The study found that greater variability in blood pressure over a 24-hour period was associated with poorer cognition, including planning, problem solving and memory, said a recent statement from Australia’s Monash University.
Higher average blood pressure levels were also linked to greater evidence of vascular brain injury, according to the research published in the journal Neurology.
“Even a modest increase in blood pressure variability was linked to lower performance on cognitive tests, equivalent to roughly seven years of additional ageing,” said study first author Madeline Gibson, a Monash PhD candidate in clinical neuropsychology.
“These findings add to growing evidence that the heart and brain are closely linked,” Gibson said, adding that midlife is a key window to protect brain health and reduce later cognitive decline.
The findings suggest that blood pressure linked to subtle brain changes occurring well before memory or thinking problems appear.
Researchers said abnormal blood pressure patterns may damage the brain’s white matter tracts and disrupt the blood-brain barrier, which protects brain tissue.
The findings highlight the limitations of single clinic-based blood pressure readings, noting that blood pressure naturally fluctuates throughout the day and night, which “may carry important information about brain health.”
The study found that greater variability in blood pressure over a 24-hour period was associated with poorer cognition, including planning, problem solving and memory, said a recent statement from Australia’s Monash University.
Born and raised in Berkeley and Oakland, Monica never imagined she would one day settle in East Africa. But after the loss of her firstborn daughter following a long hospital stay, her life took a painful turn that forced her to reconsider everything about where and how she wanted to live.
“I was in the hospital with my daughter for nine months in intensive care,” she shared. “Unfortunately, she passed away. That was a really pivotal moment in my life.”
In the aftermath, Monica began searching for a place to heal. That search eventually led her to Rwanda, where she first arrived about a year and a half ago, initially visiting family who had already relocated. She spent time in Kigali and later moved to quieter areas such as Bugesera and Nyamata before discovering land near Lake Cyohoha.
What she found there changed her life again. “Rwanda really touched my heart,” she said. “It’s just so warm and inviting and safe and peaceful.”
Monica Clark, a retired nurse from California’s Bay Area, is building a new chapter of life in Rwanda.
On this land, she began building what she calls Zion Shores, a name inspired by the biblical idea of Zion as a place of peace and restoration. For Monica, it represents both healing and purpose.
“This is like heaven on earth,” she said. “God’s promise to come back home and live in peace and serenity.”
She began developing the project using her own savings, starting with an estimated investment of around $25,000 (about Rwf 37 million). As the farm expanded and more systems were added, her total investment grew to roughly $50,000 (Rwf 75 million), all self-funded.
The farm is still developing, but it is already taking shape with fruit trees, including mango, guava, citrus, passion fruit, pomegranate, and dragon fruit. Monica is also part of a dragon fruit growers’ collective, experimenting with crops that can thrive in Rwanda’s climate while supporting long-term food systems.
Monica describes the farm as a closed-loop system where nothing is wasted.
A key part of her philosophy is soil preservation. Because the land sits on a hillside, she uses cover crops to prevent erosion during heavy rains. These plants not only protect the soil but also serve another purpose.
“When you cut them, you can feed the inyambo,” she explained. “They love this. It’s very nutritious, full of protein.”
She describes the farm as a closed-loop system where nothing is wasted. A fish pond stocked with tilapia plays an important role in this cycle, where nutrient-rich water from the fish is reused to fertilise crops.
“Everything here is in a loop,” she said. “The fish feed the plants, the plants feed the animals, and feed us as well.”
Monica is committed to fully organic farming.
Monica is also committed to fully organic farming, rejecting synthetic chemicals entirely.
“Absolutely no pesticides and no chemicals are used on this farm,” she said firmly. “That’s one thing I’m strong about and I’m not going to bend on that.”
Behind the agricultural vision is a deeply personal journey of healing, but also a broader reflection on identity and belonging. Speaking about her perspective as an African American, she reflected on generational history and experience in the United States.
“African Americans were stolen to go to the land of so-called America,” she said. “Our ancestors did whatever they had to do to survive, but their whole intention was to come back home to the continent.”
She went on to describe her feelings about life in the United States, particularly in California.
“Growing up and living in California, I realised a lot of it was hype. It’s beautiful, but it’s expensive, it’s stressful, you have to have many jobs just to survive.”
Her critique also touched on deeper social experiences.
“You’re tolerated there,” she said. “Sometimes you walk into a room and you’re not even seen as a human being.”
For Monica, these reflections are part of what made Rwanda feel different.
“Why would you leave paradise where you’re loved and supported and safe?” she asked. “What you have here is everything you need.”
What she found in Rwanda surprised her. “You feel safe 24 hours,” she explained. “There are no guns, there’s no violence. It allows your nervous system to finally relax and become at peace.”
She contrasts this with her life in California, which she describes as fast-paced and expensive.
“There’s a lot of distractions, and it’s money-driven,” she said. “Here, you just relax. You don’t have to deal with the same level of stress.”
The farm is still developing, but it is already taking shape with fruit trees and other agricultural projects.
Beyond farming, Monica has also focused on community building. The surrounding village has been deeply involved in developing Zion Shores, providing labour, skills, and collaboration. At peak times, up to fifty people work on the project, while around ten are employed full-time.
“I’m not like an outsider just coming to take something,” she said. “I’m a part of this village. We have relationships and friendships.”
She also shares food, seeds, and trees with neighbours, encouraging others to grow their own crops and restore the land around them. For her, the project is as much about people as it is about farming.
Looking ahead, Monica hopes Zion Shores will become a learning space for sustainable agriculture, where both locals and visitors can exchange knowledge about organic farming, companion planting, and ecological design.
She also envisions expanding crop diversity and continuing to reforest the land.
“I want visitors to come,” she said. “A place to learn different ways of growing organically… and also learning from farmers here who have been doing it for thousands of years.”
Monica Clark’s journey from California to Rwanda is ultimately one of transformation, shaped by grief, resilience, and a search for peace. Through Zion Shores, she is building a life she says finally feels like home.
Watch Monica Clark’s full journey in the video below:
Esther Mugabekazi, who identifies herself as Byansi’s biological sister, has publicly accused him of forging academic credentials, misrepresenting his educational history, and engaging in theft-related crimes during a period he spent in Uganda.
Speaking in an interview with Igicaniro TV, Mugabekazi explained that she decided to break her silence after becoming increasingly alarmed by her brother’s sustained criticism of Rwanda and its leadership.
Family background and early life
Mugabekazi stated that Byansi was born Sam Kama but later adopted their father’s names, Samuel Baker Byansi, as his public identity.
“Byansi Samuel Baker is our father’s name. Sam’s real name is Sam Kama, which is the name our parents gave him. In our family, boys are called Kama while girls are called Kawama,” she explained.
She described the family as one of nine children, raised in Nyagatare District by parents who were both teachers and strongly prioritised education.
“We were fortunate to have teacher parents. Both our father and mother were teachers. We grew up speaking English at home, and our father ensured we attended good schools,” she recalled.
The siblings attended primary school at Hillside School in Matimba Sector, Nyagatare District.
For secondary education, Byansi joined Kagarama Secondary School while Mugabekazi studied in Rushaki. She claims he was later expelled from Kagarama over misconduct before joining her at Rushaki.
“He was involved in disciplinary issues and was expelled. He later came to study with me in Rushaki, where we completed lower secondary school together. Those are the only schools Sam attended,” she noted.
Uganda years and imprisonment
Mugabekazi further alleged that Byansi did not proceed to upper secondary school or university, but instead left for Uganda after completing lower secondary education.
According to her account, while in Uganda he became involved in theft-related activities and was sentenced to four years in prison.
“After finishing school, he went to Uganda and stayed with our older sibling from our father’s other family. While there, he got involved in theft, was arrested, and imprisoned for four years. He never returned to school,” she said.
She added that he was later released after developing health complications while in detention, prompting authorities to contact their father.
Allegations of forged academic credentials
Following his return to Rwanda, Mugabekazi alleges that Byansi did not resume his studies but instead obtained forged academic documents claiming he had completed university education abroad.
“He later looked for ways to forge academic papers. That’s also when he changed his name. He then created a media card and started presenting himself as someone running an investigative media outlet,” she claimed.
She recalled confronting him after seeing him appear in the media despite lacking formal qualifications.
“I asked him, ‘How did you manage this without any qualifications?’ He replied, ‘I found my own way.’ When I later saw the documents, I told him, ‘You have destroyed your future,’” she recounted.
Mugabekazi further alleged that by the time she was completing upper secondary school, her brother already possessed documents indicating he had graduated from university.
After working with several media outlets in Rwanda, Byansi went on to establish his own platform, M28 Investigates, in 2019.
Move to Europe and family concerns
In 2022, Byansi married Uwase Joselyne, and the couple later had their first child.
Mugabekazi disclosed that her brother later informed her he was travelling to the Netherlands for studies, a claim she questioned due to concerns about his academic background.
“I asked him, ‘What exactly are you going to study?’ He said he was advancing knowledge in his chosen field. I then asked whether he was resuming from where he had stopped school or continuing with forged papers,” she recounted.
According to her, he declined to discuss the matter further.
“He told me he did not want to talk about it and would eventually return because he had left behind a wife and child,” she added.
Mugabekazi further alleged that things deteriorated after his arrival in the Netherlands, where he reportedly failed to secure legal documentation for study and residence.
She also claimed that he later formed a relationship with a Dutch woman before eventually relocating to Belgium, where he now reportedly lives with his wife and child, while the Dutch woman remained in the Netherlands.
Criticism of Rwanda and family reaction
Since relocating to Europe, Byansi has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of Rwanda and its leadership and has collaborated with individuals opposed to the government.
Mugabekazi maintained that the family was not surprised by his actions, describing them as consistent with what she characterised as a long-standing pattern of dishonesty.
Among her allegations, she claimed that Byansi had at different times falsely stated that their mother had died, and on other occasions claimed she had been killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, despite her still being alive.
“I knew all along that he was lying,” she asserted.
She emphasised that the family has been deeply hurt by his statements and public positions.
“This country raised us, fed us, and gave us a foundation. It also gave him opportunities that made him known. It is painful to see him speak against it,” she lamented.
Mugabekazi revealed that she once warned her brother that she would speak publicly if he continued on what she described as an anti-Rwanda path.
“I told him that if he did not change, I would tell the truth about who he really is. He told me I would no longer be his sister,” she revealed.
She concluded with a message directed at her brother:
“My advice to him is to remember the values our parents taught us. Their goal was never to destroy the country, not even for a single day.”
Samuel Baker Byansi, a former Rwandan media figure, is among the individuals who have taken a path of criticising Rwanda’s government and its leaders, something many observers believe is driven by personal interests and gain. He is now facing serious allegations from his sister regarding his background, education, and past conduct.
In a press release issued on May 26, 2026, the ministry explained that amendments made to Law No. 017/2020 governing public servants and Prime Minister’s Order No. 024/03 on allowances do not alter the way salaries are determined nor increase take-home pay.
The clarification follows widespread interpretations suggesting that the reforms would lead to harmonized salaries across government institutions and higher pay for leaders in public entities.
MIFOTRA stated that amendments introduced under Law No. 017/2026 of April 23, 2026 concern only improvements and harmonization in the process through which institutions apply for and obtain special employment statutes.
“The changes introduced by this amendment relate only to the improvements and harmonization in the way institutions apply for and obtain the special statute,” the ministry said.
The ministry emphasized that there is no change in the salary determination framework for public servants.
Under the general public service statute, salaries continue to be determined through institutional salary structures approved by the Cabinet, based on an institution’s index value, the employee’s position level and responsibilities attached to the role.
For specialized institutions operating under special statutes, remuneration frameworks remain approved by their respective boards of directors in accordance with laws establishing those institutions.
MIFOTRA also addressed concerns surrounding Prime Minister’s Order No. 016/03 of May 22, 2026, which amended regulations governing public servants’ allowances.
According to the ministry, the amendment was adopted to align public service compensation with pension reforms that took effect on January 1, 2025, while ensuring employees’ take-home pay remains unchanged.
“The amendment was adopted to harmonize with the pension reforms and maintain public servants’ take-home salaries. Therefore, it doesn’t result in any increase or decrease in the net payments of public servants,” the statement reads.
The ministry noted that the reforms concern all public servants and not only leaders, as some reports had suggested.
It further clarified that the responsibility allowance is not exclusively reserved for senior officials, but applies to public servants who supervise colleagues at the same organizational level.
“For instance, a Director of Finance supervising finance management specialists is entitled to such an allowance because they are otherwise on the same position level,” MIFOTRA explained.
The ministry added that net housing, transport and responsibility allowances remain unchanged. Only the gross amounts were adjusted to reflect changes brought by pension reforms, without affecting the net benefits employees receive.
The clarification comes after confusion triggered by the increase in pension contributions from 6 percent to 12 percent of an employee’s salary, which had raised concerns over a possible reduction in take-home pay.
MIFOTRA maintains that the revised allowance calculations were specifically designed to offset the impact of the pension reforms and ensure that public servants continue receiving the same net earnings.
Christine Nkulikiyinka, the Minister of Public Service and Labour, delivers remarks during a past Labour Day ceremony in Kigali. On Tuesday, the ministry dismissed claims that recently amended legal instruments introduce salary increases for public servants, clarifying that the reforms are intended to preserve employees’ net earnings following changes to pension contributions.
The Canadian government said on Tuesday that residents from the three countries will be barred from entering Canada for 90 days beginning Wednesday. Officials said the measure is intended to reduce the risk of Ebola entering and spreading within the country.
In a separate statement, the Bahamian government announced that its restrictions would take immediate effect and remain in force for 30 days, subject to review by the country’s health ministry.
The move comes amid growing international concern over the latest Ebola outbreak in Central and East Africa. Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the risk level of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola becoming a national outbreak in the DRC to “very high” and declared the outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern.
In the DRC, 105 cases have been confirmed, with at least 223 deaths reported, while more than 900 other cases are suspected. In Uganda, seven cases have been confirmed.
Rwanda, which borders both the DRC and Uganda, has also heightened preventive measures, barring foreigners who have been in the DRC within the last 30 days from entering the country. Foreign residents with proof of residence in Rwanda who have been in the DRC within the past 30 days will be allowed entry but will be subjected to mandatory quarantine.
“Rwanda remains open, safe and prepared,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement last week, urging visitors, residents, and event participants to continue their activities while observing standard hygiene practices and following official health guidance.
The United States also tightened its border measures last week, barring non-citizens who had recently travelled to the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan from entering the country.
Canada’s public health agency said Canadian citizens, permanent residents and other foreign nationals who have recently been in affected areas but do not show symptoms will still be allowed entry, though they will be required to quarantine for 21 days starting May 30.
The Bahamas said it would also introduce enhanced health screenings and possible quarantine measures for travellers who had been present in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan within 30 days before arriving in the Caribbean nation.
A health worker screens travellers at the Kanyaruchinya checkpoint in Goma, DRC, amid efforts to contain the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak on May 20, 2026.
The ministry’s statement came one day after the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed that its forces had struck missile launch sites and mine-laying boats in southern Iran on Monday.
The ministry said that the truce violation committed in Iran’s Hormozgan province within the past 48 hours, concurrent with the ongoing Pakistani-mediated diplomatic process between Tehran and Washington, once again revealed the U.S. government’s “viciousness and non-commitment to its promises.”
The statement added that the U.S. action also demonstrated that Iran’s “deep” distrust of the U.S. government is based on a logic and “profound” understanding of its “criminal and despiteful” nature and conduct towards the Iranian people.
The ministry condemned the “aggressive” action and stressed that the U.S. government would bear full responsibility for the consequences.
In a statement on Monday, CENTCOM spokesperson Tim Hawkins said U.S. forces conducted “self-defense” strikes in the Bandar Abbas area, which hosts Iran’s main naval base, destroying two vessels of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) and hitting a surface-to-air missile site.
On Tuesday, the IRGC said that its air defense forces had shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone and fired at two other U.S. aircraft, namely an RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance aircraft and an invading F-35 fighter jet, in Iranian airspace.
In a statement published on its official news outlet Sepah News, the IRGC warned that it reserves the “legitimate and definitive” right to respond to any further U.S. ceasefire violations.
The developments came as a diplomatic process was initiated, mediated by Pakistan, between Tehran and Washington following the April 8 ceasefire to end the war. The two sides are reportedly working to finalize a peace memorandum of understanding.
In a ruling delivered on May 26, 2026, the High Court found that the appeal had no legal merit and also rejected the bail surety submitted by Semuhungu in an attempt to secure his release.
The appeal, which challenged the lower court’s decision on pre-trial detention, was heard on May 21, 2026, by the Nyarugenge High Court.
The proceedings were held in camera due to the sensitive nature of the case, which involved evidence deemed contrary to public morality, as well as concerns that the accused could face difficulties being tried in a public hearing.
Semuhungu Eric was arrested on April 9, 2026. On May 4, 2026, the Kicukiro Primary Court ruled that he should remain in provisional detention for 30 days, a decision he later appealed.
The court found sufficient evidence to continue holding him in custody on charges of forced sexual intercourse and dissemination of sexually explicit content. However, the allegation of blackmail was dismissed due to lack of supporting evidence.
Semuhungu drew significant media coverage in April 2024 following his deportation to Rwanda from the United States over similar sexual assault claims.
Semuhungu Eric was arrested on April 9, 2026. On May 4, 2026, the Kicukiro Primary Court ruled that he should remain in provisional detention for 30 days, a decision he later appealed.
Citing an informed source close to Iran’s negotiating team, Tasnim said that according to the text of a potential 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) being finalized between Tehran and Washington, Iran’s frozen assets must be released during peace talks.
Iran insists that half of the amount must be made available upon the announcement of the MoU and the rest transferred within 60 days, the source added.
According to the source, the Monday visit by Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf to Qatar was aimed at reaching an understanding on the implementation of Iran’s demand and ways to provide the country with access to 12 billion U.S. dollars worth of its frozen assets in the first step and remove obstacles to that end.
The source described the outcomes of the visit as “favorable,” adding that talks during the trip were generally “good and led to progress in the overall negotiations.”
However, the source warned that, given the United States’ record of breaking promises, Iran is proceeding with great caution. Noting the country’s previous experience with the United States regarding the release of frozen assets in South Korea and Qatar, the source said Tehran insists on carefully managing the implementation stages to avoid a repeat of similar issues.
Meanwhile, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency quoted another source close to the Iranian negotiating team as saying that Iran has refused to hold any negotiation unless its preconditions are met, including the release of frozen assets.
Fars reported that the last serious disagreement between Iran and the United States over the initiation of negotiations has been the method of Tehran’s access to its blocked assets, which is being resolved with Qatar’s mediation and initiative.
It said that following consultations between Iranian and Qatari officials in Doha, progress has been made toward resolving the issue.
On Monday, a high-level Iranian delegation, including Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, visited Doha for talks with Qatari officials on a possible peace agreement with the United States, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency.
On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told state-run IRIB TV that Iran and the United States are working to finalize an MoU on ending the war.
“Our intention has been to firstly agree on an MoU consisting of 14 clauses,” Baghaei said, noting that “within a period of 30 to 60 days,” Tehran and Washington would “reach a final agreement,” covering issues such as the cessation of U.S. maritime attacks and the release of Iranian frozen assets.
Iran, the United States, and Israel reached a ceasefire on April 8 after 40 days of fighting. Following the truce, Iranian and U.S. delegations held one round of peace talks in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which failed to yield an agreement.
Over the past weeks, the two sides have reportedly exchanged several proposed plans outlining conditions for ending the conflict through Pakistani mediation.
Iran has demanded the release of its frozen assets worth 24 billion U.S. dollars during the negotiations with the United States on ending the war, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Tuesday.
The club announced the signing on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, as part of a group of new contracts awarded to players in its youth setup.
Nkulikiyimana, 21, is also a player for Rwanda’s national football team, Amavubi. The contract marks a major milestone in his career, becoming his first as a professional footballer.
In a statement published on social media, Standard de Liège said the central defender earned the deal following strong performances during the 2025/26 season with the club’s Under-23 side, SL16 FC.
“Darryl Nkulikiyimana has signed as a professional player. The 21-year-old defender earned this reward after the hard work he showed throughout the season with the Under-23 team, receiving a contract for next season with an option for an extension,” the club said.
Reacting to the announcement, Nkulikiyimana expressed his excitement, describing the contract as the result of perseverance and hard work.
“Today I signed my contract, feeling happy and proud. It comes after dedication and hard work through difficult moments. This is a new beginning. Thanks be to God,” he said.
Nkulikiyimana made his international debut for Amavubi in late 2025, earning caps against Zimbabwe and South Africa during the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 21-year-old centre-back spent his early development years within Standard de Liège’s youth system before a stint at FCV Dender EH, where he made the senior matchday squad in early 2025. He returned to Standard de Liège in August 2025, immediately establishing himself as a defensive pillar for the U23 side, clocking over 2,000 minutes across 26 appearances during the 2025/26 campaign.
Also handed a professional contract was 18-year-old Congolese striker Kelyan Kielo-Lezi.
Nkulikiyimana spent his formative years in the youth ranks of Standard de Liège.Darryl Nkulikiyimana plays as a central defender.Nkulikiyimana, 21, is also a player for Rwanda’s national football team, Amavubi. The contract marks a major milestone in his career, becoming his first as a professional footballer.Standard de Liège said the central defender earned the deal following strong performances during the 2025/26 season with the club’s Under-23 side, SL16 FC.
The company announced its entry into the Rwandan market through Visiontech PLG Rwanda entity, which will officially launch during the Visiontech PLG Rwanda Launch Summit scheduled for Thursday, December 28, 2026, at Kigali Convention Centre.
Established in 2003 and headquartered in Dubai, Visiontech Systems International LLC is an IT systems integrator and technology solutions provider with more than two decades of experience delivering enterprise digital transformation projects for governments and private sector institutions.
The company said Rwanda was chosen deliberately because of its progressive digital governance model, encompassing smart city programs, e-government services, and open innovation ecosystems.
In a statement, Visiontech PLG Chief Executive Officer Aliasgar Dohadwala said Rwanda’s long-term vision for technology-driven growth aligns closely with the company’s expansion ambitions.
“Rwanda represents more than a new market for us; it represents alignment with a national vision for digital-first growth. At Visiontech PLG, we are not here to participate in transformation; we are here to help accelerate it with secure, scalable, and intelligent technology foundations,” he said.
The company plans to position itself as a strategic technology partner for both government institutions and enterprises seeking to modernise digital infrastructure and strengthen cybersecurity resilience.
Its focus areas in Rwanda include public sector digital transformation, secure cloud and data sovereignty frameworks, AI-powered citizen services, and national digital infrastructure projects.
Visiontech PLG also intends to introduce advanced technology solutions centred on Zero Trust cybersecurity architecture, cloud-native and containerised workloads, Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations (AIOps), Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and predictive cyber threat intelligence.
According to the company, the Kigali summit will bring together technology leaders, policymakers, government stakeholders, and enterprise decision-makers to discuss the future of Rwanda’s digital economy and explore collaboration opportunities in emerging technologies.
The expansion comes as Rwanda continues to position itself as a regional technology and innovation hub, attracting international firms seeking a stable regulatory environment, strong digital governance policies, and growing investment in ICT infrastructure.
Visiontech PLG described the Rwanda launch as an “inflection point” in its global evolution and a foundation for broader African growth ambitions.
Established in 2003 and headquartered in Dubai, Visiontech Systems International LLC is an IT systems integrator and technology solutions provider with more than two decades of experience delivering enterprise digital transformation projects for governments and private sector institutions.The company plans to position itself as a strategic technology partner for both government institutions and enterprises seeking to modernise digital infrastructure and strengthen cybersecurity resilience.
