Poland has voiced support for India as Washington threatens steep tariffs over New Delhi’s Russian oil imports. Speaking in Paris, Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski said he was “satisfied that India has reduced Russian oil imports,” adding that such trade “is fuelling Putin’s war machine.” He made the remarks after India joined the Weimar Triangle talks with France and Germany. The comments come as the US weighs penalties that could reach 500 per cent on countries buying Russian energy. President Donald Trump has already imposed duties of up to 50 per cent on some Indian goods and warned of further action. (PC: X )

Protests broke out in Minneapolis after a US immigration agent shot dead 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on Wednesday morning. Videos show ICE officers approaching her car in the middle of a street. As the vehicle moved, at least two shots were fired. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Good had blocked officers and tried to use her car as a weapon. The Minneapolis City Council said she was helping neighbours when she was killed. Hundreds of ICE agents are now in the city under a federal immigration drive. Mayor Jacob Frey urged the agents to leave. The FBI is investigating the shooting. 

A 37-year-old woman, Renee Nicole Good, was fatally shot by a US immigration agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday morning. Federal officials said she tried to run over officers with her car. City leaders said the agent acted recklessly. Videos online show agents approaching her SUV parked on a residential street. As the vehicle moved, at least two shots were fired and the car crashed into another vehicle. The FBI is leading the investigation. The injured agent was treated and released from hospital. Protests followed across the city, and schools cancelled classes for the week due to safety concerns. ICE operations in Minneapolis will continue.

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed Pakistan won't need IMF loans within six months due to surging fighter jet orders following the May 2025 India-Pakistan mini-war. However, experts dismiss this as unrealistic. Political scientist Ayesha Siddiqa noted Pakistan only manufactures 35% of JF-17's airframe, sharing revenues with China. Pakistan's total debt exceeds $280-300 billion, with debt servicing consuming over half of federal revenues. Economist Qaiser Bengali stated Pakistan has "already defaulted," surviving only by taking new loans to repay old ones. Pakistan recently sold its national airline PIA for Rs 4,300 crore under IMF pressure, contradicting Asif's optimistic claims about economic independence through jet sales.

Pakistani PhD student Zorain Nizamani's op-ed "It Is Over" went viral after being removed from The Express Tribune hours after publication, allegedly under military pressure. The article argued Pakistan's ruling elites have lost influence over younger generations, stating forced patriotism through seminars and speeches no longer works. Nizamani claimed Gen Z and Gen Alpha see through propaganda thanks to internet access and education, despite state efforts. He noted frustrated youth are leaving Pakistan rather than challenging authorities. The censorship sparked massive backlash, with former PM Imran Khan's PTI and activists condemning the removal as proof of the article's truth. Nizamani, son of actors Fazila Qazi and Qaiser Khan Nizamani, became a national hero online. 

Russia strongly condemned the US seizure of Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera (formerly Bella 1) in the North Atlantic, asserting no state has authority to use force against lawfully registered vessels on the high seas. Russia's Ministry of Transport stated the vessel received a temporary Russian flag permit on December 24, 2025, per international law, before US Naval forces boarded it outside territorial waters. Citing the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, Moscow emphasized freedom of navigation rights. The US European Command confirmed seizing the sanctioned tanker after weeks of Coast Guard pursuit, executing a federal court warrant. The vessel had evaded a US blockade near Venezuela for over two weeks, escalating US-Russia maritime tensions. (PC: AP)

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.