This vehicle is one of only two prototypes ever created, essentially serving as a road-legal version of the legendary Mercedes-Benz W196 R. Its sale remains a landmark event not just for its price, but also for its purpose. Mercedes-Benz confirmed that proceeds from the auction would serve as seed capital for the beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship, a global initiative providing scholarships in environmental science for young people.
In the modern market, bespoke commissions from luxury manufacturers have reached similar levels of exclusivity and cost. The Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail, inspired by the Black Baccara rose, is estimated to cost over $30 million.
This vehicle is one of only two prototypes ever created, essentially serving as a road-legal version of the legendary Mercedes-Benz W196 R.
It is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, featuring an interior parquetry design made of 1,603 pieces of black sycamore veneer and a custom-integrated timepiece by Audemars Piguet. While it set the initial benchmark for the Coachbuild series, it has since been joined by the Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail, which reportedly reached a price of $31 million for a client in Singapore.
The auction market continues to show strong momentum in 2026, particularly for historic Italian marques. In January 2026, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO known as the “Bianco Speciale” (Chassis 3729GT) was sold at the Mecum Kissimmee auction for $38.5 million.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé set the all-time record when it sold for approximately $143 million (approximately Rwf 208 billion) at a private auction held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum.
This specific car holds the unique distinction of being the only 250 GTO ever finished in factory white. Although it did not surpass the $51.7 million record set by another 250 GTO in 2023, its sale reinforced the model’s status as a premier investment asset.
The identity of the person who paid $143 million for the world’s most expensive car remains officially undisclosed by Mercedes-Benz, which describes the buyer only as a “private collector.” However, within the elite car-collecting community, the winning bid was placed by Simon Kidston, a renowned British car broker and consultant, acting on behalf of an anonymous client.
Intense rumours in the automotive press have frequently linked the purchase to Sir James Ratcliffe, the British billionaire and chairman of INEOS, who has a long-standing partnership with Mercedes-Benz and a known passion for rare engineering.
It is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, featuring an interior parquetry design made of 1,603 pieces of black sycamore veneer and a custom-integrated timepiece by Audemars Piguet.
Imagine expecting a hot dry season, only for heavy rains to suddenly fall and destroy homes, crops, and infrastructure. Then, when people have planted and are expecting rainfall, prolonged sunshine and drought take over instead.
These unpredictable weather patterns are among the causes of natural disasters that continue to affect communities.
Many Rwandans still remember the devastating rains of May 2023, which triggered disasters that claimed 135 lives.
More than 2,100 houses were damaged, while another 2,763 were completely destroyed. Roads and other public infrastructure were also badly affected, and the impact is still visible today.
According to a report by the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management(MINEMA), natural disasters are among the most expensive challenges facing Rwanda, costing the country around $300 million (more than Rwf 400 billion) every year.
To respond to these challenges and strengthen environmental resilience, the Government of Rwanda, through the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) and other development partners, is implementing five major projects worth more than Rwf 735 billion.
These projects are aimed at helping Rwanda tackle climate change, reduce flooding, improve water resource management, generate electricity through sustainable resources, boost food security, and improve the livelihoods of communities living near the project areas.
One of the flagship initiatives is the construction of the Muvumba Multi-Purpose Dam in Nyagatare District. The project is expected to be completed in March 2027, and construction has currently reached 46 percent.
The dam is being built on 400 hectares of land across Karama and Rukomo sectors, and it will also extend into Gatunda Sector in Nyagatare District.
Once completed, the dam will stand 39 meters high, with a crest stretching one kilometer and 160 meters in length.
It will have the capacity to store nearly 55 million cubic meters of water. This water will be used to provide clean drinking water to residents, irrigate farmland, supply livestock, and generate one megawatt of electricity.
Construction of the Muvumba Dam is progressing steadily.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) will provide €121.5 million (about Rwf 207 billion), covering 97.2 percent of the total project cost, while Rwanda will contribute 2.8 percent, equivalent to €2.688 million (more than Rwf 4.5 billion).
The dam will supply 50,000 cubic meters of clean water per day. It will also generate one megawatt of electricity and support irrigation on 10,000 hectares of farmland in the sectors of Tabagwe, Gatunda, Karama, Rukomo, Nyagatare, Rwempasha, Musheri, and Rwimiyaga.
Rwanda is also implementing another major initiative known as the Volcanoes Community Resilience Project (VCRP), which is funded by the World Bank. The project is being carried out jointly by the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB), the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), and Meteo Rwanda.
Scheduled to run from 2024 to 2028, the project is valued at $300 million (more than Rwf 438 billion). It focuses on reducing flooding, improving livelihoods, and implementing water management measures in volcanic areas.
The project targets communities living in the volcanic region and the Vunga Corridor. It is expected to strengthen flood control, improve water drainage systems, and uplift livelihoods in the districts of Musanze, Nyabihu, Rubavu, Gakenke, Burera, Rutsiro, Ngororero, and Muhanga.
Since implementation began, terraces covering nearly 400 hectares have been constructed, along with 332 anti-erosion structures and other interventions in the districts of Musanze, Nyabihu, and Rubavu.
More than 450,000 tree and crop seedlings have been prepared and planted on 1,184 hectares of land. In additio n, 357 water tanks have been distributed, while 167 cows have been provided to vulnerable families.
Another key environmental conservation initiative currently receiving strong support is the project aimed at protecting biodiversity in the Congo-Nile Divide.
Over the next three years, a biodiversity conservation project covering districts located along the Congo-Nile Ridge is expected to be completed.
This project is being implemented in 10 districts, namely Musanze, Nyabihu, Rubavu, Ngororero, Rutsiro, Karongi, Nyamasheke, Rusizi, Nyamagabe, and Nyaruguru.
It is valued at $50 million (more than Rwf 73 billion) and is being implemented by the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) in partnership with stakeholders, including the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA).
Congo-Nile Divide Biodiversity Conservation Project is expected to deliver major transformation.
This project, titled “Building Resilience of Vulnerable Communities to Climate Variability in Rwanda’s Congo Nile Divide through Forest and Landscape Restoration,” will focus on conserving natural resources in the Albertine Rift section of the Congo-Nile Divide, which covers 444,600 hectares.
The initiative is expected to restore 5,000 hectares within Nyungwe National Park and Gishwati Forest, while 3,346 hectares will be planted with agroforestry trees. Terraces will be developed on 1,600 hectares of land, 8,500 households will receive clean and environmentally friendly energy solutions, and forests covering 2,500 hectares will be protected.
The project is also expected to create around 24,000 job opportunities.
In the districts of Karongi and Rutsiro, the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) will focus on land restoration activities, including the construction of terraces on 1,673 hectares.
The works will also include rehabilitating 39 kilometers of water channels damaged by heavy rainfall, as well as restoring 300 hectares of land near rivers. These activities are expected to create employment for 3,500 people.
Environmental protection efforts also include another project aimed at combating floods and helping residents in western Rwanda build resilience against disasters.
This project is valued at $9 million (more than Rwf 13 billion). It will focus on addressing recurring floods, soil erosion, and land degradation.
To achieve these goals, water retention dams will be constructed and reinforced with grass cover, damaged drainage channels in Rusizi and Karongi will be rehabilitated, terraces will be built, and agroforestry trees will be planted. These interventions are expected to benefit more than 600,000 residents.
The project will also support the construction of six modern monitoring stations designed to provide early flood warnings, alongside the introduction of digital disaster alert systems.
These measures are expected to benefit 1.2 million people, while training programs on disaster preparedness and response will also be provided.
Five projects worth Rwf 735 billion are underway to protect the environment.
The inclusion of an additional 20 African nations under the zero-tariff treatment policy has demonstrated the nation’s active commitment to expanding high-standard opening up, according to the authorities.
From May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2028, China will grant zero-tariff treatment, in the form of a preferential tariff rate, to 20 African countries that have established diplomatic ties with China and are not classified as the least developed countries, according to an announcement by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council.
The announcement specified that for products under tariff quotas, only the in-quota tariff rate will be reduced to zero, while the out-of-quota tariff rate will remain unchanged.
During the two-year implementation period, China will continue to promote the negotiation and signing of the agreement of China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development with relevant African countries, it said.
China’s latest move to apply zero-tariff treatment to an additional 20 African nations came after the country had granted zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines since Dec. 1, 2024 for 33 least developed African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.
The commission added that this move will play an important role in strengthening the economic and trade cooperation bond between China and Africa as well as advancing joint efforts to build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
Calling it a “significant measure,” China’s commerce ministry said Tuesday that with the expanded policy taking effect on Friday, China will become the first major economy to provide unilateral, full-coverage zero-tariff treatment to all African countries with diplomatic ties, and to all least developed countries with diplomatic relations.
In a statement, the ministry said that the zero-tariff arrangement is also an innovative and phased step as China and relevant African countries work toward the signing of the China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development agreement.
It said that at a time when unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, China’s move will expand the opening up of its market through zero-tariff treatment, creating development opportunities for African countries. Meanwhile, by negotiating and signing the China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development agreement, China aims to ensure stable benefits for African countries and provide long-term, stable and predictable institutional safeguards for deepening China-Africa economic and trade relations.
As a concrete step demonstrating China’s unwavering commitment to expanding high-standard opening up and its initiative to open wider, the implementation of zero-tariff treatment for the 53 African countries will inject strong impetus into China-Africa trade and investment cooperation as well as Africa’s development, it said.
China’s policy announcement on Tuesday aligns with its broad efforts to build a new system of a higher-standard open economy through mutually-beneficial and open cooperation and expansion of institutional opening up over the coming years.
According to the outline of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), the country will actively take the initiative to open wider and create a transparent, stable and predictable institutional environment. It has also pledged to improve the quality and level of trade and investment cooperation in the years through 2030.
The study, carried out by scientists from King’s College London, focused on nearly 500 infants born at St Thomas’ Hospital in London between 2015 and 2020.
Using the addresses where the mothers lived during pregnancy, researchers estimated how much air pollution including nitrogen dioxide and tiny airborne particles called PM2.5 and PM10, the mothers were exposed to during the first trimester of pregnancy.
When the children reached 18 months old, the researchers assessed their developmental progress using established language and motor skill tests.
They discovered that babies whose mothers experienced higher pollution levels in early pregnancy scored five to seven points lower on language tests than those whose mothers breathed cleaner air. This suggests that exposure to pollution in the womb may have a meaningful impact on early communication skills.
The study also found that babies who were born prematurely, especially those born before 32 weeks of pregnancy were even more affected. These infants showed not only delayed speech development but also significantly weaker motor skills, such as crawling and coordination, compared with full‑term babies.
Experts say these findings highlight a growing concern about air pollution and early childhood development. Air pollution doesn’t just affect the environment it can also influence children’s health and growth even before they are born.
In many cities, especially in areas near busy roads and crowded neighbourhoods, pregnant women may be exposed to levels of pollution that seem permissible by current legal standards but may still pose risks to developing babies.
Campaigners and scientists stress that the effects of dirty air are not shared equally. Families living in working‑class and marginalized communities often face higher pollution exposure, raising questions about environmental fairness and health equality.
They argue that protecting children’s health starting before birth requires not only better pollution controls but also policies that address deeper social inequalities.
Although this research was based in London, its implications extend around the world. Air pollution is one of the leading environmental health risks globally, and almost everyone worldwide breathes air containing harmful pollutants at levels that exceed safe guidelines.
Protecting pregnant women and babies from polluted air could help give children a healthier start in life and reduce potential developmental challenges later on.
Air pollution during pregnancy linked to delayed speech development in babies, study finds.
For years, scientists assumed that the cells in the nose that detect smell were scattered in a mostly random way. But in a recent study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School, a team took a closer look by studying millions of smell receptors in mice.
What they found was unexpected: these receptors aren’t random at all; they’re arranged in neat, overlapping stripes that stretch from the top to the bottom of the nasal cavity. This structure acts like a hidden map, where each stripe represents a group of neurons that detect specific types of odor molecules.
Even more exciting, this map inside the nose closely matches a similar pattern in the brain. That means that the way smells are sensed and how they are understood by the brain are tightly connected like two pieces of a puzzle that fit together perfectly.
Researchers also began to understand how this hidden map forms as animals develop. They discovered that a molecule called retinoic acid which helps control how genes are turned on and off plays an essential role in guiding smell neurons into their correct positions.
When the levels of this molecule were changed in the lab, the entire receptor map shifted, showing that this chemical helps shape the sense of smell from the very beginning.
So why does this matter? Understanding the basic structure of smell could help scientists find new ways to restore lost senses in people who can no longer smell due to injury or illness.
Right now, treatments for smell loss are limited and often don’t work well. But now that we know how the nose normally organizes smell information and connects it to the brain, researchers have a better roadmap for developing future therapies.
This discovery not only answers a long-standing scientific mystery it opens doors to future advances that might help people reclaim a sense many of us take for granted.
A microscope image shows a cross-section of a genetically modified mouse nose, with smell neurons expressing green fluorescent protein.
The message was delivered during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Riyadh between Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe.
In his message, President Kagame expressed Rwanda’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia amid evolving regional circumstances, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
The Middle East region has, in recent months, been experiencing heightened geopolitical tensions and security challenges, marked by escalating regional frictions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
These developments have unfolded alongside the ongoing Israel–Palestine conflict and the war in Gaza, rising instability in the Red Sea affecting maritime security, and broader tensions involving Iran and several Gulf states.
Collectively, these dynamics have continued to strain regional stability, disrupt key shipping routes, and impact international trade and energy flows.
Meanwhile, during the recent meeting, the two ministers also discussed bilateral relations between Rwanda and Saudi Arabia and reviewed a number of issues of common interest aimed at further strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting was attended by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Ambassador Dr. Saud Al-Sati, and Director General of the General Administration for African Affairs Saqr Al-Qurashi.
Rwanda and Saudi Arabia continue to cooperate on major infrastructure projects, including healthcare facilities, energy systems, and road development.
Saudi Arabia previously extended a $42 million loan to Rwanda for the construction of road projects covering a total of 150 kilometres, including the Nyagatare–Base–Rukomo and Huye–Kitabi roads, which were officially inaugurated last year.
Bilateral trade between the two countries has also grown steadily in recent years. Between 2022 and 2025, Saudi Arabia ranked among the leading destinations for Rwandan exports.
Data from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) indicates that Rwandan exports to Saudi Arabia reached $1.2 billion between the first and third quarters of 2025.
In February 2025, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Trade Authority (FSC) and Rwanda’s Private Sector Federation (PSF) established a joint commission aimed at strengthening trade cooperation between the two countries.
The commission is expected to support the expansion of trade and investment flows, as well as enhance cultural cooperation between the two sides, according to officials.
The message was delivered during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Riyadh between Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe.The most recent publicly reported engagement between President Kagame and Mohammed bin Salman took place in October 2025.
In front of survivors and the authorities of the City of Namur present on the occasion, the child spoke with remarkable sincerity and depth.
“I stand before you in memory of our loved ones who were killed in Rwanda during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi,” he stated at the outset, honoring those who lost their lives during the Genocide against the Tutsi.
In a speech filled with emotion, he spoke about shattered lives: men, women, and children—each with dreams, families, and unique stories. He reminded the audience that behind every victim was a life, a smile, a hope.
The young speaker also highlighted the enduring reality of grief. “This pain is not always visible. It is silent, but it is there,” he said, emphasizing the living memory carried by families and survivors.
Beyond remembrance, his message carried hope. He called for memory to become a foundation for building a better future: “Their memory can help us build something more just, more humane.”
Aware of his young age, he added with humility: “I cannot change what happened, but I can learn, remember, and believe in a different future, a future without violence where children grow up in safety and where solidarity prevails over hatred.”
Thirty-two years later, his speech reminded everyone of the importance of never forgetting, while holding on to a light of hope.
“Even after the darkest moments, it is possible to rebuild, to rise again, and to move forward together,” he stressed.
Finally, he expressed his gratitude for the efforts of reconstruction, remembrance, and reconciliation undertaken by the Rwandan government, noting that a future based on peace and dignity remains possible.
Through his simple yet powerful words, Christian Cyusa delivered a striking testimony, embodying both memory and hope for future generations.
Christian Cyusa delivers a powerful tribute during the 32nd commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi in NamurChristian Cyusa’s tribute stirred deep emotions, as attendees reflected on the pain and memory of the victims.Speaking before survivors and local authorities, the young orator created a solemn ambience filled with remembrance and respect.As he honored the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi, the audience was drawn into a moment of shared reflection and silence.The 32nd commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Namur was marked by a deeply emotional atmosphere as Christian Cyusa delivered a powerful tribute.
According to a communique from the Office of the President of Botswana issued on April 29, 2026, in Gaborone, the visit will be preceded by the Second Session of the Botswana and Rwanda Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC), set for 4-5 May 2026. The meetings are expected to reinforce both countries’ commitment to structured and results-oriented cooperation.
The State Visit is seen as a significant milestone in strengthening Botswana–Rwanda relations, building on progress achieved since President Kagame’s 2019 State Visit, during which the two countries agreed to establish the JPCC as a framework for deepening bilateral engagement.
During the upcoming visit, President Kagame and President Boko are expected to hold official talks focusing on key areas of cooperation, including digital trade, tourism, animal vaccines, transport connectivity, and collaboration within the diamond value chain. As part of the programme, President Kagame is also expected to visit the Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB).
Several agreements are anticipated to be signed during the visit. These include frameworks on trade and investment cooperation, institutional collaboration between the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), as well as a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement aimed at facilitating smoother business and investment flows between the two countries.
In addition, a business forum is scheduled to take place on May 5, 2026, bringing together private sector stakeholders from both Rwanda and Botswana to explore investment and trade opportunities.
President Kagame will be accompanied by Cabinet Ministers, senior government officials, and members of the business community.
President Paul Kagame is scheduled to undertake a State Visit to Botswana from 6th to 7th May 2026, at the invitation of President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko.
The incident reportedly occurred in the morning in Mparamirundi zone, Kayanza Commune, in Butanyerera Province, near the Rwanda–Burundi border. Police officers operating in the area arrested four people accused of engaging in smuggling activities.
According to police and local administrative officials, the suspects were found carrying between 40 and 60 kilograms of coffee, believed to have been intended for illegal cross-border trade. The border between the two countries has been closed for about two years.
The four individuals were taken to Mparamirundi police station. Reports indicate that two of them were subsequently shot dead on orders from the station commander, identified only as Franck.
Local media outlet SOS Médias reported claims that higher authorities may have instructed police operating along the Burundi–Rwanda border to use lethal force against those caught smuggling goods.
However, Burundian police have provided a different account. Authorities say the gunfire heard at the Mparamirundi station resulted from unrest, as residents allegedly protested and demanded the release of those arrested. Police maintain that shots were fired into the air to disperse the crowd.
Burundi’s Ministry of Public Security has dismissed reports of civilian deaths in Mparamirundi as false. In an official statement, the ministry confirmed that individuals had been arrested for illegally transporting coffee and would be brought before the courts.
“No one was killed in Mparamirundi zone, Kayanza Commune, Butanyerera Province. Those caught attempting to smuggle coffee will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the statement said.
Despite the government’s denial, other sources claim the two individuals were killed and have already been buried, with alleged instructions given to authorities to deny their deaths and state that they remain in custody.
The Archbishop of Kigali and President of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda, Antoine Cardinal Kambanda, confirmed that the Church is examining the matter following widespread reactions online.
Reports and videos circulating on social media show a group of people gathered, announcing the installation of a leader they refer to as both “Pope” and “Parent of the Chosen.”
The individual presented as this leader is Faustin Harerimana, who was symbolically handed a staff, a cross, and a Bible, described as the word of God.
Harerimana stated that every baptized Catholic is “chosen,” suggesting that his movement is rooted in that belief. He also claimed to have received a mission, though he acknowledged that some leaders within the Catholic Church in Rwanda do not recognize it.
“Some Church leaders appear to oppose us, though not all,” he said. “This is actually their mission. They should be asking what kind of garment they have given Christians, and whether the wedding feast of the Lamb is being prepared here in Rwanda.”
He added that his group prays for Catholics to understand and follow what they call the message of “the Chosen.”
“We are not struggling in vain,” he said. “We are a prepared people, ready to unite with Christ in a kingdom of love, justice, and peace. At this moment, we pray for our brothers and sisters who do not yet understand us, so they do not set us against the Church. We are not against the Church; in fact, we believe we belong to it fully.”
Harerimana further argued that if all Christians embraced the identity of “the Chosen,” the country would experience greater peace, insisting that such a calling promotes love expressed through actions.
Responding to the development, Cardinal Kambanda told IGIHE that the Church is actively investigating the situation to clarify what has happened.
“We are looking into it to determine what should be done and to clear any confusion,” he said in a brief statement.
Some Catholic clergy have also weighed in. Father Theophile Niyonsenga, currently serving in Spain, noted that while he is unfamiliar with the group, the Church must carefully examine the origins and motivations behind such movements.
He cautioned that if the claims are based on alleged apparitions, the Church cannot rely on such grounds and warned that it could amount to serious doctrinal error.
Father Dominique Mundere, a student in Rome, expressed concern over why the group continues to associate itself with the Catholic Church despite its controversial claims.
Reports indicate that members of the self-proclaimed “Chosen” group are both within Rwanda and abroad, spread across different countries.
This development comes at a time when the Catholic Church in Rwanda recently marked 125 years since its establishment in the country. The Church currently comprises 236 parishes across nine dioceses, with over five million faithful, 1,160 priests and 3,884 nuns.
The group, known as “the Chosen,” claims to have installed their own Pope.The Archbishop of Kigali and President of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda, Antoine Cardinal Kambanda, confirmed that the Church is examining the matter following widespread reactions online. Harerimana says he is not against the Catholic Church.
