The United States has lifted sanctions on Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez, signaling a significant shift in diplomatic relations between the two countries. The decision follows a series of developments after US forces removed former leader Nicolás Maduro from power in a military operation in Caracas and brought him to New York to face drug trafficking charges. Rodríguez, a longtime ally of Maduro and former vice president, had been under US sanctions since 2018 ov

Moscow, Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin has cautioned that the economic consequences of the ongoing conflict involving Iran could mirror the widespread disruption seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting mounting pressure on global supply chains and key industries. Speaking at a major business forum in Moscow, Putin said the instability in the Middle East is already causing significant strain on international production systems and logistics networks. He noted that cri

In response to the escalating crisis in the Middle East, Russia is preparing to ship 9.5 million barrels of crude oil to India. This move comes as India faces severe supply disruptions, particularly after Iranian attacks targeted vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil route that handles 40% of India's crude imports. The current geopolitical tensions have left India vulnerable, as its crude stocks cover only about 25 days of demand, and inventories of refined products like gasoline, g

Russia has dismissed recent U.S. threats of tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, while stating it is exploring ways to assist the Caribbean nation amid a deepening fuel shortage. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the government seeks “constructive dialogue” with the United States regarding Cuba’s critical energy needs but stressed that public disputes over the matter are being avoided. He highlighted that Russia’s current trade with Cuba is limited, reducing the likelihood o

Russia has warned that it will respond with military countermeasures if Western nations expand their security presence in Greenland, escalating tensions around the strategically important Arctic territory and widening strains between Moscow, Washington and European capitals. Speaking to Russian lawmakers on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said any move to militarise Greenland or establish military capabilities that could threaten Russia would prompt trigger a proportional

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, marking his first public appearance since the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro earlier this month. Rubio outlined the administration’s approach toward Venezuela, defended the operation that led to Maduro’s detention, and emphasized the strategic concerns the United States has regarding the region. His testimony came amid scrutiny from senators on both sides of the ai

Russia, Ukraine, and the United States are set to resume trilateral negotiations aimed at ending the prolonged war in Ukraine, with the next round of talks scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on February 1. The development comes after the first round of discussions held last weekend failed to deliver a breakthrough, highlighting the deep divisions and complexity surrounding the conflict. Despite the absence of immediate results, the decision to continue talks reflects a shared understanding amo

United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has accused European nations of indirectly financing Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing refined oil products originating from Russian crude processed in India. His remarks come amid ongoing geopolitical tensions over energy trade and sanctions linked to the conflict in Eastern Europe. In an interview aired on Sunday, Bessent alleged that while European leaders publicly condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine, their trade practices ar

​Warships from China, Russia and Iran arrived in South African waters on Friday to participate in a week-long multinational naval exercise off the coast of Cape Town, drawing attention amid heightened global tensions and renewed scrutiny of South Africa’s foreign policy positioning. The exercise, titled “Will for Peace 2026,” is being conducted under the framework of the BRICS group of emerging economies and is scheduled to continue until next Friday. South Africa’s armed forces sa

The proposed India–US trade deal failed to materialise because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not personally call US President Donald Trump, according to claims made by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Speaking on a podcast, Lutnick said the final step required to close the agreement was direct communication between the two leaders, which did not happen, leading to the collapse of the negotiations. Lutnick stated that the framework of the deal had been completed and was rea

Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez has accused the United States of using allegations related to drug trafficking, democracy, and human rights as a pretext to pursue control over the country’s vast oil resources. Speaking before the Venezuelan Parliament, Rodríguez said that external pressure on the country has long been driven by energy interests rather than genuine political or humanitarian concerns, while emphasizing that Caracas remains open to energy cooperation based on

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that Washington holds significant leverage over Venezuela’s interim authorities and is preparing to execute a plan that would place control of the country’s oil exports firmly in US hands. Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Rubio said the administration is finalising an arrangement to take possession of oil currently immobilised in Venezuela and sell it on global markets at full market prices. According to Rubio,

China on Wednesday strongly criticized reported United States demands aimed at reshaping Venezuela’s oil partnerships, calling the move an act of coercion that violates both national sovereignty and international law. Beijing’s response follows media reports that Washington has sought exclusive control over Venezuela’s oil sector as part of its political and economic engagement with the South American nation. Speaking at a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spoke

The United States has seized a Russia-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, escalating enforcement of American sanctions and drawing attention to an unusual maritime confrontation involving Russian military assets. The vessel, originally known as Bella-1, was taken into custody on Wednesday following a coordinated operation by US civilian and military authorities acting under a federal court warrant. According to official statements, the seizure was carried out after the tanker

Russia sharply criticized the United States on Saturday following reports of a large-scale military strike on Venezuela, describing the operation as an act of armed aggression and warning that the situation risks further destabilization if restraint is not exercised. The condemnation came after a series of explosions were reported in Caracas in the early hours of the morning, raising fears of a major escalation in an already volatile geopolitical standoff. In a statement issued by t

US military activity near Venezuela has intensified as the US Coast Guard moves to apprehend a third oil tanker operating in international waters, according to officials who confirmed the development on Sunday. The operation marks the second action of its kind during the weekend and the third within a week, highlighting an escalating enforcement strategy against oil tankers under sanctions. One official stated that the vessel involved is subject to restrictions linked to United States measure

The United States is preparing a major escalation in its economic pressure campaign against Russia, with President Donald Trump announcing that he supports Senate legislation enabling Washington to impose tariffs of up to 500 percent on countries that continue significant trade with Moscow. The measure represents one of the most aggressive attempts yet to curtail Russian war funding and signals growing frustration in Washington over the prolonged conflict in Ukraine. Speaking before

Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has accused the United States of preparing to deploy new missile systems in both Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, claiming that these weapons could reach central Russia within minutes. Speaking at a Security Council meeting chaired by President Vladimir Putin, Belousov said the planned deployments represent a major escalation in military tension and pose a direct threat to Russia’s national security. According to Belousov, the missile sy

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Sunday, October 26, that Russia had successfully completed the final test of its Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, a weapon Moscow describes as having an “unlimited range.” The missile, often referred to as the “Flying Chernobyl” due to its nuclear propulsion system, has been a subject of intense global scrutiny since its development was first disclosed in 2018. Putin called the weapon a “unique creation that no other