Category: Business

Technology experts say SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, has begun providing free Starlink satellite internet in Iran. The move comes as Iranian authorities face accusations of violently suppressing nationwide protests. Internet Shutdowns Spark Global Concern In recent days, the Iranian government cut off internet access across the country. Authorities claimed protesters were being influenced by…

Major U.S. banks posted higher profits in the fourth quarter, supported by rising demand for loans, a sign that the U.S. economy remains resilient and supportive of future earnings growth for lenders. Loan Demand Signals Economic Strength Bank of America reported an 8% year-on-year increase in average loans, while its net interest income reached a…

VFD Group has outlined its 2026 growth strategy during an Executive Leadership Retreat held in Kigali, bringing together senior executives to align on institutionalisation, disciplined execution, and leadership development. The retreat marked a strategic shift as the Group positions 2026 as a consolidation year focused on strengthening governance, scaling impact, and embedding execution into daily…

Starlink has reportedly waived subscription fees for users in Iran, after authorities shut down the internet amid a deadly crackdown on nationwide protests. The move, which has not yet been officially confirmed, came after Iran cut off internet access last Thursday, isolating millions of people from communication, livelihoods, and independent information. Since then, satellite internet…

Scott Adams, the creator of the long-running comic strip Dilbert, has died at the age of 68, months after revealing that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Adams’ family confirmed his death on Tuesday. His former wife, Shelly Miles, announced the news during a YouTube message to fans, saying simply that Adams was “no…

The Ministry of Health has urged students across Rwanda, particularly in Huye District, to adopt hygiene as a permanent culture rather than a temporary practice. The call was made by Jean Marie Vianney Ndayizigiye, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, during a hygiene and sanitation awareness campaign known as “Fresheri ku Ishuri” (Freshness at…

The Trump administration’s decision to open a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has intensified the president’s campaign against the central bank. Powell called the move a “pretext” aimed at influencing interest rate decisions and warned it threatens the Fed’s independence. ALSO READ: Trump signs emergency order protecting Venezuelan oil funds Market Reaction…

Three Democratic U.S. senators are pressing Apple and Google to take X and its built-in AI chatbot, Grok, off their app stores. The lawmakers argue that the platform has failed to stop the spread of nonconsensual sexual images involving women and minors. In a letter released on Friday, Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon, Ben Ray…

A female mountain gorilla in Virunga National Park, located in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, has given birth to rare twin babies, an unusual event among this endangered species. Mountain gorillas are among the world’s rarest primates and are mainly found in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Experts…

Spotify has announced a major investment aimed at helping artists and podcast creators earn more money on its platform. On January 7, 2026, the Sweden-based music streaming company revealed that it has invested $10 billion over the past five years in podcasting. The investment focuses on improving monetization tools, expanding infrastructure, and attracting more creators…

A US immigration agent fatally shot a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis, triggering protests and a sharp dispute between local officials and the Trump administration over what led to her death. The Department of Homeland Security said the woman, identified as Renee Nicole Good, attempted to run over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Officials described…

Grok, an artificial intelligence tool developed by Elon Musk’s company xAI, has admitted a serious security flaw after AI-generated images of unclothed minors appeared on the social media platform X. The issue was acknowledged on January 2, 2026, following widespread concern from users who shared screenshots showing explicit images visible in Grok’s public media section….

Rwanda has operated a left-hand drive vehicle system for more than a decade. However, a new road traffic law passed by parliament on January 5 allows certain right-hand drive vehicles to operate legally in the country. According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, the provision does not change Rwanda’s overall road use policy. Instead, it preserves…

The Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) has launched a new initiative to provide Hepatitis B vaccination to all newborns. The vaccine is administered within 24 hours of birth, giving infants early protection against liver disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus. Protecting Newborns from Liver Disease Hepatitis B is a serious viral infection that can lead…

The Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) has announced the rollout of a new home-based cervical cancer self-screening program, allowing women to test themselves from the comfort of their homes without visiting health facilities. The initiative aims to expand access to screening services, promote early detection, and address long-standing challenges such as stigma, fear, and limited access…

Severe flash floods triggered by intense monsoon rainfall have killed at least 16 people in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province. In addition, the disaster has displaced hundreds of residents, authorities said. The floods struck the Siau Tagulandang Biaro Islands district early on January 5, 2026. Days of heavy rain caused rivers and streams to overflow, sending…

The order, titled “Ensuring American Space Superiority,” instructs the Pentagon and U.S. intelligence agencies to develop a comprehensive space security strategy. It also calls for greater efficiency among private space contractors and promotes demonstrations of missile-defense systems under Trump’s “Golden Dome” initiative. ALSO READ: Nvidia Unveils Self-Driving Car Tech as AI Expansion Accelerates Changes to…

Escalating violence in Sudan continues to place civilians at extreme risk. As a result, tens of thousands of people have fled their homes across the Kordofan region, the United Nations said on Tuesday. According to United Nations, fighting between October 25 and December 30 displaced about 65,000 people from multiple locations in Kordofan. Sharp Rise…

An oil storage facility in Russia’s Belgorod region exploded after a drone attack attributed to Ukrainian forces, regional authorities said on Tuesday. Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Belgorod region, confirmed the incident in a statement shared on social media. Storage Tanks Catch Fire According to Gladkov, several fuel storage tanks caught fire following the explosion….

US President Donald Trump announced that interim authorities in Venezuela will transfer between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States. The crude, currently in storage and subject to US sanctions, will be sold at market prices, he said. Trump posted the announcement on his social media platform, characterising the plan…

Climate shocks have renewed calls to scale up crop and livestock insurance for farmers in Rwanda. Currently, only six percent of farmers have insurance coverage, according to the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB). As a result, many farmers suffer heavy losses during droughts, floods, hailstorms and landslides. In contrast, insured farmers are…

Disc jockey Arnaud Shema, popularly known as DJ Toxxyk, is expected to appear before the Nyarugenge Primary Court for a bail hearing. The case relates to a hit-and-run accident that claimed the life of a police officer who was on duty. The National Public Prosecution Authority confirmed that it received the case file on December…

Samsung Electronics has announced plans to double the number of its devices powered by Gemini AI, increasing the total from 400 million to 800 million by 2026. The announcement was made by Samsung Electronics Chief Executive Officer Roh Tae Moon in an interview with Reuters. He said the company aims to integrate artificial intelligence into…

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…

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,…

Seven relatives lost their lives in a fatal road accident on the Masaka–Mbarara highway in Lwengo District. The crash happened at around 4:30 am on December 27, 2025, at Njagalakasayi Village. The victims included a father, his wife, and their children, all travelling in a Toyota Fielder. Police said the family was returning from Kampala…

Setting up a Wi-Fi FTP server on Android allows you to access and transfer files between your phone and computer without using a USB cable. This method is fast, wireless, and convenient, especially when both devices are on the same network. In this guide, you’ll learn how to turn your Android phone into an FTP…

Earlier this month, LandSpace made history by becoming the first Chinese company to conduct a full reusable rocket test. Its Zhuque-3 rocket lifted off on its maiden flight from a remote site in northwest China, drawing comparisons with SpaceX’s Falcon 9. Although the mission did not achieve the final goal of landing and recovering the…

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 criticism came after Russia’s communications watchdog repeated its warning that WhatsApp could be fully blocked unless it complies with Russian laws governing digital services.Roskomnadzor, the regulator, told state media that WhatsApp continues to violate national legislation, claiming the platform is being used to organize terrorist activities, recruit perpetrators, and carry out fraud and other…

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…