A quick catch up on today’s top stories…
1) Apple breaches $3 trillion market value again
Apple Inc (AAPL.O) crossed $3 trillion in market value in early trading on Tuesday before slipping, after the world’s most valuable company briefly hit the milestone a day earlier.
The iPhone maker’s shares rose to as much as $182.94 after opening flat at $182.63. Shares need to finish above $182.86 level to record the milestone on a closing basis. Apple contracts were the second most actively traded U.S. stock options on Tuesday after Tesla Inc (TSLA.O), according to the Options Clearing Corp (OCC) data as of 08:21 a.m. ET.
2) Govt on hot sit as TEWU set to join UTAG on strike
The Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) is on strike, effective tomorrow, January 5, 2021. This action follows a similar one, announced by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) today.
The notice which was served by General Secretary of TEWU during a press conference earlier Tuesday morning, is aimed at drawing government’s attention to ensure it takes steps to improve the conditions of service for its members.
3) Haiti’s newly elected Prime Minister narrowly escapes assassination attempt
Gunmen unsuccessfully attempted to assassinate Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry during an event on Saturday commemorating the Caribbean country’s independence, his office said in a statement. Henry’s office said on Monday that “bandits and terrorists” had tried to shoot the prime minister at a church in the northern city of Gonaives where the ceremony marking the 218th anniversary of independence was taking place.
Video footage broadcast on social media showed Henry and his entourage scrambling toward their vehicles as an armed group began shooting outside the cathedral in Gonaives. Haitian media pointed to possible gang involvement in the shooting, which they said killed one person and injured two more.
4) World nō 1 Djokovic to defend Australian Open title after vaccination exemption
Novak Djokovic ended speculation over his Australian Open title defence by announcing on Tuesday that he would compete at the season’s opening Grand Slam event after receiving a medical exemption from getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
The world number one, who had declined to reveal his vaccination status, said previously that he was unsure whether he would compete at the Jan. 17-30 tournamentin Melbourne due to concerns over Australia’s quarantine rules. “I’ve spent fantastic quality time with my loved ones over the break and today I’m heading Down Under with an exemption permission. Let’s go 2022,” the Serbian said on Instagram.
5) Sony delays release of Marvel’s ‘Morbius’ film to April due to Omicron fears
Sony Corp’s movie studio is delaying the January release of Marvel superhero movie “Morbius” until April 1, the studio said in a statement on Monday. The film starring Jared Leto in the title role has been postponed several times during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its most recent planned release date was Jan. 28.
For movie theater operators, the delay is a setback as they try to rebound from extended closures during the COVID crisis. Chains including AMC Entertainment, Cinemark Holdings Inc and Cineworld Group have been celebrating blockbuster ticket sales for Sony’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” While “No Way Home” is still playing in cinemas, operators have few other big titles on their schedule until spring.
