The report said Israel is maintaining a high level of readiness amid the possibility of a near-term U.S. strike on Iran, estimating that if launched, such an operation could develop into a weeks-long campaign.
Officials said U.S. President Donald Trump appears closer to launching a large-scale confrontation in the Middle East, and that Israel is preparing for a scenario in which fighting could break out “possibly within days.”
“We are facing challenging days in relation to Iran,” Boaz Bismuth, chairman of parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, said in the Knesset, adding, “The public is preparing, the authorities are preparing.”
Additionally, a pre-scheduled meeting of Israel’s security cabinet was postponed from Thursday to Sunday, a government official said, amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States and a U.S. military buildup in the region.
U.S. online outlet Axios reported, citing open-source flight radar data and a U.S. official, that last week Trump sent a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East. More than 50 F-35, F-22, and F-16 fighter jets have moved to the region over the past 24 hours.
Iran and the United States concluded the second round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva on Tuesday. The negotiations, held at Oman’s embassy in the Swiss city, were mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi. The first round of the indirect talks took place in the Omani capital Muscat on Feb. 6.
“Following its annual review of restrictive measures in relation to Zimbabwe, the EU has lifted all provisions concerning individuals and entities while extending the arms embargo,” the delegation said in a statement.
According to the European Council, the embargo will remain in force until Feb. 20, 2027.
The bloc imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2002, citing “serious concern” about the situation in the country.
Recognized as a major crossroads for global agriculture, the event brings together professionals, institutions, investors, and visitors from around the world, creating a unique space for dialogue, exchange, and strategic partnerships.
This year again, Rwanda will take part in this major international gathering to showcase its agricultural potential, its expertise, and its ambitions in agro-processing and investment.
Rwanda’s participants will be led by theNational Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), in collaboration with the Embassy of Rwanda in France, alongside fifteen companies and entrepreneurs traveling from Rwanda.
Through this participation, Rwanda will highlight the modernization of its agricultural sector, the quality and diversity of its export products such as coffee, tea, and horticultural products, as well as the growing investment opportunities within its agri-food industry.
The country will also emphasize its commitment to sustainable and resilient agriculture, in line with global challenges related to climate change and food security.
The show continues to serve as a strategic platform for participating countries, offering opportunities to develop commercial partnerships, attract investors, and promote a strong and dynamic national image.
By taking part in this international event from February 21 to March 1, 2026, Rwanda once again affirms its place among the nations contributing to the future of agriculture and strengthening cooperation within the global agricultural community.
Photos from Rwanda’s participation in the previous edition
The operation was launched on the reported presence of militants in the area, during which an exchange of fire took place, resulting in the killing of eight terrorists, the CTD said in a statement.
During the confrontation, three CTD personnel were injured and shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, the statement said.
Authorities said a large cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the scene.
Security forces cordoned off the area and carried out a search operation to ensure the situation was under control, the statement added.
Initial reports suggested that the slain militants were affiliated with a banned organization. However, investigations are ongoing to ascertain their identities and possible network, the CTD said.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) agreed to resume work following a meeting involving relevant government ministries and airport authorities. The strike had caused flight cancellations, delays, and diversions affecting both domestic and international travelers.
The return-to-work deal was reached after negotiations involving the Ministry of Roads and Transport, the Ministry of Labor, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), and KAWU. The parties committed to addressing workers’ grievances through a collective bargaining agreement.
“Aviation contributes immensely to the economy of the country, and we are committed to ensuring that the sector remains stable,” said Davies Chirchir, cabinet secretary for the Ministry of Roads and Transport, in a joint statement issued in Nairobi.
Under the agreement, airport operations at JKIA and other facilities resumed immediately.
“Immediate action includes reviewing the level of representation of Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) staff to consider grades previously proposed and agreed upon but not included,” the statement said.
Kenya Airways and other international carriers had reported schedule adjustments and extended delays due to air traffic control operational constraints.
The Ministry of Labor will assist in a conciliatory process to discuss all issues raised and reach an amicable solution. KAWU is committed to a roundtable dialogue aimed at resolving workers’ concerns while ensuring that ongoing discussions prioritize passengers, aviation reliability, and national interests.
KAA welcomed the decision, noting that the disruption had paralyzed airport operations, raised safety and security concerns, and prompted the activation of contingency measures.
“Operations are now normalizing across all airports. Passengers are advised to contact their airlines for the latest flight schedules,” KAA said in a statement.
The labor dispute between the union and KCAA was driven by unresolved grievances, including delays in implementing a collective bargaining agreement dating back a decade, as well as concerns over pay and working conditions. KAWU said the strike was prompted by demands for better pay and improved working conditions.
Passengers were stranded in terminals, and some remained onboard aircraft for extended periods awaiting clearance for takeoff at JKIA. Airport authorities and the KCAA activated contingency measures to manage congestion and clear backlogs.
Kenya’s aviation sector is a key driver of economic growth, supporting tourism, trade, cargo, and employment. With millions of passengers and billions of U.S. dollars in annual freight, a swift resolution helps safeguard investor confidence and livelihoods.
Earlier, Rebecca Miano, cabinet secretary for the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, had called for an immediate resolution, highlighting the importance of reliable aviation infrastructure for tourism recovery and national commerce.
“The uninterrupted operation of our aviation infrastructure is vital to traveler safety, national commerce, and the livelihoods of countless Kenyans who depend on tourism. I respectfully urge all parties involved in the air traffic control strike to return to dialogue in good faith and resolve their outstanding issues swiftly,” Miano said.
The 12 resolutions, published on February 17, 2026, include measures to further improve the quality of education, with a particular focus on strengthening the teaching of languages, especially English, as well as improving public awareness of available government services and where to access them.
The 20th session of the National Dialogue Council was held in Kigali from February 5 to 6 and was chaired by President Paul Kagame.
The meeting brought together participants from across society, including government leaders, representatives of the private sector, members of the Rwandan diaspora, diplomats accredited to Rwanda, international organizations, development partners, and the media.
In his opening remarks, President Kagame emphasized the importance of implementing the Council’s resolutions, describing them as a cornerstone of national development and self-reliance. He also highlighted the responsibility of leaders to promote unity among Rwandans, strengthen self-reliance, and build public confidence.
The Head of State urged leaders to further improve performance and coordination, consistently place citizens at the center of service delivery, and remain accountable for their responsibilities.
Discussions during the 20th National Dialogue Council focused on key issues including the implementation of the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), sustainable economic development, Rwanda’s position in the international arena, good governance, education, and employment.
Following these discussions, the following resolutions were adopted:
1. Strengthen project planning, monitoring, and accountability to ensure timely completion and achievement of objectives.
2. Continue professionalization of mining activities and prioritize processing and value addition.
3. Intensify efforts to increase agricultural and livestock productivity, including through expanded access to fertilizers, improved seeds, irrigation services and artificial insemination.
4. Provide targeted support to industries to boost production and competitiveness, improve value addition, and address packaging challenges.
5. Resolve outstanding issues in One Stop Centres by streamlining processes and procedures, to ensure adequate public awareness of the existence of these services.
6. Accelerate the integration of SACCOs at district and national levels.
7. Advance education quality to align with labor market needs, nurture talents, and significantly strengthen language instruction, particularly in English.
8. Promote youth recreational activities, talent promotion and skills development for productive and decent jobs.
9. Support Rwandan content creators and creatives to effectively monetize digital platforms and online content.
10. Improve planning and implementation of performance contracts (Imihigo) to better respond to citizens’ concerns, enhance service delivery, and raise overall performance.
11. Reinforce citizen engagement for behaviour change to enable communities to be more active in addressing social welfare and development challenges.
12. Strengthen campaigns and educational measures against teenage pregnancies, school dropout, alcohol and drug abuse.
The 20th session of the National Dialogue Council, held in Kigali from February 5 to 6, was chaired by President Paul Kagame.
Four people were killed on the first vessel in the eastern Pacific, four on the second vessel in the eastern Pacific, and three on the third vessel in the Caribbean, the command said on X.
“Intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and were engaged in narco-trafficking operations,” the command claimed.
It added that no U.S. military forces were harmed.
The U.S. administration has not provided evidence supporting its allegations about the boats, cargo or the people killed.
Since early September, the U.S. forces have launched about 40 known strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific, killing more than 130 people.
The Pentagon resumed strikes on boats in late January following a Jan. 3 U.S. military raid in which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were forcibly seized.
So far, the country has experienced sporadic and isolated outbreaks of water-borne diseases typically associated with the rainy season, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Zhemu Soda said during a post-cabinet media briefing.
He said that although no major outbreaks have been officially declared, risks remain elevated due to current wet conditions, population movements, and increased strain on water and sanitation infrastructure.
“In response, the government of Zimbabwe has intensified its preparedness efforts by conducting comprehensive risk and hazard mapping, enhancing alertness among response agencies, and expanding public health communication initiatives,” Soda said.
He said the measures aim to prevent isolated cases from developing into large-scale outbreaks, and to reduce undue pressure on the healthcare system.
Additionally, the Zimbabwean cabinet on Tuesday approved a contingency fund to support the country’s preparedness and early response activities for seasonal disease outbreaks, Soda said, adding that a multi-sectoral approach involving relevant ministries and agencies responsible for water and sanitation, local government, transportation, education, environment, and social services will be strengthened.
Zimbabwe’s rainfall season typically runs from October to March, with the wet conditions heightening the risk of water-borne disease outbreaks.
Women and children fetch water in the township of Luveve in Bulawayo. Photograph: Aaron Ufumeli/EPA
The urgent call came at the 9th Africa Business Forum 2026, the continent’s flagship business gathering, which opened Monday at the UN Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, under the theme “Financing the Future of Africa: Jobs, Innovation and Creative Capital.”
The two-day forum, convened annually by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and other partners, is a premier platform for high-level engagement among African heads of state, private sector leaders, and investors.
This year’s forum centered on fostering partnerships and leveraging blended finance to advance Africa’s youth economy.
Addressing the forum, Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie emphasized the crucial importance of harnessing the potential of Africa’s youth. Noting that the AU’s 50-year continental development blueprint, Agenda 2063, designates the youth as the primary drivers of Africa’s renaissance, he said with over 70 percent of the continent’s population under the age of 30, Africa is yet to exploit its “immense” demographic potential.
“During this decade, 362 million youngsters entered the working age population. However, our current job market can only provide jobs to 161 million people,” Atske Selassie said. “This demographic reality can become Africa’s greatest strength if we succeed in turning our youth into productive capital and our innovation into scalable enterprises.”
Experts and policymakers at the forum stressed that while global capital has become more selective, Africa’s demographic and market fundamentals make it an “irresistible frontier.” They highlighted the need to address the existing gap between available funds and viable projects.
Emphasizing that transformation is already underway in multiple sectors across Africa, with the continent beginning to export value, not just commodities, UNECA Executive Secretary Claver Gatete said that despite these successes, the pace of transformation remains below potential.
“Africa faces a huge infrastructure financing gap and further loses billions annually to illicit financial flows. Even so, the continent holds over 1.1 trillion U.S. dollars of domestic institutional capital in pension funds, insurance pools, and sovereign assets. The paradox, therefore, is not a lack of capital, but the lack of mechanisms that connect capital to bankable projects,” he said.
Gatete proposed four strategic measures for collective action. These include scaling up domestic capital and deploying innovative financing instruments, stronger credit ratings and more credible African capital markets, full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, and investing decisively in innovation, skills, and data systems.
This photo taken on Feb. 16, 2026 shows a scene of the 9th Africa Business Forum 2026 at the UN Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The cemetery was established in 2011 after Remera Cemetery in Gasabo District was permanently closed. Remera had been in use long before 1994, and by the time it closed, 9,525 burials had taken place on seven hectares of land. Since its opening, Rusororo Cemetery has accommodated 13,396 burials across 18 hectares.
Rwandan law sets specific standards for burial plots, including maximum dimensions and spacing between graves, and allows multiple burials in a single grave if the family consents.
Despite these provisions, the remaining space at Rusororo is limited, prompting authorities to explore options for expansion.
According to Anselme Nkusi, the Director of Cons Tech Ltd, which manages the cemetery, “The land we currently have will last about seven to eight months. When additional space is needed, the City of Kigali relocates nearby residents to create more room for burials.”
Cremation has been legally permitted for over ten years as a potential solution to land shortages, but adoption remains low among Rwandans, who are often reluctant to burn the remains of loved ones. Since the law was enacted, only 28 cremations have been performed in Rwanda, primarily by foreign residents accustomed to this practice in their home countries.
Authorities have also considered stacking two coffins in a single grave to maximize space, but cultural sensitivities have made this approach difficult.
“We tried burying two people in one grave with family consent,” Nkusi said. “Some families initially agreed but later withdrew, insisting no additional burial should be added above. This illustrates the challenge of balancing practical needs with cultural preferences.”
Attitudes, however, appear to be shifting. A 2025 study by the Ministry of Unity and Civic Engagement found that 61 percent of respondents agreed that cremation could help address the growing shortage of burial space.
Of more than 12,000 people surveyed, 32 percent strongly supported cremation, 29 percent moderately supported it, while 34 percent opposed it and 5 percent were undecided.
Since its opening, Rusororo Cemetery has accommodated 13,396 burials across 18 hectares.
