Our Rave News Digest summarizes some of the hottest global news you need to catch up on, saving you time and energy. Nigeria ready for a female president, Netanyahu battles Gantz, Indian Bishop charged for rape, and more. Consider it your daily news fix.
Here is a rundown of five of the hottest news topics…
1. A woman will succeed Buhari in 2023 – Amina Mohammed
The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, says a woman will succeed President Muhammadu Buhari as the next president of Nigeria come 2023. She said this in conversation with Mo Ibrahim at the billionaire’s governance weekend in Abidjan.
When asked how soon she expected a female president of Nigeria, the former minister of Environment replied “2023, in sha Allah.” She was also quick to add that she would make a good campaign manager to the woman in question.
She was further quizzed about her own ambitions and if she’d be running for president, to which she replied: “Look, all my life has been as a public servant and as one that serves. But let me be truthful here, I have always thought that I am appointable and not electable.
“I think the political system we have in our country… where we are is an incredibly difficult environment to say you would come to office through the will of the people.
“I think the manipulation of democracy is a very serious issue in our countries. We have a population with a level of literacy that can be manipulated, that is not right.”
The 57-year-old also added that democracy in the country is a work in progress and said “we need to start from today to get a woman in power in 2023,” stating that she believed Nigeria “deserves a leader that can take a hundred and eighty million people to where they should be.”
2. Israeli elections to go down the wire
After a dramatic finish to the fiercely contested Israeli elections, both front runners Benjamin Netanyahu who seeks a record fifth term in office, and Benny Gantz, his former chief of staff, appear to be neck-and-neck.
With reports stating that about 97% of the votes have been counted, both sides look set to win 35 seats each. But Netanyahu who is facing corruption charges, is increasingly likely to be confirmed winner as his Likud party and right-wing allies are set to be the largest block with 65 seats in the 120-seat Knesset while a centre-left bloc led by Gantz and supported by the Arab parties, would only muster 55 seats.
Although Netanyahu is favourited to win, the electoral outcome could change if some of the smaller right-wing parties decided to support Gantz, a move observers say is unlikely.
Update: Netanyahu set for the fifth term as Israel’s leader as rival concedes defeat. Read more.
3. Expect harvest in the next 4 years
The Nigerian President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement in Abuja, indicated that President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that the next four years of his administration will be a harvest and consolidation of successes in the three-point agenda of fixing the economy, fighting insecurity and corruption.
The president stated this at a town hall meeting with members of the Nigerian Community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday. He promised that the prudent economic management, diversification of production and revenue bases of the administration in the last four years would be sustained for better prospects for all Nigerians.
In the interactive meeting, Buhari also pledged more government investments in research and development, as well as technology and educational institutions.
4. Bishop charged with raping nun in India
Catholic Bishop Franco Mulakkal has been charged by the Indian Police with raping a nun multiple times between 2014 and 2016. The unnamed nun alleged that she was raped at a church guest house in Kerala.
Following months of protests and allegations of a cover-up, the police have finally charged the Bishop. The officer in charge of the investigation said the charge sheet against Mulakkal had statements from 83 witnesses, including a cardinal, three bishops, 11 priests and 25 nuns. Medical reports also show the nun was raped.
The 44-year-old nun first filed a police report in June, accusing Mulakkal of raping her 13 times between 2014 and 2016 in a guest house belonging to the St. Francis Mission Home. Mulakkal who was initially arrested in September following incessant protests by the nuns in the area, was released on bail about a month later.
5. Tottenham and Liverpool win first leg of Champions league tie
The Champions League returned with Tottenham playing host to fellow English rivals Manchester City while Liverpool entertained Portuguese champions, Porto.
It was a straightforward win for Liverpool who opened the scoring in the fifth minute through Naby Keita. The hosts soon doubled their lead under 30 minutes after Roberto Firmino turned in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s low cross.
They endured a quiet second half, repelling attacks from Porto to run out 2-0 winners. The win was manager Jurgen Klopp’s 400th win as a manager in all competitions.
Meanwhile in the all-English tie, both teams battled for dominance cancelling each other out. A glorious opportunity presented itself for Manchester City to go ahead when Spurs defender Danny Rose was adjudged to have handled in the box. However, Sergio Aguero failed to convert the ensuing penalty as he saw his spot-kick blocked by Hugo Lloris.
Son Heung-Min was the hero as the Korean snatched a late win for the hosts with his low strike after being released by Eriksen down the right.
Muslihat Shaka reporting
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