Sunday 3, Nov 2024 {HMC} Fourteen people were killed in a lightning strike in a refugee camp in northern Uganda, police said Sunday.

The incident happened Saturday in the remote district of Lamwo. Police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke said 34 other people were injured. The victims have not yet been identified, he said.

The residents of the Palabek settlement camp, which primarily houses refugees from South Sudan, had been attending a prayer service in the makeshift metallic structure when the lighting struck.

Deadly lightning is commonly reported in this East African country during the wet seasons. Rusoke said there was no report of fire breaking out following the strike.

SOURCE VOA

Sunday 3, Nov 2024 {HMC} Turkey on Sunday said it was committed to deepening relations with Africa, which it and called on to back diplomatic support for Palestinians, as it held its latest African summit in Djibouti.

Turkey has invested heavily across Africa in recent years, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan carrying out 50 visits to 31 countries during his two decades in power.

Fourteen African countries attended the latest ministerial meeting in the tiny Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti this weekend.

They included Angola, Chad, Comoros, Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Libya, Mauritania, Nigeria, South Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who presided over the summit, said trade with the continent surpassed $35 billion last year and Turkey’s direct investments now totaled $7 billion.

“Turkey is employing a comprehensive and holistic approach in terms of enhancing our trade and economic partnership with the continent,” Fidan said in a speech.

Turkey has become the fourth largest arms supplier to sub-Saharan Africa and helped train armed forces in many countries.

In recent months, it has attempted to mediate a feud between Ethiopia and Somalia, and struck a mining deal with Niger.

Fidan reiterated support for the African Union to become a permanent member of the G20, and for reform of the United Nations Security Council.

“We should continue our efforts to make the UN more relevant and capable of confronting the complex challenges of the century. Security Council reform is critical in this sense,” he said.

Fidan also called for greater African involvement in the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

“We believe that Africa can play an instrumental role in supporting the Palestinian cause and in stopping Israel,” he said.

“We appreciate the African countries that stand with Palestine,” he added, highlighting South Africa’s recent move to file evidence of “genocide” committed by Israel to the International Criminal Court.

The next Turkiye-Africa Summit is due to be held in 2026.

SOURCE VOA

By BRUHAN MAKONG
Sunday November 3, 2024

He also praised the over eight million Kenyans who met their tax obligations by June 30, surpassing targets by 26%. He acknowledged Lillian Nyawanda and Risper Muthoni Simiyu for their success in exceeding tax collection goals.

President William Ruto has urged Kenyans to report cases of tax evasion and corruption, emphasizing that these practices impede economic growth.

Speaking at the Taxpayers’ Day Awards at State House, Nairobi, Ruto highlighted the importance of public vigilance in safeguarding the nation’s development and trust.

“We must all take a stand against tax evasion and corruption,” he said, adding that tax evaders should not benefit from public services while depriving the nation of crucial resources.

Ruto encouraged citizens to use the Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) iWhistle platform for anonymous reporting of misconduct, which has already facilitated the recovery of Sh4.22 billion from 883 reports.

The President also praised the over eight million Kenyans who met their tax obligations by June 30, surpassing targets by 26%. He acknowledged Lillian Nyawanda and Risper Muthoni Simiyu for their success in exceeding tax collection goals.

Pointing to economic improvements, Ruto cited reduced inflation from 9.2% in 2022 to 2.7% in October 2024, a stronger shilling, and a GDP growth of 5.6% in 2023. He outlined plans to increase the tax-to-GDP ratio from 14% to 22% over the next decade, stressing the role of technology and digital solutions in achieving compliance and revenue growth.

Ruto pledged that taxpayer money would be protected, assuring, “No funds entrusted to the government will be lost under my watch.”