Category: News

Marking 31 years since Rwanda’s Liberation, this year’s convention served as both a moment of remembrance and a platform for vision. Attendees from across the United States and beyond gathered to reflect on Rwanda’s transformation, and to explore how they, too, could continue to contribute to building what comes next.

Bank of Kigali used the convention platform to launch BK Capital USD Fixed Income Fund, a solution tailored specifically for the Rwandan diaspora and international investors. Offering annual returns of 5–6%, the fund presents a secure, transparent path to invest in Rwanda’s future while meeting global financial standards. Investors can invest from $2,000, withdraw at any time, borrow against it, or even use it as collateral. The fund is certified by Rwanda’s Capital Market Authority.

Bank of Kigali also showcased its diaspora mortgage offerings, designed to make property ownership in Rwanda faster and more accessible. Whether building a family home in Kigali or purchasing an apartment in Rubavu, BK provides financing and expert advisory services to make ownership back home a reality.

For diaspora clients, BK’s foreign currency accounts, available in RWF, USD, GBP, EUR, CHF, and CAD, come with zero maintenance fees, and free incoming international transfers. Customers can open and manage their accounts entirely online, through the BK Mobile App or Internet Banking, from anywhere in the world.

“Our goal is simple: to empower the diaspora with real tools to invest meaningfully back home,” said Desire Rumanyika, Chief Digital and Retail Officer at Bank of Kigali. “Bank of Kigali is more than a bridge, it’s your trusted partner in turning belief into action, and action into impact, as we work together to realize Rwanda’s Vision 2050.”

BK Foundation was also present at the convention to engage the Rwandan diaspora on the work being done across its three core pillars: Education, Empowerment, and Environmental Conservation. By supporting BK Foundation, members of the diaspora can actively contribute to its philanthropic mission and play a part in social transformation in Rwanda.

Bank of Kigali continues to develop solutions that align with the aspirations of Rwandans, both at home and abroad. The bank emphasizes that the time to act is now. Through the Shora I Rwanda with Bank of Kigali initiative, the lender invites individuals to be part of a legacy that will endure for generations.

In a televised interview with state-run IRIB TV, Ohadi said the number could further rise given the seriously injured and the unidentified bodies.

Israel launched a series of major airstrikes on June 13 targeting nuclear and military sites across Iran, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians, and injuring many others, according to Iranian authorities.

Iran retaliated with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory, causing casualties and damage.

A ceasefire between the two countries was reached on June 24, ending 12 days of fighting.

In a joint statement on Monday, July 7, the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) and National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA) announced that the exams will be conducted in 1,595 centres across the country and will run until July 18, 2025.

This year’s cohort comprises 149,134 Ordinary Level (O-Level) candidates and 106,364 Advanced Level (A-Level) candidates.

For the O-Level examinations, 82,412 girls and 66,722 boys are registered to sit their exams in 715 centres nationwide.

At the A-Level, 101,081 are school-based candidates, including 55,435 girls and 45,646 boys, while 5,283 are private candidates (3,382 girls and 1,901 boys). The exams will be conducted in 880 centres.

MINEDUC and NESA reaffirmed commitment to inclusive education, revealing that 459 O-Level and 323 A-Level candidates with disabilities will receive tailored support.

“This includes Braille and large-print exam papers, assistive devices, the use of scribes, and extended time allowance during examinations,” the statement reads.

NESA, which is coordinating the exams, is a public institution under the Ministry of Education tasked with conducting assessments and ensuring school quality.

“I’m saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely ‘off the rails,’ essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks,” Trump posted on social media Sunday night.

He was referring to Musk’s threats to form a third political party to rival Democrats and Republicans.

The president called that idea “ridiculous,” adding that it would cause confusion.

The feud between the two billionaires began in early June after Musk blasted Trump’s landmark One Big Beautiful Bill, a gargantuan tax and spending package that Trump signed into law on Friday, the Independence Day.

Musk lambasted the legislation, saying it could add trillions of U.S. dollars to the national debt.

“Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom,” Musk said on social media.

In response, Trump posted on social media that third parties “have never succeeded in the United States,” adding that “the one thing (they) are good for is the creation of Complete and Total DISRUPTION & CHAOS.”

Musk’s announcement caused shares of his company Tesla to take a dive. On Monday, the stock saw its largest single-day loss since June 5.

Christopher Galdieri, a political science professor at Saint Anselm College in the northeastern state of New Hampshire, told Xinhua: “Right now, Republicans have narrow margins in both chambers of Congress. If Musk were to fund primary challengers or independent general election candidates… that could cost Republicans in next year’s midterms.”

“Building a real party, rather than a vanity project, would involve finding and running credible candidates up and down the ballot, for unglamorous offices like school board and city council,” Galdieri said.

Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua: “Things like this have been tried not very long ago… The problem is that a political party needs a core idea.”

“This venture would have to attract people younger than 45 who are already politicians on some level, and who have real political talent,” Ramsay said.

“If Musk were to just concentrate on knocking out specific Republican senators and members, that would be a slightly better plan than starting a new political party,” Ramsay added.

Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua: “There are lots of people who would like choices between the two major parties. Each has moved to the extremes and does not represent the broad swathe of America.”

“He needs to find someone to lead the party who could appeal to more people,” West said.

The Investigative Committee of Russia announced that the body of the 53-year-old former minister was discovered in the Odintsovo district, a suburb of Moscow. The primary hypothesis under investigation is suicide.

Starovoyt had been appointed transport minister in May 2024, after previously serving as governor of the strategically sensitive Kursk region, which experienced significant conflict during a Ukrainian cross-border incursion.

The Kremlin issued a decree earlier Monday removing Starovoyt from his post without providing a reason. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated the dismissal was “not linked to a loss of trust,” despite speculation to the contrary.

Starovoyt’s firing followed a weekend marked by travel disruptions at Russian airports amid Ukrainian drone attacks, and came amid reports of a corruption probe tied to embezzlement of funds intended for border fortifications in the Kursk region. Some analysts have suggested Starovoyt’s removal could be connected to this ongoing investigation, though this has not been officially confirmed.

Shortly after the dismissal, President Putin met with Starovoyt’s deputy, Andrei Nikitin, appointing him as acting transport minister. Nikitin, former governor of the Novgorod region, emphasised plans to modernise the transport sector, including digitalisation and improving cross-border logistics.

Starovoyt’s death adds a tragic dimension to a challenging period for Russia’s transport infrastructure, which is currently grappling with supply shortages and financial pressures.

An official investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the death.

The event, held on July 6, 2025, at Rubirizi Football Ground in Nasho Sector, was not only a musical tribute to his loyal fans but also a platform for promoting HIV prevention.

The concert marked the beginning of a nationwide tour celebrating Senderi’s two decades in the music industry.

Known for his patriotic anthems and infectious Afrobeat rhythms, Senderi returned to his roots in Nyarubuye, Kirehe, to thank the community that shaped him.

“Twenty years is a significant milestone,” he said. “I wanted to honour it meaningfully, starting in the place where my journey began.”

But the evening offered more than just music. The day’s activities began with Umuganda, Rwanda’s traditional community work, during which Senderi and local residents joined forces to clear roads.

As the sun set, thousands gathered for a night of energetic performances by Senderi and guest artists, including rapper Kaligombe, MC Nice, and MC Calypso.

What truly set this concert apart, however, was its dual purpose. Alongside the entertainment, Senderi partnered with HDI to provide free HIV testing and distributed 20,000 condoms, a move that temporarily turned the concert grounds into a health outreach centre. Residents also received information on crop and livestock insurance, blending celebration with practical life education.

While many fans embraced the artist’s commitment to community wellbeing, some were surprised by the unexpected focus on health at a music event.

“We grew up enjoying his songs, and today was special because we saw him live and he inspired us again,” said Beatrice Uwiringiyimana, a resident of Nyarubuye. “His songs always teach us something; this time, the lesson was clearer than ever.”

Olivier Nshimiyimana echoed the sentiment, praising the experience.

“It’s rare to see an artist come to entertain us here. I appreciated not just the music, but also working with him during Umuganda. It made the day feel complete,” he remarked.

The Mayor of Kirehe District, Bruno Rangira, commended Senderi for beginning his tour in his home district and for consistently promoting national unity through his music. Rangira also highlighted the artist’s longstanding contributions to public causes, including the commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi and other civic initiatives.

Senderi’s tour will continue with stops in Burera (July 11), Muhanga (July 12), Huye (July 18), Bugesera (July 19), Kayonza (July 23), Ngoma (July 25), Musanze (July 26), Rubavu (July 27), and Rusizi (July 29), before concluding in Kigali City on August 2, 2025.

Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister for Development and International Organizations Affairs, represented the Government of the United Arab Emirates at the event, which brought together over 250 members of the diplomatic corps, friends of Rwanda, and Rwandan community members in the UAE.

In his address, Ambassador John Mirenge reflected on Rwanda’s historic liberation on 4 July 1994, when the Rwanda Patriotic Army, under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, brought an end to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This day, Amb. Mirenge noted, marks Rwanda’s emergence from one of the darkest chapters in human history into a new era defined by resilience, unity, and national renewal.

“Rwanda’s Liberation was anchored in a just cause: to restore dignity, promote unity, and build a nation where every citizen should belong and be proud to identify with,” Amb. Mirenge said.

He went on to emphasize that Rwanda’s Liberation was not only a military triumph but also a moral stand—a fight to free Rwandans from decades of exclusion, oppression, and division rooted in colonial rule and perpetuated by post-independence regimes.

Today, Rwanda stands as a testament to resilience, renewal, and purpose. Over the past three decades, the country has rebuilt itself on three foundational pillars: unity, accountability, and ambition. This bold and forward-looking mindset, the Ambassador explained, has guided Rwanda’s transformation, enabling it to secure lasting peace, drive sustained economic growth, and promote inclusive development.

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The celebration also spotlighted the deepening bilateral ties between Rwanda and the United Arab Emirates.

“The UAE remains Rwanda’s largest trading partner abroad, accounting for 63.9% of our exports in 2024. Bilateral trade exceeded USD 1.5 billion, while cumulative UAE investments in Rwanda surpassed USD 320 million,” the Ambassador noted.

Amb. Mirenge further used the occasion to call on investors and partners from the UAE to continue seizing opportunities in Rwanda’s dynamic and inclusive economy.

“As we look ahead, we invite more investors, innovators, and partners from the UAE and beyond to join hands with Rwanda as we accelerate our shared vision for inclusive and sustainable growth. The potential is vast, and the partnership has never been stronger,” he urged.

The evening concluded with vibrant traditional performances by the UAE-based Uruyange and Abadahigwa cultural troupes, celebrating Rwanda’s cultural richness.

In a statement released over the weekend, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said the DRC government had undertaken a “massive and provocative deployment of troops and military equipment” along the frontlines, with support from allied forces including the National Defence Force of Burundi.

The group claimed that heavy weapons were being deliberately aimed at densely populated areas, calling the move “criminally irresponsible” and suggesting it borders on a crime against humanity.

“The illegitimate regime in Kinshasa is showing blatant disregard for ongoing negotiations,” the statement read. “These belligerent actions are a direct insult to the diplomatic process and sabotage efforts to address the root causes of the conflict.”

AFC/M23, which has previously expressed willingness to engage in dialogue, said it had honoured its commitments under current peace frameworks, but accused the Congolese government of failing to uphold its part, particularly regarding confidence-building measures.

“This duplicity is unacceptable,” the group said, while reaffirming its “unwavering commitment” to political dialogue as a path to resolving the crisis.

However, it warned that the continued military build-up posed a direct threat to civilian populations and that the group reserves the “legitimate right” to defend its positions and protect communities under threat.

AFC/M23 controls large swathes of eastern DRC, and efforts have been made by Qatar to resolve the conflict and silence the guns in the region.

However, the group has accused President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration of undermining the process. While attempts to revive peace talks are ongoing, the situation remains fragile.