The Seoul Central District Court handed down the prison sentence to Yoon on charges of general treason, referring to the crime of harming South Korea’s military interests or benefiting the enemy.
The court ruled that the drone infiltration compromised South Korea’s military interests, saying that the drone operations were conducted for private purposes unrelated to national security or defense.
The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon’s insurrection and other charges, demanded a 30-year prison term for Yoon.
Yoon was accused of ordering the drone infiltration into Pyongyang around October 2024 with the intent of militarily provoking the DPRK in a bid to create a pretext for his martial law declaration in December of the same year.
The special prosecutor team believed that the drone operation heightened military tensions between the two Koreas and compromised South Korea’s military interests, as the drone crash led to the leak of classified information about military operations and assets.
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was sentenced to 30 years in prison, which is heavier than the 25-year jail term sought by the special counsel, while Yeo In-hyung, former head of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Yoon, Kim and Yeo were indicted on general treason charges in November 2025.
Yoon was sentenced to life in prison in February for insurrection stemming from his martial law declaration.
The emergency martial law was declared by Yoon on the night of Dec 3, 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.
He was indicted under detention in January 2025 as a suspected ringleader of the insurrection, becoming the first sitting president to be arrested and indicted.
The Seoul Central District Court handed down the prison sentence to Yoon on charges of general treason
The agreement was signed on June 11, 2026, during a meeting between Rwanda Green Fund Chief Executive Officer, Teddy Mugabo and Country Representative for GGGI Rwanda, Caroline Raes alongside an accompanying delegation.
According to Rwanda Green Fund, the memorandum establishes a framework for cooperation that will support Rwanda’s efforts to achieve its green growth and climate objectives while contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, Rwanda’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), and the country’s Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy.
The partnership is expected to focus on mobilizing green investments and accelerating the development of climate-related projects capable of delivering both environmental and economic benefits.
Under the agreement, the two institutions will work together to strengthen carbon market development and support the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which allows countries to cooperate in achieving emissions reduction targets through international carbon trading mechanisms.
The collaboration will also explore innovative financing solutions designed to attract greater investment into climate and environmental projects.
In addition, GGGI will provide technical advisory services on green technologies and support the development of a pipeline of high-impact projects that contribute to Rwanda’s sustainable transformation.
GGGI is a treaty-based international and intergovernmental organization that supports developing countries and emerging economies in pursuing strong, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable economic growth.
The organization works with governments and partners worldwide to integrate green growth principles into national development planning and investment strategies.
The new agreement comes as Rwanda continues to position itself as a regional leader in climate action and green development, with ongoing efforts to attract climate finance, promote low-carbon economic growth, and strengthen resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Rwanda views carbon markets as a key tool in its ambition to become a developed, carbon-neutral and climate-resilient economy by 2050.
Although the country contributes relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions, it has significant potential for carbon market projects.
Rwanda’s carbon credit sector is currently dominated by improved cookstove initiatives, which account for 87 percent of all Certified Emission Reductions issued, while lighting and solar projects contribute 9 percent and 4 percent respectively.
By December 2020, Rwanda had generated more than 2.25 million carbon credits through the Clean Development Mechanism and the Voluntary Carbon Market, underscoring the growing role of carbon finance in supporting the country’s sustainable development goals.
The partnership is expected to focus on mobilizing green investments and accelerating the development of climate-related projects capable of delivering both environmental and economic benefits.The agreement was signed on June 11, 2026, during a meeting between Rwanda Green Fund Chief Executive Officer, Teddy Mugabo and Country Representative for GGGI Rwanda, Caroline Raes alongside an accompanying delegation.
Murenzi announced the appointment through his social media platforms, expressing gratitude for the opportunity and his commitment to representing the interests of young people.
“I am delighted to share that I have been appointed to the Youth Sounding Board of the European Union Delegation in Rwanda,” he wrote.
He added that he looks forward to working closely with the EU Delegation and embassies of EU member states in Rwanda to strengthen cooperation and advocate for initiatives that address the aspirations, challenges and needs of Rwandan youth.
The Youth Sounding Board is a mechanism established by the European Union to ensure meaningful youth participation in the design and implementation of EU policies, programmes and partnerships. The platform enables young people to contribute their perspectives and help make development efforts more inclusive, responsive and impactful.
Murenzi’s appointment adds to a growing record of youth leadership and engagement in national and international development initiatives.
He founded Rwanda We Want in 2015 at the age of 17, creating a platform aimed at empowering young people and encouraging their participation in Rwanda’s development agenda. Under his leadership, the organization has grown into a prominent youth-focused movement that promotes civic engagement, leadership and sustainable development.
Murenzi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Monetary Economics from the University of Rwanda and a Master’s degree in Design Management from Coventry University in the United Kingdom.
Over the years, he has also served in several regional and international roles focused on youth empowerment and sustainable development. These include membership on the policy team of the planning task force for the 12th Commonwealth Youth Forum and serving as Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Coordinator for the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN-SDSN).
His new role on the EU Youth Sounding Board is expected to provide an additional platform for engaging with policymakers and development partners on issues affecting young people in Rwanda.
Murenzi’s appointment adds to a growing record of youth leadership and engagement in national and international development initiatives.
Earlier in the day, the Trump administration and the Board of Trustees of the Kennedy Center each appealed a federal district judge’s ruling ordering the removal. Under the order, Trump’s name must be removed from the building by Friday midnight.
By Friday afternoon, construction crews had cordoned off the section of the Kennedy Center bearing Trump’s name and begun erecting scaffolding for its removal.
Patrick Nour, a performer at the Kennedy Center, told Xinhua in front of the scaffolding on Friday evening that he is happy to see that “it isn’t being disgraced.”
“It’s a memorial. It isn’t a place where you could just put your name on. It’s dedicated to somebody who did something, not someone who is doing something,” he said.
Shortly after returning to office for a second term in January last year, Trump replaced the Kennedy Center’s leadership and appointed a new board of trustees. In December, the reconstituted board voted to rename the institution by adding Trump’s name to its official title.
The move prompted a lawsuit by board member Joyce Beatty, a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking to overturn the decision and remove Trump’s name from the institution.
On May 29, Judge Christopher Cooper of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the Kennedy Center’s name could not be changed without congressional approval. He ordered that all physical signage bearing Trump’s name be removed from the Kennedy Center within 14 days and that any references to the “Trump-Kennedy Center” be deleted from official materials.
Cooper also ordered the suspension of the center’s plan to close for two years for renovations, which Trump announced in February and was scheduled to take effect in July.
The Kennedy Center, named after former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, officially opened in 1971. It is widely regarded as a national cultural center, hosting world-class performances in music, opera, theater, dance, and other arts.
The renaming controversy has already affected the center’s regular cultural programming, with some musicians and performing groups announcing cancellations or withdrawals from scheduled appearances.
The Kennedy Center, named after former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, officially opened in 1971. It is widely regarded as a national cultural center, hosting world-class performances in music, opera, theater, dance, and other arts.
In a statement, the UN in South Africa expressed concern over reports of threats and violence affecting migrants, including deaths, assaults, property damage, intimidation, hate speech and other criminal acts.
“The UN expresses condolences for the lives lost and strongly condemns all forms of violence, vigilantism and incitement to hatred, as they are contrary to national and international human rights standards. These issues must be addressed through the de-escalation of tensions, protection, accountability, respect for the rule of law and effective law enforcement,” the statement said.
It welcomed remarks by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa calling on citizens to respect the rule of law and not take the law into their own hands.
While acknowledging the impact of socio-economic challenges on social cohesion, the UN stressed that such challenges should be addressed through lawful means and in a manner that respects human rights.
It added that it was engaging with government authorities, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to help address xenophobia and related tensions.
The statement also called for efforts to counter misinformation and prevent the spread of harmful narratives.
Recent weeks have seen a rise in anti-immigration incidents in parts of South Africa. Two Mozambican nationals were reportedly killed in Mossel Bay in the Western Cape Province, while some foreign-owned businesses have also been targeted during protests and unrest.
Protesters march through Johannesburg’s CBD calling for action against undocumented immigration during a demonstration at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. Operation Dudula, whose name means “to be removed by force”, emerged directly from political rhetoric normalising the idea that foreigners have no right to be present. Responsible South African leaders have spoken against this. Image: Simon Majadibodu | IOL
A total of 17 new confirmed cases, including five deaths, were reported on Thursday, all in the eastern province of Ituri, the report said. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has affected 29 health zones across three eastern provinces, namely Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.
A total of 168 suspected cases, including 64 deaths, had been reported as of Thursday.
The report also highlighted several operational challenges, including reluctance to undergo post-mortem swabbing, insufficient capacity in Ebola treatment centers, shortages of infection prevention and control materials in North Kivu, weak alert reporting across the three provinces, and a funding gap of 21.5 million U.S. dollars.
Two Ebola-related deaths have been reported in a camp for internally displaced people in Ituri, according to a report released on Thursday by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
The current outbreak, officially declared on May 15 by the DRC’s health ministry, is the country’s 17th Ebola outbreak since the virus was identified in 1976.
The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has risen to 689, including 139 deaths,
In an interview with state-run IRIB TV, Araghchi said that upon finalized, the MoU will be signed digitally by both sides in their respective countries and then announced.
He added that following the potential signing, both parties will commit not to initiate any other war, and will begin the second stage of negotiations, scheduled within a 60-day period, to reach a final agreement, focusing mainly on Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions removal.
He stressed that Tehran insists that the only acceptable way of dealing with its highly enriched uranium will be diluting it within Iranian territory.
Araghchi also said that the potential MoU would include provisions for ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, requiring Israel to withdraw from the occupied areas.
Other key issues in the MoU include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the full lifting of the U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, and the release of Iran’s frozen assets, he noted.
On the Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi said its management will definitely not to return the pre-war era. While Iran will retain sovereignty and a military presence, a legal system consistent with international law will be established, he said.
He ruled out tolls for passage but noted that charging service fees will be reasonable.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States had “just made a great settlement of the war with Iran,” with an agreement expected “over the next few days.”
Over recent weeks, Iran and the United States have exchanged several peace proposals through Pakistan’s mediation, and have been working to finalize an MoU to end the war.
This photo taken with a mobile phone shows merchant vessels stranded in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz, near Khasab, a small town in northern Oman, May 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Wen Xinnian)Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi speaks at a weekly news conference in Tehran, Iran, on March 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Shadati)
The report shows that 1.6% of transaction attempts involving consumers in Rwanda were flagged as suspected digital fraud in 2025, down from 2.7% in 2024 and significantly below the global average of 3.8%.
While the decline suggests improved detection and stronger safeguards, analysts caution that fraud risk is shifting rather than disappearing.
“Despite recording lower digital fraud rates than global and regional averages, Rwanda is experiencing a structural change in fraud risk,” said Amritha Reddy, senior director of fraud product management at TransUnion Africa. She noted that criminals are increasingly targeting identity and trust at the earliest stages of digital interaction.
Money mule scams dominate reported losses
Among Rwandan consumers who reported losing money to digital fraud in the past year, nearly three in ten (29%) said the losses were linked to money mule scams — the highest single category of fraud impact in the country.
Other major fraud types reported include account takeover (24%), social engineering (22%), fraudulent credit card transactions (22%), and unemployment benefits-related fraud (22%). Third-party seller scams on e-commerce platforms accounted for 21%, while identity theft stood at 19%. Messaging-based scams such as smishing, phishing, and vishing each accounted for between 13% and 15% of reported cases.
Experts say money mule schemes are particularly concerning because victims are often unknowingly recruited to move stolen funds, making them a key link between consumer fraud and broader financial crime networks.
“Money mules often are the bridge between consumer fraud and broader financial crime,” Reddy said. “As these activities scale, isolated scams evolve into wider systemic risks.”
The report highlights a shift in when fraud is most likely to occur in the digital lifecycle. In 2025, Rwanda recorded its highest suspected fraud rate at the account creation stage, at 7.7%. This was followed by account login (1.6%) and financial transactions (0.5%).
This pattern suggests that fraudsters are increasingly targeting identity systems rather than attempting to breach transactions directly.
“Rather than attacking systems directly, fraudsters increasingly impersonate legitimate users, blending into digital ecosystems designed for speed and inclusion,” Reddy explained. “Once a compromised identity is onboarded, downstream fraud becomes significantly more complex and costly to prevent.”
Across sectors, retail recorded the highest suspected digital fraud rate involving Rwandan consumers in 2025 at 7.1%, followed by online communities such as forums and dating platforms (2.1%) and gaming or betting platforms (1.7%).
While retail remains the most exposed sector, the data also shows a sharp drop in attempted fraud volumes compared to 2024, including a 97% decline in retail-related attempts.
The findings also reveal that Rwandan consumers increasingly value digital safety when engaging online. Easy payment processes (73%), confidence in personal data security (70%), and simplified forms and applications (64%) were identified as the most important features influencing trust in digital services.
“Consumers are willing to accept friction when it clearly enhances protection,” Reddy said, noting that security is becoming a key factor in digital trust and brand choice.
Rwanda’s efforts to strengthen its digital ecosystem, including investments in digital public infrastructure under National Identification Agency (NIDA) and the country’s broader Vision 2050 development agenda, are expected to reinforce secure onboarding and electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) systems.
The introduction of a new digital identification number is seen as a key step toward improving identity verification and reducing vulnerabilities at the point of account creation.
Fraud evolving, not disappearing
Despite the decline in overall suspected fraud rates, experts caution that the threat is becoming more adaptive, subtle, and harder to detect. Fraudsters are increasingly relying on psychological manipulation and cross-channel scams that exploit trust rather than technical vulnerabilities.
“Fraud is becoming more automated, more targeted and more psychologically manipulative,” Reddy said. “The central challenge ahead is no longer simply preventing fraud but preserving trust in the digital economy.”
The report draws on a global survey of 12,730 consumers across 18 countries, including 308 respondents in Rwanda, conducted between November and December 2025, alongside TransUnion’s global fraud intelligence network.
While Rwanda continues to outperform global averages in controlling suspected digital fraud, the findings suggest that the next challenge will be addressing increasingly sophisticated identity-based scams at the earliest stages of digital engagement.
Analysts caution that fraud risk is shifting rather than disappearing.
The award was presented during the APEX Future Travel Experience (FTE) EMEA event in Dublin on June 12, and is based exclusively on independently verified passenger feedback from more than one million flights worldwide.
The recognition is therefore a direct reflection of the experience delivered to customers onboard RwandAir flights.
According to the airline, this recognition highlights RwandAir’s continued investment in service excellence, cabin crew training, and the delivery of a warm, attentive, and distinctly Rwandan onboard experience.
It also adds to the airline’s growing record of international recognition, including its Skytrax Best Regional Airline in Africa title in 2025 and its APEX Diamond Health Safety Status, which made RwandAir the first African airline to receive that designation.
Commenting on the development, Yvonne Manzi Makolo, CEO of RwandAir, said: “This award is a powerful recognition of the service our customers experience through the dedication of our cabin crew. As RwandAir positions itself as Africa’s gateway to the world, we are proud to showcase Rwanda’s warmth, professionalism, and hospitality across every journey. We remain committed to raising the standard of African aviation and delivering a world-class experience for our passengers.”
“RwandAir winning the 2026 APEX Best Cabin Service in Africa award based on the votes of verified passengers honors one of the most inspiring service ascents in aviation today, led by a national carrier that has elevated African hospitality with remarkable intention, discipline, and pride,” said Dr. Joe Leader, APEX Group CEO.
The APEX Awards, established by the Airline Passenger Experience Association, are among the aviation industry’s leading passenger experience benchmarks, assessing key areas including cabin service, entertainment, Wi-Fi, seat comfort, and food and beverage across airlines globally.
This recognition comes as RwandAir continues to strengthen its network, enhance its customer experience, and position itself as Africa’s gateway to the world, with service excellence remaining central to its brand promise.
RwandAir, Rwanda’s national carrier, connects Africa to the world from its Kigali hub, strategically located in the heart of Africa.
Founded in 2002, the airline operates a modern fleet of Airbus A330s, Boeing 737-800NGs, Bombardier Q400s and a dedicated freighter, serving 22 destinations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, with codeshare and interline partnerships extending connectivity to an additional 150 destinations worldwide.
Awarded Best Cabin Service in Africa at the 2026 APEX Awards and Best Regional Airline in Africa at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, RwandAir serves as a catalyst for trade, tourism and economic growth across Africa and beyond.
Meanwhile, the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) is a global non-profit and one of the world’s largest international airline associations.
APEX accelerates the industry with the backing of nearly every major airline and valued supplier.
The award was presented during the APEX Future Travel Experience (FTE) EMEA event in Dublin on June 12, and is based exclusively on independently verified passenger feedback from more than one million flights worldwide. L–R: Simon Richman, Regional Commercial Manager (UK, Europe & North America), RwandAir and Dr. Joe Leader, APEX Group CEO during the APEX Awards ceremony in Dublin, June 2026.
Launched in 2005, the campaign was designed to address gender disparities in education by increasing girls’ enrolment, improving retention, and promoting academic excellence across the country.
Over the years, it has also sought to mobilise communities, schools, and other stakeholders to create an environment where girls can thrive academically.
As part of this year’s edition, the Best Performing Girls (BPGs), commonly known as Inkubito z’Icyeza, were recognised within their respective schools. The recognition aims not only to reward excellence but also to inspire other learners, especially girls, to pursue academic success.
Since its inception nearly two decades ago, the campaign has recorded notable achievements. A total of 8,605 girls have been recognised as Best Performing Girls. In addition, girls account for 60% of the 10,945 students supported through the Edified Generation Scholarships Programme, as well as 80% of the 25,960 students benefiting from remedial learning programmes. Many of these beneficiaries have since progressed into leadership positions across different sectors in Rwanda.
This year alone, 502 girls were awarded for their outstanding performance in the National Examinations, reflecting strong academic results across primary, ordinary, and advanced levels.
At primary level, 445 girls were recognised, each representing the best-performing girl in her sector. At ordinary level, 32 girls were honoured, each selected as the top performer in her district.
At advanced level, 25 outstanding students were selected based on performance in their respective learning areas, including 10 from general education, 10 from technical secondary schools (TSS), and 5 from professional education.
Best Performing Girls at FAWE Girls’ School were honoured as part of efforts to encourage excellence and support girls’ education across the country.The Girls’ Education Campaign was also marked at Saint Aloys Rwamagana, where outstanding girls were recognised for their academic performance under the national initiative promoting girls’ education and achievement.The Girls’ Education Campaign also reached Lycée Notre Dame de Cîteaux, where Best Performing Girls were recognised as part of the ongoing national effort to promote academic excellence and strengthen girls’ education.
