A quick catch up on today’s top stories…
1) Madagascar death toll from Cyclone Batsirai rises to 80
The death toll from Cyclone Batsirai in Madagascar rose to 80 from a previously reported 29, the state disaster relief agency said on Wednesday as information continued to filter in from areas of the country that were badly affected.
The cyclone slammed into the large Indian Ocean island late on Saturday, knocking down houses and electricity lines as it battered the southeastern coast until it moved away late on Sunday, leaving 91,000 people with destroyed or damaged homes.
The disaster relief agency said that 60 of the deaths had occurred in a single area, the Ikongo district in southeast Madagascar. It said it was still collecting details about what had happened in Ikongo.
2) [E-levy saga] Agitators set for the ‘Yentua Demo’ on Thursday in bid to thwart E-levy passage
The Coalition of Concerned Ghanaians (CCG) with representatives from various Political Parties, Civil Society organisations, and other identifiable groups has said it has finalized all arrangements with the security agencies for its Thursday demonstration.
According to the Coalition, they entreat “all and sundry feeling the pinch and bearing the brunt of insensitive Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration as well those who will feel the severe impact of the E-Levy, if passed to join other well-meaning Ghanaians at the Obra Spot at 7:00 am on Thursday, February 10, 2022, for the Yentua demonstration.”
3) Samsung releases newest Galaxy S smartphones; enhanced camera, faster chip, more
Samsung Electronics unveiled the latest versions of its flagship Galaxy S smartphones on Wednesday which feature enhanced camera functions and a faster processor chip, hoping the upgrade will revive sales after two weak years.
The S22 series will directly compete with Apple’s iPhone 13 launched last September. Samsung’s two-track premium mobile strategy has it launching flagship models in the first half of a year and Galaxy Z foldable phones in the second.
4) Kanye West and Julia Fox are ‘in an open relationship and seeing other people’
Kanye West and Julia Fox are reportedly in an open relationship and are seeing other people. Page Six claims the rapper, 44, and actress, 32, are in an open relationship and are currently seeing other people.
According to an insider close to Julia, the ‘evolved’ couple share a connection that goes beyond ‘typical norms.’ ‘Their bond transcends typical norms because they’re evolved beings who just want each other to be happy,’ an insider close to Julia told the outlet. ‘There is no jealousy or bad vibes.’
5) Kurt Zouma’s cats taken away, fined £250k for brutally kicking cat
Kurt Zouma’s cats have been taken away by the RSPCA after a disturbing video emerged of him hitting, dropping, and kicking his pet across his kitchen floor on Monday. The 27-year-old West Ham defender issued an apology but Essex Police confirmed “urgent enquiries” were underway in conjunction with the RSPCA.
The RSPCA released a statement on Wednesday saying the cats “are safe and in our care”. West Ham have also fined the player two weeks wages – understood to be £250,000 – which will be donated to animal welfare charities.
