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Mixed signals on potential U.S. – Iran talks

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi are reported to plan a meeting in Istanbul on Friday to discuss a potential nuclear deal and other issues, Axios cited a U.S. official as saying on Monday.

But Iranian media later cast doubt on the reports. Tasnim, citing Iranian officials, said details of the talks have not been finalized. “The potential negotiations are still at a preliminary stage, and once the overall framework and structure of the talks take shape, subsequent stages and further details will be finalized,” the agency reported.

Earlier Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran was carefully studying the structure of potential negotiations with Washington, with a focus on lifting sanctions and advancing national interests.

He emphasized that sanctions relief remains a core priority. Baghaei cited Araghchi as saying the nuclear issue has long been used as a pretext for conflict against Iran, and added that Iran’s primary demand in any talks is “the removal of unjust sanctions.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reportedly ordered the start of negotiations with the United States on the nuclear issue, according to semi-official Fars News Agency, citing an unnamed government source. Fars also reported that talks would likely take place in Türkiye in the coming days.

Trump on Sunday warned that if Iran fails to reach a nuclear deal with Washington, the United States would assess whether Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s claim that an attack could spark a regional war is accurate. Araghchi told CNN the same day that a “just, fair, and equitable” nuclear deal with the United States remains achievable if Washington abandons coercive policies.

Tensions remain high

The developments come amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions. The Trump administration deployed an aircraft carrier strike group and multiple warships to the Middle East in late January, with the U.S. leader continuing to send warnings to Tehran.

Also on Monday, the Israeli military announced that Israeli and U.S. naval forces conducted a joint exercise in the Red Sea a day earlier.

The drill is part of the ongoing strategic coordination between the Israeli Navy and the U.S. 5th Fleet, which oversees maritime operations in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Gulf of Oman, the Israeli military added. Officials characterized the maneuvers as a routine effort to strengthen regional security and interoperability between the two partners.

In response to the military buildup, Iran’s Armed Forces’ Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi warned that Tehran’s response to “the slightest mistake” by the United States could trigger a regional war, according to official news agency IRNA. He said Iran cannot be “blockaded” and any attack would have severe consequences for U.S. forces and their allies.

Washington has said any deal with Iran must include a ban on uranium enrichment, the removal of already enriched material, limits on long-range missiles, and a rollback of support for regional proxies. Analysts said such conditions would be “very difficult” for Iran to accept.

A senior Iranian security official told Fars on Monday that Tehran does not plan to send enriched nuclear materials abroad, after Russia and Türkiye suggested they could host or process Iran’s uranium to ease tensions.

Regional diplomacy is also active. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi assured his Iranian counterpart that Jordan would not allow its territory or airspace to be used for attacks on Iran. “Jordan will not be a battleground in any regional conflict or a launching pad for any military action against Iran,” the ministry said. Similar assurances have come from other regional countries, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Domestic security operations

Iranian authorities on Monday said they arrested four foreigners of undisclosed nationalities for “participation in riots” in Tehran province. State television reported that homemade stun grenades were found during searches of suspects’ belongings. Authorities have accused Israel and the United States of involvement in the unrest.

The office of President Pezeshkian released a list Sunday of 2,986 people killed in the unrest, compiled from data provided by the Iranian Legal Medicine Organization. The total death toll, including unidentified victims, stands at 3,117. The statement emphasized a commitment to transparency and accountability, pledging that no bereaved family would be left unheard.

Weeks of protests over the sharp depreciation of the rial swept cities across Iran from late December to January. Initially peaceful, the demonstrations escalated into clashes that caused casualties and damage to public property, including mosques, government buildings, and banks. Tehran has blamed the unrest on the United States and Israel.

In response to the military buildup, Iran’s Armed Forces’ Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi warned that Tehran’s response to “the slightest mistake” by the United States could trigger a regional war, according to official news agency IRNA.

Xinhua

Bachelet’s candidacy was recommended by her country, Chile, as well as Brazil and Mexico, said La Neice Collins, the spokeswoman.

The other candidate so far for the top UN job is Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The term for the next UN secretary-general starts on Jan. 1, 2027.

Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has been recommended as a candidate for the next UN secretary-general.

Xinhua

The decision was announced on Monday, February 2, at the conclusion of a meeting of the Ceasefire Oversight and Verification Mechanism held in Doha and hosted by the State of Qatar. During the meeting, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and AFC/M23 signed the terms of reference stemming from the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), formalising procedures for monitoring, verification and information exchange in support of the peace process in eastern DRC.

According to the statement, members of the mechanism 'tasked MONUSCO with dispatching the first field mission to the city of Uvira to monitor the ceasefire in the coming days,' adding that the necessary field communication channels had been established to facilitate the mission’s work.

Both parties also renewed their commitment to the ceasefire and to the Doha Framework Agreement for Peace signed on November 15, 2025, reaffirming their determination to implement 'all obligations stipulated therein in good faith, in support of the peaceful process.'

The meeting was attended by members of the mechanism, with the United States and the African Union participating as observers. The Republic of Togo attended in its capacity as the African Union—appointed mediator, alongside representatives of MONUSCO and the ICGLR.

Participants reviewed developments on the ground and discussed existing challenges to the ceasefire. Emphasis was placed on the need for practical measures to strengthen monitoring and verification, particularly through coordinated field missions. In this context, MONUSCO was tasked with dispatching its first ceasefire monitoring mission to Uvira, with dedicated communication channels established to support the mission’s work.

Uvira has been a focal point in recent months. AFC/M23 captured the strategic city in South Kivu late last year, describing the move as an effort to protect civilians from what it alleged were ethnic atrocities committed by coalition forces aligned with the Kinshasa government and its allies. The group later announced a unilateral withdrawal, framing the move as a confidence-building measure aimed at supporting the Doha peace process.

In a statement dated December 15, 2025, AFC/M23 said the withdrawal followed progress in the Doha talks and was carried out at the request of United States mediation. The alliance said it opted to pull back its forces despite what it described as continued provocations by the Congolese army (FARDC) and allied militias, arguing that the move was intended to give the peace process 'the maximum chance' to succeed.

At the same time, AFC/M23 warned against a security vacuum in Uvira and called for concrete measures, including demilitarisation, protection of civilians and infrastructure, and neutral ceasefire monitoring.

Despite the renewed commitments in Doha, tensions persist. Both the Congolese government and AFC/M23 have continued to accuse each other of ceasefire violations. The Kinshasa administration, in particular, has been accused by AFC/M23 of targeting civilian populations through drone attacks.

Observers say the success of MONUSCO’s mission in Uvira, and the broader credibility of the peace process, will depend on whether commitments made in Doha translate into restraint on the ground and improved protection for civilians in South Kivu.

The decision to deploy MONUSCO to monitor the ceasefire in Uvira was announced on Monday, February 2, at the conclusion of a meeting of the Ceasefire Oversight and Verification Mechanism held in Doha and hosted by the State of Qatar.

The meeting was attended by members of the mechanism, with the United States and the African Union participating as observers.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

SpaceX confirmed the takeover of xAI , the company behind the Grok chatbot, in a memo from Musk published on its website.

He described the merger as the creation of an 'innovation engine' bringing together AI, rockets, satellite internet and media under a single structure.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but a source familiar with the deal said xAI was valued at about $125bn, while SpaceX was pegged at $1tn, potentially making it the world’s most valuable private company.

The move follows Tesla’s $2bn investment in xAI announced last month. At the time, Musk told Tesla investors that xAI could act as an 'orchestra conductor' for the company’s factories, particularly as it shifts toward autonomous robots. Tesla has since said it will stop producing two vehicle models to focus on robotics, a decision that faced resistance from some shareholders.

Industry analysts see the deal as a step toward a future stock market debut. Emily Zheng, a senior analyst at Pitchbook, said the consolidation 'has all the markings of a company preparing for a public listing,' citing the high costs of AI infrastructure and energy.

'Consolidating these companies ahead of an IPO [electric car company] allows SpaceX to present a differentiated, capital-efficient growth narrative,' she said.

In the memo, Musk argued that space offers the long-term solution to AI’s energy demands.
'In the long term, space-based AI is obviously the only way to scale,' he wrote, pointing to AI satellites and space-based data centres as a near-term focus.

xAI, which emerged from X (formerly Twitter), has also faced scrutiny in Europe over Grok’s image-generation features. The company said it has since imposed new restrictions on users.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has moved to acquire his artificial intelligence start-up xAI, further consolidating the billionaire’s expanding business empire around space, AI and advanced robotics. ( AI generated photo for illustration)

IGIHE

The motions, filed separately on Friday by left-wing parliamentary groups including La France Insoumise, the Democratic and Republican Left group (GDR) and the Ecologists, as well as by the far-right National Rally and its ally, the Union of the Right for the Republic (UDR), accused the government of abusing constitutional powers to force the budget through parliament.

The first motion, put forward by 113 left-wing deputies, garnered 260 votes, falling 29 votes short of the 289 required for adoption, according to the National Assembly.

The second motion, tabled by 106 right-wing deputies, was also rejected, receiving 135 votes, well below the threshold needed to bring down the government.

According to the French Constitution, Article 49.3 allows the Prime Minister, with Cabinet approval, to force the passage of a bill (typically finance or social security) through the National Assembly without a vote. The bill is deemed adopted unless a motion of no-confidence is passed.

Lecornu first invoked Article 49.3 in the National Assembly on Jan. 20 to push through the revenue side of the budget bill, and used the mechanism again to adopt the expenditure side after his government survived two no-confidence votes on Jan. 23. Following another round of no-confidence motions last Tuesday, the government made a third and final use of Article 49.3 on Friday to have the budget adopted in its entirety.

With the no-confidence votes cleared on Monday, France’s 2026 state budget was definitively adopted, bringing to an end nearly four months of parliamentary debate and a prolonged political standoff over the budget bill, pending review by the Constitutional Council prior to promulgation.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu delivers a speech ahead of no-confidence votes at the National Assembly in Paris, France, Feb. 2, 2026. France adopted its 2026 state budget after the government led by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes over the issue in the National Assembly on Monday.

Xinhua

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.

The Appeals Chamber of the Assize Court in Paris is set to begin hearing the appeal filed by Claude Muhayimana.

IGIHE

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.

Ghana has temporarily suspended its citizenship program for members of the African diaspora, citing the need to make the application process more accessible and efficient.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

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).

Mukagahutu resides in Rumonge Commune, Burunga Province, in northeastern Burundi, where she has long combined cattle rearing with farming.

Mukagahutu, who has lived in the country for 42 years, owns a cow that refuses to stay in a shed and instead grazes independently.

A Rwandan woman named Annonciata Mukagahutu living in Burundi has captured attention with her remarkably devoted cow.

IGIHE

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.

Rania Umutoni

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.

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.

This year, Rwanda will be represented by the NAEB, the Rwandan Embassy in Germany, and companies specializing in the export of fruits and vegetables.

For Rwanda’s exporters, the event represents a strategic chance to boost visibility, secure new export deals

Rwanda is among cuntries that showcased fresh produce at ‘Fruit Logistica’ trade show in 2025.

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Karirima Aimable Ngarambe