Author: Amnewsworld

Finland has recorded its coldest temperatures of the winter so far as a wave of Arctic air tightened its grip on the country from Lapland to the southern coast, meteorological authorities confirmed on Monday. In Savukoski, eastern Lapland, temperatures dropped to –39.9 degrees Celsius shortly before 08:00, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute. The reading matched the season’s previous low, recorded earlier this month in Kilpisjärvi, near the Norwegian border. Forecasters say even colder readings remain possible in the coming days. The all-time national record stands at –51.5 degrees Celsius, measured in Pokka, Kittilä, on January 28, 1999. Southern Finland…

Venezuela’s longtime leader Nicolás Maduro has appeared in a New York courthouse under heavy guard, days after a dramatic United States military operation seized him in Caracas, an unprecedented move that has triggered a widening diplomatic crisis. Maduro, 63, arrived in court on Monday in shackles, surrounded by heavily armed US law enforcement officers. He was captured on Saturday inside his heavily fortified residence in the Venezuelan capital, alongside his wife, according to officials familiar with the operation. The seizure has sent shockwaves across Latin America and beyond, prompting condemnation from allies and rivals alike. Outside the courthouse, dozens of…

Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez has struck a cautious tone ahead of his side’s high-stakes Round of 16 clash against the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations, stressing discipline and focus as key to securing a place in the quarter-finals. Speaking as preparations intensified for Tuesday’s encounter, Mahrez acknowledged the quality and threat posed by DR Congo, describing them as a dangerous opponent capable of punishing any lapse in concentration. He said Algeria would need to raise their level to progress in the knockout stage. The Algerian skipper also dismissed suggestions that his team should be considered…

The United Nations Security Council has formally welcomed Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Latvia and Liberia as its five new non-permanent members for the 2026–2027 term. The new members assume their seats at a time of heightened global tensions, with each country outlining priorities centered on peace, security and multilateral cooperation. The Democratic Republic of Congo returns to the Council for the first time in 35 years, marking a significant diplomatic milestone. Congolese authorities said the country intends to play an active role in conflict prevention, resolution and the future of UN peacekeeping operations, drawing on its…

Dozens of people are missing after a boat carrying more than 200 migrants bound for Europe capsized off the coast of The Gambia on New Year’s Eve, authorities have confirmed. Gambian President Adama Barrow said late Friday that at least 102 survivors had been rescued, while seven bodies had been recovered following the incident in the country’s northwest North Bank Region, near the coastal village of Jinack. Several survivors were reported to be receiving urgent medical treatment. According to the president, the national emergency response plan was immediately activated, with security agencies, health officials and rescue services deployed to intensify…

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…