7156699

Home -

Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, Jan. 8

Xinhua
| January 8, 2026
2026-01-08

WASHINGTON -- U.S. European Command said it has seized an empty oil tanker linked with Venezuela and registered as a Russian vessel in the North Atlantic in an operation on Wednesday.

"The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov, in coordination with the @DeptofWar today announced the seizure of the M/V Bella 1 for violations of U.S. sanctions. The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro," said the Command in a post on social media X. (US-Oil Tanker-Seizure)

- - - -

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump and his team are weighing "a range of options" to acquire Denmark's Greenland, including "utilizing the U.S. military," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday.

"The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the commander-in-chief's disposal," Leavitt told Xinhua in an emailed statement. (US-Greenland-Trump)

- - - -

ADEN, Yemen -- At least six people were killed early Wednesday in Saudi airstrikes on the hometown of Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, leader of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), in Yemen's southern province of Al-Dhalea.

Initial reports indicated that the airstrikes struck a residential house in the Zubaid area of Al-Dhalea province, killing six civilians and injuring nearly 10 others, said an official at Al-Dhalea's health department on condition of anonymity, adding that medical teams have taken the wounded to nearby hospitals. (Yemen-Saudi Arabia-Airstrikes)

- - - -

GAZA -- A Hamas source said Wednesday the group has resumed searching for the remains of the last Israeli hostage held in the Gaza Strip.

The source, who spoke to Xinhua on condition of anonymity, said the search is taking place in the Zeitoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City, with the participation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The operation faces significant challenges due to widespread destruction from Israeli military operations during the war and a lack of necessary equipment. (Gaza-Israel-Hostage) Enditem

7156726