Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

The strike hit a tent designated for journalists, killing al-Sharif, correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa, according to Al Jazeera.

The broadcaster described the attack as a “targeted assassination” and “a blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom.”

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed shock and condemned the strike, emphasising the urgent need to protect media workers reporting from conflict zones.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the strike and said it had targeted al-Sharif, accusing him of being involved in Hamas activities. The IDF alleged al-Sharif had served as the head of a terrorist cell within Hamas and had participated in attacks against Israeli civilians and troops. The military also claimed to possess documents linking him to Hamas units dating back to 2019.

However, the CPJ criticised these claims, stating that Israel had failed to provide credible evidence. Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of CPJ, said this pattern of posthumous accusations without proof was consistent with previous incidents involving Israeli forces and journalists.

Al Jazeera’s managing editor, Mohamed Moawad, highlighted the critical role of al-Sharif and his colleagues in providing coverage from inside Gaza, where international journalists are largely barred from reporting freely.

“They were targeted while in their tent, not on the front lines,” Moawad said, citing an attempt to silence independent reporting from the region.

The UN and various international media organisations have repeatedly called for the protection of journalists in Gaza, emphasising that attacks on media personnel undermine press freedom and obstruct the flow of critical information from the conflict zone.

The Israeli offensive was launched in response to a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and hundreds taken hostage. Since then, more than 61,000 people have been reported killed in Gaza, according to Hamas-run health authorities.

AFP, citing security sources, reported on Sunday that “at least around 20” soldiers had been arrested over the past three days in connection with what was described as an “attempt to destabilise the institutions.” An army source confirmed the alleged plot and said that “necessary arrests” had been carried out.

Among those detained is General Abass Dembele, a former governor of the central Mopti region and senior officer.

“Soldiers came early this morning to arrest General Abass Dembele in Kati,” near the capital Bamako, a source close to the general said, adding that no reason for his detention had been provided.

A member of the junta-backed National Transition Council claimed that as many as 50 soldiers were in custody, all suspected of seeking to overthrow the military leadership.

The arrests highlight growing tensions within Mali’s armed forces. “This proves that the officers are struggling to control the situation,” said Malian sociologist Oumar Maiga, pointing to “grumblings” over the role of Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group and its successor, Africa Corps. “Some soldiers are unhappy with the treatment given to the Russian mercenaries at the expense of Malian soldiers,” he added.

Since 2012, Mali has faced relentless violence from jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, along with criminal and communal conflict. After taking power, the junta expelled French forces and aligned with Russia, but the security situation remains volatile.

In July, the military-appointed legislature passed a bill granting junta leader General Assimi Goita a renewable five-year presidential mandate, effectively removing any immediate path back to civilian rule. The junta had initially promised elections by March 2024, but the timetable has since been abandoned.

The government has not yet issued an official statement on the alleged coup plot or the fate of the detained soldiers.

The monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released on August 10 shows that the urban index, used as the headline measure for monetary policy, edged up by 0.1 percent compared to June 2025. Over the past 12 months, the average annual inflation rate stood at 5.9 percent.

Health costs surged by 70.7 percent year-on-year, marking the largest increase among major categories, while restaurants and hotels saw prices jump by 20.1 percent. Meat prices soared by 30.7 percent, and alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics rose by 12.2 percent. Transport costs were up 7.0 percent over the year.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages overall rose by 6.4 percent, though vegetable prices fell by 6.7 percent compared to July 2024. On a monthly basis, fresh product prices declined by 4.4 percent, contributing to a slowdown in food inflation, while imported goods costs climbed 1.4 percent.

In rural areas, the CPI increased by 7.0 percent year-on-year but fell by 1.1 percent compared to June. The overall national CPI rose by 7.2 percent over the year and dropped by 0.6 percent month-on-month.

The report also noted underlying inflation, which excludes fresh food and energy, at 7.7 percent on an annual basis and 1.5 percent monthly. Imported goods inflation stood at 9.3 percent, while local goods rose by 6.7 percent.

NISR compiles the CPI using prices of 1,622 products collected from 12 urban centers and rural areas nationwide. The indicator tracks the average change over time in prices paid by households for goods and services and serves as a key measure for monetary policy decisions.

The figures, covering May 2025, show that Rwanda’s working-age population, defined as those aged 16 and above, stood at 8.5 million. Of these, about 4.5 million were employed, while 710,000 were unemployed. The remaining 3,218,556 people fall outside the labour force altogether.

People are classified as outside the labour force if they are in prison, still in school, retired, living with a disability that prevents them from working, or not looking for work because they believe no suitable jobs are available or they lack the necessary skills.

The share of Rwandans in this category increased to 37.8% in May 2025, up from 37.5% the previous year.

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NISR data shows that nearly half of those outside the labour force, about 1,483,754 people or 46.1%, are subsistence farmers producing mainly for household consumption, which is not counted as formal employment.

Another 843,261 people, or 26.2%, are students who do not engage in any form of paid work. A further 888,321 people, representing 27.6%, are retirees, individuals with disabilities, those who are ill, and people who have stopped searching for work due to discouragement.

Women account for 44.7% of the population outside the labour force. Young people aged 16–30 represent 41.9%, while older adults above 55 years make up the largest proportion at 60.8%.

Educational attainment among this group is generally low. About 37.4% have no schooling or have only incomplete primary education, while 38.7% have completed primary school. Another 26.8% have completed upper secondary school, and just 10% hold a university degree.

Despite the large number of people outside the labour force, overall employment has grown. By May 2025, 53.8% of the total population was employed, up 1.8 percentage points from the same period in 2024.

Employment among men reached 61.7%, compared to 46.8% for women. Both genders saw gains of 1.3 points for men and 2.2 points for women.

The highest employment rate was recorded among those aged 31 and above (57.4%), compared to 49.1% for the 16–30 age group.

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The services sector continues to dominate the job market, employing 45.6% of all workers, up from 44% in May 2024. Agriculture’s share fell to 38%, from 39.3% a year earlier, while industrial employment dipped slightly by 0.3 points.

Agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fishing together account for 38% of all jobs. Wholesale and retail trade, including mechanics, makes up 15.6% of employment. Construction employs 8.3%, transport 6.7%, and manufacturing 5.7%. Education accounts for 4.2% of jobs, domestic work for 4.1%, and accommodation and restaurant services for 4%.

The park’s management announced this on August 10, 2025, coinciding with the International Day of Lion Health.

“Ten years ago, the roar returned to Akagera. Since 2015, when lions were reintroduced after nearly 20 years, they’ve flourished—now 62 animals. On this #WorldLionDay, we celebrate a decade of conservation success,” the management said in a post on X.

The reintroduction program began in 2015 when the Government of Rwanda received seven lions, including five females, from South Africa as part of efforts to restore the species in the park.

Established in 1934, Akagera National Park covers 1,120 square kilometres and is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and hippos.

The International Day of Lion Health, first observed in 2013, aims to promote the conservation and well-being of lions by raising awareness about the challenges they face and encouraging actions to protect their health.

In a video address on Saturday, August 9, Zelensky said, “The answer to the Ukrainian territorial question is already in the constitution of Ukraine. No one will retreat from this, and no one can. Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.”

His statement came just hours after Trump suggested “some swapping of territories” as part of a peace deal with Russia, a proposal that has drawn swift criticism from Kyiv and its European allies.

Trump made the comments amid preparations for a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, the first official summit between the two since the outbreak of war. While Trump did not clarify whether Zelensky had been invited, sources familiar with the negotiations indicated that Ukraine’s president had not yet received an invitation.

The idea of a territorial swap is not new, but it remains highly controversial. Russia has demanded that Ukraine relinquish control of parts of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine as a condition for a ceasefire — demands that Kyiv has consistently rejected.

Moscow controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, including the annexed Crimean Peninsula and large areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and parts of Kharkiv regions.

European leaders have voiced strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. On Saturday, leaders from Britain, Finland, France, Germany, Poland, and the European Union issued a joint statement underscoring their commitment to Ukraine’s independence and calling for robust security guarantees.

The statement by the leaders reaffirmed that international borders must not be altered by force and emphasised that any negotiations must occur after a ceasefire or reduction in hostilities.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who spoke with Zelensky on Saturday, reiterated the need to maintain pressure on Russia to end its illegal invasion. Similarly, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with Kyiv, stressing the importance of not allowing Russia to “deceive anyone again.”

Ukraine’s firm stance reflects deep domestic concerns over territorial concessions. The war has displaced millions and caused tens of thousands of military and civilian casualties, fueling widespread resistance to any deal that involves relinquishing Ukrainian land. Zelensky highlighted this reality, saying, “Any decisions against us, any decisions without Ukraine, are simultaneously decisions against peace. They will bring nothing.”

Despite the ongoing conflict and military setbacks, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine is open to a “real and lasting peace” in partnership with international allies. However, he insisted that peace must be based on respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The planned Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska has sparked fears in Kyiv and Western capitals that it could serve to legitimise Russian territorial gains and prolong the war. U.S. officials described recent discussions as “productive” but acknowledged the complexities involved.

Russia has recently offered to withdraw from small areas in Sumy and Kharkiv regions, but these concessions fall far short of Ukraine’s demands. Moscow also rejected proposed meeting locations in Europe, instead agreeing to Alaska as the venue, which some analysts view as a symbolic location reflecting the former Russian Empire’s reach.

As the war enters its third year, the question of Ukraine’s territorial future remains deeply contentious, with Zelensky’s government firmly opposing any solution that undermines the country’s sovereignty. The international community continues to call for a ceasefire and negotiations that include Ukraine as an equal partner in deciding its fate.

Masra was found guilty of inciting the public to hatred and hostility, according to the ruling handed down by Chad’s criminal court.

Masra’s lawyers called the verdict “an ignominy” and said they will appeal.

Masra was arrested in May after a government probe alleged that he incited people to violence, which led to the death of 42 people in clashes in Mandakao village in the southwestern province of Logone Occidental.

Masra, president of the opposition political party The Transformers, went into exile in 2022 but later returned and was appointed prime minister by President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno.

After serving as prime minister for five months in 2024, Masra resigned to pave the way for the formation of a new government.

The announcement was made on Saturday, August 9, 2025, during a visit to the 5,600-hectare farming zone by Prime Minister Dr Justin Nsengiyumva.

Situated in Rwimiyaga and Karangazi sectors of Nyagatare District, the land was consolidated by the government, developed, and leased to large-scale farming investors. More than Frw 100 billion has been invested in the site, which is being developed by Israeli firm Netafim.

In the first phase, 5,600 hectares have been prepared, with over 4,000 hectares allocated to seven investors. These have already generated 6,000 jobs for locals in maize cultivation as well as fruit and vegetable production.

Project Director Aloyz Ngarambe said the scheme is now 98% complete, with contractors expected to hand it over to the government in September. The seven investors include those already farming, others installing infrastructure, and some who have begun harvesting.

Ngarambe added that the 5,600 hectares form the first phase of the project. A feasibility study for the second phase will soon begin, aiming to prepare an additional 10,000 hectares for investor use.

Bureshyo Peace, of Kinvest Company, which holds 500 hectares, said the firm currently employs 602 residents working on 170 hectares planted with chilli peppers, green beans, passion fruit, and avocados. Once farming begins on the full 500 hectares, the workforce is expected to rise to 1,000.

Bulgarian investor Chandra Trifonov, whose company EA Agro farms on 900 hectares, thanked the Prime Minister for his visit. He highlighted a challenge with the water distribution system that causes pooling in fields, but said they had been assured the problem would soon be resolved.

During his tour, Dr Nsengiyumva also visited former residents of the project area who have been resettled in the Shimwa Paul model village, which comprises 72 houses.