Washington’s fixation with sanctions has little to do with their efficacy and everything to do with something else: American decline Washington, U.S. | Xinhua | Washington has “become addicted to sanctions” like a 5-year-old child who “is addicted to candy,” a U.S. columnist has said. “If there is one tool policymakers …
Read More »South African president resumes duty after COVID-19 infection
Johannesburg, South Africa | Xinhua | South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday came out of self-isolation after contracting COVID-19 and resumed work, the Presidency said. Ramaphosa thanked South Africans and “leaders and friends internationally” who sent messages of good wishes. “The President wishes all persons infected with COVID-19 a safe …
Read More »Education ministry urges schools to prepare to receive child mothers
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Schools have to prepare to receive child mothers and pregnant learners, Dr. Cleophus Mugenyi, the Commissioner Basic Education in the Ministry of Education and Sports has revealed. According to Dr. Mugenyi, a recent study by the UN population fund indicates that the country has been …
Read More »European Commission authorizes fifth vaccine against COVID-19
Brussels, Belgium | Xinhua | The European Commission on Monday granted conditional marketing authorization for Nuvaxovid, the fifth COVID-19 vaccine authorized in the European Union (EU). The authorization of the vaccine, developed by Novavax, followed a scientific recommendation based on an assessment of the safety, effectiveness and quality of the vaccine …
Read More »Oil prices drop as Omicron spread clouds demand outlook
New York, U.S. | Xinhua | Oil prices fell sharply on Monday as a rapid spread of the Omicron variant dampened the prospects of fuel demand. The West Texas Intermediate for January delivery lost 2.63 U.S. dollars, or 3.7 percent, to settle at 68.23 dollars a barrel on the New York …
Read More »Umeme extends year long payment holiday to education institutions
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Schools and other learning institutions have a one-year grace period to clear their outstanding bills, thanks to a decision by electricity distributor, Umeme. The education sector has been arguably the hardest hit by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures against it, having …
Read More »Language barrier limits tobacco growers from bargaining in Lamwo
Lamwo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Numerous grades of tobacco, language barrier, and inadequate storage facilities are limiting farmers in Lamwo district from earning a fair amount from their harvests. There is an estimated 1,000 tobacco farmers in Lamwo district. They grow and sell tobacco to Meridian Tobacco Company-MTC, the sole …
Read More »Budget committee approves UGX21Bn for church land compensation
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Parliament’s Budget Committee on Monday agreed to approve a total of 21 billion Shillings budget meant to compensate the Church of Uganda for its land taken by government to expand Entebbe International Airport. The committee had earlier rejected this request from the Ministry of Finance …
Read More »Lab technicians join other medical workers in industrial action
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Laboratory technicians under their umbrella, the Uganda Medical Lab Technology Association said they will not be reporting to work on Tuesday. The development comes amidst industrial action by the doctors and medical interns whose grievances have only been partially resolved. Speaking at a press conference …
Read More »COVID-19 virus harms human immune system: Research
Jerusalem, Israel | Xinhua | Israeli researchers have found that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, harms the human immune system, Ben-Gurion University (BGU) in southern Israel said on Monday. In a genetic study published in the journal iScience, BGU researchers tried to find out what causes the “stormy” nature of …
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