Wizkid makes history as the first African artist to hit 10 billion Spotify streams, FLO gives a slam dunk performance at the NBA London 2026 Halftime Show, Manchester City complete a £20m Marc Guehi transfer. 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. Wizkid makes history as the First African Artist to hit 10 billion Spotify streams
Wizkid becomes the first African artist in Spotify history to surpass 10 billion streams across all credits. pic.twitter.com/VDsdfuIfU2
— chart data (@chartdata) January 18, 2026
Wizkid has reached another historic milestone, becoming the first African artist to surpass 10 billion streams on Spotify across all credits. On Sunday, January 18, Chart Data confirmed that the Nigerian superstar crossed the landmark figure through a combination of his solo catalog, features, assists, and collaborations, marking an unprecedented achievement for an African act on the streaming platform. The feat crowns years of steady global growth, with Wizkid also making history as the first African artist to hit every billion-stream milestone on Spotify, from one billion all the way to ten billion.
The record-breaking moment arrives amid fresh momentum for the singer, who is currently rolling out a joint EP with fellow Nigerian star Asake. Their new single “Jogodo,” released ahead of REAL, Vol. 1, has already set a Spotify Nigeria record with 1.388 million single-day streams, the biggest ever for a collaboration in the country. Beyond streaming, Wizkid’s recent successes include the HBO documentary Wizkid: Long Live Lagos and his landmark 2023 sell-out show at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the first by an African artist. As the numbers continue to climb, Wizkid’s latest achievement underscores not just personal success but the expanding global reach of Afrobeats.
2. FLO gives a slam dunk performance at the NBA London Game 2026 Halftime Show
FLO lit up the NBA London Game 2026 with a high-energy Halftime Show that brought arena-shaking flair to center court. The British trio, Stella, Jorja, and Renée, delivered a polished, slam-dunk medley of “Get It Till I’m Gone” and “Walk Like This,” commanding the stage with sharp choreography and confident vocals. Their performance injected fresh R&B energy into the global sporting event, drawing loud reactions from fans in attendance and viewers watching around the world.
Both songs featured in the set are taken from FLO’s critically acclaimed, history-making debut album, Access All Areas, further spotlighting the group’s growing cultural impact. The standout appearance comes as FLO prepares for a busy 2026, with the trio teasing new music and major moves ahead. With their NBA London Game showing, FLO once again proved they are not just rising stars, but a group built for big moments and global stages.
3. Prince Harry takes on Daily Mail publisher over unlawful information gathering
Prince Harry and six other claimants, including musician Elton John and actress Elizabeth Hurley, are suing Associated Newspapers, the publisher of The Daily Mail, for illegal information gathering.https://t.co/7xvzK64PYD
— Good Morning America (@GMA) January 19, 2026
Prince Harry arrived at London’s High Court on Monday as his long-running legal battle against the publisher of the Daily Mail finally went to trial, marking another major confrontation between the Duke of Sussex and Britain’s tabloid press. Harry, 41, is suing Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) alongside six other high-profile figures over alleged unlawful information gathering practices, including phone hacking, phone tapping, and the use of private investigators, dating back to the 1990s and early 2000s. The case, first filed in October 2022, centers on claims that journalists and executives at The Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday engaged in systematic and sustained illegal methods to obtain private information, allegations ANL has strongly denied.
In court, the claimants’ lawyer, David Sherborne, said evidence would show a culture of unlawful news gathering that caused significant personal distress, particularly for Prince Harry, whose claims relate to articles published between 2001 and 2013. ANL’s legal team rejected the accusations as unfounded, arguing the claims were brought too late and insisting that phone hacking and other serious allegations never took place at the publisher. The trial, expected to last around nine weeks and carry legal costs estimated at £40 million, is the duke’s third major lawsuit against the British press in recent years, underscoring his continued effort to challenge media practices he has previously described as intrusive and damaging.
4. Venus Williams, 45, sets new record at Australian Open despite first-round exit
Venus Williams made history tonight as the oldest woman to play in the Australian Open singles main draw
Look at that smile on her face
She’s given everything to this sport
At 45 years old, it’s great to see that this sport still gives her this joy… win or lose
Legend in… pic.twitter.com/9LTwsYRZLz
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 18, 2026
Venus Williams made Australian Open history on Sunday despite a first-round exit at Melbourne Park, becoming the oldest woman ever to compete in the tournament’s main draw. At 45, the seven-time Grand Slam champion entered the 2026 edition on a wildcard and set the record simply by stepping onto the court, Australian Open officials confirmed. Williams opened her match strongly, racing to a 4–0 lead against 24-year-old Serbian Olga Danilovic, but ultimately dropped six straight games to bow out in her first Australian Open appearance in five years.
The defeat did little to overshadow the significance of the moment, as Williams left the court smiling and to loud applause, crediting the crowd’s energy for lifting her performance. “It was such a great game, such a great moment,” she said, reflecting on both her early lead and her overall progress as she continues to refine her game. Danilovic, who advanced after the win, described facing Williams as a rare privilege, calling it “a pleasure playing against such a legend.” Even in defeat, Williams’ return underscored her enduring presence in the sport and her ability to make history decades after her Australian Open debut in 1998.
5. Manchester City complete £20m Marc Guehi transfer
Marc Guéhi completes his move to Manchester City 🩵 pic.twitter.com/rHvbYVXiT4
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 19, 2026
Manchester City have completed the £20 million signing of England defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, strengthening their squad during the January transfer window. The 25-year-old has signed a contract running until the summer of 2031, providing a timely boost to Pep Guardiola’s injury-hit defence, with Josko Gvardiol ruled out for the season and Ruben Dias and John Stones also sidelined. Guehi becomes City’s second signing of the window after the arrival of Antoine Semenyo, taking the club’s January spending to £85 million.
An established England international, Guehi joins City after captaining Crystal Palace and playing a key role in their recent successes, including FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs. Speaking after completing the move, Guehi said he was “incredibly proud” to join what he described as “the best club in England,” adding that he is eager to grow under Guardiola and contribute to the team’s ambitions. City’s director of football, Hugo Viana, hailed the defender as “a huge talent” entering the prime of his career. At the same time, Guehi is expected to make his debut at the Etihad Stadium against Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday.
Featured image: Swan Gallet/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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