Top 20 Global News Stories from Around the World (January 8, 2026) Today's news landscape reveals significant developments across politics, international relations, technology, finance, and public health. This comprehensive analysis brings together the day's most important stories, blending critical national and international events that are shaping our world. From geopolitical tensions in Venezuela to market volatility in India, and from health crises to entertainment updates, here are the stories that matter today. 1. ICE Agent Fatally Shoots 37-Year-Old Minneapolis Mother During Immigration Enforcement Raid (International) Summary: An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good during an immigration enforcement raid in Minneapolis, sparking massive community protests and high-level political reactions. ICE agent kills US woman in Minneapolis Detailed Explanation: Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three living in south Minneapolis, was shot and killed by a masked ICE officer at point-blank range shortly after dropping off her 6-year-old son at school. Video footage shows ICE agents approaching Good's vehicle, screaming profanities and attempting to pull open her driver-side door. As Good attempted to back up and drive away, a masked agent fired three rounds into her vehicle, which then crashed into a nearby car. The shooting occurred blocks from where George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police officers in 2020. Thousands gathered for a candlelight vigil that evening to mourn Good's death. The killing has become the ninth incident of federal immigration officers firing on people since last September, with five deaths occurring since President Trump retook office. Witnesses stated that paramedics responding to the scene were forced to approach on foot after federal agents obstructed their access while pepper-spraying bystanders who protested the killing. Source Link: https://havanatimes.org/news/international-news-briefs-for-thursday-january-8-2026/ 2. Minneapolis Mayor Tells ICE to "Get Out" as Trump Spreads Disinformation About Shooting (International) Summary: Following the fatal shooting, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly denounced the ICE response, while President Trump made false claims about the incident on social media, leading to escalating political tensions. Detailed Explanation: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Good of "weaponizing her vehicle" to commit an "act of domestic terrorism." President Trump falsely claimed on Truth Social that Good had "violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer, who seems to have shot her in self defense," and stated it was "hard to believe that he is alive, but is now recovering in the hospital." Video evidence clearly showed the ICE agent walking away from the scene with no signs of injuries. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey harshly rejected these characterizations, stating: "They are already trying to spin this as an action of self-defense. Having seen the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly: That is bullshit. This was an agent recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying." Frey added: "To ICE, get the fuck out of Minneapolis. We do not want you here." Democratic Governor Tim Walz issued an order to mobilize the Minnesota National Guard and called Good's killing "preventable" and "unnecessary." Source Link: https://havanatimes.org/news/international-news-briefs-for-thursday-january-8-2026/ 3. US Announces Control of Venezuela's Oil "Indefinitely" as New Tankers Are Seized (International) Summary: The Trump administration has declared plans to control Venezuela's oil sales indefinitely, with U.S. forces seizing two additional oil tankers linked to Venezuelan exports in a escalating display of power. On 7 January 2026, US forces seized the Panama-flagged oil Detailed Explanation: Following the U.S. military raid that captured President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas on Saturday, the Trump administration announced plans to maintain control over Venezuela's oil industry indefinitely. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated: "The president is fully deploying his 'peace through strength' foreign policy agenda, so we're continuing to be in close coordination with the interim authorities. And their decisions are going to continue to be dictated by the United States of America." On Wednesday, U.S. forces seized two tankers linked to Venezuelan oil exports, including one Caribbean-based vessel and a Russian-flagged tanker in the North Atlantic that the U.S. had pursued for weeks. Russia accused the U.S. of violating maritime law and called for the release of the ship's crew. Vice President JD Vance reiterated that the Trump administration would have complete control of Venezuela's oil reserves. In Caracas, interim President Delcy Rodríguez defended plans to cede oil control to the U.S., stating Venezuela is "open to energy relations whe