AFP Facebook ramped up its challenge to Twitter-owned Periscope with upgrades to the social network’s live video broadcasting feature. After taking to the air with drones to provide Internet to remote spots, Facebook has unveiled new land-based systems to provide connectivity to people in urban settings. “We are really going at this problem from every possible angle,” Facebook co-founder and …

  REUTERS The African nation of Gabon wants to rejoin OPEC after more than two decades, two OPEC sources said, becoming the second former member in a year to seek a return to the oil exporters’ group just as it is taking the first steps in years to prop up prices. If it returned, Gabon would be the smallest producer …

Bloomberg The US is urging Russia to help halt an offensive by President Bashar Al Assad’s forces on rebel-held Aleppo, once the most populous city in Syria, warning that it’s putting an almost seven-week cease-fire under increasing strain. The Obama administration expressed its strong concerns to Russia, which committed to not participate in any attacks on groups which are adhering …