live U.S. carries out fresh strikes against Iran after tanker struck in Hormuz
A tanker reported being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Britain's maritime security agency said, after the United States a...
India will not halt Russian oil purchases, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of sanctions, Indian officials told Reuters and The New York Times.
India will keep buying oil from Russia under long-term agreements, two Indian government sources told Reuters, pushing back against recent threats by U.S. President Donald Trump. “These are long-term oil contracts,” one source said. “It is not so simple to just stop buying overnight.”
Trump said on Friday he had heard that India would stop Russian oil imports, following earlier warnings of 100% tariffs on countries continuing energy trade with Moscow. But Indian officials, speaking anonymously to The New York Times, confirmed there had been “no change in government policy” and that oil companies had received no orders to reduce imports.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs reinforced that New Delhi's energy decisions are guided by market realities. “We look at what is there available in the markets, what is there on offer, and also what is the prevailing global situation,” ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters. He added that India has a “steady and time-tested partnership” with Russia and that relations with all countries “stand on their own merit”.
The White House has not issued a response.
While Indian state refiners – including Indian Oil Corp, Hindustan Petroleum Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp and Mangalore Refinery Petrochemical Ltd – have reportedly paused new Russian purchases in recent days due to diminishing discounts, Russian oil still accounts for about 35% of India’s total oil imports.
From January to June 2025, India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, received roughly 1.75 million barrels per day from Russia – a 1% increase from the same period last year, according to sources cited by Reuters.
However, the sector has come under further scrutiny. Nayara Energy, which is partly owned by Russia’s Rosneft and a major buyer of Russian oil, was recently sanctioned by the European Union. Its CEO resigned following the sanctions, and several of its oil tankers have yet to discharge cargoes.
Despite international pressure, India’s approach suggests it is prioritising energy security and economic pragmatism over geopolitical demands.
France said on Saturday it was considering taking reciprocal measures after Burkina Faso broke off diplomatic relations.
Tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. At least 589 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds are believed to be trapped under rubble, as emergency crews and international rescue teams race to respond.
Japan remained on high alert Saturday as Typhoon Mekkhala approached the eastern coast after Typhoon Higos weakened into a tropical depression. Authorities warned of continued heavy rain, flooding, and landslides, according to media reports.
A tanker reported being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Britain's maritime security agency said, after the United States and Iran each launched strikes in the worst escalation since they signed their interim peace deal.
Germany and Poland are bracing for sweltering conditions as a deadly heatwave that has gripped Western Europe moves east, with temperatures expected to approach 40C over the weekend.
At least three paramilitary troops and three suspected militants were killed after heavily armed attackers stormed a Rangers security compound in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Saturday, authorities said.
"I will be president for only a couple of weeks, and then I will resign," Vucic told supporters at a pro-government rally in the capital, Belgrade.
The death toll in the twin earthquakes which rocked Venezuela earlier this week has risen to 1,430, top lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez said on Saturday. Another 3,200 people were injured and 3,100 left homeless by the disaster, he added on state television.
Australia said it would double the maximum penalty it can impose on tech firms found to have failed to uphold a groundbreaking social media ban for children, as evidence mounts that the ban has had little effect on teen use.
France said on Saturday it was considering taking reciprocal measures after Burkina Faso broke off diplomatic relations.
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