Figures released on Thursday, September 2026, indicate that food and non-alcoholic beverages recorded a 16.3% annual increase in August and rose by 3.7% compared with July.
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels increased by 20.4% year on year, while prices in the category rose by 0.2% on a monthly basis.
Transport prices increased by 24.2% annually and by 0.2% compared with the previous month.
Prices in restaurants and hotels rose by 15.6% year on year and increased by 2% on a monthly basis.
The data show that prices of local products increased by 17.4% year on year and by 2.1% month on month. Prices of imported products increased by 10.8% annually and by 0.7% monthly.
Fresh product prices increased by 20.9% year on year and by 5.8% compared with July.
Energy prices recorded the largest annual increase, rising by 45.4%, while increasing by 0.2% on a monthly basis.
Meanwhile, the general CPI excluding fresh products and energy increased by 11.5% year on year and by 0.7% month on month.
Transport prices rose by 24.2% year on year in August 2026, contributing to Rwanda’s overall inflation rate of 15.7%.
People who drink at least one sugar-sweetened beverage every day may face a substantially higher risk of developing stomach cancer, according to new research from the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute.
The study, which analyzed data from 112,284 participants in the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, found that people who consumed at least one serving of a sugar-sweetened beverage each day had 2.45 times the risk of developing gastric cancer compared with those who consumed less than one serving per month.
The researchers followed participants over several decades, collecting detailed information about their diets, lifestyles and health. During the follow-up period, 278 participants developed gastric cancer.
The association was observed in both men and women. Among women in the Nurses’ Health Study, those who consumed more than one sugar-sweetened beverage per day had a 3.04-fold higher risk of gastric cancer compared with women who rarely consumed such drinks.
The study also found that higher overall consumption of fructose, the main sweetener in many sugar-sweetened beverages, was associated with a higher incidence of gastric cancer.
Researchers defined sugar-sweetened beverages as carbonated drinks, punch, lemonade and sports drinks.
By comparison, greater consumption of artificially sweetened beverages was not associated with an increased incidence of gastric cancer after accounting for other factors.
The researchers also examined whether infection with Helicobacter pylori, commonly known as H. pylori, could help explain the association.
The bacterium is a known risk factor for gastric cancer. However, among the 940 participants for whom H. pylori information was available, researchers found no association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and H. pylori infection.
Andrew T. Chan, a gastroenterologist and epidemiologist at the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute and the study’s senior author, said the research was the first to demonstrate an association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and gastric cancer in a US population.
However, the researchers stressed that the findings do not prove that sugary drinks directly cause stomach cancer.
The study was observational, meaning it identified an association rather than establishing a cause-and-effect relationship.
Other factors may have contributed to the higher cancer rates among people who consumed more sugar-sweetened beverages.
The researchers also noted limitations, including limited information about participants’ H. pylori status and family histories of gastric cancer.
In addition, most participants were white, meaning the findings may not apply equally across all racial and ethnic groups.
Despite these limitations, the researchers said the study benefited from its large population and the detailed health, diet and lifestyle information collected over many years.
Daily consumption of sugary drinks was associated with a higher risk of stomach cancer in a long-term study.
Trump campaigned for a second term as a president who would end foreign wars rather than start new ones.
However, his administration is now deeply involved in a conflict with Iran that analysts say risks becoming a new “forever war.”
The US launched “Operation Epic Fury” alongside Israel on February 28, targeting Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities.
The campaign has relied heavily on US air and naval power rather than a large-scale deployment of American ground troops.
Despite inflicting significant economic and military damage on Iran, the campaign has not achieved all of the objectives critics say Trump set out to accomplish, including dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme or triggering a change in the Iranian government.
The conflict has also created economic pressure beyond the battlefield. Iran’s disruption of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz has contributed to higher US gasoline prices and pushed global oil prices higher.
The economic impact has added to political pressure on Trump and strained relations with some US allies.
Analysts say the conflict reflects some of the problems that complicated the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, including difficulties in defeating an entrenched opponent and establishing a clear path to ending military operations.
Sina Toossi of the Center for International Policy said Trump had broken a post-Iraq and Afghanistan reluctance in Washington to launch another major, potentially open-ended war in the Middle East.
The comparison comes as the United States approaches the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people and led to the US invasion of Afghanistan, followed by the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
The Iraq war was launched partly on intelligence that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, but those weapons were never found.
The conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq became lengthy and costly, while contributing to instability across the Middle East.
Trump’s political rise was partly fueled by public frustration with the consequences of those wars.
During his 2024 campaign, he promised to avoid military adventurism and focus more heavily on Americans’ economic concerns.
Critics now argue that his Iran strategy risks repeating some of the mistakes of the post-9/11 era, including underestimating an adversary’s resilience and failing to establish a clear exit strategy.
The White House has defended the campaign. Spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Trump had the courage to confront Iran over its nuclear programme and argued that his administration had achieved its objectives, while sanctions and a US maritime blockade were putting further pressure on Iran’s economy.
For now, however, the conflict remains unresolved. With rising energy costs, political pressure at home and concerns over its wider regional consequences, the war is increasingly becoming a test of whether Washington can avoid repeating the experience of the post-9/11 “forever wars.”
US President Donald Trump faces growing scrutiny over the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The appointment was announced in a statement signed by Bishop Mwumvaneza on September 8, 2026.
In the statement, Bishop Mwumvaneza said the appointment was made after considering the weight of the responsibilities involved in administering Nyundo Diocese and the abilities of the person selected to carry them out.
He cited Father Habarugira Karekezi’s integrity, spiritual and intellectual abilities, theological knowledge and dedication to Church service.
“We appoint Father Léonidas Habarugira Karekezi as Vicar General of our Diocese of Nyundo,” Bishop Mwumvaneza said.
As Vicar General, Father Karekezi will oversee the ordinary administrative affairs of the diocese, except matters specifically reserved for the bishop or those requiring the bishop’s prior authorization.
Bishop Mwumvaneza called on clerics and Catholics in Nyundo Diocese to welcome and support Monsignor Karekezi in his new responsibilities.
The appointment follows the death of Monsignor Nsengumuremyi, who had served as Vicar General of Nyundo Diocese since 2001. He continued serving in the position after Bishop Mwumvaneza became Bishop of Nyundo Diocese in 2016.
Monsignor Nsengumuremyi was ordained priest in 1977 and died on August 30, 2026, aged 76, succumbing to low blood pressure.
Father Léonidas Habarugira Karekezi has been appointed as the new Vicar General of Nyundo Diocese.
Mushikiwabo was elected Secretary General of the OIF in 2018 and took office in January 2019. She was re-elected for a second term in 2022 in Djerba, Tunisia, with the support of all member states, becoming the first African woman to lead the organisation.
The OIF currently brings together 90 states and governments representing more than 396 million French speakers worldwide.
As Mushikiwabo’s second term approaches its end, she is seeking a third mandate in an election that also features candidates from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritania and Romania.
It is also a moment to look at what her seven years at the helm have delivered, with the figures highlighting programmes and reforms that have strengthened the OIF’s existing foundations and continue to shape its future priorities.
Since 2019, the OIF says it has mobilised €336 million, with 97% of its activities implemented.
During the same period, the organisation introduced annual financial audits conducted by an independent external body as part of efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in its financial management.
Women’s economic empowerment has been another major area of activity. In 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the OIF launched the “La Francophonie avec Elles” fund to support women’s economic independence.
The programme has since reached nearly 100,000 women through 354 projects implemented in 36 countries. According to the OIF, the average income of women benefiting from the initiatives has tripled.
The organisation has also increased its engagement with young people. Through “La Francophonie de l’avenir”, more than 10,000 young people in 134 countries were consulted on the priorities they want the OIF to address in the coming years.
The Covid-19 pandemic also prompted the organisation to create initiatives connecting young people and supporting technology-based responses to challenges created by the crisis. Within two weeks, about 60 youth-led projects were identified, including initiatives focused on transport, food delivery and access to medicines.
Digital skills have since become a central area of the OIF’s work through the D-CLIC programme, which aims to increase the number of young people receiving technology-related training from 20,000 to 100,000.
The organisation has also launched CAP Innovation to support young entrepreneurs in Francophone countries as they develop innovation-based projects. Artificial intelligence has emerged as another area of focus as the OIF considers technologies likely to shape the future of French-speaking countries.
Education and language have also featured prominently in its programmes. Through ELAN, the OIF has reached 12 million students, using 46 African languages and working with about 230,000 teachers. The programme promotes early literacy and learning in children’s mother tongues before they transition to French.
The focus on Africa is particularly significant for the OIF, with projections indicating that by 2050, the majority of French speakers worldwide will be on the continent.
Mushikiwabo’s seven years at the OIF have also brought changes to the way its Secretary General is elected. The organisation previously relied heavily on consensus among member states, while the revised system gives each country one vote and allows candidates to compete more openly.
The new system will be applied in the 2026 election. On June 30, all four candidates appeared before foreign ministers of OIF member states to present their visions and answer questions, an exercise that had not previously taken place in the organisation’s 56-year history.
Mushikiwabo is competing against Juliana Amato Lumumba of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritanian candidate Coumba Ba and former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Cioloș.
Her bid for a third term has attracted support from many countries. At the Francophonie Ministerial Conference held in Kigali in November 2025, the call for her to seek another mandate initially came from two countries before the number of countries expressing support rose to more than 15 by the end of the meeting.
Rwanda has also stepped up efforts to rally support for her candidacy, with senior officials travelling to Francophonie member states, carrying messages from President Paul Kagame to heads of state.
Louise Mushikiwabo was elected OIF Secretary General in 2018 and took office in January 2019, becoming the first African woman to lead the organisation.
The players, coaches and accompanying officials arrived at Kigali International Airport in Kanombe in the early hours of Thursday, September 10, 2026.
The team arrived in Rwanda a day after another delegation representing the club had travelled to Kigali to prepare for its arrival.
The first leg, played in Cameroon, ended in a 1-1 draw. The return leg is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, at Amahoro Stadium.
The winner between Rayon Sports and Panthère Sportive du Ndé will face the winner of the second-round tie between Comoros’ Atomic Ngomé and Mozambique’s African Black Bulls in the second preliminary round, scheduled for October.
The Cameroonian side touched down in Kigali ahead of Saturday’s decisive encounter at Amahoro Stadium.Panthère Sportive du Ndé players arrive at Kigali International Airport ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup return leg against Rayon Sports.Panthère Sportive du Ndé coaches arrive in Kigali with players.
The meeting brings together military commanders from both countries who are deployed along the shared border to discuss security issues and strengthen cross-border cooperation.
The TPDF delegation is led by Brigadier General Gabriel Elias Kwiligwa, Commander of the TPDF 202 Infantry Brigade, who was received by Major General Ruki Karusisi, Commander of the RDF 5 Infantry Division.
Upon arrival, the TPDF delegation visited the Inyange Milk Powder Plant in Nyagatare District. They were welcomed by the Mayor of Nyagatare District, Henry Kakooza, who briefed them on the plant’s operations, market distribution, and its contribution to the local community and the country.
In his remarks, Major General Ruki Karusisi welcomed Brigadier General Kwiligwa and his delegation, noting that the meeting reflects the strong friendship, trust, and good relations between Rwanda and Tanzania.
He emphasized that geographical proximity provides an important opportunity to strengthen communication, regional peace, and border security.
He also called for stronger personal relationships, joint training, and direct communication among commanders to address emerging security challenges.
Brig Gen Gabriel Elias Kwiligwa thanked the hosts for the warm reception and hospitality extended to his delegation since their arrival in Rwanda.
He noted that the Proximity Commanders’ Meeting demonstrates the strong military trust between the two countries and the progress made in implementing previous agreements on shared border security challenges.
Both sides expressed their commitment to strengthening border security, deepening defence cooperation, and protecting communities living along the shared border.
The discussions are expected to produce practical measures to address common security concerns and further strengthen the existing relations between the two nations.
RDF and TPDF delegations pose for a group photo during the 16th proximity commanders’ security meeting in Nyagatare District.Brigadier General Gabriel Elias Kwiligwa led the TPDF delegation at the 16th proximity commanders’ meeting in Nyagatare.Major General Ruki Karusisi welcomed Brigadier General Gabriel Elias Kwiligwa and his delegation during the 16th proximity commanders’ meeting.TPDF delegation members tour the Inyange Milk Powder Plant in Nyagatare during their visit to Rwanda for the 16th proximity commanders’ meeting.RDF and TPDF commanders meet in Nyagatare to discuss shared border security concerns.
Brigadier General Bhardwag made the remarks during his visit on September 8, 2026, to RWANBATT-3 at the UNMISS Durupi Camp in Juba, where he was welcomed by the Contingent Commander, Colonel Innocent Rwaka Muhirwe.
The Sector South Commander described RWANBATT-3 as the exemplary contingent in Sector South, praising its resilience, teamwork, coordination, and commitment to duty.
“You have distinguished yourself as an exemplary contingent in Sector South. You are demonstrating resilience, professionalism, effective coordination, a strong spirit of teamwork, and dedication to implement the UNMISS mandate,” Brig Gen Bhardwag stated.
In recognition of their dedication and service, Brigadier General Bhardwag presented certificates of commendation to the Contingent Commander, selected officers, and other ranks.
He emphasized that the recipients represented the collective achievements of the entire contingent and its contribution to the success of the UNMISS mandate.
He also commended Colonel Muhirwe for his strong leadership and efforts to maintain discipline, cohesion, morale, and operational effectiveness within the contingent.
Colonel Muhirwe expressed appreciation for the continued support and guidance from the Sector South leadership, noting that it had contributed to RWANBATT-3’s ability to carry out its responsibilities despite operational challenges.
Brig Gen Bhardwag honours RWANBATT-3 personnel for their dedication and professionalism.UNMISS Sector South Commander Brigadier General Shishir Bhardwag presents a certificate of commendation to a Rwandan peacekeeper serving with RWANBATT-3 during his visit to the contingent at UNMISS Durupi Camp in Juba on September 8, 2026.Rwandan peacekeepers receiveD recognition for their outstanding service with UNMISS.Brigadier General Bhardwag visited RWANBATT-3 on September 8, 2026.
The iPhone Duo, which starts at 1,999 U.S. dollars in the United States, features a 5.4-inch (13.7-centimeter) outer display that opens to reveal a 7.6-inch (19.3-centimeter) inner display, the largest ever on an iPhone, according to Apple.
When closed, the device is roughly the size of a passport, the company said. When unfolded, it is Apple’s thinnest iPhone to date.
The iPhone Duo is made of Grade 5 titanium and features a precision hinge. Its inner and outer Super Retina XDR displays have the same aspect ratio, allowing content to scale proportionally as users switch between the two screens.
The device is powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, the same processor used in the iPhone 18 Pro models. Built on a 2-nanometer process, the chip features a six-core CPU, a seven-core GPU and dual 16-core Neural Engine designed to support on-device artificial intelligence (AI) workloads, Apple said.
The foldable phone also features a dual-battery architecture and a custom vapor chamber for thermal management. It offers up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner display and 44 hours on the outer display, according to Apple.
Apple has redesigned parts of its iOS 27 operating system to accomodate the foldable form factor. A new Split View feature allows users to run two apps side by side on an iPhone for the first time, while also enabling them to open two windows of the same app.
The iPhone Duo comes with Apple Intelligence and Siri AI. Apple said Siri AI will begin rolling out as a beta with iOS 27 on Sept. 14 for supported devices set to English, with several additional languages to follow in October.
The iPhone Duo will be available in star white and night sky, with storage options of 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB. Pre-orders will begin on Oct. 16 in more than 70 countries and regions, with availability beginning Oct. 23. The phone will launch in an additional 28 countries and regions on Oct. 30.
Apple also unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, starting at 1,199 dollars and 1,299 dollars, respectively. Both models are powered by the A20 Pro chip and feature a new 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera with variable aperture, along with improvements in battery life and sustained performance.
The iPhone 18 Pro models will be available with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB of storage. Pre-orders will begin Sept. 12, with availability starting Sept. 18 in more than 65 countries and regions.
Apple also introduced Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, featuring a new Health Sensing System and the S11 chip. The company said the system enables more frequent measurements of heart rate and heart-rate variability, as well as a new readiness score. The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at 399 dollars, while the Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at 799 dollars.
AirPods 5 were also unveiled at the event, bringing Active Noise Cancellation to Apple’s entry-level AirPods lineup. The new model starts at 129 dollars, while a version with a wireless charging case and additional controls costs 149 dollars.
The event marked the first major Apple product launch led by John Ternus since he took over as the company’s CEO. The introduction of the iPhone Duo marks Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market.
People take photos of Apple’s first foldable smartphone, iPhone Duo, at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, the United States, Sept. 9, 2026. U.S. tech giant Apple on Wednesday unveiled its first foldable smartphone, iPhone Duo, along with the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, new Apple Watch models and AirPods at a product launch event held at Apple Park, its headquarters in Cupertino, California. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Photo taken on Sept. 9, 2026 shows iPhone Duo on screen during a launch event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, the United States. U.S. tech giant Apple on Wednesday unveiled its first foldable smartphone, iPhone Duo, along with the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, new Apple Watch models and AirPods at a product launch event held at Apple Park, its headquarters in Cupertino, California. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
These are among the findings in the 2025 Food Balance Sheet released by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) in September 2026.
The report found that plant-based foods supplied 98.14 percent of dietary energy available in the country, while animal-source foods contributed just 44 kilocalories per person per day.
Starchy roots remained the largest component of the plant-based food supply.
According to the report, sweet potatoes, cassava and Irish potatoes contributed 256.5 kilograms per person per year, accounting for 43 percent of available plant-based foods. Fruits supplied 99.8 kilograms, while cereals contributed 90.4 kilograms per person per year.
The report also shows a strong concentration of dietary energy in carbohydrates. Carbohydrates supplied 1,838.6 kilocalories per person per day, representing 77.8 percent of total dietary energy.
This was above the 45–65 percent acceptable range cited in the report. Fat, by comparison, accounted for 12 percent of dietary energy, below the recommended 22.6–35.4 percent range.
Protein availability increased by 1.2 percent to 59.8 grams per person per day in 2025. However, the report found that about 94.2 percent of the protein supply came from plant-based foods.
Cereals provided 19.8 grams and pulses 17.8 grams per person per day, while meat contributed 1 gram, milk 1 gram and fish and seafood 1.5 grams.
The picture varied across vitamins and minerals. The report found that supplies of vitamin A, folate and vitamin C were above the average recommended levels used in its analysis.
However, several other nutrients remained below those levels. Vitamin B12 was available at 0.2 micrograms per person per day, compared with 2 micrograms recommended, while vitamin D stood at 0.7 micrograms against 5.7 micrograms.
Rwanda’s food supply continued to draw on both domestic production and imports. The report put the country’s Self-Sufficiency Ratio at 79.7 percent in 2025, up slightly from 79.4 percent in 2024. At the same time, the Import Dependency Ratio stood at 56.1 percent, compared with 56 percent the previous year.
Food losses also edged down. The Food Loss Index fell from 85.92 in 2024 to 85.89 in 2025, while the Food Loss Percentage was estimated at about 4.3 percent. The report notes that the index has declined from its 2017 baseline of 100.
On undernourishment, the report recorded a further decline. The prevalence fell from 31.3 percent in 2024 to 29.9 percent in 2025, with the estimated number of undernourished people dropping from 4.3 million to 4.1 million. The 2025 rate was also below the 40.2 percent recorded in 2019.
Plant-based foods continued to account for the vast majority of dietary energy available in Rwanda.
