JIUQUAN | Xinhua | China successfully launched SQX-1 commercial carrier rocket into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Sunday. The rocket blasted off at 3 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the launch site, sending the Di’er-1 satellite into the planned orbit. It was the sixth flight …

Entebbe, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  Bridget Basiima completed a remarkable year by winning the MTN Grand Tee of Tees on Saturday in Entebbe. The Medical student at Mild May Insistute of Health Sciences returned a score of 64 nett, to win  the Ladies Overall Order of Merit golf title …

Entebbe, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  The Federal Republic of Somalia moved a step closer to full integration into the East African Community (EAC), following this week’s signing of the Treaty of Accession at State House, Entebbe, Uganda. Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and EAC Heads of States Summit Chairperson …

CAPE TOWN | Xinhua |  South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday asked 10,000 new police officers, who were  deployed nationwide since Dec. 15, to help ensure a safe holiday period in the country. He made the remarks when speaking at a passing-out parade of 1,400 newly trained officers in …

BEIJING | Xinhua | A Chinese defense spokesperson has urged the U.S. side to exercise caution on the Taiwan question and the South China Sea issue. Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media query regarding a U.S. warship illegally intruding …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  Civil society organizations have accused the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) of failing to implement its policies and external advice to improve the administration of tax. The organizations under the Tax Justice Alliance Uganda (TJAU) say that this has in turn led to poor revenue …

ST. PETERSBURG | Xinhua |  The value of Russia’s gold reserves has exceeded 150 billion U.S. dollars for the first time in contemporary history, due to the rise in gold prices, RIA Novosti news agency reported on Thursday. The value of Russia’s gold investments in November increased by 2.2 percent, …

JERUSALEM | Xinhua |  Mohamed Ghraib, a Palestinian taxi driver, is waiting for his business at the Israeli side of the Qalandia checkpoint 15 km away from Jerusalem, but not much luck has come to him so far. “Before the Israel-Hamas conflict, at this time of the day and this …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  The Uganda Revenue Authority-URA is increasing its vigilance against foreign registered motor vehicles and those bearing Temporary Road Licenses that have expired. The tax body expects a sharp rise in such motor vehicles on the road as many foreign-based Ugandans return home for the …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A hectic golf season comes to a close on Saturday as the Par 72 Kitante course hosts the Stanbic Bank Mug of Mugs. The grand finale has attracted close 200 golfers in what is expected to be a thriller for most club members. “It’s …