Venezuela is a South American nation rich in natural resources, especially some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves and other minerals.
Its economy has faced severe contraction, hyperinflation and persistent unemployment, partly due to long-term reliance on oil, domestic policy challenges, and international sanctions that have restricted trade and foreign investment. Agriculture and forestry contribute to the economy alongside oil, although economic output has remained weak in recent years.
The country has been mired in social and political turmoil for much of the past decade, with widespread protests and international criticism over governance, elections, and human rights.
In a dramatic escalation, the United States carried out airstrikes and a military operation in Venezuela in early January 2026 that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and their transfer to U.S. custody, according to US officials.
This has sparked widespread global reaction, with Venezuela’s government rejecting the attacks as aggression and demanding proof of life, while the U.S. claims the move is tied to criminal indictments and regional security concerns.
This incident has created a constitutional and diplomatic crisis, with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez asserting leadership, the UN Security Council expected to meet, and countries around the world expressing divergent views on sovereignty, law, and stability.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that India and the US have agreed to a trade deal under which Washington will bring down reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from the current 25 per cent.
US President Donald Trump on Monday announced that he would reduce reciprocal tariffs from 25 per cent to 18 per cent.
On this India Today special, veteran journalist Rajdeep Sardesai reflects on the evolution of the Union Budget in India, tracing his experience back to 1994. Recalling his early days at NDTV, Sardesai notes, 'In 1994, I was at NDTV when we were commissioned to do the post-budget reactions' outside the BSE. He highlights how the post-1991 era brought a unique excitement to budget announcements that persists today, despite the process becoming more 'mundane' following major tax reforms. The discussion covers the shift from high-stakes policy changes to the current market preference for stability and the absence of 'retrospective tax bombshells'. Sardesai also addresses the impact of global geopolitics on the Indian economy, questioning the influence of external leaders on India's sovereign energy decisions, specifically regarding oil imports from Venezuela and Iran. The panel further examines the feasibility of the government's disinvestment targets and the long-term roadmap for defense allocations in the upcoming budget by Nirmala Sitharaman.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the significant geopolitical shift in energy trade as US President Donald Trump announces that India will pivot its oil procurement strategy. According to the transcript, Trump stated, 'India will buy oil from Venezuela' and specifically noted that the nation will be 'buying from Venezuela, not Iran'. This development comes amidst changing dynamics in the global oil market and US-led initiatives regarding Venezuelan energy resources. The programme examines the implications of this shift for India's energy security and its diplomatic relations with both Caracas and Tehran. The report highlights Trump's assertion that India is actively 'coming in to buy oil' from the South American nation, marking a potential departure from previous reliance on other Middle Eastern suppliers.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran as US President Donald Trump issues a fresh warning to the Iranian leadership. Highlighting the military mobilization, Trump stated, 'We have a large armada, flotilla, call it whatever you want, heading toward Iran right now.' He further noted that this deployment is even larger than the one previously positioned near Venezuela. The transcript details how the US administration is closely monitoring the political turbulence within Iran, with Trump suggesting that the Iranian government should 'make a deal' to avoid further consequences. In response, Iran has maintained a firm stance, asserting that it will not take any potential attack on its territory lightly and will hold the United States accountable. The programme examines the implications of this 'larger than before' armada and the potential for significant political upheaval in the region as both nations refuse to back down amidst the ongoing diplomatic and military standoff.
On this Special Report, strategic affairs expert Dr. Wael Awad discusses the escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. Dr. Awad notes that with Donald Trump at the helm, 'he may be looking for a diplomatic outcome, but he's more keen on doing something, sabotaging any kind of tranquility in the region.' He highlights that the presence of Arab ministers in India for a summit after a decade signifies that these nations view India as a 'major stakeholder' capable of 'triangulizing the area without going into a war.' The discussion further explores the potential impact on Arab countries hosting American military bases, with Dr. Awad warning that Iran has identified such locations as legitimate targets if used for attacks. He also points to the movement of American warships toward Diego Garcia and the deployment of sophisticated weaponry as indicators of the intensifying military posturing in the Persian Gulf region.
On this edition of India Today Global, Geeta Mohan examines the shifting global alliances as US President Donald Trump’s 'confrontational trade and foreign policies' push traditional allies toward China. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has arrived in Beijing for a three-day visit to revive economic engagement, marking the first such trip by a UK leader since 2018. The programme also highlights India’s growing diplomatic footprint as New Delhi prepares to host over 10 Arab foreign ministers for the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers Meeting on January 30-31. Discussions are expected to cover regional stability, the Palestinian issue, and the launch of the India and Arab Countries Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, the report covers the strengthening of India-Canada energy ties during India Energy Week in Goa and the escalating tensions between the Trump administration and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney over tariff threats and economic sovereignty following the US capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
On this edition of India Today Global, Geeta Mohan examines the shifting global alliances as US President Donald Trump’s 'confrontational trade and foreign policies' push traditional allies toward China. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has arrived in Beijing for a three-day visit to revive economic engagement, marking the first such trip by a UK leader since 2018. The programme also highlights India’s growing diplomatic footprint as New Delhi prepares to host over 10 Arab foreign ministers for the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers Meeting on January 30-31. Discussions are expected to cover regional stability, the Palestinian issue, and the launch of the India and Arab Countries Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, the report covers the strengthening of India-Canada energy ties during India Energy Week in Goa and the escalating tensions between the Trump administration and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney over tariff threats and economic sovereignty following the US capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
This news report examines the controversy surrounding Venezuelan politician Maria Corina Machado, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner, who presented her medal to US President Donald Trump on January 15. While Trump stated, 'The person who actually got the Nobel Prize called today, called me and said, I'm accepting this in honor of you because you really deserved it,' the programme clarifies the official stance of the Nobel Foundation. Legally, the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be transferred, shared, or reassigned once awarded. Although a laureate may physically donate or gift the medal—as seen in historical cases involving Kofi Annan and Knut Hamsun—the official record of the laureate remains unchanged. The report also touches upon past Nobel controversies involving Henry Kissinger and Barack Obama, noting Trump's criticism of the 2009 award. Ultimately, the Nobel Foundation and the Norwegian Nobel Committee maintain that their decisions are final and irreversible, regardless of personal gestures or political debates.
In an exclusive interaction with India Today at Davos, Financial Times Chief Economics Commentator Martin Wolf and Foreign Policy Editor-in-Chief Ravi Agrawal analyse the 'extraordinary' volatility of Donald Trump’s foreign policy.
On this India Today special report, Financial Times Chief Economics Commentator Martin Wolf and Foreign Policy Editor-in-Chief Ravi Agrawal analyze the 'extraordinary' volatility of Donald Trump’s foreign policy. Martin Wolf observes that Trump’s unpredictability is unprecedented, stating, 'I can't think of a political leader like this before,' and characterizes the administration's style as 'classic dictatorial kitsch.' The discussion highlights Trump’s recent backing off from NATO threats, which Wolf attributes to waning domestic popularity and pushback from the Senate. Ravi Agrawal argues that Trump prefers 'blunt force' over traditional alliances, noting that while Trump 'chickens out' against major powers like China, he ignores international law with smaller nations. Both experts agree that the world is entering a prolonged 'era of disorder' as the traditional American-led global order collapses. Agrawal warns that even with a new leader, the current instability is just beginning as nations like India and Canada seek new, independent alliances in a 'messy and Trumpian' landscape.
On this special report, the focus is on United States President Donald Trump’s address at Davos, where he announced the formal establishment of the 'Board of Peace'. Trump declared himself the founding chairman of this international body, which he claims will work in conjunction with the United Nations to resolve global conflicts. During his speech, he made the significant claim that 'In another great victory for the ultimate goal of peace in June, we obliterated Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity with Operation Midnight Hammer.' He further detailed his administration's efforts in Gaza, claiming the release of all living hostages and the delivery of record humanitarian aid. Trump also highlighted his military and economic achievements, including securing 5 percent GDP defense spending commitments from NATO allies and the capture of Nicolas Maduro. The programme examines the implications of this new organization and Trump's 'America First' approach to global security and energy dominance.
On this Special Report, Maria Shakeela reports from Davos on US President Donald Trump’s provocative address at the World Economic Forum. The President targeted NATO allies and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney while reiterating his intent to acquire Greenland, describing it as a 'big, beautiful piece of ice'. Shakeela notes that while Trump has ruled out military force, he has placed the territory on the negotiating table, using trade tariffs as a coercive tool against the European Union. The programme features insights from Rajdeep Sardesai, former Ambassador Meera Shankar, and Professor Edward Joseph on the shifting dynamics of the rules-based world order. A significant highlight includes Trump’s positive remarks regarding India, where he stated, 'I have great respect for your Prime Minister. He's a fantastic man and a friend of mine. We are going to have a good deal.' The discussion explores the growing friction between the US and its traditional European allies amidst these unconventional diplomatic demands.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that the US is the economic engine of the planet, and when it booms, the entire world booms.
On this Special Report, the focus is on U.S. President Donald Trump’s address at Davos, where he launched a scathing critique of international allies and global security arrangements. Trump specifically targeted NATO and Denmark, asserting that the United States is the only power capable of securing Greenland. He remarked, 'After the war, we gave Greenland back to Denmark. How stupid were we to do that?' The President described Greenland as a 'big, beautiful piece of ice' and a key strategic location situated between the U.S., Russia, and China. He further claimed that without American intervention in World War II, the world would be speaking German or Japanese. Trump also highlighted recent military superiority, alleging that Russian and Chinese defensive systems failed in a recent encounter. The programme decodes these open attacks on sovereignty and the implications for global diplomacy as the President demands stronger contributions from international partners.
In this edition of Newstrack, the focus is on US President Donald Trump’s address at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
During a Special Report from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, United States President Donald Trump detailed his administration's economic and national security strategies. Marking his first year in office, Trump cited a 5.4% growth rate and the removal of 270,000 federal bureaucrats as evidence of an economic turnaround. The President announced an executive order banning institutional firms from purchasing single-family homes and proposed capping credit card interest rates at 10%. Regarding international relations, Trump called for immediate negotiations with Denmark to acquire Greenland, citing its strategic importance between the U.S., Russia, and China. He further discussed brokering a peace deal for the Ukraine conflict and implementing a 'Most Favored Nation' policy to reduce prescription drug prices by 90% through tariff threats. Additional policy highlights include the Genius Act for cryptocurrency dominance, the appointment of a new Federal Reserve chairman, and 'reverse migration' initiatives. Trump concluded by emphasizing American leadership in AI, energy production, and domestic crime reduction.
On this special report, India Today examines US President Donald Trump’s address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he asserted a strategic necessity for the United States to possess Greenland. Trump criticized Denmark’s historical inability to defend the territory, stating, 'Denmark fell to Germany after just six hours of fighting and was totally unable to defend either itself or Greenland.' He argued that the US is the only power capable of securing the region in the modern era of advanced warfare. Beyond Greenland, the President touted the 'most dramatic turnaround in US history' during his first year in office, claiming the US has become the world's hottest economy. He further attacked European energy policies, labeling green energy a 'scam,' and highlighted American advancements in artificial intelligence and military technology. The address signals a transactional and assertive shift in US-Europe relations regarding territorial sovereignty and national security.
On this special report, the focus is on US President Donald Trump’s address at the World Economic Forum in Davos. President Trump asserted that the United States is the only power capable of securing Greenland, stating, 'No nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland other than the United States.' He clarified that while he seeks ownership and title of the territory for national security reasons, he will not use force to acquire it. The President criticised NATO allies for failing to meet defense obligations and revisited World War II history regarding Denmark’s inability to defend the island. Beyond Greenland, Trump touted the US economy as the 'hottest' in the world, claiming a dramatic turnaround since his inauguration on 20 January 2025. He also addressed the conflict in Ukraine, energy policies, and his administration's stance on border security and trade tariffs while hitting out at European 'overregulation' and green energy initiatives.
In this address, US President Donald Trump highlights the surge in American energy production under his leadership, noting that natural gas and oil outputs have reached record highs. He asserts, 'Because of my landslide election victory, the United States avoided the catastrophic energy collapse, which befell every European nation that pursued the Green New Scam.' Trump criticises European energy policies, specifically targeting the United Kingdom and Germany for their reliance on wind energy, which he labels as 'losers' that ruin landscapes. He details his initiative to allow AI companies to build their own power plants and expresses a new-found support for nuclear energy due to safety advancements. The President also discusses a 50-million-barrel oil deal with Venezuela and emphasizes the need for a strong, energy-independent Europe to maintain Western security. He concludes by referencing the strategic importance of Greenland and his personal ancestral ties to Scotland and Germany.
