Category: News

The incident took place on January 4, 2026, at around 5:30 p.m. local time, in Jarama Sector near the Akagera wetland, close to the Burundi border.

The victims include farmers returning from their daily activities who had sought shelter from the rain in a building used by port guards along the Akagera River.

The lightning struck the shelter, killing nine people instantly. Six others were injured and experienced trauma.

Eastern Province Governor Prudence Rubingisa told the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency that this marked the first recorded incident of its kind in the area.

“This is the first time such an incident has happened here. We have requested experts to investigate potential causes, as the strike appeared unusually intense,” he said.

Rubingisa confirmed that local authorities swiftly initiated emergency response efforts.

“Of the 15 people affected, nine died at the scene, six were injured and others suffered psychological trauma. Local leaders have already launched support operations,” he added.

The bodies of the deceased were transferred to the mortuary at Kibungo Hospital, with burial arrangements being coordinated between Ngoma District authorities and the victims’ families. The injured are receiving treatment.

Rwanda is among the countries affected by natural disasters. In 2023, disasters claimed at over 130 lives and destroyed more than 1,800 houses.

A 2024 disaster risk assessment report indicated that Rwanda has at least 326 locations that are vulnerable to natural hazards. Of these, 134 areas were identified as being at high risk.

Findings from the 2024 national climate change risk and vulnerability analysis further show that landslides and lightning strikes are among the deadliest natural disasters in the country.

Between 2016 and 2023, landslides killed 449 people, while lightning strikes claimed 379 lives over the same period.

“If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” Trump said in a phone interview with The Atlantic. Maduro was taken by U.S. forces away from his country on Saturday and is now in custody in New York to stand trial on alleged drug charges.

Trump made clear that he would not stand what he described as Rodríguez’s defiant rejection of the armed U.S. intervention, according to the magazine.

Trump also stressed that the United States needs Greenland “absolutely,” reaffirming that Venezuela may not be the last country subject to U.S. intervention, according to The Atlantic.

“We do need Greenland, absolutely,” Trump said.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in another media interview Sunday morning that Trump will keep all options open on how to “run” Venezuela, assess if the country’s interim leadership can “make right decisions,” and will not rule out the U.S. military presence in the country in the future.

“We expect to see more compliance and cooperation than we were previously receiving,” Rubio said of Rodríguez on CBS.

“Our objectives when it comes to how Venezuela impacts the national interest of the United States have not changed, and we want those addressed. We want drug trafficking to stop. We want no more gang members to come our way,” Rubio said.

At least 80 Venezuelan people were killed during U.S. airstrikes, a New York Times report said Sunday, citing Venezuelan officials.

Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice ordered late Saturday that Rodríguez assume the role of acting president of the country in the absence of Maduro.

The U.S. raid on Venezuela has drawn worldwide condemnation and concern.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said India’s continued buying of discounted Russian oil was unacceptable to the United States. While he described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “a good guy” who understood his concerns, Trump made it clear that Washington is prepared to take stronger economic action if needed.

“They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly,” Trump told the press when asked about India’s Russian oil imports, underscoring that trade measures remain a key tool in U.S. foreign policy.

The latest warning comes after the U.S. already doubled tariffs on most Indian imports to 50% last year, largely as punishment for India’s heavy purchases of Russian crude. Despite this steep tariff rate, among the highest applied by Washington against any trading partner, India’s exports to the U.S. actually grew in late 2025, demonstrating resilience amid rising economic tensions.

In response to U.S. pressure, Indian authorities have taken a step toward greater transparency by asking refiners to report weekly data on their crude oil purchases from both Russia and the United States, according to people familiar with the plans. This reflects New Delhi’s effort to balance its energy needs with the pursuit of a potential trade agreement with Washington.

Indian officials expect that imports of Russian crude are already declining and could fall below 1 million barrels per day as the country seeks to find common ground with U.S. negotiators.

Modi and Trump have spoken by phone several times since the tariffs were first imposed, but the discussions have not yet produced a definitive resolution. High-level trade officials from both countries have also met recently to discuss economic ties, yet major differences remain particularly on energy and agricultural policy.

India’s commerce ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Trump’s latest remarks. Still, New Delhi has historically resisted external pressure on its energy strategy, emphasizing its right to pursue policies based on national interests and energy security.

At its core, this dispute highlights a broader geopolitical tension: the United States is pushing allies and major democracies like India to cut ties with Russian energy as part of pressure related to Russia’s war in Ukraine, while India maintains that affordable energy supplies remain critical to its development and stability.

The use of tariffs as leverage shows how trade policy has become interwoven with global diplomatic goals making the U.S.-India relationship both economically vital and strategically complex.

The self-sampling initiative is led by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) and enables women to obtain cervical cancer screening kits from public health facilities or selected private clinics.

Using the kits, women can collect a vaginal sample at home and return it to health facilities for laboratory analysis. The service is provided free of charge under the RBC Cancer Programme, according to Dr. Theoneste Maniragaba, Director of the Cancer Programme at RBC.

The samples are tested for high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer. Once laboratory results are available, healthcare providers share them with the women. Those who test positive are referred for further assessment, including procedures such as a pap smear or a medical examination, Maniragaba explained.

Several private clinics are participating in the programme, including Legacy, DMC Carrefour, Good Life, Bien Naitre, Bwiza Medical, MBC Hospital, Polyclinic Medico-Social, and Saint Jean Polyclinique, located in Nyarugenge District.

The programme targets all women aged 30 and above, regardless of whether they feel healthy, as cervical cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Women experiencing unusual bleeding, persistent vaginal discharge, or those who notice a painless lump in the breast are also encouraged to undergo screening.

Launched six months ago, the initiative initially struggled with low awareness and limited participation. However, Maniragaba said engagement has improved in recent weeks following increased involvement by local leaders in community mobilisation efforts.

He noted that self-sampling addresses common barriers to screening, such as discomfort, embarrassment, and difficulties accessing health facilities, while offering accuracy comparable to samples collected by clinicians.

“Early detection is critical in preventing cervical cancer. This programme provides convenient access to screening and empowers women to take control of their health,” Maniragaba told New Times.

Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Rwanda. Data from the National Cancer Registry (2022) indicate that the country records between 600 and 800 new cases each year, with nearly 600 deaths annually.

Rwanda has set an ambitious goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2027, three years ahead of the World Health Organization’s global “90-70-90” targets. These benchmarks aim for 90 percent of girls to be fully vaccinated against HPV by the age of 15, 70 percent of women to be screened by ages 35 and 45, and 90 percent of women diagnosed with cervical disease to receive appropriate treatment.

As part of this strategy, the government continues to roll out community mobilisation and HPV vaccination campaigns to strengthen prevention, early detection, and treatment services. RBC is spearheading mass screening efforts and has deployed Women Cancer Early Detection (WCED) mentors at health facilities to support and guide healthcare workers involved in the programme.

The judiciary’s decision was read on national radio and television by the court’s magistrate Tania D’Amelio.

“It is ordered that the citizen Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez, executive vice-president of the republic, assume and exercise in the capacity of acting President, all the powers, duties and faculties inherent to the position of President,” said the supreme court decision.

The order also said that Rodriguez’s role as acting president “should be exercised immediately.”

Meanwhile, the court said it rejects and condemns the extremely serious military aggression carried out by the United States against the people and territory of Venezuela, as well as the kidnapping of Maduro and his wife.

It added that the U.S. action flagrantly violates the Constitution and laws of Venezuela, as well as international law and the Charter of the United Nations, with the aim of seizing Venezuela’s strategic resources.

The court said it stands with the Venezuelan people in defending national independence and sovereignty, and called on all parties to make joint efforts to maintain peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in a large-scale U.S. military operation against Venezuela early Saturday morning and were flown to New York.

In a communiqué issued late on Saturday, the AU called on all parties to exercise restraint and uphold international law to prevent further escalation and preserve regional stability.

“The African Union reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the fundamental principles of international law, including respect for the sovereignty of States, their territorial integrity, and the right of peoples to self-determination,” the statement said.

“Complex internal challenges facing Venezuela can only be sustainably addressed through inclusive political dialogue among Venezuelans themselves.”

The AU emphasised the importance of dialogue, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for constitutional and institutional frameworks, underscoring the need for cooperation and peaceful coexistence among nations. It expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and reiterated its commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region.

The call came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Speaking from Florida on Saturday, Trump said the United States would “run” Venezuela temporarily to ensure a “safe, proper and judicious transition” of power. He also warned of the possibility of further military action, including the potential deployment of ground troops.

The operation, executed without congressional authorisation, has drawn widespread criticism. Legal experts and foreign leaders warned that it could violate international law and destabilise the region.

The US has intensified its military operations in recent months, citing efforts to combat alleged drug smuggling linked to Venezuela, including strikes on speedboats and ports. Over the past few weeks, Trump has made repeated references to military actions in Venezuelan territory, with prior reports indicating strikes in Zulia, an oil-rich state, and the seizure of two sanctioned oil tankers.

The United Nations also voiced deep concern over the escalation on Saturday. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the developments as “deeply alarming” and a “dangerous precedent,” emphasising the need for all actors to fully respect international law, including the UN Charter.

“The Secretary-General calls on all actors in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue, in full respect of human rights and the rule of law,” his spokesperson said.

The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting on Monday to address the situation. Somalia, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council this month, confirmed that the meeting would take place at 10 a.m. EST (5 p.m. Kigali time). The session is expected to discuss the legality and regional implications of the U.S. operation, as well as potential measures to de-escalate tensions.

Rodriguez made the statement during a live speech on a state-run television station Saturday afternoon, adding that Venezuela will never become a colony of any country.

Accompanied by the ministers of the interior, foreign affairs and other officials, the vice president demanded that the United States release Maduro and his wife, and urged the Venezuelan people to remain calm, face the challenges together and defend national sovereignty.

Noting that the attack on Venezuela may happen in any other country in the region in the future, Rodriguez said Venezuela is ready to defend its natural resources and will never become a colony of any country or a slave of any empire.

The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday, seizing Maduro and his wife.

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed at a press conference Saturday morning that Rodriguez had been sworn in as president of Venezuela, and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio “just had a conversation” with her.

“She’s essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again,” Trump claimed while speaking to reporters.

The international community is deeply shocked by the U.S. raid on Maduro, strongly condemning the blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president.

Speaking at a press conference in Florida on Saturday, Trump said Washington would govern Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” to new leadership could be achieved. He said the US wanted to avoid a scenario in which Maduro’s removal resulted in another government that perpetuated the country’s long-running political and economic crisis.

“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said. “We can’t take a chance that somebody else takes over Venezuela that doesn’t have the good of the Venezuelan people in mind.”

Trump’s remarks came hours after he announced on Truth Social that US forces had carried out strikes on Venezuela and captured Maduro and Flores. In a subsequent phone interview with Fox News, he confirmed that the pair were being transferred to New York, where Maduro has been indicted and could appear in court as early as Monday.

The operation, which US officials said had been planned for months and executed without congressional authorisation, marks a dramatic escalation in Washington’s campaign against Maduro.

The US has intensified its military operations in recent months, citing efforts to combat alleged drug smuggling linked to Venezuela, including strikes on speedboats and ports. Over the past few weeks, Trump has made repeated references to military actions in Venezuelan territory, with prior reports indicating strikes in Zulia, an oil-rich state, and the seizure of two sanctioned oil tankers.

Trump did not spell out what US governance of Venezuela would entail but said American oil companies were ready to invest billions of dollars to repair the country’s dilapidated oil infrastructure.

“We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies go in, fix the badly broken infrastructure and start making money for the country,” he said, adding that Venezuela’s oil wealth would ensure the operation would not cost US taxpayers.

Trump also warned that further military action was possible, saying the US was prepared to launch a “second and much larger attack” if necessary, and did not rule out deploying ground troops. “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground,” he said.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro would “face the full wrath” of the US justice system. Charges unsealed on Saturday include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons offences. Federal prosecutors allege Maduro used state institutions to facilitate large-scale drug trafficking to the United States, claims he has long denied.

The announcement drew swift criticism from legal experts and foreign leaders, who warned the operation could violate international law and destabilise the region. With Washington yet to clarify how it plans to govern Venezuela or for how long, uncertainty looms over the country’s political future.

“The European Union calls for de-escalation and a resolution in full respect of international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,” he wrote on X.

He said the bloc would continue to support a peaceful, democratic and inclusive solution in Venezuela, and backed efforts by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, working with member states, to ensure the safety of European citizens in the country.

Earlier on Saturday, Kallas said the EU was closely monitoring developments and called for restraint, stressing that the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter must be respected.

Kallas said she had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the EU ambassador in Caracas, adding that the safety of EU citizens in Venezuela was the bloc’s top priority.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, who was flown out of the country along with his wife.

Venezuela on Saturday denounced a “military aggression” by the United States, after large explosions were heard and aircraft were seen over the capital Caracas earlier in the day.