Nicole Scherzinger wins her first Tony Award, Tems, J Balvin, Doja Cat to headline first-ever FIFA Club World Cup halftime show, Carlos Alcaraz defeats Jannik Sinner to retain French Open title. 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.
Here is a rundown of five of the hottest news topics…
1. Nicole Scherzinger wins her first Tony Award
Nicole Scherzinger accepts the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Norma Desmond in @sunsetblvd. pic.twitter.com/G9NWBDhUkL
— New York Magazine (@NYMag) June 9, 2025
Nicole Scherzinger has officially joined Broadway’s elite, winning her first Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical at the 78th annual ceremony. The former Pussycat Dolls frontwoman earned the prestigious honor for her role as Norma Desmond in Jamie Lloyd’s dark and dazzling revival of “Sunset Boulevard.” Her portrayal of the faded Hollywood star desperate for a comeback was met with critical acclaim, with The Washington Post calling her “an astonishing force of nature.” The production, which opened on October 20, 2024, at the St. James Theatre, has enjoyed a celebrated run and is now set to close on July 20 after a one-week extension.
Scherzinger’s performance marked not just a career breakthrough but a personal triumph, fulfilling a lifelong dream to perform on Broadway. “This is a dream that I’ve had since I was a kid,” she shared in a recent interview. Her path to the Tony stage came with stiff competition, beating out seasoned Broadway stars including Audra McDonald, Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, and Jasmine Amy Rogers. Reflecting on the milestone, Scherzinger said, “I’ve never been more happy, because I always had so much inside of me that I felt like people didn’t see or understand. It just feels good now to be able to share that with the world.”
2. Tems, J Balvin, Doja Cat to headline first-ever FIFA Club World Cup halftime show
A huge thank you to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Global Citizen Co-Founder and CEO Hugh Evans.
This is the first ever halftime show in a FIFA competition and we are proud and honoured to be a part of it. pic.twitter.com/Wu4QHAZQ2A
— Muyiwa Awoniyi (@IAmDonawon) June 9, 2025
FIFA and Global Citizen have announced that Nigerian singer Tems, Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin, and American rapper Doja Cat will headline the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA competition. The historic performance will take place during the FIFA Club World Cup final on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. FIFA President Gianni Infantino called the event a “special occasion where football and music unite the world,” highlighting the collaboration’s goal of supporting global education through the newly launched FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
The halftime show marks a cultural milestone, not only for FIFA but also for the artists involved. “It’s a historic moment for me, for Latin culture, and for every kid who dreams big,” J Balvin said of the opportunity. Tems echoed the spirit of unity and purpose behind the event, promising a “beautiful moment” to celebrate football and uplift millions of children. Doja Cat, known for her genre-blending sound and bold performances, adds further global star power to the landmark occasion. The Club World Cup, being hosted in the U.S. for the first time, runs from June 14 to July 13 and sets the stage for FIFA’s expanding cultural footprint ahead of next year’s World Cup.
3. US police, protesters clash in Los Angeles following ICE raids
HAPPENING NOW 🚨: THOUSANDS of ANTI ICE Protestors are currently marching in Downtown Los Angeles for a third day in a row, to protest ICE raids in the county.
This is the largest number of protesters I’ve seen in years. Police and national guard on location. pic.twitter.com/Ujfb9dMSqh
— Anthony (@AnthonyCabassa_) June 8, 2025
Tensions flared in downtown Los Angeles on Friday night as protesters clashed with riot police following a series of aggressive U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the city. The operations, which targeted sites such as a Home Depot in Westlake and a clothing warehouse in South Los Angeles, resulted in the detention of dozens of individuals. Demonstrators gathered outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, where some detainees were reportedly held, and spray-painted anti-ICE messages. Police declared the protest an unlawful assembly after some participants hurled debris, prompting officers to respond with tear gas and pepper spray.
The raids, part of the Trump administration’s intensifying immigration crackdown, drew condemnation from local officials and advocacy groups. “These actions sow terror in our communities,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Caleb Soto of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network accused ICE of targeting immigrant-heavy workplaces without judicial warrants. Legal access to detainees remains limited as concerns grow over the rights of those taken into custody.
4. Gyakie shines on Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 cover
🇬🇭🚨🧡 Gyakie (@Gyakie_) graces the cover of Forbes Africa (@forbesafrica) 30 Under 30 Class of 2025, recognized for her breakout impact on the music scene.
— Her debut album “After Midnight” drops in August 2025🧡 pic.twitter.com/bqKBgZ7gBf
— Amplify Ghana (@Amplifygh) June 6, 2025
Ghanaian Afro-fusion star Gyakie has reached a new milestone, gracing the cover of Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 edition. The recognition celebrates her rise as one of the continent’s most influential young artists, spotlighting her unique sound that blends Afrobeats, highlife, and soulful R&B. Since her breakout hit “Forever” in 2020, Gyakie, born Jackline Acheampong, has captured audiences worldwide and emerged as a powerful voice in African music.
In her Forbes feature, Gyakie reflects on her journey through a male-dominated industry, emphasizing resilience and creative authenticity rooted in African culture. She also revealed that her highly anticipated debut studio album will be released in August 2025. Celebrating the moment on social media, she posted, “Cover girl @forbesafrica 30 under 30 class of 2025? This is just the beginning.” Her inclusion on the list underscores her role as a cultural ambassador and a beacon for young African creatives pushing boundaries on the global stage.
5. Carlos Alcaraz defeats Jannik Sinner to retain the French Open title
NO. 2 CARLOS ALCARAZ DEFEATS NO. 1 JANNIK SINNER IN A TIEBREAK AFTER COMING BACK FROM 2 SETS DOWN 🏆🎾
Second straight Roland-Garros title and FIFTH Grand Slam title for the 22-year-old Spaniard 👏
WHAT. A. MATCH. pic.twitter.com/59nbIyVIMe
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 8, 2025
Carlos Alcaraz produced a thrilling comeback from two sets down to defeat world number one Jannik Sinner and successfully defend his French Open title in the longest final in Roland Garros history. The 22-year-old Spaniard saved three championship points and battled for five hours and 29 minutes before sealing a dramatic 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2) victory to claim his fifth Grand Slam title. The victory also extends Alcaraz’s unbeaten record in major finals to 5-0 and snaps Sinner’s 20-match winning streak at Grand Slam tournaments.
The match marked the first Grand Slam final between two players born in the 2000s and delivered a showdown worthy of the hype. Sinner, aiming for a third straight major crown, came agonizingly close but was denied by Alcaraz’s relentless shotmaking and mental resilience. With this triumph, Alcaraz becomes the third-youngest man in history to win five Grand Slam titles, behind legends Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal. As anticipation builds for the future of men’s tennis, this unforgettable duel cements both Alcaraz and Sinner as generational talents destined to define the sport for years to come.
Featured Image: Dimitrios Kambouris
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 2025.
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