Israeli War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz Quits Emergency Government

The UN Security Council has voted unanimously to expand its arms embargo in Haiti because of grave concerns over extremely high levels of gang violence. The embargo will extend to all types of arms and ammunition in the Caribbean country, which faces multiple challenges. The resolution authorises the 193 UN member nations to take “appropriate steps to prevent the illicit trafficking and diversion of arms and related materiel in Haiti”. The resolution also extends a travel ban and asset freeze on gang members and criminals on its blacklist.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

Egypt has been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) - an achievement hailed by the UN public health agency as truly historic. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history. Egyptian authorities launched their first efforts to stamp out the deadly mosquito-borne infectious disease nearly 100 years. Certification is granted when a country proves that the transmission chain is interrupted for at least the previous three consecutive years. Malaria kills at least 600,000 people every year, nearly all of them in Africa. The WHO praised "the Egyptian government and people" for their efforts to "end a disease that has been present in the country since ancient times".Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

Nigeria’s telecommunications sector has again strongly rejected the Federal Government’s attempt to reintroduce a 5 per cent excise duty on telecommunications services. Stakeholders described the move as insensitive to the current economic climate and the financial struggles faced by consumers. The excise duty structure in the bill indicates that telecom services, including postpaid and prepaid services regulated by the Nigerian Communications Commission, will attract a five per cent duty. The proposal added that Services, including telecommunications, gaming, gambling, betting, and lotteries, however, described, provided in Nigeria shall be charged with duties of excise at the rates specified under the Tenth Schedule to this Act in a manner as may be prescribed by the Service.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria has promised a backup or buffer system to ensure that Nigerians won’t be thrown into blackout whenever the national grid collapses. TCN Managing Director, Sule Abdulaziz, blamed aged infrastructure as old as 50 years for the frequent grid collapses in the country. Abdulaziz says they are trying to upgrade all transmission lines adding that though the government might not have enough money for the project, the TCN has been working in partnership with private companies to mobilise funds.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused North Korea of sending not only weapons but also soldiers to help Russia in its war against Ukraine. He says Ukraine and its allies needed to evolve their response in light of Russia’s deepening alliances and reiterated his call for increased military support to prevent a bigger war. He says the front line needs more support. He says Ukraine needs greater long-range capabilities and more decisive supplies for forces not just a list of military equipment.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

The Federal Government is working to reverse Nigeria’s growing unemployment rate. Vice-President Kashim Shettima says that the current administration is committed to empowering Nigerians with globally competitive skills which would enable them excel anywhere in the world. He says the unemployment rates, the growing informal sector, and low labour force participation must be reversed. He says the unveiling of a blueprint for Narawa’s human capital challenges reaffirms the administration’s commitment to tackling each state's unique realities.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

The Federal Government has proposed introducing a tax payment option that enables individuals to pay their taxes in instalments. It introduced this in the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, recently submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval. Our correspondent obtained a copy of the draft on Sunday. The government also proposed the creation of a special account by the Accountant-General of the Federation for tax refunds. The government instituted a comprehensive set of fresh tax reforms aimed at significantly boosting revenue collection. The four new bills sent to the two chambers of the National Assembly are aimed at giving legislative frameworks to some proposals of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee headed by Taiwo Oyedele.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

The United Nations Children’s Fund has partnered with Jigawa State and 14 other Nigerian states to domesticate the Safe School Policy, amid increasing concerns over the safety of educational institutions in the country. The Education Specialist at UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Mr. Muttaka Muktar, highlighted the alarming number of school closures due to security challenges. He says non-state actors have destroyed more than 910 schools, and at least 1,500 have been forced to close down across Nigeria. He added that attacks on schools have intensified in recent years, particularly in the North-East, where the abduction of students has become a recurring issue.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

International bilateral electricity customers in Benin Republic and Togo owe Nigeria $5.79m for the energy consumed in the second quarter of 2024. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission says out of the $15.60m invoice issued by the market operator between April and June, the international customers remitted $9.81m. The foreign companies off-taking power from Nigeria are Para-SBEE in Benin Republic ($1.23m), Transcorp-SBEE in Benin, Mainstream-NIGELEC in Togo ($1.09m), and Odukpani-CEET in Togo ($3.47m). Para-SBEE in Benin Republic remitted 71.21 per cent of the $4.29m billed, Transcorp-SBEE in Benin remitted 100 per cent of the $4.25m it was billed; Mainstream-NIGELEC in Togo paid 69.72 of $3.59m, and Odukpani-CEET did not remit anything during the period.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

President Joe Biden visited the Tampa area of Florida on Sunday to conduct an aerial tour of the destruction caused by Hurricane Milton, the second major storm to hit the area in as many weeks. Biden pledged more than $500m (£380m) to help restore the state's damaged electrical grid. Biden thanked first responders and other local officials for their effort while offering his empathy to residents whom he said he knows are "heartbroken and exhausted". The president's pledge to provide over half a billion dollars to help repair Florida's electrical grid comes amid rising tension over budgeting on Capitol Hill.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.