A quick catch up on today’s top stories…
1) UTAG calls off strike for just one week
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has announced a short window of opportunity for the government to finally resolve its long-standing feud with it.
This is coming on the back of the announcement by the teachers group that it had agreed to call off the strike. This was announced by UTAG during a brief press conference in Accra.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, at the end of the meeting, the NEC of UTAG resolved to heed to the pleas of the eminent leaders, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education, and other stakeholders to temporarily suspend the strike action up to 4th March 2022 to engage with the Employer.”
2) Nine Ghanaian fishermen busted in Nigeria for smuggling Indian Hemp worth 200 million Naira.
Nine Ghanaians are in the grips of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, for allegedly smuggling about 201 bags of Indian hemp (cannabis sativa) valued at N200m into Nigeria.
Saharareporters indicates that the suspects, who are all fishermen, have been identified are Musa, Gasie, Adotete, Sottie, Tette, Okonipa, Stephen, Toyokpti and Natte. Their arrest was done in connection with the Nigerian Navy, when they paraded the suspects at the Command’s headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos State, the State Commandante, Edenabu Okoro Eweka said.
3) Germany freezes pipeline, Britain unleash sanctions in major backlash against Russia
Germany put a new gas pipeline on ice and Britain hit Russian banks with sanctions on Tuesday, as the West responded to Moscow’s recognition of two separatist regions in Ukraine and a speech by President Vladimir Putin suggesting more belligerent aims.
Putin said the territory Russia had recognised as independent covered the entire Donetsk and Luhansk regions, not merely the parts currently controlled by the separatists – a move that appeared to increase the likelihood of conflict.
4) Users should be allowed to sue U.S. tech giants under EU rules, civil groups say
Individual users should be allowed to take U.S. tech giants to court for breaching landmark EU rules aimed at curbing their power, Privacy International, pan-European consumer group BEUC and a number of academics said on Tuesday.
The call by the coalition of 31 groups and academics comes as EU lawmakers and EU countries thrashed out the final points of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) proposed by EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager just over a year ago before it can become law.
5) Man United’s Rangnick ready for emotional battle at Atletico
Manchester United coach Ralf Rangnick said his side are ready for an “emotional” battle in their Champions League last-16 first leg at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, heaping praise on the hosts’ manager Diego Simeone for instilling such passion.
While Atletico have reached the knockout rounds for the eighth time in the last nine seasons, United are in the last 16 for the first time since 2018-19.
