Hong Kong, China | AFP | Brunei on Wednesday introduced harsh new sharia laws — including death by stoning for adultery and gay sex — despite a storm of global criticism from rights groups. Although most Muslim nations incorporate elements of sharia law in their legal systems, very few carry …
Read More »Why Stella Nyanzi did not show up in court
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Dr Stella Nyanzi and her lawyer have failed to show up at Buganda Road Magistrates’ Court where she was expected to appear on Thursday. Nyanzi was expected in court presided over by Grade one Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu over charges of cyber harassment and offensive …
Read More »Nigeria’s chief justice facing assets charges: court
Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Nigeria’s most senior judge was on Saturday charged with failing to declare his assets, in a move the main opposition party said triggered alarm bells as elections approach next month. Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen will appear before a panel of three …
Read More »Uganda revises aviation law
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda has revised its aviation regulations, giving more powers to regulator Uganda Civil Aviation Authority. Under the Civil Aviation Amendment Bill 2017 that was recently passed by parliament, the CAA now has oversight over all public and private aerodromes as well as civil aviation training …
Read More »Ghosn set for court hearing in Japan over detention
Tokyo, Japan | AFP | Former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn is likely to appear in a Japanese court next Tuesday to hear the reasons for his detention, after his lawyers deployed a little-used article of the Constitution. The shock move was the latest in a series of unexpected twists in …
Read More »S.Africa launches minimum wage ahead of election
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South Africa introduced its first minimum wage on Tuesday, with President Cyril Ramaphosa saying millions of workers would be better paid as he readies for a tricky election in May with the national economy struggling for growth. Trade unions have been split over whether …
Read More »GMO law fight not over
Civil society excited but frustrated scientists pin hope on Museveni Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Ugandan civil society is celebrating a new law that seeks to regulate the development and application of biotechnology. But it is cautious celebration – until President Yoweri Museveni signs it into law. The objective of …
Read More »Nigeria’s president blocks electoral reform bill
Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday refused to sign off on plans to overhaul the country’s electoral laws, judging that new rules would cause “disruption and confusion” so close to an election. Africa’s most populous nation goes to the polls to elect a new president …
Read More »S.Africa minimum wage begins January 1: president
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said Friday that a landmark minimum wage bill to bridge the country’s notorious inequality will become law from January 1 as he eyes elections due in 2019. The bill legislates that the lowest paid workers receive a minimum of …
Read More »ICC members back court, but urge it to speed up work
The Hague, Netherlands | AFP | Countries signed up to the International Criminal Court renewed their backing Wednesday for the embattled global legal body, targeted by the Trump administration, but urged it to speed up its work. “The European Union strongly supports the International Criminal Court and its work as …
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