A widely used pesticide designed to protect crops from harmful insects may also be affecting the reproductive health of bumblebees, raising concerns about the long-term survival of one of the world’s most important pollinators.
Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology found that low levels of exposure to sulfoxaflor, a modern pesticide used against crop pests such as aphids, can alter gene activity in bumblebees, especially in tissues linked to reproduction.
Bumblebees play a crucial role in global agriculture by helping pollinate many crops.
Scientists estimate that pollinators contribute to about one third of the world’s food production, making their protection essential for food security.
Although sulfoxaflor was developed to target harmful insects and improve crop production, researchers say its effects on beneficial insects such as bees need greater attention.
The chemical is already known to be toxic to bees, but the new study reveals how even small amounts may affect their biology at the molecular level.
The research team exposed worker bumblebees to low doses of the pesticide and later examined changes in their gene expression.
The greatest changes were found in ovarian tissues, suggesting that the chemical may interfere with reproductive processes and reduce the number of offspring produced by bee colonies.
To understand the impact, scientists analyzed bee tissues and studied RNA activity, which helps reveal how genes respond to environmental stress.
They also used computer models to identify the biological systems most affected by pesticide exposure.
Researchers say the findings provide an important connection between molecular changes inside bees and possible consequences for entire colonies.
Reduced reproduction among bumblebees could eventually contribute to population declines and threaten pollination systems that agriculture depends on.
The study highlights a major challenge facing modern farming: finding ways to control crop-damaging pests while protecting beneficial insects.
Scientists say better pest management strategies are needed to maintain healthy bee populations while ensuring reliable food production.
Beyond pesticides, bumblebees are also facing other environmental pressures, including rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves, which add further stress to already vulnerable populations.
Researchers hope that a better understanding of how chemicals affect pollinators will help farmers and policymakers develop safer agricultural practices that protect both crops and the insects that support ecosystems worldwide.
Scientists discover how a popular pesticide harms bumblebee reproduction
Kenyan drivers Jasmeet Chana and Ravi Chana are no strangers to Rwanda, having competed multiple times on the country’s demanding rally stages in the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally, a round of the African Rally Championship (ARC).
The experienced duo returns this year with a wealth of expertise, a strong desire to win, and a close connection with Rwanda’s rally fans.
Their long-standing partnership and consistent performances have earned them recognition as one of the region’s most respected rally crews.
Their latest campaign is supported through a joint sponsorship by RUBiS Energy Rwanda and Castrol, providing the team with the resources and technical support needed to compete at the highest level.
While RUBiS fuels the team’s journey, Castrol’s advanced engine lubricant technology is designed to protect the vehicle under the extreme demands of rally competition, from high-speed sections and tight corners to the toughest stages, helping maintain peak engine performance throughout the event.
Fans meet the Chana brothers
To celebrate the partnership and engage with motorsport enthusiasts, RUBiS Energy Rwanda organized a public meet-and-greet at the RUBiS Remera 3 service station.
The event gave fans an opportunity to meet the Chana brothers, view their rally car up close, and take souvenir photographs with the drivers.
Motorcyclists who attended also received Castrol products and other RUBiS promotional items, reflecting the companies’ commitment to supporting every journey—from everyday travel to success in top-level motorsport.
The celebrations continued with a special “Breakfast with the Drivers” event, bringing together RUBiS sponsors, business partners, invited guests, media representatives, and key stakeholders in the motorsport community.
The gathering served as an opportunity to strengthen partnerships between RUBiS Energy Rwanda, Castrol, and the Chana brothers while highlighting the shared values that drive their collaboration, including performance, innovation, teamwork, and excellence.
Guests also had the chance to interact personally with the drivers, hear about their rally careers, and gain insights into how they prepare to compete at the highest level of African rallying.
Supporting the future of African motorsport
According to the organizers, the partnership represents more than a sponsorship agreement. It reflects a shared vision of nurturing sporting talent, building lasting relationships with customers and partners, and contributing to the continued growth of motorsport in Rwanda and across the region.
As the Chana brothers prepare to tackle the challenging stages of this year’s rally, they do so backed by the trusted energy of RUBiS and the advanced engine protection offered by Castrol.
Together, the two brands say they are not only supporting competitors chasing victory but also helping shape the future of African motorsport, one stage at a time.
The 2026 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally will take place from July 10 to 12, 2026.
Jasmeet Chana and Ravi Chana are set to compete in the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally with the support of RUBiS Energy Rwanda and Castrol.Motorcycle taxi riders expressed their appreciation after receiving Castrol lubricants.The Kenyan drivers said they are determined to secure victory.
The recall, notified by BMW South Africa, affects a total of 10,961 vehicles, including BMW 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X3 and X4 models, sold in South Africa since 2016.
According to a statement issued Thursday by the NCC, the supplier identified a production-related problem affecting vehicles equipped with the Pinion Starter, in which increased wear of the solenoid switch may occur after a high number of start operations.
“As a result, the engine’s starting capability deteriorates. Under certain circumstances, the engine may no longer be able to start. In addition, a short circuit in the solenoid switch cannot be ruled out, which may lead to local overheating at the starter,” the NCC quoted the supplier as saying.
The NCC urged owners of the affected vehicles not to use the “Remote Engine Start” function via the My BMW App or the remote-control key until the repair has been completed.
The commission also advised consumers to visit their nearest authorized BMW dealership to arrange an inspection and repair, adding that all corrective work related to the recall would be carried out free of charge.
South Africa’s National Consumer Commission (NCC) has announced a recall of more than 10,000 BMW vehicles over a potential defect affecting the starter system that could prevent the engine from starting or cause overheating.
In a statement issued on Friday, FERWABA said the decision followed the receipt and consideration of letters of apology submitted by APR Basketball Club, Habimana and Mpoyo, as well as a meeting held between the federation and the club on July 8.
“The Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) wishes to inform the public that… it has resolved to accept the apologies and lift, with immediate effect, the disciplinary suspension previously imposed on Mr. Ntore Habimana and Mr. Mpoyo Axel Olenga,” the statement reads.
The federation said it also took into account the corrective measures implemented by APR Basketball Club and the players’ renewed commitment to honour national team call-ups and faithfully discharge their duties whenever selected.
FERWABA reiterated that representing Rwanda is a privilege that requires patriotism, discipline and an unwavering commitment to putting national interests first.
The suspension was imposed on June 22 after the federation accused the two players of failing to honour a national team call-up ahead of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers in Luanda, Angola.
At the time, FERWABA said APR had confirmed the players would report to the national team camp, but they did not participate as expected, leading to disciplinary action under resolutions adopted during the federation’s November 2025 General Assembly. The resolutions stipulate that players selected for national duty who fail to honour official call-ups face a one-year suspension from all basketball activities.
The decision sparked a dispute between the federation and APR Basketball Club.
Habimana and Mpoyo maintained that they had reported to the national team camp but were unable to immediately take part in training because they were recovering from injuries sustained during the Basketball Africa League (BAL) season. APR also defended the players, arguing that the club had submitted medical reports and that the matter resulted from a misunderstanding that could have been resolved through dialogue.
The club later appealed the sanctions and submitted letters of apology, while FERWABA convened a meeting with APR on July 8 to discuss the matter.
With the suspension now lifted, Habimana and Mpoyo are immediately eligible to return to competitive basketball, including representing both APR Basketball Club and the Rwanda national team when called upon.
National Basketball team players Axel Mpoyo and Ntore Habimana who were sanctioned by the federation last month.
According to the report presented to the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee on June 5, 2026, mercenary groups provide battlefield support, maintain military assets including combat aircraft, and train members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) in advanced drone operations, radar systems, jungle warfare, intelligence gathering, operational planning, secure communications and target identification.
Despite the longstanding cooperation, the UN experts say coordination between FARDC and the various mercenary groups has been undermined by weak command structures, resulting in confusion over lines of authority and responsibility.
Advanced training and cooperation with Wazalendo
The report says foreign mercenaries maintain operational bases in Kisangani, Kinshasa, Walikale, Kalemie in Tanganyika Province and Kindu in Maniema Province. Testimonies and other evidence gathered by the UN indicate they continue to play an active role in military operations across North and South Kivu.
In Walikale, North Kivu, and the town of Baraka in South Kivu, foreign mercenaries reportedly provided advanced military training to members of the Wazalendo militias. The programme covered reconnaissance techniques, including identifying enemy positions and operating surveillance drones.
According to testimonies cited in the report, participants were selected based on their level of education. Upon completing the training, many were deployed alongside FARDC troops, with some reportedly issued sniper rifles for operations against the AFC/M23 coalition.
Among those who benefited from the training were fighters under commanders sanctioned by the United Nations, including Guidon Shimiray, leader of the NDC-R armed group operating in Walikale, and members of the CNPSC led by William Yakutumba.
Foreign mercenaries trained fighters under William Yakutumba.
Operations in South Kivu
Between January and March 2026, mercenaries fought alongside FARDC during heavy fighting in South Kivu, participating in coordinated drone and ground operations in several areas, including Minembwe Commune and its surrounding areas.
During the same period, Wazalendo fighters were ordered to withdraw from the highlands of South Kivu and were replaced by a FARDC special forces unit known as “Hiboux” together with foreign mercenary contingents.
The report says the mercenaries were not deployed across all operational areas. Instead, they were assigned to specialised missions, including coordinating heavy artillery fire, drone strikes and intelligence support. They were also deployed to the city of Uvira in January 2026.
On February 1, 2026, multiple drone strikes involving foreign mercenaries targeted positions held by the MRDP-Twirwaneho armed group in Minembwe.
Foreign mercenaries participated in major offensives against MRDP-Twirwaneho.
Between February 2 and 8, mercenary units reportedly assisted the Hiboux special forces in recapturing the strategic Point-Zéro junction, a key crossroads linking the roads to Uvira, Baraka and Minembwe.
Secret agreement with Erik Prince
The report also details a confidential five-year cooperation agreement signed between the DRC government and American security contractor Erik Prince in December 2024. Prince is best known as the founder of the private military company Blackwater.
Under the agreement, Prince committed to providing military assistance to FARDC and overseeing security at mining sites across the country through contractors working under his companies.
Prince is best known as the founder of the private military company Blackwater.
In June 2025, Prince’s United Arab Emirates-based company, Quantum Global Consulting, registered a subsidiary in the DRC known as Quantum Global Consulting Africa.
The company also established another entity, Vectus Global, headed by Christophe Sirot, a dual French-American national.
According to the report, Vectus Global signed a contract with the DRC Ministry of Finance to help increase state revenues from mining, combat cross-border smuggling, tackle corruption and reduce tax evasion.
At the end of April 2026, the Ministry of Finance announced the creation of a special unit tasked with securing mining sites, replacing soldiers and police officers previously assigned to those duties. The UN experts say the unit appears to be linked to Vectus Global.
The report further states that the agreement contained confidential military provisions assigning Vectus Global responsibility for strengthening border security, particularly in areas near Rwanda and Zambia.
The contract also authorised the company to advise FARDC on the acquisition and operation of combat aircraft and to recruit former foreign military personnel to support the Congolese armed forces.
According to the UN experts, the broader objective was to strengthen FARDC’s military capabilities against Rwanda through advanced military technology, specialised training, strategic advice and the acquisition of modern weapons.
By late 2025, one Vectus employee told the UN investigators that the company’s priorities had shifted from securing mining operations to supporting military activities as the conflict intensified.
In February 2026, another employee reportedly told the experts that the DRC government had enlisted Vectus Global to help plan an operation to retake the city of Uvira after it fell to AFC/M23 fighters, with company personnel deployed to South Kivu to support the operation.
However, during an interview with the UN experts in March 2026, Sirot denied that Vectus Global had participated in combat operations, insisting that the company’s contract did not include any battlefield role.
The report nevertheless says multiple witnesses, including Vectus employees, identified Sirot as the individual responsible for coordinating the company’s military-related activities.
More than 300 recruits from El Salvador
Another major finding concerns the recruitment of former soldiers and police officers from El Salvador.
According to the report, former Salvadoran military personnel and police officers began arriving in the DRC from July 2025 to support the government’s coalition in its conflict against AFC/M23.
Initially assigned to maintain military equipment in Kisangani, Tshopo Province, many were later redeployed to Walikale, Baraka and Kalemie.
The UN experts found that a company known as Importaciones de Productos Americanos S.A. de C.V. coordinated the recruitment of more than 300 mercenaries in El Salvador for deployment to the DRC.
The company is registered in El Salvador and is owned by Juan Emilio Velasco Alfaro, a retired colonel in the Salvadoran military, and Rodrigo Antonio Tejada Alvarengar, a former lieutenant.
Most recruits signed one-year contracts that came into effect in July 2025, with each promised a monthly salary of US$4,225.
The report says some of the recruits returned to El Salvador before completing their contracts because of delays in salary payments by the DRC government or injuries and illnesses sustained during deployment.
The Government of El Salvador told the UN experts that it was unaware its citizens had travelled to fight in the DRC and had never authorised their deployment.
The Prime Minister made the disclosure on June 9, 2026, while presenting to both chambers of Parliament an overview of government efforts aimed at strengthening the country’s economic resilience and improving citizens’ welfare.
Dr. Nsengiyumva said Rwanda’s economy has continued to demonstrate strong performance despite various internal and external challenges.
He noted that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 10% in the first quarter of 2026, contributing to the creation of more than 240,000 jobs since the first quarter of 2025.
According to the Prime Minister, the country’s economic growth has been supported by increasing private sector investment.
“From 2024 until June this year, private sector investment projects worth nearly $8 billion were registered. These investments are expected to create approximately 118,000 jobs,” Dr. Nsengiyumva said.
Rwanda has set a target of creating 250,000 jobs every year by 2029 as part of efforts to expand employment opportunities and support economic development.
The country’s GDP reached Frw 6.346 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, compared to Frw 5.276 trillion recorded during the same period in 2025, representing a 10% increase.
The services sector remained the largest contributor to economic output, accounting for 52% of GDP, followed by industry at 24%, agriculture at 19%, and other sectors contributing the remaining 5%.
Agricultural production increased by 8%, while industrial output grew by 13%. The services sector also recorded a 7% rise during the period under review.
Other sectors also registered growth, with wholesale and retail trade increasing by 11%. Transport services grew by 11%, driven by a 10% rise in land transport activities, while air transport recorded a 7% increase.
The latest figures highlight Rwanda’s continued efforts to attract investment, expand economic activity, and create more employment opportunities as the country works toward its long-term development goals.
Rwanda registers $8 billion in private investment projects by June 2026
The affordable housing project, located in Kinyinya Sector, Gasabo District, Kigali, is being developed by RSSB and comprises 548 housing units designed for different categories of buyers, including workers, families, Rwandans living abroad and others seeking to own homes.
The development features both apartments and townhouses. The apartment blocks include two- and three-bedroom units, each with two bathrooms, while the townhouses are available in two categories, offering two- and three-bedroom options across two- and three-storey designs.
The estate is also planned to include commercial spaces, a nursery school, sports facilities, including basketball and volleyball courts, as well as landscaped gardens and recreational areas for residents.
The project has, however, faced significant delays since its launch in 2014. A report by the Office of the Auditor General for the financial year ending June 2025 highlighted a 10-year delay in its implementation.
Appearing before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to respond to concerns raised in the report, Rugemanshuro said several challenges affected progress, forcing RSSB to take on responsibilities beyond its initial mandate.
He cited land compensation as one of the issues that delayed the project, explaining that although such payments were not originally part of RSSB’s responsibilities, the institution eventually intervened to ensure the project moved forward.
“Sometimes we had to work with other government institutions responsible for specific areas to make sure the project was completed,” Rugemanshuro said.
He told lawmakers that construction of the housing units is now 97 percent complete, while infrastructure works stand at 70 percent completion.
“The project is expected to be completed in December 2026. The houses are already at 97 percent completion, while infrastructure has reached 70 percent,” he said.
Infrastructure works include roads, water supply systems, wastewater treatment facilities and street lighting.
So far, 70 percent of the houses have already been sold, with the remaining 30 percent still available on the market.
PAC Chairperson Muhakwa Valens sought clarification on whether the reported 70 percent infrastructure completion covered all key facilities required for residents to occupy the estate, including roads, drainage systems, water facilities and lighting.
“We want to have a complete picture of this project so that we can conclude that the Batsinda issue has been resolved,” Muhakwa said.
Responding to the concerns, Rugemanshuro assured the committee that buyers would be able to move into their homes by January 2027.
“By January 2027, those who have paid for their houses should be living in them. The roads, water reservoirs, street lighting and other facilities should also be completed by then, unless an unforeseen challenge beyond our control occurs,” he said.
The homes are priced from Rwf80 million for a two-bedroom townhouse to Rwf117 million for a three-bedroom townhouse. Apartment units range from Rwf101 million to Rwf111 million.
Heza Estate in Batsinda is set to provide modern housing units alongside community facilities and recreational spaces for future residents.Heza Estate in Kinyinya Sector, Gasabo District, features a mix of apartments and townhouses designed to provide affordable housing options for different categories of buyers.Construction works at Heza Estate include housing units, roads, water facilities and other infrastructure expected to support residents once the project is completed.
The subsidy helped keep the price of diesel at Rwf 2,927 per litre on the Rwandan market, instead of rising to about Rwf 3,600 per litre, which would have been the expected price without government intervention.
Prime Minister Nsengiyumva made the remarks on July 9, 2026, while presenting to a joint session of Parliament the government’s measures to strengthen Rwanda’s economic resilience and protect citizens’ welfare amid domestic and global challenges.
Global trade has been significantly affected by international conflicts, including tensions in the Middle East, which have contributed to disruptions in fuel markets.
Petroleum prices on international markets began rising sharply in February 2026, with the price of a barrel of crude oil increasing from about $70 to more than $126.
The increase pushed petrol prices up by nearly 48 percent and diesel prices by about 50 percent.
The rise affected several sectors, including transport, fertilizer, cooking gas and food prices, contributing to increased living costs.
Dr. Nsengiyumva said the government responded by implementing measures aimed at protecting the economy and limiting the impact of price fluctuations.
“From March to June 2026, the government provided subsidies worth nearly Rwf 48 billion to the transport of people and goods to reduce the impact of rising fuel prices,” he said.
He added that the intervention helped slow the increase in transport costs and prices of other goods, preventing severe disruptions to citizens’ livelihoods and economic activities.
Under the latest fuel price review announced on June 5, 2026, a litre of petrol is selling at Rwf 2,938, while diesel is priced at Rwf 2,927 per litre.
Rwanda currently has storage capacity for about 118 million litres of petroleum products, with plans to increase this capacity to 230 million litres by 2029.
“This will help the country withstand shocks from international markets and ensure a reliable supply of petroleum products,” Dr. Nsengiyumva said.
Meanwhile, the number of passengers using buses has increased by 15 percent over the past six months.
Rwanda spent more than Rwf 47.7 billion on transport subsidies between March and June 2026 to cushion citizens and businesses from the impact of rising global fuel prices.
Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva announced the development on July 9, 2026, while presenting to a joint session of Parliament the government’s measures to enhance Rwanda’s economic resilience and safeguard citizens’ welfare against both domestic and external shocks.
He said the shipment, which is expected to arrive at Tanzania’s Port of Tanga by the end of July, is part of a new government-led fuel procurement strategy implemented through the Rwanda National Energy Company (RNEC) in partnership with oil-producing and refining countries.
“The government has introduced a centralized system for importing refined petroleum products through RNEC to make fuel imports more efficient and achieve sustainable reductions in fuel prices,” Dr. Nsengiyumva told lawmakers.
He added that the first vessel carrying 40,000 metric tonnes of petroleum products is expected to dock at the Port of Tanga by the end of July, with Rwanda planning to receive similar shipments every month thereafter.
“These regular shipments will help ensure lower and more stable fuel prices over the long term,” he said.
The initiative follows a series of bilateral agreements aimed at diversifying Rwanda’s fuel supply routes and strengthening energy security.
On June 29, 2026, Rwanda signed a government-to-government agreement with Kenya to facilitate the importation of petroleum products through the Port of Mombasa. The agreement grants Rwanda access to Kenya’s fuel storage facilities, transport infrastructure and pipeline network.
The arrangement is expected to improve the reliability of fuel supplies, reduce logistical bottlenecks and allow for more predictable import planning.
Rwanda also signed a separate agreement with Tanzania to import petrol and diesel through the Port of Tanga. The deal was concluded between RNEC and Gulf Bulk Petroleum Tanzania Limited (GBP).
The government expects the new procurement arrangements to reduce transport costs, improve fuel availability and shield the domestic market from price volatility.
Under the latest fuel price review announced on June 5, 2026, a litre of petrol is retailing at Rwf 2,938, while diesel is priced at Rwf 2,927 per litre.
Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva announced that Rwanda is set to receive 40,000 tonnes of petroleum products as a new supply plan takes effect.
In Bunia, the capital of the eastern Ituri Province and the epicenter of the outbreak, Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said the steady rise in reported cases partly reflected expanded community surveillance rather than a sudden worsening of transmission.
“When many resources are mobilized, especially community health workers who go to find patients in the community, the number of cases will indeed increase,” he said. “But this increase also gives us information about the real situation in the community.”
According to epidemiological data released late Thursday, the DRC has reported 1,792 confirmed cases, including 625 deaths and 295 recoveries. A total of 764 patients are currently in isolation or receiving hospital care.
Kamba said it remained too early to predict when infections would plateau because health officials were still identifying previously undetected cases, while population mobility and challenges in community engagement continued to complicate containment efforts.
The minister also warned that infected patients from Ituri had carried the virus into neighboring areas. He said imported cases had been detected in Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo Province, and in Wamba in Haut-Uele Province, expanding the response perimeter.
DRC health authorities said investigations into the reported cases in Tshopo, a major economic and transport hub in northeastern Congo, were continuing. Several health experts told Xinhua that the spread of the outbreak into new provinces has raised concerns about wider geographic spread.
Meanwhile, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) provided new details on therapeutic research against the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, the strain driving the current outbreak.
Mosoka Fallah, an Africa CDC official, said a clinical trial launched on July 2 is evaluating the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral remdesivir, both individually and in combination. The trial, which began at one treatment center, is expected to expand to additional sites as enrollment increases.
Fallah added that a separate prophylaxis trial evaluating obeldesivir, an orally administered broad-spectrum antiviral drug, among about 800 high-risk contacts is expected to begin next week.
