2178, Russia | AFP | The US and its allies fired more than 100 cruise missiles at Syria, a significant number of which were intercepted by Syrian air defences, the Russian defence ministry said Saturday. “More than 100 cruise missiles and air-to-land missiles were fired by the US, Britain and …

Kampala, Uganda | JOSEPH BAHINGWIRE | As African economies start growing and technological change being the engine of growth, it has become eminent that the conventional system of education that is class based cannot provide skills that can lead to business growth as well as economic development. To sustain growth, Ugandans like most …

2106, Egypt | AFP | Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi extended for three months from Saturday a state of emergency for the fourth time since it was first declared last year, the official gazette said. A nationwide state of emergency was first imposed in April last year after two church bombings …

2500, France | AFP | Hepatitis C is easily cured. Yet, about 400,000 people die of the liver disease every year as only a smattering get the medicine they need. On Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged governments to attack the problem with more urgency, and more money. Only …

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | A campaign by Arab states to block Israel’s bid for a Security Council seat has gained support weeks ahead of a scheduled UN vote, the Palestinian foreign minister said Thursday. “We are doing everything possible to convince as many countries as possible to block …

2500, France | AFP | Recommended limits for safe alcohol consumption are too high in many developed countries and should be lowered to save lives, a study suggested Friday. Regularly drinking more than 100 grammes (3.5 ounces) of alcohol per week — about five or six medium glasses of wine …

Nyon, Switzerland | AFP | Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the Europa League while Marseille will play Austria’s FC Salzburg. Arsene Wenger’s side will play the first leg at home against Atletico, who are favourites to win the competition for the third time. The first legs …

Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | As Nigeria prepares to mark the fourth anniversary of the Chibok kidnapping, UNICEF reported on Friday that over 1,000 children have been abducted by jihadists since 2013. “Since 2013, more than 1,000 children have been abducted by Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria, including 276 girls …

Abidjan, Ivory Coast | AFP | A new disease infecting cassava — dubbed “Ebola for plants” — could spell a looming food crisis for Africa, researchers have warned, fearful that the emerging blight could decimate one of the continent’s most vital food crops. Africa is the world’s largest producer of …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | The British government on Thursday agreed on the “need to take action” alongside the US and France over a chemical weapons attack in Syria, Prime Minister Theresa May’s office said. “Cabinet agreed on the need to take action to alleviate humanitarian distress and to …