- US president Donald Trump has backed a US sanctions bill that could allow tariffs of up to 500% on countries such as India, China and Brazil over continued purchases of Russian oil, in a bid to choke off funding for Moscow’s war.
- The Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera — formerly the Bella 1 — was seized by US forces in the North Atlantic after a weeks-long chase. The vessel had evaded a US blockade of Venezuela-linked oil ships, and even changed its name in a bid to avoid sanctions, before being intercepted.
- Donald Trump says Venezuela’s interim government will “turn over” up to 30–50 million barrels of oil to the US after US forces captured its president, Nicolas Maduro.
- Footage of US president Donald Trump mocking an exchange with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has given the Congress party fresh grounds to criticise the BJP government over its approach to relations with the United States. Addressing a House GOP retreat, Trump said Modi had personally pressed him to ease the steep US tariffs imposed over Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil. “Prime minister Modi came to see me, ‘Sir, may I see you please’,” Trump said.
- Beijing has barred two Taiwanese ministers from entering China, citing alleged ‘Taiwan independence’ activities, the Taiwan Affairs Office announced on Wednesday.
- Nearly seven million Australians reside in suburban areas of major cities identified as most at risk from deadly wildfires, according to a report released on Tuesday by the Climate Council and Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA).
TOP WORLD NEWS AT A GLANCE – 8 January 2026
The Russian-flagged oil tanker, Bella 1, was seized by US forces around 200 miles off the coast of Iceland after a weeks-long chase
US sanctions, oil seizures, Trump‑Modi tensions, Beijing bans Taiwanese ministers, and wildfire risks in Australia highlight global political and environmental flashpoints this week
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