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Kanye West postpones Marseille concert after French interior minister's intervention
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
US rapper Kanye West postponed his concert in Marseille, France, after reports indicated that French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez was seeking to block the performance. West announced his decision on X, stating it was his "sole decision to postpone my show in Marseille, France until further notice." The concert was scheduled for June 11. West has faced widespread criticism for antisemitic remarks and expressing admiration for Adolf Hitler. Britain previously blocked West from entering the country, leading to the cancellation of a festival where he was slated to headline, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling his booking "deeply concerning." However, Dutch Asylum and Migration Minister Bart van den Brink stated last week that there were no current plans to bar the rapper from the Netherlands. West also posted on X, acknowledging that it "takes time to understand the sincerity of my commitment to make amends" and taking "full responsibility for what's mine but I don't want to put my fans in the middle of it." In May 2025, West released a song titled "Heil Hitler," months after advertising a swastika t-shirt on his website. Major streaming platforms banned the song, and West later expressed regret for his conduct, attributing it to his bipolar disorder.
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Must ReadThe European Union has mandated that Google share data with other search engines and allow rival AI services access to its Android system. This directive, issued under the EU's Digital Markets Act DMA, aims to foster competition and provide users with more choices. Google is required to begin sharing search data by January 2027, with Android changes for users starting in July 2027. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen stated that these measures are expected to encourage alternatives to Google Search and its AI services like Gemini, enabling users to choose their preferred AI chatbot via voice commands. Google, however, has expressed concerns, with its head of global affairs Kent Walker stating that the measures introduce "unprecedented risks to user privacy, device security, and national security." He argued that sharing search data could expose private searches to unfamiliar companies without adequate anonymization or user consent. A senior European official countered that the EU has prioritized integrity, security, and privacy, and the decision ensures anonymization of search data. This demand is legally binding but is not a formal probe that could lead to fines. Separately, sources indicate the EU might impose a fine on Google next week in another DMA investigation. The EU has previously fined Google a total of 8.2 billion euros between 2017 and 2019 under different competition rules, and a 2.95 billion euro fine in September last year in an antitrust case.
All Progressives Congress chieftain Farouk Aliyu stated that Christians are more comfortable with the party鈥檚 Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket now than before the 2023 general election. Speaking on Arise Television, Aliyu argued that President Bola Tinubu鈥檚 administration has alleviated fears of religious marginalization. He defended President Tinubu鈥檚 decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, asserting that the APC had gained Nigerians' confidence in the last election. Aliyu noted that the initial decision to field two Muslim candidates in 2023 drew criticism over concerns about Christian marginalization, but he believes this is now history, as no one is being marginalized along religious lines. He added that President Tinubu has governed without religious bias. The APC chieftain expressed satisfaction with retaining Shettima, stating that changing the ticket could create unnecessary political challenges. Aliyu is confident that Nigerians will support the Tinubu-Shettima ticket again in the 2027 presidential election. The APC鈥檚 choice of Tinubu, a Muslim from the South-West, and Shettima, a Muslim from the North-East, for the 2023 election sparked national debate, with Christian groups opposing it. However, the APC defended the decision as based on competence and strategy, not religion, and the ticket ultimately won the 2023 presidential election.
Must ReadNigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, called on the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS to strengthen regional cooperation against terrorism and transnational crimes. Speaking at the 56th Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Enikanolaiye emphasized the need for sustained dialogue with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to address security and governance challenges. He urged member states to promptly pay the ECOWAS Community Levy, highlighting Nigeria's consistent fulfillment of its obligations despite domestic challenges. The minister stressed a reinvigorated regional response to terrorism, piracy, banditry, and transnational organized crime, noting Nigeria's intensified military operations. On democracy, Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to credible elections, assuring the council of free and fair 2027 general elections and inviting observers. He also condemned rising Afrophobic violence in South Africa, urging ECOWAS to adopt a firm position for submission to the African Union. Furthermore, he advocated for sustained engagement with the Alliance of Sahelian States Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Guinea-Bissau, stressing dialogue and inclusive approaches for regional peace and stability.