Amid a winter storm and with towering black fences encircling the U.S. Capitol complex, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate convened in a joint session around noon to certify President-elect Donald Trump’s election, marking the final step in confirming the results of the 2024 presidential election.
The session of U.S. Congress was chaired by the current Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate who lost to Trump in the election.
Harris presented the electoral vote results from each state and the District of Columbia, and two Senators and two House representatives took turns to announce the vote counts.
The final tally of electoral votes showed that Trump received 312 electoral votes, surpassing the 270 needed to win the presidency, while Harris received 226 votes.
The congressional counting and certifying of electoral votes is typically a ceremonial procedure. However, the “Capitol riot” four years ago occurred on the very day of this process.
After losing his bid for re-election in 2020, Trump claimed there had been widespread election fraud.
On January 6, 2021, a large group of his supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to prevent Congress from certifying the election results.
The riot resulted in five deaths and hundreds of police officers being injured. The latest data shows that over 1,500 individuals have been charged with federal criminal offenses related to the unrest.
Many Americans have expressed their concerns about post-election violence. According to a POLITICO-Morning Consult poll, six in ten voters said they were either very or somewhat concerned that “another event like what happened on Jan. 6 will happen again following the 2024 presidential election.”
President-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the nation’s 47th president on January 20, officially beginning his second, nonconsecutive term.
The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) revealed that the surge in industrial output was driven by strong performance across key sectors.
Mining and quarrying led the way with an impressive 45.2% increase, reflecting heightened activity in resource extraction.
Manufacturing also experienced substantial growth, expanding by 18.4%. This was supported by a notable 26.3% rise in food processing and a 16.6% increase in the production of beverages and tobacco. However, the manufacturing of textiles, clothing, and leather goods saw a significant decline of 39.5%.
Electricity production and supply registered a 9.6% increase, underscoring steady progress in the energy sector. Additionally, water and waste management activities grew by 12.8%, reflecting improvements in utility services and environmental management.
The November growth far exceeded the annual average growth of 8.6%, demonstrating a particularly strong performance for Rwanda’s industrial sector.
The IIP serves as a vital tool for monitoring short-term industrial performance, measuring changes in production volumes relative to the 2017 base year.
While the index excludes construction activities due to data constraints, it offers a comprehensive overview of manufacturing, mining, electricity, and utilities.
“The Index of Industrial Production serves as a tool to measure the industrial production performance of industries and provides timely estimates of broad trends,” NISR stated, emphasizing the role of IIP in tracking economic health and progress.
The Uganda Law Society confirmed the new development on Monday, January 6, 2025, following a previously unsuccessful attempt by Karua to secure the crucial document in December last year.
The decision by the council came after an appeal lodged through the Uganda Law Society.
“FINALLY: The Law Council has granted a temporary Practicing Certificate to Hon. Martha Karua, following her reapplication through the Uganda Law Society,” the society said in a post on X.
The Uganda Law Council had initially declined Karua’s application to represent Besigye and his close associate Obeid Lutale at the General Court Martial, citing incomplete documentation and questioning the necessity of Karua’s involvement in the trial.
Both the Uganda Law Society and the Law Society of Kenya strongly protested the Uganda Law Council’s decision to deny Karua the document.
In a statement issued on December 10, 2024, Kenya’s premier bar association described the decision as a setback for regional cooperation in legal practice.
“It is inconceivable that the Law Council of Uganda would hold such little regard for Kenyan practitioners, especially a reputable and long-standing member of the Senior Counsel Bar,” LSK stated.
In its response, LSK expressed its intention to take immediate action to resolve the situation. The society called for urgent engagement with the Kenyan Attorney General to address the issue and ensure a fair, reciprocal agreement on cross-border legal practice.
LSK also threatened to suspend the admission of Ugandan lawyers to Kenya until Uganda demonstrates a commitment to fostering mutual legal cooperation.
“Kenya has been a leader in promoting regional cooperation in legal practice, but the lack of reciprocity from Uganda is unacceptable,” the LSK statement read.
“We must either find a mutually beneficial, reciprocal arrangement or withdraw from one-sided agreements that undermine the dignity of Kenyan legal practice.”
Karua, a former Justice Minister in Kenya and one of the senior lawyers in the country, had been appointed to lead a team of 50 lawyers in the case where Besigye and Lutale, face charges related to alleged activities undermining Uganda’s security and the illegal possession of firearms.
The two were apprehended in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, 2024, while attending the launch of a book by Karua. They spent Christmas and New Year festivities in custody and are expected to be arraigned in court tomorrow, January 7, 2025, for the mention of their case.
The Mpox outbreak, which began on July 24, 2024, has affected 52 districts, with over 784 confirmed cases and significant disruptions to public health infrastructure.
WHO and Uganda’s Ministry of Health have made significant strides in containment and response efforts, including deploying 5,000 health workers, setting up 25 isolation units, and mobilizing surveillance and risk communication strategies nationwide.
Despite the advances, the funding shortfall threatens to derail critical interventions such as infection prevention, case management, and community awareness initiatives.
With $11 million still needed from the total $12.9 million response budget, WHO has called on global partners to step up their contributions.
Current support has primarily come from nations like the United States, Germany, Canada, and others, alongside the WHO Foundation.
“More funds are needed to bridge the 85% funding gap given the high utilization rate of available funds and needs on the ground,” WHO Representative Dr. Charles Njuguna emphasized.
“WHO calls all partners to urgently support the Government of Uganda through increasing their financial contributions towards the Mpox response,” he added.
The WHO stressed that immediate action is essential to prevent the outbreak from further escalating and ensure a sustained, robust response.
Additional funding will expand health worker training, establish permanent isolation spaces, and enhance mental health services.
The Mpox outbreak in Uganda originated in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where an outbreak has been ongoing since January 2023. To date, the DRC has reported over 22,000 suspected Mpox cases and more than 1,200 suspected deaths.
According to the latest Statistical Year Book 2024 published by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), maternal mortality, which stood at 1,071 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000, has now fallen to 203 per 100,000.
The sharp decline reflects the effectiveness of the government’s targeted healthcare policies and the country’s robust approach to maternal health.
Several key factors have driven this reduction. One major contributor is the increase in antenatal care coverage, with nearly 98% of mothers in Rwanda receiving at least one antenatal visit by 2023. The improvement in early detection and intervention has played a crucial role in reducing maternal deaths.
Skilled birth attendance has also been central to this progress, with 94% of births now attended by skilled health professionals, ensuring safer deliveries.
Additionally, improved access to emergency obstetric care has helped reduce maternal mortality. The rise in Caesarean sections and enhanced surgical capacity have ensured better outcomes for mothers facing complications during childbirth.
The gains in maternal health are part of a broader trend of improving child health. Both infant and under-five mortality rates have seen substantial reductions. Infant mortality has dropped from 107 per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 33 in 2023, while under-five mortality has decreased from 196 to 45 per 1,000.
Key interventions have contributed to these reductions. High vaccination rates have played a pivotal role, with over 96% of children immunized by 2023, helping to combat preventable diseases.
Furthermore, community health worker programs continue to be vital in screening for malnutrition and providing timely interventions for children under five.
The report also highlights progress in addressing stunting and malnutrition. The prevalence of stunting decreased from 51% in 2005 to 33% in 2023. Severe malnutrition cases have also seen a dramatic decline, with 97% of children now classified as having normal nutritional status in recent screenings.
Key contributors to this success include growth monitoring programs, with over 1.5 million screenings conducted in 2023, as well as improved nutritional outcomes due to enhanced hospitalization and outpatient treatments for malnutrition.
Rwanda’s healthcare success is also attributed to comprehensive health policies. Health insurance coverage reached an impressive 97.3% in 2023, ensuring that families from all backgrounds can access care.
The Community Health Worker (CHW) program has been instrumental in providing decentralized healthcare, enabling millions of children to receive vital screenings and interventions. Moreover, investments in infrastructure have expanded access to both essential and emergency care, particularly in district hospitals and health centers.
Additionally, focused efforts on maternal and child nutrition, including supplementation programs and education, have significantly contributed to improving overall health outcomes.
“We saw it coming,” Blinken said in an interview with The New York Times, noting the United States made sure that “Ukraine was prepared” by sending it billions of dollars and weapons since September 2021.
“What we’ve had to look at each and every time is not only should we give this to the Ukrainians but do they know how to use it? Can they maintain it?” he added.
When asked whether it is time to end the conflict, Blinken said a cease-fire would likely give Russia a break, and that any cease-fire must ensure Ukraine can “deter further aggression,” which, he noted, could be achieved through NATO membership.
“Russia has been talking about this for many years,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Saturday in response to Blinken’s remarks, noting that they underscored “the rationale behind Russia’s objective on the demilitarization of Ukraine.”
“We voiced concerns over the United States and Britain pouring arms into Ukraine, the endless NATO exercises in the Black Sea that violate Russian borders, and the dangerous proximity of Western military aircraft to civilian airliners in our airspace,” she added.
The Kremlin has repeatedly criticized Western arms shipments to Ukraine, claiming they escalate the conflict, obstruct peace efforts, and drag NATO members into direct involvement.
According to the U.S. Department of State, as of Monday, the United States has provided Ukraine with 61.4 billion U.S. dollars in military assistance since the conflict. And it has “approved” its NATO allies to deliver 12,000 anti-armor systems of all types, over 1,550 anti-air missiles, radars, night vision devices, machine guns rifles and ammunition, and body armor, to Ukraine.
The Haitian National Police confirmed the arrival of 75 Guatemalan soldiers and eight Salvadoran troops in a statement on Friday, December 3, 2024.
The forces are joining the ongoing efforts to restore law and order in Haiti, where gang violence has ravaged the country for years.
A second contingent of 75 Guatemalan soldiers is also expected to arrive soon, further strengthening the deployment and supporting the Haitian National Police’s efforts to tackle the criminal gangs wreaking havoc across the nation.
The MSS mission, authorized by the United Nations Security Council in October 2023, has been tasked with assisting the Haitian government in re-establishing security amidst growing unrest and gang-related violence.
Kenya, leading the mission, initially deployed 400 police officers to Haiti in June 2024.
The UN extended the mission’s mandate until October 2025 in a unanimous decision made in September 2024, amid warnings from experts and the Haitian government about the dire situation.
In a recent investigative report, the UN offices in Haiti documented a massacre in Port-au-Prince by the Wharf Jérémie gang, with at least 207 executions recorded between December 6 and 11, 2024.
With over 5,350 people killed in 2024 alone and 17,000 dead or injured since the gang’s rise in 2022, the UN highlighted the urgent need for international intervention.
Recent reports indicate that more than 700,000 people have been forced to flee their homes due to gang violence and insecurity. The number has been steadily increasing, with a significant rise between 2022 and 2023.
It is estimated that 2.7 million Haitians, including 1.6 million women and children, live in areas under gang control. The residents face daily threats of violence, extortion, and restrictions on their movement.
According to the Seasonal Agricultural Survey (SAS) 2024, conducted by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), the country saw significant increases in crop yields, driven by sustainable farming practices and effective use of agricultural inputs.
The report highlights an impressive 30% increase in maize production during Season A, with yields reaching 507,985 metric tons compared to 390,879 metric tons in 2023.
The report attributes the growth to the widespread adoption of improved seeds and fertilizers. The average maize yield for the season stood at 2 tons per hectare, with large-scale farmers achieving up to 4.6 tons per hectare.
Paddy rice also saw notable gains, with production increasing by 8% in both Seasons A and B.
In 2024, paddy rice yields averaged 4.1 tons per hectare, showcasing the effectiveness of enhanced farming techniques and irrigation methods.
Sustainability was a cornerstone of Rwanda’s agricultural success. The SAS report revealed that 90.6% of farmers implemented anti-erosion measures in Season A, with this figure rising to 92.9% in Season C.
“In 2024, 90.6% of farmers implemented anti-erosion measures in Season A, rising to 92.9% in Season C, showcasing the widespread adoption of practices vital for preserving soil fertility and combating land degradation in Rwanda’s hilly terrain,” the report reads in part.
Irrigation practices also saw significant adoption, particularly in Season C, where 58.2% of farmers utilized irrigation systems. This marks a substantial increase from 7.5% in Season A, reflecting the government’s efforts to expand irrigation infrastructure and reduce reliance on unpredictable rainfall.
The use of agricultural inputs played a crucial role in improving yields. In Season A, 39.7% of farmers used improved seeds, a slight increase from 37.1% in 2023.
Organic fertilizers were used by 89.1% of farmers, while 64.5% opted for inorganic fertilizers. Additionally, the application of pesticides increased to 39.8%, up from 34.5% in the previous year.
These inputs have been instrumental in combating pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies, ensuring that crops reach their full potential.
Despite challenges such as a decline in the cultivated area for some crops, Rwanda’s agricultural sector demonstrated resilience. The area under Irish potatoes decreased by 3% in Season A, but production still managed to increase by 1%, reaching 460,830 metric tons.
This was made possible through the efficient use of inputs and improved farming techniques.
Similarly, while the cultivated area for sweet potatoes in Season A fell by 10%, production rose by 4%, totalling 692,945 metric tons.
Rwanda’s achievements in 2024 reflect the success of its Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA 5), which emphasizes productivity, value addition, and sustainability. By investing in high-quality agricultural inputs, promoting sustainable practices, and expanding irrigation systems, the country is working to expand its economy through agricultural production.
He will also resign as the leader of the People’s Party.
Nehammer said on X that his party had ended the negotiations with the Social Democratic Party to form a new government due to disagreement over key issues.
His surprise move came just one day after the NEOS party pulled out of the coalition negotiations to form an unprecedented three-party government. Following the NEOS’ withdrawal, the People’s Party and the Social Democratic Party confirmed late on Friday to continue their two-party coalition talks.
Negotiations between the three parties had dragged on since mid-November following Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen’s decision in October to task the People’s Party with forming a government.
In September’s parliamentary election, the far-right Freedom Party came first with around 29 percent of the vote, followed by the People’s Party and the Social Democratic Party with 26.3 percent and 21.1 percent respectively. While the Freedom Party won the parliamentary presidency, it has so far been unable to find coalition partners to form a government.
Austrian news agency APA said on Saturday that the path to forming a new government remains unclear.
The agency said the business wing of the People’s Party might now consider a coalition with the Freedom Party following the resignation of Nehammer, who has repeatedly ruled out the possibility of a coalition with the far-right party under its leader Herbert Kickl.
A snap election is also possible, but analysts say the Freedom Party stands to gain the most if one is called. Recent polls indicated rising public support for the party, positioning it as a potential beneficiary of the political deadlock.
The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to leverage technology across various sectors. Over the past five years, the police have implemented speed-monitoring cameras to enhance road safety using artificial intelligence.
Since the installation of the first speed camera in Kanzenze, Bugesera District, in July 2019, which yielded positive results, additional cameras have been placed in locations like Nyagasambu, Kamonyi, Ryabega, and Kanyinya. The cameras are now widespread across Kigali and other provinces, and drones will soon be added to the arsenal.
IGIHE has learnt that the drones, which may have been tested in Musanze District, Northern Province, are ready for deployment.
In an exclusive interview, ACP Boniface Rutikanga, spokesperson for the Rwanda National Police, explained that the use of drones is a key part of the force’s effort to improve service delivery by providing real-time, accurate information.
He emphasized that the ability to respond quickly and make informed decisions is critical for effective policing.
“Technology plays a central role in enhancing our ability to deliver timely services and respond efficiently,” Rutikanga stated.
When asked about the specific challenges prompting the adoption of drone technology, ACP Rutikanga mentioned that there were no significant obstacles.
The decision, he said, aligns with Rwanda’s broader focus on technology to expedite services and ensure professionalism.
“The use of drones is a natural progression for us, as we strive to meet the growing demand for efficient services and timely justice,” he added.
Rutikanga also shared that the police have already conducted several successful tests using drones. Over the past year, drones were used to monitor security in mining areas, especially in hard-to-reach locations.
The drones provided crucial data that allowed the police to address illegal mining activities effectively. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, drones were employed to broadcast public messages, a move that further demonstrated their potential in various policing roles.
“The tests have proven successful, and we’re now ready to expand their use to enhance road safety,” Rutikanga noted.
The police spokesperson highlighted several activities that drones will support beyond traffic enforcement. While many people associate drones primarily with penalizing traffic violations, Rutikanga pointed out that they will also help identify incidents like road blockages caused by accidents or stalled vehicles.
“For instance, drones will enable us to quickly identify and address a blocked road, reducing delays and improving traffic flow,” he explained.
The drones will also assist in detecting emergencies like fires, enabling quicker responses to protect lives and property.
As for their integration with existing systems, Rutikanga revealed that the drones will be equipped with cameras, and the data collected will be centralized for better decision-making.
This approach, he said, will enhance the effectiveness of the police in addressing both security concerns and traffic violations.
Deployment of the drones will begin in areas with the most pressing need, with plans to gradually expand their use across the country.
The police are also mindful of concerns regarding privacy, and Rutikanga assured that Rwanda’s data protection laws will be strictly adhered to.
“We operate within a legal framework that protects personal data and ensures that drone use complies with privacy regulations,” he affirmed.
To further ease public concerns, the Rwanda National Police plans to engage citizens through awareness campaigns. The campaigns will aim to explain the benefits of drone technology and clarify how it will be used to improve road safety and security.
