AU - Africanews

1. Cuban Santería priests warn of conflicts and violence in 2026

   Santería followers gathered in Havana on Friday to discover the Letter of the Year, the predictions of the priests for the New Year.

2. The Gambia: Dozens missing after boat carrying over 200 migrants capsized

   At least 102 survivors were rescued and seven bodies recovered from the boat that capsized off the Gambian coast on New Year's Eve, President Adama Barrow said in a state broadcast.

3. DRC, Liberia among five new non-permanent UN Security Council members

   The United Nations Security Council welcomed Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Latvia and Liberia, as its five new non-permanent members for the 2026-2027 period.

4. Israeli recognition of Somaliland is a 'calculated distraction,' Somali diplomat says

   Somalia's ambassador the United Nations said Israel's move aimed to distract from its war in Gaza and its occupation of the West Bank.

5. A displaced grandmother and her grandson burn to death in Gaza tent fire

   A fire broke out in the tent sheltering Amal Abu al-Khair and her family while her son was cooking dinner.