A quick catch up on today’s top stories…
1) NDC will eradicate E-Levy within 100 days in office – Asiedu Nketia vows
The General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has revealed the NDC government will abolish E-Levy when they assume power should it be passed.
According to him, the E-Levy will be the first tax to be abolished in their first hundred days in office as it’s a daylight robbery and not taxation.
2) Crypto giant Binance to pump $200m investment in U.S. media firm Forbes
Major cryptocurrency exchange Binance will make a $200 million investment in Forbes, the media company said on Thursday, as it prepares to go public via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).
The investment by Binance, the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volumes, will replace half of the $400 million in private placement commitments already announced by Forbes and SPAC company Magnum Opus Acquisition Limited (OPA.N).
The deal is expected to close by the end of March, Forbes and Magnum Opus said in a statement.
3) WHO says Africa COVID cases could be seven times higher than reported
The World Health Organization estimates that the number of COVID-19 infections in Africa could be seven times higher than official data suggests, while deaths from the virus could be two to three times higher, its regional head said on Thursday.
“We’re very much aware that our surveillance systems problems that we had on the continent, with access to testing supplies, for example, have led to an underestimation of the cases,” Dr Matshidiso Moeti told a regular online media briefing.
4) Legendary rapper Snoop Dogg acquires debut label Death Row Records
Private equity firm Blackstone, which controls MNRK Music Group, announced on Wednesday rapper Snoop Dogg has acquired Death Row Records, which released his debut album nearly three decades ago and launched his career, from the group.
The 30-year-old label, owned and operated by rapper Dr. Dre and music executive Marion “Suge” Knight, recorded and released two of Snoop Dogg’s albums before his exit in 1998.
“It feels good to have ownership of the label I was part of at the beginning of my career and as one of the founding members,” the rapper said in a statement.
5) Domantas Sabonis carries Kings to victory in debut
Domantas Sabonis recorded 22 points and 14 rebounds in his Sacramento debut and Damion Mitchell broke the game’s final tie with a dunk with 4:13 remaining as the host Kings avenged a blowout loss the day before with a 132-119 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
Acquired on Tuesday but unavailable when the Kings were drubbed 134-114 by the Timberwolves that night in the opener of a two-day, two-game sequence, Sabonis arrived in time to help Sacramento win for the third time in its past five games.
