Here’s a list of five of the hottest recent animated releases, perfect for your next movie binge.
1. Hoppers
Hoppers follows the story of Mabel, an animal-obsessed college student who transfers her mind into a robotic beaver to communicate with animals and protect their environment from destruction.
However, her well-intentioned actions spark an unexpected uprising. This 30th animated feature from Pixar has captivated audiences worldwide, grossing an impressive $375 million since its release. It’s an exciting, heartfelt adventure that’s perfect for all ages.
2. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
The highly anticipated sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie takes Mario, Luigi, and their friends on a cosmic adventure in outer space. They meet Princess Rosalina and must stop Bowser Jr.’s plan to restore the Bowser family name by threatening the universe.
While it received mixed reviews from critics, the movie has already earned $835 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of 2026 so far. If you loved the original, this sequel is a must-see.
3. Invincible: Season 4
Season 4 of Invincible picks up after the global catastrophe that rocked the previous season. Mark Grayson is dealing with guilt as he works to protect his loved ones and home.
This season brings even more tension with the arrival of powerful new threats, including the Viltrumite War storyline and new antagonists like Thragg and Dinosaurus.
With eight episodes packed with action and emotional moments, this season is perfect for anyone craving a mix of intense drama and superhero excitement.
4. Primal: Season 3
The third season of Primal takes us back to the brutal stone-age saga filled with minimal dialogue and raw action.
This series, known for its powerful animation and emotionally charged visuals, continues the journey of its two primal heroes as they navigate a dangerous and untamed world.
If you’re a fan of Genndy Tartakovsky’s distinctive style, this action-packed, visually stunning series will definitely keep you hooked.
5. KPop Demon Hunters
KPop Demon Hunters follows Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, three K-pop idols who secretly fight supernatural forces to protect their fans. Their biggest challenge comes when a rival boy band of demons in disguise threatens the safety of their world.
The film has been a massive success, winning Best Animated Feature at both the 98th Academy Awards and the Golden Globes. Its breakout song, “Golden,” made history by becoming the first K-pop track to win Best Original Song at the Oscars and Best Song Written for Visual Media at the Grammys.
With over 500 million views on Netflix, it has become the platform’s most-watched animated original.
These five animated films are the perfect way to spend your weekend, whether you’re looking for high-energy action, heartfelt storytelling, or pure entertainment. From thrilling space adventures to stunning visual masterpieces, these films will keep you entertained and engaged throughout the weekend.
The visit aimed to deepen their understanding of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, reflect on the importance of learning from history, and honor genocide victims.
The team was joined by Tito Rutaremara, Chairperson of the Rwanda Elders Advisory Forum who gave an insightful talk on the causes of genocide, the ideology behind it, and the calculated planning that led to one of Africa’s darkest chapters.
Rutaremara, who has played an instrumental role in Rwanda’s recovery and served as a long-standing senator and Chief Ombudsman, stressed the importance of learning from Rwanda’s tragic history.
“We all have the responsibility to understand our history, as it is through learning from the past that we can create a future of peace and unity,” Rutaremara emphasized.
He highlighted the need for both Rwanda and the broader African continent to recognize the painful past and use it as a foundation for reconciliation and long-term peace.
Rutaremara’s call resonated deeply with the employees as he reminded them that the responsibility to ensure such atrocities are never repeated rests with all of us.
The team also heard a moving firsthand testimony from Maurice Gasasira, who recounted his ordeal, from facing persecution during his school years to the devastating moment, where he witnessed the murder of his parents during the Genocide.
His story offered a personal lens into how the atrocities unfolded, leaving the team with an understanding of the tragedy and the enduring lessons it holds for humanity.
Gasasira highlighted the deep emotional scars left by the genocide. “It was a moment of unimaginable loss,” he said, reflecting on the trauma he endured.
His testimony served as a poignant reminder to the Smart Africa team that the impact of the genocide is still felt today, and the lessons of pain, courage, and healing must not be forgotten.
The Genocide against the Tutsi claimed lives of over one million victims in just 100 days, a tragedy that was halted by the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA).
The employees, having visited the memorial’s various exhibitions, also laid wreaths at mass graves where over 250,000 victims are buried.
Mr. Lacina Koné, the Director-General and CEO of Smart Africa, offered a heartfelt message of solidarity and called for collective efforts to prevent recurrence.
“The Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is a crime against humanity and we should never, ever allow this to happen anywhere around the world. If you look at what happened, it’s completely inhumane and beyond imagination. We should all fight it with all our strength,” he said underscoring the universal responsibility to prevent such tragedies.
The visit to the memorial served as a powerful reminder for Smart Africa’s employees of the importance of understanding history and the shared responsibility in Africa and beyond to promote peace, unity, and reconciliation.
Smart Africa employees pay tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi by laying wreaths at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.Tito Rutaremara, Rwandan political figure, speaks to Smart Africa employees about the importance of understanding Rwanda’s history and the lessons it holds.Jean Maurice Gasasira, a genocide survivor, recounts burying his mother at 16, emphasizing the lasting emotional scars and the importance of preserving these memories to prevent future atrocities.
In the first quarter of 2026, the world’s largest technology companies showed that their massive investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure are beginning to pay off, even as they continue to increase their spending.
Companies such as Microsoft, Alphabet (Google’s parent company), Meta Platforms, and Amazon all reported stronger‑than‑expected results, largely driven by growth in their AI‑related cloud services and data center businesses. These results confirmed that their costly commitments to AI computing capacity and infrastructure are generating real revenue and are shaping the future of their businesses.
These major tech firms are collectively projected to spend more than $700 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026, a significant increase from earlier expectations of around $600 billion. This year’s total far surpasses the roughly $650 billion level that had been forecast earlier, reflecting how urgently companies are racing to build the computing power needed to support advanced AI tools and services.
Microsoft reported robust growth in its Azure cloud division, with revenue beating analyst expectations. Its AI‑related revenue has grown significantly, prompting the company to raise its full‑year capital expenditure forecast to about $190 billion well above market predictions. Microsoft’s leadership described this period as part of a new “agentic computing era,” where AI tools are central to enterprise services.
Alphabet saw particularly strong performance from Google Cloud, which posted a 63 % year‑over‑year revenue increase the most dramatic growth among the major cloud platforms. CEO Sundar Pichai pointed out that demand for AI computing is outpacing supply, leading to expanded infrastructure commitments. This strong performance helped reinforce Alphabet’s decision to boost its capital spending projections for 2026 and beyond.
Meta Platforms also surpassed revenue expectations, reporting about 33 % growth in its first‑quarter sales. However, its expanding AI infrastructure costs and higher capital expenditure outlook contributed to downward pressure on its stock price. Meta plans to spend more on data centers and components to support future AI tools and services.
Amazon continued to show solid performance in cloud computing through its Amazon Web Services (AWS) division, which saw a 28 % growth rate, the fastest in many quarters. AWS has also formed strategic partnerships with AI companies, reinforcing its long‑term AI spending plans without raising its full‑year forecast.
The first quarter of 2026 demonstrated that AI investments are driving revenue growth for Big Tech, even though companies are still increasing their capital expenditures. Demand for AI infrastructure remains strong, suggesting that these technology giants are committed to long‑term expansion in AI and cloud computing as core parts of their business futures.
Big tech’s AI investment soars in Q1 2026, reaching $700 billion in infrastructure spending.
Imagine expecting a hot dry season, only for heavy rains to suddenly fall and destroy homes, crops, and infrastructure. Then, when people have planted and are expecting rainfall, prolonged sunshine and drought take over instead.
These unpredictable weather patterns are among the causes of natural disasters that continue to affect communities.
Many Rwandans still remember the devastating rains of May 2023, which triggered disasters that claimed 135 lives.
More than 2,100 houses were damaged, while another 2,763 were completely destroyed. Roads and other public infrastructure were also badly affected, and the impact is still visible today.
According to a report by the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management(MINEMA), natural disasters are among the most expensive challenges facing Rwanda, costing the country around $300 million (more than Rwf 400 billion) every year.
To respond to these challenges and strengthen environmental resilience, the Government of Rwanda, through the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) and other development partners, is implementing five major projects worth more than Rwf 735 billion.
These projects are aimed at helping Rwanda tackle climate change, reduce flooding, improve water resource management, generate electricity through sustainable resources, boost food security, and improve the livelihoods of communities living near the project areas.
One of the flagship initiatives is the construction of the Muvumba Multi-Purpose Dam in Nyagatare District. The project is expected to be completed in March 2027, and construction has currently reached 46 percent.
The dam is being built on 400 hectares of land across Karama and Rukomo sectors, and it will also extend into Gatunda Sector in Nyagatare District.
Once completed, the dam will stand 39 meters high, with a crest stretching one kilometer and 160 meters in length.
It will have the capacity to store nearly 55 million cubic meters of water. This water will be used to provide clean drinking water to residents, irrigate farmland, supply livestock, and generate one megawatt of electricity.
Construction of the Muvumba Dam is progressing steadily.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) will provide €121.5 million (about Rwf 207 billion), covering 97.2 percent of the total project cost, while Rwanda will contribute 2.8 percent, equivalent to €2.688 million (more than Rwf 4.5 billion).
The dam will supply 50,000 cubic meters of clean water per day. It will also generate one megawatt of electricity and support irrigation on 10,000 hectares of farmland in the sectors of Tabagwe, Gatunda, Karama, Rukomo, Nyagatare, Rwempasha, Musheri, and Rwimiyaga.
Rwanda is also implementing another major initiative known as the Volcanoes Community Resilience Project (VCRP), which is funded by the World Bank. The project is being carried out jointly by the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB), the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), and Meteo Rwanda.
Scheduled to run from 2024 to 2028, the project is valued at $300 million (more than Rwf 438 billion). It focuses on reducing flooding, improving livelihoods, and implementing water management measures in volcanic areas.
The project targets communities living in the volcanic region and the Vunga Corridor. It is expected to strengthen flood control, improve water drainage systems, and uplift livelihoods in the districts of Musanze, Nyabihu, Rubavu, Gakenke, Burera, Rutsiro, Ngororero, and Muhanga.
Since implementation began, terraces covering nearly 400 hectares have been constructed, along with 332 anti-erosion structures and other interventions in the districts of Musanze, Nyabihu, and Rubavu.
More than 450,000 tree and crop seedlings have been prepared and planted on 1,184 hectares of land. In additio n, 357 water tanks have been distributed, while 167 cows have been provided to vulnerable families.
Another key environmental conservation initiative currently receiving strong support is the project aimed at protecting biodiversity in the Congo-Nile Divide.
Over the next three years, a biodiversity conservation project covering districts located along the Congo-Nile Ridge is expected to be completed.
This project is being implemented in 10 districts, namely Musanze, Nyabihu, Rubavu, Ngororero, Rutsiro, Karongi, Nyamasheke, Rusizi, Nyamagabe, and Nyaruguru.
It is valued at $50 million (more than Rwf 73 billion) and is being implemented by the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) in partnership with stakeholders, including the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA).
Congo-Nile Divide Biodiversity Conservation Project is expected to deliver major transformation.
This project, titled “Building Resilience of Vulnerable Communities to Climate Variability in Rwanda’s Congo Nile Divide through Forest and Landscape Restoration,” will focus on conserving natural resources in the Albertine Rift section of the Congo-Nile Divide, which covers 444,600 hectares.
The initiative is expected to restore 5,000 hectares within Nyungwe National Park and Gishwati Forest, while 3,346 hectares will be planted with agroforestry trees. Terraces will be developed on 1,600 hectares of land, 8,500 households will receive clean and environmentally friendly energy solutions, and forests covering 2,500 hectares will be protected.
The project is also expected to create around 24,000 job opportunities.
In the districts of Karongi and Rutsiro, the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) will focus on land restoration activities, including the construction of terraces on 1,673 hectares.
The works will also include rehabilitating 39 kilometers of water channels damaged by heavy rainfall, as well as restoring 300 hectares of land near rivers. These activities are expected to create employment for 3,500 people.
Environmental protection efforts also include another project aimed at combating floods and helping residents in western Rwanda build resilience against disasters.
This project is valued at $9 million (more than Rwf 13 billion). It will focus on addressing recurring floods, soil erosion, and land degradation.
To achieve these goals, water retention dams will be constructed and reinforced with grass cover, damaged drainage channels in Rusizi and Karongi will be rehabilitated, terraces will be built, and agroforestry trees will be planted. These interventions are expected to benefit more than 600,000 residents.
The project will also support the construction of six modern monitoring stations designed to provide early flood warnings, alongside the introduction of digital disaster alert systems.
These measures are expected to benefit 1.2 million people, while training programs on disaster preparedness and response will also be provided.
Five projects worth Rwf 735 billion are underway to protect the environment.
The study, carried out by scientists from King’s College London, focused on nearly 500 infants born at St Thomas’ Hospital in London between 2015 and 2020.
Using the addresses where the mothers lived during pregnancy, researchers estimated how much air pollution including nitrogen dioxide and tiny airborne particles called PM2.5 and PM10, the mothers were exposed to during the first trimester of pregnancy.
When the children reached 18 months old, the researchers assessed their developmental progress using established language and motor skill tests.
They discovered that babies whose mothers experienced higher pollution levels in early pregnancy scored five to seven points lower on language tests than those whose mothers breathed cleaner air. This suggests that exposure to pollution in the womb may have a meaningful impact on early communication skills.
The study also found that babies who were born prematurely, especially those born before 32 weeks of pregnancy were even more affected. These infants showed not only delayed speech development but also significantly weaker motor skills, such as crawling and coordination, compared with full‑term babies.
Experts say these findings highlight a growing concern about air pollution and early childhood development. Air pollution doesn’t just affect the environment it can also influence children’s health and growth even before they are born.
In many cities, especially in areas near busy roads and crowded neighbourhoods, pregnant women may be exposed to levels of pollution that seem permissible by current legal standards but may still pose risks to developing babies.
Campaigners and scientists stress that the effects of dirty air are not shared equally. Families living in working‑class and marginalized communities often face higher pollution exposure, raising questions about environmental fairness and health equality.
They argue that protecting children’s health starting before birth requires not only better pollution controls but also policies that address deeper social inequalities.
Although this research was based in London, its implications extend around the world. Air pollution is one of the leading environmental health risks globally, and almost everyone worldwide breathes air containing harmful pollutants at levels that exceed safe guidelines.
Protecting pregnant women and babies from polluted air could help give children a healthier start in life and reduce potential developmental challenges later on.
Air pollution during pregnancy linked to delayed speech development in babies, study finds.
For years, scientists assumed that the cells in the nose that detect smell were scattered in a mostly random way. But in a recent study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School, a team took a closer look by studying millions of smell receptors in mice.
What they found was unexpected: these receptors aren’t random at all; they’re arranged in neat, overlapping stripes that stretch from the top to the bottom of the nasal cavity. This structure acts like a hidden map, where each stripe represents a group of neurons that detect specific types of odor molecules.
Even more exciting, this map inside the nose closely matches a similar pattern in the brain. That means that the way smells are sensed and how they are understood by the brain are tightly connected like two pieces of a puzzle that fit together perfectly.
Researchers also began to understand how this hidden map forms as animals develop. They discovered that a molecule called retinoic acid which helps control how genes are turned on and off plays an essential role in guiding smell neurons into their correct positions.
When the levels of this molecule were changed in the lab, the entire receptor map shifted, showing that this chemical helps shape the sense of smell from the very beginning.
So why does this matter? Understanding the basic structure of smell could help scientists find new ways to restore lost senses in people who can no longer smell due to injury or illness.
Right now, treatments for smell loss are limited and often don’t work well. But now that we know how the nose normally organizes smell information and connects it to the brain, researchers have a better roadmap for developing future therapies.
This discovery not only answers a long-standing scientific mystery it opens doors to future advances that might help people reclaim a sense many of us take for granted.
A microscope image shows a cross-section of a genetically modified mouse nose, with smell neurons expressing green fluorescent protein.
The visit took place on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, as the company joined the nation in commemorating the 32nd anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at the memorial located in Rwamagana District.
Triphine Turamye, a survivor from Muyumbu Hill, shared a moving testimony about how her parents were killed during the Genocide against the Tutsi. She also spoke about how she later chose to forgive those responsible for their deaths.
She thanked the Inkotanyi for rescuing her, saying she has since rebuilt her life and is grateful to live in a peaceful country free from discrimination.
Jibu Rwanda Country Manager, Tuyisenge Bruno, said that some businesspeople during the genocide left behind a painful legacy after supporting the perpetrators.
He noted that today, Jibu is committed to doing business responsibly and working to ensure that such atrocities never happen again.
He said, “As members of Jibu, we are committed to working alongside the country in building Rwanda. We visit memorial sites, join others in remembrance activities, and contribute to development projects that help strengthen our nation.”
Uwamahoro Rehema, representing traders who work with Jibu across Rwanda, said that visiting genocide survivors during the commemoration period is an important way to comfort and support them so they do not feel alone.
She added that such gestures help survivors regain confidence and continue rebuilding their lives.
The President of IBUKA in Rwamagana District, Musabyeyezu Dative, thanked Jibu Rwanda for taking the initiative to learn more about the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
He said this demonstrates the commitment of Rwandans to promoting unity, preserving truth, and rejecting evil wherever it appears.
The Executive Secretary of Muyumbu Sector, Muhamya Aman, also thanked Jibu Rwanda for standing in solidarity with survivors in Muyumbu.
He said such efforts help educate young people and strengthen the fight against genocide ideology.
During the visit, Jibu Rwanda leaders and employees laid wreaths at the graves where victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi are buried and officially handed over the Rwf 6 million donation to support the memorial’s modernization.
The Muyumbu Genocide Memorial is the final resting place of 14,401 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi. Rwamagana District is home to 11 memorial sites, where more than 85,000 victims are buried.
Jibu Rwanda employees lay wreaths at the Muyumbu Genocide Memorial in honor of victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi.The President of IBUKA in Rwamagana District, Musabyeyezu Dative, thanked Jibu Rwanda for organizing a commemoration activity for the Genocide against the Tutsi to help young people learn the country’s history.Turamye Triphine, who gave a testimony, explained how she forgave those who killed her parents.Uwamahoro Rehema said that standing with survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi during this period will help them realize that they are not alone.The Executive Secretary of Muyumbu Sector, Muhamya Aman, thanked Jibu Rwanda for its thoughtful decision to join them in commemorating the Genocide against the Tutsi. Jibu Rwanda Country Manager, Tuyisenge Bruno, lays a wreath at the burial site where more than 14,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi were laid to rest with dignity.
Curiosity had been studying the ancient rocks of Gale Crater, a place long believed to have once held water. In clay‑rich layers that formed billions of years ago, the rover detected more than twenty different organic molecules. These aren’t just ordinary chemicals. Many of them are deeply linked to the kind of chemistry that makes life on Earth possible.
One of the most exciting finds was a molecule with a structure similar to the building blocks of DNA. DNA is the code that carries the instructions for life on Earth, and discovering something that resembles its ingredients so far away sent ripples of excitement through the scientific world.
But scientists are careful this doesn’t prove that life ever existed on Mars. Instead, it suggests that the ancient Martian environment may have once been much more welcoming than we imagined.
Researchers believe these molecules have been preserved for about 3.5 billion years in the rocks, protected from harsh conditions by clay minerals. These clays act like time capsules, holding onto chemical secrets from Mars’s distant past. The amazing thing is that this preservation gives scientists a rare glimpse into the planet’s ancient chemistry, and possibly its potential to support life long ago.
The discovery came from a carefully planned chemical experiment using Curiosity’s onboard instruments. Because there was only a small amount of the chemical needed for the test, the scientists had to choose the perfect place to conduct the experiment and it paid off in a big way.
While this breakthrough doesn’t mean we’ve found Martian life, it does mean that the ingredients for life were present and preserved. Future missions might build on this work, possibly even bringing samples back to Earth for more detailed study. For now, the molecules discovered by Curiosity remind us that our universe is full of surprises and that even a seemingly barren world like Mars may hold clues about our own origins.
Discovering Mars’ ancient clues and the building blocks of life.
When she stepped into the dining room, all eyes were on Melania as she wore a pale pink haute couture gown by Christian Dior. The strapless silk dress was both graceful and timeless, giving her a soft, radiant look that perfectly matched the evening’s refined atmosphere.
She completed her outfit with off‑white suede gloves and silk pumps, adding an extra touch of sophistication to her look.
Her husband, President Donald Trump, stood proudly beside her in a classic black tuxedo, while guests from both sides of the Atlantic enjoyed the evening’s rich blend of culture and conversation.
President Trump and Melania welcomed the British royal couple with warmth and formality, showing the importance of the event in strengthening ties between their countries.
Earlier in the day, Melania had already shown off her fashion versatility. She wore a crisp white peplum skirt suit by Ralph Lauren along with a chic straw hat and elegant pumps, creating a stylish and confident daytime look.
Prior to that, during the royal couple’s arrival, she greeted guests in a butter‑yellow ensemble, showing her careful planning for each moment of the visit.
The dinner itself was not just about outfits, it was about honoring tradition, celebrating international friendship, and enjoying a beautiful spring evening at the heart of American hospitality. From the beautifully arranged table settings to the gracious hosts and honored guests, the night was a blend of diplomacy and grace.
Melania Trump captivates in a stunning couture Dior pink gown at the White House state dinner with King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The research shows that internalised stress, particularly feelings of hopelessness and the habit of suppressing emotional struggles, may have a stronger effect on memory decline than many people realise.
Researchers discovered that when older adults tend to hold stress deep inside themselves, instead of sharing it or finding ways to cope, it may quietly weaken their memory over time. In other words, it is not just ageing itself that affects memory; the way people respond to stress also matters.
“Stress and hopelessness may go unnoticed in ageing populations, yet they play a critical role in how the brain ages,” said Chen, who is also an assistant professor of neurology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
“Because these feelings are modifiable, our goal is for this research to inform culturally sensitive stress-reduction interventions to mitigate these feelings in older adults.”
The study looked at more than 1,500 Chinese American adults over the age of 60 living in the Chicago area. This group was considered significant because older Asian Americans have been studied less in relation to brain ageing, despite their growing population.
Researchers found that people with high levels of internal stress, especially those experiencing hopelessness and a tendency to keep problems to themselves rather than discussing them, showed faster declines in memory over time.
This pattern appeared stronger than the influence of other social factors, such as feeling connected to a community or having support from neighbours.
The scientists believe that cultural pressures may also contribute to this issue. For example, stereotypes around always appearing strong, successful, and resilient can make some people feel they should not show weakness or ask for help.
Such expectations may cause emotional struggles to go unnoticed or be ignored, even when they have a serious impact on mental and cognitive health.
One of the most hopeful findings from the study is that internal stress is something that can be addressed. Since it is closely linked to feelings such as hopelessness, which can be treated, researchers say there is an opportunity to improve emotional well-being and protect brain health.
They recommend developing support programmes and care strategies that are sensitive to the cultural backgrounds and lived experiences of older adults.
This approach, they say, could help preserve memory, improve emotional resilience, and support healthier ageing.
Stress is not only something people feel emotionally; it can also shape how the brain functions over time. By understanding its impact better and helping older adults manage it in healthier ways, researchers believe memory problems could be reduced and ageing made easier for many people.
A new study by researchers at Rutgers University has found that older adults who keep stress bottled up instead of talking about it may face faster memory decline, highlighting how emotional health can quietly shape brain ageing.
