markets depends on two things: trust and access,” Albuquerque tells The Malta Independent. “People need to understand risk and the relationship between risk and return, but they also need opportunities that feel safe, simple and within reach.” To address this, the European Commission last…

Continuing to expand its ‘industrial AI’ mission with real-world in-the-field application services, IFS has detailed the arrival of its IFS Nexus Black Resolve for Utilities. This is a purpose-built technology service designed to address (IFS says revolutionise) the most inefficient element of field service operations.  IFS wants to show how utilities can apply AI to navigate complex challenges such as issues relating to ageing infrastructure and extreme weather, onwards to workforce constraints, changing customer expectations and increasing regulatory pressure.  Developed by IFS Nexus Black, the software is said to be “unlike generic AI solutions designed for white-collar workers” because Resolve…

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has expanded its inflation monitoring framework to include gold and silver prices alongside traditionally tracked commodities such as onions and tomatoes. Elevated prices of gold and silver have prompted the central bank to reassess inflation dynamics, even as overall price conditions remain mostly steady. Market observers note that this step aims to offer a more comprehensive gauge of inflationary pressures in an economy heavily exposed to global price shifts and domestic consumption trends. Core inflation Core inflation, measured as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) excluding food and fuel, has stayed subdued despite rising precious…

Key PointsPalantir CEO Alex Karp has sold $2.2 billion in the company’s stock over the last three years.The company is a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) decisioning platforms, and its latest financial results were great.However, Palantir is the most expensive stock in the S&P 500 several times over.Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) has been one of the hottest artificial intelligence (AI) trades on the market since the launch of ChatGPT popularized the technology in late 2022. The stock has advanced 1,620% during that period.CEO Alex Karp has repeatedly lambasted short-sellers as Palantir shares have rocketed higher. When hedge fund manager Michael…

One of the most common and emotionally loaded questions retirees ask is how long will my money last in retirement. It’s a fair concern. Retirement can easily span 20 to 30 years, and during that time you’re exposed to market volatility, inflation, healthcare costs, and changes in spending patterns. Unlike working years, there’s no paycheck to refill the account if things go off track. The reality in 2026 is that there’s no universal answer. How long your money lasts depends on a combination of income sources, spending behavior, investment strategy, taxes, and risk management. This article breaks those variables down…