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Steve Harvey in Rwanda; Zelensky rules out election again: Snapshot of world’s top stories

By IGIHE
On 20 November 2024 at 12:19

Stay informed with a quick read of the biggest stories shaping the nation, region, and world today. We bring you top headlines, breaking developments, government updates, and trending topics to provide a comprehensive view of the issues that matter most.

Steve Harvey Visits Rwanda

Renowned American comedian, television host, actor, writer, and producer Steve Harvey is in Rwanda for a private visit.

Reports of Harvey’s visit emerged on Tuesday after he was seen at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi, where he paid his respects to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Renowned American comedian, television host, actor, writer, and producer Steve Harvey is in Rwanda for a private visit.

On Wednesday, Harvey confirmed on his popular Steve Harvey TV Instagram account that he was in Kigali and had met President Paul Kagame. The TV star praised Kagame’s strength, humility, and Rwanda’s remarkable journey of resilience and forgiveness.

"We had the pleasure of sitting and meeting His Excellency, my brother, President Paul Kagame. I was truly inspired by his strength and humility—a testament to Rwanda’s resilience and acts of forgiveness," he wrote.

According to a statement from the Office of the President, their discussions focused on potential areas of investment and partnership in various sectors including events and entertainment.

During his visit, Harvey is expected to explore various parts of the country, including a trek to see mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in the Northern Province. He is also set to meet several prominent figures in Rwanda.

Charges Dropped in Olga Kayirangwa’s Death Case

Two men detained over the mysterious death of Olga Kayirangwa have been released due to insufficient evidence, the judiciary confirmed on November 19, 2024.

Kayirangwa, 25, died on September 26 after visiting Nasagambe's home in Kigali.

Judiciary spokesperson Harrison Mutabazi stated that prosecutors had withdrawn the case against Fred Nasagambe and Gideon Gatare, halting criminal proceedings.

Kayirangwa, 25, passed away on September 26 after visiting Nasagambe’s home in Kigali. While the prosecution initially claimed she died there, the suspects argued she passed away at DMC Hospital following a medical emergency. Nasagambe said Kayirangwa collapsed in his bedroom after using the bathroom, prompting him to call Gatare, a pharmacist, for assistance.

The suspects had been in custody since October, following a 30-day remand order by Kicukiro Primary Court. Their release request had been denied on November 18, citing additional evidence, including testimony from a domestic worker who alleged that Kayirangwa appeared lifeless on a bed.

On November 19, prosecutors sought their release, citing insufficient grounds for prosecution. Article 91 of Rwanda’s criminal procedure law allows releases when no basis for prosecution exists. The court granted the request, officially freeing the two men.

Date Set for Carmen Nibigira’s Burial

Carmen Nibigira, a prominent figure in East Africa’s tourism and hospitality sector, will be laid to rest on November 24, 2024.

Nibigira passed away in Kenya on November 16, 2024, following a short illness.

A funeral mass will be held at Centre Christus in Kigali at 2:00 p.m., followed by burial at Rusororo Cemetery at 4:00 p.m.

Born in Burundi in 1978, Nibigira dedicated more than 24 years to advancing the hotel and tourism industry. At the time of her passing, she was the Lead for Tourism and Hospitality Management within the Mastercard Foundation’s Rwanda Programs team.

Kizza Besigye Reported Missing in Nairobi

Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye has been reported missing after attending the book launch of former Justice Minister-turned-politician Martha Karua in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, 2024.

Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, disclosed on Tuesday night that she had learned her husband was being held at a military jail in Kampala, Uganda.

Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye is missing after attending the book launch of former Justice Minister-turned-politician Martha Karua in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, condemned his alleged detention and demanded his immediate release.

“I request the government of Uganda to release my husband, Dr. Kizza Besigye, from where he is being held immediately. He was kidnapped last Saturday while attending Hon. Martha Karua’s book launch in Nairobi. I am now reliably informed that he is in a military jail in Kampala,” she posted on X.

She added, “We, his family and his lawyers, demand to see him. He is not a soldier. Why is he being held in a military jail?”

The motive behind Besigye’s alleged abduction and detention remains unclear.

Zelensky Rules Out Elections Again

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated that elections will not occur until a "just peace" is achieved.

Speaking in parliament on November 19, 2024, while presenting his Internal Resilience Plan, Zelensky stressed that the Constitution prohibits elections during wartime. He dismissed calls for polls as detrimental to national unity and urged prioritizing Ukraine’s collective interests over political ambitions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a past function.

Zelensky’s term expired in March 2024 but was extended due to martial law imposed in 2022.

The war in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a large-scale invasion. Tensions between the two nations had escalated for years, particularly after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its support of separatists in Eastern Ukraine.

Trump Picks WWE Co-Founder for Education Role

United States President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Linda McMahon, co-founder of WWE and his former transition co-chair, as education secretary.

Trump praised McMahon’s leadership experience, emphasizing her potential to shape the next generation of American students and workers.

McMahon, a trusted ally, previously led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first presidency and has been a significant donor to his campaigns.

Announcing the decision on Truth Social, Trump praised McMahon’s leadership experience, emphasizing her potential to shape the next generation of American students and workers.

This nomination follows Trump’s recent selection of Mehmet Oz to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.


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