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ya Nakamura is the subject of a “racist attack” ahead of the Paris Olympics, Olivia Munn shares her breast cancer diagnosis, and computers will be used for the Champions League draw in a new group format. Stay in the know with our Rave News Digest, which summarizes five of the hottest global news stories you need to catch up on, saving you time and energy. Consider it your daily news fix.
1. Aya Nakamura subject of “racist attack” ahead of Paris Olympics
Aya Nakamura: Paris Olympics culture row erupts as far right rages at French singer https://t.co/DE5uvOOvpS
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) March 13, 2024
Following President Emmanuel Macron’s reported idea that Aya Nakamura would perform at the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony in July, a row has sparked in France about identity and language. Her supporters claim that there’s no better way of showcasing the vibrancy of modern-day Francophone culture—a culture that revels in its diversity. Meanwhile, her detractors argue that her music owes more to Africa and the United States than it does to France and that her use of the French language only debases it.
The arguments spilled onto social media after her name was booed at an election rally of the far-right Reconquest party. A small far-right group called Les Natifs (Natives) posted a picture of themselves online with a banner reading: “No way Aya. This is Paris, not the market at Bamako.” To which the singer responded on Twitter/X: “You may be racist but you’re not deaf. That’s what hurts you. I’m the number one subject of state in debates ect (sic), but what do I owe you? Nothing.”
The Paris Olympics organizing committee has since come to her defense, condemning the “racist” attacks against her. Also, ministers and fellow musicians have rushed to Nakamura’s side, accusing her opponents of rejecting her because of her foreign origin. Despite the controversy, Nakamura remains one of France’s top musicians. She is the most-listened-to French female singer in the world.
2. Olivia Munn shares breast cancer diagnosis
Olivia Munn Shares Breast Cancer Diagnosis https://t.co/Byv91X90t5
— E! News (@enews) March 13, 2024
Actor Olivia Munn was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, she announced on social media on Wednesday, March 13. Munn revealed that she’s had four surgeries in the last 10 months, including a double mastectomy. “I hope by sharing this it will help others find comfort, inspiration, and support on their own journey,” the 43-year-old actor said in the post, accompanied by photos of her in a hospital bed and with her doctors.
“In the past ten months I have had four surgeries, so many days spent in bed I can’t even count, and have learned more about cancer, cancer treatment, and hormones than I ever could have imagined,” she continued. “Surprisingly, I’ve only cried twice.”
Munn said the cancer wouldn’t have been found until her next scheduled mammogram if her doctor hadn’t decided to conduct a risk assessment for breast cancer. “The fact that she did saved my life,” she added.
3. US House passes bill that could ban TikTok in the US
BREAKING: House passes bill that could ban TikTok in the U.S., sending it to the Senate. https://t.co/HWMNr4D6x2
— Apple News (@AppleNews) March 13, 2024
The US House voted in an overwhelmingly bipartisan fashion on Wednesday, March 13, to pass a bill that could lead to a nationwide ban against TikTok, a major challenge to one of the world’s most popular social media apps.
The bill would prohibit TikTok from US app stores unless the social media platform—used by roughly 170 million Americans—is spun off from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. It’s not yet clear what the future of the bill will be in the Senate. The House vote was 352 to 65, with 50 Democrats and 15 Republicans voting in opposition.
In this rare show of bipartisanship, the measure advanced unanimously out of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, and President Joe Biden has said he would sign the bill if it made it to his desk.
The bill would give ByteDance roughly five months to sell TikTok. If not divested by that time, it would be illegal for app store operators such as Apple and Google to make it available for download.
4. Nigeria lifts sanctions on Niger and reopens borders
Nigeria Reopens Borders With Niger, Lifts Sanctions
In line with the resolutions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government during its extraordinary summit last month, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has ordered the reopening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with… pic.twitter.com/7VxD7hVnjY
— ARISE NEWS (@ARISEtv) March 13, 2024
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has lifted all economic sanctions imposed on neighboring Niger, eight months after a military coup there. He ordered the immediate opening of borders, the resumption of commercial flights, and the supply of electricity to Niger. Exports, including livestock and onions, from Niger to Nigeria have dwindled significantly.
Last month, the West African regional body, ECOWAS, agreed to lift economic sanctions against Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, which have all seen military takeovers in the last two years.
5. Computers to be used for Champions League draw in new group format
A new expanded Champions League format from next season means computers are going to be used to make the draw 💻
Clubs will be drawn manually and then the computer will take over and select their eight group opponents. pic.twitter.com/c4OnUcfHbK
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 12, 2024
The Champions League draw will be scrapped from next season, with computers taking over as the new format comes into play. The traditional draw involves the pots and the Champions League-branded balls and has become a major event on the calendar. Often previous winners will come in to assist with the draw, but a change in format means it would take too long, and alternative solutions are being sought.
A computer-based method is set to be introduced and will decide on who the eight teams will play. The initial method required 900 different balls and took around three to four hours. Whereas, this new hybrid method is set to take around 35 minutes, as per Sky Sports.
In addition, a major change in the Champions League from 2024/25 will be the introduction of four new teams, taking it from 32 to 36. These are yet to be decided with UEFA’s coefficient rankings determining which leagues will get a fifth team in the competition.
Featured image: @thibault_theodore/Instagram for GQ France
Our Weekday News Digest summarizes five of the hottest news topics worldwide–including celebrity news from Hollywood to Nollywood, the latest trending global headlines from American reports to top African news today, and the best sports stories in 2024.
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