South Korea ex-president jailed over failed martial law bid
A Seoul court sentenced former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for obstructing justice and abusing power over his failed attempt to impose martial law.
A Seoul court sentenced former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for obstructing justice and abusing power over his failed attempt to impose martial law.
UNHCR chief Barham Salih warns that over 900,000 Sudanese refugees in eastern Chad face worsening conditions as funding gaps hit shelter, water, health and education support.
A moderate earthquake near San Marcos, Guerrero, lightly shook parts of southern Mexico and Mexico City. Authorities and President Claudia Sheinbaum reported no damage or injuries, underscoring ongoing seismic preparedness.
The timeline for announcing results is guided by Uganda’s 1995 constitution. Article 103(7) states that the Electoral Commission must determine, publish, and declare the presidential election results in writing under its seal within 48 hours of polling.
The accusation comes at a delicate moment in Horn of Africa politics. Although Eritrean forces supported the Ethiopian government during the Tigray conflict from 2020 to 2022, relations deteriorated after Eritrea was excluded from the peace agreement that ended the northern Ethiopia civil war in 2022.
The South African Weather Service has raised its highest alert for ongoing downpours, while Mozambique is also preparing for flooding that threatens homes and roads.
A French contingent has landed in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, as part of a broader movement of European troops that includes Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, and the UK.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia was deliberately using the severe cold as part of its war approach, accusing Moscow of taking advantage of winter to deepen suffering. Overnight temperatures in Kyiv have recently dropped to around -20C, making the loss of heating, power and water even more dangerous for households.
The visit comes after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in early January, a move that reshaped the country’s political landscape. Although Machado’s opposition group claimed victory in the contested 2024 elections, Trump has not endorsed her as Venezuela’s new leader.
xAI, the company behind Grok, previously warned that any user attempting to produce illegal content would face the same penalties as uploading prohibited material directly. Despite this, concerns persist over the platform’s potential to facilitate abuse.
Iran’s sudden airspace closure is forcing airlines to reroute flights and disrupting routes to Europe, as Australia updates travel warnings and urges citizens to reassess Middle East travel.
AUSSOM said the operation was conducted jointly by the Somali National Army (SNA), AUSSOM troops, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and international partners, with support from air assets.
Uganda’s Electoral Commission has ordered polling stations with failed biometric kits to use the National Voters Register and extend hours, aiming to prevent voter disenfranchisement and keep the election on track.
Phase two will focus on rebuilding the territory and ensuring full demilitarisation, including the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups. Witkoff emphasized the seriousness of compliance.
In a statement shared on X, Wine said the government’s shutdown of internet services during the elections “prevents citizens and observers from seeing what is happening across the country.” He added that these actions have obstructed transparency and accountability in the voting process.
The fatalities happened at Novokuznetsk Maternity Hospital No.1 between January 1 and 12, with the first infant death recorded on January 4, according to the Investigative Committee of Russia. The incidents unfolded during the long holiday, raising concerns about hospital operations and newborn care.
The UAE has long been influential in Somalia, participating in security initiatives, port management, and economic projects. Its presence has spanned the strategic coastline along the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, a region affected by piracy and arms trafficking.
Looking ahead, January to March 2026 forecasts predict that drier-than-usual conditions will persist in regions not currently in dry season, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. ICPAC warns that prolonged dryness could further affect food production, livestock, water supplies, and health outcomes.
The British embassy in Tehran has been temporarily closed and will operate remotely, while the US embassy in Doha has urged staff to limit travel to the air base and exercise heightened caution. Human rights organizations report that more than 2,400 protesters have been killed during Iran’s crackdown, underlining the seriousness of the unrest.
Israel also cited repeated “virulent anti-Israel reports” from UNCTAD and ESCWA as reasons for its disengagement. The UN Alliance of Civilisations was described as “a platform for attacks against Israel,” while UN Energy was labelled “a wasteful organisation” reflecting the UN’s “excessive and inefficient bureaucracy.”
Trump has repeatedly emphasized that controlling the island is crucial for US national security. The US currently maintains over 100 personnel at the Pituffik military base in northwestern Greenland, a facility under American operation since World War Two, with agreements allowing the US to deploy additional troops as needed.
The race is dominated by Museveni and Wine, although six other candidates are also vying for the presidency. Museveni has successfully won six previous elections and remains a strong favourite. Wine, however, has gained a following among young voters and those calling for reform, making the contest unusually competitive.
The State Department said the freeze is aimed at ending what it described as misuse of the immigration system, particularly by people who seek government support shortly after entering the country. The department noted that the action is intended to safeguard American resources and prevent exploitation of public benefits.
According to the groups, the voter register is riddled with flaws. Deceased people remain listed as eligible voters, while young people and opposition supporters are excluded.
The change is set out in the National Anticipatory Action (AA) Roadmap (2025–2028). The plan will be led by the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA).
El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, has been cut off from regular humanitarian access amid intense fighting, leaving civilians facing acute shortages of food, clean water and medical supplies.
According to the AU Commission, the trade framework has played a critical role in supporting industrialisation, job creation and the development of regional value chains across the continent.
President Madobe said people displaced by the drought are currently receiving limited assistance through the Jubbaland Drought Response Committee, which is delivering water and food to the hardest-hit areas.
The inferno, whose cause is yet to be established, spread rapidly through the densely packed market area, reducing shops and merchandise to ashes before volunteers intervened to contain the blaze.
The accident took place in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province when the Special Express Train No. 21, traveling from capital Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province, was passing through the area and a large construction crane fell on top of one of its carriages.