World News Live Updates: Helicopter battling Utah wildfire crashes with no word on 2 people aboard

A helicopter battling a major Utah wildfire crashed on Friday with no word yet on its two-person crew, even as the US Senate cleared a bill that could bring 100 per cent tariffs on India and four other countries over their purchases of Russian oil.

Utah wildfire helicopter crash: In central Utah, a helicopter helping battle a massive wildfire in the Fishlake National Forest crashed near Richfield, roughly 160 miles south of Salt Lake City.

Federal officials have not yet confirmed the condition of the two crew members on board, and local county authorities have not responded to questions about the incident. The fire itself, sparked by lightning on 27 July, has already burned across 165 square miles and remains just 19 per cent contained, with red flag warnings and erratic winds complicating containment efforts.

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Senate passes Russia sanctions bill: In Washington, the US Senate voted 86-11 to pass a sweeping sanctions bill that could impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on India, China and three other countries over their continued purchases of Russian oil and gas. Lawmakers say the move is designed to squeeze Moscow’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine.

The bill, renamed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, honours the senator who authored and championed it before his death last month, and now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

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Live Updates
Aug 8, 2026 06:35 AM IST
US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill that seeks 100% tariffs on India, four others

The US Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill targeting Russia and the countries that buy its oil and gas including India and China with lawmakers arguing that such trade helps finance Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Key points:

The vote: The Senate approved the bill by an 86-11 margin. It has been renamed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.
Tariff powers: The bill allows President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods from the top five importers of Russian oil and gas currently China, India, Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia.
Iran sanctions extended: The bill also pushes back the expiration of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 —which penalises companies investing in Iran's energy sector — to 2031.
Behind the bill: It was championed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died on 11 July after a trip to Kyiv, and Democrat Richard Blumenthal. After Graham's death, lawmakers from both parties pushed to pass the bill as a tribute to his legacy as an ally of Ukraine.
Graham family reaction: Darline Graham, appointed to her late brother's Senate seat, said the bill forces countries "keeping Russia's economy afloat" to choose between doing business with America or buying cheap Russian energy.
Sanctions on Russian officials: The bill also targets Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with oligarchs and financial institutions, with fresh sanctions.
Blumenthal's response: Senator Blumenthal said Graham would be "proud of what we've done," adding that the sanctions and tariffs would stop those "complicit" in what he called Russia's war of aggression.
Democratic pushback: Some Democrats, including Congressmen Gregory Meeks and Don Beyer, warned the bill hands Trump "sweeping new tariff authorities" he could "weaponise with abandon," arguing it lets him avoid holding Russia accountable while adding to his ongoing trade disputes at Americans' expense. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, which will take it up when it reconvenes on 31 August.

(With inputs from PTI)

Aug 8, 2026 05:54 AM IST
Helicopter battling Utah wildfire crashes with no word on 2 people aboard

A helicopter helping fight a major wildfire in central Utah crashed on Friday, and federal officials have so far given no word on the condition of the two people who were on board.

Key points:

The helicopter was one of seven aircraft working the fire and went down near Richfield, about 160 miles (258 km) south of Salt Lake City. The FAA has confirmed the crash but not the crew's condition.
Officials in Sevier and Millard counties did not respond to questions, and neither the FAA nor wildfire officials had details on the two people aboard.
The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA will investigate, but access to the site may be delayed if the wildfire is still burning close by.
Crews had been warned Friday morning of erratic winds, dry fuels, high heat and possible dry thunderstorms and lightning; red flag warnings were in effect across the region.
The blaze, in the Fishlake National Forest, was sparked by lightning on 27 July. It has grown to 165 square miles (427 sq km) and was only 19 per cent contained as of Friday.
Months of dry weather, a record lack of snow in some areas, hot spells and erratic winds have driven wildfires across Utah and other parts of the American West.
In June, four firefighters were killed and a fifth injured in Colorado after being overrun by a fast-moving wildfire, despite deploying emergency shelters to try to protect themselves.

(With inputs from AP)

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