The 61 year old comedian, whose real name is Scott Christopher Thompson, was hospitalized on September 18 after an incident at his Las Vegas home.
According to a police incident report and court records reviewed by PEOPLE, Thompson had attempted to take his own life and was later found near his backyard pool after contacting a member of his team while distressed.
A source close to the performer told PEOPLE that Thompson is now home with his family and doing well.
His representative had previously said that he was recovering in hospital and receiving the care and support he needed, while asking the public to respect the privacy of Thompson and those close to him.
The latest update comes after several days of concern among fans and colleagues. In an earlier statement, Thompson’s representative said he was awake, breathing on his own and continuing to improve while surrounded by family and close friends.
The representative also said messages from fans had been shared with him during his recovery.
Thompson’s hospitalization led to the cancellation of a scheduled performance at the Luxor in Las Vegas on September 18.
His long running residency at the venue has been a major part of his career. He has performed there since 2005 and is known for his prop based comedy, energetic performances and distinctive red hair.
The comedian began performing stand up while attending Florida Atlantic University and later expanded his career into television and film. He has appeared on shows including Family Guy and Glee, and made a cameo in the television series Hacks in 2024.
His representative has thanked fans for their concern and support while emphasizing the family’s request for privacy as Thompson continues his recovery.
The circumstances surrounding the incident have not been publicly explained in full, and there has been no confirmed statement from Thompson himself about what led to the crisis.
Carrot Top, whose real name is Scott Christopher Thompson, attends an event in Las Vegas.
The disclosure is the latest development in a wider investigation that began after OpenAI revealed in July that one of its AI agents had accidentally hacked the software development platform Hugging Face.
Two people briefed on the matter told Reuters that the company is still working to identify the full scope of activity linked to its agents.
OpenAI said on Friday that its agents had leaked 53 images from ChatGPT users.
The company did not say whether the images were AI-generated or showed real people, and it did not disclose when the images were posted.
Most of the leaked images have since been removed, while OpenAI said it was working with hosting providers to take down the remaining material.
The company has also confirmed that its agents accessed several US government websites, including websites belonging to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commerce Department.
According to Reuters, the agents accessed US Census data through the Commerce Department’s website. OpenAI was also investigating an attempted breach involving the US Department of Education.
The incidents highlight a growing challenge for companies developing increasingly autonomous AI systems.
Unlike conventional chatbots that mainly respond to user prompts, AI agents can perform tasks across websites, software and other digital environments, creating additional risks if their actions are not properly controlled.
One person briefed on OpenAI’s investigation estimated that the company had identified about two dozen incidents involving undesirable agent behavior by mid-September.
That number has continued to increase as teams examine internal records and discover previously unidentified cases.
OpenAI said its review could take months because of the scale of the investigation. The company has also notified dozens of third parties about improper activity.
The investigation has raised questions about the way AI companies monitor autonomous systems and protect information used in developing their models.
OpenAI uses anonymized consumer data for part of its model training process, while enterprise data is excluded from training. Consumer ChatGPT users can opt out of having their conversations used for training.
OpenAI says information used for training goes through an anonymization process intended to remove names, metadata and other identifying information.
However, people familiar with the company’s practices told Reuters that anonymization does not eliminate every privacy risk.
The company published a framework on September 16 for reporting incidents involving its AI systems, saying it would favor transparency even when the significance of an incident remains uncertain.
OpenAI’s investigation comes as technology companies continue developing more autonomous AI systems, increasing attention on how such systems can be monitored, contained and made safer.
OpenAI says it is working to determine the full scope of incidents involving its AI agents and leaked user data.
The study estimates that Phelan-McDermid syndrome could affect about one in every 7,300 people, equivalent to around 13.7 cases per 100,000 people.
In the United States alone, the researchers estimate that more than 45,000 people could be living with the condition.
Phelan-McDermid syndrome is a genetic disorder involving the SHANK3 gene on chromosome 22.
The condition can cause a range of developmental, intellectual, medical and behavioral challenges. Most people with the syndrome also meet the criteria for autism spectrum disorder.
Changes involving SHANK3 are estimated to account for as many as 1% of autism spectrum disorder cases, according to the researchers.
To estimate the prevalence of the syndrome, the Mount Sinai team analyzed information from nearly 180,000 people with autism who had undergone genetic testing.
The researchers combined data from 10 sources, including genetic testing laboratories, hospitals and major autism research programs.
The researchers then adjusted their calculations to account for people who may have the syndrome but have not been diagnosed, limitations in genetic testing and people with Phelan-McDermid syndrome who do not meet the criteria for autism.
They said the gap between estimated and diagnosed cases may partly be explained by limited access to genetic testing.
Some people with developmental disabilities or autism may never be offered genetic testing, while some families may face insurance barriers or receive tests that do not adequately assess the SHANK3 gene.
Tess Levy, the study’s first author and an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said broader genetic testing could help identify people whose condition has not yet been recognized.
The findings come as researchers work on potential targeted treatments for Phelan-McDermid syndrome.
Several clinical trials are underway, including approaches designed around the biological mechanisms involved in the disorder.
Researchers say identifying people with the syndrome could become increasingly important as potential treatments advance.
A genetic diagnosis may also help families access specialized medical care, research programs, clinical trials and patient support networks.
The study, published in Autism Research, was supported by CureSHANK and Neuren Pharmaceuticals.
The researchers described it as one of the most comprehensive efforts so far to estimate the prevalence of Phelan-McDermid syndrome.
The findings suggest that the number of people living with the condition may be substantially higher than the number currently diagnosed, highlighting the importance of genetic testing in identifying previously unrecognized cases.
Researchers estimate that Phelan-McDermid syndrome, a genetic disorder strongly linked to autism, may affect about one in 7,300 people, with many cases potentially remaining undiagnosed.
Iran presented the proposal during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying it had been communicated to Washington through Qatari mediators.
Under the proposal, Iran would reopen the strategically important waterway within seven days and fighting across the region would be paused.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday that Tehran was prepared to move forward if the United States showed seriousness about reaching an agreement.
“If there is seriousness on the US side to come to a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, everything is now prepared,” Araqchi said.
The proposed agreement would also involve wider negotiations on issues agreed by both sides, potentially including Iran’s nuclear programme.
Tehran, however, has said it would not make concessions on its nuclear rights, including uranium enrichment or transferring its highly enriched uranium out of the country.
Iran’s proposal also calls for the United States to lift its blockade on Iranian ports, release frozen Iranian funds and waive oil sanctions. In return, Tehran would halt hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, while reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
A US official had previously described discussions between Washington and Tehran through mediators as “positive and constructive.”
However, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump remained doubtful that Iran would meet his demands and had told aides he expected renewed bombing after the November US midterm elections.
The diplomatic developments come as the seven-month conflict continues to affect regional security and global energy supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil, and disruptions there have contributed to pressure on global energy markets.
Meanwhile, Iran has also engaged Saudi Arabia over arrangements for safe shipping through the strait. Saudi Arabia and its allies have faced increased attacks from Iran-linked Houthi forces, including drone and missile strikes, further widening the regional security crisis.
The latest developments leave the next move largely dependent on whether Washington formally responds to Tehran’s proposal and whether diplomatic efforts can prevent a further escalation of the conflict.
Iran’s proposal is a confirmed development, while the reported US rejection and expected renewed bombing are attributed to the Wall Street Journal
Sports Minister Nelly Mukazayire delivered the President’s message to the players in the dressing room following Rwanda’s 3-1 victory over Liberia in their opening Group K match on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Kagame attended the match at Amahoro Stadium and was pleased with the team’s performance, according to Mukazayire.
“We believe that when we start well, we finish well. We are proud of you and the work you have done because it showed determination, commitment and teamwork, and that was reflected in the result you delivered,” Mukazayire told the players.
She encouraged the team to build on the victory while identifying areas where they could improve.
“This is the beginning. We believe you have seen where you need to put in more effort. The coach and the whole team did well. Whether those on the pitch or those outside it, we could see that everyone was supporting you,” she said.
Mukazayire also urged the players to remain focused and composed, reminding them of their ability to compete against strong opponents.
“Have a clear objective and remain calm. This is one of the messages I was asked to deliver to you. You have talent and ability in the way you play. Another message I was given is that we are all behind you, both the leadership and the fans,” she said.
She acknowledged that Cape Verde would present a difficult challenge but urged Amavubi to approach the match with determination.
“Cape Verde is a strong team, but compete against them, put in the effort and you will beat them,” Mukazayire added.
Rwanda opened its AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign with a 3-1 win over Liberia at Amahoro Stadium, with goals from Abeddy Biramahire, Leroy-Jacques Mickels and Joy-Lance Mickels. Liberia scored through Sylvanus Nimely.
After the first round of matches in Group K, Rwanda and Mali lead the group with three points each, with both teams having a goal difference of plus two. Liberia and Cape Verde are yet to earn points.
Amavubi left Kigali International Airport late on Friday night, heading to Cape Verde for their second qualifying match.
Four players who had been part of the training camp did not travel with the team. They are Mbonyumwami Taiba, Uwiyaremye Fidali, Niyongira Patient and Mugisha Yves.
Rwanda will face Cape Verde on Tuesday, September 29, at the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde in Praia.
Amavubi received a message of encouragement from President Kagame following their 3-1 victory over Liberia.President Kagame has sent a message of encouragement to Amavubi ahead of their AFCON 2027 qualifier against Cape Verde.President Kagame urged Amavubi to remain focused and composed as they prepare to face Cape Verde.Sports Minister Nelly Mukazayire delivered President Kagame’s message to Amavubi players ahead of their match against Cape Verde.
The country’s growing presence in the UK market was highlighted on Thursday in London, where Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the UK, Johnston Busingye, joined several Rwandan women entrepreneurs in the fresh produce sector and a representative of the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) at the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) Fresh Awards.
The event brought together key players from the UK fresh produce industry, providing Rwandan businesses with an opportunity to showcase their products and establish connections with supermarket chains, importers, distributors and other potential buyers.
For High Commissioner Busingye, Rwanda’s participation reflects the growing potential of the country’s horticulture sector and the strategic importance of the British market.
“Rwanda’s participation in the FPC Fresh Awards reflects the growing strength and ambition of our horticulture sector and the importance of the United Kingdom as a market for Rwandan produce,” Busingye said.
He also highlighted the growing role of women entrepreneurs in expanding Rwanda’s presence in international markets.
“We are particularly pleased to see Rwandan women entrepreneurs building relationships with UK buyers and showcasing the quality of what Rwanda has to offer,” he added.
From trade missions to actual exports
Rwanda’s push into the UK market is already producing concrete commercial opportunities.
Earlier this year, the International Trade Centre (ITC) organized the SheTrades Rwanda Trade Mission, bringing nine buyers from Europe and the Middle East to Kigali.
The visiting buyers held business-to-business meetings and visited companies led by Rwandan women operating in fresh produce and processed agrifood.
Among the companies taking part was Selly Faith Ltd, which secured a new UK client following the trade mission.
The company has since exported French beans to the UK, with shipments estimated at more than £80,000 in value within a 10-week period.
The development illustrates how targeted trade missions can help connect Rwandan businesses directly with international buyers and translate market-access initiatives into actual export opportunities.
Women entrepreneurs at the centre of the strategy
Rwanda’s participation in the London event is part of the Value-added Initiative to Boost Employment (VIBE) Programme, jointly implemented by TradeMark Africa and the International Trade Centre, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
Through the ITC SheTrades initiative, the programme works with NAEB and the SheTrades Rwanda Hub, hosted by the Private Sector Federation’s Specialized Cluster, to support women-led businesses in the fresh horticulture and processed agrifood sectors.
The programme is helping these businesses access international markets, including the UK, the European Union and the Middle East.
Beyond increasing exports, the initiative is also aimed at generating wider economic benefits through job creation and improved livelihoods for women, young people and other workers across agricultural value chains.
Madrid next
Rwanda’s international market-access drive will continue next month in Spain.
From October 6 to 8, 2026, 15 Rwandan women-led fresh produce businesses are expected to exhibit at Fruit Attraction in Madrid.
The successive appearances at major international trade events reflect Rwanda’s efforts to give its agricultural products greater visibility abroad while creating direct links between local producers and international buyers.
For Rwanda’s horticulture sector, the focus is increasingly shifting from simply gaining exposure to converting that visibility into long-term commercial partnerships and increased export volumes.
The UK, now identified as Rwanda’s top horticultural export market, is at the centre of that strategy.
karirima@igihe.com
Rwanda’s growing presence in the UK was highlighted on Thursday in London, where High Commissioner Johnston Busingye, joined Rwandan women entrepreneurs in the fresh produce sector and a representative of NAEB at the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) Fresh Awards.
Abeddy Biramahire opened the scoring just two minutes into the match, giving Rwanda an early advantage in front of a large home crowd. Leroy-Jacques Mickels doubled the lead in the 33rd minute before Liberia pulled one back through Sylvanus Nimely five minutes later.
Rwanda restored its two-goal advantage shortly before half-time when Joy-Lance Mickels converted a penalty in the 44th minute.
Liberia’s task became more difficult in the second half when forward Kpah Sean Sherman was shown a straight red card in the 61st minute for a foul on Rwanda’s Bonheur Mugisha, leaving the visitors with 10 players for the remainder of the match.
Rwanda managed the game in the second half to secure three points and begin its qualification campaign on a winning note.
The match attracted thousands of supporters to the newly renovated Amahoro Stadium. President Paul Kagame was also among those who attended the game.
The victory is significant for Rwanda as the team seeks to return to the continental tournament for the first time since its historic debut at AFCON 2004 in Tunisia.
Rwanda came close to ending that wait during the qualifiers for the 2025 edition. The Amavubi finished level with Benin on eight points but missed out on qualification after Benin took the second qualifying position based on their head-to-head record.
The 2027 AFCON finals will be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with the qualification campaign featuring 48 teams divided into 12 groups. The top two teams from nine groups will qualify for the finals, while the qualification arrangements in the groups containing the three host nations differ.
Rwanda will next face Cape Verde in Praia on September 29 in their second Group K fixture.
Speaking at the Élysée Palace after talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, the Pope cautioned against “losing our humanity amid a paradise of machines”.
His remarks came as AI continues to expand across sectors, raising questions about its impact on work, society and human relationships.
Pope Leo XIV was welcomed by Macron at Orly Airport before the two leaders held an hour-long meeting. The pontiff was later due to address crowds in Metz and travel through Paris in his popemobile before meeting about 80,000 young people at the Stade de France.
The centrepiece of his visit will be a Mass at Paris’s Place de la Concorde on Saturday, with more than 500,000 people expected. He will also celebrate Mass in Lourdes on Sunday, where about 150,000 people have registered to attend.
The Pope’s programme includes meetings with migrants in Paris and victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in Lourdes.
His visit comes as France, like much of Europe, has experienced a long-term decline in religious practice. Fewer than 5% of the population now regularly attends Catholic worship, compared with about 35% in 1960.
However, the Church says there are signs of renewed interest in religious traditions. Adult baptisms in France more than doubled over five years, reaching about 10,000 in 2025.
Pope Leo XIV will conclude his visit in Metz on Monday, where he is expected to pay tribute to Robert Schuman, one of the founding figures of the European Union.
Pope Leo XIV warned against the risk of artificial intelligence (AI) undermining human values, as he began a four-day visit to France on Friday.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Wednesday in Gisagara District in Rwanda’s Southern Province, brought together government officials, the Chinese embassy, development partners, local authorities, farmers, contractors and other stakeholders.
The project was financed by the Export-Import Bank of China and constructed by China Geo-Engineering Corporation. With an estimated investment of 47 million U.S. dollars, the project will develop a dam with a storage capacity of about 6.5 million cubic meters, a modern pressurized irrigation system covering more than 2,600 hectares of net irrigated land, and about 48.8 km of lined canals.
Speaking at the ceremony, Rwandan Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Telesphore Ndabamenye said the project represents an important step in Rwanda’s efforts to build a modern and climate-resilient agricultural sector.
“Today is an important milestone in our continued efforts to transform Rwanda’s agriculture into a modern, productive, resilient and commercially oriented sector,” Ndabamenye said.
He noted that the irrigation infrastructure would reduce farmers’ dependence on rainfall, which has increasingly become unreliable due to changing climatic conditions, while enabling farmers to better plan production and respond to market demand.
“The availability of reliable irrigation water will create an enabling environment for more predictable and commercially oriented agricultural production,” the minister said, adding that the investment is expected to increase production, improve farmers’ incomes, create jobs and strengthen agricultural value chains.
Ndabamenye expressed appreciation to China and the Export-Import Bank of China for supporting the project, describing Giseke as a strong demonstration of the Rwanda-China partnership in agricultural transformation and infrastructure development.
Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi said the project comes at a time when developing countries are facing the combined challenges of climate change, erratic rainfall and food insecurity.
“For developing nations, sound agricultural infrastructure constitutes a cornerstone for poverty reduction, food security and rural prosperity,” Gao said.
He described the Giseke project as a tangible outcome of China-Rwanda practical cooperation and South-South cooperation, noting that it aligns with Rwanda’s national agricultural modernization priorities.
Gao said the project will integrate water storage, conveyance, on-farm irrigation and supporting infrastructure. Once operational, it is expected to provide reliable irrigation to thousands of hectares of farmland, helping smallholder farmers gradually shift from rain-fed farming to more stable and productive irrigated agriculture.
Beyond irrigation infrastructure, the project will include rural access road improvements, technical training and knowledge-sharing, creating opportunities for employment and improving the movement of agricultural inputs and produce, Gao said.
Gao called on Rwandan and Chinese partners to maintain close cooperation throughout implementation and ensure that the project becomes a high-quality demonstration of agricultural and water-resource cooperation.
The Giseke Irrigation Project is expected to contribute to increased agricultural productivity and food security while creating opportunities for higher-value crop production, improved market access, and stronger agricultural value chains in Gisagara and surrounding areas, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources.
Rwandan Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Telesphore Ndabamenye delivers a speech during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Giseke Irrigation Project in Gisagara District in Southern Province, Rwanda, on Sept. 23, 2026. Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi delivers a speech during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Giseke Irrigation Project in Gisagara District in Southern Province, Rwanda, on Sept. 23, 2026.
The finalists were selected by a five-member judging panel with expertise in writing, education and other fields related to the promotion of literature.
Now in its third edition, the Radiate Rwanda Literary Excellence Awards are organised by Bridgevision in partnership with various institutions and organisations in Rwanda and internationally.
The awards recognise the contribution of writers to promoting a reading culture and advancing literature.
This year’s edition is being held in partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce in Rwanda (AmCham Rwanda), with support from organisations and institutions including BK Foundation, IGIHE, MoYA, UNESCO Rwanda, the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy and East African University.
The judging panel comprises five professionals with experience in writing, education and other areas related to the development of literature.
It is chaired by Prof. Dr. Calixte Kabera, a writer and Vice Chancellor of East African University. Other members are Prof. Dr. Viateur Ndikumana, a writer and Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics and Research at Kibogora Polytechnic; Thais Ruboneka, Director of American Spaces at the US Embassy in Rwanda; Jerome Kajuga, Director of Culture, Social and Human Sciences at the Rwanda National Commission for UNESCO; and Mathilde Kayitesi, Executive Director of UMUHUZA, an organisation that promotes reading and writing in Rwanda.
The awards feature several categories. The Lifetime Achievement Award has been given to Senegalese writer Boubacar Boris Diop, following a decision by Bridgevision in recognition of his outstanding contribution to literature, his immense body of work.
In the Outstanding Young Rwandan Writer category, the finalists are Fred Mfuranzima, author of Ribrika: A Move Afrika Xperience, and Patrick Nzabonimpa, author of A Thread of Silent Echoes.
The Outstanding Female Rwandan Writer category features Tete Loeper, author of Shut Up and Hide: Memoir of a Genocide Survivor, and Dimitri Sissi Mukanyirigira, author of Do Not Accept to Die.
In the Outstanding Male Rwandan Writer category, the finalists are Jean de Dieu Nsanzabera, author of Umuco mu Buvanganzo, and Valens Kabarari, author of Les Muzungus ne craignent rien.
The Outstanding African Writer category has Toni Kan, author of Riding the Storm, and Donica Merhazion, author of Born at the End of the World, as finalists.
Bridgevision CEO Joe E. Sully said the judging panel brought together experts capable of carefully assessing the shortlisted books.
“Our judging panel comprises experts representing five respected institutions in Rwanda and internationally, and we believe they have done a great job selecting books that contribute to educating, informing, teaching and comforting Rwandan and African readers across different parts of the continent,” he said.
Sully said the involvement of the experts in assessing the shortlisted books was an important achievement for the awards.
“We are fulfilling our goal of making Kigali a literary hub in Africa,” he said.
Boubacar Boris Diop has already been confirmed for the Lifetime Achievement Award, while the winners in the other four categories will be announced during the Radiate Rwanda Awards ceremony on November 6, 2026, in Kigali.
The five-member judging panel comprises professionals with experience in writing, education and the promotion of literature.The 2026 Radiate Rwanda Literary Excellence Awards have entered the final stage, with eight writers shortlisted across four categories.The winners in the four competitive categories will be announced at the Radiate Rwanda Awards ceremony on November 6, 2026, in Kigali.
