New research presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, Turkey, has revealed that obesity affects men and women in different ways. This study challenges the traditional view that obesity impacts everyone similarly. By understanding these differences, healthcare providers may be able to tailor treatments more effectively for each gender in the future.
The research, conducted by scientists from Dokuz Eylul University in Turkey, analyzed health data from 248 men and 886 women with obesity. Their findings highlighted significant gender-based variations in the effects of obesity. Both men and women face considerable health risks due to obesity, but the type of risks they encounter differs.
Men are more likely to accumulate abdominal fat, particularly around vital organs. This visceral fat is closely associated with increased risks of heart disease, diabetes, and other metabolic issues. Furthermore, men with obesity tend to have higher liver enzyme levels, indicating added stress on the liver.
For women, the impact of obesity manifests differently. Women with obesity are more prone to higher total cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels, both of which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
“These differences are likely influenced by biological factors such as hormones, immune responses, and fat distribution,” noted lead researcher Dr. Zeynep Pekel. “Our next steps are to validate these findings in larger populations, better understand the biological processes behind these differences, and explore how these patterns relate to clinical risk.”
Additionally, women tend to have elevated inflammation markers, such as C-reactive protein, which suggests a greater risk of chronic health conditions. These findings imply that women with obesity may face a higher burden of inflammation-related health issues compared to men.
Researchers believe that these gender differences are primarily due to biological and hormonal factors. Women typically store fat under the skin, while men tend to store fat around internal organs, particularly in the abdominal region.
Although the study provides valuable insights, it is important to note that it was cross-sectional, meaning it captured data at only one point in time. Additionally, the study participants were primarily from a single ethnic background, which may limit the broader applicability of the results. Further research, particularly involving more diverse populations, is needed to confirm these findings and explore them in greater detail.
The new study, conducted by scientists from Dokuz Eylul University in Turkey, offers insights into how obesity affects men and women differently.
The findings were published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society and are based on observations from highly sensitive radio instruments.
Using advanced radio telescopes like the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) in the Netherlands and India’s upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT), scientists captured detailed images of this eruption. The images reveal new jets of energy bursting out from the galaxy’s center, twisting and turning under the extreme pressure of surrounding hot gas. This is just one example of how these enormous cosmic entities continue to shape their environments in ways we are still learning about.
What makes this discovery particularly interesting is that the black hole has shown signs of being active in cycles, switching between periods of quiet and powerful eruptions over millions of years. In fact, the black hole’s jets appear to have erupted multiple times, with layers of older, faded plasma surrounding the new jets. This suggests that the black hole has experienced repeated bursts of activity over its long history, making it an exceptional case study for astronomers.
The surrounding gas is not just a passive background, either. It actively interacts with the black hole’s jets, shaping their direction and structure. The jets bend and compress as they move, creating intricate patterns in the radio images. Some regions of the gas show signs of having aged and lost energy, revealing the long, complex history of the black hole’s relationship with its galaxy.
This discovery gives scientists new insights into the life cycles of black holes and their role in shaping the galaxies they reside in. By studying how black holes cycle through active and dormant phases, astronomers can better understand the processes that drive galaxy evolution across the universe.
In the future, researchers plan to use even more advanced telescopes to observe this black hole and others like it, aiming to uncover even more about how black holes influence their galaxies and the cosmos as a whole.
Black Hole Awakens After 100 Million Years, Erupts Like a Cosmic Volcano.
The commemoration ceremony took place at the Ruhuha Genocide Memorial. It was preceded by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Akanyaru River, followed by a moment of silence in honour of Tutsi victims who were thrown into the river and the Rwabusoro swamp.
The remains laid to rest belong to a mother and three siblings of Mukasine Speciose. They were exhumed in Nyarugenge Sector from a farm owned by a resident who had purchased the land from a Genocide perpetrator who fled the country.
Speaking during the ceremony, Mukasine said the discovery of her relatives’ remains brought her long-awaited relief, after years of anguish caused by not knowing their whereabouts or being able to bury them with dignity.
“It had left me with deep emotional wounds to the extent that I never joined IBUKA associations. I would think about how others commemorate their loved ones because they were able to bury them, while I did not know where mine were and sometimes wondered if they might still be alive. When I was informed that my relatives had been found, I thanked God and felt a sense of peace in my heart,” she said.
The Mayor of Bugesera District, Richard Mutabazi, said the act of dumping victims into water bodies underscores the extreme cruelty with which the Genocide was carried out.
“These waters, once a source of life, were turned into instruments of death. At the same time, they remain silent witnesses to the atrocities committed against those killed during the Genocide against the Tutsi,” he said.
Mutabazi added that the continued discovery and burial of victims more than three decades later, despite perpetrators knowing where bodies were disposed of, continues to reopen wounds for survivors who have made significant strides in rebuilding their lives.
Jean Claude Rugero, the Coordinator of Dukundane Family, called for the installation of memorial markers at rivers and wetlands where many victims were killed, to support remembrance and preserve historical memory.
“We have worked with local authorities to establish memorial markers in several locations, including Cyome in Ngororero, Kirinda in Karongi, along the Akanyaru River in Nyaruguru, on the Nyabarongo in Nyarugenge, and at the confluence of the Nyabarongo and Akagera rivers. We are requesting that a similar marker be installed here so that residents can also have a place to remember,” he said.
In recent weeks, Bugesera District has also witnessed the dignified burial of 52 other Genocide victims, as the recovery of remains continues to bring long-awaited closure to bereaved families across the district.
Residents of the former Ngenda Commune paid tribute to the victims laid to rest at the Ruhuha Genocide Memorial. Four bodies of victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi were accorded a dignified burial at the Ruhuha Genocide Memorial.Mukasine Speciose, who laid her relatives to rest 32 years after the Genocide against the Tutsi, said she felt a deep sense of relief in her heart.The Mayor of Bugesera District, Richard Mutabazi, said the act of dumping victims into water bodies underscores the extreme cruelty with which the Genocide was carried out.Jean Claude Rugero, the Coordinator of Dukundane Family, called for the installation of memorial markers at rivers and wetlands where many victims were killed, to support remembrance and preserve historical memory.
The 63-year-old, known as the “Oslo patient,” is now among roughly 10 people globally who have entered long-term remission from HIV following transplants initially intended to treat serious blood cancers.
The breakthrough hinged on a rare genetic mutation carried by the patient’s brother, which prevents HIV from entering human cells. The mutation affects the CCR5 gene and is found in only about one percent of people in northern Europe.
The patient had been living with HIV since 2006 before being diagnosed in 2017 with myelodysplastic syndrome, a life-threatening blood cancer. His doctors sought a donor who could help treat both conditions, but after failing to find a match, they opted for his elder brother.
In a remarkable twist, doctors only discovered on the day of the 2020 transplant that the brother carried the crucial mutation.
“We had no idea… That was amazing,” said Anders Eivind Myhre of Oslo University Hospital.
Two years after the transplant, the patient stopped taking antiretroviral therapy. Subsequent tests found no trace of HIV in his blood, gut, or bone marrow.
“For all practical purposes, we are quite certain that he is cured,” Myhre said.
The patient himself described the outcome as “like winning the lottery twice,” according to the researchers, whose findings were published in Nature Microbiology.
Doctors say the man is now in excellent health and has regained high energy levels.
While the case represents a significant scientific milestone, experts caution that the procedure itself is not a practical solution for most people living with HIV. Stem cell transplants are complex, high-risk, and typically reserved for patients with life-threatening cancers.
Still, researchers believe such rare cases are crucial to understanding how HIV can be eliminated from the body, potentially guiding future treatments. Notably, the Oslo patient is the first known case of an HIV cure following a transplant from a family member.
According to Marius Troseid of the University of Oslo, the patient’s immune system was “completely replaced” by the donor’s—an outcome observed for the first time in both bone marrow and gut tissues of a cured patient.
The case also builds on earlier breakthroughs, including that of Timothy Ray Brown, the first person declared cured of HIV in 2008, as well as subsequent patients in cities such as London, New York, and Geneva.
Given his recovery, researchers suggest the man’s nickname may no longer apply.
“The Oslo patient is perhaps no longer a patient,” Troseid said. “At least he doesn’t feel like it.”
The 63-year-old, known as the “Oslo patient,” is now among roughly 10 people globally who have entered long-term remission from HIV following transplants initially intended to treat serious blood cancers.
The two acclaimed performers are among the headline acts billed for the “Comedy Store,” a widely followed weekly entertainment showcase curated by Ugandan comedian and show host Alex Muhangi.
Their joint appearance revives a notable artistic pairing that previously delivered the hit single “Why,” a track that enjoyed strong regional reception and solidified their cross-border appeal.
This will not be the first time the duo shares a stage in Uganda. In 2025, both artists featured at a live music event in Ntungamo, staged on the night of May 24–25.
The performance formed part of the “Coffee Marathon Concert,” an entertainment event that followed a marathon race and was tied to a broader campaign aimed at promoting economic empowerment among women coffee farmers.
Although their joint performances remain occasional, The Ben and Diamond Platnumz have previously appeared together on major international platforms, including the 2023 Trace Awards.
The Ben’s Kampala appearance comes as he gears up for a major domestic undertaking, a nationwide Rwandan tour alongside fellow star Bruce Melodie, expected to span all four provinces.
The Ben and Diamond Platnumz delivered an energetic performance in Ntungamo last year.The two stars are among the headline acts for “Comedy Store,” a popular weekly show curated by Ugandan comedian Alex Muhangi.Both artistes also shared stage last year in Ntungamo.
In a statement on Monday, April 13, 2026, NAEB confirmed that Rwanda coffee captured global attention with an anaerobic natural processed lot that placed in the top five out of 48 competing samples.
“Rwanda coffee ranked among the winners at the World of Coffee San Diego 2026 cupping competition, capturing global attention with an anaerobic natural processed lot that placed in the top 5 out of 48 samples,” NAEB said. “This achievement reflects Rwanda’s continued commitment to quality, innovation, and strong competitiveness on the global market.”
NAEB confirmed that Rwanda coffee captured global attention with an anaerobic natural processed lot that placed in the top five out of 48 competing samples.
The World of Coffee San Diego 2026, organised by the Speciality Coffee Association (SCA), is regarded as North America’s leading speciality coffee trade event. Held from April 10–12 at the San Diego Convention Centre in California, the exhibition brought together more than 650 exhibitors and over 15,000 participants from 90 countries, making it one of the most influential gatherings in the global coffee value chain.
NAEB Director General Claude Bizimana attended the three-day event and led a delegation of Rwandan coffee exporters, engaging with international buyers and stakeholders across the speciality coffee industry.
The cupping competition, where Rwanda’s entry stood out, evaluates coffee through blind tasting by professional cuppers who assess aroma, acidity, body, and flavour complexity. The process is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous methods for identifying premium speciality coffee lots.
The World of Coffee San Diego 2026, organised by the Speciality Coffee Association (SCA), is regarded as North America’s leading speciality coffee trade event.
The awarded lot was also previously recognised in the 2025 Rwanda Coffee Excellence Competition, highlighting its consistent quality performance across different stages of evaluation.
Beyond the competition, WOC San Diego served as a major platform for global coffee trade, innovation, and networking, helping producing countries like Rwanda access new markets and strengthen their international visibility in the speciality coffee sector.
During the event, NAEB also highlighted a key milestone in coffee sector cooperation. Bizimana, who also serves as Executive Director of the African Coffee-producing Countries Organisation, oversaw the signing of a cooperation agreement with the International Coffee Organisation (ICO).
The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration in the global coffee sector through improved data collection and analysis, support for farmers and traders in meeting international trade regulations, promotion of research on climate-resilient coffee, and capacity building across the entire coffee value chain.
Under Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), the country aims to export more than 32,000 tons of coffee annually and generate over $115 million in foreign exchange earnings by 2029.
The survey was conducted among more than 12,000 respondents drawn from different sectors of society across various parts of the country.
Among those surveyed, 93% said that the MRND party, which was in power until 1994, contributed to the weakening of national unity. The same proportion also agreed that in the early stages of the breakdown of unity, APROSOMA and PARMEHUTU parties played a role in promoting ethnic ideology, discrimination, and division.
Following the Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda introduced policies aimed at guaranteeing equal rights for all citizens, with ethnic and regional discrimination being eliminated across all sectors of public life.
The survey found that 99% of respondents believe that Rwandans, regardless of where they live, regularly interact socially without regard to ethnic background. Respondents also noted that the commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi plays an important role in strengthening reconciliation among Rwandans.
In addition, 94% of respondents said that communities actively take part in initiatives and programs aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence.
The Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana, recently told senators that the improvement in indicators of unity, reconciliation, and resilience is the result of deliberate government programs designed to strengthen social cohesion.
“The reasons behind the improvement in these indicators include various government programs aimed at bringing Rwandans together, ensuring equal opportunities, fighting injustice and discrimination, promoting healing, delivering justice, and improving citizens’ welfare in an inclusive manner,” he said.
The survey further shows that 99.1% of respondents agreed that Rwanda’s governance system is inclusive.
A further 98.6% said that the country promotes a culture of dialogue, conflict resolution, and consensus-based decision-making, while 98.1% agreed that citizens are represented in decision-making institutions.
Furthermore, 97.8% of respondents believe that justice is delivered without discrimination, while 87.2% said that power-sharing contributes to strengthening resilience among Rwandans.
The survey shows that 99.1% of Rwandans agreed that the country’s governance system is inclusive
According to RIB data, 47 cases of genocide ideology were recorded during the period from April 7 to April 13, 2026, representing a 38.2% decrease compared to 76 cases reported during the same period in 2
The number of suspects arrested also declined by 27.2%, falling from 81 in 2025 to 59 in 2026.
Cases related to discrimination and divisionism similarly decreased, with five recorded cases compared to six in the previous year, a 16.7% reduction.
By region, the Southern Province recorded the highest number of arrests with 14 cases, accounting for 29.8% of the total. The Eastern Province recorded 13 cases, the Western Province 10, while Kigali had seven cases. The Northern Province recorded three cases.
The government has repeatedly stated that, despite 32 years since the end of the Genocide against the Tutsi, genocide ideology remains a concern both domestically and abroad.
On April 8, 2026, during the launch of the International Conference on Genocide Prevention, Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement Bizimana Jean Damascène called for stronger efforts to combat such ideology.
He stated that in some contexts, international actors would strongly condemn collaboration with perpetrators of Nazi-era crimes, yet similar responses are not always seen in relation to groups accused of promoting genocide ideology in the Great Lakes region.
He specifically cited the presence of the armed group FDLR, which he said continues to spread genocide ideology and operate in cooperation with actors in the region, including authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He urged the international community not to remain passive in the face of continued spread of genocide ideology in the region.
The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has confirmed that 59 people were arrested during the national commemoration week of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi on suspicion of genocide ideology and related offences.
The final decision will be made by the United Nations Security Council. The Mechanism was tasked with handling residual cases from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and the tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, including tracking fugitives and overseeing ongoing legal matters.
Among the most prominent recent cases handled by the IRMCT are those of Félicien Kabuga and Fulgence Kayishema. Kabuga, arrested in 2020, was deemed unfit to stand trial due to severe health and cognitive issues.
Once considered a key financier of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, he remains detained in The Hague, as medical experts ruled he cannot travel. No country has agreed to host him except Rwanda.
Kayishema, arrested in 2023 in South Africa, continues to resist extradition to Rwanda, despite a 2012 ICTR ruling determined that his case should be transferred to Rwanda’s High Court.
If no legal obstacles arise, he is expected to be transferred via Arusha before facing trial in Rwanda, as national courts cannot overturn decisions made by international tribunals.
In June 2026, the UN Security Council will also decide whether to renew the mandates of IRMCT Prosecutor Serge Brammertz and Registrar Abubacarr Tambadou, or to formally wind down the institution’s operations. According to Tambadou, this meeting will determine whether the Mechanism continues operating in Arusha or begins its closure process.
If the IRMCT ceases operations, remaining cases will likely be handled by national jurisdictions. Countries such as France, Belgium, and others in Europe have already taken steps to prosecute genocide suspects or extradite them to Rwanda.
Since the establishment of the ICTR in 1995, 92 individuals were indicted for their role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Of these, 62 were convicted, 10 were transferred to Rwanda for trial, and three cases were left to the IRMCT in 2010. Ten individuals were acquitted.
Beyond trials, the IRMCT also oversees enforcement of sentences and management of archives. Its closure raises concerns about genocide convicts currently imprisoned in countries like Senegal and Benin, as their future custody arrangements remain unclear once UN oversight ends.
Reports indicate that the UN has been funding their detention, particularly in Africa.
Discussions are ongoing about whether host countries will assume responsibility for these prisoners or transfer them to Rwanda. The country has indicated readiness to receive them, given the capacity to host them at modern prison facilities such as Mpanga Prison in Nyanza.
Meanwhile, Rwanda continues to pursue justice for genocide suspects abroad. Over 1,100 arrest warrants have been issued to various countries, with more than 500 suspects believed to be in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
However, cooperation, especially from African nations, has been limited.
On April 11, 2026, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, criticized the lack of action from African countries during a commemoration event in Kicukiro.
He emphasized that while European countries are often blamed, many African states have not taken sufficient steps to prosecute or extradite suspects.
France alone is currently handling around 40 pending genocide-related cases, while the United Kingdom is reported to host five suspects but has neither prosecuted nor extradited them.
As the IRMCT approaches its possible closure, the question remains: will justice for the remaining genocide cases be fully realized, or will responsibility shift unevenly across national jurisdictions?
IRMCT Prosecutor Serge Brammertz whose mandate comes to an end in June 2026 requested the extradition of Rwandans from Niger to their home country. Kayishema, arrested in 2023 in South Africa, continues to resist extradition to Rwanda, despite a 2012 ICTR ruling determined that his case should be transferred to Rwanda’s High Court.
Experts say that, given the complexity of the strait and the potential blowback to U.S. own interests, a full blockade may be difficult to sustain. Nevertheless, this “reckless move” could further disrupt the global economy and heighten the risk of renewed regional conflict.
“Reckless move”
After U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Sunday to block ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command said that U.S. forces will begin implementing a blockade of “all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports” on Monday at 10 a.m. Eastern Time (1400 GMT).
In accordance with Trump’s proclamation, the blockade 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.
On Monday afternoon, the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz came into effect.
In a press conference following the blockade, Trump warned that the U.S. military will “eliminate” any Iranian ship if it comes close to the U.S. blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) walks toward Marine One at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 10, 2026.
The blockade adds yet another hurdle to a globally vital shipping route already battered by the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict.
U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz “is not just a geopolitical escalation but a reckless move that risks choking the global economy, with American consumers bearing the brunt,” Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency opined on Monday.
Unsustainable blockade
While the United States seeks to pressure Iran by blocking the strait to secure concessions on issues such as the reopening of Hormuz, experts say that a full blockade is unlikely to be either feasible or sustainable.
The United States is likely to rely on enhancing its naval presence, intensifying monitoring and inspection operations, and possibly imposing “selective restrictions” on the movement of certain vessels, said Abdulaziz Alshaabani, a Saudi researcher at Al Riyadh Center for Political and Strategic Studies.
“However, it is unlikely that the naval blockade would be complete or absolutely effective, given the complexities of maritime routes and the entanglement of international interests,” Alshaabani added.
Mohammed Al-Jubouri, a professor at al-Iraqia University in Baghdad, echoes Alshaabani’s assessment.
“Iran does not need to engage the U.S. fleet directly to undermine the blockade,” Al-Jubouri said. “It suffices for Tehran to employ tactics involving fast-attack craft, naval mines, coastal missile batteries, or even proxy attacks in other parts of the region. Such tools are capable of transforming any blockade into a prolonged war of attrition.”
A demonstrator holds placards in front of the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 7, 2026.
Abu Bakr al-Deeb, an advisor at the Cairo-based Arab Center for Research and Studies, argues that a complete blockade could end up shooting the United States in the foot, ultimately working against its own interests.
“The United States can impose temporary or partial control, but it would face immense difficulty in transforming that control into a stable, long-term blockade without incurring significant political and economic costs,” he added.
Far-reaching impact
Even if a long-term blockade may be beyond Washington’s reach, the move is sure to send additional shockwaves through a global energy market already roiled by ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions and could further jeopardize the fragile ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran, raising the risk of renewed conflict.
A blockade of a strait as vital as Hormuz cannot remain a “purely American affair” in terms of its impact, al-Deeb said, adding, “The global economy — particularly Asia and Europe — would suffer immediate and direct harm.”
Following the outbreak of the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict on Feb. 28, Brent Crude oil prices have already soared, reaching highs of over 120 U.S. dollars per barrel by early April.
Oil could rise to 150 dollars a barrel under a U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Jorge Montepeque, managing director at Britain-based Onyx Capital Group, told Bloomberg.
Gas prices are displayed at a petrol station in London, Britain, March 26, 2026. The strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran have triggered a sharp spike in global oil prices.
The U.S. blockade is also believed to raise the risk of hostilities reigniting between Washington and Tehran, potentially undermining the ceasefire that was just agreed upon last week.
“The U.S. insistence and lack of flexibility regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz … reveals Washington’s intention to use these issues as a pretext for launching further strikes and attacks,” said Al-Jubouri.
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has vowed to use new military capabilities if the war with the United States and Israel continues.
“We have not yet used our capabilities, and if the war continues, we will unveil capabilities that the enemy has no idea about,” IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi said after the U.S. blockade took effect.
Iranian soldiers patrol the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran, April 30, 2019.
