A total of 34 Toyota pickup trucks equipped with mounted weapons, two light armored vehicles (one of which was destroyed), and dozens of motorcycles, weapons and accessories, among others, were recovered, Niger’s national television reported.
Niger’s Forces vives de la Nation, a grouping representing various sectors of society, organised a rally Wednesday at the Place de la Concertation in Niamey.
The rally was attended by members of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, government officials, and thousands of residents. Organizers said the event was intended to express support for the national authorities and reaffirm their commitment to Niger’s sovereignty and national refoundation.
The Nigerien Defense Ministry announced Saturday that it had foiled an attempted mutiny involving a group of soldiers at Air Base 101 in Niamey.
According to a ministry statement, a group of soldiers “who had broken with military discipline and regulations” attempted to detain some of their fellow soldiers at the base and opened fire at several sensitive sites in the capital. The swift response of the defense and security forces brought the movement under control and enabled them to regain control of the sites concerned.
Niger’s Defense and Security Forces seized a large cache of weapons and military equipment after quelling a mutiny at Base 101 in Niamey, local media reported Wednesday.
“It was a very heavy attack last night, and we’re prepared to do another one any time we want,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
The U.S. military “took out all of the new equipment that they tried to build along the Strait of Hormuz,” said Trump.
Iranian officials said Wednesday that the U.S. strike on Tuesday night hit a wedding party in southern Iran, killing at least four people and wounding dozens of others.
The U.S. Central Command said Wednesday it was looking into the reports and the U.S. military “never targets civilians.”
When asked on Wednesday afternoon whether he really intended to rename the Strait of Hormuz after himself, Trump said: “No, no … it was just thrown out there.”
Trump floated the idea of renaming the strategic waterway earlier Wednesday, less than one week after he signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America” amid escalating tensions with Canada over tariff disputes.
“Now that we have it under U.S.A. control, should we change the name Hormuz Strait to TRUMP STRAIT???” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Trump told a rally in Long Island last month that he would declare the strait a U.S. territory, U.S. media reported.
“After we finish defeating Iran — which is being very badly defeated — pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States,” Trump said.
Trump told a rally in Long Island last month that he would declare the strait a U.S. territory
Evra shared his reflections on social media, describing his visit to the memorial as “deep, powerful and emotional” and saying he believes understanding a country’s history is important to understanding its people.
“I want to say sorry for what happened to my Rwandan brothers and sisters,” Evra said on Wednesday. “No words can ever change the past, but seeing what Rwanda has built and how the country continues to move forward is truly inspiring.”
The former left-back also expressed respect for the country’s leadership, recalling that he had met President Paul Kagame in the past.
“I met your President a long time ago, but after seeing and understanding more about Rwanda’s journey, I have an even deeper respect for the way these difficult matters have been handled,” he said.
Evra also visited Kigali Golf Resort & Villas during his stay in the Rwandan capital.
The football legend is among the international guests expected to attend the Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony scheduled for September 4, 2026.
He is expected to be joined by other prominent football figures, including former France international Mamadou Sakho, who played for Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool.
The Kwita Izina ceremony brings together international figures, conservationists, government officials and other guests to celebrate Rwanda’s mountain gorilla conservation efforts.
Evra enjoyed a distinguished career as a left-back, representing several top European clubs, including Manchester United, Marseille and Juventus.
During his time at Manchester United, he won five English Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League in 2008. He also represented and captained the France national team, making 81 international appearances.
In his message, Evra concluded by calling for Rwanda’s history to be remembered while safeguarding its future.
“Respect Rwanda. The past must never be forgotten, and the future must always be protected,” he said.
My first day in Rwanda 🇷🇼 and I’m not disappointed at all!
Whenever I travel, I feel it’s important to understand the history of the country to truly understand its people. My visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial was deep, powerful and emotional. ❤️🇷🇼
The commitment was reiterated on Wednesday, at RDF Headquarters in Kimihurura, where the RDF Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen MK Mubarakh, received the Commander of the Botswana Defence Force, Gen Mpho Churchill Mophuting, who is in Rwanda to attend the 2026 Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group meeting.
Gen MK Mubarakh commended the progress made in defence cooperation between the two countries, particularly through the exchange of military training opportunities at various levels.
He noted that these opportunities have enabled officers from both defence forces to gain a deeper understanding of each other’s institutions, share operational experiences and strengthen professional ties.
The RDF Chief of Defence Staff also welcomed the establishment of the National Defence University Rwanda (NDU-R), including the National Defence College Rwanda, which commenced programmes this year.
He expressed Rwanda’s readiness to welcome officers from the Botswana Defence Force to these institutions as part of efforts to further expand and deepen military training cooperation.
RDF Chief of Defence Staff Gen MK Mubarakh met Botswana Defence Force Commander Gen Mpho Churchill Mophuting in Kigali.RDF Chief of Defence Staff Gen MK Mubarakh received the Commander of the Botswana Defence Force, Gen Mpho Churchill Mophuting at RDF Headquarters on Wednesday, September 3, 2026. Rwanda and Botswana have explored new opportunities to advance defence training and institutional cooperation.
According to the Office of the President, the meeting at Urugwiro Village focused on the need to address the root causes of the conflict in eastern DRC and its impact on Rwanda’s security.
The talks come amid continued international efforts to find a lasting solution to insecurity in eastern DRC, where several armed groups remain active.
MONUSCO, established in 2010 after succeeding the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC), has a primary mandate to protect civilians under threat of physical violence, support efforts to stabilise the country, facilitate humanitarian access and assist with disarmament and reintegration of armed groups. Its mandate also includes supporting peace processes and strengthening state institutions.
The mission has, however, faced longstanding criticism over its effectiveness in protecting civilians and containing armed groups despite its prolonged presence in eastern DRC.
A 2019 UN Strategic Assessment found that after initial operational successes in 2013, the intensity and effectiveness of MONUSCO’s offensive operations steadily declined over the subsequent years, contributing to the resilience of armed groups and worsening insecurity in parts of eastern DRC. The mission also experienced a growing crisis of legitimacy among local populations, with widespread perceptions of ineffectiveness triggering anti-UN protests that peaked in 2022.
MONUSCO has continued to operate in areas where it can access, conducting patrols, supporting the Congolese authorities and facilitating humanitarian assistance. In 2026, the mission has also been involved in monitoring ceasefires and supporting disarmament efforts involving armed groups, including the FDLR.
FDLR remains a key security concern
For Rwanda, one of the longstanding security concerns linked to the conflict is the presence of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group formed by remnants of forces and militias involved in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The group has operated in eastern DRC for more than three decades. Rwanda has also repeatedly raised concerns over the FDLR’s continued presence as a threat to its national security and over the group’s role in spreading genocidal ideology and persecuting Congolese Tutsi communities.
The issue was also addressed in the June 27, 2025 peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC, signed with US support. Among the agreement’s provisions was the dismantling of the FDLR by the DRC and the subsequent removal of Rwanda’s defensive measures.
Rwanda has maintained that it cannot remove those measures while the FDLR remains operational, arguing that doing so would expose the country to a security threat.
A July 2026 report by UN experts cited competing estimates of the FDLR’s strength. While the group claims to have more than 10,000 fighters, the report said the figures were not considered reliable. UN and intelligence estimates put the group’s total strength at between 3,500 and 4,500 fighters.
Speaking at a press conference on August 24, Kagame said the DRC government lacked the political will to address the FDLR question, accusing Kinshasa of alternating between acknowledging the group’s existence and denying it.
He said Rwanda would continue to prioritise its security regardless of the circumstances.
“The handling and mishandling of this problem over many years is known. The actors are known,” he remarked, adding, “We behave in a manner that protects us at any cost. We will do anything that contributes to that protection, day or night,” he stressed.
According to the Office of the President, the meeting at Urugwiro Village focused on the need to address the root causes of the conflict in eastern DRC and its impact on Rwanda’s security.
The concerns were raised during the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali, where industry representatives discussed the role of the private sector in improving soil health and building more resilient food systems.
Dr. Innocent Okuku, Director General and CEO of the Africa Fertiliser Industry Development Association (AFIDA), said about 60% of Africa’s cropland is estimated to have degraded soils, largely due to poor soil management.
“Fertiliser is neither good nor bad. You can make it good if you use it correctly, and you can make it bad if you don’t use it correctly,” Okuku said on Tuesday during a discussion on soil health held on the sidelines of the forum, which brought together experts from various countries and was moderated by Øystein Botillen, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Yara International.
He said improving soil health requires a broader approach that goes beyond simply increasing fertiliser use.
Dr. Innocent Okuku (far left), Director General and CEO of the Africa Fertiliser Industry Development Association (AFIDA), said about 60% of Africa’s cropland is estimated to have degraded soils, largely due to poor soil management.
AFIDA, which brings together private-sector companies involved in fertiliser manufacturing, importing, distribution and retailing, is promoting the use of different soil-health products depending on farmers’ needs.
These include mineral and organic fertilisers, as well as soil amendments such as lime for acidic soils and soil binders aimed at improving soil properties.
Okuku said the association is also investing in farmer education to ensure fertilisers are used appropriately and sustainably.
Last month, AFIDA trained final-year agriculture students at the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) on sustainable fertiliser use. The aim was to equip future agricultural professionals with knowledge they can use to advise farmers and improve productivity without damaging soils.
The association is also planning a youth programme focused on soil health, which is expected to be launched in early 2027. The programme will seek to train young people to support smallholder farmers in improving soil health and agricultural production.
The discussion on soil health brought together experts from various countries and was moderated by Øystein Botillen, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Yara International.
Calls for changes in fertiliser subsidies
The private sector also called for reforms to fertiliser subsidy programmes, arguing that poorly designed systems can discourage companies from investing in agricultural input markets.
Okuku said some suppliers in Africa have participated in government subsidy programmes only to wait one or two years to be paid, putting their businesses under financial pressure.
“When you supply and you don’t get paid for one or two years, your business will collapse,” he remarked.
He added that subsidy programmes can sometimes create incentives for farmers or traders to resell subsidised fertiliser rather than use it on their farms.
Anup Jagwani, the World Bank Group’s Global Director for Farming and Agribusiness, similarly called for governments to rethink how fertiliser subsidies are delivered, arguing that the private sector is better placed to handle the purchase, storage and distribution of inputs.
“We don’t think that government should be in the business of buying fertiliser, storing fertiliser or distributing fertiliser. That’s not the role. That’s not the most effective role for governments. It takes up capital and resources. The private sector is better placed to do that,” he said.
Anup Jagwani, the World Bank Group’s Global Director for Farming and Agribusiness, similarly called for governments to rethink how fertiliser subsidies are delivered.
One option discussed was the use of electronic vouchers, which could allow farmers to access subsidised inputs while enabling private companies to participate more effectively in the market.
The discussions came as African countries seek to increase agricultural productivity while dealing with declining external development financing and growing pressure on food systems.
Okuku said donor funding for African agriculture has fallen by more than 70%, making greater private-sector investment necessary to expand production and strengthen food systems.
Yara backs soil testing in Rwanda
In Rwanda, fertiliser manufacturer Yara is prioritising soil testing and customised crop nutrition solutions to boost farm productivity.
Winnie Nganga, Director at Yara International, said the Norwegian company has been operating in Rwanda for 10 years and provides farmers with fertiliser as well as education on crop nutrition.
Winnie Nganga, Director at Yara International, said the company has operated in Rwanda for 10 years, supplying fertiliser and training farmers.
Yara is working with the government under the Rwanda Food Basket initiative, providing fertiliser recommendations aimed at improving soil health and increasing farm yields.
Nganga said Yara uses soil testing to determine nutrient deficiencies and develop fertiliser solutions suited to particular soils and crops.
She said the company sees mineral fertilisers as working alongside organic fertilisers rather than as alternatives to them.
“You cannot work alone,” Nganga noted, stressing the importance of combining approaches to improve soil health.
Yara currently supplies Rwanda from its blending plant in Tanzania but says it has “bigger growth plans” for the Rwandan market.
The company is also engaging the government on areas where it can contribute to national agricultural priorities, including the country’s long-term development ambitions under Vision 2050.
Harmonising fertiliser rules
AFIDA is also pushing for greater harmonisation of fertiliser registration and quality-control systems across African markets.
Okuku said fragmented regulations can make it difficult for companies to operate across borders and slow farmers’ access to suitable agricultural inputs.
The association is working with regional bodies, including the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), on efforts to harmonise fertiliser registration and quality standards.
COMESA is seeking harmonisation among its 21 member states, a move that could make it easier for fertiliser companies to operate across markets while maintaining quality standards.
AFIDA, which was established about a year ago, currently has activities in around 12 African countries and plans to expand its work across the continent.
Okuku said the association was formed partly to give private-sector players a stronger collective voice in discussions with governments and policymakers.
He argued that the private sector needs an enabling policy environment if it is to invest more in agriculture, particularly at a time when governments face limited resources and Africa’s food systems are under growing pressure.
The Kigali discussions placed soil health at the centre of efforts to raise agricultural productivity, with participants arguing that higher yields cannot be sustained without restoring the health and productivity of Africa’s soils.
The discussion on soil health brought together experts from various countries to deliberate on ways to improve soil health and build resilient food systems.
The protective bubble, known as the heliosphere, is created by the solar wind released by the Sun. It helps shield Earth and other planets from some particles and radiation coming from interstellar space.
Scientists from NASA’s SHIELD science center used computer simulations to study how the heliosphere may have changed as the solar system travelled through the Milky Way.
Their findings suggest that the Sun may have passed through extremely cold and dense clouds of gas and dust several times.
The pressure from these clouds could have compressed the heliosphere, potentially shrinking it to a size smaller than Earth’s orbit.
Researchers identified possible encounters around 2 to 3 million years ago, 6 to 7 million years ago and 13 to 14 million years ago.
During these periods, Earth may have been more exposed to material from interstellar space. Scientists have found evidence of interstellar particles in places including deep-sea sediments, Antarctic samples and lunar material.
The researchers believe changes in the heliosphere could have influenced Earth’s atmosphere and climate by allowing more interstellar material to reach the planet.
A second NASA-funded study examined Earth about three billion years ago, when the young Sun produced only around 70% of the energy it produces today.
Despite receiving less sunlight, geological evidence shows that liquid water existed on Earth.
Scientists suggest that powerful eruptions from the young Sun may have helped keep the planet warm.
Energetic particles from these eruptions could have triggered chemical reactions in the atmosphere, producing greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide.
These gases may have trapped enough heat to keep Earth warm enough for liquid water to remain on its surface.
Together, the studies suggest that Earth’s climate and ability to support life may have been influenced by both the Sun’s activity and the solar system’s changing environment as it moved through the Milky Way.
The findings provide new insights into Earth’s ancient climate and may help scientists understand whether similar conditions could support life on planets around other stars.
Scientists say the Sun’s journey through the Milky Way and its violent early activity may have influenced Earth’s climate and helped create conditions suitable for life.
The facility was announced by Dr. Gérardine Mukeshimana, Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), during the forum’s opening ceremony. It brings together IFAD, Equity Bank, the Nordic Development Fund (NDF), Finland and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as partners.
Mukeshimana said public finance alone cannot deliver the transformation Africa’s food systems need, and that public resources must be used to reduce risks and unlock private capital. She cited IFAD’s own evidence showing that projects with private sector participation generate income gains of over 64%, four times greater than projects without private sector involvement.
“Public resources must be used strategically to remove constraints, to reduce risks and to unlock private sector capital,” she said, adding that IFAD focuses its investments on “the first mile of the food systems where risks are greatest, finance is the scarcest and impact is greatest.”
Dr. Gérardine Mukeshimana, Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), addresses delegates at the Kigali Convention Centre on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
The announcement was one of several financing commitments made at the forum. IFAD also announced a $10 million facility, in partnership with AGDV, to support the growth of small agribusinesses across the continent. Separately, the Bank of Kigali and IFAD are set to sign a $21 million blended finance agreement on Friday to support farmers’ organisations.
Mukeshimana said approximately 60% of IFAD’s core resources are currently invested in Africa, and linked the new commitments to IFAD’s ongoing 14th replenishment process, known as IFAD14, which aims to strengthen the institution as an investment platform that scales proven approaches and attracts private capital to underserved areas.
She also referenced a recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, which found that the rise of hunger in Africa has halted. She described this as encouraging news, but said the task now is to turn that progress into lasting transformation by making nutritious diets more affordable, creating decent jobs and building resilience.
The announcement came on the opening day of the AFSF 2026, held under the theme “Investing in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience.” The forum, marking its 20th anniversary this year, has drawn more than 5,000 stakeholders from over 50 countries to Kigali.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva said about 309 million Africans were affected by hunger in 2025, representing roughly 20% of the continent’s population, while about 57% of Africans experience moderate or severe food insecurity. He called on the forum to help translate commitments into investable plans, strengthen entire food value chains, and scale successful innovations across the continent.
Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye said Rwanda’s experience shows what is possible when policy, investment, institutions and partnerships are aligned under effective governance, pointing to the country’s Vision 2050 and National Strategy for Transformation as frameworks guiding its agricultural transformation.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva said 309 million Africans faced hunger in 2025, urging the forum to turn commitments into investable plans and strengthen food value chains. More than 5,000 stakeholders from over 50 countries have gathered in Kigali to discuss investment in Africa’s food systems.
Data from Spain’s Health Ministry showed that 2,149 excess deaths were attributed to heat in August.
The figure makes it the second-deadliest August for heat-related deaths since Spain’s Daily Mortality Monitoring System, known as MoMo, began monitoring heat-related mortality in 2015.
The highest number was recorded in August 2025, when an estimated 2,184 deaths were linked to excessive heat.
The latest figures also reveal the wider impact of extreme temperatures during the summer.
Between May 15 and August 31, Spain recorded an estimated 5,234 heat-related deaths, making 2026 the deadliest summer for heat-related mortality since the monitoring system was introduced.
Catalonia recorded the highest number of heat-related deaths in August, with an estimated 1,164 deaths. Valencia followed with 227, while Andalusia recorded 138.
Older people were among those particularly vulnerable to the extreme heat.
High temperatures can place significant stress on the body and worsen existing health problems, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.
Heat-related deaths are not always recorded directly on death certificates because extreme temperatures can aggravate underlying illnesses rather than being identified as the immediate cause of death.
Spain’s monitoring system therefore estimates heat-related mortality by examining mortality patterns alongside temperature conditions.
The figures come after a summer of unusually high temperatures across Spain and other parts of Europe.
Spain experienced several intense heatwaves, with temperatures in some areas rising above 40 degrees Celsius.
The country’s national weather agency, AEMET, reported exceptionally high temperatures during the summer, adding to concerns about the growing health risks associated with prolonged periods of extreme heat.
Spain’s experience is part of a broader trend affecting Europe, where increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves are creating serious public health challenges.
Experts have warned that climate change is contributing to more extreme heat events, increasing the risk to vulnerable populations.
Health authorities have encouraged people to take precautions during periods of extreme heat, including staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged exposure to high temperatures and paying particular attention to elderly people and those with existing health conditions.
With more than 5,200 estimated heat-related deaths recorded between May and August, the figures highlight the potentially deadly consequences of extreme temperatures and the growing need for effective heat-warning systems and measures to protect vulnerable communities.
Spain recorded an estimated 2,149 heat-related deaths in August 2026 as extreme temperatures continued across the country.
The couple announced the arrival of their baby boy, Aurelius, on September 1, sharing the news on social media alongside photographs of themselves with their newborn son.
Sean, 50, and Kemp Muhl, 39, appeared in matching black-and-white outfits as they introduced their son to the world.
The announcement marks a new chapter for the couple, who have been together for many years and have also worked together musically.
Their relationship began after they met at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2005. They began dating in 2007 and later formed the musical duo ‘The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger’, combining their interests in music and art.
Kemp Muhl has also built her own career as a musician, model and creative artist, while Sean has continued his career as a singer, songwriter and producer.
He has worked on several musical projects, including collaborations with his mother, Yoko Ono, and other prominent artists.
Sean’s new role as a father also adds another generation to one of music history’s most famous families.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono welcomed Sean on October 9, 1975, which was also John Lennon’s 35th birthday. Lennon was killed in December 1980, when Sean was only five years old.
Sean has spoken over the years about the lasting influence of his father and how music helped him maintain a connection with him after his death.
He has also played an important role in preserving and promoting his parents’ musical legacy.
Aurelius is the first known grandchild of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, making his arrival a significant moment for the Lennon family.
The birth has already attracted congratulatory messages from musicians and other public figures, including Patti Smith and Willow Smith.
Kemp Muhl has also offered glimpses of the couple’s early experience as parents, joking about the challenges of sleepless nights and adjusting to life with a newborn.
Sean Ono Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl have welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Aurelius.
