Paris, France | AFP | French President Emmanuel Macron has promised to complete a painstaking renovation of Notre-Dame within five years after the historic cathedral suffered a monstrous fire that destroyed its spire and roof. But will France be able to muster the necessary workers and materials to meet the challenge? …

Cairo, Egypt | AFP | Egypt on Wednesday set a referendum for April 20-22 on sweeping consitutional changes including amendments that could extend President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s rule until 2030. The push to extend the former military chief’s tenure is expected to face little opposition, despite rights groups calling it “unconstitutional” …

Shanghai, China | AFP | Nico Yennaris was born in working-class east London, played with Harry Kane at Arsenal as a boy and is an England youth international. While Kane moved to Tottenham Hotspur and became England captain, Yennaris’s career has taken a very different direction, becoming the first naturalised player …

Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | Sudan’s military rulers have transferred ousted president Omar al-Bashir to prison, a family source said Wednesday, as doctors marched through the capital to join a sit-in protest at the army complex. Following the dramatic end to Bashir’s rule of three decades last week, he was moved …

Paris, France | AFP | France will invite architects from around the world to submit designs for rebuilding the spire of Notre-Dame cathedral that was destroyed in a devastating blaze, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said Wednesday. The goal is “to give Notre-Dame a new spire that is adapted to the techniques …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | State Minister for Investment Evelyn Anite has tasked the new Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) board to attract quality investors. The new Board was inaugurated this morning at UIA headquarters, Kampala. The new Board brings back Dr Emely Kugonza as the Board Chairman. Other members …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Government has suspended the license issued to Israel Firm,Together Pharma to grow medical marijuana in Uganda. The State Minister of Finance and Investment, Evelyn Anite announced the decision this morning, saying the Health Minister has been tasked to research on the matter and report …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Makerere University staff appeals tribunal has directed management to immediately reinstate, Elias Nuwagaba, the former personal assistant to the Vice Chancellor. The tribunal chaired by George Omunyokol also ordered fresh disciplinary hearing within 60 days, reinstate Nuwagaba to his last position held before …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda National Airlines Company will receive an allocation of 129.5 billion Shillings to kick-start its operations in the financial year 2019-2020.  However, the funding is half of the estimated budget that is required to run the company upon the revival of the national flag …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court has finally allowed the state to table additional exhibits in the case of cyber harassment and offensive communication against former Makerere University Research Fellow, Dr. Stella Nyanzi. The Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate, Gladys Kamasanyu made the ruling on Tuesday afternoon …