Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Thursday, Jan 08, 2026

Colombia Seeks Answers from Russia on Alleged Mercenaries in Ukraine as Global and Domestic Issues Stir International Tensions

Colombia seeks Russia's response on legal status of missing nationals seen in FSB video amid Ukraine conflict.
Colombia is seeking information from Russia about three nationals accused of acting as mercenaries in Ukraine, including Alexander Ante, Jose Aron Medina, and Miguel Angel Cardenas. These individuals reportedly vanished en route to Colombia and later appeared in a Russian FSB video, prompting the Colombian government to inquire about their legal status and wellbeing. Former soldiers joining foreign conflicts, like the ongoing war in Ukraine, further complicate the issue.

In other international news, the United States has proposed new reforms for the UN Security Council, including two permanent seats for African nations and a rotating seat for small island developing states. However, these new members would not have veto power. This initiative seeks to revamp the council, which has remained largely unchanged for decades, while still preserving the veto privilege for the current five permanent members.

Moving to domestic concerns, Springfield, Ohio was rocked by evacuations of schools and government buildings due to a bomb threat linked to an anti-migrant conspiracy theory, endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Local authorities, alongside the FBI, are investigating the threat, which has also led to local pastors showing support for the Haitian community amid rising tensions.

Meanwhile, the political scene is heating up as Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump sharpen their focus on swing states. In North Carolina, Harris championed Republican endorsements and advocated for health care and abortion rights. On the other hand, Trump, in Arizona, made a strong anti-immigration push and proposed tax exemptions on overtime wages. Each is employing distinct strategies to win over crucial swing-state voters.

President Joe Biden recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, a significant law he authored to combat domestic abuse. This act has led to a decrease in domestic violence and sexual assault rates and established national hotlines and legal protections for survivors. In 2022, Biden's bipartisan gun safety legislation further strengthened this act by addressing the "boyfriend loophole."

Lastly, in legal news, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee dismissed three charges in the Georgia election case against former President Donald Trump, reducing his charges to eight felonies. The dismissed counts related to the filing of fake elector certificates, which couldn't be prosecuted under state law due to the Supremacy Clause. The case remains paused pending an appeal.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Mohammed bin Salman’s Global Standing: Strategic Partner in Transition Amid Debate Over His Role
Saudi Arabia Opens Property Market to Foreign Buyers in Landmark Reform
The U.S. State Department’s account in Persian: “President Trump is a man of action. If you didn’t know it until now, now you do—do not play games with President Trump.”
CNN’s Ranking of Israel’s Women’s Rights Sparks Debate After Misleading Global Index Comparison
Saudi Arabia’s Shifting Regional Alignment Raises Strategic Concerns in Jerusalem
OPEC+ Holds Oil Output Steady Amid Member Tensions and Market Oversupply
Iranian Protests Intensify as Another Revolutionary Guard Member Is Killed and Khamenei Blames the West
President Trump Says United States Will Administer Venezuela Until a Secure Leadership Transition
Delta Force Identified as Unit Behind U.S. Operation That Captured Venezuela’s President
Trump Announces U.S. Large-Scale Strike on Venezuela, Declares President Maduro and Wife Captured
Saudi-UAE Rift Adds Complexity to Middle East Diplomacy as Trump Signals Firm Leadership
OPEC+ to Keep Oil Output Policy Unchanged Despite Saudi-UAE Tensions Over Yemen
Saudi Arabia and UAE at Odds in Yemen Conflict as Southern Offensive Deepens Gulf Rift
Abu Dhabi ‘Capital of Capital’: How Abu Dhabi Rose as a Sovereign Wealth Power
Diamonds Are Powering a New Quantum Revolution
Trump Threatens Strikes Against Iran if Nuclear Programme Is Restarted
Why Saudi Arabia May Recalibrate Its US Spending Commitments Amid Rising China–America Rivalry
Riyadh Air’s First Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Completes Initial Test Flight, Advancing Saudi Carrier’s Launch
Saudi Arabia’s 2025: A Pivotal Year of Global Engagement and Domestic Transformation
Saudi Arabia to Introduce Sugar-Content Based Tax on Sweetened Drinks from January 2026
Saudi Hotels Prepare for New Hospitality Roles as Alcohol Curbs Ease
Global Airports Forum Highlights Saudi Arabia’s Emergence as a Leading Aviation Powerhouse
Saudi Arabia Weighs Strategic Choice on Iran Amid Regional Turbulence
Not Only F-35s: Saudi Arabia to Gain Access to the World’s Most Sensitive Technology
Saudi Arabia Condemns Sydney Bondi Beach Shooting and Expresses Solidarity with Australia
Washington Watches Beijing–Riyadh Rapprochement as Strategic Balance Shifts
Saudi Arabia Urges Stronger Partnerships and Efficient Aid Delivery at OCHA Donor Support Meeting in Geneva
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Drives Measurable Lift in Global Reputation and Influence
Alcohol Policies Vary Widely Across Muslim-Majority Countries, With Many Permitting Consumption Under Specific Rules
Saudi Arabia Clarifies No Formal Ban on Photography at Holy Mosques for Hajj 2026
Libya and Saudi Arabia Sign Strategic MoU to Boost Telecommunications Cooperation
Elon Musk’s xAI Announces Landmark 500-Megawatt AI Data Center in Saudi Arabia
Israel Moves to Safeguard Regional Stability as F-35 Sales Debate Intensifies
Cardi B to Make Historic Saudi Arabia Debut at Soundstorm 2025 Festival
U.S. Democratic Lawmakers Raise National Security and Influence Concerns Over Paramount’s Hostile Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
Hackers Are Hiding Malware in Open-Source Tools and IDE Extensions
Traveling to USA? Homeland Security moving toward requiring foreign travelers to share social media history
Wall Street Analysts Clash With Riyadh Over Saudi Arabia’s Deficit Outlook
Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Cement $1 Trillion-Plus Deals in High-Profile White House Summit
Saudi Arabia Opens Alcohol Sales to Wealthy Non-Muslim Residents Under New Access Rules
U.S.–Saudi Rethink Deepens — Washington Moves Ahead Without Linking Riyadh to Israel Normalisation
Saudi Arabia and Israel Deprioritise Diplomacy: Normalisation No Longer a Middle-East Priority
Saudi Arabia Positions Itself as the Backbone of the Global AI Era
As Trump Deepens Ties with Saudi Arabia, Push for Israel Normalization Takes a Back Seat
Thai Food Village Debuts at Saudi Feast Food Festival 2025 Under Thai Commerce Minister Suphajee’s Lead
Saudi Arabia Sharpens Its Strategic Vision as Economic Transformation Enters New Phase
Saudi Arabia Projects $44 Billion Budget Shortfall in 2026 as Economy Rebalances
OPEC+ Unveils New Capacity-Based System to Anchor Future Oil Output Levels
Will Saudi Arabia End Up Bankrolling Israel’s Post-Ceasefire Order in Lebanon?
Saudi Arabia’s SAMAI Initiative Surpasses One-Million-Citizen Milestone in National AI Upskilling Drive
×