The measures, worth over 5 billion euros (5.75 billion U.S. dollars), were laid out in two decrees. The first was aimed at supporting businesses, while the second focused on curbing rising housing and rental costs.
Speaking to the press, Sanchez admitted that the measures “won’t prevent the effects of this illegal war from reaching Spain,” but promised that “at least they will make them less corrosive and somewhat more bearable.”
Among the measures approved in an emergency cabinet meeting were a reduction of VAT from 21 percent to 10 percent on automotive fuels, electricity, and natural gas, as well as a reduction on special tax on hydrocarbons.
The Spanish government will also temporarily suspend its tax on electricity generation, while introducing a 15 percent personal income tax deduction for the purchase of electric and plug-in vehicles, along with additional tax deductions to support energy efficiency improvements, self-consumption and heat pumps, according to the measures.
“Extraordinary situations require extraordinary measures,” insisted Sanchez, who highlighted the decrees contain “80 measures that will come into effect as soon as they are published in the Official State Gazette (BOE).”
The United States and Israel launched massive attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, disrupting global shipping, sending oil prices soaring and shaking the global economy.
European gas and oil prices rose sharply in early trading on Thursday. The Dutch TTF benchmark, a key reference for European gas supply contracts, surged more than 30 percent to 70.7 euros (81.3 U.S. dollars) per megawatt-hour at the open, before easing to around 67 euros (77 dollars) per megawatt-hour. The price has more than doubled from around 32 euros (37 dollars) megawatt-hour before the conflict began.
Oil prices also moved higher. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose to above 116 dollars per barrel in early trading on Thursday.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attends a press conference in Madrid, Spain, on March 20, 2026.
“A well-conceived 15th Five-Year Plan and its effective implementation will ensure we have even stronger foundations for basically achieving socialist modernization by 2035,” Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, once said.
Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed that socialist modernization can only be realized through a historical process of gradual and ongoing development. It requires the unremitting hard work of one generation after another.
Building new growth momentum
The world is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, with the challenges of securing peace, development, security and governance intensifying, while geopolitical risks are increasing, and global economic growth momentum remains weak.
Notably, China’s economic transformation and upgrading are deepening, with reform efforts tackling deep-seated problems. In addition, new quality productive forces are being fostered at an accelerated pace.
“Efforts should be redoubled to gain experience in analyzing new situations and solving new problems,” Xi said during China’s “two sessions” earlier this month.
Developing new quality productive forces is an essential requirement for building a modern industrial system and fueling a powerful engine for advancing high-quality development.
As a new driver of future development, new quality productive forces should be cultivated in line with local conditions. It is necessary to leverage local resource endowments, industrial foundations and research capabilities to selectively foster emerging industries, new business models and new growth drivers.
Guided by scientific and technological innovation and anchored in the real economy, efforts should be made to speed up the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries and foster the growth of emerging industries and future-oriented industries, so as to accelerate the development of a modern industrial system.
Meanwhile, improving the national innovation system and stimulating the vitality of various innovation entities remain key priorities. With a focus on the frontiers of global science and technology, sustained efforts should be made to strengthen basic research and enhance original innovation capacity, while intensifying breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields and frontier technologies.
Amid a rapidly changing international environment and various uncertainties, focusing on managing the country’s own affairs well and enhancing its development quality is crucial in ensuring a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan.
For China, it is imperative to advance high-quality development, build a unified national market and expand high-standard opening up to explore global markets.
China still faces challenges of uneven and inadequate development, including declining labor demand in traditional industries due to technological and industrial transformations, and growing pressure on public services and social security because of an aging population. Addressing these issues is essential for sustaining growth and ensuring that development benefits all.
Global vision of China’s modernization path
“Chinese modernization delivers benefit to the Chinese people and also advances common development of the world. It is a sure path for us to build a stronger nation and realize the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It is also a path we must take to seek progress for humanity and harmony for the entire world,” Xi said in a keynote address at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting in 2023.
These remarks situated Chinese modernization within the historical context of China’s relations with the world, highlighting its inclusive character and pursuit of win-win outcomes.
Chinese modernization is fundamentally characterized by proactive global engagement. Since the reform and opening up, China’s developmental trajectory, guided by successive five-year plans, has been inseparable from international cooperation.
Openness has always been the defining feature of Chinese modernization. From “the world factory” to “the world market,” and from a land for global investment to a global innovation hub, each leap in China’s development drives cooperation with the world into broader areas and deeper levels.
As industrial transformation accelerates, China’s massive market will continue to offer significant demand for countries worldwide. In pursuit of smart, green and integrated growth, China aims to share its manufacturing experience and technical innovations to drive global sustainable development.
Beyond that, the global significance of the Chinese model of modernization lies in its success in shattering the myth that modernization is synonymous with Westernization, thereby creating a new form of human advancement.
“China will do well only when the world does well, and vice versa,” Xi once said.
Leveraging the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative, the world’s second-largest economy is committed to the building of an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.
Faced with global changes not seen in a century, China will continue to stand on the right side of history and remain a steadfast, reliable and constructive force in a turbulent world.
CPC leadership as core
Chinese modernization is characterized by unique features: the modernization of a huge population, the modernization of common prosperity for all, the modernization of material and cultural-ethical advancement, the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature, and the modernization of peaceful development.
In advancing Chinese modernization, the key lies in upholding the overall leadership of the CPC, which has been the strong leadership core in developing socialism with Chinese characteristics.
By integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and its fine traditional culture, the Party has, through years of dedicated efforts, deepened its understanding of the laws that underlie governance by a communist party, the development of socialism, and the evolution of human society.
The Party has led China in building one of the world’s most complete industrial systems, in eliminating absolute poverty, in growing into an economy of 140 trillion yuan (about 20.32 trillion U.S. dollars), and in becoming a major trading partner for more than 150 countries and regions.
Advancing Chinese modernization requires solid work and sustained efforts over time, and sound planning must go hand in hand with effective implementation. Party members and officials are urged to establish and practice a correct view on governance performance, remain committed to serving the public and improving people’s well-being, make well-grounded decisions, and focus on practical work.
An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 10, 2026 shows a dual-fuel car carrier loaded with vehicles for export setting sail at Yantai Port in Yantai, east China’s Shandong Province.
What unfolded was more than a demonstration of martial arts. It was a story of cultural exchange, healing, and transformation.
Eric Mugisha, secretary general of Rwanda Kung Fu Wushu Federation, highlighted the steady growth of Kung Fu across the country in an interview with Xinhua.
Representing the federation at the event, he noted the widespread presence of clubs and the unique place tai chi holds within them.
“Many clubs are based in Kigali, and we have some others in different provinces, normally we have around 30 clubs in total,” he said.
Unlike other forms of kung fu, tai chi stands apart. “This is a form of art that is not about fighting, the energy from tai chi is from within oneself, it is there to balance the harmony between body and mind,” said Mugisha.
For many Rwandans, tai chi is more than just movement – it is a personal journey.
Emile Ndagijimana, a tai chi teacher, shared a deeply rooted story of passion that began in childhood with Xinhua.
“I started practicing kung fu at the age of nine,” he recalled. Over the years, his curiosity led him from martial arts films to deeper study and eventually to tai chi.
His turning point came when he began to understand its philosophy.
“A Chinese teacher who teaches at the Confucius Institute told me that to succeed, I needed to balance and move my arms while breathing and master the balance technique of tai chi. That’s when I started loving tai chi.”
Today, Ndagijimana teaches hundreds of students and integrates tai chi into community life, especially for healing and wellbeing.
“In Rwanda, people do not know about tai chi; they think it’s fighting,” he explained. “Tai chi is a form of medicine, it helps them move their joints, and those who are sick.”
His mission is clear, bringing tai chi to both young people and the elderly. “The reason I teach tai chi is that I see that it helps in healing, if more Rwandans learn tai chi, it could assist them in healing.”
Sumaya Uwase Niyonzima is a martial art lover whose enthusiasm reflects a growing appreciation among youth. Her introduction to tai chi came through her martial arts club and visiting Chinese instructors. “I love tai chi because I hear it is the medicine of the health. It helps our body, it helps our feelings, also our brain,” she said.
Though she admits the practice requires dedication, but the benefits keep her committed.
“I feel good when I am doing tai chi, my blood goes well. I didn’t get sick again like how I got sick before I practiced tai chi.”
At a broader level, the impact of tai chi in Rwanda reflects years of cultural collaboration. Zeng Guangyu, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute, emphasized how far the practice has come since its introduction in 2009.
“More than a decade later, it’s no longer us who practice tai chi best. It’s the Rwandans,” he said proudly.
Today, thousands of practitioners and dozens of trained instructors are helping embed tai chi into local communities. Beyond physical exercise, Zeng underscored its deeper significance: “Tai chi does not advocate confrontation; instead, it champions the principles of ‘overcoming hardness with softness’ and ‘tolerance and inclusiveness.’”
As Rwanda joined the global celebration of the first International Taijiquan Day, the message is clear – tai chi is no longer just a foreign tradition. It is becoming a shared cultural bridge, a tool for health, and a symbol of harmony.
Local people practice Taijiquan, a kind of Chinese traditional martial arts, at the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda, in Kigali, Rwanda, March 18, 2026.Sumaya Uwase Niyonzima (C) practices Taijiquan, a kind of Chinese traditional martial arts, at the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda, in Kigali, Rwanda, March 18, 2026.Zeng Guangyu (front R), Chinese director of the Confucius Institute, communicates with local people for Taijiquan, a kind of Chinese traditional martial arts, at the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda, in Kigali, Rwanda, March 18, 2026.
Since launching its flagship store in October 2022, Goodlife has expanded to 16 pharmacy locations nationwide, offering medicines, pharmacy services, and a range of health and wellness products. The company serves more than 100,000 customers each month and operates a customer loyalty program with over 100,000 registered members.
The investment comes from BK Capital’s Africa Private Debt Fund, which focuses on providing financing to businesses in Rwanda. The financing will support further expansion of Goodlife’s network, strengthen its supply chain, and improve operational capacity across both standalone and hospital-based outlets.
Goodlife operates pharmacy services at Kibagabaga Hospital in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Rwanda Medical Supply, and has partnered with Legacy Clinics, a private healthcare provider.
Goodlife has quickly established one of the first world-class pharmacy chains in Rwanda,” said Théogène Uwimpuhwe, Acting Managing Director of BK Capital. “We are pleased to provide the capital needed to fuel this industry pioneer’s next phase of growth, ultimately improving access to quality healthcare and medicines for all Rwandans.”
“Access to medicines and professional pharmacy services is essential for healthcare delivery,” said Grant M. Beyers, Chief Executive Officer of Goodlife Health and Beauty. “This investment will support our ongoing expansion and operational improvements.”
The transaction was supported by Steve Mutaboba, who acted as Lead Financial and Strategic Advisor to Goodlife.
The investment reflects continued investor confidence in Rwanda’s healthcare sector and the role of private capital in supporting access to essential health products and services.
The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, accused the Ivy League university of violating the civil rights of Jewish and Israeli people and turning “a blind eye” to antisemitism and discrimination against Jews and Israelis.
Jewish and Israeli students were subjected to severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive harassment on the ground of their race or national origin, and they were excluded from participation in and denied the benefits of a Harvard education because of their race, ethnicity, or national origin, the complaint alleged.
The complaint also contended that Harvard had actual knowledge of and was “deliberately indifferent” to the harassment and exclusion of Jewish and Israeli students, and that it “intentionally” discriminated against Jews and Israelis.
Since January 2025, the U.S. administration has issued threats to several U.S. universities, warning them of potential funding cuts if they fail to adjust their policies. The main demands included eliminating what was described as antisemitism on campus and dismantling diversity initiatives that favor certain minority groups.
In April 2025, after Harvard rejected the U.S. administration’s demands, the administration announced it would freeze 2.2 billion U.S. dollars in multiyear grants and 60 million dollars in multiyear contract funds for the university.
In February, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his administration was seeking 1 billion dollars in damages from Harvard University.
This photo taken on May 24, 2025 shows a view of the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the United States
Nowhere is this more critical than in the movement of money. Banking has evolved from cash, to cards, to digital wallets, where today, a fingerprint or a glance at your device can move funds in seconds. As financial services become faster and more seamless, the responsibility to secure them becomes even greater.
At the center of Rwanda’s financial ecosystem, RSwitch Ltd has taken deliberate steps to meet this responsibility.
Through rigorous training, testing, and independent assessment, RSwitch has achieved both PCI DSS and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certifications globally recognized benchmarks for security and data protection.
What is PCI DSS?
PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is an international certification that ensures organizations handle card transactions securely. It requires adherence to 12 strict security controls designed to protect cardholder data from fraud and breaches.
What is ISO/IEC 27001:2022?
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is a global standard for information security management. It confirms that an organization has implemented systems, processes, and controls to manage risks, protect data, and ensure long-term resilience against cyber threats.
Why should people care?
At its core, this is not about technical certifications; it is about trust. By achieving ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and PCI DSS, RSwitch is demonstrating that every transaction moving through its systems is protected by globally recognized safeguards. In practical terms, this means people can send money, make payments, and use digital financial services with confidence, knowing that their funds are not only secure, and their personal data is handled with the highest level of care.
Beyond individual transactions, these certifications signal something bigger: reliability and accountability at a national level. They show that RSwitch’s infrastructure has been independently tested and meets international benchmarks for security and resilience, even under pressure. For users, this translates into a system that works consistently and safely; for partners and investors, it positions Rwanda as a trusted, globally competitive player in the digital financial ecosystem.
As Rwanda continues its journey toward a cashless and inclusive economy, solutions like SmartCash and eKash are leading the way. With globally recognized certifications now in place, RSwitch is not only powering these innovations it is securing them for the future.
RSwitch has achieved both PCI DSS and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certifications globally recognized benchmarks for security and data protection. RSwitch Ltd has taken deliberate steps to secure financial services.
According to the UNESCO, the cryosphere, including glaciers, ice sheets, permafrost, sea ice and snow, holds around 70 percent of the Earth’s freshwater, but is shrinking rapidly. Its loss is already affecting water security, ecosystems, infrastructure and disaster risks worldwide.
“Cryosphere loss is not just about water security. It is also about mass migration, agriculture, infrastructure and geopolitical issues,” French glaciologist Heidi Sevestre said during a panel on the DACS.
The decade therefore needs an explicit strategy to bring these issues into security forums, finance conferences, health conferences and geopolitical summits, Sevestre added.
“The region of the ‘Third Pole,’ where China is located, is one of the most crucial, most urgent and most globally consequential areas in terms of cryospheric change. In this context, international cooperation is indispensable for cryosphere research,” Yao Tandong, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told Xinhua.
China has already accumulated valuable experience in international cooperation in research on the Third Pole, which is of great significance for the future implementation of the Decade, Yao said.
For John Pomeroy, chair of the Ad Hoc Management Committee of the DACS, the resolution of current cryospheric models remains too coarse for mountain regions, while the representation of processes in polar areas is still inadequate.
In his view, next-generation models should be co-developed with local communities, feature high resolution, offer genuine scalability, and be closely integrated with observation systems.
Nairobi County Police Commander Issa Mohamud said the latest incident occurred on Wednesday night in the Westlands area of Nairobi, where the upper section of a 22-storey building partially caved in, leaving one worker dead.
“Investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of the collapse. We have accounted for all workers at the scene,” Mohamud said.
He noted that local authorities were also trying to determine why construction was ongoing at night.
Out of four workers involved, two managed to escape unhurt, one was rescued with injuries, and another succumbed to injuries sustained in the collapse, he added.
Emergency teams, including personnel from the Kenya Red Cross, worked overnight to secure the site and carry out rescue operations, managing to reach those believed to be trapped under the debris.
The incident came hours after a separate tragedy in Kericho County, where another building under construction collapsed, leaving one person dead and several others injured.
Kericho County Commissioner Jeremiah Gicheru confirmed that four workers were rescued and rushed to Kericho County Referral Hospital for treatment.
Photo used for illustration shows Kenyan police attending the scene of a building collapse in Ruaka, on the outskirts of the capital Nairobi, Kenya Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. (AP Photo)
However, the pace of reduction in child mortality has slowed by over 60 percent since 2015, the “Levels & Trends in Child Mortality” report said.
An estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2024, including 2.3 million newborns, and most of these deaths were preventable with proven, low-cost interventions and access to quality health care.
Newborn deaths accounted for nearly half of all under-five deaths, reflecting slower progress in preventing deaths around the time of birth, the report said.
Leading causes among newborns were complications from preterm birth and complications during labor and delivery, it said, adding that infections, including neonatal sepsis and congenital anomalies, were also important causes.
For the first time, the report estimated deaths directly caused by severe acute malnutrition, finding that more than 100,000 children aged 1 to 59 months died from it in 2024.
Child deaths remain highly concentrated geographically. In 2024, sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 58 percent of all under-five deaths, followed by Southern Asia with 25 percent, according to the report.
“To accelerate progress and save lives, UNICEF calls on governments, donors and partners to make child survival a political and financing priority, to focus on those at highest risk, strengthen accountability and invest in primary healthcare systems,” Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, said at a daily briefing.
Among these trailblazers is Clarisse Nzungize, Managing Director of COOPAC Ltd, a family-owned coffee company that has become a beacon of innovation, sustainability, and empowerment in Rwanda’s coffee industry.
COOPAC Ltd, founded in 2001 by Emmanuel Nzungize Rwakagara and Maggie Kagimbanyi, started as a small initiative nestled in the hills surrounding Lake Kivu. Over the years, the company has grown into one of Rwanda’s most respected specialty coffee producers. Today, it not only produces and exports high-quality Arabica coffee but also stands as a testament to the power of female leadership in traditionally male-dominated industries.
Nzungize, the third-generation leader at COOPAC, is at the helm of a company that combines a rich family heritage with modern innovation. Her leadership exemplifies how women in Rwanda are reshaping the coffee sector.
Under her guidance, COOPAC continues to grow, focusing on quality, sustainability, and empowering local farmers. The company now works with over 5,300 farming families across three districts, helping to elevate their livelihoods while producing top-tier coffee that has earned Fairtrade and Organic certifications.
COOPAC’s success story is rooted in its people-centered business model. The company doesn’t just produce coffee; it reinvests in the communities that make its success possible. COOPAC actively empowers farmers through training in best agricultural practices, offering fair and stable prices, and providing women with leadership opportunities in the industry. This approach drives social change, making each harvest a step forward for community development.
The company is equally committed to sustainability, with environmental initiatives like planting thousands of indigenous trees each year, soil conservation through terracing, and safeguarding natural resources around Lake Kivu.
Besides, the company’s livestock programs have distributed over 3,000 cows and goats, improving nutrition and boosting household income. In addition, COOPAC supports education and healthcare by constructing and renovating classrooms and assisting local health centers and community clinics.
As COOPAC looks to the future, its vision remains rooted in the values of family, sustainability, and community. With a commitment to inspiring the next generation of coffee farmers, the company continues to share the rich culture of Lake Kivu’s coffee with the world.
Nzungize’s leadership exemplifies the role of women entrepreneurs in transforming industries and creating lasting social impact. As Rwanda celebrates women’s rights this month, it is leaders like Nzungize who are turning coffee into a powerful tool for empowerment, change, and hope.
Clarisse Nzungize is the Managing Director of COOPAC Ltd Clarisse Nzungize, Managing Director of COOPAC Ltd, takes part in many exhibitions showcasing Rwanda. This illustration photo was taken in Morocco.Clarisse Nzungize, Managing Director of COOPAC Ltd attends many exhibitions.This photo shows her along with officials including NAEB CEO, Claude Bizimana at a past exhibition and Amb. Umutoni Shakilla, Rwanda’s Ambassador to Morocco.COOPAC Ltd stand at a past exhibition in Morocco. This photo shows samples of COOPAC Ltd coffee presented at the exhibition held in Marrakech.
