Author: Verified News Online

AP image Russia’s overnight strikes on Kyiv province killed two people on Monday after air raid alerts were issued across the country, Ukrainian authorities said. One person was killed in the capital Kyiv, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city’s military administration. Another victim, a man in his 70s, died in the neighbouring city of Fastiv, Kyiv regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk said. Russia Smashes U.S. Weapons As Putin Fires Back At Trump After Maduro Capture, Ukraine Warning “One person has been killed so far as a result of the attack. The attack is continuing,” Tkachenko said in a post on the Telegram messaging app, according to Reuters.The latest strikes come as Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine. Meanwhile, Kyiv and its allies are seeking to finalise a US-brokered plan aimed at ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.The violence follows a deadly weekend of cross-border attacks. On Sunday, two people were killed in Ukrainian drone strikes in Russi..

Columbian President Gustavo Petro and US President Donald Trump (AP images) US President Donald Trump on Sunday openly threatened possible military action against Colombia, saying such a move “sounds good to me”.His comments come just a day after the United States carried out an operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores and transporting them to New York to face federal charges. 'They Won't Survive': GOP Lawmakers Reveal 2 New Trump Targets After Maduro Operation Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump launched a sharp attack on Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, accusing his government of producing and exporting cocaine to the United States.“Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man, who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he’s not going to be doing it very long,” Trump said.Also Read | 'If they don't behave': Is second strike on Venezuela off the table? Trump's fresh ..

AdvertisementSCMP HighlightsWorldAI scientist leaves US for China; domestic helpers in Asia: 5 weekend reads you missedFrom China’s reaction to Maduro’s capture to another AI scientist leaving the US, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend
Reading Time:1 minuteWhy you can trust SCMPSCMPPublished: 1:06pm, 5 Jan 2026We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.1. ‘Stop subverting Venezuelan regime’: China urges US to release MaduroVenezuelans celebrate in Santiago, Chile on January 3, 2026, after US President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. Photo: APChina has expressed “serious concern” over the US capture and forcible removal of the Venezuelan leader, calling on Washington to ensure the personal safety of Nicolas Maduro and his wife and “release them i..

AdvertisementThe PhilippinesAsiaSoutheast AsiaPhilippines’ Marcos slashes ‘back door’ budget allocations amid flood control scandalMarcos used his veto powers to cut unprogrammed appropriations, historically prone to corruption, to their lowest level since 2019
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPBloombergPublished: 1:06pm, 5 Jan 2026Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr on Monday signed into law the 2026 budget worth 6.793 trillion pesos (US$115 billion) as his administration aims to revive an economy stunted by a government corruption scandal.While the 2026 budget was 7 per cent higher than last year’s spending plan, the president cut nearly US$1.6 billion in so-called unprogrammed appropriations that are historically prone to corruption.
Marcos approved the 2026 budget later compared to previous years, as allocations underwent closer scrutiny due to corruption allegations. Cabinet officials and legislators witnessed the signing at a ceremony in the presidential palace in..