Zimbabwe captured significant international attention at the prestigious ITB Berlin tourism expo in Berlin, Germany, as the country’s stand drew strong interest from global travel professionals during a special guided visit organised by the event’s management team.

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, delivered a compelling presentation to more than 30 international trade visitors, highlighting the country’s growing appeal as a leading tourism destination.

The engagement formed part of a curated tour by the ITB Berlin team, which selected only six stands from hundreds of exhibitors for the exclusive visit a recognition of Zimbabwe’s rising prominence in the global tourism industry.

Minister Rwodzi, who was recently honoured as African Minister of the Year by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), used the platform to showcase Zimbabwe’s diverse tourism portfolio and investment opportunities.

During the presentation, she highlighted the country’s unique blend of iconic natural attractions, rich wildlife heritage, vibrant cultural traditions, and authentic travel experiences that continue to attract international visitors.

“Zimbabwe offers travellers unforgettable experiences from majestic natural wonders and world-class wildlife encounters to our warm hospitality, cultural heritage and diverse cuisine,” said Minister Rwodzi.

The interaction allowed international travel buyers, tour operators and industry stakeholders to engage directly with the Zimbabwe delegation, fostering stronger partnerships and opening new opportunities for tourism promotion and business collaborations.

Zimbabwe’s participation at ITB Berlin forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to increase tourist arrivals and strengthen the country’s presence in key global tourism markets.

Industry experts attending the event expressed strong interest in Zimbabwe’s tourism offerings, with many noting the country’s unique combination of adventure, nature and cultural experiences.

The successful engagement further reinforces Zimbabwe’s position as a must-visit destination on the global tourism map, as the nation continues to market its world-renowned attractions such as Victoria Falls, national parks and heritage sites to international travellers.

ITB Berlin is widely regarded as one of the world’s largest and most influential tourism trade fairs, bringing together thousands of tourism professionals, destinations and travel businesses from across the globe.

Zimbabwe’s strong presence at the event signals growing international confidence in the country’s tourism sector as it continues to expand partnerships and attract visitors from key global markets.

Iran has formally confirmed the death of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following coordinated airstrikes by the United States and Israel, according to Iranian state broadcasters on Sunday.

Khamenei, who was 86 and had ruled Iran for more than three decades, was killed during the attacks carried out on February 28, 2026. Authorities have announced a 40-day national mourning period in his honour.

The news was first made public by former US President Donald Trump, who posted on Truth Social, describing the killing as “justice for the people of Iran.”

Reports indicate that the air campaign struck targets across 24 Iranian provinces, leaving at least 201 people dead. Among those killed were the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a senior national security adviser.

In response, Iran launched retaliatory strikes, including attacks on the US Fifth Fleet stationed in Bahrain, as well as other American military facilities in the region. Iranian missiles also struck Tel Aviv, killing at least one civilian.

Iran has further escalated the situation by moving to shut down the vital Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.

Khamenei’s death has plunged Iran into political uncertainty. The Assembly of Experts is constitutionally mandated to appoint a new Supreme Leader, but analysts warn the transition could take several paths — from the continuation of clerical authority to direct military rule, or even a broader collapse of the current system.

Public reaction within Tehran has been sharply divided. While some citizens have been seen celebrating in the streets, highlighting longstanding social and political grievances, others are openly mourning the long-time leader.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council has urged all parties to immediately de-escalate, cautioning that the rapidly intensifying conflict risks igniting a wider regional war.

Scientists in China and the United States have successfully used stem cells to create insulin-producing cells that restored the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar in some patients with Type 1 diabetes.

The experimental procedures, conducted by researchers in China and separately by Vertex Pharmaceuticals in the U.S., represent a significant leap beyond traditional disease management.

For over a century, diabetes has required patients to endure daily insulin injections and constant glucose monitoring.

These new cell-based therapies aim to rebuild the biological function that is lost in the disease.

According to details shared online by science commentator SciTech Girl, which have garnered significant attention from the medical community, the approach involves creating new islet cells from stem cells and transplanting them into patients.

In several individuals with Type 1 diabetes, whose pancreases no longer produce insulin, these transplanted cells have begun producing insulin again—eliminating the need for injected insulin.

“No pump. No syringe. Just living cells doing their job,” the report stated, summarising the dramatic outcome for some trial participants.

Medical experts caution that while the results are groundbreaking, they do not yet constitute a widespread, proven cure.

The trials remain small in scale, and the long-term durability and safety of the transplanted cells are still unknown.