Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement on Thursday that the missile “hit its target and was not intercepted,” forcing Israelis into shelters and disrupting flights.
He said the attack was in support of Palestinians and in response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
There has been no immediate comment from the Israeli side so far.
It was the group’s third claimed attack against Israel in two days.
On Wednesday, the group claimed responsibility for launching two missile and drone attacks on “sensitive targets” in Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel Aviv.
The escalation came after an Israeli airstrike last Thursday in the Houthi-held capital Sanaa killed 12 senior Houthi figures, as the Houthi forces have no air defense systems.
The Houthis, which control much of northern Yemen, have been frequently launching missile and drone attacks on Israel since November 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Nearly all Houthi attacks were reportedly intercepted.
In response, Israel has retaliated, striking Houthi targets in northern Yemen.
Allison Burroughs, judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, wrote in a ruling that “Defendants (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Justice) used antisemitism as a smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically-motivated assault on this country’s premier universities.”
On April 11, Trump administration officials sent a letter to Harvard, demanding that the university eliminate antisemitism on campus and dismantle diversity initiatives that favor certain minority groups.
The Trump administration “did so in a way that runs afoul of” the Administrative Procedure Act, the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, wrote the ruling.
On April 14, after Harvard rejected the administration’s demands, the Trump administration announced a freeze on 2.2 billion dollars in multi-year grants and 60 million dollars in multi-year contract value to the university.
“We must fight against antisemitism, but we equally need to protect our rights, including our right to free speech, and neither goal should nor needs to be sacrificed on the altar of the other,” wrote Burroughs.
Noting that Harvard “was wrong to tolerate hateful behavior for as long as it did,” the judge wrote that “Harvard is currently, even if belatedly, taking steps it needs to take to combat antisemitism and seems willing to do even more if need be.”
“Now it is the job of the courts to similarly step up, to act to safeguard academic freedom and freedom of speech as required by the Constitution, and to ensure that important research is not improperly subjected to arbitrary and procedurally infirm grant terminations, even if doing so risks the wrath of a government committed to its agenda no matter the cost,” Burroughs wrote.
The judge granted a motion for summary judgment, which means she has ruled in favor of Harvard without a trial.
In a phone call with UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) commander Diodato Abagnara, Aoun expressed solidarity with peacekeepers who came under fire near the border town of Marwahin.
On Wednesday, UNIFIL said Israeli drones dropped four grenades on Tuesday as its personnel cleared roadblocks blocking access to a UN post. One grenade landed within 20 meters of peacekeepers, and three others within 100 meters of staff and vehicles. The mission called it “one of the most serious attacks” on its personnel since last November’s ceasefire.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern, stressing that endangering peacekeepers was “unacceptable” and urging all sides to guarantee their safety.
Lebanon’s presidency said Aoun condemned the strike and demanded swift international measures to hold Israel accountable. He accused Israel of defying UN Security Council resolutions, undermining the immunity of UN personnel, and continuing attacks that kill civilians and damage infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
The incident marked the first direct targeting of UN peacekeepers since the November truce, brokered by the United States and France to stop cross-border clashes linked to the Gaza war.
Israel has continued periodic strikes in Lebanon, citing Hezbollah threats, and has maintained positions at several border sites after missing a Feb. 18 withdrawal deadline.
Also on Thursday, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Israeli airstrikes a day earlier killed four people and wounded 17 in the south. A Lebanese Army intelligence source reported that Israeli aircraft carried out 18 strikes across the region from Wednesday into early Thursday.
According to a joint statement released by the US Department of State, the committee acknowledged delays in implementing some provisions of the agreement but underscored a shared commitment to ensure its complete and timely implementation to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in eastern DRC and the wider Great Lakes region.
Deliberations focused on recent challenges, including reports of violence in eastern DRC, and the need for actionable steps to guarantee compliance with the agreement.
Members welcomed the decision to merge the technical secretariats of the East African Community (EAC), Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the African Union (AU) into a single independent joint secretariat. This, they said, would enhance coordination, with the AU playing a central role in implementation.
The DRC and Rwanda also reaffirmed commitments made during the August 8 Tripartite High-Level Ministerial, particularly regarding the safe return of refugees.
The committee welcomed the upcoming meeting of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM), tasked with accelerating efforts to neutralize support for the FDLR armed group and advancing Rwanda’s lifting of defensive measures as outlined in Appendix A of the Peace Agreement.
Ahead of the JSCM meeting in Doha, the DRC reiterated that it has no policy of supporting the FDLR and pledged concrete action to reflect this position.
Rwanda, in turn, reaffirmed its respect for the DRC’s territorial integrity and committed to ensuring its actions remain consistent with this principle.
Both governments also committed to establish a technical-level intelligence and military channel for direct information exchange.
The committee emphasized that these steps are essential to realizing the Regional Economic Integration Framework, which aims to open key economic corridors and drive long-term development and stability in the region.
Qatar provided an update on the ongoing negotiations in Doha between the DRC government and AFC/M23, describing them as critical to achieving stability in eastern DRC. Both the DRC and Rwanda pledged full support for bringing these negotiations to a successful conclusion.
Among others, the JOC reaffirmed its commitment to holding regular meetings to monitor progress, address challenges, and ensure the Peace Agreement’s effective implementation.
In closing, the DRC and Rwanda expressed appreciation for the United States, Qatar, and the African Union, recognizing their vital contributions and coordinated efforts to advance durable peace in eastern DRC.
A medical report from Kyegera Doctors Center, seen by IGIHE, confirmed that she succumbed to an illness that evening.
The news was also confirmed by Bikem Uwayesu, one of her close representatives, who was with her in Uganda.
He explained that Gogo and her team had travelled from Rwanda to Uganda on August 28, 2025, to attend a gospel crusade in Mbarara, held from August 29 to 31.
Following the event, she and her team continued to Kampala on August 31, where she was scheduled to work on promotional activities with a certain company.
Shortly after arriving in Kampala, Gogo fell ill. At first, those close to her thought it was a mild condition, as she had battled the same illness before. However, her health deteriorated rapidly, and despite being rushed to the hospital, she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Gogo who rose to prominence on social media, gained wider attention after her worship track was remixed by South African musician David Scott, popularly known as The Kiffness.
Gogo was best known online for her heartfelt worship songs, often sung in English with her distinct accent. In the viral clip, she sings: “Everyday, I need the blood of Jesus.”
The Kiffness reworked the video by layering her vocals with trumpet and piano, creating a lively new version that he shared on TikTok and YouTube in January.
By September 4, 2025, the remix had been viewed over 780,000 times on his YouTube channel, which has over three million subscribers.
“The death toll of the boat incident has risen to 60 and the casualty figure is rising,” said Abdullahi Baba Ara, chair of Borgu local government area, adding that 10 people were in serious condition and many others still missing.
Emergency personnel and local divers were searching for the victims, according to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency.
The accident occurred around 11 a.m. local time (1000 GMT) on Tuesday when the overloaded vessel collided with a tree stump and capsized near the Gausawa community in the Borgu local government area.
The boat carried more than 100 people, with women and children being the majority of the fatal victims, said Sa’adu Inuwa Muhammad, the district head of Shagumi.
Boat accidents, often caused by overloading, adverse weather, and operational errors, are common in Nigeria.
In a report released earlier this week, the Federal Ministry of Health said field tests, medical reports, and surveillance data showed no signs of toxic substances. “There is no evidence of chemical or radiological contamination in Khartoum State,” it said in a detailed report.
The ministry said no abnormal deaths, mass illnesses, or symptoms of poisoning had been recorded, and that forensic reports had not identified any unusual causes of death. It added that radiation levels were normal, no radioactive material had moved, and no suspicious munitions or residues had been found.
The report said the findings were based on field tests conducted since April, when the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) retook control of Khartoum from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
It said measurements were carried out with equipment accredited by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
The United States in June imposed sanctions on Sudan, accusing it of using chemical weapons in 2024. Khartoum dismissed the allegations at the time as “political blackmail” and a distortion of facts.
Sudan has been in conflict since April 2023, when fighting broke out between the SAF and the RSF. The war has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, worsening a humanitarian crisis in one of the world’s poorest countries.
The project is the result of a creative partnership between Belgian painter Paul De Gobert and Rwandan writer Joseph Ndwaniye, who set out to capture the nation’s landscapes, people and stories through two distinct yet complementary lenses: watercolour and prose.
The idea was born after the two met at a literary event. Inspired by their shared fascination with Rwanda, they embarked on a journey to document the country in real time.
De Gobert worked with portable formats, using watercolours to capture the fleeting play of light, speed and effort, while Ndwaniye translated those impressions into words, crafting a sensitive, nuanced narrative.
The result is a book that reads like a travel journal where image and text stand side by side, each offering its own way of understanding the country.
Rather than one medium overshadowing the other, painting and prose work in harmony, giving the reader a layered experience.
At the heart of the book lies the bicycle, a deliberate choice by the authors. For Ndwaniye, it represents more than just a means of transport; it is a social connector and a symbol of resilience.
The bicycle in Rwanda carries goods, brings families together, transports the sick and, in recent years, has placed the country firmly on the international sporting map.
From daily survival to elite competition, the bicycle becomes a metaphor for Rwanda’s capacity to move forward.
{{Memory and resilience}}
The narrative also touches on Rwanda’s past, particularly through visits to memorials. These moments are acknowledged with sensitivity, but the book resists reducing the nation to a single chapter of history.
Instead, it highlights a broader picture: traditions, biodiversity, everyday life and the determination of a society rebuilding itself while hosting international cycling events.
The publication of Les Mille Collines à Coups de Pédale coincided with Rwanda’s growing role in international cycling. Original works by De Gobert will be exhibited at the Institut français in Kigali from September 18 to October 6, while a dedicated stand will be set up during the week of the world cycling championships.
Visitors will have the chance to meet the authors, attend signings and engage in discussions.
But the project goes beyond the book launch. It aims to inspire young Rwandans to embrace cycling, celebrate those shaping the sport, and showcase local artistic talent.
Both authors have signalled their commitment to continuing the collaboration: De Gobert has already created hundreds of works on Rwanda, and Ndwaniye continues to expand his literary exploration.
Ultimately, Les Mille Collines à Coups de Pédale is more than a book, it is an invitation to rediscover Rwanda—through the rhythm of pedalling, the stroke of a brush, and the cadence of carefully chosen words. It shows how sport and art can come together to tell the story of a nation in motion.
Joseph Ndwaniye, hailing from Murambi in Rwanda, has lived in Belgium since 1986. Alongside his career as a specialist oncology nurse, he has built a strong literary reputation with works such as La Promesse faite à ma sœur (2007; reissued 2018), Le Muzungu mangeur d’hommes (2018), and En quête de nos ancêtres (2021), as well as numerous short stories.
Paul De Gobert, a Belgian painter, printmaker and watercolourist, is widely recognised for his public commissions and exhibitions, including murals like the Vandervelde metro station in Brussels.
Author of illustrated works such as Visages de Mongolie, Ma traversée de Bruxelles and Le Jardin sauvage, he has also produced hundreds of artworks dedicated to Rwanda.
{{Preface: David Lappartient, President of the UCI. }}
The pair were reportedly arrested early February 2025 at the crossroads connecting Ngozi, Gitega and Muyinga. Police pulled them out of a taxi and took them to the station, where they spent the night before being transferred to Gitega Central Prison.
In June, they appeared before the Gitega Intermediate Court, telling judges that they had travelled to Burundi simply to attend a wedding. Prosecutors insisted they were intelligence operatives.
On August 22, the court ruled the women innocent. IGIHE has learnt that their release was delayed while prosecutors were given time to appeal. When no appeal was filed, the Ministry of Justice on August 29 ordered their release, which was immediately carried out.
After their release, Nyirahabineza and Nzeyimana stayed with friends in Gitega, though their travel documents remained confiscated. Their lawyer continued to press for their return. On September 3, Burundian authorities returned the documents, clearing the way for their journey back to Rwanda.
The case comes amid strained relations between Kigali and Bujumbura. Rwandans travelling to Burundi face heavy scrutiny, as Burundian authorities accuse Rwanda of trying to destabilise its security, allegations Rwanda has consistently denied, stressing its commitment to peaceful coexistence with neighbours.
Every day, many people working in Kigali commute back to Bishenyi, Ruyenzi, and Gihara, enjoying the convenience of public transport linking them directly to Nyabugogo bus station.
Some who once dreamed of living in Kigali but built modern homes in Kamonyi have since decided to stay, convinced by the district’s rapid pace of development and its promising future that increasingly mirrors Kigali’s urban growth.
Looking ahead, Kamonyi’s development vision focuses on projects that will strengthen its connection with Kigali, while also integrating surrounding districts such as Muhanga, Bugesera, Ruhango, and Gakenke.
According to the 2023–2050 Master Plan for Settlement and Land Use, Kamonyi is expected to evolve over the next 25 years into a hub for agro-business, sports, entertainment, and modern housing, reinforcing its role as a true secondary city complementing the capital.
{{Nyabarongo wetlands}}
The Government of Rwanda plans to transform the Nyabarongo wetlands, particularly the Kamuhanda area, into a major tourism attraction. It will serve as a modern gateway into Kamonyi for visitors arriving from Kigali.
The site will be developed into a beautiful recreational zone with designated spaces for relaxation, social activities, and an information center to guide tourists.
The Nyabarongo Bridge will also be upgraded, redesigned with towering skyward pillars that will make it a striking architectural landmark. According to the master plan, its new design will symbolize the strong link between Kigali and Kamonyi.
In addition, the area will feature a cable car line connecting to Kamonyi’s town center, offering tourists an aerial view of the district’s natural beauty, especially the Nyabarongo wetlands.
{{Ruyenzi modernized}}
Ruyenzi, considered the urban core of Kamonyi, is undergoing a steady transformation as new infrastructure, commercial buildings, and residential developments continue to reshape its image.
The center is set to feature modern road interchanges to improve transport services, alongside the redevelopment of its existing small industrial zone.
With the establishment of a new industrial park in Muhanga, traffic along the main highway passing through Kamonyi is expected to increase significantly. To ease congestion, plans include the construction of a 44-meter-wide underground road to serve as a bypass.
Ruyenzi will also host a modern football stadium on the current Runda pitch, along with entertainment facilities designed to accommodate major district and national events that bring large crowds together.
{{Bishenyi elevated to urban status}}
Bishenyi, home to Kamonyi’s main bus terminal that connects passengers traveling between Kigali and the Southern Province, is set for a major transformation. Although the current terminal is poorly developed, plans are underway to modernize it, turning it into a showcase of the district’s progress.
The future Bishenyi will serve as a hub for modern shopping centers, upgraded residential areas, and an agro-processing and livestock industrial zone. It will also host Kamonyi’s largest market.
A signature monument will be built in the center, artistically crafted to symbolize unity, culture, and development, while serving as a welcoming landmark for visitors and prospective residents.
The Bishenyi wetland, currently loaned to local farmers for cultivation, will also be rehabilitated to enhance its natural beauty and conserve the rich biodiversity that exists within it.
{{Remera-Rukoma}}
Remera-Rukoma, Musambira, and Mugina are identified as emerging urban service centers, expected to continue expanding and attracting a growing population.
The Remera-Rukoma Hospital is set to be upgraded to provincial level, with a multi-storey facility bringing together a wide range of specialized medical services to improve healthcare delivery in the Southern Province.
In line with the country’s broader vision, a new district hospital will be built in Mugina to complement Remera-Rukoma, while each sector across Kamonyi will be equipped with at least two health centers.
Mugina will also host a modern bus terminal, featuring a passenger waiting area, ticketing offices, and information services. The project will be implemented with a strong focus on environmental sustainability.
According to the 2022 census, Kamonyi had a population of 450,849. Projections suggest that by 2035 the population will exceed 600,000, and by 2050 it will surpass 850,000, underscoring the need for these ambitious urban developments.
