India is set for sharp weather contrasts on Thursday, January 8, the weather office said. A severe cold wave and dense to very dense fog are likely across parts of northwest, central and northeast India. Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh may see very low visibility. Rail, road and air travel could be affected. Cold conditions are also expected in pockets of Himachal Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand. In Delhi, the day may stay cold and dry, with temperatures near 15 to 17 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal may bring heavy rain and storms to parts of Tamil Nadu and nearby areas. (PC: India Today)

The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence said British forces helped the United States seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic. The vessel, known as the Marinera and formerly the Bella 1, was tracked between Iceland and Scotland before US forces took control on Wednesday. UK support included Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft and the naval support ship RFA Tideforce, the MoD said. Defence Secretary John Healey stated the action was in compliance with international law and part of wider efforts to enforce sanctions. The tanker is linked to networks accused of evading sanctions on Venezuelan and Iranian oil. A second Venezuela-linked tanker was also seized by US forces in the Caribbean. (PC: BBC)

The UK is bracing for Storm Goretti as snow and ice continue to disrupt daily life. The Met Office has issued amber warnings for snow and strong winds. Parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England could see up to 20cm of snow. A village in Scotland reported snow depths of more than 30cm. Hundreds of schools have shut, and people in some areas remain trapped indoors. Travel has been hit across Europe, with many flights cancelled. The Met Office said Storm Goretti is expected to arrive on Thursday evening and could cause severe disruption through Friday. (PC: Reuters)

The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, with the United Kingdom confirming it supported the operation. The White House said the vessel, Marinera, violated US sanctions and was linked to Venezuelan oil shipments. UK defence officials said British forces provided air surveillance and a navy ship during the seizure. A US court authorised the action, officials added. Washington also said it boarded another tanker in the Caribbean as part of the same operation. Russia criticised the move, saying the ship was only temporarily flagged to Russia and warned against the use of force. US officials said the tanker’s crew could face prosecution if required.

Bangladesh has said it will not play its T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India, citing security concerns. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has asked the International Cricket Council to shift their matches to a neutral venue. Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul said the issue is not just about safety but also national dignity. “We do not want to play at the cost of national humiliation,” he said. Bangladesh wants to play in Sri Lanka instead. The row follows Mustafizur Rahman’s release from IPL side KKR after security concerns were raised. (PC: PTI)

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday mocked French President Emmanuel Macron while recalling a tariff dispute. Trump claimed he warned France of a 25 per cent tariff on all imports unless it raised drug prices. “Donald, you have a deal. I beg you,” Trump said, imitating Macron. He claimed France tripled drug prices after the threat, while US prices fell. Trump said similar pressure worked with other countries too. He linked the move to his “Most Favoured Nation” policy aimed at lowering US drug costs. France has not responded to the remarks.

Videos circulating online show Hamas leader Naji Zaheer at a Lashkar-e-Taiba camp in Pakistan’s Gujranwala, raising fresh security concerns. Zaheer is said to be a close aide of Hamas leader Khaled Mashal. Reports say he was invited as a chief guest at the event. This comes as Pakistan faces pressure from the US to send troops to Gaza. Analysts say the sighting points to growing links between Hamas and Pakistan-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Pakistan has not confirmed the visit. The development could complicate Islamabad’s position on any Gaza deployment amid domestic and global scrutiny. (PC: AFP)

An encounter has broken out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, officials said on Wednesday. Security personnel launched a search operation in the Billawar area after receiving intelligence about the presence of militants. Three terrorists linked to the banned group Jaish-e-Mohammed are believed to be hiding and are currently engaged with forces in the forests of Kamadh Nullah. Fire was exchanged after the militants opened fire on the search team, prompting retaliation by the troops. Reinforcements have been sent to the site as the operation continues. (PC: HT)

Aloka, an Indian street dog, has become an internet sensation by joining Buddhist monks on a 3,700 km "Walk for Peace" across the United States. The four-year-old Indian Pariah dog first encountered the monks while wandering India, following them for over 100 days and forming a loyal bond. After his India adventure, Aloka joined 19 monks for their peace walk from Fort Worth in October, spanning 10 states over 110 days, concluding in Washington DC in February. With over 1.5 lakh Instagram followers, Aloka's journey is tracked on social media and live maps. Users praised him as a "noble guardian" and "goodwill ambassador," with his calm presence inspiring followers worldwide. (PC: Instagram)

The US Embassy in India issued a stern warning to international students that breaking US laws could result in student visa cancellation, deportation, and long-term ineligibility for future visas. In a post on X, the embassy emphasized "a US visa is a privilege, not a right," urging visa holders to comply with local laws and regulations. The advisory comes amid the Trump administration's tightened visa enforcement across student, work, and visitor categories, focusing on compliance, security vetting, and deterring overstays. Measures include broadened visa revocations for legal infractions, enhanced background checks, social media screening, and proposals limiting student stay durations without additional review while prioritizing higher-paid H-1B applicants. (PC: News 18)