Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Since starting treatment five years ago, 50-year-old Alice Chenyika kept her blood pressure under control by adhering to doctors’ strict instructions to take two daily doses of nifedipine. Now Zimbabwe’s worsening economic crisis has pushed prices up, and the medicine is far beyond her reach …

Cotonou, Benin | AFP | Benin has a reputation as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies but a series of court cases against opponents of President Patrice Talon has led to accusations that his rivals are being targeted, forcing some to flee the country. One of those opponents is …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | East African Records (EAR), a fresh recording and music distribution label operating across East Africa and based in Uganda, hosted UK reggae and dancehall unit Mungo’s Hi Fi and their lead artist Eva Lazarus, who are on an East African tour to Uganda and later …

United Nations, United States | AFP | Russia warned France on Thursday that it must put aside “parochial national interests” and recognize its peace efforts in the Central African Republic as negotiations continued on a contentious UN Security Council resolution. France has presented a draft resolution that takes aim at …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | The Premier League is set to use the Video Assistant Referee system from next season after clubs “agreed in principle” to the move on Thursday. During a meeting attended by key members of all 20 Premier League clubs, officials were presented with an update …

Washington, United States | AFP | South Korea said Thursday it would not restart an industrial zone with North Korea until its neighbor moves to give up nuclear weapons, although it voiced hope for progress. Cho Myoung-gyon, the South’s unification minister, said Seoul was abiding by international sanctions on Pyongyang …

Washington, United States | AFP | The Pentagon will trim the number of US troops deployed across Africa as it concentrates more on countering threats from “Great Power” competitors Russia and China, officials said Thursday. Currently, about 7,200 US military personnel are based in dozens of African nations, with notable …

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | The Saudi government exonerated the country’s powerful crown prince of involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi Thursday as death-penalty charges were announced against five men and the US placed sanctions on 17 suspected of involvement. Riyadh prosecutors announced indictments against 11 people …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Wayne Rooney believes the future is bright for England as a youthful Three Lions eased past the United States 3-0 at Wembley on his international swansong on Thursday. Jesse Lingard, Trent Alexander-Arnold and debutant Callum Wilson grabbed the goals in a dominant England display …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Brazil captain Neymar has revealed he is acting as a mentor to rising Everton star Richarlison. Richarlison has won a place in the Brazil squad this season after impressing for Everton following his transfer from Watford. The 21-year-old has scored twice in his first …