Essence names 2026 Black Women in Hollywood honorees, 2Baba, wife, Natasha, dedicates baby in church ceremony, Thomas Frank fired by Tottenham after dismal Premier League run. 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. 

EDITORIAL NOTE: After several years of coverage, Rave News Daily Digest will conclude today, Friday, February 13, 2026, as we turn our attention to more in-depth editorial content that serves you better. Thank you for your loyalty and support throughout the years.

Here is a rundown of five of the hottest news topics…

1. Essence names 2026 Black Women in Hollywood honorees

Get ready. We’re going Off Script.

ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood has always been a defining moment of awards season—honoring the Black women shaping the industry from every angle.

But this year, tradition isn’t the blueprint. We’re rewriting it.

This year’s honorees include… pic.twitter.com/FJINuAlKsG

— ESSENCE (@Essence) February 12, 2026

Essence Magazine has announced Chase Infiniti, Kerry Washington, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, and Zinzi Coogler as the 2026 Black Women in Hollywood (BWIH) honorees. The 19th annual awards luncheon is set to take place on March 12 at the Fairmont Century Plaza under the theme “Off Script,” which organizers say reflects a shift in how Black women are navigating Hollywood and redefining success on their own terms. The event continues Essence’s long-running tradition of celebrating groundbreaking achievements by Black women across film, television, and media.

Infiniti is being recognized for her breakout performance as Willa Ferguson in One Battle After Another, a role that earned her nominations from the Golden Globes, BAFTA Awards, Critics’ Choice Awards, and the Actor Awards. Washington, a previous BWIH honoree in 2012, will be celebrated for her multifaceted career as a Golden Globe- and Tony-nominated actress, Emmy-winning producer through Simpson Street, and New York Times bestselling author. Jackson is being honored for her nearly four-decade career spanning stage and screen, along with her civic contributions to the arts, while Coogler, founder of Proximity Media, is recognized for producing critically acclaimed projects, including her latest film Sinners. The 2026 Black Women in Hollywood ceremony will stream on Essence’s YouTube channel and will also feature the Essie’s Choice Award and the inaugural Creators’ Award presented by Smartwater.

2. 2Baba and wife Natasha dedicate baby in church ceremony

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝟐𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚, 𝐖𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐈𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲

Credit: Facebook | Ameria Wing Utah
—
Follow us for more breaking news and videos pic.twitter.com/MZoGWNlFuU

— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) February 12, 2026

Veteran Nigerian singer Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face or 2Baba, and his wife, Edo State lawmaker Natasha Osawaru, have dedicated their baby in a church ceremony attended by close family and friends. A video that began circulating online on Thursday captured the heartwarming moment as the couple presented their newborn during the service, marking a significant spiritual milestone for their growing family. The dedication comes about three months after they welcomed their first child together in November 2025, following their traditional wedding earlier in the year.

In the now-viral footage, 2Baba and Natasha were seen dancing joyfully toward the altar while carrying their baby, with relatives trailing behind them, clapping and celebrating as they approached the officiating minister. The ceremony reflected a blend of faith and festivity, with the couple visibly elated as they committed their child to God in the presence of loved ones. Fans have since flooded social media with congratulatory messages, celebrating the latest chapter in the music icon’s personal life.

3. Chris Brown’s Breezy Bowl XX becomes the highest-grossing solo tour by a Black male artist

Chris Brown’s Breezy Bowl XX officially becomes the highest-grossing tour ever by a solo Black American male artist, pulling in $295.5 million from 1,983,000 million tickets sold across 49 shows. pic.twitter.com/jaJbti0xa5

— XXL Magazine (@XXL) February 11, 2026

Chris Brown has reached a new milestone in his career as his Breezy Bowl XX Tour officially becomes the highest-grossing tour by a solo Black American male artist. The global run generated an estimated $295.5 million from 1,983,000 tickets sold across 49 shows, placing the multi-platinum singer among the most commercially successful touring acts in contemporary music. The figures reflect not only strong ticket demand but also Brown’s sustained global appeal nearly two decades after his debut.

The achievement underscores the growing importance of live performance revenue in today’s music industry, where touring has become the primary driver of artist earnings. With nearly 2 million tickets sold and averaging more than 40,000 fans per show, Breezy Bowl XX demonstrates the scale of Brown’s international fan base and the strength of a catalog spanning early 2000s R&B hits to recent chart-topping releases. Industry analysts note that tours approaching $300 million typically involve stadium-level production, extensive logistics, and consistent near-capacity attendance, all of which signal Brown’s enduring commercial power in a competitive global market.

4. Former Arsenal player Thomas Partey charged with two further counts of rape as statement issued

Thomas Partey, the former Arsenal midfielder, has been charged with two new counts of rape. pic.twitter.com/GycZ2bcZGz

— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) February 12, 2026

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with two further counts of rape, according to a statement issued by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The 32-year-old Ghana international football player, who now plays for Spanish side Villarreal, already faces trial in November 2026 after pleading not guilty to five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to alleged incidents between 2021 and 2022. The CPS confirmed the new charges relate to a separate report of non-recent offences in 2020 involving an additional woman, following a fresh investigation by the Metropolitan Police. The allegations were first reported in August 2025, and Partey is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on March 13.

Partey, who left Arsenal in the summer of 2025 at the end of his contract, remains on bail and is permitted to continue playing professional football under conditions. He is prohibited from contacting any of the complainants and must notify the police 24 hours before any international travel. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, he remains part of Ghana’s national team setup ahead of the 2026 World Cup and is expected to travel to North America for the tournament. Meanwhile, his club future remains uncertain, with his one-year deal at Villarreal set to expire in June, as he prepares to contest the charges in court later this year.

5. Thomas Frank fired by Tottenham after dismal Premier League run

BREAKING: Thomas Frank has been sacked by Tottenham Hotspur 🚨 pic.twitter.com/5LKf0MHiqW

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 11, 2026

Tottenham Hotspur have sacked head coach Thomas Frank after just eight months in charge, the club confirmed on Wednesday, following a dismal Premier League run that has left Spurs 16th in the table. The decision came less than 24 hours after Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle United, which marked their 11th league loss of the season. Frank, 52, faced chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” from frustrated supporters during the match, while others sang the name of former manager Mauricio Pochettino. In a statement, the club said: “The club has taken the decision to make a change in the Men’s Head Coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today,” adding that while he had been given time and support since his appointment in June 2025, “results and performances” had forced the board to act.

Spurs have won just two of their last 17 league matches, collecting 11 points in that stretch, and are now only five points above the relegation zone. Their current eight-game winless run is the club’s longest in the Premier League since October 2008. Despite guiding Tottenham to the Champions League round of 16 and narrowly losing the UEFA Super Cup final to Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the season. However,  domestic struggles, including early exits from the EFL Cup and FA Cup, intensified pressure on the Danish coach. Sources indicate the club is leaning toward appointing an interim manager while a longer-term solution is considered, with chief executive Vinai Venkatesham expected to address the situation further. Frank’s departure marks the first managerial sacking since Daniel Levy’s exit, as Spurs attempt to halt a slide that has plunged the club into a relegation battle.

Featured Image: @chaseinfiniti/Instagram | @kerrywashington for Pomellato | Laura Kim for Marie Claire

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