
AI toys for children misread emotions and respond inappropriately, researchers warn
In first study of its kind, Cambridge researchers found AI toys could misread some children’s emotions.
THURSDAY, 19 MARCH 2026, 06:20

In first study of its kind, Cambridge researchers found AI toys could misread some children’s emotions.
Will Mair, who studies aging, lost almost all his research funds when the White House cracked down on Harvard. He was wholly unprepared for the upheaval that followed.
[Africa Check] No, South African government not removing English from public schools

University of Cambridge study finds AI-powered toys can misread emotions and respond inappropriately to children
It was all going well. Charlotte, five, was chatting with an AI soft toy called Gabbo at a London play centre about her family, her drawing of a heart to represent them and what makes her happy. She even offered a couple of kisses to the £80 toy with a face like a computer screen.
It...
[Unicef] Port Sudan — Reported drone attacks struck a secondary school and a primary healthcare centre in Shukairi village in White Nile State, Sudan, yesterday morning. At least eight students, four of them under the age of 18, and a health worker were killed. Many more were injured, and the schools in the locality have been closed as a result.
[This Day] Abuja — The Federal Government has announced the approval of N2 billion each as take-off grants for Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal Polytechnic, Abuja, and Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe, Lagos State, as part of efforts to support their early operations and development.
[Premium Times] Mr Alausa said the initiative builds on earlier connectivity efforts under the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), which previously supported broadband connectivity for tertiary institutions under a World Bank-funded project.
[Premium Times] “Yes, I know him as a parent. He has children in my institution. He has four children at the American International School, Abuja,” the witness said of former Governor Yahaya Bello on Thursday.

A union says schools should practise emergency responses as they do with routine fire drills.
[Capital FM] Nandi — William Ruto returned to his former school, Kapsabet High School, on Thursday as the institution celebrated 100 years of continuous teaching and learning, describing the occasion as a personal homecoming.
[Capital FM] Nairobi — The government has intensified efforts to improve healthcare access for teachers after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale held talks with leaders of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) on strengthening service delivery under the new health financing framework.

Rudeness, social media posts and AI-generated complaints among issues harming staff wellbeing, union survey finds
Teachers are used to outbreaks of rudeness and defiance from their pupils, but are now saying parents are some of the worst offenders and affecting staff mental health, according to a headteachers’ union.
More than 90% of headteachers and other senior leaders said they had been on...
As a historian and diplomat, he gave intellectual shape to his people and made sure that they played a role in negotiating their future.
[ANGOP] Huambo — At least nine school libraries in the provinces of Huambo, Namibe, and Cabinda will be rehabilitated and equipped over the next four years as part of the Libelinha project led by Standard Bank-Angola. The project will receive an investment of 900 million kwanzas.
[ANGOP] Luanda — Angolan Health Minister Sílvia Lutucuta on Tuesday highlighted the advances made by the health sector in recent years, with particular emphasis on expanding the workforce and training specialized personnel.
Readers react to the news that a U.S. missile likely killed 175 Iranians. Also: Kennedy pushes nutrition advice on medical schools; city life for retirees.
[Nile Post] Kabubbu was filled with pride and celebration on February 28, when the Kabubbu Development Project (KDP) unveiled 15 young, published authors; eight from Kabubbu Community Primary School and seven from Trust High School, marking the culmination of a year of writing, mentorship, and publishing.
[Ghanaian Times] The Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU) has organised a specialised Forensic Audit Training Programme for the MSc Forensic Accounting students to strengthen their practical skills in detecting and investigating financial crimes in this digital era.
[This Day] Rotary Club of Abuja Sapphire has inaugurated community projects built and donated to public schools in Damangaza, a community in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
[This Day] The Ondo government has commended the alumni of Manuwa Memorial Grammar School, Iju Odo, for collaborating with the government to develop education in the state through its renewed infrastructural interventions and the provision of teaching and learning aids.