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“You have my assurance,” Trump said in a Fox News interview, a day after hosting a White House summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders.

Trump said on Monday during meetings at the White House that the United States would be “involved” in security guarantees for Ukraine after its war with Russia but did not elaborate. He added more clarity in the morning interview with “Fox & Friends.”

“When it comes to security, they’re willing to put people on the ground,” Trump said, referring to the European countries.

“We’re willing to help them with things, especially probably … by air because there’s nobody that has the kind of stuff we have.”

“The issue of security guarantees for Ukraine — and potential U.S. involvement in them — has proved to be a sticking point as Trump works to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia,” reported The Washington Post about the development.

“European leaders have been encouraged that Trump appears open to a U.S. role in peacekeeping in Ukraine, but that could complicate negotiations with Russia, which has spent years working to counter increased military support for Ukraine by its allies,” it noted.

The White House rarely hosts so many foreign dignitaries at once as it did on Monday, when Zelensky and European leaders arrived to discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict with Trump.

The Monday meetings at the White House mainly focused on security guarantees for Ukraine and a possible trilateral meeting between Russia, Ukraine and the United States. Disagreements remain on some key issues, such as whether a ceasefire is necessary before further negotiations.

The latest talks came three days after the U.S. and Russian presidents met in the U.S. state of Alaska, when progress was reportedly made but no deal was announced.

The burnt area has more than doubled compared with last week’s tally of 439,568 hectares, underscoring the rapid spread of wildfires in recent days.

According to the JRC’s latest weekly update, this year’s figure far exceeds the 19-year average of 244,000 hectares typically seen by mid-August.

A total of 1,736 major blazes, defined as fires larger than 30 hectares, have been detected in the EU so far, compared with 1,185 during the same period last year. The surge has pushed estimated carbon dioxide emissions to 31.9 million tonnes, almost three times higher than a year earlier.

Looking ahead, the fire danger forecast for Aug. 19-25 suggests easing conditions in the southern part of Europe, including Spain, France, Italy, the Balkans, and Greece. However, risk levels are set to climb in northern and northwestern parts of the continent.

Ireland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, northern Germany, Poland, Denmark, and parts of Sweden and Finland face “very high to very extreme” anomalies in fire danger. Elevated risks are also forecast along the Danube basin in Austria, Hungary, and Romania.

On average, over 60,000 forest fires break out in the EU each year, burning some 500,000 hectares, nearly twice the area of Luxembourg, and causing human casualties and economic losses of around 2 billion euros (about 2.33 billion U.S. dollars), according to JRC data. (1 euro = 1.17 U.S. dollar)

Dr. Kacyira passed away on August 12, 2025, at the age of 61 after battling illness. Her funeral service was held at Christian Life Assembly (CLA) in Kigali, where she was a devoted member. Family, friends, government officials, and representatives of international organisations joined to celebrate her life of service and bid her farewell.

Kacyira’s career spanned senior roles in Rwanda and abroad. She served as Mayor of Kigali (2006–2011), Governor of the Eastern Province, Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat (2011–2018), and later Rwanda’s Ambassador to Ghana with concurrent accreditation to several West African countries. In 2023, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed her as Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), a position she held until her death.

Her legacy is remembered for leadership, humility, and an unwavering commitment to public service, both in Rwanda and across the world.

In a message delivered by RPF Secretary-General Wellars Gasamagera, President Paul Kagame and his family expressed deep sorrow at her passing.

“The President of the Republic and his family received with sadness the news of the passing of Dr. Aissa Kirabo Kacyira. They join her family and all Rwandans in this time of grief. Her life was marked by courage, dedication, and love for her country. Rwandans will forever remember her tireless devotion as a lasting legacy. May she rest in eternal peace.”

AIG Hilaly Sao, representing the African Union, hailed the late ambassador as a champion of African unity:

“She embodied the spirit of unity, working with dedication, patience, and commitment. In Somalia, she demonstrated compassion, humility, and determination in pursuit of peace and security. She will truly be missed.”

Ambassador James Swan, representing UNSOS, described her death as a profound loss:

“Aissa was a brave, thoughtful person, with a gentle heart and a source of inspiration. She left a mark on everyone she met. Her legacy is one of leadership, expertise, and service with compassion. To us in the UN, she was more than a colleague.”

Her son, Joshua Kacyira, speaking on behalf of her children, said their mother’s strongest legacy was her faith and devotion to service.

“She loved God and served both her country and the world wholeheartedly. She taught us not only through education but also through relationships built with others. The greatest gift she gave us was to love and trust in God.”

Her husband, Col (Rtd) Simon Kacyira, thanked the Government of Rwanda, the UN, and all who stood with the family.

“I deeply thank UNSOS and everyone who cared for Aissa. She was simple, grounded, and true. Even now that she’s gone, she remained the same person I chose to walk with.”

The latest sweep took place in the Kyeshero area in south-west Goma last night, following reports of gunfire the previous evening. Sources say several people were arrested, including those believed to be collaborating with the Congolese army and armed militias.

AFC/M23 has controlled Goma since January 27, after defeating forces from the Congolese army, Wazalendo, the FDLR, and European mercenaries.

Armed groups have continued to threaten security in parts of the city, particularly in western districts.

To restore calm, AFC/M23 has been searching homes for hidden weapons and detaining those involved in destabilising activities. A similar operation was carried out on August 6, resulting in multiple arrests.

The team is working with high efficiency to contain the fires and limit their spread despite field challenges, including soaring temperatures and difficult terrain.

Operations carried out by the team so far have included 18 aerial sorties using two Black Hawk helicopters, with 359 water drops executed over fire hotspots.

The team began its mission last Monday in the Gramsh forest area and neighbouring regions, following the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to support Albania’s efforts in controlling the wildfires.

Coordination meetings between the UAE team and Albanian officials are ongoing to devise appropriate plans and accelerate firefighting operations, alongside continued field monitoring to prevent the resurgence of flames.

All petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles nationwide will now be required to undergo emissions testing to ensure that they meet environmental standards and help reduce air pollution.

In a public notice issued on Tuesday, REMA stated that from 25 August 2025, vehicle owners will be able to book appointments for testing through the Irembo platform, as is customary for other vehicle-related services. However, the emissions testing will be charged separately from regular mechanical inspections.

“The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) informs the public that the Enhanced Vehicle Emission Testing will officially start on 25 August 2025 as part of the ongoing #CleanAir Campaign,” the notice reads in part.

The rollout comes just days after the Cabinet approved the introduction of emissions testing fees for non-electric vehicles and motorbikes.

In a Cabinet meeting on 30 July 2025, chaired by President Paul Kagame, the government approved the introduction of these fees as part of a broader strategy to improve air quality, particularly in urban areas. The initiative aims to protect public health and promote environmental sustainability.

As part of the new system, all vehicles, including motorcycles, will be required to undergo an emissions test. If a vehicle passes, it will be cleared for road use. However, vehicles that fail the test must be repaired and re-inspected within two weeks to avoid further charges. The reinspection fee will be half the cost of the initial test, while a full retest will be required if the two-week window is missed.

The testing will be conducted at existing vehicle inspection centres, with emissions testing equipment currently being installed. The initiative is expected to make a significant contribution to Rwanda’s goal of reducing harmful emissions from vehicles and improving air quality nationwide.

REMA has urged vehicle owners to prepare their vehicles in advance to ensure compliance and contribute to the national effort for cleaner, healthier air for all Rwandans. The emissions testing will be conducted alongside regular mechanical inspections, which are required once or twice a year, depending on the vehicle’s classification and usage.

Maj Gen (Rtd) Yaache from Ghana was part of the African contingent serving under the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR).

He recalled that when the UN Security Council decided to reduce the number of its troops in Rwanda to just 270 soldiers in 1994, both UNAMIR commander Gen Roméo Dallaire and Ghanaian Gen Henry Kwami Anyidoho opposed the move, warning of the dangers facing the Tutsi population.

Despite the withdrawal, some Ghanaian soldiers under Gen Anyidoho chose to remain behind and displayed remarkable courage by protecting thousands of Tutsis with very limited equipment and manpower. During the genocide, Ghanaian peacekeepers managed to rescue around 30,000 people.

Yaache first arrived in Rwanda in February 1994, two months before the genocide erupted. He was responsible for monitoring operations in Byumba prefecture, a demilitarized zone. Once the killings began, he played a key role in evacuating Tutsi civilians, helping them find food, and relocating them to safer areas.

Speaking to Rwandan youth recently, Yaache explained that UNAMIR’s mandate was to oversee the peace process between the Rwandan government of President Juvénal Habyarimana, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), and allied parties.

The peacekeepers were supposed to prevent violations of the accords and report any threats to peace back to the UN but Yaache highlighted that signs of impending dangers were ignored.

“Even from the field, I could see dark clouds of uncertainty forming, the same was true in the capital. The General pleaded with the UN, warning them that signs of looming trouble were evident.”

{{Gen Dallaire’s ignored warnings}}

On January 10, 1994, Gen Dallaire informed superiors at the UN Headquarters, warning that genocide was being planned and requesting permission to seize hidden weapons meant for the Interahamwe militia.

Instead of authorizing action, UN officials instructed him to share the intelligence with the very authorities accused of preparing the killings.

The following day, Dallaire was told by senior UN officials, including Kofi Annan, not to act outside his mandate. He was advised instead to inform President Habyarimana.

“This showed that the mission was fully aware of the trouble that was brewing. We saw the telltale signs. Not from the very beginning, but as events unfolded, there was no shortage of warnings, and the UN’s attention was repeatedly drawn to them,” Yaache stressed.

When the genocide began in April 1994, the UN again failed to act decisively, even hesitating to recognize the killings as genocide.

The situation worsened after Belgian troops withdrew from UNAMIR, leaving thousands of Tutsis in the arms of Interahamwe militia, including those massacred at the École Technique Officielle (ETO) in Kicukiro.

The affected facilities include the Gihira plant in Rubavu District, the Gihengeri plant in Gicumbi District, and the Cyondo plant in Nyagatare District.

WASAC confirmed that the Gihira plant, which had temporarily stopped operations, has resumed water supply, restoring services to consumers in the surrounding sectors, including Rubavu, Nyamyumba, Gisenyi, and Rugerero.

Situated along the Sebeya River, the Gihira plant has a daily treatment capacity of 23,000 cubic meters. Any disruption at this facility can significantly impact water availability in the district.

The Gihengeri Water Treatment Plant, serving Gicumbi District, has a daily capacity of 3,500 cubic meters, while the Cyondo plant in Nyagatare District produces up to 4,000 cubic meters per day. Both facilities also temporarily halted operations due to the heavy rains.

Heavy rainfall often disrupts water treatment operations, as rivers supplying these plants become heavily contaminated, making water treatment challenging. In such instances, temporary suspension is necessary until water quality stabilizes.

Since July 2025, the country has experienced unusually heavy rains for the dry season. On August 16 and 17, particularly intense rainfall led to floods. The Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) reported that these floods claimed five lives and injured 25 people.

On August 15, President Ruto announced the redeployment of ambassadors, high commissioners, consuls general and deputy heads of mission to 20 posts worldwide, including Goma. Among the nominees was Judy Kiaria Nkumiri, tapped to serve as Kenya’s Consul-General in the city, which has been under the control of the M23 rebel coalition since January 2025.

The following day, the DRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly questioned the move, citing the lack of prior consultations.

In a statement released Monday, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi stressed that the nomination was only the first step in a longer constitutional and diplomatic process.

“Presidential nomination does not in itself constitute a diplomatic posting,” Mudavadi said. “Once parliamentary approval is secured, Kenya will formally seek agreement from the DRC government. In the case of Goma, the process further requires the issuance of an exequatur before the Consul-General may assume official duties.”

Kenya emphasised that the redeployment of diplomats is aimed at strengthening service delivery and advancing its Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), not geopolitical manoeuvring.

“It is not intended to undermine ongoing regional peace efforts or the territorial integrity and sovereignty of any state,” the statement read, reaffirming Nairobi’s commitment to the joint EAC-SADC-AU peace initiative in the DRC.

Mudavadi added that he had spoken with his Congolese counterpart, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, to provide clarification.

Kenya and the DRC have shared diplomatic ties since 1963. Nairobi opened its embassy in Kinshasa in 1968, while the DRC set up its mission in Nairobi around the same time. More recently, the DRC inaugurated a consulate in Mombasa in September 2023, while Kenya established its consulate in Goma in March 2022.

The clarification comes amid heightened sensitivities in eastern Congo, where Goma and Bukavu, the two largest cities in the region, are under M23 control.