In the experiment, mice were shown 10‑second video clips that included scenes of activities like horse riding and wrestling. While the mice watched, scientists used infrared lasers to record electrical signals from the animals’ visual cortex, the part of the brain that processes sight.
Using this data, they trained an artificial intelligence (AI) program to predict how neurons responded to what the mice saw. Then, the AI was used to generate images that matched the mice’s brain activity. The result was a series of grainy reconstructed video clips that give a glimpse of what the animals were seeing.
Although the recreated clips are still blurry compared with normal video, this research marks a major step toward understanding how brains interpret visual information. Scientists say that as technology improves, this technique might one day reveal even more detailed visual experiences and help answer questions about how animals think and dream.
However, lead researchers also warn that if similar techniques are used on humans in the future, it could raise privacy concerns especially if it becomes possible to reconstruct imagined thoughts, not just what someone sees.
Scientists decode mice’s visual perception using brain activity.
The international contest was held in Spain during the Coffee Fest Madrid exhibition on February 16, 2026.
The selection process begins with nominations, where coffee shops are proposed and voted for by people both locally and internationally. The first round of voting accounts for 30% of the total score, while the remaining 70% is awarded in the final stage, which determines the top 100 best coffee shops in the world.
In January 2026, coffee houses from Rwanda and around the globe competed in the contest, with Rubia Coffee Roasters emerging among the winners and earning the 54th spot worldwide.
This marks the first time a Rwandan coffee brand has entered the global top 100. Across Africa, only a few countries had coffee roasters featured in the ranking; namely Ethiopia, Egypt, and South Africa.
Robert Kabandana, Chief Operations Officer at Rubia Coffee Roasters, told IGIHE that winning the award signifies that the coffee meets international standards at every stage, from cultivation to the final cup, reflecting exceptional quality.
He noted that the recognition highlights the growth of Rwanda’s coffee farming sector and the increasing focus on processing coffee locally. He also emphasized that the achievement comes with greater responsibility.
“This award has given us extraordinary motivation because the world has recognized our capability,” Kabandana said. “We are planning to open another branch in Kigali, and there are international companies interested in using our brand name in their countries due to the uniqueness we have demonstrated.”
However, he stressed that while Rwanda’s coffee gaining international visibility is positive, it is equally important to strengthen local processing and expand roasting facilities within the country, as Rubia Coffee Roasters has done with its own roasting plant.
“We encourage Rwandans to continue supporting coffee farmers so that more value is added locally instead of exporting large quantities unprocessed. When domestic coffee consumption increases, we boost the economy because more revenue stays within the country, creating jobs and increasing tax revenues,” he added.
Rubia Coffee Roasters was established in 2017 as a small coffee processing shop and added a roasting plant a year later. The company now has the capacity to process between 500 and 600 kilograms of coffee per day. Its products are supplied to hotels and various institutions in Rwanda and exported to countries including Qatar, Egypt, and Dubai.
The company continues to sell coffee at its outlet in Kimihurura, Kigali. Rubia Coffee Roasters works closely with coffee farmers, purchasing their harvests and providing training on improving quality and productivity. It also supports other businesses in accessing coffee equipment, as a dealer for Italy’s Simonelli Group in Rwanda.
According to the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), Rwanda’s coffee production and export revenues continue to grow. In the 2024/25 fiscal year, the country produced 21,295 tonnes of coffee, up from 16,979 tonnes the previous year, an increase of 25%.
Coffee companies ranked among the world’s top 100 are considered globally competitive.Mbonyi Kalisa Mathias, founder of Rubia Coffee Roasters, received the award.Employees of Rubia Coffee Roasters celebrate the award won by the company.The facility processes and prepares coffee using modern equipment and techniques.Rubia Coffee Roasters also offers a space where visitors can taste its coffee.Rubia Coffee Roasters sells a variety of coffee it processes in-house.Rubia Coffee Roasters has the capacity to roast up to 600 kilograms of coffee per day.This coffee is grown and processed in Rwanda.
The ruling had been delivered by Kicukiro Primary Court on February 27, 2026.
The court explained that Ishimwe François Xavier had videos on his phone showing Yampano and his wife engaging in sexual activity, which he distributed in WhatsApp groups. This act was considered a crime of distribution.
The court also stated that Kwizera Nestor, who had requested the videos from Yampano and then shared them with Kalisa John, was guilty of distribution as well.
As for Kalisa John, the court ruled that, although he only requested the videos and showed them to others without directly distributing them, his actions still constituted a crime.
Meanwhile, the judge noted that Djihad owned a platform with 989 people, where the videos of Yampano were shared. Although Djihad was not the original source of the videos, he provided the platform through which the crime was facilitated.
The court further emphasized that Djihad had taken a screenshot of a portion of the video and posted it on his WhatsApp status, using it in conversations, which further indicated his intent.
The court ruled that Djihad, Nestor, and K John were guilty of distributing pornographic material.
The judge reminded the accused that they had 30 days to appeal the decision.
Djihad and Nestor, currently held at the Nyarugenge Correctional Facility, have already appealed the decision, seeking acquittal of the charges.
The Nyarugenge Intermediate Court has accepted their appeal, but no date has yet been set for the hearing of their appeal.
Djihad and co-accused have appealed three-year sentences.
The high-level meeting brought together heads of state and government, leaders of international organizations, financial institutions, nuclear industry representatives and energy experts to discuss the future of civil nuclear energy.
Currently, nuclear energy generates about 10 percent of the world’s electricity. Many countries consider it a sustainable solution for increasing energy supply while reducing carbon emissions.
At the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025, Rwanda joined 32 other countries in committing to triple nuclear energy capacity worldwide by 2050.
President Kagame’s participation in the summit comes shortly after experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited Rwanda from March 2 to 9 to assess the country’s readiness to develop nuclear energy infrastructure.
The Chief Executive Officer of RAEB, Fidele Ndahayo, said Rwanda has been expanding the peaceful use of nuclear technology, particularly in sectors such as healthcare. He also noted that a university program dedicated to nuclear science has been introduced.
Last week, Dr. Ndahayo explained that Rwanda had completed a preliminary assessment identifying potential sites where small nuclear reactors could be built. According to the plan, the country hopes to have its first nuclear power plant operational in the early 2030s.
He added that studies have also been conducted to determine whether the existing electricity transmission network can accommodate power generated by future small modular reactors.
Rwanda aims to increase its electricity generation capacity to more than 3,000 megawatts, up from the current 447 megawatts. Authorities believe small nuclear reactors could play a key role because they require less land, produce low carbon emissions and generate significant power.
Feasibility studies estimate that building a nuclear power plant in Rwanda could cost between $5 billion and $6 billion. RAEB says the project would likely require a partnership between the government and private investors.
Currently, South Africa is the only African country operating a nuclear power plant. However, interest in nuclear energy is growing across the continent. Kigali is set to host the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit on Africa from May 18 to 21, 2026.
President Kagame was received by his French counterpart Emmanuel MacronPresident Kagame is among heads of state who attended the summit. Participants of the summit in a group photo.
Gen Muganga made the remarks on March 9, 2026, in Ngarama Sector of Gatsibo District, during the launch of three-month Defence and Security Citizen Outreach Programme 2026.
He explained that the core mission of the Rwanda Defence Force is to protect the country and its people, even if it means paying the ultimate price.
“Normally, it may not make sense mathematically, but to show how valuable Rwanda’s citizens are, we would accept sending even 1,000 soldiers into battle and have them fall there to protect one Rwandan citizen,” he said.
Gen Muganga’s statement comes at a time when some countries have been pressuring Rwanda to remove defensive measures deployed along its border. Rwanda says these measures are intended to prevent attacks from the FDLR terrorist group and allied forces.
Rwanda established the defensive measures following a series of attacks in Musanze District in March, May and June 2022, which Rwanda says involved the FDLR and allied forces from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Authorities say the measures have helped reduce security threats. In January 2025, Rwanda intercepted several rockets fired toward Rubavu town, although the provocations left ten civilians dead.
Speaking to diplomats accredited in Rwanda on March 7, President Paul Kagame defended the country’s position, saying the defensive posture remains necessary because the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has not dismantled the FDLR genocidal group.
A 2025 governance scorecard by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) showed strong public confidence in security and stability in the country, with the security pillar scoring 90.02 percent.
Gen Muganga has reaassured Rwandan citizens on their safety noting that soldiers are ready to pay ‘ultimate price’.
Authorities say the suspect, 35-year-old Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, was apprehended nearby shortly after the incident and is currently in police custody with a $10.2 million bond. Formal charges are expected to be filed by prosecutors.
The Los Angeles Police Department reported that multiple gunshots were fired at the couple’s residence in the upscale Beverly Crest neighbourhood around 1:15 p.m. local time on Sunday. Fortunately, Rihanna, 38, A$AP Rocky, 35, and their children were unharmed. Initial reports indicate that the shots may have been fired from a parked vehicle.
Police recovered an AR-15-style rifle and several shell casings at the scene. While authorities have not yet disclosed a clear motive, Ortiz’s arrest followed a swift investigation by local law enforcement.
Representatives for Rihanna and A$AP Rocky confirmed that the couple is safe and focusing on their family. The incident has sparked renewed discussions about the security of high-profile individuals in affluent neighbourhoods.
The Los Angeles Police Department has vowed to continue its investigation and will provide further updates as new information becomes available.
The Los Angeles Police Department reported that multiple gunshots were fired at the couple’s residence in the upscale Beverly Crest neighbourhood around 1:15 p.m. local time on Sunday. Fortunately, Rihanna, 38, A$AP Rocky, 35, and their children were unharmed.
The ceremony was attended by local administrative authorities from Macomia District, community members, teachers, students from this school, security forces, as well as members of the Rwanda Security Force.
On behalf of the Rwanda Security Forces leadership, Lt Col Frank Rwabugande, RSF Head Civil and Military Cooperation, highlighted that the support was provided as part of an effort to help promote education for students and to strengthen the collaboration between the Rwanda Security Force and local communities in Mozambique.
“This school is more than a building; rather a symbol of unity and cooperation that presents the enduring brotherhood and solidarity between the people of Rwanda and Mozambique. It presents shared commitment to peace, security and stability through unity, development and education,” remarked Lt Col Rwabugande.
He underscored that lasting peace goes beyond military operations and therefore requires empowering communities through the rebuilding of infrastructure, such as schools and markets, to secure a better future for all Mozambican people.
Tomás Badae, the Administrator of Macomia District, commended the rehabilitation of the school, noting that in previous years the school had not been in use because it had been damaged by terrorist activities. He therefore expressed appreciation to the Rwanda Security Forces for helping to restore confidence among the population.
He urged teachers, parents and students to take good care of the rehabilitated school.
The ceremony was attended by local administrative authorities from Macomia District, community members, teachers, students from this school, security forces, as well as members of the Rwanda Security Force.The school was handed over on March 9, 2026.The facilities were completed within three months and accommodate 150 pupils.Mozambican officials with representatives of RSF at the official inauguration.
The report shows that prices increased 0.9 percent in February compared with January 2026, indicating continued pressure on the cost of living as households face higher spending on key goods and services. On average, inflation stood at 7.4 percent over the past 12 months, reflecting a steady rise in consumer prices across the economy.
Several sectors recorded notable price increases over the past year. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, which constitute a large share of the consumer basket, rose by 12.3 percent, while restaurants and hotels registered a sharp 19.9 percent increase. Prices for alcoholic beverages and tobacco also climbed significantly, increasing by 18.3 percent, while transport costs rose by 8.6 percent.
Food prices, which account for a large share of household spending, increased more moderately compared with other sectors. The category of food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 4.6 percent annually, with bread and cereals increasing by 11.7 percent and meat by 9 percent, while vegetable prices recorded a smaller annual rise of 3.4 percent.
The report also points to sharp increases in the health sector, where prices surged by 71.1 percent over the past year, though the category represents a relatively small share of the consumer basket.
Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes volatile items such as fresh food and energy, rose by 9.6 percent year-on-year, suggesting that underlying price pressures remain. On a monthly basis, core inflation increased by 0.9 percent in February.
Energy prices also played a role in the rise in consumer costs, increasing by 20 percent annually and 2.6 percent compared with January, reflecting higher fuel and electricity expenses.
The CPI measures the average change over time in prices paid by households for a basket of goods and services. The index is calculated using data from more than 1,600 products collected monthly from markets, shops, hospitals and other service providers across the country.
Economists closely watch inflation trends as they influence purchasing power, household spending and policy decisions. In the month under review, the National Bank of Rwanda (NBR) raised its key interest rate by 50 basis points to 7.25 percent in a move aimed at curbing rising inflation.
Inflation in Rwanda increased to 8.9 percent in January 2026, up from 8.0 percent in December 2025, exceeding the Central Bank’s target range of 2–8 percent.
The rise, Central Bank Governor Soraya Hakuziyaremye said, was driven largely by higher energy costs, electricity tariffs, fuel prices, and supply constraints on fresh food, particularly vegetables affected by below-normal rainfall.
“The Monetary Policy Committee has decided to increase the Central Bank Rate to 7.25 percent to limit second-round effects of recent price increases and support a timely return of inflation to the target range,” she stated.
The latest report from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) shows that prices increased 0.9 percent in February compared with January 2026, indicating continued pressure on the cost of living as households face higher spending on key goods and services.
The chairperson said in a statement that he is closely following developments in the region, which are marked by “concerning incidents that are escalating tensions and undermining regional stability.”
He expressed deep concern over recent attacks on critical infrastructure, including energy and transport facilities, which further heightened tensions and is threatening regional and global economic stability.
Highlighting that such actions are disrupting vital supply chains and have far-reaching implications for international trade and energy markets, he condemned any violation of international law, including infringements on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
He called on all related parties to exercise maximum restraint, prioritize dialogue and diplomacy, and work toward a swift de-escalation of the situation, in accordance with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations.
“Rising oil prices and disruptions in trade routes are already affecting markets, including the export of perishables from Africa, while disruptions to airspace are impacting African airlines and travel connectivity,” Youssouf said.
He reiterated the 55-member continental organization’s commitment to international law, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and the preservation of international peace and security.
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has warned that military escalation in the Persian Gulf threatens regional and global economic stability.
Delivering Rwanda’s national statement on March 9, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Consolée Uwimana, said the country remains committed to strengthening women’s rights through inclusive policies, access to justice, and increased participation in governance.
Uwimana noted that access to justice plays a critical role in achieving gender equality and addressing structural barriers that affect women’s rights and dignity.
“In Rwanda, access to justice is understood not only as having access to courts, but more importantly, benefitting from policies and legal frameworks that are responsive to women’s realities,” she said.
The minister highlighted several initiatives Rwanda has implemented to promote the welfare and protection of women and girls. Among them are the Isange One Stop Centres, which provide comprehensive services to survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking.
The centres offer free and integrated support, including medical care, psychosocial assistance, legal aid, investigations, referrals to prosecution services, temporary shelter, and reintegration support for survivors.
Minister Uwimana also pointed to Rwanda’s strong record in women’s representation in leadership and governance.
Women currently hold 64 percent of seats in the Chamber of Deputies, 46 percent in the Senate, and 55 percent in the judiciary, making Rwanda one of the countries with the highest levels of women’s political representation globally.
Uwimana added that women are also increasingly visible in emerging sectors such as biotechnology, space science, and climate governance.
Beyond national borders, Rwanda has extended its efforts to support women and girls affected by conflict. The minister cited the relocation of a girls’ school from Afghanistan to Rwanda in 2021, which enabled the students to continue their education in a safe environment.
Concluding her remarks, Uwimana quoted Paul Kagame, who in his International Women’s Day message emphasised the role of women in Rwanda’s transformation.
“We celebrate the foundational role women continue to play in Rwanda’s transformation. Your ingenuity and leadership continue to affirm a simple truth: a nation can only truly progress when inclusion and equality are upheld in every sphere,” Kagame said.
The annual CSW session brings together government leaders, policymakers, and civil society representatives from around the world to review progress and accelerate action toward gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Consolée Uwimana, said Rwanda remains committed to strengthening women’s rights through inclusive policies, access to justice, and increased participation in governance.
