In a statement on Wednesday, April 17, the management urged the affected passengers to check their emails regularly for updates about the interruptions.
“Due to severe weather conditions in Dubai (DXB), we’re experiencing flight disruptions to and from Dubai. Passengers are advised to check their emails regularly for updates,” the airline stated.
This comes as heavy rains continue to batter Gulf States, leading to floods, including at Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, the airport authorities described the weather conditions as “very challenging,” urging passengers “not to come to the airport unless absolutely necessary.”
“Flights continue to be delayed and diverted. Please check your flight status directly with your airline. We are working hard to recover operations as quickly as possible in very challenging conditions,” the management added.
Kenya’s Kenya Aiways (KQ) and Fly Emirates are among airlines that have been forced to cancel flights due to heavy storms.
“We are monitoring the situation and are in close contact with Dubai authorities to minimise the inconvenience and disruption to our customers’ travels,” KQ said while announcing the cancellation of two flights on Wednesday.
Fly Emirates, while asking its customers to rebook their flights said, “Dubai customers with flights scheduled for today (17 April) are advised not to go to DXB, as check-in remains suspended for all flights. Your safety is our top priority.”
At least 18 people have been reported dead due to the floods in Oman, even as weather forecasts predict further storms across the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Schools across the UAE shut before the storms, with experts saying that the rains, which began on Monday, are equal to a year and a half’s worth of rain for the desert region.
The minister lamented that, while boda boda riders in the neighboring country have shown utmost discipline in compliance with safety rules, recklessness on the part of Kenyan counterparts is to blame for the rising carnage.
“If we are going to sort out the accident issue, we have to sort out the boda boda sector. We should ask ourselves how come to our neighbouring country has managed to organize the boda boda sector that everyone dutifully wears a helmet including passengers,” Murkomen said in an apparent reference to Rwanda which is widely regarded as a shining example for compliance of safety rules not only in the East African region but Africa and beyond.
Murkomen also blamed residents for contributing to the deterioration of the boda boda sector in Kenya, stating, “When you tell our Nairobi slay queens to wear a helmet, they will tell you it is smelling or it’s messing my hair.”
He posed, “Which one is more important: your hair or your safety?”
Comparing past and present statistics, the CS said the boda boda sector is the leading cause of road accidents in Kenya.
“From 2000 to 2008, it used to be public service and private vehicles. But today, 38 per cent of the people we lose are pedestrians, 32 per cent are boda boda riders, and 26 per cent are lost through public and private vehicle accidents,” he added.
The CS spoke during the launch of the National Road Safety Action Plan 2024 – 2028 in Nairobi on Wednesday, April 17.
To tame the menace, he called for strategic partnerships between the national and county governments to ensure that all the 47 devolved units in Kenya are empowered to manage the motorcycle sector in Kenya.
Meanwhile, while the boda boda sector continues to give leaders in neighboring countries a headache, Rwanda continues to stun the region with how it got everything right in managing the sector, popularly known as ‘Taxi Moto’ among the locals.
In Rwanda, stringent rules set by the Transport authorities require a rider to carry only one passenger at a time. Additionally, the rider and their customer must wear helmets at all times. The helmets must be stamped with a unique identifying number, which has to be printed on the driver’s jacket and bike as well.
The sector is also governed by cooperatives which work hand in hand with traffic police to enforce compliance to the set laws.
Unlike in Nairobi, Kenya, Kampala, Uganda, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, it’s not uncommon to find boda boda riders stopping at pedestrian crossings to allow pedestrians to pass in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda.
The boda boda operators in Rwanda are also required to use designated stages to pick up passengers, promoting discipline and order in the sector.
As per statement released by his family, Graham will be remembered not only as a seasoned statesman but also as a devoted family man. His commitment to his roles as husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather was as unwavering as his dedication to the betterment of society.
Graham’s illustrious career spanned nearly four decades, during which he served at both the state and federal levels. From his early days in the Florida legislature to his tenure as governor and later as a U.S. senator, he tirelessly championed the interests of his constituents and the nation as a whole.
As a senator, Graham’s influence extended far beyond Florida’s borders. His leadership on the Senate Intelligence Committee, particularly during the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, showcased his unwavering commitment to national security. He played a pivotal role in crafting the Patriot Act of 2001, which aimed to enhance intelligence sharing between domestic and foreign agencies—an enduring testament to his foresight and determination to safeguard the nation against future threats.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi aptly characterized Graham as a “patriotic American” and a senator of great stature. His pivotal role in leading the Congressional Joint Inquiry into 9/11 underscored his unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth and ensuring accountability.
Additionally, his principled opposition to the Iraq War demonstrated his willingness to stand up for what he believed was right, even in the face of considerable political pressure.
Throughout his tenure in the Senate, Graham brought with him the values instilled in him by his beloved Florida—a sense of duty, dignity, and courage. His legacy serves as an inspiration to future generations of leaders, reminding them of the profound impact one individual can have in shaping the course of history.
On March 16, 2024, during his meeting with the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, who was visiting the country since the end of last week, President Xi Jinping revealed points he consider crucial amidst the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which have escalated in recent years.
Firstly, he stressed the need to prioritize support to peace and security and stop selfish interests.
He also said that the Western world should stop fueling the fire by providing aid to Ukraine because they are undermining peace negotiations.
The other thing that this president said would be a solution to this war, is to deal with the effects of this war on the world economy.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised President Xi that he is willing to find a peaceful way to stop the war because Germany has also been affected and has seriously hindered the supply of petroleum products in general.
Although China has not taken sides in the war between Russia and Ukraine, it has been accused by the West of the world for refusing to impose sanctions on Russia.
However, this is not the first time China has shown approaches to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In February 2023, China showed its support for peace talks by proposing ten points to be considered in the negotiations.
At that time, Ukraine challenged what was shown by China, saying that it also had proposed ten points in 2022 to be considered in the negotiations, but they were rejected by Russia.
Yesterday, members of the House of Lords backed plans to remove exceptions to the scheme for children and ensure it adheres to international law, despite the House of Commons voting to reject previous amendments to the Rwanda Bill.
At the same time, the Lords renewed their support for the Labour Party’s proposal to exempt agents, allies, and employees of the UK overseas seeking asylum in the UK from being removed to Rwanda.
The peers also maintained their demand that the Bill must have “due regard” for domestic and international law, including human rights and modern slavery legislation.
The Lords also agreed to crossbench peer Lord Hope’s measure that requires Rwanda to undergo independent verification before it is considered safe.
The Bill returned to the Lords for further scrutiny after MPs rejected all their amendments to the legislation.
MPs are scheduled to deliberate on the new developments before taking a vote later today.
The Bill will not become law until both the Upper and Lower chambers agree on its final wording.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had earlier indicated that he hopes the legislation will be adopted this week, paving the way for the first flight to depart to Rwanda.
The scheme, first announced in April 2022 by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government following a deal with Rwandan authorities, seeks to act as a deterrent to people arriving in the UK on small boats across the English Channel.
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The Bill was introduced to Parliament after the UK Supreme Court ruled that the government’s scheme was unlawful.
The judges argued that genuine refugees being removed to Rwanda faced the risk of being returned to their home countries, where they could face harm.
The UK government says failed asylum seekers would be offered £3,000 (Rwf4,866,727) to move to Rwanda under the new voluntary scheme.
He was last in Rwanda in 2010, after which it was revealed that he fled to South Africa, a country where he had been running business.
This move came following discoveries that he was involved in tax evasion and had connections with subversive groups aiming to destabilize Rwanda’s security, whom he also supported financially.
Born around 1941 in Rwanda, Rujugiro spent a significant portion of his life in Burundi as a refugee, where he began his tobacco business.
Emphasizing the paramount importance of national security, he credited it as the cornerstone of Rwanda’s post-genocide accomplishments, achieved through the intervention of RPF Inkotanyi forces.
Over the past thirty years, Rwanda has transcended ethnic and regional tensions, fostering a society where no individual faces persecution based on identity. Educational curricula have been purged of divisive ideologies, and ethnic affiliations have been removed from identification documents.
Addressing a gathering comprising staff from various government agencies during the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsis, Gen (Rtd) Ibingira asserted Rwanda’s newfound stature on the global stage, stating, “For 30 years, Rwanda has stood as a nation of principles.” He metaphorically illustrated the meticulousness of Rwanda’s governance by suggesting that even a rabbit crossing into the country one would require proper documentation to come collect it.
Reflecting on historical events, he recounted an incident in the 1970s when Burundians laid claim to Rwandan territory, highlighting Rwanda’s vulnerability at the time. Additionally, he recalled the audacious act of Idi Amin, who, during his presidency in Uganda, unauthorizedly landed military planes at Kigali Airport, causing widespread panic.
Noting a shift in diplomatic demeanor, Gen (Rtd) Ibingira remarked on Rwanda’s transformation from a nation with a somewhat volatile disposition and diplomatic humility to a strong fearless country , contrasting the past with the present.
Acknowledging the post-genocide reconstruction efforts, he shared the journey of healing and progress, emphasizing the restoration of the Rwandan society, both physically and emotionally.
Highlighting the remarkable socio-economic advancements from 1994 to 2024, he underscored Rwanda’s robust growth in various sectors, including infrastructure, education, trade, industry, and employment opportunities, culminating in a significant rise in per capita income and gross domestic product.
Trent Kelly, a member of the House of Representatives from Mississippi’s 1st congressional district, confirmed on Monday, April 15, 2024, that he had introduced a resolution calling for the government to adopt the official definition of the Genocide, a move he said would ensure lessons from Rwanda’s painful history are not forgotten.
“The facts are the facts, it’s not the Rwandan Genocide it’s the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. I call on the State Department administration to call it exactly what it is. I’ve introduced a house resolution calling for United States to adopt the official definition of Genocide.
We have a moral obligation to ensure the lessons of history are not forgotten and the voices of the victims are heard,” he said.
Kelly spoke at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C, where members of the Diplomatic corps, congress, academia, media, Rwandan community and friends of Rwanda gathered to honour the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The US has been in the spotlight several times due to its failure to clearly state in its messages, especially during the annual ‘Kwibuka’ commemorations, that the Tutsis were the targeted group in the 1994 genocide, as established by the Trial Chamber of the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).
Early this month, Secretary of State Antony Blinken came under fire from Rwandans on social media over his vague message to the country during the 30th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
President Paul Kagame also condemned intentional vagueness in reporting the Genocide against the Tutsi during his speech at BK Arena on April 7, stating that it fuels denial.
“Rwandans will never understand why any country would remain intentionally vague about who was targeted in the genocide. I don’t understand that. Such ambiguity is, in fact, a form of denial, which is a crime in and of itself, and Rwanda will always challenge it,” Kagame stated during Kwibuka30.
Corina Sanders, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the US Department of State, echoed Kagame’s sentiments at Capitol Hill Monday, insisting that denial of the Genocide against the Tutsi distorts facts about the victims of the crimes.
“As we join in remembering the victims and reaffirm our support for the people of Rwanda in the continued efforts for the unity and renewal, we oppose any attempt to misrepresent the historical record for political purposes, in particular we strongly oppose any denial or minimization of the Genocide that targeted Tutsi,” Sanders stated.
The keynote speaker, Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, shared insights into how remembering and honoring the victims of the 1994 Genocide Against Tutsi serves as a crucial step in preventing future genocides.
“It’s our solid duty to remember the victims, to honor their resilience and to ensure that their stories are kept in our collective consciousness. By doing so we not only pay tribute to those who suffered but also lay the ground for preventing such atrocities from happening again,” Ugirashebuja averred.
Congressman Jonathan Jackson, on his part, lauded President Kagame’s leadership, for the transformation witnessed in the country over the last 30 years and his commitment to leading a united country.
“I commend President Paul Kagame for his leadership in guiding the country to heal, reconciliate and unite. His courage, dedication and ability to move the country from the Genocide to become one of the fastest growing countries in the world must be commended,” he said, adding, “Rwanda continues to be a beacon for many African countries and across the world.”
The message was echoed by Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who said, “I was impressed by your administration’s progress on the development front, combating corruption and improving governance. I commend President Paul Kagame and Rwandans for the leadership and commitment for building the Rwanda we see today that serves as a model to other countries.”
CEO Elon Musk conveyed the news in an email to Tesla employees, citing the necessity for “cost reductions and increasing productivity” as driving factors behind the layoffs. The email that was initially reported by Electrek and later confirmed by Reuters, underscored the challenges facing Tesla as it seeks to maintain its position in a rapidly evolving market.
Tesla’s workforce, which had nearly doubled since the end of 2020, reflects the company’s ambitious expansion efforts in recent years. However, a year-over-year decline in sales during the first quarter of this year, coupled with increased competition from rivals like Chinese automaker BYD, has prompted Tesla to reevaluate its growth trajectory.
The decision to downsize marks a departure from Tesla’s previous trajectory of exponential hiring. After significant increases in staff in 2021 and 2022, the company experienced more modest growth in 2023. The latest round of layoffs follows previous workforce reductions, including a 7% cut in 2019 and further trimming of salaried staff in 2022.
This is not the first time that Tesla has cut staff. It announced a 7% cut in staff in 2019, in a statement posted online at that time. And it trimmed about 10% of salaried staff even as it continued to hire hourly staff in 2022.Those 2022 cuts were confirmed by a public statement from Musk at that time. But neither he nor Tesla have publicly confirmed this latest round of cuts. Tesla, which does not have a public relations staff, did not respond to a request for comment on that report and did not confirm the email.
Shares of Tesla, which were already down 31% so far this year through Friday’s close, fell another 3% in early trading Monday on the job cut report.
During a commemoration event for former Ministry employees lost in the genocide, Claudette lamented the involvement of educated individuals in the genocide, which stagnated educational progress.
She remarked, “The deterioration began with education. Following colonial rule and policies of discrimination, Rwanda’s independence led to further exclusion of Tutsis from societal benefits, notably education.”
Irere emphasized how the corrupt regime left Rwandan children, particularly Tutsis, orphaned and bereft of educational opportunities.
She noted, “Political circumstances drastically reduced the number of educated individuals, denying many based on ethnicity, primarily Tutsis, from pursuing education.”
The Ministry’s commemoration efforts were hailed as crucial for reflecting on the genocide’s impact, especially among professionals and students affected by the tragedy.
Ntazinda Erasme, Mayor of Nyanza District, recounted how schools were affected by the genocide, with teachers and students immersed in genocidal ideology, turning schools into perilous environments.
He described the challenges of attending school during those times, where ethnicity, rather than merit, determined one’s prospects, risking denial of further education.
Ahishakiye Naphatal, Executive Secretary of Ibuka, stressed the role of educators in either fostering or corrupting character, highlighting education’s influence on shaping individuals.
Ambassador Prof. Joseph Nsengimana spoke of ongoing efforts to combat impunity and foster Rwanda’s progress, urging continued unity among Rwandans.
The Ministry of Education counts 77 former employees slain in the genocide, excluding educators and students killed across the country on the basis of their identity.
