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.
The plant, named Marecom Rice, has been established by two Rwandan investors along the Rwamagana–Kayonza tarmac road in Muhazi Sector.
Built on an 8,000-square-meter site, the factory is expected to process up to 60 tonnes of rice per day once fully operational.
Beyond processing capacity, the facility is projected to create at least 30 permanent jobs while working closely with rice farmers from Rwamagana, Ngoma, Gatsibo, and Kirehe districts.
Rwagahungu Eugène, the Managing Director of Marecom Rice and one of its investors, told IGIHE that construction began on September 17, 2025, with total investment costs estimated at Rwf 2 billion. The first phase, valued at Rwf 1.2 billion, is scheduled for completion in June this year.
“We have already completed the installation and testing of machinery. During this season, we have started purchasing farmers’ produce for trial runs to ensure the factory operates efficiently,” he said. “With a daily processing capacity of 60 tonnes, we are confident that there will be no surplus left unprocessed, both for farmers in Rwamagana and across the Eastern Province.”
Rwagahungu emphasized that the factory aims to address long-standing challenges where harvested rice would deteriorate due to delays in processing. He added that the company is committed to purchasing rice from farmers at fair prices, thereby encouraging increased production.
“Farmers used to travel long distances to sell their harvest. We are bringing the solution closer to them. If they increase production, we are ready to buy. We are also creating employment opportunities for them and their children. Additionally, we will help process part of their harvest for personal consumption so they can enjoy high-quality rice,” he noted.
Farmers have welcomed the development with optimism. Ngabonziza Augustin, who cultivates rice in Cyimpima marshland in Rwamagana District, expressed satisfaction, saying the factory’s proximity will ease access to reliable markets and improve their livelihoods.
“We are very happy because this factory is close to us. We will have consistent buyers and easier access to our produce. Previously, our rice was bought by traders who transported it to Huye. Now, having a nearby factory will encourage us to increase production. We only ask that they operate fairly and pay us well,” he said.
Another farmer, Gahiza Appolinaire, who works in Cyaruhogo marshland, described the factory as a major opportunity. He highlighted that by-products from rice processing, such as rice bran (locally known as sondori), will now be readily available nearby, supporting livestock farming and further improving incomes.
The Vice Mayor of Rwamagana District in charge of Economic Development, Kagabo Rwamunono Richard, also welcomed the project, describing it as a timely solution to challenges faced by local farmers.
“This factory provides an additional solution for rice production and processing. Our farmers previously had to sell their rice in the Southern Province after the existing local factory showed limitations. Often, harvested rice would stay too long on drying grounds and sometimes spoil. Now, they have a nearby facility that can quickly take and process their produce,” he said.
The factory is expected to start with a storage capacity of 2,500 tonnes, eventually expanding to accommodate up to 5,000 tonnes. Currently, Rwamagana District cultivates rice on more than 460 hectares, and the new plant is anticipated to significantly strengthen the value chain in the region.
The plant, named Marecom Rice, has been established by two Rwandan investors.Beyond processing capacity, the facility is projected to create at least 30 permanent jobs while working closely with rice farmers.The factory is expected to process up to 60 tonnes of rice per day once fully operational.
In a post on social media platform X, Tedros said the evacuation order issued by the Israeli Defense Forces targets the Jnah area in Beirut’s southern suburbs, where two major referral hospitals – Rafik Hariri University Hospital and Al Zahraa Hospital – are located.
He noted that “no alternative medical facilities” are available to accommodate around 450 patients from the two hospitals, including 40 in intensive care units (ICU), making evacuation “operationally unfeasible.”
Both hospitals are operating at full capacity, including treating those injured in the April 8 strikes, he added.
Tedros said the affected area also includes a health ministry complex and five shelters housing more than 5,000 people.
He called on Israel to “ensure the protection of all health facilities, health workers, patients and civilians.”
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged Israel to rescind an evacuation order covering a district in Beirut, warning that it puts hundreds of patients at serious risk.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Thursday that a comprehensive plan has been prepared to ensure foolproof security for all visiting foreign delegates.
The negotiations are expected to bring together senior officials from both countries as part of diplomatic efforts to reach a longer-term settlement after weeks of escalating conflict.
According to Iran’s Students’ News Agency, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf will lead the Tehran delegation for talks with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad. The White House confirmed that the U.S. team will include senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with the first round of negotiations expected on Saturday.
Analysts said Pakistan-facilitated talks face cautious optimism, saying that both sides have suffered heavy military, political, and economic losses, creating pressure for a negotiated settlement.
Authorities in Islamabad have introduced sweeping security measures ahead of the talks. Local holidays have been declared in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to facilitate arrangements. Police, paramilitary troops, and other security agencies are deployed under the Blue Book VVIP protocol, with separate routes designated for the movement of foreign delegations.
Islamabad Police issued a traffic advisory warning commuters of diversions on the Express Highway. Rescue services and hospitals have been placed on high alert. Serena Hotel, a five-star property in the Red Zone, has been reserved exclusively for the delegations, while several entry points to the capital will remain sealed during their stay.
Despite the ceasefire, several contentious issues are expected to dominate the negotiations.
One major point is the future of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor through which a significant portion of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes.
Sanctions relief is another central issue, with Iran seeking the lifting of sanctions imposed on it, which have severely restricted its economy and international financial transactions.
Differences also persist over uranium enrichment. Iran insists on maintaining its program for civilian nuclear energy purposes, while Washington has reiterated that it seeks strict limits on the activity.
To bring both sides to the negotiating table, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar have held consultations with regional leaders and maintained diplomatic contacts with both Tehran and Washington. Analysts said the country’s neutrality, backed by longstanding ties with all stakeholders, gives it unique leverage in promoting dialogue.
Tughral Yamin, retired brigadier and a regional security analyst, described Pakistan’s success in convening the talks as “a remarkable achievement,” noting that bringing two deeply distrustful parties together was once considered improbable. “It demonstrates ambition and a willingness to take risks in pursuit of peace,” he said.
He said the real challenge lies in shaping a mutually acceptable outcome, requiring pragmatism, flexibility, and careful concessions.
Officials and analysts expressed the hope that the talks could mark a critical step toward reducing tensions in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
Security guards stand at a checkpoint outside Constitution Towers as Pakistan gears up to host the US and Iran for peace talks, in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 9, 2026.
“By the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, a ceasefire has been declared in view of the upcoming Orthodox holiday of Easter, from 16:00 on April 11 until the end of the day on April 12, 2026,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
According to the statement, Russia’s Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov have been instructed to cease combat operations along all fronts during this period.
“Troops must be prepared to thwart any possible provocations by the enemy, as well as any aggressive actions,” the Kremlin said, adding that it expects that the Ukrainian side will follow Russia’s lead.
Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Deputy Prime Minister, Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko during their meeting at the Kremlin, in Moscow, Thursday, April 9, 2026. (Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The trials utilise the Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD, an all-electric, autonomous version of the iconic microbus. The initial test fleet consists of roughly 10 vehicles, specifically configured to seat four passengers to maximise comfort during the pilot phase.
The companies have already opened a joint operations facility in Los Angeles to manage the fleet, which they plan to scale to more than 100 vehicles for real-world validation before the public launch.
Throughout the current testing phase, a human safety operator remains behind the wheel of every vehicle to supervise the technology. If these validation milestones are met and the necessary permits from California regulators are secured, the companies expect to offer commercial rides on the Uber app by late 2026, transitioning to fully driverless operations in 2027.
The project is led by MOIA America, which was rebranded from Volkswagen ADMT (Autonomous Driving, Mobility and Transport) in early 2026 to align with Volkswagen’s established European mobility brand. The ID. Buzz vehicles are equipped with a Level 4 autonomous stack developed in collaboration with Mobileye, featuring a suite of 13 cameras, nine LiDAR units, and five radar sensors.
Beyond its work with Volkswagen, Uber continues to expand its “platform for partners” strategy. In March 2026, the ride-hailing giant announced a major investment of up to $1.25 billion in Rivian (with an initial $300 million commitment) to deploy 10,000 autonomous R2 robotaxis. Those vehicles are slated to begin operations in San Francisco and Miami starting in 2028.
The companies have already opened a joint operations facility in Los Angeles to manage the fleet, which they plan to scale to more than 100 vehicles for real-world validation before the public launch.
The visit, which took place at the Gisozi memorial site, provided the employees with an in-depth understanding of the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi from its planning and execution to its cessation and the nation’s journey of recovery and rebuilding.
Andy, the General Manager of Hunan Road & Bridge, expressed his admiration for the resilience and strength of the Rwandan people, noting that the experience at the memorial was deeply moving.
“As we work in Rwanda, we are part of this memory. Understanding the country’s history is essential. What we witnessed here demonstrates the strength and love Rwandans have for their nation. They were the ones who stood by each other during the most difficult times,” he stated.
Wang Jing, the Human Resources Manager at Hunan Road & Bridge, emphasised the importance of advocating for peace and ensuring that such tragic events are never repeated. He called on those who deny or downplay the genocide to visit the memorial and witness the reality of what happened.
“Denying what you haven’t seen is not the right approach. Those who question or deny the events of the past should come and see the truth, as we have. People, including children and women, lost their lives. Let them see the reality of what occurred,” Wang Jing remarked.
Hunan Road & Bridge is currently involved in the construction of the Prince House Masaka Road, a key infrastructure project that began in February 2026. The 10.3-kilometre road will consist of four lanes, expanding from the previous two-lane design to accommodate increased traffic and improve flow.
To ease congestion, an overhead section will be constructed, covering a distance of 1.3 kilometres. This section will connect the Prince House area in Remera to the Mutzig intersection in the Gasabo District. It will provide direct access to roads leading to Kigali International Airport and the Masaka region.
The new road design will include four lanes, two on the ground and two overhead, each with two directional lanes.
Additionally, the project includes a nine-kilometre stretch of road with four lanes, two in each direction, extending from Mutzig to Masaka Hospital.
The overall cost of expanding this road is projected to exceed 86 billion Rwandan francs upon completion.
Employees of Hunan Road & Bridges place wreaths on the graves of over 250,000 Tutsi victims killed in different parts of Kigali during the 1994 genocide.Employees of Hunan Road & Bridges pay their respects to Tutsi victims at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.Employees of Hunan Road & Bridges were educated on the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi, from its preparation and execution to the post-genocide journey of rebuilding.Employees of Hunan Road & Bridges at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.The Human Resources manager at Hunan Road & Bridges, Wang Jing, stated that genocide deniers should visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to witness the history firsthand.
