According to reports, the project aims to generate an estimated 300 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually, tripling the output of the Three Gorges Dam, which produces 88.2 billion kWh.
With an investment exceeding 1 trillion yuan ($137 billion), this ambitious endeavor will be the largest infrastructure project globally.
Beijing sees the dam as a critical step toward its carbon neutrality goals and a response to global climate change challenges.
The Yarlung Tsangpo River, originating in Tibet, flows into India and Bangladesh, where it is known as the Brahmaputra.
The tradition of Boxing Day is believed to have originated in Britain during Queen Victoria’s reign ( between 1837 and 1901) , under the reign of Queen Victoria.
Its name is derived from the practice of giving “Christmas boxes” to servants, tradespeople, and the less fortunate. These boxes were filled with money, gifts, or leftovers from the Christmas feast and were distributed as a gesture of gratitude and goodwill.
December 26th was chosen because it coincided with St. Stephen’s Day, a Christian holiday commemorating St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr known for his acts of charity. This blending of secular and religious traditions laid the foundation for Boxing Day as we know it.
The concept of Boxing Day was initiated by the wealthy households of Victorian England. In an era where servants often worked tirelessly on Christmas Day to ensure their employers’ celebrations went smoothly, Boxing Day provided an opportunity for them to spend time with their own families.
On this day, employers showed their appreciation by presenting their staff with boxes containing gifts, food, or monetary bonuses. Similarly, tradespeople who had served households throughout the year were also given Christmas boxes as a token of thanks.
Over time, the essence of Boxing Day evolved, especially as societal structures shifted. While the original tradition of giving Christmas boxes has largely faded, the day has retained its association with generosity and sharing.
In many countries, it has become a public holiday marked by various customs. In the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, Boxing Day is a time for families to relax, enjoy leftovers from Christmas dinner, and engage in outdoor activities. Sporting events, particularly football matches and cricket games, are a significant part of the day’s festivities, drawing large crowds and fostering a sense of community.
Boxing Day has also become synonymous with shopping in modern times. In much the same way that Black Friday follows Thanksgiving in the United States, Boxing Day is known for its sales and discounts.
Beyond the sales and sports, the heart of Boxing Day remains tied to its spirit of generosity. Charitable acts and community service are still common, with many people using the day to volunteer, donate to those in need, or spend time with loved ones.
The incident, described by Interior Minister Mohammed Abdul Rahman as a “treacherous attack,” underscores the ongoing challenges facing the transitional government.
According to reports from the local Al-Watan newspaper, the attackers were labeled as “remnants” of the ousted government.
The ministry stated that the officers were engaged in efforts to safeguard civilians and ensure public safety at the time of the ambush.
However, additional details about the perpetrators or the circumstances remain undisclosed.
This attack comes in the wake of Bashar al-Assad’s regime’s collapse earlier this month, an event that has intensified sectarian tensions across Syria.
In a statement on Wednesday, Mnangagwa emphasized the significance of the court’s decision, highlighting its role in upholding Mozambique’s national laws and aligning with SADC’s electoral guidelines.
“The ruling by that country’s top electoral court, which upheld Frelimo party’s victory, completes and thus exhausts all lawful processes on determining election results,” Mnangagwa noted, underscoring the decision’s importance for peace and stability in the region.
SADC called on all stakeholders in Mozambique’s electoral process to respect the Constitutional Council’s verdict, viewing it as a constitutional resolution that paves the way for governance and unity.
Mnangagwa also affirmed SADC’s readiness to support the incoming government and the Mozambican people in strengthening their electoral democracy.
He urged the international community to honor Mozambique’s sovereign will and contribute positively to fostering peace and order in the country.
SADC, a 16-member regional bloc that includes Mozambique and Zimbabwe, continues to play a pivotal role in promoting democratic processes and stability within the southern African region.
The Constitutional Council’s decision, announced earlier this week, marks the conclusion of Mozambique’s electoral process and confirms the leadership transition to Daniel Chapo.
The funding is designed to strengthen the private sector while fostering sustainable economic growth in line with Rwanda’s Vision 2050, which emphasizes building a competitive and environmentally sustainable economy.
A key focus of the project is to promote green investments that balance economic progress with environmental preservation.
This includes supporting Rwanda’s climate goals, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 38% by 2030.
Additionally, the funds will help Rwanda prepare for the global carbon market, an innovative platform where emissions reductions can be traded for financial benefits. Such efforts provide opportunities for countries like Rwanda, disproportionately affected by climate change, to secure investments from industrialized nations.
The initiative also prioritizes inclusive growth by targeting support for women-led businesses and small enterprises.
As Rwanda works toward achieving middle-income status by 2035, this investment is seen as a vital step in empowering the private sector to drive national development.
Zeynalov confirmed that Azerbaijani authorities are collaborating closely with their Kazakh counterparts to uncover the causes of the accident.
“The outcomes of the investigation will be made public,” he assured.
The incident involved an Embraer 190 aircraft operated by AZAL, which was on a scheduled flight from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Grozny, the capital of Russia’s Chechnya region.
Reports indicate that the plane crashed near Aktau, a city located along Kazakhstan’s Caspian Sea coastline, earlier in the day.
According to preliminary information, the aircraft was carrying 69 passengers and crew, representing several nationalities, including citizens of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.
37 individuals were confirmed dead, while 32 survivors were rescued and are receiving medical attention.
Russia’s aviation watchdog said in a statement that preliminary information suggested the pilot had decided to make an emergency landing after a bird strike.
“Following the proclamation of final electoral results by the Constitutional Council of Mozambique, South Africa has noted with concern the ongoing violence and the subsequent disruptive protests in reaction to the announcement,” the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said in a statement.
“South Africa calls on all parties to commit to urgent dialogue that will heal the country and set it on a new political and developmental trajectory,” the department added.
The DIRCO further said that South Africa stands ready to assist Mozambique in facilitating this dialogue.
“The South African government will continue working with the Southern African Development Community and other multilateral agencies to support a lasting solution to the current impasse,” it said. “South Africa calls on all parties to exercise restraint and remain calm.”
On Monday, Mozambique’s Constitutional Council declared Daniel Chapo, the presidential candidate of the ruling party Frelimo, as the winner of the general elections held on Oct. 9.
Due to election-related protests in Mozambique near the border region, South Africa’s Border Management Authority temporarily suspended operations at the Lebombo Port of Entry earlier this month. The crossing point was reopened on Dec. 12.
The event is set to celebrate sports, showcase Africa’s growing role in hosting major competitions, and highlight the historical significance of cycling.
Lappartient shared these remarks on December 24, 2024, in a message addressed to the global cycling community.
He emphasized that the past year had been remarkable for UCI events, notably with the UCI Road World Championships including races for para-cyclists for the first time.
Reflecting on the upcoming championship in Kigali, he described it as an extraordinary event.
“The very first UCI Road World Championships will take place in Africa. This will take place in Kigali in September. It will reflect the growing role of Africa in this cycling both in terms of sports and the organization of international events,” Lappartient said.
“We are very much looking forward to this unique UCI World championship which promises to be extremely exciting. We eagerly anticipate the year ahead in particular, the event in Rwanda, which beyond the sporting aspect, will have symbolic strong significance,” he added.
Lappartient concluded his message by extending his best wishes for a successful end to 2024 and a prosperous 2025.
The arrears included Frw 52 billion from customs services, with 64.8% of this amount coming from public entities and 35.2% from private companies. Domestic tax arrears amounted to Frw 608.7 billion, including Frw 34.5 billion paid by public institutions, while Frw 574.2 billion was paid by private enterprises.
RRA’s report highlights that tax campaigns and monitoring of domestic taxes contributed Frw 177.1 billion to tax revenue, a 3.7% increase. Additionally, individual income tax grew by 93.3% in 2023/2024, reaching Frw 37.9 billion, up from Frw 19.6 billion the previous year.
Despite significant progress in recovering tax arrears, Frw 126 billion remained outstanding by June 2024. Of this, Frw 5.6 billion from large taxpayers had not been overdue for more than three months, while Frw 44.1 billion from small and medium taxpayers fell into the same category.
Furthermore, Frw 24.5 billion was paid for arrears that had been outstanding for between three and six months, while Frw 58.4 billion was overdue for between six months and a year. Arrears that had been outstanding for more than a year amounted to Frw 476 billion.
To improve tax collection, measures have been implemented, including an increase in the use of electronic billing machines (EBM). Data shows that in 2023/2024, the number of large and small traders using EBM software increased by 122.6%, reaching 109,314, up from over 49,000.
The number of users of the ‘EBM Mobile System’ for issuing receipts via SMS grew by 49.7%, reaching 43,800, while the number of users of the ‘Online EBM’ system for service providers increased by 44.8%, reaching 9,788.
In total, RRA collected Frw 2.639 trillion in taxes for the 2023/2024 fiscal year, representing 14.6% of the national GDP and 53% of the government’s budget.
The event was attended by Rwego Ngarambe, appointed as the State Minister in the Ministry of Sports, a position created for the first time since the ministry’s establishment, and François Régis Uwayezu, who was appointed as the Permanent Secretary, among other staff members.
Nyirishema has been reassigned to the Rwanda Water Resources Management Authority, where he will serve as the Executive Chairperson of the Rwanda Water Resources Board.
