Davido and Chioma engaged, South Africa’s pop idol, Thami Shobede is dead, Tokyo testing snow machine to combat heat at 2020 Olympics, political candidates in Kogi and Bayelsa disqualified. Stay in the know with our Rave News Digest which summarizes five of the hottest global news you need to catch up on, saving you time and energy. Consider it your daily news fix.
Here is a rundown of five of the hottest news topics…
1. INEC to disqualify Bayelsa, Kogi candidates over age limit
The Independent National Electoral Commission will disqualify some of the governorship and deputy-governorship candidates in the November 16 elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States.
Consequently, the commission has promised that it will soon notify the concerned parties and subsequently consider further action.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in a statement on Thursday, said the personal particulars of candidates nominated by political parties for the elections would be published on Friday (today).
The publication, according to INEC, is in accordance with the Electoral Act and in line with the timetable and schedule of activities for the governorship exercise.
2. Tributes pour in for South Africa’s Idols star Thami
South Africans have been paying tribute to pop star Thami Shobede, who has died in hospital in the capital, Pretoria, at the age of 31.
South Africa’s Sowetan newspaper reports that the star died at Kalafong Hospital, where he was admitted after collapsing on stage during a live performance at the weekend. His death was confirmed on Thursday by his record label Gallo Record Company.
“We don’t have any other specific details or facts at this time, and kindly request that everybody please respect the wishes of Thami’s family who will be issuing a formal statement shortly,” Robert Cowling, Gallo Records general manager, is quoted by the paper as saying.
3. The US to reveal Saudi official allegedly tied to 9/11 attackers
The Justice Department announced on Thursday that it would finally name the Saudi official with alleged ties to the al-Qaeda perpetrators of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
Responding to years of pressure from the families of those killed in the attacks, the Justice Department and its law-enforcement arm, the FBI, decided to declassify the name of the Saudi official “in light of the extraordinary circumstances of this particular case.”
The Justice Department did not say when they would make the name public. It was reported that the name would be revealed first to the court and the families of the victims.
4. She said yes! Davido and Chioma are engaged
Nigerian superstar, David ‘Davido’ Adeleke is engaged to long-time girlfriend, Chioma Rowland. It was reported that the singer proposed to her at an event with their close friends and family present.
Davido shared photographs and a video from the proposal on his Instagram page with the caption, “She said yes. Big rock.”
This proposal comes shortly after their family introduction, announced by the singer on Instagram, which took place on September 2.
Davido recently revealed that the wedding would take place in 2020. He said, “We have not started all that plans yet. 2020 is the year for sure”
Other celebrities and well-wishers reached out on social media to congratulate the newly engaged couple.
5. Tokyo 2020 Olympics organizers test snow machine to beat the heat
It was 25 degrees Celsius in Tokyo, but somehow, snow fell in well-ordered flurries at a canoeing event in the Japanese capital. It wasn’t freak weather, but the latest innovation being tested by 2020 Olympics organisers hoping to keep spectators cool and comfortable when the Games take place next summer.
Around 300kg of artificial snow was sprayed over stands at the Sea Forest Waterway venue. The goal is to see if it could lower heat and humidity levels. Tokyo regularly sees temperatures of 35C and 80% humidity in July, prompting concerns that spectators could suffer heatstroke.
On Friday, members of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee filled the stands for a five-minute snow machine trial, during a test event for the canoe sprints. The result may not have been what they hoped for, however. The temperature there was 25.1C before the snow – and exactly the same afterwards.
Takashi Okamura, head of communication, command and control on the organising committee, told the BBC the result was “not as expected“, but said the snow had other merits.
“The advantage of this machine is having a spray device to help the audience feel refreshed – and the amusement factor.“
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