International News 09 January 2026
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Berkshire Raises New CEO Greg Abel’s Pay to US$25 Million
Berkshire Hathaway has increased the annual salary of its new Chief Executive Officer, Greg Abel, to US$25 million, effective January 1, 2026, when he officially succeeded legendary investor Warren Buffett as CEO. The pay hike was disclosed in a filing submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and reflects the start of Abel’s tenure leading the conglomerate. Buffett has publicly expressed strong confidence in Abel, saying he would rather have Abel manage his money than any other top CEO or investment manager in the U.S. Prior to becoming CEO, Abel served as Berkshire’s vice chairman overseeing non-insurance operations, earning US$21 million in salary in 2024, plus additional compensation. In contrast, Buffett famously maintained a modest annual salary of US$100,000, underscoring the transition into a new leadership era at Berkshire Hathaway.
https://internasional.kontan.co.id/news/resmi-jadi-ceo-berkshire-hathaway-gaji-greg-abel-naik
Goldman Sachs Tops Global M&A Rankings in a Record Mega-Deal Year
Goldman Sachs reaffirmed its position as the world’s leading investment bank in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in 2025, topping global advisory league tables by both deal value and fee revenue, according to LSEG data. The year was marked by a sharp surge in mega deals, with 68 transactions above US$10 billion totaling US$1.5 trillion, more than double the previous year. Goldman advised on US$1.48 trillion worth of M&A transactions, including 38 mega deals, the highest among all banks and the strongest mega-deal year on record since LSEG began tracking data in 1980. Goldman also led global M&A fee rankings with US$4.6 billion in advisory revenue, ahead of JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, Citi, and Evercore, while commanding a 44.7% market share in the EMEA region, its second-highest level ever. Technology deals and a more permissive regulatory environment—particularly under the Trump administration’s antitrust stance—helped fuel consolidation across multiple sectors. Although Goldman was not involved in the two largest deals of the year, analysts expect M&A momentum to remain strong, supported by falling interest rates, abundant corporate cash, and a still-muted IPO market that keeps mergers as the preferred growth and exit strategy.
U.S. Plans Long-Term Control Over Venezuelan Oil Sales
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the United States intends to control Venezuela’s oil sales and associated revenue indefinitely as part of its strategy to stabilize the country’s economy and rebuild its oil sector following the ousting of President Nicolás Maduro. Wright explained that Washington will initially market stored Venezuelan crude and then continue selling future production into global markets, with the proceeds deposited into U.S.-controlled accounts. The goal, he said, is to use that leverage to drive political and economic change in Venezuela. Wright also indicated that the U.S. government is in discussion with major American oil companies about conditions that could enable them to return to Venezuela to help boost production over the long term. A recent agreement between Caracas and Washington allows for the export of up to US$2 billion worth of Venezuelan crude to the United States, part of a broader plan to re-establish oil flows that were previously hindered by sanctions and low output.
https://internasional.kontan.co.id/news/as-kuasai-minyak-venezuela-ekonomi-caracas-berubah-total