Washington, United States | AFP | The United States took action Monday against several Maltese, Libyan and Egyptian firms, traders and ships allegedly involved in smuggling oil out of Libya in violation of UN sanctions. Libya has been gripped by chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator …

Bratislava, Slovakia | AFP | UEFA will not introduce Video Assistant Referees (VAR) for next season’s Champions League because of ongoing “confusion” surrounding its use, Aleksander Ceferin, the president of European football’s governing body, said on Monday. “Nobody knows exactly how it works yet. There is still a lot of …

Paris, France | AFP | Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar suffered a sprained ankle and a fractured metatarsal when he was stretchered off in Sunday’s win over Marseille, the Ligue 1 leaders announced on Monday. The Brazilian, who signed for PSG in a world-record move from Barcelona last year, is now …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Ugandan Small and medium enterprises banking with the Togo-based Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), have a chance to borrow part of $200 million, FMO, the Dutch development bank, has made available for SME growth across the continent. Ecobank Group CEO, Ade Ayeyemi, said new transaction …

  Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Kenya’s High Court on Monday ordered immigration authorities to allow an outspoken member of the opposition alliance to return to the country, after his deportation earlier this month. Miguna Miguna, a firebrand member of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition, was forced onto an …

Brussels, Belgium | AFP | The EU’s diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini on Monday demanded that a UN-backed ceasefire in Syria be implemented “immediately”, as fresh government strikes on rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta killed 10 civilians. Mogherini said a UN Security Council resolution passed Saturday calling for a 30-day ceasefire …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Coffee roasters and buyers flocking to Kenya in their annual pilgrimage for the pick of the crop have driven average prices for the beans to the highest level in three years. The cost of a 50-kilogram bag of AA grade coffee fetched $679 at …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda’s beverage company, Coca- Cola has launched a new drink – Fuze Tea – a unique blend of tea extract and fruit flavors created through a process that ensures a delightful fusion of tea, fruit, herbs and other natural ingredients. Launched on Feb.12 at …

Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Pope Francis on Sunday called for an immediate end to violence in Syria to allow aid deliveries, especially in the rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta which has been hit by regime bombardment. “This February has been one of the most violent (periods) in …

Jerusalem, Undefined | AFP | Christian leaders took the rare step on Sunday of closing Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built where tradition holds Jesus was buried, in protest at Israeli tax measures and a proposed property law. It was not clear how long the closure of the church, …