Category: News

Speaking aboard Air Force One on Monday morning, Trump said the truce would hold and announced plans to establish a “Board of Peace” to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction. He described the enclave as a “demolition site” but predicted it would become “a miracle” over the next decades.

“Everybody is happy, and I think it’s going to stay that way,” Trump told reporters, praising Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatar for their roles in mediating the deal.

{{Ceasefire holds as hostage release looms
}}

The ceasefire, which took effect on Friday, marks the first phase of a 20-point peace plan brokered by Washington. Under the deal, Hamas is expected to release the remaining hostages it has held since the October 2023 attacks, in which about 1,200 Israelis were killed and more than 250 taken captive.

Twenty hostages are believed to be alive, while Hamas is expected to return the remains of up to 28 others. In return, Israel is set to release roughly 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees from Gaza, once the hostages reach Israeli territory.

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, including over 18,000 children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The war left vast areas of Gaza in ruins and displaced more than 1.5 million people.

{{Regional diplomacy intensifies
}}

Trump will address Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, before travelling to Egypt for an international summit in Sharm El-Sheikh aimed at formally ending the war. Egyptian officials said a “document ending the war in the Gaza Strip” is expected to be signed, with leaders from over 20 nations in attendance, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Iran confirmed it was invited to the summit but said its top leaders would not participate, citing tensions with Western governments.

Despite the ceasefire, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis remains dire. Aid convoys began entering the enclave on Sunday, though UN officials say the volume falls far short of the 600 daily trucks needed to address severe shortages of food, water and medicine.

Palestinians returning to northern Gaza have found widespread destruction, with many homes reduced to rubble and unexploded ordnance scattered across residential areas.

Meanwhile, reports from Gaza City indicate renewed internal clashes between Hamas security forces and members of the Dughmush family, leaving at least 27 people dead in one of the most violent domestic confrontations since Israeli troops pulled back.

As Trump continues his tour, expectations are high but uncertainty remains over the next phases of the peace plan — including who will govern Gaza, whether Hamas will disarm, and how Israel will secure its borders.

“I’m good at solving wars,” Trump said. “I’m good at making peace.”

Scheduled for November 8, 2025, at Zaria Court, Kigali Sports City, the highly anticipated event is set to become a defining moment for African boxing, bringing together some of the continent’s top fighters under one roof.

Sanctioned by the Rwanda Boxing Federation, this premier continental showdown will feature elite boxers from Rwanda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Gabon, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), uniting regional talent and showcasing the depth of African boxing prowess.

The night will feature six professional bouts and five amateur fights, shining a spotlight on both established athletes and emerging stars from Rwanda.

The fight card includes exciting matchups such as Jerry (DRC) vs Ally (Tanzania), Hans (Gabon) vs Joseph (Tanzania), David (Nigeria) vs Aziz (Tanzania), Precious (Nigeria) vs Flora (Tanzania), Daniella (DRC) vs Mukami (Kenya), and Frank (Rwanda) vs Nelson (Gabon).

Each bout highlights the growing strength of African boxing, from rising stars within Rwanda to seasoned fighters representing powerhouse boxing nations.

Fans can now secure their seats for this historic night as tickets are officially available through ticqet.rw.

Multiple categories have been introduced to make the event accessible to everyone, from general admission to exclusive VIP experiences. The first wave of early bird tickets offers the following tiers: Bronze (RWF 10,000), Silver (RWF 12,000), Platinum VIP (RWF 60,000), and Diamond VVIP (RWF 100,000).

The VVIP package includes ringside seats and access to the VIP lounge, while VIP seating is positioned in rows 2–4 just behind the ringside area, also with lounge access. Platinum seating offers premium floor placement, while Bronze tickets cover bleacher seating.

The event, organized by Silverback Sports, Hammerton Barca, and Rwanda Events Group, will officially start at 6 PM on November 8. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to experience the energy, passion, and unity that this continental sporting showcase promises to deliver.

For further information, inquiries can be directed to contact@silverbacksports.net or by phone at +250 787 048 410.

{{About Silverback Sports Limited }}

Silverback Sports Limited is a Rwandan sports promotion and management company dedicated to elevating African athletes to the global stage.

Focused on innovation, sports, and community, Silverback Sports delivers world-class boxing events that inspire both athletes and fans.

{{About the Rwanda Boxing Federation }}

The Rwanda Boxing Federation is the governing body of boxing in Rwanda, committed to developing the sport, supporting athletes, and showcasing Rwanda as a competitive hub for international boxing.

According to Israeli officials and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), seven hostages were handed over to the Red Cross on Monday morning and are being transferred to Israeli military custody.

The hostages are among a group of 48 individuals whom Hamas agreed to release as part of the first phase of the deal, which also includes the freeing of 250 Palestinian prisoners and more than 1,700 detainees held by Israel.

Crowds gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square erupted in cheers as confirmation of the release emerged. Families of the captives, some of whom have been held since the October 7, 2023, attacks, expressed cautious relief amid hopes that all surviving hostages will soon return home.

In Gaza, Red Cross vehicles were seen moving through the southern corridor under heavy security. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that its teams are “prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred later today.”

The ceasefire, which took effect on Friday, October 10, has largely held, allowing for the first significant delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza in months. Israeli forces have reportedly begun a limited withdrawal from parts of the territory under the terms of the agreement.

U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Israel early Monday to mark what he described as “the beginning of the end of the war.” He is expected to attend a peace summit in Egypt later in the day, joined by around 20 world leaders to discuss the next phase of the deal, including Gaza’s reconstruction, governance, and security arrangements.

The agreement, while welcomed internationally, remains fragile. Key issues, such as the disarmament of Hamas, the return of displaced Gazans, and the long-term political control of the enclave, have yet to be resolved.

For now, however, the hostage handover represents a rare moment of progress after months of devastating conflict. As the Red Cross convoys continue their mission, families on both sides wait anxiously for a measure of closure and a glimpse of peace that has long seemed out of reach.

Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister had spoken with Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for hostages and missing persons, about preparations for their return. An Israeli official told Kan public broadcaster that the army expects the hostages to arrive before Monday morning.

“The IDF has completed its preparations for the release of the hostages and assesses that all of them will be released before Trump’s arrival,” the official said.

Media reports suggested that Hamas has told mediators it is prepared to release all 20 living hostages as early as Sunday, ahead of a Monday deadline under the ceasefire agreement, if Israel frees at least two of seven high-profile Palestinian prisoners previously removed from the release list. It is unclear whether Israel will accept the condition.

Under the ceasefire deal, Hamas will release 20 living and 28 deceased hostages held in Gaza since the war began on October 7, 2023. In exchange, Israel will free roughly 2,000 Palestinian detainees and allow increased humanitarian aid into the enclave, devastated by Israeli strikes.

While technology continues to offer numerous opportunities — from innovation and learning to improving productivity — it has also brought with it a wave of risks, especially for children who often lack the maturity to discern appropriate online content.

According to officials, these risks fall into four categories: information-related, contact-related, behaviour-related, and contractual.

Information-related risks include exposure to degrading or pornographic material, violent or hateful content, fake news, and content that promotes bad behaviour.

Contact-related risks involve child trafficking, harassment, hate speech, intimidation, sexual solicitation, and online grooming.

Behaviour-related risks include cyberbullying, receiving sexually explicit messages, sharing of nude or revenge images, public humiliation, impersonation, coercion, and gambling, among others.

Authorities warn that such exposure has serious psychological and moral effects on children. In response, Rwanda has introduced a new Child Online Protection Policy, adopted in September 2025, aimed at ensuring a safer digital environment for children.

The policy calls for close collaboration between government institutions and internet service providers to detect and block harmful content before it reaches children. It also provides for clear legal and regulatory frameworks enabling authorities to sanction platforms that fail to remove flagged material.

Additionally, the framework seeks to establish systems for monitoring online offenders in line with international standards.

To discourage the production and consumption of pornographic material, the policy introduces ethical guidelines for technology developers and service providers, requiring them to uphold Rwandan cultural values and prioritise children’s safety online.

It also seeks to ensure that minors do not access age-inappropriate content and that children’s data stored on devices or online platforms is adequately protected. The policy further encourages responsible advertising by requiring online marketing to be categorised according to age groups.

Service providers will be obliged to put in place mechanisms to identify and restrict content unsuitable for minors.

To strengthen accountability, the government plans to establish a toll-free hotline through which citizens can report harmful online content, seek assistance from experts, and request the removal or suspension of offending websites.

Children under 18 make up nearly half of Rwanda’s population. The government aims to make the internet accessible to all, while ensuring that young users are equipped with digital literacy and protection mechanisms.

The Child Online Protection Policy envisions an inclusive digital environment that safeguards children’s rights while promoting safe and responsible technology use.

The policy will be implemented over a five-year period with an estimated budget of Frw 1.52 billion.

Its implementation will involve multiple institutions, including the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of ICT and Innovation, Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), RURA, RISA, REB, the Rwanda National Police, and other partners.

The initiative, aimed at supporting the well-being of IDPs, brought together peacekeepers, community members, and partner organisations in a coordinated campaign to reduce the risks and impact of malaria.

During the outreach, participants engaged in clearing overgrown vegetation, eliminating mosquito breeding sites, educating residents on malaria prevention methods, and distributing mosquito repellents to families living in the camp.

Speaking at the event, Colonel Leodomir Uwizeyimana, Commander of the Rwanbatt-3 Contingent and representative of the Rwandan peacekeepers in UNMISS, emphasised the importance of collaboration between peacekeepers and the local community. He encouraged residents to actively maintain a clean environment by removing bushes and stagnant water, crucial steps in preventing malaria transmission.

Simon Khan Lok, Chairman of the Mangateen IDP Camp, praised the initiative, highlighting how the partnership promotes community health by combining education with practical tools to fight malaria.

Malaria continues to pose a serious health challenge in Mangateen, located on the outskirts of Juba. This outreach activity underscores the shared commitment of Rwandan peacekeepers, diaspora groups, and health organisations to improving the living conditions and health outcomes of displaced residents.

“The Presidency of the Republic wishes to inform the nation and the international community that an attempt to seize power illegally and by force, contrary to the Constitution and to democratic principles, is currently underway,” Rajoelina said in a statement released on Sunday morning.

The warning followed dramatic scenes on Saturday when soldiers from the elite CAPSAT unit abandoned their barracks on the outskirts of the capital to join demonstrators at the historic Place du 13 Mai. This is the same unit that played a key role in the 2009 uprising that first brought Rajoelina to power.

The troops were widely reported to have been greeted by cheering crowds as they marched into the city centre, calling on security forces to “refuse orders to shoot” and condemning what they described as excessive police force used against protesters.

The protests, led largely by young people identifying with a “Gen Z” movement, began on September 25 in response to chronic power outages and water shortages but have since morphed into a broader call for political reform.

Demonstrators are demanding Rajoelina’s resignation, an apology for violence against protesters, and the dissolution of both the Senate and the electoral commission.

According to the United Nations, at least 22 people have been killed and more than 100 injured since the demonstrations began. The government disputes those figures, with President Rajoelina insisting that only 12 people, whom he described as “looters and vandals”, have died.

Prime Minister Ruphin Zafisambo, appointed just weeks ago, urged calm and dialogue in an address on Saturday evening, saying the government “remains firm but ready to collaborate and listen to all forces — the youth, unions, and the army.” He warned that “Madagascar will not withstand another crisis if this division among citizens continues.”

The presidency also issued assurances that President Rajoelina “remains in the country” and is “managing national affairs.”

Madagascar has a long history of political instability and military interventions since gaining independence from France in 1960. Rajoelina himself rose to prominence during mass protests that ousted then-president Marc Ravalomanana in 2009, with the backing of the same CAPSAT unit now rebelling against him. He went on to win presidential elections in 2018 and 2023, both marred by opposition boycotts.

U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos said on Saturday that Washington supports the DRC’s “decisive step” to implement the accord, calling it crucial for “facilitating repatriation, restoring state authority, and strengthening stability across the Great Lakes region.”

{{DRC military issues disarmament order
}}

In a communiqué issued on October 10, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) directed all FDLR factions operating on Congolese territory to immediately lay down their arms and surrender to Congolese authorities or to the UN mission, MONUSCO, for repatriation to Rwanda.

The statement, signed by Major General Ekenge Bomusa Efomi Sylvain, said the order follows the operational directive adopted on October 1 by the Joint Supervisory Committee overseeing the implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement, which was mediated by the United States.

The FARDC also urged civilians living in areas under FDLR influence to cut all ties with the rebel group and to encourage its members to surrender peacefully. It warned that any refusal to comply would lead to forced disarmament “by coercion or use of force” in accordance with the Washington accord.

The Congolese army further warned its personnel that collaboration of any kind with the FDLR is strictly prohibited, noting that any soldier found aiding or coordinating with the group would face “severe disciplinary sanctions.”

“The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo exhort the FDLR to facilitate the ongoing peace process by surrendering without violence or bloodshed,” the statement concluded.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Rwanda signed the Washington Peace Agreement on June 27, 2025, under U.S. mediation.

Under the deal, Kinshasa committed to dismantling the FDLR, a militia formed by elements responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Kigali has long raised concerns that the group’s continued presence and cooperation with the Congolese army pose a persistent security threat to Rwanda and regional stability.

The implementation of the Washington Pact has faced setbacks in recent months, with Rwanda accusing President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration of lacking good faith in its execution. It remains to be seen whether the FDLR, which is deeply entrenched within some government forces, will finally be dismantled, potentially easing long-standing tensions between Rwanda and the DRC.

In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump said the move was necessary to prevent service members from missing their regular pay due on October 15.

“I will not allow the Democrats to hold our Military, and the entire Security of our Nation, HOSTAGE, with their dangerous Government Shutdown,” he wrote.

The instruction, which Trump said draws on his authority as Commander in Chief, comes amid growing concern that troops would miss their first paycheck since the shutdown began on October 1.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has reportedly notified Congress of plans to reallocate research and development funds within the Department of Defence to cover the payments. According to sources cited by NBC News, there are sufficient funds available for at least two years.

The Defence Department has not yet publicly commented on the directive.

{{Partisan blame over the shutdown
}}

The shutdown, now in its twelfth day, has deepened the standoff between Republicans and Democrats over a federal spending plan. Democrats have refused to back a Republican proposal unless it includes provisions to maintain key health insurance tax credits and reverse Trump’s cuts to Medicaid, the healthcare program serving low-income and elderly Americans.

Republicans, in turn, accuse Democrats of prolonging the crisis and disrupting essential services. Trump reiterated this position on Saturday, writing: “The Radical Left Democrats should OPEN THE GOVERNMENT, and then we can work together to address Healthcare, and many other things that they want to destroy.”

{{Thousands of federal layoffs
}}

While military personnel are considered “essential” and must continue working even without pay, around 750,000 other federal employees—roughly 40% of the government workforce—have been furloughed without pay.

In a highly unusual move during a shutdown, the Trump administration has begun permanently laying off thousands of workers across several agencies. White House Budget Director Russell Vought confirmed the move Friday, posting on X: “The RIFs have begun,” referring to “reductions in force.”

According to administration disclosures, more than 4,000 employees have already been terminated across seven federal agencies. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) saw its entire Washington, D.C. office dismissed, including staff working on immunisations, Ebola response, and the agency’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the CDC, said the cuts targeted “nonessential” personnel and were part of efforts to eliminate “wasteful and duplicative entities” under Trump’s Make America Healthy Again agenda.

Employees at the Treasury Department and the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency were also among those laid off.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the AFL-CIO have filed a lawsuit in federal court in Northern California seeking to block the layoffs, calling them unlawful.

“It is disgraceful that the Trump administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities across the country,” said AFGE President Everett Kelley.

In court filings opposing the unions’ motion, the Justice Department revealed that additional cuts could affect staff at the Departments of Education, Housing and Urban Development, Commerce, Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency. The filing argued that halting the layoffs would “irreparably harm the government.