The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker, Marinera, in the North Atlantic after tracking it for more than two weeks, officials said. The ship, earlier known as Bella 1, is accused of violating US sanctions linked to Venezuelan and Iranian oil. The US military said the action was led by Homeland Security with support from defence agencies. Russia’s foreign ministry called for “humane and dignified treatment” of Russian crew and said force against registered vessels was not allowed under maritime law. The UK Ministry of Defence said British forces gave “enabling support” to the operation. US officials also confirmed a second Venezuela-linked tanker was seized in the Caribbean.

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 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.

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)

The United States has seized a second oil tanker linked to Venezuelan oil in the Caribbean, the US Southern Command said on Wednesday. The vessel, identified as the M/T Sophia, was taken in international waters and is being escorted to the United States, officials said. This follows the earlier capture of a Russian-flagged tanker, the Marinera, in the North Atlantic. US forces and the Coast Guard conducted the operations under sanctions enforcement for carrying oil tied to Venezuela. The actions are part of wider US efforts to disrupt sanctioned oil shipments. No details on crew or cargo were released. (PC: BBC)

The US has confirmed seizing the oil tanker Marinera (formerly M/V Bella 1) in the North Atlantic for violating US sanctions on Russia and Venezuela. The US European Command announced the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security seized the vessel pursuant to a federal court warrant after tracking by USCGC Munro. The tanker had been sailing under a Russian flag after renaming from its Guyana registration while fleeing US pursuit in the Atlantic. Three US Air Force special operations aircraft departed Scotland's Wick Airport heading toward Iceland's Reykjavik, with a British RAF military transport also heading there, though their connection to the tanker operation remains unclear. The announcement follows White House comments suggesting military action in Greenland remains "always an option." (PC: Reuters)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced that the 18th-century Quran on which he swore his oath of office will be publicly exhibited at the New York Public Library’s main branch. The manuscript, copied in Ottoman Syria and once owned by Black scholar Arturo Schomburg, was part of Mamdani’s private midnight swearing-in ceremony as the city’s first Muslim mayor. Written in black ink with red markings and intended for everyday use rather than ornamentation, the Quran is now presented with photos from the ceremony to symbolize inclusion and shared civic heritage. (PC: NDTV)

Renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs sharply criticized U.S. foreign policy, calling the much-touted “rules-based order” a myth and accusing Washington of pursuing decades-long regime-change tactics driven by military and intelligence institutions rather than constitutional governance. Speaking after his UN Security Council testimony on Venezuela, Sachs described the U.S. capture of Venezuela’s leader as a violation of international law and highlighted the strategic motives tied to ideology and oil. He warned that Iran could be the next target, potentially provoking a far more dangerous global conflict, and urged BRICS nations to uphold international law. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, exchanging New Year greetings and discussing ways to further strengthen the India–Israel strategic partnership in 2026. Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment against terrorism and zero tolerance for terror in all forms, while also exchanging views on the evolving regional situation. Modi highlighted satisfaction with the momentum in bilateral cooperation and emphasized expanding collaboration across key sectors. The conversation underscored growing mutual trust, security cooperation and a forward-looking vision for deeper ties in the year ahead. (PC: X)