The newly identified species, Yuezhuornis yangyuanensis, lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 150 million to 148 million years ago.
Researchers say its unusual combination of bird-like bones and features associated with predatory dinosaurs provides evidence that early bird evolution followed more diverse paths than scientists had understood.
The fossil was discovered in the Zhenghe Fauna, a fossil-rich area in Fujian Province, by researchers from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Fujian Institute of Geological Sciences.
According to a study published in the journal Nature, the crow-sized animal had closely spaced, serrated teeth resembling those of small meat-eating dinosaurs.
It also possessed a curved, sickle-shaped claw on its second toe, a feature associated with predatory dinosaur groups closely related to birds.
“When we examined Yuezhuornis, we were struck by its extraordinary mix of features,” said Min Wang, the study’s corresponding author.
“It possesses bird-like pelvic and hindlimb structures yet retains the specialized predatory foot and teeth of a small meat-eating dinosaur. It shows us that early bird evolution was far more complicated than we previously realized,” Wang added.
Researchers analysed the fossil’s skeletal proportions and compared them with those of other prehistoric animals to determine how it may have moved.
The results showed that its limb proportions resembled those of modern ground-dwelling birds and certain prehistoric relatives of birds.
This suggests that Yuezhuornis was adapted to life on the ground and was probably unable to fly.
The researchers describe the species as the earliest known example of a bird lineage losing its ability to fly, indicating that flightlessness emerged among early birds much earlier than previously recognised.
To establish its evolutionary position, scientists used two analytical methods to compare anatomical characteristics and estimate relationships among prehistoric species.
Both approaches placed Yuezhuornis within Avialae, the evolutionary group that includes modern birds and their closest extinct relatives.
The findings suggest that early birds were not simply evolving towards increasingly efficient flight. Instead, different species were adapting to distinct environments and lifestyles, including those suited to life on land.
Researchers say further discoveries from the Zhenghe fossil deposits could help clarify how early birds diversified and developed the wide range of forms seen throughout their evolutionary history.
A reconstruction of Yuezhuornis yangyuanensis, a 150-million-year-old bird whose dinosaur-like teeth and claw and apparent inability to fly are providing new insights into early bird evolution.
The study, conducted by researchers at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in the United States and published in the journal PNAS Nexus, examined why peri-implantitis, an infection that damages the bone surrounding dental implants, can be difficult to treat with antibiotics.
According to the findings published by ScienceDaily on October 23, 2026, between 10% and 20% of dental implant recipients develop the condition, which can eventually threaten the stability of the implant.
The researchers found that bacteria accumulating on titanium implant surfaces can form acidic layers that gradually corrode the metal, releasing tiny particles into surrounding gum tissue.
These particles can disrupt immune cells known as macrophages, which normally help the body fight infections.
When the particles enter the tissue, they attract bacterial toxins that cause macrophages to mistake them for harmful microorganisms.
However, because the immune cells cannot break down titanium, they remain trapped in a prolonged state of inflammation.
This response can damage the bone supporting the implant while reducing the immune system’s ability to eliminate the bacteria responsible for the infection.
Georgios Kotsakis, the study’s senior author and assistant dean for clinical research at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, said the findings explain why treatments that work for infections around natural teeth may be less effective around dental implants.
“For the first time, we show why all the antibiotic treatments that work around teeth do not work around implants,” Kotsakis said. “Now that we know the cause, we can start developing therapeutics.”
The team also identified a calcium channel known as TRPC1, which plays a role in the inflammatory response triggered by titanium particles and bacterial toxins.
In experiments involving genetically engineered mice, researchers found that disabling the channel improved the immune response, reduced inflammation and helped the animals clear bacteria more effectively.
The findings suggest that targeting this pathway could lead to new treatments for peri-implantitis.
However, further research is needed before such therapies can be established as safe and effective for human patients.
The researchers are now evaluating potential drugs that target the same molecular pathway in human cells, with funding from the US National Institutes of Health.
The study also highlights the importance of proper dental implant care.
Researchers warn that some cleaning instruments can scratch titanium surfaces, potentially releasing additional particles and contributing to implant damage.
Regular professional cleaning using appropriate, non-abrasive techniques remains an important preventive measure for people with dental implants.
The findings provide a new explanation for why some implant-related infections are difficult to treat and could help scientists develop more effective approaches to protecting patients’ oral health.
Researchers at Rutgers University found that microscopic titanium particles released from dental implants can disrupt immune cells and contribute to inflammation and jawbone damage.
Ukrainian, Russian and US negotiators reached the agreement on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Dmytro Lubinets, told The Associated Press (AP) that the ceasefire would begin on October 27 and last several days, ahead of the planned humanitarian mission.
The White House had initially announced October 29 as the ceasefire start date.
However, subsequent statements from Ukrainian and Russian officials indicated that the truce would take effect two days earlier.
Oleshky, located in Ukraine’s Kherson region along the Dnipro River, has endured severe shortages of food and medical supplies.
Russian forces captured the city in February 2022, and its infrastructure suffered further damage following flooding in June 2023 after the collapse of the Kakhovka Dam.
Before the war, Oleshky had approximately 24,000 residents. Today, an estimated 1,700 to 2,000 people remain, primarily older residents who face difficult living conditions.
The White House said the remaining population urgently needs food, clean water and medical assistance.
Melania Trump initiated discussions after learning about the humanitarian crisis during an event on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September.
According to the White House, she and her representative subsequently worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leaders to establish the terms of the agreement.
Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, said the operation would proceed in stages, beginning with mine clearance before humanitarian supplies are delivered and civilians are assisted in leaving.
“The operation will be carried out gradually and is extremely challenging to implement,” Lubinets said in a video message.
Russia’s Chief of the General Staff, General Valery Gerasimov, said Russian forces would suspend firing in the Kherson region from 4 a.m. Moscow time on October 27 to facilitate the operation. He also said Russian forces would help ensure the safe passage of humanitarian convoys.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed Melania Trump’s involvement, saying Moscow was grateful for her efforts.
The first lady said civilians wishing to leave would receive coordinated assistance and transportation to their preferred destinations, whether in Russia or Ukraine.
She also said an American media organization would accompany and document the operation to help ensure families’ wishes were respected.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the announcement, expressing hope that the local pause in fighting could contribute to broader efforts toward a comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine.
The agreement is limited to the humanitarian operation and does not represent a nationwide ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
US First Lady Melania Trump helped broker a localized ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries and civilian evacuations from Oleshky.
The event, scheduled to begin at 8 a.m., is organised by the Rwanda Books Industry Association (RWABIA/PSF) in collaboration with the Rwanda Writers Federation (RWF) and partners. Representatives of the Pan-African Writers Association, a continental body bringing together writers and writers’ organisations across Africa, are also expected to attend.
The celebration aims to promote African literature, strengthen reading and writing culture, support the publishing industry and highlight the contribution of writers to the continent’s social, cultural and economic development.
Writers at the heart of Africa’s transformation
The 2026 celebration will be held under the theme: “African Writers at the Heart of Africa’s Transformation: Writing Our Stories, Preserving Our Heritage and Building a Knowledge-Based Continent.”
The theme highlights the role of writers in preserving history, culture and knowledge while contributing to Africa’s intellectual and economic development.
A high-level panel discussion will examine the question: “Can Africa Build a Knowledge-Based Economy Without Building a Strong Reading, Writing and Publishing Culture?”
The discussion will explore how books, research, publishing and reading can contribute to Africa’s long-term development.
International Book Fair among major highlights
The programme will feature an International Book Fair and Exhibition, where writers, publishers and other book industry players will showcase their works.
Participants will be able to discover and purchase books, interact with authors and publishers, establish professional networks and explore opportunities for collaboration across African countries.
Other activities will include panel discussions, book presentations and launches, group discussions, networking sessions and recognition of outstanding writers for their contributions to literature, education, research and culture.
Hategekimana highlights writers’ role in national development
Richard Hategekimana, chairman of the Rwanda Books Industry Association and president of the Rwanda Writers Federation, said the celebration provides an opportunity to recognise writers as contributors to national and continental development.
He expressed appreciation to President Paul Kagame for promoting values such as patriotism, discipline, resilience, hard work and commitment to national development, which he said continue to inspire Rwanda’s writing community.
“On behalf of Rwanda’s writers and the book industry, we deeply appreciate the leadership of His Excellency President Paul Kagame. His leadership has inspired us to understand that writing is not simply about producing books; it is also a responsibility to preserve knowledge, document our country’s journey, promote our values and ensure that future generations understand where Rwanda has come from, what it has achieved and the aspirations that continue to guide its development,” Hategekimana said.
He urged writers to uphold these values by documenting Rwanda’s experiences and achievements while contributing ideas that support the country’s continued development.
“These values should also guide us as writers. We have a responsibility to write our own stories, document Rwanda’s achievements accurately and responsibly, preserve our history and contribute ideas that can support the country’s continued development,” he added.
Hategekimana also called for greater support for writers, describing investment in the book industry as an investment in knowledge and the development of society.
“When we support a writer, we are investing in knowledge. When people buy and read books, they contribute to building a society that thinks critically, creates knowledge, innovates and preserves its story for future generations,” he said.
He called on universities, schools, private sector institutions, development partners and the wider public to support writers by buying, reading and promoting their books.
“Our writers must be valued, our books must be read, and African stories must be documented and preserved by Africans themselves,” he said.
Writers urged to document Rwanda’s development journey
Hategekimana encouraged Rwandan writers to conduct research, produce quality publications and document developments in areas including education, governance, economic transformation, technology, entrepreneurship, culture, unity and infrastructure.
“Our country is producing experiences and lessons that deserve to be documented. If we do not write them, important knowledge can be lost. As writers, we must therefore transform what our country is achieving into books, research and other forms of knowledge that can be accessed by Rwandans, Africans and future generations,” he said.
He also urged young Rwandans to embrace reading, writing and research, noting that a knowledge-based economy requires citizens who can think critically, question existing ideas, innovate and generate new knowledge.
“Let us write Rwanda. Let us preserve our heritage. Let us document our achievements and lessons.
“And above all, let us build a generation that understands that books and knowledge are essential foundations of sustainable development,” he said.
Representatives of individuals and institutions recognised for their contributions to Rwanda’s book industry during the 2025 Africa Writers Day celebration.Kigali Independent University was awarded during last year’s Africa Writers Day Celebration at Intare Arena in Rusororo.Richard Hategekimana was awarded the title of Rwanda’s best author for publishing more than 50 books during last year’s Africa Writers Day celebration at Intare Arena in Rusororo.Richard Hategekimana, chairman of the Rwanda Writers Federation and president of the Rwanda Books Industry Association.A book written by Commissioner of Police Dr Daniel Nyamwasa, which will be presented during the celebration.A book written by Callixte Kanamugire, Acting CEO of the Private Sector Federation (PSF), which will be officially launched during the celebration.
The 33-year-old star shared selfies showing off her new look on Instagram on Thursday, October 22, 2026. The hairstyle features a deep side part and flipped ends, giving her a different appearance from the ponytail that has become one of her most recognisable features.
Grande, known for hits including “Thank U, Next” and “7 Rings,” ended her Instagram post with a photograph of one of her dogs.
The transformation marks a notable change for the singer, who has maintained variations of her signature ponytail throughout much of her career.
Her new look comes as she prepares for the next phase of her acting career, with her upcoming film, Focker-in-Law, scheduled to arrive in cinemas on November 25, 2026.
Grande has previously indicated that she intends to take an extended break from public appearances after completing her Eternal Sunshine Tour and promoting the film.
In August, a representative told PEOPLE that the singer planned to step back from public visibility after the tour, citing the ongoing public scrutiny she had faced.
“She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances,” the representative said.
Despite her plans to reduce her public appearances, Grande remains committed to promoting Focker-in-Law, according to a source who spoke to PEOPLE in September.
The hairstyle reveal also follows a difficult period for the singer. On October 19, she announced the death of her dog Coco, who had been part of her life for more than 17 years.
In an emotional Instagram tribute, Grande described Coco as the “sweetest, most amazing and most beautiful” companion, sharing photographs and videos documenting their years together.
“Thank you for your love, and for blessing this planet with your physical presence for over seventeen wonderful years,” she wrote.
Grande has built a successful career spanning music and acting. In recent years, she gained renewed attention for portraying Glinda in the film adaptations of the musical Wicked.
Her latest hairstyle change offers fans a fresh look at the star as she balances her acting commitments with plans to spend more time away from the public eye.
With her retro bob replacing a hairstyle closely associated with her image, Grande’s latest appearance has introduced a new chapter in her evolving personal style.
American singer and actress Ariana Grande debuts a sleek, retro-inspired bob, trading her signature high ponytail for a fresh look shared with fans on Instagram.
The discovery was made by researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) in Australia and announced mid-month.
Their findings, published in the journal Cancer Cell, suggest that specialised immune cells known as gamma delta T cells could provide another way to fight tumours that evade the body’s natural defences.
Small cell lung cancer is among the deadliest forms of lung cancer, with fewer than 7% of patients surviving five years after diagnosis, according to the research report.
Although immunotherapy has improved treatment for several cancers, its benefits for patients with this type of lung cancer remain limited. The disease can evade conventional immune cells, allowing cancer cells to continue growing.
Professor Kate Sutherland, the study’s senior author, said the discovery could help address a longstanding challenge in cancer treatment.
“For decades, we’ve known that small cell lung cancer is exceptionally good at hiding from the immune system,” she said.
“We’ve found an immune cell that appears to be able to see through that disguise.”
To investigate the cells’ cancer-fighting abilities, researchers developed miniature tumours in the laboratory using tissue samples donated by patients.
They introduced gamma delta T cells collected from the same patients’ blood into these models.
The experiments showed that the immune cells could identify and destroy cancer cells.
Researchers also found that patients whose tumours contained greater numbers of these cells tended to have better treatment outcomes.
The team then tested two existing medicines, tarlatamab and zoledronate, to determine whether they could strengthen the immune response.
Tarlatamab, an existing treatment for small cell lung cancer, helped bring immune cells into contact with cancer cells, while zoledronate, used for conditions including osteoporosis, increased the availability and cancer-fighting activity of gamma delta T cells.
When combined, the medicines substantially increased the cells’ ability to kill cancer cells in laboratory experiments.
Dr Jin Ng, the study’s first author, said the findings could support the development of treatments that involve collecting immune cells, multiplying them outside the body and returning them to patients to fight cancer.
However, further research is needed to establish whether the approach is safe and effective in patients.
The researchers are now working with scientists at the Doherty Institute to explore how the discovery could be translated into new immunotherapy treatments.
The findings offer a potential new direction for treating small cell lung cancer, particularly for patients who respond poorly to existing therapies.
Scientists have discovered immune cells that can attack aggressive lung cancer, raising hopes for new treatment approaches.
A possible meeting had been discussed for the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for November 18 and 19 in Shenzhen, China.
In August, Trump said he planned to meet Kim later this year. South Korea’s intelligence agency told lawmakers late last month that there was a 50% chance of a meeting during the APEC summit.
However, Trump played down the prospect this week, saying he was unsure whether anyone was seeking a meeting. “I get along with him very well, and I’m not sure that anybody’s asking for a meeting,” he told reporters at the White House.
South Korean officials have indicated that preparations have not advanced. Seoul’s ambassador to Washington, Kang Kyung-wha, said last week there had been no concrete progress towards a summit.
Another South Korean official said Pyongyang had shown no signs of preparing for a meeting.
A White House official said Trump remained willing to speak with Kim without preconditions, adding that there were no meetings to announce. The official said the leaders would meet “at the appropriate time”.
North Korea has signalled that it would impose tough conditions for a summit, potentially including sanctions relief.
Pyongyang may be seeking a public signal from Washington that its policy could change.
Ankit Panda, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, estimated the chance of a meeting at the APEC summit at less than 10%.
He said recent US steps to scale back military exercises with South Korea had not been enough to prompt Pyongyang.
Washington has sometimes sought China’s help in encouraging dialogue, given Beijing’s close ties with North Korea.
But talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have not produced a breakthrough with Pyongyang.
Trump and Kim’s meetings in 2018 and 2019 were historic but failed to deliver concrete agreements on denuclearisation.
The two Koreas remain technically at war, as the 1950-1953 conflict ended with an armistice.
U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Prospects for a meeting between the two leaders this year remain uncertain, as North Korea has yet to respond to Washington’s outreach, according to reports.
The figures are contained in the park’s third-quarter activity newsletter, released on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
Of the 15,790 visitors recorded during the quarter, 13,911 paid entrance fees. Average spending per visitor rose to $162 in September, 22% higher than in the same month in 2025 and the highest level recorded since 2010.
During the quarter, the park hosted several events, including the African Parks Management Meeting, the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, the Akagera Trail Marathon and Kwita Izina.
Fire management and community livelihoods
A total of 16,631 hectares of the park had burned by August, according to the report. Approximately one-third of the burned area resulted from prescribed management burns, including block burns and firebreaks, while the remainder was attributed to unplanned fires.
The latter were caused by accidental ignitions in neighbouring communities or deliberate fires linked to poaching.
The park’s fire management programme involved planned burns, close monitoring and rapid response to reduce fuel loads in grassland and woodland areas and protect wildlife habitats from more destructive fires. The rains arrived in mid-September, providing relief after the dry season.
Meanwhile, fish farming continued to support community fisheries and local food supplies.
In July, Akagera Management Company stocked 50,000 mixed-sex tilapia fingerlings in Gacaca Valley Dam, a four-hectare water body in Murundi Sector. In August, Mubari Farmer Cooperative Society stocked a further 23,000 fingerlings in Cyamusenyeri Valley Dam, also in Murundi Sector.
Community enterprises generate over $416,000
Community enterprises and local procurement generated a combined $416,893 in economic benefits during the quarter, the report shows.
Fishing, beekeeping, community centres, freelance guiding and building cooperatives generated $158,322, while local procurement contributed another $258,571.
Fishing cooperatives generated $38,649, while the Akagera builders’ cooperative and casual labourers generated $67,887.
Environmental education and community outreach activities reached 52,958 people through school programmes, community and cooperative meetings, awareness campaigns, radio broadcasts and educational visits to the park, among other initiatives.
Elephant identification database expands
Fieldwork during the quarter identified 55 known elephants belonging to two bonding groups, according to the report.
Three additional elephants were added to the park’s identification database, bringing the total number of identified individuals to 121, equivalent to 85.2% of the known elephant population.
The database supports long-term monitoring of individual elephants and the wider population, helping conservation teams track changes over time.
Park begins drone training for rhino monitoring
Akagera’s rhino monitoring teams continued daily patrols on foot and from the air, recording 2,517 white rhino observations and 413 black rhino observations during the quarter.
After obtaining the necessary permits, rhino trackers began a three-week practical training programme on operating drones to strengthen monitoring capacity.
Two rangers and three rhino trackers also attended black rhino monitoring training at Liwonde National Park in Malawi.
The training is intended to strengthen the teams’ skills in monitoring and protecting the park’s rhino population.
During the period under review, the park also completed a large carnivore camera trap survey during the quarter, deploying 85 cameras across 57 sites. The cameras have captured more than three million images, which conservation teams are analysing to identify individual leopards and hyenas, estimate population trends and assess the relationship between predator populations and the growth of the park’s lion population.
The findings are expected to inform future conservation strategies.
Established in 1934, Akagera National Park covers 1,122 square kilometres and is home to more than 11,300 animals.
Its wildlife includes 60 lions, 142 elephants, 4,000 buffaloes, 115 giraffes, between 80 and 100 leopards, and 145 rhinos.
The park also hosts about 2,000 zebras, 1,500 impalas, between 120 and 150 hyenas, between 1,500 and 1,800 hippos, 1,000 inyemera and more than 1,000 indonyi. It is also home to 179 butterfly species.
With approximately 500 bird species, Akagera has the highest recorded bird diversity among Rwanda’s national parks, according to the report. Nyungwe National Park has about 300 bird species, while Gishwati-Mukura and Volcanoes National Parks have fewer.
Established in 1934, Akagera National Park covers 1,122 square kilometres and is home to more than 11,300 animals.Akagera National Park generated more than $1.5 million (Rwf2.2 billion) in commercial revenue from 15,790 visitors between July and September 2026.
The call was made during a seminar organised by Africa-China Review in partnership with the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
The hybrid event brought together diplomats, academics and media professionals to reflect on the partnership’s achievements and explore opportunities for deeper collaboration across infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, education and cultural exchange.
The seminar provided a platform for diplomats, researchers and development practitioners to assess how cooperation has evolved over seven decades and identify ways to ensure it continues to deliver meaningful benefits to African communities.
China’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Gao Wenqi, emphasised the enduring friendship between China and African countries, describing their relationship as a partnership built on shared experience and a common vision for development.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. China and Africa have chosen to go far together. 70 years of shared experience show that our friendship rests on firm foundations and that our future is full of promise,” he said.
Gao highlighted milestones in China-Africa cooperation, including the TAZARA Railway, Chinese medical teams serving communities across Africa, zero-tariff access and the 10 Partnership Actions.
He said China and Africa continued to work together towards modernisation and a community with a shared future.
China’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Gao Wenqi, addressed the seminar marking 70 years of China-Africa cooperation, highlighting the enduring friendship between China and African countries and their shared aspirations for modernisation.
Rwanda’s Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Fidelis Mironko, highlighted the importance of the relationship between Rwanda and China, which marked 55 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.
“This conversation comes at a special time as Rwanda and China mark 55 years of diplomatic relations this year… Our experience together has shown what countries can achieve through cooperation and move forward to achieving even more together,” Mironko said.
He described the two countries as like-minded partners pursuing modernisation and expressed confidence in further strengthening cooperation in the years ahead.
Dr Ismail Buchanan, Senior Lecturer in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Rwanda, focused on education and cultural exchange as important pillars of the next phase of China-Africa relations.
He observed that the relationship had evolved from political solidarity during the anti-colonial period into a broader partnership covering trade, economic development and institutional cooperation.
“The era of focusing strictly on hard infrastructure, resource accessibility and diplomacy is transforming into an era of human-centric diplomacy,” Buchanan said.
He noted that China had become an increasingly attractive destination for African students because of the quality and affordability of education, alongside opportunities for cultural exchange.
The hybrid event brought together diplomats, academics and media professionals to reflect on the partnership’s achievements and explore opportunities for deeper collaboration across infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, education and cultural exchange.
Buchanan also highlighted the role of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative in supporting cooperation. He argued that educational partnerships and skills development could help reduce brain drain while building lasting links between African and Chinese institutions and researchers.
Using Rwanda as an example, he discussed vocational training and institutional collaboration, including the Rwanda-Luban Workshop at an Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre.
Recent infrastructure and healthcare projects in Rwanda were also highlighted as examples of how China-Rwanda cooperation is contributing to the country’s development.
These include the 10.3-kilometre Prince House–Masaka Road Expansion and Upgrade Project in Kigali and the Masaka Hospital Renovation and Expansion Project.
The Masaka Hospital project, valued at 580 million Chinese yuan, equivalent to more than Rwf124 billion, will provide 837 beds and 22 operating theatres. The facility is expected to become the new home of the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) by the end of 2026.
The road project is being implemented through a partnership in which China is contributing approximately Rwf95 billion, while Rwanda is providing about Rwf35 billion. Construction is expected to take around 30 months.
The works include a flyover, underpasses, interchanges, bridges, drainage systems and street lighting. The existing corridor will be upgraded into a dual four-lane carriageway, with some sections reaching eight lanes.
A presentation on China-Liberia cooperation emphasised that the success of international partnerships should be measured by the difference they make in people’s lives.
“In the arena of international relations, the true value of a partnership is not measured by lofty declarations or diplomatic rhetoric, but by the tangible benefits it delivers to the people it is intended to serve,” the speaker said.
The presentation highlighted infrastructure projects, educational support, healthcare cooperation and vocational training as examples of areas in which China-Liberia relations have delivered practical benefits.
Among the projects cited was Liberia’s Ministerial Complex, valued by the speaker at approximately $60 million, which accommodates five government ministries and agencies. The speaker also referred to two overpasses under construction in Monrovia, estimated at $33 million.
Other projects mentioned included the University of Liberia’s Fendall Campus, Jackson F. Doe Memorial Regional Hospital in Nimba County, the Capitol Annex, Monrovia Vocational Training Center and Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.
The speakers also highlighted Chinese medical teams, scholarships and professional training programmes in fields including medicine, engineering, agriculture, information technology and public administration.
Emphasising the importance of developing local expertise alongside physical infrastructure, the speaker argued that facilities and investments must be supported by people with the skills to operate and maintain them.
The presentation concluded by describing China as a development partner that, in the speaker’s view, respected Liberia’s sovereignty and the principle of non-interference.
As China and Africa enter the eighth decade of their relationship, the speakers’ contributions pointed to a shared challenge: ensuring that cooperation delivers sustainable results and improves people’s lives.
Participants discuss education, skills development and human-centred partnerships at a seminar marking 70 years of China-Africa cooperation.Gerald Mbanda, moderator of the seminar marking 70 years of China-Africa cooperation, leads discussions on the partnership’s achievements and future priorities.Dr Ismail Buchanan, Senior Lecturer in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Rwanda, calls for greater emphasis on education, cultural exchange and human-centred diplomacy in the next phase of China-Africa cooperation.
The findings, published in Nature Communications, come from researchers at Mayo Clinic in the United States and Virginia Tech.
The study suggests that the disease can develop through different biological pathways, with each subtype carrying distinct health risks.
Some forms are closely associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, while others are linked to inherited genetic differences.
Researchers found that certain genetic subtypes were associated with a higher risk of advanced liver damage, including among people without typical metabolic risk factors.
The discovery could help doctors identify vulnerable patients earlier and improve screening and treatment strategies.
To identify the subtypes, researchers analysed genetic sequencing results and medical records from more than 4,600 patients diagnosed with MASLD.
The information included liver enzyme levels, body mass index, blood lipid measurements and other indicators of metabolic health.
Researchers also examined conditions such as diabetes, depression and sleep apnoea.
Using computer models, the team identified five groups with distinct genetic and clinical characteristics.
The findings suggest that patients who receive the same diagnosis may experience different patterns of disease progression and face different risks of complications.
MASLD develops when excess fat accumulates in the liver. Although many patients experience no noticeable symptoms, the condition can progress to inflammation, scarring and cirrhosis, which can impair liver function. Severe cases may lead to liver failure, cancer or the need for a transplant.
The study also identified associations between particular disease subtypes and conditions such as depression, sleep apnoea and migraines.
However, the findings do not establish that MASLD directly causes these conditions.
The researchers used Mayo Clinic’s Research Data Atlas, which links genetic information with medical records, to identify patterns that might otherwise remain undetected.
The analysis also drew on genetic resources from the institution’s Tapestry Study, involving more than 100,000 participants.
The team plans to validate the findings in larger and more diverse populations and investigate whether the subtypes respond differently to available treatments, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, medicines used for conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Researchers say the findings could eventually support earlier intervention and treatments tailored to patients’ underlying biology.
However, further studies are needed before the five-subtype classification can be routinely used in clinical practice.
Researchers have identified five biological subtypes of fatty liver disease, potentially opening new opportunities for earlier diagnosis and personalised treatment.
