Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Secretary of State Rex Tillerson brought his truncated maiden Africa trip to a close on Monday, promising the full backing of the United States to two countries on the frontline of the war on terror. Washington’s top diplomat has been on a five-country tour of east …

Moscow, Russia | AFP | Moscow on Monday rejected British Prime Minister Theresa May’s statement to parliament that it was “highly likely” Russia was responsible for the poisoning of a former spy in Britain. The statement was part of an “information and political campaign based on provocation,” said Russian foreign ministry …

Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Jose Mourinho launched a stinging attack on Dutchman Frank de Boer on Monday after the former Crystal Palace coach criticised Manchester United’s sparse use of Marcus Rashford. Rashford scored twice in his first Premier League start of 2018 as United edged out Liverpool 2-1 on …

Why Rwanda closed them Kampala, Uganda | INDEPENDENT TEAM | About 700 churches were recently closed down in Rwanda. Most of them are small Pentecostal churches. One mosque was closed too but the focus was on the churches. The closure late last February by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) was meant …

Miami, United States | AFP | Black barbershops are known as places to gather, socialize and get a haircut. But a study Monday said they can also help encourage men to get their high blood pressure under control. When a trained pharmacist met men regularly at their local Los Angeles barbershop, …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | US actress Meghan Markle took part in her first official event with Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, accompanying her fiance Prince Harry to a service at London’s Westminster Abbey. Markle arrived at the Commonwealth Day Service with Harry, his elder brother Prince William, the second …

Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | The BBC said Monday that London-based members of its Persian service had faced death threats over their reporting, as it pressed the United Nations to act against Iran in defence of press freedom. Britain’s public broadcaster is lobbying the Human Rights Council this week to help …

Antananarivo, Madagascar | AFP | The Madagascar government on Monday summoned the US ambassador after the embassy commented on a court decision that left dairy cows belonging to ex-president Marc Ravalomanana unattended and without food. A court had ordered the closure of AAA, an agribusiness owned by Ravalomanana, over violation of …

Berlin, Germany | AFP | German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday, two days before she is to launch her new government, that she will pay a quick visit to French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss EU reform proposals. Without naming a date, Merkel said she would visit Paris ahead of an …

Ottawa, Canada | AFP | Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday accused China of flooding global markets with cheap steel, adding that Canada has already taken steps to prevent “dumping” in this country. “We are very concerned about the actions taken by China and the dumping of steel and aluminum on …