Will Smith honored with street name in Philadelphia, Nollywood’s Kunle Remi and wife welcome first child, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka back in training after surgery. 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. Will Smith honored with street name in Philadelphia
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Philadelphia has paid tribute to one of its most famous sons, Will Smith, by renaming a street in his honor. On Wednesday, March 26, the city officially designated the 2000 block of North 59th Street in the Overbrook section as “Will Smith Way.” The beloved rapper and actor, who grew up in the neighborhood, was present for the ceremony, where he also received a key to the city. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker praised Smith’s unwavering pride in his roots, stating, “Wherever you see him in the world, he is unapologetic about letting you know that ‘I’m Will Smith, in West Philadelphia born and raised.’”
Dressed in a jacket and hat representing his alma mater, Overbrook High School, Smith reflected on the lessons he learned growing up in Philadelphia. “Nobody gets an easy ride, and that’s one of the things these streets of Philadelphia taught me: that there is nothing wrong with a hard day’s work,” he told the crowd. The Hollywood star recalled walking across a nearby bridge daily during his high school years, enduring all weather conditions. Ahead of the event, he found himself pondering the meaning of “Will Smith Way” and concluded that it represents the values instilled in him by his family. The renaming stands as a testament to his enduring connection to his hometown and his remarkable journey from West Philly to global stardom.
2. Kunle Remi and wife Tiwi welcome first child
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Nigerian actor Kunle Remi and his wife, Tiwi, have joyfully welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Eemi Oluwa. The couple shared their emotional journey to parenthood on Instagram, revealing that the pregnancy was marked by a significant medical discovery that led to complete bed rest for Tiwi. Despite their demanding schedules and time apart, they remained steadfast in their faith, navigating the uncertainties with resilience and hope.
Kunle disclosed that their daughter spent 80 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) after an early arrival, making their experience a true testament to perseverance and divine faithfulness. In a heartfelt message, the Nollywood star expressed gratitude for God’s unwavering presence throughout their journey, describing Eemi Oluwa as a “breath of God” and a miraculous blessing. The couple hopes that by sharing their story, they can encourage others facing similar challenges, emphasizing the power of faith, love, and endurance.
3. Doja Cat to headline this year’s Hey Neighbour festival in South Africa
Gather round dear Neighbours because it’s time to let the cat out of the bag 🤫
Please welcome the breathtaking @DojaCat 🤩🔥
She’s bringing the heat to the Neighbourhood this August and you don’t want to miss out!
Get your tickets now at https://t.co/g6DbBJyaPr (link in bio) pic.twitter.com/sesCdllggw
— HeyNeighbourFest (@HeyNeighbourFes) March 27, 2025
Global superstar Doja Cat has been announced as one of the headliners for this year’s Hey Neighbour festival, marking her first-ever performance in South Africa. The highly anticipated second edition of the festival will take place in August at the Legends Adventure Farm, bringing together music lovers for an electrifying experience. Doja Cat, whose father is South African actor Dumisani Dlamini, is expected to deliver a high-energy performance that blends her unique style of rap, R&B, and pop.
Festival CEO Glen Netshipise expressed excitement over the announcement, stating, “Her energy, creativity, and ability to connect with audiences on a global scale make her the perfect artist to kick off what will be an epic festival line-up.” He also hinted at more major acts yet to be revealed. With Phase 1 tickets already on sale at heyneighbour.co.za, fans are eagerly securing their spots for what promises to be one of the most unforgettable music events of the year.
4. CDC pulls back $11B in COVID relief
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is pulling back $11.4 billion in funds allocated in response to Covid. “HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic,” a spokesman said. https://t.co/JvnGSaEyEj
— NBC News (@NBCNews) March 25, 2025
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reclaiming more than $11.4 billion in COVID-19 response funds from state and community health departments, nonprofits, and international organizations. Reports confirmed that grantees have 30 days to reconcile their expenditures. While a full list of affected programs has not been released, officials noted that the withdrawn funding previously supported COVID-19 testing, vaccination efforts, and initiatives aimed at reducing health disparities.
The decision reflects a broader shift in federal health priorities under Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Andrew Nixon, HHS Director of Communications, defended the move, stating that the pandemic is over and funds should no longer be allocated to a “non-existent pandemic.” At least nine state health departments have confirmed receipt of termination notices. Public health experts warn that COVID-19 remains a threat, with hundreds of Americans still dying each week and long COVID continuing to impact thousands.
5. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka back in training after surgery
🚨🔴⚪️ “Hello again”, says Bukayo Saka on Instagram… he’s back in training with Arsenal squad.
He’ll be also ready to face Real Madrid in UCL Quarter Finals. pic.twitter.com/crzNShuUCW
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 27, 2025
Arsenal have received a major boost as star winger Bukayo Saka returned to training on Thursday following a lengthy injury layoff. The 23-year-old England international has been sidelined since December after suffering a hamstring injury in the first half of Arsenal’s 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace, which required surgery. His return to the training ground marks a crucial step in his recovery, as the Gunners prepare for a crucial run of fixtures, including their Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid next month.
Saka’s comeback has lifted spirits among Arsenal fans, with the winger sharing a picture of himself giving a thumbs up during training, captioned “Hello again.” Despite missing a significant portion of the season, Saka remains Arsenal’s most productive player in the Premier League, having registered five goals and ten assists in just 16 appearances. He has also contributed four goals and two assists in the Champions League. Arsenal will be hoping their talisman can regain full fitness in time to help their push for silverware in the latter stages of the season.
Featured Image: Elliott Muscat
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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