Rorisang Modiba delivers daily updates from around the world.
Paris – Tom Cruise thrilled crowds at the 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony by jumping from the Stade de France roof and taking the Olympic flag to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games. He rode a motorcycle through Paris and flew a plane past the Eiffel Tower. In the dramatic video, he skydived to land at LA’s Hollywood sign, shown with three Olympic rings added to its two ‘O’s. “Thank you, Paris! Now off to LA,” he wrote on X.
Nigeria – Police in Abuja, Nigeria, are investigating the murder of Abuja Area Mama, a transgender TikTokker. Her body, found on a highway dressed in female clothing, was identified without any ID. The police are treating the case as a homicide. Nigeria’s strict laws against same-sex relations often lead to harassment of LGBTQ+ individuals. Abuja Area Mama has spoken about the dangers of her work and has been attacked before. A day before her death, she mentioned on Instagram that she was going to meet her boyfriend.
Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about Ukraine’s ongoing military operation in Russia’s Kursk region, which started on Tuesday. The mission involves thousands of Ukrainian troops and aims to push the war into Russian territory. Ukrainian forces have moved up to 12 miles into Russia. Despite Russian counterattacks, the attack continues into its sixth day.
Australia – A helicopter has crashed onto the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Cairns, Australia, killing the pilot. The crash caused a fire, but none of the 421 guests, 50 children, or staff members were injured. The helicopter was being used “unauthorisedly,” according to its operator, Nautilus Aviation, which is cooperating with the investigation. The hotel has evacuated guests and is helping them find new accommodations.
Pictured above: Tom Cruise abseils from the top of Stade de France.
Source: Instagram
