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📰 Trump strikes Syria

📰 Trump strikes Syria

and says doesn't "need international law"

Ross Crabtree & Billy Robinson
January 11, 2026

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US President Donald Trump stated in a New York Times interview that his presidential power is limited only by his own morality and mind, declaring he does not need international law.

This comes as Russia used the hypersonic Oreshnik missile in a strike near Poland's border, the US seized multiple Venezuela-linked tankers, and Trump ordered large-scale strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria.

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Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇺🇸🇷🇺🇻🇪 US seizes tanker Marinera after Russian escort pursuit: US forces boarded and seized the Russia-flagged tanker Marinera (formerly Bella 1) in the North Atlantic, following a weeks-long pursuit for alleged sanctions violations on Venezuelan and Iranian oil. Russia sent a submarine and warships to escort the vessel, condemned the seizure as a breach of international maritime law, and reported loss of contact after boarding, while US officials said the operation targeted the shadow fleet and crew may face prosecution.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸 Trump directs withdrawal from 66 international pacts: President Trump ordered US exit from over 66 treaties and organisations, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and IPCC, after Secretary Rubio's review found them contrary to American interests. The White House said the move ends funding for inefficient or globalist entities, leaving the US as the only nation outside the Framework Convention.

3️⃣ 🇺🇸🇻🇪 US begins indefinite control of Venezuelan oil sales: The Trump administration announced it is marketing Venezuelan oil globally, depositing proceeds in US-controlled accounts for disbursement at its discretion to benefit both peoples, with initial sales of 30-50 million barrels continuing indefinitely. Secretary Rubio outlined a three-phase plan, while UN experts warned the move violates Venezuela’s resource sovereignty and international law.

4️⃣ 🇺🇸🇩🇰🇬🇱 US keeps military option open for Greenland acquisition: Secretary Rubio said he will discuss Greenland with Danish officials next week but declined to rule out military action, while the White House stated Trump prefers diplomacy yet keeps all options open to counter Russian and Chinese Arctic activity. Denmark and Greenland sought an urgent meeting after a Trump aide suggested force, with Europeans warning an invasion would end NATO.

5️⃣ 🇨🇴 Colombia’s Petro vows to defend homeland against US threats: Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated he would “take up arms again” to defend his country if the United States launches a violent intervention similar to the recent abduction of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro. He criticised Trump’s threats over alleged drug trafficking, which Colombia denies, as undue interference violating international law, with the Foreign Ministry condemning the remarks accordingly.

Major Story

🇺🇸 Trump states presidential power limited only by personal morality

In a New York Times interview, Donald Trump stated that international law is not necessary for his presidency and that his authority is constrained solely by his own morality and mind, which he described as the only force capable of stopping him. He added that he has no intention of harming people and noted that the meaning of international law can vary depending on its definition.

Trump highlighted the importance of full ownership over treaties or leases, particularly in relation to efforts to gain control of Greenland, saying ownership provides benefits that signed documents alone cannot achieve.

He dismissed worries that the removal of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro might encourage China to act against Taiwan or Russia to pursue control of Ukraine, and expressed confidence that Xi Jinping would not move on Taiwan during his term.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇿🇦 South Africa calls BRICS naval drills essential: South African officials defended the weeklong “Will for Peace 2026” exercises with Russia, Iran, China and other BRICS nations off Cape Town as vital to protect maritime trade amid global tensions. The drills, planned before recent US tanker seizures, were described as a demonstration of collective resolve, with Deputy Defence Minister Holomisa saying BRICS partners are not enemies.

2️⃣ 🇷🇺🇺🇦 Russia uses Oreshnik hypersonic missile near Polish border: Russia confirmed striking Lviv with the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile, about 70km from NATO member Poland, as part of attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure in claimed response to an alleged drone hit on Putin’s residence that Kyiv and Trump denied. Ukrainian officials labelled the strike near the EU/NATO border a grave threat, while UK, French and German leaders called it escalatory.

3️⃣ 🇮🇷🇺🇸 Trump offers US help to Iranian protesters: President Trump stated on Truth Social that Iran is approaching “FREEDOM like never before” and the US “stands ready to help” as anti-regime protests, the largest since 1979, enter a third week with a death toll of 65 per US-based monitors. Iranian authorities imposed a communications blackout, blamed US and Israeli agents, threatened death penalties for “enemies of god,” and arrested 100 in one area.

4️⃣ 🇺🇸 US seizes fifth Venezuela-linked tanker Olina: US forces boarded and seized the sanctions-listed tanker Olina in the Caribbean, the fifth such vessel recently, after it left Venezuelan waters evading a naval blockade under a false Timor-Leste flag. The operation targeted the “dark fleet” of over 1,000 illicit oil ships, with officials stating there is no safe haven amid efforts to control Venezuelan exports post-Maduro seizure.

5️⃣ 🇪🇺 EU states approve Mercosur trade deal signing: A qualified majority of EU members endorsed the Mercosur free-trade agreement with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, creating a bloc of over 700 million people after added safeguards and concessions. France, Poland, Austria, Hungary and Ireland opposed it while Belgium abstained, with Paris vowing to block it in the European Parliament where final consent is needed.

6️⃣ 🇺🇸 US launches large-scale strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria: US Central Command announced President Trump ordered strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria on Saturday as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, retaliating for the group's 13 December ambush in Palmyra that killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter.