Charles and Camilla had been due to make a formal state visit to the Vatican, but postponed their plans after doctors prescribed Francis two months of rest after the pontiff experienced a serious bout of double pneumonia.
In a statement by the Vatican, the pope met the royal couple privately and offered his best wishes for their 20th wedding anniversary, which they celebrated on Wednesday.
According to Buckingham Palace, Charles and Camilla were delighted that the Pope was well enough to host them, and to have had the opportunity to share their best wishes in person.
Francis and Charles have reportedly met twice previously in 2017 and 2019, before Charles became king. The late Queen Elizabeth II was said to have visited Francis at the Vatican in 2014.
This was announced by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a speech delivered on April 7, 2025, where he urged governments to invest in healthcare infrastructure and prioritize international agreements aimed at preventing pandemics.
“The next pandemic could happen 20 years from now—or tomorrow. But it will come, and no matter when it does, we must be ready,” Ghebreyesus stated.
He emphasized that a future pandemic could cause greater damage to societies and economies than war, highlighting how current investments in health are minimal compared to what governments spend on military efforts.
The WHO reminded the world that the most recent global pandemic, COVID-19, claimed 20 million lives worldwide and cost an estimated $10 trillion globally.
In February, during an appearance on ABC News’ The View to promote his new book Source Code: My Beginnings, Bill Gates also warned of another potential pandemic following COVID-19.
He reflected on his previous warnings about pandemics, noting how they sadly came true when COVID-19 struck in 2020. When asked how he felt about having predicted the crisis, he responded:
“The sad thing is, the pandemic we warned about did happen. And that won’t be the last one. The next could be even worse,” he said.
Bill Gates estimated the timeline of a potential new pandemic. “It could happen once in the next 25 years. And based on the viruses currently circulating, there’s about a 10% chance we’ll see a pandemic in the next four years,” he said.
The documentary was shown at the Kigali Genocide Memorial on April 8, 2025. It revisits Rwanda’s history, with a particular focus on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Albine Noella Ishimwe told IGIHE that there are parts of this history that are hard to comprehend, but they offer important lessons nonetheless.
“There was a scene from Gacaca courts where a genocide survivor was sitting side by side with the person who had killed their loved ones. I told my friends, ‘That’s something I personally could never do.’ But the fact that our parents were able to do this is a sign of strength and not being defeated by history, that alone is a powerful lesson,” she said.
Erick Mutabazi said that having access to documentary films about Rwanda’s past is a rare opportunity for young people, as it allows them to learn and reflect on how to preserve the truth.
“As youth, in our mission to build peace, we need to meet each other, educate each other, visit memorials and other places to learn more about our history. We’re a large group here today, but many others couldn’t make it. For those of us who came, we have a responsibility to go out and share with others what we saw today,” he said.
Israel’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Einat Weiss, said what happened in Rwanda is deeply painful, but she is moved to see Rwandan youth so eager to learn about and preserve their history.
She noted that while her own country experienced the Holocaust, what stands out about Rwandan youth is how they own the history as their own, rather than viewing it as something that happened only to their parents.
“Since yesterday, I’ve been watching how deeply people are moved by these stories. And most of them were born after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. What surprised me is that the genocide is not just a story told to them by their parents, it’s something they carry, something they live with,” she said.
Zion Mukasa Matovu Sulaiman, the filmmaker, said the idea to make the documentary came from looking at what happened 31 years ago and how far Rwanda has come in rebuilding, a journey the world should learn from.
“These people didn’t have money. The Inkotanyi who came to stop the genocide didn’t come with wealth. It means they took on responsibility, set aside the pain they had endured and vowed to take on a duty to rebuild this country,” he said.
The monthly Index of Industrial Production (IIP), released on April 9, 2025, highlighted significant growth in sectors such as mining and quarrying, electricity, water, and sanitation.
Electricity production increased by 21.5% in February 2025 compared to February 2024, while water and waste management grew by 17%. Mining and quarrying production saw a 14% rise, and manufacturing increased by 0.7%.
The Rwanda Mines, Petroleum, and Gas Board (RMB) recently indicated that adding value to mineral resources is a key strategy to boost revenue, aiming for $1.3 billion in the 2024/2025 fiscal year, up from $1.2 billion in 2023/2024.
RMB also reported that quarterly mineral exports are expected to contribute $325 million to Rwanda’s economy.
The 0.7% growth in industrial production was driven by a 26% increase in the production of metals, machinery, and related goods, along with a 28.2% rise in the production of mineral-based products. However, the production of clothing, textiles, and cotton-related products saw a decline of 15.8%.
Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente told Parliament on March 28, 2025, that the Rwandan government mulls developing the domestic textile industry to increase local garment production. The goal is to raise the proportion of Rwandans wearing locally produced garments from 5% to 100%.
Prime Minister Ngirente also shared that the Cabinet meeting on March 26, 2025, discussed measures to strengthen the textile industry, including facilitating easier access to fabric for local manufacturers.
“Alphamin Resources Corp. is pleased to announce that it is initiating a phased resumption of operations at the Company’s Bisie tin mine in Walikale District, North Kivu Province, east-central Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),” the company stated in a release.
The company took the decision following the withdrawal of AFC/M23 fighters from Walikale. The fighters relocated to Nyabiondo and Masisi, which are more than 130 kilometers east of the company’s mine site.
“The company intends to redeploy employees as part of a plan to restart tin production in phases while continuing to monitor the security situation,” the statement added.
Alphamin had initially ceased operations on March 13 due to escalating fighting, as AFC/M23 fighters approached Walikale.
The company evacuated most of its workforce from the Bisie mines, leaving only key personnel responsible for equipment and security. Alphamin had stated it was closely monitoring political developments to determine when it would be safe to resume operations.
A week later, following AFC/M23’s withdrawal from the town and surrounding areas, Alphamin announced that it would begin bringing back its employees to restart operations, continuing to monitor the security situation.
Alphamin is a major mining company primarily owned by American and Canadian shareholders, operating mineral extraction projects in several countries, particularly across Africa.
Recently, Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe, Minister of State for Regional Integration in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informed members of the Rwandan Parliament that the Canadian government’s suspension of its development partnership with Rwanda was linked to its interests in the Walikale mines, specifically through Alphamin.
The company recently confirmed that it has exported 4,500 tons, with an additional 280 tons still in transit to international markets since the start of this year.
Following the coalition agreement, Friedrich Merz from CDU/CSU is expected to be elected chancellor next month.
Calling the agreement “a strong plan with which we can jointly move our country forward again,” Merz said at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon that it is also a clear signal that Germany is getting a government capable of acting and strong in action.
Weeks ahead of the agreement, the CDU/CSU and the SPD had succeeded in amending the Basic Law to loosen the “debt brake” limits on infrastructure and national defense investments.
The future government will reform and invest to keep Germany stable, make it more secure, and make it economically stronger again, and Europe too can rely on Germany, Merz said.
The new coalition government will seek to implement measures such as lowering the corporate income tax and reducing the electricity tax to the European minimum level to improve the competitiveness of the German economy, according to Merz.
In addition, the new government will adopt a new course in migration policy, including measures of enhancing border controls, rejecting asylum seekers, and stepping up the efforts to deport illegal immigrants.
Immigration had become a key topic during Germany’s federal election campaign earlier this year.
Germany is and remains a country of immigration, said Lars Klingbeil, co-leader of the SPD, adding that the country protects the rights of citizens with a migration background.
Klingbeil vowed to invest more in securing jobs, attracting talent and providing housing, as well as scrapping excessive bureaucracy to improve government efficiency.
On the U.S. tariff measures, Merz urged a common European response, as well as efforts to restore Germany’s competitiveness and create new jobs.
The key message to U.S. President Donald Trump is that “Germany is back on track,” he said, noting that Germany will fulfill its obligations in terms of defense, and it is willing to strengthen its own competitiveness.
“That is not just Germany,” Merz added, stressing that Germany will again be a very strong partner within the European Union.
Despite years of international awareness, hateful rhetoric and warning signs similar to those leading to the genocide are still prevalent in the Great Lakes region and East Africa.
However, many have refused to acknowledge this, instead sweeping the issue under the rug of political disputes.
Cardinal Kambanda emphasized that no one chooses the family they are born into, as it is part of God’s divine plan.
“It is God’s will, and that is why it is a serious issue, and a deeply painful one, to be blamed for the way one was born. It is a denial of God, for He is the one who chooses the family we are born into,” he said.
Cardinal Kambanda explained that over a million Tutsis were killed, becoming victims of hatred, division, and colonial ideologies that destroyed the unity and brotherhood of the Rwandan people.
He also noted that many survivors never had the chance to pay last respects to their loved ones, which is why the nation takes time to remember them from April 7th through the 100-day period.
Cardinal Kambanda criticized the international community for turning a blind eye to the lessons of the Genocide against the Tutsi, focusing instead on their own interests.
“There are still those with hardened hearts and countries that should be drawing lessons from the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi, but they are more focused on their own gains, thus ignoring the truth,” he said.
“Let’s continue preparing the youth and raising Rwandans of tomorrow, so that the legacy of unity and brotherhood becomes the foundation from which they grow, ensuring that such horrors are never repeated.”
The Cardinal also emphasized that the time of remembrance coincides with the Easter season, serving as a reminder to Christians that evil does not triumph over good, and darkness does not overcome light.
“Every year, this period of remembrance coincides with Easter season. As Christians, we believe that, despite the severity of sin and death, particularly as witnessed in the genocide, Christ conquered them by dying for us on the cross.
This gives us the hope that evil cannot overpower good, hatred cannot overpower love, death cannot overpower life, and light will always triumph over darkness,” he said.
The Cardinal reflected that while the period of the Genocide against the Tutsi was marked by darkness and despair, the ongoing remembrance of the over a million lives lost continues to shine with an undying light.
Cardinal Kambanda commended the leadership of Rwanda, recognizing those who took action to stop the genocide, hid the persecuted, advocated for the victims, and chose to sacrifice themselves rather than abandon those in need.
Prof. Dr. Wang highlighted Rwanda’s strong leadership, strategic planning, and consistent investment in infrastructure and technology as key drivers of its progress.
He noted that Rwanda’s ability to implement long-term national goals with discipline and vision offers valuable lessons for other developing nations.
Speaking during a public lecture in Beijing, Prof. Dr. Wang described Rwanda as a “good student of modernization,” applauding the country’s steady progress in transforming its economy and governance.
“I mean China was also a student of the West in modernization, right? Because they achieved a lot before. So in this regard, I call her (Rwanda) a student. But China learned from the West, and learned too much, maybe,” he explained.
“So what I’m saying is that Rwanda is a good student among African countries. In recent years, it has achieved economic prosperity, I think it goes beyond the Western model,” he added.
Recently, The International Monetary Fund (IMF) praised Rwanda’s economic performance and resilience, following the conclusion of a two-week mission assessing the country’s reform progress under the fifth review of the Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI).
Rwanda recorded an impressive GDP growth rate of 8.9% in 2024, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in sub-Saharan Africa.
The growth was fueled by strong performances in agriculture, construction, trade, tourism, transport, and telecommunications sectors. Labour market indicators also improved, with increased participation and a reduction in the unemployment rate.
Inflation remained stable at 4.8% by the end of 2024, within the National Bank of Rwanda’s target range. Thanks to improved food production and effective monetary policy.
Prof. Dr. Wang attributed Rwanda’s development success to “consistent national policies, strong government leadership, and effective cooperation with China.”
He emphasized that for Africa and other countries in the Global South to reach their development goals, they must draw lessons from China’s modernization path, a journey largely driven by firm and visionary government leadership.
“The government owns the land, the resources, everything. It shouldn’t just provide services to the market, but also create the market for modernization. The Western model tells governments to do less and let the market decide. But in poor countries, the market is weak and limited.”
“Like I mentioned, you need to build a swimming pool to train the babies how to swim. Only then can they gradually move to the sea. If you put a baby straight into the sea, they will drown,” Wang said.
According to him, governments needs to build that swimming pool by training the people, training the market, and creating the conditions for development, like building high-speed railways and highways. That’s what strong governments do, and it’s crucial for modernization, especially in developing countries.
Over the past three decades, Rwanda has transformed from one of the continent’s weakest economies to becoming Africa’s fastest-growing, with significant investments in digital innovation, healthcare, education, and urban development.
The government has played a central role in this transformation, actively shaping the economy by building markets through initiatives like smart city development, public-private partnerships, and strategic international cooperation, especially with countries like China.
The new tariffs are set to take effect from Thursday.
Beijing has called on the international community to unite against Trump’s tariffs, as Chinese exporters face significant challenges from the new levies.
In 2024, the US imported approximately $440 billion worth of goods and services from China, while China imported around $145 billion in goods and services from the US.
This center, hosted by the University of Rwanda (UR) Regional Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and eHealth in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, marks a transformative step in the country’s efforts to standardize data-driven healthcare.
Following South Africa, Rwanda now becomes the second African country to host such a center, signaling a shift in the balance of global health data leadership toward the region.
The designation was communicated by the Acting WHO Regional Director, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, effective from 12 March 2025 for a period of 4-year period up to 12 March 2029.
This positions Rwanda as a key player in the development, implementation and global advocacy for WHO international health classifications, namely the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI) and the International Classification of Functioning and Disability (ICF).
The center will play a strategic role in strengthening Africa’s health data infrastructure through training, policy development, and research cooperation.
Speaking at the launch, Ihekweazu emphasized the center’s importance to the region. “A first for Rwanda, and only the second on the continent, this proud milestone signals Africa’s growing capacity for leadership in health information systems. Congratulations to UR’s Regional Centre of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering and eHealth upon this designation,” he said.
Ihekweazu stressed the urgent need for countries to shift from development to implementation of global health classification tools.
“Good data, whether for better mortality statistics or smarter resource allocation, makes all the difference. COVID-19 exposed the weaknesses in our systems, but today, we are witnessing progress. Every country now has mechanisms to generate more reliable health and mortality data,” he remarked.
He also encouraged wider adoption of tools like the WHO Digital Open Rule Integrated Cause of Death Selection (DORIS) software and the new online training for medical certification of cause of death. These, he said, are crucial to closing persistent gaps in data accuracy across the continent.
Dr. Muhammed Semakula, Ministry of Health Head of the Department of Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Health Financing, representing Minister of Health, lauded the center as a reflection of Rwanda’s progress in digital health.
“This recognition signifies our country’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking, robust disease surveillance, and efficient resource allocation,” he said.
Semakula revealed that Rwanda has already embedded ICD-11 across its health systems, with 97% of citizens enrolled in health insurance schemes, thus not only improving the accuracy of diagnoses and reimbursements but also enhancing the quality and timeliness of healthcare services.
According to him, implementing a unified classification system will address discrepancies between healthcare facilities and insurance systems, reducing inefficiencies and complaints.
The WHO Country Representative for Rwanda, Dr. Brian Chirombo, applauded the collaborative efforts that led to the establishment of the new center. “I would like to congratulate University of Rwanda and the Ministry of Health for this tremendous achievement,” he said.
Chirombo emphasized that health classifications are more than just technical tools. They are the language through which experts understand and communicate the complexities of health and disease. “They allow us to track disease outbreaks, develop public health policies, and evaluate their impact,” he noted.
He further reported that between 2018 and 2024, in collaboration with WHO, the University of Rwanda and the Ministry of Health designed of a short course curriculum on medical coding offered at the University of Rwanda.
Health professionals in medical coding and certification of causes of death were trained, field tested ICD-11 through electronic medical records (EMR) in two hospitals, and embedded the ICD-11 in the OpenMRS and eBuzima platform, an EMR which the country is deploying in health centers.
These initiatives not only improved national systems but also contributed to global knowledge and experience sharing through WHO-FIC meetings.
Central to the development of the Regional Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and eHealth is Dr. Michael Mugisha, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Rwanda and co-founder of the WHO Collaborating centre. Proudly reflecting on the achievement, he expressed gratitude for this milestone.
Mugisha explained that ICD-11 is not only a tool for documenting diseases but also for capturing health interventions, enabling data-driven planning, resource allocation, and research.
“Now, with structured and uniform data across hospitals, from health posts to referral hospitals, we can aggregate and analyze information to inform policy and guide decisions. We can answer questions like how many cesarean sections were performed last month, or which districts are seeing certain disease trends,” he said.
Crucially, he added, the center will act as Rwanda’s voice on the global stage. “With a WHO Collaborating Center, we now have the platform to reflect Rwanda’s unique health context in international classification standards. We will be contributing to revisions, ensuring that African-specific conditions and realities are recognized globally,” he said.
Mugisha highlighted the value of local expertise. “We have very talented scientists, clinicians, and researchers in Rwanda. We are mobilizing them to contribute to the global cause of improving how diseases and interventions are documented and understood worldwide,” he noted.
As Rwanda steps into this leadership role, this WHO Collaborating Centre is not only a symbol of national progress but also a regional beacon, demonstrating what is possible when technology, data, and public health vision align.
