WSJ What’s News Washington Tightens the Screws on Venezuela’s Maduro
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Dec 12, 2025 The U.S. intensifies sanctions against Nicolás Maduro's regime, targeting his family and oil tankers that fuel his government. Discussions shift to an executive order aiming to limit state-level AI regulations, stirring industry reactions. Tech improvements in OpenAI’s GPT‑5.2 are compared to competitors like Google and Anthropic, focusing on advancements in business applications. Additionally, a major crypto figure is sentenced in relation to the Terra collapse, while a surge in debt-financed mega deals raises concerns about market risks.
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U.S. Targets Maduro’s Revenue Streams
- The U.S. stepped up sanctions targeting Maduro's inner circle and oil tankers to cut regime revenue.
- Washington framed the move as choking off financial flows that sustain Maduro's 'corrupt narco-terrorist regime.'
Prevent Fragmented State AI Rules
- Do limit state-by-state AI rules to avoid fragmenting approvals for companies building AI.
- The executive order empowers DOJ to punish states whose AI laws are deemed too restrictive, aiming to clear regulatory roadblocks.
OpenAI Targets Business With GPT-5.2
- OpenAI released GPT-5.2 to shore up strengths in math, science, and coding aimed at business users.
- The update is part of a sprint to match competitors like Google's Gemini and Anthropic for enterprise adoption.