Plumes of smoke rise from buildings in northern Gaza as Israel continues to batter the territory with heavy artillery and bombs. The International Organization for Migration says at least 700 people are dead in West Darfur after clashes earlier this month between the Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in El Geneina. And, as Chinese investment rises in Zambia’s construction sector, many local builders are struggling to survive – and hiring workers is getting harder. All this and much more coming up on today’s Africa 54!