Beijing, China | AFP | A propaganda app that puts China’s powerful President Xi Jinping in anyone’s pockets has become a hit in the country — with a helpful nudge from Communist Party officials. Millions have downloaded the app, which tracks the amount of time users spend browsing inspirational quotes from …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee has directed the Attorney General, William Byaruhanga to give an opinion on whether the proposed National Local Content Bill, 2019 conflicts with the regional Protocol. The objective of the Bill is to guarantee priority and exclusive use of …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Electoral Commission has lifted the ban slapped on Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy (CCEDU). in July last year. The lifting of the ban was announced on Thursday in a letter signed by Electoral Commission chairperson, Justice Byabakama Simon after a meeting with CCEDU representatives. …

  Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Head of European Union Mission in Uganda, Attilio Pacifici has commended Uganda’s decision to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). Ambassador Pacifici says the move is a critical step in promoting transparency in the sector as Uganda paces towards oil production stage. …

San Francisco, United States | AFP | Samsung on Wednesday unveiled its first folding handset as part of an effort to rev up demand in the slumping smartphone sector. The South Korean giant’s Galaxy Fold, unveiled at a San Francisco event, services as a smartphone with a 4.6-inch display and unfolds …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda People’s Defense Forces-UPDF will not require a supplementary budget to pay the salaries of more than 2000 newly promoted officers, URN has learnt. Recently, President, Yoweri Museveni promoted more than 2,031 officers and men to various ranks. Those promoted from the rank of …

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Profiles of key suspects in last month’s terror attack in Nairobi point to the worrying rise of a new generation of Kenyan jihadists, analysts say. Police are hunting Ali Salim Gichunge, the suspected mastermind of the January 15 attack on the Dusit hotel and office complex …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester four-piece The 1975 were the big winners at the 2019 Brit Awards in London on Wednesday. Here are the main winners: British album of the year — “A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships” by The 1975 British male solo artist — George Ezra …

  París, France | AFP | Breakdancing has been invited as a new sport by the organisers of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the head of the local organising committee said Thursday. Skateboarding, climbing and surfing, which have already been added to the programme for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, have been invited …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Barclays rebounded sharply into profit in 2018, as a vast hit from the previous year on the sale of its African business was not repeated, the British bank announced Thursday. The lender’s performance came despite vast litigation costs and a new charge on the impact …