Nicki Minaj and Cardi B’s online feud escalates with jabs at each other’s children, Rema becomes the only African artist on TIME 100 Next 2025, Gaël Monfils to retire from tennis at the end of the 2026 season. 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. Nicki Minaj and Cardi B’s Online Feud Escalates with Jabs at Each Other’s Children
42-year-old Nicki Minaj attacks Cardi B’s 7-year-old daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus on her son’s 5th birthday. pic.twitter.com/80u0jMPavU
— Pop Stuff (@ThePopStuff) October 1, 2025
What began as another heated lyrical exchange between Nicki Minaj and Cardi B quickly spiraled into a deeply personal and disturbing online feud late Monday night (September 30). The rap rivals reignited their long-standing beef on X (formerly Twitter), lobbing insults and accusations at each other, but this time, they crossed a line that left even their most hardened fans stunned: their children were dragged into the fray. Cardi B, who is currently pregnant, warned Minaj to stop referencing her kids after the Queens rapper allegedly made repeated jabs about her pregnancy and alleged medical conditions. Cardi retaliated with a fiery post accusing Minaj of infertility due to past drug use and calling on divine protection for her unborn child.
The feud escalated further when Nicki Minaj insulted the appearance of Cardi B’s seven-year-old daughter, Kulture, calling her a “Kulture vulture” and “ugly.” In response, Cardi defended her daughter’s looks and accused Minaj of projecting jealousy over her own five-year-old son, Papa Bear. She claimed is nonverbal due to his mother’s drug use, a deeply personal and controversial allegation. Cardi went on to describe the boy’s behavior as “banging spoons” and walking on his “tippy toes,” sparking a broader debate online about ableism and boundaries in rap beefs. In one of the most shocking moments of the night, Minaj allegedly referred to Cardi’s daughters as a “monkey and roach,” a phrase loaded with racial and personal implications. As the verbal war raged on, Minaj challenged Cardi to meet her in New York, but declined to share her location. The night ended with both women seemingly logging off, leaving fans reeling and questioning whether this feud has finally gone too far.
2. Rema Becomes the Only African Artist on TIME 100 Next 2025
Rema is featured on the 2025 TIME100 list (Innovators). He is the only African artist on this year’s list. pic.twitter.com/EJwKV1F1ia
— Pop Base (@PopBase) September 30, 2025
Afrobeats star Rema has earned a groundbreaking honor as the only African artist featured on the 2025 TIME100 Next list, a prestigious annual roundup by TIME Magazine spotlighting the world’s most influential emerging leaders. The Nigerian singer joins a global cohort of changemakers from diverse fields, including music, politics, science, and technology. His selection marks a significant milestone not only in his career but also for African music as a whole, as Afrobeats continues to gain a growing presence on the world stage.
Rema’s record-breaking success with his international hit “Calm Down,” especially its Selena Gomez-assisted remix, has catapulted him to global fame, with the song surpassing one billion streams twice. Grammy-winning icon Angélique Kidjo penned Rema’s TIME100 Next profile, praising his role in propelling Afrobeats to international acclaim. Comparing him to African music pioneers like Fela Kuti and Miriam Makeba, Kidjo hailed Rema as a “torchbearer” of Africa’s vibrant sound and message. As he stands alongside global talents such as Teyana Taylor and GloRilla, Rema’s recognition signals a powerful moment for African artists carving their place on the global cultural map.
3. The US Government has Shut Down
Breaking News: The U.S. government has shut down, after Congress failed to pass a bill to keep federal funding flowing. Hundreds of thousands of workers are set to be sent home without pay, and a wide range of federal programs will be disrupted. https://t.co/q0caziSzXd pic.twitter.com/vEwubNgeNm
— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 1, 2025
The United States government officially shut down at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, after Democrats and Republicans in the Senate failed to reach an agreement on a stopgap funding bill. The shutdown, which coincides with the start of the new fiscal year, was triggered by the expiration of last year’s budget without a new one in place. Despite controlling both chambers of Congress, Republicans failed to secure internal consensus. Democrats refused to support their proposed bill without the reversal of recent cuts to Medicaid enacted under President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
The consequences of the shutdown are sweeping: approximately 750,000 federal workers face furloughs without pay, while “essential” employees, like air traffic controllers and law enforcement agents, will remain on the job unpaid. While Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will continue due to mandatory funding, numerous agencies, including FEMA, the IRS, and the Small Business Administration, are scaling back or halting operations entirely. The White House has warned agencies to prepare for large-scale layoffs if the impasse continues. Democrats have stood firm, calling mass layoff threats “intimidation,” while Trump has signaled he may use the shutdown to further dismantle federal programs he labels as “Democrat things.”
4. Young Thug Confirms Mariah The Scientist Breakup
Atlanta rapper Young Thug confirms Mariah The Scientist broke up with him
“I got broke up with, but I still got a girl. She probably don’t got a boyfriend, but I got a girl.”pic.twitter.com/nY6rjxVBXN
— Kollege Kidd (@KollegeKidd) October 1, 2025
Young Thug made a headline-grabbing appearance on Adin Ross’ livestream on Monday night, giving fans a rare glimpse into his personal life and thoughts on the state of hip hop. During the candid conversation, the “So Much Fun” rapper revealed he is no longer in a relationship with singer Mariah The Scientist. When Ross casually referred to her as Thug’s current girlfriend, he quickly corrected him: “I got broke up with,” he admitted. “But I still got a girl. She probably don’t got a boyfriend, but I got a girl.” The pair’s relationship had garnered public attention over the last two years, especially during Thug’s incarceration, where Mariah showed unwavering support. However, leaked jail calls revealing Thug discussing infidelity seemingly led to the split, despite his recent apology in the song “Man I Miss My Dogs,” released September 12.
Elsewhere in the stream, Thug shared his take on the ongoing Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar debate, ultimately siding with Drake due to his broader cultural impact and chart dominance. “I gotta say Drake… got more numbers. Impact on the culture, impact on the world,” he said, though he also praised Kendrick as the West Coast’s greatest, calling him “the GOAT” out of L.A. with a nod to Nipsey Hussle as his personal favorite. When asked to name his Mount Rushmore of Atlanta rap, Thug proudly included himself alongside Future, Playboi Carti, and André 3000. The stream follows the release of his newest album, UY SCUTI, his first post-incarceration project, featuring a star-studded lineup including Travis Scott, Mariah The Scientist, and Cardi B.
5. Gaël Monfils to Retire From Tennis at the End of the 2026 Season
I’ve got something to share with you. pic.twitter.com/pBGh58O6pg
— Gael Monfils (@Gael_Monfils) October 1, 2025
French tennis star Gaël Monfils has officially announced he will retire from professional tennis at the end of the 2026 season, bringing to a close a dazzling 21-year career marked by flair, athleticism, and passion. The 39-year-old, who turned heads with his victory at the Auckland Open earlier this year, becoming the oldest ATP Tour singles champion in history, shared the emotional news via Instagram on Wednesday, declaring that he’s “at peace” with his decision to step away from the sport.
A two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist, Monfils reached the final four at Roland-Garros in 2008 and the US Open in 2016. He has collected 13 ATP titles and was once ranked as high as No. 6 in the world. In his heartfelt message, Monfils reflected on turning his childhood passion into a career, playing through what he called a “golden age of tennis” alongside legends like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. “Even losing feels epic when you’re facing a legend,” he wrote, adding that his on-court charisma was never just for show—“What you see is joy, pure joy.” As a new generation of players rises, Monfils leaves behind a legacy not just of talent but of electrifying entertainment and unmatched love for the game.
Featured image: @nickiminaj @iamcardib/Instagram
Our Weekday News Digest brings you a curated selection of the most compelling stories from around the globe. This week, we delve into the latest celebrity headlines, from Hollywood to Nollywood, explore trending global news, and highlight the most exciting sports developments of 2025.
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