via Bloomberg Chevron Corp. has assembled its largest fleet of vessels in almost a year to ship Venezuelan crude, after the US moved to exert control over the country’s oil sector following the capture of leader Nicolas Maduro. The oil major, which holds a license to export US-sanctioned crude, sent 15 vessels this month to ship at least 200,000 barrels a day of oil. That compares with nine ships in the previous month and marks the highest total since March, according to shipping reports and vessel movem ...

Core Viewpoint - Microchip manufacturers Intel, AMD, and Texas Instruments are facing lawsuits for allegedly allowing their technology to be used in Russian-made weapons that have harmed civilians in Ukraine [1][2]. Group 1: Lawsuits and Allegations - The lawsuits, filed by a law firm on behalf of Ukrainian civilians, accuse the companies of "willful ignorance" regarding the resale of restricted chips to Russia, which were used in drones and missiles [2]. - Specific incidents cited in the lawsuits include attacks between 2023 and 2025 that resulted in civilian casualties, with some attacks involving Iranian-made drones containing components from Intel and AMD [2]. - The lawsuits claim that the companies exhibited "domestic corporate negligence" by failing to implement adequate export control and diversion-prevention systems [5]. Group 2: Company Responses - Intel stated that it does not conduct business in Russia and suspended all shipments to Russia and Belarus following the outbreak of the war, asserting compliance with U.S. export laws and sanctions [4]. - Texas Instruments and AMD have also claimed compliance with sanctions and have ceased business in Russia since the war began, with Texas Instruments expressing strong opposition to the use of its chips in Russian military equipment [5]. - The attorney representing the plaintiffs referred to the companies as "merchants of death," criticizing them for undermining U.S. sanctions [5].

The latest US sanctions on two of the largest Russian oil companies are likely to shake up the market. This week, oil prices surged following the Trump administration's announcement of sanctions targ... ...

Core Insights - US sanctions on Russian energy companies are significantly impacting China's oil industry, with both state and private refiners facing challenges in maintaining supply while avoiding penalties [1][2] - Approximately 20% of China's crude oil imports, equating to about 2 million barrels per day in the first nine months of this year, originate from Russia, making it a crucial source for refining into products like diesel and gasoline [1] Sanctions and Compliance - The US government's blacklisting of Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC is part of broader sanctions aimed at reducing financial support for Russia's war efforts in Ukraine, requiring transactions with these firms to be concluded by November 21 [2] - Chinese and Indian companies risk severe secondary penalties if they continue dealings with sanctioned entities, which could result in exclusion from western banking systems and global commodities markets [3] Market Dynamics - Compliance with sanctions may lead to a loss of access to discounted oil supplies, which have been essential for keeping energy costs low for industries and consumers in China and India [5] - The involvement of Lukoil in significant projects, such as Iraq's Basrah project and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, poses additional challenges for buyers outside China and India [5] Political Response - China has publicly opposed unilateral sanctions that lack international legal basis and have not been authorized by the United Nations Security Council, indicating a potential geopolitical tension surrounding these sanctions [6]