People are increasingly acknowledging that the global economy is stronger than they thought COMMENT | JIM O’NEILL | In February 2017, I wrote an optimistic commentary called “The Global Economy’s Surprising Resilience.” The piece came as a surprise to those who saw only bleak prospects for Western countries, not least the …

Malabo, Equatorial Guinea | AFP | Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang, Africa’s longest-serving leader, dismissed the country’s ambassador to Chad on Tuesday, weeks after authorities said they had thwarted an attempted coup. Ambassador Enrique Nsue Anguesomo was removed due to “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions,” and stripped him …

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso | AFP | The Gates Foundation will invest $45 million in nutrition and family planning programs in Burkina Faso, Melinda Gates said on Tuesday during a visit to the capital Ouagadougou. “The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will invest $45 million (23.5 billion FCFA) over three years in …

Jakarta, Indonesia | AFP | A soldier tore apart a snake with his teeth and his comrades headbutted flaming stacks of bricks as Indonesia’s special forces treated visiting US defence secretary Jim Mattis to an unusual display on Tuesday. Mattis — whose own nickname is “Mad Dog” — seemed impressed by …

Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI & AFP | Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Tuesday commended the United States of America President Donald Trump for reported recent outspoken remarks in which he described Africa as a weak continent. Museveni while opening the first session of the newly composed 4th East African …

Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | The UN’s Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for “credible investigations” after at least six people were killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a crackdown on a protest against President Joseph Kabila. Guterres said the government should “hold those responsible accountable” in a …

United Nations, United States | AFP | UN peacekeeping forces need to change the way they operate and not shy away from using force to reverse a worrying trend of escalating fatalities, according to a new report made public Monday. The recommendations were submitted to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in …

Los Angeles, United States | AFP | “Transformers: The Last Knight” led the pack with nine nominations Monday for the Razzies, Hollywood’s anti-awards celebrating the worst films of 2017. The fifth installment of the Transformers franchise was tapped in the categories of worst picture; worst remake, rip-off or sequel; worst screenplay …

Kampala, Uganda | AGNES NANTABA | Peninah Kabenge is smiley most times. Perhaps it is the reason she doesn’t dwell on regrets even when she has been portrayed in negative light. She loves to keep on the positive side of life and being a sports woman, she cheers up often. She …

Los Angeles, United States | AFP | All eyes will be on Hollywood Tuesday as the Oscars nominees are unveiled, with “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” ahead by a nose in an awards season overshadowed by the industry’s war on sleaze. In a departure from previous years, there are very few …