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Ekenge resumed the role after being sidelined in late 2025 following comments he made on national broadcaster RTNC, in which he warned Congolese men against marrying Tutsi women.

At the time, Ekenge said: 'Today, if you marry a Tutsi woman, you have to be very careful, you have to be very careful because… they can even give you someone from her family, such as a nephew or cousin, who comes to your home and is not actually a cousin or nephew, but someone who comes to have children with your wife in your home. [When children are born], they tell you that the children were born looking like Tutsis because Tutsis are a superior ethnic group.'

His return comes as the FARDC deals with the aftermath of a September 25, 2026 plane crash in Kenge, Kwango Province, which involved several soldiers. Ekenge signed the military's statement confirming the crash.

The remarks that led to his suspension sparked criticism from Tutsi community representatives and the AFC/M23.

FARDC leadership subsequently distanced itself from Ekenge's comments, saying they did not represent the position of either the military or the government, and announced his temporary suspension.

David Karambi Fati, president of a Tutsi community organisation in North Kivu, said the suspension was insufficient and called for Ekenge to face legal proceedings.

AFC/M23 also condemned the remarks, saying that portraying Tutsi women as symbols of the enemy could contribute to hostility against the community.

Rwanda's Foreign Affairs Minister Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe likewise condemned the comments, linking them to what he described as genocide ideology, cooperation with the FDLR and attacks against Congolese Tutsis and Banyamulenge.

During Ekenge's suspension, Lt Col Mak Hazukay Mongba served as acting FARDC spokesperson from January 8, 2026. Hazukay had previously been the military's deputy spokesperson.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/maj-gen-ekenge-returns-as-fardc-spokesperson-after-suspension-over-anti-tutsi-remarks/

The discovery was made by researchers from the University of British Columbia and represents the first time in nearly 100 years that new sea spider species have been formally described from the Salish Sea.

The study, published in Organisms Diversity & Evolution, combined detailed observations of the animals with genetic analysis.

Researchers said the work could help improve understanding of marine biodiversity in the region, where many small invertebrate species remain poorly documented.

The researchers collected specimens between September 2023 and August 2024 during dives reaching depths of up to 18 metres. The animals were found in different marine habitats around Quadra Island, Bamfield and Victoria.

One of the newly identified species has been named Callipallene pilosuspedes, a name referring to the long, curved spines covering the lower parts of its legs.

The species has distinctive red eyes and a short proboscis, a tube-like mouth structure used for feeding. Researchers also observed that its specialised appendages, known as ovigers, have another unusual function.

Under a microscope, scientists saw the animal use these appendages to wrap around its legs and clean its body using comb-like spines.

Only one specimen of Callipallene pilosuspedes was found during the research, making further observations important for understanding the species.

The second species, Tanystylum kiixin, was named after an Indigenous village site near where the animals were first collected. Researchers found that these sea spiders often had dirt and debris attached to their bodies, along with tiny parasites.

Scientists said the species appears to have less flexible egg-carrying appendages, which may limit its ability to groom itself.

Sea spiders are ancient marine arthropods related to spiders, scorpions and horseshoe crabs.

Despite their name, they are not true spiders. Some species can have as many as 12 legs, while their sizes range from less than a centimetre to more than 70 centimetres in some Antarctic species.

They also have unusual biology. Sea spiders breathe directly through their skin, while males carry and care for developing eggs.

The researchers generated DNA sequences for several sea spider species and produced an identification guide for species found in the Salish Sea.

Lead researcher Cormac Toler-Scott said the region likely contains additional species that have not yet been documented, highlighting how much remains to be discovered in its marine ecosystems.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/scientists-discover-two-strange-new-sea-spider-species-in-salish-sea/

The minister congratulated the pioneer cohort and welcomed the Senior Directing Staff and civilian faculty who will guide participants throughout the 11-month programme.

Marizamunda described the opening as a historic milestone for Rwanda's defence and security architecture and a major step towards strengthening professional military education in the country.

The NDC-R is a constituent organ of the National Defence University-Rwanda. It was established following a directive by President Paul Kagame, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), with a mandate to provide education at the strategic level.

The inaugural course marks the beginning of the college's programme aimed at developing strategic-level knowledge and skills among its participants.

The opening follows the recent merger of Rwanda's key military and security colleges and training institutions into a single higher learning institution, the National Defence University–Rwanda (NDU-R), under a new law published in the Official Gazette on April 10, 2026.

The law provides that the President of the Republic, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force, is the Chancellor of the university.

The National Defence University–Rwanda includes several constituent institutions such as the National Defence College–Rwanda (NDC-R), Defence College of Health Sciences (DCHS), Defence Institute of Sciences and Technology (DIST), and the Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS), all based in Kigali.

Other institutions include the National Intelligence Academy (NIA) in Bugesera District, the Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College (RDFCSC) in Musanze District, the National Police College (NPC) in Musanze, and the Rwanda Military Academy (RMA) in Bugesera.

The university is mandated to provide advanced education, training, and research for personnel in defence and security organs, senior government officials involved in national security, and international partners, with the aim of strengthening strategic thinking through high-level academic instruction and research.

The university is jointly overseen by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rwanda-opens-inaugural-national-defence-college-course-photos/

Iran presented the proposal during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying it had been communicated to Washington through Qatari mediators.

Under the proposal, Iran would reopen the strategically important waterway within seven days and fighting across the region would be paused.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday that Tehran was prepared to move forward if the United States showed seriousness about reaching an agreement.

'If there is seriousness on the US side to come to a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, everything is now prepared,' Araqchi said.

The proposed agreement would also involve wider negotiations on issues agreed by both sides, potentially including Iran's nuclear programme.

Tehran, however, has said it would not make concessions on its nuclear rights, including uranium enrichment or transferring its highly enriched uranium out of the country.

Iran's proposal also calls for the United States to lift its blockade on Iranian ports, release frozen Iranian funds and waive oil sanctions. In return, Tehran would halt hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, while reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

A US official had previously described discussions between Washington and Tehran through mediators as 'positive and constructive.'

However, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump remained doubtful that Iran would meet his demands and had told aides he expected renewed bombing after the November US midterm elections.

The diplomatic developments come as the seven-month conflict continues to affect regional security and global energy supplies.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important shipping routes for oil, and disruptions there have contributed to pressure on global energy markets.

Meanwhile, Iran has also engaged Saudi Arabia over arrangements for safe shipping through the strait. Saudi Arabia and its allies have faced increased attacks from Iran-linked Houthi forces, including drone and missile strikes, further widening the regional security crisis.

The latest developments leave the next move largely dependent on whether Washington formally responds to Tehran's proposal and whether diplomatic efforts can prevent a further escalation of the conflict.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/iran-awaits-us-response-after-reported-rejection-of-peace-proposal/

The study estimates that Phelan-McDermid syndrome could affect about one in every 7,300 people, equivalent to around 13.7 cases per 100,000 people.

In the United States alone, the researchers estimate that more than 45,000 people could be living with the condition.

Phelan-McDermid syndrome is a genetic disorder involving the SHANK3 gene on chromosome 22.

The condition can cause a range of developmental, intellectual, medical and behavioral challenges. Most people with the syndrome also meet the criteria for autism spectrum disorder.

Changes involving SHANK3 are estimated to account for as many as 1% of autism spectrum disorder cases, according to the researchers.

To estimate the prevalence of the syndrome, the Mount Sinai team analyzed information from nearly 180,000 people with autism who had undergone genetic testing.

The researchers combined data from 10 sources, including genetic testing laboratories, hospitals and major autism research programs.

The researchers then adjusted their calculations to account for people who may have the syndrome but have not been diagnosed, limitations in genetic testing and people with Phelan-McDermid syndrome who do not meet the criteria for autism.

They said the gap between estimated and diagnosed cases may partly be explained by limited access to genetic testing.

Some people with developmental disabilities or autism may never be offered genetic testing, while some families may face insurance barriers or receive tests that do not adequately assess the SHANK3 gene.

Tess Levy, the study's first author and an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said broader genetic testing could help identify people whose condition has not yet been recognized.

The findings come as researchers work on potential targeted treatments for Phelan-McDermid syndrome.

Several clinical trials are underway, including approaches designed around the biological mechanisms involved in the disorder.

Researchers say identifying people with the syndrome could become increasingly important as potential treatments advance.

A genetic diagnosis may also help families access specialized medical care, research programs, clinical trials and patient support networks.

The study, published in Autism Research, was supported by CureSHANK and Neuren Pharmaceuticals.

The researchers described it as one of the most comprehensive efforts so far to estimate the prevalence of Phelan-McDermid syndrome.

The findings suggest that the number of people living with the condition may be substantially higher than the number currently diagnosed, highlighting the importance of genetic testing in identifying previously unrecognized cases.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/genetic-condition-linked-to-autism-may-be-more-common-than-thought-study-finds/

The disclosure is the latest development in a wider investigation that began after OpenAI revealed in July that one of its AI agents had accidentally hacked the software development platform Hugging Face.

Two people briefed on the matter told Reuters that the company is still working to identify the full scope of activity linked to its agents.

OpenAI said on Friday that its agents had leaked 53 images from ChatGPT users.

The company did not say whether the images were AI-generated or showed real people, and it did not disclose when the images were posted.

Most of the leaked images have since been removed, while OpenAI said it was working with hosting providers to take down the remaining material.

The company has also confirmed that its agents accessed several US government websites, including websites belonging to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commerce Department.

According to Reuters, the agents accessed US Census data through the Commerce Department's website. OpenAI was also investigating an attempted breach involving the US Department of Education.

The incidents highlight a growing challenge for companies developing increasingly autonomous AI systems.

Unlike conventional chatbots that mainly respond to user prompts, AI agents can perform tasks across websites, software and other digital environments, creating additional risks if their actions are not properly controlled.

One person briefed on OpenAI's investigation estimated that the company had identified about two dozen incidents involving undesirable agent behavior by mid-September.

That number has continued to increase as teams examine internal records and discover previously unidentified cases.

OpenAI said its review could take months because of the scale of the investigation. The company has also notified dozens of third parties about improper activity.

The investigation has raised questions about the way AI companies monitor autonomous systems and protect information used in developing their models.

OpenAI uses anonymized consumer data for part of its model training process, while enterprise data is excluded from training. Consumer ChatGPT users can opt out of having their conversations used for training.

OpenAI says information used for training goes through an anonymization process intended to remove names, metadata and other identifying information.

However, people familiar with the company's practices told Reuters that anonymization does not eliminate every privacy risk.

The company published a framework on September 16 for reporting incidents involving its AI systems, saying it would favor transparency even when the significance of an incident remains uncertain.

OpenAI's investigation comes as technology companies continue developing more autonomous AI systems, increasing attention on how such systems can be monitored, contained and made safer.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/openai-investigates-rogue-ai-agent-activity-after-user-images-leaked/

The 61 year old comedian, whose real name is Scott Christopher Thompson, was hospitalized on September 18 after an incident at his Las Vegas home.

According to a police incident report and court records reviewed by PEOPLE, Thompson had attempted to take his own life and was later found near his backyard pool after contacting a member of his team while distressed.

A source close to the performer told PEOPLE that Thompson is now home with his family and doing well.

His representative had previously said that he was recovering in hospital and receiving the care and support he needed, while asking the public to respect the privacy of Thompson and those close to him.

The latest update comes after several days of concern among fans and colleagues. In an earlier statement, Thompson's representative said he was awake, breathing on his own and continuing to improve while surrounded by family and close friends.

The representative also said messages from fans had been shared with him during his recovery.

Thompson's hospitalization led to the cancellation of a scheduled performance at the Luxor in Las Vegas on September 18.

His long running residency at the venue has been a major part of his career. He has performed there since 2005 and is known for his prop based comedy, energetic performances and distinctive red hair.

The comedian began performing stand up while attending Florida Atlantic University and later expanded his career into television and film. He has appeared on shows including Family Guy and Glee, and made a cameo in the television series Hacks in 2024.

His representative has thanked fans for their concern and support while emphasizing the family's request for privacy as Thompson continues his recovery.

The circumstances surrounding the incident have not been publicly explained in full, and there has been no confirmed statement from Thompson himself about what led to the crisis.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/carrot-top-leaves-hospital-and-continues-recovery-with-family/

The death toll from Israeli airstrikes on a municipality building in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh has risen to six, with 43 injured, according to the Lebanese ministry of health.

Rescue workers continue to remove debris from the attack, the ministry said. The attack also killed the city's mayor.

Walid Al-Hashash, director of the operations unit of Lebanon's civil defense force, said a civil defense worker was among those killed in the strikes.

Alexy Nehma, director of emergency medical services at the Lebanese Red Cross, told CNN that responders struggled to reach people in need due to repeated strikes and had to withdraw their team from the area.

Ahmad Kahil, the mayor of Nabatieh, was killed in the strike, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported earlier.

The post Death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon's Nabatieh rises to 6, with 43 injured appeared first on The Custom Reports.

Source : https://thecustomreports.com/death-toll-from-israeli-airstrikes-on-lebanons-nabatieh-rises-to-6-with-43-injured/

American officials expect Israel will retaliate against this month's Iranian attack before November 5, sources tell CNN — a timeline that would thrust the growing volatility in the Middle East squarely into public view within days of the US presidential election.

The timeline and parameters of Israel's retaliation against Iran have been subject to intense debate inside Israel's government and are not directly related to the timing of the US election, the sources said.

Still, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — described by senior US administration officials as deeply attuned to American politics — appears highly sensitive to any potential political ramifications of Israel's actions in the US, they said.

The growing conflict in the Middle East has emerged as persistent issue in the American election. President Joe Biden, and by extension Vice President Kamala Harris, have faced pressure from progressives for their handling of the situation. Meanwhile, Republicans — including former President Donald Trump — have accused the administration of bungling the crisis and sending the world into chaos.

As the election nears, the administration has begun applying new pressure on Israel to improve humanitarian conditions inside Gaza. In a stern letter revealed this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned Israel a failure to deliver more aid to the enclave could trigger a cutoff of military assistance.

But in a sign of the fraught political dynamics, the letter was not signed from the president or the vice president, neither of whom has publicly threatened to cut off aid to Israel, despite pressure from the left. Its deadline for allowing more humanitarian aid into Gaza falls after the election. And the warning came the same week some military personnel and components of the advanced air defense system the US is providing to Israel arrived in the country.

The post US officials expect Israel's counterattack on Iran will come before US Election Day appeared first on The Custom Reports.

Source : https://thecustomreports.com/us-officials-expect-israels-counterattack-on-iran-will-come-before-us-election-day/

Speaking at the Élysée Palace after talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, the Pope cautioned against 'losing our humanity amid a paradise of machines'.

His remarks came as AI continues to expand across sectors, raising questions about its impact on work, society and human relationships.

Pope Leo XIV was welcomed by Macron at Orly Airport before the two leaders held an hour-long meeting. The pontiff was later due to address crowds in Metz and travel through Paris in his popemobile before meeting about 80,000 young people at the Stade de France.

The centrepiece of his visit will be a Mass at Paris's Place de la Concorde on Saturday, with more than 500,000 people expected. He will also celebrate Mass in Lourdes on Sunday, where about 150,000 people have registered to attend.

The Pope's programme includes meetings with migrants in Paris and victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in Lourdes.

His visit comes as France, like much of Europe, has experienced a long-term decline in religious practice. Fewer than 5% of the population now regularly attends Catholic worship, compared with about 35% in 1960.

However, the Church says there are signs of renewed interest in religious traditions. Adult baptisms in France more than doubled over five years, reaching about 10,000 in 2025.

Pope Leo XIV will conclude his visit in Metz on Monday, where he is expected to pay tribute to Robert Schuman, one of the founding figures of the European Union.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/pope-leo-xiv-warns-against-losing-our-humanity-to-ai/