The initiative, titled “Blueing the Caspian Sea: Building Capacities for Pollution Management and Biodiversity Conservation,” is expected to benefit Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
The project will receive 11.74 million dollars in grant financing from the Global Environment Facility.
The implementation will be coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme, while the United Nations Office for Project Services will receive a 183,489 dollar grant to develop environmental and social framework tools and strengthen cross-country cooperation.
World Bank funding will support two components: pollution monitoring management worth 3.15 million dollars, aimed at developing systemic approaches and comparable water quality assessments, and biodiversity planning management worth 4.25 million dollars to improve protected area management and track population status.
The project seeks to enhance pollution control systems and increase the effectiveness of marine protected areas across the Caspian Sea, which hosts around 400 endemic species.
The bank warned that the sea’s level has decreased significantly in recent decades and could drop by 8 to 30 meters by 2100 due to climate change and economic use of water resources.
In Azerbaijan, the initiative will assist the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources in developing a marine pollution monitoring scheme, including policy tools, a national seminar and staff training.
The project will also support biodiversity measures focused on Caspian seals and sturgeon, alongside plans to expand marine protected areas within Absheron National Park.
More than 7.89 million voters were registered, with turnout reaching 58.75 percent. The results show Wadagni, the incumbent Minister of Economy and Finance, backed by the ruling coalition, defeated opposition candidate Paul Hounkpe of the Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin.
Wadagni’s running mate, Mariam Chabi Talata, will serve as vice president.
During the campaign, Wadagni pledged to build on reforms of the past decade and pursue a shift from a primary industry-driven model to a modern economy focused on industrialization, digitalization and regional integration. He said the emphasis would move from expanding economic scale to achieving higher-quality growth.
Political figures, electoral institutions and observers said the voting process was generally smooth and orderly. Benin’s Constitutional Court is expected to announce the final results within five days. Under the electoral code, the president and vice president are elected by direct universal suffrage for a seven-year term.
Wadagni, 49, previously worked at Deloitte before joining the government after Patrice Talon was elected president in 2016. He has since served as Minister of Economy and Finance. Wadagni was reappointed in 2021 and promoted to senior minister, playing a key role in implementing Talon’s economic policies.
Romuald Wadagni casts his ballot at a polling station in Lokossa, Benin, on April 12, 2026. Romuald Wadagni won Benin’s presidential election held on Sunday, according to preliminary results released Monday by the country’s Autonomous National Electoral Commission.
The commemoration brought together members of the Rwandan community, Luxembourg officials, and friends of Rwanda on April 11, 2026.
Speaking at the event, Amb. Munyangaju stressed that remembering the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi is a responsibility shared by all, while expressing gratitude to those who joined Rwandans in honoring the victims.
“We are gathered here not only to remember but also to reaffirm our responsibility,” she said.
She highlighted the scale and brutality of the genocide, noting that in just 100 days, more than one million Tutsi were killed.
The ambassador emphasized that the genocide was not a spontaneous tragedy but a carefully planned and executed crime, rooted in decades of division, hate propaganda, discrimination, and systematic dehumanization of the victims.
She also pointed to the failure of the international community to act, despite clear warning signs, while commending the resilience and courage of survivors.
According to her, testimonies from survivors underscore the importance of remembrance and the collective responsibility to ensure that such atrocities never happen again.
Amb. Munyangaju called on the international community to play an active role in preserving historical truth, supporting survivors, and combating hate speech and genocide ideology that continue to spread. She warned that, 32 years later, genocide ideology has not disappeared but has instead evolved.
Hate speech and genocide denial, she said, are increasingly spreading on social media, with coordinated networks disseminating misinformation across different parts of the world.
She stressed that genocide denial is not an expression of opinion but a continuation of the crime itself, urging countries to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2150, particularly in prosecuting genocide suspects and addressing the challenge of impunity.
The ambassador also raised concern over the situation in the region, especially in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where genocide ideology continues to spread, particularly through the FDLR, a group formed by perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
She strongly condemned hate speech and violence targeting Congolese Tutsi and Banyamulenge communities, warning that such acts, if left unchecked, could escalate into further killings. “The silence in the face of these warning signs amounts to complicity,” she said.
Amb. Munyangaju commended the Government of Luxembourg for its continued solidarity with Rwanda during commemoration periods, including its support in providing land for the construction of a Genocide memorial, describing it as a strong symbol of partnership.
“These actions honor the victims and send a clear message: peace is a choice, justice is essential, and hate speech must never be tolerated,” she noted.
She also urged young people to play an active role in preserving history and reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to working with international partners in fighting genocide ideology, promoting unity, and strengthening reconciliation.
Amb. Munyangaju further expressed appreciation to the commune of Mersch for allocating land for the construction of a memorial to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi, and to participants who took part in a wreath-laying ceremony held in Moesdorf, in Mersch district.
Attendees included staff from the Rwandan embassy in Luxembourg, members of Ibuka Luxembourg, and the Rwandan community organization RDL asbl.
Photos of the commemoration event in Luxembourg
Rwanda’s Ambassador to Luxembourg, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju has called on the international community to remain committed to ensuring that genocide never happens again anywhere in the world..Kalisa Didace President of Ibuka Luxembourg speaking at the event. Karurenzi Donatille, one of the authors of the books that were launched welcoming readers.Books featuring testimonies of genocide survivors were launched during the event. Lidia Umurerwa shared a testimony of her survival during Genocide against the Tutsi.
The sad news was confirmed by his family noting that the mourning is taking place in Kabuga.
Nkulikiyimfura had served for many years as the head of Akagera Aviation. Prior to that, he worked at RwandAir, where he held the position of Head of Operations.
In a statement, Akagera Aviation described him as a visionary and leader who contributed significantly to the company and to the development of Rwanda’s aviation sector since 2010.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our Managing Director, Mr. Patrick Nkulikiyimfura, on 12th April 2026. A visionary leader, his impact on Akagera Aviation and Rwanda’s aviation industry was profound. Our thoughts are with his family. May he rest in peace,” the statement read.
Patrick Nkulikiyimfura, who had long served as the Managing Director of Akagera Aviation died on Sunday, April 12, at the age of 57.
He made the remarks on April 13, 2026, during the closing of the Commemoration Week at national level, as politicians and leaders gathered to honor fellow politicians who were killed during the Genocide against the Tutsi for opposing the extermination campaign.
The commemoration took place at the Rebero Genocide Memorial, a site dedicated to preserving the memory of politicians who stood against injustice and resisted divisionism.
Kalinda explained that discriminatory politics rooted in ethnic division played a central role in leading Rwanda to genocide, stressing the need for vigilance among current political actors.
“The Genocide against the Tutsi was the outcome of a series of poor leadership decisions, starting with colonial rule that fractured Rwandan unity and institutionalized ethnic divisions, followed by the First and Second Republics which entrenched discrimination against Tutsis as state policy,” he said.
He emphasized that remembrance is essential in preserving truth and countering genocide denial.
“Remembering is crucial to uphold the truth about the Genocide against the Tutsi, to show that it was planned, and to fight against denial and minimization while preventing its recurrence in Rwanda and elsewhere,” he added.
Kalinda noted that, in the aftermath of the genocide, Rwandans chose a path of unity, building a nation free from discrimination as enshrined in the Constitution.
“Good governance that prioritizes unity and equal opportunities for all Rwandans is the path we chose. The progress made over the past 32 years is remarkable and gives hope for the future of our country,” he said.
He, however, warned that elements of genocide ideology, denial, and minimization still exist and must be actively confronted. He called on politicians to take the lead in combating such tendencies and in educating the youth about the country’s history.
Kalinda also reminded attendees that although the Commemoration Week has concluded, the 100-day commemoration period of Kwibuka32 continues.
Frank Habineza, spokesperson for the National Consultative Forum of Political Organizations (NFPO), said the politicians being remembered were killed for their courage in rejecting injustice and authoritarian rule.
“The politicians we honor today were killed because of their bravery in resisting oppression and injustice. They stood for a country governed with dignity and equality for all,” he said.
He highlighted that Rwanda’s 11 registered political parties currently work together toward national development, stressing that differing opinions should not be equated with conflict.
“Having different views is not fighting or undermining the achievements made over the past 32 years. Our role is to contribute ideas and solutions while remembering the painful history that led to the Genocide against the Tutsi,” he noted.
Habineza urged political party members to reject any attempts to reintroduce divisive politics.
“We will not accept anyone who seeks to take the country backward under any pretext,” he said.
Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Jean-Damascène Bizimana, outlined how politics of hatred were institutionalized under former leaders such as Juvénal Habyarimana and Grégoire Kayibanda.
He explained that although Habyarimana initially justified his rise to power by citing injustices, including discrimination in education, his regime went on to reinforce ethnic division and exclusion.
Dr. Bizimana noted that refugees who had been persecuted were denied the right to return and reclaim their property.
“Even those who attempted to secretly visit their families were chased away,” he said.
He also criticized ongoing efforts by some individuals, including Jean-Luc Habyarimana, to sanitize the legacy of the former regime, insisting that evidence of its role in persecuting Tutsis remains overwhelming.
Dr. Bizimana called on political leaders to prioritize educating young people about Rwanda’s history to prevent them from being misled.
“It is essential to properly educate the youth within political parties so they understand this history and engage in politics that unites Rwandans, supports national cohesion, and prevents the country from falling back into division,” he said.
He further urged young people to reject hate speech still propagated by some politicians influenced by past discriminatory ideologies.
“Hate speech persists among some politicians shaped by ethnic-based politics that deny the country’s inclusiveness. This ideology continues to influence them,” he said.
The minister stressed that unity cannot be built without understanding what destroyed it.
“We cannot build unity without first understanding what broke it and those responsible. That is what helps protect it and prevents the country from returning to divisive ideologies like those that characterized the regime which planned the Genocide against the Tutsi,” he said.
He concluded by urging today’s politicians to learn from Rwanda’s history and from past leaders who upheld integrity, emphasizing the need to safeguard national unity through truth and shared values.
François-Xavier Kalinda, President of the Senate, has warned that the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was the result of a long history of bad governance.Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Jean-Damascène Bizimana, outlined how politics of hatred were institutionalized under former leaders such as Juvénal Habyarimana and Grégoire Kayibanda.Habineza urged political party members to reject any attempts to reintroduce divisive politics.The commemoration took place at the Rebero Genocide Memorial.Senior officials including Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva and Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe attended the event.
On Sunday, April 12, 2026, FERWAFA officials joined residents of Remera Sector in commemorating the 32nd anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi. The event formed part of the nationwide Kwibuka32 remembrance activities.
Following the commemoration, FERWAFA shared a message from national team players, both those playing locally and abroad, reflecting on the importance of remembrance.
Kwizera Jojea, who plays for Rhode Island in the United States, said: “As a player of Rwanda’s national team, we take this moment to remember the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.”
Striker Biramahire Abeddy of Assabah FC in Libya and Bayisenge Emery of Rayon Sports directed their message to the youth, urging them to uphold unity and national values.
“As young people, the more we remember, the more we commit ourselves to preserving unity, peace, and development. We are the future of Rwanda, and it is our responsibility to contribute to building a country free from division.”
Nshuti Innocent, who plays for Al Wafaq Ajdabia in Libya, together with FERWAFA’s Commissioner for Women’s Football, Gicanda Nikita Valverde, stressed that it is the responsibility of every Rwandan to fight against genocide denial and ideology.
FERWAFA President, Shema Ngoga Fabrice, noted that remembrance plays a crucial role in strengthening national unity.
“Remembrance is a shared responsibility among all Rwandans, because a society that does not remember fades away. As sportspeople, we choose to be a pillar of reconciliation and development.”
In the message, which also featured FERWAFA’s Commissioner for Development, Kanamugire Fidèle, participants highlighted that making the right choices in life includes contributing to the continued building of a united Rwanda.
FERWAFA President, Shema Ngoga Fabrice, joined Remera residents to honor victims of Genocide against the Tutsi. FERWAFA President, Shema Ngoga Fabrice, noted that remembrance plays a crucial role in strengthening national unity.Amavubi players have urged the youth to remember as a way to honor victims of Genocide against the Tutsi.
The office said Netanyahu signed the appointment letter following approval by an advisory committee.
Gofman is set to assume the role on June 2 for a five-year term, after current director David Barnea completes his tenure.
The appointment has drawn criticism, including from current and former Mossad officials who raised concerns over Gofman’s lack of intelligence experience.
The advisory committee, which reviews senior government appointments in Israel, voted 3-1 in favor of the appointment, with its chairman, former Supreme Court president Asher Grunis, voting against.
“In light of the integrity-related shortcomings for which Maj. Gen. Gofman is responsible, it is not appropriate to appoint him to the position of head of the Mossad,” Grunis wrote in an appendix to the decision.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed his military secretary, Roman Gofman, as the next head of the Mossad intelligence agency
“After all, we want a sustainable peace. And sustainable peace can only be achieved once we have safeguarded our interests and attained the objectives that have been in place since the very beginning,” he said.
Peskov noted that the key point of disagreement in the Russian-Ukrainian negotiation process is a small area of the Donetsk People’s Republic currently controlled by the Ukrainian army.
He said that substantive talks on resolving the conflict can only begin after Russian troops reach the administrative borders of Russia’s new regions.
“In any case, we are talking about very complex, meticulous, and not quick negotiations,” Peskov said.
The law, which declares France’s colonization of Algeria from 1830 to 1962 a crime, was described by officials as “a step to preserve national memory and honor the sacrifices made during the colonial period.”
In December 2025, the lower house unanimously adopted the draft law calling for an official apology from France and affirming Algeria’s right to reparations.
However, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune later clarified that Algeria seeks France’s recognition of its crimes rather than financial compensation.
To this end, a joint parliamentary committee was established to resolve differences between the two houses and produce a unified text.
The final version adopted by both houses reportedly removed broad reparations clauses and apologies from France, while retaining provisions related to victims of French nuclear tests in the Sahara.
The diplomatic rift between Algeria and France has deepened recently, fueled by disputes over immigration, historical grievances, and France’s backing of Morocco regarding Western Sahara.
Tebboune has maintained that direct talks with French President Emmanuel Macron are the only path to resolving these bilateral issues.
In 2021, Macron acknowledged that the colonization of Algeria was a “crime against humanity,” but stopped short of offering a formal state apology.
Algeria’s Council of the Nation (upper house of parliament) on Sunday adopted a draft law criminalizing French colonization.
The blockade, in accordance with U.S. President Donald Trump’s proclamation, will be enforced “impartially” against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, according to the statement, which was posted on social media platform X.
U.S. Central Command forces “will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports,” it added.
The statement came a few hours after Trump announced on Truth Social that the U.S. Navy would begin blocking ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said that the United States and allied countries would deploy minesweepers to the strait to clear sea mines and secure shipping lanes.
After Trump’s statement on Strait of Hormuz naval blockade, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy Command warned Sunday that any “wrong move” in the Strait of Hormuz would trap its enemies in “deadly whirlpools.”
A demonstrator holds a placard in front of the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 7, 2026.Iranian soldiers patrol the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran, April 30, 2019
