United Nations, United States | AFP | In slapping its seventh set of sanctions on North Korea, the United Nations has adopted its toughest measures yet against the regime — but how effective they will be in changing Pyongyang’s behavior is another matter. Days after the UN unanimously approved the US-drafted …
Read More »S.Africa’s Zuma counts cost after surviving vote
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South African opposition leaders piled pressure on President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday after a parliamentary vote of no confidence exposed deep rifts in his ANC party as it readies for a leadership battle. Zuma survived the attempt to oust him, but he was weakened after …
Read More »How serious is North Korea’s nuclear threat?
Washington, United States | AFP | US intelligence believes North Korea has now built a nuclear weapon small enough to fit onto a ballistic missile, making it a potent threat against neighbors and possibly the United States, the Washington Post reported Tuesday. The country’s nuclear advances have proceeded much more quickly …
Read More »World Bank upbeat about economy
World Bank upbeat about economy | Says Public Private Partnerships on large projects could spur economy Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | The Uganda economy could grow at a rate of 5.2% during the current Financial Year 2017/18, according to the latest World Bank update released on July 25. That …
Read More »URA’s missed collection targets
Tax experts say government needs to refocus its priorities Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | Uganda Revenue Authority has good and bad news these days. The tax body is collecting more and more money but, at the same time, is failing to meet ever rising annual targets. The pattern of missed …
Read More »How the young and restless could change Kenya’s political future
The headlines after 8 August will be about Kenyatta vs. Odinga. But the real contest for Kenya’s future is being waged at a more intimate and local level. Nairobi, Kenya | AFRICAN ARGUMENTS | There is an epic battle afoot over the future of Kenya, but it’s not happening where you might …
Read More »How Kenya could move away from the politics of ethnicity
How Kenya could move away from the politics of ethnicity | In 1992 Kenya held its first multi-party election in 26 years. Since this re-introduction of multipartism, the “politics of tribe” has been blamed for the country’s political tribulations. Nairobi, Kenya | DAISY MARITIM-MAINA | This has led to a system …
Read More »In Rio, office workers join the ranks of the homeless
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | AFP | Vilmar Mendonca used to be a human resources director for several companies in Brazil. Now he is homeless, sleeping outdoors along with thousands of other victims of the country’s economic crisis. Mendonca lost his job in 2015 and for a while, he lived off …
Read More »Gandhi brand no longer sells in Indian politics
New Delhi, India | AFP | India’s Congress party and its controlling Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that has been synonymous with political power for most of the 70 years since independence, hit a new low with this weekend’s vice-presidential election. The Congress-backed candidate was crushed in Saturday’s parliamentary ballot by the nominee of …
Read More »Trouble brewing in Nigeria swamps threatens economy
Warri, Nigeria | AFP | Months have passed since the Niger Delta Avengers have launched an attack on Nigeria’s oil pipelines, yet leaders in the region are warning trouble is brewing in the southern swamplands. A charm offensive led by Nigeria’s acting president Yemi Osinbajo has kept the uprising at bay, …
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