Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway achieved a record-breaking year in 2024, with operating profit soaring by 27% to $47.44 billion driven by gains in insurance underwriting and investment income. The company’s fourth quarter saw a 71% jump in operating profit to $14.53 billion, with net income reaching $19.69 billion boosted by equity holdings. Berkshire paid $26.8 billion in taxes to the US government, making it the top corporate taxpayer, and Buffett revealed a portfolio shift with American Express now its largest holding. Buffett plans to deploy the company’s $334.2 billion cash reserve into equities, reaffirming his preference for stocks over bonds.
Full Article
French aircraft carrier stages combat drills with Filipinos in disputed sea
France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and accompanying warships visited the Philippines after conducting combat drills in the South China Sea, showcasing their firepower in a move likely to provoke China. The Charles de Gaulle engaged in exercises with Filipino forces, including anti-submarine warfare drills and aerial combat training, emphasizing regional security cooperation. The deployment highlights France's commitment to maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and comes amid tensions in the disputed waters, where China has raised concerns...
Read more