The Taiwanese government has suspended the operation of the Chinese social media platform RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu, for a period of one year. Authorities said the decision follows investigations into widespread commercial fraud linked to the platform. Millions lost through illegal online activities Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau reported that it recorded more than 1,700…
Meta has announced plans to acquire Manus, a Chinese artificial intelligence company headquartered in Singapore, as part of its strategy to expand AI use across its platforms. Although Meta has not officially disclosed the terms of the deal, sources familiar with the matter estimate its value at between $2 billion and $3 billion. The acquisition…
Research from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that over 800,000 Europeans die each year due to excessive alcohol consumption. Europe has the highest rates of heavy drinking compared to other continents. Causes of Alcohol-Related Deaths Excessive alcohol use contributes to a growing number of deaths annually. In 2019, more than 145,000 Europeans died from…
The United States has promised to guarantee Ukraine’s security for the next 15 years, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced. The pledge followed high-level talks between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump. The discussions were held on December 28, 2025, and focused on ending the war between Ukraine and Russia. Zelensky described the talks as…
A new cultural heritage report has revealed that 71 percent of Rwandans do not visit national museums, raising concerns about public engagement with the country’s history and heritage. The study was conducted by Inteko y’Umuco, Rwanda’s National Council for Culture. It assessed public awareness, access, and participation in cultural heritage activities across the country. Low…
A total of 890 school leaders in Rwanda have been removed from their management positions after failing a nationwide performance evaluation, and have been reassigned to teaching roles, education authorities have confirmed. The assessment covered 5,277 leaders from public and government-aided primary and secondary schools, including head teachers, deputy head teachers in charge of academics,…
Rwanda’s youth have emerged as the leading group promoting a culture of reading, with 77 percent actively engaging in book reading, according to a new survey by the National Culture Council. The findings were released on Monday, December 22, 2025, during an exhibition organized by the National Library of Rwanda, which showcased services and data…
The AFC/M23 alliance, which opposes the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has accused Burundian security forces of beating and killing Congolese refugees who are attempting to return home from Burundi. According to the group, refugees who fled violence in eastern DRC and are now living in Burundi face violence, intimidation, and severe…
Residents of Goma city and surrounding areas in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have staged protests opposing the withdrawal of AFC/M23 fighters from the town of Uvira. The demonstrations took place on the morning of December 22, 2025, drawing large crowds of civilians expressing frustration over continued instability and insecurity in the region. Protesters…
Michaela Benthaus, a German national, has made history by becoming the first person who uses a wheelchair to travel to space. Benthaus’s journey to space comes seven years after a life-changing accident during a motorcycle race, in which she suffered a severe spinal cord injury that left her unable to walk. Despite the setback, Benthaus…
