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( MENAFN - Jordan Times) ABIDJAN - If you are looking for an argument in West Africa, try asking which country serves the best jollof. While Senegalese can claim to have invented the popular rice-based dish, Nigerians, Ghanaians and others across the region will fiercely defend their own recipes as the tastiest. But one thing is not in dispute: Much of the rice now used in jollof is grown not by West African farmers, but in India, Thailand and Vietnam. Rice has been cultivated in Africa for more than 3,000 years, and it is now grown by more than 35 million farmers in 40 countries across the region. After maize, it is Africa's most important food staple. Yet, Asian rice accounts for over 40 per cent of consumption in the region, making Africa the world's largest import market for the grain. Though the Senegal River Valley was one of the world's earliest rice centers, Senegal's farmers now struggle to compete in the country's urban centres against imports from India. This development is symptomatic of a wider loss of food self-reliance in Africa, owing to population growth, urbanisation, and an expanding middle class's increased demand for food. While smallholder farming and rural livelihoods still account for over half of employment on the continent, African farmers have been pushed out of local markets, and the region's overall food import bill has risen from $7.9 billion in 1993-95 to $43.6 billion in 2018-20. No region faces a more severe food-security crisis. One in five Africans, some 260 million people, most of them in rural areas, are going hungry. Progress toward the United Nations' goal of achieving“zero hunger” by 2030 stalled in 2014 and, following the supply-chain disruptions triggered by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has gone into reverse. Sharply rising food import bills are amplifying inflation in a region where food accounts for over 40 per cent of the average consumption basket. Millions of people are being pushed into poverty. Just as COVID-19 underscored Africa's urgent need for greater vaccine self-reliance, the war in Ukraine has exposed the vulnerability that comes with dependence on food imports. That vulnerability is the product of a failed development model. Successive generations of political leaders have paid lip service to food self-reliance, while opening the flood gates for imports of“cheap foods”, many of which are heavily subsidised and considered integral to industrialisation. The systematic neglect of smallholder agriculture has created a vicious cycle, weakening urban-rural linkages, trapping farmers in poverty, and leaving urban populations dependent on volatile world markets. Building a self-reliant food system capable of providing healthy, affordable diets to all will take nothing less than a transformation of agriculture. Current yields are too low either to meet the region's growing demand for food or to support more resilient rural livelihoods. In Bangladesh, a hectare of farmland produces an average of five tons of rice per harvest, which is more than double the level in Nigeria. Similarly, yields for maize, the main food staple in eastern and southern Africa, are less than half the average for Southeast Asia. Moreover, the yield gap between Africa and Asia has widened over the last 20 years. Climate change is compounding the problem. We are already witnessing more protracted and intense droughts, less predictable rainfall, floods, and the climate-related spread of pests, like the plague of desert locusts that devastated crops in eastern Africa in 2019. Dependence on rain-fed farming systems is a risk multiplier for Africa. Modeling reported by the International Panel on Climate Change points to potential yield losses in the range of 10-30 per cent for food staples like maize, sorghum and millet. Many of the policies and technologies needed to close Africa's yield gap and address climate threats are well-known. CGIAR, the world's largest global agricultural research organisation, has developed high-yield, climate-resilient and pest-resistant seeds tailored for agro-ecological conditions across Africa. More than two million smallholder farmers are already growing drought-resistant maize varieties, raising their yields by 20-30 per cent. The African Rice Center has produced more than 80 new rice varieties. These include early-maturing seeds which provide a source of food with higher protein content than standard varieties in the pre-harvest hunger period. Yields are comparable to those in Asia. Evaluations find that farmers, many of them women, adopting these seeds are, in some cases, doubling their income. In Senegal, novel rice varieties are slowly clawing back market share from imported rice, creating new value-chains and rural jobs, and displacing imports used in jollof. But new seed technologies can realise their full potential only if they are part of an integrated response. Farmers also need access to affordable capital, fertiliser and productive infrastructure like irrigation, energy and extension services. As matters stand, Africa's farmers, notably women, are poorly served in all these areas. And while the African Union's Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, initiated in 2003, provides a plan of action, it has an abysmal delivery record. Connecting the dots between food self-reliance and social protection can create win-win scenarios. As the School Meals Coalition points out, millions of African schoolchildren are unable to learn because of hunger. Providing them with nutritious food from local producers would simultaneously combat malnutrition, improve learning and create predictable markets for farmers, attracting the investment needed to raise productivity. The Kenyan government has already set a benchmark, pledging to provide universal school meals by 2030. At a food summit in Dakar, Senegal, earlier this year, African leaders pledged to build more self-sufficient, resilient and equitable food systems, and to restore“food sovereignty”. While Africa's farmers have heard such pledges before, let's hope that this time they will be implemented. Kevin Watkins, a former CEO of Save the Children UK, is a visiting professor at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at the London School of Economics. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2023. MENAFN02122024000028011005ID1108949050 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. 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Want an Extra $1,000 of Dividend Income in 2025? Invest $11,400 in These 3 High-Yield Stocks.ALDI is selling a handy kitchen gadget that costs just 8p to run and cooks delicious winter meals. The budget supermarket's Ambiano Slow Cooker, available for £24.99, is a cheaper alternative to airfryers - and won't require too much energy. It has three different heat settings, depending on what you're cooking and how long you want to cook it for, and numerous safety features including a tempered glass life and cool touch handles. It is also easy to wash up - with a removable non-stick ceramic cooking pot. And, it has a three-year warranty in case anything goes wrong. You can simply turn the 6.5- litre machine on in the morning and return home to a slow-cooked meal. Read more Money News It is available on the Lidl website and in stores across the country. How much does it cost to run? At 320W, the Ambiano Slow Cooker costs about 8p to run for 60 minutes based on the current price cap. So if you use it three times a week for one hour each time, you will spend just £12.48 over the course of a year. This is cheaper than the average airfryer, which costs around 51p per hour due to higher wattage. Most read in Money However, bear in mind that you are less likely to run an airfryer for long periods of time. Both options are cheaper than an oven - which costs between 45p and £1.50 to run per hour depending on the wattage and your electricity rate. Many households may be thinking about ways to limit their energy bills this winter , after prices rose by 10% last month and are set to climb again in January. Bills increased for millions of households in October after the energy regulator Ofgem increased the maximum price suppliers can charge consumers for energy. The energy regulator Ofgem confirmed the new price cap yesterday, which comes into effect on January 1, 2025. The average dual fuel bill for those not on a fixed deal will rise from its current rate of £1,717 a year to £1,738 . As more households feel the pinch, investing in an efficient cooker could be a great way to cut their energy use and save precious pounds. How does it compare? The Ambiano Slow Cooker is cheaper than the Cookworks Slow Cooker of the same size, sold at Sainsbury's fpr £33. The two have the same wattage and are therefore about the same price to run. It is also cheaper than the Morphy Richards Sear & Stew version sold in Tesco - which is a steeper £69.99. However, at 163 W, this is cheaper to run - at only 4p per hour. Aldi's version is slightly more expensive than the Daewoo Stainless Steel Slow Cooker - currently on sale at Asda for £23. However, at 300 W, the Asda one is more expensive to run - at about 7p per hour. There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by. If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter. This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period. If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal . Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills. But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances. For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000. British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund. You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund. EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too. Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR). The service helps support vulnerable households , such as those who are elderly or ill. Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts , free gas safety checks and extra support if you're struggling. Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply. How to save money at Aldi Unlike other major grocers, Aldi does not have a rewards or point card system but that does not mean you cannot save on your shop. Every week the store releases a list of special buys, which are unique bargain products you find online at Aldi and in-store. The store releases a fresh range of deals every Thursday and Sunday, so be sure to check regularly to see what's new. READ MORE SUN STORIES Meanwhile, the store also regularly sells fruit and vegetables at highly discounted prices, as part of its ‘super six’ deal. It also does weekly saving offers on typically pricey items such as meat and fish. SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain... Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with. Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks. Sales are when you can pick up a real steal. Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on. Sign up to mailing lists and you’ll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too. When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use vouchercodes.co.uk and myvouchercodes.co.uk are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer. Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. Trolley.co.uk app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping. Bargain hunters can also use B&M’s scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out. And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you’ll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.Will the College Football Playoff just around the corner, this marks the first year that the bracket is expanding from just four teams to twelve. But it also means there are some changes being made regarding payouts to college conferences with schools competing in the playoff. The Football Bowl Division, commonly referred to as the FBS, is the highest level of college football in the United States and consists of over 100 teams in 10 conferences. But of those 100 teams, just 12 will advance into the College Football Playoff. RELATED STORY | NCAA, leagues sign off on $2.8 billion plan, setting stage for dramatic change across college sports Each conference will receive different payouts based on the number of teams in the conference that make the College Football Playoff. But those teams will be eligible to earn even more money for their conference the further they advance. For the 2024-2025 College Football Playoff: A conference will receive $300,000 for each of its teams in the College Football Playoff that meets the NCAA Academic Progress Rate, which is essentially a team-based metric to hold colleges accountable for their student-athletes' academics. A conference will receive $4 million for each team that makes the 12-team CFP and an additional $4 million for each team to advance to the quarterfinals (eight schools). A conference will receive $6 million for each team that advances to the semifinal (four schools) and an additional $6 million for each team that advances to the national championship game (two schools). Each team that participates in the College Football Playoff will receive $3 million to cover expenses each round. RELATED STORY | States sue NCAA, saying organization unfairly restricts players' sponsorship opportunities
DETROIT – If President-elect Donald Trump makes good on his threat to kill federal tax credits for electric vehicle purchases, it's likely that fewer buyers will choose EVs. Yet tax credits or not, auto companies show no intention of retreating from a steady transition away from gas-burning cars and trucks, especially given the enormous investment they have already made: Since 2021, the industry has spent at least $160 billion on planning, designing and building electric vehicles, according to the Center for Auto Research. Recommended Videos In campaigning for the presidency, Trump condemned the federal tax for EV buyers — up to $7,500 per vehicle — as part of a “green new scam” that would devastate the auto industry. His transition team is reportedly working on plans to abolish the tax credits and to roll back the more stringent fuel-economy rules that were pushed through by the Biden administration. It is far from clear, though, that the Trump administration could actually rescind the credits. Trump's argument — one that most economists dispute — is that a rapid U.S. shift toward electric vehicles would lead to most EVs being made in China and would swell prices for America’s auto buyers. He has said he would redirect federal revenue recaptured from a canceled tax credit to build roads, bridges and dams. Ending the credits, which were a key provision of President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, almost certainly would reduce EV sales, which have been growing in the United States this year, though not nearly as fast as automakers had expected. The slowing growth has forced nearly all auto companies to scale back EV production and delay construction of battery factories that are no longer needed to handle a more gradual transition. Jonathan Chariff, an executive at Midway Ford in Miami, one of the company's top EV-selling dealers, said he thinks ending the tax credits would severely hurt sales. The credits reduce monthly payments, he noted, making an EV closer in price to a gasoline counterpart. “It becomes more affordable,” he said. “Otherwise, those individuals won't be able to afford the payments.” Chariff calculated that the $7,500 credit could shrink a buyer's monthly payment by between $200 and $250, allowing many to afford an EV. On average, electric vehicles sell for about $57,000, compared with around $48,000 for a gasoline vehicle, according to Cox Automotive. (Though they cost more up front, EVs generally are cheaper to operate because maintenance costs are lower, and in most cases electricity is much cheaper than gasoline.) To qualify for the credits, EVs must be built in North America. EVs that contain battery parts or minerals from China or any other nation that is deemed an economic or security threat to the United States qualify for only half the federal credit. Because of that restriction, most of the 75 EV models on sale in the U.S. are not eligible for the full credit. All EVs, though, can receive the full credit toward a lease — a benefit that Trump likely will target. Some plug-in gas-electric hybrids qualify for the credits, too. Asked about the president-elect's opposition to EV tax credits, Trump's transition team would say only that he has “a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail.” Elon Musk, a close adviser to Trump and co-leader of a commission that intends to identify ways to vastly shrink the federal government, appears to be aligned with the president-elect in canceling the tax credits. Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla who spent an estimated $200 million to help elect Trump, has said that ending the credits would hurt his rival companies more than it would Tesla, the U.S. sales leader in EVs by far. “I think it would be devastating for our competitors and would hurt Tesla slightly,” he said. Even so, it might prove difficult for Trump to rescind the credits without help from the new Republican-led Congress, many of whose members represent districts where the EV credit is popular. Trump has floated the idea of using a constitutional theory by which a president could decide whether or not to spend money Congress has appropriated. The president-elect has promoted the concept of “impoundment,” under which congressional appropriations set a ceiling — but not a floor — for spending federal money. John Helveston, an assistant professor at George Washington University who studies electric vehicles and policies, said that in his view, the impoundment theory wouldn't apply in this circumstance because the EV tax credits affect government revenue and are not an appropriation. In any case, Helveston said he doubts Trump could persuade Republican lawmakers to remove the credits from the Inflation Reduction Act because so many congressional districts benefit from the tax breaks. “Cutting the EV tax credit makes it harder for the battery factory in their town to sell their product,” he noted. A 1974 federal law bars a president from substituting his own view of spending programs, said David Rapallo, associate law professor at Georgetown University. If Trump cancelled the tax credits, Rapallo said, it would be challenged in court. Research by J.D. Power shows that once people know about the tax credits, they're far more likely to consider an electric vehicle. In the meantime, federal subsides, not only for buyer tax credits but also for converting factories to EV production, are helping General Motors, Ford and Stellantis make the enormously expensive transition away from gasoline vehicles. It's also helping Detroit's Big Three compete with foreign rivals, notably Chinese automakers that received government subsidies and had a head start in developing EVs, said Sam Fiorani, a vice president at the consultancy AutoForecast Solutions. At present, Ford and GM, while profitable overall, are losing money on EVs, unlike Tesla, though both expect their electric-vehicle operations to generate positive earnings in the coming years as costs ease and more vehicles are sold. Eliminating the federal tax credits, Fiorani suggested, would “hurt the Detroit Three in the long run as they become less competitive against global players making the technological leaps” for electric vehicles, GM, Ford and Stellantis all declined to comment, though their executives have said in the past that they will continue to develop EVs while still selling gasoline vehicles and hybrids. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group that represents most automakers, has written to Trump in support of the tax credits, arguing that they help ensure that the U.S. “continues to lead in manufacturing critical to our national and economic security.” Hyundai, the Korean automaker, which has spent more than $7 billion on an EV factory in Georgia, could also suffer. The company sped up construction of the huge plant near Savannah and is now building EVs in the United States to try to capitalize on the tax credits for buyers. In the end, most automakers say their ambitious plans for transitioning to electric vehicles won't change regardless of policy changes in Washington. “We plan for the long term, so political considerations aren’t a factor in how we approach product development or capital investments,” said David Christ, vice president of Toyota North America, which is building a battery factory in North Carolina. ____ AP writers Fatima Hussein in Washington and Jeff Amy in Atlanta contributed to this report.Report: NFL warns players of burglary rings targeting pro athletes
CNN Panelist Slams Defense of Trump Nominee’s QAnon Praise - The Daily BeastYou Bet fans complain as iconic show fronted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern returns with missing featureambitions in the boxing world have drawn plenty of attention, but isn't buying the hype. The president, known for his candid takes, dismissed the idea of stepping into the ring with boxing legend calling it a "30-second payday" for the Mexican superstar. Speaking on podcast, White didn't hold back in his assessment of recent challenges and victories, which include wins over fellow YouTubers and retired MMA fighters. Despite 11-1 record and his ability to draw fans to his matches, believes the social media star is entirely out of his depth when it comes to elite-level boxers like . Jake Paul's bold cllouts: ambition or attention-seeking? has built his boxing career by creating buzz, often calling out big names like to keep his name trending. While the tactic has earned him notoriety, sees no realistic scenario where can compete with a fighter of caliber. " fights real guys," added. "He keeps his credibility intact and still makes millions per fight. He doesn't need , and honestly, should stick to what he's doing. There's no shame in that, but stepping up to someone like is pure delusion." While some might view confidence as part of his strategy to stay relevant, others, like , see it as a misguided attempt to push the boundaries of his stardom. Dana White's verdict: stay in your lane clarified that he doesn't dislike but sees his dream of fighting as pure fantasy. " calling out is like someone dreaming of winning a gold medal without ever training," quipped. "It's entertaining to think about, but it's not grounded in reality." For now, may want to rethink his callouts. isn't just a name to chase for clout he's a pound-for-pound legend who, in words, would make quick work of any challenger not prepared for the top level of the sport.
Protests and violence in the politics
Am I the only one who wonders if our reservoir of talent available for appointment to serve in high public office is so depleted that we are left to pick only from sexual predators and other bottom feeders? People know that we cannot expect our public servants to be without flaws, but we do have an absolute right to expect at least a minimum of basic human decency from our elected officials. Excuse me, but what we see instead is the general thrashing of decent human behavior, including disgusting behavior of lawmakers toward each other—the name-calling, the vulgarity. Society is not immune from the fallout of the behavior of our leaders. Everyone is reduced in one manner or another by negative behavior of those who govern us. Today one must look hard among national lawmakers to find people who stand out as paragons of decency in public behavior. It was not that difficult in past years with names like Howard Baker, Margaret Chase Smith, Frank Church, Gerald Ford, etc. Baker was known as the “Great Conciliator.” Conciliation in today’s Congress? Not likely. The name of the game is personal or party gain, while the nation’s interests languish. Maybe it is too late to turn back from where we are. Or perhaps people will have a kind of “buyer’s remorse” and conclude that we are drifting to a bad place and need make some serious remedial effort. Good luck with that! Dominic Schaff lives in Bismarck.
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The U.S. Supreme Court has embarked on a nine-month term starting October 7, tackling cases that span a wide array of legal and societal issues. This term includes significant cases involving ghost guns, gender-affirming care for transgender minors, and the complexities surrounding online pornography regulations. Central to the arguments are debates on federal regulatory powers, with key cases questioning the authority of agencies like the FDA and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Issues of job discrimination based on sexual orientation and racial demographics in voting also take the spotlight. The docket reflects broader societal challenges, emphasizing the role of the judiciary in navigating federal regulations, securities fraud, and the evolving nature of rights and protections. These cases not only test legal precedents but also address urgent cultural and political questions that resonate across the nation. (With inputs from agencies.)Hezbollah attack draws Israeli strikes on Lebanon, killing 11 people and testing ceasefire's limitsEmployee sues Apple over 'spying' claims tied to mandatory devices
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