Abuja, Nigeria | THE INDEPENDENT | African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is set to host its 32nd Annual Meetings (AAM2025) in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 25 to 27, drawing a high-powered coalition of African, Caribbean (CARICOM), and global leaders. The event, which comes at a time of heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainty, …
Read More »Can Israel’s actions in Iran be called self-defence?
Are they illegal? FEATURE | International law expert, Associate Professor (Law) Shannon Bosch of Edith Cowan University, explains Israel’s major military operation against Iran has targeted its nuclear program, including its facilities and scientists, as well as its military leadership. In response, the United Nations Security Council has quickly convened …
Read More »Can America end 30-year DR Congo conflict?
Why new diplomatic moves could hit same old roadblocks ANALYSIS | THE INDEPENDENT & AGENCIES | The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have signed a preliminary peace deal that paves way to signing a final agreement scheduled on June 27, according to a joint statement issued by the U.S. State …
Read More »UDB profit climbs, funding gap persists
As Uganda’s development bank posts strong results, calls grow for sustainable government support to meet rising demand Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | Uganda Development Bank (UDB), the country’s leading state-owned development finance institution, has reported a robust net profit of Shs 57.8 billion ($15.4 million) for the year ending 2024—an …
Read More »‘The 30KPH regulation is international best practice’
INTERVIEW | Following the heated public debate after the Traffic Police began implementing the 30KPH regulation complete with hefty fines for speed limit offenders and, their eventual suspension for review, Sam Bambanza, the Executive Director, Safe Transport and Survivors Support, Uganda, (STASSU), a non-profit that has been working with others to …
Read More »‘Uganda’s tax system is a drain on small businesses’
ANALYSIS | Adrienne Lees, a Researcher at the Institute of Development Studies of the UK, in collaboration with the Uganda Revenue Authority, shows how to set them free Uganda is one of the countries most exposed to recent cuts in international aid, particularly with the dissolution of the US Agency …
Read More »Israel’s War of Grand Ambition
Why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fixation on total victory is as misguided as it is dangerous COMMENT | SHLOMO BEN-AMI | The rapidly escalating military conflict between Israel and Iran represents a clash of ambitions. Iran seeks to become a nuclear power, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu longs to …
Read More »The Iran-Israel war
The calculations and the fears COVER STORY | AGENCIES | Facing a massive attack on its homeland, the Islamic Republic’s response has been restrained, driven by vulnerability and the need to avoid U.S. intervention. Its strategy appears aimed at preserving deterrence and diplomatic options while managing internal fallout amid mounting civilian …
Read More »EU’s billion-dollar illegal wildlife trade exposed
Bloc remains a major wildlife trafficking hub, with 86% of seized contraband intended for destinations within the member states ANALYSIS | RONALD MUSOKE | When two Belgian teenagers appeared before a Nairobi court with over 5,000 ants in their possession in April this year, the case initially seemed like a harmless …
Read More »Mosaic artist uses biscuits to make famous faces
The mosaic artist has also done campaigns for other companies, including Keep Britain Tidy ARTS | VICTORIA COOKS | A mosaic artist based in London said he had some “trepidation” when McVitie’s called and asked him to make some famous portraits out of biscuits. Ed Chapman said: “I wondered if it …
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