Author: Verified News Online

Trump (File photo) After, Venezuelan military op and threatening Greenland and Columbia, US President Donald Trump now seems to turn his attention to Mexico, to target drug cartels, following maritime attacks in the eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.“We are going to start now hitting land with regard to the cartels. The cartels are running Mexico,” said Trump in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity aired on Thursday night, signalling a tougher stance on cross-border cartel operations.Any direct action against cartels inside Mexico, however, would represent a major escalation of US military involvement in the region. Trump said on Sunday that he was pressing Sheinbaum to allow US troops to operate in Mexico against drug cartels, an offer he claimed she had previously rejected.then, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum warned on Monday that the Americas “do not belong” to any single power, responding to Trump’s comments about Washington’s “dominance” of the hemisphere following..

Northern lights may drift across US skies this week: Know where to spot them Northern skies do not always announce themselves. Most nights pass quietly, even when something distant is shifting above the planet. This week is slightly different. A pulse of solar activity is moving through Earth’s magnetic field, and that change may be just enough to push the northern lights into view across parts of the United States. It is not guaranteed, and it will not look the same everywhere. Some people may see soft colour low on the horizon, others nothing at all. Still, for a short window in early January, the odds tilt a little. Space weather forecasters are watching closely, and so are sky watchers, hoping the darkness offers something unexpected rather than empty for once during the coldest stretch of winter nights.Which US states are most likely to see the Nothern lights this weekThe strongest chances sit far north, as they usually do. Alaska remains the most reliable place, almost separate f..

AdvertisementIsrael-Gaza warWorldMiddle EastIsrael says Bulgarian diplomat to direct Trump’s Board of Peace for GazaThe Board of Peace is meant to oversee the implementation of the second and far more complicated phase of the Gaza ceasefire
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPAssociated PressPublished: 1:12pm, 9 Jan 2026A former UN Middle East envoy has been chosen to direct US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace to oversee the ceasefire in Gaza, Israel’s prime minister said on Thursday, as at least eight more deaths from Israeli strikes were reported there.
The appointment of Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov marks an important step forward for Trump’s Middle East peace plan, which has moved slowly since delivering an October ceasefire ending more than two years of fighting between Israel and Hamas.
Benjamin Netanyahu made the announcement after meeting Mladenov in Jerusalem, identifying him as the “designated” director general for the board, which is meant to oversee t..

AdvertisementSCMP HighlightsChinaChina’s ‘sweep and kill’ weapon, Malaysians opting for Singapore: SCMP’s 7 highlightsFrom China’s long game after Trump’s Venezuela operation to Eric Tsang leaving TVB, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPSCMPPublished: 12:12pm, 9 Jan 2026We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.1. China’s Hurricane 3000 microwave weapon can ‘sweep and kill’ drone swarms at 3kmThe truck-mounted Hurricane 3000 was showcased during China’s huge military parade in September. This week its developer – state-owned defence contractor Norinco – disclosed some details of the weapon system for the first time.
2. China is likely to thread the needle after US attack on VenezuelaA pro-government, armed civili..

Dubai Tenants vs Landlords: The AI Tool Deciding Who Wins the Rent Fight Dubai, January 08, 2026: As Dubai’s rental market continues to evolve amid strong demand and population growth, tenants often grapple with rising rents and the question: Is this rent increase even legal? Fortunately, the Dubai Land Department’s Smart Rental Index, an AI-powered official tool, now gives residents a clear way to check whether a rent hike proposed by a landlord is justified under UAE law. Whether you are renewing your lease, debating negotiations or simply planning your budget, understanding how rent hikes are regulated in Dubai is essential. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how the system works and how tenants can protect themselves from arbitrary increases.What is Dubai's Smart Rental Index?
At the core of Dubai’s rent regulation framework is the Smart Rental Index, a sophisticated tool developed by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) to determine fair rental values across the emirate. Unlike the ol..