Dior names Taylor Russell brand ambassador, Tems sets new record for African female artists on the UK charts, Two-time champion Naomi Osaka withdraws from Grand Slam citing injury. 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. Dior names Taylor Russell brand ambassador

Taylor Russell is now 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 prepares to present his first haute couture collection for the storied French fashion house. Russell, best known for her 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 were forged through Anderson’s ongoing creative collaborations with Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, for whom he designed costumes on films such as Challengers and Queer, building close creative bonds 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 partnership as a natural and meaningful step. “I couldn’t be more honored and elated to join the house of Dior, a brand which carries a creativity, grace, and timelessness that I’ve long admired, and to be alongside my dear friend Jonathan Anderson as he weaves his own unparalleled one-of-a-kind story with Dior,” she said in a statement. A recipient of the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Emerging Actress at the Venice Film Festival, Russell is in high demand, with upcoming roles in the Korean thriller Hope alongside Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Hoyeon, as well as musician Frank Ocean’s untitled feature film debut for A24. She is also a longtime friend of Tiffany & Co., frequently wearing the jeweler’s designs on the red carpet.

2. Tems sets a new record for African female artists on the UK charts

Dave & Tems’ ‘Raindance’ Shimmies to No. 1 on U.K. Singles Charthttps://t.co/H5J2R3BXSN

— billboard (@billboard) January 25, 2026

Nigerian singer Tems has set a new milestone on the UK charts, becoming the first African female artist to reach Number 1 on the Official UK Singles Chart. The historic achievement comes through her collaboration with British rapper Dave on “Raindance,” which climbed to the top spot on Friday after weeks of steady momentum. The chart-topping moment marks a major win for Afrobeats and underscores the genre’s expanding 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 from Dave’s 2025 album The Boy Who Played the Harp before gaining traction through the winter. A viral social media challenge and a visually striking music video shot in Lagos helped propel the track upward, with the song finally overtaking Djo’s “End of Beginning” after sitting at Number 2 the previous week. Critics have praised the seamless blend of Dave’s introspective lyricism and Tems’ soulful delivery, while the record also becomes Dave’s fourth UK Number 1 single, adding to his run of chart leaders that includes “Funky Friday,” “Starlight,” and “Sprinter.”

3. Alex Pretti identified as man fatally shot by federal officers in Minneapolis

Alex Pretti, who is identified as the man fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis on Saturday, was an intensive care 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 Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse from south Minneapolis, has been identified as the man fatally shot by federal officers during an immigration enforcement action in Minneapolis on January 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 Renee Good on January 7. The shooting has intensified tensions between federal officials, who claim those killed were interfering with enforcement operations, and state and local leaders who argue that the heightened federal presence is fueling violence and instability in the city. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison confirmed Pretti’s identity, while Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said he had no criminal record beyond minor parking violations and was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry.

In a statement provided to the press, Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, described their son as a “kindhearted soul” who cared deeply for his family and for the American veterans he treated as an ICU nurse, rejecting federal claims about his actions as “sickening lies.” Colleagues and friends echoed those sentiments, remembering Pretti as a compassionate, skilled caregiver who routinely supported critically ill patients and their families during their most difficult moments. State officials, including Walz, have called for a full investigation into the shooting, pushing back against what they described as a rush to judgment by federal authorities and emphasizing that multiple videos of the incident warrant careful review.

4. Pharrell Williams sued by Neptunes partner Chad Hugo amid messy split

Pharrell Williams is facing a new lawsuit from former Neptunes partner Chad Hugo, who alleges he was cut out of their shared company and is owed up to $1 million tied to an N.E.R.D. album.

The suit claims 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 collaborator and Neptunes partner Chad Hugo, marking a dramatic escalation in the once-legendary duo’s messy split. Hugo filed the suit on Friday, January 23, alleging that Williams cut him out of their shared business ventures and owes him up to $1 million in unpaid royalties tied to N.E.R.D.’s 2017 album No One Ever Really Dies. The lawsuit accuses the Louis Vuitton men’s creative director of self-dealing, concealing key financial information, and diverting revenue owed to Hugo, including income from album sales, touring, and merchandising, as well as royalties from the Rihanna-assisted hit “Lemon.”

The legal battle adds to an already contentious fallout between the former childhood friends, who previously went to court in 2024 over control of “The Neptunes” name in an ongoing federal trademark dispute. Once among the most influential producers of the 2000s and 2010s, Williams and Hugo crafted era-defining hits for artists, including Snoop Dogg, Nelly, Britney Spears, Jay-Z, Usher, and Kelis, while also forming two-thirds of N.E.R.D. In the new filing, Hugo’s lawyers claim he has not received revenue since 2023 from an N.E.R.D. merchandising partnership 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 citing injury

Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka posted this message to social media 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, citing an abdominal injury. The Japanese star pulled out on Saturday before her clash with Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis, saying she could not risk aggravating the issue 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 manage her fitness following her second-round victory over Sorana Cirstea.

In a message shared on Instagram, Osaka said she needed to “address something 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 retire from a third-round match at last year’s Australian Open with a similar issue. Her withdrawal sends Inglis through to the fourth round via walkover and brings a premature end to what had been a closely watched run, particularly after Osaka’s eye-catching return to Rod Laver Arena earlier in the week and her candid remarks about being cautious as her body continues to adjust following 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 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 2026.

— Read also