The Archbishop of Kigali, Antoine Cardinal Kambanda, delivered this message during the Easter Vigil Mass held at Saint Michel Cathedral Parish in Kigali.
The service brought together believers preparing to celebrate Easter, one of the most significant feast in the Catholic Church, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In his homily, Cardinal Kambanda stressed that faith remains the foundation of all aspects of life, noting that many of today’s challenges, including family breakdowns and conflicts around the world, stem from a lack of strong belief.
“Faith is the foundation of everything,” he said, urging Christians to remain rooted in their beliefs and to become true witnesses of Christ in their daily lives.
He further encouraged the faithful to let the spirit of Easter strengthen love among them, helping them resist violence and wrongdoing. He called on Christians to embrace the light of Christ and turn away from sin and hatred.
The Cardinal also warned against growing materialism, saying that the desire for worldly possessions is increasingly overshadowing love for God. He reminded believers that one cannot serve both material wealth and God at the same time.
As Rwanda approaches the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Cardinal Kambanda reflected on its connection to faith, describing the tragedy as a sign of moral failure where true Christian values were lacking.
He drew parallels between the suffering of genocide victims and that of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the importance of remembrance and compassion.
He urged Christians to continue honoring the victims while also supporting survivors with care and love, noting that their needs remain significant despite their survival.
Cardinal Kambanda also called on all believers to pray for peace in Rwanda, the region, and the world, so that people may live together in harmony and stability.
Christians in Kigali have been called upon to deepen their faith as they celebrate Easter.Christians were also encouraged to let the spirit of Easter strengthen love among them, helping them resist violence and wrongdoing. In his homily, Cardinal Kambanda stressed that faith remains the foundation of all aspects of life. Clergy attended the Easter Vigil Mass at Saint Michel Cathedral Parish in Kigali in large numbers.
Speaking on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump declared, “We got him,” revealing that the rescued officer, a highly respected colonel, had been trapped deep in Iran’s mountainous terrain after the aircraft went down two days earlier. Despite sustaining injuries, the pilot is expected to recover.
According to Trump, the rescue followed hours of intense planning and coordination, with military leaders closely monitoring the pilot’s location while he remained behind enemy lines. He praised the operation as a moment of national pride, highlighting the professionalism and determination of US forces involved.
Reports indicate that the mission involved a specialized commando unit backed by heavy air support and included a firefight during the extraction. While the pilot has been secured, officials said the operation remained sensitive until all forces safely exited the area.
This marks a rare instance where two US pilots have been rescued separately from hostile territory following the same incident. The first pilot had been recovered earlier, but confirmation was delayed to avoid compromising the second mission.
The incident stems from escalating tensions after Iranian forces reportedly shot down the US F-15 jet, as well as an A-10 Warthog aircraft in the region on Friday. Both sides had launched search efforts for the missing crew members in the aftermath.
U.S. officials confirmed on Friday that two U.S. rescue helicopters, including a UH-60 Black Hawk, which undertook the search-and-rescue operations for the jets, were also struck.
Repeated armed conflicts and unsafe ammunition storage have left a widespread legacy of explosive ordnance contamination across Libya, affecting residential areas, roads and agricultural land, UNSMIL said in a statement.
Issued on the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the statement stressed the importance of mine action in protecting civilians and supporting peace and stability in Libya.
UNSMIL said large-scale armed clashes in Tripoli in May 2025, along with four accidental explosions at ammunition depots in populated areas over the past two years, have underscored the severity of explosive ordnance contamination in Libya.
Risks remain even in areas where active conflict has subsided, particularly due to unsecured weapons and stockpiles, posing an immediate danger to displaced families returning home, according to the statement.
UNSMIL reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Libyan-led efforts to enhance the security of weapons and ammunition stockpiles and to clear explosive ordnance contamination. The mission called on national authorities, international partners and civil society to strengthen coordinated and sustained support for mine clearance efforts.
Libya remains divided between the UN-recognized Government of National Unity in the west and a rival eastern administration headed by Osama Hammad and backed by Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army.
Libyan Ministry of Interior personnel stand guard in front of the Central Bank of Libya in Tripoli, Libya, August 27, 2024. REUTERS/Ayman Sahely
The roots of the Intore Dance trace back to the royal courts of Rwanda. It was originally performed exclusively for the king and his court, a privilege given only to the most skilled dancers. The performers, known as “Intore,” underwent rigorous military training, learning not only the techniques of combat but also the art of dance.
It was believed that these dances, with their swift, dramatic jumps and rhythmic movements, were a way to honor the strength and bravery of warriors. The dance itself was a display of grace, agility, and unity; each move was both a tribute to the royal family and a representation of Rwanda’s values of resilience and unity.
The spectacle of the Intore Dance is impossible to ignore. Dancers, dressed in stunning costumes adorned with grass wigs and holding wooden spears, leap into the air, their feet striking the ground with the power of a thousand drums.
The dances tell stories of warriors returning from battle, of hunting, and of the timeless bond between the people and the land. The rhythmic sounds of drums, the chanting of lyrics passed down through generations, and the elegance of the performers all come together to create an unforgettable experience.
Today, Intore Dance remains a central part of Rwanda’s cultural celebrations and was inscribed on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage in 2024. Visitors to Rwanda can witness these incredible performances at cultural villages, museums, and even at lodges and hotels throughout the country.
One of the best places to experience this live performance is the Gorilla Guardians Village in Musanze, where visitors are welcomed by local dancers who bring the ancient traditions to life.
The National Museum of Rwanda also offers regular performances, allowing both locals and tourists to connect with Rwanda’s history and culture.
The longest-living traditional Rwanda dance reserved for elite royal soldiers.Witness the strength, grace, and tradition of the Intore, the ‘Chosen Ones’ of Rwanda.In ancient times, the Intore Dance was performed exclusively for the king, showcasing Rwanda’s bravest warriors.Experience Rwanda’s heart through the powerful leaps and rhythms of the iconic Intore Dance. The vibrant Intore dance at Gorilla Guardians Village in Musanze and the National Museum of Rwanda, where tradition comes to life for both locals and visitors alike.
Police said the incident occurred at around 9:30 p.m. local time (1830 GMT) and involved a 10-seater minibus, locally known as a matatu, which was traveling from the lakeside town of Naivasha toward Nakuru City.
According to police, the minibus rammed into a stalled truck that had been parked along the highway due to a mechanical problem.
The latest incident brought the total number of people killed in separate accidents on Friday to 20, which includes 16 passengers and four riders, police said, adding that 27 others were injured.
According to police, fatal accidents are common in Kenya due to reckless driving, dangerous overtaking, drunk driving, and failure to use helmets.
An estimated 4,000 Kenyans die in road accidents annually despite concerted efforts by the state and the private sector to promote road safety, according to the National Transport and Safety Authority.
AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said in a statement that the initiative “constitutes a timely and constructive contribution to ongoing international efforts to de-escalate tensions and advance a political and diplomatic pathway.”
He said the initiative’s “emphasis on an immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, respect for international humanitarian law, and the safeguarding of maritime security reflects key elements required to contain the current crisis.”
Youssouf reiterated his “deep concern” over the continued escalation in the Gulf and Middle East region.
He underscored that the effects of the conflict are already being felt globally, including on energy supply chains, food systems, and economic stability — particularly in Africa, a continent already confronting multiple and intersecting challenges.
Calling for restraint, urgent de-escalation and sustained engagement, the AUC chief stressed that all parties must act fully in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter to safeguard international peace and security.
“A durable resolution can only be achieved through dialogue and negotiated solutions,” he added, stressing the AU’s readiness to work with international and regional partners for peace and stability in the region.
A wildfire, dubbed the Springs Fire, expanded to 4,176 acres (16.9 square km) with only 10 percent containment in Riverside County as of Friday evening, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
Around 260 firefighters are still battling the fire as evacuation orders were issued for some nearby communities in the area.
Another blaze, dubbed the Crown Fire, had burned 345 acres (1.4 square km) in Los Angeles County. The fire was 25 percent contained so far, according to the Cal Fire.
All evacuation orders for the Crown Fire have been lifted, but evacuation warnings remain in place for parts of the surrounding area.
The U.S. National Weather Service issued a Wind Advisory for some areas in Southern California, warning that “moderate to strong Santa Ana winds affected much of the area” Friday.
“Significant warming is expected through Sunday as gusty Santa Ana winds continue over Los Angeles and Ventura Counties,” the agency said in an area forecast discussion.
One pilot from the two-seat F-15 has been rescued, but the other remains missing. The A-10 Warthog reportedly managed to reach Kuwaiti airspace, where the lone pilot ejected and escaped.
U.S. officials later confirmed that two U.S. rescue helicopters, including a UH-60 Black Hawk, which undertook the search-and-rescue operations for the jets, were also struck.
The consecutive losses of U.S. aircraft came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Iranian forces “can’t do a thing about” U.S. planes flying over Tehran.
Scrambling for pilot
This incident is the first known case of a U.S. warplane being downed inside Iranian territory and the fourth F-15 lost since the United States and Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran on Feb. 28.
Crews were racing to locate the second pilot of the downed jet, which was believed to have crashed in Iran’s southwestern Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, near the border with Iraq, according to local authorities.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was combing an area near where the pilot’s plane came down in southwestern Iran, and the governor of the province said that anyone who captured or killed the pilot would be “specially commended,” reported Iran’s semi-official news agency ISNA.
A television channel in the province advised citizens who encounter downed U.S. pilots to keep them alive and bring them to authorities for a “prize,” reversing earlier instructions that had encouraged harming them, NewsNation reported.
A reward of 10 billion tomans (6,600 U.S. dollars) has been set to find the pilot, reported the Iranian news outlets.
After weeks of relentless U.S. airstrikes, Iranians posted jubilant messages online celebrating the downing of the U.S. aircraft. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf wrote on X that what had begun as a military campaign had now been transformed into a hunt for their pilots.
Israel’s state-owned Kan TV News reported that Israel is assisting the United States with intelligence in locating the pilot.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the country had delayed planned strikes in the search area, citing Israeli officials. The Israel Defense Forces has not confirmed these reports independently.
“Miscalculation”
IRGC said Friday that the aircraft was hit by advanced air defense systems operated by its aerospace division.
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump said that Iran’s drone and missile capabilities had been “decimated”. While he claimed that the U.S. military had achieved “total air dominance” over the region, military experts suggested that air superiority does not mean that there are no threats.
Iran has bolstered its defenses by constructing extensive underground missile facilities, networks of tunnels, and fortified bunkers across the country, said Federico Borsari, a non-resident fellow with the Transatlantic Defense and Security Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis. “It is quite possible that some Iranian air defense assets are still operational and hidden and concealed in many locations across the country.”
The potential that a U.S. pilot remains alive and at large deep inside Iran has heightened the pressure on Washington in a war that has struggled to secure strong backing from the American public, according to opinion polls.
In a phone interview with The Independent, a British online newspaper, Trump said he hopes that’s “not going to happen” if Iranian forces find the missing airman.
Iran has rejected a U.S. proposal for a 48-hour ceasefire, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Friday.
The source added that Washington has stepped up its diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire, particularly after an Iranian strike targeted a U.S. “military forces depot” on Kuwait’s Bubiyan Island.
According to the agency, assessments suggest that the proposal was put forward following an intensification of the crisis in the region and “serious problems” for U.S. forces resulting from their country’s “miscalculation” of Iran’s military capabilities.
U.S. officials later confirmed that two U.S. rescue helicopters, including a UH-60 Black Hawk, which undertook the search-and-rescue operations for the jets, were also struck.
Health systems in the affected countries are “under severe strain” following weeks of intensified violence, Tedros said, adding that the WHO has launched a 30.3 million U.S. dollar flash appeal to support its health response to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, with a focus on the five countries.
The appeal, covering the period from March to August 2026, aims to sustain essential health services and trauma care, strengthen disease surveillance and early warning systems, and enhance mass casualty management, as well as national readiness for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies, Tedros noted.
According to the WHO, as of March 31, the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East have triggered the displacement of more than 4 million people, with over 3,300 deaths and 30,000 injuries.
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday in a social media post that urgent support is needed for the health systems of five countries affected by the conflict in the Middle East
These DNA robots are different from regular robots we see in the physical world. Instead of being made from metal or plastic, they are constructed from strands of DNA that are folded and shaped like molecular origami.
By programming DNA to bend and fold in specific ways, researchers can create machines that perform tasks at a molecular level, much smaller than anything we’ve seen before.
One of the major challenges in creating these DNA robots is controlling their movement within the body. Since they operate inside cells and the bloodstream, their environment is constantly changing.
To solve this problem, researchers have developed ways to control the robots using biochemical processes, like DNA strand displacement.
This method allows the robots to move in response to specific DNA sequences, much like a key fitting into a lock. The robots can also be guided by external signals, like light or magnetic fields, making them highly versatile in how they can be controlled.
The potential uses for DNA robots in medicine are vast. For example, instead of delivering drugs throughout the entire body, these robots could target specific cells, like cancer cells, and deliver medication directly to them.
This approach would reduce side effects and make treatments much more effective. DNA robots could also be programmed to detect harmful viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, and neutralize them before they spread.
Beyond healthcare, DNA robots could revolutionize industries like computing and manufacturing. They can position particles with incredible precision, which could lead to advancements in ultrafast data storage, optical devices, and new computing technologies.
While the potential is huge, DNA robotics is still in its early stages. Scientists are working to overcome challenges like unpredictable movement at the nanoscale and the need for better simulations to predict how these machines will behave in real-world biological environments.
But as the technology advances, DNA robots could become a powerful tool for both medicine and technology, offering new solutions for some of the world’s biggest challenges.
Scientists develop DNA robots that could revolutionize drug delivery and virus detection.
