NEWS ANALYSIS

And why it shouldn’t be covered in smoke of secrecy Kampala, Uganda | PATRICIA AKANKWATSA | Since the government started awarding licences to private companies that are seeking to venture into growing marijuana legally, many users of the drug for recreation have become bolder and convinced about its `goodness’. 28 …

Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | The deadly crackdown by security forces on protesters in Sudan follows a worsening standoff between the ruling military and demonstrators demanding civilian rule. The unrest started in December 2018, when citizens revolted against a tripling of the price of bread. In April, demonstrators launched a …

Rennes, France | AFP |  The women’s World Cup moved up a gear on Saturday with three matches including a narrow German victory over China that left the winners complaining that they were roughed up, but Sunday’s three-match programme finishes with a new chapter in the oldest international football rivalry, as …

Paris, France | AFP |  Under pressure from frequent flyers alarmed over climate change, the airline industry says it is “hellbent” on reducing emissions — but the technology needed to drastically reduce its carbon footprint is still out of reach. In recent months climate activists have stepped up efforts to convince …

Tori-Bossito , Benin | AFP |  Machetes in hand and wearing a straw hat against the sun, the participants of an “agro-bootcamp” in the farmlands of the West African nation of Benin harvest maize, cowpeas and rice. “Cut at the base,” says Oluwafemi Kochoni, an organic farming teacher, who runs the …

London, United Kingdom | AFP |  Computer meltdowns. Unexplained holes in accounting. Personnel management scandals. For smaller banks that want to compete with historic giants of global fame, UK finance has proven to be a minefield. When visiting their local branch or going online, Britons have struggled to break their habit …

Paris, France | AFP | EU members Hungary, Poland, Portugal and soon Austria are strengthening ties with China by issuing attractive “panda bonds” that help Beijing raise its profile on international financial markets. Italy might join the trend as well, despite EU concerns that China may be seeking a way to …

Paris, France | AFP | As the US leads a drive for the West to shun Huawei over security fears, the Chinese tech giant has sought to strengthen its position in Africa, where it is already well-established. Huawei has taken a leading role in developing next-generation 5G mobile phone networks around the …

  Majority of the Fund’s retirees are making wrong investment decisions Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | It is now evident that savers need advice on how to invest their long time savings as they transition to retirement, according to Richard Byarugaba, the managing director of the National Social Security …

Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | A key protest group on Saturday announced a nationwide “civil disobedience” campaign it said would run until Sudan’s ruling generals transfer power to a civilian government. The call by the Sudanese Professionals Association, which first launched protests against longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir, came days after a …