Touadera, who secured 77.90 percent of the vote, will serve a seven-year term, the Constitutional Council announced at an official ceremony in the capital, Bangui.
Other contenders in the presidential election were former prime ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuele and Henri-Marie Dondra, who came second and third respectively, according to provisional results released by the country’s electoral body, the National Elections Authority.
About 2.3 million voters were registered for the elections, according to the National Elections Authority. Observers said that the elections “were largely peaceful.”
Touadera held a rally with his supporters in Bangui shortly after the final results were announced. He thanked his supporters, urging unity with the other candidates for the reconstruction of the country.
Touadera, 68, focused his campaign on restoring peace and enhancing national development. In the build-up to the election, he signed peace deals with some major rebel groups.
Touadera, who has been in office since 2016, will begin his third term as president following the victory.
Voters also cast their ballots in the Central African Republic’s legislative, regional, and municipal elections on Dec. 28, 2025.
The accident occurred at around 7:45 p.m. local time (1845 GMT) on Sunday, when a train carrying 317 passengers on the Malaga-Madrid route derailed for reasons still unknown near Adamuz, about 20 km north of the city of Cordoba.
As of Monday, authorities had confirmed 40 fatalities, while 48 people remained hospitalized, many of them in intensive care.
Sanchez canceled his scheduled agenda and traveled to the crash site, where he addressed the media and announced that the national mourning period would begin at midnight on Monday. He pledged a full investigation into the cause of the accident, describing it as a “painful day” for the country.
“We will get to the truth, we will find the answers,” Sanchez said, adding that the government would keep the public fully informed “with complete transparency.”
Juanma Moreno, president of the Andalusian regional government, said the impact of the derailment was “extremely violent,” noting that some bodies had been found hundreds of meters from the crash site, suggesting that passengers had been thrown from the train.
He warned that more victims could be discovered once heavy machinery arrives to clear the wreckage.
Spain’s Transport Minister Oscar Puente said earlier that it was “strange” for such an accident to occur on a straight section of track that had only been laid in May 2025. He added that the Malaga-Madrid service, operated by private company Iryo, was using relatively new rolling stock built in 2022.
Alvaro Fernandez Heredia, president of Spain’s state-owned rail operator Renfe, told Spanish state radio network RNE that human error had “been practically ruled out,” suggesting the cause was more likely related to Iryo’s rolling stock or an infrastructure failure.
Spanish media also reported that in August 2025, the national train drivers’ union had raised concerns with infrastructure operator ADIF over defects on the same section of track, including surface damage, unevenness and problems with overhead power lines.
In a statement released on January 18, 2026, family representative Gabriel Bienvenu Baonoku Nangaa, currently exiled in Paris, said the repression against the family began in late 2023. This coincided with the creation of the AFC by the former head of the DRC electoral commission and its subsequent coalition with M23 rebel forces. Since then, Bienvenu revealed, family members have increasingly been targeted with arrests, detentions, and legal restrictions without due process.
“The arbitrary arrests, threats, and intimidation aimed at subjecting all members of the Nangaa family to fear and terror have become common,” the statement said.
The most recent case cited is that of Didier Ilaani Nangaa, who has been held for more than ten days in detention centers of the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) in Isiro, in Haut-Uele Province. According to the family, his detention is not supported by legally valid charges and has taken place outside any regular judicial framework.
The family says this incident is part of a broader pattern. In January 2024, it addressed an open letter to President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo to denounce what it described as persecution, repression, and the targeting of individuals without cause. Rather than improving, the family claims the situation has since worsened.
According to the communiqué, several members of the Nangaa family have been detained in prisons as well as in facilities run by the ANR and the military intelligence service, DEMIAP. The family alleges that four of its members have been sentenced to death since July 2024. Others are said to have been forced into exile, while some remain under movement restrictions, particularly in and around the city of Isiro.
The statement also describes repeated house searches, threats, and intimidation, alleging that security forces have carried out illegal and recurrent operations, including the invasion of family homes.
The accusations come against the backdrop of ongoing conflict and political instability in eastern DRC, where the AFC/M23 rebel alliance has seized large areas of territory, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu. The rebels say they are fighting against poor governance and for the rights of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities.
In its communiqué, the Nangaa family called on the international community, human rights organisations, and Congolese authorities to take urgent measures to end what it describes as persecution and to ensure the protection of its members’ fundamental rights.
The family is demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Didier Ilaani Nangaa and all other relatives, it says, who are being held arbitrarily.
The minister made the remarks on January 19, 2026, during a discussion with senators on the progress of the livestock sector in Rwanda.
He said developing livestock farming requires increasing the volume of animal feed produced locally, which would help lower prices and reduce reliance on imports.
The government is continuing to invest in livestock development, including cattle, small livestock, and aquaculture, with the goal of increasing overall production.
Farmers are being supported to access improved breeds. In cattle farming, particular emphasis is being placed on increasing the number of improved breeds that produce higher milk yields and quality meat.
To accelerate the spread of improved breeds, the government plans to introduce advanced livestock technologies, including embryo transfer, which allows cattle to reproduce using transferred embryos.
Fish production is projected to rise from 52,000 tonnes in 2025 to 77,000 tonnes by 2029, while egg production is expected to increase from 17,000 tonnes in 2024 to 21,000 tonnes.
Dr. Ndabamenye stressed that growth in livestock numbers must go hand in hand with increased availability of affordable animal feed.
“Some of the inputs used in animal feed are sourced locally, but others are imported. To close this gap, we must strengthen local supply so that imports are reduced,” he said.
He noted that imported feed inputs often push prices up due to transport and other costs, making them unaffordable for many farmers.
Although Rwanda already has animal feed processing plants, the minister said many are operating far below capacity and need to be strengthened to meet national demand.
“Most of them operate at only between 32% and 60% of their capacity. That is not satisfactory if we want to ensure sufficient animal feed,” he said.
He added that while some raw materials may still need to be imported, the volumes can be significantly reduced. The government is pursuing two major strategies: increasing crop production—since agriculture must feed both people and livestock—and strengthening collaboration with the private sector to improve efficiency in feed production.
According to the minister, enabling feed factories to operate at 80% to 90% of their capacity would significantly boost output. He also pointed to the importance of establishing storage facilities across the country for raw materials destined for animal feed processing.
Industrial animal feed production largely relies on by-products from maize, soybean, sugarcane, and other agro-processing industries.
Rwanda aims to ensure these by-products are properly stored and sold domestically, instead of being exported and later re-imported in the form of expensive animal feed.
Figures from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) show that maize by-products amounted to 38,044 tonnes in 2024 and are expected to reach 70,560 tonnes by 2029.
Rice by-products are projected to rise from 859,516 tonnes to 1.3 million tonnes over the same period, while sugar industry by-products are expected to increase from 2,726 tonnes to 7,098 tonnes.
“We want a system that ensures farmers have access to sufficient animal feed,” Dr. Ndabamenye said. “We are working to improve investment frameworks and ensure that industrial by-products are channelled back into livestock farming, while strictly observing quality standards—because poor-quality feed leads to losses.”
Senator Pelagie Uwera and Senator Dr. Leatitia Nyinawamwiza highlighted that the quality of animal feed remains a major concern and called for stronger oversight to ensure standards are met.
With few restraints, Trump’s presidency has become an example of executive authority being pushed to its limits, reshaping government operations and asserting U.S. dominance on the global stage.
Since assuming office on January 20, 2025, Trump has pursued aggressive actions on a number of fronts. At home, he has enacted sweeping changes to the federal government, significantly reducing the federal workforce and pushing forward with the deportation of immigrants through executive orders.
His administration has also closed or scaled back several government agencies, a move that has been praised by his supporters but criticized by many who see it as weakening critical public services.
Trump’s domestic policies have included economic deregulation and the implementation of tax cuts that have stirred debates across the political spectrum.
His administration’s immigration policies, including aggressive border enforcement and the reduction of asylum seekers, have been a cornerstone of his second presidency. His handling of these issues has highlighted his determination to reshape American society according to his vision, despite strong opposition from many quarters.
On the international front, Trump has used his executive powers to make bold moves that have rattled U.S. allies and adversaries alike. One of the most controversial actions has been his renewed efforts to assert control over Greenland, a move that drew ire from Denmark and several European countries.
Trump’s foreign policy has been characterized by unilateral actions, including a military operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolás Maduro, signaling a more aggressive stance in Latin America. These bold actions reflect Trump’s ongoing belief that the U.S. should assert its dominance, even at the cost of alienating traditional allies.
While Trump’s policies and executive orders have had substantial impact, they have not been without controversy. His approval rating has fluctuated, with recent polls showing a dip in support, as critics raise concerns over the erosion of checks and balances.
Trump has faced opposition from Democrats who argue that his actions threaten the balance of powers enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
However, his loyal Republican base continues to back his strong use of executive authority, which has ensured little pushback from Congress, where the Republican Party remains in control.
Trump’s first year has also raised concerns about the future of U.S. democracy and the separation of powers. Critics argue that Trump’s expanding use of presidential powers from military decisions to trade policies and immigration reforms could set dangerous precedents for future administrations.
Trump’s critics in the U.S. House of Representatives have even hinted at possible impeachment should the Republicans lose control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections.
Looking forward, President Trump’s second year in office will likely continue to push the boundaries of presidential power, as he faces growing challenges both domestically and abroad.
However, the question remains: will Congress, the courts, or the public find ways to rein in his authority, or will Trump’s executive reach continue to shape the U.S. for years to come?
The COEWG is a quadrennial forum that brings together Troop and Police Contributing Countries (TPCCs) and the UN Secretariat to deliberate on issues related to equipment and supply in UN field missions.
This year’s forum of the COE Working Group runs from January 19 through 30. It will also review and update the Contingent-Owned Equipment (COE) Manual, as well as equipment and personnel reimbursement rates.
In his statement during the opening session, the Defence and Military Adviser of Rwanda to the UN, Col Deo Mutabazi told delegates that the COEWG 2026 comes at a time when peacekeeping operations are at crossroads due to a serious liquidity crisis leading to personnel and COE cuts and less predictability for the future.
Col Mutabazi reminded the delegates that the fruitful COEWG reflects Member States’ renewed commitment to making peacekeeping more adaptive and responsive to existing challenges and emerging realities in the maintenance of international peace and security.
He emphasized that peacekeeping operations can only succeed when supported by predictable, adequate, and sustainable financing, as enshrined in the Pact for the Future.
Regarding expectations, Col Mutabazi underscored the need for practical solutions to pressing issues such as COE rotation, ammunition replenishment, and reimbursement rates for deployed capabilities, particularly in the context of high demand and a disrupted global supply chain.
The disaster occurred late Sunday evening when an Iryo high-speed train bound for Madrid from Málaga derailed and crossed onto the track of an oncoming Renfe-operated train heading toward Huelva. The impact pushed the second train off the rails and down an embankment, causing severe damage to the front carriages of both trains.
Spanish authorities confirmed that around 400 passengers were aboard both trains at the time of the collision. At least 75 people were taken to hospitals, and 15 of them were reported in serious condition, according to the chief of the regional government of Andalusia. Officials also warned that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue to work at the scene.
Video shared on social media showed rescue workers pulling passengers from twisted carriages under floodlights, with some survivors climbing out of shattered windows. One passenger described a terrifying sequence of events, noting the sudden shift and loud noise as the first train left the tracks.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Spain’s transport minister, Oscar Puente, said it was “really strange” that a derailment could occur on a straight section of track that had been recently refurbished, and added that investigators were looking into all possible factors.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed deep sorrow over the accident, calling it a “night of deep pain” for the country. Leaders from across Spain, including members of the royal family, have extended their condolences to the victims and their families.
Emergency services, including fire and medical teams, are continuing search and rescue efforts, while rail operator ADIF announced that high-speed rail services between Madrid and Andalusia will remain suspended as recovery operations proceed.
This incident marks one of the deadliest rail accidents in Spain in recent years and has raised urgent questions about railway safety and emergency preparedness on the country’s high-speed network.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, and Jagan Chapagain, Secretary-General of the IFRC. The funding aims to strengthen the humanitarian response to the ongoing crisis in Sudan and support communities affected by the conflict.
Under the agreement, US$10 million will be directed toward supporting host communities accommodating Sudanese refugees in Chad, South Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia, while US$1 million will be allocated to the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) to enhance rapid and effective emergency response.
Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to its international and moral responsibilities toward people affected by disasters, crises, and conflicts worldwide.
He emphasised the UAE’s continued support for joint international humanitarian efforts and its close cooperation with global partners to ensure the delivery of essential aid and basic services, particularly to vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly.
“The UAE’s allocation of this funding comes amid a deteriorating humanitarian situation and widespread displacement within Sudan and neighbouring countries,” Dr. Al Ameri said.
“This reality necessitates intensified international cooperation and urgent action to strengthen the provision of basic services and enhance the resilience of more than one million Sudanese refugees and host communities in Chad, South Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia.”
Jagan Chapagain stated that the crisis in Sudan resulted in one of the world’s largest displacement emergencies, placing significant pressure on neighbouring countries.
“This agreement with the UAE Aid Agency will enable Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Chad, South Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia to expand essential health, water, and sanitation services for refugees and host communities, while also augmenting the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund to ensure swift and effective humanitarian action,” he explained.
The agreement reflects the UAE’s sustained commitment to supporting the Sudanese people and contributing to international efforts aimed at addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis. It also underscores the UAE’s dedication to collective action with regional and international partners to promote stability and peace in Sudan.
Over the past decade (2015–2025), the UAE has provided US$4.24 billion in assistance to Sudan. Since the outbreak of the current crisis (2023–2025), the UAE has allocated US$784 million in humanitarian aid.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the UAE ranks second globally after the United States in terms of aid provided to Sudan since the start of the conflict.
Yoon was sentenced to five years in prison on his arrest obstruction charges stemming from a martial law attempt, live footage showed last Friday. Under South Korean law, the deadline to file an appeal is one week, meaning the appeal had to be submitted by Jan. 23.
After several of their key arguments were rejected in the ruling, Yoon’s side held a press conference earlier on Monday, announcing that an appeal was formally filed with the Seoul Central District Court at 4 p.m.
Meanwhile, the special prosecutor, who has yet to receive the full written verdict, said he plans to review the ruling and decide whether to file an appeal. The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon’s insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon. However, as the prosecution previously expressed regret that the sentence was only half of what was sought, observers widely expect an appeal to be filed.
The first-instance sentencing for Yoon’s insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb. 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.
The emergency martial law was declared by Yoon on the night of Dec. 3, 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.
The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April last year, officially removing him from office.
The ousted leader was indicted under detention last January as a suspected ringleader of the insurrection, becoming the first sitting president to be arrested and indicted.
Thousands of Congolese civilians fled to Burundi following fighting in South Kivu Province between the AFC/M23 coalition and an alliance comprising the Congolese armed forces (FARDC), Wazalendo militias, Burundian troops, and the FDLR.
Although security has reportedly improved in parts of Uvira city, some refugees attempted to return home. However, Burundian authorities closed the border, preventing their return.
Living conditions for refugees in Burundi have continued to deteriorate. Reports indicate that several people have died due to diseases linked to poor sanitation in overcrowded camps.
Speaking in an interview with journalist Hariana Verás Victória, who is known to be close to DRC authorities and their allies, President Ndayishimiye said the Congolese government should assume responsibility for assisting its displaced citizens.
He noted that while some refugees are being hosted by Burundian families, others without relatives have been settled in refugee camps. Ndayishimiye also criticised the UN refugee agency, saying it has failed to provide adequate assistance to Congolese refugees, and urged President Félix Tshisekedi’s government to intervene.
“I call on the DRC government to find ways to help these people,” Ndayishimiye said. “I do not consider them refugees in the strict sense, but people who moved from one place to another because they were fleeing an enemy that attacked the DRC, not the Congolese government.”
He added that because the displaced civilians did not flee their own government, the DRC remains responsible for their welfare wherever they may be. “They are not enemies of the state. That is why they should be treated as internally displaced people who crossed from one area to another,” he said.
Ndayishimiye further suggested that the DRC could mobilise international partners to support humanitarian operations, stressing that Burundi does not have sufficient resources to manage the crisis alone.
“As Burundi, we are encouraging our citizens to assist these refugees, but the situation is extremely difficult,” he said. “We simply do not have the capacity to fully support them, even though cooperation is necessary.”
In early December 2025, Burundi received more than 100,000 Congolese refugees fleeing fighting in the Ruzizi Plain. They joined tens of thousands of others who had already been living in the country for an extended period.
New arrivals were initially placed in temporary camps near the border and have repeatedly appealed to Burundian authorities to allow them to return home, citing dire living conditions and rising deaths in the camps.
The Burundian government has rejected these requests and instead begun relocating refugees to camps farther from the border, including the Busuma camp in the former Ruyigi Province. Refugees relocated there report equally harsh conditions and have staged protests demanding permission to return to the DRC.
