The incident, which occurred at a bus park in Rubavu, sparked public debate after videos circulated on social media showing two police officers handcuffing the woman and bundling her into a vehicle.
The Rwanda National Police subsequently announced that the officers had been arrested and the woman cleared of wrongdoing. Police also warned officers against allowing similar incidents to happen again.
Speaking to about 10,000 young people gathered at BK Arena for the ‘Meet the President’ engagement on Wednesday, October 21, Kagame said he had called Inspector General of Police Felix Namuhoranye, who explained that the officers had misunderstood their instructions.
After requesting a photograph of the woman, the President concluded that she had been treated unfairly.
“What exactly did this woman do wrong? Looking at her, I do not see anything inappropriate that should be exposed in public. What is your problem?” Kagame recalled asking the police chief.
He suggested that fatigue might have contributed to the officers’ conduct, urging the public to be understanding while holding officers accountable for their actions.
“Sometimes, try to understand them and forgive them. They start work early and get tired. They deal with many things, as you also know. Sometimes they reach a point of exhaustion, and you find that an officer makes a mistake,” he said.
Kagame said societies establish expectations about acceptable behaviour and dressing depending on the setting, noting that clothing considered appropriate at the beach might attract a different reaction elsewhere.
He added that discussions about dress codes should apply to men as well as women, arguing that people are generally expected to dress in ways that reflect the setting they are in.
The President said societies also have their own values, rules and taboos, which can sometimes differ from practices people encounter elsewhere. However, he cautioned against turning such differences into conflict.
“There should be no hostility arising from this. There should be an agreed way of handling it so that people understand one another,” he said.
Kagame urged young people to understand how society functions, express their views on practices they believe add no value to their culture, and call for harmful practices to be rejected. He added that discussions about what should or should not be accepted can lead to mutually agreed decisions without conflict.
‘Be healthy first’
President Kagame also used the platform to urge young people to prioritise their health and well-being, warning that alcohol and drug abuse could undermine their personal development.
“First, take care of yourself. The other things can come afterwards, but you need to be healthy, from childhood to adulthood, so that you can achieve everything else,” he said.
He encouraged them to focus on learning, work and personal responsibility, urging them to make informed decisions about their future.
President Paul Kagame criticised the handling of a young woman’s arrest over alleged indecent dressing in August, saying she had been unfairly treated.President Kagame spoke during the #MeetThePresident engagement at BK Arena on Wednesday, October 21,
The call was made during a seminar organised by Africa-China Review in partnership with the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
The hybrid event brought together diplomats, academics and media professionals to reflect on the partnership’s achievements and explore opportunities for deeper collaboration across infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, education and cultural exchange.
The seminar provided a platform for diplomats, researchers and development practitioners to assess how cooperation has evolved over seven decades and identify ways to ensure it continues to deliver meaningful benefits to African communities.
China’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Gao Wenqi, emphasised the enduring friendship between China and African countries, describing their relationship as a partnership built on shared experience and a common vision for development.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. China and Africa have chosen to go far together. 70 years of shared experience show that our friendship rests on firm foundations and that our future is full of promise,” he said.
Gao highlighted milestones in China-Africa cooperation, including the TAZARA Railway, Chinese medical teams serving communities across Africa, zero-tariff access and the 10 Partnership Actions.
He said China and Africa continued to work together towards modernisation and a community with a shared future.
China’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Gao Wenqi, addressed the seminar marking 70 years of China-Africa cooperation, highlighting the enduring friendship between China and African countries and their shared aspirations for modernisation.
Rwanda’s Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Fidelis Mironko, highlighted the importance of the relationship between Rwanda and China, which marked 55 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.
“This conversation comes at a special time as Rwanda and China mark 55 years of diplomatic relations this year… Our experience together has shown what countries can achieve through cooperation and move forward to achieving even more together,” Mironko said.
He described the two countries as like-minded partners pursuing modernisation and expressed confidence in further strengthening cooperation in the years ahead.
Dr Ismail Buchanan, Senior Lecturer in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Rwanda, focused on education and cultural exchange as important pillars of the next phase of China-Africa relations.
He observed that the relationship had evolved from political solidarity during the anti-colonial period into a broader partnership covering trade, economic development and institutional cooperation.
“The era of focusing strictly on hard infrastructure, resource accessibility and diplomacy is transforming into an era of human-centric diplomacy,” Buchanan said.
He noted that China had become an increasingly attractive destination for African students because of the quality and affordability of education, alongside opportunities for cultural exchange.
The hybrid event brought together diplomats, academics and media professionals to reflect on the partnership’s achievements and explore opportunities for deeper collaboration across infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, education and cultural exchange.
Buchanan also highlighted the role of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative in supporting cooperation. He argued that educational partnerships and skills development could help reduce brain drain while building lasting links between African and Chinese institutions and researchers.
Using Rwanda as an example, he discussed vocational training and institutional collaboration, including the Rwanda-Luban Workshop at an Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre.
Recent infrastructure and healthcare projects in Rwanda were also highlighted as examples of how China-Rwanda cooperation is contributing to the country’s development.
These include the 10.3-kilometre Prince House–Masaka Road Expansion and Upgrade Project in Kigali and the Masaka Hospital Renovation and Expansion Project.
The Masaka Hospital project, valued at 580 million Chinese yuan, equivalent to more than Rwf124 billion, will provide 837 beds and 22 operating theatres. The facility is expected to become the new home of the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) by the end of 2026.
The road project is being implemented through a partnership in which China is contributing approximately Rwf95 billion, while Rwanda is providing about Rwf35 billion. Construction is expected to take around 30 months.
The works include a flyover, underpasses, interchanges, bridges, drainage systems and street lighting. The existing corridor will be upgraded into a dual four-lane carriageway, with some sections reaching eight lanes.
A presentation on China-Liberia cooperation emphasised that the success of international partnerships should be measured by the difference they make in people’s lives.
“In the arena of international relations, the true value of a partnership is not measured by lofty declarations or diplomatic rhetoric, but by the tangible benefits it delivers to the people it is intended to serve,” the speaker said.
The presentation highlighted infrastructure projects, educational support, healthcare cooperation and vocational training as examples of areas in which China-Liberia relations have delivered practical benefits.
Among the projects cited was Liberia’s Ministerial Complex, valued by the speaker at approximately $60 million, which accommodates five government ministries and agencies. The speaker also referred to two overpasses under construction in Monrovia, estimated at $33 million.
Other projects mentioned included the University of Liberia’s Fendall Campus, Jackson F. Doe Memorial Regional Hospital in Nimba County, the Capitol Annex, Monrovia Vocational Training Center and Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.
The speakers also highlighted Chinese medical teams, scholarships and professional training programmes in fields including medicine, engineering, agriculture, information technology and public administration.
Emphasising the importance of developing local expertise alongside physical infrastructure, the speaker argued that facilities and investments must be supported by people with the skills to operate and maintain them.
The presentation concluded by describing China as a development partner that, in the speaker’s view, respected Liberia’s sovereignty and the principle of non-interference.
As China and Africa enter the eighth decade of their relationship, the speakers’ contributions pointed to a shared challenge: ensuring that cooperation delivers sustainable results and improves people’s lives.
Participants discuss education, skills development and human-centred partnerships at a seminar marking 70 years of China-Africa cooperation.Gerald Mbanda, moderator of the seminar marking 70 years of China-Africa cooperation, leads discussions on the partnership’s achievements and future priorities.Dr Ismail Buchanan, Senior Lecturer in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Rwanda, calls for greater emphasis on education, cultural exchange and human-centred diplomacy in the next phase of China-Africa cooperation.
The meeting took place at Urugwiro Village on Tuesday, October 20, with discussions focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest, according to a statement from the Office of the President.
The meeting comes as Rwanda and Germany continue to engage in areas including healthcare, vocational education, employment and social protection.
In May 2026, Rwanda’s Ministry of Health signed an agreement with German pharmaceutical company Bayer AG aimed at improving access to quality health products and strengthening public health supply systems.
The agreement was signed in Kigali by Minister of State for Health Yvan Butera and Bayer AG’s Chief Health Equity Officer, Dr Claus Runge. It forms part of efforts to improve access to medicines and other health products in Rwanda.
Education and skills development are also part of the partnership.
On September 23, 2026, Rwanda and Germany signed a €16 million agreement, equivalent to approximately Rwf26 billion, to expand girls’ participation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Known as the Skills for Girls TVET Project, the initiative is intended to extend support to additional TVET schools and strengthen existing scholarship programmes, with particular attention to young women.
Academic exchanges have also created opportunities for Rwandan students to gain international experience. In July 2026, the University of Kigali announced that seven students from its School of Business, Management and Economics were participating in a fully funded academic exchange programme in Germany.
The programme is supported through partnerships involving the Erasmus Programme, LEARN Logistics gGmbH and the Baden-Württemberg Scholarship Programme through DHBW University. It provides opportunities for international academic exposure, cross-cultural learning and practical experience.
Germany has also provided financial support for Rwanda’s social protection programmes.
On October 6, 2025, Rwanda signed an €18 million grant agreement, worth approximately Rwf30.5 billion, with Germany to strengthen the country’s inclusive social protection system under the Vision Umurenge Programme (VUP).
The agreement was signed by Finance and Economic Planning Minister Yusuf Murangwa and Germany’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Heike Uta Dettmann. The funding, provided through the German Development Bank (KfW), supports interventions including cash transfers, nutrition-sensitive direct support, public works and measures to help vulnerable households respond to economic shocks.
Germany’s Federal Foreign Office identifies economic development, vocational training, healthcare, climate protection, energy and digitalisation among the areas covered by its cooperation with Rwanda.
The head of SASA Group Rwanda, a company that provides training in fire prevention and firefighting, made the remarks in an interview with IGIHE. He explained that having firefighting equipment is not enough if people do not know how to use it or identify potential fire hazards early.
“That is why it is essential to provide people with practical training so they can learn how to prevent fires, use safety equipment and follow an evacuation plan in the event of an emergency,” he said.
His comments follow the fire that broke out at GOICO Plaza in Musanze on October 10, 2026. Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde put the preliminary value of goods destroyed at about Rwf30 billion, although assessments were still underway to establish the full extent of the losses. SASA Group Rwanda also expressed sympathy and support for traders and residents affected by the incident.
Every fire should be investigated individually
Rutagengwa explained that fires can result from various causes, including improper use of electrical installations, negligence and failure to observe fire prevention measures.
He cited the use of substandard electrical cables, connecting too many appliances to a circuit beyond its capacity, and using damaged electrical equipment as some of the potential causes.
In homes, leaving a stove or candle burning unattended, mishandling gas appliances and storing flammable materials in inappropriate places can also lead to fires.
However, he stressed that these factors should not automatically be assumed to explain every fire without a proper investigation.
“The important thing is not to assume that all fires have the same cause. Every incident should be investigated to establish what caused it, so that appropriate measures can be taken to prevent similar incidents from happening again,” he said.
He also noted that the absence of smoke detectors and equipment capable of extinguishing a fire at its early stages can delay detection and allow flames to spread.
Building safety starts at the design stage
Rutagengwa said building owners should consider safety from the design stage rather than waiting until construction is complete.
“Building safety should not be treated as something added after construction. It must be one of the main priorities from the moment the building is designed,” he explained.
Key measures include using electrical equipment that meets the required standards, installing cables suitable for the expected electrical load, and engaging qualified professionals.
Other important considerations include selecting safe construction materials and providing appropriate emergency exits.
He also recommended that buildings be equipped with fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and other safety devices suited to their intended use. Gas and other flammable materials should be stored in designated and appropriate locations.
Dedicated water systems are essential for firefighting
Dedicated water supply systems and fire hydrants are also important, particularly in large buildings and commercial facilities where substantial volumes of water may be needed to control a fire.
Ordinary domestic water supply networks may not always provide the volume of water or pressure required for firefighting. Dedicated pipelines and fire hydrants can help ensure that sufficient water is available when emergencies occur.
Planning for these systems should take into account water availability, flow rate, pressure and the capacity of the distribution network.
Although firefighting water does not necessarily have to meet all the standards required for drinking water, it must be readily available and suitable for use without endangering human health or damaging firefighting equipment.
Training must go beyond meeting regulatory requirements
Rutagengwa believes that a lack of knowledge about fire prevention and how to respond when a fire breaks out is one of the factors that increases the risks.
“Having a fire extinguisher is not enough if someone does not know how to use it properly or when they should immediately leave the area and call for emergency assistance,” he explained.
Some people may, for example, attempt to extinguish an electrical fire or a fire involving flammable oils with water, potentially making the situation more dangerous.
He therefore believes that training should equip people to recognise warning signs, use safety equipment correctly and evacuate buildings safely.
“Training should not be conducted merely to meet regulatory requirements. It should help people identify and prevent risks and know how to respond quickly and safely when a fire breaks out,” he said.
SASA Group Rwanda provides training in fire prevention and firefighting. Rutagengwa encourages households, schools, hotels, markets, factories and other institutions to take part in such training so that prevention becomes a culture rather than a response adopted only after an accident has occurred.
Insurance helps, but it does not replace prevention
On fire insurance, Rutagengwa said several factors may discourage people from taking out coverage, including a lack of awareness of its benefits, financial constraints and the belief that such an incident will never affect them.
A lack of understanding of insurance policy terms and compensation procedures can also undermine public confidence.
He believes insurance companies should explain their services in clear and accessible language, specifying what is covered, what is excluded and how policyholders can submit claims.
“It is important for people to understand that insurance does not prevent a fire from occurring. Rather, it helps reduce financial losses when an insured incident happens,” he said.
He added: “However, insurance must go hand in hand with risk prevention, because protecting human life and property must come first.”
Stronger inspections and reliable data could improve prevention
Rutagengwa called for stricter safety inspections of both newly constructed buildings and those already in use, with particular attention to electrical installations, emergency exits and firefighting equipment.
He also highlighted the need to increase public awareness campaigns, make safety equipment more accessible and strengthen the capacity of emergency response services.
According to him, collecting and analysing fire incident data would help identify areas where fires occur most frequently, determine their causes and assess the losses they leave behind. This would enable authorities and other stakeholders to develop prevention measures based on reliable evidence.
“Every major fire should also be investigated to establish its cause, determine whether any regulations were violated and use the findings to prevent future incidents,” he said.
He stressed that implementing these measures requires cooperation between the government, the private sector, insurance companies and the public.
“We must understand that preventing fires costs less and protects lives better than dealing with their consequences. When we succeed in preventing a fire, we protect human lives, jobs, property and the country’s economy,” Rutagengwa concluded.
Combining public training, building safety inspections and emergency preparedness could help Rwanda prevent fires and reduce their impact, according to Rutagengwa Safari, an expert in fire prevention, firefighting and emergency response.
The force’s Director General, Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga, made the call on October 19 during the opening of the EASF Logistics Map Exercise (MAPEX) 2026 at Rwanda Military Academy in Gako, Bugesera District.
The exercise, taking place from October 19 to 31, brings together military, police and civilian personnel from EASF member states and partner institutions to test logistics planning and coordination for peace support operations and disaster response.
Addressing participants, Rwivanga said operational readiness should be measured by whether forces can deploy on time, arrive with the required capabilities and maintain their operations for as long as a mission demands.
“A force is not truly ready because it has been assembled. It is ready when it can deploy in time, arrive with the right capabilities, sustain itself in the operational environment and accomplish its assigned mission,” he said.
The exercise is designed to examine the force’s ability to translate its existing structures and commitments into an effective response to emergencies.
Rwanda’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Mubarakh Muganga, said the exercise would help identify logistical gaps and strengthen coordination among contributing countries.
“The success of this exercise will ultimately depend on our ability to translate the lessons identified into tangible improvements in our logistical systems, planning processes and operational readiness,” he said.
Under the theme “Project, Deploy, Sustain,” participants are expected to assess logistical requirements, identify capability gaps, examine deployment options and improve coordination among contributing countries.
Rwivanga, a former spokesperson for the RDF who took over as Director General of the regional force in May, said logistics should be treated as a strategic capability rather than an administrative function supporting military operations.
“In contemporary operations, logistics is not a supporting afterthought. It is a strategic capability, an operational multiplier and, in many circumstances, the difference between mission success and mission failure,” he noted.
He called for stronger supply-chain resilience, equipment maintenance, medical evacuation arrangements, fuel management, logistics information systems and predictable financing to ensure deployed forces can remain operational.
The Director General also emphasised the need for countries to identify available capabilities before planning missions, rather than relying on resources that may not be mobilised when required.
Disaster response among priorities
The exercise also seeks to improve the EASF’s ability to respond to humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters, including crises linked to extreme weather.
Rwivanga singled out El Niño-related disasters as a concern, saying the force must be prepared to respond when emergencies affect any of its member states.
“I can assure you that Scenario Seven is at the heart of the EASF today because of the El Niño phenomenon. We know we can predict that disasters are likely to occur in any of our Member States. Our readiness to respond to such a crisis is paramount,” he stressed.
He said deployments during humanitarian emergencies must be guided by assessed needs, host-country priorities, civilian protection and coordination with disaster management institutions and humanitarian partners.
The EASF comprises nine countries and has military, police and civilian components. Its role includes supporting regional responses to security challenges and authorised peace support operations. Its member states are Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda.
As the exercise continues until October 31, the focus will be on turning identified logistics gaps into concrete actions that strengthen the EASF’s ability to respond to emergencies across the region.
For Rwivanga, the ultimate test of preparedness lies not in plans drawn on paper but in the force’s ability to act when lives are at stake.
“Our region will not be judged by the plans we have written. No. We will be judged by the lives we protect. We will be judged by the suffering we alleviate. And lastly, by the stability we restore,” he stated.
EASF Director General, Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga, spoke on Monday, October 19, during the opening of the EASF Logistics Map Exercise (MAPEX) 2026 at Rwanda Military Academy in Gako, Bugesera District.The exercise, taking place from October 19 to 31, brings together military, police and civilian personnel from EASF member states and partner institutions to test logistics planning and coordination for peace support operations and disaster response.Rwanda’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Mubarakh Muganga, said the exercise would help identify logistical gaps and strengthen coordination among contributing countries.
Shaibu visited the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) headquarters in Kigali on Monday, October 19, 2026, during a five-day official visit running from October 18 to 23.
He paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff, General MK Mubarakh, before holding bilateral talks with his counterpart, RDF Army Chief of Staff Major General Vincent Nyakarundi.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said discussions focused on strengthening existing cooperation between the Nigerian Armed Forces and the RDF, with both delegations exchanging views on defence and security issues of mutual interest.
Speaking after the meetings, Shaibu said the visit aimed to reinforce bilateral cooperation between the two armies and advance the implementation of existing agreements.
“As the outcome of today’s discussion, we have made key promises to implement the various memoranda of understanding that have been there between both countries in the area of training, exchange of directing staff as well as logisticians,” he said.
The commitments are expected to support cooperation in military training, the exchange of instructional personnel and logistics.
Earlier in the day, Shaibu and his delegation visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where they paid their respects to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The delegation also visited the Campaign Against Genocide Museum, which documents the efforts to stop the Genocide and the role of the Rwanda Patriotic Army in ending it.
Shaibu visited the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) headquarters in Kigali on Monday, October 19, 2026, during a five-day official visit running from October 18 to 23.He also He paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff, General MK Mubarakh.Earlier in the day, Shaibu and his delegation visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where they paid their respects to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said drones reportedly struck locations in the capital Khartoum, including near the airport, on Monday. A civilian was reportedly killed and some flights were canceled following the attacks.
OCHA said that a drone strike in West Darfur state reportedly killed 11 people, including nine children, and injured others in the Bir Saliba area on Saturday.
In South Darfur state, a drone strike reportedly hit the Almawashi market in the state capital Nyala last Friday, killing at least four people, including a child.
In North Kordofan state, at least four civilians were reportedly killed and others injured in a drone strike in the locality of Abu Zabad on Saturday.
“OCHA is also deeply saddened by the killing of a Sudanese Red Crescent volunteer while providing first aid at a health center in the town of Um Darfa, in Blue Nile State, last week, following a drone attack on the facility,” the office said. “Since the conflict began in April 2023, 25 Sudanese Red Crescent volunteers have reportedly been killed while on duty.”
The office said international humanitarian law requires the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities and humanitarian personnel.
OCHA said rising food prices further challenge families struggling to meet their basic needs.
The World Food Programme said the cost of its local food basket rose by 24 percent in September compared with August. Currency depreciation, fuel shortages and conflict-related disruptions to markets and supply routes are driving up costs.
“Despite immense challenges, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners continue to deliver life-saving assistance,” OCHA said. “In Central Darfur State, partners recently rehabilitated a water facility in the locality of Zalingei, restoring access to safe water for some 2,500 people. More than 2,000 families also received water, sanitation and hygiene assistance across several localities.”
However, the humanitarian office said underfunding threatens relief operations.
With less than three months left in the year, Sudan’s humanitarian response plan is just over 43 percent funded, with 1.2 billion U.S. dollars of the nearly 2.9 billion required received so far, OCHA added.
UN humanitarians said Monday they are alarmed by reports of continued deadly drone strikes across Sudan, which are killing civilians and disrupting essential services.
Flight OS82, an Airbus A320, landed safely in Sofia on Sunday, October 18, with 51 passengers and six crew members on board, according to the airline and Bulgarian authorities.
The aircraft was diverted as it approached the Romanian border after its crew reported receiving a bomb threat signal, Bulgaria’s Transport Ministry said.
“During the flight, on the border with Romania, the crew reported a bomb threat signal and decided to land in Sofia extraordinarily,” the ministry said in a statement.
The Bulgarian Air Force deployed a MiG-29 fighter jet to accompany the aircraft to Sofia Airport as part of established emergency procedures. The operation was coordinated with NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre in Spain, according to Anadolu Agency.
Passengers were evacuated after the aircraft landed, and security teams began inspecting the plane. Bulgarian authorities also established a crisis response team to coordinate the response and investigate the incident.
Austrian Airlines confirmed that the threat had forced the flight to stop in Sofia and said passengers would be accommodated on alternative flights while security checks were conducted.
“Once the search of the aircraft is complete, the passengers will be rebooked onto alternative flights as quickly as possible,” the airline said.
No danger was found after security checks. In an update on Monday, Austrian Airlines said searches of the aircraft, passengers and crew in Sofia found no danger.
The flight subsequently continued from Sofia to Vienna with all passengers on board after they reboarded the aircraft, according to the airline.
Earlier reports by Israeli media said the warning had allegedly come from an Austrian citizen who claimed there was a bomb on the aircraft. The person was reportedly not travelling on the flight. The circumstances surrounding the threat remain subject to investigation.
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of aviation security following an attack on a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026. During the flight, the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an axe and attempted to crash the aircraft, forcing it to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The plane was carrying about 180 people, mostly Israelis, all of whom survived.
Following the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a review of security arrangements for foreign commercial flights to Israel. An Israeli Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson also said the country would strengthen security checks on pilots operating flights into Israel, including those employed by foreign airlines.
The motive behind the attack on the Flydubai flight remains under investigation. Israeli officials have, however, raised concerns about possible extremist influences.
An Austrian Airlines flight travelling from Tel Aviv to Vienna was forced to make an emergency landing in Bulgaria after a bomb threat was reported on board, prompting the Bulgarian Air Force to scramble a fighter jet to escort the aircraft.
“Those who destroyed must pay. Those who looted must reimburse,” Macron said in a televised address, pledging judicial proceedings over offenses committed during the violence.
He voiced support for law enforcement officers, elected officials and shopkeepers affected by the violence, adding that Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu would chair a crisis unit Monday to mobilize “the fastest possible assistance” and support those affected.
He called on the government to draw all the lessons from Saturday’s violence, particularly regarding intelligence gathering and anticipation, to ensure such incidents “cannot happen again.”
Meanwhile, Macron said he understood the “deep anxiety” expressed by young people in recent weeks at high schools and universities, adding that over the coming week, the government would work with students, teachers, trade unions, employers’ organizations and officials to develop responses to young people’s concerns.
Macron said the protests also reflected public concerns over the cost of living and fuel prices. He said the government was doing its utmost to address the key issue of residents’ purchasing power.
Around 550,000 people took part in protests across France on Saturday. According to local media reports, the demonstrations brought together farmers, climate activists, trade unions and students, who voiced demands concerning fuel prices, the cost of living, education and public services.
A total of 2,397 people were arrested during the protests, which were marred by violence, according to figures released by the French Interior Ministry on Sunday. A total of 997 police officers and gendarmes were injured, seven of them seriously.
Since September, France has witnessed multiple rounds of mass student protests demanding better educational conditions.
Around 550,000 people took part in protests across France on Saturday.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil identified the priest as Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, who served as parish priest at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, a coastal city about 265 kilometres southwest of the capital, Quito.
Footage of the service on Saturday night shows the large crucifix mounted behind the altar suddenly detaching from the wall and falling onto Sánchez as he celebrated Mass. The priest appeared unaware of the falling object before it struck him near the altar.
Worshippers could be heard crying for help as the livestream continued, with the incident bringing the service to an abrupt halt.
The Archdiocese confirmed Sánchez’s death on Sunday, expressing condolences to his loved ones and members of the Catholic community.
Sánchez was a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1732 that operates in about 80 countries.
The cause of the crucifix’s collapse remains unclear. Local authorities have not publicly commented on the incident, while church officials have yet to provide an explanation for how the heavy structure became detached from the wall.
Padiri Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari yagwiriwe n'umusaraba munini wo mu kiliziya ubwo yasomeraga misa muri Kiliziya ya Bikira Mariya Umutabazi, arapfa. pic.twitter.com/fMf1NLxSSp
