NCBA’s sponsorship of the Rwanda Open 2026 marked an important milestone for the country’s golfing landscape.
The tournament brought international professional golfers to Kigali, increasing Rwanda’s visibility on the international golf calendar and demonstrating the country’s growing potential as a destination for major sporting events.
Building on this momentum, the third edition of the NCBA Golf Series will bring together golfers, partners and the wider golfing community, continuing the bank’s commitment to supporting the sport beyond major international tournaments.
Building on Rwanda’s growing golf momentum
Since its introduction in Rwanda in 2024, the NCBA Golf Series has provided a platform for golfers to compete, connect and celebrate their shared passion for the game.
The series forms part of NCBA’s broader commitment to supporting sporting initiatives that promote ambition, excellence and meaningful community engagement.
The third edition comes at a significant moment for golf in Rwanda, following the increased international attention generated by the Rwanda Open.
While the Rwanda Open showcased the country’s capacity to host professional international competition, the NCBA Golf Series continues to support the development of the local golfing community and sustain interest in the sport.
In 2025, NCBA further strengthened its partnership with Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, with a focus on developing the game and expanding opportunities for young golfers through junior golf initiatives.
These efforts reflect the importance of investing in emerging talent and creating opportunities for the next generation to participate in and contribute to the future of golf in Rwanda.
More than a game
For NCBA, golf represents more than competition. It offers a platform for building relationships, promoting discipline and excellence, and bringing people together around shared ambition.
Through its sponsorships and partnerships, NCBA continues to support initiatives that create opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive.
Its involvement in both the Rwanda Open and the NCBA Golf Series reflects a commitment to the sport at different levels, from international professional competition to local participation and talent development.
“Rwanda’s recent hosting of the Rwanda Open was an important milestone for golf in our country. At NCBA, we believe that the growth of the sport depends not only on international tournaments but also on sustained investment in the local golfing community.
Through the NCBA Golf Series, we are proud to continue supporting a platform that brings people together, encourages ambition and contributes to the future of golf in Rwanda.” Maurice Toroitich, Managing Director, NCBA Bank Rwanda PLC.
The NCBA Golf Series aligns with the bank’s purpose of Banking on Belief and Empowering Ambition, reflecting its commitment to initiatives that inspire progress and create lasting value for customers, partners and communities.
As Rwanda continues to strengthen its presence on the regional and international sporting stage, NCBA remains committed to supporting platforms that encourage participation, nurture talent and contribute to the long-term growth of golf.
The third edition of the NCBA Golf Series will take place on October 24 2026, at Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, marking another chapter in the bank’s continued support for the sport and Rwanda’s golfing community.
NCBA Bank Rwanda PLC is part of NCBA Group, a financial services group operating across East Africa. Guided by its purpose of Banking on Belief and Empowering Ambition, NCBA supports individuals, businesses and communities through financial solutions and strategic partnerships that enable growth and opportunity.
The third edition of the NCBA Golf Series will take place on October 24 2026, at Kigali Golf Resort & Villas.Through its sponsorships and partnerships, NCBA continues to support initiatives that create opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive.NCBA’s sponsorship of the Rwanda Open 2026 marked an important milestone for the country’s golfing landscape.
Trump announced his endorsement on Sunday, October 18, in a social media post in which he praised Netanyahu’s leadership and described him as a key partner in confronting Iran.
Netanyahu has long presented his close relationship with Trump as an advantage in his efforts to remain in power.
However, Trump had refrained from endorsing him for months as their approaches to developments in the Middle East increasingly diverged.
In his message, Trump described Netanyahu as a “Great Warrior Prime Minister” and praised him as a partner in efforts to confront the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Netanyahu welcomed the endorsement, thanking Trump for his support and cooperation in a statement posted in Hebrew on X.
His Likud Party also shared a 35-second video featuring footage of the two leaders together, including clips of Trump praising the Israeli prime minister.
The endorsement comes ahead of Israel’s first national elections since Hamas attacked the country on October 7, 2023.
The vote is expected to be closely contested, although the potential impact of Trump’s backing on the outcome remains uncertain.
Trump also renewed his warning that the United States could resume or intensify action against Iran if its leaders do not change their course.
He said he would be less inclined to pursue the effort if Netanyahu lost the election, arguing that a different Israeli leader could leave Washington to act alone.
Trump has supported Netanyahu in previous elections and has also intervened on his behalf over his ongoing corruption case.
In November 2025, he wrote to Israeli President Isaac Herzog requesting a pardon for Netanyahu.
However, the US president’s recent comments had raised questions about whether he would support Netanyahu’s latest campaign.
Earlier in October, Trump told Time magazine that he was “not involved in politics anymore” when asked about the Israeli leader’s re-election bid.
Relations between the two leaders have also faced tensions over military operations and ceasefire proposals.
Trump criticised Israel’s decision to attack a major Iranian gas field during the war and expressed frustration over fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, which he said was complicating peace negotiations with Iran.
In August, Netanyahu rejected Trump’s latest proposal to advance a stalled ceasefire in Gaza, opposing Washington’s call for Israel to withdraw from territory it controls until Hamas had been disarmed.
Despite these disagreements, Trump’s endorsement signals continued support for Netanyahu as the Israeli prime minister seeks another term. Whether it will influence voters remains to be seen.
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on December 29, 2025.
Uwizeyimana made the remarks on October 18, 2026, during an interview on Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), in which he discussed the possible implications of the formation of the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation (FRN), a political and military movement led by former DRC president Joseph Kabila.
Established on October 12, 2026, the movement replaced the AFC/M23 coalition, which has been fighting the government in Kinshasa.
Uwizeyimana said Tshisekedi had contributed to Kabila’s departure from the DRC but continued to put pressure on him during his exile, eventually pushing him to engage in political and military activities against the government.
“Kabila was pushed into a corner, to the point where he felt he had no other option. Tshisekedi played a role in the path Kabila chose because he was the one who pushed him into that position.
Kabila had lost everything and eventually received a death sentence. He decided to engage in both political and military warfare as someone who had nothing left to lose, because he had already lost everything he stood to lose,” Uwizeyimana said.
On September 30, 2025, the DRC’s High Military Court sentenced Kabila to death in absentia after finding him guilty of offences including treason and war crimes.
Uwizeyimana said that despite continued pressure from the Kinshasa government, Kabila retained financial resources and connections with influential figures internationally.
In the senator’s view, the main thing Kabila lacked was a military force, which he has now gained through his alliance with former members of AFC/M23.
“The army under Kabila was the DRC’s national army. Tshisekedi took control of it and gradually removed some of its members. He is the only person I have seen imprison more than 56 generals,” he said.
The senator said the alliance between Kabila and the former M23 movement benefited both sides.
Kabila gained a military force to support his struggle, while the movement gained an experienced politician with considerable influence in the DRC.
“Politically, no one has as much influence as Kabila. I cannot see a future for the DRC that does not involve him, and M23 has gained a highly influential figure,” he said.
Tshisekedi could find himself negotiating with Kabila
Uwizeyimana said one of the major challenges facing President Tshisekedi could be having to negotiate with Kabila, despite his administration having previously treated the former president as someone who should not be involved in political negotiations.
He believes the formation of FRN could require a reassessment of the Doha peace talks between the DRC government and AFC/M23, given the changes in leadership on the side opposing the government.
“The Doha talks are still ongoing, but the fact that they were being held with AFC/M23 does not mean they will automatically shift to FRN. The matter needs to be reconsidered.
It will not happen automatically because the other side is not a government that can simply continue from where it left off.
“Another issue is that Tshisekedi excluded Kabila from the list of people he was willing to negotiate with, yet Kabila is now the leader of FRN. Whether Tshisekedi accepts it or not, he will have to negotiate with Kabila, one way or another,” Uwizeyimana said.
In a statement issued on October 14, 2026, FRN announced that it had taken over AFC/M23’s responsibilities and agreements, including those related to the Doha peace talks.
Uwizeyimana believes Kabila could use his position within FRN to set conditions before entering negotiations with the Kinshasa government.
These could include seeking the reversal of the death sentence imposed on him, as well as other sentences handed down against individuals allied with him in leading FRN.
Could M23’s objectives change?
Although Uwizeyimana believes Kabila’s alliance with AFC/M23 has strengthened the forces opposing the Kinshasa government, he said the partnership could also raise questions about the direction of their struggle.
He explained that M23 initially said it was fighting for the rights of people who claim to face discrimination in their own country. However, Kabila’s involvement could broaden the movement’s objectives to include removing the current government from power.
Uwizeyimana added that Kabila could have a different view of how the DRC’s crisis should be resolved.
“Although I cannot speak for Kabila, he could tell them: ‘Why should we remain here when the problem is in Kinshasa? There is someone who will continue buying weapons and firing at us. Let us go and resolve the problem where it is,’” he said.
The senator believes this approach could change the direction of the struggle M23 initially said it was pursuing, shifting it from defending the rights of a section of the population towards a campaign to change the DRC’s government.
He said this would represent a significant shift because a conflict previously presented as a fight for people’s rights could instead come to be seen as a struggle for political power.
Kabila could also lose public trust
Uwizeyimana also warned that Kabila’s alliance with armed groups could have political consequences, particularly among Congolese citizens who may question why a man who served as president for 18 years has chosen to join forces with groups he previously opposed.
He said some people could question what Kabila intends to achieve for the DRC through his alliance with armed groups that he did not accomplish during his years in power.
The senator believes Kabila’s decision to ally with the fighters may have been the only option left to him after facing sustained pressure from Tshisekedi’s administration.
Uwizeyimana added that Kabila’s decision to join forces with former adversaries should not come as a major surprise, arguing that in politics, neither enemies nor friends are permanent, as shared interests can bring people together or drive them apart.
Senator Evode Uwizeyimana says President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) made a major political miscalculation by sentencing former president Joseph Kabila to death, despite the possibility that he may be needed in future peace negotiations.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, identified a network of brain cells that regulates growth hormone release during sleep and discovered that the hormone also sends signals back to the brain to influence wakefulness.
The findings are based on research by UC Berkeley scientists published in the journal Cell.
The study examined how the brain balances hormone production and sleep using experiments involving mice.
Growth hormone plays an important role in childhood development, helping the body grow, strengthen bones and build muscle.
In adults, it continues to support muscle maintenance, bone health and the way the body processes stored fat and regulates blood sugar.
Scientists have long understood that growth hormone release is closely linked to sleep. However, the precise brain mechanisms controlling this relationship have remained unclear.
“We’re actually directly recording neural activity in mice to see what’s going on,” said Xinlu Ding, the study’s first author and a postdoctoral researcher at UC Berkeley.
The research team focused on the hypothalamus, a region deep within the brain that helps regulate hormones, hunger and the sleep-wake cycle.
Researchers examined nerve cells that produce growth hormone-releasing hormone, which stimulates growth hormone production, and somatostatin, which suppresses it.
Using electrodes to record brain activity and light to stimulate specific nerve cells, the scientists observed how these signals changed as mice moved between sleep stages.
They found that different patterns of activity during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep helped promote growth hormone release.
The study also revealed that growth hormone influences the locus coeruleus, a brain region involved in alertness, attention and cognitive function.
As growth hormone levels rise during sleep, the hormone stimulates this region, helping regulate the transition towards wakefulness.
This creates a two-way relationship in which sleep encourages hormone release, while the hormone helps regulate when the brain becomes alert.
Daniel Silverman, a UC Berkeley postdoctoral researcher and study co-author, said the findings suggest that sleep and growth hormone form a closely balanced system.
The discovery could eventually inform research into treatments for sleep disorders and conditions associated with disrupted metabolism, including diabetes, as well as neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
However, the experiments were conducted in mice, meaning further research is needed to establish whether the same mechanisms operate in humans and whether they can safely be targeted by treatments.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have identified a brain circuit linking sleep, growth hormone release and wakefulness, offering new insights into physical recovery and brain health.
The 33-year-old singer paid tribute to Parton by performing “Jolene”, one of the country star’s most famous songs, while reflecting on their close relationship and the memories they shared.
According to People magazine, Cyrus spoke to the audience before the performance, recalling the only time she had watched Parton perform live at the Hollywood Bowl.
Cyrus explained that she had wanted to experience the concert as an ordinary fan rather than join her godmother on stage.
Parton agreed, but later surprised the audience by performing “The Best of Both Worlds”, the theme song from Hannah Montana, and announcing that Cyrus was watching from the crowd.
Cyrus said the memory had become particularly meaningful following Parton’s death.
“Like so many things Dolly did, that I didn’t understand it at the time, sitting here with you all right now, feeling her all around me, knowing that she’s right here beside me every day, all the time, more than she could be when she was here,” she told the audience.
She added that sharing the story made the experience even more precious.
“This memory is gold to me,” Cyrus said.
Overcome with emotion, the singer also spoke about the enduring bond between them.
“Me and Dolly, we are eternal. Nothing in this life could tear us apart,” she said, adding that she looked forward to seeing her godmother again because she missed her.
Parton died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, leaving behind a musical legacy that influenced generations of artists.
Cyrus had known Parton since birth. The country star became her godmother after developing a close friendship with Cyrus’s father, singer Billy Ray Cyrus, during the 1990s.
Their relationship extended beyond family ties into their professional lives.
Parton appeared as a recurring character on Hannah Montana, the Disney Channel series that helped launch Cyrus’s career, playing her character’s fairy godmother in three episodes between 2006 and 2010.
The two singers also collaborated on music, including a version of Cyrus’s 2013 hit “Wrecking Ball” for Parton’s 2023 album Rockstar.
Cyrus affectionately referred to Parton as “Aunt Dolly” and previously credited her with teaching her the importance of treating people with love and respect.
Following Parton’s death, Cyrus shared a heartfelt message on social media, describing their most meaningful moments as private memories that would remain between them.
The Hollywood Bowl tribute offered another public expression of that relationship, celebrating not only Parton’s music but also the lasting influence she had on Cyrus’s life.
Miley Cyrus performs “Jolene” in tribute to her late godmother, Dolly Parton, during a concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on October 16, 2026.
Kibonge made the remarks after screening his film Identity in Memphis, Tennessee, on October 16, 2026. He shared footage from the event alongside a message praising the President.
“A night for my Movies in Memphis. There is nothing PK [a nickname commonly used by young people to refer to President Paul Kagame] would not do for us,” he said.
Kibonge produced Identity in France while attending the Off Courts Festival, where the film was first screened in September 2026.
He is among four Rwandans who travelled to the United States through a partnership between Mashariki Arts Academy and Hattiloo Theatre in Memphis. The programme aims to strengthen the skills of professionals working in the arts and theatre industry.
The other participants are Emmanuel Mugisha, Simon Iyarwema, Clémence Nahimana, known artistically as Feruje na Shenge, and Adolphe Shyaka.
As part of the programme, Kibonge is expected to take part in a month-long training programme. He is also scheduled to meet fans in Austin, Texas, on October 17, 2026.
The event in Austin was organised in collaboration with Joshua Ramjaane, a Rwandan entertainer based in the United States.
Kibonge and Ramjaane previously performed together as members of a comedy group known as Abanyagasani.
Clapton Kibonge set to perform in Austin, TexasClapton Kibonge screens his film in the United StatesClapton Kibonge heads to Texas after film screening, invited by former ‘Abanyagasani’ colleague.
The latest edition comes as participants in previous competitions continue to make their mark in various creative fields, including music, poetry, comedy, film and fashion.
Some have released albums and performed on international stages, while others have directed music videos for prominent artists or established businesses that create jobs for others.
Launched by Imbuto Foundation in 2018, ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi provides a platform for young people to showcase their talents, develop their skills and explore opportunities in the creative industry.
Through competitions, training and engagement with experienced professionals, participants have gained skills and opportunities to advance their careers and develop their projects.
Their achievements also reflect their individual efforts, the businesses and initiatives they have established, and the partnerships they have built along the way.
As the fourth edition gets underway, IGIHE looks at some of the programme’s alumni and how they have developed their talents into careers and businesses, while contributing to Rwanda’s growing creative industry.
Jean Chrétien Munezero (MJC)
Jean Chrétien Munezero, popularly known as MJC, is among the talents who participated in the first edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi in 2018.
That year, he won first place in the photography and video production category, receiving a cash prize of Rwf 1 million.
Following the competition, he continued to develop his talent, eventually founding Uniquo Creations in 2022, a company specialising in video production and editing.
According to Imbuto Foundation’s 2024/2025 report, MJC had produced more than 20 music videos.
Among the videos he has directed are Nibido by Christopher and Beauty on Fire by Bruce Melodie and Joeboy, which he worked on with Bahali Ruth.
MJC is among the competition’s alumni who have successfully turned their talent in video production and editing into a profession, working with artists and various organisations.
Carine Maniraguha (Carine Poet)
Carine Maniraguha, popularly known as Carine Poet, rose to prominence through poetry. In 2018, she won first place in the writing and poetry category of the ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi competition.
After the competition, she continued to develop her poetry career while also venturing into theatre, taking her work to audiences in Rwanda and abroad.
In 2025, Carine was among the cast members of the play Gahugu Gato, which was staged at the Festival d’Avignon in France.
That same year, she participated in ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi All Stars, where she and Gad Tuyizere tied for second place in the literature category, sharing a prize of Rwf 10 million.
Carine also runs Rangurura, a project that seeks to empower women and girls to make their voices heard through art and poetry.
Fally Merci
Ndaruhutse Merci, popularly known as Fally Merci, is one of the comedians who participated in the first edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi in 2018.
After gaining recognition through the competition, he continued pursuing comedy and later launched initiatives aimed at helping other comedians showcase their talents.
In March 2022, he founded Gen-Z Comedy, which initially operated from a tent at the ArtRwanda centre in Rugando.
A March 2025 report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) indicated that the initiative had helped more than 100 comedians develop their talents.
At the time, Gen-Z Comedy had six permanent employees and provided temporary employment to another 47 people.
In November 2025, Gen-Z Comedy signed an agreement with ZACU TV to broadcast its comedy shows.
Fally Merci has expanded his career beyond performing comedy to establishing a platform that helps other talented individuals access opportunities in the creative industry.
Boukuru
Christiane Uwase Bukuru, popularly known as Boukuru, is a singer who participated in the first edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi in 2018.
She has built a name in music by blending soul and jazz with sounds rooted in Rwandan culture.
On September 6, 2024, Boukuru unveiled her debut album, Gikundiro, featuring 11 songs, during a concert held at Norrsken in Kigali.
She was later selected to perform at the 2025 edition of the Sauti za Busara Festival, held in Zanzibar.
That same year, Boukuru was named among the 10 finalists in the Prix Découvertes RFI competition.
These milestones have helped her bring her music to audiences in Rwanda and beyond.
Makembe
Ishimwe Michael, popularly known as Michael Makembe, is a singer, instrumentalist and music producer who participated in ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi in 2018.
Makembe is known for exploring and preserving traditional musical sounds while blending them with contemporary music production techniques.
Through his project, Sounds of Rwanda, he has travelled to different parts of the country to record the voices of traditional singers and sounds produced by traditional musical instruments.
In 2022, he composed music for Father’s Day, a film by Kivu Ruhorahoza.
He has also contributed to music for theatre and dance productions, including umuko by Dorothée Munyaneza.
His works include Havumera Inka, Ikondera and Bagore Beza.
Makembe is among the artists demonstrating how traditional music can connect Rwanda’s history and cultural heritage with contemporary artistic expression.
Munezero Jean Vainqueur
Munezero Jean Vainqueur is a fashion designer and the founder of the fashion brand Maison Munezero.
He participated in the first edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi in 2018 and continued developing his work in fashion design and garment production.
In 2019, he showcased his designs at Rwanda Fashion Week.
In 2022, he was among six fashion designers who participated in the Austria–Rwanda Fashion Connect event held at Expo 2020 in Dubai.
In 2025, he took part in ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi All Stars, where his ready-to-wear clothing project earned him second place in the fashion category.
Munezero continues to develop Maison Munezero while expanding his activities in the fashion industry.
Tuyishime Anaclet
Tuyishime Anaclet is a fashion and accessories designer known for his project, Umuringa Fashion Code.
In 2022, he won first place in the fashion category of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi.
His work focuses on creating shoes, bags and other accessories using leather and fabrics, combining these materials with his own creative ideas.
In 2025, he once again distinguished himself at ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi All Stars, winning first place in the fashion category.
For the competition, he presented a project focused on making shoes from recycled materials, giving previously used materials a new purpose.
The project demonstrates how creativity can contribute to business development while reducing waste that harms the environment.
Musafiri James
Musafiri James is a screenwriter and film director who participated in the second edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi, launched in 2022.
He completed the competition’s training programme in December 2024, having gained skills that helped him further develop his talent in filmmaking.
His work includes writing scripts for some of Rwanda’s popular television series, including City Maid and Indoto.
In 2024, he wrote and directed the film Weaving Bonds, which tells the story of a parent who gradually comes to understand the value of their child’s talent.
In 2025, Musafiri was among the award winners in the film category at ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi All Stars.
He has continued to apply his experience in screenwriting and film directing, particularly in productions that explore people’s lives and social experiences.
The journeys of these artists demonstrate how creative talent can be turned into ventures that create jobs, support personal growth and contribute to preserving Rwandan culture.
Their achievements also serve as an example for young people participating in the fourth edition of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi, showing that talent can become a source of growth and opportunity when supported by knowledge, dedication and collaboration.
The 56-year-old rapper was moved from the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Fort Dix to FCI Allenwood Low, a low-security prison located near Williamsport, Pennsylvania, according to The Associated Press (AP), which cited a person familiar with the matter.
The US Bureau of Prisons confirmed the transfer but declined to explain the reasons behind the decision.
“Decisions about inmate placement are made by the BOP, and we are not in a position to speak to the circumstances surrounding this transfer,” Combs’ spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer, said.
He added that Combs remained focused on moving forward and expressed hope that his time at the new facility would be productive and free from unnecessary disruption.
The transfer comes after NBC News reported in September that Combs had allegedly maintained aspects of his wealthy lifestyle while imprisoned at Fort Dix.
The report claimed he had access to prohibited items, including alcohol and a cellphone, and that other inmates prepared meals, cleaned for him and provided massages.
The allegations raised questions about whether the music executive was receiving preferential treatment in prison.
Earlier this week, entertainment news outlet TMZ reported that Combs had been injured in a fight with another inmate and taken out of the facility for medical treatment.
However, the Bureau of Prisons rejected the report. In a statement to AP, the agency said: “The story you are referring to is false and did not happen.”
Following the NBC News report, Combs was placed in a special housing unit, a more restricted area used for inmates facing disciplinary issues or security concerns.
A person familiar with the matter also told AP that Combs had lost 41 days of good-conduct credit, pushing his projected release date to March 2, 2028.
Combs is serving a four-year, two-month prison sentence after being convicted in 2025 on prostitution-related charges involving the transportation of people across state lines for sexual encounters.
He was acquitted of more serious sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
In April 2026, his lawyers asked the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn his conviction and sentence, arguing that the punishment was too harsh. The court has yet to issue a ruling.
The transfer marks another development in the legal troubles of one of the most influential figures in American hip-hop, whose criminal case has drawn widespread public attention.
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been transferred from a federal prison in New Jersey to FCI Allenwood Low in Pennsylvania while serving a sentence for prostitution-related offences.
In an executive order released by the White House on Friday, October 16, Trump said the decision was in the national interest of the United States.
“I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States,” Trump said in the order, according to Reuters.
The measures were part of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, legislation intended to increase economic pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
The law provided for tariffs of up to 100% on goods imported into the United States from the five largest buyers of Russian crude oil or natural gas.
It also targeted countries that continued buying Russian oil or gas under specified conditions or were among the leading countries helping Russia evade sanctions.
The waiver will remain in place until Trump or senior officials in his administration determine that further action is appropriate.
The decision comes as the United States approaches its November midterm elections, when Trump’s Republican Party will seek to maintain its narrow majorities in Congress.
Analysts have warned that imposing the tariffs could push oil prices higher, adding to pressure on American consumers already facing increased costs linked partly to the US-Israeli war involving Iran.
China and India, two major buyers of Russian oil, have also raised concerns about the legislation.
Beijing has opposed what it describes as the application of foreign laws beyond a country’s jurisdiction, while India has warned that additional tariffs could affect its relations with Washington.
The decision has drawn criticism from US lawmakers who support tougher measures against Russia.
Democratic Representative Don Beyer accused Trump of weakening support for Ukraine and undermining Congress’s intention to punish Moscow for its invasion.
“Trump’s latest surrender to Putin again betrays our Ukrainian partners and defies clear congressional intent of legislation designed to punish Russia for its illegal war of aggression,” Beyer said in a statement.
Trump has also faced criticism over a recent agreement involving Russian diesel supplies, under which Washington agreed to lift sanctions on certain Russian exports in an effort to ease global fuel prices.
Russian officials have welcomed the US administration’s moves towards economic cooperation.
Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s investment envoy, described the latest waiver as “a truly historic moment” in a post on X.
The waiver leaves the administration with the option of introducing the measures later, while the war in Ukraine and disagreements over relations with Moscow continue to shape US foreign policy.
US President Donald Trump has waived key Russia-related sanctions and tariffs days before they were due to take effect under a law passed in September 2026.
The research, led by Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore in collaboration with Singapore General Hospital and Cardiff University, identified a gene called DEAF1 that becomes increasingly active as muscles age, disrupting the processes needed to maintain healthy muscle tissue.
Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the study found that exercise can help restore the balance between producing proteins and removing damaged ones inside muscle cells.
Muscles gradually lose strength and function with age, making everyday activities more difficult and increasing the risk of falls and fractures.
Researchers say maintaining muscle health is essential for preserving mobility and independence in older adults.
At the cellular level, muscles must continuously produce new proteins while clearing away damaged ones.
This process is partly controlled by a signalling pathway called mTORC1, which regulates protein production and cell growth.
The researchers found that DEAF1 levels can rise with age, causing excessive activity in this pathway.
As a result, muscle cells produce proteins without efficiently removing damaged ones, gradually affecting their ability to function and repair themselves.
Normally, proteins known as FOXOs help regulate DEAF1. However, FOXO activity tends to decline with age, allowing DEAF1 levels to increase and further disrupting muscle maintenance.
Exercise appeared to interrupt this process by activating regulatory proteins that reduce DEAF1 levels.
This helped restore mTORC1 activity to a healthier balance, allowing muscle cells to clear damaged proteins and maintain healthy tissue.
To investigate the mechanism, researchers conducted experiments in fruit flies and older mice.
Increasing DEAF1 levels caused muscles to weaken more rapidly, while reducing the gene’s activity improved protein maintenance and restored muscle strength.
However, the researchers found that exercise might not fully restore normal muscle repair when DEAF1 levels become extremely high or FOXO activity falls too low.
The findings may also help explain why older adults respond differently to exercise.
Researchers suggested that targeting DEAF1 could eventually lead to treatments that help preserve muscle strength, particularly among people who struggle to exercise because of illness, surgery or other health conditions.
Nevertheless, the research was conducted in animals, and further studies are needed to establish whether targeting the same mechanism can safely improve muscle health in humans.
For now, the study provides new insight into how exercise supports muscle maintenance and could guide future efforts to prevent age-related muscle loss.
Researchers identified a gene called DEAF1 that may help explain how exercise supports muscle repair and strength during ageing.
