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Vehicle emissions contribute heavily to air pollution in Rwanda, accounting for about 40% of pollutants, according to the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA). To address this, Auto24, known for promoting eco-friendly vehicles, partnered with Kimu Transport to provide hybrid cars, with payment arranged in instalments.

Ivan Ruzibiza, Country Manager at Auto24, said the partnership was driven by a shared commitment to supporting the government’s policy to reduce polluting vehicles.

“We partnered with Kimu Transport because they share our mission to promote the use of electric and hybrid vehicles in Rwanda, in line with the government’s vision,” Ruzibiza said.

He added that the vehicles delivered are part of the first phase, with plans to supply fully electric vehicles in the next phase. The hybrid models are expected to reduce fuel consumption, saving money for drivers.

“Typically, a passenger car consumes about 10 to 12 litres of petrol, but these Toyota vehicles will use only 4 to 5 litres. This allows drivers to save money, which they can reinvest in improving their livelihoods and supporting their families,” Ruzibiza explained.

Jean Pierre Nkunziryayo, CEO of Kimu Transport, welcomed the partnership, highlighting both financial and environmental benefits.

“We are delighted to receive these vehicles that align with the government’s push for cleaner transport and will also help us reduce fuel costs,” Nkunziryayo said.

The vehicles provided are Toyota Corolla Levin Plug-in Hybrids. The World Health Organisation (WHO) notes that air pollution poses significant health risks, particularly to pregnant women, children, and people with chronic illnesses, and is linked to lung cancer, heart disease, asthma, and other respiratory conditions.

Kimu Transport drivers expressed enthusiasm about operating the new hybrid vehicles. The handover ceremony also included an exchange of gifts between both parties.

The ruling is a significant setback for Google, which had asked the court to block orders stemming from its high-stakes antitrust battle with Fortnite maker Epic Games.

The case began in 2020 when Epic accused Google of abusing its dominant position in the mobile app market by forcing developers to use Google’s in-app payment system, which charges commissions of up to 30 percent, and by restricting the distribution of apps outside the Play Store.

In 2023, a U.S. jury sided with Epic, finding that Google’s practices were anti-competitive. U.S. District Judge James Donato later issued a sweeping injunction aimed at opening Android’s app ecosystem to more competition.

Under the new rules, developers will be allowed to offer direct payment options within their apps, bypassing Google’s in-app billing system. Google will also have to make it easier for users to download apps and updates from alternative app stores or directly from developers.

Some of these changes, including enabling external payment links, could take effect within weeks, while more structural reforms, such as full access for rival app stores, are expected to roll out by July 2026.

Google expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court’s decision, warning it could compromise the security of Android users.

“We remain concerned that these changes could create significant risks for consumers, including exposure to malware and scams,” Google said in a statement. Epic Games, however, welcomed the decision.

“This is a step toward a fairer, more competitive mobile ecosystem,” the company said, adding that developers will now have greater freedom to reach users and offer cheaper payment solutions.

The decision could set a precedent for tech giants as regulators worldwide push for fairer digital markets. It mirrors similar moves in Europe, where the Digital Markets Act has compelled Apple to loosen restrictions on iOS app distribution.

For millions of Android users and developers, the ruling promises more choice, potentially lower app prices, and faster innovation, though Google warns of potential trade-offs in safety and reliability.

In a petition delivered by Dr Ladislas Prosper Agbesi, Chairman of Pan African Business Forum(PABF) to the President of the Assembly of States Parties, Ambassador Paivi Kaukoranta in the hague PABF noted it had “profound concerns” regarding the ongoing external investigation into Prosecutor Karim Khan KC arguing that the Court’s credibility, however, is now under strain.

A statement released earlier this year from the ICC stated that Karim Khan will be on leave until the conclusion of an external inquiry into an alleged complaint of sexual abuse filed against him, which started late last year. In his absence, his deputy prosecutors will oversee the office.

However, the PABF Pan-African Business Forum is raising concerns with ongoing as external process as it argues the process lacks fairness.

“We have recently been sent evidence from a whistle-blower indicating that members of the Bureau have been compromised in this process”.

The petition steted while expressing dismay at the intense lobbying for succession by a Ugandan diplomat resulting in an inappropriate contact with the complainant at the centre of the allegations.

“Most disturbingly” the group say the recording evidence in their possession shows that the said Ambassador lobbying for the positon has pre-determined position against Mr. Khan.

Also, to the group noted that recent developments in the investigation process risk undermining not only the integrity of the Court but also wider confidence in multilateral institutions at a time of global instability.

It added that as a continental body that champions good governance, the rule of law, and the stability on which Africa’s economic development depends, the PABF have long regarded the International Criminal Court as an institution essential to international justice hence the need for what it describes as “major concerns” ought to be addressed.

In the immediate term PABF called for a suspension of the ongoing external investigation in order to pave way for the group’s request for an independent verification that will unravel the items it had pointed out in their petition in order to bring closure to the matter.

The insisted that the investigation should also determine whether individuals connected to the process, including report that the complainants have had any direct or indirect contact with members of the ICC Bureau, and, if so, establish both the nature and the substance of that contact”.

In addition, the group says it wants a transparent assessment of whether the President or any of the Vice-Presidents have been influenced by similar prejudicial lobbying, compromising your ability to discharge your responsibilities impartially”.

While addressing these immediate concerns the Pan African group says issues such as Improper Disclosure, Disparaging External Commentary, Sanctions and Intimidation and Irregular Process against Mr. Khan ought to be given critical attention.

The group assured that it stands ready to support the Court in its mission to uphold due process and equality before the law.

The attack on Al-Zurq market has drawn sharp condemnation across Sudan and renewed questions about the widening use of foreign-supplied weapons in the country’s war.

Eyewitnesses said the strike hit the market at its busiest hour. when vendors and shoppers from across the state had gathered.

Survivors described the assault as targeted and racially motivated, deepening fears in a region scarred by years of ethnic violence.

Sudanese groups including the United Civil Forces Alliance (Qimam), the National Human Rights Observatory, and the Foundational Sudan Alliance (Ta’sis) condemned the attack.

They said Turkish-made Akıncı drones, produced by Baykar, were used. All three organizations demanded accountability for those behind the strike.

The Sudanese army has relied on drone warfare in Darfur and Kordofan. It denies hitting civilian areas. Yet marketplaces, hospitals, and homes have been repeatedly bombed.

The gap between official statements and civilian suffering continues to widen.

The groups went further, pledging to hold not only Sudanese commanders but also Baykar itself responsible.

They cited company executives Haluk and Selçuk Bayraktar by name, reflecting growing pressure on international arms suppliers linked to the war.

The Washington Post reported earlier this year that Baykar secretly delivered at least $120 million worth of drones and missiles to Sudan in 2024.

Evidence included text messages, recordings, and financial documents. The shipments, according to the report, were supervised directly inside Sudan.

This strike follows a legal push at the International Criminal Court.

The Sudanese Rights Alliance filed a case last week, accusing senior army commanders of war crimes. Rights groups say aerial strikes on civilian areas fit a consistent pattern of abuses.

Western powers have already responded with sanctions. The United States targeted Sudan’s army, the Islamist Al-Baraa Ibn Malik Battalion, and Finance Minister Jibril Ibrahim. The European Union sanctioned the Sudanese Air Force and extended the measures through 2026.

For civilians in Darfur, these actions have yet to change daily reality. The war, which erupted in April 2023, continues to devastate communities.

Each strike, like the one on Al-Zurq, reinforces the sense of abandonment among survivors.

The attack is not an isolated event. It is another chapter in a conflict that has systematically eroded civilian life.

Markets, homes, and hospitals are now recurring battlegrounds, leaving little space untouched by violence.

The cooperation pact was signed in Jakarta, Indonesian between Inspector General of Police (IGP), Felix Namuhoranye and General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, the Indonesian Chief of Police.

The signing ceremony was also witnessed by Rwanda’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Sheikh Abdul Karim Harerimana.

The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration in combating transnational organized crime, sharing information and expertise, training, and other capacity-building programmes aimed at enhancing policing capabilities between the two countries.

The partnership marks a significant step in bilateral relations between the two law enforcement institutions and reflects the growing commitment by both countries to strengthen international police cooperation in addressing evolving security challenges through joint efforts and knowledge exchange.

IGP Namuhoranye, who is on a four-day visit to Indonesia at the invitation of his host, also toured the Indonesian Police College, where he interacted with over 300 commissioned officers attending various courses.

The engagement provided an opportunity to share experiences and explore avenues for future cooperation in police education and professional development.

The agreement was signed between the Government of Rwanda and the Federal Republic of Germany, represented by the German Development Bank (KfW). The funds will be channelled through the Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA), which oversees the implementation of social protection and community development programs nationwide.

Officials said the support will directly reinforce Rwanda’s flagship Vision Umurenge Program (VUP), a cornerstone of the national strategy to accelerate the graduation of vulnerable households from poverty.

“This grant from the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW is a re-affirmation of our shared commitment and partnership to invest in the well-being of the people of Rwanda,” said Yusuf Murangwa, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, during the signing ceremony.

German Ambassador to Rwanda, Heike Uta Dettmann, underscored the significance of the partnership, noting that social protection has immediate and lasting effects.

“Rwanda has shown that investing in its population leads to a meaningful reduction in poverty. Social protection has an immediate impact on the most vulnerable, and the project signed today is a joint step toward this goal,” she said.

The grant is expected to strengthen key components of Rwanda’s social protection framework, with a focus on poverty alleviation, community development, and building resilience against social and economic vulnerabilities.

Both governments highlighted the agreement as a reflection of their shared commitment to advancing sustainable development and inclusive growth for all Rwandans.