by Elaine Kurtenbach BANGKOK  — African economies have managed to weather the energy crisisbrought on by the Iran war, but a decline in aid has left the continent vulnerable to future shocks, the head of the International Monetary Fund’s Africa department said Thursday. The IMF forecasts growth in Africa at 4.5% this year, slightly higher than its earlier estimate, recovering to 5% in 2027. But development assistance for the continent fell sharply last year and is forecast to fall another 12% this year, Zeine Zeidane said at a meeting of the IMF and World Bank in Bangkok. “That leaves the…

by Joseph Omoremi A U.S. based lobbyist for erstwhile Nigerian Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is seeking a $36 million as damages from Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa Fani Kayode and DCI Group LLC for defamation of character and reputational destruction while conducting advocacy against Nigeria. The DCI Group A.Z, L.L.C. is a public relations company retained by Nigeria to advance its image in the United States.  In a-52-point allegations against the defendants, the plaintiff Dr Karl Von Batten said DCI coordinated vicious attacks and distorted information about him before the U.S. Congress and the White…

by Mogomotsi Magome JOHANNESBURG  — The late Mozambican president and freedom fighter Samora Machel will be remembered Monday at a joint ceremony by South Africa and Mozambique to mark 40 years since he tragically died in a mysterious plane crash. The ceremony is set to take place in Mbuzini, an area in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province near the plane crash site. Machel was Mozambique’s leader after it gained independence from Portuguese colonial rule in 1975 until his untimely death in 1986. His death sent shock waves throughout the continent, where he was an outspoken and revered anti-colonial voice. An inquiry…

by Sylvie Corbet and Alexander Tunrbull PARIS  — French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday voiced the public’s “anger” and “shame” over rioting and looting during nationwide protests against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools. At least 2,400 people were arrested. Macron echoed other government officials in blaming much of the violence on far-left activists, accusing them of attacking police and public buildings to foment chaos. “Those who looted will have to pay for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable,” Macron said in a televised address to the nation. He…

by Jonathan J. Cooper, Nicholas Riccardi and Valeri Gonzalez CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (AP) — Chris Martinez feels like Donald Trump has made a fool of him. The 28-year-old maintenance technician from Casa Grande, Arizona, voted for the Republican president expecting to get a thriving economy and no wars. Instead, gas prices are so high that Martinez returned one of his vehicles to the lender, he shifted his food shopping to a discount grocer and he has watched as the United States has spent months in conflict with Iran. “He’s doing nothing for us, to benefit us,” Martinez said. “And it…

by The Associated Press The Ebola outbreak in Congo has reached an eighth province in the country’s north, authorities said on Sunday as the spread of the world’s fastest-growing outbreak of the disease on record continues to outpace response efforts. The Health Ministry has recorded two cases, including one death, in Nord-Ubangi province, bordering the Central African Republic. The ministry said both patients were men in their 20s living in the Wapinda health zone, which borders Bas-Uele province, where Ebola cases have been reported previously. Authorities have recorded at least 9,400 cases, including over 4,500 deaths, in the outbreak declared…

by The Associated Press ROME  — Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican after four days at Rome’s Gemelli hospital following lung cancer surgery. He greeted patients and waved to well-wishers gathered outside the hospital before leaving for the Vatican. It would be recalled that Pope Leo XIV had the lower section of his right lung removed after doctors diagnosed him with the most common form of lung cancer. While lung cancer is a leading killer, survival rates can be high if it’s caught early, as the pope’s tumor appears to have been. Here are some things to know. What is…

by Charles Odum ATLANTA  — Caleb Williams completed his first 12 passes in his return from a hamstring injury, D’Andre Swift ran for two touchdowns and the Chicago Bears beat the Atlanta Falcons 31-23 on Sunday. The Bears led 31-7 before holding off Atlanta’s comeback attempt in the final quarter. Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon, who was activated from the physically unable to perform list before the game in his return from a calf injury, had three sacks and two forced fumbles. Gordon’s big day was capped by a sack of Michael Penix Jr. and forced fumble with 2:54 remaining and…

by Charles Odum ATLANTA  — When Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson said this week that “a lot of things have gone through our minds” about his quarterback depth chart, the Atlanta Falcons could relate. As the Bears (3-2) prepare to visit the Falcons (2-3) on Sunday, each team already has been through the NFL’s quarterback grinder and has been fortunate to lean on a strong running game. Chicago’s Caleb Williams and Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. appear to be on paths to starting on Sunday after each returned to full participation in practice this week. Williams is looking to play his…

by Michael R. Sisak NEW YORK  — Sean “Diddy” Combs has been moved to a federal prison in Pennsylvania after reports that the hip-hop mogul was living the high life and was injured in a fight at his New Jersey lockup, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Friday. The federal Bureau of Prisons is transferring Combs, 56, from FCI Fort Dix to FCI Allenwood Low, a low-security facility south of Williamsport and about 155 miles (250 kilometers) west of New York City, the person said. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and did…