A quick catch up on today’s top stories…
1) Finance minister cuts down E-levy to 1.5%
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has reduced the E-levy from the initially proposed rate of 1.75 percent to 1.5 percent, a report said.
According to the report, the finance minister came to this decision after meeting with the leadership of the Minority Caucus as part of consultations to ensure that both parties come to an agreement on the levy on Friday, January 28, 2022.
However, it is reported that the Minority Caucus are still opposed to the 1.5 rate for the E-Levy, adding they (the Minority) want the levy to be dropped entirely.
2) ECOWAS slam Burkina Faso with aforeseen suspension after military coup
West Africa’s main regional bloc on Friday suspended Burkina Faso from its governing bodies over this week’s military coup and decided to send a delegation to the capital Ouagadougou, two diplomatic sources told Reuters.
It was not immediately known what other sanctions ECOWAS leaders might have decided to impose during an emergency summit held by video conference. An official statement was expected later in the day.
3) EU issue WhatsApp Feb ultimatum to clarify privacy policy change
Facebook unit WhatsApp has been given until the end of February to explain changes to its privacy policy and whether this complies with EU consumer protection laws after complaints from consumer groups, the European Commission said on Thursday.
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and eight of its members took their grievances to the EU executive and the European network of consumer authorities, saying WhatsApp was unfairly pressuring users to accept its new privacy policy which allows it to share some data with Facebook and other group firms.
EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said he shared the worries and has asked WhatsApp to clarify the policy and if it complies with EU consumer protection law.
4) AirAsia changes name to Capital A in bid to broaden tentacles
Malaysia’s AirAsia Group Bhd said on Friday it had changed its name to Capital A Bhd to reflect its growing portfolio of businesses beyond the core budget airline.
The airline business has been hard-hit during the pandemic due to strict travel rules in Asia, leading Malaysia’s stock exchange to this month classify the firm as financially distressed though it has been raising funds to bolster its balance sheet.
The group proposed changing its name on Jan. 3. The airline business will retain the AirAsia brand, which is well known in Asia
5) Sensational Nadal crushes Berrettini to reach Australian Open final
Rafa Nadal stood one win away from a men’s record 21st Grand Slam singles title after overpowering Italian seventh seed Matteo Berrettini 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 on Friday to reach the Australian Open final.
A win for the Spaniard in Sunday’s final against either Daniil Medvedev or Stefanos Tsitsipas will break a three-way tie with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer and give him sole ownership of the record.
