According to the Council of the EU, the proposal would prohibit imports of Russian gas from Jan. 1, 2026, while allowing a limited transition period for existing contracts. Short-term contracts may continue until June 17, 2026, and long-term contracts may run until Jan. 1, 2028.
The proposal also requires energy companies to disclose the origin and duration of all gas import contracts to enhance transparency and monitoring.
However, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto criticized the plan, saying on social media platform X that “With RePowerEU, our safe energy supply is being killed.”
He argued that the policy “destroys the energy security of EU member states” and that “energy should not be about politics.”
The initiative still needs to be negotiated with the European Parliament before becoming law. Once approved, the regulation will form part of the wider REPowerEU plan, launched in 2022 to accelerate the transition away from Russian fossil fuels.
According to EU estimation, Russian gas still accounts for about 13 percent of EU imports in 2025, worth over 15 billion euros (17.49 billion U.S. dollars) annually.
The event took place on October 19, 2025, as part of an advocacy campaign aimed at vaccinating children and raising awareness about the prevention of polio.
The campaign took place during a community sports event in Kigali, where members of Rotary Clubs in Rwanda walked from BK Arena to the Kigali Convention Centre.
The campaign was also attended by the Governor of District 9150, which includes Rwanda and nine other countries, on his visit to Rotary Clubs in Rwanda.
Victor Zinda, who contracted the disease at a young age, shared how his life has been significantly impacted by the disability caused by polio.
“My parents told me I contracted polio when I was just one year old. The only way to prevent it is through vaccination because it is extremely painful and deadly. It paralyzes parts of the body, and that’s what happened to me. I suffered a lot because I was in a refugee camp. Imagine combining the challenges of being a refugee with the disability caused by polio,” he said.
Despite his disability, Zinda refused to give up. He rebuilt his life, got married, wrote a book, and began humanitarian work aimed at helping people with disabilities and combating diseases that cause disabilities.
Sibomana Hassan, the head of the Immunization Program at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, explained that polio is a disease that causes severe disabilities or death, with no cure, but vaccines remain the key to preventing the disease.
Dr. Alexis Muderevu, Chair of the Rotary Rwanda Polio Committee and President of the Rotary Club Kigali, emphasized that although Rwanda was declared polio-free in 2004, the virus remains present in some neighboring countries, calling for continued vigilance to prevent its resurgence.
He stated, “Without continuous awareness campaigns, people may become complacent and believe polio is gone. However, in neighboring countries, the disease is still present. Due to the movement of people, there is a possibility that polio could return to Rwanda.”
He continued, “Vaccinating children against polio is essential, and hygiene is critical. Parents with young children are at high risk if they do not maintain proper hygiene.”
Dr. Muderevu also stressed that preventing polio requires good hygiene practices, especially with drinking water, food, handwashing, and using the toilet, as these practices are vital in preventing the transmission of the virus.
He acknowledged the leadership of the Rwandan government who joined the sports event alongside Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was completing his visit to Rwanda.
Dr. Muderevu also thanked the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for their continued partnership in the fight against polio.
Suman Alla, the Deputy Governor of District 9150 in Rwanda, highlighted the importance of addressing health issues like polio, noting that countries such as Chad have already invested $3 million to eradicate the disease, while across Africa, over $1 billion has been spent to eliminate polio.
The festival took place at the State Tretyakov Gallery with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Tretyakov Gallery.
In his remarks, Rwanda’s Ambassador to Russia, Major General Joseph Nzabamwita reflected on Rwanda’s journey over the past thirty years, describing how the country has rebuilt itself from tragedy into a story of unity and progress.
He emphasized the role of cultural traditions in Rwanda’s socio-economic development, noting that heritage promotion remains central to the nation’s identity.
“Culture is a bridge that connects people and helps us see one another beyond borders,” he said. “It deepens understanding and strengthens bonds of friendship, all in the spirit of genuine people-to-people diplomacy.”
The ambassador thanked the festival organizers for providing a platform for Rwanda’s cultural troupe, Imena mu Nganzo, to share the country’s story through dance and music.
Founded by Rwandan students in Moscow, the troupe represents a new generation of Rwandans who keep their homeland close through art.
Their vibrant performance captivated the audience, bringing Rwanda’s rhythm and heartbeat to Moscow. The audience responded with admiration, with many expressing eagerness to experience more of Rwanda’s culture.
The “Africa. Together into the Future” Festival has become a major annual event celebrating African art, film, and music, while strengthening partnerships between Russia and African nations.
She made the remarks on October 20, 2025, while addressing the Parliamentary Committee on Social Affairs and Human Rights, which was reviewing progress in improving the welfare of senior citizens.
The Minister emphasized that ensuring both the youth and the elderly live decent lives requires access to decent work.
According to the Seventh Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV 7), more than 1.5 million Rwandans have been lifted out of poverty, and overall poverty levels have dropped by 12.4% across all population categories.
Minister Nkulikiyinka stated, “For both young people and those in advanced age to live better lives, they need to have decent jobs. Job creation and good working conditions are interlinked.”
She revealed that between 2017 and 2024, Rwanda created 1,732,770 jobs, of which 85% were taken up by young people, highlighting the country’s focus on youth employment.
Recent figures from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), covering the labour force as of May 2025, indicate that Rwanda has 8.5 million people aged 16 and above who are eligible to work.
Out of these, 4.5 million are employed, while over 710,000 are unemployed.
Those not active in the labour market total 3.2 million, comprising mainly students and senior citizens.
EICV 7 also shows that among Rwandans living in poverty, 21% are aged 66 and above, 24% are between 56 and 65, while 28% are aged 46 to 55, suggesting that older age groups remain more vulnerable economically.
Senator Prof. Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu emphasized the importance of preparing employees for retirement to ensure their continued wellbeing.
He said, “There is not enough focus on pre-retirement counseling and preparation. For many elderly people, money is not always the main issue, there are other important aspects of wellbeing.”
Prof. Dusingizemungu shared his personal experience from university, explaining that older lecturers often returned to school to spend more time in their offices, which helped them stay active and maintain a sense of purpose in life.
The disclosure was made on October 18, 2025, during an awards ceremony honoring the top-performing players of this year’s tournament.
During the event, 28 players were honored for their exceptional performances across various categories. The tournament brought together around 200 participants, including 120 from Rwanda.
According to BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, KCB Group invested Frw 680 million in 2023, over Frw 730 million in 2024, and more than Frw 900 million in 2025 to support the initiative.
Patience Mutesi, the Managing Director of BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, said the bank believes in the power of sports to connect people and strengthen relationships beyond business.
“We believe that through sports, we as BPR Bank Rwanda Plc can engage and connect not only for our own interests but also to build strong relationships with others. It helps us unite with sports lovers across the region,” she said.
The ceremony also featured entertainment and celebrations, as golfers and fans enjoyed music and moments of joy in recognition of their achievements.
The grand final of the BPR-KCB East Africa Golf Tour will take place in December 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Four top Rwandan players Mulenga Patrick, Akanigi Melisa, Sheetar Philp, and Rugema Willy were selected to represent Rwanda at the finals.
The winning team in Nairobi will receive a prize of 1 million Kenyan Shillings (approximately Frw 11.2 million) and an all-expenses-paid trip to participate in the Dubai Classic Tournament.
Gihana Mulenga Patrick, one of the players set to represent Rwanda, told IGIHE that they are well-prepared to make the country proud and thanked BPR Bank Rwanda Plc for its continued support in promoting sports, especially golf.
“This is my first-ever golf award, and it’s just the beginning. I’m confident that we will perform well in Kenya. I sincerely thank BPR Bank Rwanda Plc for standing by us. Their support means a lot, especially for players who often struggle to afford equipment,” he said.
In the men’s invitational category, Francis Mwangi emerged as the overall winner with 42 points, followed by All Timimi with 41 points.
In the women’s category, Nasabwe Kelly claimed the top position with 39 points, ahead of Akero Lina, who came second with 34 points.
The scholarships were granted during UR’s graduation ceremony as a reward for their exceptional academic performance and dedication during their legal studies. The two will pursue their postgraduate legal training at ILPD free of charge.
The awards were presented by Shirimpumu N. Erick, Vice Rector in charge of Finance and Administration at ILPD, during the graduation ceremony held in Huye District.
Josiane Uwihirwe, one of the award recipients, expressed her joy and gratitude for being recognized by ILPD for her commitment and excellent academic performance.
She said the award was not only an honor but also a great relief, as she would have otherwise needed to pay a significant amount of money to pursue her legal practice program.
“I am very happy to have received the opportunity to study at ILPD free of charge. This will help me follow my professional legal training with focus and determination. I have always dreamed of becoming a legal practitioner, and this opportunity brings me closer to that goal. It’s a big achievement, and I’m grateful that I can now pursue it without the financial burden,” she said.
Uwihirwe added that she had always been eager to study at ILPD, having learned while still in university that it is the institution that shapes true legal professionals in Rwanda.
She emphasized that one cannot become a practicing lawyer without passing through ILPD and expressed confidence that this opportunity will provide her with a strong foundation to achieve her dream.
Her excitement was shared by Fréderic Kwihangana, the second scholarship recipient, who also expressed deep gratitude to ILPD for granting him this rare opportunity.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity that every law student in Rwanda dreams of. I’m truly delighted that my colleague and I were selected for this scholarship. I will continue my studies with peace of mind, become a professional in a short time, and all this at no cost. I believe this recognition will further motivate me to work even harder and finish among the best,” he said.
Shirimpumu stated that ILPD offers such awards not only to recognize the hard work and excellence of top-performing students but also to remind all law graduates that professional legal practice requires completing ILPD’s training programs.
“This initiative aims to acknowledge the best-performing students, while also reminding all law graduates that in order to achieve their dreams of becoming professional lawyers, they must undertake the training provided by ILPD. This program is organized in close collaboration with the University of Rwanda, particularly its Faculty of Law,” he explained.
He further reminded interested graduates that registration for new students has already begun. Weekend classes are scheduled to start in late October 2025, while full-time classes will commence in January 2026.
A total of over 90 students completed their law studies at the University of Rwanda this year. All of them are required to undertake further studies at ILPD to become fully qualified legal professionals.
A five-year report from the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO), covering up to 2022, highlights significant achievements in implementing gender equality across public and private sectors, though challenges remain.
Among the milestones are regular gender accountability reports, the establishment of Gender Accountability Day (GAD) at district level, and the creation of a gender equality certification standard, RS 560:2023 Gender Equality Seal.
To date, 25 institutions have earned the seal for implementing gender-responsive practices.
{{Institutional progress}}
Several institutions have been recognized for exemplary practices. At the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), women in leadership roles have increased from 20% to 50%, including technical departments.
The bank also grants an additional three months of remote work for breastfeeding mothers and four days of leave for new fathers.
At Inkomoko, female employees receive six months of maternity leave while men get two weeks of paternity leave.
The Rwanda Energy Group (REG) revised leadership eligibility requirements from 15 to 10 years of experience to encourage more women to apply for top positions, raising female representation in senior management to 40%, compared to zero in 2019.
REG has also set up breastfeeding rooms, childcare spaces, and flexible work arrangements. Women in technical roles now make up 32% of its workforce.
Cement manufacturer CIMERWA has helped women entrepreneurs expand their businesses, increasing monthly cement truck sales from half a truck to about 30 trucks per individual.
Nationally, women now hold 63.75% of seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 53.8% in the Senate, well above the constitutional threshold of 30%.
To support data-driven monitoring, the Gender Management Information System (GMIS) was launched to collect and analyze gender-related data and measure accountability across institutions.
Rwanda also continues to strengthen services like Isange One Stop Centers (IOSCs) for gender-based violence survivors, ensuring consistent funding for legal aid, health services, and psychosocial support.
{{Frw 11.5 billion plan to deepen equality by 2029}}
The Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) has unveiled a five-year plan, running from 2024 to 2029, worth over Frw 11.5 billion, aimed at deepening gender equality across public, private, and civil society sectors.
The budget will be mobilized through partners including civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector.
Under this plan, Frw 150 million will be used to strengthen the monitoring of gender mainstreaming in national laws, plans, and employment programs, while Frw 100 million will go toward assessing gender inclusion in climate resilience initiatives.
Another Frw 100 million is set aside to evaluate compliance with gender principles in district and sector development plans.
To promote accountability and gender-responsive planning, Frw 300 million will support the advancement of Gender Responsive Budgeting and its alignment with district performance contracts.
In addition, Frw 400 million will fund advocacy and audits on gender integration within public and private institutions, while Frw 500 million will be directed toward implementing gender equity programs and nationwide awareness campaigns.
The plan also allocates Frw 200 million for monitoring the rollout of the Gender Equality Seal (RS 560:2023) certification and another Frw 500 million to mark Gender Equality Day across government institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations.
The plan also allocates Frw 200 million for monitoring gender efforts at family level, Frw 300 million for expanding Gender-Responsive Villages across districts, and additional funds to evaluate community initiatives such as Inshuti z’Umuryango (community family volunteers) and community health workers.
{{Addressing unpaid care work and workplace harassment}}
The GMO budget includes Frw 300 million for advocacy and programs addressing unpaid care work, a challenge highlighted by IPAR Rwanda research showing that women work an average of 75.6 hours per week compared to 68.4 for men, with 35% of women’s work hours being unpaid compared to 15% for men.
To tackle sexual harassment at workplaces and gender-based violence, Frw 600 million will fund monitoring of government and private sector compliance, while Frw 1.4 billion will support nationwide efforts to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), including teenage pregnancy prevention and survivor rehabilitation.
A further Frw 490 million will monitor Rwanda’s adherence to regional and international gender equality commitments, and Frw 200 million will strengthen civil society and faith-based organizations’ capacity to address gender-based violence.
Finally, Frw 1 billion is set aside to transform GMO into a center of excellence for gender research and knowledge management in Rwanda.
The man, whose identity was not revealed, was executed at a prison in Iran’s central Qom province on Saturday, Mizan quoted Seyed Kazem Mousavi, the province’s chief justice, as saying.
He added the convict had started his intelligence cooperation with Israel in October 2023 and was arrested in February 2024.
The chief justice said the man had confessed to having had intelligence cooperation with Israel, and was sentenced to death following legal proceedings.
Iran’s intelligence and judicial authorities had detected the man’s activities and prevented the transmission of the country’s sensitive data to Israel, according to Mousavi.
According to the statement, the strikes were led by the IDF’s Southern Command “following a ceasefire violation earlier in the day.”
Israel’s state-owned Kan TV reported that the targets struck included tunnels Hamas had used to hold hostages.
This was the second wave of Israeli strikes on Sunday, following an earlier round of airstrikes on the southern and northern Gaza Strip. According to Israel’s Channel 12, a total of 104 targets were struck during the day.
The Israeli army said the initial strikes were in response to Hamas firing an anti-tank missile and opening fire on troops dismantling infrastructure in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.
Following the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations with Defense Minister Israel Katz and security officials and instructed them to act forcefully against targets in the strip.
Kan reported that Netanyahu also ordered the suspension of humanitarian aid to Gaza until further notice.
Channel 12 added that the political echelon has decided to close all crossings to the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Palestinian medical sources said that the Israeli attacks on Sunday killed at least 14 Palestinians in Gaza.
Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for the Gaza Civil Defense, told Xinhua that “field teams have responded since early morning to more than 20 distress calls in different parts of the Strip, recovering 14 bodies, including women and journalists, in addition to dozens of injured people.”
Basal added that the Israeli bombardment targeted “civilian gatherings, a cafe, a chalet, and tents sheltering displaced people, causing partial collapses of buildings and fires in several locations,” noting that “search and rescue operations are still underway under extremely difficult conditions due to the severe shortage of fuel and equipment.”
Israel and Hamas have exchanged accusations of violating a ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since Oct. 10. The truce was brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye, with U.S. support, following indirect negotiations between the two sides.
Under the agreement, both parties committed to cessation of hostilities, the exchange of prisoners and detainees, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from certain areas of the enclave, and the entry of humanitarian aid and fuel to allow medical and relief teams to resume their operations.
According to French daily Le Parisien, the criminals gained access through the façade of the museum facing the Seine River, where construction work is underway. Using a construction ladder and a freight elevator, they reached the Galerie d’Apollon, home to the French Crown Jewels, before breaking through windows and seizing nine pieces from the historic collection.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the incident as a “major robbery” that lasted just seven minutes. “It was manifestly a team that had done scouting,” he said, noting that the thieves used small chainsaws and a disc cutter to cut through panes of glass before fleeing on scooters.
Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed the theft in a post on X, saying a “robbery” had occurred at the museum as it opened to the public. “No injuries have been reported,” she added, assuring that investigations were underway. The Louvre subsequently announced its closure for “exceptional reasons,” and police evacuated visitors from the premises as nearby streets were cordoned off.
Authorities later recovered one of the stolen jewellery pieces near the museum, but the rest remain missing.
The targeted Galerie d’Apollon holds some of France’s most valuable treasures, including the Crown Jewels and ornate objects associated with the country’s imperial past. The stolen pieces, part of the Napoleonic collection, are considered “priceless” by officials due to their historical significance.
The audacious theft has reignited concerns about museum security across Europe, following a string of high-profile art crimes in recent years. In 2019, thieves broke into Dresden’s Green Vault in Germany, escaping with royal jewels worth hundreds of millions of euros. Two years earlier, burglars at Berlin’s Bode Museum made off with a 100-kilogram gold coin, while in 2010 a lone intruder at Paris’s Museum of Modern Art slipped away with five masterpieces, including a Picasso.
The Louvre itself is no stranger to daring robberies. The most famous case occurred in 1911 when Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa was stolen by an Italian handyman who hid inside the museum overnight and walked out with the painting under his coat. It was recovered two years later in Florence, an episode that helped turn the portrait into the world’s most recognised artwork.
Louvre is home to more than 33,000 works ranging from ancient artefacts to European masterpieces and draws up to 30,000 visitors a day.
