NEW YORK | Xinhua |  Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday pleaded not guilty to all U.S. charges during his first court appearance in New York. “I am innocent, I am not guilty,” Maduro told the court, adding that he was “kidnapped” at his home in Caracas and that he …

The world’s only living relative of the giraffe has received its strongest global protection yet. Conservationists say the move closes trafficking loopholes, strengthens protections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and signals a historic step toward safeguarding this rare and iconic forest mammal. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | …

COMMENT | CRISPIN KAHERU | Whenever people speak of a stolen election, what often comes to mind are stuffed ballot boxes and forged tally sheets. Today, all over the world, it may look a little different. The concept is the same, though, but the method has changed. Elections are now stolen …

Washington, US | THE INDEPENDENT | Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that President Donald Trump has pulled the USA out of 66 international organisations and treaties that he called anti-American. “Today, President Trump announced the U.S. is leaving 66 anti-American, useless, or wasteful international organizations. Review of additional international …

At a quiet hotel in rain-soaked Maun, African policymakers, scientists and community voices came together to design a continental biodiversity programme rooted in shared ecosystems, resilience and cooperation Maun, Botswana | RONALD MUSOKE | On the edge of the Okavango Delta, where seasonal rains soften northern Botswana and the air …

Entebbe, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Museveni on Monday campaigned in Entebbe Municipality, pledging increased government support to fishermen, market vendors, and small-scale entrepreneurs, and urging residents to vote for the NRM to protect peace and development gains. Addressing supporters, Museveni said his government had restored security in Entebbe …

Jinja, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Nile Breweries Limited has announced the appointment of Nkanyiso Mncwabe as its new Managing Director, effective January 1, 2026, marking a leadership transition at Uganda’s leading beer manufacturer. The announcement was made today, January 5, in Kampala. Mncwabe takes over from Adu Rando, whose tenure …

Election security is not the responsibility of security forces alone, it is a collective national duty. COMMENT | MATHIAS RUKUBA | As Ugandans prepare to head to the polls in January 2026, it is critical to recognise that global terrorism remains a real and evolving threat to national security and democratic …

MEXICO CITY | Xinhua |  After the U.S. military raided Venezuela and forcibly captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife on Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump declared later in the day that the United States will “run” the South American nation. The U.S. attack on Venezuela and its so-called …

COMMENT | NADA ANDERSEN | The water levels of Lake Victoria – that the locals call Lake Nalubale – have risen dramatically in recent years, displacing communities, destroying livelihoods, and causing ecological damage – yet public awareness and policy responses remain weak. Despite an article in the New Vision on 3rd …