Zeaxanthin is already known for its role in eye health, especially in protecting the retina and supporting good vision. However, the new research suggests this nutrient can also enhance the performance of important immune cells called CD8+ T cells. These cells are a type of white blood cell that recognize and kill cancer cells. According to the study, zeaxanthin helps strengthen the T‑cell receptor, which allows T cells to detect and attack tumors more effectively.
In laboratory experiments, researchers saw that mice fed diets containing zeaxanthin showed stronger immune responses against cancer. When combined with immunotherapy drugs called checkpoint inhibitors, which are already used in some cancer treatments, the nutrient appeared to make these therapies work even better. In simple terms, zeaxanthin seemed to “turbo‑charge” the immune system’s ability to find and destroy tumor cells when used alongside existing treatments.
The scientists also tested human‑engineered T cells in lab conditions and found that zeaxanthin helped these human immune cells kill various cancer cells more powerfully than without the nutrient. This suggests that the nutrient may have benefits for human immune function, although more research is needed to confirm this in real patients.
One of the most exciting aspects of this discovery is that zeaxanthin is generally safe and well‑tolerated. Because it is already available as a dietary supplement and a normal part of many people’s diets, researchers believe it could be tested more quickly as a supportive therapy compared to brand‑new drugs. The idea would be to combine zeaxanthin with modern cancer immunotherapies to increase their effectiveness and give patients better outcomes.
However, experts emphasize that this research is still in early stages. So far, most of the evidence comes from animal studies and lab tests. Larger human clinical trials are needed before doctors can confidently recommend zeaxanthin as part of regular cancer treatment.
This study offers a promising new direction in cancer research. It highlights how everyday nutrients might play important roles in helping the immune system fight disease, especially when used with advanced medical therapies.
Zeaxanthin: A Common Nutrient That Holds Promise for Enhancing Cancer Treatment.
He made the remarks on April 10, 2026, at State House, Nairobi, during the signing of a lease agreement between the Kenya Railways Corporation and Zaria Group for the development of a modern arena and entertainment district under the Nairobi Railway City project.
President Ruto said the agreement marks a turning point in the transformation of Nairobi into a globally competitive capital, driven by structured planning, public-private partnerships, and coordinated urban regeneration.
He noted that the Nairobi Railway City master plan is designed to convert underutilised land in the city centre into a mixed-use district integrating transport, commerce, culture, sports, and public life, with the aim of establishing a vibrant 24-hour economy.
“It is true that this arena should have been built before the one in Kigali, and Ujiri would have wanted that to happen,” Ruto said. “But we thank God that finally we are doing it.”
He added that Nairobi’s slow decision-making processes had previously held back major opportunities for the city.
Ruto further revealed that he personally intervened in negotiations to finalise the agreement, including adjusting financial terms to ensure consensus was reached.
President William Ruto acknowledged that delays in decision-making and fragmentation slowed Kenya’s progress despite early conceptualisation of the project.
The President emphasised that the project reflects a shift toward private-sector-driven development, noting that government alone cannot finance all infrastructure needs.
He added that the Nairobi Railway City project will serve as a model for integrated urban development, supported by broader improvements in infrastructure, including roads, lighting, security systems, and cleanliness within the capital.
Ruto said the arena will not only serve sporting purposes but will also support music, arts, and the wider creative economy, positioning Nairobi as a regional hub for entertainment and international events.
He further said the project will complement other flagship developments such as the Talanta Stadium and the Bomas of Kenya conference facility, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for sports, culture, and business tourism.
The project, which is expected to be completed within 12 months, is projected to create up to 25,000 jobs annually across construction, operations, hospitality, and the creative economy.
President William Ruto witnessed the signing of a lease agreement between the Kenya Railways Corporation and Zaria Group for the development of a modern arena and entertainment district under the Nairobi Railway City project.
Zaria Group co-founder Masai Ujiri described the project as a historic milestone, saying it goes beyond sports to become a major driver of Africa’s creative economy.
“I’m actually overwhelmed, Your Excellency. This is historical. This is momentous,” Ujiri said.
He emphasised that the arena will not be limited to basketball, but will serve as a business hub for sports, entertainment, and the creative industry across Africa.
“In Africa, we don’t understand sports, entertainment, and the creative industry as a business. This is a business. This is going to become an economic driver,” he said.
Ujiri noted that the facility will provide young people with space to express themselves, adding that sports and the creative industry play a role in promoting peace, unity, and opportunity.
He also acknowledged Rwanda’s role in pioneering such developments, referencing Zaria Court and President Paul Kagame’s leadership in advancing sports infrastructure on the continent.
“President Kagame and Kigali and the Kigali arena have done an incredible job of at least starting this for us,” Ujiri said, adding that the Nairobi project will strengthen continental exchange in sports and entertainment.
The Nairobi Railway City arena is expected to become a key anchor for regional cultural and sporting exchanges, with plans for artists, athletes, and performers to circulate between African cities for events and competitions.
The Kigali complex was inaugurated by President Kagame in July 2025.
The $25 million world-class sports and lifestyle complex in Kigali was inaugurated by President Kagame in July 2025, during the Giants of Africa Festival, a pan-African celebration of youth, creativity, and sport. The event drew notable figures, including Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, business leaders, creatives, and young talents from across the continent. The property recently joined Hilton’s Tapestry Collection as a franchised partner.
Zaria Court features an 80-room hotel, multiple restaurants, a rooftop lounge, a gym, co-working spaces, a podcast studio, a broadcast centre, and a large multipurpose arena for sports, concerts, and cultural events.
Outside, the facility includes five-a-side football pitches, a callisthenics area, children’s play zones, and open green spaces. A modular retail park, built from stacked shipping containers, provides affordable space for Kigali’s rising designers, food vendors, and small business owners.
The complex features an 80-room hotel, multiple restaurants, a rooftop lounge, a gym, co-working spaces, a podcast studio, a broadcast centre, and a large multipurpose arena for sports, concerts, and cultural events.
Directed by Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo, the film has been selected in the Un Certain Regard category. This section of the festival is dedicated to films that present unique storytelling approaches and often highlights emerging and innovative voices in global cinema.
It is the first film directed by a Rwandan filmmaker to be selected for this festival, following Munyarugabo, which was released in 2007 but directed by American filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung.
The film tells the story of Veneranda, a survivor of the Genocide against the Tutsi, who rebuilds her life and finds stability after enduring profound trauma.
However, her emotional wounds are reopened when her daughter faces an unplanned pregnancy, triggering painful memories from her past.
The cast features prominent names in Rwandan cinema, including Clémentine Uwimana Nyirinkindi, widely known for her role as Marigarita in Papa Sawa, who takes on the lead role of Veneranda.
Other notable actors include Isabelle Kabano, Nishimwe Kesia Kelly, Uwabeza Léocadie (popularly known as Nyiragitariro), Uwamahoro Antoinette (known for her role as Siperansiya in Seburikoko), and Tuyisenge Aimé Valens.
Prior to directing Ben’Imana, Dusabejambo built a strong reputation through her earlier works, including A Place for Myself, Icyasha, Behind the World, and Lyiza.
The film was produced by Samantha Biffot in collaboration with Rwandan producer Uwayezu Marie Epiphanie and Egyptian producer Mostafa El Kashef.
The 2026 edition of the Cannes Film Festival 2026 is scheduled to take place from May 12 to May 23 in France.
The film Ben’Imana has become the first film directed by a Rwandan to be officially selected at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France.
Scientists from Osaka Metropolitan University have discovered that dragonflies can see a type of light that humans cannot detect, giving them a unique visual advantage. While human vision is limited to a certain range of colors, dragonflies are able to perceive extremely deep red light, close to near-infrared.
This allows them to experience a broader visual world and detect details that are invisible to humans. The study highlights how even small insects can possess highly advanced sensory abilities that rival or exceed our own.
This ability comes from special proteins in their eyes called opsins, which are also present in humans. In people, these proteins allow us to see basic colors such as red, green, and blue. However, the researchers found that dragonflies have a modified version of these proteins that is sensitive to longer wavelengths of light.
One of these proteins responds to light at around 720 nanometers, which lies beyond normal human vision. According to the research, dragonflies and humans share a surprisingly similar biological mechanism for detecting red light, despite being very different species.
This finding is an example of parallel evolution, where unrelated organisms develop similar features independently. As the research team led by Professors Mitsumasa Koyanagi and Akihisa Terakita at OMU’s Graduate School of Science explains, this discovery unveils an extraordinary parallel in evolutionary biology.
“This is one of the most red-sensitive visual pigments ever found,” Professor Terakita said. “Dragonflies can likely see deeper into red light than most insects.”
The researchers also noted that this enhanced vision plays an important role in the survival of dragonflies. Because they fly at high speeds, they need to quickly identify other dragonflies, especially potential mates.
Their ability to detect subtle differences in light reflection helps them distinguish between males and females while in motion. This gives them a strong advantage in reproduction and survival within their environment.
Beyond biology, the findings have important implications for medicine and technology. Red and near-infrared light can penetrate deeper into the human body than other types of light, making them useful in medical treatments.
The researchers were able to modify the dragonfly’s light-sensitive proteins so they respond to even longer wavelengths and demonstrated that cells can be controlled using this light. This could be especially useful in optogenetics, a field where light is used to control cells inside the body.
Overall, the study shows how nature can inspire scientific innovation. By studying dragonflies, researchers may develop new tools for treating diseases and exploring the human body, proving that even the smallest creatures can lead to major breakthroughs in science and medicine.
Dragonflies can perceive a color invisible to humans, and it may transform medicine.
The book focuses on the historical truth of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, a subject that has defined much of Mibirizi’s artistic work, particularly through his commemorative songs.
In an interview with IGIHE, the artist revealed that his book, titled “100 Songs, 100 Hills,” is now expected to be released during the 100-day commemoration period marking the 32nd anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
Mibirizi explained that the inspiration behind the book stems from his extensive body of musical work. Since 1995, he has composed songs about more than 100 hills across Rwanda, each carrying messages of remembrance. However, he noted that music alone may not fully convey the depth of these messages.
“I realized that although people hear these messages through songs, they may not fully grasp them. Writing a book will allow the message to reach a wider audience and be better understood,” he said.
Addressing the missed publication timeline initially set for May to June 2025, Mibirizi cited unforeseen challenges. These included the need for more in-depth research and documentation, as well as travel commitments during the year.
He emphasized that the project required more than just written content. “I discovered that words alone were insufficient. The book needed to include photographs of the hills and genocide memorial sites where victims are laid to rest. Sourcing high-quality images suitable for publication significantly slowed the process,” he explained.
Additionally, Mibirizi highlighted that in 2025 he was invited to the United States, where he participated in commemoration activities across six states. These engagements further disrupted his planned schedule.
The artist noted that he has dedicated nearly three years to developing the book and now aims to publish it in May 2026 in Kinyarwanda. He also plans to release translated editions in English, Swahili, and French in 2027.
Mibirizi also called upon Rwandans to remain committed to ensuring that such a tragedy never recurs. He urged collective vigilance and unity in resisting any efforts that could lead the nation back to painful history.
Munyanshoza Dieudonné has confirms his book will be released this year.
In a statement following a conversation with Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, on Friday, Sa’ar said he conveyed support to Rwanda on behalf of the Government and people of Israel during the ongoing commemoration week.
“I expressed solidarity with Rwanda, on behalf of the Government and people of Israel, during the week marking 32 years since the Genocide against the Tutsi,” Sa’ar said.
Rwanda began the annual commemoration period on April 7 and will observe remembrance week through April 13. The Genocide against the Tutsi claimed more than one million lives in 100 days in 1994.
Beyond the commemoration message, the two foreign ministers also discussed security developments in their respective regions.
Sa’ar said he briefed his Rwandan counterpart on the security situation in the Middle East and reiterated Israel’s position that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons.
“I emphasised that the Iranian terror regime must not obtain nuclear weapons,” he said, adding that the removal of enriched nuclear material from Iran and the cessation of uranium enrichment remain key objectives.
He noted that Israel would welcome the achievement of those goals through diplomatic means.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following extensive military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran between February 28 and April 8, 2026. According to officials, the operations targeted Iran’s nuclear programme and long-range missile capabilities.
Iran later launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and several Middle Eastern countries hosting U.S. military installations, including Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Sa’ar also said he invited Nduhungirehe to visit Israel, underscoring the continued strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries.
“We’ll continue strengthening our friendship with Rwanda,” he said.
Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Sa’ar, reaffirmed his country’s solidarity with Rwanda as the nation marks the 32nd commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
Iran’s leaders “talk much differently when you’re at a meeting than they do to the press. They’re much more reasonable,” Trump said during a phone interview with NBC News.
“They’re agreeing to all the things that they have to agree to,” he claimed. “If they don’t make a deal, it’s going to be very painful.”
Trump said he had a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday and noted that the Israelis were “scaling back” operations in Lebanon.
“I spoke with Bibi (Netanyahu) and he’s going to low-key it. I just think we have to be sort of a little more low-key,” he said.
Israel and Lebanon will start their first round of direct negotiations next week in Washington, D.C., with the United States, Israel and Lebanon represented at the ambassadorial level, online U.S. media outlet Axios reported Thursday, citing a senior Israeli official.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf have stressed that stopping attacks on Lebanon is an integral part of the ceasefire reached between the United States and Iran.
US President Donald Trump said he had a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday and noted that the Israelis were “scaling back” operations in Lebanon.
He made the remarks during the 32nd commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, organised by a youth initiative known as “Our Past Initiative,” which is held annually on April 9. The event brought together more than 10,000 young people at the Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro District.
Nduhungirehe said that while remembrance is a matter of principle for Rwandans, it is sometimes misunderstood internationally as an expression of resentment.
“Commemoration is very important, but not everyone understands it that way. Some believe we should forget and move on with life. I have personally been told that Rwandans are exaggerating and should simply forget,” he said.
He stressed that such a position is impossible given the scale and nature of the crime committed during the genocide.
“The Genocide against the Tutsi claimed more than one million lives out of a population of just over seven and a half million in only 100 days. It was an unimaginable crime, which is why remembrance must continue indefinitely,” he said.
Nduhungirehe reflected on Rwanda’s historical context, including the colonial period, during which social categories of Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa were ethnicised, and divisive ideologies were introduced and reinforced under Belgian rule.
He noted that these ideologies were later sustained by successive post-independence governments, from Grégoire Kayibanda to Juvénal Habyarimana, and further entrenched through education systems that normalised ethnic division from an early age.
“In history classes, no child could be identified as Tutsi without consequences. Students were taught divisive narratives and then asked to identify themselves along ethnic lines. Teachers often knew students’ backgrounds and would single them out accordingly,” he said.
He argued that decades of indoctrination and hate propaganda contributed significantly to the scale and intensity of the genocide.
“The genocide was carefully planned, but without more than 30 years of indoctrination, it would not have reached such magnitude. People were taught to see their neighbours as enemies,” he said.
He added that the genocide was not carried out by a single group, but involved widespread participation.
“The genocide was not committed by the Interahamwe alone, nor solely by the army. In many cases, neighbours took part. That is why escape was extremely difficult,” he said.
Following the genocide, Rwanda embarked on a long process of rebuilding national unity and reconciliation.
This included psychosocial healing programmes, the establishment of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, and community-based justice mechanisms such as Gacaca courts, which enabled citizens to participate in delivering justice for genocide crimes.
On the international stage, he said, Rwanda faced significant resistance in securing recognition that the 1994 atrocities constituted the Genocide against the Tutsi, rather than a general genocide in Rwanda.
“For many years, it was difficult to have the genocide recognised as the Genocide against the Tutsi,” he said.
He noted that the United Nations General Assembly only formally adopted the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide against the Tutsi on April 7 in 2020, 26 years after the genocide.
He attributed the delay to resistance from powerful member states within the United Nations.
“There were powerful countries that did not accept the terminology and did not want it to be called the Genocide against the Tutsi,” he said.
He added that Rwanda often had to advocate persistently for international recognition of its history.
“In 2014, when I was a diplomat in New York, we spent nights lobbying countries to acknowledge our history. Many of those countries had not intervened or had, in some cases, been complicit,” he said.
Call to youth
Nduhungirehe warned of ongoing genocide denial and revisionism, particularly among some members of the Rwandan diaspora youth.
He cited groups such as Jambo ASBL, which he said are composed of children of individuals implicated in the genocide, and which promote narratives denying that the genocide was planned, instead claiming it was a spontaneous reaction following the assassination of President Juvénal Habyarimana.
He urged young people to actively counter such narratives by studying history, educating others, and rejecting genocide ideology.
“National unity, reconciliation, and the understanding that we are one people must remain our priority. We must tell young people abroad that genocide ideology has no place in Rwanda and will never be tolerated again,” he said.
he event brought together more than 10,000 young people at the Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro District.Nduhungirehe said that while remembrance is a matter of principle for Rwandans, it is sometimes misunderstood internationally as an expression of resentment.
The proclamation honors the memory of over one million people who were deliberately and systematically killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, in which Tutsi were specifically targeted.
This recognition follows a broader shift in international acknowledgment, including by the United States, which has recently adopted the accurate terminology “Genocide Against the Tutsi,” moving away from the previously used “Rwandan Genocide.” Other jurisdictions, such as Kentwood City, have also priclaimed April 7 as the remembrance day for teh genocide.
In the proclamation, Whitmer noted that the genocide remains a historical fact recognized by major international bodies, including the United Nations, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and the African Union, as well as survivor communities around the world.
The statement also recalled that on December 23, 2003, the United Nations designated April 7 as an international day of remembrance, now known as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The day underscores a shared global responsibility to honor victims, support survivors, and prevent future atrocities.
Whitmer highlighted the importance of remembrance in countering genocide denial, distortion, and revisionism, warning that such narratives continue to harm survivors and undermine historical truth.
The proclamation further acknowledged the contributions of the Rwandan community living in Michigan, including survivors, descendants, scholars, and civic leaders, noting their role in strengthening the state’s cultural and economic life through resilience and commitment to education.
It also aligned the observance with the global Kwibuka remembrance period, meaning ‘to remember’, during which communities around the world honor victims of the genocide while reaffirming commitments to truth, resilience, and prevention.
Concluding the proclamation, the State of Michigan reaffirmed its dedication to human rights, the rule of law, and truthful education, while standing firmly against antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, and all forms of ethnic hatred.
IBUKA USA, an umbrella organization of survivors of the Genocide Against the Tutsi living in the United States, together with the Rwandan community in Michigan, welcomed the decision taken by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
The President of IBUKA USA, Marcel Mutsindashyaka, described the proclamation as a strong affirmation of truth.
“This decision is a support for truth. When the Genocide Against the Tutsi is called by its proper name, it restores dignity to those who were targeted and reinforces the truth that survivors have upheld for many years,” he said.
Meanwhile, Caleb J. Uwagaba, President of the Rwandan community in Michigan, said the Governor’s decision carries significant meaning both within Michigan and across the United States.
Michigan Governor Whitmer highlighted the importance of remembrance in countering genocide denial, distortion, and revisionism.
Organisers have confirmed this year’s summit will be held under the theme, “The Scale Imperative: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership,” placing business expansion, cross-border investment and regional integration at the centre of discussions on Africa’s economic future.
The forum comes at a time of shifting global economic dynamics, with organisers arguing that African economies and businesses must achieve greater scale to remain competitive in an increasingly fragmented global marketplace.
Hosted by Jeune Afrique Media Group and co-organised with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the event is expected to draw several of Africa’s top political and business leaders.
Among those already confirmed are host President Paul Kagame and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, alongside Prime Ministers Maria Benvinda Levi of Mozambique, Robert Beugré Mambé of Côte d’Ivoire, and Amadou Oury Bah of Guinea.
Senior ministers from Angola, Senegal, Guinea, Nigeria and Gabon are also expected to attend.
According to organisers, the 2026 edition will focus on how African governments and private sector leaders can collaborate to build larger, more competitive continental enterprises through shared ownership models and cross-border partnerships.
The agenda will revolve around three strategic priorities: shared equity, which focuses on promoting cross-border investment to create multinational African firms; shared infrastructure, aimed at developing regional infrastructure projects to integrate value chains; and shared frameworks, which seek to harmonise regulations and standards to facilitate the movement of capital, goods and services across borders.
Amir Ben Yahmed, President of the Africa CEO Forum, said Africa must move beyond fragmented national approaches if it hopes to compete globally.
“If Africa wants to compete in a world defined by scale, it must move beyond economic patriotism and embrace a new model: African capital investing together,” he said.
“Shared ownership, cross-border partnerships and continental ambition will define the economic future of Africa and the next generation of African champions.”
Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of IFC, said the continent already has the capital and economic opportunity needed for growth and create quality jobs, but must deploy both more effectively.
“What matters now is putting that capital to work at scale. That means building trust, sharing risk, and investing across borders,” he said.
The Africa CEO Forum has grown into one of the continent’s most influential platforms for public-private dialogue and dealmaking, often shaping conversations around Africa’s investment climate, industrial policy and regional economic integration.
The 2026 gathering marks Kigali’s third time hosting the forum, further cementing Rwanda’s position as a regional hub for major international business and policy events.
Kigali first hosted the Africa CEO Forum in 2019, the first time the summit was held in East Africa, with discussions then centred on regional integration and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The forum returned to Rwanda in 2024 under the theme “At the Table or On the Menu? A Critical Moment to Shape a New Future for Africa.”
Its 2025 edition was held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Organisers say the 2026 summit, coming a decade after the launch of AfCFTA negotiations, will seek to convert years of integration rhetoric into concrete commitments by business and political leaders.
The 2024 edition of the Africa CEO Forum was held in Kigali under the theme “At the Table or on the Menu? A Critical Moment to Shape a New Future for Africa.”President Paul Kagame during the opening ceremony of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali in 2024.
