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Here is what you need to know to get up to speed with today’s happenings.

Valentine’s Day

February 14, in most countries in the world, marks a celebration of romance.

The holiday categorised with red offers a festival for lovers to exchange hearts, flowers, gifts and kisses as displays of romance and affection.

While it is common among romantic lovers, the holiday has expanded to expressions of affection among relatives and friends who exchange valentines with one another.

The day is popular in the United States as well as in Britain, Canada, and Australia, and it is also celebrated in other countries, including African countries where it is now gaining traction.

In the Philippines, it is one of the most common wedding anniversaries, and hundreds of mass weddings are not uncommon on that date. Valentine’s Day also marks the feast day of St. Valentine, a Christian martyr.

For what it’s worth, paint the town red!

Ash Wednesday

Catholics across the world will today begin the Holy Season of Lent also referred to as Ash Wednesday.

Lent is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting and giving that Catholics and some Christians observe as a time of repentance and closeness to God in preparation for the day of Christ’s resurrection, celebrated on Easter.

Ash Wednesday falls six and a half weeks before Easter each year and is one of five on the Catholic liturgical calendar, along with Advent, Christmas, Easter, and Ordinary Time.

That means you may see someone walking around with an ash cross on their forehead this Wednesday. Don’t try to clean their forehead.

According to the Vatican, Ash Wednesday dates back to the 11th century but the tradition of marking one’s forward with ashes is rooted in the ancient Hebrew custom of “clothing oneself in sackcloth and dusting oneself with ashes as a sign of penance.”

Ojaamong graft case hearing

Former Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong’s graft case is set for hearing at the Milimani Anti-corruption Court.

The former county boss and others were charged with abuse of office and conspiracy to commit an economic crime. Charges relate to the irregular procurement of a solid waste management feasibility project worth Ksh8 million from Madam R Enterprises by the Busia County government.