A quick catch up on today’s top stories…
1) Russia bars EU and Canadian airlines in major hit back
Airlines on Monday braced for a potentially lengthy dispute after the European Union (EU) banned Russian airlines from its airspace and Moscow responded in kind, barring carriers from 36 countries including all 27 members of the European Union.
Dozens of flights were cancelled or sent on costly detours as the crisis hit airline shares. The rerouting meant Kazakhstan’s airspace saw a tripling of flights to more than 450. Without access to Russia’s airspace, carriers will have to divert flights south while also avoiding areas of tension in the Middle East.
2) Robbery suspect shot dead, others flee in gun battle with police at Nyariga Forest
The Ghana Police Service has said that its officers in the Upper East Region have shot and killed a suspected robber during a shootout at Nyariga Forest, near Bolgatanga.
According to the Police, the suspected robbers, three in number, were engaged by its officers on patrol, in a shootout, after intelligence gathered showed that the robbers were attacking market women from the Nyariga market. It, however, indicated that two of the suspected robbers who were engaged in the shootout managed to escape.
3) Panasonic to begin mass producing new Tesla battery by end-March 2024
Panasonic Corp (6752.T) said on Monday it will begin mass production of a new lithium-ion battery for Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) before the end of March 2024 at a plant in Japan.
Unveiled by the Japanese company in October, the 4680 format (46 millimetres wide and 80 millimetres tall) battery is around five times bigger than those currently supplied to Tesla, meaning the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) maker will be able to lower production costs. The new powerpack is also expected to improve vehicle range, which could help Tesla lure more drivers to EVs.
4) James Harden lifts 76ers past Knicks
James Harden posted a triple-double in his second game with Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon, recording 29 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds as the visiting 76ers pulled away late in the fourth quarter to beat the New York Knicks 125-109.
Harden, acquired from the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 10, added five steals as he became the first player in 76ers history to finish with at least 25 points, 15 assists, five rebounds and five steals in a game.
5) Hitmaker Neil Diamond sells entire song catalogue to Universal
U.S. singer-songwriter Neil Diamond, the voice behind classic tunes like “Sweet Caroline” and “Cracklin’ Rosie”, has sold his entire song catalogue to the publishing arm of Universal Music Group (UMG), following other hitmakers to cash in on their work.
In a statement on Monday, UMG said the deal also covered the rights to all recordings from Diamond’s 60-year career, including 110 unreleased tracks, an unreleased album and archival long form videos. It said it would record and release Diamond’s future music if he returned to the studio. UMG did not disclose financial details for the deal.
