Abdullah Othman Abdurrahim, a member of the team, posted the announcement on Facebook, stating that four masked gunmen carried out a “treacherous operation” by storming Gaddafi’s residence at noon in the city of Zintan.
The attackers reportedly disabled surveillance cameras before a “direct armed confrontation” ensued, resulting in his death.
The political team called on the Libyan judiciary and the international community to investigate the “crime” and identify the perpetrators and those who “masterminded” the attack. Authorities in Tripoli and Zintan have not yet confirmed the details of the incident.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has remained a significant and polarizing figure in Libya since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ended his father’s rule.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the ministry said the EU states’ envoys were called in by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi and the relevant director generals at the ministry, describing the bloc’s labeling of the IRGC as “a strategic mistake and an unforgivable insult” to Iran.
According to the statement, the EU members’ ambassadors gave the assurance that they will relay Iran’s protest to their governments as soon as possible.
The EU decided last week to add the IRGC to the bloc’s terrorist list.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday the European ambassadors had been summoned by the ministry on Sunday and Monday.
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday his country considers EU militaries “terrorist groups” in response to the bloc’s action.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the consignment comprises 20 metric tons of food, emergency relief items, and essential medicines to support affected communities.
The ministry indicated that an additional shipment of humanitarian assistance is expected to arrive in Mozambique in the coming days as part of Rwanda’s continued support.
The Commonwealth recently called on member countries, regional partners, and international agencies to provide urgent support to Mozambique following the disaster caused by weeks of relentless rainfall.
“The Commonwealth mourns with the families and communities enduring this hardship,” Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey said, emphasising the urgent need for a coordinated international response.
Rwanda’s intervention in Mozambique is part of a broader pattern of international humanitarian engagement. In July last year, Rwanda delivered a new shipment of humanitarian aid to Gaza to support civilians affected by the protracted conflict in the Middle East.
In partnership with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, over 40 tons of food and medical supplies were dispatched and received in Amman by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation for onward distribution to Gaza.
That delivery marked Rwanda’s fourth humanitarian shipment to Gaza since the conflict erupted in October 2023. It followed earlier consignments in May 2025, November 2024, and October 2023, which together included food, medicines, water, and fortified nutritional supplies for children.
Beyond humanitarian aid deliveries, Rwanda has also provided technical support in post-disaster recovery efforts. In January 2026, the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) deployed a contingent of military engineers to Jamaica to assist with reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Melissa. Working alongside the Jamaica Defence Force, the team has been engaged in rehabilitating critical infrastructure and rebuilding homes in affected communities.
The AYuTE (Agriculture, Youth, and Technology) Challenge is Heifer International’s flagship youth agritech innovation program. It is designed to identify and support scalable, youth-led enterprises that respond to challenges faced by smallholder farmers. Through innovation-driven solutions, the Challenge promotes increased productivity, higher farmer incomes, and stronger resilience across agricultural value chains.
As the Challenge enters its 2026 edition, it builds on a proven record of impact. Previous cohorts of innovators leveraged AYuTE support to strengthen operations, refine business models, expand market reach, and create jobs.
The decision to increase the prize pool this year reflects both the growing ambition of youth-led agribusinesses in Rwanda and Heifer International’s commitment to accelerating their growth and long-term impact.
The experience of past participants highlights what is possible through the Challenge. Reflecting on her journey, Mugeni Niyidukunda, First Runner-Up of the AYuTE Challenge 2025 and founder of Avocare Ltd, a Rwandan company producing premium, cold-pressed extra virgin avocado oil, and avocado-based products, shared how AYuTE support unlocked critical growth opportunities.
“The AYuTE Grant has been a transformative catalyst for Avocare Ltd. It enabled us to expand our production and storage facilities, increasing our avocado intake capacity from two tons per day to between six and ten tons per day. The support also allowed us to establish a modern factory capable of processing up to five tons per day, create more than thirty jobs for youth and women, and strengthen partnerships with over 300 avocado farmers nationwide,” she said.
Similarly, Tresor Gashonga, Founder and CEO of Incuti Foods and winner of the AYuTE Challenge 2025, described how targeted investment translated directly into measurable business growth: “The Rwf 25 million AYuTE Fund investment was a momentous change for Incuti Foods. It enabled us to increase production capacity from 5,000 to 30,000 bottles per month, expand our customer base from 70 to 100 grocery stores, grow smallholder farmer partnerships from 50 to 100, and create 18 new jobs mainly for youth.”
Taken together, these success stories underscore the broader impact of the AYuTE Challenge. Commenting on the launch of the 2026 edition, Verena Ruzibuka, Country Director of Heifer International Rwanda, emphasized both the results achieved so far and the opportunity ahead.
“The growth journeys of innovators like Mugeni and Tresor demonstrate the real, measurable impact the AYuTE Challenge delivers, scaling production, creating jobs, strengthening farmer partnerships, and building resilient agribusinesses.
“By increasing the total cash prize to Rwf 65 million this year, we are raising the bar for what young innovators can achieve. We encourage ambitious youth with innovative solutions to the smallholder farmers’ farming systems to apply and be part of Rwanda’s next generation of agritech leaders,” she stated.
{{Who can apply}}
The 2026 AYuTE Challenge Rwanda is open to youth-led local startups and innovators. Applicants must be aged 18–35, based in Rwanda, and have developed a technology-enabled solution that addresses challenges faced by smallholder farmers and has strong scalability potential.
{{How to apply}}
Interested innovators can apply online via the official application link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AyuTe-Rwanda-Challenge-2026
Applications are now open and will close on February 27, 2026.
About five minutes before the simulated engine ignition on early Tuesday, the ground launch sequencer automatically stopped the countdown due to a spike in the leak rate, according to the agency.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the agency targets March for the launch of Artemis II, shifting away from the February launch window.
The wet dress rehearsal, a full prelaunch test, was designed to fuel the rocket and identify any issues before an actual launch. NASA began the countdown at 8:13 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday (0100 GMT Sunday).
The rehearsal encountered several setbacks. Among the issues, low temperatures at Kennedy Space Center in Florida delayed the start of fueling as some interfaces required time to reach acceptable operating temperatures.
During tanking operations, engineers troubleshot a liquid hydrogen leak at a core-stage interface by stopping the flow of liquid hydrogen, allowing the interface to warm for seals to reseat, and adjusting propellant flow, according to NASA.
In addition to the hydrogen leak at the final prelaunch operations, another delay was caused by a recently replaced valve associated with the Orion crew module hatch pressurization requiring retorquing.
The Artemis II mission will send four astronauts on an approximately 10-day journey around the Moon and back. The crew consists of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
Now in its 33rd edition, the leading global platform for the fruit and vegetable industry is expected to attract around 2,600 exhibitors from more than 90 countries and trade visitors from over 150 nations.
Rwanda is poised to make a strong showing at the fair, represented by the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) representatives from the Rwandan Embassy in Germany and Rwandan companies specializing in the export of fruits and vegetables.
The participation aims to promote Rwanda’s high-quality horticultural products, build new business partnerships, and expand the country’s footprint in international markets, particularly in Europe.
Fruit Logistica serves as a vital hub for the entire fresh produce value chain, connecting growers, suppliers, buyers, distributors, logistics experts, and innovators. It offers unparalleled opportunities to discover emerging trends, technologies, and market insights.
“Fruit Logistica is where the global fresh produce trade comes to life and evolves. No other event brings together this level of international reach, innovation capacity, and market expertise across the entire value chain,” said David Ruetz, Senior Vice President at Messe Berlin, the event’s organizer.
For Rwanda’s exporters, the event represents a strategic chance to boost visibility, secure new export deals, and emphasize the sector’s focus on quality, traceability, and sustainable practices.
Rwanda continues to expand its reach to global markets. Between December 22 and 26, 2025, agricultural exports generated $15.6 million. The largest volumes of fruit were exported to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, and France, alongside several African countries.
During the same period, Rwanda exported 241 tonnes of vegetables, with the UAE, the UK, and Spain emerging as the top destinations.
Speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai, Sánchez said the move was aimed at protecting young people from the harmful effects of online content, including hate speech, pornography, disinformation and online abuse. Social media companies will also be required to implement robust age-verification systems to enforce the ban.
“Our children are exposed to a space they were never meant to navigate alone,” Sánchez said. “We will no longer accept that. We will protect them from the digital Wild West.”
The prime minister said his left-wing coalition government has grown increasingly concerned about the impact of social media on minors, warning that risks such as addiction, manipulation and violence “cannot be accepted.” He stressed that age checks must be “real barriers that work,” not simple box-ticking exercises.
Spain’s announcement follows a similar move by Australia, which in December became the first country to ban social media access for under-16s. The decision is being closely watched by other European nations, including Britain and France, which are considering comparable age-based restrictions. In France, lawmakers are finalising rules to curb access for children under 15.
Sánchez also revealed plans to introduce a separate bill that would hold social media executives legally accountable for illegal and hate content hosted on their platforms. The proposed measures include criminalising algorithmic manipulation and the amplification of unlawful content, as well as establishing systems to track hate speech online.
In addition, prosecutors will explore potential legal infractions linked to platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Elon Musk’s AI tool Grok, Sánchez said, citing concerns over disinformation and other alleged abuses.
The Spanish leader said the challenge of regulating social media extends beyond national borders. Spain has joined five other European countries in what he called a “Coalition of the Digitally Willing,” aimed at coordinating cross-border digital regulation. The group is expected to hold its first meeting in the coming days, though Sánchez did not name the participating countries.
“We know this is a battle that goes far beyond the boundaries of any one country,” he said, calling for broader European cooperation to rein in the power of global technology platforms.
This independent nature has led to repeated accusations that the cow damages crops, resulting in Mukagahutu’s arrests, yet the cow loyally follows her to the police station each time.
Mukagahutu resides in Rumonge Commune, Burunga Province, in northeastern Burundi, where she has long combined cattle rearing with farming.
Among her cows, which she names to reflect their positive traits and value, one stands out. This cow, which has calved six times, bears the poetic name “Biriri Birira mu Cyakunze Abana Bakaririmba,” roughly translating to “The one that brings joy where children sing.”
In an interview with Akeza TV, Mukagahutu explained why this cow lives separately: “It stays alone because whenever it tries to join the other cows, they attack it.”
She described its disciplined daily routine; it wakes at 6 a.m., grazes throughout the day, and returns home by 6 p.m. to nurse its calf. “It does not sleep in the open! It sleeps on the tree behind here,” she said, adding that she leaves it alone to avoid conflicts with the herd.
Because the cow grazes on its own, community members have repeatedly blamed it for crop damage, leading to Mukagahutu being summoned or arrested.
She has paid fines of 200,000 Burundian Francs on one occasion and 500,000 on another to settle the claims. However, neighbors later clarified that the accusations were unfounded, the damage was often caused by other cows, not hers.
One neighbor recounted an incident near Lake Tanganyika: “We took the matter to Izere, and they claimed her cow had grazed the crops. After she paid 500,000, we found out it wasn’t her cow that had grazed the maize.”
What makes the story truly extraordinary is the cow’s behavior during Mukagahutu’s detentions. Each time she is taken to the police station over these accusations, the cow follows her there.
It stays calmly at the station, grazes nearby without bothering anyone, and returns to rest until her release. Mukagahutu revealed that the cow has even given birth five times while at the police station alongside her.
“Even when they arrest me, we are together. It stays in the station,” she said.
The incidents stem partly from a presidential decree in Burundi banning open grazing in fields to protect crops.
The President of Burundi issued a decree banning farmers from open grazing in fields to protect crops. Mukagahutu tried tying her cow and feeding it prepared fodder, but fearing it would die without freedom to graze, she released it again.
Despite the troubles, Mukagahutu remains attached to her loyal animal. She says no one will take it from her unless they pay 20 million Burundian Francs (approximately USD 6,700).
Launched in 2016, the initiative allows individuals who can prove African ancestry, primarily descendants of those affected by the transatlantic slave trade, to apply for Ghanaian nationality. Over 1,000 people, including African American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, have successfully obtained citizenship through the program.
However, applicants have raised concerns over the complexity and cost of the process. Among the challenges are multiple stages of application, strict deadlines, and significant fees. The initial application costs $136 (about Rwf 197,000), with shortlisted candidates required to pay an additional $2,280 (Rwf 3.3 million) before attending a one-day citizenship orientation and receiving their nationality at a ceremony overseen by the president.
Dr. Erieka Bennet, ambassador for the Diaspora African Forum, which assists applicants relocating to Ghana, told the BBC that many found it “impossible” to submit required DNA evidence within the one-week deadline, and some questioned the reliability of the testing. She expressed confidence that the government would resolve these issues and resume the process.
Ghana has not provided a timeline for when applications will reopen, but has said updated guidelines and timelines will be issued “in due course.” The suspension has created uncertainty for prospective applicants planning relocation or investment in the country.
The program is part of Ghana’s longstanding Pan-African vision, championed by its first president, Kwame Nkrumah, and was reinforced by the 2019 “Year of Return,” which sought to encourage Africans worldwide to reconnect with the country.
Ghana is not alone in targeting the African diaspora. Neighbouring countries like Benin and Sierra Leone also offer citizenship based on verified ancestral ties. Benin, through its “My Afro Origins” initiative, has already granted citizenship to high-profile figures, including director Spike Lee and singer Ciara, aiming to boost cultural ties, human capital, and tourism.
On 2 February 2026, a session was held to review and update the list of individuals participating in the appeal proceedings.
The panel of jurors for the case is expected to be confirmed on 3 February, when the official list of witnesses and expert witnesses will also be announced.
At least 50 individuals are expected to testify, with nearly 20 scheduled to give their testimony from Kigali.
The proceedings will also include questioning of the accused and testimony from the professional who assessed Claude Muhayimana’s behavior, upbringing, and social background.
Meanwhile, the President of the Assize Court held a preparatory meeting with lawyers ahead of the appeal trial on 19 November 2025, during which they reviewed the list of witnesses to be called.
Muhayimana is seeking to have the charges against him dismissed and to be acquitted of the crimes for which he was convicted nearly four years ago.
Claude Muhayimana was born in 1961 in the former Kibuye Prefecture in western Rwanda. During the Genocide, he worked as a guesthouse driver. He later fled to France, where he was granted French citizenship in 2010 and settled in the city of Rouen.
On 9 April 2014, Muhayimana was arrested by French police following a complaint from CPCR, an organization that advocates for the prosecution of genocide perpetrators still in hiding.
On 10 April 2015, Muhayimana was released under judicial supervision while the investigation continued. His trial was initially scheduled to begin in September 2020 but was postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
When the trial opened on 22 November 2021, Muhayimana was accused of transporting Interahamwe militia members who were going to kill Tutsi civilians in Kibuye between April and July 1994.
The prosecution also stated that Muhayimana played a role in the killings of Tutsi civilians at Kibuye Parish Church on 17 April 1994, at Gatwaro Stadium, and at “Home St Jean” the following day.
Represented by lawyers Philippe Meilhac and Françoise Marthe, Muhayimana denied the charges against him, stating that he was being prosecuted because of his alleged membership in the RNC opposition group.
On 16 December 2021, the trial chamber of the Paris Assize Court found Muhayimana guilty of complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity and sentenced him to 14 years in prison after concluding that he had transported Interahamwe militia members.
The court stated, however, that it could not establish his involvement in the killings of Tutsi civilians in the town of Kibuye, noting that he claimed he was transporting the body of a gendarme named Mwafurika who had been killed in Bisesero to Ruhengeri at the time those killings occurred.
The genocide survivors’ organization IBUKA stated that the sentence imposed on Muhayimana was too lenient in relation to the crimes he committed.
