“CENTCOM forces disabled the steering gear of Panama-flagged M/V Vela Nova as the cargo vessel attempted to transit the Gulf of Oman and violate the U.S. blockade against Iran by sailing toward an Iranian port,” the statement said.
A U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two missiles into the Vela Nova’s engine room, according to the command.
“The missile struck the vessel, causing a fire that was subsequently extinguished,” maritime security firm Vanguard said in an initial report on the incident.
“As of Aug. 11, CENTCOM has redirected 55 commercial vessels attempting to run the blockade, disabled three non-compliant vessels, and boarded two,” the command said.
Once plagued by economic difficulties, the port has undergone a remarkable transformation through cooperation, demonstrating how such efforts can advance shared development — a principle frequently highlighted by Chinese President Xi Jinping in his diplomatic vision and engagements.
During his state visit to Greece in 2019, Xi toured the port and spoke highly of the cooperation project. He said China, in its external exchanges, upholds the right approach to justice and interests, adding that it was encouraging to see the project had helped local people through difficult times.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told Xi that Greece had gained a deeper understanding of the true meaning of friendship through cooperation on the Piraeus Port project with China.
The Piraeus Port project is one example of Xi’s close attention to cooperation projects such as the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway and Chancay Port in Peru, which bring tangible benefits to local communities.
For Xi, the true value of cooperation is measured not only by economic gains, but also by how it improves people’s lives.
During his visit to Tajikistan in September 2014, Xi attended a ceremony marking the commencement of a China-Tajikistan joint thermal power plant in Dushanbe. Seeing the difficulties faced by local people due to shortages of electricity and heating, Xi said he had experienced hardship himself and could empathize with them. Projects truly benefiting local people were the best ones, he added.
As Xi has said, “Development is real only when all countries develop together. Prosperity and stability cannot be possible in a world where the rich become richer while the poor are made poorer. Every nation aspires for a better life, and modernization is not a privilege reserved for any single country.”
This file aerial photo taken on July 26, 2023 shows a view of Piraeus Port, Greece. (Piraeus Port Authority/Handout via Xinhua)
Xi’s vision of common progress is taking root in regions like Africa, where countries are striving for faster development.
In 2013, Xi chose Africa for his first overseas visit after assuming the presidency. During the visit, he put forward the principles of China’s Africa policy — sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and pursuing the greater good and shared interests.
In his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Xi said that “on the path to modernization, no one, and no country, should be left behind.”
Over the years, China-Africa cooperation has expanded beyond economic sectors into areas closely related to people’s livelihoods. In Kenya, the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway has become a major transport link in East Africa, while China-supported water projects have helped millions of African people gain access to safe drinking water.
Cooperation has also extended to the public health sector, with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters, built with Chinese support, helping strengthen health capacity across the continent. This May, China further opened its market wider to African countries by fully implementing zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.
“The greatest good in China-Africa relations is to closely combine Africa’s independent and sustainable development with China’s own development,” Xi said. “The ultimate goal is to realize win-win cooperation.”
One example is Juncao technology, which Xi promoted while working in east China’s Fujian Province more than two decades ago. He later introduced the technology to a visiting official from Papua New Guinea, paving the way for its overseas application.
Juncao technology, which uses a type of grass to cultivate edible mushrooms, feed livestock and prevent soil erosion, has become an effective tool for poverty reduction and sustainable development.
“I did go to Fujian Province. I met my then colleague, Governor Xi Jinping,” said Peti Lafanama, former governor of Papua New Guinea’s Eastern Highlands Province. “I think the President has a heart for the people.”
The vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity is also reflected in Xi’s efforts in global climate governance. Xi has repeatedly called for global solidarity to address this pressing challenge, stressing that ecological protection concerns the well-being and future of all countries.
China played “a decisive role” in the negotiation process of the Paris Agreement in December 2015, said former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, expressing his gratitude for China’s contribution to accelerating the ratification process of the agreement.
“Had not been President Xi Jinping’s initiative, we would not have the Paris Agreement on climate change even now,” said Ban.
A specialist (C) from China’s Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University introduces a type of special grass, which could be used to cultivate edible and medicinal mushrooms and feed livestock, to local residents in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea, Dec. 19, 2019. (Photo by Hu Yingping/Xinhua)
In 2025, the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, Xi announced China’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions at the UN Climate Summit, a move that further demonstrated China’s commitment and determination to advancing global green development.
“These targets represent China’s best efforts based on the requirements of the Paris Agreement,” Xi said in his video remarks to the UN summit.
Through years of active participation in global climate governance and efforts to inspire younger generations to protect the planet, Xi has also called for building a community of all life on Earth in a bid to promote sustainable development for humanity.
“Our people hope to successfully realize national development, but they also hope to see all peoples of the world leading happy and peaceful lives,” Xi has said.
An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 28, 2025 shows a wind power project in operation in Wolong County, Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County, southwest China’s Chongqing. (Photo by Li Xiaofeng/Xinhua)A freight train is pictured at Port Reitz Station along the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Mombasa, Kenya, July 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)
The azure skies of Beijing soon became known as “APEC blue,” though some viewed the phenomenon as a fleeting moment confined to the summit period.
At the welcoming banquet, Chinese President Xi Jinping directly addressed such doubts, expressing his hope and determination that “with persistent efforts, the ‘APEC blue’ will be here to stay.”
More than a decade later, Xi’s promise has been fulfilled through concrete action.
The results are visible in the air. Between 2013 and 2025, Beijing’s average PM2.5 concentration fell by 69.8 percent. The United Nations Environment Programme has hailed the city’s achievements in improving air quality as the “Beijing Miracle.”
The story of “APEC blue” reflects a cherished value passed down through generations of the Chinese people: promises must be honored through actions. This philosophy has also guided China’s efforts to forge stronger connections with the world. “He who has credibility connects the world,” Xi once quoted a saying from “The Guanzi,” a collection of ancient Chinese writings, to underscore the importance of matching words.
Every autumn, the lights of the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai illuminate a global gathering, where products, technologies and ideas converge in the vibrant metropolis.
At the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in 2018, Xi made a clear promise: “The CIIE, which will be held on an annual basis, will feature good performance, fruitful results and continued success in the years to come.”
Eight years on, the CIIE has grown into a premier global platform for trade, investment and cultural exchanges, connecting businesses, innovators and consumers from around the world.
The expo, the world’s first import-themed national-level exhibition, stands as a vivid reflection of Xi’s commitment to China’s high-level opening-up. Beyond the CIIE, this commitment has been put into practice through concrete measures, ranging from the launch of island-wide special customs operations at the Hainan Free Trade Port to the expansion of visa-free transit and entry policies.
In a world facing mounting uncertainty and fragmentation, these actions deliver a clear message: China will continue to open its door wider to the world.
Xi’s commitment to delivering on promises is also reflected in long-term partnerships built on shared development.
More than half a century ago, Chinese engineers traveled to East Africa to help build the Tanzania-Zambia railway, a landmark project that stretched across the region.
In March 2013, standing before the cemetery of Chinese experts in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Xi paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives during the construction of the railway, and called on the two countries to cherish the deep-rooted friendship between China and Africa.
Two years later, during talks with then Zambian President Edgar Lungu, Xi reaffirmed that China would collaborate with Zambia and Tanzania in the railway operations to “promote the development and prosperity of the region along the line.”
In September 2024, Xi, together with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, witnessed in Beijing the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the railway revitalization project. In November 2025, the groundbreaking ceremony was held in Zambia. Once upgraded, the railway is expected to significantly improve regional connectivity, with annual freight capacity rising to at least 2.4 million tons and shipping times reduced by nearly two-thirds.
“China helped us build the railway in the past and is now helping us make it better and more modern. China has always kept its word,” said 74-year-old Solomon Mwakasanga, who joined the railway service in 1970 as a clerk and retired in 2005 as a senior station foreman.
Across Africa, China’s efforts are transforming promises into progress, supporting the continent’s modernization drive.
From fully implementing zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China to advancing “small but beautiful” livelihood projects such as Luban Workshops and Juncao technology, China’s cooperation with Africa is increasingly focused on delivering tangible benefits.
As Paul Frimpong, executive director of the Africa-China Center for Policy and Advisory, a Ghana-based think tank, observed, “China will always remain Africa’s most reliable partner on its path to modernization.”
A promise kept in times of crisis matters greatly. When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world, Xi stressed China’s firm determination to strengthen international cooperation as a responsible major country.
China was the first country to propose COVID-19 vaccines as a global public good and worked with developing nations to produce vaccines locally, mobilizing resources to help bridge the global “immunity gap.”
Xi’s commitment to honoring promises is also borne out by China’s sustained efforts over the years to build a better future for all.
In September 2020, Xi announced that China would strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.
Over the past years, China has taken solid steps to turn this vision into action. It has built the world’s largest renewable energy system and developed the most comprehensive clean energy industrial chain, while continuing to improve energy efficiency and accelerate the global green transition.
“China has a reputation of doing what it says it’s going to do,” said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell. The leadership China has shown and the contributions it has made in terms of driving technological advancement and providing support to developing countries within the Global South can push other countries to step up, he added.
As Xi said, “We Chinese people attach great importance to taking action to keep promises. We will do whatever it takes to honor our commitment.”
This photo taken from Jingshan Hill on Aug. 12, 2024 shows the skyscrapers of the central business district (CBD) on a sunny day in Beijing, capital of China.
The programme, led by the Rwanda Space Agency (RSA), is designed to support a wide range of national development activities across the country.
The partnership follows a pilot project implemented in Zanzibar with support from the Tony Blair Institute and the World Bank. It marks Planet’s first national-scale satellite data partnership in Africa.
At government level, the programme will make high-resolution satellite imagery available to support policymaking and national planning.
The data will be used to monitor agriculture and food security, track forest health and resilience, improve urban planning and zoning, and support land-use management. It will also help strengthen disaster preparedness, prevention and response, including assessing and repairing damage caused by disasters.
The Rwanda Space Agency is working to make satellite imagery one of the key tools used by government institutions to inform decision-making at different levels.
The programme also includes an education component. Public universities in Rwanda will use Planet’s imagery and data for teaching, developing new courses and advancing technology-driven research.
The partnership will also help build local capacity by equipping people with the skills and knowledge needed to analyse and use satellite data effectively.
Selected startups operating in key sectors of national development will also have access to Planet’s near-daily data. They will use the information to develop new solutions and services, with the broader goal of promoting inclusive economic growth.
Planet Labs PBC is a U.S.-based Earth observation company founded in 2010 by three former NASA scientists. The company designs, builds and operates a large fleet of Earth-imaging satellites and provides satellite imagery, geospatial data and analytics to governments, businesses and research institutions.
Planet says its fleet of approximately 200 Earth-imaging satellites can capture imagery covering the world’s landmass daily, making it possible to monitor changes on the ground at a much higher frequency than traditional satellite imagery.
Rwandan institutions are set to start using near-daily satellite imagery and data to support evidence-based decision-making, thanks to a new partnership with Planet.
The refugees made the allegations on August 10, 2026, during a commemoration marking the 22nd anniversary of the massacre of Congolese Tutsi at 14 different locations, including the Gatumba refugee camp in Burundi.
The commemoration was preceded by a memorial walk and a candle-lighting ceremony. The refugees, some of whom have spent more than 30 years in Rwanda, said they remain hopeful that they will eventually return to the DRC and obtain justice.
The commemoration comes as the DRC advances plans to revise its Constitution, a process critics say could pave the way for Tshisekedi to seek a third presidential term.
Joseph Mpumuro, coordinator of Congolese refugee camps in Rwanda, alleged that the proposed constitutional changes are also intended to deprive Congolese Tutsi of their citizenship.
“Apart from seeking to run for a third term, Tshisekedi wants to strip us of our citizenship so that he can eliminate us,” Mpumuro said.
He said discrimination against Congolese Tutsi dates back 141 years, linking its origins to the 1885 Berlin Conference, which established colonial boundaries in Africa and resulted in territories that had previously been linked to Rwanda being incorporated into what is now the DRC.
“Congolese refugees want justice. We want to return home to Congo,” Mpumuro said. “Young Congolese refugees should work towards returning home rather than focusing on going abroad, because you cannot live in a foreign land without a homeland.”
Benjamin Ndarishize, a survivor of the Gatumba massacre, recalled how they fled Uvira and sought refuge in Burundi, where they were placed in a camp near the border. In 2004, attackers reportedly stormed the camp, setting it on fire, hacking survivors who escaped the flames and shooting others.
“Burundian soldiers were nearby but never came to our rescue. It was a conspiracy against us,” Ndarishize said. “We are seeking justice because those who killed us have never been punished. Agathon Rwasa went to the media and claimed responsibility.”
Albert Bisore Ngemanyi, who represents the Congolese Tutsi Survivors Voice, an organisation involved in organising commemorations for Congolese Tutsi victims, told IGIHE that more than 15,000 people have been killed in what he described as atrocities against Congolese Tutsi since 1992.
“We are calling for justice from the governments of Burundi and Congo. They should pursue Gen. Ekenge and Bitakwira over their use of hate speech,” he said.
Bisore alleged that attacks against Congolese Tutsi are still taking place, claiming that aircraft from Kinshasa have been used to attack Tutsi communities in Minembwe.
Karongi District Mayor Gerald Muzunguthanked the refugees for maintaining a spirit of resilience despite the challenges they have faced.
“Everything has an end. This is how the world is; people must seek solutions to their challenges,” he said. “We urge you to continue building unity, cooperation and mutual respect, and to send your children to school so that they can have a better future.”
As of March 2026, Rwanda was hosting more than 79,000 Congolese refugees.
In addition to Kiziba, the 22nd commemoration of Congolese Tutsi victims was held in other refugee camps hosting Congolese refugees, including Mahama, Nyabiheke, Kigeme and Mugombwa.
A memorial walk preceded the 22nd commemoration of Congolese Tutsi killed because of their identity.The commemoration event took place on August 10, 2026Congolese refugees have lived in Rwanda for more than 30 years.Kiziba Refugee Camp is currently home to more than 12,000 Congolese refugees.
“The majority of these visas were revoked due to law enforcement encounters for a range of criminal activity, with assault, driving under the influence, theft, and drug crimes being the leading causes,” the department said in a statement.
“A significant share of visas were revoked for reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud and embezzlement, and other crimes,” the statement said.
“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right. The Department remains committed to using every tool available to protect our communities from those who abuse it,” the statement added.
Since Trump returned to the White House, his administration has tightened immigration policies, cracking down on undocumented immigrants and increasing scrutiny of U.S. visa holders.
Speaking at a press conference in Bunia, capital of the eastern Ituri Province and the epicenter of the outbreak, WHO Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Yakub Janabi said genetic sequencing indicated that the virus had likely been circulating for months before the outbreak was detected.
The DRC officially declared outbreaks of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus on May 15.
According to the latest figures released by local authorities, the DRC had recorded 4,209 confirmed cases, including 1,916 deaths, as of Aug. 7. Cases have been reported in Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, and Tshopo provinces in the country’s east.
“We are chasing the virus. The virus is ahead of us,” Janabi said, pointing to the prolonged period during which transmission may have gone undetected.
Some infections during the early phase of the outbreak may have initially been attributed to other illnesses, including malaria and typhoid, contributing to delays in recognizing the extent of Ebola transmission, Janabi said, warning of prolonged undetected circulation.
He also noted that the virus is spreading faster than initially anticipated, while the current outbreak differs from previous outbreaks caused by the Bundibugyo virus in Uganda in 2007 and the DRC in 2012.
Meanwhile, the response teams are still detecting only a fraction of infections early enough, Janabi said, adding that around 60 to 70 percent of deaths were reported outside the treatment centers.
On Aug. 7, a WHO technical advisory group recommended that the Ervebo vaccine be prioritized for inclusion in a randomized clinical trial in the context of the ongoing outbreak.
Marie Roseline Belizaire, a WHO expert, said that research suggested the possibility of cross-protection, and discussions are underway on clinical studies to assess whether the vaccine could provide protection against the Bundibugyo virus in humans.
WHO Representative in the DRC Anne Ancia said that a large population in North Kivu got vaccinated with Ervebo during the country’s 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak.
Information showed that previously vaccinated health workers infected with the Bundibugyo virus during the current outbreak survived and appeared to develop milder illness, she said, suggesting a possible cross-protective effect that still needs to be confirmed through further studies.
Janabi said stronger community participation, earlier case detection, and decentralized treatment would be critical to changing the trajectory of the outbreak over the coming eight to 12 weeks.
The current outbreak is the 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC. It is now the country’s largest on record and the second-largest Ebola outbreak globally, only behind the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic.
Wiza Bondele, center, a health worker on the prevention and control team, seen at work in Ituri province, eastern Congo, Wednesday, Aug 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Dieudonne Dirole)
The event was also aimed at raising awareness about cancer prevention and encouraging people to seek early screening for the disease, which remains a major health concern globally.
According to GLOBOCAN, an international cancer statistics database, about 7,000 people in Rwanda are diagnosed with cancer every year, with more than half of them dying from the disease.
Between 2019 and 2023, Rwanda recorded 26,092 new cancer cases, while 8,578 people died from the disease, representing a mortality rate of 32.9%.
Concerned by the impact of cancer, Rotary Clubs across Rwanda have launched a fundraising campaign to purchase a SPECT scanner, a medical imaging machine used to detect and monitor cancer as well as other serious conditions affecting organs such as the brain and bones.
The machine is estimated to cost $5 million, equivalent to more than Rwf7 billion.
The fundraising campaign was launched as part of the Car Free Day activities, with Rotary Clubs and the Ministry of Health using the event to encourage Kigali residents to learn more about cancer, its prevention and the importance of early diagnosis.
Alex Ndibwami, President of Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga, said the initiative was prompted by the number of people who die from cancer because the disease is often detected late or its spread in the body cannot be properly assessed.
“Statistics show that many people in Rwanda die from cancer because they do not have the opportunity to get screened early. Some of them could have been treated successfully if the disease had been detected earlier. Even when cancer is diagnosed, it can be difficult to determine whether it has spread to other parts of the body,” Ndibwami said.
He added that Rwandans who can afford to seek specialised cancer services abroad spend at least $3,000 travelling to countries such as Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, where the equipment is available.
Rotary Clubs plan to increase the funds raised more than tenfold through partnerships with various institutions, particularly financial institutions, with a target of raising $500,000 by the end of 2026.
“We are exploring ways to increase the funds by more than tenfold so that, by the end of 2026, we will have raised at least $500,000 through partnerships with financial institutions, including banks, and other organisations,” Ndibwami said.
He said the Rotary Clubs also plan to approach Rotary International to seek its support in acquiring the SPECT scanner for Rwanda.
Members of various Rotary Clubs in Rwanda joined Kigali residents for the public exercise.Kigali residents take part in physical exercise during the Car Free Day activities.Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga President Alex Ndibwami said the SPECT scanner fundraising campaign was launched as part of efforts to contribute to the fight against cancer.Members of various Rotary Clubs in Rwanda joined Kigali residents for the public exercise.The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Ndayizigiye Jean Marie Vianney also attended the eventYoung participants were also among those who turned up for the public exercise.Non-communicable diseases were screened for during the public exercise that brought Kigali residents together.
He made the remarks on August 10, 2026, during the closing ceremony of the 16th edition of Itorero Indangamirwa, held at Gabiro Combat Training Centre (CTC-Gabiro) in Gatsibo District.
Dr. Nsengiyumva said today’s youth are fortunate to have grown up in a Rwanda that offers many opportunities, unlike the generation that lived through the period before 1994.
“What your country expects from you is different from what was expected of the youth who liberated the country. They found Rwanda devastated by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, but their bravery was demonstrated through rebuilding the country, restoring unity among Rwandans and laying the foundation for the development Rwanda is experiencing today,” he said.
He urged the graduates to build on the achievements made over the past three decades and contribute to making Rwanda stronger and more prosperous.
“You grew up in Rwanda that has rebuilt itself, a country with many opportunities and a promising future. Your responsibility, therefore, is to protect what has been achieved and build on it, taking the country far beyond where it is today,” he said.
‘Doing what is right may be difficult’
The Prime Minister told the youth that they have numerous opportunities to pursue but will also face distractions and temptations that could affect their choices.
“There are many opportunities available to young people like you to take advantage of, but I also want to remind you that there are many distractions and temptations. Often, you will find that doing what is right seems difficult, but that is where your values and your character as Intore will be demonstrated,” Dr. Nsengiyumva said.
He encouraged them to remain guided by the values they acquired during the training and to make decisions that contribute to the country’s development. The 16th edition of Itorero Indangamirwa brought together 769 young people, including 315 girls and 454 boys.
The participants underwent training at Gabiro Combat Training Centre, covering areas including proficiency in the Kinyarwanda language, Rwandan cultural values and taboos, marksmanship and other basic military skills.
The participants included Rwandans living or studying abroad, students from international secondary schools, university students and young people who performed well during the 13th edition of Rwanda’s national civic education and community service programme known as Urugerero rw’Inkomezabigwi.
The latest group brings to 5,216 the number of young people who have completed Itorero Indangamirwa training through more than 15 previous editions.
Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva addresses participants during the closing ceremony of the 16th edition of Itorero Indangamirwa at Gabiro Combat Training Centre in Gatsibo District on August 10, 2026.Relatives also attended the ceremony to show support for graduates. Young Rwandans participating in the 16th edition of Itorero Indangamirwa received training on Rwandan cultural values and traditions.The 16th edition of Itorero Indangamirwa brought together Rwandans living and studying abroad, international school students, university students and top performers from Urugerero rw’Inkomezabigwi.The event was attended by various dignitaries.
The accident occurred on Sunday, August 9, 2026, in Kigarama Village, Rwariro Cell, Gitesi Sector, at around 11:30 p.m.
Sources indicate that the vehicle veered off the road and came to a stop about 20 metres away.
Speaking to IGIHE, Gitesi Sector Executive Secretary Jean Damascène Ngendahimana,said local authorities and security organs quickly responded to the scene and evacuated the injured to Kibuye Referral Hospital.
“They are people from Ruganda Sector who were returning from a wedding in Kigali. The vehicle veered off the road, killing six people on the spot. Five sustained serious injuries, while eight others suffered minor injuries,” he said.
The Rwanda National Police spokesperson for the Western Province, SP Twajamahoro Sylvestre, said preliminary investigations indicate that fatigue and drowsiness may have caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
He urged drivers to avoid driving when tired, maintain appropriate speeds and regularly inspect their vehicles.
“Drivers should avoid continuing to drive when they feel tired, maintain a safe speed and ensure their vehicles are regularly inspected,” he said.
Among those killed in the crash was the father of the bride. The driver was among those injured in the accident.
The accident happened in Karongi District on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
