Mattel celebrates Venus Williams with new Barbie release, Asake stuns fans with bold new hairstyle, Romelu Lukaku is ruled out until November after sustaining thigh 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. Mattel celebrates Venus Williams with new Barbie release
Mattel is celebrating tennis legend Venus Williams with a new Barbie doll that pays tribute to her groundbreaking career and enduring impact on the sport. The doll is part of the Barbie Inspiring Women series and is styled in homage to Williams’ historic 2007 season, when she not only secured her fifth Wimbledon title but also led the charge for equal prize money in professional tennis. That same year, she became the first woman to earn equal pay at a top-level tournament—an achievement that helped reshape the landscape of the sport. The doll features a green gem necklace reminiscent of the one she wore during her victory, as well as tennis accessories that highlight her on-court excellence.
Now 45, Williams reflected on the recognition with pride, saying the honor symbolizes more than just athletic success. “Growing up, I was taught early on that anything is possible with hard work and perseverance,” she said. “I hope this doll encourages young people to dream big, know their worth, and pursue their goals with confidence and heart.” Krista Berger, Senior Vice President at Mattel, echoed those sentiments, calling Williams a transformative figure both on and off the court. The doll is available early to Barbie Club 59 members on Thursday evening, with wider release through Mattel’s online shop the following day, offering fans a chance to celebrate a true trailblazer in sports and society.
2. Asake stuns fans with bold new hairstyle
Asake’s new look 😍
Rate the hairstyle out of 10 👀 pic.twitter.com/qREtJlQTao
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) August 17, 2025
Afrobeats star Asake has once again made waves in the entertainment world, debuting a bold new look that has fans and followers talking. The chart-topping artist appeared on stage recently sporting bright blue hair, a dramatic departure from his usual style. Paired with his signature layered jewelry and a laid-back white tee, the daring transformation captured immediate attention both online and off.
Renowned for his genre-defining music and fearless fashion choices, Asake continues to cement his status as one of Afrobeats’ most unpredictable and trend-setting figures. Reactions to the new look flooded social media, with some fans applauding his creative expression, while others were stunned by the unexpected change. One thing’s clear; Asake is proving once more that in today’s entertainment landscape, personal style is as powerful a statement as the music itself.
3. Miss Palestine to compete in Miss Universe pageant for the first time
Miss Palestine to compete in Miss Universe pageant for first time https://t.co/fH5t69uZyl
— CTV News (@CTVNews) August 18, 2025
Nadeen Ayoub is set to make history as the first woman to represent the Palestinian people at the Miss Universe pageant, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) confirmed in a statement. The 27-year-old beauty queen and advocate will compete at the 74th edition of the global competition, taking place on November 21, in Bangkok, Thailand. MUO described Ayoub as an embodiment of “resilience and determination,” emphasizing the pageant’s mission to celebrate diversity, cultural exchange, and female empowerment.
Ayoub, who was crowned Miss Palestine in 2022, shared the milestone on Instagram, expressing her desire to be a voice for her people. “As Palestine endures heartbreak, especially in Gaza, I carry the voice of a people who refuse to be silenced,” she wrote. “We are more than our suffering—we are resilience, hope, and the heartbeat of a homeland that lives on through us.” Her historic participation comes as international focus intensifies on the war in Gaza, where over 62,000 people have been reported killed since October 2023. As support grows globally for Palestinian statehood, Ayoub’s appearance on the Miss Universe stage is being hailed as a powerful symbol of visibility and representation.
4. Snoop Dogg turns “Ashes to Art” at sold-out auction
Snoop Dogg Blunts, Ashes Made Into Art Going for $9,000 and Up in Auction. Read more: pic.twitter.com/g3hK0dBKn9
— Complex (@Complex) August 17, 2025
Snoop Dogg has made an unexpected, but fitting, leap into the world of fine art with Ashes to Art, a provocative, ultra-limited collection that transforms his used blunt ashes and roaches into custom-framed art pieces. Created in collaboration with artist Erica Kovitz through The Joint Venture art collective, the collection merges pop culture, cannabis legacy, and contemporary fine art. Each one-of-a-kind piece is encased in resin, professionally mounted, and comes with a certificate of authenticity. With only seven artworks released, collectors have scrambled to secure a piece of the rapper’s smoky legacy, paying between $10,000 and $20,000.
As of Tuesday morning (August 19), all seven pieces have been sold, including Doggystyle Decoded, which fetched $20,000 and features the original Doggystyle CD preserved in resin. The most coveted item, Snoop Doggy Dogg Genesis Burn, was listed at a staggering $112,000 bid, but sold for $70,000. The artwork features Snoop’s 1993 LAPD mugshot, singed at the edges and flecked with ash from a roach smoked by the rapper himself, and is the only piece signed with his original “Snoop Doggy Dogg” autograph. The auction ran until 5:00 p.m. PT on Monday, offering fans, collectors, and cannabis connoisseurs a rare chance to own a literal piece of Snoop’s legacy.
5. Romelu Lukaku is ruled out until November after sustaining a thigh injury
🚨⚠️ Napoli are back on the market for new striker as reported yesterday, due to serious injury for Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian striker suffered muscle injury and won’t be available for the next three months at least. 🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/fx5dWKYMg4
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 18, 2025
Napoli forward Romelu Lukaku will be sidelined until November after suffering a serious thigh injury during a pre-season friendly against Olympiacos. The club confirmed on Monday that the Belgian striker underwent tests at Pineta Grande Hospital, which revealed a high-grade injury to the rectus femoris muscle in his left thigh. Lukaku has already begun rehabilitation and will consult further on potential surgical options.
The injury is a significant blow to manager Antonio Conte, who reunited with Lukaku this summer following their successful spell at Inter. With just 13 days left in the transfer window and the recent departures of Giovanni Simeone and Giacomo Raspadori, Napoli are left short-handed up front. While Lorenzo Lucca, on loan from Udinese, is currently the only senior striker available, the club is expected to explore short-term reinforcements to avoid jeopardizing their ambitions for the 2025–26 season.
Featured image: Silvia Draz for Marie Claire UK
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 2025.
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