These sea creatures, known for their ability to change color and move quickly, have long puzzled scientists.
Their evolution has been difficult to trace because they leave behind very few fossils and have complex genetic structures. However, a recent study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution is now shedding light on their origins.
Researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology combined large genetic datasets with newly sequenced squid genomes.
This allowed them to build the most complete evolutionary tree of squid and cuttlefish to date. Their findings show that these animals likely began in the deep ocean millions of years ago.
Around 66 million years ago, Earth experienced a major extinction event that wiped out about 75% of all species, including the dinosaurs.
Surprisingly, squid ancestors survived. Scientists believe they found refuge in deep, oxygen-rich parts of the ocean, where conditions were more stable compared to shallow waters affected by acidification.
After the planet recovered, squid and cuttlefish began to spread into new environments such as coral reefs and coastal areas. The study describes this process as a “long fuse” evolution, where species change slowly for a long time, then suddenly diversify rapidly when conditions improve.
Today, squid and cuttlefish are among the most diverse and intelligent marine animals. This research not only explains their survival but also opens the door to understanding their unique features, from camouflage abilities to complex behavior.
Photo of a common cuttlefish (Sepia sp.) Credit: Keishu Asada
In Rwandan society, Amasunzu was more than a hairstyle, it was a symbol of status. Those who adorned it were often members of the elite, including warriors, leaders, and prominent figures. The hairstyle conveyed strength, prestige, and influence, and was especially prevalent among the ruling class and military elites.
Historically, Amasunzu functioned as a visual marker of power and distinction. Its unique design allowed the wearer’s social rank to be recognized instantly. The style was both a personal statement and a reflection of Rwanda’s cultural values.
Over time, however, the tradition declined as modern hairstyles and changing cultural trends gained popularity. Despite this, Amasunzu experienced a resurgence in 2018 when Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o sported the style at the Academy Awards.
Her appearance drew global attention to the elegance and cultural significance of Amasunzu, sparking renewed interest in traditional African hairstyles. Nyong’o’s choice bridged contemporary fashion with African heritage, inspiring many to embrace the style as a celebration of cultural identity.
Today, visitors interested in exploring the history of Amasunzu and other Rwandan cultural practices can visit the King’s Palace and the Ethnographic Museum.
The King’s Palace offers insight into the royal traditions of Rwanda, where Amasunzu was once a common sight among nobility. The Ethnographic Museum provides a broader perspective on Rwanda’s cultural diversity, showcasing hairstyles, clothing, and other traditions that have shaped national identity.
Today, Amasunzu remains a vital part of Rwanda’s heritage, a symbol of strength, nobility, and identity connecting the past with the present. Its revival reflects a broader movement to preserve and celebrate traditional African customs in modern life.
From the past to the present, Amasunzu is a mark of strength and nobility.A traditional hairstyle once worn by both men and women, symbolizing power, prestige, and cultural pride.Amasunzu, once fading over time, made a powerful comeback in 2018 when Lupita Nyong’o wore it on the Oscars red carpetLupita Nyong’o revived the traditional Amasunzu hairstyle at the 2018 Oscars.
Unlike conventional lasers, which amplify light particles (photons), the new device generates and controls phonons quantized particles of vibrational energy that behave like sound.
By manipulating these phonons, researchers have built a tool that can detect extremely subtle shifts in gravitational forces.
The research was conducted by physicists who are exploring how quantum technologies can improve measurement precision beyond what is possible with current instruments.
Their phonon laser prototype is designed to respond to tiny changes in environmental conditions, including variations in gravitational pull.
Because gravity subtly affects how vibrations behave in a solid medium, the phonon laser could potentially function as an ultra‑sensitive gravity sensor.
One of the most exciting aspects of this innovation is its potential use in navigation systems that do not rely on GPS. For example, submarines, aircraft, and spacecraft operating in environments where satellite signals are weak or unavailable could use phonon lasers to track their position by detecting local gravitational changes.
In addition, this technology may help physicists explore phenomena such as gravitational anomalies and contribute to experiments at the frontier between quantum mechanics and gravity two foundational yet currently incompatible frameworks of physics.
While the phonon laser is still in early development, its proof‑of‑concept success suggests a future where precision measurement tools are dramatically more sensitive and adaptable than traditional devices.
The study highlights how harnessing vibrational energy at the quantum level could lead to new ways of observing and interacting with the physical world.
This new “phonon laser” could measure gravity more precisely than ever before.
Following the success of his recent concert in Kigali, Alex Dusabe will continue the celebration in Europe, where he is scheduled to perform on April 4, 2026, alongside artists including Tracy and her husband René Patrick.
Initially, it was announced that the concert would be organized by Team Production, but due to some disagreements, Alex Dusabe ended up organizing the event with a team of collaborators in Belgium.
For those wishing to attend, tickets are priced at €25 (approximately 40,000 Rwandan Francs), while those who wish to support the event can purchase tickets for €50 (approximately 80,000 Rwandan Francs).
The concert will take place at Rue Birmingham 54, Brussels, and it will follow his performance in Kigali, which took place at Camp Kigali on December 14, 2025.
Discussing the concert and his prior performance in Kigali, Alex Dusabe revealed that he named the event after his first song, ‘Umuyoboro,’ which he released in 2000.
“This concert is a celebration of the 25 years I’ve spent in music, as I released my first song, ‘Umuyoboro,’ in 2000, and that’s why I’ve named the concert after it,” he said.
In addition to ‘Umuyoboro,’ Alex Dusabe has released other popular songs, including ‘Mfite Umukunzi,’ ‘Kuki Turira,’ and many others.
Alex Dusabe is set to celebrate 25 years in music in Brussels.
Unlike traditional materials that simply conduct electricity, these perovskite crystals physically bend in response to light, a behavior that can be reversed once the light is removed. This discovery opens the door to developing new light-controlled devices and sensors.
The team, led by graduate student Mansha Dubey, found that the intensity and color of light used could precisely control the shape change of the crystals.
The crystals undergo a shift in their internal structure when illuminated, and this effect, called photostriction, can be repeated many times. The ability to fine-tune the amount of bending with light could lead to innovations in smart materials that respond dynamically to external stimuli.
This breakthrough is significant because it allows for light to manipulate the physical properties of materials, unlike traditional semiconductors.
These materials could be used in future optical sensors, actuators, and even light-powered computing devices, offering more efficient and flexible alternatives to current technologies.
Perovskite crystals are already used in solar cells and optoelectronics due to their cost-effectiveness. Now, their ability to change shape with light adds an entirely new dimension to their potential applications.
The findings could have far-reaching impacts on the development of light-driven technologies and next-generation computing systems, where light replaces electricity in manipulating materials.
The research was supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the National Science Foundation and marks an exciting advancement in materials science.
Smart crystals change shape with light, offering new possibilities for technology.
The Burundian coach joins from Kiyovu Sports FC, where he delivered impressive performances this season despite the club facing financial difficulties.
With only a few months remaining on his contract, Haringingo makes the switch following Rayon Sports’ decision to part ways with Bruno Ferry, who was dismissed after just three months in charge.
Rayon Sports’ leadership has set clear ambitions of winning the league title, last secured in 2019 or lifting at least one domestic trophy this season.
The team is currently preparing for the resumption of the Rwanda Premier League, with a Matchday 26 fixture against Gicumbi FC scheduled for Saturday at 6:00 PM at Kigali Pelé Stadium.
Haringingo previously coached Rayon Sports in 2023, when he led the club to victory in the Rwandan Peace Cup. He takes over a side currently sitting fourth in the league standings with 42 points.
Francis Haringingo Christian has rejoined Rayon Sports FC as head coach. Haringingo previously coached Rayon Sports in 2023, when he led the club to victory in the Rwandan Peace Cup.
The Government of Rwanda introduced the workplace learning programme, known as Dual TVET, in 2019. It was designed to help students in technical and vocational education gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in the workplace.
The programme initially started in six TVET schools in the Western Province before expanding to 16 schools across Kigali and other provinces.
It has produced strong results, with 76% of graduates securing jobs within six months of completing their studies.
In addition, an evaluation conducted on Dual TVET graduates from the 2022/2023 academic year showed that 95.7% of them had already found employment.
The programme differs from traditional internships, as each term includes a period during which students are required to train in companies and institutions related to their fields of study.
Mpanda TSS has more than 600 students, of whom 85 are enrolled in the Dual TVET programme this academic year. They are studying in three departments: carpentry, fashion design, and culinary arts.
Students and teachers told IGIHE that the programme’s impact is remarkable, as it equips learners with complete, practical skills, allowing them to graduate fully prepared to perform their jobs without needing additional adjustment between school and the workplace.
Divine Gasaro, a fourth-year student in culinary arts, said: “Now I have fully understood how to serve food, and even in preparation I have learned how to properly use spices before cooking. I can now provide good service because during workplace learning we interacted with clients and learned how to handle them in a way that satisfies them.”
Daniel Mugisha, a fourth-year carpentry student, said:“During workplace learning, it is all about working because we go from Monday to Friday. It is very different from studying at school, where sometimes there are limited materials and practical sessions are allocated only a few hours. Workplace learning is what really shows that you have mastered what you studied.”
The students also expressed strong confidence in securing jobs after graduation, as they already feel experienced due to combining studies with real work.
Latifa Akimana, who teaches hospitality in the culinary department, emphasized that the previous system, where students mainly learned theory before going for internships, did not produce sufficient results.
“Previously, a student would finish school but then have to start learning again once they got a job. Now they graduate already having enough skills. They understand what they are getting into. As teachers, our role is to work with the companies that train them so that students are exposed to what is outlined in the curriculum,” she said.
The head teacher of Mpanda TSS, Gilbert Ndangamira, noted that at the beginning, some private companies did not fully understand the programme, but this challenge has gradually been resolved, and the school now partners with 12 companies.
“There was initially a challenge where staff in those companies who were guiding students did not have teaching skills. However, the Rwanda TVET Board has supported us by providing them with training so they can effectively deliver learning,” he noted.
Marie Grâce Munderere, founder of Light and Moriah Company, a carpentry firm based in Muhanga furniture workshop, said hosting students for workplace learning benefits both sides.
“We contribute to training future workers by giving them the skills needed in the job. When we need an employee, we often recruit from those who trained with us or connect them with others looking for workers because we already know their capabilities,” she stated.
Students studying tailoring reportedly secure jobs immediately after graduation.Students studying tailoring secure jobs shortly after graduation.These garments are made by the students.Culinary students at Mpanda TSS say the hands-on training helps them understand their work better and improves their job prospects upon graduation.Mugisha Daniel, a fourth-year carpentry student, noted that he has learned to make beds, stools, and other furnitureDivine Gasaro, a fourth-year student in culinary arts also highlighted acquired competencies through workplace learning.Akimana Latifa, a hospitality instructor at Mpanda TSS, highlighted that the work-based learning approach produces tangible outcomes. Mpanda TSS head teacher, Ndangamira Gilbert, explained that initially some private companies were hesitant about work-based learning, but now more than 10 firms are actively participating.Munderere Marie Grâce, founder of Light and Moriah Company in Muhanga, emphasized that hosting students for practical training benefits both the company and the learners.The work-based learning program continues to deliver strong results.
This alarming decline affects hundreds of species that depend on connected waterways to reach feeding grounds, breeding areas, and nursery habitats across continents.
Scientists say this collapse of freshwater migrations is one of the most severe biodiversity losses on Earth and highlights the urgent need for coordinated conservation efforts.
According to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), migratory freshwater fish once moved freely along long river systems such as the Amazon, Nile, Mekong, Danube, and La Plata‑Paraná.
But today, dams, habitat fragmentation, pollution, overfishing, and changes in water flows have cut off these pathways. As a result, many species can no longer complete their life cycles, which has led to dramatic population declines.
The report found that 325 migratory freshwater fish species now require international protection, though only a few are currently listed under global conservation agreements.
Of those already evaluated, 97% are threatened with extinction, underscoring how quickly the crisis is unfolding. Experts stress that managing rivers as connected ecosystems rather than treating them as separate national waterways is crucial to slowing or reversing declines.
Lead author Dr. Zeb Hogan highlighted that “many of the world’s great wildlife migrations take place underwater,” and their loss is “a sign of rapidly deteriorating freshwater environments.”
The CMS and conservation partners are calling for transboundary cooperation to restore river connectivity, protect migration corridors, and implement basin‑wide strategies to support both aquatic life and human communities that depend on these fish for food and livelihoods.
Freshwater fish populations has declined by 81% as river migrations are disrupted.
Solar activity, especially intense flares, can disrupt Earth’s ionosphere, a layer of charged particles high above the surface.
The researchers developed a theoretical model showing that when solar flares increase the number of electrons in the ionosphere, they can create strong electrostatic forces that travel downward through a kind of electrical coupling between the ionosphere and fractured rock deep in the Earth’s crust.
These forces, while subtle, might be enough to push a critically stressed fault a little further toward slipping especially if it was already near rupture.
Importantly, the team doesn’t claim that solar storms cause earthquakes outright. Earthquakes are complex and usually result from stresses building inside tectonic plates over years or decades.
Instead, the researchers suggest that space weather could act as an additional factor in some cases, potentially influencing when a rupture happens on a fault that’s already close to breaking.
The model also connects this theory to observations where unusual ionospheric behavior has been seen before major quakes.
The scientists plan to combine detailed space weather data and high‑resolution measurements of the ionosphere in future studies to better understand if and how solar activity might meaningfully interact with geological processes underground.
This research opens a new perspective on how phenomena in space could subtly affect conditions on Earth, reminding us that our planet is part of a much larger, dynamic system stretching all the way to the Sun.
New research suggests solar storms may influence earthquake timing.
The singer shared that the concert will take place at Kampala Serena Hotel on November 8, 2026.
The upcoming show will be his 12th since he began organizing his own concerts in 2012, when he first performed at Sheraton Hotel. Over the years, he has steadily built a growing audience through his performances and releases.
Born in Uganda to Rwandan parents, Levixone maintains close ties to Rwanda, where he also has an extended family. His recent stay in Kigali reflects his continued connection to the country alongside his music career.
He began making music at the age of 13 and rose to prominence while still in secondary school after releasing his breakthrough song Noonya, which gained widespread popularity in Uganda despite not having a music video at the time.
Since then, he has released a number of well-received songs, establishing himself as a notable figure in Uganda’s music scene.
In recent weeks, Levixone has also drawn public attention following his marriage to Desire Luzinda, a prominent personality in Uganda’s entertainment industry.
