Author: Amnewsworld

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a dramatic ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of 50 hostages reportedly being held in Gaza City. He warned that failure to comply would trigger the deployment of 100,000 Israeli troops into the territory. The declaration, broadcast on Israeli media on Tuesday, marks one of the strongest threats made since the outbreak of the renewed conflict with Hamas. Netanyahu stressed that “there will be no deal” unless the hostages are released without conditions. According to regional security officials, the captives include both Israeli nationals and foreign citizens, seized during Hamas raids earlier…

More than 40 wildfires continued to rage across Spain on Tuesday, leaving at least four people dead and forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents. The worst-hit regions include León and Zamora in Castile and León, along with Ourense in Galicia, where flames spread into neighboring Lugo. Residents described scenes of desperation as water-bombing aircraft flew overhead while locals and firefighters worked side by side to hold back advancing infernos just meters from homes. International support has also arrived, with firefighting crews from Estonia, France, Italy and Slovakia reinforcing Spanish teams. However, strong winds have complicated containment efforts, raising fears…

Tiradentes Square in Rio de Janeiro came alive for three days with the rhythms of drumming, songs, and traditional dance steps rooted in the heritage of enslaved ancestors from Congo and Angola. The celebration showcased Jongo, an Afro-Brazilian cultural expression once used as a secret form of communication and today recognised as part of Brazil’s cultural heritage and a forerunner of samba. Organisers of the festival said the event was designed not only to highlight the dance but also to call for stronger support and resources for the communities that keep the tradition alive. Among the festival’s highlights was the…

Burkina Faso’s ruling military junta on Monday declared United Nations resident coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak persona non grata, expelling her over a recent U.N. report that accused both jihadi groups and government forces of grave abuses against children. In a statement, the junta accused Flore-Smereczniak of participating in the preparation of the April report — Children and Armed Conflict in Burkina Faso  which it dismissed as “without evidence or supporting documentation” and said contained “serious and false information.” The report, covering the period between July 2022 and June 2024, documented 2,483 violations against 2,255 children, including recruitment as child soldiers, sexual…

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed reports that Hamas has accepted a proposal from Arab mediators for a partial hostage deal, signaling Israel’s determination to pursue its military campaign in Gaza until its broader objectives are met. In a video statement, Netanyahu said he had met with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) commanders earlier to discuss plans to take over Gaza City and “complete our missions.” He underscored that despite media reports suggesting Hamas is under “immense pressure,” Israel will not shift its priorities toward a limited agreement. Netanyahu emphasized that the war would only end if Hamas agreed to release…

The remains of Alain Christophe Traoré, known online as Alino Faso, were repatriated to Burkina Faso from Côte d’Ivoire this week, touching off public mourning, street protests and renewed demands for an independent investigation into his death. Traoré, a prominent social media influencer and supporter of Burkina Faso’s ruling junta, was found dead in late July in a cell at a gendarmerie school in Abidjan. Ivorian authorities say he hanged himself with bedsheets; Burkinabe officials and Traoré’s supporters have rejected that finding, calling it a “villainous murder” and demanding transparency. Hundreds of people dressed in white marched from the Thomas…

As Russia marked its annual Victory Day parade this year, Ukrainian television screens were abruptly taken over by hackers backing the Kremlin. Instead of local programming, viewers were shown live footage from Moscow’s Red Square columns of tanks, military aircraft, and troops marching in formation. The brazen satellite hijack was more than propaganda. It underscored how modern warfare extends beyond land, sea, and air into cyberspace and the reaches of space itself. “Impairing a satellite’s ability to communicate can cause massive disruption,” warned Tom Pace, CEO of cybersecurity firm NetRise and a former U.S. Marine. “Imagine if an entire population…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives at the White House today flanked by a powerful coalition of European leaders, in a rare display of unity aimed at pressuring U.S. President Donald Trump to stand firm against Russia. The hastily arranged meeting comes just days after Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where the U.S. leader abruptly abandoned his push for a Ukraine ceasefire and instead endorsed pursuing a full peace agreement. The move rattled allies who fear concessions could embolden Moscow. A Diplomatic Show of Force Joining Zelenskyy in Washington are European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen,…

U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned his push for an immediate Ukraine ceasefire during a high-stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, instead aligning with Moscow’s call for a broader peace accord. The meeting, held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, ended with Trump announcing that the “best way to end the horrific war” is through a comprehensive peace agreement rather than a temporary ceasefire. The reversal marked a dramatic shift from his earlier threats of “severe consequences” and sanctions if Putin refused to halt hostilities. From Ceasefire to Peace Agreement Trump’s pivot followed consultations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr…

South Africa has opened a sweeping national dialogue aimed at tackling the country’s most pressing challenges, from poverty and inequality to corruption and unemployment, which remains above 30 percent. The two-day convention in Pretoria marks the beginning of what President Cyril Ramaphosa has described as a “soul-searching process” involving civic groups, political parties, and ordinary citizens. The initiative follows the African National Congress (ANC)’s loss of its parliamentary majority in the 2024 election, which resulted in a coalition government. Ramaphosa emphasized that the process is designed to be inclusive and people-led. To lend credibility, he appointed an Eminent Persons Group…