NEWS ANALYSIS

Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | When Francis becomes the first pope to visit the Arabian peninsula on Sunday, he takes another important step in his efforts to build bridges with Islam and confirms interreligious dialogue as a keystone of his papacy. In the long, complicated and often bloody …

New York, United States | AFP | The #MeToo movement has shaken a number of industries including Hollywood in recent years, but the world of popular music has mostly shied from embracing the crusade. In a business long associated with seedy behavior, few artists have faced rejection for actions or allegations, …

Hong Kong, China | AFP | As the Chinese zodiac turns into the Year of the Pig next week, feng shui masters are predicting turbulence and division for world leaders at home — not least President Donald Trump, who risks having past secrets revealed. Sitting behind a large wooden desk …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Central banks have bought the most gold in nearly 50 years as the precious metal profits from its  safehaven status, the World Gold Council said Thursday, amid trade tensions and Brexit uncertainty. The banks added 651.5 tonnes to official gold reserves in 2018, up 74 …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | British MPs on Tuesday voted on a series of amendments seeking to show what they want as Brexit approaches on March 29, with Britain currently on course to crash out of the EU without a withdrawal deal. Earlier this month, they rejected the agreement Prime …

‘Independence is about Africans rediscovering themselves’ NRM programme point No.4: Defending and consolidating National Independence James Magode Ikuya is a political activist who has worked with UPC, FRONASA and NRM. He spoke to Ian Katusiime about consolidating national independence, one of the ten point programmes outlined by NRM when it …

Beijing, China | AFP | Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei survived food shortages during China’s Cultural Revolution, but now the reclusive billionaire identified as “Individual-1” in a US indictment faces an existential fight for his family and company. Ren, 74, founded Huawei in 1987 with just 21,000 yuan ($5,600) and watched …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Theresa May’s bid to reopen the Brexit deal could be a final throw of the dice or another delay to get MPs to back it — but either way, she is running out of options. Analysts have warned of the growing risk of Britain …

Washington, United States | AFP | The United States hopes to make “significant progress” during high-stakes trade talks with Chinese officials this week, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday. Beijing and Washington have a month remaining in a 90-day truce declared in December before US tariffs on hundreds of billions in Chinese exports are …

Just like a prophet, Museveni is more trusted elsewhere than in his home NRM programme point No.9: Co-operation with other African countries Fred Mukasa Mbidde is a member of the 3rd East African Legislative Assembly representing the republic of Uganda. He sits on three committees, committee of communication; trade and …