In a televised statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, the group’s military spokesman Yahya Sarea said the missile targeted a military target in the city of Jaffa (Tel Aviv), while the three drones hit targets in the city of Beer Sheva and the port city of Eilat.
“Eilat will remain under the continuous targeting of our military operations,” Sarea said.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that a drone hit a hotel in Eilat and damaged its gate, while the missile and other drones from Yemen were intercepted. No casualties were reported.
According to Israeli media, following the launch, air defense sirens were activated in large areas of central Israel, including the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, sending millions rushing to shelters.
The Houthis, who control much of northwestern Yemen, have launched attacks at Israel since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023. Israel, in response, conducts retaliatory strikes on Houthi-held areas.
The Houthis say their attacks aim to show solidarity with Palestinians, demanding an end to the war and blockade in Gaza.
Before joining the cabinet, Iradukunda has been serving as the Permanent Secretary in MINICT since 2020.
Iradukunda joined the public service from the Allan&Gill Gray Philanthropy (AGGP) where he served as the Rwanda Country Director. Before AGGP, he was a Senior Director at MASS Design Group overseeing operations in Rwanda and ensuring coordination across other global offices for the design collective.
Iradukunda holds a Diploma of Public Service Innovation from Cambridge University Judge School of Business. He is an MBA alumnus of the African Leadership University School of Business and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science from Oklahoma Christian University.
Among others, Iradukunda has an educational experience through his work with Bridge2Rwanda as a professional career advisor focusing on talent development, coaching, and counseling scholars and professionals regarding their personal and career development.
He is also a Certified Career Direct Consultant with Crown Financial Ministries, through which he conducts assessments and offers personalized guidance on academic and career choices.
Iradukunda co-founded both ELERwanda, which promoted entrepreneurship among youth; and Academic Bridge, Ltd., a software development firm.
He also serves on the Board of Directors for Bridge2Rwanda and as the chairman of Water Access Rwanda, a social enterprise that provides clean water to people in rural areas.
Other appointees include Dieudonne Gatete who was named Director of Cabinet in the Office of the President (OTP). Gatete, born in 1985, is long-serving officer of the National Intelligence Security Service, most recently served as liaison officer in the Eastern African region.
Viviane Mukakizima was appointed Deputy Director of Cabinet, while Ambassador Claude Nikobisanzwe was named Chief of Protocol in the OTP.
In the Office of the Prime Minister, Leonard Minega Rugwabiza was appointed Head of the Delivery Unit.
Among others, Ambassador Moses Rugema was named Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria. Canoth Manishimwe was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, replacing Gisele Umuhumuza, while Clement Kabiligi was named Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service and Labour.
In MINICT, Eraste Rurangwa was appointed Permanent Secretary, succeeding Yves Iradukunda, who now joins the Cabinet as State Minister.
Thaddée Tuyizere was appointed Vice Chairperson of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) while Jimmy Christian Byukusenge was named Director General of the Rwanda Public Procurement Authority (RPPA). Colonel Claude Nkusi was appointed Deputy Director General of the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA).
Gasamagera made these remarks during a meeting held on September 18, 2025, between Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, and members of the National Consultative Forum of Political Organizations.
Ingabire, the founder of DALFA-Umurinzi (an unregistered political party in Rwanda), has been in detention since June. She faces charges of attempting to undermine the government, spreading false information, and planning activities intended to incite public unrest.
Her trial was scheduled to begin on September 2, but she rejected the panel of High Court judges assigned to her case, claiming she did not trust them to deliver justice, since it was the same panel that had previously requested investigations against her in a case involving other members of DALFA-Umurinzi.
On September 11, members of the EU Parliament demanded that Ingabire and others facing similar charges be released immediately, alleging that their cases were politically motivated.
Minister Nduhungirehe described the EU Parliament’s request as contemptuous, though not surprising, since it was not the first time such demands had been made while Ingabire was under detention.
“This did not surprise us,” he said. “They demanded the immediate release of Victoire Ingabire. Their request was full of contempt. It’s actually the third time: they did it in 2013, 2015, and now again in 2025.”
Gasamagera argued that the EU Parliament’s action was not only disrespectful but also reflected a colonial mindset.
“It is not just arrogance,” he said, “it is like considering Rwanda as if it were one of your provinces.”
He reminded the forum that when Victoire Ingabire was released in September 2018, it was through a presidential pardon granted by President Paul Kagame after she had admitted her wrongdoing and pledged not to reoffend. Gasamagera stressed that those now calling for her release endorsed her past actions.
“We all know what happened. We know this woman’s behavior, how she asked for clemency, and how she was pardoned after committing to change. That pardon was granted because she promised not to repeat her mistakes. Those who now advocate for her are the same people who stood by her then. But for us, the unity of Rwandans is a principle that cannot be compromised or bargained away.”
Minister Nduhungirehe also highlighted that the EU lawmakers rushed to conclusions while ignoring the basic legal principle that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. He noted that Ingabire has not yet gone through intensive trials, making the EU Parliament’s intervention premature.
The FCAP equips community members with the skills to work collaboratively, make transparent decisions, and lead their own development.
Through weekly FCAP meetings, village members identify challenges, select profitable projects, and receive a seed microgrant from Spark Microgrants to bring their plans to life.
This process provides both financial assistance and expert guidance, helping residents gain the confidence to drive their own initiatives.
Community members happily report gaining valuable skills in financial management and in designing effective development plans.
Clémentine Nyirakamagaza explained that she was among the first in Bucyaba village to attend training sessions part of the FCAP. Today, she leads FCAP activities in her community.
“When FCAP started in our village, some people did not understand it and participation was low. We were trained first, then we went out to sensitize others. Those who accepted joined the groups, and together we started solving problems,” she said.
“The program gave us confidence. I realized that taking care of the household does not only mean providing food, but also paying attention to cleanliness. The training became a starting point for self-development. Today, I have been able to buy two plots of land and renovate my house,” added Nyirakamagaza.
Phineas Rwamanywa, who is differently abled, testifies how the skills he gained through the FCAP and the microgrant he received from Spark Microgrants transformed his life.
“Through FCAP and Spark Microgrants’ support, our village chose cattle farming. I was lucky to be among those selected to receive a cow. It calved, and the money from the calf, funded other development projects while continuing to rear cattle,” he said.
“As a person with a disability, FCAP did not exclude me. Instead, it showed me that anyone, no matter their condition, can work and achieve the development they aspire to,” added Rwamanywa.
Aime François Niyonsenga, the Deputy Mayor of Gakenke District in charge of Economic Development, confirmed that the project has transformed citizens’ attitudes and participation in government programs.
“This project has changed many things, especially the mindset. Citizens now actively take part in government initiatives and community projects. For example, when it comes to subscriptions for community-based health insurance [Mutuelle de Santé], they now achieve 100% coverage,” he noted.
Residents commonly use the grants provided by Spark Microgrants to invest in farming, small businesses, tailoring, and digital services including those offered through platforms such as Irembo, among others.
M Hotel, one of Rwanda’s leading hotels, has stepped up its readiness to welcome guests who will arrive for the championship. The hotel has also introduced a range of new offers and services designed to enhance the experience of visitors during this historic event.
Michael Ho, M Hotel’s Operations Manager, explained that preparations have been ongoing for months to ensure world-class service.
“We have spent more than two months preparing to welcome our guests during the championship period, in line with the tradition of excellence at M Hotel,” Ho said.
To make the event even more enjoyable for guests, the hotel has unveiled special promotions, including discounts on food and beverages.
M Hotel has long established itself as a top destination for high-profile visitors. It has hosted distinguished guests attending major international gatherings in Rwanda, such as the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and the 73rd FIFA Congress.
The hotel is particularly renowned for its fine dining options, including the Panda Restaurant, which meets international standards, and two stylish bars—the “Lark” lobby bar and the “Heron” pool bar. Its modern kitchen, run by professional chefs, offers a wide variety of expertly prepared dishes.
Management has also invested in staff training to ensure exceptional service throughout the championship period.
M Hotel features 114 rooms, including both standard and VIP options, fully equipped with amenities to meet guests’ needs.
The hotel also boasts 11 conference rooms, with capacities ranging from six to 500 people, each equipped with amenities to host meetings and events smoothly.
With these preparations and innovations, M Hotel aims to be a key hub of hospitality during the UCI Road World Championships, ensuring visitors enjoy both the thrill of world-class cycling coming to Africa for the first time, and Rwanda’s renowned warmth in service.
Since the group took control of Goma late January, the operating hours of the La Corniche border post had already been extended, running from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
However, the Governor of North Kivu Province appointed by AFC/M23, Bahati Musanga Erasto, announced that starting from Friday, September 19, 2025, the crossing will operate from 6:00 a.m. until midnight.
“All residents of North Kivu, particularly those in Goma, are informed that beginning Friday, September 19, 2025, the main border post will be open daily from 6:00 a.m. to midnight.”
Governor Bahati also instructed border service providers to comply with this new directive.
In July, authorities in Rubavu District noted that traffic across both the main and smaller border posts had significantly increased since M23 took control of Goma. Between 2020 and 2024, an average of 20,000 people crossed the border daily.
In 2025, that figure rose to 43,000 excluding those crossing through Kabuhanga, according to Rubavu District Mayor Prosper Mulindwa.
Users of the main and small border include traders, buyers, workers, visitors, and tourists traveling between the two sides.
The meeting brings together military commanders deployed along the shared border to address key security challenges and enhance cross-border cooperation.
The RDF delegation is led by Brigadier General Justus Majyambere, Commander of the RDF 5th Infantry Division, while the TPDF delegation is headed by Brigadier General Gabriel Elias Kwiligwa, Commander of the TPDF 202 Infantry Brigade.
The first day of the meeting included field visits to key border areas to assess the security challenges facing communities on both sides. The delegations jointly visited the Mitako–Rusumo area in Ngara District, which borders Nyamugali Sector in Kirehe District, Rwanda.
They also visited a tri-border point shared by Rwanda, Tanzania, and Burundi; locations known as hotspots for smuggling and other illicit cross-border activities.
In addition, the commanders visited the Akagera River, which forms a natural boundary between Rwanda and Tanzania.
They observed the need for urgent action to protect the wetland from unsustainable farming practices that threaten the river’s ecosystem.
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. announced in a statement that the company’s owned and partner television stations affiliated with the ABC Television Network will preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for the foreseeable future beginning with Wednesday night’s show.
Nexstar owns America’s largest local television broadcasting group comprising top network affiliates, with more than 200 owned or partner stations reaching 220 million people, according to its website.
“Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets,” the statement read.
“Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located,” said Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division.
Shortly after the release of the statement, NBC News quoted an ABC spokesman as saying that “‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ will be pre-empted indefinitely.”
In Monday night’s monologue, Kimmel suggested that Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Kirk’s killing, could have been a pro-Trump Republican.
“The MAGA Gang (is) desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said.
U.S. President Donald Trump and senior administration officials have accused the “radical left” of being responsible for the death of Kirk, while rejecting the Democrats’ argument that political violence has been a problem from both sides.
In an interview with conservative commentator Benny Johnson earlier Wednesday, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr threatened to take action against Disney and its subsidiary ABC over the comments, noting that the FCC could consider revoking licenses of ABC affiliate stations as a penalty.
Criticizing the FCC chair on the social platform X, FCC commissioner Anna Gomez, the only Democrat on the panel, said, “An inexcusable act of political violence by one disturbed individual must never be exploited as justification for broader censorship and control.”
“This Administration is increasingly using the weight of government power to suppress lawful expression,” said Gomez.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live” is one of the several nationally recognized late-night talk shows in the country.
He will also visit their fellow force stationed in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State, South Sudan on 18 September 2025.
Upon arrival, the Force Commander was received by the Rwanbatt-1 Contingent Commander, Lt Col Paul Ndushabandi who briefly took him through on major operations conducted including protection of civilians and provision of force protection to humanitarian assistance.
While interacting with troops, the Force Commander commended their efforts to the UNMISS mandate and their role in fostering peace and stability in the area of responsibility.
He further encouraged them to continue being exemplary ambassadors, a professional and disciplined army, and role models to the community of South Sudan.
“Always be great Ambassadors of your great country, your great Army. Let everybody learn from you, how you rebuild your nation after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi to the current condition,” he said.
The Force Commander’s visit concluded with the symbolic planting of a tree.
In the second quarter of 2025, GDP at current market prices was estimated at Frw 5,798 billion, a significant increase from Frw 4,979 billion in the same period last year.
The services sector remained the largest contributor to GDP at 50%, followed by agriculture (23%) and industry (21%). Net direct taxes accounted for the remaining 5%.
The agriculture sector grew by 8%, driven largely by a 3% increase in food crop production. Export crop production saw a notable 42% increase, fueled by a 121% surge in coffee production, though tea production declined by 9%.
Meanwhile, the industry sector expanded by 7%, supported by strong performances in mining and quarrying (up 12%), construction (up 5%), and manufacturing (up 7%).
Mining and quarrying activities alone grew by 31%, as reflected in export figures. Within manufacturing, food processing increased by 10%, metal products and machinery by 19%, and chemicals, rubber, and plastics by 24%. Nonmetallic mineral production, including cement, rose by 23%. However, textiles, clothing, and leather manufacturing decreased by 9%, while beverages and tobacco declined by 4%.
In the services sector, 9% growth was registered, with wholesale and retail trade rising by 13%. Transport-related services increased by 5%, though air transport fell by 13% while land transport grew by 10%.
Hotels and restaurants saw a 7% decrease compared to high growth of 18% in the same quarter last year. Positive contributions came from ICT services (11%), financial services (8%), public administration (16%), education (5%), and health services (10%).
The rebased GDP figures offer a clearer and more relevant measure of Rwanda’s economic progress, capturing structural changes and current market conditions to better inform policy and investment decisions.
This revision follows the recent rebasing of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to a 2024 base year, which provides a more accurate and up-to-date reflection of the economy’s structure and performance.
As a result of the rebasing exercise, the GDP level for 2024 has been revised upward by 6% to Frw 19,981 billion, compared to the previously published figure of Frw 18,785 billion. Growth rates from 2024 onward have also been adjusted accordingly.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, explained that GDP calculation methods are normally revised every three years, but the 2020 update was delayed due to challenges caused by COVID-19.
“The rebasing to a 2024 base year ensures our estimates are grounded in comprehensive and current economic data, enhancing evidence-based planning and investment,” he stated.
