Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

The disaster unfolded early on January 5, 2026, when days of heavy rain caused rivers and streams to overflow. The sudden rush of water, mixed with mud, rocks, and debris, roared down hillsides and into villages on Siau Island, a small volcanic island located about 130 kilometres off the northern tip of Sulawesi.

Emergency crews, supported by Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), along with police and military personnel, were deployed to the hardest-hit areas. Access to some of these villages has been difficult due to damaged roads and disrupted communications, hampering search efforts. As waters receded on January 6, rescuers recovered the bodies of 16 victims while continuing the search for at least three more people still missing in areas where entire neighbourhoods were inundated.

Authorities have declared a 14-day emergency response period to speed up relief and recovery efforts, providing food, shelter, and medical support to those affected by the flooding.

The floods caused significant structural damage across the region. At least seven houses were completely washed away, while more than 140 homes suffered varying degrees of damage, ranging from moderate to severe. Over 680 residents have been forced into temporary shelters in churches and public buildings.

Initial medical evaluations have identified multiple injuries, and emergency teams are working to evacuate vulnerable residents to safer areas. Local authorities are also working to clear blocked roads and restore access to isolated communities.

Officials have warned residents to remain alert, as further rainfall could spark additional flooding or landslides in the already affected region. The government has mobilised heavy equipment and relief supplies to address the damage caused by the floods.

This tragic event follows a broader pattern of extreme weather in Indonesia, which has seen catastrophic floods and landslides in other areas, such as Sumatra, earlier in December 2025. The ongoing challenges posed by monsoon rains and insufficient infrastructure in remote regions continue to exacerbate the country’s vulnerability to such natural disasters.

Saar arrived in Somaliland on Tuesday, nearly two weeks after Israel formally recognised the region as an independent state, becoming the first country to do so. The visit comes amid efforts by both sides to formalise diplomatic ties.

In a post on the social media platform X, Saar said the mutual recognition and establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Somaliland “are not directed against anyone.” He confirmed that the two sides had agreed to exchange ambassadors and open embassies.

“On December 26, Israel and Somaliland signed a historic agreement on mutual recognition and the establishment of full diplomatic relations,” Saar said during a joint press statement with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi. “We agreed on the mutual appointment of ambassadors and the opening of embassies. We will get that done soon.”

An Israeli Foreign Ministry statement said Saar’s visit followed an official invitation from Abdilahi, who described the trip as “a significant milestone” reflecting a shared commitment to building a productive, forward-looking and strategic partnership.

Speaking at the joint news conference, Abdilahi said Somaliland was politically ready and committed to hosting a permanent Israeli diplomatic presence and confirmed that the region would also open an embassy in Israel. He added that he had accepted an invitation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Israel soon to formally inaugurate Somaliland’s mission.

Both leaders said they were committed to building a strategic relationship covering political, security, economic and development cooperation. Saar noted that discussions between Israel and Somaliland had been ongoing for several months and had culminated in agreements on diplomatic representation.

The Israeli foreign minister said his ministry was working to expand cooperation across sectors including agriculture, water management, healthcare, education, defence and economic development, with plans for exchanges of experts and training programmes. He also welcomed Somaliland’s intention to join the Abraham Accords, describing the region as “friendly to Israel.”

The visit, however, has drawn a sharp response from Somalia, which considers Somaliland part of its sovereign territory. The Somali Foreign Ministry condemned what it termed Saar’s “unauthorised incursion” into Somaliland, accusing Israel of undermining Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a statement, Mogadishu said the visit amounted to “unacceptable interference” in the internal affairs of a sovereign UN member state, warning that any official engagement on Somali territory without the federal government’s consent is illegal, null and without legal effect.

Somalia reiterated its firm and non-negotiable commitment to national unity and territorial integrity, rejecting Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Israel announced its recognition of Somaliland on December 26, a move that sparked widespread regional criticism, particularly from Arab countries, which described it as illegal and a threat to international peace and security.

Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in May 1991, following years of conflict that left the country in turmoil. Despite maintaining its own government, security structures and currency, it has long lacked formal international recognition.

The 20-year-old YouTuber and Twitch streamer made the remarks after travelling through South Africa, where he launched his Africa tour. In videos circulating on social media, he noted that South Africa, where his journey began, does not have mountain gorillas, adding that he intends to see them in Rwanda.

“There are no gorillas here. We’ll visit the gorillas in Rwanda. We won’t be able to do a livestream because there are too many trees, but I’ll do a video,” he said.

Rwanda’s mountain gorillas represent a major conservation success story. Once critically endangered, their numbers have risen significantly, now exceeding 1,000, making them the only great ape population increasing globally.

This success is largely driven by community-focused tourism, which funds protection and turns locals into “gorilla guardians” against threats such as poaching and habitat loss. This makes gorilla trekking not only a unique and precious wildlife encounter but also a powerful symbol of national pride and sustainable economic development.

IShowSpeed, born Darren Jason Watkins Jr, kicked off his 28-day tour, dubbed “Speed Does Africa Tour,” on December 21, 2025. During the tour, he plans to visit multiple African countries, conduct livestreams, and share his experiences with followers worldwide.

Wherever he has travelled so far, the internet personality has drawn large crowds of fans, offering them a glimpse into his experiences across the continent. He received an enthusiastic welcome in South Africa, the first stop on his tour.

In videos shared on X while announcing the tour, IShowSpeed said he plans to visit several countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Rwanda, among others.

The influencer recently concluded his “Speed Does America Tour”, during which he travelled across 25 states in the United States over a 35-day period.

According to IShowSpeedTracker.com, he has previously toured regions including South America, Europe, Asia and Oceania.

The date of his visit to Rwanda is yet to be announced.

Protests have expanded beyond economic grievances to include wider criticism of Iran’s clerical leadership, according to human rights monitors. Organisations such as the Kurdish rights group Hengaw reported that the death toll includes at least four minors, and that more than 1,000 people have been arrested. Another rights network, HRANA, put the total at 29 deaths and 1,203 arrests.

Iranian officials have acknowledged the deaths of at least two members of security forces, but have not confirmed figures for protesters and dispute rights group tallies. Authorities have characterised many demonstrators as “rioters” and blamed foreign influence, while also promising dialogue to address economic concerns.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has pledged economic reforms, including a new subsidy system and changes in central bank leadership, aimed at stabilising the currency and protecting citizens’ purchasing power. Despite these measures, the currency continued to fall, worsening public frustration.

Protests have taken place in 27 of Iran’s 31 provinces, and many demonstrators have broadened their demands to include political reforms, with chants against the country’s clerical rulers. Meanwhile, authorities have vowed to take a firm approach against those they label as instigators and extremists.

Speaking at an engagement ceremony in Uasin Gishu County on Saturday, January 3, the Head of State said the government is drafting a law that would make drug-related offences a capital crime, punishable by hanging. He emphasised that the legislation is a response to the failure of current penalties, which have not deterred traffickers and have left communities and families vulnerable to the devastating impact of drugs.

“For all these people who are involved in the illicit alcohol trade, we are going to change the law. In the past, we had a law with a clause that if you were caught selling substances, including hard drugs such as heroin, the only penalty was a fine of Ksh1 million (approximately 11 million Rwandan francs). Now we are changing that so that you can be hanged,” Ruto said.

He added that the law will also empower authorities to confiscate assets obtained through illicit drug and alcohol trade, including vehicles and property.

The President called on Members of Parliament to support the new legislation, noting that over five million Kenyans are affected by drug and alcohol abuse, which he described as a national crisis that threatens the country’s social and economic development.

The announcement follows Ruto’s plans to strengthen the government’s law enforcement response. In his New Year’s address at Eldoret State Lodge on December 31, the President outlined plans to establish a robust Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The unit, he said, will be trained to operate at the level of Kenya’s elite Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, with capabilities in intelligence, surveillance, forensics, and financial investigations.

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen supported the move, noting that countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia, and China impose the death penalty for serious drug offences.

“We cannot achieve first-world status while the most productive generation is being wiped out by drugs and alcohol,” he said, highlighting the ineffectiveness of current fines in curbing trafficking.

Murkomen added that the government’s crackdown will target major drug barons and operators of illicit alcohol, with special attention to young people from well-off families who are increasingly becoming addicted.

Currently, one in every six Kenyans aged 15 to 65 uses at least one substance, with alcohol being the most prevalent, affecting over 3.2 million people.

Voter turnout was approximately 52.43% in the December 28, 2025, elections, which included presidential, legislative, regional, and municipal votes. The final results will be confirmed by the Constitutional Court in mid-January.

Analysts credit Touadéra’s victory to his efforts to restore peace and security in a country long plagued by armed groups and civil conflict. These efforts were bolstered by support from Rwandan and Russian forces, which helped the government regain control over much of the territory.

Following the pacification of key armed factions, Touadéra’s administration negotiated peace agreements aimed at ending hostilities and promoting collaboration on national development projects.

During his campaign, Touadéra highlighted that while his nine years in office had brought significant progress, challenges remained that he aimed to address in a third term. The election outcome suggests that a majority of citizens continue to place their confidence in his leadership.

Touadéra has been in power since March 2016. He was permitted to run for a third term following a constitutional amendment in 2023, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in November 2025.

“I am innocent. I am not guilty,” Maduro told the court, according to journalists present at the hearing. He told the court he had been “kidnapped” from his residence in Caracas and insisted that, despite being in US custody, he was still the president of Venezuela.

Maduro appeared alongside his wife, Cilia Flores, who also rejected all charges levelled against her by US prosecutors, saying she was completely innocent.

The court set March 17 as the date for the next hearing in the case.

The courtroom proceedings were tense and closely watched, coming just days after Maduro and Flores were seized in a dramatic US military operation. According to US officials, special forces extracted the pair from their residence within the heavily guarded Fort Tiuna military complex in the Venezuelan capital early on Saturday before flying them to New York.

During Monday’s hearing, a brief but heated exchange broke out between Maduro and a member of the public in the courtroom. At one point, Maduro described himself as a “prisoner of war”.

Earlier in the day, images circulated showing Maduro and Flores being transferred to the courthouse in handcuffs, surrounded by heavily armed officers. The scenes fuelled strong reactions both inside Venezuela and internationally.

In Caracas, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president, a move that Venezuelan authorities said was aimed at ensuring continuity of government. During the ceremony, Rodríguez praised Maduro and Flores as “heroes,” accusing the United States of carrying out an illegal act against a sovereign nation.

Outside the New York courthouse, protesters gathered to denounce the US action. Demonstrators waved banners reading “Free Maduro,” “No War on Venezuela,” and “USA hands off Venezuela,” while chanting slogans against what they described as foreign intervention.

The US operation has triggered widespread condemnation and raised serious concerns across the international community, with critics warning that it represents a dangerous escalation in Washington’s long-running campaign against Maduro.

US officials have said the operation was planned for months and carried out without prior congressional authorisation. The Trump administration has defended the move as part of broader efforts to combat alleged drug trafficking networks linked to the Venezuelan leadership.