In a post on social media platform X, Kamba said the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, continues to pose challenges, but the response is gaining momentum, with more patients recovering and contact tracing improving.
According to Kamba, the proportion of contacts under follow-up has increased to 61.1 percent, up from 56.4 percent a day earlier. He said health authorities are monitoring “every zone, every alert and every signal,” as vigilance remains high.
Kamba also announced eight new recoveries, including seven in Nyankunde and one in Mongbwalu, both in the eastern province of Ituri. The new recoveries brought the total number of recovered patients to 30.
“Each recovery sends a strong message: come for treatment, as early care saves lives,” he said.
The minister added that 490 tonnes of medicines have been deployed, laboratories strengthened and response teams mobilized around the clock in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
The DRC declared its latest Ebola outbreak on May 15. On May 17, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
Researchers tested several AI models using a classic psychology exercise called the Stroop task. The test is designed to measure attention and self-control in humans.
In the task, people see color words like “red” or “blue” written in different ink colors and must name the ink color instead of reading the word. This becomes harder when the word and color do not match.
The AI systems performed well on short lists of words, but their accuracy dropped sharply as the lists became longer. Some models went from over 90 percent accuracy to below 20 percent in longer tests.
When matching and conflicting words were mixed together, performance dropped even more. Researchers say the systems often returned to simply reading the words instead of following the instruction.
The study suggests that unlike humans, who can usually control attention and ignore distractions, AI systems still struggle with this kind of mental control, especially in longer and more complex tasks.
The findings highlight that despite impressive abilities, AI still has limits when it comes to focus and resisting distraction.
A simple color-word test showed that today’s smartest AI models can unexpectedly lose focus and fall apart on longer tasks.Credit: Shutterstock
The new technology combines two types of propulsion that spacecraft normally use separately: chemical rockets, which provide strong bursts of power, and electric thrusters, which use less fuel and allow precise movements over long periods.
Traditionally, spacecraft need different fuel systems for each type of propulsion, making them heavier and more complex. MIT researchers have found a way to use a single fuel for both systems.
The fuel, known as ASCENT, was originally developed by the U.S. Air Force as a safer alternative to toxic rocket fuels. Researchers discovered that it can also power tiny electric engines called electrospray thrusters.
Electrospray thrusters work by using electricity to charge particles in a liquid fuel and then releasing them into space to create thrust. While they do not provide the powerful push of chemical rockets, they are highly efficient and ideal for long journeys and precise maneuvers.
MIT scientists tested ASCENT in these miniature thrusters and found that it performed just as well as fuels commonly used in electric propulsion systems.
The technology is now set for its first real-world test through a NASA-backed mission called Green Propulsion Dual Mode. A small CubeSat satellite equipped with both chemical and electric thrusters will use fuel from a single shared tank.
Researchers say the system could one day help small satellites travel much farther than they do today, including missions to Mars and the asteroid belt.
The technology could also improve Earth observation missions, allowing satellite operators to quickly or gradually reposition satellites depending on the task, such as monitoring storms or tracking climate-related events.
These four flight-unit electrospray thrusters were delivered by the MIT Space Propulsion Laboratory to NASA for the upcoming Green Propulsion Dual Mode (GPDM) mission. Credit: Amelia Bruno
Many cancer treatments work by damaging the DNA of cancer cells. However, some tumors survive because they have powerful DNA repair systems that allow them to fix the damage and continue growing. This ability often makes cancers resistant to drugs over time.
A team of researchers has now found a way to disrupt those repair systems. Their study focused on a small molecule called UNI418, which reduces the levels of key proteins that cancer cells need to repair damaged DNA.
Without these proteins, cancer cells struggle to recover from DNA damage, making them more vulnerable to treatment.
The researchers found that UNI418 activates a natural process inside cells that removes specific proteins. As a result, important DNA repair proteins are broken down, effectively shutting down one of the cancer cell’s main defense mechanisms.
The discovery could be particularly important for improving the effectiveness of PARP inhibitors, a group of cancer drugs used to treat certain tumors. While these drugs can be highly effective, many cancers eventually become resistant to them.
In laboratory tests, UNI418 made cancer cells far more sensitive to PARP inhibitors. The effect was especially noticeable in cancer cells that had already stopped responding to treatment. In those cases, the molecule helped restore the drugs’ effectiveness.
The approach also showed encouraging results in animal studies, where tumor growth slowed significantly when UNI418 was combined with the PARP inhibitor Olaparib.
Researchers say the findings reveal a new way of fighting cancer—not by altering genes, but by dismantling the repair systems that help tumors survive treatment. While more research is needed before the approach can be tested in patients, the study offers fresh hope for developing treatments against drug-resistant cancers.
DNA repair proteins inside cells are constantly being produced and removed to maintain a healthy balance.
As Mushikiwabo explained to the media in February 2026, her decision to seek re-election followed consultations with the Rwandan government.
In November 2025, she had received requests from several member states encouraging her to run again, citing the achievements recorded during her two terms in office.
Although observers believe the election, scheduled for November 2026 in Phnom Penh, may favor Mushikiwabo due to the support she has received from many member states, she has emphasized that the race will be competitive. She noted that all candidates possess the qualifications required for the role, but none has given her reason to doubt her own prospects.
Winning the position of OIF Secretary-General requires broad support from member states, a factor often influenced by a candidate’s accomplishments both at home and on the international stage, as well as within the organization itself.
When Mushikiwabo assumed office in January 2019, she pledged to strengthen the OIF’s role in global affairs, positioning it as a platform for dialogue among nations and a promoter of human values.
She stressed that solidarity and cooperation remain the organization’s most important principles.
At the time, the OIF comprised 88 states and governments, including 54 full members and 34 associate or observer members.
French speakers worldwide numbered around 300 million, more than half of whom lived in Africa.
Mushikiwabo inherited an organization facing significant financial challenges and internal tensions linked to concerns over financial management during the tenure of former Secretary-General Michaëlle Jean.
The former Canadian leader had faced criticism over spending that reportedly included $500,000 on renovations to her official residence in Paris and $20,000 on a piano.
One of Mushikiwabo’s first priorities was to reform the institution internally and restore cohesion within the organization.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the global economy and international cooperation, affected many of the OIF’s planned initiatives.
Countries became increasingly focused on addressing domestic challenges as travel restrictions and the suspension of international meetings hampered collaboration.
Like many international organizations, the OIF also struggled with delayed or insufficient contributions from member states.
While operational needs continued to grow, particularly in areas such as youth empowerment, women’s development, and education, available resources often failed to keep pace.
During her second term, member states agreed to increase their contributions to strengthen the organization’s capacity to fulfill its mandate.
Outstanding arrears were reduced, while countries including Rwanda, Egypt, Vietnam, and Djibouti decided to double their annual contributions.
The increase in member contributions paved the way for a larger organizational budget.
During a ministerial meeting held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in November 2023, ministers approved a gradual increase in the OIF budget, allocating €45.7 million for 2024, €46.1 million for 2025, €46.5 million for 2026, and €46.9 million thereafter.
At the OIF Ministerial Conference held in Kigali in November 2025, member states approved a substantial increase in the 2026 budget to €71.7 million to support expanded programming across the organization.
Despite the increase, Mushikiwabo noted that available resources still fall short of meeting all the organization’s ambitions.
As a result, member states granted her exceptional authority during the Kigali meeting to seek external funding from major international partners and corporations, including companies such as TotalEnergies.
Leveraging this mandate, the OIF has planned partnerships with institutions such as the African Development Bank to support digital skills training initiatives, including the D-Clic programme. The objective is to increase the number of young people benefiting from digital training from 20,000 to 100,000 by 2026.
According to the OIF’s annual report, 1.7 million people benefited from the organization’s programmes in 2025. Around 90,000 women across member states received capacity-building support, while 300 women-led projects were funded. In 2024 alone, 50 projects received support worth €3.7 million.
The number of states and governments within the OIF reached 90 in 2025. Meanwhile, the French-speaking population continues to expand, reinforcing the organization’s global influence. Today, more than 396 million people speak French worldwide, while over 170 million are learning the language.
As Mushikiwabo prepares to seek another mandate, supporters point to the transformation of an organization once facing financial strain and internal divisions into one with stronger finances, broader membership, and expanding development programmes across the Francophone world.
The OIF has undergone significant reforms under the leadership of Louise Mushikiwabo.
He made the remarks on June 9, 2026, while appearing before members of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Technology, Culture, Sports and Youth to discuss the implementation of Law No. 010/2021 governing the education structure.
Dr. Kadozi explained that the law has enabled higher learning institutions to introduce new academic programmes, contributing to improved education quality and attracting more international students to Rwanda.
“The introduction of programmes has created many opportunities for a wide range of new programmes to be launched. This law gave us that opportunity, and as we speak, we have about 13,000 international students, a number that continues to increase,” he said.
As of the 2024/25 academic year, Rwanda had 39 higher learning institutions and universities, up from 37 in the previous year.
Rwanda now hosts 13,000 international students as higehr education expands.
The deal, announced by UNITE HERE Local 11 and confirmed by food-service operator Legends Global, covers about 2,000 bartenders, servers, cooks, dishwashers and concession workers. The workers, who had overwhelmingly authorized a strike last week, are scheduled to vote on the agreement Wednesday.
SoFi Stadium is set to host eight FIFA World Cup matches, including Friday’s game between the United States and Paraguay.
According to UNITE HERE Local 11, the agreement includes wage increases, protections against subcontracting and automation, and provisions allowing workers to stop work if federal immigration enforcement activities create what the union considers safety risks during tournament operations.
“We won every major issue that we brought to the table,” union co-president Kurt Petersen said at a news conference Tuesday.
Legends Global said it was pleased to have reached an agreement and looked forward to providing an outstanding hospitality experience for fans during the tournament.
Public details of the contract remain limited pending ratification. Union officials said the agreement could significantly raise wages over its duration, with some cooks eventually earning close to or more than 40 U.S. dollars per hour.
The contract is expected to remain in effect through April 2028, shortly before Los Angeles hosts the Olympic Games. The deal removes a key source of uncertainty at one of the World Cup’s major U.S. venues. It also highlights how large international sporting events can amplify local labor disputes over wages, job security and workplace protections.
Workers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, reached a tentative labor agreement Tuesday, averting a potential strike days before the venue hosts its first FIFA World Cup match.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said the global average surface air temperature in May 2026 was 15.81 degrees Celsius, 0.55 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average. The reading was second only to May 2024 and 1.42 degrees Celsius above estimated pre-industrial levels.
Sea surface temperatures between 60 degrees south latitude and 60 degrees north latitude averaged 20.90 degrees Celsius, the second-highest on record for May, as the tropical Pacific continued its transition toward El Nino conditions expected to develop in the coming months.
Western Europe was hit by an early and intense heatwave in the second half of May, with France, Britain, Ireland, Spain and Portugal hitting multiple local temperature records. In some areas, “feels-like” temperatures reached 35 to 40 degrees Celsius.
“In Europe, an unusually early and intense heatwave demonstrates how quickly climate extremes are becoming the new normal rather than the exception,” said Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.
The C3S said the continued warming trend, combined with persistently high ocean temperatures and emerging El Nino conditions, highlights growing risks of more frequent and intense climate extremes worldwide.
This May was the world’s second warmest ever recorded, exceeded only by May 2024, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), bringing unusually dry conditions to northwestern Europe.
Anant joins Spiro with more than two decades of leadership experience across India, the Middle East and Africa, building and scaling businesses across electric mobility, energy and industrial sectors.
Most recently, he served as CEO of Indofast Energy, the joint venture between IndianOil and SUN Mobility, where he led the development of one of India’s largest battery-swapping networks, comprising more than 1,800 stations and serving nearly 90,000 vehicles daily.
The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Spiro following its landmark US$215 million financing round, one of the largest investments ever made in Africa’s electric mobility sector.
As Spiro is accelerating on its mission to transform mobility across Africa, Anant’s broad mandate will span battery swapping, leasing, logistics, energy, and vehicle manufacturing. As CEO Mobility, Kaushik Burman will continue to further consolidate Spiro’s leadership and fleet in Spiro’s 7 existing markets and beyond.
Commenting on the development; Gagan Gupta, Founder and Chairman of Spiro said: “As Spiro is accelerating on its mission to transform mobility across Africa through clean, affordable and accessible electric transportation solutions, Anant will consolidate the Group’s strategic initiatives and guide the company through its next chapter of growth and execution in mobility, energy and tech.”
Commenting on his appointment, Anant Badjatya said: “Africa represents the most exciting frontier for electric mobility. Spiro has built a unique platform and is exceptionally well positioned to accelerate the transition to cleaner and more accessible mobility across the continent. I look forward to working with our teams, partners and stakeholders to drive the next phase of growth and impact.”
Spiro is Africa’s largest electric mobility company and operates the continent’s most extensive battery-swapping network for electric two-wheel vehicles.
With more than 100,000 electric motorcycles on the road, over 2,500 swapping stations and more than 30 million battery swaps to date, Spiro is replacing expensive fossil-fuel transport with affordable, accessible and sustainable mobility solutions.
Through its growing regional production and assembly footprint, Spiro is committed to building electric vehicles made in Africa by Africans for Africa and the world.
Spiro has appointed former Indofast Energy CEO Anant Badjatya as Group CEO to lead its next phase of growth
Through these engagements, the bank convenes clients operating in a particular sector alongside industry experts to assess prevailing challenges and identify opportunities for collaboration that can drive growth.
According to BPR Bank Rwanda PLC’s Chief Finance Officer, Vincent Ngirikiringo, the initiative was conceived as a platform for dialogue between the bank and stakeholders across different sectors of the economy.
“We designed these discussions as a forum for exchanging ideas with our partners in various sectors of the economy. It is an ongoing initiative that will also cover industries such as construction, agriculture and others,” he said.
The first edition brought together players from the energy, transport and manufacturing sectors, all of which depend heavily on petroleum products and have been significantly affected by recent global market disruptions.
The challenges stem largely from the conflict involving Iran, which disrupted global oil markets following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route through which more than 20 million barrels of oil pass each day, representing around 20% of global consumption.
As a result, petroleum prices surged, rising by about 45% since the Middle East conflict began in late February 2026.
A barrel of petroleum products that had been trading between $65 and $70 climbed to around $130 in April before easing slightly. By early June 2026, prices were fluctuating between $90 and $95 per barrel.
The Iran conflict also led to the loss of approximately 1.5 billion barrels of unprocessed petroleum products that never reached the market.
Globally, the sector is estimated to have incurred losses exceeding $50 billion as a consequence of the crisis.
Representatives from the public and private sectors discussed possible solutions to the challenges posed by rising petroleum product prices.
Rwanda among the affected countries
The impact was also felt in Rwanda. On August 5, the price of diesel increased by Rwf722 per litre, reaching Rwf2,927 from Rwf2,205, while petrol remained unchanged at Rwf2,938 per litre.
Earlier, on April 16, 2026, petrol prices rose by Rwf635 per litre, increasing from Rwf2,303 to Rwf2,938, while diesel remained at Rwf2,205.
The previous adjustment had been made on April 3, 2026, when petrol prices increased by Rwf314 to reach Rwf2,303 per litre, while diesel rose by Rwf257 to Rwf2,205.
The increases contributed to broader inflationary pressures. According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), consumer prices in April 2026 were 13% higher than April 2025. In March 2026, annual inflation stood at 9.2%.
The root cause, according to Eric Mutaganda, Chairperson of the Petroleum Traders Association of Rwanda and Managing Director of Merez, is the disruption caused by the Iran conflict.
“The Iran conflict had a significant impact on us, but together with the Government of Rwanda we managed to reduce its severity. The government provided subsidies to ensure Rwandans did not face the full burden that would otherwise have occurred. Although oil prices increased by 45%, the actual procurement costs multiplied five times,” he explained.
The figures illustrate the point. Before the conflict began in early February, a tonne of petroleum products cost around $300. Today, the same quantity costs approximately $1,650.
Mutaganda noted that addressing such shocks requires substantial strategic storage capacity that can shield the country during supply disruptions, with financial institutions playing a key role in supporting such investments.
Rwanda currently has storage facilities capable of holding about 110 million litres of petroleum products, enough to cover roughly one and a half months of demand. However, experts estimate that the country would need storage capacity of around 400 million litres to comfortably sustain supplies for four months during a global crisis.
Rwanda imports approximately 60 million litres of fuel every month. Of this, aviation fuel accounts for about 10 million litres, diesel 30 million litres and petrol 20 million litres.
Mutaganda said that while March and April were particularly challenging, the situation has since improved.
“We experienced difficulties in March and April, but things have started returning to normal. Some of our suppliers also faced disruptions. We have not yet reached the volumes we used to import, but supply conditions have improved and all fuel products are now available. We hope the Iran conflict comes to an end soon,” he said.
Most of Rwanda’s petroleum products are imported through Tanzania’s Port of Dar es Salaam, which handles between 90% and 95% of the country’s fuel imports. The remaining 5% to 10% comes through Kenya’s port system.
Fuel imports are handled by between 10 and 15 companies, including Merez, a Rwandan-owned company that has operated for 25 years. It employs more than 300 people and operates 19 fuel stations across the country.
“Our target is to end this year with 20 fuel stations. We employ Rwandans, and the company is 100% Rwandan-owned,” Mutaganda said.
He added that private sector operators are also working alongside the government to expand national storage capacity. Merez, for example, plans to construct a 20-million-litre fuel storage facility in Nyacyonga, Gasabo District.
“We are currently seeking the necessary approvals from the City of Kigali so construction can begin. Other companies are also planning similar projects to increase the country’s storage capacity,” he said.
In addition to Merez, Société Pétrolière (SP) is building liquefied petroleum gas storage facilities valued at more than Rwf60 billion. The facilities will have the capacity to store 9,000 tonnes of cooking gas, enough to supply the country for about two months.
Eric Mutaganda, Chairperson of the Rwanda Association of Petroleum Product Traders and Managing Director of Merez, said the sector imports about 60 million litres of petroleum products each month.
BPR Bank Rwanda steps in
BPR Bank Rwanda is among the country’s largest banks. In 2025, it recorded profits exceeding Rwf40.8 billion. The bank also extended loans worth Rwf666 billion in 2024, underscoring its contribution to Rwanda’s economic development.
It is against this backdrop that the bank decided to convene stakeholders in the petroleum sector to explore practical solutions, particularly given its capacity to provide financing that can help businesses weather the crisis.
Mutaganda said the role of banks has become even more critical as import costs have multiplied.
“If fuel costs increase fivefold, it means you need five times more capital than before to purchase the same quantity of products. That is where banks come in by increasing financing capacity. Banks have supported us, and when support continues during difficult periods, it helps businesses stay afloat until conditions improve,” he said.
Ngirikiringo reassured industry players that BPR remains committed to engaging with stakeholders because petroleum products are fundamental to economic activity.
“We cannot achieve sustainable development if these challenges are not properly addressed. Given the impact of the Iran conflict on global fuel prices, there are consequences for both livelihoods and the economy. We are discussing what can be done to ensure Rwanda remains economically resilient despite these challenges,” he said.
He explained that BPR is exploring ways to facilitate fuel imports by providing financing mechanisms that enable importers to secure supplies without having to make immediate full payments.
“We provide facilities that allow importers to bring petroleum products into the country and settle payments once the products arrive. Instead of sending money in advance and waiting for delivery, we can support them. Because we have established relationships with international banks and suppliers, our clients can access products without excessive pressure and with greater certainty,” he explained.
Ngirikiringo added that BPR also provides conventional loans that support infrastructure investments, including the construction of fuel storage facilities that can help expand national reserves.
BPR Bank Rwanda PLC’s Chief Finance Officer, Vincent Ngirikiringo, reassured petroleum traders facing capital constraints amid rising fuel costs.
Reassurance from the National Bank of Rwanda
The Chief Economist at the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), Dr. Thierry M. Kalisa, said the Iran conflict had shaken global petroleum markets because of disruptions linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
“Rwanda imports petroleum products because we do not produce them locally. As a result, domestic prices increased. Transport is one of the largest components of household expenditure in Rwanda. About 12% of household income is spent on transportation. When transport costs rise, the prices of many other goods and services also increase,” he said.
To illustrate that the issue extends far beyond Rwanda, Dr. Kalisa noted that global inflation had initially been projected at 4.4% in 2026 and 3.7% in 2027, although those projections could be revised upward depending on global economic conditions. Meanwhile, global economic growth is forecast at 3.1% in 2026 and 3.2% in 2027.
“What is happening is not unique to Rwanda. It is a concern shared by countries around the world, though it affects them through different channels,” he said.
He explained that Rwanda has already put in place measures to help cushion the economy, including efforts to narrow the trade deficit through increased exports such as coffee, minerals and other products.
Dr. Kalisa noted that despite these efforts, Rwanda will continue importing essential commodities that cannot be produced locally, including petroleum products, which account for imports worth more than $650 million annually.
He highlighted the stability of the Rwandan franc against the US dollar as another factor helping fuel importers manage costs.
This was evident during the first quarter of the year, when the franc depreciated by only 0.5%.
“Compared to previous years, that is a very low level. This is extremely important for importers because exchange-rate movements have remained relatively stable. It allows them to continue importing goods without facing major increases in the value of their import bills,” he said.
If current economic performance is maintained, Rwanda’s economy is expected to grow by 6.8%, lower than the 9.4% growth recorded in 2025 but still reflecting continued expansion despite global headwinds.
Dr. Thierry M. Kalisa, Chief Economics at the National Bank of Rwanda, outlined measures being taken to mitigate the impact of rising prices.Speakers who shared insights on addressing rising fuel prices were recognized with awards following the discussions.BPR Bank Rwanda PLC brought together stakeholders from the energy sector to explore solutions to the challenges currently affecting the industry.
