The study, conducted by scientists at the University of Oklahoma, revealed that FGF21 operates through a region of the brain known as the hindbrain, a surprising finding since most researchers expected signals to come from another area called the hypothalamus.
The hindbrain is the same part of the brain targeted by some existing weight‑loss medications like GLP‑1 drugs, but FGF21 works in a completely different way.
Instead of suppressing hunger, FGF21 triggers parts of the hindbrain called the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and the area postrema (AP). These regions then communicate with another brain structure known as the parabrachial nucleus.
This pathway appears to increase metabolic activity meaning the body burns more energy which leads to weight loss.
According to lead researcher Matthew Potthoff, Ph.D., understanding this brain circuit is important because it might help scientists design new weight‑loss therapies that are more effective and have fewer side effects than current options.
While some experimental FGF21‑based drugs are already being tested for a serious liver condition called MASH (metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatohepatitis), this research focuses specifically on how the hormone affects weight and metabolism.
One of the reasons this discovery is so promising is that FGF21 and existing medications target similar brain areas but produce different outcomes. GLP‑1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy reduce appetite, which helps people eat less.
FGF21, on the other hand, appears to increase the body’s natural ability to burn fat and use energy more efficiently, which could lead to powerful new ways to treat obesity.
Although these results are still early and have been observed in mice, the findings offer scientists a valuable new perspective on how the brain controls metabolism and body weight.
If future research confirms similar effects in humans, FGF21‑based therapies could eventually become a part of treatments for obesity and related conditions such as fatty liver disease.
Scientists uncover hormone FGF21 that triggers weight loss in mice, paving the way for new obesity treatments.
For decades, scientists have known that sponges, the simplest of animals, almost certainly existed far earlier than the fossils suggested.
Genetic studies implied that sponges may have evolved around 700 million years ago, but convincing physical fossils were only known from much later. This created a puzzling 160‑million‑year gap in our understanding of early animal life.
The breakthrough came when a team led by geobiologist Shuhai Xiao from Virginia Tech and collaborators from the University of Cambridge and the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology uncovered a rare fossil preserved in marine carbonate rock along the Yangtze River in China.
Unlike most fossils, which form from hard body parts like bones or shells, this fossil shows an exceptionally well‑preserved soft‑bodied sponge.
What makes this find so important is that scientists now think the earliest sponges lacked mineral skeletons or rigid structures. Because traditional fossilization usually preserves hard parts and not soft tissues, this has made early sponge fossils extremely rare and difficult to find.
The new fossil shows that ancestral sponges could have been soft‑bodied and therefore easily lost over time, explaining why earlier fossils have been scarce.
The fossil itself is unusual not only for its age but also for its detailed surface pattern and relatively large size about 15 inches long, challenging earlier expectations that early sponges would be tiny and simple. These features give researchers new ideas about how early animals lived and evolved.
This discovery not only fills an important gap in the fossil record but also reshapes how scientists search for evidence of ancient life. By broadening their focus beyond hard parts to include special rocks that preserve soft tissue, researchers may now uncover more of life’s earliest chapters.
New fossil discovery sheds light on the origins of early sponges, closing a 160-million-year gap.
The State Minister for Infrastructure, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, made the appeal following a recent increase in petrol prices, emphasizing that public transport fares will remain unchanged since diesel, widely used in public transport, has not increased in price.
On April 16, 2026, Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) announced that the price of petrol had risen from Rwf 2,303 to Rwf 2,938 per litre, an increase of Rwf 635. The new prices took effect on the morning of April 17, 2026. Meanwhile, the price of diesel remained unchanged at Rwf 2,205 per litre.
Speaking to Radio Rwanda, Uwihanganye attributed the rise in petrol prices to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran, the United States, and Israel—regions that are key sources and transit routes for petroleum products imported into Rwanda.
“We are in an extraordinary situation caused by the war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel in a region that supplies petroleum products. Supply has decreased, pushing prices up by nearly 20%,” he said, noting that global price fluctuations remain unpredictable as the conflict continues.
Despite the increase in petrol prices, the minister stressed that public transport fares will not be revised upward, since diesel prices have remained stable. He explained that this is part of government measures to cushion citizens from the full impact of global fuel price shocks.
“The price of public transport will not change because diesel, which is mainly used in public transport, has not increased,” he said.
Uwihanganye added that the cost of goods is also not expected to rise significantly, as diesel—commonly used in the transportation of goods—has remained stable.
However, he cautioned that price adjustments may continue depending on how the conflict evolves, noting that the government will keep balancing necessary changes with the welfare of citizens.
He explained that the government’s priority is to ensure a steady supply of petroleum products in the country, even as rising global prices require additional financial resources to maintain supply—costs that are partly passed on to consumers.
Sufficient fuel reserves
Addressing concerns about fuel availability, Uwihanganye reassured the public that Rwanda still has adequate reserves of both petrol and diesel.
“There are minimum stock levels that fuel traders are required to maintain, and these are still in place. In addition, the country has strategic reserves that can be used in case of disruptions,” he said.
He noted that Rwanda relies entirely on international markets for petroleum products, meaning supply chains can take time, which makes maintaining reserves essential.
However, he warned that despite the current stability in reserves, Rwanda is not immune to shortages, as seen in some countries affected by the ongoing conflict.
Eng. Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye says public transport fares will remain unchanged.
Call for responsible consumption
In light of the situation, the minister urged citizens to reduce non-essential travel and prioritize public transport such as buses instead of using private cars. He also encouraged households to use petroleum-based energy responsibly.
On the issue of subsidies, Uwihanganye said the government is already providing support, noting that without intervention, fuel prices—especially petrol—would be significantly higher based on international market trends.
“Current prices already reflect government efforts, including subsidies and support to fuel importers. Diesel has remained stable partly due to these measures,” he explained.
He also warned traders against exploiting the situation by unjustifiably increasing the prices of goods, stressing that the rise in petrol prices should not disrupt market stability.
Long-term measures
Looking ahead, Uwihanganye said the government is continuing efforts to secure fuel supply routes and maintain reserves, even as delays in deliveries have started to emerge due to the conflict.
He also encouraged Rwandans to consider adopting electric vehicles as a long-term solution to reduce dependence on petroleum products.
In the meantime, citizens have been advised to expect broader price increases due to the global situation, avoid unnecessary spending, and rely on government measures aimed at protecting livelihoods.
MININFRA has urged private car owners to opt for public buses
The company, which continues to lead Rwanda’s aquaculture sector, held the annual commemoration as part of its ongoing commitment to remembering the past and fostering the values of unity, resilience, and leadership that have shaped the nation’s recovery.
Emmanuel Bahizi, Managing Director of Kivu Choice, underscored the significance of the event, urging the company’s staff both in Rwanda and across the region to understand the importance of this moment in Rwanda’s history.
“Our success, both as a country and as a company, is deeply rooted in the history and culture of Rwanda. It is crucial for every employee to understand and embrace this history,” Bahizi stated.
Kivu Choice’s leadership has made the event an annual tradition, ensuring that each member of the company understands the importance of the genocide commemoration.
With a workforce of nearly 800 employees in Rwanda and 1,500 across the region, Bahizi emphasized that this moment is not only an opportunity to honor those who were lost, but also a reminder of the unity and strength that have enabled Rwanda to rebuild.
This year’s event at the Rebero Genocide Memorial had special significance as the memorial pays tribute not only to the victims of the genocide against the Tutsi but also to political leaders and figures who stood for peace and unity during the darkest moments in the country’s history.
Bahizi reflected on the responsibility of Kivu Choice, a pioneer in Rwanda’s aquaculture industry, to set an example for the rest of the country and beyond.
“We are pioneers in our industry, and we have a responsibility to lead by example,” Bahizi explained. “It is essential for us to live by the core values of Rwanda, demonstrating unity and commitment to the values that have shaped the country’s recovery. We hope to set an example for the rest of the industry.”
Addressing employees, Bahizi delivered a powerful message of unity.
“The message is one of remembrance, paying our respects to those we lost during the Genocide against the Tutsi, but also remembering that we must live with unity. By continuing to live in unity every day, we ensure that such a tragedy never happens again,” he said.
Bahizi also encouraged employees to honour the memory of the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi by working hard and striving to build a brighter future
“The people we lost would want us to live for them and to achieve things that would make them proud. This is what we strive for every day, committing ourselves to a future that honours their memory,” he noted.
Kivu Choice’s visit to the Rebero Genocide Memorial was a poignant reminder of the ongoing importance of remembrance, unity, and collective responsibility in building a future that that honours the past.
Emmanuel Bahizi, Managing Director of Kivu Choice, delivered a heartfelt at Rebero Genocide Memorial.Managing Director of Kivu Choice, led his employees in a solemn tribute at Rebero Genocide Memorial, as they respectfully lay flowers on the graves of the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.Kivu Choice employees gained valuable insight into the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi, deepening their understanding of the nation’s journey of remembrance and healing at Rebero Genocide Memorial.Kivu Choice employees honoring the memory of those who lost their lives during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.Kivu Choice made a donation to Rebero Genocide Memorial, as a gesture of respect and remembrance for the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
According to the Rwanda Vital Statistics Report 2025, released on April 15, 2026, the recorded divorce cases include separations that occurred over the past three years but were officially entered into the system in 2025.
Out of the 4,479 recorded cases, 2,629 divorces were granted through courts of law.
The highest number of divorce cases was recorded in Kigali City, with 1,199 households, followed by the Eastern Province with 1,011 cases. The Southern Province recorded 976 divorces, while the Western Province had 669, and the Northern Province registered 592 cases.
Data further shows that courts granted 1,068 divorces in 2024, up from 782 cases in 2023, indicating a steady increase in legal separations over recent years.
An analysis of the 2025 figures indicates that in 3,936 of the divorced households, both partners remained in the same province after separation, while in 543 cases, each partner relocated to a different province.
Under Rwanda’s law governing persons and family, divorce may be requested on various grounds, including adultery, conviction for a serious offense, failure to provide for the family, physical or psychological abuse, emotional distress, economic abuse, or other behaviors that seriously harm a spouse, a shared child, or either party individually. Couples may also separate when cohabitation becomes intolerable for one or both partners.
Decline in legal marriages
The report also highlights a decline in legally registered marriages. In 2025, a total of 50,256 marriages were recorded, down from 52,878 in 2024.
Men entering marriage were predominantly aged between 25 and 29, while most women were between 21 and 24 years old.
Districts with the highest number of marriages exceeding 2,000, include; Gasabo District, Gicumbi District, Nyarugenge District, Kicukiro District, Musanze District, Muhanga District, Rubavu District, and Nyamasheke District.
On the other hand, districts with fewer than 1,000 registered marriages include Nyanza District, Gisagara District, and Ngoma District.
In 2025, a total of 50,256 marriages were recorded, down from 52,878 in 2024.
In an atmosphere of solemn reflection, his words rang out with striking clarity: “We are gathered to remember. We are gathered not to forget.” From the outset, the tone was unmistakable. This was not merely about commemoration, it was about commitment.
Speaking on behalf of survivors, Murangira César emphasized the symbolic weight of every presence: an act, a stance, a refusal to accept erasure.
Behind the numbers, he reminded the audience, are human lives. More than one million Tutsi were killed during the Genocide against the Tutsi, a tragedy he evoked with force: “One million broken destinies. One million silenced voices. And yet, those silences still speak.”
Memory as a living responsibility
At the heart of his message was a central truth: for survivors, time does not erase, it intensifies absence and reinforces the duty to remember. “We are the voices of the departed,” he stated, underscoring a responsibility that is both heavy and unrelenting.
But remembrance alone, he insisted, is not enough. It must be accompanied by understanding, explanation, and transmission.
Forgetting, he warned, is never neutral. Denial and distortion of history are never harmless, they always lay the groundwork for future atrocities.
In a clear and uncompromising analysis, he stressed that the genocide was neither accidental nor spontaneous. It was conceived, planned, and executed. It was driven by a racist ideology, Hutu Power, whose roots trace back to the colonial era and decades of recurring violence.
One of the most striking moments of his address focused on the role of the international community. “The world knew. And it did not act.” A heavy indictment, pointing to the inaction of major powers and international institutions as Rwanda descended into horror.
Embassies closed. Foreign nationals were evacuated. Diplomatic hesitation prevailed. Meanwhile, thousands were being killed every single day. “This indifference killed. This silence killed,” he stressed.
Murangira also highlighted the decisive role played by the Rwandan Patriotic Front in bringing the genocide to an end.
“We must have the courage to acknowledge it,” he said, noting that this intervention saved lives and ensured the survival of Tutsi in Rwanda.
Today, survivor testimonies remain essential. They challenge, they confront, and they prevent falsehoods from taking root.
Beyond remembrance, such commemorations stand as acts of resistance, against forgetting, against denial, against indifference. They restore dignity and humanity to those the genocide sought to erase.
But they also raise an urgent and universal question: what do we do with this memory?
In a world where hate speech and exclusionary ideologies are re-emerging, Murangira César called for constant vigilance. “We do not have the right to remain bystanders,” he warned.
In Geneva, his message transcended commemoration. It stood as a call to collective conscience: to remember, yes, but above all, to act, so that history never repeats itself.
Ibuka Switzerland president Murangira César has delivered a deeply powerful address at the headquarters of the United Nations.
The incident occurred just days after official commemoration ceremonies, intensifying the sense of indignation.
“Shock and dismay” have been widely expressed in reaction to the damage. Beyond the material destruction, this act represents a serious desecration of a site of remembrance, undermining the dignity of the victims, the respect owed to survivors, and the fundamental principles of truth and justice.
The message of shock was also delivered by Rouen’s Mayor, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, who strongly condemned the act and reaffirmed the city’s support for the Rwandan community. He described the vandalism as unacceptable and confirmed that the city would file a formal complaint to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
In a statement released on April 16, 2026, the Rwandan Community of France (CRF) strongly condemned the act. The organization also raised concerns about a troubling context marked by repeated attacks on memorial sites, as well as the spread of denialist and hateful discourse, particularly online.
The CRF further called on French authorities to address the actions of individuals known for publicly and repeatedly promoting such narratives, urging a firm judicial response commensurate with the gravity of the situation.
The memorial to victims of Genocide against the Tutsu has been vandalized. The memorial serves as a place for remembrance of victims of Genocide against the Tutsi. Col. Karara represented the ambassador at the commemoration eventRouen’s Mayor, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol strongly condemned the act and reaffirmed the city’s support for the Rwandan community.
In exercising its veto on April 7 on the draft resolution submitted by Bahrain on behalf of Gulf states, China upheld international fairness and justice, defended the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and prevented the conflict from expanding further. The veto also created favorable conditions for achieving a temporary ceasefire and launching dialogue and negotiations, said Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations.
“China’s vote represents a choice responsible for peace and for the people of the region. It stands on the right side of history and will stand the test of history,” he told a UN General Assembly meeting on the use of veto in the Security Council.
China attached great importance to the draft resolution and fully understood the Gulf states’ major concerns. At the same time, Security Council actions should be aimed at de-escalation. They must not provide a veneer of legitimacy for unauthorized military operations or authorize the use of force, let alone further exacerbate tensions and add fuel to the fire, thereby leading to an escalation of the conflict, said Fu.
“China does not go along with Iran’s attacks on Gulf states. China believes that the passage and safety of a strait used for international navigation should be safeguarded. We call on Iran to take proactive measures to restore normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz at an early date,” said Fu.
“Meanwhile, the ramped-up military deployment and targeted blockade by the United States constitute a dangerous and irresponsible move. The issue of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is a spillover effect of the conflict in Iran. Only a complete ceasefire can fundamentally create conditions for easing the situation,” he said.
China welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire agreement by the relevant parties and supports all efforts conducive to ending the conflict. The U.S.-Iran negotiations in Pakistan mark a step in the right direction toward de-escalation, Fu said.
“The relevant parties should adhere to the ceasefire agreement, stick to the direction of dialogue and peace talks, stay committed to resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means, and take concrete actions to de-escalate regional tensions,” he said.
The international community, he said, should continue to intensify efforts to promote peace talks and unequivocally oppose any actions that undermine the ceasefire or escalate confrontation.
All parties should also earnestly respect Lebanon’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and prevent the escalation of the situation in Lebanon from undermining the ceasefire arrangement, Fu said.
As a sincere friend and strategic partner of countries in the Middle East, China is closely following the regional situation, maintaining an objective and impartial position, and has been engaged in intensive mediation with all parties to actively promote peace talks, he said.
China stands ready to continue facilitating de-escalation, promoting the improvement of relations between regional countries, and playing a constructive role in ultimately achieving enduring peace and stability in the Middle East, he said.
China has called on Iran to take proactive measures to restore normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz at an early date.
The ceremony took place at Kintele Stadium in the northern suburbs of Brazzaville, the capital city, in the presence of several African heads of state.
In his inaugural address, Sassou Nguesso pledged to implement his development programme, titled “Accelerating the March Toward Development,” with a focus on economic diversification and modernization, agricultural mechanization, infrastructure development, education, youth training, and improvements to the health system.
He said peace, stability and infrastructure development would be the priorities of his new mandate.
The president also called on Congolese citizens to promote Pan-Africanism and strengthen regional integration, while reaffirming his support for initiatives aimed at advancing Africa’s economic development.
President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso takes the oath of office during his inauguration ceremony at Kintele Stadium in the northern suburbs of Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo, April 16, 2026.
Wadagni secured victory in the first round of voting held on April 12, defeating his moderate opposition rival, former culture minister Paul Hounkpe, who obtained 5.73 percent of the vote.
The Constitutional Court, Benin’s highest authority on electoral disputes, said Wadagni and his running mate Mariam Chabi Talata won 4,575,449 votes, while Hounkpe and Rock Judicael Hounwanou received 278,297 votes. Talata will serve as vice president.
The court said that more than 7.89 million voters were registered nationwide, with over 4.85 million casting ballots, representing a turnout rate of 63.57 percent.
Preliminary results released on Monday by the Autonomous National Electoral Commission had already indicated a decisive lead for Wadagni, who secured 94.05 percent of the vote.
Wadagni, 49, previously worked at Deloitte before entering government after Patrice Talon’s election in 2016. He has since served as minister of economy and finance, was reappointed in 2021, and later promoted to senior minister, playing a central role in implementing Talon’s economic policies.
Under Benin’s electoral code, the president and vice president are elected by direct universal suffrage for a seven-year term.
Romuald Wadagni has won Benin’s presidential election with 94.27 percent of valid votes.
