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Punches In Ghana Parliament Over Electronic Payments Tax

Zoe Maven
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Punches In Ghana Parliament Over Electronic Payments Tax

A brawl has broken out on the floor of Ghana’s parliament as lawmakers debated a proposed tax on electronic transactions that has divided the house for weeks.

The 1.75% e-levy, which would include taxes on mobile money payments, has been fiercely opposed by the opposition since it was first proposed last month, and held up the passing of the national budget.

Members of parliament rushed the front of the chamber after Speaker Alban Bagbin suggested the tax be debated and voted upon under a hastened ‘urgency’ procedure.

Some threw punches and grappled while others restrained their colleagues.

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Artta argues that the levy would widen the tax net and raise an additional 6.9 billion Ghanaian cedi or $1.15 billion in 2022.

But his proposal was met with boos and jeers in parliament when it was first announced.

Those opposed to the levy say it would disproportionately affect lower-income people and those outside the formal banking system who rely heavily rely on mobile money transfers, reducing overall economic activity.

Ofori-Artta has promised to hold further discussions with stakeholders about the levy.

A vote on whether or not to proceed with the urgency procedure was due to resume on Tuesday.

Egypt Jails Key Revolution Figure Abdel Fattah For 5 Years

Zoe Maven
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Egypt Jails Key Revolution Figure Abdel Fattah For 5 Years

Egypt has sentenced Alaa Abdel Fattah, a leading figure in the 2011 revolution, to five years in jail, with two others receiving four years.

A computer programmer, blogger and high-profile activist who mobilised youths in the uprising that unseated autocrat Hosni Mubarak, Abdel Fattah had been in pre-trial detention since September 2019.

Abdel Fattah, his lawyer Mohamed al-Baqer and blogger Mohamed “Oxygen” Ibrahim were convicted of “broadcasting false news” in their trial in Cairo.

Taking to Twitter, Fattah’s sister Mona Seif said Alaa was sentenced to five years, Baqer four years and Mohamed Oxygen four years, adding that the judge was too cowardly to even inform them.

A judicial source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the verdict and sentencing to Newsmen.

Rulings in the court cannot be appealed. They require final approval by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Washington, which has already frozen 10 percent of its aid to Egypt over repeated rights violations, said it was “disappointed” by the sentence.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price said Journalists, human rights defenders, and others seeking to peacefully exercise their freedom of expression should be able to do so without facing criminal penalties, intimidation, harassment, or any other form of reprisal.

The Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ,  also decried Monday’s ruling as “unacceptable”.

CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa Coordinator Sherif Mansour said the verdict demonstrates the lengths to which authorities are willing to go to punish these journalists for their work.

Lagos State Governor Signs N137.3b Largest Fixed Bond By State Government

Angel Gimalo
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Lagos State Governor Signs N137.3b Largest Fixed Bond By State Government

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, signed the necessary documents required by the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) to finalise the issuance of Lagos State’s N137.3b 13% 2021/2031 Fixed Rate Bond Series IV Bond Issuance, under the N500b fourth debt issuance programme of the state.

Speaking at the signing ceremony with the issuing houses in attendance, Sanwo-Olu said the conclusion of the process will bring to 377.715b the total value of bond issued from the Lagos State 500b debt issuance programme.

The governor stated that though the plan was to raise up to N125b but closed the book build with bids totalling N137.3b.

” This strong response from the investing community – to our administration’s debut bond issuance – is humbling and is indeed a testament to continued investor confidence in the State’s ability to deliver on its infrastructural and socio-economic developmental objectives; and to meet repayment obligations.

“Notwithstanding the significantly over-subscribed book, and active participation from a wide array of institutional investors – including banks, pension fund administrators, asset managers and corporates, Lagos State has maintained its discipline on size and pricing.

Mindful of the prevailing yield environment, the Series IV Issuance was maintained at N137.3 Billion and cleared at a coupon of 13% per annum. Only bids within the clearing bid were accepted.”

Sanwo-Olu further said In line with the state’s vision to build a Greater Lagos, the proceeds of the bond will be used to finance key infrastructure projects, primarily in roads and healthcare.

He listed the projects to include the Lekki Regional Road, Rehabilitation of Ijeododo road and Rehabilitation of the alternative route to Admiralty Circle Toll Plaza.

“These projects will contribute to a better quality of living for our people, while also creating a more enabling environment for commercial and economic activity. There is no doubt — and we have seen this from previous interventions — that the multiplier social and economic effects will more than justify the cost of the investment.”

Sanwo-Olu applauded the Federal Ministry of Finance, PENCOM and Debt Management Office Nigeria, as well as the Securities & Exchange Commission for their support and collaboration

“We equally thank the investing community for their sustained support of Lagos State and our efforts to improve the social and economic welfare of all residents in Lagos. We do not take for granted your enthusiastic response to our Bond offer.

“We will continue to uphold our commitment to remain the most responsible issuer in the Nigerian capital market,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Sarah Palin Says Fauci’s Statement Inconsistent, Vows Never To Take Covid-19 Vaccine

Angel Gimalo
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Sarah Palin Says Fauci’s Statement Inconsistent, Vows Never To Take Covid-19 Vaccine

Ninth governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin has vowed that getting a jab of COVID-19 vaccine will be over her dead body.

Palin, a 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, says Dr. Anthony Fauci misled the public by saying that those who have been infected with coronavirus had natural immunity.

She had tested positive for the virus in March and after her diagnosis, encouraged the public to wear masks and take the pandemic seriously.

However on Sunday during her appearance at the Americafest event staged by the conservative student group Turning Point USA in Phoenix, the 57-year-old firebrand struck a different tone.

Palin said it was Fauci’s ‘inconsistent’ comments about natural immunity that has dissuaded her from getting vaccinated.

“Do you remember he said that if you had Covid, you would be naturally immune?” Palin said during an on-stage interview with Charlie Kirk, the co-founder of TPUSA.

“So at the time we were led to believe we wouldn’t need to have the shot. Well, then they changed their tune. Those of us who have had Covid, they’re telling us that even though we’ve had it – we have natural immunity – now that we still have to get a shot.”

She added: “And it’ll be over my dead body that I get a shot.

“I will not. I won’t do it and they better not touch my kids either.”

Nasarawa State Government Bans Use Of Charcoal, Says It Affects Human Health

Angel Gimalo
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Nasarawa State Government Bans Use Of Charcoal, Says It Affects Human Health

Nasarawa State Government has banned the use and sale of charcoal in the state as part of measures to protect the environment.

Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Mr Aliyu Agwai stated this while addressing newsmen in Lafia after the December 2021 Environmental Sanitation Exercise.

According to Mr Agwai, the ban became imperative given the harmful effects to human health and the environment, associated with the process of producing charcoal.

He stated that the use and sales of charcoal had also increased cases of indiscriminate tree felling in the state which gives rise to global warming and other environmental hazards.

The permanent secretary warned those selling and using charcoal to desist from the business or face prosecution.

Mr Agwai however commended residents of the state for complying with the environmental sanitation exercise despite the change in date due to the forthcoming Christmas celebration.

Access roads to Lafia, Nasarawa State capital were blocked to regulate movement until the exercise was over.

Meanwhile, the Mobile Court handling environmental sanitation cases prosecuted 32 persons suspected to have been arrested while transacting their private businesses within the hours of exercise.

The Trial Judge, Abdullahi Lande, convicted and sentenced the violators to 6 months imprisonment with an option of a fine of between ₦5,000 and ₦50,000.

Gabriel Boric Becomes Chile’s Youngest-Ever President-Elect At 35

Angel Gimalo
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Gabriel Boric Becomes Chile’s Youngest-Ever President-Elect At 35

The streets of Santiago erupted in celebration Sunday after leftist millennial Gabriel Boric became Chile’s youngest-ever president-elect with an unexpectedly large victory over his far-right rival in a polarizing race.

Boric, 35, garnered nearly 56 percent of the vote compared to 44 percent for ultra-conservative Jose Antonio Kast, who conceded even before the final result was known.

Tens of thousands of Chileans took to the streets of the capital and other cities after Kast’s concession, honking car horns in approval, brandishing pro-Boric placards, waving the rainbow LGBTQ flag and shouting: “Viva Chile!”

Fireworks lit the skies for hours on end.

“I’m thrilled, I am crying with joy. We dealt a blow to fascism!” pharmacy worker Jennie Enriquez, 45, told AFP.

“I am happy because there are going to be many changes that will help the people and the working class,” added construction worker Luis Astorga, 58.

Boric had campaigned on the promise of installing a “social welfare” state, increasing taxes and social spending in a country with one of the world’s largest gaps between rich and poor.

Branded a “communist” by his detractors, he vowed in his first official address Sunday to “expand social rights” in Chile, but to do so with “fiscal responsibility.”

“We will do it protecting our macro-economy, we will do it well… to improve pensions and healthcare,” he said.

– ‘Great triumph’ –
Kast congratulated Boric, who leads an alliance that includes Chile’s Communist Party, “on his great triumph.”

“From today on, he is the president-elect of Chile and he deserves all our respect and constructive cooperation. Chile always comes first.”

Philippines Super Typhoon Rai Death Toll Surges

Zoe Maven
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0
Philippines Super Typhoon Rai Death Toll Surges

Police Authorities in the Philippines say at least 208 people are now known to have died after a powerful storm struck the Country on Thursday.

Super Typhoon Rai with winds of about 195km/h sent some 300,000 people running for safety when it hit the country’s south-eastern islands.

At least 239 people were injured and 52 others have been reported missing by local police and Rescue teams have described scenes of “complete carnage”.

But establishing the scale of the losses is difficult, as communication to a number of areas has been cut off and there are fears widespread landslides and flooding may have claimed more lives.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched an emergency appeal seeking 20 million Swiss francs or $22m to fund long-term relief efforts.

Red Cross emergency teams are reporting complete carnage in the coastal areas, with Homes, hospitals, school and community buildings have been ripped to shreds.

Thousands of military, coast guard and fire personnel have been deployed in the country’s worst-affected areas to assist with search and rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has conducted an aerial inspection of the areas ravaged by the storm.

There were also Videos posted on social media by his aides show extensive damage to Siargao, Dinagat and Mindanao islands.

Super Typhoon Rai is the most powerful to hit the Philippines in 2021, and comes late in the region’s typhoon season – with most cyclones developing between July and October.

Malaysia Floods Displace More Than 21,000 After Heavy Rains

Zoe Maven
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0
Malaysia Floods Displace More Than 21,000 After Heavy Rains

In Asia, Tens of thousands of people have been displaced after torrential rains caused floods in Malaysia, according to the state news agency Bernama.

Perak was the latest state to be hit by floods on Sunday, while the situation was worsening in six other states, causing at least 21,000 people to be evacuated to relief centres.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob late on Saturday told a media conference that the heavy rainfall that started Friday morning was equivalent to the total rainfall for a month in normal conditions.

The prime minister promised swift aid to flood victims as well as an initial allocation of $23.7million to repair damaged houses and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Rescue efforts were underway for those trapped in vehicles and outside of their homes, while reports from Saturday of those trapped at home have been resolved, he said.

More than 66,000 personnel from the police, army and fire department have been mobilised.

While rainy weather has slowed nationwide, a government website showed water exceeding dangerous levels in six central and northeastern states on Sunday afternoon.

The Meteorological Department warned of a dangerous level of continuous torrential rain in Perak but has downgraded Selangor from danger level to alert.

Dozens of bus routes in and around the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, have been cancelled and train services leading to the port city of Klang were suspended.

Malaysia’s worst flooding in decades took place in 2014, forcing some 118,000 people to flee.

Myanmar Junta Court Postpones Suu Kyi Verdict

Zoe Maven
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0
Myanmar Junta Court Postpones Suu Kyi Verdict

A junta court in Myanmar has postponed giving its verdict in Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial for illegally importing and possessing walkie talkies till December 27 without explanation.

The Nobel laureate has been detained since the generals staged a coup against her government on February 1, ending the Southeast Asian country’s brief period of democracy.

According to a local monitoring group, nationwide protests against the putsch have been met with a bloody crackdown, with more than 1,300 people killed and over 11,000 arrested,.

Suu Kyi, was due to hear the verdict on charges she illegally imported and possessed walkie-talkies — the latest in a catalogue of judgements in a junta court that could see her jailed for the rest of her life.

Earlier this month, she was jailed for four years for incitement against the military and breaching Covid restrictions, in a ruling that was widely condemned by the international community.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing later commuted the term to two years and said she would serve her sentence under house arrest in the capital Naypyidaw.

Suu Kyi could had faced three years in prison if found guilty on the walkie-talkie charges, which stem from the early hours of the coup when soldiers and police raided her house and allegedly found her in possession of the contraband equipment.

Under cross-examination, members of the raiding party admitted they had not possessed a search warrant for the raid, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.

Suu Kyi is also charged with multiple counts of corruption, each of which is punishable by 15 years in jail, and violating the official secrets act.

EU Cut Ties With C.A.R Over Links With Russian Mercenaries

Zoe Maven
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0
EU Cut Ties With C.A.R Over Links With Russian Mercenaries

Relations between the Central African Republic, C.A.R and the European Union appears to be getting strained as the E.U. temporarily suspended its training mission for the Central African Armed Forces.

General Jacques Langlade de Montgros, commander of the European Union’s training mission in the Central African Republic said this was due to “control exercised by mercenaries from the Wagner Company.

He said the EU was concerned about respect for international humanitarian law, and has therefore decided to temporarily suspend training activities.

The EU further stated that training can resume “as soon as they have the assurance that the trained Central African soldiers will not be employed by Wagner’s mercenaries.”

The Central African Republic has been the scene of a civil war since 2013, which declined in intensity after 2018, even though large swathes of territory continue to escape the central powers in Bangui.

According to France and the European Union, the Central African Armed Forces in conjunction with the Wagner group, have led a vast counter-offensive against rebel groups since the beginning of the year, who had tried to overthrow the regime of President Faustin Archange Touadéra.

According to UN experts, members of the Russian paramilitary group have committed systematic and serious human rights violations.

Moscow officially recognizes the presence of only 1,135 “unarmed instructors” but NGOs operating on the ground, France and the UN claim that some of them are men from the private Russian group Wagner, which Moscow denies.

The EU on Monday sanctioned the Wagner group, eight people and three companies linked to it for “destabilizing actions” in Ukraine and several African countries.

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