Drake faces a US lawsuit over ties to online gambling firm and scheme to inflate streams, Shallipopi’s “Laho” gets Rihanna’s attention, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named Sports Illustrated’s 2025 Sportsperson of the Year. 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. Drake faces Lawsuit over ties to Online Gambling Firm and scheme to Inflate Streams
Drake has been accused in a federal class-action RICO lawsuit of using the online sweepstakes casino to boost the play counts of his music across the major streaming platforms. https://t.co/YopFUdRw1Z
— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 2, 2026
Drake is facing a new legal challenge in 2026 after being named in a proposed United States class-action lawsuit that accuses him of participating in a scheme involving an online gambling platform and the artificial inflation of music streams. The lawsuit centers on Stake.us, the U.S. arm of Curaçao-based online casino operator Stake, which the Toronto rapper has frequently promoted on social media. According to the filing, Drake and others allegedly used proceeds from the platform to “obscure transmissions of money,” some of which were then used to boost streaming numbers for his music. The suit claims Drake, born Aubrey Graham, was “at the heart of the scheme,” working alongside social media influencer Adin Ross, with both allegedly being paid to promote Stake.us by gambling with virtual currencies provided by the platform.
Filed on December 31, 2025, in a Virginia court, the lawsuit was brought on behalf of Stake.us users and seeks at least $5 million US in damages and legal fees, with the plaintiffs demanding a jury trial. The complaint alleges that Stake.us operates as an illegal online gambling site designed to bypass U.S. restrictions, despite being marketed as a “social casino,” and claims its virtual currency can be redeemed for cryptocurrency or gift cards. It further alleges that Drake, Ross, and another named defendant, George Nguyen, used the platform’s tipping function to transfer funds among themselves, some of which were then used to manipulate streaming platforms like Spotify to create “fraudulent streams.” The suit argues that these actions distorted playlists, misled recommendation and royalty systems, and suppressed authentic artists. None of the allegations has been proven in court, and representatives for Drake and Stake did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
2. Shallipopi’s “Laho” gets Rihanna’s attention
Rihanna in Barbados recently ! pic.twitter.com/NcSDMTHKBU
— constanza (@conyfentyy) January 1, 2026
Nigerian rapper Shallipopi has captured global attention after a viral video showed Rihanna vibing to his hit single “Laho” while on vacation in Barbados. The clip, which surfaced online in the early hours of 2026, features the global pop icon relaxed on a yacht, smiling and mouthing the lyrics to the mid-tempo track as it played in the background. The unscripted moment quickly spread across social media, with fans hailing it as a major co-sign for the Benin City-born artist. While “Laho” was already one of Nigeria’s biggest songs of 2025, Rihanna’s organic endorsement elevated it into a fresh cultural moment, bridging Caribbean pop royalty with West African street-pop.
The reaction online was swift and celebratory, with users dissecting the video and praising the authenticity of Rihanna’s response to the song. Shallipopi, whose real name is Crown Uzama, acknowledged the moment by quoting the clip on X with the message, “Get it, queen,” further fueling the buzz. Released in March 2025 and later reissued independently following a label split, “Laho” went on to become a chart and streaming success, bolstered by high-profile remixes featuring Burna Boy and Ozuna. Rihanna’s latest co-sign adds to her long history of amplifying Afrobeats on the global stage, reinforcing the genre’s continued rise and marking another milestone in Shallipopi’s fast-growing international profile.
3. Donald Trump announces the U.S. Military’s Capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro
After bombing Venezuela and abducting President Nicolás Maduro, Donald Trump said the US government is “going to run the country” until there is a “transition” to pro-US leadership.
He boasted that “very large” US corporations will exploit its oil.
This is blatant colonialism. pic.twitter.com/Cy44HmRdpG
— Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) January 3, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that American forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro following what he described as a successful overnight joint military and law enforcement operation in Caracas. Speaking at a news conference from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump said the operation targeted a “heavily fortified military fortress” in the Venezuelan capital and resulted in the detention of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores de Maduro. According to the president, the pair will face U.S. criminal proceedings linked to a 2020 Department of Justice indictment that includes charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. Earlier, Trump shared an image on social media showing Maduro blindfolded and in handcuffs aboard the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima.
The mission, dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve, was described by senior U.S. officials as the culmination of months of planning involving special operations forces, multiple military branches, and U.S. intelligence agencies. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the extraction was carried out without U.S. casualties and involved extensive air, ground, maritime, and space coordination. Trump said the U.S. would “run” Venezuela during a transition period and claimed Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who was reportedly sworn in after Maduro’s removal, was open to working with Washington. The capture marks a dramatic escalation in long-running tensions between the two countries, which intensified in late 2025 amid U.S. actions targeting alleged narco-terrorism networks linked to the Venezuelan state.
4. G Herbo is Engaged to Taina Williams
Congratulations to G Herbo and Taina on their engagement 💍 pic.twitter.com/GEmBFT0REf
— King Vashti® 👽 (@KingVashti) January 1, 2026
G Herbo has announced his engagement to longtime partner Taina Williams, marking a major personal milestone as the couple rang in the new year. The Chicago rapper proposed on New Year’s Eve in Miami, with the intimate moment taking place at Brooklyn Chophouse in the presence of close friends and family, including Williams’ mother, Emily B. Sharing the news on Instagram, G Herbo showed clips of the proposal soundtracked by Ne-Yo’s “Champagne Life,” as he reflected on their journey together and praised Williams for standing by him through every phase of his life and career.
During the proposal, G Herbo spoke candidly about their shared growth before getting down on one knee and asking Williams to marry him, a question she accepted to loud cheers from those in attendance. The setting featured an elaborate romantic display, complete with white roses, a curated fine-dining menu, and celebratory champagne. As they enter 2026 engaged, the moment signals a new chapter for the couple. It highlights a focus on family, stability, and long-term partnership beyond the spotlight of music and celebrity.
5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named Sports Illustrated’s 2025 Sportsperson of the Year
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is SI’s 2025 Sportsperson of the Year 👏 pic.twitter.com/aC8JELvTfO
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 2, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named Sports Illustrated’s 2025 Sportsperson of the Year, a distinction that caps off a historic season for the Canadian guard. Announced on January 2, the honor recognizes Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominant on-court performances and growing cultural influence, following a year in which he won NBA MVP and led the Thunder to their first-ever championship. The award places him alongside past recipients such as LeBron James, Serena Williams, Steph Curry, and Simone Biles, with Gilgeous-Alexander set to formally accept the honor at a ceremony in Las Vegas on January 6.
Beyond the championship run, Gilgeous-Alexander added multiple accolades to his résumé, including First Team All-NBA, Western Conference Finals MVP, and a feature role in Netflix’s Starting 5, further cementing his status as one of the league’s defining figures. Off the court, his influence has extended into fashion and athlete branding, with his distinctive style becoming a hallmark of his public persona. Despite the success, Gilgeous-Alexander told Sports Illustrated his focus remains on personal growth, saying his motivation is to be “the best version of myself every night,” a mindset that continues to shape his rise as one of basketball’s most impactful modern stars.
Featured image: Mark Blinch/Getty Images
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.
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