Miami, United States | AFP | Inspired by the folding technique of origami, US researchers said Monday they have crafted cheap, artificial muscles for robots that give them the power to lift up to 1,000 times their own weight. The advance offers a leap forward in the field of soft robotics, …

Washington, United States | AFP | US actress Meghan Markle, who is to wed Britain’s Prince Harry next year, will become the latest American to marry into a royal family. Here’s a brief look at five other American women who became princesses or queens: – Grace Kelly – Actress Grace Kelly …

New research shows why creative people sometimes need to be alone Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Spending too much time alone can be unhealthy and there is growing evidence that the psychosocial effects of too much solitude can last a lifetime. But newly published research suggests that not all forms …

How it handles conflict of interest will enhance or sink corporate governance in capital markets COMMENT | SILVER KAYONDO | A few weeks ago, the Uganda Stock Exchange (USE) confirmed it had received formal approval from the regulatory body, the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) to operate a demutualised stock exchange. This …

Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa three days after his inauguration has dissolved the cabinet of his predecessor Robert Mugabe, who resigned after the military took control of the country, a senior government official said Monday. Mnangagwa “is in the process of putting together a new team of …

Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Sierra Leone’s President Ernest Bai Koroma unlawfully dismissed his vice president after he was expelled from the ruling party, a West African regional court said on Monday. Samuel Sam-Sumana was kicked out of the All People’s Congress (APC) in March 2015 on suspicion of fomenting violence, …

Banjul, Gambia | AFP | A Gambian military court on Monday charged 10 soldiers with treason and mutiny for plotting to overthrow the country’s newly elected government in July, and two more with helping a sergeant evade arrest. Elements of The Gambia’s armed forces are known to have maintained support for …

United Nations, United States | AFP | The UN Security Council must take stronger measures, possibly including sanctions, to put a stop to slave auctions in Libya, the French ambassador said Monday. France has requested an urgent meeting of the council for Tuesday, a week after the top UN body held …

Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | Influential bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday urged President Joseph Kabila to pledge he will not seek a third term in office in order to ease fears of unrest. Roman Catholic bishops last year helped broker a deal under which elections …

Lome, Togo | AFP | Togo’s president, Faure Gnassingbe, said he remains convinced of national unity after a weekend visit to the country’s second city that was hit by anti-government protests. Gnassingbe revealed on Sunday evening he had travelled to Sokode — the home city of Tikpi Atchadam, who has …