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President Donald Trump attends a meeting with oil executives in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

With Cuban ally Maduro ousted, Trump warns Havana to make a ‘deal’ before it’s too late

Seung Min Kim, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 11:17 AM CST

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump on Sunday fired off another warning to the government of Cuba as the close ally of Venezuela braces for potential widespread unrest after Nicolás Maduro was deposed as Venezuela's leader.

Cuba, a major beneficiary of Venezuelan oil, has now been cut off from those shipments as U.S. forces continue to seize tankers in an effort to control the production, refining and global distribution of the country's oil products.

Trump said on social media that Cuba long lived off Venezuelan oil and money and had offered security in return, “BUT NOT ANYMORE!”

“THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO!” Trump said in the post as he spent the weekend at his home in southern Florida. “I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.” He did not explain what kind of deal.

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Guard at Winter Olympic construction site dies in nighttime subfreezing temperatures

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Guard at Winter Olympic construction site dies in nighttime subfreezing temperatures

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 12:34 PM CST

MILAN (AP) — A guard at a construction site near a 2026 Winter Olympic venue in the mountain resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo died during a frigid overnight shift, authorities confirmed on Saturday.

Italy’s Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini called for a full investigation into the circumstances of the 55-year-old worker’s death.

Italian media reported that the death occurred on Thursday while the worker was on duty at a construction site near Cortina’s ice arena. Temperatures that night plunged to minus 12 degrees Celsius (10.4 degrees Fahrenheit.)

Milan Cortina organizers said that the worker died of a heart attack.

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Updated: 12:34 PM CST

FILE - People take photos in front of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics rings, in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)
FILE - People take photos in front of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics rings, in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ tops box office for fourth straight week with newcomer ‘Primate’ second

Andrew Dalton, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ tops box office for fourth straight week with newcomer ‘Primate’ second

Andrew Dalton, The Associated Press 3 minute read 1:11 PM CST

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Avatar: Fire and Ash” kept on smoldering at the box office, taking the top spot for a fourth straight week on a relatively quiet weekend as the January doldrums began setting in for the industry.

The third chapter in James Cameron’s Pandora epic brought in $21.3 million in North American theaters for The Walt Disney Co., according to studio estimates Sunday.

In total after four weeks, “Fire and Ash” has grossed $342.6 million in North America and $888 million in the rest of the world. Last week it joined its two predecessors as a billion-dollar earner.

The week's top-grossing new release was Paramount Pictures rampaging-chimp horror film “Primate,” which earned $11.3 million domestically.

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1:11 PM CST

This image released by Disney shows Lo'ak, performed by Britain Dalton, left, and Tsireya, performed by Bailey Bass in a scene from "Avatar: Fire and Ash." (20th Century Studios/Disney via AP)
This image released by Disney shows Lo'ak, performed by Britain Dalton, left, and Tsireya, performed by Bailey Bass in a scene from

A $400,000 payout after Maduro’s capture is putting prediction markets in the spotlight

Wyatte Grantham-philips, The Associated Press 7 minute read Preview

A $400,000 payout after Maduro’s capture is putting prediction markets in the spotlight

Wyatte Grantham-philips, The Associated Press 7 minute read Updated: 11:50 AM CST

Prediction markets let people wager on anything from a basketball game to the outcome of a presidential election — and recently, the downfall of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The latter is drawing renewed scrutiny into this murky world of speculative, 24/7 transactions. Last week, an anonymous trader pocketed more than $400,000 after betting that Maduro would soon be out of office.

The bulk of the trader’s bids on the platform Polymarket were made mere hours before President Donald Trump announced the surprise nighttime raid that led to Maduro’s capture, fueling online suspicions of potential insider trading because of the timing of the wagers and the trader’s narrow activity on the platform. Others argued that the risk of getting caught was too big, and that previous speculation about Maduro’s future could have led to such transactions.

Polymarket did not respond to requests for comment.

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Updated: 11:50 AM CST

FILE - In this March 12, 2020, file photo, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gives a press conference at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File)
FILE - In this March 12, 2020, file photo, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gives a press conference at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File)

Erich von Däniken, Swiss writer who spawned alien archaeology, dies at 90

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Erich von Däniken, Swiss writer who spawned alien archaeology, dies at 90

The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 8:26 AM CST

BERLIN (AP) — Erich von Däniken, the Swiss author whose bestselling books about the extraterrestrial origins of ancient civilizations brought him fame among paranormal enthusiasts and scorn from the scientific community, has died. He was 90.

Von Däniken's representatives announced on his website on Sunday that he had died the previous day in a hospital in central Switzerland.

Von Däniken rose to prominence in 1968 with the publication of his first book "Chariots of the Gods," in which he claimed that the Mayans and ancient Egyptians were visited by alien astronauts and instructed in advanced technology that allowed them to build giant pyramids.

The book fueled a growing interest in unexplained phenomena at a time when thanks to conventional science man was about to take its first steps on the Moon.

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Updated: 8:26 AM CST

FILE - Erich von Daeniken, co-founder and co-owner of Mystery Park, poses in front of the Panorama Tower at Mystery Park in Interlaken, Wednesday, April 23, 2003. (Gaetan Ball)/Keystone via AP, File)
FILE - Erich von Daeniken, co-founder and co-owner of Mystery Park, poses in front of the Panorama Tower at Mystery Park in Interlaken, Wednesday, April 23, 2003. (Gaetan Ball)/Keystone via AP, File)

Reference to Trump’s impeachments is removed from the display of his Smithsonian photo portrait

Bill Barrow And Anna Johnson, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Reference to Trump’s impeachments is removed from the display of his Smithsonian photo portrait

Bill Barrow And Anna Johnson, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 1:20 PM CST

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's photo portrait display at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery has had references to his two impeachments removed, the latest apparent change at the collection of museums he has accused of bias as he asserts his influence over how official presentations document U.S. history.

The wall text, which summarized Trump's first presidency and noted his 2024 comeback victory, was part of the museum's “American Presidents” exhibition. The description had been placed alongside a photograph of Trump taken during his first term. Now, a different photo appears without any accompanying text block, though the text was available online. Trump was the only president whose display in the gallery, as seen Sunday, did not include any extended text.

The White House did not say whether it sought any changes. Nor did a Smithsonian statement in response to Associated Press questions. But Trump ordered in August that Smithsonian officials review all exhibits before the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4. The Republican administration said the effort would “ensure alignment with the president’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.”

Trump's original “portrait label," as the Smithsonian calls it, notes Trump's Supreme Court nominations and his administration's development of COVID-19 vaccines. That section concludes: “Impeached twice, on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, he was acquitted by the Senate in both trials.”

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Updated: 1:20 PM CST

President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with oil executives in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with oil executives in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Death toll in crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran spikes to at least 538 people, activists say

The Associated Press 1 minute read 10:29 AM CST

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Death toll in crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran spikes to at least 538 people, activists say.

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Dedicated volunteers Kelly and Sandy Taylor receive prestigious Archery Manitoba award

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Sandy (left) and Kelly Taylor were named recipients this week of the 2025 Archery Manitoba Presidential Award for their instrumental role in bringing the World Archery Youth Championships to Winnipeg last summer.

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Over 10,670 people detained in crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran, activists say

The Associated Press 1 minute read 10:31 AM CST

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Over 10,670 people detained in crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran, activists say.

Iran’s parliament speaker warns US military and Israel will be ‘legitimate targets’ if America strikes over protests

The Associated Press 1 minute read 12:38 AM CST

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran's parliament speaker warns US military and Israel will be 'legitimate targets' if America strikes over protests.

Iranian protests are growing. Israel is watching closely

Melanie Lidman, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Iranian protests are growing. Israel is watching closely

Melanie Lidman, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 9:35 AM CST

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel is “closely monitoring” the fallout from widespread Iranian protests, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to attack Iran could escalate the protests within the borders of the Islamic Republic into a regional war.

“The people of Israel, the entire world, are in awe of the tremendous heroism of the citizens of Iran,” Netanyahu said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting. He condemned the killing of civilians and said he hoped to rebuild relations between Israel and Iran once the country was “freed from the yoke of tyranny.”

Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke overnight Saturday about a number of issues, including Iran, according to an Israeli official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

But Israel’s military said there are no new guidelines for civilians to stay close to bomb shelters due to concerns about an attack of Iranian missiles, as there have been in the past when there were concrete threats.

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Updated: 9:35 AM CST

FILE - Iranian protestors burn representations of the Israeli and U.S. flags during a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi), File)
FILE - Iranian protestors burn representations of the Israeli and U.S. flags during a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi), File)

Former New Jersey acting governor Richard Codey dies at 79

Bruce Shipkowski, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Former New Jersey acting governor Richard Codey dies at 79

Bruce Shipkowski, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 1:53 PM CST

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Richard “Dick” Codey, a former acting governor of New Jersey and the longest serving legislator in the state's history, died Sunday. He was 79.

Codey’s wife, Mary Jo Codey, confirmed her husband’s death to The Associated Press.

“Gov. Richard J. Codey passed away peacefully this morning at home, surrounded by family, after a brief illness,” Codey's family wrote in a Facebook post on Codey's official page.

"Our family has lost a beloved husband, father and grandfather -- and New Jersey lost a remarkable public servant who touched the lives of all who knew him," the family said.

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Updated: 1:53 PM CST

FILE - New Jersey State Sen. and former Democratic Gov. Richard Codey is seen before New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy delivers his State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature at the statehouse, in Trenton, N.J., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
FILE - New Jersey State Sen. and former Democratic Gov. Richard Codey is seen before New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy delivers his State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature at the statehouse, in Trenton, N.J., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Minnesota braces for what’s next amid immigration arrests and in the wake of Renee Good shooting

Rebecca Santana, Mike Householder And Mark Vancleave, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Minnesota braces for what’s next amid immigration arrests and in the wake of Renee Good shooting

Rebecca Santana, Mike Householder And Mark Vancleave, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 1:43 PM CST

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Already shaken by the fatal shooting of a woman by an immigration officer, Minnesota's Twin Cities on Sunday braced for what many expect will be a new normal over the next few weeks as the Department of Homeland Security carries out what it called its largest enforcement operation ever.

Protesters screamed at heavily-armed federal agents and honked car horns, banged on drums and blew whistles in attempts to disrupt their operations in one Minneapolis neighborhood filled with single-family homes.

There was some pushing and several people were hit with chemical spray just before agents banged down the door of one home on Sunday. They later took one man away in handcuffs.

“We’re seeing a lot of immigration enforcement across Minneapolis and across the state, federal agents just swarming around our neighborhoods,” said Jason Chavez, a Minneapolis city councilmember. “They’ve definitely been out here.”

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Updated: 1:43 PM CST

Protesters react as they visit a makeshift memorial during a rally for Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer earlier in the week, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Protesters react as they visit a makeshift memorial during a rally for Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer earlier in the week, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Thousands of New York City nurses set to strike Monday if deal isn’t reached with hospitals

Jennifer Peltz, The Associated Press 4 minute read 11:36 AM CST

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of nurses at some of New York City's biggest hospitals could go on strike Monday during a severe flu season, three years after a similar walkout forced some of the same medical facilities to transfer some patients and divert ambulances.

The looming strike could impact operations at several of the city’s major private hospitals, including Mount Sinai in Manhattan, Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx and NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

Nearly 15,000 nurses could walk off the job early Monday if a deal is not reached, amounting to the largest nurses strike in city history, according to Nancy Hagans, president of the New York State Nurses Association. As of Sunday morning, little progress had been made at the bargaining table, Hagans said. A vast majority of the union's nurses voted to authorize the strike last month.

Like the 2023 labor fight, this year's dispute involves a complicated array of issues, claims, counterclaims and hospital-by-hospital particulars. Once again, staffing levels are a major flashpoint: Nurses say the big-budget medical centers are refusing to commit to — or even backsliding on — provisions for manageable, safe workloads.

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