The man, whose identity was not revealed, was executed at a prison in Iran’s central Qom province on Saturday, Mizan quoted Seyed Kazem Mousavi, the province’s chief justice, as saying.
He added the convict had started his intelligence cooperation with Israel in October 2023 and was arrested in February 2024.
The chief justice said the man had confessed to having had intelligence cooperation with Israel, and was sentenced to death following legal proceedings.
Iran’s intelligence and judicial authorities had detected the man’s activities and prevented the transmission of the country’s sensitive data to Israel, according to Mousavi.
According to the statement, the strikes were led by the IDF’s Southern Command “following a ceasefire violation earlier in the day.”
Israel’s state-owned Kan TV reported that the targets struck included tunnels Hamas had used to hold hostages.
This was the second wave of Israeli strikes on Sunday, following an earlier round of airstrikes on the southern and northern Gaza Strip. According to Israel’s Channel 12, a total of 104 targets were struck during the day.
The Israeli army said the initial strikes were in response to Hamas firing an anti-tank missile and opening fire on troops dismantling infrastructure in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.
Following the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations with Defense Minister Israel Katz and security officials and instructed them to act forcefully against targets in the strip.
Kan reported that Netanyahu also ordered the suspension of humanitarian aid to Gaza until further notice.
Channel 12 added that the political echelon has decided to close all crossings to the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Palestinian medical sources said that the Israeli attacks on Sunday killed at least 14 Palestinians in Gaza.
Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for the Gaza Civil Defense, told Xinhua that “field teams have responded since early morning to more than 20 distress calls in different parts of the Strip, recovering 14 bodies, including women and journalists, in addition to dozens of injured people.”
Basal added that the Israeli bombardment targeted “civilian gatherings, a cafe, a chalet, and tents sheltering displaced people, causing partial collapses of buildings and fires in several locations,” noting that “search and rescue operations are still underway under extremely difficult conditions due to the severe shortage of fuel and equipment.”
Israel and Hamas have exchanged accusations of violating a ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since Oct. 10. The truce was brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye, with U.S. support, following indirect negotiations between the two sides.
Under the agreement, both parties committed to cessation of hostilities, the exchange of prisoners and detainees, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from certain areas of the enclave, and the entry of humanitarian aid and fuel to allow medical and relief teams to resume their operations.
According to French daily Le Parisien, the criminals gained access through the façade of the museum facing the Seine River, where construction work is underway. Using a construction ladder and a freight elevator, they reached the Galerie d’Apollon, home to the French Crown Jewels, before breaking through windows and seizing nine pieces from the historic collection.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the incident as a “major robbery” that lasted just seven minutes. “It was manifestly a team that had done scouting,” he said, noting that the thieves used small chainsaws and a disc cutter to cut through panes of glass before fleeing on scooters.
Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed the theft in a post on X, saying a “robbery” had occurred at the museum as it opened to the public. “No injuries have been reported,” she added, assuring that investigations were underway. The Louvre subsequently announced its closure for “exceptional reasons,” and police evacuated visitors from the premises as nearby streets were cordoned off.
Authorities later recovered one of the stolen jewellery pieces near the museum, but the rest remain missing.
The targeted Galerie d’Apollon holds some of France’s most valuable treasures, including the Crown Jewels and ornate objects associated with the country’s imperial past. The stolen pieces, part of the Napoleonic collection, are considered “priceless” by officials due to their historical significance.
The audacious theft has reignited concerns about museum security across Europe, following a string of high-profile art crimes in recent years. In 2019, thieves broke into Dresden’s Green Vault in Germany, escaping with royal jewels worth hundreds of millions of euros. Two years earlier, burglars at Berlin’s Bode Museum made off with a 100-kilogram gold coin, while in 2010 a lone intruder at Paris’s Museum of Modern Art slipped away with five masterpieces, including a Picasso.
The Louvre itself is no stranger to daring robberies. The most famous case occurred in 1911 when Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa was stolen by an Italian handyman who hid inside the museum overnight and walked out with the painting under his coat. It was recovered two years later in Florence, an episode that helped turn the portrait into the world’s most recognised artwork.
Louvre is home to more than 33,000 works ranging from ancient artefacts to European masterpieces and draws up to 30,000 visitors a day.
In a message shared on X, President Faye said his visit “concludes under the banner of fraternity and cooperation,” expressing gratitude to President Paul Kagame, his government, and the Rwandan people for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
“Rwanda stands as an inspiring example of resilience and transformation in the service of development, one that we salute with respect and admiration,” he wrote. “Our two nations are moving forward together toward a sovereign and innovative Africa.”
Earlier on Sunday, President Faye joined President Kagame for the monthly Car Free Day, a popular initiative promoting physical fitness and environmental sustainability. The two Heads of State took part in a 5-kilometre walk through Kigali, a gesture symbolising health, social cohesion, and shared commitment to protecting the environment.
The visit also saw the signing of five new bilateral agreements on Saturday, aimed at deepening cooperation and advancing shared development goals across key sectors. The accords, witnessed by both presidents, cover visa facilitation, agriculture, health, correctional services, and collaboration within Rwanda’s long-term development framework, Vision 2050.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, President Kagame welcomed his Senegalese counterpart, describing the visit as a reflection of the “long-standing and productive relationship” between the two nations.
“Rwanda and Senegal are guided by the same values, putting people first, delivering results, and pursuing a bold, transformative vision,” Kagame said. “Our discussions today reaffirmed our commitment to act on these principles. We also share the vision of a self-reliant, united continent guided by accountable governance and inclusive development.”
He further emphasised the central role of Africa’s youth in shaping the continent’s future, urging continued efforts to create opportunities for them to thrive.
“Their talent and resilience are undeniable. Our responsibility is to make sure they have the opportunity to meet their full potential,” Kagame noted.
President Faye, in his remarks, commended Rwanda’s remarkable transformation journey under Kagame’s leadership and paid tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“Rwanda’s resilience and the progress it has made on the path to development since 1994 are remarkable,” he said. “Our political and diplomatic relations are excellent, but there remains untapped potential in economic and trade cooperation.”
He expressed optimism about the future of bilateral relations, proposing the establishment of a Joint Cooperation Commission to evaluate the current partnership and identify new avenues for collaboration in sectors such as agriculture, education, health, the digital economy, air transport, infrastructure, culture, and sports.
According to South African publication the Sunday Times, the warning was delivered during Tshisekedi’s visit to South Africa last month as part of efforts to mediate between the two warring Congolese leaders, just two weeks before Kabila was sentenced to death in absentia for war crimes and treason.
Three sources familiar with the discussions said South Africa is now seeking a political solution with Tshisekedi’s government over the Kabila matter. The initiative follows an earlier request from Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa for Ramaphosa’s assistance in easing tensions in the region.
“There isn’t much substance to the charges, but it’s a typical African scenario; the presidents also control the courts, so they fight political battles through them,” said one senior official, quoted by the publication.
“Part of Tshisekedi’s problem is that Kabila is more popular than him. Kabila comes from an area where M23 operates, and that poses a threat. If someone as popular as Kabila goes to assist M23, it is a recipe for a coup.”
Cabinet spokesperson and minister in the presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, emphasised that South Africa’s priority is achieving lasting peace in the eastern DRC and the country as a whole.
“President Ramaphosa has already met with former president Kabila, and following that engagement, he’s meeting with President Tshisekedi. There will be other meetings with other role players. We hope to also engage with M23 to ensure all parties can find common ground,” Ntshavheni said.
Kabila, who ruled the DRC for almost two decades before stepping down in 2018, was tried in absentia in July for allegedly supporting the rebels who seized significant territory in the country’s east this year. He was accused of crimes against humanity, including involvement in civilian massacres, with the military’s auditor-general seeking the death penalty for multiple offences.
Insiders said South Africa was puzzled by the timing of the execution order, noting that Tshisekedi had previously agreed with Ramaphosa that such a move could undermine regional peace efforts. Kabila has long enjoyed a positive relationship with South Africa, where he had been living in exile until his visit this year to the eastern region controlled by the M23 rebels.
South Africa and other SADC members withdrew their troops from the DRC earlier this year to allow for a political solution following deadly clashes that led to the fall of Goma to M23.
The decision was endorsed during the party’s annual conference on Saturday in the eastern city of Mutare. Delegates instructed the government to start drafting legislation to amend the Constitution, according to Justice Minister and ZANU-PF legal secretary Ziyambi Ziyambi.
President Mnangagwa, 83, is constitutionally scheduled to leave office in 2028 after completing two elected terms. Any extension would require a constitutional amendment and could involve a public referendum, legal experts say.
Delegates at the conference welcomed the motion with strong support, reflecting the party’s focus on continuity in leadership. While Mnangagwa did not comment on the extension during his closing remarks, party officials have indicated that the process will move forward through formal legislative channels.
The initiative comes amid discussions within ZANU-PF on leadership continuity and national development priorities. While supporters emphasise stability and long-term planning, opposition figures have indicated that any constitutional changes would face scrutiny and potential legal challenges in court.
Municipalities across Gaza have mobilized their limited resources to clear streets and set up temporary shelters for thousands of displaced families, as two years of Israeli attacks have devastated much of the enclave’s infrastructure.
“There is not a street, neighborhood, or alley in the Gaza Strip that has not been partially or completely destroyed by the Israeli war machine,” said Asem al-Nabih, spokesman for the Gaza Municipality.
He added that the conflict has left behind an estimated 55 to 70 million tonnes of rubble, while about 90 percent of Gaza’s infrastructure, including roads, water, sewage, and electricity networks, has been destroyed or severely damaged.
“From the first day of the ceasefire, we began mobilizing our limited bulldozers and equipment to clear rubble and reopen main roads. Most of our machinery was damaged or destroyed during the war, but we are doing what we can with what remains,” he added.
According to Hosni Mohana, the municipality’s public relations officer, these operations aim not only to restore transportation routes but also to prepare sites for temporary camps to shelter displaced residents before winter sets in.
“We are working under extremely difficult conditions due to severe shortages of machinery, fuel, and equipment, as well as a lack of manpower,” Mohana told Xinhua. He noted that even when equipment is available, the lack of fuel to operate it will remain a major obstacle.
He emphasized that Gaza urgently needs “broad Arab and international cooperation to supply heavy machinery, fuel, labor, and financial support to accelerate the reconstruction effort.”
In response, several international and regional partners have joined the reconstruction effort. Shortly after the ceasefire was announced, the Egyptian Relief Committee for the People of Gaza, working alongside local authorities and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), began operations in multiple areas of Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip.
Mohammed Mansour, spokesman for the Egyptian Committee, said the team’s work is focused on clearing rubble in the hardest-hit northern areas.
“The cleared areas will be used to establish camps for displaced families who lost their homes,” Mansour said. “We are also digging wells, reopening bakeries, and supplying water to affected neighborhoods.”
Meanwhile, the committee’s field teams in Gaza are coordinating closely with their headquarters in Cairo and the Egyptian Red Crescent to ensure the efficient delivery of relief materials.
Abdullah Hamada, a Palestinian working with the Egyptian Committee, said workers are “racing against time to establish large shelters in the Al-Tawam area, north of Gaza City, and to ensure they have access to clean water before winter begins.”
Ahmed Qasim, a displaced Gaza resident who lost his home in an Israeli airstrike, said his family has been forced to flee several times during the war.
“We have no permanent shelter and must carry water from afar because the sanitation and water networks were destroyed,” he said. “We need new infrastructure before the rains begin.”
Alongside Arab and local efforts, the UNDP has been involved in debris management and infrastructure assessment to speed up reconstruction planning.
Mohammed Maziad, UNDP’s senior technical specialist for debris management, told Xinhua that “the program’s volunteers have contributed both on the ground and online, producing an accurate work plan, detailed rubble assessments, and interactive dashboards for donors.”
According to Maziad, the cooperation between the Egyptian Committee, UNDP, and local municipalities has established a more organized framework for rubble removal and coordination of relief efforts.
President Faye, accompanied by Rwanda’s Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr Bizimana Jean Damascène, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, visited the memorial on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
The Kigali Genocide Memorial, located in Gisozi, Gasabo District, was inaugurated in 2004 and is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the genocide.
Following his visit, President Faye reflected in the memorial’s guestbook:
“As a demonstration of my compassion and active solidarity with the Rwandan people, who have endured one of the worst human tragedies. Here, silence speaks louder than words. It reminds us of the horror of the Genocide against the Tutsi, but also of the resilience and greatness of a people who have transformed pain into hope and memory into the building of lasting peace.”
Through his message, President Faye also expressed his wish for the enduring friendship and cooperation between Rwanda and Senegal to continue to grow.
The Senegalese leader is on a three-day state visit to Rwanda, which began on October 17, 2025, aimed at reinforcing the strong ties between the two nations.
The agreements, witnessed by President Paul Kagame and his Senegalese counterpart, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, cover cooperation on visas, agriculture, health, correctional services, and Rwanda’s long-term development framework, Vision 2050.
President Faye arrived in Kigali on Friday for a three-day official visit aimed at deepening relations between the two countries. During his stay, he is expected to tour key Rwandan institutions, including the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Ministry of Sports, to explore avenues for collaboration in investment promotion, innovation, and youth development.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, President Kagame welcomed his Senegalese counterpart, describing the visit as a reflection of the “long-standing and productive relationship” between Rwanda and Senegal.
“Rwanda and Senegal are guided by the same values, putting people first, delivering results, and pursuing a bold, transformative vision,” President Kagame said. “Our discussions today reaffirmed our commitment to act on these principles. We also share the vision of a self-reliant, united continent guided by accountable governance and inclusive development.”
He added that both nations recognise the critical role of Africa’s youth in shaping the continent’s future, emphasising the need to provide them with a stable, fair, and innovative environment to thrive. “Their talent and resilience are undeniable. Our responsibility is to make sure they have the opportunity to meet their full potential,” Kagame noted.
President Faye, on his part, expressed deep admiration for Rwanda’s transformation journey, commending President Kagame’s leadership in turning Rwanda into one of Africa’s most inspiring success stories.
“Rwanda’s resilience and the progress it has made on the path to development since 1994 are remarkable,” Faye said, while also paying tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
He hailed the strong political and diplomatic bonds between the two nations, noting that while relations are excellent, there remains untapped potential in economic and trade cooperation.
“I am convinced that we can do much more in areas such as agriculture, education, health, the digital economy, air transport, infrastructure, culture, and sports,” he said.
President Faye also proposed the creation of a Joint Cooperation Commission to review the state of Rwanda–Senegal collaboration and identify new areas of partnership.
At the continental level, both leaders reaffirmed their shared stance on key African and global issues, underlining their commitment to Africa-led development and mutual support within international platforms. President Faye praised Kagame’s leadership in driving the African Union reform process and his efforts to promote peace and security across the continent.
Rwanda and Senegal have enjoyed cordial diplomatic relations for decades, built on mutual respect and shared aspirations. The establishment of the Rwandan Embassy in Dakar in 2011 marked a turning point in their cooperation, paving the way for stronger engagement in governance, trade, and cultural exchange.
President Kagame last visited Senegal in August 2025, a visit that reinforced both nations’ determination to advance Africa’s transformation agenda through partnership, solidarity, and shared vision.
These include the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and Global Governance Initiative (GGI), all reflecting China’s approach to tackling transnational challenges through multilateral cooperation and a shared future for humanity.
Since their inception, the initiatives have gained support from more than 100 countries and international organizations.
The discussions took place during a one-day webinar themed “The Benefits of China’s Four Global Initiatives to Africa,” organized by Africa-China Review in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda.
The event brought together academics, policymakers, and experts from both regions to exchange insights on how these frameworks are driving inclusive development, peace, and cultural exchange.
Professor Liao Fan, Director General and Senior Fellow at the Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, described the four initiatives as “a systematic response to the challenges of our time.”
He said they aim to build “a fair, equitable, and inclusive international order” by promoting cooperation beyond zero-sum competition.
Prof. Fan also noted that together, the initiatives form “the four pillars of global stability and cooperation,” offering practical solutions to deficits in development, peace, and governance.
He emphasized Africa’s central role in advancing these frameworks, calling it “the heart of the Global South,” and praised the China–Rwanda partnership as “a vivid example of a community with a shared future for mankind.”
Prof. Wang Yongzhong, Director of the World Energy Department at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, shared lessons from China’s remarkable economic growth.
He highlighted how reforms, infrastructure investment, and openness fueled China’s rise from a closed, agrarian economy to the world’s second largest.
Prof. Wang emphasized that Africa and China are “highly complementary economies,” with Africa’s rich natural resources and young labor force aligning with China’s industrial and technological capacity.
Prof. Wang noted that Africa receives “around 40–45 percent of China’s global aid” and that Chinese foreign direct investment has driven industrialization, energy access, and connectivity across the continent.
Reforming global governance for inclusion
Dr. Felicien Ufitumukiza, Deputy CEO of the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), called for “profound reforms of international organizations” to make them more inclusive and equitable.
He argued that “no country is big enough to succeed alone” and urged for Africa’s “active participation and representation in global decision-making.”
Dr. Ufitumukiza, presented Rwanda’s home-grown Governance Scorecard as a model for accountability and self-assessment, saying it serves as “a practical tool for driving policy reform and improving institutional performance.”
Africa’s opportunity for green and digital growth
Kenyan scholar Dr. Adhere Cavince, an international relations expert, said the Global Development Initiative holds “particular significance for Africa” by supporting the continent’s ambitions in poverty reduction, digital transformation, and green energy.
He applauded China’s “zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries” and cited renewable energy partnerships as evidence of China’s role in “transforming African livelihoods.”
Dr. Cavince also emphasized technology transfer, saying, “It is only through this kind of collaboration that Africa can drive industrialization and create jobs for its young population.”
Cooperation for shared peace and stability
Dr. Ismail Buchanan, a senior lecturer at the University of Rwanda, reflected on the Global Security Initiative, describing it as a framework for “shared responsibility and mutual stability.”
He noted that Africa’s conflicts make “security a central challenge to development” and called for partnerships based on “dialogue rather than confrontation.”
Nicholas Dweh Nimley, Managing Editor of the South Liberia Post, said China’s four initiatives offer “pathways to real transformative progress” for countries like Liberia.
He explained that the GDI aligns closely with Liberia’s priorities in “agriculture, rule of law, education, sanitation, and tourism.”
Nicholas cited China-funded projects such as the National Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Laboratory, as well as investments in “roads, hospitals, and the Capitol Building extension.”
He added that Liberia has “sent 22 agricultural experts to China to learn about food preservation” and praised China’s support in “media training and broadcasting infrastructure” as a means to strengthen cultural ties and counter negative stereotypes.
The session was moderated by Gerald Mbanda, Founder of Africa-China Review.
Virgile Rwanyagatare, Director General for Asia, Pacific and Middle East at Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the GCI as an opportunity to deepen cooperation for the benefits of both countries’ people.
Meanwhile, China’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Gao Wenqi reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with African nations under the Four Global Initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping.
Highlighting China’s role as Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, with trade hitting $295.6 billion in 2024 among others, Amb. Gao noted that the initiatives have “moved beyond concept to practice, delivering tangible results across Africa.”
