There is a mixed bag of expectations and anxiety over what this new year holds for Nigeria. Yesterday’s excesses have come home to roost. Time and time again the issue of over- dependence on oil has been a hot topic, and many have said that the nation should look to other sectors such as agriculture and mineral resources also. The shell-shock of crashing oil prices has alarmed the government. 2016 will be an extremely tough year, though many hope it will bring change and an acceleration of meaningful development of other sectors of the economy. Currently over 80% of all government revenue derives from the sale of crude oil.

At the end of 2015 the global anti-corruption watchdog, Transparency International, reported: ‘The police force is the most corrupt institution in Kenya.’ Investigations revealed a hierarchy in the way proceeds of corruption are shared among police officers. Kenya is supposed to be vetting all its police officers as part of a reform package the government agreed to undertake. Meanwhile the International Justice Mission, a Christian organisation, request prayer for breakthrough as they advocate that a corrupt and abusive police should be held accountable under the law. ‘Our team in Nairobi has been working tirelessly to encourage justice system officials to understand the importance of holding corrupt police officers accountable for their actions. We have helped free many innocent prisoners and ensured bogus charges were dropped, but none of the police who abused their power to imprison the innocent have ever been convicted. Please pray for a breakthrough as we work alongside Kenyan authorities to encourage them to hold all police officials, regardless of their status, accountable for their actions.‘

Israel has curtailed gas supplies to the occupied Gaza Strip, causing a major disruption to most families and exacerbating the harsh impact of the cold weather. The amount of gas entering Gaza has decreased by 50% since early December, 15% of what is needed. Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, based in Gaza, said 20% of Gaza households do not have gas. A shortage of electricity has worsened the crisis. Gaza's agricultural sector, which depends on gas to run greenhouses has been further hurt by the gas crisis. The Israeli authorities are being accused of causing the gas shortages to intensify pressure on Gaza and push people against Hamas, the group who govern the strip. However, the Israeli ministry of energy has not responded to Al Jazeera's requests for comment.