The firm-fixed-price contract has a maximum potential value of approximately 700 million U.S. dollars. Under the contract, Blue Origin will deliver a high-performance telecommunications orbiter for Mars to NASA no later than Dec. 31, 2028, according to NASA.
Blue Origin will design, develop, integrate, launch, and operate the network as part of NASA’s broader space communications and navigation infrastructure.
The network will include a high-performance telecommunications spacecraft orbiting Mars to transmit science data, imagery, navigation information, and critical mission communications for spacecraft operating on and around the planet.
The network, managed by NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation program, is expected to be operational at Mars by 2030 and will support both current and future missions to the Red Planet, according to NASA.
NASA said the contract award marks a milestone in its strategy to expand communications and navigation services beyond Earth and the Moon, laying the foundation for sustained exploration of Mars in the coming decades.
This illustration released on Sept 6, 2024, shows the twin spacecraft of NASA’s Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers entering Mars’ orbit. (PHOTO/ROCKET LAB USA)
Xi made the remarks in a meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2026 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Xi said that during the successful state visit of Putin to China in May, he and Putin made arrangements to steer bilateral relations toward higher-quality and higher-level development from a strategic and long-term perspective, and reached consensus on deepening cooperation between China and Russia across various sectors under the new circumstances.
The competent authorities of the two countries are actively implementing the consensus, with substantial results already made, Xi said, adding that exchanges and cooperation between the two sides have maintained a strong momentum.
Xi noted that the international landscape is witnessing a notable increase in uncertain and unpredictable factors, against the backdrop of accelerating profound changes unseen in a century. But the pursuit of people across the world of peace, development, cooperation and win-win outcomes remains unchanged, he added.
The SCO shoulders the important responsibility for safeguarding regional stability and promoting regional development, he said.
China, he said, stands ready to work with Russia and other parties to jointly chart the course for the development of the SCO, help ensure its steady and sustained progress, and strengthen the driving force for reform of global governance and the advancement of an equal and orderly multipolar world.
Amid a turbulent and complex international landscape, Russia and China have continuously deepened their comprehensive strategic coordination, upholding equality, mutual trust, and mutual support, while cooperation and development across various fields have advanced rapidly, and Russia-China relations have become a model for relations between countries, Putin said.
Russia is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with China, strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, industry, transportation, and science and technology, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and promote bilateral relations to achieve new results, he said.
Through the joint efforts of all parties, the SCO has evolved into a dynamic and efficient regional cooperation platform with significant international influence, said Putin, noting that Russia and China should continuously strengthen their solidarity and cooperation within the organization and play a guiding role.
Russia is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the BRICS mechanism and the G20, support China in hosting the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, and jointly uphold world peace, stability and prosperity, he said.
The two heads of state also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2026 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Aug. 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2026 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Aug. 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)
The seven-decade journey of China-Egypt relations is a powerful testament to what solidarity and cooperation can achieve. Over the years, the two countries have steadily strengthened their ties despite shifts in the regional and global landscape, maintained close coordination on international affairs, supported each other on issues of mutual interest, and expanded practical cooperation, making their partnership a model of amity, solidarity and cooperation among developing countries.
That spirit of solidarity was evident from the very beginning of their diplomatic ties. In the early years of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing supported Egypt’s efforts to reclaim sovereignty over the Suez Canal. In 1971, Cairo voted in favor of restoring the People’s Republic of China’s lawful seat at the United Nations. The two peoples also stood together in the struggle against colonialism and hegemonism, laying a solid foundation for a friendship that has endured for seven decades.
In recent years, China-Egypt relations have been deepening under the guidance of the two heads of state and are now at their best in history. For over a decade, Xi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi have met more than 10 times, providing strategic guidance for the continued expansion of bilateral cooperation.
In 2014, the two countries elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. During Xi’s 2016 state visit to Egypt, the two sides agreed to align the Belt and Road Initiative with Egypt’s development strategies. In 2024, Egypt became the first Arab country to include the goal of building a community with a shared future in a bilateral joint statement.
Anchored in the leaders’ shared vision, China-Egypt cooperation has flourished across a range of fields including trade, investment, industry, energy, science and technology, and cultural exchange, delivering tangible benefits to people in both countries.
China has been Egypt’s largest trading partner for over a decade, while landmark projects such as the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, the Benban Solar Park, the remote sensing MisrSat-2 satellite and the Government Data and Cloud Computing Center illustrate how bilateral cooperation has expanded into areas ranging from renewable energy and space technology to digital governance.
Cooperation has also extended beyond economics. Joint archaeological excavations in Luxor and exhibitions of Egyptian civilization in China have brought the histories and cultures of the two ancient civilizations closer to their peoples. Such exchanges have given the bilateral relationship a deeper human foundation.
The significance of China-Egypt ties also extends beyond the two countries. Egypt was the first Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with Beijing, making the China-Egypt relationship a starting point for China’s ties with the Arab world. Over the years, the momentum of China-Arab cooperation has continued to grow, with Belt and Road projects creating new opportunities for development and improving livelihoods across the region.
China and Egypt have also worked closely in multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, the Group of 20, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. By coordinating their positions and speaking up on issues of common concern, the two countries have contributed to a stronger voice for the Global South.
At a time of profound global change — with economic recovery still fragile, unilateralism and hegemonism on the rise, and regional conflicts continuing to escalate — it is more urgent than ever for Global South countries to stand together and pursue common progress.
For the Global South, China-Egypt cooperation carries a broader message. By pooling their strengths, expanding practical cooperation and supporting each other’s development paths, Global South countries can create more opportunities for themselves and make a greater contribution to the world’s shared development.
The upcoming visit by Xi will provide a new opportunity to carry this spirit forward. China will continue to work with Egypt and other partners across the Arab world to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, uphold multilateralism, amplify the voice of developing countries and promote a more just and equitable international order.
As China and Egypt mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Egypt is set to inject fresh impetus into bilateral relations
Organised by Sion Foundation, a Christian organisation registered in Rwanda, the festival will begin at 1pm and bring together Gospel music lovers, churches, families and young people for an afternoon of music, worship, entertainment and messages centred on faith, hope and positive social change.
The lineup also includes MD and other Christian performers, with organisers saying the event will use music and creative arts to encourage young people to make positive and purposeful choices.
Beyond entertainment, the festival will feature initiatives targeting education, savings and access to health insurance.
Chancen International will provide 1,000 young people aged 18 to 35 with opportunities to pursue education through a study-now, pay-later model. The initiative will cover bachelor’s degree programmes, short courses and professional training, allowing beneficiaries to defer payment under applicable arrangements.
The festival will also promote participation in Ejo Heza, Rwanda’s long-term savings programme, by providing attendees with a starting contribution towards subscriptions.
Sion Foundation will further support social programmes aimed at helping vulnerable people access Mutuelle de Santé, Rwanda’s community-based health insurance scheme.
Organisers say the initiatives are intended to make the festival a platform for spiritual, educational, social and economic empowerment, particularly among young people.
Rabagirana Festival 2026 will later continue in Muhanga, Ruhango and Rubavu as part of a nationwide outreach programme.
The organisers say the festival seeks to encourage young people to embrace faith, education, entrepreneurship, professional development and responsible citizenship while avoiding drug abuse, alcoholism and other destructive behaviours.
The Bugesera event is open to the public, with young people, churches, families and communities in Bugesera and surrounding areas invited to attend.
RSSB announced on August 27, 2026 that it had acquired the remaining shares in Inyange Industries Ltd, one of Rwanda’s leading food and beverage processors, and Ruliba Clays Ltd, a manufacturer of clay-based construction materials.
The transactions brought RSSB’s ownership in both companies to 100 percent, after it previously held 40 percent of Inyange and 50 percent of Ruliba.
Five days later, on September 1, RSSB announced that it had completed the acquisition of the entire shareholding in BK General Insurance Ltd (BKGI) for Rwf31.7 billion. BKGI will now be integrated with RSSB’s existing insurance businesses, SONARWA General Insurance and SONARWA Life Assurance.
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, RSSB Chief Executive Officer Regis Rugemanshuro said the acquisitions reflect a broader shift in how the pension fund intends to manage its growing investment portfolio.
“The short answer is that RSSB is entering its next phase as an investor, and these businesses are entering theirs,” Rugemanshuro said.
RSSB’s assets under management reached Rwf3.9 trillion at the end of June 2026, having doubled over the previous five years. The institution generated investment returns of 15.06 percent, equivalent to about Rwf401 billion, in 2024–2025 and 12.8 percent, or approximately Rwf438 billion, in 2025–2026.
Rugemanshuro said the growth has given RSSB greater capacity to invest, but also places greater responsibility on the institution to ensure members’ money is deployed prudently.
Under its new five-year strategy, RSSB is seeking to get more value from businesses it already owns while identifying investments capable of generating sustainable, long-term, risk-adjusted returns.
Why take full ownership?
For Inyange and Ruliba, RSSB was already familiar with the businesses and had participated in financing their productive capacity.
Inyange’s revenues increased from Rwf28 billion in 2021 to Rwf68.9 billion in 2025, while its profit after tax reached Rwf1.35 billion last year.
Its milk powder plant can process up to 650,000 litres of fresh milk per day into products including milk powder, butter, ghee and UHT milk. RSSB sees significant room to increase utilisation, develop new products, improve distribution and expand exports.
Ruliba, meanwhile, has more than doubled its annual production capacity following the construction of a second plant, from roughly 62,000 tonnes to more than 126,000 tonnes.
Rugemanshuro said the timing of the acquisitions is important because the companies are moving from investing heavily in production capacity to generating greater commercial value from those investments.
“That is why the timing matters. We are acquiring greater control just as these businesses move from building capacity to realising its full commercial value,” he said.
Full ownership, he added, will allow RSSB to make decisions faster, align capital allocation with strategy and establish clearer accountability for performance.
But RSSB does not necessarily intend to remain the sole owner forever.
Once the companies become stronger, the institution could bring in strategic or institutional investors or consider public listings.
“Full ownership is not a trophy. It is a platform for value creation and gives us the freedom to choose the future ownership structure that best serves members,” Rugemanshuro said.
RSSB CEO Regis Rugemanshuro says the institution’s next phase will focus on active ownership, regional growth and prudent investment of members’ savings.
Building a larger insurance business
BKGI presents a different opportunity. The insurer’s profit after tax increased from Rwf2.7 billion in 2021 to Rwf4.7 billion in 2025. RSSB valued the company at approximately Rwf32 billion and subjected the transaction to independent valuation and scrutiny.
Rugemanshuro said the objective is not simply to combine insurance companies to reduce costs, but to build a stronger Rwandan insurer capable of handling larger risks.
“The ambition goes well beyond combining businesses to reduce costs. We want to build a Rwandan insurance champion with the scale, capital, expertise and technology to compete at a much higher level,” he said.
The larger group could participate more meaningfully in risks linked to infrastructure, energy, aviation, manufacturing and construction, while also developing new products and improving customer service. RSSB ultimately wants the insurance platform to compete regionally, potentially with the involvement of a strategic partner.
What does this mean for members?
Rugemanshuro says the central test for all three acquisitions remains whether they protect and grow members’ savings.
“A pension fund does not protect your savings by putting them in a vault. It protects them by investing them prudently so that they grow and are available when benefits fall due,” he said. Diversifying across sectors also reduces RSSB’s dependence on a single industry or source of returns.
The fund expects the businesses to improve their performance over time, but Rugemanshuro cautioned against judging every investment by the headline return of the entire RSSB portfolio.
A manufacturing company, insurer and government bond have different risk and cash-flow characteristics, he explained. What matters is whether each investment produces an appropriate return relative to its risk.
Over the next 12 to 24 months, Rugemanshuro said, members should look for higher capacity utilisation and broader product availability at Inyange, increased production and market reach at Ruliba, and a disciplined execution of the insurance consolidation.
In less than one month, the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) has taken full ownership of three major businesses, including Inyange Industries Ltd, Ruliba Clays Ltd and BK General Insurance Ltd (BKGI).
From Rwanda to regional markets
RSSB’s ambitions extend beyond strengthening the companies’ positions in Rwanda.
For Inyange, the immediate focus is on increasing production, strengthening the agricultural supply chain and expanding exports. Greater utilisation of the milk powder plant is expected to create additional demand for quality milk, potentially giving farmers more predictable markets.
At Ruliba, the new production capacity is expected to serve Rwanda’s construction industry while opening greater opportunities for exports.
The same regional ambition applies to insurance, although through a different model involving regional corporate clients, partnerships and potentially direct market entry.
“Regional expansion must improve returns, diversify earnings and strengthen the business,” Rugemanshuro said.
Regis Rugemanshuro has outlined how RSSB plans to turn its growing investment portfolio into stronger businesses, higher returns and lasting value for members.
A more active RSSB
The acquisitions point to a broader ambition for RSSB to become a more sophisticated institutional investor while remaining focused on its core social-security mandate.
Rugemanshuro said RSSB will become more active as an owner where intervention can genuinely improve performance, but it will not seek control simply for the sake of control.
As its asset base grows, RSSB also expects to gradually increase investment outside Rwanda to reduce concentration risk and strengthen portfolio resilience.
“We will be active where active ownership can genuinely change the outcome. We will not seek control where it adds complexity without adding value,” he said.
Ultimately, Rugemanshuro says the success of the latest acquisitions will be judged not by the number of companies RSSB owns, but by whether those businesses become more profitable, more competitive and more valuable while generating sustainable returns for members.
“Ultimately, the test is simple: did we protect members’ capital, grow it meaningfully and build businesses that are more valuable because RSSB owned them?”
Five years from now, he wants to see Inyange supporting a stronger agricultural value chain and expanding into regional markets, Ruliba contributing to Rwanda’s industrial and construction capacity, and the insurance group becoming financially stronger, more innovative and capable of underwriting larger risks.
For RSSB, the wider objective is to build an institution capable of protecting today’s members while ensuring it has the financial strength to meet the obligations of future generations.
RSSB CEO Regis Rugemanshuro says the fund’s latest acquisitions are aimed at creating greater long-term value for members while strengthening the businesses it owns.
The six-day trade fair was officially opened by Mozambique’s President, Daniel Francisco Chapo, at a ceremony attended by Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Mozambique, Col (Rtd) Donat Ndamage.
The exhibition has brought together 29 countries, including Rwanda, with products and services from more than 500 foreign companies and 1,950 Mozambican businesses on display.
The Rwandan delegation comprises entrepreneurs involved in processing agricultural products, manufacturing leather shoes and bags, and producing hair oils.
The businesses travelled from Kigali with the aim of expanding their market presence in Mozambique and exploring investment opportunities in the country.
President Chapo visited various exhibitors at the fair, learning about the products and the distinctive activities of each business.
He also visited the Rwandan exhibitors accompanied by High Commissioner Ndamage and was briefed on their products.
Mozambique’s President officially opened the Maputo International Trade Fair.Government officials and diplomats attended the opening ceremony.Rwandan exhibitors showcased products made in Rwanda.Leather-made bags were among the products displayed by Rwandan exhibitors.A variety of oils and fragrances were also showcased at the fair.Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Mozambique, Col (Rtd) Donat Ndamage, joined Rwandan exhibitors to support their participation at the fair.
The AFC/M23 coalition and the MRDP-Twirwaneho movement have controlled Point-Zéro since the night of July 3-4, 2026. The area was previously controlled by the Congolese army, Burundian troops and Wazalendo militia.
According to reliable sources involved in the preparations, the Congolese government has increased the number of troops and military equipment deployed in the province ahead of planned operations targeting positions held by AFC/M23 and Twirwaneho.
The number of foreign mercenaries operating in the area also increased towards the end of August. American and Colombian mercenaries reportedly increased from 10 to 35 and are operating around Lusuku and Alaba, near Point-Zéro, alongside members of the DRC’s special forces unit known as Hiboux.
The mercenaries are expected to take part in specialised operations, including directing air strikes and operating attack drones targeting AFC/M23 and Twirwaneho positions.
On August 28, the Congolese army increased its troop presence in several parts of Uvira Territory, including Murunga, Munanira, Ndolera, Kashabiro and Lemera.
On the night of August 29, a Hiboux battalion moved from the Bilende area in Fizi Territory towards Point-Zéro.
The preparations come as Congolese and Burundian troops, together with Wazalendo fighters, continue to deploy in areas surrounding the Minembwe commune in Fizi, Uvira and Mwenga territories.
Sources also reported that the Congolese army has continued to send military equipment through Burundi. Between August 5 and 7, three aircraft reportedly travelled from Kinshasa to Bujumbura carrying equipment before it was transported to South Kivu.
On August 9 and 10, Burundian military vehicles carrying troops, equipment and military drones reportedly crossed the Gatumba-Kavimvira border towards Baraka in Fizi Territory.
The Chief of Staff of the Congolese Armed Forces, Lt Gen Banza Mwilambwe Jules, and his Burundian counterpart, Gen Prime Niyongabo, also travelled to Kalemie in early August, where they followed preparations for planned operations in Minembwe.
The DRC government expects the mercenaries to help direct airstrikes and operate attack drones.
The celebration was held on August 29, 2026, and was attended by Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Johnston Busingye, who joined members of the Rwandan community and friends of Rwanda.
Held in Oxford, the event provided an opportunity for Rwandans living in the UK to come together, preserve their cultural heritage and share Rwanda’s values with friends and other members of the wider community.
Umuganura is traditionally known as a celebration of the harvest. Today, however, it carries a broader meaning, providing an opportunity to reflect on achievements, express gratitude and remind individuals of their role in the development of their families, communities and country.
For Rwandans living in the UK, the celebration also served as an opportunity to preserve Rwandan culture and its values while passing them on to younger generations.
High Commissioner Johnston Busingye stressed the importance of preserving Rwanda’s values.
“Umuganura reminds us that wherever Rwandans live, our values of unity, gratitude, hard work and shared responsibility remain with us,” he said.
He added that as Rwandans celebrate their achievements, they should also reflect on the contribution each person can make to the wider community and Rwanda’s development.
Young people were given particular attention during the celebration, with children and Rwandans who grew up in the UK given an opportunity to learn about the traditions, values and history passed down by their parents and elders.
Organisers said preserving Rwandan culture does not prevent Rwandans from integrating into the wider UK community. Instead, they said, it helps them maintain a connection with their roots and better understand their cultural identity.
Friends of Rwanda also attended the celebration, giving them an opportunity to learn more about Rwandan culture and its values while engaging with a community whose members come from diverse backgrounds but are connected by their life in the UK.
Participants learned more about Rwanda through its culture, values and the experiences of its people.
Community leaders thanked those who attended and encouraged Rwandans living in the UK to continue organising activities that bring people together and strengthen connections between generations.
The Umuganura celebration also highlighted the role of the Rwandan diaspora in strengthening ties between Rwanda and the United Kingdom.
Rwandans living in the UK continue to contribute to different sectors, including business, education, healthcare, technology, entrepreneurship and community development.
The celebration also provided an opportunity to look ahead, with participants emphasising the importance of continued cooperation, contribution and collective efforts for the benefit of future generations.
Rwandans in Oxford marked Umuganura with a celebration that highlighted culture, community and the importance of preserving connections between generations.Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the UK, Johnston Busingye, joined Rwandans in Oxford as they celebrated Umuganura and reflected on the importance of preserving the country’s cultural values.The celebration in Oxford provided an opportunity for Rwandans in the UK to come together and reflect on unity, gratitude and shared responsibility.Rwandans living in the United Kingdom gathered in Oxford to celebrate Umuganura and honour their cultural heritage.Young Rwandans growing up in the UK took part in Umuganura celebrations aimed at strengthening their connection to Rwandan culture and heritage.The Umuganura celebration brought together members of the Rwandan community in the UK, alongside friends of Rwanda.
The Ethiopian government announced Monday that it has repatriated nearly 100,000 nationals facing dire conditions abroad over the past 12 months under an ongoing government-led initiative.
The Ministry of Women and Social Affairs said in a statement that more than 98,900 Ethiopians were safely returned home during the latest round of a coordinated repatriation initiative, which began on Sept. 15 last year.
As part of these efforts, some 2,463 undocumented citizens were repatriated last week alone from Saudi Arabia, where they were said to be “stranded in difficult conditions,” according to the ministry.
The Ethiopian government and humanitarian partners are currently implementing coordinated initiatives to provide returning citizens with appropriate support and care at temporary facilities, as well as rehabilitate and reunite them with their families, it was noted.
Despite government-led public awareness campaigns regarding the dangers of human trafficking, estimates indicate that thousands of Ethiopians are trafficked annually to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, where they work primarily in the informal economy.
In addition to the risk of imprisonment and other hardships, Ethiopian migrants often face life-threatening dangers as they attempt to navigate the perilous Red Sea route in hopes of reaching the Gulf countries through war-torn Yemen.
Ethiopian women repatriated from Saudi Arabia react as they disembark from the airplane at the Bole Airport, in Addis Ababa, on March 30, 2022. (Photo by EDUARDO SOTERAS / AFP)
Under the agreement, Venezuelan interim authorities have granted North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP), a privately held company and the country’s second-largest private oil producer, 100-year concessions for 17 oil fields with proven reserves of approximately 65 billion barrels.
In turn, NABEP has granted the U.S. Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital a 35 percent equity stake in its corporate parent. The company has also granted the U.S. Department of State the right to purchase, at production cost, 20 percent of the output from all current and future fields it operates, as well as the right of first refusal to purchase the remaining 80 percent.
The U.S. government will have veto power over the appointment of any member of NABEP’s board of directors, while a majority of the board members must be U.S. citizens, according to the fact sheet. The agreement between the U.S. government and NABEP is governed by U.S. law and subject to the jurisdiction of U.S. courts.
The fact sheet said millions of barrels of new Venezuelan output would be processed through U.S. refineries and pumped using American rigs and infrastructure.
The U.S. government said the deal would come “at zero cost” to American taxpayers.
Trump is scheduled to meet Tuesday with directors of large and small oil refineries, reports said on Monday.
Brent crude oil price has surged around 28 percent amid U.S. military operation against Iran.
A pedestrian walks past a mural featuring oil wells in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Aug 29, 2026, a day after President Donald Trump announced a deal giving the United States a stake in Venezuela’s oil reserves. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)
