Thursday, January 8, 2026

BIG Wrap

Brazil’s Bolsonaro arrested as alleged flight risk days before start of prison term

(Al Jazeera Media Network) Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered the preemptive arrest of former President Jair Bolsonaro, with a judge claiming he was intent on escaping just days before he was set to begin his prison sentence for leading a coup attempt. The 70-year-old politician was taken to the headquarters of the country’s federal police in the capital, Brasilia, from his house arrest on Saturday. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw the case, said...

Trump says U.S. plan to end Ukraine war not ‘final offer’ for Kyiv

(BBC News) President Donald Trump has said a US plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war is not his "final offer" for Kyiv, after Ukrainian allies voiced concerns over proposals. Earlier on Saturday, leaders from Europe, Canada and Japan said the plan had elements "essential for a just and lasting peace," but would "require additional work," citing concerns over border changes and caps on Ukraine's army. On Sunday, security officials from Britain, France, Germany, the US and...

Zelenskyy says Kyiv faces ‘difficult choice’ as Trump pushes for end to war

(Al Jazeera Media Network) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country risks losing its dignity and freedom — or Washington’s backing — as it mulls a United States plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war that observers say endorses many of Moscow’s demands. In a speech delivered on Friday in the street outside his office, Zelenskyy appealed to Ukrainians for unity and said he would never betray Ukraine. “Now is one of the most difficult moments of our history...

Grizzly bear on loose after attacking school group in Canada, injuring 11

(BBC News) A grizzly bear is on the loose after attacking a school group in Canada, leaving 11 people injured, two critically. The incident happened on Thursday afternoon on a walking trail in the town of Bella Coola, in the province of British Columbia (BC). Residents have been warned to remain indoors while armed officers try to track down the animal. Four of the injured remain in hospital as of Friday afternoon, BC's Health Services Authority...

Zelensky to speak with Trump after U.S. proposes Russia-Ukraine peace plan

(BBC News) Volodymyr Zelensky will speak to Donald Trump after the US presented Ukraine with a draft peace plan to end the war with Russia. The plan was reportedly drafted by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and his Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev, without Ukraine's involvement. In a statement, Zelensky's office said the US believed the draft plan could "help reinvigorate diplomacy" and added that Ukraine had "agreed to work on the plan's provisions in a way...

‘Punishable by DEATH’: Trump threatens Democrats with sedition charges

(Al Jazeera Media Network) United States President Donald Trump has floated the possibility of the death penalty for a group of Democratic Congress members who called upon the military and intelligence community to refuse illegal orders. He also suggested he would be in favour of imprisoning the Democrats for their statement. “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???” Trump wrote on...

Colombian President Petro fends off criticism over killing of child rebel recruits

(Al Jazeera Media Network) Eight underage rebel recruits were killed last week after the Colombian government launched a fresh military offensive against a prominent armed group, according to President Gustavo Petro. The news comes amid soaring child recruitment by Colombia’s armed groups in recent years and has ignited a debate over whether forced recruits can be protected on the battlefield. In a Monday post on social media platform X, Petro confirmed that seven adolescents were killed in a government...

Russian spy ship pointed lasers at RAF pilots, says UK

(BBC News) A Russian spy ship has used lasers for the first time to disrupt Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots tracking its activity near UK waters, the defence secretary has said. John Healey told reporters the "deeply dangerous" move from the Yantar was being taken "extremely seriously" by the government. He added that the vessel was north of Scotland and had entered UK waters for the second time this year during the last few weeks. The UK...

Venezuela’s Maduro ‘ready to talk’ as U.S. ramps up pressure

(BBC News) Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has said that he is willing to hold face-to-face talks with representatives of the Trump administration as US pressure on him grows. Maduro made the comment hours after US President Donald Trump said he had not ruled out deploying ground forces to the South American country. The Trump administration has accused Maduro – whose re-election last year was dismissed as rigged by many countries – of being the leader of...

Poland blames two Ukrainians allegedly working for Russia for railway blast

(Al Jazeera Media Network) Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says two Ukrainian citizens allegedly working for Russia are suspected of blowing up part of a railway line near Warsaw over the weekend. The two Ukrainians are accused of working on behalf of Russian intelligence to damage a railway line that was travelling to the border of Ukraine, Poland’s close ally, Tusk said on Tuesday. While Polish authorities are aware of the suspects’ identities, they would not...