On this 5th of March, 2024, both the Democratic and Republican parties continued their primary elections to select their candidates for the Presidential election scheduled for November 5th.
The American news agency, Associated Press, announced that Biden, representing the Democrats, won in more than 10 states including Vermont, Virginia, Massachusetts, South Carolina, and Maine.
Trump also secured victories in these states except for Vermont, where he was defeated by Nikki Haley, his contender. This woman, who served as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, had previously defeated Trump in Washington D.C.
The Vice President of America, Kamala Harris, expressed her pleasure with the results from these primaries, interpreting them as a sign of Americans’ eagerness to vote for President Biden.
She stated, “Americans, from all walks of life, are showing that they want the elections to happen soon and are ready to support President Biden and me in this battle to protect our fundamental freedoms.”
While the results from the Republican side are yet to be fully disclosed, President Biden stated that Trump should not be elected to lead America again, suggesting that his leadership would regress the country.
He posed the question, “Are we going to continue our journey, or will we allow Donald Trump to drag us back into the chaos, division, and darkness that marked his presidency?”
Trump, speaking from his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida, declared this day significant, indicating that the primary results show he will be elected to lead America again.
This politician criticized Biden for not being fit to continue leading America, condemning his decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan and his failure to resolve the issue of migrants coming from Mexico.
The last election took place on November 3rd, 2020. Biden received 51.3% of the votes, Trump got 46.5%, but he did not accept the results, criticizing the use of technology in the process.
This was reported in a study by the health-focused publication, The Lancet.
The man himself bought the vaccines and was administered them over a period of 29 months, as reported by the BBC.
The research was conducted by scientists from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, who found that despite the large number of vaccinations, examinations did not show any adverse effects from them.
Dr. Kilian Schober, one of the researchers, mentioned that they became aware of the man’s excessive vaccination through a German newspaper.
This prompted them to conduct a study on him and an investigation by the Criminal Police to confirm whether the vaccinations were actually administered, which turned out to be the case.
The researchers aimed to understand how the body’s immune system reacts when a person receives such a high number of vaccinations.
Covid-19 vaccines typically use mRNA technology, which involves introducing a virus-like agent into the body. This prompts the body to build up immunity against the disease, ensuring that if the virus were to infect the person, the body would be prepared to fight it off.
The researchers were initially concerned that the excessive number of vaccines might have overwhelmed the man’s immune system.
However, their study found no evidence that the man’s immune response was compromised by the numerous vaccinations.
Despite these findings, the researchers concluded that the best way to protect against Covid-19 is to receive three vaccinations, as this is sufficient for the body to develop necessary immunity.
These Congolese citizens argue that Françoise altered her original name, ‘Yamuragiye Mureka,’ to facilitate her integration into the Congolese government.
They claim that Françoise Joly has no connection to their country and are calling for a collective effort to demand her removal from the position, citing her presence as problematic.
Florent Ntsiba, the Director of the President’s Office in Congo, released a statement condemning this campaign against Françoise. He clarified that the attacks she is facing are baseless.
Ntsiba highlighted Françoise’s effective performance as a foreign affairs advisor, noting her professionalism, loyalty, and dedication.
He stated, “This campaign conducted in the media, on social media, and in writings goes against the values of our country, which include inclusiveness, peace, and collaborative development.”
“The Presidential Office strongly denounces this disrespectful behavior towards our country. It condemns the published discriminatory nationality-based and hateful remarks targeting Ms. Joly, aimed at undermining the country’s highest authority.”
Françoise Joly has been serving as an advisor to President Nguesso since February 2021, with roots in both France and Rwanda.
The decision of the cabinet meeting was released on Tuesday, showing that the Russian Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs will oversee the implementation of the agreement.
The agreement outlines that both countries will cooperate in security forces training, including the use of ships or combat aircraft as requested and agreed upon, as reported by the TASS News Agency.
There have been reports of mercenaries in Congo, especially in the conflict the country is engaged in with M23, but it is not yet known if this includes Russians, particularly those from the Wagner Group.
Congo has been stating that it is building military strength in order to deal with security issues that have plagued it, largely due to poor governance and the presence of over 260 armed groups in the country.
He shared these insights on March 5, 2024, during his presentation to the Chamber of Deputies, addressing the issues faced in electricity production and distribution across the country.
Among the problems highlighted was the insufficiency of peat for achieving the power plant’s goal of generating 70 megawatts of electricity.
In 2023, the power plant faced a severe shortage of peat, leading to a grant of 5.84 billion Rwandan Francs from the Rwanda Energy Group (REG) to purchase diesel.
This was a temporary measure to sustain electricity production over five months due to the drastic reduction in peat availability.
Dr. Gasore informed the deputies that the discrepancy between the plant’s output and its potential capacity was due to limited peat extraction capabilities.
He emphasized that the planning for peat extraction by the project implementers was flawed.
Research has shown that the Rwabusoro swamp contains about 230 million cubic meters of peat, sufficient to generate 70 megawatts for 30 years.
However, the extraction rate is currently only 600 tons per day, while the requirement stands at 2,191 tons per day, equivalent to the load of 70 large trucks.
This shortfall has raised concerns among deputies about the plant’s inability to meet its 70-megawatt production target.
Deputy Niyorurema Jean Rene questioned the unforeseen challenges that arose during the feasibility study and the initiation of the plant, pondering, “What unexpected issues arose? When they started, didn’t they realize the need for these two thousand tons?”
He sought clarification on whether the problem was due to budget constraints or the technical capacity to extract peat.
Minister Gasore acknowledged the multitude of challenges in harnessing electricity from peat, including the technical and logistical demands required to secure the necessary volumes.
He pointed out the Gisagara plant, which needs 70 large trucks capable of transporting 30 tons of peat each day to meet its electricity production requirements. Furthermore, he highlighted climate change as a key obstacle, with increased rainfall leading to frequent flooding of the peat excavation sites.
Despite the construction of a three-meter-high barrier along River Akanyaru in 2012, intended to prevent floodwaters from spreading into the peat mining area, this solution has not been effective.
Dr. Gasore stated, “The solution was to build a three-meter-high wall to keep the water in the river and prevent it from spreading into the peat mining area, and although this was done, it has not provided a satisfactory solution.”
In response to the peat shortage, discussions are ongoing between government agencies and the investor to explore possible solutions, including accepting a reduced output of 30 megawatts in the interim.
This arrangement would allow payments to facilitate further investments in peat extraction efforts. This strategy aims to eventually achieve the 70-megawatt goal.
Presently, the plant has seen an increase in its electricity production, attributed to the enhancement of the peat extraction machinery.
From producing 47.749 million kWh in 2021/2022, the plant has increased its output to 78.423 million kWh in 2023/2024, marking a 64% increase.
The agreement in form of concessional loan marks a pivotal step towards driving digital transformation within education, enhancing operational efficiency across primary and secondary levels, and fostering an enriched learning environment within technical colleges. The overarching objective is to ensure equitable access to quality education for all.
Commenting on the development, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana said: “The Government places paramount importance on a robust education sector, recognizing it as a fundamental catalyst for Rwanda’s future development endeavors. This financing agreement exemplifies the bilateral cooperation between Japan and Rwanda, aligned with Rwanda’s development vision”.
Isao Fukushima, the Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda highlighted that the development policy loan is unprecedented in its scale.
He explained that Japan has led human-centered development cooperation based upon the philosophy of “Human Security” with a belief that education is not only the foundation of economic development of a country, but also essential for individuals to live in dignity as human beings.
“It is the very reason why we must ensure equal access to education for all the people, regardless of where they live in the world. I sincerely hope that this loan will further create a synergy effect with the other projects, contributing to making Rwanda a country where all people have access to quality education,” noted Amb. Fukushima.
It is the Japan’s hope that this loan will commit to addressing the gaps in educational opportunity between those rich and poor, or those living in Kigali and rural areas.
Bilateral cooperation between Japan and Rwanda has among others supported the Water and Sanitation, Agriculture, Energy, Transport and Education sectors mainly through JICA.
Teacher knowledge and skills play a significant role in improving student outcomes in schools, and the Rwandan education authorities have outlined various strategies to enhance the abilities of teachers currently employed.
The report details planned programs for improving the quality of education that Rwanda will undertake with various partners from 2023 to 2027. It indicates that one in three new teachers entering the profession lacks the capacity to teach foundational literacy and numeracy skills, including reading, writing, and arithmetic.
A World Bank report from 2018 highlighted the critical need for English language training for teachers, noting that only 38% of those teaching from the first to the third grade had sufficient English proficiency.
A document published by the Ministry of Education on February 26, 2024, states that “Only 4% of the existing teaching staff have intermediate to advanced knowledge of English, which is the language used for teaching.”
The Ministry of Education notes that among the planned initiatives are those aimed at improving teacher skills, particularly in knowledge and in the English language.
Many are trained in English
In 2008, a decision was made to change the language of instruction from French to English.
In 2011, teaching in English was confirmed to start from the fourth grade of primary school, with the first three years being taught in Kinyarwanda. However, this changed again in 2019, reinstating the program to teach in English from the first year of primary school.
Since the initiation of this program, there have been efforts to train teachers in the English language as a way to improve the quality of education.
For instance, in July 2020, UNICEF provided MINEDUC with a grant to implement education programs, including $2 million dedicated to teacher training in curriculum areas focusing on teaching and speaking English well, and on inclusive education, which will continue until June 2024.
Additionally, in 2015, the UK provided £88.1 million in aid aimed at improving the teaching of English and mathematics in all grades of primary schools until 2023.
In the public schools, particularly those in rural areas, the challenge of speaking English among both students and teachers remains significant. However, analysis conducted by the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA) shows an increase in the passing rates of students in national examinations.
The statistics reveal that in 2019, the passing rate for primary school students in the national examination was 78.42%, which increased to 92.14% in 2022. However, there was a slight decline in the passing rate in 2022, dropping to 90.65%.
To address these challenges, there are ongoing teacher training programs for those currently in service, alongside efforts to enhance teacher training institutions and make them more accessible. This aims to ensure schools have staff with the desired capabilities.
On March 4, 2024, a report was released showing credible reasons to suspect Hamas fighters of raping Israeli citizens. The Israeli government requested Guterres to schedule a United Nations Security Council meeting to address the issue.
The report was issued by a UN delegation led by Pramila Patten, which was sent to Israel and the West Bank to investigate the events of the attack. The mission started on January 28 and concluded on February 14, 2024.
Pramila explained that her team could not meet with victims or directly communicate with them, but instead gathered information from Israeli state institutions, eyewitnesses, and individuals who had been held captive by Hamas fighters.
The team also discovered bodies, primarily of women who were naked, tied up, and had gunshot wounds.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, announced that the refusal to convene a UN Security Council meeting to discuss the report implies the Secretary-General’s silence, leading to Ambassador Erdan being recalled.
As reported by the Jerusalem Post, Minister Katz stated, “I have asked Ambassador Erdan to return to Israel for urgent consultations on the silence over the UN report, which shows numerous instances of rape by Hamas terrorists on October 7.”
He further criticized the Secretary-General for not calling for a Security Council meeting to review the report’s findings, which would acknowledge Hamas as a terrorist organization, impose sanctions on its supporters, and assert authority over the matter.
UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric responded that the Secretary-General was not silent but supported the work done by Patten’s team.
The Israeli government claims that in the attack on October 7, Hamas fighters killed 1,200 people and took 253 prisoners.
This leading global event for the tourism industry annually attracts over 10,000 exhibitors and sees attendance exceeding 160,000 visitors.
The exhibition serves as a platform for various tourism stakeholders, including hotels, tour operators, and representatives from institutions dedicated to the sector’s growth in their respective countries.
This year, Rwanda’s delegation is led by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), alongside a diverse group of exhibitors.
Notable Rwandan companies at the fair include Wilderness Rwanda, Wanderlux Safaris, Wolf DMC, Kingfisher Journeys, Primate Safaris LTD, Akagera Aviation, RwandAir, African Parks, Mythos Boutique Hotel, among others.
The RDB is poised to engage in several meetings during the event, aimed at bolstering Rwanda’s tourism on the international stage.
In a conversation with IGIHE, RDB’s Chief Tourism Officer, Michaella Rugwizangoga, highlighted Rwanda’s consistent participation since 2000, underlining the substantial benefits derived from the exhibition.
“This year, RDB, along with 21 partner companies, is showcasing Rwanda’s tourism offerings. Our ongoing presence since 2000 has been instrumental in discussions with leading tourism entities, reinforcing Rwanda’s status as a premier destination for luxury tourism,” she explained.
Rugwizangoga also noted that one of the key opportunities for Rwanda at this year’s fair is the chance for RDB representatives to connect with high-level tourists from Germany, further promoting Rwanda’s tourism potential.
This projection was disclosed by Chinese Premier Li Qiang during the presentation of a government work report at the inaugural session of the second phase of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), which convened at the Great Hall of the People on Tuesday morning.
Nearly 3,000 delegates from across the nation gathered in Beijing for the week-long assembly.
China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) surged by 5.2% year-on-year in 2023, surpassing the annual target of about 5 percent, reaching a record of 126.06 trillion yuan (approximately 17.71 trillion US dollars) last year.
With a population of 1.4 billion, the country maintained an average surveyed unemployment rate of 5.2 percent in 2023, down 0.4 percentage points from 2022.
During the presentation of this report, Premier Li highlighted the nation’s advancements across various developmental spheres, emphasizing a seamless transition in epidemic management post a decisive victory in the battle against Covid-19.
He underscored the accomplishment of main developmental goals and tasks in 2023, citing steady progress in the pursuit of high-quality development, sustained social stability, and significant strides towards building a comprehensively modern socialist state.
Industries witnessed accelerated transformation, with strategic emerging sectors experiencing robust growth, laying the groundwork for future industry development. Advanced manufacturing integrated further with modern services, resulting in notable innovations across major sectors.
Premier Li also noted substantial progress in establishing a network of national laboratories and achieving breakthroughs in core technologies across key domains.
Reflecting on the challenges faced in 2023, Li acknowledged the economy’s undulating growth trajectory amidst various difficulties. Nevertheless, he affirmed the nation’s successful attainment of developmental targets, underlining a deeper comprehension of economic principles in the new era and the acquisition of valuable experience in overcoming obstacles.
He attributed these achievements to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the steadfast leadership of the Party Central Committee, led by Comrade Xi Jinping.
Looking ahead to 2024, Premier Li outlined key targets, including approximately 5 percent GDP growth, the creation of over 12 million new urban jobs, a surveyed urban unemployment rate of around 5.5 percent, a CPI increase of about 3 percent, and equitable growth in personal income.
Other objectives encompassed maintaining balance in the balance of payments, achieving a grain output of over 650 million metric tons, reducing energy consumption per unit of GDP by around 2.5 percent, and continued environmental enhancements.
Li emphasized that these targets were formulated considering domestic and international dynamics, feasibility, and the imperative of bolstering employment and incomes while mitigating risks.
However, he cautioned that attaining this year’s targets would pose challenges, stressing the necessity for sustained policy focus, enhanced efforts, and unified action.
Speaking at a press conference following the opening session, Mr. Huang Shouhong, head of the government work report drafting team and Director of the State Council Research Office, affirmed that the report comprehensively reflects public concerns.
He disclosed extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders to assess the applicability of recommendations.
Regarding the 5 percent GDP growth target, Huang emphasized considerations of local context and feasibility.
Meanwhile, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee convened its annual session on Monday, with over 2,000 national political advisors gathering at the Great Hall of the People. Party and state leaders reviewed and endorsed the session’s agenda during the opening meeting.
