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The new rules, set to take effect on January 21, 2026, are part of a visa bond pilot programme aimed at reducing rates of visa overstays. Under the policy, passport holders from Uganda and other listed countries may be required to pay a bond of $5,000 (Rwf 7.2 million), $10,000 (Rwf 15 million), or $15,000 (Rwf 22 million), depending on a consular officer’s assessment during the visa interview.

The requirement applies to B‑1/B‑2 visas, which cover short‑term business and tourist travel, and will be implemented through the US Treasury’s online payment platform. Applicants will only be instructed to pay if directed by a consular officer and must not use third-party websites, as payments made outside official channels are non-refundable.

“Any citizen or national travelling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond for $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000,” the State Department notice reads.

Paying the bond does not guarantee that a visa will be approved. It is refundable if the visa is denied or if the traveller follows all visa conditions, including leaving the US on time. Authorities caution, however, that the bond may be forfeited if a traveller overstays, fails to depart as required, or attempts to change their immigration status.

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Uganda is among dozens of countries newly subject to the bond requirement, which now covers nations across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Other African countries affected include Angola, Benin, Burundi, Gabon, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, and Zimbabwe, alongside previously listed nations such as Botswana, the Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, and Zambia.

From Asia, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, and Tajikistan have been added, while Cuba, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Venezuela represent the Caribbean and Latin American region on the list.

Officials say the broader visa bond initiative forms part of a series of tightened controls under the current US administration, which also includes mandatory in‑person interviews and expanded scrutiny of applicants’ social media use, travel history, and personal circumstances.

The new bond requirement is expected to significantly increase the cost of visiting the United States for many Ugandans, placing it well above standard visa fees and potentially making travel prohibitive for ordinary applicants.

According to statistics for 2025, around 5.9 percent of Ugandans relocated to North America in the past decade, though it is unclear how many travelled through legal channels. There are an estimated 15,000 Ugandan immigrants living in the US based on consolidated data from 2017–2025.

He made the remarks during a Russian Orthodox Christmas service at the Saint George the Victorious Church outside Moscow on January 6, 2026, where he met veterans of the war in Ukraine and their families.

According to an RT report, Putin told a group of children that Russia has historically viewed its warriors as fulfilling a “holy mission” under the direction of the Lord, framing military service as more than a duty, but as something spiritual and noble.

“You should be rightfully proud of your fathers and your mothers,” Putin said, emphasising that Russian soldiers have historically protected the Fatherland and its people “under the direction of the Lord.”

This religious framing was repeated in his Christmas greeting, where he praised Christian organisations for charity work and support for veterans, contributing to social unity and cultural values.

The framing of military service is part of a broader trend where Russia’s leadership uses patriotic and spiritual language to rally public support for its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The conflict between the two nations began in February 2014 following Ukraine’s “Revolution of Dignity,” which led to the Russian annexation of Crimea and an eight-year proxy war in the Donbas region. This escalated into a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, marking the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II.

As of January 2026, the war has entered its fourth year of full-scale fighting and remains in an active stalemate; while Russia continues to occupy approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, both sides are engaged in a brutal war of attrition characterised by frequent drone strikes, frontline skirmishes, and a mounting humanitarian crisis that has displaced millions.

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.

Between Oct. 25 and Dec. 30, some 65,000 individuals were displaced from multiple locations across the Kordofan region, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, told a daily briefing, citing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

In South Kordofan state, displacement has increased sharply in recent days, he said, pointing to estimates by the International Organization for Migration that between Dec. 31, 2025 and Jan. 4 this year, violence drove nearly 1,000 people to flee in Quoz locality, Kadugli town and Berdab village.

On Monday, another 2,000 people were uprooted from Um Dam Haj Ahmed locality in North Kordofan state, said the spokesperson, adding that UN humanitarians in the country reported a drone attack on Tuesday in the state’s capital, El Obeid, which allegedly claimed the lives of 13 civilians, including children.

“Once again, the UN reiterates its urgent call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the protection of civilians,” said Dujarric, adding that the United Nations also reiterates the need for rapid, safe and sustained humanitarian access so aid can reach those in need.

Several storage tanks caught fire on the premises following the blast, Gladkov said on social media. “According to preliminary information, there were no casualties.”

The attacked oil depot is located in the Stary Oskol district, the governor said. Firefighting crews are currently working to extinguish the blaze.

Gladkov said that details regarding possible casualties are still being verified, and emergency services remain on the scene.

In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday, Trump said the oil would be transported by storage ships to US ports and sold at market prices.

He added that he would oversee the revenues to ensure they benefit both the American and Venezuelan people, and said he had instructed Energy Secretary Chris Wright to implement the plan “immediately”.

Trump’s announcement follows his earlier pledge to “take back” Venezuela’s oil resources and revive the country’s struggling energy sector, in the wake of his administration’s abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Energy analysts say the impact of the proposed transfer remains unclear. Mark Finley, an energy expert at the Baker Institute in Texas, said the significance depends on the timeframe involved.

“Thirty to 50 million barrels over what time frame? That’ll be key to assessing the significance of this,” Finley told Al Jazeera, noting that the volume would be substantial over a month but marginal if spread across a year.

Scott Montgomery, a global energy expert at the University of Washington, also questioned Trump’s assertion that he would control oil revenues.

“I have no real idea about how Trump might distribute the cash. There’s not much of a precedent for this kind of thing,” Montgomery told Al Jazeera.

Trump has claimed US oil companies are ready to invest billions of dollars to rebuild Venezuela’s oil infrastructure, though major firms such as ExxonMobil, Chevron and ConocoPhillips have not publicly commented. US media reports say company representatives are expected to meet Trump later this week.

Analysts caution that restoring Venezuela’s oil production to its 1990s peak of more than three million barrels per day would require years of work and massive investment. Rystad Energy estimates about $110bn would be needed to raise output to around two million barrels per day.

Once a leading global oil producer, Venezuela now accounts for less than one percent of global supply, following years of sanctions, mismanagement, corruption and underinvestment under former presidents Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro.

The document was signed in Paris by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The signing followed a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, which brought together leaders of several European countries, as well as White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.

Following the meeting, Zelensky noted that there is already a detailed understanding of the architecture of security guarantees for Ukraine.

For his part, Starmer said the declaration creates a legal basis for operations of partner countries’ troops on Ukrainian territory if a peace agreement is achieved.

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.