Author: Amnewsworld

Santería priests in Cuba have warned of rising violence, conflict and social instability in 2026, as they unveiled the annual “Letter of the Year,” a closely followed spiritual forecast that guides millions of followers across the island and beyond. The predictions were announced on Friday during a traditional ceremony in Havana, where worshippers dressed in white gathered around an altar, accompanied by ritual drumming and dancing. The message was delivered by senior Santería priests known as Babalawos, custodians of the Afro-Cuban faith. According to the priests, the ruling deity for 2026 will be Oggún, associated with metals, weapons, roads and…

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday signaled support for a tougher security response to nationwide protests, declaring that “rioters must be put in their place” after days of unrest driven by economic hardship and a collapsing national currency. The remarks, Khamenei’s first since demonstrations erupted last week, are widely seen as giving security forces leeway to aggressively suppress the protests, which human rights groups say have already left at least 15 people dead and hundreds arrested. The demonstrations, fueled by anger over inflation, unemployment and the weakening rial, have spread rapidly and now represent Iran’s largest unrest since…

The United States has removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power in a dramatic overnight military operation, with President Donald Trump announcing hours later that Washington would temporarily run the country and tap its vast oil reserves for international sales. The operation, carried out under cover of darkness, marked the most assertive US action aimed at regime change in decades and followed months of escalating pressure on Caracas. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized from their residence on a military base and transported aboard a US warship before being flown to the United States to face prosecution under…

Tesla has lost its position as the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, after annual deliveries fell for a second consecutive year and were overtaken by China’s BYD in 2025. Figures released on Friday show the US-based automaker delivered 1.64 million vehicles worldwide during the year, representing a decline of about nine percent compared with 2024. In contrast, BYD sold 2.26 million electric vehicles, securing the top global position for the first time and ending more than a decade of Tesla’s dominance in electric car sales. Tesla’s performance weakened notably in the final quarter of the year. The company delivered 418,227…

Minnesota officials have until next week to provide extensive data on child care providers and families receiving federal assistance, or risk losing millions of dollars in funding, amid heightened scrutiny from the Trump administration over alleged fraud. The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) confirmed Friday that it has until January 9 to submit information requested by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), following the administration’s announcement that it would freeze federal child care funds nationwide pending additional verification. The move comes after fraud allegations involving government programs in Minnesota gained national attention, particularly following…

The U.S. Coast Guard said Friday that hopes are dimming for finding survivors who jumped into the eastern Pacific Ocean after alleged drug-smuggling boats were attacked by the U.S. military earlier this week. Search efforts began Tuesday afternoon after the military alerted the Coast Guard that people were believed to be in the water roughly 400 miles southwest of the Mexico–Guatemala border. According to a Coast Guard statement, aircraft were dispatched from Sacramento to scan an area spanning more than 1,000 miles, while emergency alerts were issued to vessels operating nearby. The maritime service said it coordinated more than 65…

Authorities in Colorado are investigating the suspected fatal mountain lion attack of a solo hiker found dead on a remote trail near Crosier Mountain on New Year’s Day, amid reports of recent aggressive encounters with the predators in the same area. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) confirmed that the woman’s body, discovered on Thursday along the Crosier Mountain trail northeast of Estes Park, showed wounds consistent with a mountain lion attack. An autopsy is scheduled for next week to confirm the cause of death, according to the Larimer County Coroner’s Office. The incident has raised concern after a nearby resident…

Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has approved legislation formally ending the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) within Israel, marking a significant escalation in Israel’s long-running dispute with the UN body. Under the new law, UNRWA will no longer be permitted to operate inside Israeli territory. The legislation orders the immediate termination of essential services provided to the agency, including water, electricity, gas, telecommunications, and access to Israeli banking systems. It also revokes UN-related immunities previously enjoyed by UNRWA staff operating in Israel. The law further authorizes the state to seize UNRWA-owned land and…

Finnish police are investigating a suspected criminal offence after a teenage boy died when he fell from a radio and television mast in Teisko, near the city of Tampere, while filming content linked to a social media challenge. The fatal incident occurred on December 20, when three boys under the age of 18 unlawfully accessed the mast using maintenance ladders. According to investigators, the group climbed the structure to record videos for a TikTok challenge. During the descent, the boy positioned highest on the ladder lost his grip and fell to the ground, where he was later found dead. Police…

Israel, Greece and Cyprus have formalized a new phase of defense collaboration after signing a trilateral work plan aimed at deepening military cooperation among the three countries. The agreement, announced by officials from the defense establishments of the three nations, outlines a framework for joint military exercises, coordinated training programs, and the establishment of specialized working groups covering a broad range of security and defense fields. It also provides for structured strategic dialogue on regional and international security issues of shared concern. According to officials, the work plan is designed to enhance interoperability between the armed forces of the three…