A local walks past a mural featuring oil pumps and wells in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

When US President Donald Trump floated the idea of Washington receiving millions of barrels of oil from Venezuela, it sounded like a throwback to an older energy playbook: pump more oil, cut fuel prices, make voters happy. The reality is far messier.

What is being proposed?

The plan being discussed involves the US receiving 30–50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude, alongside American investment to help revive Venezuela’s oil production. That oil would then be sold on global markets, adding supply and, in theory, keeping prices low.The timing matters. Oil prices are already under pressure globally, and petrol prices have eased after years of inflation-driven pain. The Venezuela pitch is being sold as a way to lock that relief in.

Why Venezuela still matters

Venezuela holds the largest proven oil reserves in the world. On paper, it should be an energy superpower. In practice, years of mismanagement, sanctions, and infrastructure collapse have hollowed out its industry.The state oil company, PDVSA, has struggled to maintain wells, pipelines, and refineries. Skilled workers have fled. Equipment is outdated. Even modest production increases take time, money, and political stability, all of which are in short supply.

Does more Venezuelan oil mean cheaper fuel?

Not automatically. Oil prices are set globally, not bilaterally. Even tens of millions of barrels spread over months are small in a market that consumes roughly 100 million barrels a day worldwide. Venezuelan oil would add to supply at the margins, not overwhelm the system.Prices are already low largely because of global oversupply and cautious demand, including production decisions by OPEC. Venezuelan barrels might help keep prices soft, but they are unlikely to be the main driver.

The domestic cost for the US

Cheap petrol is good politics, but it comes with trade-offs.Lower oil prices squeeze US shale producers, many of whom operate close to break-even. Prolonged weakness risks layoffs, stalled drilling, and reduced investment in oil-heavy regions such as Texas and North Dakota.Unlike in the past, the US is now a major oil producer and exporter. That means falling prices no longer deliver an unambiguous economic win. Gains for consumers increasingly cancel out losses in the energy sector.

Can Venezuela actually deliver?

This is the biggest uncertainty. Venezuela has repeatedly overpromised and underdelivered on production targets. Power shortages, decaying infrastructure, regulatory uncertainty, and political risk remain structural obstacles. Any agreement is also vulnerable to sanctions enforcement, legal challenges, and shifts in US or Venezuelan politics.

A macaw stands on a decorative oil drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Even with fresh investment, Venezuela cannot rapidly ramp up production at a scale that reshapes global markets.

The takeaway

Venezuela may help keep oil markets loose at the edges, but it is not a magic lever for cheap gas. Fuel prices today are low because of global dynamics, not because Caracas is back as an energy heavyweight.For consumers, relief may last. For US oil producers, pressure is building. And for Venezuela, the promise of an oil-fuelled revival remains far more aspirational than assured.

WPL all teams captains (X-WPL)

The Women’s Premier League returns for its 2026 season on Friday, January 9, with a blockbuster opening clash between defending champions Mumbai Indians and former winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru. With Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz also in the mix, another fiercely contested edition is on the cards.

WPL 2026 format

The tournament continues with the familiar double round-robin structure, with all five teams facing each other twice during the league phase. At the end of the league stage, the top three teams will progress to the play-offs. The table-toppers will secure a direct spot in the final, while the teams finishing second and third will meet in the Eliminator to decide the other finalist. Mumbai Indians lifted the inaugural WPL title in 2023 and reclaimed the trophy last season from 2024 champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, will be keen to go one step further after finishing as runners-up in each of the first three editions.

WPL 2026 schedule: dates, venues and timings

WPL 2026 squads

Mumbai Indians Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, Sajeevan Sajana, Shabnim Ismail, Gunalan Kullkarni, Nicola Carey, Sanskriti Gupta, Rahil Firdous, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha, Nalla Reddy, Saika Ishaque, Milly Illingworth Royal Challengers Bengaluru Smriti Mandhana (C), Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Lauren Bell, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Voll, Linsey Smith, Prema Rawat, Gautami Naik, Prathyoosha Kumar, Dayalan Hemalatha UP Warriorz Meg Lanning (C), Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey, Phoebe Litchfield, Asha Sobhana, Sophie Ecclestone, Deandra Dottin, Kiran Navgire, Kranti Gaud, Shweta Sehrawat, Harleen Deol, Chloe Tryon, Suman Meena, Simran Shaikh, G Trisha, Pratika Rawal Delhi Capitals Jemimah Rodrigues (C), Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Shree Charani, Chinelle Henry, Laura Wolvaardt, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Taniya Bhatia, Lizelle Lee, Deeya Yadav, Mamatha Madiwala, Nandani Sharma, Lucy Hamilton, Minnu Mani Gujarat Giants Ashleigh Gardner (C), Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Bharti Fulmali, Kashvee Gautam, Renuka Singh, Yastika Bhatia, Anushka Sharma, Tanuja Kanwar, Kanika Ahuja, Titas Sadhu, Happy Kumari, Kim Garth, Shivani Singh, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Ayushi Soni

WPL 2026 live streaming details

The 2026 Women’s Premier League will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network. Fans can also watch all matches via digital streaming on the Jio Hotstar app and website.

Two killed and six others were injured in a shooting outside a Mormon church in Salt Lake City, where mourners were attending a memorial service, police said. The attacker remains at large, and authorities say they are reviewing surveillance footage to identify a suspect.The Salt Lake City police department, in a post on X, shared the incident, notifying their presence at scene. “2 people were killed, and at least 6 more have been injured, with at least 3 of those in critical condition. The suspects are still outstanding, but our officers have obtained solid leads and are working to locate those involved,” the post read.The police also intimated the road closure, stating, “Redwood Road is closed in both directions from 500 N to 700 N.” They also shared the helpline number for more information on the matter.Police said all eight victims were adults news agency AP reported. Investigators stressed that the shooting did not appear to target the Latter-day Saints faith, nor was it considered random.“We don’t believe this was a targeted attack against a religion or anything like that,” police chief Brian Redd said. Police said they were reviewing license plate readers and surveillance videos from nearby businesses as part of the manhunt.Mayor Erin Mendenhall condemned the incident, saying, “This should never have happened outside a place of worship. This should never have happened outside a celebration of life.”The violence unfolded in the back parking lot of a red brick meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church. Residents of a housing complex next door rushed outside to assist. Sharing his account from the incident, Brennan McIntire, who heard gunfire while watching TV, said he ran outside in flip-flops.“As soon as I came over, I saw someone on the ground. People are attending to him and crying and arguing,” he said. His wife, Kenna, described seeing first responders carry an unconscious woman into an ambulance. “It was really heartbreaking to hear and see,” she said.The church said it was cooperating with law enforcement and expressed grief.“We extend prayers for all who have been impacted by this tragedy and express deep concern that any sacred space intended for worship should be subjected to violence of any kind,” spokesperson Sam Penrod said.

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A disciplined bowling performance followed by a composed chase helped Sydney Sixers register a comfortable six-wicket victory over Melbourne Stars in Match 27 of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025–26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. After winning the toss and opting to bowl, the Sixers kept the Stars to a modest 128 before knocking off the target with 17 balls to spare.

Melbourne Stars struggle for momentum despite late resistance

Melbourne Stars never quite found rhythm with the bat and were bowled out for 128 in 19.5 overs. Sam Harper and Tom Fraser Rogers gave the innings a cautious start, while Marcus Stoinis and Blake Macdonald attempted to stabilise things in the middle overs. Macdonald’s brisk 33 off 22 balls provided some momentum, but regular wickets ensured the Stars could not build a decisive partnership. Glenn Maxwell and Hilton Cartwright fell cheaply, compounding the pressure during the latter half of the innings.

Ben Dwarshuis and Joel Davies spearhead clinical bowling effort

The Sixers’ bowling attack was relentless, led by Ben Dwarshuis, who delivered a match-winning spell of 4 for 13 in 3.5 overs. Jack Edwards chipped in with three important wickets, while Joel Davies impressed with figures of 2 for 15, keeping the scoring in check through the middle overs. The Stars’ lower order offered brief resistance, but disciplined lines and clever variations from the Sixers ensured the hosts never threatened to push beyond a competitive total.

Also READ: BBL|15: Joel Davies’ all-round brilliance guides Sydney Sixers past Brisbane Heat in a low scoring thriller

Josh Philippe and Lachlan Shaw guide the chase calmly

Chasing 129, Sydney Sixers started steadily with Josh Philippe anchoring the innings. Philippe’s fluent 35 off 25 balls set the tone, even as Babar Azam fell early trying to up the tempo. Lachlan Shaw then provided the decisive push with a lively 24 off 14 balls, ensuring the required rate never climbed. Contributions from Sam Curran and Jordan Silk added stability, and the Sixers crossed the finish line at 129 for 4 in 17.1 overs.

Melbourne Stars’ bowlers showed flashes of control, particularly Stoinis, who picked up two wickets while conceding just 20 runs. Peter Siddle and Haris Rauf also managed breakthroughs, but the low total left little margin for error. The Sixers’ batters played sensibly, rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries to avoid any late drama.

3 wins in a row for Sydney Sixers ⚡#BBL2025 #SydneySixers pic.twitter.com/b1jRmMBPYC

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 8, 2026

Also WATCH: Sean Abbott rattles Jack Wildermuth’s stumps with a peach of a delivery in BBL|15

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The weapons and military units on display in China’s major parade (Image credit: AP)

China, one of the world’s largest arms exporter, has endured a series of humiliating battlefield exposures that have shattered its image as a supplier of reliable defence systems. From Operation Sindoor‘s rout of Pakistani defenses to the swift US raid on Venezuela, Chinese systems repeatedly crumbled under pressure, amplifying doubts among global buyers.The US operation in Venezuela’s capital not only led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, but dealt a severe reputational blow to Beijing, underscoring Washington’s continued technological superiority over Chinese-supplied military equipment, according to a Taiwanese official, Newsweek reported.During Operation Sindoor in May last year, Indian forces systematically targeted and neutralised key Pakistani military and terror infrastructure, repeatedly penetrating Chinese-supplied air defence systems such as the HQ-9, which failed to intercept incoming missile attacks, including strikes by the BrahMos.In Venezuela, America’s EA-18 Growlers reportedly played a crucial role in the mission by deploying advanced electronic jamming and communications-disruption capabilities. The Growler is a carrier-launched electronic warfare aircraft built not for delivering ordnance, but for controlling the electromagnetic battlefield. During the Venezuela operation, it formed part of a large US aerial force that disabled China-supplied radar and communication networks, enabling special forces aircraft to move into and out of Venezuelan airspace with speed and minimal resistance.

Venezuela defence system: ‘Full of flaws, slow to react’

Venezuela’s Chinese JY-27A radar — hyped by Beijing as a stealth-killing powerhouse capable of spotting low-observable jets like the F-35 — suffered a catastrophic flop during the US raid, as reported by the Washington Times. Sold to Caracas as cutting-edge tech, the system proved riddled with flaws, agonisingly slow to react, and utterly blind to American stealth incursions.The radar’s complete failure has left Beijing red-faced. The system is central to China’s air-defence ambitions, intended to counter advanced US platforms such as the F-35 and F-22 fighter jets, as well as B-2 and next-generation B-21 stealth bombers.The Maduro government also invested roughly $2 billion on Russian S-300 air defence missile systems, along with associated radar and communication networks that were integrated with China’s JY-27A radar. Russia also supplied the Pantsir-S1, a combined gun-missile air defence system designed to counter drones and low-flying helicopters — the very types of platforms that breached Venezuelan airspace during the operation.“None of them fired. Not one,” said online military analyst Shanaka Anslem Perera, as quoted by the Washington Times.The US operation lasted less than three hours, during which elite military units, including Delta Force, captured Maduro and his wife from their fortress compound in Caracas, airlifted them to a US warship, and later flew the couple to New York.Some Chinese analysts, however, contended that the US was operating against a far weaker opponent, suggesting the mission was not necessarily indicative of how such capabilities would perform against major powers, South China Morning Post reported.

Operation Sindoor

Pakistan gets nearly 82% of its defence imports from China. Operation Sindoor exposed serious vulnerabilities in Beijing’s weapons when pitted against Indian and Western systems.The most visible failures were in Pakistan’s Chinese-made air defence and missile systems. Assessments indicated that the HQ-9 and HQ-16/LY-80 air defence units were ineffective against Indian aircraft and missiles, even around sensitive military installations. The PL-15 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, promoted as a rival to advanced Western systems, reportedly malfunctioned or failed to hit targets, with Indian officials later displaying fragments of a recovered PL-15 missile that had landed without striking anything. Chinese-supplied fighter jets such as the J-10C and JF-17 Block III also failed to significantly challenge Indian air operations, despite unverified claims of aerial successes.Together, these failures have reinforced longstanding concerns about the reliability and combat effectiveness of Chinese military exports, damaging China’s credibility as an arms supplier and opening space for rivals, including India, to emphasise proven performance in real combat conditions.Also read: How Op Sindoor exposed pattern of failures, underperformance by Chinese weapons systems