The announcement follows recent findings that Rwanda’s air quality is deteriorating due to PM2.5 particles emitted mainly from motor vehicles, with motorcycles alone responsible for 47% of harmful emissions.
Under a Ministerial Order issued on August 25, 2025, motor vehicles used for public passenger transport, cargo, driving schools, school buses, ambulances, and petrol-powered machinery in construction and agriculture will receive inspection certificates valid for six months. All other motor vehicles will be issued certificates valid for one year.
Owners of vehicles that fail inspection will be required to fix defects and present their vehicles for re-testing before being cleared.
The regulation sets a range of fines depending on the severity of the violation. The heaviest penalty, Frw 5 million, applies to those who ignore an order to stop polluting activities. Unauthorised polluting activities attract a fine of Frw 3 million, while breaching rules on air quality preservation is punishable by Frw 2 million. For minor violations of emissions rules, offenders face fines ranging from Frw 25,000 to Frw 1 million, depending on the offence.
In addition, failure to pay fines within seven days will attract an extra 0.5% daily penalty.
Inspection fees have also been set: motorcycles will pay Frw 16,638, small passenger cars Frw 34,940, and medium passenger vehicles or light cargo trucks Frw 51,578, with lower rates for re-inspections.
Officials say the new enforcement regime is part of Rwanda’s broader strategy to improve air quality, including incentives for a shift from fuel-powered motorcycles to electric alternatives.
According to the Office of the President, the two Heads of State immediately held a tête-à-tête meeting to discuss key areas of ongoing bilateral cooperation.
Earlier in the day, President Chapo was welcomed at Kigali International Airport by senior government officials, including Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe.
Also present were Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Mubarakh Muganga, Inspector General of Police, CP Felix Namuhoranye, and Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISSR), Aimable Havugiyaremye.
This marks President Chapo’s first visit to Rwanda since taking office in January this year.
The visit seeks to deepen collaboration in priority sectors, particularly defence and security cooperation — with Rwanda continuing to support Mozambique in its fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado Province — as well as broader economic ties.
As part of his itinerary, President Chapo is expected to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi, where he will pay tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and reflect on Rwanda’s resilience and recovery.
On Thursday, August 28, President Chapo will engage with Rwandan business leaders interested in exploring investment opportunities in Mozambique. He will also tour the Kigali Special Economic Zone in Masoro to learn from Rwanda’s industrial development and identify potential areas for cooperation.
The company stressed that the incident was confined to a business-related system. As Google explained, “This issue did not impact consumer Gmail or Google Cloud customer data, and no passwords were compromised.”
Despite these assurances, cybercriminals have been quick to exploit the situation. Reports indicate a surge in phishing emails and vishing calls, with scammers impersonating Google employees.
Many of these fraudulent calls have come from numbers beginning with the 650 area code, which is tied to Google’s California headquarters, giving the impression of authenticity.
Victims have described receiving alarming calls in which they were told their accounts had been hacked and were pressured into resetting their passwords. Once the new credentials were provided, attackers gained full access, locking out the rightful owners.
According to Fox News Technology, security experts have highlighted risks facing Google Cloud customers through what is known as the “dangling bucket” vulnerability. This occurs when outdated or abandoned cloud storage addresses remain active, creating openings for hackers to inject malware or steal data.
Although no consumer passwords were exposed in the Salesforce breach, experts warn that even partial leaks can give cybercriminals the tools to mount larger, more damaging attacks.
The incident illustrates how quickly attackers can weaponize information that might appear relatively harmless on its own. It also underscores how social engineering tactics convincing people to hand over sensitive details remain one of the most effective ways to compromise digital accounts. With Gmail and Google Cloud serving close to 2.5 billion users, the potential scale of harm is enormous.
Google has urged users to remain vigilant and to strengthen their account protections. In its statement, the company encouraged people to review their account activity through Google’s Security Checkup, to use strong and unique passwords, and to adopt two-factor authentication.
It also recommended the use of passkeys, describing them as a “more secure, phishing-resistant” method of logging in. Importantly, Google reminded users that it does not call customers to request password resets or verification codes, warning that such calls are almost certainly fraudulent.
The initiative, led by Ropeways Transit Rwanda Limited (RTRL), seeks to tackle traffic congestion in the capital while offering a greener alternative to road transport. Rather than replacing existing systems, the project is designed to complement Kigali’s urban growth.
The idea was conceived in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when RTRL Chief Executive, Muyiwa Omololu. With Kigali’s hilly terrain, fast-growing population, and limited road expansion capacity, Omololu saw an opportunity to explore aerial transport.
“Road construction and maintenance require huge government spending. Kigali is expanding rapidly. The alternative is to take transport into the skies,” he said.
Drawing inspiration from systems in La Paz, Medellín, and Mexico City, Omololu believes Kigali is well-placed to become the first African city to implement a large-scale cable car network.
Plans call for nine routes, linking high-traffic areas from residential zones to business districts, sports facilities, and leisure centres.
The Rwandan government has already granted RTRL approval to proceed, starting with two routes in phases. The first will connect Nyabugogo Bus Station to downtown Kigali, while the second—dubbed Route 10—will link the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC) to Remera, home to Amahoro Stadium, BK Arena, and Zaria Court.
These initial routes, costing $100 million (approximately Rwf 145 billion), are expected to take 24 months to complete. A later extension will reach Sonatube and Gatenga, with the system eventually carrying up to 5,000 passengers per direction, per hour—equivalent to removing 2,000 cars or 5,000 motorcycles from Kigali’s roads.
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Omololu confirmed that discussions are underway with Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote to participate in financing the project.
Dangote, recently appointed to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, is part of a global initiative linking private sector leaders to solutions for investment challenges in developing economies.
So far, the African Development Bank has pledged $500,000 (about Rwf 725 million)grant for preparatory feasibility studies, while Afreximbank, Africa50, and the Africa Finance Corporation have all signalled investment commitments.
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The system will be built by Doppelmayr, an Austrian company and global leader in cableway construction, with support from Outdoor Engineers (Switzerland) and Rwanda’s Planet Projects.
Omololu stressed that safety is paramount, citing Doppelmayr’s recovery concept, which allows cabins to automatically descend to the nearest station in case of a power cut. Sensors will also detect and halt operations if obstacles are detected on the lines.
The cable car system is expected to create around 3,000 jobs in its first phase. Rwandans will receive training to operate and maintain the technology, ensuring long-term local management.
Each cabin will carry 10 passengers, consuming minimal power—comparable to a hair dryer every two kilometres.
The project aligns with Rwanda’s climate targets to cut emissions by 38% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. According to Omololu, transporting 10,000 people per hour could remove up to 2,000 vehicles from the city’s roads.
Real estate and business owners also stand to benefit, as land values around the stations are expected to rise, attracting new developments.
To familiarise the public with the technology, RTRL plans a Public Adoption Programme, including study visits to Bolivia’s Mi Teleférico and the creation of a demonstration site in Kigali.
Feasibility studies are set to conclude this year. If financing is secured on time, construction could begin in 2026, lasting 18–24 months, with operations expected to launch in 2028.
Addressing the ongoing war, Trump made it clear that the United States will no longer tolerate diplomatic deadlock.
“If they don’t start talking, there will be massive sanctions or tariffs, or both,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday, stressing that his administration is prepared to act decisively. He explained that it would ultimately fall on him to determine which side is responsible for obstructing progress.
“It’s my responsibility to figure out where the fault lies,” he added.
Traditionally, Washington has placed the greatest pressure on Moscow. However, Trump’s remarks suggest a shift in approach, as he signaled that Ukraine could also be subject to punitive measures if peace negotiations continue to stall.
“We’re not just going to keep giving and giving while nothing happens,” the president stated.
The warning underscores Trump’s belief in the power of economic leverage. He emphasized that tariffs or sanctions could be imposed swiftly if the situation does not improve.
“We will act quickly, and we will act strongly,” he declared.
Trump’s comments come at a time when global pressure is mounting for a resolution to the conflict.
By directly threatening both sides, he introduced a new element of unpredictability into U.S. foreign policy, signaling that America’s priority is not simply to back one side, but to push both leaders — Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskiy — toward the negotiating table.
The delegation included U.S. Representatives Austin Scott of Georgia and Salud Carbajal of California, both members of the House Armed Services Committee, along with Jimmy Panetta of California, who serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means.
According to a communique from the Office of the President, talks between the Head of State and the visiting lawmakers centred on strengthening existing partnerships between Rwanda and the United States in areas such as regional security, education, and health.
The visit follows recent U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which resulted in the signing of a peace agreement in Washington on June 27, 2025. The accord committed both countries to ending hostilities and working together to promote economic development.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump emphasised that his administration is making strong progress and insisted that “it does have to end,” reiterating a sense of urgency amid a devastating humanitarian crisis.
He, however, provided few specifics to support his prediction.
Trump later appeared to defer to Special Envoy Steve Witkoff for further details on diplomatic efforts, who echoed praise for the president’s leadership in advancing peace talks farther than contemplated.
Trump also acknowledged the deep-rooted nature of the conflict, saying it is “a hard thing to say” that it will end soon, given that tensions in the region have spanned generations. Still, he maintained an optimistic outlook, asserting that the current efforts were producing positive momentum.
Analysts and observers note that Trump has frequently employed similar short-term timelines—most commonly a “two-week” window—to forecast resolution of various international issues, from the Russia-Ukraine war to nuclear negotiations with Iran and trade discussions. These forecasts, however, have often fallen short of fruition.
Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains daunting. Israel has made clear that it is not inclined toward a phased ceasefire proposal accepted by Hamas. Instead, the Israeli government is proceeding with plans to advance into Gaza City, a campaign expected to span several more months.
At the same time, 25 other defendants, including journalists and Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) employees, have been released on bail.
The case involves 28 individuals in total, including three RDF officers, two RCS staff, and several civilians, including sports journalists and APR FC supporters.
The disputed tickets are linked to APR FC’s trip to Egypt in September 2024 to play against Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League, as well as other trips involving RCS officers.
During a hearing on August 18, the prosecution requested 30 days’ provisional detention for the defendants, while the accused asked to be tried without detention.
Today, the military tribunal ruled that the three RDF officers—Major Vincent Murigande, Captain Peninah Umurungi, and Captain Peninah Mutoni—should remain in remand, citing sufficient grounds to justify continued detention.
Meanwhile, the court granted provisional release to the other 25 defendants, including RCS officers CSP Hillary Sengabo and CSP Olive Mukantabana, journalists Reagan ‘Rugaju’ Ndayishimiye and Ricard Ishimwe, and former journalist Mucyo ‘Antha’ Biganiro, citing insufficient grounds to continue holding them in custody.
The competition will draw participants from around the world, with races across elite and under-23 divisions for both men and women.
Australia arrives well-prepared for the week-long event, fielding a mix of experienced stars and promising young riders across all categories.
{{Men’s elite team spotlight
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Australia’s men’s elite squad features some of the biggest names in world cycling, including Jai Hindley, Michael Matthews, and Luke Plapp.
Jai Hindley made history by winning the 2022 Giro d’Italia, becoming the first Australian to win the race and only the second Australian to win a Grand Tour. He also wore the yellow jersey as leader of the 2023 Tour de France for one stage.
Michael Matthews has claimed stage wins in all three Grand Tours—the Tour de France (4), Giro d’Italia (3), and Vuelta a España (3)—and won the green jersey at the 2017 Tour de France.
Luke Plapp, a multiple-time Australian National Champion, has won the road race three times (2022–2024) and the time trial four times (2021, 2024, 2025). He also earned a bronze medal in the men’s team pursuit at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The rest of the men’s elite squad includes Chris Hamilton, Chris Harper, Callum Scotson, Michael Storer, and Jay Vine, all accomplished riders with international racing experience.
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Among the women, Amanda Spratt stands out as Australia’s leading rider. She is a three-time Australian National Road Race Champion and has won two medals at the UCI Road World Championships—a silver and a bronze—highlighting her long-standing success at the highest level of the sport.
Joining Spratt are Neve Bradbury, Brodie Chapman, Lauretta Hanson, Alexandra Manly, and Ruby Roseman-Gannon, all of whom bring strong performances in domestic and international competitions.
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Australia will also field competitive under-23 squads. The women’s U23 team includes Alli Anderson, Mackenzie Coupland, and Felicity Wilson-Haffenden, while the men’s side features Matthew Greenwood, Zac Marriage, Hamish McKenzie, and Jack Ward, all promising talents in the Australian cycling development pathway.
Most races will be held on a 15.1-kilometre circuit around Kimihurura, with riders completing between five and 15 laps depending on their category.
Australia will aim for strong performances across all events as the world’s top cyclists converge in Rwanda.
The ongoing conflict in eastern DRC between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23 rebels, who have seized large swaths of territory, stems from decades of ethnic persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities and longstanding governance failures.
The latest initiative, championed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, and other denominations under an interfaith forum, is rooted in the belief that peace requires inclusive dialogue that brings together all Congolese, regardless of political or military alignment. It follows weeks of consultations with government supporters, opposition leaders, armed groups, and regional heads of state.
{{A “month of peace”
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The first phase, described as a “month of peace,” seeks to build trust across the nation. Religious institutions will organise collective prayers, reconciliation campaigns, and civic awareness activities in every province, including zones under the control of the armed coalition AFC/M23. According to the forum, this will serve as a visible gesture of forgiveness, unity, and reconciliation.
Churches will also urge rival factions to embrace dialogue, uphold the Doha ceasefire signed between the Kinshasa administration and the rebel coalition last month, and allow humanitarian operations to reach vulnerable communities.
{{Experts’ dialogue on root causes
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The second phase will bring together experts from diverse fields — education, governance, research, technology, and the diaspora — to identify the structural causes of DRC’s crises since independence in 1960.
This stage will scrutinize political agreements and peace accords signed over the decades, the country’s security and governance track record, economic policies, management of natural resources, environmental issues, and ethnic relations.
It will also revisit DRC’s relations with neighbouring countries and the enforcement of human rights and justice. Findings from this process will provide the foundation for broader national dialogue.
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The third phase will convene political actors, civil society leaders, armed groups, traditional authorities, and nonpartisan experts to deliberate on the recommendations from the experts’ dialogue.
The goal is to reach consensus on durable solutions to the root causes of conflict, from governance reforms to security guarantees. To ensure fairness, the forum said participation will be balanced across groups, preventing any one side from dominating.
Resolutions from this stage will be formally submitted to President Félix Tshisekedi.
{{Technical secretariat and international support
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The final phase focuses on implementation. A “technical secretariat” will be created to coordinate the process, ensure follow-up, and mobilise international support. Religious leaders emphasised that external backing will be vital, both for fostering improved relations with Great Lakes neighbours and for financing reconstruction in a post-conflict DRC.
The interfaith coalition called on President Tshisekedi to take swift steps as Head of State to launch the roadmap. It also appealed to regional and international partners to provide diplomatic and financial support.
“The Forum of Religious Denominations in the DRC solemnly calls on the President of the Republic to exercise his role as Head of State to initiate this process without delay, and urges regional and international partners to support these efforts so that peace may finally return to Congo,” the church leaders said in a communique.
