Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP |  Saudi courts will notify women by text message when they get divorced, in a new regulation that took effect on Sunday, officials said. The measure approved by the justice ministry appears aimed at curbing seemingly rampant cases of men secretly ending marriages without informing …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  Civil Society Organizations (CSO) under the Umbrella Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group have expressed fears that impact of the highly shooting public debt is going to be much felt by Ugandans in the next financial year as government plans to spend more on debt …

  Kano, Nigeria | AFP | Nigerian security forces on Sunday arrested two journalists over their coverage of the jihadist group Boko Haram, sources at the newspaper told AFP. A combined team of secret police, soldiers and civil defence paramilitary stormed the office of the Daily Trust in the northern …

Bangkok, Thailand | AFP | A Saudi woman held at Bangkok airport said she would be killed if she was repatriated by Thai immigration officials, who confirmed the 18-year-old was denied entry to the country on Sunday. The incident comes against the backdrop of intense scrutiny of Saudi Arabia over …

Madrid, Spain | AFP | Real Madrid may not even challenge for the title let alone win it as a shock 2-0 defeat at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday left them even further adrift in La Liga. Barcelona, already seven points clear, could extend the gap over their fiercest …

Los Angeles, United States | AFP | The Golden Globes is the most lively, attention-grabbing and just plain fun gala ceremony in Hollywood’s awards merry-go-round — primarily because it’s the only one where alcohol is served. Tinseltown’s elite are allowed to kick back in relaxed seating with a glass of …

Washington, United States | AFP | Former England and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney was arrested last month for being drunk and swearing in public and paid a $25 fine Friday, according to multiple reports Sunday. Court records obtained by Washington ABC 7 News and The Athletic showed that Rooney …

THIS WEEK: Bobi wine is African personality of the Year Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  Musician and Politician Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu aka Bobi Wine has been declared African Personality of the year 2018 by the African Leadership Magazine. He beat Rwanda President Paul Kagame and Ethiopia Prime Minister Abih …

THIS WEEK: Museveni’s 9-point 2019 agenda Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Museveni delivered his new year’s speech on Dec.31 at his country home in Rwakitura, Kiruhura district. He told the nation that the government would focus on nine issues which will enable the country achieve the status of middle …

  Washington, United States | AFP |  Talks aimed at ending a partial US government shutdown which entered its third week on Saturday made little progress but were to continue on Sunday, President Donald Trump said. An impasse with lawmakers over Trump’s demand for billions of dollars to pay for …