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Barau Jibrin ya zama Sanatan da ya fi kowanne gabatar da kudiriFrance has a new government, again. Politics and crushing debt complicate next steps
Yuval Noah Harari, the guy who makes history and future cool, suggests must-read books that shine a light on Africa 's rich history. These books span millennia, providing a deep dive into the continent's vibrant cultures, groundbreaking innovations, and profound global impact. Harari's picks offer a multi-faceted exploration of African history, from the dawn of civilization to the modern era. 'Guns, Germs, and Steel' Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel is a landmark book that answers the question of how the environment shaped the world. Focusing on Africa's rich ecosystems and geographical complexities, Diamond delves into how these factors shaped societies and their interactions with other continents. This book gives you a comprehensive understanding of how Africa's unique environment influenced its history. 'The Fate of Africa' Martin Meredith's The Fate of Africa provides a comprehensive account spanning 50 years of post-colonial history. It shines a light on the hopes and realities of African nations as they emerged from colonial rule and grappled with independence in a rapidly changing world order. Meredith's work serves as a bridge, fostering a deeper understanding of the modern African states, their evolution, and the dreams that have shaped them. 'Africa: A Biography of the Continent' John Reader's Africa: A Biography of the Continent is a journey back in time to the very cradle of humanity. This book weaves together archaeological discoveries and historical analysis to paint a vivid picture of human evolution and the dawn of civilization in Africa. Reader's work is a must-read for anyone curious about the deep-rooted past that has shaped the modern tapestry of African societies. 'The State in Africa: The Politics of the Belly' Jean-Francois Bayart's The State in Africa: The Politics of the Belly is a groundbreaking analysis of the role of personal networks in African governance. It provides a deep understanding of both historical and contemporary political dynamics, focusing on the importance of personal relationships. This book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand African politics beyond Western frameworks, shedding light on the continent's distinct political reality.
NATCHITOCHES, La. (AP) — Chris Mubiru had 13 points to lead Northwestern State to a 71-58 victory over North Alabama on Sunday. Mubiru finished 5 of 6 from the field for the Demons (3-4). Jerald Colonel scored 12 points and added six rebounds. Landyn Jumawan had 12 points with two 3-pointers. Jacari Lane finished with 14 points to lead the Lions (4-3). Will Soucie added 13 points and Canin Jefferson scored nine. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Process of picking NHRC chief, members flawed, predetermined: Kharge, Gandhi in note of dissent
NEW YORK (AP) — With the end of 2024 around the corner, you might be reflecting on financial goals for 2025. Whether you’re saving to move out of your parents’ house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated, said Courtney Alev, consumer advocate for Credit Karma. “Entering a new year doesn’t erase all our financial challenges from the prior year,” Alev said. “But it can really help to bring a fresh-start mentality to how you’re managing your finances.” If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they’re attainable for your lifestyle. Here are some tips from experts: Change your relationship with money Think about how you currently deal with finances — what’s good, what’s bad, and what can improve. “Let this be the year you change your relationship with money,” said Ashley Lapato, personal finance educator for YNAB, a budgeting app. If you feel like money is a chore, that there’s shame surrounding the topic of money, or like you were born being “bad at money,” it’s time to change that mentality, Lapato said. To adjust your approach, Lapato recommends viewing money goals as an opportunity to imagine your desired lifestyle in the future. She recommends asking questions like, “What do my 30s look like? What do my 40s look like?” and using money as a means to get there. Liz Young Thomas, head of SoFi Investment Strategy, added that it’s key you forgive yourself for past mistakes in order to move into the new year with motivation. Know your “why” When setting your financial resolutions for 2025, it’s important to establish the “why” of each, said Matt Watson, CEO of Origin, a financial tracking app. “If you can attach the financial goal to a bigger life goal, it’s much more motivating and more likely you’ll continue on that path,” Watson said. Whether you’re saving to buy a house, pay off credit card debt or take a summer vacation, being clear about the goal can keep you motivated. Watson also recommends using a tool to help you keep track of your finances, such as an app, spreadsheet, or website. Budget, budget, budget “After three years of inflation, your pay increases are likely still playing catch up to your monthly expenses, leaving you wondering where all the money is going,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. “Make that monthly budget for 2025 and resolve to track your spending against it throughout the year.” McBride said that you may need to make adjustments during the year as certain expenses increase, which would require cutting back in other areas. “Calibrate your spending with your income, and any month you spend less than budgeted, transfer the difference into your savings account, ideally a high-yield savings account,” he said. Pay down outstanding debt “Interest rates aren’t likely to come down very fast, so you’re still going to have to put in the hard work of paying down debt, especially high-cost credit card debt, and do so with urgency,” McBride said. Start by taking stock of how much debt you have now relative to the beginning of the year. Hopefully you’ve made steady progress on paying it down, but, if you’ve gone in the other direction, McBride encourages making a game plan. That includes looking into 0% balance transfer offers. Take control of your credit card interest rate “You have more power over credit card interest rates than you think you do,” said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. “Wielding that power is one of the best moves you can make in 2025.” A 0% balance transfer credit card is “a good weapon” in the fight against high card APRs, or annual percentage rates, he said. A low-interest personal loan is an option as well. You may simply be able to pick up the phone and ask for a lower interest rate. LendingTree found that a majority of people who did that in 2024 were successful, and the average reduction was more than 6 points. Set realistic, practical goals When planning for your financial resolutions, it’s important to consider how you’re going to make your goals sustainable for your lifestyle, said Credit Karma’s Alev. “It really is a marathon, not a sprint,” Alev said. Alev recommends setting realistic, practical goals to make it easier to stick with them. For example, instead of planning to save thousands of dollars by the end of the year, start by saving $20 a paycheck. Even when your plans are achievable, there are times you’ll get derailed. Maybe it’s an unexpected medical bill or an extraordinary life event. When these situations happen, Alev recommends trying not to feel defeated and working to get back on track without feeling guilty. Don’t ‘flamingo’ or bury your head in the sand “You can’t manage what you can’t see, so set a New Year’s resolution to check your credit score monthly in 2025,” said Rikard Bandebo, chief economist at VantageScore. “Be sure to pay more than the minimum on your credit accounts, as that’s one of the best ways to boost your credit score.” Bandebo also advises student loan borrowers to make all payments on time, as servicers will begin to report late payments starting in January, and missed payments will affect borrowers’ credit scores. Automate savings, where possible Automated changes, like increasing workplace 401(k) plan contributions, setting up direct deposits from paychecks into dedicated savings accounts, and arranging for monthly transfers into an IRA and/or 529 college savings accounts all add up quickly, McBride said. Slow down Your financial goals can encompass more than just managing your money better — they can also be about keeping your money safe from scams . A golden rule to protect yourself from scams is to “slow down,” said Johan Gerber, vice president of security solutions at Mastercard. “You have to slow down and talk to other people if you’re not sure (whether or not) it’s scam,” said Gerber, who recommends building an accountability system with family to keep yourself and your loved ones secure. Scammers use urgency to make people fall for their tricks, so taking your time to make any financial decision can keep you from losing money. Focus on financial wellness Your financial goals don’t always have to be rooted in a dollar amount — they can also be about well-being. Finances are deeply connected with our mental health, and, to take care of our money, we also need to take care of ourselves. “I think that now more than any other year, your financial wellness should be a resolution,” said Alejandra Rojas, personal finance expert and founder of The Money Mindset Hub, a mentoring platform for women entrepreneurs. “Your mental health with money should be a resolution.” To focus on your financial wellness, you can set one or two goals focusing on your relationship with money. For example, you could find ways to address and resolve financial trauma, or you could set a goal to talk more openly with loved ones about money, Rojas said. —— The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.
VICE President Sara Duterte’s claims that congressional hearings on the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds were “politically motivated” were characterized as desperate lies by House of Representatives leaders on Sunday, as they urged her “to put an end to the drama and instead focus on answering issues on your million-peso disbursements.” House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability chairman Joel Chua, and Quad Committee lead chairman Robert Ace Barbers denounced Duterte’s allegations, calling them an affront to Congress and the Filipino people. Dalipe branded Duterte’s accusations as “baseless, unhinged, and unbecoming of a public official,” insisting that the House hearings are rooted in its constitutional mandate to hold public officials accountable. “This isn’t about elections, fundraising, or petty politics. It’s about where the millions, if not billions, of pesos in taxpayers’ money went. Instead of explaining, the Vice President resorts to profanity and baseless accusations. Her tantrums won’t hide the truth,” said Dalipe, who represents Zamboanga City. The majority leader added that Duterte’s repeated refusal to cooperate only deepens the public’s suspicion. “She can lash out all she wants, but the question remains: Where did the money go? Until she answers that, her expletives are just noise meant to distract from her glaring lack of transparency,” Dalipe said. For his part, Chua, a primary target of Duterte’s attacks, said her statements aimed to intimidate lawmakers into silence. “The Vice President’s foul language cannot cover up her foul record. Her decision to hurl insults instead of providing answers reeks of desperation. Profanity won’t erase the stench of corruption,” Chua, who represents Manila, said. Pure fiction CHUA dismissed Duterte’s claims of off-camera apologies from lawmakers as “pure fiction.” “Let me be clear: No one in the House apologized to her, nor do we need to. If she truly has evidence, let her bring it forward. Otherwise, it’s just another pathetic attempt to discredit a legitimate investigation,” Chua added. Barbers emphasized that the investigations are necessary for legislative reforms and ensuring government transparency. He dismissed claims of political bias. “One of the campaign promises of the UNITEAM is to institute reforms in the government and its systems in order to ensure transparency and accountability for any malfeasance committed in office, whoever and whatever position you hold. All this investigation is necessary as a prelude to legislating reforms and guaranteeing accountability of public officers, including members of Congress,” Barbers, who represents Surigao del Norte, said. “Instead of facing the music, the Vice President has chosen to hide behind lies, theatrics, and name-calling. This is not the behavior of a leader—it’s the behavior of someone desperately dodging accountability,” Barbers said. Barbers also debunked Duterte’s assertion that the hearings are politically motivated. Not about 2028 “THIS isn’t about 2028 or her presidential ambitions. It’s about ensuring that every peso of taxpayer money is used properly. If she can’t answer simple questions about how confidential funds were spent, the public has every right to question her integrity,” Barbers said. The House leaders underscored that the investigation would continue, undeterred by Duterte’s attempts to discredit the process. “She can scream, curse, and cry foul all she wants, but at the end of the day, the Filipino people deserve answers. If the Vice President cannot lead by example, she has no right to cry victim when held accountable,” Chua said. Dalipe added, “Public office is a public trust. If the Vice President refuses to uphold that principle, she is unfit for her position.” Barbers vowed that the House would not back down. “This is not about her or her ambitions. It’s about the truth—and no amount of noise from the Vice President will stop us from uncovering it,” he said. Enough with the drama LA Union Rep. Paolo Ortega, a deputy majority leader, urged Duterte to channel her energy into addressing the inquiries instead of engaging in dramatic outbursts. “If she can release bold statements that barely make sense, she should also have the courage to explain how P612.5 million in confidential funds were spent,” Ortega said. “Enough with the drama and deception.” Duterte has faced backlash for recent outbursts, including threats against President Marcos, his wife Liza and Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. “Such behavior is unbecoming of a vice president,” Ortega noted. “Instead of making threats, she should use that spunk to clarify the allegations against her.” Ortega criticized Duterte’s actions, including “camping out” in the House, as distractions. “While Filipinos struggle, every peso must be accounted for. Her theatrics aren’t helping rebuild public trust,” he said. Calling for accountability, Ortega highlighted the importance of Duterte cooperating with the Blue Ribbon Committee. “If she values honesty, integrity, and the rule of law, she’ll face the hearings. Theatrics won’t restore public confidence—it’s time to act like a leader and answer the nation’s questions.”PARIS (AP) — France’s president and prime minister managed to form a new government just in time for the holidays. Now comes the hard part. Crushing debt , intensifying pressure from the nationalist far right, wars in Europe and the Mideast: Challenges abound for President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Francois Bayrou after an already tumultuous 2024. The most urgent order of business is passing a 2025 budget. Financial markets, ratings agencies and the European Commission are pushing France to bring down its deficit, to comply with EU rules limiting debt and keep France’s borrowing costs from spiraling. That would threaten the stability and prosperity of all countries that share the euro currency. France’s debt is currently estimated at a staggering 112% of gross domestic product. It grew further after the government gave aid payments to businesses and workers during COVID-19 lockdowns even as the pandemic depressed growth, and capped household energy prices after Russia invaded Ukraine. The bill is now coming due. But France’s previous government collapsed this month because Marine Le Pen’s far-right party and left-wing lawmakers opposed 60 billion euros in spending cuts and tax hikes in the original 2025 budget plan. Bayrou and new Finance Minister Eric Lombard are expected to scale back some of those promises, but the calculations are tough. “The political situation is difficult. The international situation is dangerous, and the economic context is fragile,” Lombard, a low-profile banker who advised a Socialist government in the 1990s, said upon taking office. “The environmental emergency, the social emergency, developing our businesses — these innumerable challenges require us to treat our endemic illness: the deficit,” he said. “The more we are indebted, the more the debt costs, and the more it suffocates the country.” This is France’s fourth government in the past year. No party has a parliamentary majority and the new Cabinet can only survive with the support of lawmakers on the center-right and center-left. Le Pen — Macron’s fiercest rival — was instrumental in ousting the previous government by joining left-wing forces in a no-confidence vote. Bayrou consulted her when forming the new government and Le Pen remains a powerful force. That angers left-wing groups, who had expected more influence in the new Cabinet, and who say promised spending cuts will hurt working-class families and small businesses hardest. Left-wing voters, meanwhile, feel betrayed ever since a coalition from the left won the most seats in the summer's snap legislative elections but failed to secure a government. The possibility of a new no-confidence vote looms, though it's not clear how many parties would support it. Macron has repeatedly said he will remain president until his term expires in 2027. But France's constitution and current structure, dating from 1958 and called the Fifth Republic, were designed to ensure stability after a period of turmoil. If this new government collapses within months and the country remains in political paralysis, pressure will mount for Macron to step down and call early elections. Le Pen's ascendant National Rally is intent on bringing Macron down. But Le Pen faces her own headaches: A March court ruling over alleged illegal party financing could see her barred from running for office. The National Rally and hard-right Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau want tougher immigration rules. But Bayrou wants to focus on making existing rules work. “There are plenty of (immigration) laws that exist. None is being applied," he said Monday on broadcaster BFM-TV, to criticism from conservatives. Military spending is a key issue amid fears about European security and pressure from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump for Europe to spend more on its own defense. French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, who champions military aid for Ukraine and ramping up weapons production, kept his job and stressed in a statement Tuesday the need to face down ‘’accumulating threats'' against France. More immediately, Macron wants an emergency law in early January to allow sped-up reconstruction of the cyclone-ravaged French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean off Africa. Thousands of people are in emergency shelters and authorities are still counting the dead more than a week after the devastation. Meanwhile the government in the restive French South Pacific territory of New Caledonia collapsed Tuesday in a wave of resignations by pro-independence figures — another challenge for the new overseas affairs minister, Manuel Valls, and the incoming Cabinet. Associated Press writer David McHugh in Frankfurt contributed.NoneNvidia CEO Says Global Cooperation in Tech Will Continue Under Trump Administration