President Xi Jinping and other senior leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng, bid farewell to Zhu at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery on Tuesday morning.
Amid solemn music, they walked slowly toward Zhu’s body and stood in silent tribute. They then paid their final respects with three bows and shook hands with Zhu’s family members. Hu Jintao, former President of the People’s Republic of China sent a wreath to express his condolences over Zhu’s passing.
Zhu died of illness on Aug 12 in Beijing at the age of 98.
He had served as a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 14th and 15th Central Committees of the CPC.
Zhu was extolled in an obituary as an excellent Party member, a time-tested and loyal communist fighter, and an outstanding proletarian revolutionist, statesman and leader of the Party and the state.
Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, Han Zheng and Hu Jintao, among others, had either visited Zhu when he was in hospital or expressed deep condolences and offered sincere sympathies to his family through various means after his passing.
A Chinese national flag flies at half-mast to mourn the death of Comrade Zhu Rongji at Tian’anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Figures released by the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA) on August 14, 2026, show that Rwanda recorded 1,438 cranes in 2026, up from 487 counted in the first national census in 2017.
The latest figure represents an increase of 951 cranes, or 195%, meaning the population has nearly tripled in less than a decade.
RWCA began its conservation efforts in 2015 after finding that the number of cranes in the wild had fallen to fewer than 300. The organisation focused on stopping the illegal capture of the birds, including those taken from the wild and kept in homes, gardens and hotels, before being rescued and taken to appropriate care facilities.
In 2017, RWCA conducted Rwanda’s first national crane census, recording 487 birds. Since then, annual censuses have provided data on changes in the crane population and other information used to guide conservation efforts.
The population has continued to grow in recent years. In 2025, Rwanda had 1,245 cranes, meaning about 200 more were recorded in 2026 alone.
Rugezi wetland drives recovery
RWCA says Rugezi Wetland, which stretches across Burera and Gicumbi districts, has played a major role in the recovery of Rwanda’s crane population.
Only 71 cranes were recorded in Rugezi in 2017. By 2026, that number had risen to 378, an increase of 307 birds.
The wetland now accounts for more than a quarter of all cranes recorded in Rwanda.
The increase has been linked to efforts to restore and protect Rugezi Wetland, as well as collaboration with communities living around it to encourage their participation in environmental conservation.
RWCA has 75 wetland guardians working in Rugezi on a daily basis. They monitor the cranes, report illegal activities, help restore degraded parts of the wetland and work with local communities to reduce activities that could damage the ecosystem.
Despite the increase in numbers, RWCA says cranes remain classified as a threatened species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, meaning continued conservation efforts are needed to protect the population.
Because cranes can move across national borders, RWCA expanded its conservation efforts beyond Rwanda in 2025 by signing agreements with four organisations in Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda.
The agreements aim to strengthen protection of cranes across borders, particularly birds that have been observed moving from Rwanda into neighbouring countries.
Figures released by the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA) on August 14, 2026, show that Rwanda recorded 1,438 cranes in 2026, up from 487 counted in the first national census in 2017.
The incident occurred near Nyacyonga, on the outskirts of Kigali. Images and video from the scene showed the bus engulfed in flames, with thick smoke rising above the road as bystanders watched from a distance.
Passengers were able to evacuate the vehicle, and there were no reported fatalities.
Eyewitnesses said the fire completely destroyed the bus and the luggage carried by passengers. The cause of the blaze was not immediately established.
The Trinity Express bus was travelling towards Kigali from Uganda when the incident occurred.
The bus company had not issued a statement regarding the incident as of publication time.
BREAKING: A Trinity bus travelling from Uganda caught fire near Nyacyonga as it was approaching Kigali on Monday evening.
No deaths have been reported, but the bus was completely burnt, along with passengers’ luggage.
In an interview with the semi-official Tasnim news agency, IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi called Trump’s claim a “delusion,” saying no dialogue is going on between the IRGC officials and the Americans.
Even Iran’s diplomatic apparatus is not currently negotiating with the United States owing to Washington’s “breach of promises,” Mohebbi added.
Separately, at Monday’s press conference, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei denied media reports of unofficial contact between Washington and the IRGC via Iraqi Kurdistan officials and an alleged secret U.S.-Iran meeting in Erbil.
The news is “media techniques and psychological operations used to sow discord among Iran’s decision-making bodies,” Baghaei said.
Fox News reported earlier that Trump confirmed there is a backchannel for peace talks between Washington and the IRGC.
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that there is a backchannel for talks between Washington and the IRGC.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia declared Hichilema president-elect early on Tuesday, after the incumbent won a clear majority over his main challenger, Brian Mundubile, who received about 38% of the vote. The remaining candidates trailed well behind the two leading contenders.
Under Zambia’s electoral system, a presidential candidate who receives more than 50% of the vote wins in the first round without the need for a runoff.
“I therefore declare Hichilema Hakainde S to be president-elect of the Republic of Zambia,” commission chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis said.
Hichilema, 64, said he was “truly humbled by the trust” placed in him and pledged to continue working for citizens who had supported opposition candidates.
“We hear you, and we will continue to work for you,” he said.
Hundreds of Hichilema supporters gathered in Lusaka following the announcement, wearing the red colours of his United Party for National Development and celebrating with singing, dancing and firecrackers.
The election was, however, marked by allegations of irregularities and tensions between the government and opposition. Mundubile had questioned the results, alleging discrepancies between polling-station records and officially announced figures and calling for an independent investigation. His campaign also raised concerns over events surrounding the vote-counting process.
The electoral commission temporarily suspended the counting of votes a day after polling, citing reports of violence against election officials and the theft of marked ballot papers in some areas. The suspension was lifted later the same day.
The government had also accused opposition figures of involvement in an alleged armed insurrection, claims Mundubile and his National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity rejected. Eleven people, including senior opposition figures, were arrested in a raid shortly after voting.
International observers described election day as largely peaceful but raised concerns about the wider electoral environment. The European Union observation mission cited late legal changes, restrictions on opposition activity, media access and unequal campaign conditions, saying these factors had affected the fairness of the contest.
Zambia has nevertheless maintained a record of peaceful transfers of presidential power since the return to multiparty democracy in 1991, with successive changes of government taking place through elections.
Hakainde Hichilema’s supporters poured onto the streets to celebrate his victory.
Just 33 percent of respondents in the four-day survey said they approved of Trump’s performance in the White House, while 64 percent disapproved, the poll showed.
It noted that Trump’s approval rating, down from 35 percent in a poll that closed earlier this month and lower than at any point in his current term, “has now tied the lowest level of his prior term reached in December 2017.”
The latest poll was released as a 60-day negotiation period under a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding was set to expire Monday, with no progress toward a broader peace agreement between the two sides.
Trump has sought to ease public concerns over high gas prices in recent remarks. At a political rally in Garden City, New York on Friday, Trump said that paying “a tiny little bit more for your gasoline” is worth the cost of ensuring “a very evil country” cannot have a nuclear weapon.
Meanwhile, a Financial Times poll released Sunday showed that 53 percent of U.S. voters said they had become worse off under Trump, amid growing discontent over his handling of the economy and cost of living.
“Inflation is outstripping wage gains and people are having difficulty paying their bills. Many feel they are falling behind and not able to keep up with the cost of food, gas, and healthcare,” Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval rating fell to 33 percent, the lowest level of his presidency, amid public concerns over the U.S. war against Iran, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that concluded Monday.
Bicaca Lakefront, a newly completed hotel in Bicaca Cell, Karenge Sector, provides visitors with accommodation, recreation and scenic views of the lake in a peaceful environment far from the noise of the city.
The hotel is located on the Rwamagana side of Lake Mugesera and is currently the only hotel in the area built directly along the lake.
Visitors travelling from Kigali pass through Rugende and take a 28-kilometre road towards Muyumbu and Nyakariro before reaching Karenge Sector. From there, road signs guide them to the lakefront facility.
A hotel built around nature
The first thing visitors notice when they arrive at Bicaca Lakefront is the natural environment surrounding the property.
Birds can be heard singing around the hotel, while trees, coffee plantations and greenery add to the beauty of the landscape.
The hotel has eight rooms, including a family unit, as well as an outdoor swimming pool overlooking Lake Mugesera.
Guests can also enjoy recreational activities such as billiards and table tennis. A short distance below the main hotel is a tented area where visitors can sit and enjoy views of the lake.
About 50 metres from the hotel, a green garden leads to another structure built over the water. The area provides an additional space for visitors to relax while watching the waters of Lake Mugesera.
The hotel also has facilities for water activities, adding another option for guests who want to explore the lake.
How a retired doctor turned his love for Mugesera into a hotel
The project was developed by Dr. Etienne Karita, a retired medical doctor who decided to venture into hospitality after developing an interest in the area.
Karita told IGIHE that his journey began in late 2018 when he visited someone in Karenge. During the visit, he took time to explore Lake Mugesera and was impressed by its natural beauty.
The experience encouraged him to look for land in the area. He eventually acquired 2.2 hectares and began planning a project that would combine agriculture and tourism.
“We started construction in 2023 and completed the work in 2025. The hotel itself occupies more than one hectare and has a main building with a bar, restaurant and games area, including billiards and table tennis,” Karita said.
The accommodation facilities are divided into four sections, each containing two large rooms. One of the sections was designed specifically for families and includes two bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room.
Karita said the hotel’s main advantage is the view.
“All the rooms face Lake Mugesera, meaning guests can lie in bed and look directly at the lake,” he said.
He added that the natural breeze from the lake and the quiet surroundings make the hotel suitable for visitors seeking relaxation.
Powered by the sun and supplied by its own farm
Bicaca Lakefront has also incorporated environmentally friendly practices into its operations.
The hotel relies entirely on solar energy for electricity, including lighting and refrigeration.
Karita said the hotel is also working to produce much of the food served to its guests.
“We use solar energy for 100 percent of our electricity. Another thing that makes us different is that much of the food we serve comes from our own farm,” he said.
The property produces vegetables, bananas and avocados, among other agricultural products.
Karita said the hotel is still in its early stages and is gradually expanding its services while training employees and improving the experience offered to guests.
Despite being newly opened, the hotel has already attracted Rwandan and international visitors.
According to Karita, some guests have returned after their first visit because of the quiet environment.
However, the hotel still faces challenges, particularly the condition of the road leading to the property and unreliable access to water.
Karita said he was surprised that Lake Mugesera has not attracted more investment in hospitality, considering its natural beauty and relatively safe environment.
He hopes the development of Bicaca Lakefront will contribute to putting the area on the tourism map.
The hotel currently employs 10 permanent workers, while efforts are underway to obtain additional permits and expand its services.
Karita said his long-term goal is to establish a facility where every visitor leaves satisfied, relaxed and willing to return.
Rwanda’s expanding hospitality industry
The development of Bicaca Lakefront comes at a time when Rwanda’s tourism and hospitality sector continues to expand.
The country now has 27,938 hotel rooms, compared with 16,158 five years ago. The rooms are distributed across 1,667 hotels offering accommodation services in different parts of the country.
Rwanda has nine five-star hotels, 22 four-star hotels and 66 three-star hotels.
The growth of the hospitality sector has been supported by rising tourism activity and increasing investment in accommodation facilities.
In 2025, Rwanda generated $685 million in tourism revenue, up from $647 million in 2024, representing a 6 percent increase.
The country received 1.49 million visitors in 2025, an increase of 9 percent compared with the previous year. Volcanoes National Park, known for its mountain gorillas, remains among the country’s major tourism attractions alongside other national parks.
Revenue from meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions also increased to $94.7 million in 2025 from $84.8 million in 2024, representing an 11 percent rise.
Rwanda hosted 165 regional, continental and international events during the year, bringing visitors who stayed in hotels across the country.
Under the second phase of the National Strategy for Transformation, Rwanda expects tourism revenues to reach $1.1 billion by 2029.
As the country works towards that target, new destinations such as Bicaca Lakefront are helping diversify Rwanda’s hospitality offering by opening up lesser-known areas and bringing visitors closer to the country’s natural landscapes.
Ping Pong enthusiasts are not left out at Bicaca LakefrontBicaca Lakefront features an outdoor Swimming PoolBicaca Lakefront is a new hotel on the shores of Lake MugeseraBicaca Lakefront Runs on Solar EnergyA Look Inside Bicaca LakefrontOne of the boats used at Bicaca LakefrontA Map Showing the Scenic Beauty of Lake MugeseraThe paths around Bicaca Lakefront are lined with treesThe main guest reception building at Bicaca Lakefront Bicaca Lakefront was built on a vast piece of landVisitors to Bicaca Lakefront can explore Lake Mugesera by boat.Guests staying at Bicaca Lakefront can enjoy a boat ride on Lake MugeseraGuests at Bicaca Lakefront enjoy stunning views of Lake Mugesera
Kinshasa has said it has been holding talks with the FDLR to persuade the group to lay down its weapons. However, the group has reportedly rejected proposals that would see its members return to Rwanda. The DRC has yet to disclose the name of the country that has agreed to receive them.
The decision to keep the country’s identity confidential has raised questions over which nation is prepared to accept members of a group that has been linked to a security crisis in the Great Lakes region for more than three decades.
The FDLR, which is deeply entrenched in eastern DRC, remains a major security concern for the Great Lakes region, including Rwanda. Its history is closely linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, in which more than one million people were killed over 100 days.
The group was established by former members of the former Rwandan Armed Forces (ex-FAR) and the Interahamwe militia who were involved in the genocide. Over the years, the FDLR has maintained an armed presence in eastern DRC and has been accused of propagating an ideology of hatred and violence.
The Washington Accords, signed in December 2025, called for the accelerated dismantling of the FDLR. The FDLR subsequently put forward a proposal for voluntary disarmament and demobilisation, which the Congolese government took up in its engagements with regional and international partners. Rwanda rejected the proposal, arguing that it was inconsistent with the commitments made under the Washington agreements.
Floribert Anzuluni, Congo’s minister responsible for regional cooperation, said talks with a country that could receive disarmed FDLR members had reached an advanced stage.
“One country has already given its consent,” Anzuluni told RFI, adding that Kinshasa would announce the country’s identity publicly soon.
Under the DRC’s proposal, FDLR members would first surrender their weapons. Those willing to return to Rwanda would be repatriated, while those unwilling or unable to return would be given the option of relocating to one or more other countries.
But any country considering accepting FDLR members would need to conduct thorough background checks and carefully assess the implications of their admission.
The FDLR is not simply a group of refugees seeking a place to settle. Its history is inseparable from the role played by some of its members in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The group’s activities have also had consequences beyond its strongholds in eastern DRC. The region has served as a base from which the FDLR has recruited fighters and conducted operations. The group has also been accused of involvement in the conflict between the Congolese army, FARDC, and the AFC/M23, as well as attacks affecting civilians.
A UN Security Council assessment has attributed serious violations of international law to the FDLR, including killings, injuries, sexual violence and forced displacement. Women and children have been among those affected.
Rwanda has consistently argued that an armed group associated with genocide ideology should not be treated as a legitimate political interlocutor or given a platform for negotiations.
For any country considering accepting FDLR members, the central question is whether relocation would contribute to dismantling the group’s armed structures and ideology, or simply provide it with a new environment in which to operate.
If the receiving country is genuinely committed to supporting peace and stability, accepting disarmed FDLR members should not substitute for efforts to dismantle the group’s military and organisational structures and address the ideology that has sustained it.
The relocation of FDLR members could either form part of a broader effort to resolve a security crisis that has persisted for more than 30 years, or simply change the location and nature of the problem. The country that ultimately accepts them will therefore face an important question: whether it is prepared to assume responsibility for the consequences.
How large is the FDLR?
A July 2026 report by UN experts presents conflicting estimates of the FDLR’s strength.
The FDLR itself claims to have more than 10,000 fighters, nearly half of whom it says are engaged in regular military activities. The FDLR-CRAP faction has separately claimed to have more than 20,000 fighters.
The UN report, however, says those figures are not considered reliable. UN officials and intelligence agencies estimate that the FDLR has between 3,500 and 4,500 fighters.
The Washington Accords put the group’s strength at between 3,000 and 3,500 fighters.
The disparity between the group’s own claims and external estimates underscores the difficulty of establishing the FDLR’s exact military strength, and the challenge facing any effort to disarm, dismantle and relocate its members.
The FDLR militia was established by members of the former Rwandan Armed Forces (ex-FAR)and the Interahamwe militia who were involved in the genocide.
According to the ministry, SNAF positions came under attack at 5 a.m. (0200 GMT) by armed elements using vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.
The ministry said the attacking force comprised a mix of al-Shabaab militants and militias loyal to the President of Southwest State Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
“SNAF responded professionally and decisively, repelling the attack and thwarting the assailants’ attempt to destabilize the security and stability of Baidoa,” the ministry said in a statement.
Military forces seized weapons and vehicles used in the attack and were conducting clearance operations to secure the city and track down remaining fighters in parts of Baidoa, the statement said.
“The Ministry of Defense will provide the Somali public with further details regarding the attack and the outcome of the operation once it has concluded,” it said.
Somali troops have controlled the city since March, when they seized control of Baidoa and prompted the resignation of Laftagareen.
Residents confirmed that heavy fighting erupted in Baidoa on Monday morning as SNAF forces clashed with armed militias loyal to Laftagareen, alongside al-Shabaab elements.
While local opposition figures claimed to have captured the city, military officials denied the claim and confirmed that security operations remained ongoing.
According to the ministry, SNAF positions came under attack at 5 a.m. (0200 GMT) by armed elements using vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.
The agreement will make matches from Rwanda’s top division available on Hudl Wyscout, a platform used by scouts, coaches and football professionals for video analysis, player assessment and recruitment.
The partnership announced on Monday, August 17, gives Rwandan clubs and players another avenue for international exposure, while introducing video and performance-analysis tools for technical teams within the league.
“The platform will also provide our technical personnel with detailed video and performance data, helping coaches, analysts and sporting departments make more informed, evidence-based decisions,” said Jules Karangwa, CEO of the Rwanda Premier League.
Rwanda national team head coach Stephen Constantine welcomed the introduction of the platform, pointing to its potential to increase the visibility of local talent.
“Rwanda is rich with untapped talent, and these young athletes deserve to be seen. With this technology, their skills can reach a wider audience, opening doors to opportunities that were previously out of reach,” Constantine said.
Mateo Bourrut Lacouture, Strategic Partnership Manager at Hudl, said the multi-year agreement forms part of the Rwanda Premier League’s wider efforts to use technology and data to improve clubs, support player development and raise the profile of Rwandan football internationally.
The partnership gives the BK Pro League a new connection to the international scouting market, potentially making Rwandan players and clubs more visible to football professionals beyond the country.
The partnership announced on Monday, August 17, gives Rwandan clubs and players another avenue for international exposure, while introducing video and performance-analysis tools for technical teams within the league.
