Signed by RDB CEO Francis Gatare, this directive is geared towards cultivating a vibrant celebratory ambiance while prioritizing public safety. Effective from December 15, 2023, to January 7, 2024, these guidelines promise to redefine the way Rwandans and visitors experience the joy of the season.
In terms of operational hours, the guidelines grant hospitality establishments—including hotels, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs—an extended timeframe until 2:00 am (2 hours after midnight) on Mondays through Thursdays.
The real excitement, however, unfolds on Fridays, weekends, and public holidays, where these establishments are given the green light to operate round-the-clock. The only caveat is a reminder to adhere to noise pollution regulations and consider those seeking respite. Notably, these flexible operating hours also extend to private events, ensuring a seamless and lively celebration experience.
As the festive fervor takes hold, individuals are encouraged to self-regulate responsibly. The RDB, in collaboration with other pertinent government bodies, is committed to ensuring the effective implementation of these guidelines. Entities found flouting these directives will be held accountable, ensuring a cohesive and secure celebratory environment.
In tandem with the operational hour guidelines, the RDB underscores critical aspects of alcohol consumption to enhance public safety.
Serving alcohol to individuals under 18 years of age is strictly prohibited, mirroring a commitment to responsible practices. Additionally, hospitality establishments are enjoined to refrain from serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated persons, further promoting a safe and enjoyable atmosphere.
Consumers, in turn, are urged to embrace responsibility in their drinking habits, with a strong emphasis on refraining from driving under the influence of alcohol.
Mitchell highlighted a glaring contradiction in the UNHCR’s position, as the agency expressed reservations about the UK’s proposal to relocate migrants to Rwanda, citing safety concerns.
Simultaneously, the UNHCR has been actively involved in sending immigrants from Libya to the same destination.
The British Parliament recently passed a law affirming Rwanda as a safe country for hosting the transfer of immigrants who have illegally entered the United Kingdom.
This decision is a crucial component of the UK government’s strategy to curb illegal entries into the country by sea. However, the policy has encountered opposition from various UN agencies, including the UNHCR.
During an interview with AFP, Mitchell expressed his astonishment at the UNHCR’s stance, stating that he was genuinely surprised that the UNHCR strongly opposes Britain’s plan to send people to Rwanda, claiming it is not safe.
Mitchell underscored the significance of the British program in combating human trafficking in the English Channel, emphasizing the vulnerability of individuals subjected to dangerous journeys. He stated, “Many people, tragically, have lost their lives being smuggled through what is the largest and busiest navigational route in the world to enter the UK illegally.
The Secretary of State found it perplexing that the UNHCR criticized the British initiative while simultaneously participating in a similar action.
He said that it seems illogical that the UNHCR opposes Britain sending people to what they deem an unsafe country when their actions, like sending individuals to Rwanda, contradict that viewpoint.
In March 2023, Rwanda welcomed the 13th batch of 150 asylum seekers from Libya, directed to the Gashora transit camp, which serves as a temporary residence for refugees and migrants from Libya. The UNHCR spokesperson clarified that the camp serves as a transit location for specific reasons.
Featuring 10 cabins, including two executive suites and two deluxe cabins, the Mantis Kivu Queen uBuranga provides guests with a comfortable and luxurious experience. Onboard amenities include a restaurant, bar, plunge pool, jacuzzi, and various outdoor spaces, allowing guests to relax while enjoying breathtaking vistas.
Craig Erasmus, Vice President Operations Sub Saharan Africa for Fairmont and Mantis, describes the experience as an extraordinary blend of luxury, exploration, and conservation against the backdrop of Lake Kivu’s beauty and ecological significance. The houseboat aligns with Mantis, Accor’s conservation and sustainability brand, reflecting a commitment to environmental value and community development.
The two-night/three-day itinerary offers an all-inclusive package with opportunities to add unique experiences, such as gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park or encountering chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park. Other activities include excursions to local fishing communities, exploring hiking trails, kayaking in pristine waters, and bird watching.
Guests can also explore smaller islands in Lake Kivu, including Napoleon Island, Teddy Bear Island, Monkey Island, and Peace Island. Stephane Castell, Regional Manager for Mantis Rwanda, expresses excitement that travelers can now witness mountain gorillas and chimpanzees without enduring long road trips. Additionally, the connection to other Mantis properties in the region allows guests to further explore Rwanda’s diverse offerings.
Mantis, a leading conservation-focused hotel group, offers curated hotels, eco-lodges, and waterway experiences worldwide. With a commitment to responsible tourism, conservation, and adventure, Mantis creates unique travel experiences that respect the environment and local communities. Part of Accor, Mantis stands out for its exceptional destinations and experiences that defy expectations and leave a lasting impression on guests.
Ndayishimiye, during his tenure, endeavored to bring about significant changes in Burundi, a country that had faced isolation since 2015. This marked the beginning of his international engagements, spanning Tanzania, Uganda, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United States, China, and other nations.
On July 22, 2022, Ndayishimiye succeeded Uhuru Kenyatta as the Chairperson of the East African Community, assuming responsibility for the initiatives to restore peace in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He actively participated in various meetings alongside fellow leaders.
During the third round of Nairobi-Congo negotiations on November 28, 2022, Ndayishimiye, in his capacity as the EAC representative, provided counsel to assist in achieving the desired security outcomes. Emphasizing the Congolese people’s agency, he asserted that their solutions lay within, cautioning against reliance on external aid.
In a pivotal shift in August 2023, Ndayishimiye collaborated with President Félix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa, agreeing to support the DRC’s efforts against the M23 armed group. This collaboration led to the deployment of soldiers from Burundi to North Kivu Province.
Reports surfaced on social media, particularly among Burundian refugees, suggesting the involvement of Burundian soldiers in the conflict. The Burundian army spokesperson, Col. Floribert Biyereke, refuted these claims, asserting that the soldiers in Masisi were part of the EAC mission.
M23 countered with accusations that Burundian soldiers were aiding their adversaries. Despite expressing a desire for peace in regional talks, M23 leaders were astonished when President Ndayishimiye seemingly shifted allegiance, prompting a meeting between M23 President Bertrand Bisimwa and the Burundian Head of State in Bujumbura.
Bisimwa, perplexed by the apparent change, conveyed his astonishment at the Burundian Army’s transformation into perceived adversaries. He questioned the inconsistency between Ndayishimiye’s peacemaker image and Burundi’s involvement against M23.
The reported financial aspects of the agreement between Ndayishimiye and Tshisekedi raised concerns. Allegedly, the DRC paid substantial sums to Burundi, with each Burundian soldier in the DRC expected to receive $5000 per month, along with a $200 incentive for those actively engaged in warfare.
Discrepancies in payment led to dissent among Burundian soldiers, resulting in some refusing to participate in the war against M23.
On November 22, 2023, reports indicated varying payment amounts, ranging from $50 for junior soldiers to $100 for senior officers, further adding to the discontent. Some soldiers, unsure of the cause they were fighting for, refused to engage in combat, leading to their return to Bujumbura for investigation.
Suppose you are attending a meeting and tea is being served. Upon looking inside your cup, you recognize that there is only a small quantity of tea. Would you complain about your cup being unfilled, or would you just embrace the warmth of the tea as you take a sip after another?
While a pessimist will always look at a rainy day and think of how it ruined their plans, an optimist will look at every drop that falls and fantasize about how flowers will bloom because of that same rain. Optimists will always believe in a successful plan, a beautiful tomorrow and a blissful future.
According to science, optimism is beneficial not in the way one gets out of trouble, but in the way they react to stressful events. Optimists will always find a positive lens to view things through, which in the end, will bring bliss into their lives. If we dive in, we’ll find more benefits of optimism:
Optimists live a good long life. This might be due to the fact that optimists are thought to engage in healthy behaviors like eating well, laughing a lot, working out, etc. These behaviors are believed to boost their immune system and improve their cardiovascular life which in return extend their lifetime.
Apart from that, optimists’ bodies produce a small amount of stress hormones, and in the end, this prevents the accidental increase in their blood sugar and developing diabetes.
Optimists achieve a lot. I am sure you know at least one person who gives up before they even start something. To be honest, how can you get something if you’ve never tried it? According to Albert Einstein, ‘a person who never made a mistake has never tried anything new’. Through this and a positive mind, an optimist tries out everything, be it difficult or almost impossible. This makes them learn a lot and achieve a lot.
Adding to all these, optimists tend to be emotionally healthy. Just close your eyes and picture a person who always sees the good in every situation.
Even if their loved one is in the operating room, they are as calm as a beautiful ocean. On that note, how would they ever be emotionally unwell if nothing ever stresses them? Because after all, emotional wellbeing dies when we are overwhelmed by stress of any kind.
Some people are blessed enough to be born as optimists that they don’t have to put any effort into it. However, it is not so depressing if you’re not one. As long you want to become so optimistic, here are tips on how to practice it:
{{Practice gratitude}}
Yes, there are a lot of things that we lack. But what if we were to take a look at what we already have? Aren’t they precious and worth our gratitude? By appreciating little things, we train our minds to be grateful for whatever life brings in front of us.
{{Don’t blame yourself when things go wrong}}
Always remember that mistakes happen in life. We are only humans, making mistakes is a part of our life and it is the only way we can learn new things.
{{Remind yourself that setbacks are temporal}}
Everything passes. If you get a small grade in your CAT, for instance, always remember that you can do better tomorrow. You can just create improvement opportunities instead of blaming yourself. Remember beating yourself up only brings wounds.
{{Reward yourself}}
Whenever you achieve or do something, be it big or just small, give yourself credits. Recognize your efforts and appreciate yourself. Buy yourself something if you can and if you can’t, at least call yourself cool names.
In this life where things happen and fall out of our hands, it is only right to accept and appreciate what is already here, especially now that we know that not everything can be changed. With an optimistic mind, changing what we can and being grateful for what we have is almost all we need to live long with a smile on our faces.
Diaa Rashwan said in a statement that since Oct. 21, 4,057 humanitarian aid trucks have been sent from Egypt to the besieged Palestinian enclave via the Rafah border crossing.
This includes 3,866 tons of medical supplies, 22,799 tons of food, 13,936 tons of water, 5,073 tons of other relief materials, 2,678 tons of fuel, besides 48 ambulances and 222 tents and pieces of tarpaulins.
“Egypt is continuing its intense efforts to ensure the constant entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza,” the Egyptian official said.
The Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza has been the only lifeline to provide the enclave with relief supplies, donated by Egypt and other countries as well as local and international organizations.
Gaza has been under massive Israeli siege and bombardment since Oct. 7, which has killed so far over 18,600 Palestinians and wounded 50,594 others, Gaza’s Health Ministry stated on Wednesday.
The Israeli escalation came in retaliation for an attack by the Gaza-ruling Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) that killed about 1,200 in Israel, with Hamas taking more than 200 as hostages, according to Israeli reports.
Egypt has worked with Qatar and the United States to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that lasted for one week, from Nov. 24 to Nov. 30, during which the two sides swapped detainees. Fighting resumed shortly after the collapse of the truce.
William Fayia Sellu, inspector general of the Sierra Leonean police, told a press conference Tuesday that the suspects include former President Ernest Bai Koroma, 50 currently serving military officers, and five dismissed military officers, among others.
Sellu said the former president has been granted bail with specific confinement at his residence in Freetown, while the remaining 79 suspects are in custody at the criminal investigations department.
The inspector general urged the public to provide useful information leading to the arrest of the remaining suspects still on the run.
On Nov. 26, some armed individuals attacked a military barracks, a prison, and other locations in Freetown, leaving more than 20 people killed in what the government said later was a failed attempted coup.
The training on Police techniques and methodologies for scuba diving in low visibility condition and emergency response, was facilitated by Carabinieri Scuba trainers
The pass-out held on the shores of Lake Kivu was characterized with exercise demonstrations on emergency rescue of a drowning person and recovery of a missing object.
Trainees used advanced search techniques, methods and hydrostatic lifting flask, a special lifting tool, to retrieve a heavy object from 21 metres deep.
The Commanding Officer for Police Marine unit, Assistant Commissioner of Police ACP Elias Mwesigye, thanked the trainers for the energy and commitment that made the course a success.
He also commended the trainees for the discipline and urged them to continuously practice what they have learnt to hone their skills and to deliver marine services professionally.
Meta conducted a pilot program with eligible Kenyan content creators, and as a result, Ruto conveyed positive news for the creative community. He mentioned that Meta has committed to supporting creators in Kenya by expanding monetization opportunities, allowing more individuals to make a living through their passion.
The move positions Kenya alongside Egypt and South Africa, the only two African countries participating in the Facebook Creator program.
Egypt and South Africa have been the sole countries on the continent where Facebook content creators could monetize their audience or content. Facebook, a widely used social networking app, connects users globally through private chats, photo and video sharing, and profile updates, redefining relationships in the digital age.
The compensation for Facebook content creators in Africa, including Kenya, ranges from Sh1,200 ($8) to Sh3,000 ($20) per 1,000 views. This is influenced by the underdeveloped marketing industry in most African countries compared to more developed countries like the USA, Australia, Canada, and the UK, resulting in a lower average CPM.
To provide context, Egypt ranks 10th globally in Facebook usage, with 42 million users in 2023, while South Africa holds the 20th position with over 20 million users. Content creators, particularly micro-influencers with one to ten thousand followers, can potentially earn between Sh92,000 ($600) to Sh200,000 ($1,300) monthly.
Monetizing Facebook accounts not only offers a passive income source but also fosters stronger relationships with fans and followers through entertaining and high-value content. However, certain minimum requirements on Facebook pages or profiles must be met before earning through in-stream ads for video-on-demand and live videos.
As for Rwanda, the options for content monetization are currently provided by YouTube, Google, Twitter, and TikTok. For Facebook and Instagram users in Rwanda, the process involves collaborating with individuals in countries offering such options, creating American profiles, and fulfilling requirements for earning money. This practice extends to interactions, where the number of followers influences potential earnings through advertising partnerships.
Social media platforms, such as Instagram, also offer additional avenues for financial support, such as the purchase of a ‘Badge’ during live broadcasts. This badge system provides users with a way to support content creators they appreciate.
During his presidential campaign in Bukavu on December 8, 2023, Tshisekedi accused President Kagame of attacking the eastern part of the DRC through the M23 armed group, going as far as comparing him to Hitler and suggesting a similar fate awaits him.
Four days after Tshisekedi’s comments, Minister Tomlinson, discussing the government’s plan to combat illegal immigration, including sending migrants to Rwanda, responded to a question about the DRC President’s statements during an interview with a Sky News reporter.
Tomlinson noted the diverse interpretations people have but emphasized that Tshisekedi’s characterization of Kagame was inappropriate, stating, “There are various ways to express concerns, and that is not one of them that I am familiar with. It does not align with our country’s stance.”
Congolese leaders recently celebrated the British Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate the plan to send migrants to Kigali.
Patrick Muyaya, the spokesperson for the RDC Government, on November 15, 2023, claimed that Rwanda does not respect human rights and should not accept immigrants from the UK.
He expressed gratitude for the Supreme Court’s decision and questioned how a country with alleged human rights violations could welcome refugees.
Tomlinson continued to assert that Rwanda upholds human rights and meets international obligations, highlighting its reputation for doing so.
He was appointed a week ago to lead efforts against illegal immigration, succeeding Robert Jenrick, who resigned from the position.
The RDC government has long accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebel group during clashes with the Congolese Army.
However, Rwanda denies these allegations and accuses Kinshasa of collaboration with FDLR, a terrorist outfit formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
