Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced the departure of his top diplomat Rex Tillerson, to be succeeded by the current CIA chief Mike Pompeo. A senior US official said the president wanted to reshuffle his team ahead of talks with North Korea. “Mike …
Read More »African SMEs set to benefit from $74million guarantee
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The African Guarantee Fund for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (AGF) has entered into a re- guarantee transaction of up to $74 million with GuarantCo to increase its guarantee capacity for SME financing on the continent. The new financing will enable AGF to support larger …
Read More »Spain arrests 155 over Chinese human trafficking ring
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Spanish police said Tuesday they had arrested 155 mostly Chinese nationals after busting a gang that trafficked Chinese migrants into Britain and Ireland for 20,000 euros per person. The arrests, which included four alleged ringleaders detained in Barcelona, came after a three-year investigation, police said …
Read More »Bus crash kills 38 in Ethiopia: state media
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | Thirty-eight people have died after the bus they were travelling in plunged off an embankment in northern Ethiopia, state media said on Tuesday. “A total of 38 people, (28 male, and 10 female) were killed in the accident,” state-affiliated Fana Broadcast Corporate said of …
Read More »Exiled DR Congo opposition leader launches presidency bid
Muldersdrift, South Africa | AFP | Exiled Congolese opposition leader Moise Katumbi launched a campaign Monday to be elected president in polls scheduled for December, unveiling his new “Together for Change” party in South Africa. “We will fight the battle to take power — and we will win,” said Katumbi …
Read More »Uganda hosts first AEO conference in Africa
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Dicksons Kateshumbwa is the Commissioner for Customs at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). He speaks about the Authorized Economic Operator program (AEO) and the upcoming 4th World Customs Organization Conference to be held in Kampala from March 14 – 16. AEO pre-event SPECIAL interview …
Read More »MTN named “most valuable telecom” brand in Africa
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | MTN has once again been named among the top 300 valuable telecom brands in the world, according to the research conducted by Brand Finance. The South African based firm was ranked 45th. With 25 subsidiaries most of which are in Africa, the company moved …
Read More »Shoprite eye Kenya’s retail market
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | South Africa’s retail chain, Shoprite Holdings, plans to take advantage of disarray in Kenya’s grocery sector to open its first stores in the major East African market this year. Two of Kenya’s three top retailers – Uchumi Supermarkets and former regional giant, Nakumatt – …
Read More »West Ham face probe after fans mar Burnley loss
London, United Kingdom | AFP | West Ham face a Football Association probe after the troubled club’s owners David Gold and David Sullivan were forced to flee their seats when furious fans ran riot during shameful scenes at the London Stadium. Several West Ham supporters invaded the pitch during Saturday’s …
Read More »S.Africa ANC leader courts estranged ally
Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA | AFP | South African President and ruling ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa stepped up the charm offensive Sunday to lure firebrand Julius Malema back to the party he was expelled from in 2012. Ahead of a general election due in 2019, a weekend-long voter registration drive was …
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