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Kigali Innovation City billed as major step toward Rwanda’s technological future #rwanda #RwOT
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by various government officials, including the Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire Musoni, Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore and the CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Dr. Francis Gatare.
This project will be implemented by the Government of Rwanda through RDB in partnership with Africa50, an investment platform for infrastructure projects that generate benefits across Africa.
Covering 61 hectares, the project is expected to cost around $2 billion and will include buildings that will host international universities, technology companies, commercial facilities, and more.
The city will feature a large center with bases focusing on Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity. Some buildings in Kigali Innovation City will have solar-powered roofs, and the vehicles used within the area will predominantly be electric, contributing to environmental sustainability.
The Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire Musoni, mentioned that the idea for this project has been in development for over 10 years. It was conceived to create a hub for various sectors, including education and technology. She stated that in the next 10 years, Rwanda expects this project to be a reality and play a significant role in technological development.
The buildings in this city will have unique construction designs, with some adorned with special Rwanda traditional decorative features. Kigali Innovation City will also feature wide roads, coffee shops, and restaurants with outdoor seating. Additionally, it will include high-end buildings for international tech companies, hotels, modern student accommodations, and residential areas.
Currently, some parts of the project are already under construction, including the African Leadership University and Carnegie Mellon University Africa.
Dr. Francis Gatare, CEO of RDB, highlighted that this is a major milestone for Rwanda in its quest to establish a knowledge-based and technology-driven economy.
“We are here to celebrate this achievement for our nation, its leadership, and the people of Rwanda, who are committed to building a knowledge-based economy that fosters innovation and sustainable development,” he said.
“Kigali Innovation City is one of Rwanda’s flagship projects and serves as a cornerstone of our strategy to develop a knowledge-based economy. This project reflects the power of collaboration between our people and leadership to transform our country and make innovation, education, and technology the foundation of our future,” he explained.
Once fully completed, the project is expected to generate $150 million annually from the technology developed there and attract $300 million in foreign investment.
Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente noted that this project will benefit not only Rwanda but also other Africans.
“We are laying the foundation for a bright future where every African can benefit from cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. Kigali Innovation City is more than just infrastructure; it is a convergence that will drive innovation, attract talent, and bring investment from around the world.”
He urged both local and international investors to take advantage of the opportunities presented by Kigali Innovation City. This groundbreaking ceremony comes just days after the Government of Rwanda signed an agreement with Africa50, a platform that invests in infrastructure projects that benefit the African continent.
Kigali Innovation City is being built on 61 hectares.
Currently, some parts of the project are already under construction, including the African Leadership University and Carnegie Mellon University Africa.
The University of Rwanda plans to establish a branch at the Kigali Innovation City that will teach medical technology.”
Some of the houses in this area will use solar energy.
This project aims to help Rwanda increase the number of experts Africa has in science and technology
It is expected that major companies such as Cisco, IDM, and Ericsson will train students from Kigali Innovation City, instead of them having to seek knowledge abroad.
IGIHE
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Europe watches Harris-Trump debate for clues on direction US may take #rwanda #RwOT
The TV debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump was as keenly watched by European diplomats and politicians as by US voters, eager to see who may be next in the White House and ┠crucially ┠the direction that a vital ally may next take.
One diplomat said they empathised when Harris adopted a series of poses that ranged from pity, bemusement and genuine curiosity about what craziness would emerge from Trump's mouth next as she listened to his conspiracy-laden theories. However, the diplomat said they still did not underestimate Trump and the hold he had over one part of a divided America, adding: 'Never write him off.'
Another European observer judged Harris to have been the victor in the debate. 'Objectively on any count she won. She showed her teeth, broke with [Joe] Biden and showed she is a leader, and that is something Americans love,' they said.
In Germany, Michael Roth, the Social Democratic party chair of the Bundestag foreign affairs committee, said Harris had succeeded in making Trump seem 'like an ageing incumbent, old, angry and confused', despite having been in government herself for much of the past four years. 'Harris has dismantled Trump on the open stage and positioned herself as a candidate of change. She deliberately provoked Trump, and he fell into the trap,' Roth said.
However, above all, the 90-minute debate served to underline how a Trump victory would threaten the fundamental pillars of European security.
Diplomats were most struck, if not surprised, by Trump's refusal to say whether he wanted Ukraine to defeat Vladimir Putin. During the debate, Trump said he only wanted the war to stop and for lives to be saved, something he said he would achieve in days through direct talks with both sides.
Trump's praise for the 'tough, smart and respected' Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, also served to underline the Republican nominee's close alignment with the surging populist right in Europe rather than its mainstream leaders, many of whom have been politically weakened by the anti-immigration rhetoric that the former US president deploys.
'Ironically, I don't think this alliance will help Orbán or Trump,' one diplomat said. 'It just shows how disconnected Trump is. No one in the US knows who this Hungarian politician is.'
Trump's claims about what he had done to invigorate European spending in Ukraine were familiar if statistically false.
His assertion that Israel would be destroyed within two years if Harris was elected only served to underline how he might bring a diplomatic blowtorch to a region already close to explosion. Without explaining, Trump said Harris hated Israelis and Arabs, and claimed: 'The whole place is going to get blown up.'
Harris said too many Palestinians had died in Gaza and a two-state solution was needed, something Trump has recently pulled away from.
Trump's reference to how he had threatened the Taliban leader Abdul â” possibly a reference to Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Afghan first deputy prime minister â” by sending a picture of his house also revealed his diplomatic methods.
On Iran, Trump left diplomats puzzled by accusing Biden of allowing the Iranian oil industry off the hook in terms of sanctions, having said only days earlier that Tehran posed no threat to US democracy.
Trump's contradictory positions seem to be driven by a desire to appear a tough leader in a world on the brink of chaos, yet also knowing many Americans believe US foreign policy has involved too many expensive and unproductive wars. Polls conducted by the libertarian thinktank the Cato Institute, for example, suggest voters in swing states back his promises to end US overseas commitments.
Before the debate on Tuesday night, European diplomats conceded they had been tenterhooks, hoping Harris would be able to recover her summer momentum by performing well in the TV head-to-head.
One admitted that the first numbers to which they referred each morning were those in US opinion polls. The contradictory polling results did not help with the digestion of breakfast, the diplomat added.
They pointed out that if Europe was concerned by Biden's performance in his faltering June debate, and his subsequent slide in the polls, there was at least the exculpatory comfort that US voters were responding logically to the decline in the president's faculties.
The fact that Trump had edged back into the lead in some polls two months on from Biden standing aside, and with just 55 days to go before the US presidential election, suggested America had reverted to 'an angry type', the diplomat added.
For many European diplomats it was telling that in the US today, faced with the choice of either a misogynistic, rambling and divisive Republican or a sane and credible Democrat candidate, voters still remained unsure which one should lead them.
The preference for Trump over an ageing Biden was explicable, but the recent stalling of the Harris campaign pointed to deeper forces at work, diplomats said. It suggested the US wanted change, and Harris, as vice-president, had not yet done or said enough to convince voters she offered that. One diplomat said: 'The significance of her breaking with Biden in the debate cannot be underestimated.'
Europeans have never been easy about US protectionism, but Trump's increasing recourse to tariffs and other tools as the solution to nearly everything takes the friction to a different level.
He has floated a blanket tariff of between 10 and 20% on nearly all imports and of 60% or more on Chinese goods, as well as a plan to match the tariffs that other countries impose on US products. In his latest pronouncement, Trump said he would apply tariffs to any country that tried to avoid trading in dollars.
These set of policies showed how Europe's quest for competitiveness, which was set out in a report this week by Mario Draghi, the former head of the European Central Bank, would pit Brussels and Washington against one another. No one quite knows whether Harris would be prepared to love-bomb Europe like Biden, one diplomat said.
Above all, the foreign policy part of Tuesday's head-to-head seemed a subset of the domestic debate. So even when Harris warned that Trump was the autocrat's patsy, she added that a defeat in Ukraine would mean Putin setting his eyes on Poland. In one of many telling lines, she asked: 'Why don't you tell 800,000 Polish-Americans here in Pennsylvania how quickly you would give [Poland] up for a favour and for what you think is friendship with a dictator who would eat you for dinner?'
The post Europe watches Harris-Trump debate for clues on direction US may take appeared first on The Custom Reports.
Source : https://thecustomreports.com/europe-watches-harris-trump-debate-for-clues-on-direction-us-may-take/
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What you need to know about new AI powered iPhone 16 #rwanda #RwOT
To maintain its dominance in the high-end smartphone market, Apple said the company’s AI software will be used to improve Siri, as well as enhance features such as recognizing and identifying objects captured by the phone’s camera.
Apple Intelligence will be available as a free software update. The first set of Apple Intelligence features will be available in a test version from October as part of iOS 18.1.
The iPhone 16 lineup’s camera system includes a 48MP Fusion camera with a 2x Telephoto option, while a new Ultra Wide camera enables macro photography.
Company executives noted that the phone’s new A18 chip delivers a significant leap in performance and efficiency, allowing for demanding AAA games and providing a major boost in battery life.
A notable feature of the iPhone 16 is a customizable button that can control the camera, in a design similar to previous models.
Camera Control provides instant, easy access to the camera with just a click.Available in 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch display sizes, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus come in five colours: black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus come in five colours: black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine.The higher-end iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max are made from titanium and feature additional AI capabilities, such as offering suggestions on how to set up photo shoots more effectively and providing audio-editing features aimed at professional-level video production.
Prices for the iPhone 16 start at $799 (about RWF 1.06 million), while the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899 (about RWF 1.19 million). The devices are available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options.
Apple will start accepting pre-orders for the new iPhones on Friday, September 13, and the devices will be available for purchase on September 20, 2024.
The unveiling of the new phones is expected to further intensify competition in the market, as rivals like South Korea’s Samsung and China’s Huawei continue to release products aimed at delivering powerful, personalized experiences to their users.
Huawei is expected to release its trifold phones in the coming days, with prices starting at more than $2,800. These devices will also come equipped with artificial intelligence features such as text translation and cloud-based content generation.
Apple Watch and AirPods
In addition to the iPhone 16, Apple also unveiled new Apple Watches and AirPods with health-focused capabilities and hardware-design improvements.
Available in both aluminum and titanium, Apple Watch Series 10 comes in an array of stunning colors and finishes.Apple executives explained that the new watch can detect longer-term health conditions, such as sleep apnea, and can respond to emergencies, like a fall.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/science-technology/article/what-you-need-to-know-about-new-ai-powered-iphone-16
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Airlines cancel flights as workers at Kenya’s main airport strike #rwanda #RwOT
Operations at Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) were paralyzed on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, after workers went on strike to protest the planned leasing of the country’s main airport.
The strike began at 12:00 a.m. on Wednesday and caused flight delays and cancellations for both departing and arriving passengers, leaving many stranded.
Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways (KQ), confirmed the flight disruptions, stating, “We continue to observe the situation and will provide updates on the affected flights.”
RwandAir was also impacted by the strike and had to cancel two flights on Wednesday morning. The airline, however, confirmed that affected passengers would be rebooked on the next available flights.
“Due to the ongoing strike by airport staff at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, our flights WB452/WB453 KGL/NBO/KGL on 11 September 2024 are canceled. All affected passengers will be rebooked on the next available flights. We apologize for any inconvenience caused,” RwandAir said in a post on X.
Due to the ongoing strike by airport staff at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, our flights WB452/WB453 KGL/NBO/KGL on 11 September 2024 are cancelled. All affected passengers will be rebooked on the next available flights. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
â” RwandAir (@FlyRwandAir) September 11, 2024
The strike was organized by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, which represents airport workers. The union argues that the proposed agreement to lease the airport to India’s Adani Group for 30 years would lead to job losses and the influx of non-Kenyan workers.
The Kenyan government announced plans to lease the airport in July, stating that it is operating above capacity and needs modernization. The government insists that the airport is not for sale.
The government suffered a setback on Tuesday when the High Court suspended the airport’s management takeover following a petition filed by the Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
The petitioners argued that the estimated $1.85 billion required to revamp the airport could be raised without resorting to a multi-decade leasing contract.
'The Adani proposal is unaffordable, threatens job losses, exposes the public disproportionately to fiscal risk, and offers no value for money to the taxpayer,' the organizations argued in their legal filing.
Long queues were witnessed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Kenya as aviation workers formally downed their tools.Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/airlines-cancel-flights-as-workers-at-kenya-s-main-airport-strike
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President Kagame attends Amavubi match after 8 Years #rwanda #RwOT
At the time, he mentioned that he had informed the former Minister of Sports, Munyangaju Aurore Mimosa, that “such things should not be tolerated because it is clearly known how things are done. Where things work well, there is government support. I love sports, which is why I used to attend matches, but I could not stand such an endless mess.”
Since then, significant changes have been made in Rwanda’s football, leading to notable progress appreciated by football fan base
The Head of State watched the second halfOn Tuesday, September 10, 2024, Kagame joined others in following the match, which Amavubi aimed to win as they were facing Nigeria in a group stage match for Africa Cup of Nations qualification, to be held in Morocco.
The Head of State arrived at the beginning of the second half of the game, with widespread excitement hovering over Amahoro Stadium as Amavubi firmly held to a 0-0 draw.
The national team secured two points from the draw with Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who now have four points from two matches.
Kagame’s arrival at the start of the second half drew widespread excitement in the crowdThe last match President Kagame attended was during CHAN 2016, when Amavubi faced the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda.
This was the first national team match played at this stadium, but it wasn’t the first game held there. Another match President Kagame attended at the venue was between APR FC and Police FC, marking the official opening of Amahoro Stadium in 1999.
Osimhen was visibly frustrated through out the 45 minutes that he played
President Kagame closely followed the game on Tuesday against Nigeria
Amavubi players held on to a deserved 0-0 draw at Amahoro StadiumIGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/sports/article/president-kagame-attends-amavubi-match-after-8-years
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Amavubi keeps AFCON hope alive with heroic draw against Nigeria (Pictorial) #rwanda #RwOT
From the start, it was clear that Rwanda, under the leadership of coach Frank Spittler, was not intimidated by their opponents. The Amavubi dominated the first five minutes of play, showing composure and determination, though no direct shots were fired at Nigeria’s goal.
Early attempts came from Jojea Kwizera in the 7th minute, narrowly missing the crossbar with a long-range shot. Despite Nigeria’s 61% possession, Rwanda maintained a solid defense, with Bizimana Djihad captaining the team and keeping the players organized.
Ntwari Fiacre’s saves were the highlight of the match. His first came in the 25th minute, following an untimed back pass that almost resulted in a Nigerian goal. His composure and quick reflexes denied Osimhen, a moment that had the crowd on their feet.
Throughout the game, he made a total of eight direct saves, each one more crucial than the last, particularly in the final moments of the match. “Fiacre was an absolute wall today! His saves kept us in the game. We still have hope for AFCON,” said a August Muhirwa, jubilant and passionate fan after the final whistle.
The game was filled with tense moments, especially when a 22nd-minute goal for Nigeria was canceled due to a foul on Manzi Thierry. Rwanda’s defensive players, including Omborenga Fitina, who dominated the right flank, and Niyomugabo Claude, who played a strong game despite a yellow card, contributed to keeping the Super Eagles at bay.
As the second half commenced, a wave of excitement rippled through the stadium as President Paul Kagame arrived. His presence ignited the crowd, with cheers and chants filling the air, and it seemed to inspire the players on the field. Fitina and Kevin Muhire responded with a near-goal, immediately putting pressure on the Nigerian defense.
“It felt like a different game when the President showed up,” shared one enthusiastic spectator. “The energy was electrifying, and you could see the team feeding off it.”
Though Rwanda missed a chance to score in the dying minutes of the first half, the second half was filled with intense action. Fiacre again stole the spotlight, denying Simon Moses a goal with a spectacular one-on-one save in the 57th minute.
Fans held their breath as the clock ticked down, with Nigeria pressing hard for a goal, but Rwanda’s defense, led by Manzi Thierry, remained steadfast. Even with five minutes of added time, Nigeria could not break through. The final whistle blew to the relief and joy of Rwandan supporters, who celebrated their team’s resilience.
“Ntwari Fiacre deserves all the praise today,” said another fan. “Without him, the score line would have been very different. We’re still in this fight for AFCON” said another fan who identified himself as Gasogi.
This result marks another milestone for coach Frank Spittler, who continues to impress since taking over the Rwandan squad. Having lost just one of his first five games, including a victory over South Africa, Spittler has gained the trust of many Rwandans.
With this draw against the Super Eagles, who were AFCON finalists last year, Rwanda’s hopes of qualifying for AFCON remain alive. As the dust settles, Rwanda prepares to take the momentum from this match forward. The next fixture is due on October 7, as Rwanda face Benin with Nigeria against Libya in Group D.
After two games, Nigeria sits top on the group with 4 points, Rwanda is second after a one-all draw in their opening game against Libya on September 4, 2024. Libya and Beninin are third and fourth with one and zero points respectively.
Sam K Nkurunziza
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Top Five standout moments at the Sherrie Silver Gala (Video) #rwanda #RwOT
From notable appearances to unexpected surprises, the evening was filled with moments that sparked conversation and left a lasting impression on all who attended. Here are the top five standout moments at the Silver gala
The dress code was a striking fusion of cultural creativity and sophisticated elegance:
Attendees of the Silver Gala took the theme of the event to heart by blending traditional elements with high-end fashion. The creativity in combining bold, colorful cultural attire with elegant, contemporary designs not only showcased the rich cultural heritage of the participants but also reflected a modern, stylish twist.
This mix was likely encouraged by the gala’s intent to promote cultural pride while maintaining a sense of class and formality suited to the prestigious nature of the event.
The dress code was a striking fusion of cultural creativity and sophisticated eleganceThe event preparation and turnout were exceptional, with flawless execution:
The level of attention to detail in organizing the gala was remarkable. From the venue setup, which likely involved intricate lighting, decorations, and seating arrangements, to the punctual and well-structured program, everything went off without a hitch.
The impressive turnout of attendees, many of whom were high-profile figures, contributed to the event’s success. The professionalism in managing both logistics and guest relations speaks to the organizer’s deep experience in handling such grand events, likely ensuring everything ran smoothly.
There was an impressive turnout of attendees, many of whom were high-profile figuresAn Arsenal jersey fetched a staggering USD 3500, while a Childish Gambino signed jacket sold for USD 2000:
The auction became one of the night’s biggest talking points, with bids skyrocketing for these exclusive items. The Arsenal jersey, likely a rare or signed piece, drew the attention of passionate sports fans willing to bid generously, while the Childish Gambino jacket appealed to music and pop culture enthusiasts.
The high auction prices suggest that the crowd was eager to contribute to the foundation’s cause, and the bidders likely had both personal interest in the items and a desire to support charity, driving the prices up.
The event preparation and turnout were exceptional, with flawless executionRuntown made a notable appearance but left guests puzzled as he did not perform:
The presence of Runtown, a renowned Nigerian artist, was highly anticipated, and many guests expected him to take the stage. However, despite being seen interacting with attendees, he did not perform, leaving many wondering why.
A possible explanation could be a last-minute issue but its alternatively possible that Runtown was not officially booked to perform but attended the event as a special guest, with some guests incorrectly assuming he was part of the lineup.
The Sherrie Silver Foundation’s performance stole the show, leaving the crowd in awe:
Sherrie Silver’s foundation, known for its powerful and engaging performances, delivered the most memorable act of the night. The performance likely combined energetic choreography, cultural storytelling, and a strong message of empowerment, which resonated deeply with the audience.
The foundation’s ability to bring such passion and purpose to the stage could be tied to their broader mission of using dance and art to uplift communities, making it more than just entertainment but an inspiring and transformative experience for all who watched.
The Sherrie Silver Foundation’s performance stole the show, leaving the crowd in aweSam K Nkurunziza
Source : https://en.igihe.com/entertainment/article/top-five-standout-moments-at-the-sherrie-silver-gala
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Ukrainian drone attacks kill one and force airport closures in Moscow #rwanda #RwOT
Ukraine has carried out one its biggest drone attacks on Russia since the beginning of the war, killing a woman in the Moscow region and forcing the closure of airports around the capital.
Russia's defence ministry said overnight it had shot down 144 unmanned aerial vehicles, including 20 over Moscow. Others were intercepted in multiple other regions, it said.
Moscow's mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, confirmed that a blaze had broken out on the runway at Zhukovsky airfield caused by falling debris from a drone. Videos circulating online showed a fire burning next to a plane and a passenger bus.
Three out of four Moscow airports were shut, including Domodedovo international airport, which was reportedly targeted for the first time. More than 30 domestic and international flights were suspended, Russian agencies reported.
A main road into Moscow, the Kashirskoye highway, was blocked because of falling drone wreckage.
On Monday night a drone struck a residential building in Moscow's Ramenskoye district, about 30 miles south-east of the Kremlin. Moscow's governor, Andrei Vorobyov, said a 46-year-old woman died and three people were injured as fire engulfed flats, and 43 people were evacuated to temporary accommodation centres.
Video filmed from nearby apartments showed an explosion on the 11th and 12th floors. 'I looked at the window and saw a ball of fire,' Alexander Li, a resident of the district told Reuters. 'The window got blown out by the shock wave.'
Other explosions were heard over Bryansk oblast at about 12.30am local time. Authorities in the Tula region said they had destroyed two drones and that the debris landed on an energy facility. Other UAVs were spotted in the Smolensk, Belgorod, Kursk and Oryol regions.
There was no immediate comment from Kyiv. In recent weeks Ukraine has stepped up its campaign of long-range attacks against military targets and power stations deep inside Russia. Several drones dispatched on Monday night flew more than 500 miles (800km).
Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said the attacks are an answer to the Kremlin's repeated strikes on Ukrainian civilians and its own energy infrastructure. Ten days ago drones hit an oil refinery in south-east Moscow.
Since Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion in February 2022, many Russians have considered the war as something far away that does not concern them. As Russia advances in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv's strategy is to take the fight to Russia's territory so that its citizens can no longer ignore it.
Just over a month ago Ukraine's armed forces launched a surprise incursion into Russia's Kursk region, seizing about 100 settlements and the border town of Sudzha. Tens of thousands of local residents have fled and the area has been the scene of intense clashes.
The post Ukrainian drone attacks kill one and force airport closures in Moscow appeared first on The Custom Reports.
Source : https://thecustomreports.com/ukrainian-drone-attacks-kill-one-and-force-airport-closures-in-moscow/
