Dior names Taylor Russell brand ambassador, Tams sets new record for African female artists in the UK charts, two-time champion Naomi Osaka withdraws from Grand Slam due to injury. Stay informed with our Rave News Summarywhich summarizes five of the hottest global news stories you need to stay informed, saving you time and energy. Consider it your daily news fix.
Here’s a look at five of the hottest news topics…
1. Dior appoints brand ambassador Taylor Russell
Taylor Russell has now been named a Dior ambassador pic.twitter.com/egA3CW0Fg4
— HG writes (@hgwrites_) January 23, 2026
Dior has named Canadian actress and director Taylor Russell as its newest brand ambassador, marking another high-profile move as creative director Jonathan Anderson is preparing to present his first haute couture collection for the legendary French fashion house. Russell, best known for her critically acclaimed performance in Bones and all, becomes the latest former Loewe muse to follow Anderson to Dior, joining a growing circle that includes Greta Lee, Josh O’Connor, And Drew Starkey. Many of these relationships have been forged through Anderson’s ongoing creative collaboration with the Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagninofor whom he designed costumes for films such as Challengers And Foreign, building close creative ties with the director’s leading stars.
Taylor Russell attended Anderson’s debut women’s ready-to-wear show for Dior in October and described the new collaboration as a natural and meaningful step. “I couldn’t be more honored and excited to join the house of Dior, a brand with a creativity, grace and timelessness that I have long admired, and to be alongside my dear friend Jonathan Anderson as he weaves his own unparalleled, unique story with Dior,” she said in a statement. Russell, who received the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Emerging Actress at the Venice Film Festival, is in demand and has upcoming roles in the Korean thriller. Heap alongside Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, And Hoyeonbut also a musician by Frank Ocean self-titled feature debut for A24. She is also a long-time friend of Tiffany & Co. and often wears the jeweler’s designs on the red carpet.
2. Tems sets a new record for African female artists in the UK charts
Dave & Tems’ ‘Raindance’ moves to number 1 on the UK Singles Charthttps://t.co/H5J2R3BXSN
— billboard (@billboard) January 25, 2026
Nigerian singer Tems has reached a new milestone on the UK charts, becoming the first African female artist to reach No. 1 on the official UK Singles Chart. The historic achievement comes courtesy of her collaboration with the British rapper Daaf on “Raindance,” which climbed to number one on Friday after weeks of steady momentum. The song’s moment at the top of the charts marks a major victory for Afrobeats and underlines the genre’s growing influence in one of the world’s most competitive music markets, further cementing Tems’ status as a global force.
The rise of “Raindance” was gradual rather than immediate, debuting in the Top 40 on Dave’s 2025 album The boy who played the harp before you get traction through winter. A viral social media challenge and a visually striking music video shot in Lagos helped propel the song to the sky, with the song eventually overtaking DJs “End of Beginning” after sitting at #2 last week. Critics have praised the seamless blend of Dave’s introspective lyricism and Tems’ soulful performance, while the record also becomes Dave’s fourth UK No. 1 single, adding to his string of chart-topping hits including ‘Funky Friday’, ‘Starlight’ and ‘Sprinter’.
3. Alex Pretti identified as man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis
Alex Pretti, identified as the man fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis on Saturday, was an intensive care unit nurse dedicated to treating veterans.
Read more about him here: https://t.co/Yx1zBIWasz pic.twitter.com/9rxzPshdp7
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) January 24, 2026
Alex Jeffrey Prettia 37-year-old ICU nurse from south Minneapolis has been identified as the man fatally shot by federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on Jan. 24. Pretti, a U.S. citizen who worked at the Minneapolis Veterans Medical Center, is the second Minneapolis resident killed by federal agents this month, following the death of René Good on January 7. The shooting has heightened tensions between federal officials, who say the dead were interfering with enforcement operations, and state and local leaders who say the increased federal presence is fueling violence and instability in the city. Attorney General of Minnesota Keith Ellison confirmed Pretti’s identity, while Gov. Tim Walz and police chief of Minneapolis Brian O’Hara said he had no criminal record other than minor parking violations and was a legal gun owner with a permit to carry.
In a statement to the press, Pretti’s parents said: Michael And Susan Prettidescribed their son as one “kind-hearted soul” who cared deeply about his family and the American veterans he treated as an ICU nurse, dismissing federal claims about his actions as “sickening lies.” Colleagues and friends echoed these sentiments, remembering Pretti as a compassionate, skilled caregiver who routinely supported seriously ill patients and their families during their most difficult moments. State officials, including Walz, have called for a full investigation into the shooting, opposing what they described as a hasty ruling by federal authorities and emphasizing that multiple videos of the incident warrant careful review.
4. Pharrell Williams Sued By Neptunus Partner Chad Hugo Amid Messy Breakup
Pharrell Williams is facing a new lawsuit from former Neptunes partner Chad Hugo, who claims he was cut from their shared company and is owed up to $1 million on a NERD album.
The lawsuit alleges that Pharrell “engaged in self-dealing, concealed material information and… pic.twitter.com/DRCmDWm5yb
— Kurrco (@Kurrco) January 24, 2026
Pharrell Williams is facing a new lawsuit from his longtime employee and Neptunes partner Chad Hugomarking a dramatic escalation in the once-legendary duo’s messy breakup. Hugo filed the lawsuit on Friday, January 23, claiming Williams cut him from their shared business ventures and owes him up to $1 million in unpaid royalties, tied to NERDs Album from 2017 No one ever really dies. The lawsuit accuses the creative director of Louis Vuitton’s men of self-dealing, concealing key financial information and siphoning off revenues owed to Hugo, including income from album sales, tours and merchandising, as well as royalties from the Rihanna-assisted hit ‘Lemon’.
The legal battle adds to an already contentious feud between the former childhood friends, who previously went to court in 2024 over control of the name ‘The Neptunes’ in an ongoing federal trademark dispute. Williams and Hugo were once among the most influential producers of the 2000s and 2010s, crafting era-defining hits for artists including Snoop Dogg, Nelly, Britney Spears, Jay Z, GuardAnd KelisIn the new filing, Hugo’s attorneys claim he has not received any revenue from a NERD merchandising partnership since 2023 and is owed at least $325,000 to $575,000, with total damages potentially reaching $1 million, underscoring how far one of hip-hop’s most successful partnerships has unraveled.
5. Two-time champion Naomi Osaka withdraws from the Grand Slam due to injury
Former world number 1 Naomi Osaka posted this message on social media on Saturday evening after withdrawing from her third round match at the Australian Open. pic.twitter.com/XwPCaXZkr9
— espnW (@espnW) January 24, 2026
Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the 2026 tournament ahead of her scheduled third-round match due to an abdominal injury. The Japanese star withdrew from her clash with the Australian qualifier on Saturday Maddison Inglisand said she couldn’t risk aggravating the problem after two demanding matches in Melbourne. Osaka, who won the title in 2019 and 2021, said the decision was difficult but necessary as she continues to improve her fitness after her second-round victory over Sorana Cirstea.
In a post shared on Instagram, Osaka said this was necessary “Tackling something that my body needs attention for” and thanked fans, her team and tournament organizers for their support. The 28-year-old has a history of abdominal problems and was forced to withdraw from a third-round match at the Australian Open last year with a similar problem. Her withdrawal sends Inglis to the fourth round via walkover and brings a premature end to what had been closely watched, especially after Osaka’s high-profile return to Rod Laver Arena earlier this week and her candid comments about caution as her body continues to adjust post-pregnancy.
Featured image: George Eyres/Courtesy of Dior
Our Weekday News Digest brings you a curated selection of the most compelling stories from around the world. This week we dive into the latest celebrity headlines from Hollywood to Nollywood, explore trending global news and highlight the most exciting sports developments of 2026.
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