The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in the statement that Israel has offered and continues to offer the flotilla a way to deliver any aid they might have to Gaza “peacefully.”
“The flotilla refused because they are not interested in aid, but in provocation,” the statement reads.
It added that the Israeli navy has reached out to the flotilla and asked them to change course. “Israel has informed the flotilla that it is approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade,” the ministry said.
According to the GSF, the international maritime initiative comprises about 50 civilian vessels and more than 500 volunteers from over 40 countries, aiming to challenge Israel’s naval blockade on the Gaza Strip and deliver food and medical aid to Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The flotilla set sail from ports of various countries since August, converging toward Gaza with the goal of opening a humanitarian corridor by sea. During the trip, the fleet has come under repeated attacks, including drone strikes and “intimidation attacks.”
Earlier in the day, the GSF said that two of its vessels were harassed by Israeli warships overnight, which jammed their communications.
Some countries, including Italy and Greece, have urged Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of the GSF participants headed for Gaza and to allow consular protection measures.
Israel imposed a naval blockade on Gaza in 2007 after Hamas seized control of the enclave. The Israeli restrictions have been further tightened following Hamas’s cross-border assault into southern Israel in October 2023.
People gather to support the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), in central Tripoli, Libya, Oct. 1, 2025. Several vessels of the GSF have been stopped in the Mediterranean Sea as they approached Gaza shores, and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port, according to a statement issued by the Israeli Foreign Ministry on Wednesday night.
TIME magazine honoured Dr. Nsanzimana in the Innovation category, recognising his pioneering role in advancing public health in Rwanda and beyond. His tribute was penned by Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation, who highlighted the minister’s commitment to reducing maternal and child mortality and ensuring equity in healthcare delivery.
'Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana says that if you want to quickly learn how a country’s health system is doing, you only have to look at two indicators: maternal and child mortality. Over the past 25 years, Rwanda has made stunning improvements on these metrics. But Dr. Nsanzimana committed to driving them even lowerâ”because everyone deserves to survive childbirth and childhood,' Suzman wrote.
An epidemiologist by training, Dr. Nsanzimana gained international attention in 2024 after successfully leading efforts to halt a Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, achieving the lowest recorded fatality for such an outbreak.
Since assuming office as Minister of Health, he has prioritised equitable access to proven health solutions, including scaling up nutritional support for pregnant women during the perinatal period.
The TIME100 Next list, a companion to the renowned TIME100, spotlights the 'world’s most influential rising stars'. This includes leaders, innovators, advocates, artists, and change-makers who are redefining the next generation of leadership. Honourees come from diverse fields, ranging from politics and science to the arts and technology.
This year’s TIME100 Next list placed Dr. Nsanzimana among a diverse group of global innovators. His fellow honorees in this category included Afrobeats musician Rema, celebrated playwright Sanaz Toossi, de-extinction entrepreneur Ben Lamm, rising hip-hop artist GloRilla, young football phenom Lamine Yamal, and venture capital tech executive Fatoumata Ba.
Dr. Nsanzimana’s recognition not only underscores his influence on Rwanda’s health sector but also positions him as a leading voice in shaping equitable healthcare solutions for the world.
Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, has been named to the prestigious TIME100 Next list, which celebrates emerging leaders and innovators shaping the future across the globe.
On September 30, 2025, the High Military Court of the Democratic Republic of the Congo found Kabila guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity, treason, and allegedly leading an unauthorized armed group. The court sentenced him to death.
The ruling also ordered Kabila to pay 33 billion US dollars in damages for destruction attributed to the AFC/M23 coalition.
According to Radio Okapi, CCDH coordinator Eloi Lubilansam denounced the verdict, emphasizing that 'justice must never become a political weapon or an instrument of revenge’.
He also reminded that Joseph Kabila, like any defendant, is entitled to a fair defense, the presumption of innocence, and an impartial judge.
Ferdinand Kambere, deputy general secretary of Kabila’s People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) said the trial aimed to silence opposition voices.
'This trial has no other purpose than to silence a man who worked for the reunification, pacification, and democratization of the country. It is a political and unfair conviction aimed at erasing a dissenting voice,' he said.
Joseph Kabila ruled the DRC from 2001 to 2019 before handing power to President Félix Tshisekedi. On September 2, Kabila rejected the accusations, calling them false and politically motivated.
A human rights organization based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, CCDH, has strongly condemned the trial of former president Joseph Kabila, describing it as politically motivated revenge.
This is not just another development zone; it’s a provincial-level pilot for China’s carbon peaking and neutrality goals.
Spanning 31 square kilometers, the park uses a combination of green electricity and hydrogen energy to power industries. I even got to ride a hydrogen-powered bike â” I pedaled lightly, and the bike accelerated almost effortlessly. It felt like a glimpse into the future of clean mobility.
Next was Jiangsu Yueda Textile Group. Walking into their 400-million-yuan intelligent factory felt like entering another world. Everything runs on 5G-connected machinery, from spinning to weaving to dyeing. Robots work with precision, minimizing errors and reducing the workforce per 10,000 spindles by 72%, while increasing efficiency by 30%.
It’s a National Green Factory, and seeing how traditional textile production has transformed into a smart operation left a lasting impression.
At Jiangsu Yueda Kia Automobile Co., the scale of innovation was even more striking. The company can manufacture a full car body in just 50 seconds, producing around 1,000 vehicles per day, with exports to more than 70 countries.
Inside the smart factory, 558 robots work in harmony, achieving 100 percent automation in the welding workshop. This is Yancheng’s global face â” competitive, efficient, and forward-looking.
Technology here isn’t limited to industry. At the Yandu Digital Agriculture Science and Technology Park, I saw how big data and real-time sales information are used to build a smart agricultural ecosystem.
This park connects markets across eastern and western China, ensuring products move efficiently. It showed me how technology can make farming not only smarter but also more inclusive.
Yancheng’s Cross-Border E-Commerce Industrial Park is another example. Hosting over 80 companies, including Alibaba International Station and Sinotrans DHL, the park links local industries with global markets.
Walking through its modern facilities, I could sense how the city is positioning itself as a trade and logistics hub with a digital backbone.
The Yangtze River Delta Digital Audiovisual Industry Base offered a completely different experience. Here, technology meets creativity. I explored virtual studios and interactive digital human technologies.
It’s the first digital audiovisual industry base in the region, bringing together more than 100 companies and building an ecosystem for content production, simulation, and digital services.
My technological journey also took me to Jiangsu Tianyi Aviation Industry Co., a company that has become a national leader in 5G airport technology. Founded in 2011, it focuses on developing 38 types of airport-specific equipment and has played a major role in setting national civil aviation standards.
Walking through its facilities, I was struck by how innovation drives every corner â” from the precision engineering labs to the smart systems that power modern airports. It was inspiring to see how a local company has gained national recognition for shaping the future of aviation technology.
What ties all these places together is Yancheng’s clear vision: to lead in green, smart, and globally connected industries. As I moved from one site to another, I felt I wasn’t just observing innovation; I was standing inside a living model of a future many cities aspire to build.
Dafeng Port Zero-Carbon Industrial Park is located in Yancheng.
Jiangsu Yueda Kia Automobile Co., can manufacture a full car body in just 50 seconds, producing around 1,000 vehicles per day.
The accident occurred around 7:45 a.m. local time on Wednesday during an annual church celebration in the town of Arerti, North Shewa Zone, when a makeshift wooden scaffolding used for finishing work on a church gave way, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporation quoted district police chief Ahmed Gebeyehu as saying.
Police said the death toll could rise further as more than 200 people sustained serious and minor injuries. The injured are receiving medical treatment at nearby health facilities.
The collapse caused significant damage, trapping many worshippers beneath the debris and complicating rescue efforts, it was noted, adding that emergency operations are continuing to free those still trapped.
The Senate voted on the same two bills that it failed to pass Tuesday night â” one from Democrats and the other from Republicans.
Healthcare benefits remain a key sticking point in the latest negotiations, with Democrats advocating stronger healthcare funding, while Republicans accuse them of seeking to provide free healthcare to undocumented immigrants.
“Now, Senate Democrats are shutting down the government and holding the economy hostage because they want to reinstate those benefits for illegal aliens,” U.S. Vice President JD Vance said in a Fox News interview on Wednesday.
“Republicans shut down the government because they can’t be bothered to protect health care for Americans across this country,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday on X.
Schumer said Tuesday on social media that Republicans were lying about Democrats’ stance. “This is a lie. Not a single federal dollar goes to providing health insurance for undocumented immigrants. NOT. ONE. PENNY.”
The Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol are among the landmarks closed due to the government shutdown. The Smithsonian Institution said that it will use money from the last fiscal year’s budget to keep its museums, research centers and the National Zoo open at least through Oct. 6.
Most national parks will keep outdoor areas open, but staffed facilities, such as visitor centers, will be closed.
Federal employees who are considered essential must still report to work, although they will not be paid until the government reopens. Hundreds of thousands of others will be placed on unpaid leave. Some public services will be suspended or delayed, and the release of economic data will also be affected.
“Shutdowns don’t save money, they waste money,” Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, said in a statement.
“Under shutdowns, we pay federal workers not to work and rent buildings that aren’t being used, all while requiring costly shutdown planning, inefficient allocation of government resources, and a reduction in the services available to the American people. We should avoid a shutdown and keep the government funded,” she said.
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday failed to approve a short-term spending bill, as the federal government entered its first shutdown in nearly seven years.
The move expands the airline’s East African network, connecting Kigali with two of the region’s most popular coastal destinations.
The flights will operate four times a weekâ”on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundaysâ”using a Boeing B737. The new service marks RwandAir’s return to Mombasa, where it last flew in 2019, and introduces Zanzibar as a fresh addition to its route map. With this expansion, RwandAir now serves three destinations in Tanzania and two in Kenya.
'Returning to Mombasa and introducing Zanzibar is another step forward in our ambitious growth journey,' said Yvonne Makolo, CEO of RwandAir. 'By expanding our East African network, we are strengthening Kigali’s position as a key hub, giving our customers more opportunities to explore the region, while also opening doors for trade, tourism and stronger ties across East Africa.'
The route is designed to offer both weekend getaways and extended vacations, giving travellers convenient access to pristine beaches, vibrant marine life, and world-class leisure experiences.
Flight WB 444 will depart Kigali at 9:50 AM, arriving in Zanzibar at 12:50 PM before continuing to Mombasa, arriving at 2:35 PM. The return journey, Flight WB 445, will leave Mombasa at 5:10 PM, with a brief stop in Zanzibar before arriving back in Kigali at 8:00 PM.
As the recent winner of Skytrax’s Best African Regional Airline award, RwandAir affirms that its latest route underscores its commitment to strengthening regional connectivity and enhancing the travel experience for its customers.
RwandAir operates a fleet of 13 aircraft, serving over 144 destinations through direct flights and codeshare partnerships, connecting Africa to the world from its hub in Kigali.
The event, held at the Kigali Marriott Hotel on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, forms part of the country’s ongoing work toward a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (2025â”2028).
Co-organised by Initiatives for Peace and Human Rights (iPeace) and the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), with financial support from the African Coalition for Corporate Accountability (ACCA), the roundtable brought together government officials, private sector leaders, civil society representatives, and development partners. The goal was to explore ways to integrate international human rights and environmental standards into Rwanda’s domestic legal framework.
If adopted, the MHREDD law would position Rwanda alongside countries like France, Germany, and the European Union, which have implemented similar regulations to align corporate conduct with human rights and environmental sustainability.
In her opening remarks, Providence Umurungi, Chairperson of the NCHR, emphasised the importance of the discussions.
“Rwanda is preparing a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, which will provide a solid foundation for these discussions. Exploring a mandatory due diligence law is the next logical step to translate our commitments into tangible accountability, ensuring that economic growth goes hand-in-hand with respect for human rights and environmental protection,” she stated.
Prof. Elvis Mbembe, CEO of iPeace, highlighted the need for a uniquely Rwandan model of due diligence.
“Today is about initiating a truly Rwandan model of due diligence. By learning from global best practices and tailoring them to our context, we can create a framework that supports responsible business, protects our people and planet, and reinforces Rwanda’s leadership on the continent,” he noted.
The discussions featured expert presentations on international MHREDD frameworks and lessons learned from other jurisdictions. Participants explored how Rwanda could develop a context-specific approach while addressing current challenges in the local business environment.
Key institutions represented included the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), and the Ministry of Justice (MINIJUST), alongside civil society organisations and private sector stakeholders.
Panel discussions highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of embedding mandatory due diligence into Rwanda’s laws. While many stakeholders recognised the complexity of monitoring supply chains and enforcing compliance, there was strong consensus on the urgency of aligning Rwanda’s economic growth with international human rights and environmental standards.
The roundtable produced several key outcomes, including a shared understanding of the priorities and potential models for a Rwandan MHREDD law, a strengthened multi-stakeholder commitment to advancing the business and human rights agenda, and an agreement on follow-up actions to sustain momentum and lay the groundwork for future legislation.
Participants underscored that adopting such a law would not only safeguard people and the environment but also enhance Rwanda’s reputation as a responsible and forward-looking investment destination. By embedding sustainability and human rights into its business ecosystem, Rwanda could further differentiate itself as a leader in Africa’s drive for ethical development.
The Kigali roundtable is widely viewed as a milestone in Rwanda’s journey toward embedding corporate responsibility in its governance framework. With consensus beginning to form around the need for MHREDD legislation, the country is set to build on its reputation for progressive policymaking.
Observers note that Rwanda’s leadership in this area could inspire other African nations to pursue similar reforms, creating momentum across the continent. As multinational companies increasingly face scrutiny over their human rights and environmental practices, Rwanda’s move toward MHREDD could also strengthen its position in global markets.
As the process unfolds, stakeholders will continue to refine the framework, balancing the need for accountability with support for business growth and innovation.
The event, held at the Kigali Marriott Hotel on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, forms part of the country’s ongoing work toward a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (2025â”2028).
Providence Umurungi, Chairperson of the National Commission for Human Rights, delivering the keynote speech.
Prof. Elvis Mbembe, CEO of iPeace, highlighted the need for a uniquely Rwandan model of due diligence.
Speaking at the UN Security Council briefing on September 30, Rwanda’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Martin Ngoga, said the UN reports on eastern DRC overlooked key drivers of the conflict, including tensions between the AFC/M23 rebel group and the Kinshasa administration, as well as the security threats posed to Rwanda.
'The latest report on eastern DRC reflects troubling omissions. Chief among them is the failure to sufficiently address one of the most dangerous drivers of violence, and that is hate speech and identity-based persecution. The report does not address the issue of mercenaries,' Ngoga said.
FDLR’s decades-long menace
Ngoga accused the DRC government of continuing to back the FDLR, remnants of the militia responsible for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, despite repeated concerns raised by Rwanda.
'FDLR, that is backed by the DRC government, has its origin in the force that killed 1 million Rwandans. It is the only genocidal group that remained in its military formation, in known locations, with the same intentions, undisturbed for a period of 31 years,' he said.
Ngoga warned that the FDLR’s presence in eastern DRC directly threatens Rwanda’s security. 'It happened once to us in ’94. We took advice from preachers and hid in churches, and we were slaughtered like cows. It will never happen again. FDLR are Rwandans, and in Rwanda is where they should be, and this is what we are asking the DRC to do,' he said.
He added that, unlike neighbouring countries like Tanzania that disarmed and repatriated perpetrators of the 1994 genocide, the DRC has chosen to arm and support the group.
'The problem we have with the DRC is they chose the opposite direction: to arm them, reorganise them, continue to support them until now. And we have a report 31 years later that says they even have strongholds in the DRC. These are people who killed our people, want to continue killing…They should be neutralised.'
He questioned MONUSCO’s role, noting: 'MONUSCO cooperates with the DRC government, DRC army, knowing FDLR is within the DRC army. And what MONUSCO does, and this is on record, is to avoid units and battalions in which FDLR is deployed. Formally, that is the position of MONUSCO. What does complicity mean?'
Mercenaries are a growing concern
Ngoga also raised alarm over mercenaries operating in eastern DRC, saying they have been consistently overlooked in UN reporting. This comes amid reports that the DRC has enlisted mercenaries from the private security firm of former US Navy SEAL officer Erik Prince, months after Romanian mercenaries were forced to flee following the M23 offensive in Goma.
'There are mercenaries now. There were mercenaries before. When they were thrashed out of the forest, everyone was there to see. Why is it that the Security Council treats this as a non-issue, and why is it that MONUSCO does not consider this as an issue?' he asked, urging the UN to address their presence as a serious threat to regional stability.
UN reporting and hate speech
Ngoga criticised the UN for underreporting key facts and portraying armed groups in a biased manner. He also highlighted the dangers of hate speech targeting Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese communities.
'I have seen reports of the Security Council where you quote from social media postings. Who has not seen hate speech on social media, in classrooms, in churches, where hate is taught to 10-year-olds? Only last week, some people were being tormented because they had long noses. Those who know the history of the region know what it means. What a long nose meansâ”it means death to some people,' he said.
Call for a credible peace process
While criticising the UN, Rwanda reiterated its commitment to the Washington Peace Agreement and the Doha process, which provide structured and inclusive frameworks for dialogue, addressing governance, exclusion, armed groups, and ethnic tensions.
'This is a one-time chance to bring lasting peace to the DRC, and the Security Council must lend its unequivocal support. Rwanda is fully committed to this process, and we shall implement it to the letter,' Ngoga said.
He also stressed the importance of humanitarian access and the safe return of refugees. 'Some of the refugees are already returning to Rwanda, and mechanisms are in place to receive them,' he said.
Rwanda’s right to self-defence
At the same time, Ngoga reminded the Council that Rwanda has faced repeated cross-border attacks from the DRC over three decades and stressed that Rwanda will continue to defend itself in the face of threats.
'If 21 attacks by a non-state group supported by a state member of the UN do not constitute the reason to activate Article 51 of the Charter, which threshold exists?' he asked, stressing Rwanda’s right to defend its citizens.
For a long time, benefiting from the deep-rooted brotherly friendship between China and Rwanda, the two countries have continuously deepened practical cooperation in various economic and social fields under the jointly building initiatives for peace, security, development, and governance, as well as within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
Both sides have achieved sustained and rapid development, particularly in traditional and emerging areas such as trade, investment, infrastructure construction, agriculture, education, energy, healthcare, human resources, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and green development.
Enterprises from both countries actively share market resources and development experiences, continuously innovate cooperation models and channels, and actively engage in third-party cooperation, making positive and greater contributions to advancing the economies of both sides, the region, and even the world.
The shared economic development between China and Rwanda and the mutually enterprises between China and the mutually beneficial cooperation between enterprises of both countries are rooted in a sound bilateral environment, yet they also depend on a stable multilateral environment.
Currently, certain countries are abusing tariff measures, severely undermining global economic and trade order. The multilateral trading system is facing unprecedented challenges, while uncertainty and instability in the global economy are on the rise.
As a responsible major developing country, China has consistently adhered to the development philosophy of extensive consultation, joint contribution ans shared benefits. China will always uphold true multilateralism, support the rules-based multilateral trading system, actively participate in the WTO reform process, firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing members, better bridge the North-South development gap, promote the improvement of global economic governance, and build an open global economy.
China is the world’s largest developing country, and issues of unbalanced and inadequate development persist. Development remains China’s foremost priority. While advancing its own development, China is committed to continuously injecting new momentum and energy into promoting global economic growth and upholding the world economic order.
On September 23, 2025, local time, Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China solemnly declared to the world while attending events related to the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly that China, as a responsible major developing country, will not seek new special and differential treatment in the current and future negotiations of the World Trade Organization.
China joined the WTO as a developing member, and enjoying special and differential treatment is its legitimate institutional right. Since joining the WTO, China has actively participated in multilateral trade negotiations, autonomously and pragmatically handled special and differential treatment based on its own development level and capacity, and made important contributions to achieving multiple WTO negotiation outcomes and promoting global trade liberalization and facilitation.
The significant measure announced by China carries distinct developmental attributes. It will help the multilateral trading system to better focus on development issues, enhance the inclusivity of international trade, and better bridge the North-South development divide, thereby fulfilling the WTO’s original purpose of promoting global development.
China’s position in the current and future WTO negotiations remains unchanged in three aspects: its status as a developing member will not change, its resolve to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing members will not change, and its stance on promoting global trade and investment liberalization and facilitation will not change. On the issue of special and differential treatment, China has always stood together with other developing members of the WTO, firmly safeguarding the fairness and inclusiveness of the multilateral trading system.
Rwanda is one of the fastest-growing nations in Africa, dedicated to economic innovation and growth through market-oriented reforms, privatization, trade liberalization, and the attraction of foreign investment. The country emphasizes private sector development, infrastructure enhancement, and high-yield agriculture.
Rwanda has achieved sustained social stability and long-term economic growth, becoming one of the few African countries to meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. It offers a favorable environment and abundant opportunities for enterprises worldwide, including those from China. Simultaneously, Rwanda actively engages in international and regional affairs, upholding principles of justice, fairness, equity, and equality.. It continues to contribute positively to maintaining international order and advancing global economic development.
Since establishing diplomatic relations 54 years ago, China and Rwanda have consistently maintained a sincere friendship built on equality, working closely together on bilateral and international matters. This enduring partnership has deepened the bonds between the people of both countries and serves as a exemplary model of South-South Cooperation, our bilateral relations are poised to scale new heights. Our joint commitment to upholding the multilateral trading system and advancing the common development of the Global South will be further fortified, charting an even smoother course toward mutual benefit, win-win cooperation, and shared progress.
Mr. Gao Zhiqiang is the Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda.
